Chapter 67: Deliberately Making Things Difficult
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After losing her temper, Yu Qingning had also calmed down. She had always been competitive just to please her father and make him dote on her more.
Concubine He said in a low voice, “Go back and apologize to Ms. Ye now.”
Yu Qingning was a little unwilling. “But, if Ms. Ye doesn’t forgive me, then wouldn’t I…”
Concubine He quickly said, “You’ve always performed well at home and haven’t done anything wrong. As long as your attitude is good, Ms. Ye won’t be too harsh on you.”
Yu Qingning was still a little reluctant, but when she thought of what Concubine Yu had said just now, how Yu Youyao had not gone to school for more than a month, and how Ms. Ye had not chased her away, she nodded reluctantly.
Concubine He finally nodded in relief. “I embroidered a hibiscus screen a few days ago. Bring it with you and apologize to Ms. Ye properly. You can’t do this again in the future.”
It had taken her three months to embroider the hibiscus embroidery. She had originally planned to give it to Old Madam, but it was more important for her to apologize to Ms. Ye now.
In the family study, Ms. Ye was teaching the Four Books and Five Classics. Among them, the first chapter of The Book of Rites, Curiosity, was divided into two parts. Most of the books were about etiquette, such as speech, food, cleaning, responding, and the way to advance and retreat. They included the contents of the Five Rites, such as auspicious rituals, fierce rituals, military rituals, guest rituals, and honorable rituals.
They were all small details, but were extremely broad and deep.
In addition to learning ‘Female Virtue’, ‘Internal Training’, and ‘Biographies of outstanding women’, the young mistresses of wealthy families also had to learn some of the ‘Four Books and Five Classics’, poems and songs. However, young mistresses did not need to take the imperial examination, so the teachers would pick some important lessons.
There wasn’t much content in The Book of Rites, but Ms. Ye explained it in simple terms. She explained it quickly and thoroughly. If one could keep up with her thoughts, they would be able to learn the book completely. If they couldn’t, they would be able to learn the basics very well.
In the past, Yu Youyao had not been enlightened and could not listen to lectures, but now, she had unknowingly picked up her pen and started to write notes.
After finishing The Book of Rites, Ms. Ye felt a little thirsty, so she picked up her tea and took a few sips. Then, she looked up at Yu Jianjia first. Seeing her writing with one hand holding a brush and the other holding up her long sleeve, she couldn’t help but nod.
Third Miss Yu was quite intelligent. She learned everything faster and more diligently than the average person.
Then, she looked at Yu Shuangbai and Yu Lianyu, who were also working hard.
Finally, she turned to look at Yu Youyao.
At this moment, Yu Youyao was biting the tip of her brush lightly. Her head was tilted to the side, and no one knew what she was thinking. Ms. Ye frowned and walked silently to her side. However, Yu Youyao did not notice at all. Her expression darkened. Just as she was about to speak, she saw that the paper in front of her was filled with words.
Ms. Ye was stunned. She looked at it word by word, but her heart was in turmoil. It was not because of anything else, but because Yu Youyao had actually written down everything that she had taught previously without missing a single word. There were even some of her own insights mixed in. Although it was a little crude, one could already vaguely see the wisdom of her personality.
Ms. Ye held her breath. This was a photographic memory!
She had originally thought that Yu Jianjia was the most intelligent young mistress in the Yu Residence. Could it be that she had misjudged her?
In the past, Yu Youyao hadn’t been enlightened and wasn’t willing to learn seriously, so she seemed a little stupid?
At this thought, she couldn’t help but compare the two of them.
Yu Jianjia’s article was rather literary, and she admired it quite a bit. However, it inevitably exuded a sense of sophistication. This was a common problem for most young ladies from wealthy families.
However, when she read Yu Youyao’s article today, although it wasn’t as sophisticated as Yu Jianjia’s words, her words were clear and knowledgeable, making her eyes light up.
Although…
Ms. Ye took another look. The rice paper was strewn all over the place, and there were all sorts of messy words. The corners of her mouth twitched. The words “a flaw does not overshadow a jade” ran through her mind again and again. In the end, she still could not go against her conscience and make such an evaluation of Yu Youyao.
The words were just like her!
If her handwriting was bad, what was there to talk about?
If word got out that she was the one who had taught her this, her reputation as a teacher would be ruined.
Yu Youyao did not know that Ms. Ye had a thousand thoughts running through her mind. She recalled everything that Ms. Ye had taught previously. When she realized that there were no mistakes, she put down her brush and looked up to meet Ms. Ye’s cold gaze. She was immediately shocked. She quickly stood up from her chair and shouted in a panic, “Ms. Ye.”
When Yu Jianjia, who was waving her ink brush at the side, saw this, she put down the brush in her hand and smiled faintly.
Usually, Yu Youyao couldn’t sit still during class and would often be absent-minded. It was common for her to be punished with a ruler if it was serious, but if it was light, she would have to be taught a lesson.
She had seen this situation many times in the past.
Seeing Yu Youyao’s pale face, Ms. Ye felt a little uneasy. She said calmly, “Recite the ‘The Book of Rites’ you just learned.”
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a slight gasp in the classroom.
Chun Xiao and Xia Tao, who were guarding the side room, couldn’t sit still anymore. They quietly walked to the partition door and looked out.
When Ms. Ye taught, she would only ask students to memorize the essays that she had learned on the first day. This was the first time she had asked to memorize an essay in class.
It seemed that she was upset that Eldest Miss had not come to school for more than a month and was deliberately making things difficult for her.
Yu Jianjia bit her lip and tilted her head to glance at Yu Youyao. Her eyes flashed with worry, and her fair face was covered with a layer of concern.
Yu Shuangbai secretly gave Yu Youyao a helpless look.
Ms. Ye had always been strict. In the past, Yu Youyao had refused to work hard and was often punished. She would not scold her loudly, but when she looked at her with a calm expression, she had an imposing aura. Her cold voice had no fluctuations in her emotions, making people feel even more afraid.
Therefore, Yu Youyao had always been afraid of Ms. Ye. In the past, she often found excuses to avoid studying at home.
At this moment, seeing Ms. Ye standing beside her, Yu Youyao panicked for a moment, but after hearing Ms. Ye’s words, she heaved a sigh of relief.
If it had been in the past, she definitely wouldn’t have been able to memorize it well if Ms. Ye had asked her to memorize it. She would definitely have been punished again. However, ever since she had this dream and consumed the spiritual dew every day, she was like a pearl covered in dust. She was no longer ignorant or muddle-headed. Now, she was bright from the inside out.
Under Ms. Ye’s calm gaze, Yu Youyao composed herself and began to recite, “As the saying goes, there is no need to be disrespectful. If you are serious, you can write calmly and peacefully. You can’t be arrogant for long, you can’t always follow your desires, you can’t be too satisfied, you can’t be overly happy…”
Under everyone’s incredulous gazes, Yu Youyao’s voice rose and fell with a clear rhythm as she finished reciting the entire “The Book of Rites”.