Chapter 17 Handwriting
She didn't want to befriend such a fool who would be easily swayed by a few words from others, shed a few tears and feel righteous, and be used as a tool by others. But undeniably, she couldn't touch Qi Wenyue's current status.
She copied ten volumes of Buddhist scriptures today, and by the time she finished, the lively atmosphere in the front yard had completely quieted down.
After a long day of socializing, Madam Xiao received a birthday gift from her daughter: a scroll of Buddhist scriptures with elegant and graceful handwriting and vigorous strokes.
The ink still smells fresh, indicating that it was written not long ago.
"Did Fifth Sister write this herself?"
Xiao Min usually sleeps at Qinglan Academy, but today is Madam Xiao's birthday, so he returned home in the evening to celebrate his mother's birthday. He is currently talking with his mother and sister.
Sending Buddhist scriptures is a common gift choice for elders in aristocratic families. It shows sincerity, caters to their preferences, and is generally considered a safe bet.
"Her handwriting does have a certain elegance, but where did she learn to write like that?"
Xiao Min held the Buddhist scripture, turning it over and over to examine it. "Could it have been written by someone else? Are all the maids around her literate?"
Madam Xiao was also surprised, but upon hearing Xiao Min's words, she became somewhat displeased.
"Huh? This handwriting... seems somewhat familiar."
Xiao Yuyao leaned closer to look and murmured something.
"It's somewhat similar to the handwriting of the girl I used to know who went to school, but she was taken to Yuxuan's place a few days ago."
Xiao Min's face turned cold. "I thought she had been practicing calligraphy diligently for the past month, but I didn't expect that she would even have someone else handle her birthday gift for her mother. She has no sincerity whatsoever."
"Second brother, it's not certain yet if it's fifth sister..."
"This scripture is written so neatly, without a single mistake. It could not have been written without three to five years of calligraphy practice. If Xiao Yuxuan really had this ability, she wouldn't have been unable to enter the girls' school and had to beg her father to find connections to get her a place."
Xiao Min has always had the pride of a scholar and looks down on people who are illiterate and unwilling to work hard, especially since this person is his own sister. Heaven knows how much he wished that everything was wrong the day Xiao Yuxuan was confirmed to be a girl from the Xiao family, and that his own sister was the well-educated and talented Xiao Yuyao, instead of some illiterate embroiderer from who-knows-where.
"Hmph, if someone as unfilial and disrespectful as her were to actually enter a girls' school, it would be a disgrace to the Xiao family."
Xiao Su, dressed in an official robe, walked in from outside, looking travel-worn.
Xiao Yuyao's eyes lit up: "Father."
"Is this her birthday gift to you?"
Xiao Su took the Buddhist scripture, and Madam Xiao nodded silently.
“I knew it. This girl’s claim of going to the family temple to reflect on her actions was just a way for her to shirk her responsibilities. In that case, she doesn’t need to go to the girls’ school. She can just stay home and embroider, waiting to be married when she comes of age.”
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting in front of the children?"
Madam Xiao was somewhat dissatisfied with Xiao Su's arrangements. No matter what, Xiao Yuxuan was their own daughter. Such a hasty arrangement was something even their capable maids and servants wouldn't make.
Although a girl can consider marriage when she turns fifteen, after going through a series of formalities such as meeting the groom, engagement, and marriage, she is usually eighteen or nineteen years old when she gets married. For example, Xiao Jue is twenty-one years old this year and his wife is almost nineteen.
Xiao Yuyao and Xiao Min pretended not to hear, changed the subject, and started laughing and talking about other things.
After bidding farewell to his parents and sister, Xiao Min came out of the main house. After thinking for a moment, he instructed the servant beside him:
"Go and take out the set of writing materials that I originally intended for Xiao Yuxuan from my storeroom and send it to Baozhen Academy. Since Xiao Yuxuan can't go to the girls' school anyway, she won't need them, so it's better to give them to Yuyao and make the most of them."
The servant was somewhat uneasy.
"Young Master, didn't you also have someone engrave Fifth Miss's name on that set of items? If Fourth Miss sees it, I'm afraid it won't be good..."
Xiao Min was taken aback:
"Look at me, I forgot about this. You should still send it to Xiao Yuxuan. I'll find something else to make up for it with Yuyao."
He had heard about the temple fair yesterday from his elder brother. Xiao Yuxuan had run away while playing and lied about it, saying that they had deliberately lost her. She was really unruly. In addition, the Buddhist scripture that was given to his mother today was actually written by a maid. Xiao Min now had no good feelings towards Xiao Yuxuan at all.
The news that Xiao Yuxuan could not go to the girls' school was sent to the family temple along with Xiao Min's mediocre set of writing implements.
"Miss, I suppose the Second Young Master was worried that you would be sad because you couldn't go to the girls' school, so he specially sent this set to comfort you."
Looking at Xiao Yuxuan's calm expression, and then at the character "Xuan" engraved on the pen, Bi Sui forced herself to make amends.
“Miss, these things cost less than ten taels of silver at Wenmozhai, and the characters engraved on them are rough and casual. In my opinion, the second young master may not be trying to comfort you.”
Bi Sui glared at Hong Zhu, who was telling the truth, but Hong Zhu did not back down and calmly looked back.
"I know, just put it away, someone will come and ask for it."
What did those words mean? Bi Sui and Hong Zhu exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled. However, neither of them asked further and silently put the items into the temporary storeroom next door.
The days seemed to pass peacefully for a few days. Xiao Yuyao went to the study in the front yard to deliver ginseng soup. When she heard a sound coming from inside, she stopped.
“Amin, I’ve read your classmate Xie Xingzhi’s essay. It’s well-founded. He should definitely give it a try in this year’s autumn examination.”
"Really? Xingzhi just told me today that he wants to come and thank Father tomorrow. I wonder if Father is available?"
"I only gave him a couple of pointers. Since he wants to come, I happen to be free tomorrow."
Xie Xingzhi? Xie Tingzhou?
Is he coming tomorrow?
For some reason, Xiao Yuxuan didn't meet Xie Tingzhou at the last temple fair as expected. She thought he was no longer useful. Since he's coming to her residence tomorrow, she might as well try to help them get married...
For a country bumpkin like Xiao Yuxuan to marry a sickly man full of poetry and literature is truly a blessing she has accumulated over many lifetimes.
Xiao Yuyao thought for a moment, then handed the ginseng soup to the servant:
“Father and Second Brother must have something important to discuss, so I don’t want to disturb them. Please take this soup in later and make sure to tell Father to drink it while it’s hot.”
She left the study and went straight to the family temple.
How could I not tell Xiao Yuxuan about something so important? It would be more fun to let her have hope and then be disappointed.
Even though it's already summer, the ancestral temple still has a cool and quiet atmosphere.
The maid opened the door for Xiao Yuyao. Inside the main hall, Xiao Yuxuan was kneeling on a prayer mat, chanting Buddhist prayers.
"Fifth Sister actually started chanting Buddhist prayers?"
Xiao Yuyao stared at that slender and upright figure, her disgust almost overflowing.
"Fourth sister, you've come to see me?"
Xiao Yuxuan, who had her back to her, stood up and slowly turned her head. With just one glance, Xiao Yuyao was stunned into place.
Why is it that Xiao Yuxuan's face is so different from what she remembers after only a few days apart?
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