Chapter 608 A Dream of Youth 140
"I also received a pot of Rouge Snow and a black peony. Today, I will hold a small literary gathering and invite several ladies to judge. Whichever of you young ladies has the best talent, this chrysanthemum will belong to you."
Lady Qiu had the flowers brought up, and then a maid brought over fresh tea and fruit.
These are all famous brands, but the chrysanthemums are secondary; the important thing is to take this opportunity to showcase my talent.
Xie Ning found a corner to grind ink, intending only to write a poem to get by, but was stopped by Zhao Huilan, "Sister Ning, you said you could play the flute, would you like to play a duet with me?"
"good."
She also learned to play the zither, but because the zither is too inconvenient, she practiced the xiao (vertical bamboo flute) more often. In addition to learning the art itself, music can also be a form of therapy.
Zhao Huilan took a deep breath, then gently brushed her fingertips across the strings. The music was like water, the notes like petals falling onto the heart of a lake, creating ripples.
The jade flute, with its mournful, lingering melody, seems to transcend the years.
The restlessness of summer caused a sudden calm to settle in the hearts of the people who were initially feeling unwell, and they were unable to help but immerse themselves in the moment.
Even after the last note faded, some people hadn't turned around yet. Zhao Huilan, sitting to the side, couldn't help but look up at Xie Ning's profile. She had thought her zither playing was already superb.
But I never expected Xie Ning's flute playing to be so amazing.
Xie Ning, who was only temporarily pulled onto the stage, won a standing ovation along with Zhao Huilan. The rouge-like snowflakes went to her, while the ink-colored peony went to Zhao Huilan.
Afterwards, faced with the praise from the young ladies, Xie Ning only smiled shyly and then changed the subject, saying, "Actually, in terms of skill, I am far inferior to Lady Xiang."
After all, she hadn't studied for very long, and her talent in music was only average, not exceptional.
“But I feel more at ease listening to Miss Xie’s flute playing.” It was Miss Xiang who spoke.
That was exactly what she wanted to answer, so Xie Ning put down her teacup.
"That's because I'm a healer. The five tones belong to the five elements: wood, fire, metal, earth, and water, and are connected to the five internal organs: liver, heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. I can incorporate them into the melody to relieve some of the restlessness of summer, so you will naturally feel more comfortable when you listen to it."
"So that's how it is!"
"Sister Ning, you are really amazing." Zhao Huilan praised sincerely.
Xie Ning then discussed some medical principles with them on this topic, but she did not start seeing patients on the spot because it would be easy to reveal her privacy.
Some people don't want others to know they are sick. No matter what the illness is, it can easily affect a girl, especially since she is of marriageable age.
If you're willing, you'll go looking for her.
At the banquet, Xie Ning made many new friends, and some even suggested going to watch polo in a while, to which Xie Ning readily agreed.
However, when she got home, she realized that she didn't have her own horse yet, which meant that even though she could ride a horse, she was probably not yet a skilled rider.
When Xie Ning mentioned playing polo, Chen Wanniang suddenly remembered this matter and couldn't help but feel secretly regretful. The blueprints Xie Ning had drawn were very useful. She had been busy renovating and expanding the weaving workshop and had neglected her children a lot lately.
"Then go, and your mother will pick out a little pony for you."
She bought a horse for Xie Qi a few years ago, but didn't buy one for Xie Ning because she was too young. Now it's time for Xie Ning to learn how to ride.
With the horse issue resolved, Xie Ning raised another question.
That was about training workers in weaving workshops and cloth shops.
Previously, they were taught skills through words and deeds, but Xie Ning proposed that they learn to read and write to understand principles, and Deng Yin is a good example of this.
If we have more and more talented people like this, our business can grow even bigger.
Chen Wanniang was somewhat tempted, but finding a teacher was difficult. Could she possibly teach herself?
She's too busy.
If a tutor is to be hired, not to mention the cost, male tutors may not be willing to teach women, and some women may not be willing to follow a male tutor to learn.
Female teachers are even harder to find.
"There's no need for that."
Xie Ning directly pushed Qingli forward, "Qingli knows quite a few characters, and for them, as long as they can read, they can understand books and learn on their own."
We're not asking them to take the imperial examinations; we just want them to learn to read and write.
Even so, it was already very difficult for women from the lower classes.
As soon as Chen Wanniang nodded, Qianyun knelt down. "Madam, this servant is also quite good at arithmetic. I am willing to teach arithmetic to the female workers."
Qianyun mustered her courage to meet Chen Wanniang's gaze, her heart pounding.
"If you leave, what will happen to my accounting duties?"
After all, it's difficult to train someone you can use effectively. Chen Wanniang didn't really want Qianyun to leave, but she didn't say it out loud and just nodded in agreement.
She never forces or makes things difficult for others.
Xie Ning glanced at Qianyun and smiled, "Mother, Qingxu is also quite good at arithmetic. Why don't you let her come to your room?"
She herself didn't have many accounts, but Chen Wanniang managed a large family and had a lot of things to deal with.
"Qingli is gone, and Qingxu is in my hands now. You only have Qingle left. How can you manage? Stop fooling around. Your mother will handle this herself."
Although Qianyun was one of her assistants, Zhang Mama was her biggest assistant; at worst, she could just buy a few more servants.
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