Chapter 19 The Old Lady's Test (Part 1)
Du Heng and Wanyi had lunch with the old lady, so as not to disturb her spirits, they did not return to the main courtyard today.
After her afternoon nap, the old lady lit three sticks of incense as usual and prepared to chant. Suddenly, she felt something strange in her hands. Looking down, she remembered she had given Su Ying the jade beads she had carried with her for years. Now, she held a string of warm, smooth agarwood beads.
She then calmed her mind, closed her eyes and recited scriptures softly.
After reciting the Heart Sutra seven times, she slowly opened her eyes, solemnly bowed three times towards the Buddhist shrine, and then was helped up by her maid Zhaoxia and returned to the main hall.
Zhaoxia helped the old lady to a seat and handed the teacup to her. "Old lady, the sky is dark and cloudy today. Maybe it will snow tomorrow. I have someone prepare some red date and ginger tea for you to dispel the cold and dampness."
As soon as the old lady took the teacup, the aroma of ginger slices and red dates filled her nose, indicating that the tea was brewed just right.
The old lady was satisfied and drank a few sips slowly. Sure enough, her body felt much warmer.
Just as she put down the teacup, the old lady lowered her head and took another look at the agarwood beads in her hand. After pondering for a while, she told Zhaoxia, "This tea is good. Send some red dates to the second lady's courtyard as well, and take a look at what the cousin is doing."
Zhaoxia had been with the old lady for a long time, and she understood her meaning. She knew that the old lady's words were about "passing by". So she left the main hall, called a clever little maid, whispered a few words to her, and then let the little maid go.
After about a cup of tea, Chaoxia replied to the old lady: "The second lady said that she just ran out of red dates. The red dates given by the old lady are really a timely help."
"My cousin wasn't home when the little girl went there. The Second Madam said that my cousin would go to the library to sort out the book catalogue in the future. This job is very laborious and it will take at least half a year to sort it out clearly."
As Chaoxia spoke, she walked around behind the old lady and rubbed her shoulders. "Second Madam also said that cousin has beautiful handwriting. She specifically told her to copy the scriptures carefully. If the old lady has any objections to cousin's handwriting, please don't worry about the second lady and just mention it."
The old lady sighed inwardly. Her daughter-in-law always knew what was going on. She only needed to hint at something, and she could already guess what others were thinking. She had originally thought that Su Ying's family was doing something shady without telling her daughter-in-law, but she was just overthinking it.
However, she still wanted to test Su Ying to see what she was thinking. So, the old lady pulled Zhaoxia over and ordered, "Go to the library and call Miss Cousin in person. Don't disturb the Second Madam."
As her aunt had said, the library hadn't been properly organized in years. Not only were some books missing from the catalog, but some that were listed were nowhere to be found on the shelves. The old volumes were her uncle's, so Su Ying couldn't scribble on them. She simply used the rice paper on the desk by the window. Unexpectedly, after just over an hour, she'd already used up most of the paper.
Su Ying knew that organizing the library was a meticulous task and couldn't be rushed. She figured, "Today is only the first day, so why not call it a day?" After finishing her tidying up, she was about to close the library door when she heard footsteps approaching.
Su Ying turned and saw a meticulously dressed maid. She wore a brocade jacket, a quilted brocade skirt, and a pair of plain silver bracelets. She walked towards her with a smile on her face. Her calm demeanor, meticulous attire, and vaguely familiar face made Su Ying guess that this person was most likely one of the old lady's servants.
Just as he was about to bow, Chaoxia stopped him.
Zhaoxia bowed to Su Ying and said, "Miss, I am Zhaoxia who works for the old lady. Please follow me."
This Zhaoxia was smiling brightly, but she was quite deliberate in her actions. She did not tell Su Ying why the old lady was looking for her, but simply led her out of the courtyard of the library.
Su Ying came to the library alone, with no one accompanying her. She paused for a moment as she wondered whether she should tell her aunt.
"Sister Zhaoxia, I wonder why the old lady is looking for me. If it takes some time, could you please let me tell my aunt?"
"Miss, just follow me. It won't take too long."
Chaoxia spoke in a soft tone, and it was as if she hadn't said anything. After all, the old lady hadn't said anything yet, so how could she, as a maid, let Su Ying know in advance?
Su Ying thought that Zhaoxia was experienced, so she didn't think much about it and just followed Zhaoxia to the main courtyard.
As soon as Su Yingfang entered the room, she saw the old lady standing in front of the desk. On the desk was the scripture she had copied today in Weibei style, and next to it was the one copied by Wanyi.
She understood that the old lady called her over probably because her handwriting was too sharp, which was completely different from the one on Wanyi's birthday.
With determination in her heart, she bowed respectfully to the old lady and said, "Old Madam."
Su Ying before her was as well-behaved and sensible as she had been the last time. The old lady nodded and called her to her side: "Did you know that the scriptures I asked you and Wanyi to copy are to be sent to Bodhi Temple?"
Su Ying nodded.
"It's not just our Du family. Any wealthy family in the capital would send their daughters' copied scriptures to the temple. Do you know why?"
Su Ying shook her head and said she didn't know.
"This Bodhi Temple is a famous temple in the capital, and the royal family also offers incense here. Every year on Laba Festival, the temple's masters select well-written scriptures and enshrine them in the main hall. The family whose daughter receives this honor will naturally gain a good reputation for raising daughters well."
After saying this, the old lady looked at Su Ying with a sharp gaze and asked, "Your Weibei calligraphy is vigorous and powerful. It is more eye-catching than Wanyi's. There is a great possibility that it will be selected for enshrinement in the main hall. If it is really selected, what will you do?"
Su Ying didn't think twice, but knelt down in front of the old lady and said sincerely, "When Ying'er copied the scriptures, I had no other thoughts. I copied them with a respectful heart."
"Ying'er is now living in the Du Mansion, so she is considered a child of the Du Mansion. Her good handwriting is also a respect given by the Du Mansion. I don't know how much my aunt has explained to the old lady, but family disgrace should not be made public. If Ying'er is not desperate, she would not want to disturb the peace of everyone in the mansion."
"If Ying'er hadn't been taken in by the Du family, she would have been set up in Yueqing by her stepmother. Ying'er is grateful for the old lady's kindness and would never do anything so inappropriate as to betray the old lady, the mistress, and my aunt's care for her."
Su Ying's heartfelt words made the old lady feel that she was being too harsh.
The old man pulled Su Ying up directly without letting Chaoxia intervene.
The old lady had heard Rong mention that Su Ying's stepmother intended to marry her to a businessman in his forties. The old lady also came from a scholarly family, so she naturally understood Su Ying's reluctance and embarrassment.
"Hurry up, hurry up, kid. I was just talking to you about copying scriptures, why are you getting so carried away?"
The old lady patted the back of her hand gently. There was no more probing in her eyes, only pity and emotion. She said, "You are right. Living in the Du Mansion, we are the children of the Du Mansion. Since you call Wanyi your cousin, you should also call me grandmother."
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