Chapter 20 The Old Lady's Test (Part 2)
"You know, everyone in the mansion is focused on your cousin's Spring Examination, and there's no room for error. Furthermore, the mourning period has just ended, so your aunt can't take you and Wanyi out often. She has no choice but to leave you two at home."
Su Ying helped the old lady back to her seat. Upon hearing this, she shook her head and said, "My cousin's imperial examination is important, and Ying'er has always been used to a quiet life. It's a blessing for her to be able to copy scriptures and organize bibliographies in peace in the mansion. How can she complain?"
The old lady nodded with satisfaction and said, "Your temperament and character are exactly like your aunt's."
Only then did the old lady finally put her doubts to rest. The girl before her had bright eyes and a gentle demeanor. She was clearly well-read and talented, but she preferred to keep a low profile and quietly confine herself to a corner of the house.
This child looks so much like Ruolan!
She sighed inwardly. Her second son was unlucky. Ruolan had lived alone in the side courtyard for many years. She was a quiet and calm person, with measured behavior and restraint. The old lady thought she had never treated her daughter-in-law badly, but she had seen so much over the years that she felt a lot of pity and reluctance.
Ruolan had been so lucky to have Su Ying brought in as a guest. Since she was here, it was natural for her, as a mother-in-law, to show her respect and fulfill a wish for her daughter-in-law, who had been widowed for many years.
"Wanyi mentioned it to you, didn't she? We've hired a female teacher who teaches every seven days. After you finish copying the scriptures, I'd like to ask her to come every other day instead. If you don't mind, you might as well come and listen, and keep Wanyi company."
Su Ying was startled, then lowered her head and whispered, "This gentleman was originally invited on behalf of Sister Wanyi, so it's not appropriate to bypass her. Besides, Ying'er has already agreed to manage the library with her aunt, so I'm afraid it's difficult for her to take care of both."
Seeing Su Ying so sensible, the old lady felt that her previous concerns were a bit too cautious. Feeling guilty for a moment, she said softly, "You grew up in your maternal grandfather's academy. That female teacher naturally can't teach you. Grandmother didn't really want you to learn anything. I just thought that Wanyi was very playful, and I would feel more at ease with you as a companion."
She didn't want Su Ying to stand and answer all the time, so she pulled her to sit beside her and spoke softly, "This female teacher is quite famous in the capital. She has taught many daughters of high-ranking officials. If others heard that a daughter had attended her lectures, they would think that her family had been well-educated and her daughters were well-behaved. You should go with Wanyi to listen to her lectures. It will definitely be a good thing for your future."
She continued, "You and Wanyi are the same age, so it's time for you to gradually learn about household chores. I've already mentioned this to your aunt, asking her to take you with her when she teaches Wanyi about household chores. A girl will eventually have to manage the household, so if you learn some things early on, you won't be so flustered or looked down upon."
Su Ying's heart trembled slightly after hearing this. She knew the weight of these words.
Before coming to Beijing, my grandmother had only intended for my aunt to find a stable family among my grandfather's old friends and peers in Beijing so that she could settle down. But now, the respect that Mrs. Du had given her had far exceeded her original expectations.
She knew in her heart that the old lady's action was not only out of consideration for her aunt, but also a decent act for her personally.
But the more she was praised, the more she couldn't be disrespectful. Su Ying gathered her thoughts, knelt down, and bowed again, saying solemnly, "Grandmother, I have no way of repaying your kindness. If you need anything in the future, I will do my best to help you."
Seeing that there was no trace of exaggeration in her words, the old lady felt more reassured. She nodded slightly and said with a smile, "What's the point of being grateful? We are all family. If you really want to thank me, you can help Grandmother with Wanyi's homework more often so that Grandmother won't have to worry about her."
Rong had been paying attention to Su Ying since she went to the library. After more than two hours, she still hadn't returned. She assumed Su Ying was just like she was in her childhood, forgetting to go home once she found a good book.
After waiting for a long time, I had no choice but to go to the library in person to look for it.
"aunt."
As soon as she reached the path, she heard Su Ying calling her from the front. She looked up and saw Su Ying hurriedly coming from the other end of the corridor.
"Silly child, where have you been? Didn't your aunt tell you not to go to the main courtyard if you have nothing to do on weekdays?"
Rong knew she was sensible and would never cross the line without reason, but she wondered why she had returned from the main courtyard at this hour. It was almost dinner time, and while the corridor wasn't as busy as it was during the day, there were still a few servants passing by. If someone with ulterior motives saw her and reported it to Cheng, even if she was sensible, there would be no guarantee that there wouldn't be complications.
"The old lady sent someone to call me over."
Mother-in-law?
Rong was stunned for a moment. Her mother-in-law had only just sent red dates in the afternoon. She understood the little maid's words clearly; they were a test. She had been prepared for this, believing Ying'er's excellent handwriting would eventually draw their attention. Since copying the sutras presented an opportunity, she simply went with the flow and let Ying'er demonstrate her true abilities. She sent the maid to her mother-in-law with the prepared message, thinking the matter would be over with. Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law summoned Su Ying privately.
After all, the path was not a place to talk, so she took Su Ying's hand and quickly returned to the side yard.
"What did the old lady say to you?"
As soon as they entered the room, Rong pulled her to sit down, held her hand and asked.
Su Ying didn't want her aunt to know that the old lady had raised suspicions and tested her, so she only mentioned the final result. "The old lady told me that after I finished copying the scriptures, I would attend the female teacher's class with Wanyi. She also said that when my aunt teaches Wanyi about household chores, she would take me with her. The old lady also told me to follow my sister Wanyi and call her grandmother."
After hearing this, tears welled up in Rong's eyes.
She knew the weight of her mother-in-law's words. This was no longer a simple favor, but an overt compliment.
I thought my aunt would tell her to be more cautious in the Du Mansion, or that she would be doubly grateful, but I didn't expect a hint of undisguised pride to appear on Rong's face. She smiled and said, "You are a good child. It's not surprising that the old lady likes you. You have done very well these past few days. I am relieved."
She looked out the window and saw the dusk deepening and the sky darkening. Her tone softened, "Look at the weather, it's going to snow heavily. My aunt has a cloak she wore when she was young. The color is still new. Remember to wear it when you go to the East Court to copy scriptures tomorrow morning."
"Heavy snow? Is it heavier than the day I came here?"
"Of course." Rong chuckled and raised her hand to smooth down her hair. "It's most pleasant to appreciate plum blossoms in the snow. Tomorrow I'll ask the little girl to go to the garden and pick a few branches to put in a vase to suit the occasion."
Su Ying knew that her aunt loved her and was willing to do more for her, so she volunteered, "Let your niece do the plum picking. I'll go tomorrow morning!"
After saying that, he turned slightly to the side and leaned lightly on his aunt's shoulder, just like when he was a child.
Rong was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head and gently stroked her hair. A hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes, as if she was remembering the little man who often snuggled up to her side in their old home at the foot of Yandang Mountain when she was not married.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
