Chapter 9. How could she be just a maid? ...
Liu Min didn't like reading at all.
Reading requires sitting upright for an entire day, listening to people preach grand principles, using classical Chinese phrases and dramatic intonations, to the point of making one dizzy. If one doesn't dizzy, the teacher won't allow it; he'll shout at one of them several times. If one still dizzy, the teacher will slap one's hand.
The gentleman was a renowned old scholar, famous for miles around. He had several daughters but no sons. His daughters, it was said, never left their home before marriage—a testament to the upbringing and manners of daughters of noble families. Even after marriage, they did not disgrace their father, their virtuous reputations shining brightly. Therefore, all his daughters were highly sought after, a fact the gentleman was very proud of. He believed that although he had never achieved official success in his life, raising these daughters made his life worthwhile. The gentleman was devout in his pursuit of knowledge. Whenever he had a book in his hand, he would immediately stand tall and read aloud, his voice rising and falling with intonation. He would tilt his head back, turn around, and then return. If he came across a profound and insightful quote, he would stop and read it again, perhaps once or twice. Liu Min disliked reading, which, in the old gentleman's eyes, was a capital offense. However, Liu Min's grandmother gave him a lot of money, so he couldn't say anything. But when facing Liu Min, his face always wore the same expression: his brow furrowed, his lips pursed, revealing deep lines on the lower half of his face, as if carved out by a knife, as if he distrusted everything before him.
Liu Min disliked this teacher intensely. Whether it was because he disliked reading that he disliked the man, or because he disliked the man that he disliked reading, Liu Min himself couldn't tell. But it didn't matter, because the result was the same: he had long since come to dislike both reading and the teacher. The teacher had a long, smooth, and elegant beard, exuding an ethereal aura. Like the teacher's daughter, it was one of the teacher's proudest features, which he always twirled and played with. But because of this beautiful beard, Liu Min secretly called the teacher "Old Goat."
But no matter how much he disliked him, he couldn't replace him, because this person was chosen by his father.
Reading is inherently tedious and boring; how can it compare to the carefree joy of traveling and sightseeing? Besides, with someone you don't like around, it's no wonder you can't study well.
But he couldn't afford to do poorly in his studies, because he was, after all, the son of a third-ranked scholar, and if he didn't study well, it would tarnish his father's reputation.
His father's name was renowned throughout Pingcheng and even the entire country. A fourteen-year-old scholar, a twenty-year-old provincial graduate, a twenty-one-year metropolitan graduate, and a third-place scholar in the palace examination—a prodigy indeed. The third-place finisher wasn't necessarily less learned than the top two, but rather a result of his youth and handsome appearance. For a twenty-one-year-old third-place scholar, third place wasn't a disappointment, but rather an added bonus.
The only son of the third-ranked scholar has been treated as an honored guest wherever he goes since birth.
Liu Min admitted that he had indeed benefited greatly from this title, so he was willing to protect his father's reputation.
Even if I don't like reading, I still force myself to read.
Fortunately, he was exceptionally intelligent and had an astonishingly high level of comprehension. He learned much better than others, no matter how hard he tried, after all, he was the son of a third-ranked scholar.
But the calligraphy of the third-ranked scholar's son was not as good as that of a country girl.
It can't compare to calligraphy, nor can it compare to painting.
How could that be?
That is indeed the case.
"How could she be a maid?"
She shouldn't be a maid; it's too unfair to her. She's a truly talented person.
But what would she do if she didn't become a maid?
Her family was very poor. Even if her father hadn't been sick, they had no money. They struggled to make ends meet, let alone afford to support her calligraphy and painting lessons.
Liu Min made up his mind.
He cleared his throat, making sure he could speak clearly and forcefully later.
He said, "You're really quite good. I think you can handle things here in the study."
His words were essentially a gesture of goodwill, but his attitude remained condescending. Therefore, Shanlai should have said something, but in the end, he said nothing.
Liu Min also felt that she should say a few words so that he could continue the conversation. If she didn't talk to him, he shouldn't talk to her. Otherwise, it would be a bit like he was throwing himself at her.
Liu Min no longer treated Shan Lai as a maid; he saw them as two equals. However, Liu Min was a man of pride. Even if they were two equals, if one ignored the other while standing opposite each other, he would naturally ignore the other as well. He was like this wherever he went.
However, Shanlai's calligraphy and paintings are better than his; he is inferior to her, and she is superior to him.
Therefore, Liu Min was willing to pay extra, but only a little, not too much.
"I'm going to read now, you should find something to do too," he said to her.
As he spoke, he carefully folded up the piece of paper that Shan had used.
It would be a shame to lose it; I should keep it.
Liu Min tidied up the desk himself, then picked up a book, sat down, and began to read quietly.
Shanlai stood to the side.
This is what Ru Hui told her: when the young master hasn't given any instructions, just stand there and wait for them.
Seeing that she wasn't moving, Liu Min asked, "Why are you still standing? Do you like standing?"
That's a bit infuriating.
Of course she didn't like it; it was the rule, and she was forced to stand like that. What could she do? Such a knowing question was simply despicable.
She harbored resentment, but she couldn't speak of it. Whatever it was, she had to endure it; that was the rule, the duty of a servant to their master.
However, Shanlai was unwilling to be a servant. She kept making some harmless acts of resistance to maintain her noble spirit.
Silence was her form of resistance.
This is the second time; he's spoken to her, but she's ignored him.
That's going too far.
Liu Min gritted his teeth inwardly.
Then you can stand there and see how long you can stand.
He turned a page of the book.
While flipping through the book, my eyes secretly darted to the side.
She remained standing there obediently.
Serves him right, he silently moved his lips.
The book turned another page.
Two pages.
Three pages.
She was still there, standing silently and motionless.
Liu Min was getting annoyed.
I don't like it.
He threw down the book and said loudly, "What are you doing standing there all the time? You're an eyesore! Can't you find something to do? If you can read, with so many books, can't you find one to read?" As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something, and his eyes lit up with excitement. "There's a painting manual that I found before. It was compiled by Li Gongming, mainly about flowers and birds. It's a rare find with watermark and color printing!" As he spoke, he went to look for it.
Shanlai followed along to look for him, completely forgetting all about rules and regulations.
"This is it!"
Take it out, dust it off, and hand it to the person next to you.
Shanlai immediately took it and began flipping through it the moment he got his hands on it.
Flowers, birds, trees, and rocks—a diverse array of subjects, each page featuring an introduction to the artist, showcasing masterpieces from various dynasties in one comprehensive book.
“Good stuff, isn’t it?” Liu Min said smugly.
Shanlai was completely absorbed in the book, his finger gently tracing the ink marks on the pages...
Liu Min was very satisfied with her appearance. That's more like it! So pleasing to the eye.
Sunlight streamed in through the green gauze window, and dust motes floated in the light. She stood there quietly with her head bowed, radiating light because of her white skin, dazzling and glaring, as if she were about to melt away at any moment.
She is truly beautiful.
How could anyone bear to make such a person a maid?
"I need to be nicer to her."
He decided to forgive her.
"Are you going to stay here? I'm going back."
However, Shanlai ignored him and remained standing motionless, staring at the picture book.
She flirted with him even though he was blind.
Then you can just stand there.
Liu Min turned and left.
I went back and continued reading.
Summer is deep, and there are so many cicadas that you can't get rid of them all. They chirp continuously, one long note followed by one short note.
It's making people feel annoyed and confused.
I can't concentrate on reading a single word.
How could she be so engrossed in watching? People were talking right next to her, but she couldn't hear them.
He lost again.
His calligraphy and painting skills are inferior, and his composure is also lacking.
Liu Min found it somewhat difficult to accept.
He didn't want to lose again.
So I forced myself to keep reading.
He does have his merits; once he decides to get into a book, he can actually keep reading it.
After reading an article, I don't know how much time had passed, but even when I strained my ears to listen, I still couldn't hear anything.
Is he still standing there?
He put down the book and tiptoed over there.
It really is there.
She was still in the light, amidst the swirling dust, only the sunlight was even brighter than before, making her face almost invisible.
The study was silent; the cicadas' chirping and the surrounding noise couldn't penetrate it. Only the sound of her turning the pages of the book could be heard—thin and crisp.
Liu Min thought that it was only natural that a person who acted with such spirit was better than others.
Just grant her wish.
And he himself was also inspired.
He might not be less intelligent than her; he was simply too lazy in the past, which is why she outdid him. If he had worked as hard as she did, the outcome would have been uncertain.
He went back to his book, but after reading only two pages, a voice called from outside, "Young Master."
Liu Min recognized the voice very well; it belonged to his personal maid, Yunping, who had served him since childhood. A few days ago, she caught a cold and went back to her own home to recuperate.
"Come in quickly!"
A rustling sound.
The person entered the room. He was tall with an oval face, lightly powdered, and had long eyebrows that swept into his hair. He had a pair of dark eyes that shone brightly, and lips that were only a dot, naturally red, full and bright.
Liu Min asked with a smile, "Are you fully recovered now?"
Yunping bowed and replied with a smile, "How could I not be better? It was nothing to begin with, but I was afraid to gamble, so I went home. It's been four or five days now, how could I not be better? If I wasn't, how could I dare to come back?" As she spoke, her spirited eyes quickly scanned the central hall.
Liu Min said, "It's best that you're back. Their tea-making skills are nowhere near as good as yours. They can't even brew a good cup of tea properly. It's a complete waste."
Yunping still smiled, "This is because I didn't teach them well. I'll teach them again when we get back, and I'll never let them ruin your things."
Liu Min laughed and said, "Having you is enough. There's no need to teach them anything more. They've already learned so many times, and they still can't learn. Why bother?"
"Young master is right."
Liu Min asked again, "You've come here, is there something you need?"
"That's right. Mama Luo has come in. She's with the old lady now. The old lady is asking if you want to go back to Fuzetang for lunch."
"Of course I'm going back, why wouldn't I?" she said, standing up. "I'm coming right now." Then she added, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Yunping smiled and said, "Aunt Luo just arrived." At this moment, her eyes were openly looking around. "Where is the new one? Isn't she here? Aunt Luo would like to meet her too."
A note from the author:
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