Chapter 17 Water Dragon Chant (Part 7) - Request for Reward.
The old lady nodded. "Tell me about it."
"Grandmother, Fourth Sister wants to stay by Mother's side more often in the future and learn how to read and manage accounts."
Ye Mu paused briefly, and when she saw her grandmother looking at her, she explained in detail, "Firstly, Mother has been working hard on the accounts lately. If Fourth Sister can learn a little bit, she might be able to share the burden. Secondly, Grandmother often teaches us that managing the household is a daughter's duty. Fourth Sister also wants to learn as soon as possible so that she can share more of Grandmother's burden in the future."
The old lady looked slightly surprised upon hearing this. "You have to practice needlework and calligraphy every day. Where do you find the time to look at the account book? Could it be that Master Wen Kong's assignments are too lenient, allowing you to have this leisure?"
"No, he's really fierce." Ye Mu puffed out her cheeks slightly. "If I didn't write it well enough, he would make me rewrite it dozens of times until my wrists ached."
"If that's the case, why take on more trouble? Trying to do too much at once will only lead to trouble and ruin the whole thing."
Ye Mu approached the old lady and said, "I was just about to ask Grandmother for a favor. Fourth Sister is really not very good at needlework and has no interest in it. Could I use this time to learn accounting? That way I can really improve my skills."
"Nonsense." The old lady put down her teacup. "A young woman's needlework is the foundation of self-cultivation. Virtue, speech, appearance, and physical fitness are all equally important. How can you just abandon them like that?"
The so-called virtues, speech, appearance, and skills refer to the four essential virtues that women must cultivate: virtue, speech, appearance, and skills. Among them, "skills" places the emphasis on needlework, which is the foundation of managing a household and the key to self-cultivation.
“Grandmother is right,” Ye Mu said quietly, glancing at the old lady’s expression. “But every time I pick up a needle, Fourth Sister always feels that her fingers are not under her control, the thread is crooked, and her eyes are sore. It’s not as clear and pleasant as looking at those numbers. If I could have both, Fourth Sister would not dare to be lazy. I’m just afraid that I’ll delay both and disappoint Grandmother and Mother.”
The old lady's gaze lingered on her face for a moment. This little girl's mind was much more sophisticated than that of her peers; she was clearly using a strategy of retreat to advance.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Fine, since you have this intention, I will allow you to set aside one hour each day to study accounts with your mother. When the Dragon Boat Festival arrives, I will test your accounting skills. If you show any talent, then we will proceed as you have said. If you fail, then you can focus on studying needlework and never mention this matter again.”
"Alright." Ye Mu smiled brightly. "Granddaughter will not dare to slack off. Please have Grandmother test me then."
Within a day, the news reached Madam Zhou's ears. Upon hearing this, her hand holding the incense spoon paused slightly. "The old lady seems to be showing even more favoritism towards the third branch of the family. According to the old custom of the manor, young ladies under the age of twelve are not allowed to touch the account books, originally to prevent them from developing a frivolous and unsettled nature. Now the old lady is actually going to break this rule for the fourth daughter?"
A few drops of incense ash fell gently as Zhou placed the incense spoon back on the Xuande incense burner. "Tell Qing'er that since her fourth sister wants to learn accounting, how can she, as the older sister, fall behind? When she paid her respects, she went to tell the old lady that she was also willing to share her grandmother's burdens and requested to take the exam together during the Dragon Boat Festival."
Ye Qing was urged by her mother, and although she was very unwilling, she dared not disobey. So, during the morning greetings the next day, she told the old lady that she also wanted to learn accounting.
"Fourth Sister is learning accounting to avoid needlework. She's restless and can't sit still at the embroidery frame, so I made an exception for her." The old lady glanced at Ye Qing. "Qing'er, you've always been quiet and have a talent for needlework. Why do you suddenly want to learn accounting?"
Ye Qing's forehead was covered in fine sweat. She tightened her grip on the handkerchief and, following Zhou's instructions, recited what she had memorized the night before: "Grandmother, seeing how diligent and ambitious my fourth sister is, I feel truly ashamed. I would like to ask for your grace to allow me to learn some basic accounting skills from my third aunt."
When the Dragon Boat Festival arrives for the examinations, I wish to be examined by Grandmother along with my fourth sister. If I am fortunate enough to pass, I hope Grandmother will remember Mother's many years of hard work and allow her to resume managing the household's income and expenses. I will certainly assist her wholeheartedly and dare not slack off.
The old lady understood perfectly well that her second son's wife had lost power and was unwilling to accept it. She wanted to use her daughter as an excuse to make a comeback. Well, in this household, balance was the ultimate goal.
"Since you're so interested, why not study together? It's never a bad thing to learn more."
However, considering that Madam Liu had just taken over the household affairs and already had a lot to do, if she were to add the homework of two young girls, she feared that she would be overwhelmed and it would interfere with the important matters. Therefore, the old lady ordered someone to invite Mr. Chen, the old accountant, to teach the two girls how to read accounts and do math.
After the old lady gave her instructions, Mr. Chen went to the mansion to pay his respects the next day.
Although this man was an experienced accountant, he was only thirty years old, with a fair complexion. He entered the Marquis's mansion by chance.
In the past, the old Marquis ordered his trusted nanny to find a few honest and clever boys to accompany his young masters. Mr. Chen was one of those boys who was bought into the mansion at that time.
Although he was dressed in rags at the time, he had a clear and upright appearance and was quite organized in his dealings with others. When the old marquis saw him, he felt that there was a certain elegance and refinement in his demeanor, and that he was a promising talent, so he kept him by his side to serve him.
Mr. Chen was meticulous and steady, and had a talent for arithmetic. The old Marquis intended to have him learn accounting. He lived up to expectations and was extremely skilled at using the abacus. He understood things very quickly and was promoted to the first-class accountant of the Marquis's mansion in just a few years. He served in the mansion for nearly fifteen years and handled countless amounts of money. However, he never showed any greed on his face and was known for his caution and prudence.
The first day of class was held in Tuisizhai, which is located on the east side of Ronghetang.
Ye Mu and Ye Qing sat down. Mr. Chen first taught them some basics of reading accounts and recognizing numbers, which were nothing more than how to read the three pillars of accounts ("Heaven, Earth, and Man") and how to verify the four items: old accounts, new receipts, dismissals, and actual receipts.
Ye Qing yawned repeatedly as she listened, barely managing to stay awake at her desk. Ye Mu, however, listened intently. In her previous life, when she first took charge of the top scholar's residence, she had suffered greatly from unclear accounts. Later, she was forced to learn how to do it and knew the tricks of the trade. Now, listening again, she had a different understanding and asked questions that were always to the point.
Mr. Chen was quite surprised and couldn't help but look at her a few more times. "The fourth young lady has extremely high comprehension."
Ye Mu was indeed in his element.
With the guidance of a wise teacher, her accounting skills from her previous life have become clear in just one month. She also frequently asks her mother for advice on difficult problems she has heard about. Seeing her intelligence, Mr. Chen is happy to share more with her. The two, one old and one young, learn from each other.
After her confinement period ended, Zhou was allowed to come out and about. She first went to the old lady to respectfully apologize, speaking earnestly that she had failed in managing the household and disciplining her subordinates, which had led to all these troubles. She promised to reflect deeply on her actions and words in the future. The old lady responded indifferently and said nothing more.
Now that Zhou's power has waned, he has plenty of free time and often comes to Tuisizhai to sit and listen.
On this day, the cicadas began to chirp.
Zhou carried a carved red lacquer food box with a lotus scroll pattern and quietly walked to the outside of Tuisizhai. She was not in a hurry to go in, but leaned against the window frame and listened to the sounds inside.
Mr. Chen was explaining the verification method in a steady voice, analyzing the details clearly.
Zhou smiled slightly and waited until the class inside had stopped before gently knocking on the door. "Teacher, you've worked hard teaching. I've asked the kitchen to prepare some chilled plum soup for you and the children to cool off in the summer heat."
Ye Qing had long been impatient with the dull schoolwork. Seeing her mother arrive, she quickly tugged at Ye Mu's sleeve and whispered, "Fourth sister, the lotus flowers outside are in full bloom. Shall we go take a look?"
Ye Mu was concentrating on the verification method that Mr. Chen had just taught her when she was disturbed by her. She frowned and looked up, only to see Zhou looking at her with a smile. "Since the children can't sit still, it would be good for them to go to the garden to relax for a while. The teacher and I can talk about Qing'er's homework."
She already disliked Zhou Shi and felt stifled staying in one place. Seeing that Zhou Shi was trying to get rid of her, she went along with it and left with Ye Qing.
The two little girls disappeared outside the moon gate. Zhou Shi slowly walked to the table. She was wearing a light blue silk shirt with sparse orchids embroidered on the hem. A faint fragrance wafted as she moved. A red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin swayed in the breeze, its tassels swaying gently and its light shimmering, making her look even more radiant and languid than usual.
"Please have some, sir." Zhou poured the plum soup, as red as agate, into the crackled porcelain cup, its coolness refreshing.
Mr. Chen hurriedly bowed to receive the gift, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Second Madam."
As they exchanged cups, their fingertips accidentally touched. In an instant, the plum juice in the cup rippled slightly. Mr. Chen hurriedly steadied his wrist, his ears suddenly turning a light red. "I'm sorry for my rudeness. I hope you will forgive me, Second Madam."
“It’s alright.” Madam Zhou picked up a cup herself, her nail-studded fingers slowly tracing the rim of the cup. She didn’t drink, but just smiled at him. “It’s quite a coincidence. When I first took over the management of the spring planting accounts in the manor, although I came from a merchant family, I was still young and inexperienced. I was really at a loss when faced with such complicated numbers. Fortunately, the teacher patiently guided me and taught me step by step, so that I was able to figure things out. Now it is the teacher who is teaching me.”
"Second Madam is naturally gifted and quick to understand; I have only done my humble best."
"You, after all these years, are still so humble." Madam Zhou sighed softly. "But I've also noticed these days that Qing'er is not very bright and is far less intelligent than her fourth sister. I'm afraid that the teacher has wasted a lot of effort."
Mr. Chen hurriedly said, "The third young lady is steady and reliable, and her studies are improving every day. The fourth young lady is just a little more quick-witted. Everyone has different aptitudes, so how can we generalize?"
“Sir, there’s no need to comfort me.” Madam Zhou shook her head, her hair ornaments swaying gently, her voice soft and sweet. “How could I not know my own child’s temperament?”
"Second Madam, you flatter me. Third Miss is diligent; given time, she may very well succeed..."
“But I can’t wait,” Zhou interrupted in a sweet voice, taking another half step closer. “The Dragon Boat Festival exam is just around the corner, and the old lady will be personally checking it. If Qing’er shows any weakness on the spot, wouldn’t she become a laughing stock? I wonder if the master has any ideas?”
This slight overstep caused the faint blush on Mr. Chen's earlobe to instantly spread to his neck.
He felt that faint fragrance swirling around him, like silk threads, binding his hands and feet. Mr. Chen's throat moved slightly, and he hurriedly tried to look away, but his gaze was caught by that jade-white neck. Inadvertently, he glanced at the collar of her slightly loose silk robe and vaguely glimpsed her fair and smooth skin, like mountains appearing and valleys hidden.
Mr. Chen's mind went blank, his blood rushed to his head, and he stood frozen in place, unable to move.
Seeing his state, Madam Zhou leaned closer, her sleeve lightly brushing against his wrist, her eyes gentle. "Sir, you are an elder in the household, and you have handled more accounts than we have eaten rice. You must already have a good idea of the questions for this test, right?"
A note from the author:
----------------------
Thank you for reading and for saving this!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com