Chapter 31, Girls' Studies
Early in the morning, after having breakfast in Old Lady Yan's yard, Daohua, led by Pingtong, walked towards the Deyi Academy where the girls usually had classes.
Because Wang Man'er had just been bought and knew many rules and etiquette, Mrs. Li asked Pingtong to follow Daohua and take care of Wang Man'er during this period.
The Deyi Academy, although called a courtyard, actually only had a few rooms. The main room was used as a guest hall for the girls to attend classes, and the wing rooms were Master Qin's residence.
When the rice flowers arrived, Yan Yihan, Yan Yishuang and Yan Yile had already arrived.
In addition to them, there were three other little girls in the living room.
The three little girls all looked about eight or nine years old. One was the county magistrate's daughter Xu Keke, one was the schoolmaster's daughter Zhu Xiuyun, and one was the county magistrate's daughter Fan Siran.
It was not known whether these three families wanted to befriend County Magistrate Yan or just to get free time to study, but they all sent their daughters here.
As soon as Daohua entered the room, the people who were talking and making a fuss immediately shut up, looked at her in unison, and then ignored her as if they had agreed beforehand.
Daohua didn't even blink at this. She glanced around the living room and saw a table in the back corner that was obviously far back. Without saying anything, she walked over and sat down. She took the bookcase from Pingtong and said, "Go and get busy!"
Pingtong looked at Daohua with concern, who had an expressionless face. Then he looked at the other people who were obviously isolating Daohua. He frowned and quickly left the living room.
As soon as she came out, Ping Tong grabbed Wang Man'er, who was waiting outside, and told her, "Keep a good eye on the girl. It's her first day of class. If she feels unwell, report to the madam immediately at the main courtyard."
Wang Man'er was unaware of what was going on in the guest hall, but she nodded solemnly anyway.
Inside the house, Yan Yihan looked at Yan Yishuang and the others who were silent and ignored Daohua. She felt that this was not a good thing to do. She turned to look at Daohua who was arranging textbooks and pens, thought for a moment and said, "Big sister, the light is not good over there. Come sit over here with me!"
Daohua looked up at Yan Yihan who was about to stand up and said with a smile, "No need, I'm fine sitting here."
Yan Yile immediately responded, "That's right, second sister. The eldest sister is the oldest and taller than the rest of us. It's perfect for her to sit in the last row."
Hearing this, the others all lowered their heads and smiled.
At this time, a woman who looked to be in her 30s and had a somewhat stern look walked in.
As soon as she came in, Yan Yihan and the others immediately became well-behaved and stood up to greet her: "Greetings, Master."
When Rice Flower saw this, she followed suit.
Master Qin glanced at Yan Yihan and the others, his gaze lingering on Daohua for a moment: "Sit down."
Daohua had just sat down when she heard Master Qin call out, "Yan Yiyi."
After a moment of hesitation, Daohua realized that he was calling her. Yan Yiyi was her full name.
"Student greets the Master!"
Daohua stood up calmly and bowed to Master Qin.
Master Qin did not ask Daohua to stand up immediately, but looked at her calmly for a while.
The eldest daughter of the Yan family was really good-looking and graceful. No one present, not even her favorite Yan Yishuang, could compare to her. If she hadn't known her background early on, she would have thought she was the daughter of some aristocratic family.
No wonder Yan Yishuang has been uneasy during this period, worried that her position with Lord Yan will be lost.
With such an outstanding elder sister in front of her, it is impossible not to feel great pressure.
"Get up!"
Daohua stood up and looked at Master Qin calmly.
Master Qin saw that she didn't sit down and nodded in satisfaction. Although he grew up in the countryside, he still knew some etiquette. "You are new here, and I don't know what you have learned. Please tell me."
Daohua thought for a moment and said, "Master, I have already learned the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, and Thousand Character Classic. I am now studying the Four Books."
Master Qin looked at Daohua in surprise, obviously not expecting that she had read so many books.
Children aged 8 or 9 are the most playful and few of them can sit still, let alone read.
During this period, because she had been living in the backyard of the county government office, she had heard a lot of news about the eldest daughter of the Yan family. Everyone said that she was a noisy and somewhat eccentric girl.
With such a personality, can you concentrate on studying?
Especially the boring and obscure Four Books.
Master Qin was suspicious and felt that the eldest daughter of the Yan family was exaggerating a bit. She probably just flipped through the Four Books and then said that she had read them. She was really not being honest.
Yan Yihan and the others also looked surprised, especially Yan Yishuang.
Aunt Lin told her that in the countryside, not only girls but even boys had little access to books, so she told her to relax, because as long as her older sister attended class, she would be surpassed by her.
But now it seems that she has read almost more books than her.
Master Qin said: "The Four Books are for men. Don't read them anymore in the future, lest they change your character. From today on, I will teach you 'Admonitions for Women', 'Instructions for Women', 'The Analects of Women', and 'Records of Female Virtues'."
Daohua frowned and said, "Master, why can't women read the Four Books?"
Master Qin's face turned sour when he saw Daohua retort, but considering her status, he patiently explained, "A woman's main focus should be needlework. If she wants to learn anything, it should be the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. You're just wasting your time reading those books."
After saying that, he waved his hand to signal Daohua to sit down, obviously not wanting to talk to her anymore.
Daohua didn't agree with Master Qin's point of view at all, but she didn't continue to argue. She knew that in ancient times, the status of teachers was very high. Once a teacher, always a father, this is not just talk.
Although they were only studying under Master Qin and had not become his disciples, they could not argue with their teacher at will. If they were to be known for being disrespectful to their teachers, no matter why, they would be the ones who would suffer in the end.
As for what she said about not allowing people to read the Four Books, she just ignored it.
"Okay, let's start the class."
(End of this chapter)
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