Chapter 44: Rhinoceros Candle
After being reminded by her sister, Zhu Yuhuan intended to stop being so busy. However, after all, she had a lot of schoolwork, and she also had to look up materials and draw drawings, so it was extremely difficult for her to even have some free time.
Zhu Youtong had originally expected her sister to take a few days off after listening to her words, but she didn't expect Zhu Yuhuan to remain the same as always, and had not changed even at the end of the year. Zhu Youtong couldn't help but feel a little worried, and would run to Zhu Yuhuan from time to time to check on him.
Seeing that her little daughter couldn't concentrate, Hu Shanxiang was worried that she would disturb Zhu Yuhuan, so she detained Zhu Youtong with her and taught her to read.
Zhu Youtong had no interest in these things and fell asleep while watching. Hu Shanxiang did not get angry when she saw her like this. Instead, she brought a lot of enlightenment books and asked her to see which one she could read.
Zhu Youtong flipped through all the books, but still had no interest. However, she remembered that her sister was a "child prodigy" in the palace, and as her sister's younger sister, it seemed reasonable for her to not want to study.
Zhu Youtong hesitated for a long time holding the book, unable to admit she didn't want to read it. Suddenly, she thought of the pipa Hu Shanwei played on the day he left the palace, and changed the subject, "Does mother know how to play the pipa? The sound of that instrument is quite beautiful."
Hu Shanxiang didn't expect her to ask this suddenly. She was stunned and her mind flew to the pipa. She smiled and said, "There is really nothing to do in the boudoir. Apart from reading and keeping accounts, you can only play some musical instruments to cultivate your sentiments. My sisters do have some skills." When she said this, she looked dazed, as if she was recalling the past.
Seeing that his mother no longer mentioned the topic of reading, Zhu Youtong followed up her words and asked, "Then why did you give the pipa to my aunt? If it stayed in the palace, she could still play the pipa in her spare time."
Hu Shanxiang was amused. She reached out and stroked her daughter's hair, saying, "There are so many things going on in the palace these days. The Emperor and the Empress are busy day and night. How can you find time to play the pipa?"
Zhu Youtong sighed in disappointment. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Then could she have played the pipa before she was free? Did Mom know how to play before she married Dad?"
Her question sounded childish and cute, and even the female official beside Hu Shanxiang couldn't help laughing after hearing it. She said, "The Crown Princess has been dignified and reserved since entering the palace. The pipa is only used to decorate the palace and has no benefit to palace affairs."
Hu Shanxiang's smile faded a little. Without saying anything else, she just tapped Zhu Youtong's forehead and said, "You always ask these weird questions."
Zhu Youtong didn't feel wronged. Instead, he proudly said, "My sister taught me this. Every day after studying, she would write down questions on a piece of paper and ask the lecturer. Even a student as gifted as you needs to seek guidance from the teacher, so of course I have to learn from you. You didn't tell me, but I could see it. Well... I know! This is called teaching by example."
After hearing her words, Hu Shanxiang burst out laughing. She vaguely saw the shadow of Zhu Yuhuan in her, but he was not exactly similar to her.
Thinking that Zhu Yuhuan would prepare different birthday gifts for Zhu Youtong every year, and that each of those gifts was strange and had some unheard-of stories, Hu Shanxiang didn't find it surprising.
Children are innocent by nature and always have some wonderful ideas. However, as time goes by and they grow up, those clever ideas gradually disappear. Even Hu Shanxiang herself could no longer remember what she thought about when she looked up at the sky every day when she was a child.
It would be great if both daughters could maintain this natural nature.
However, when she thought of her eldest daughter who devoted herself to studying every day, wishing to read all the classics in the world in one day and learn all the martial arts in one night, Hu Shanxiang couldn't help but start to worry.
She knew her daughter was intelligent, but she was even more worried that if she kept working so hard, day and night, she would eventually burn out like a candle. As a fellow woman, Hu Shanxiang was naturally pleased with her daughter's efforts, but as a mother, she was even more worried about her daughter's health.
Seeing his mother remained silent, Zhu Youtong asked doubtfully, "Mom?"
Hu Shanxiang came back to her senses, smiled, and said, "Since our Tongtong is interested in the pipa, how about I teach you to read gongche notation? It doesn't have too many characters, and you like listening to stories, which contain a lot of opera. It's much simpler than studying sage books, so it can be considered as an opening for you."
Zhu Youtong didn't expect that after all the twists and turns, she would end up back at her studies. She uttered an "ah" and stammered, "This..."
Seeing that her sister had to read so many books every day after attending lectures with her father, she felt overwhelmed. Thinking about reading one book now and ten books in the future, Zhu Youtong became even more reluctant.
Seeing that she was still hesitant, Hu Shanxiang jokingly said, "This gongche notation is not simple. Even your sister hasn't learned it. If Tongtong learns it, she will be able to help your sister in the future."
Zhu Youtong became more excited when his mother said this. He said, "Even my sister hasn't learned it yet? Then... Tongtong will give it a try. Maybe my sister can really use it."
Hu Shanxiang saw that she seemed to be imagining the scene of helping Zhu Yuhuan to read music in the future. She couldn't help but laugh secretly, but said seriously: "Then you must study hard. If you only learn half of it, you will make a fool of yourself."
Zhu Youtong said seriously: "As long as mother teaches me personally, Tongtong will definitely not let mother and sister down."
As the mother and daughter were talking, a palace maid walked in and said, "Concubine Sun and the young master are here to see you."
Hu Shanxiang nodded slightly when she heard this and said, "It's freezing outside. Please invite the concubine and Hanjia in."
"yes."
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