Chapter 26.4: She became a rich little lady (2)

With this thought in mind, Zhen Yi Yun’s smile became even more benevolent and her gaze towards Zhen Ting Yun was as gentle as water. Her voice was mellow as she spoke, “Second Sister, you probably don’t know this yet but Mother deliberately chose to have you make your debut at Third Cousin’s birthday celebration. This is all for your sake. 

“Firstly, they are our extended family and are not outsiders. Even if something goes wrong, it can be easily smoothed over. And even if it can’t, we can still find ways to conceal it. Secondly, Third Cousin has many friends, and there will be many young ladies from the capital attending her birthday banquet. Even the young princess of Prince Yan’s Manor might be attending. With me around, I can introduce you to some young ladies that are around your age. As for thirdly, …”

Upon speaking up to this point, Zhen Yi Yun blinked her beautiful eyes and smiled gently. “Our maternal grandfather and grandmother are both very easy-going people, and even our two aunts are very generous. Second Sister will definitely be able to get many first-meeting gifts when you see them.”

Although her words contained hints of ridicule, Zhen Ting Yun was still excited after hearing that. So she put on a grateful and delighted appearance, “Thank you Elder Sister for informing me of such things. Otherwise, I would still be unsure about what to do.”

Zhen Yi Yun sat for a while more before getting up to say her goodbyes, “I still have to attend the women’s academy tomorrow, so I’m going back to study. I shan’t stay any longer.” 

Zhen Ting Yun escorted her sister out and instructed the servants to take away the half-eaten cold dishes. Then she informed Liu Shun and Ba Zhen to pack up for their move to her grandmother’s courtyard tomorrow. Afterwards, Zhen Ting Yun went to find Old Madame Zhen to have a chat with her. This morning, it seemed that Old Madame Zhen was somewhat depressed, so it was necessary for her to go and comfort the elder. 

However, as she was nearing Old Madame Zhen’s courtyard, she could hear Old Madame Zhen’s boisterous laughter. It was nothing like the gloom and quiet she had expected.

In fact, Father Zhen was a filial son who paid more attention to Old Madame Zhen’s psychological needs than Zhen Ting Yun, who was immersed in her studies. So, as soon as Father Zhen left the local magistrate’s office and reached home, he went over with Pei-Shi and Zhen Heng Zhe to have dinner with Old Madame Zhen.

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Zhen Ting Yun felt much better after that as she took the osmanthus cake from her grandmother. Then, she turned and greeted Father Zhen, Pei-Shi, and Zhen Heng Zhe one after the after.

Father Zhen felt quite guilty about his second daughter, so he had her sit beside him. He spoke to her in a gentle tone, “Your mother was just telling me that you got up early this morning to practice calligraphy and have yet a moment to spare to rest… Although I am very pleased that you’re so hardworking, you’re still young and need to pay attention to your health. If you tire yourself out, it would end up being counterproductive.”

Zhen Ting Yun had just eaten a few bites of the osmanthus cake and felt that her mouth was slightly dry. She reached over, poured a cup of hot tea, and took a sip before replying, “It’s not very tiring. After practicing calligraphy this morning, I noticed that there was not much time left so I left practicing the bamboo flute for the afternoon. So after lunch, I practiced playing the bamboo flute, it could also double up as spending some leisure time. After that, it was back to practicing my calligraphy and when my hands start to feel sore, I would stop and read through the arithmetic book instead. It also helps me revitalize my mind.”

After detailing her schedule, Zhen Ting Yun felt that her timetable was fairly flexible and reasonable.

One should know, when she and Yuan Hui were rushing on their journey, the only way she could practice calligraphy was by sticking a piece of paper on the walls of the carriage. That was what it meant to be truly exhausted. In addition, Yuan Hui would have her practice horsemanship along the way, causing her to perspire a lot. By the time she started with her calligraphy again, her wrists and fingers would be shaking from tiredness.

Thinking back to those hardships she had been through while on the road, and now thinking about this so-called studying hard, there was no comparison. The latter was not even the slightest bit exhausting for Zhen Ting Yun. In fact, she even found joy in doing it. 

She suddenly remembered that she needed to practice archery and horsemanship as well so she casually brought it up, “Father, the female academy also requires their students to know equestrian and archery. It’s alright for me to study literature and arithmetic and practice playing the bamboo flute at home, but these two subjects are difficult to practice at home. What should I do about it?”

If she was being honest, when Zhen Ting Yun thought about practicing horsemanship, she thought of going to Yuan Hui’s depilated manor. It may be remote, but it was right next to Mount Xi, making it a very convenient location for horseback riding and archery. But now that she was back home, it was not very convenient to go out constantly. Hence, she put this thought aside for now and ask her father for advice instead.

Father Zhen had never thought about that.

Although female education required the students to learn the six arts, many young ladies were not good at archery and horsemanship, so the female academy adapted to the times and slightly relaxed their requirements. Young ladies who were not good at these two subjects could choose to use a replacement subject in the field of chess, painting, poetry, or song1. However, the highest grade that would be awarded for the replacement subject was yi2. In Zhen Yi Yun’s case, her horsemanship was still acceptable, but her archery was below mediocre, so she chose painting as a substitute. In the end, in the six arts examination, Zhen Yi Yun got a jia3 in the five subjects of etiquette, music, literature, arithmetic, and horsemanship, but only got a yi for painting as it was a substitute art. This was already considered to be a very outstanding grade, making Father Zhen and Pei-Shi extremely proud of her4. 

Therefore, it never crossed Father Zhen’s mind that Zhen Ting Yun, who was already very busy, would still be thinking about archery and horsemanship. He praised her, “Being industrious and forget to eat, being joyful and forget one’s worries5… My child’s diligence in pursuing knowledge is truly rare…” He then glanced at Pei-Shi.

Pei-Shi understood and took over the conversation, with a smile she said, “We have a small homestead just outside the city. It’s not very big but it’s still possible to ride horses there. You don’t have to be so anxious about it, impatience prevents one from eating hot tofu6. Studying for the female academy’s entrance examination is not something that can be rushed. Just take your time and let your elder sister help you prepare. Although you may not pass it this year, you can have hope and try again next year.”

Although Old Madame Zhen had previously mentioned that Zhen Ting Yun wanted to partake in this year’s female academy’s entrance examination yesterday, neither Father Zhen nor Pei-Shi took it seriously. Zhen Ting Yun grew up with Old Madame Zhen in the countryside, and they clearly knew Old Madame Zhen’s personality and what the environment in the countryside was like. Therefore, the fact that Zhen Ting Yun was even able to read and write well was already a miracle. They did not believe that she could pass the examination. Yet now, Zhen Ting Yun was practicing calligraphy and doing so well, it had truly amazed them.

She was concurrently learning to play the flute, study arithmetic, and on top of that even wanted to practice archery and horsemanship. Both Pei-Shi and Father Zhen believed that their second daughter was being too impatient and rash.

Zhen Ting Yun raised her eyes to look at Pei-Shi and pouted, “Does Mother also think that I won’t be able to pass the entrance examination?”

Pei-Shi faltered slightly, “I just think that in life, one should have realistic expectations.”

Zhen Ting Yun tilted her head and suggested with a smile, “Mother, how about we make a bet? If I pass the women academy’s entrance exam, you will give me that homestead that is located just outside the imperial capital?”

In actuality, Pei-Shi had already given that homestead to her eldest daughter, Zhen Yi Yun, to manage and it will be part of her dowry in the future. But now that Zhen Ting Yun had phrased it this way, Pei-Shi‘s heart skipped a beat and she inexplicably felt a little irritated and agitated.

She was silent for a moment before replying, “If you pass, what would one homestead count for?”

As if oblivious to Pei-Shi‘s insincere words, Zhen Ting Yun clapped her hands joyfully and giggled, “With Mother’s promise of a homestead, I must work even harder now!”

Father Zhen had originally wanted to advise his daughter to pay attention to her health and learn to properly balance between study and rest. Yet, seeing his second daughter’s lively appearance, he swallowed back his words. After all, there was no need to make a big deal out of this as long as his daughter was happy.

Pei-Shi had initially thought of hiring a teacher to supplement her second daughter’s neglected education. However, with this kind of talk, she felt a little annoyed and swallowed her initial desire to find a tutor for Zhen Ting Yun. In her heart, she thought, ‘This little girl just came from that small countryside village and is inevitably ignorant and arrogant. Let her fall and make mistakes, it will grind her character and let her learn about how vast the heavens and how thick the earth truly can be.’

Only Old Madame Zhen nodded with satisfaction on the side and quickly finalized the matter, “This is your Mother’s good intentions to add to your dowry. Quickly, shouldn’t you be giving thanks to your Mother?”

Zhen Ting Yun did as she was told and got up to thank Pei-Shi.

Being blocked off by this pair of lively grandmother and granddaughter, Pei-Shi felt a bit stifled and spoke lesser afterwards. Only Father Zhen was happy to see the family in harmony and continued to chatter amiably on the side.

After exchanging a few words, they took a look at the sky and noticed that it was no longer early and they got up to leave. Zhen Ting Yun wanted to stay back and talk more with her grandmother, but seeing that Old Madame Zhen looked tired, she decided to leave as well and head back to her own courtyard. 

Yet, when Zhen Ting Yun reached back, she happened to witness a good show taking place inside.