Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 124: Chapter 54: Busy

Embroidery Lady Mah had mostly finished explaining the characteristics and history of Su embroidery before she began to teach the stitching techniques, demonstrating them as she taught.

This method of teaching was very engaging, drawing everyone’s interest into the lesson. Even Yuebing, who didn’t like embroidery, became involved and learned diligently.

After demonstrating for a while, Embroidery Lady Mah let the girls try it themselves. But before they started, she said, “Embroidery can easily strain the eyes; staring at something without moving for several Shichen can make things blurry. So, remember that when you embroider in the future, you should take a break after half a Shichen, perhaps go out to look at the scenery or watch the fish in the pond or in a jar.” After speaking, she had someone bring over a jar with four goldfish inside.

Yueyao couldn’t help but smile; Embroidery Lady Mah was quite interesting. She had heard about this method before at the Nunnery, taught by the Great Grandmaster, when she had been copying scriptures for too long and her eyes were tired, causing everything she looked at to blur.

Two Shichen quickly passed, and Embroidery Lady Mah pointed out that Yueying had the best foundational skills, followed by Yueyao, and the worst was Yuehuan. Yuehuan’s work wasn’t embroidery, but rather a tangle of threads.

Seeing Yueying and the others looking at her, Yuehuan truly felt she could not show her face. These two days had been utterly embarrassing for her.

After everyone else had left, Yueyao stayed behind in the room, as she still had some questions for Embroidery Lady Mah.

Seeing Yueyao stay, Embroidery Lady Mah asked with a smile, “Does the Third Young Lady have any questions?” In her long experience of teaching, those who stayed behind to ask questions were usually the daughters born of a concubine. It was already quite good if a legitimate daughter paid close attention during the lesson.

Yueyao nodded, “Madam, I know that ‘Gu embroidery’ is the most famous within Su embroidery. Do you know how to do it?” The Gu embroidery Yueyao mentioned was a form of pictorial embroidery, renowned for its lifelike depiction of flowers, characters, feathers, and landscapes, described as “thinner than hair and needles like fine bristles.” It had gained fame and was highly esteemed, especially among literati and scholars. However, Gu embroidery was primarily for creating artistic pieces, earning the admiration and praise of poets and intellectuals.

Embroidery Lady Mah was surprised, “I did not expect the young lady to be so knowledgeable about Su embroidery.”

Yueyao said with a smile, “I have stayed in Jiangnan and learned a few days of needlework from an embroideress, so I have a little knowledge of Su embroidery. Madam, if you think I have the talent, I hope you can teach me a thing or two. If I don’t have the talent, I won’t insist on learning from you.” What Yueyao meant was that she just sought some guidance from the Lady and was not asking to learn her secret techniques.

Most secret techniques were not taught to outsiders, but giving some guidance was possible. In truth, much like painting, embroidery had no unchanging patterns, and often it relied on natural talent and the spirit of diligent study.

Embroidery Lady Mah looked at Yueyao and thought how peculiar her actions were: “It’s hard to tell if you have the talent in just a day or two. Once I’m sure you truly have the talent, I’ll teach you.” By this, Embroidery Lady Mah meant she was skilled in Gu embroidery, but whether or not she would teach it depended not just on Yueyao’s talent, but also on whether they had the right teacher-student connection.

That was exactly what Yueyao wanted to hear.

Instead of continuing to ask about Gu embroidery, Embroidery Lady Mah actually began to appreciate Yueyao’s restraint. Not digging too deeply and knowing when to stop were good traits. Embroidery Lady Mah acknowledged Yueyao’s performance, “Just looking at the patterns, Miss is better than the Eldest Miss, but the Eldest Miss has more skillful stitches and is significantly better than Miss. If you’re truly interested in learning, you must put in more effort.”

Yueyao just wanted to understand and know more. As for whether embroidery was worth spending more time to learn, she still needed to weigh that out. Of course, she didn’t have the time for it now: “I understand, Madam. You have worked hard today.”

Yueyao returned to her room in Lanxi Courtyard and wrote down what Mr. Mah had taught that day. Of course, it was impossible to write down everything, so she only recorded the key points. This was also a learning method, to jot down the things she could remember best and refer back to them when she forgot.

After two days of study, Yueying was the best in all aspects, and even Old Madam Lian praised her. Naturally, if Yuehuan hadn’t lost her memory, the best embroidery would undoubtedly have belonged to Yuehuan, as Maternal Aunt Su had excellent skills, and Yuehuan had learned quite a bit from her. Unfortunately, due to her amnesia, she couldn’t remember anything.

Yueying didn’t let Old Madam’s praise go to her head, as it was clear that Nanny Wang, the teachers, and the Wedding Matron all preferred Yueyao, not her. Just because she was the best now didn’t mean she would be in the future. So she couldn’t afford to be arrogant; she needed to work even harder.

Every night, Yuebing had to endure the devilish training of Nanny Wang. Lady Ma hoped that Nanny Wang could rid Yuebing of all her flaws and turn her into a true lady.

Yuebing didn’t want to learn, but her mother’s attitude was firm; she had no one to call for help. If she didn’t learn well, Nanny Wang, that old wretch, would punish her doubly, and the thought of her methods frightened Yuebing so much that she didn’t dare to slack off.

Nanny Wang’s method of punishment was simple, just making Yuebing stand continuously, not even allowing her to use the restroom or drink water. After a few times, Yuebing became so well-behaved she couldn’t be any more compliant.

Stimulated by such discipline, Yuehuan also became determined in her studies. She would get up to practice writing before dawn had even broken, absolutely refusing to resign herself to her awful writing. She aimed to be able to produce characters that were pleasing to the eye as soon as possible. She utilized every possible moment to study during the day and evening. This vigorous dedication to learning made Maternal Aunt Su both happy and worried for Yuehuan’s health.

Her hands developed blisters from writing so much. Maternal Aunt Su, with teary eyes, never discouraged Yuehuan from studying but would dress her blisters with medicine every evening.

The three daughters of the main branch were all studying with utmost dedication; Yueying strived to maintain her first-place position, Yuebing tried to avoid Nanny Wang’s punishment, and Yuehuan aimed not to embarrass herself.

Therefore, the learning atmosphere in Lian Mansion reached an unprecedented level of intensity, which amazed the teachers as they believed they were instructing some of their most hardworking and ambitious students.

Old Madam was told by the Nannies and teachers that all four young ladies were teachable, and her wrinkled face beamed with happiness. The only regret was that Yueyao hadn’t gone to learn zither, chess, and painting. Had she joined in, she surely would have spurred the other three girls even more.

Mr. Qi and Mr. Yun exchanged glances upon hearing this. In fact, it was better that the Third Young Lady hadn’t joined the studies; had she gone, it would have been a discouragement rather than a motivation.

Yueyao herself also barely had a moment to spare. Apart from studying with the Nannies and teachers, her other time was fully scheduled. Yueyao had more to do than even Yuehuan did. At the very least, Yuehuan only needed to learn for herself, while Yueyao not only had to learn well herself but also tutor Tingzheng.

Embroidery Lady Mah criticized Yueyao, as of the three, she made the slowest progress. Over the past half a month, Embroidery Lady Mah saw that although the Second Young Lady and Fourth Miss were advancing quickly, when it came to natural talent, the Third Young Lady had the most, having previously learned Su embroidery and having a foundation in it. Moreover, the Third Young Lady had a remarkable knack for color coordination. It was just a pity that the Third Young Lady seemed to lack dedication.

Yueyao felt helpless; she simply didn’t have the time! From the moment she opened her eyes, she was busy up until she went to sleep; there was no time left to learn embroidery. Forget about embroidery, she paid extra attention in her daily life to the rules taught by Nanny Wang as she had no special time to practice them.

Unable to hold back, Yueyao said, “Why has there still been no news from Uncle’s side! When will the teacher come?” What Yueyao didn’t know was that a pie had fallen into the Ma Family’s lap, indirectly benefiting her as well.