Chapter 81 - Humiliation of the Ancestors

Xia Tao was a smart girl. She had a pair of ears that listened to the wind. She had not been doing anything serious the entire day and had only been keeping an eye on the situation in the residence. At this moment, she was leaning in front of Yu Youyao to report what happened.

“Just now, Master ordered someone to call Fourth Miss over and teach her a lesson. Not only did she cry, but she was also punished to copy the ‘Disciple’s Rules’ a hundred times, and Fourth Miss was sent to the ancestral hall to kneel and reflect on her mistakes.” As she spoke, she smiled gloatingly. “Fourth Miss, you haven’t even finished copying ‘Female Virtue’ and the ‘Three Principles and Five Commissions’. You even have to copy the ‘Disciples’ Rules’. I’m afraid you’ll break your arms.”

Although the Yu Clan did not have the rule that women were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall, the ancestral hall was not an ordinary place. However, being punished to enter the ancestral hall was a form of humiliation to their ancestors. It was a serious punishment.

Yu Youyao was shocked.

Madam Yu had been a scholar for generations, and she valued rules and upbringing the most. Yu Qingning had just violated her father’s taboo, so Madam Yang had no choice but to speak up in front of her father.

Her father did not know much about ordinary affairs, and he still had some authority in the imperial court. However, when he arrived at the residence, he listened to everything Yang Shuwan said.

Her father was angry with Yu Qingning and Concubine He, so he directed his anger at them.

Only then could Yang Shuwan take this opportunity to express her virtuous and magnanimous nature in front of her father. In comparison, her father’s dissatisfaction with Yang Shuwan dissipated.

This was called letting others bear the losses on your behalf!

The next day, Yu Youyao went to school as usual.

Today, Ms. Ye had given a lecture on “Courtesy” and “Mannerisms” which were similar to the “The Book of Rites” and “The Young Master’s Ceremony.” It consisted of some trivial etiquette, such as meeting people, handing over guests, sweeping, serving food, asking questions, and charioting. It was more detailed than “The Book of Rites”.

Ms. Ye paid a lot of attention to Yu Youyao. During the lecture, she would slow down when she saw Yu Youyao engrossed in copying. When she saw that Yu Youyao was deep in thought, she would repeat herself.

Gradually, even Yu Jianjia realized this, and her heart felt stifled.

Among her sisters, she was the only one who had done her homework the best. Usually, when Ms. Ye attended class, she would match her progress to hers.

Now, Mentor had given Yu Youyao the attention that originally belonged to her.

The progress of the class also began to lean towards Yu Youyao.

This made Yu Jianjia feel the difference. How could she feel comfortable?

After finishing a chapter of “Mannerisms”, Old Madam Su, who was in the side room, hurriedly brought over a cup of tea. Ms. Ye took a few sips to moisten her throat, and saw that Yu Jianjia, who was usually very diligent in class, was a little distracted.

Ms. Ye’s expression was calm. “Third Miss!”

Yu Jianjia was stunned. She quickly stood up and bowed to Ms. Ye.

Ms. Ye said, “The beauty of words, magnificent and beautiful; the beauty of the imperial court, helping the people fly; the beauty of sacrifices, helping the emperor; the beauty of chariots, moving in a neat line; the beauty of the Luan [1.Luan, also known as luanniao, is a mythological bird in East Asian mythology.], chirps harmoniously. What does this mean?”

She had not heard this clearly.

Yu Jianjia’s breathing froze, and the blood drained from her pale face bit by bit. She forced herself to remain calm and said, “The beauty of words lies in their calmness, kindness to others, and the beauty of the Imperial Court…”

She gripped the hem of her dress tightly, her palms sweating. It was wet and cold. She racked her brains, trying to recall what her teacher had said previously.

Fortunately, there were similar answers in “The Book of Rites” that she had just learned yesterday. Although there were some bumps, after putting together her thoughts, she finally managed to get the answer.

Yu Youyao listened and felt that it was not bad.

However, Ms. Ye did not show any emotions. She only said calmly, “Sit down!”

Yu Jianjia suddenly heaved a sigh of relief. With a pale face, she sat down as instructed. Just now, she had broken out in a cold sweat, and now, her body was also feeling a little weak.

At this moment, Ms. Ye looked at Yu Youyao. “Eldest Miss, get up and answer.”

Yu Youyao stood up and bowed to the man before replying, “The beauty of words lies in their calm tone and concise meaning. The beauty of the imperial court lies in its dignity and neatness, and manners. The beauty of sacrifice lies in its cautious sincerity and its connection to ghosts and gods. The beauty of carriages and horses lies in their orderly march…”

1

Yu Jianjia, who had thought that she had answered well, felt the blood drain from her face. She could no longer suppress the itch in her throat. Clutching her handkerchief, she lowered her head and coughed twice.

Ms. Ye tilted her head to look at her, then retracted her gaze and nodded at Yu Youyao. “Your words are shocking. It’s obvious that you’ve understood it. Sit down!”

Yu Youyao secretly stroked her chest to calm herself down. Then, she felt a piercing gaze on her.

She turned her head to look, and Yu Jianjia’s pupils suddenly constricted. Her gaze, which had not been retracted in time, was slightly wet, cold, and flustered.

Immediately after, Yu Jianjia blinked, and a thin layer of mist gathered in her eyes, making her look even more watery.

Yu Youyao’s gaze paused for a moment, and she turned her head.

… .

Early in the morning, Nanny Liu left for the Education Bureau.

Since Yu Zongzheng was injured, Yang Shuwan did not go to Old Madam Yu’s house to set up rules.

After breakfast, Yang Shuwan went to An Shou Hall to greet Old Madam Yu and mentioned that she wanted to prepare a new courtyard for Yu Qingning to move into.

Old Madam Yu had a clear understanding of Yang Shuwan’s little scheme. However, Yu Qingning was indeed not young, and it was not good for her to stay with her mother all the time, so she did not say anything.

The Hanlu Courtyard was packed yesterday. With Old Madam’s permission, Yang Shuwan immediately brought Nanny Li to the Clear Autumn Courtyard to pack Yu Qingning’s things and ordered someone to move them into the courtyard.

Concubine He wanted to stop her, but she did not dare to say anything.

She could only watch helplessly as Madam Yang strutted around arrogantly with a group of maidservants. “Master said that although you’re a member of the family of a criminal official, you’re also well-mannered and sensible, which is why he allowed Fourth Miss to stay by your side to be educated. I didn’t expect you to teach Fourth Miss to be so unruly and ill-mannered.”

When Concubine He heard this, she was so angry that her heart ached. However, she had no choice but to lower her head and grit her teeth respectfully. “Madam, you’re right. I was negligent in the past.”

Yang Shuwan acted as if she hadn’t heard her. “But you’ve taught Fourth Sister how to be a concubine. Do you want Fourth Sister to be like you in the future, becoming someone’s concubine and serving a man?” At this point, she chuckled. Looking at Concubine He’s pale face, she felt a sense of relief. “That won’t do. There’s no precedent in our Yu Clan for a sister to be someone’s concubine. You have to save your energy.”

“You…” Concubine He felt dizzy. She held onto the edge of the table and almost gritted her teeth.

Yang Shuwan pinched her handkerchief and gently pressed it against the corner of her mouth. She smiled gloatingly. “Master said that you don’t have to interfere in Fourth Sister’s upbringing in the future. Let me, as her mother, do my best.”

Concubine He’s eyes darkened. “How, how is that possible? I want to see Master…”

Master had asked Yang Shuwan to discipline Fourth Miss, so there was no way Fourth Miss would not suffer.

In the end, she was still at Madam Yang’s mercy!

Now that Fourth Miss had moved into the Hanlu Courtyard, it would be too late for her in the future.