Chapter 122: Chapter 53: Embroideress_2
Yueyao watched Yuebing’s walking improvement over yesterday, and then noticed Yuehuan walking with proper form too. She immediately understood the situation but didn’t really mind it. Nanny Wang merely played a guiding role. Such matters must build up over time, becoming integrated into daily life to truly pass muster; otherwise, they only suffice on a superficial level. However, under ordinary circumstances, being passable was enough—there was no need to enter the palace or marry into the royal family, and if one was passable on the surface, no one would be overly critical.
Nanny Wang nodded, “Hmm, well teachable indeed.” Yuebing’s individual training was not mentioned, but Yuehuan genuinely deserved praise; the significant progress in just one night showed real effort.
Nanny Wang was quite satisfied with Yuehuan’s attitude. Not understanding or knowing wasn’t an issue—the most important thing was the willingness to learn, to learn earnestly. Nanny Wang nodded inwardly; all the young ladies from the Lian family were commendable.
Yueying now felt the pressure.
Nanny Wang didn’t say much else, “Yesterday, you studied calligraphy with the teacher. I won’t go into how to perfect your writing. However, the posture for writing is also a significant science. Would you now write a few characters for me?” Today, Nanny Wang corrected their posture in holding the pen and writing.
Yuehuan mused internally about being taught how to hold a pen and write—as if it was necessary? But when she saw Nanny Wang demonstrating the elegant motion of writing, she dared not have any further opinions.
In this lesson, Yuebing was the best learner among the four, followed by Yueying, with Yueyao being the worst.
Nanny Wang, shaking her head, said, “Third Young Lady, your grip on the pen isn’t exactly wrong, but it lacks the gentleness of a woman; it’s too rigid. A young lady should hold the pen …” Nanny Wang demonstrated to Yueyao.
Yueyao had been taught handwriting by Lian Dongbo himself, so naturally, she didn’t have the soft touch Nanny Wang displayed in her writing. Yueyao was aware of this shortcoming, but she sincerely said to Nanny Wang, “Nanny, this is something I can’t change.” First, this was a thirty-year habit, which would be extremely difficult to alter now; second, Yueyao didn’t want to change it, as it wasn’t only what she had learned from her father, but more importantly, Yueyao didn’t see the necessity.
Since it was extremely rare to showcase her handwriting in public, and even when she did, her posture wasn’t unattractive—it just lacked a bit of a woman’s gentleness. If correcting this habit required much effort, Yueyao deemed it unworthy.
Nanny Wang was surprised, “How do you know you can’t change it if you haven’t tried?” She had taught many young ladies but had never encountered such a situation before.
Yueyao still shook her head, “If it were possible, I would certainly change. But knowing it’s impossible and still wasting time and energy on it would be foolish. Nanny, I truly can’t change it, and I don’t want to deceive you.” Better to clarify with Nanny Wang now rather than later.
Nanny Wang looked at the determination in Yueyao’s eyes and could only nod her head. What could she do if a student was uncooperative but to compromise? “Okay, actually your current writing posture isn’t bad, but you should focus on the details.” Details can reveal a lot, and they must not be overlooked.
Yueyao expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Nanny.”
Yuehuan was somewhat astonished by Yueyao’s behavior. The usually arrogant and overbearing Second Young Lady always behaved herself in front of Nanny Wang, so why was the quiet and gentle Third Young Lady so different, daring to openly refuse Nanny Wang’s guidance?
Jolted back to reality by Nanny Wang’s scolding, Yuehuan made a sour face and continued to assume the position to practice writing. Ah, the miserable society. If she could be as bold as the Third Young Lady, that would be great.
The morning passed with practice on the posture for writing. In the afternoon, the four young ladies learned embroidery with Mr. Mah.
Nanny Deng was somewhat flustered; others might not know, but how could she not know? Her young lady had never even touched a needle and thread: “Young Lady, perhaps you shouldn’t go. After all, you won’t need to do needlework in the future.” Madam had originally planned to have her young lady learn embroidery, but the Old Master said there wasn’t enough time for painting lessons, let alone for embroidery; besides, the household was not short of embroideresses, and thus the matter was dropped. Now, learning embroidery with the young ladies of the main branch, her Young Lady would surely be at the bottom.
Yueyao smiled slightly, “Nanny, I must learn needlework well. Not to mention anything else, I should at least be able to embroider my own undergarments and pouches.” Being unable to properly embroider even a pouch would be quite embarrassing. Yueyao left unsaid that while it’s one thing not to do it oneself, it’s another not to know how at all. Knowing how but choosing not to do it invites no criticism, but not knowing and not doing would certainly provoke gossip.