Chapter 302: Chapter 112: Dislike_2 Chapter 302: Chapter 112: Dislike_2 Yueyao opened her eyes again, and the day had already dawned. Since her rebirth, unless she was ill or feigning illness, this was the first time Yueyao had overslept.
Yueyao left the room and looked up at the sky, which was as blue and clear as the ocean. Clusters of white clouds like sailing boats floated leisurely on the surface of the water.
Yueyao enjoyed such weather; it was clean and clear. Although she had gotten up late, she did not forget to practice her boxing. After practicing boxing, the morning sun had risen, making the autumn sky exceptionally bright. The flowers in the garden seemed even more dazzling under the sunlight. The wind rustled through the tree canopies in the yard, and leaves, one after another, detached from the branches and wafted with the wind.
Catching a leaf in her hand, Yueyao whispered, “Autumn is here; time flies so fast.”
Hua Lei, not sure what Yueyao was feeling sentimental about, said, “Indeed, Third Young Lady, it’s autumn now and not as hot as last month.” September was the season of the ‘autumn tiger.’ True coolness wouldn’t begin until October.
Yueyao smiled and went back inside to practice her calligraphy.
A half-hour later, she came out for breakfast. Just after finishing breakfast and preparing to visit Tingzheng, a maid came over and said, “Third Young Lady, the Old Master invites you to the study; there is a matter.”
The last time Ma Chengteng threw a tantrum, Lian Dongfang was the one who took a firm stand. After that incident in the kitchen, which Yueyao had also caused a stir, the servants in Lian Mansion no longer dared to slight Yueyao in the slightest.
“I understand,” Yueyao said indifferently. “I’ll go after I change my clothes.” If Uncle did not seek her out, she would have gone to see him anyway.
The maid showed a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Could this Third Young Lady really be the domineering and disrespectful person rumored among them?
Having arrived at the study, Yueyao saw Lian Dongfang wearing a crab-shell green long shirt, his brow still shadowed by an unhappiness that had not dissipated. Yueyao looked at the man who had lost a lot of weight in less than two months and knew that her uncle was genuinely distressed.
Yueyao still hadn’t figured out why her uncle had sold her off that year. Perhaps it would remain a mystery forever, or perhaps an answer would emerge in a few years. Thinking about it now was only troubling herself. Yueyao quickly collected her thoughts and respectfully greeted, “Uncle.”
Lian Dongfang nodded at Yueyao, who displayed proper etiquette, and found it hard to believe that she could be the same person who had caused so much trouble. He said, “The reason I called for you is to discuss a matter. I will be staying at home for the next two years, so I will have time. Tingzheng doesn’t need to go to the Li family’s place anymore; I will teach him.”
Lian Dongfang didn’t want Tingzheng to go to the Li family anymore, but the boy insisted that Yueyao had to agree. Lian Dongfang could have made the decision himself, but considering the previous commotion caused by Ma Chengteng at Lian Mansion, he decided to ask Yueyao.
If it wasn’t for what happened in her previous life, Yueyao thought she would have agreed without hesitation, but unfortunately, she couldn’t trust her uncle’s character now. Of course, Yueyao couldn’t directly refuse. A tactless refusal would certainly alienate Uncle, and she wasn’t yet on stable footing; there were still some things she needed to do. She couldn’t afford to offend her uncle. So, Yueyao sincerely said, “Uncle, Tingzheng adapts poorly. It took him a half-year to adapt to Mr. Zhu’s teaching method. If he comes back now, it would certainly take a lot of time to adapt again.”
Without hesitation, Lian Dongfang replied, “He will adapt eventually. Don’t worry about that.” If it were his own son, he would have made the decision without such hassle.
Yueyao was startled inside. She couldn’t let Tingzheng stay in Lian Mansion. It hadn’t been easy to get Tingzheng to improve so much; a return to the mansion would undo it all. She said firmly, “No.”
Facing Lian Dongfang’s displeased look, Yueyao spoke without fear, “Uncle, I asked Tingzheng yesterday. He said that when he was at home, Uncle also guided his studies. Tingzheng mentioned that the things Uncle taught were too complicated, and he didn’t understand.”
Lian Dongfang’s face showed disgust when he heard the latter part. Indeed, he had given that child instructions once at home. However, the child’s clueless and idiotic expression made him lose all desire to teach again. To Lian Dongfang’s eyes, Tingzheng was nothing but a piece of rotten wood.
Yueyao naturally wanted to provide Lian Dongfang with a way out and said softly, “Uncle, Tingzheng is not very gifted and slow to learn, and he didn’t understand what you were teaching. Let Tingzheng continue with Mr. Zhu; he has made much progress studying with Mr. Zhu over the past half-year. Mr. Zhu said that if Tingzheng works hard, he should be able to become a Scholar in the future.”