Chapter 313: Chapter 115: Guidance from the Master_3 Chapter 313: Chapter 115: Guidance from the Master_3 Ma Chengteng thought for a moment and then said, “In the future, you must study diligently and practice hard. If you lack anything, tell your uncle; you must not waste such talent.” His family had never produced such talent, and if they had, he would have supported them even if it meant spending everything they had!
Yueyao nodded repeatedly, “I will.” Yueyao now had a goal in life and resolved to strive for it.
After discussing the paintings, Yueyao casually brought up the earlier incident. Ma Chengteng was one hundred percent satisfied with his daughter-in-law, “Your cousin-in-law is quite skilled at managing household affairs; let her teach you these things. When you get married, you’ll have to deal with these matters as well.” Women should know how to manage a household, and Yueyao would need to understand these matters when she got married. Ma Chengteng flatly ignored Lady Mo.
Yueyao’s face turned red all of a sudden, “Uncle…”
“Haha…” Ma Chengteng had always seen Yueyao as a child acting like an adult and took great pleasure in seeing her now showing shyness.
Yueyao stamped her foot, “I’m not speaking to uncle anymore…”
After Ma Chengteng finished laughing, he brought up the matter of Yueyao going to Zhaohua Temple for a monastic retreat, “You can just as well chant sutras and pray at home; why go up the mountain? The mountain is a harsh place, winter is approaching, and it will be very cold up there.”
Yueyao shook her head, “I’ll only go for two months and be back in the twelfth lunar month.” Yueyao had initially planned to stay in the mountains for a hundred days, but it seemed unlikely. Her eldest uncle and Lady Mo wouldn’t let her spend the New Year alone on the mountain.
Ma Chengteng knew Yueyao was still bothered by the rumors. Though he didn’t believe them, there was nothing he could do about them. Rumors were fearsome; if a trip to Zhaohua Temple could dispel them, that would be good, “When you’re up on the mountain, if you lack anything, send a message. Your uncle will have someone deliver it to you.”
Yueyao nodded and then hesitated for a moment before telling Ma Chengteng what had happened in the main room just before. Yueyao looked ashamed, “Uncle, I’m not stingy, but this is my mother’s legacy, and I can’t bear to lend it out. Besides, I am still practicing my calligraphy and need it every day. Uncle, Aunt must be angry with me now, thinking that I’m being selfish.”
Ma Chengteng’s face darkened upon hearing this. Zhuang Ruolan had kept this from Ma Peng and, of course, would not have allowed such information to reach Ma Chengteng. Zhuang Ruolan was a prime example of a well-bred lady: men manage external affairs, women manage the home. Of course, Zhuang Ruolan also needed to avoid any suggestion of impropriety, an issue Yueyao did not have to worry about.
Zhuang Ruolan might not have mentioned it, but that did not mean others would not talk. Ma Yuan specifically brought up Lady Xiao Ma’s unreasonable behavior a few times in front of Ma Chengteng. Ma Chengteng had already grown to dis concubine-born sister and would have sent her away if it were not for saving face. Having heard Yueyao’s side of the story, his displeasure only intensified, disbelief that an elder would demand something from a younger relative. It was hopeless.
Ma Chengteng was a true gentleman who would not speak ill of others behind their backs. So in Yueyao’s presence, he did not criticize Lady Xiao Ma, “Don’t mind her. This is something your mother left for you; it shouldn’t be given away so easily.” Ma Chengteng knew that the rubbings were ancient artifacts from the Tang Dynasty and very valuable.
Yueyao didn’t like seeing Ma Chengteng looking upset and, with a smile, said, “Uncle, I used the plum blossom calligraphy style to write a few lines in front of people at my cousin-in-law’s place just now, and they all praised it. Uncle, please look it over for me and point out any flaws so that I can improve.”
Ma Chengteng had always seen Yueyao’s usual writing style and had never seen her use the plum blossom calligraphy style, “Alright, let your uncle have a look.” After examining it, Ma Chengteng’s expression changed and sighing deeply amidst Yueyao’s anxious anticipation, he remarked, “Yueyao, why did you have to be born a girl? If only you were a boy, how wonderful that would be!”
Yueyao broke out in a sweat.