Chapter 732: 305 Yizhi_2
Xiang Wei smiled so hard she could barely contain herself, “If you’re afraid this is a dream, then let pinch you.”
She can’t believe she’s still thinking this is a dream after everything that’s happened; her ntal fortitude is really lacking.
Yueyao smiled and continued to squint her eyes. Listening to Yueyao’s even breaths, Xiang Wei knew she had fallen asleep and gently covered her with a blanket.
Xi Yu said softly, “Sister Xiang Wei, I think you should stop teasing the young lady. You don’t know, but when Teacher Wen initially refused to take her as a disciple because she was a girl and he didn’t take on female students, the young lady cried on several occasions. Eventually, even after our Old Master and Madam tried to find her a renowned painter to apprentice under, she refused them all. This ti, Mr. Yu Shan agreed to take her as his closed-door disciple, and the reason for her unease is the shadow cast by that previous incident.”
Xiang Wei cursed with a smile, “I know, I’m only doing this to help her relax.” Anyone would be excited to be taken as a disciple by the imnsely renowned Mr. Yu Shan.
In fact, Xiang Wei felt that Yueyao was being too hard on herself. She had seen Yueyao’s dedication and improvent over the years. In Xiang Wei’s opinion, Yueyao could make a na for herself in the world of painting without any ntorship, and reaching the heights of Mr. Yu Shan would just be a matter of ti.
Xiang Wei had always wanted to change Yueyao’s temperant, and indeed, after years of her effort, Yueyao did change in so aspects, such as not being as submissive as before. However, one’s nature is hard to alter, and Yueyao’s inherent personality was sothing she couldn’t change no matter how hard she tried.
Xiang Wei thought about many things, and while doing so, she too fell asleep.
Upon returning to Ma’s Mansion, Yueyao was greeted by the steward and brought straight to the study room in the front yard. Ma Chengteng was there waiting for her! Ma Chengteng had co ho early from his duties, especially to wait for Yueyao.
Mr. Yu Shan didn’t invite Ma Chengteng to the apprenticeship ceremony. Yueyao had wanted to fight for his inclusion, but he himself declined. Not being invited surely ant he wasn’t qualified enough, and for him to show up there through Yueyao would an losing face amidst all the Great Scholars present.
Upon her arrival at the study, Yueyao recounted the apprenticeship events to Ma Chengteng. He already knew that Zhou Xi and Min Jun were Mr. Yu Shan’s disciples, so he wasn’t surprised. What did surprise him was that Mr. Yu Shan had actually instructed Zhou Xi and Min Jun to take good care of Yueyao.
Ma Chengteng was very pleased, “Yueyao, you have to work even harder from now on.”
After finishing their discussion, Yueyao then proceeded to the main house in the backyard, where several people were waiting for her!
Zhuang Ruolan was relatively calm; she had known all along that Mr. Yu Shan was guiding Yueyao’s painting skills. Although they hadn’t formally gone through the apprenticeship ceremony, they were essentially teacher and student. Now, the formal ceremony was just a public announcent.
Madam Tang, on the other hand, had mixed feelings, experiencing a range of emotions. As a rchant’s daughter, she was fully aware of the elitism of the literati and scholars. Yet, despite public opinion, Mr. Yu Shan had taken Yueyao as his closed-door disciple, which clearly showed how much he valued her.
In contrast to Madam Tang’s complicated feelings, Ma Linlin was filled with admiration for Yueyao, “Yueyao, were there many people at your apprenticeship ceremony today?” Ma Linlin assud a large crowd would have attended.
Yueyao shook her head with a smile, “Not too many. There were just a few of the teacher’s close friends and my two senior fellow disciples.”
Zhuang Ruolan expressed her confusion, “Who are your senior brothers?” This is primarily because Mr. Yu Shan tends to keep a low profile, and if not for a specific reason, he wouldn’t have made a grand announcent this ti, telling the world he was taking Yueyao as his closed-door disciple.
Yueyao replied, “My oldest senior brother is Zhou Xi, styled Zi Zhong, also known as Xun Yangzi; the second senior brother is Min Jun, styled Zi Yu, also known as Free and Unfettered.”
Zhuang Ruolan was sowhat surprised, “Zhou Xi?” As far as she knew, the head of Duke Chengen Mansion was nad Zhou Xi. But Zhou Xi was well into his forties and shouldn’t be Yueyao’s senior brother!
Xiang Wei joined in with a smile, “My lady, saying it that way will only confuse people even more. Madam, Zhou Xi is indeed the Great Master of Duke Chengen Mansion, the current Royal Uncle; and Min Jun is the eldest grandson of the Emperor’s Tutor, Great Scholar Min. Min Jun’s sister is the consort of the Heir of Marquis Zhuang.” To Zhuang Ruolan, explaining who Min Jun is seed less effective than ntioning the family relations of the female relatives—it made the connection clearer.
Before Zhuang Ruolan could speak, Ma Linlin exclaid in shock, “Cousin, does that an Zhou Yue now has to call you ‘Auntie Master’?” Zhou Yue was Zhou Xi’s legitimate second daughter, whom Ma Linlin had seen a few tis at social gatherings.
Zhuang Ruolan replied with a gentle smile, “When you young ones interact with each other, disregard seniority and consider only age.” Zhou Xi was about the sa age as Ma Chengteng and also held office at court; to go after titles and seniority in this case would only cause confusion.
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