Chapter 20: Reunited with Time Travel (Part 2)_2

Maternal Aunt Su stroked Zhou Qing's little face in a comforting manner, "Third Young Lady has a reputation, and she's somewhat proud and aloof, and also a bit petty. But Miss doesn't need to mind, since Third Young Lady doesn't live with you, there won't be any friction."

"Besides, having talent is one thing, but she's an orphan who depends on the Great Master and Eldest Madam for a living. There's nothing to be particularly proud of."

Zhou Qing couldn't help but ask again, "Is my third younger sister very beautiful? And she's not very healthy, is she?" Younger Sister Lin is certainly not pitifully delicate and frail like a willow in the wind.

Maternal Aunt Su nodded and said with a smile, "Second Old Master and Second Madam are both very good-looking, and Third Young Lady is a beauty even at such a young age. However, her health isn't good, and she's been sick several times since her return. She now resides in Lanxi Courtyard, which is also quite far from here."

Zhou Qing was now fairly certain that she had arrived beside a girl akin to Younger Sister Lin. Oh heavens, she wasn't sent here to save Younger Sister Lin, was she? She didn't have such noble sentiment! Frankly speaking, she actually disliked the type of girl Lin was, too sensitive and difficult to get along with. She preferred people like Wang Xifeng, straightforward, decisive—in the modern age, definitely a powerful woman.

Maternal Aunt Su always treated her children as her lifeblood. Seeing that Third Young Lady looked dispirited, she thought it was because her previous praise of Yueyao had made Miss jealous. So she quickly said, "Miss, though Third Young Lady is beautiful, you are even more so." This was not just flattery. Maternal Aunt Su herself wouldn't have been made a maternal aunt by Madam if she hadn't possessed sufficient beauty.

Zhou Qing had seen her own reflection and knew she was indeed beautiful, possessing a rare appearance at a young age, assured to be top-notch when grown. Nevertheless, her thoughts were now on her third younger sister. She needed to see this ancient version of Younger Sister Lin.

Yueyao heard the news that Fourth Miss had indeed lost her memory and was now recognizing people. Yueyao smiled lightly; her own memory loss was out of necessity, while Fourth Miss lost hers due to a bump on the head. She didn't know why such a change had occurred.

The next day, Yueyao took Brother Zheng to see Old Madam. Brother Zheng was still a bit shy, but with Yueyao whispering by his side, he mustered the courage, braced himself, and knelt before Old Madam, speaking with etiquette and decorum.

Old Madam still remembered the first time she saw Brother Zheng, when he almost wanted to hide behind Maternal Aunt You. His timidity was unbearable to her, and since she didn't particularly like him to begin with, she didn't pay much attention. Now, although still somewhat timid, he was markedly better in comparison, and his manners were not bad, believing further improvement would come with time. Old Madam was very satisfied, "Third Girl, you've taught him well."

Yueyao bowed and said, "Grandmother, Yueyao will definitely do her utmost in guiding Brother Zheng." Guiding Brother Zheng truly required immense patience and perseverance. Fortunately, she had spent ten years in a temple, which provided her with more patience and perseverance than most.

Yueyao suggested taking Tingzheng to see Yuehuan, but Old Madam shook her head, "Go in a few days. The doctor said that Third Girl needs to rest well. It's not too late to visit once she stabilizes."

Yueyao nodded repeatedly and then took Brother Zheng back to Lanxi Courtyard. With a distant relationship with Eldest Aunt, Yueyao had no intention of paying her respects.

Old Madam felt somewhat emotional, "If this child could always make such progress, Third Girl would also have someone to rely on in the future." Old Madam originally thought that Brother Zheng was just a piece of rotten wood that couldn't be carved. Now, seeing how dedicated Yueyao was, perhaps he wouldn't compare with Tingli or Tingyi, but with such effort and progress, maybe he could indeed uphold the reputation of the second branch of the family in the future.

Hua Lei saw that Yueyao really returned to Lanxi Courtyard, without visiting Fourth Miss. She immediately grew worried, "Miss, I heard that today both Eldest Miss and Second Young Lady went to visit Fourth Miss. If Miss doesn't go, people in the mansion will talk behind Miss's back."

Yueyao sneered. Gossip, she had plenty of it. Back then, these same people easily blamed her grandmother's death on her, causing her immense distress. Gossip, let them say whatever they want to, as long as the Lady family wished it, the mansion was full of her gossip. Although she cared about her reputation and wished to keep her feathers unblemished, she certainly did not want to be bogged down by it.

Seeing Yueyao's expression, Hua Lei didn't dare to say anything more.

During the day, Yueyao taught Brother Zheng how to recognize characters, while practicing her own calligraphy against a copybook. At the beginning of her studies, Yueyao kept in mind the key points of learning Plum Blossom Seal Script, "Start with the reverse stroke, continue with the central stroke, finish with the returning stroke." It's easy to say, but truly not easy to learn.

After several days of study, even someone with Yueyao's background found it obscure and difficult to depict. Fortunately, Yueyao was mentally prepared. She had resolved that regardless of how difficult the Plum Blossom Seal Script was rumored to be, she had to learn it.

What Yueyao didn't know was that Plum Blossom Seal Script was difficult because it was hard to distinguish the flower from the character. Many people struggled to grasp its essence, their attempts resembling the form without capturing the spirit. This was the main reason the young lady from her previous life was ridiculed. Moreover, learning Plum Blossom Seal Script not only required perseverance but also a very strong foundation in calligraphy. Within a few days, Yueyao had gotten a feel for it, thanks to her more than twenty years of practice in calligraphy from her previous life. Her Willow-body calligraphy style had already reached a first-rate level. The essence of ever-changing calligraphy is the foundation, and Yueyao's basics were extremely solid. What's more fortunate was that Yueyao not only had more than twenty years of calligraphy foundation but also a painting background. Plum blossom calligraphy style required a good foundation and painting skills as well.

Yueyao counted on Plum Blossom Seal Script as an auxiliary skill and wouldn't give it up easily. However, she didn't practice her calligraphy as desperately as she copied scriptures. She practiced for a shichen in the afternoon and another in the evening; the rest of her time was spent reading. She didn't read books of poetry and songs anymore. What she wanted now were practical books.

Yueyao poked around in her father's study, and finally chose "The Great Learning Commission." She chose this book because she remembered her father saying that this book was profound and comprehensive, and that a thorough understanding could benefit one for a lifetime.

After reading a bit, she had to admit her father was right; the book indeed was profound and comprehensive, filled with strife and killings. All the strife revolved around one word, desire. Desire led to greed, and greed gave rise to countless sins.

In fact, it all came down to two words, human heart; the greed of the human heart caused all sorts of troubles.