Chapter 162: I’m Not Usually Like This

Chapter 162: I'm Not Usually Like This

Tang Shuyi stood by the window, taking in the view outside for a while before gesturing for Zhang Wang to leave. She and Xiao Yuzhu decided to rest in this room; conveniently, it was furnished with a couch and a rocking chair. She suggested Xiao Yuzhu rest on the couch while she herself took a seat in the rocking chair by the large window, basking in the sunlight and the breeze, feeling a sense of serenity wash over her.

She made up her mind—this would be her office from now on.

After resting for a while and taking another tour of the residence with Zhang Wang, Tang Shuyi had a clear idea of how to utilize each courtyard. Once they finished touring the residence, they took a walk around the surrounding area, with Tang Shuyi paying particular attention to how the parking area should be arranged.

Parking areas in ancient times differed from those of the modern era; they couldn't be entirely open-air. Ancient modes of transport—horses, carriages, and sedans—were all greatly affected by rainy weather. Thus, the parking area needed to be covered. Additionally, it was necessary to have horse feed prepared, as well as resting quarters for the coachmen and sedan carriers.

After all, a high-end establishment naturally required first-class service.

After circling the residence, Tang Shuyi had Zhang Wang bring over some writing supplies, then said to Qi Er, "Draw a layout of this residence."

Qi Er: "........." I'm a poor student, barely able to write neatly, let alone draw!

But could he admit his inability? Of course not! What if his master thought him too dull to teach?

Limping over to the desk, he picked up the brush with feigned composure, dipped it in ink, and prepared to start. However, his hand trembled with nervousness and "plop", a drop of ink fell onto the paper.

Tang Shuyi: "Tsk!"

Hearing Tang Shuyi's tsk, Qi Er hurriedly grabbed the paper from the table, crumpled it up, and tossed it aside, promptly spreading out a fresh sheet. But now even more panicked, his brush smeared the moment it touched the paper, followed by another tsk from Tang Shuyi.

Qi Er quickly crumpled and discarded this sheet too, trying again, but without success. Near tears, he turned to Tang Shuyi and said, "Auntie, I... I'm not usually like this, I... I can write."

Seeing him like this, Tang Shuyi was inwardly laughing, but she kept a calm and slightly dissatisfied expression. She hummed softly, then turned to Xiao Yuzhu and said, "You do it."

Xiao Yuzhu responded and stepped up beside Qi Er. Qi Er glanced warily at Tang Shuyi before limping over to Xiao Yuming, communicating with his eyes: How did it suddenly become a drawing test? There was no preparation at all!

Xiao Yuming was too preoccupied to pay him any mind; he was afraid of being called upon next.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuzhu had her maidservant tie up her wide sleeves (an ancient practice to facilitate writing or working), picked up the brush, and began to draw line by line. Whenever she couldn't recall a detail, she turned to consult Zhang Wang. In less than fifteen minutes, she had completed a layout of the entire residence.

Although Xiao Yuzhu was not particularly skilled in the traditional arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Tang Shuyi had not demanded her excellence in these areas. However, she did have strict requirements for Xiao Yuzhu's calligraphy. Now that Xiao Yuzhu practiced writing daily and her brush control had improved, drawing simple lines was no longer a challenge.

On the side, Qi Er quietly asked Xiao Yuming, "Wasn't it said that Sister Yuzhu wasn't proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting? How can she draw so well?"

Xiao Yuming glared at him, "Who said Yuzhu isn't proficient? She's just not particularly skilled."

"Oh, got it," Qi Er hurriedly said, "not unfamiliar, just not skilled."

"Guangguang, come here," Tang Shuyi called out to Qi Er, who promptly approached, only to hear her instruct, "Copy this drawing, and think about how each courtyard should be arranged according to the plan I've made."

Nodding, Qi Er moved next to Xiao Yuzhu and whispered flatteringly, "Yuzhu, I didn't realize you were so good at drawing. Could you teach me?"

Xiao Yuzhu, familiar with him, glanced at Tang Shuyi admiring the scenery by the window and whispered back, "It's all about practicing calligraphy; once you're comfortable with holding and maneuvering the brush, drawing a line is easy."

Qi Er's face lit up with understanding as he gave her a thumbs up, "Yuzhu, you really are clever."

Xiao Yuzhu giggled softly, whispering back, "As long as I improve, my mother won't be angry."

Qi Er, as if enlightened, gratefully exclaimed, "I'll definitely work hard; you tell that to Auntie."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded and began instructing Qi Er on drawing. Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi overheard their interaction but pretended to be oblivious.

There's a stark difference between being self-motivated and being pushed. She just wanted Qi Er to recognize his shortcomings and take the initiative to improve. It seemed her plan was working well.

After a quarter of an hour, Qi Er, doing his utmost, replicated the drawing, but compared to Xiao Yuzhu's neat diagram, his looked like the erratic trails of an insect, crooked and wonky, unbearable even for his own eyes.

When Tang Shuyi came to inspect the work, a blushing Qi Er stammered, "Auntie, I… I will practice my writing."

Tang Shuyi gave him an approving look, "It's never too late to start as long as you're willing to work hard."

Encouraged, Qi Er nodded firmly, fists clenched.

As the day drew to a close, Tang Shuyi took the three children and headed home. Qi Er didn't accompany them back to the Marquis's residence; instead, he took his own carriage home. Upon arrival, he dove into his study to begin the "homework" assigned by Tang Shuyi, displaying a level of seriousness.

The old Mrs. Qi hadn't seen much of him all day. Hearing he had returned, she went to check on him. Finding him earnestly writing and drawing at his desk, her heart swelled with joy. She doted on her grandson, but also wished for his betterment.

Approaching Qi Er, she asked softly, "What are you writing?"

Looking up at her, Qi Er replied, "Aunt Xiao assigned me some tasks, I need to finish them quickly."

"What tasks?" the old Mrs. Qi inquired.

Qi Er recounted the tasks Tang Shuyi had assigned to him, explaining in detail, worried that his grandmother might not understand. Even so, the old Mrs. Qi didn't quite grasp it all, but he didn't dwell on this, instead smiling, "Are you tired? Take a rest if you are. You're still injured; it's fine to rest for a couple of days before resuming."

Just as Qi Liangsheng reached the doorway, his brows furrowed upon hearing those words. He pulled aside Qi Er's attendant and inquired about the day's events. The attendant, not daring to conceal anything, recounted how Qi Er had accompanied Tang Shuyi to Lakeview Pavilion, their tour of the residence, Tang Shuyi's request for Qi Er to draw a map of his behavior, and how Xiao Yuzhu outperformed Qi Er.

After listening, Qi Liangsheng felt the urge to cover his face in embarrassment. His fourteen or fifteen-year-old son bested by an eight or nine-year-old girl—it was a disgrace not just for his son, but for him as a father. Recalling what the elder Mrs. Qi had just said, he strode into Qi Er's study. Before he could speak, he heard the elder Mrs. Qi remark, “Look how diligent our little Er is; you mustn't scold him in the future.”

Qi Liangsheng looked down and saw the strategy plan created by Tang Shuyi on the desk, along with two drawings—one large and one small. The smaller one, a draft with words scrawled and corrections made, was obviously a rough sketch.

All this evidenced Qi Er's earnestness towards the matter. Swallowing the words he had intended to say, Qi Liangsheng instead advised, “If you aspire to do good, don't fear hardship or exhaustion. Only through effort will there be rewards.”

Qi Er nodded seriously and then resumed his "homework." The elder Mrs. Qi wanted to interject about Qi Er’s injuries and suggest he rest before continuing his work, but before she could speak, Qi Liangsheng had pulled her out of the room.

………