Chapter 19: Accusation

Chapter 19: Accusation

"What is this?"

Looking at the paper Ge Baor handed over, Old Madam Lu was utterly confused.

"These are Qing Ge'er's assignments from these past days."

"What?"

The old lady was shocked and blurted out, "Has Qingge been learning to write this for so long?"

Ge Baor felt confused herself, how could she answer her question.

Madam Lu held the rice paper, looked at it for a long time until her eyes blurred, then handed it to Yan Mama, asking, "Do you think this is proper enlightenment teaching?"

Yan Mama, looking at the horizontal lines all over the paper, hesitated, "This..."

She said, "Madam, as you know, I am also simple-minded and only recognize a few big characters."

She had never heard of such a method for teaching students to write.

Ge Baoer said, "Madam Lu, we shouldn't wrongly accuse the lady. It's better to find someone knowledgeable to take a look."

That made sense.

Madam Lu herself was a daughter of a military family, not skilled in literary arts, only capable of managing household accounts to prevent being deceived. She had never seen this method of teaching writing.

The stewards in the front yard, being somewhat literate men, should know more than her and be able to tell if Lin Yunwan was teaching Qingge properly.

Madam Lu instructed the servant outside the steps, "Go and call the chief steward from the front yard."

"Yes."

The servant scurried away in a panic.

"I am here at the behest of the esteemed elder."

The chief steward arrived at the longevity hall and replied from the steps below.

At a gesture from Madam Lu, Yan Mama brought over several sheets of rice paper and explained the situation.

"Allow me to examine this."

The chief steward scrutinized the rice papers several times, his frown deepening with each look.

"This..."

"I have never seen such a method of practicing calligraphy."

No sound came from the direction of the steps, and the steward began to sweat profusely. Although Yan Mama didn't mention who drew the horizontal lines on the paper, he sensed something unusual and, fearing his response might make things worse, quickly knelt down.

"Madam Lu, perhaps this is some unique and ingenious method, unknown to someone of my limited experience."

Madam Lu tightly closed her eyes and said, "You may leave."

The steward, feeling anxious, replied, "Yes," and withdrew, still very puzzled about what was really going on.

Yan Mama, carrying the rice paper, re-entered and placed everything before the old lady.

Madam Lu's expression was quite grim, and Yan Mama dared not say anything more.

"Send for her! I will ask her myself."

Madam Lu, clutching her prayer beads, had a chillingly cold expression.

Lin Yunwan had been teaching Lu Changgong since the morning.

With a gentle breeze, after she finished explaining some key points of calligraphy and the contents of "Thousand Character Classic," she had him prepare to start writing practice.

"Pingye, grind the ink."

Lin Yunwan delegated such small tasks to the maidservant, to avoid interrupting Lu Changgong's studies.

Lu Changgong was always grateful, even to his stepmother's maidservant, and never failed to say "thank you."

Still young and introverted, the child's voice was very soft.

Pingye had to restrain her laughter every time she heard his thanks.

Lu Changgong, not understanding why she laughed, thought he did something improper, often hanging his head and pursing his lips, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

His childlike behavior made everyone in the Silk Thread Hall grow even fonder of him.

As the inkstick was ground into liquid, Lu Changgong had just picked up the brush when Lin Yunwan said, "No need to practice horizontal strokes today."

Although he paused for a moment, he quickly put down the brush without asking why.

He followed his mother's teaching without question.

Lin Yunwan said, "Today, I will teach you to write complete characters."

Lu Changgong looked up in surprise and said, "Mother, but my younger brother..."

Lin Yunwan spoke calmly, "You have waited long enough for him."

Qingge's talents were mediocre, and he often shirked his duties, which delayed the progress. Otherwise, Lu Changgong would have started learning new things much earlier.

Although she didn't favor Qingge, she never thought of targeting a child who was yet to grow up.

However, if this child shied away from the rigors of studying by feigning illness, she wouldn't let that hinder Lu Changgong's lessons.

"Let's begin. Elevate your wrist, the one-finger method."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Changgong immediately sat upright and held his brush as Lin Yunwan instructed, elevating his wrist.

After personally guiding him for half an hour, several sheets of rice paper were adorned with beautiful characters.

Lin Yunwan looked over each sheet and nodded in approval.

While writing, Lu Changgong stole glances at his stepmother, fearful she might notice, then quickly refocused on his calligraphy.

"You are writing very well."

Lu Changgong's ears turned red, and with a curved smile, he said, "Thank you, Mother."

Lin Yunwan approached his desk, leaned down, and said, "However..."

"Where, where am I lacking, Mother?"

Lu Changgong gripped his brush nervously.

"Remember to balance work and rest. You are still young and growing. Completing the assignments I give you each day is enough. Spend the rest of your time running, jumping, exploring the garden, and eating well."

The child's diligence far exceeded her expectations. According to the servants from the front yard, he wrote until dark every day and spent half an hour writing before coming over for lessons in the morning.

How could he possibly grow strong and healthy like this!

Unlike Qingge, with a student like Lu Changgong, she found herself advising him to spend more time playing and enjoying himself.

Lu Changgong looked at Lin Yunwan innocently and said, "I, I understand, Mother."

His biological mother had passed away early, and his father was chronically ill, leaving no one to care for him as she did.

Moreover, his mother smiled, a truly gentle smile.

This is what a mother looks like!

"Madam, there's trouble... someone from the longevity hall has come."

Pingye suddenly entered in a panic.

Lin Yunwan glanced at her.

Pingye whispered in her ear, warning of ill intentions. Someone had advised them to be prepared, as the old lady's summons likely spelled trouble.

Lin Yunwan remained calm, her demeanor as serene as ever, and said to Lu Changgong, "Continue practicing your writing."

Yan Mama burst in, saying, "Madam, forgive my intrusion, but the old lady has ordered us to bring Master Changgong's assignments as well."

She glanced at the rice paper on Lu Changgong's desk, noting the impeccably neat characters.

Could it be that the madam truly favored one over the other?

How foolish of the madam! Qingge is the legitimate blood of the Lu family!

"Yan Mama, what do you mean by this!"

Pingye stepped forward to intervene, indignantly saying, "Master Qing took a sick leave and missed today's lesson. It's Master Changgong's first day of serious writing. Are you planning to take his work to the old lady to complain?"

Yan Mama retorted with a cold laugh, "What are you talking about, girl? Everything is for the old lady to decide. What say do I have?"

Taoye gathered the rice papers and handed them over with a smile, "Please take them."

Then Yan Mama genuinely smiled for a moment, "Taoye is so understanding," and looked towards Lin Yunwan.

"It seems I must go as well?"

Yan Mama nodded, "Yes, the old lady instructed so. It's a bother for you, madam."

"Let's go."

Lin Yunwan casually dusted off her sleeve, not even having time to wash the ink from her palms.

Pingye, eyes red with anger, cursed after they left, "Always causing trouble for madam every other day. Have they forgotten how desperately the Marquis of Wuding sought our madam for marriage!"

After Pingye vented, Taoye comforted her, "Calm down. Madam anticipated this."

"What?"

Pingye hastily wiped her tears.

Taoye whispered, "Otherwise, why do you think madam kept Master Qing's assignments? And Master Changgong's too."

Pingye, puzzled, said blankly, "Why doesn't madam tell me anything?"

Taoye, half crying and laughing, replied, "Madam didn't tell me either."

"Go wash your face! Madam will need us later."

Lu Changgong called out to them, "Sisters."

Pingye and Taoye turned around to see Lu Changgong bowing to them, his gaze resolute and calm, "I want to go too."

Lu Changgong straightened his spine and said, "I want to be of help to mother."

The two maidservants looked at him in astonishment.

Though only eight years old, the eldest young master was truly a filial and good child!