Chapter 6 Mud Cannot Be Molded into a Wall

Chapter 6 Mud Cannot Be Molded into a Wall

Hearing Fan Xueyao's words, Li Rong couldn't help but recall her daughter's extraordinary qualities that had been evident since childhood.

Fan Xueyao wasn't particularly clever. She never showed exceptional talent in music, chess, calligraphy, embroidery, or sewing. The skills she is now praised for in the household are the result of her persistent efforts from a young age. Every achievement was earned through hard work and sweat.

From a young age, this child displayed an unusually strong will and incredible perseverance.

While other girls her age were still playing and having fun, she would practice music and writing day after day, even when her arms ached and her fingers were covered in blisters. She never missed a day of her studies. As her mother, Li Rong felt heartbroken seeing her daughter's dedication and urged her to take a break and play with her sisters.

Unexpectedly, she agreed and did play with her sisters during the day, but made up for the lost time by studying late into the night.

Seeing her daughter's exhausted appearance, Li Rong knew she could not persuade her to change. Fortunately, all her hard work paid off. Now, everyone in the Fan family knows that her Fourth Young Lady excels in music, chess, calligraphy, embroidery, and sewing. Even her culinary skills are highly praised.

What's more remarkable is her clear-mindedness and keen insight. Her perspective on matters and her approach to handling situations are thoughtful and well-considered. When Li Rong was still estranged from her husband, her position in the Fan family was precarious. Despite being the eldest daughter-in-law and managing the household affairs, she faced constant conflicts with the second and third branches due to her mother-in-law's favoritism. This tension also affected the younger generation.

Although they were just children, their conflicts were no less intense. Many children who suffered at the hands of their siblings developed twisted personalities that were difficult to correct later in life.

Li Rong worried about her daughter and often asked her wet nurse for detailed updates. At that time, the First, Second, and Third Young Ladies had not yet married. The Second Young Lady, Zijing, was the daughter of Wang Shi and shared a similar temperament with Li Rong, always following her elder sister Yao's lead. The challenge lay with the First and Third Young Ladies.

The First and Second Young Ladies came from the second branch and, despite their different statuses, stood united against outsiders. Li Rong feared that Yao might suffer at their hands. However, Yao not only held her own but also skillfully drove a wedge between them. With her sisters preoccupied with their own conflicts, they had no time to bully her.

At first, Li Rong thought her daughter was simply clever, without giving it much thought. But as events unfolded, she realized that her daughter was far more capable than she appeared. Despite her delicate appearance, she was incredibly astute and strategic, like a wise advisor from history.

Thinking about her daughter's excellence, Li Rong couldn't help but feel admiration and pride.

In her three decades, she had met countless young ladies, but none compared to her daughter. While many talented women in Chang'an excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, few possessed true wisdom. Her daughter not only had this wisdom but also kept it hidden. Even Li Rong herself only discovered it through daily interactions because her daughter trusted her.

Now, reflecting on everything, Li Rong realized that her daughter was truly extraordinary. With such intelligence and foresight, how could she be content with a mundane life? She deserved a grand future!

Li Rong felt a twinge of anxiety and a hint of disappointment. She had always thought her daughter needed her care and protection. Yet, her daughter was more capable than she imagined, navigating sibling rivalries with ease and even helping reconcile her parents. Thinking that her daughter's brilliance reflected well on her, the disappointment faded, replaced by pride.

Since Li Rong mentioned talking to her, Fan Xueyao focused intently and sensed her mother's change of heart. She seized the opportunity to reassure Li Rong, eventually convincing her completely.

With this, Li Rong no longer opposed and devoted herself to preparing Fan Xueyao for the palace selection.

Time flew swiftly, and before long, the day of the selection arrived.

Early that morning, Fan Xueyao, under Xu Auntie's guidance, put on the clothes prepared for her.

It was early spring, slightly warm but still cool. Wearing a coat might be appropriate but could look bulky. Wearing too little would make her appear weak. Therefore, Xu Auntie chose a set of robes with a matching jacket. This outfit highlighted Fan Xueyao's graceful figure without drawing undue attention.

To avoid dirtying her clothes, Yan Ran styled Fan Xueyao's hair into a double-looped hanging bun, adorned with a silk jasmine flower. Small pearl flowers were pinned casually yet neatly, complementing the jasmine flower perfectly.

Then, she helped Fan Xueyao into a peach-colored embroidered blouse and a saffron skirt. Xu Auntie did not choose the popular gold-embroidered or pearl-encrusted dresses, as Fan Xueyao's beauty was already striking enough. This initial selection called for a more understated elegance.

The saffron skirt struck the perfect balance, neither too casual nor too extravagant. It enhanced Fan Xueyao's fair skin, making her appear even more radiant. Xu Auntie could imagine her standing out among the candidates, like a gentle breeze, captivating and unforgettable.

After dressing, Fan Xueyao left the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard with her maids. Not far away, a girl wearing a half-old robe emerged from the third branch's courtyard, accompanied by two maids. Seeing Fan Xueyao, she nodded politely but nervously.

This girl, around the same age as Fan Xueyao, had a delicate appearance but lacked confidence. Her demeanor made her seem ordinary and unappealing.

She was Fifth Young Lady, named Chunxiang, a concubine-born daughter of the third branch. Fifth Young Lady's personality could be described as either meek and gentle or weak and timid.

Fifth Young Lady's mother was originally a maid of the matriarch, favored by her third uncle. The matriarch indulged her youngest son and readily granted him the maid. Later, she bore Fifth Young Lady.

Fan Cheng, known for his fickleness, soon lost interest and abandoned the maid. Yu Shi, jealous by nature, took advantage of this and treated the maid harshly.

The maid remained a concubine, and Fifth Young Lady grew up timid and fearful. She spoke softly, almost inaudibly, and others rarely engaged with her.

Until today, Fifth Young Lady was like a shadow in the Fan family, cared for only by her mother.

Fan Xueyao nodded at Fifth Young Lady and continued walking.

Others' lives were not her concern; if someone cannot stand on their own, no amount of help can change that.

Fan Xueyao knew Fifth Young Lady was genuinely timid, always choosing to yield rather than fight back.

Yu Shi deliberately burdened her with endless needlework, even when she barely slept. Despite knowing Yu Shi never used her creations, Fifth Young Lady obediently complied. Even when her servants stole her jewelry, she dared not confront them, fearing ridicule.

Such passivity was something Fan Xueyao could not admire. Sometimes, even a rabbit fights back when cornered. Retreating too far leads to a cliff.

Fan Chunxiang watched Fan Xueyao's graceful figure disappear, filled with envy. However, envy was useless. Everyone has their fate; Fourth Young Lady was born into nobility, while she was a lowly concubine-born daughter. While Fourth Young Lady entered the palace with honor, she remained in the household, hoping for a good marriage.

Their fates were predetermined from birth, and she could do nothing about it.

After a moment, Fan Chunxiang turned and headed towards the main house, as usual, to greet her grandmother, who never spared her a glance.