Chapter 678: 283 Divination_2
Prince Duan saw Yueyao readily admit her identity and smiled as he asked, "Logically speaking, winning second place should have been enough to make you famous, so why did you not come forward that day and chose to hide behind?"
Yueyao looked innocent as she replied, "Actually, I only learned about this afterwards. My uncle wanted me to participate in the painting competition that day, but I thought about how my teacher said I still needed more practice before the new year, so I didn’t join in. I never expected my teacher to submit my painting for the competition."
With a smirk, Prince Duan said, "Who is your teacher?" He truly did not know who Yueyao’s teacher was, as he had never heard of any Great Painter in the Capital City taking on a disciple. If someone had taken on such a talented student, they would have surely boasted about it loudly by now, not kept it so quiet.
Yueyao blushed slightly, "It’s Mr. Yu Shan. Actually, Mr. Yu Shan was reluctant to take me as a disciple; he only taught me a lot. In my heart, I have already considered him my teacher."
Prince Duan laughed, "So it is him, no wonder."
In his heart, Prince Duan still harbored a bit of doubt, for Yueyao, at the mere age of twelve, was capable of painting such exquisite pictures. Her prospects were immeasurable, "You have no plan to announce to the world that you are actually the Hermit in the Wild?" Prince Duan felt Yueyao’s pseudonym was quite misleading; those unaware might think she was an old man in his seventies or eighties, not expecting her to be a child yet to reach marriageable age. If Yueyao hadn’t confessed outright, even Prince Duan wouldn’t have been entirely convinced.
Shaking her head, Yueyao said, "My teacher says I am too young and fame would only harm me. I myself do not wish for too many people to know. I just want to quietly continue my painting. I don’t like being pursued by others, and even less do I want to be disturbed."
Prince Duan nodded slightly, seeing her as someone pure at heart, "Since you are not willing, I will also not let this matter slip out. However, you must agree to a request from me."
Yueyao responded respectfully, "Please command me, Prince."
Prince Duan frowned slightly, thinking Yueyao lacked the pride of a Scholar, which was quite improper, "The most important thing for a Scholar is integrity, you must not forget that." What he called integrity was actually pride, and Yueyao was not without pride; she simply kept it well concealed.
Yueyao was somewhat perplexed but still replied, "Alright, I understand."
Prince Duan thought for a moment and then said nothing more, for he could be unrestrained, but Yueyao could not. He spoke, "When the time comes for you to do it, someone will tell you."
When Yueyao left, Prince Duan also gave her two pieces of ink. Yueyao initially did not wish to accept the gift, but upon seeing that they were blocks of ink, she couldn’t bear to refuse.
Seeing Yueyao’s conflicted expression of wanting to accept but feeling it improper to do so, Prince Duan couldn’t help but laugh, "If I give it to you, just take it!" Her demeanor was by no means that of a Great Painter but rather that of a child.
Only then did Yueyao accept them.
Yueyao found Prince Duan somewhat strange; he specifically had her summoned with an invitation only to say he would have tasks for her in the future and then presented her with two pieces of ink.
Xiang Wei laughed and said, "Prince Duan summoned you this time mainly because he wanted to meet you. Prince Duan loves talent. If you can catch his eye, you will have security in the future." Yueyao’s biggest problem was the lack of security, with her clan being an unstable factor.
No sooner had Yueyao returned to the Ma Family’s doorstep than the young servant led her to see Ma Chengteng. Yueyao was startled, "What? Go to Hengyang?" This was too coincidental; just yesterday Master Xuan Tian said it was inauspicious to travel far, and today there was a task requiring a long journey.
Ma Chengteng was still shaken until now but managed to laugh upon seeing Yueyao’s expression, "I excused myself due to ill health and took three days leave; I will rest at home these next few days."
Xiang Wei heard of Hengyang and seemed contemplative.
Ma Chengteng asked about the dream Yueyao had, wanting to know every detail so he could have peace of mind.
Yueyao hadn’t actually had any dream; it was just a made-up excuse. Thus, she spoke vaguely, "I don’t remember. I only dreamt that uncle encountered misfortune and woke up frightened."
As she left, Yueyao asked Xiang Wei, "Is there something wrong with Hengyang?"
Xiang Wei shook her head, "Nothing."
In the evening, Loo Ying and Ma Linlin came over. Since last year when they started learning with the teacher and nurturing nanny, the two had been very busy, rarely seen on ordinary days.
As soon as Ma Linlin came in, she looked at Yueyao. Seeing Yueyao dressed in Sky-water Blue Azure Gold Lustrous Silk, with no jewelry except a Peach Wood Hairpin securing her hair, Ma Linlin spoke with displeasure, "How do you not have a decent piece of jewelry? If you don’t have one, tell your second sister-in-law, and let her get you a few new pieces of jewelry so you don’t tarnish the Ma Family’s reputation when you go out."
Yueyao felt a bit odd inside but knew Ma Linlin meant well, so naturally, she would not say anything to dampen the spirits. No matter the reason Ma Linlin had, Yueyao did not reject her kindness, "Cousin Sister, I dress casually inside my own room; we are all family, so I didn’t bother to dress up."
Ma Linlin was pleased to hear Yueyao mention ’family’, "Yes, that’s good." Over the past year, Ma Linlin had been sternly disciplined by the teacher and nurturing nanny, which rattled her considerably for a while. But as time went on, she absorbed some of their teachings. The nurturing nanny, having been entrusted with great effort by Zhuang Ruolan, tried hard to correct Ma Linlin’s temperament. It was not to make her a perfect lady, but at least to ensure she wouldn’t be an embarrassment when out in public.
In over a year, a complete transformation for Ma Linlin was impossible, but she was now presentable. According to Zhuang Ruolan’s expectation, Ma Linlin’s current state was already satisfactory. However, inspired by Ma Peng’s support for Ma Yue, she ultimately convinced the nurturing nanny to teach for one more year, with the aim of fully eradicating the bad habits Ma Linlin had learned from Lady Cheng.
Yueyao smiled and said, "Cousin Sister, please sit down." Seeing Loo Ying standing aside, she also spoke with a smile, "Cousin Sister Ying, why don’t you sit?"