Capítulo 806: Chapter 338: Four Seasons (2)
Yueyao hadn’t figured it out yet when Mr. Yu Shan sent someone over, asking her to come over for a bit. He said it was to explain why she wanted to adopt Marquis Jingning as her foster father.
When Yueyao saw Mr. Yu Shan, he was brewing tea in the courtyard. Yueyao was somewhat embarrassed; although it was overcast today, without the sun, it was still quite hot.
Mr. Yu Shan smiled and said, “Have a seat!”
Yueyao didn’t dare to sit down, so she immediately stepped forward and took over the task from Mr. Yu Shan. Although her tea brewing skills were not particularly outstanding, they were not bad either.
Smoke curled upwards, and Yueyao’s forehead was covered with sweat. Xiang Wei, watching from the side, had her lip twitching, but she knew she couldn’t step forward to help.
Yueyao poured the brewed tea into a white porcelain cup. Mr. Yu Shan took a sip, nodded approvingly, and said, “The heat control is not bad.”
Yueyao took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her forehead: “Thank you for the compliment, teacher.”
Mr. Yu Shan smiled gently, put down the teacup, and asked, “Yueyao, have you encountered any issues recently?” Mr. Yu Shan knew Yueyao well enough to guess that there must be a reason she wanted to have the Old Marquis at Marquis Jingning’s Residence as her foster father.
Yueyao pursed her lips and, after a while, decided to tell Mr. Yu Shan about it. Mr. Yu Shan had helped her so much, even building up her reputation, so deceiving him would make Yueyao feel guilty: “Teacher, have you heard the rumors outside recently? The ones saying I was kidnapped?”
Mr. Yu Shan’s brow furrowed, as he was quite angry about the slanderous rumors against his closed-door disciple. He even had people investigating it, but they couldn’t find out who was behind it: “You don’t need to worry about this; rumors are just rumors.”
Yueyao gave a bitter smile: “Teacher, these are not just rumors; it’s true. I was kidnapped by some people from the itinerant world, but eventually, I found a chance to escape.”
Mr. Yu Shan couldn’t believe there were people so audaciously bold; it was truly despicable: “Who were the people who kidnapped you?”
Yueyao didn’t hide anything: “The Marquis found out it was Zhou Shu, a great merchant from Haikou.” Yueyao paused intentionally at this point, then continued: “Teacher, Zhou Shu has the backing of the Zhou family, the Empress’s maternal family.” Yueyao did not mention Zhou Xi here. It wasn’t hard to deduce that, within the family, Zhou Xi would have chosen his kin over a newly arrived junior apprentice like her.
Mr. Yu Shan was extremely puzzled and asked, “Why did that person want to kidnap you?” Besides her painting skills,
Yueyao’s face showed a trace of bitterness: “I happened to encounter that person when I last visited the Zhou family. The way he looked at me was very presumptuous.” Yueyao’s words had already answered Mr. Yu Shan’s question.
Mr. Yu Shan’s face turned livid; he hadn’t expected that someone would kidnap Yueyao for her beauty, such audacity.
Yueyao softly said, “I suspect that the rumors outside were also deliberately spread by him. He did this to ruin my reputation, making it hard for me to marry, wanting me to be single all my life.” That madman Zhou Shu had no limits to what he dared to do.
Literati are often proud, and while Mr. Yu Shan appeared gentle and amiable, he was inherently proud and disdainful of cunning merchants. For a merchant to dare such an act, it was as if they completely disregarded Mr. Yu Shan: “Is the Old Marquis at Marquis Jingning’s Residence accepting you as an adopted daughter related to this matter?”
Yueyao nodded slightly: “I am very close to Miss Mingzhu of the Marquis’ household, like sisters, and the Old Marquis is also fond of me. However, since Zhou Shu’s backing is the Empress’s maternal family, with the prince’s support, even the Marquis cannot openly defend me, so they used this indirect strategy.” After speaking, Yueyao heard Mr. Yu Shan snort coldly. She was puzzled, as her teacher seemed quite disdainful of this rationale.
Mr. Yu Shan said, “If that’s the case, it’s not a bad strategy.” Although he held a low opinion of the Old Marquis’ character at Marquis Jingning’s Residence, he had to admit that if Yueyao became his adopted daughter, she’d have a better life in the Capital City.
Yueyao recalled what Mingzhu had told her last time: “Teacher, I heard that you’re planning to settle in Jiangnan, is this true?”
Yu Shan nodded and said, “Yes, I’m planning to go in October and probably won’t return to the Capital City after that.” His daughter had written urging him to go, but he kept putting it off. This time, his daughter sent her husband and grandchild to the Capital City to escort him, making it inevitable to go to Jiangnan.
Yueyao felt a bit lost, but reuniting with his daughter was a good thing: “Teacher, I will visit you in Jiangnan in the future.” Without her teacher, she wouldn’t have her current achievements.
Mr. Yu Shan smiled and nodded: “Good.”
After drinking a cup of tea, Mr. Yu Shan looked at his closed-door disciple. Despite being angry at that person’s audacity, he couldn’t deny that Yueyao was indeed beautiful: “Yueyao, you’re sixteen this year; it’s time to think about your life’s major events.”
Yueyao was stunned; she hadn’t expected even her teacher to worry about her marriage prospects.
Mr. Yu Shan chuckled: “For a man, it’s time to marry; for a woman, it’s time to wed. Marrying won’t hinder your painting. Moreover, being married will save you from many worries.”
Yueyao shook her head and said, “Teacher, once married, I would have to manage household chores and educate children. I’m afraid I won’t have much energy left.”
Mr. Yu Shan laughed: “You silly child, getting married and having children is a part of life. How can you avoid marriage just because you’re worried about not being able to concentrate on painting?” After saying this, he looked at Yueyao’s calm expression, realizing she might truly not want to marry. Mr. Yu Shan seriously said, “Yueyao, life is like a painting. Marriage and children are part of this painting. If you skip it, the painting will be incomplete.”
Yueyao was taken aback by Mr. Yu Shan’s words, murmuring, “Does not marrying and having children make life incomplete?”
Mr. Yu Shan nodded: “It’s like the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in a year. How would it be if one were missing?”
Yueyao shook her head: “None can be missing.” Spring is the season of awakening, summer is the season of vitality, autumn is the season of harvest, and winter is the season of hibernation. Missing a season, it wouldn’t be perfect.
Mr. Yu Shan smiled and said, “Not wanting to marry is like missing a season, losing much joy. You might not feel it now, but you’ll understand when you’re older.”
Yueyao fell into deep thought, pondering for a long time before saying to Mr. Yu Shan, “Teacher, I understand.”
Xiang Wei silently grumbled, realizing that despite years of her own persuasion, Mr. Yu Shan’s words had been more effective. She thought how simpler it would have been if she’d asked Mr. Yu Shan to guide the young lady earlier.
Mr. Yu Shan smiled and said, “Jiangnan has many talented people. When I return, I’ll find someone suitable for you.” Yueyao is so outstanding; she deserves to be with someone equally exceptional.
Yueyao was embarrassed.