Chapter 36: Chapter 32, Facing Up_l
Translator: 549690339
Master Qin felt that Daohua was neither respectful nor sincere enough, and after starting the lesson, he said, “Miss Yan, since you have claimed to have read the Four Books, I suppose you should have understood all the characters and principles that ought to be known by now, so I will not slow down to tutor you separately. You should follow along with the other young ladies in the
class.”
Before, he had thought that since Miss Yan of the Yan Family had just come from the countryside, she would not understand many things and would inevitably need extra guidance, but having met her in person today, he found her temper to be less than agreeable and felt it necessary to temper her first.
Joining the class with the same progress as other young ladies who had already studied for several years, she would certainly be left behind.
If she couldn’t keep up with the progress, she would naturally come to seek his guidance.
By then, she would surely understand what it means to respect and honor the teacher.
Daohua didn’t react much to Master Qin’s words. She had never considered the possibility that she would be outperformed by a few children, having endured nine years of compulsory education and the bombardment of various tests such as the middle school and college entrance exams. Was she afraid of
ancient boudoir studies?
Yan Yishuang and others, seeing that Master Qin didn’t seem to like Daohua very much, exchanged glances and then opened their textbooks in an orderly fashion.
In the following lecture, Master Qin did not slow down for Daohua’s first class; he taught as he normally did.
Several times, he turned to look at Daohua and saw no sign that she was falling
behind, his eyebrows knitting slightly together.
Could it be that this person actually read so many books in the countryside?
“Miss Yan, please explain the meaning of the passage we just read,” he said.
Daohua, who had been seriously examining her book, was momentarily startled by being called upon but quickly stood up and interpreted the passage based on her understanding.
After listening, Master Qin said nothing and told her to sit down.
Later on, Daohua was called upon several more times.
Initially, Daohua thought Master Qin was simply testing her, but as it happened repeatedly, she suddenly felt targeted.
Daohua glanced at the severe-looking and stem Master Qin, then shook off the slight discomfort in her heart.
It must be her imagination, right?
She had just started attending his class; surely she hadn’t offended the master?
Time slipped away, and the first day of classes ended after Daohua had been questioned countless times.
In the evening, at Songhe Courtyard.
“Daohua, how was your first day of class? Are you getting used to it?”
Madam Yan and Madam Li looked at Daohua with caring faces.
Others also looked at her attentively.
Daohua nodded her head calmly: “It’s fine, nothing unusual.”
Madam Yan and Madam Li both sighed in relief.
The others then praised Daohua for being smart with smiles.
Ping Tong gave Daohua several looks and, seeing her expression was normal, buried the incident of Yan Yishuang and company isolating her that morning in her heart.
Yan Zhigao felt that he, as a father, should also show some concern and said, “You have just arrived, so if there is anything you don’t understand, you can directly ask Master Qin, or you can ask your younger sisters.”
Yan Yile immediately smiled and said, “Great-uncle, don’t worry. We will help
our big sister.”
Daohua did not respond; she looked at Yan Yile with a half-smile.
Meanwhile, Yan Yihuan and Yan Yishuang exchanged glances and quickly looked away.
As the days passed, Daohua gradually became familiar with Master Qin’s teaching style and found studying to become easier and easier.
One day, Master Qin asked Daohua and a few others to read the section on cultivating virtue from the “Female Admonitions,” and then called on Daohua to explain its meaning.
Daohua explained according to her own understanding as usual.
After the explanation, Master Qin didn’t praise her or criticize her, but simply asked her to sit down and then called on Yan Yishuang to explain.
Yan Yishuang gave her explanation, and Master Qin smiled and nodded, showering her with praise.
At this, Daohua’s eyes flickered slightly. Even with a slow reaction, she understood that Master Qin was targeting her.
These days in class, she was the one who was asked the most questions, but after asking, Master Qin wouldn’t say anything or give any feedback.
However, when asking others, he would give comments, pointing out the good and the bad, and was never stingy with his praise.
Daohua thought, if she truly were an 8 or 9-year-old girl, in such a blatantly biased learning environment, over time, she would undoubtedly become more and more unconfident, right?
Worse yet, she might even start to resent learning.
Master Qin…
Daohua squinted slightly as she looked at this master, unable to comprehend the purpose behind his actions.
What had she done to make a master suppress a child like this?
What good did it do him?
“Yan eldest miss, why don’t you explain the meaning of the section on being cautious and quiet,” Master Qin, seeing Daohua lost in thought, immediately called her out in displeasure.
Daohua stood up, not obediently explaining as before, but instead said, “Master, you haven’t taught us this section yet.”
Master Qin’s face darkened slightly: “If I tell you to explain, you explain.” Daohua glanced indifferently at Master Qin: “I’m sorry, Master, but I haven’t got around to reading the section on being cautious and quiet yet.
Master Qin frowned: “Don’t you know you should preview the lessons before class?”
Daohua: “You didn’t assign it in advance.”
Seeing Daohua repeatedly talking back, Master Qin immediately grew angry and said, “Is this your attitude toward learning? As the eldest sister, can’t you follow your sisters’ example? Look at Yishuang, I didn’t instruct her either, yet she knew to preview in advance. You as the eldest sister are truly inferior to your own sisters.”
Hearing this, Daohua suddenly became furious, her face turning cold as she looked at Master Qin: “Master, I really want to ask what I’ve done to you to make you look at me so unfavorably?
As these words came out, not only Master Qin, but also Yan Yishuang and the others who took pleasure in her misfortune were all stunned.
Nobody expected Daohua to be so blunt and bring the issue into the open. Master Qin was stunned for a while before he reacted, immediately saying angrily, “Presumptuous, is this how you treat your elders and betters?” Daohua scoffed: “You know very well you’re an elder, but think about what you’ve done, and see if it fits the status of a teacher. If you don’t like me, just be straightforward and say it. I won’t come to class, that’s all. Is it necessary for you to go to such lengths to put one down and raise another?”
At these words, Master Qin was greatly shocked, not expecting that the thoughts in her heart would be seen through by a young girl.
Yan Yishuang quickly stood up, looking at Daohua with disapproval: “Elder sister, how can you speak to Master Qin like that? Apologize to the Master right now.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Master Qin, somewhat infuriated with embarrassment, said, “Enough, she is the County Magistrate’s daughter, how dare I make her apologize. Class is dismissed.” With that, she quickly turned and left.
Seeing this, Daohua sarcastically smiled and calmly packed up the books on the guest table, then just walked away.
Watching her leave, Yan Yihuan and the others all wore looks of admiration. Xu Keke leaned over to Yan Yishuang and said, “Your elder sister has such guts, daring to talk back to Master Qin to his face..