The other young misses all knew each other, so when two unfamiliar faces showed up in their midst, it was unavoidable for some curious faces to continuously turn their way.
Xie Zhen and Xie Xun were used to such looks since young. As they were magnanimous and big hearted, they did not take offence and instead played amongst themselves, completely unaffected by the actions of the other misses. Most of the young misses felt that the two were too beautiful and didn’t dare to approach them. Only Ye Zhiying, having received her mother’s instructions, went forward and bashfully greeted them.
Contrary to her expectations, Xie Zhen was very easy-going. “I’m called Ah Zhen, this is my younger sister Ah Xun, how about you?”
Moved beyond words, Ye Zhiying immediately replied with her name.
After introducing themselves, the three young misses started to play together. Upon witnessing this scene, others couldn’t help but be envious, and one by one they gradually approached and introduced themselves. After all, everyone was attracted to beautiful things, what more four and five-year old children.
Before long, Xie Zhen and Xie Xun were surrounded by a crowd of people. Even the two younger sisters who had been with Gao Tongtong before joined in. Gao Tongtong, anxiously stomping her foot, looked angrily at Xie Zhen who was situated at the centre of the throng of people.
However, at that moment, Xie Zhen turned and looked at her, with a smile in her eyes, innocent and unaffected, as though she had no idea what Gao Tongtong was angry about.
Gao Tongtong turned back and returned back to Madame Gao, deciding that she wouldn’t play with these rascals in the future.
Soon, it was time to start the banquet and Xie Zhen and Xie Xun both returned back to Leng shi‘s side. Xie Xun, ecstatic, and waving her hands about, exclaimed, “Ah niang ah niang, I got to know so many people”.
Leng shi, rubbing her head, smilingly asked, “Who did you meet?”
Xie Xun looked down and poked her fingers together, ” Erm…erm.” After struggling for a while, her dumpling face turned red, and she said, “I forgot…”
Beside her, Xie Zhen snorted in laughter–her younger sister was just too cute. She couldn’t help but wish to knead her dumpling face, ” What do you even remember? You only know how to eat.”
Dissatisfied, Xie Xun then retorted, “Can big sis even recall everyone?
Of course she could. Xie Zhen’s memory had always been excellent. On the spot, she recited all the names of the various young misses , including their fathers’ office position and standing. Hearing Xie Zhen’s nonchalant tone as she recited, the dissatisfaction in her eyes changed into adoration. Xie Xun stared at her with bright eyes, just short of throwing herself forward and saying, “Big sis is the best!”
Leng shi held them each and kissed and patted them lovingly, as though she hadn’t pampered them enough.
However, this scene had been witnessed by Gao Tongtong, who stood up and asked, “Since Ah Zhen’s memory is so good, why not I give you a test?”
However, Xie Zhen was currently busy cuddling up in Leng shi’s embrace, and had thought that Gao Tongong was speaking to someone else, so she paid no heed to her.
Gao Tongtong’s expression darkened, and she asked once more.
Xun shi hadn’t made any move to stop her. From her attitude, it was obvious she was proud of her daughter.
Gao Tongtong was known in Qing Zhou as a talented young lady. Despite being merely seven to eight years old, she could already read, write and draw. She had even drew praises from her teacher, so there was no doubt that she was definitely a smart child.
Xie Zhen finally turned her head to look at her, asking, “What do you want to test me on?”
Gao Tongtong proudly raised her head, revealing her delight, “Have you learnt the Analects of Confucius? What is the twelfth sentence of the fifth chapter?”
Actually, only children around her age were taught these Analects. Xie Zhen was only five years old, and she couldn’t have learnt this text, so how would she be able to know? Everyone present could tell that Gao Tongtong had deliberately made things difficult for the Xie elder miss, yet none of them spoke up . Leng shi’s expression changed, and just when she wanted to rescue her little lamb from the difficult situation, unexpectedly, little lamb, in a crisp voice, asked, “Older sister Gao, why do you ask me this, do you think I am that sort of person?”
Gao Tongtong, taken aback, said, “What?”
Xie Zhen recited calmly. “Zi Gong said: Do not do unto others what you do not wish others to do unto you. Confucius replied: Yet this is still beyond you.”
In actuality, Xie Zhen hadn’t really studied the Analects of Confucius. It just so happened that there had been once where in Xie Liqing’s study, while looking for picture books, she had accidentally found this book. Xie Liqing was a scholar and had off-handedly told her a few sentences to let her learn, and coincidentally one of the sentences was the one Gao Tongtong had asked her to recite.
To put it simply, the meaning behind this sentence was, I am not willing to accept other people’s unreasonableness, nor am I willing to be unreasonble to others. In response, Confucius said, you have yet reached that stage.
Gao Tongtong had only asked casually, not expecting a five-year old to be able to answer and turn the situation around. Upset, and unable to find a way to diffuse the situation, a flush rose up her neck and face. After a long while, she finally said, “…That is correct”.
Xun shi, with an stiff smile on her face, praised, “Madame Xie’s young miss is really quick-witted.”
Leng shi returned her smile.
The banquet arrangements at the outer courtyard had been completed, and so Gao fu’s steward and Official Gao had come to invite the Old Madame to head towards the outer courtyard.
The group of females stood up and headed for the outer courtyard.
Xie Zhen and Xie Xun followed behind Leng shi, each troublemaker taking one side, giving each other winks and making hand signs, as though playing hide and seek.
The atmosphere was great, and only Gao Tongtong who was following behind the Old Madame wasn’t in a good mood.
Due to the unrelenting rainy weather, the leaks in the roof hadn’t been fixed. The two younger sisters behind her fooled around, taking turns to push each other. However, one couldn’t stop in time and collided with Gao Tongtong.
Gao Tongtong staggered two steps backward, and coincidentally, she had been standing right below the moon gate, not paying attention to the person walking behind her, and therefore crashed right into him.
After regaining her balance, she glared angrily at the two girls, saying, “How do both of you even walk?”
Both of the two misses stood in fear, knowing that they had been in the wrong, and so not daring to reply.
The Old Madame’s maid came to check, and seeing that Gao Tongtong wasn’t injured, then said to the person at the back, “Many thanks to the young master to rescuing our young miss.”
Xie Rong had come to pick his mother and younger sisters up. Yet, he had unexpectedly been knocked into. Shaking his head, he replied, “There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
His voice sounded nice and pleasant, revealing a touch of sophistication. Gao Tongtong at this moment recalled that there was still someone around, and turned her head to thank him, “Many thanks for…”
Definitions and Explanations:
The sentence that Xie Zhen recites is from the Analects. The Analects is a collection of the sayings of Confucius, compiled by his disciples. Confucius, also known as 孔子 (kong zi), was a famous philosopher in Ancient China who believed in the pursuit of virtue. The Analects are made of 20 chapters.
Moon gate 月洞门: It is a circular opening in a garden wall that acts as a pedestrian passageway; a traditional architectural element in chinese gardens.
Translator’s comments:
The plot is getting more interesting now, with Xie Rong finally joining the party!!!
Update on Bern’s Life: I got an Official Darth Vader plush and it is very cute. And expensive. But it’s official star wars merch so whatever. Hoping I can get a Porg soon but the last time I went they were all sold out 😦