Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 113: Chapter 51: Embroideress

Yueyao and three others paid their respects to the nurturing nanny and the two teachers before meeting the embroideress who would teach them embroidery, whose surname was Mah.

Yuebing couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing the surname Mah, “Grandmother, is it the Mah associated with troubles? How could there be such a surname.” It was the first time Yueyao had heard of this surname.

Yueyao looked at Mr. Mah, who was dressed in dark-colored clothes, wearing no makeup or jewelry. Like Nanny Wang, Mr. Mah’s eyes showed no emotion, as if he had also seen through the world, and Yueyao felt an indescribable oddity in her heart.

After listening to Nanny Zheng’s introduction, Yueyao learned that Master Mah was a famous embroideress from the Suzhou and Hangzhou region. Embroideresses often had poor eyesight after reaching a certain age due to overuse, which was an occupational hazard of the job. Unable to continue working at the Embroidery Workshop, well-known embroideresses generally preferred to teach at wealthy households where the work was simpler, lighter, and the compensation was considerable. And most importantly, the expectations were not high; as long as the young ladies’ skills were presentable, there was no requirement to become a master.

Old Madam said a few words, essentially hoping they would strictly supervise Yueying and the others to ensure they learned.

All four responded in unison, as their livelihood depended on it. Only by educating the young ladies well and satisfying the household would their reputations not be tarnished. A good reputation would lead to more people hiring them in the future.

Old Madam smiled at Yueyao and the others, “Starting from tomorrow, you’ll begin studying, so take an extra day to rest today.” Following the nannies to learn manners had been grueling, and learning calligraphy, chess, poetry, and songs was no easy task either. They would be tired enough later.

Nanny Wang was hired by Old Madam and had already agreed to be at Lian Mansion full-time. The other three, due to the hasty hiring, had not yet taken leave from their previous Masters. However, they had arranged to share their time to instruct.

Old Madam organized the schedule based on the availability of the three, with the four young ladies learning manners from the nanny in the morning, and in the afternoon, on alternate days, they would split into two sessions to study with the teachers. On even days, they would learn embroidery from the embroideress.

Nanny Wang’s quarters were named Jingsi Garden, which was also where they would learn manners. It was said to be where Old Madam resided in her youth.

Yueying had been doing well during this time at Old Madam’s, her complexion becoming more and more radiant, and she wore a smile whenever she met people. When Yueyao looked at her, she too couldn’t help but smile kindly.

Yueyao smiled back.

Yuebing just sneered, while Yuehuan pretended to be foolish as before. However, deep down, she still hoped to get along well with the other young ladies. Thinking back, roommates from her past life could become as close as sisters; now, with blood-related sisters, they should be even closer. But since she was new here and following her Maternal Auntie’s advice, for safety reasons, she decided she needed to observe a bit longer.

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Old Madam, seeing the interactions between them and especially Yuehuan’s revealing gaze, was very pleased. It seemed that Yuehuan’s fall had knocked some sense into her. However, she didn’t know when the second girl would change.

The old woman said with a smile, letting them go, “From tomorrow on, you don’t have to come early to pay your respects to me. What is most important is that you study well.”

Once outside, Yuehuan said, “Third sister, I’ve heard that your Lanxi Garden is very beautiful. May I see it?” After all, she had lost her memory and naturally forgotten many things.

Yueyao replied, unemotional, “Lanxi Garden isn’t as beautiful as your courtyard, Sister. And the arrangements inside Lanxi Courtyard cannot compare to yours.” Her words were tactful, but the meaning was simple; she wasn’t interested in hosting.

Upon hearing this, Yuebing laughed, “Third younger sister is still like before, not fond of mingling with her sisters. Third younger sister, have you finished copying your scriptures?”

Yueyao replied indifferently, “No, I’m copying them slowly. Sister, youngest sister, I have things to do, so I will leave first.” After saying that, she left.

Yuehuan sharply detected Third Sister’s aversion toward Yuebing. This third sister was just distant from her, but towards Yuebing, it was clear disdain. Yuehuan wondered, even if Third Sister didn’t like the second sister, shouldn’t it be just dislike and not disdain? Perhaps something happened that she wasn’t aware of.

Seeing Yuehuan’s perplexed face, Yuebing said, laughing, “Youngest sister, you aren’t considering befriending Third Young Lady, are you? She’s cold-natured and ungracious. Just the other day, she even drove her own wet nurse away. So, if you want to get close to her, you better think it through.” A person who could even drive away her own wet nurse was not reliable. Moreover, the third younger sister was a jinx; the Ma Family had been turned upside down since her arrival. It was regrettable that she had thought Yueyao had a pure nature before; it was all pretense. She would have to be more cautious in the future, in case this girl betrayed her without her even realizing it.