The Xu Residence.
Landlord Xu was in his study, racking his brains to come up with a few appropriate words to encourage Xu Yue when the study door was abruptly pushed open.
“Father, I heard you’ve hired Scholar Feng as Yue Ge’er’s teacher?”
Second Master Xu, handsome and dashing in appearance, widened his eyes with anxious indignation, pointing at his nephew in his father’s arms:
“Yue Ge’er is only a few years old and probably doesn’t even recognize many characters yet. Isn’t this a waste!”
“Hmph, then what do you think wouldn’t be a waste?”
Interrupted mid-thought, Landlord Xu was deeply annoyed and asked sarcastically. To his surprise, Second Master Xu responded as if stating the obvious:
“Of course it should be me, the only scholar in the Xu family.”
“The younger generation is still too young. I’ve studied for so many years and widely befriended literary companions, exchanging poems and verses. This is precisely the time for my accumulated knowledge to blossom. If I were to study under Scholar Feng, I might even pass the imperial examinations in one attempt this time.”
“Ha! What foul nonsense are you spouting!”
Landlord Xu cast all refinement to the winds, grabbing a feather duster from nearby as he struck and scolded:
“Studying my foot! You’ve been at it for nearly twenty years without even passing the Tongsheng exam, spending all your time carousing with good-for-nothing friends eating, drinking, and making merry.”
“Literary companions? They’re just treating you like a fool to foot their bills. How dare a blockhead like you compare yourself to your own nephew…”
“Father, you, you—this is too uncouth! Ouch, not there!”
Second Master Xu scurried around covering his head under the blows. By the time Landlord Xu finally stopped, he was weeping and wailing, tears and snot streaming down his face.
Xu Yue found it amusing. Her second uncle wasn’t exactly a bad person—he just seemed to lack common sense by nature, fond of romantic dalliances with beauties and pretending to refined tastes with his friends.
Though married and over twenty years old, he still acted like a child. Li Shi, usually strong-willed, likely doted on Hao Ge’er to such extremes because she felt her husband was unreliable and saw her son as her sole support.
However, Second Master Xu muddled through life concerned only with his own pleasures, never caring about Li Shi’s misdeeds or his son’s arrogance.
Xu Yue coldly watched Landlord Xu finish the beating before stepping forward. Wearing an expression of fear and concern, her beautiful eyes glistening with unshed tears, she tugged at the hem of Landlord Xu’s robe:
“Grandfather, is what Second Uncle said true? Won’t Teacher like me?”
Landlord Xu immediately crouched down and picked up Xu Yue, comforting her tenderly with endearments:
“Don’t cry. Your second uncle is delirious from illness. Scholar Feng likes you very much—didn’t he just give you his beloved jade pendant today?”
Then, pointing at his second son, Landlord Xu forced a smile that carried a veiled threat:
“If you don’t believe me, ask your second uncle. Didn’t he catch a chill from sleeping without covers last night, which made him talk nonsense?”
Second Master Xu covered the red welts on his face, meeting his nephew’s innocent gaze with heartache at his father’s blatant favoritism.
But he could only nod in extreme frustration, then suddenly burst into sobs—it really hurt too much.
…………
“Yue Ge’er, has Teacher Feng already started you on the Classic of Filial Piety?”
After class, He Shun darted to Xu Yue’s desk and asked curiously.
Xu Yue nodded. Seeing her solid foundation, Feng Yi had spent the past half-month thoroughly explaining the meanings of the Elementary Education Books to her in simple terms.
Today, he formally began teaching her the first chapter of the Classic of Filial Piety.
“That’s truly impressive. Teacher Feng says I’m just rote memorizing and still need to keep studying elementary education books. I don’t know when I’ll be able to catch up to your level.”
He Shun scratched his head, saying this with a cheerful grin on his face, showing not a hint of envy.
Nearby, Xia Yu paused while packing his things. He had previously only mastered the Three Hundred Thousand Characters and knew nothing of other elementary education books, making him the slowest among the four in progress.
He had been working very hard, studying until midnight every day, and Teacher Feng had praised his diligence.
But it still wasn’t enough—with Xu Yue progressing so quickly, he feared falling too far behind and losing Teacher Feng’s favor.
Lowering his head and pursing his lips, Xia Yu quickly glanced at Xu Yue. Senior Brother Wen was inviting her to visit his home…
A dark thought crossed his mind: Senior Brother Wen, who was arrogant and came from a scholarly family, should have been the top student but had been overshadowed by Xu Yue. Perhaps inviting Xu Yue to play was just a ploy to distract her.
“Thank you for the kind offer, Senior Brother Wen, but I can’t make it. My father is returning home from his travels today,” Xu Yue politely declined. Half a month had passed in the blink of an eye, and her seldom-seen biological father had finally wrapped up his business and was coming back.
Hearing this reason, Wen Xin couldn’t press further, feeling regretful. Although Junior Brother Xu was young, he was not only as handsome as a jade figurine but also full of novel ideas for fun. Despite their age difference, Wen Xin genuinely enjoyed spending time with him.
Spring had completely given way to the sweltering heat of summer.
Everyone had switched to lightweight summer clothing, and Xu Yue was no exception, wearing just two layers: an apricot-colored gauze top and matching gauze trousers, with a plain moon-white sweat towel tied at the waist.
Her slightly chubby face had extremely fair skin with a healthy flush, raven-black hair styled in two buns, long eyelashes, large eyes, and lips as pretty as flower petals.
Anyone who saw her would agree she was a healthy and beautiful child.
Landlord Xu adored her beyond measure, scooping her up the moment she stepped out of the carriage and exclaiming, “Were you tired from school today? What did you learn?”
Xu Yue shook her head to indicate she wasn’t tired and mentioned she had started studying the Classic of Filial Piety. Just as Landlord Xu was about to respond, footsteps echoed from outside.
A group entered, led by the modestly dressed Li Shi and Second Master Xu, with Hao Ge’er trailing behind, shooting a fierce glare at Xu Yue.
Li Shi pulled her son back. Having learned her lesson during her confinement, she had lost over ten pounds from constant anxiety. She now understood that this little brat Xu Yue had completely won over her father-in-law’s heart. She would have to proceed cautiously, no longer revealing her intentions openly.
Xu Yue paid no mind to Hao Ge’er’s provocation, instead turning her attention to the others.
The Xu family had few grandsons but many granddaughters—five young ladies in total.
From the main branch, there was the ten-year-old legitimate daughter Yuan Niang, the eldest among the young ladies and Xu Yue’s full sister. She was looking at Xu Yue with concern, to which Xu Yue responded with a sweet smile. Xu Yuan Niang’s face lit up instantly—her brother was being raised so well. A woman needed brothers for support, and having an accomplished brother could bolster her standing. Yuan Niang had always felt fortunate to have a younger brother. When she learned that Yue Ge’er had become a Jinshi’s disciple, she had cried tears of joy under her covers for a long time.
Also from the main branch was the eight-year-old illegitimate daughter Xin Niang, ranked third among the young ladies.
The three young ladies of the second branch were all daughters of concubines—Second Miss Lan Niang, Fourth Miss Yu Niang, and Fifth Miss Xi Niang.
Their status in the household was usually not high, so Xu Yue had little contact with them and rarely saw them. Now, observing these elder sisters, she noted that each was quite attractive—the Xu family had consistently outstanding looks, and even the plainest among them was delicately charming.
Seeing that everyone had gathered, Landlord Xu cleared his throat lightly:
“Let’s go, they’ll be arriving soon.”
As the elder, Landlord Xu naturally did not need to go out to greet them. Everyone else, including Xu Yue, had to go out. The moment she stepped down, Yuan Niang subtly approached, took Xu Yue’s hand, and shielded her as they went out together.
They hadn’t waited long when several carriages arrived and stopped.
A dignified young man in silk robes alighted from one carriage, and Second Master Xu stepped forward to greet him:
“Elder Brother, you’ve returned.”
Master Xu nodded, then glanced at the others. His eyes immediately fell on the smallest figure among them—fair and tender, looking up at him with curiosity.
He couldn’t help but smile and beckoned:
“This must be Yue Ge’er, already grown so big. Do you still recognize your father?”
Xu Yue puffed out her cheeks, toddled over, and stretched out her short little arms:
“I recognize Father. I want Father to hold me.”
“Hahahahaha!” Master Xu laughed heartily, indeed reaching out to pick her up, thinking his son was exceptionally clever.
Inside the carriage behind him, a delicate young woman heard the laughter and felt a slight tension in her heart. She quickly straightened her clothes and led a young boy and girl beside her out of the carriage.