Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 546 - 210 Rebellion

The dark sky, the ground covered in snow reflecting the pale clouds of twilight, gradually retreated layer by layer, like spring silkworms shedding their cocoons, slowly giving way to a bright and stern chill.

Yueyao was painting in the snow, but Xi Yu was terrified, "Miss, let’s go back! It’s too cold here, you’ll freeze."

Yueyao remained unmoved, and in the end, it was Xiang Wei who forcefully dragged her back. To avoid causing Yueyao to lose face, Xiang Wei supported her as they returned to Lanxi Courtyard.

Yueyao knew her weakness; once she started painting, she’d become so engrossed that she wouldn’t think of anything else. Xiang Wei was doing this for her good, so she didn’t blame her.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Bai Yi went to Lian Mansion to deliver something to Yueyao. When Bai Yi saw Lady Mo, her demeanor was very arrogant, "My lady asked me to bring something to the Third Young Lady."

Yueyao was startled when she saw Bai Yi. Bai Yi was wearing a feathered satin cloak with purple sable fur, her hair neatly arranged into a new moon bun with a pair of red gold filigree long hairpins inserted, and adorned with a red jadeite drop-bead phoenix-head gold hairpin, looking incredibly opulent.

Bai Yi’s presence had also changed from before; no longer calm, she now exuded a domineering aura. Seeing Yueyao a bit stunned, Bai Yi stood and greeted, "Miss Yueyao is well. My lady has been thinking of you."

Upon hearing this, Yueyao’s face lit up with a smile, "How is Mingzhu at home? Has she kept up with her studies with the scholar?"

Bai Yi’s domineering presence faded upon hearing this, "Yes, the Heir Apparent said once he’s satisfied with the lady’s writing, he would agree to let her visit you." After she spoke, she gestured, and a maid brought out an enamel cloisonné box. Bai Yi, with a smile, said, "This was bestowed by the Empress Dowager. My lady thought you would like it, so she sent me to deliver it."

Inside the box lay silk flowers, made from the finest brocade, twelve in total, each one exquisitely crafted. Yueyao liked them as soon as she saw them and said with a smile, "Tell your lady that I really like this gift."

The gift was actually Bai Yi’s idea to suggest to Mingzhu; rather than sending gold or silver, it would be better to send something more unique.

Xiang Wei said with a laugh from the side, "Bai Yi, take off your cloak! You won’t feel so hot that way."

Bai Yi took off the cloak, revealing the outfit beneath: she wore a carmine embroidered floral jacket with a rose-pink gold-trimmed skirt. Bai Yi shook her head with a wry smile, "It’s really uncomfortable to be dressed like this."

Xiang Wei pressed her lips together in a straight smile, "Miss, I’ll go talk with Bai Yi." She had a lot to discuss with Bai Yi, topics that weren’t suitable for Yueyao to hear.

Xi Yu said from the side, "Miss, these silk flowers are so exquisite; maybe we shouldn’t give them away to the other young ladies?" Xi Yu was reluctant! Their miss had given so many things to the three young ladies, but they had never reciprocated. Even if they did, it was with worthless items like pouches.

Yueyao smiled and replied, "Let’s give them away! These are items from the palace and are quite rare." The fact that the silk flowers were from the palace gave them a different significance.

Xi Yu felt it was unfair for Yueyao.

Xiang Wei and Bai Yi talked in the room for nearly half an hour. Seeing that the two had not finished their conversation, Xi Yu said with a laugh, "Miss, Sister Bai Yi seems to have a very good relationship with Sister Xiang Wei." Only those with a good relationship had endless things to talk about.

Yueyao nodded, "Yes, they are very close."

After Bai Yi left, Yueyao instructed her maids to distribute the silk flowers. Yueying and the others each received two, while she kept six for herself.

Upon receiving the silk flowers, Yueying came to thank Yueyao. Yueyao’s expression remained indifferent; she wasn’t willing to engage much with Yueying and said, "Sister, these are gifts from Mingzhu to me. I thought they were quite pretty and decided to let my sisters enjoy them; they aren’t a big deal."

Yueying was taken aback by this. These were items from the palace, yet Yueyao spoke of them so casually, which suggested that Yueyao had likely received many fine things from Third Miss Luo as well. Yueying, feeling apologetic, said, "Third younger sister, I wasn’t thoughtful enough last time and was too hasty. I hope you don’t mind."

Xi Yu gave Yueying a quick glance and quickly masked her expression.

Yueyao’s face remained calm, showing not even a hint of a smile as she ushered her away, "I haven’t dwelled on that matter for a while. If sister has no other business, I have to practice my writing."

With her face burning red, Yueying had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

Yuebing came over with Yuehuan to thank Yueyao, but Yueyao’s countenance remained as cold and indifferent as ever, leaving Yuebing feeling quite snubbed, and she returned without even warming her seat.

Having heard of this, Lady Mo asked Granny Lau, "What do you make of Third Miss Luo sending a case of silk flowers?" Lady Mo found the situation rather troublesome; she had intended to deal with Yueyao, but now Luo Mingzhu had appeared, giving her second thoughts.

Granny Lau, unaware that Lady Mo had harbored murderous intentions towards Yueyao, answered, "Miss Luo is simply expressing her close relationship with Third Young Lady."

Lady Mo’s expression soured. Having the Marquis Jingning’s Residence meddle in these affairs was the last thing she wanted.

After the Lantern Festival, Tingzheng planned to continue his studies at Li Mansion, but Lian Dongfang forbade it, insisting that Tingzheng study at the Clan School instead.

Tingzheng, unwilling to go, protested, "I won’t go, I want to study with Mr. Zhu."

Lian Dongfang turned a shade of steel, his sons had never dared to defy him before, and not even his grown eldest son, Tingli, dared to do so, "Have you been feeding the dogs with all the books you’ve read? How dare you talk back to an elder."

Tingzheng had long held grievances against Lian Dongfang; if his uncle was truly kind-hearted, his sister wouldn’t have to suffer in Lian Mansion. Looking up, Tingzheng said, "I am not talking back to Uncle, I just don’t want to go to the Clan School. Not only is the instructor there subpar, but the students also brawl and fight."

Lian Dongfang was so enraged he almost spat blood, "Who fed you such utter nonsense?"

Of course, Tingzheng couldn’t betray Yueyao, "I heard it myself."

Lian Dongfang didn’t believe a word Tingzheng said. Three years ago, Tingzheng was too young to understand these matters, and he had been at Li Mansion ever since, knowing nothing about Lian Mansion; the source of those words had to be Yueyao. He ordered, "Summon Third Young Lady here." In his eyes, his family’s Clan School was being distorted by this wretched girl.

Yueyao arrived swiftly. Upon entering the courtyard and seeing Tingzheng kneeling, flames of rage flickered in her eyes, but she knew better than to talk back to her elder, Lian Dongfang, lest she suffer for it.

Yueyao respectfully performed her ceremonial greetings to Lian Dongfang.

Regarding Yueyao with a cold gaze, Lian Dongfang felt true disgust for someone who wouldn’t support her own family, "Brother Zheng says that the instructors at the Clan School are subpar and that the students there are all fighting and causing trouble. Did these words come from you?"

Yueyao didn’t deny it, "Uncle, the instructors at the Clan School are only Scholars, while Mr. Zhu is a Juren. And the matters of the Clan School are known to everyone within the mansion. Not to drag up the past, but even Tingchao was always fighting and causing trouble there; now that he’s not attending the Clan School, he can study seriously."

Lian Dongfang had no intention of arguing with Yueyao, "The Clan School is just temporary. I am searching for an academy for Tingzheng, and when I find one, I will send him there to study."

Yueyao, unlike Tingli and the others, didn’t kowtow to Lian Dongfang, "Uncle, Tingzheng is still young, and his foundation is not solid. It would be better for him to study under Mr. Zhu for another couple of years before attending an academy." Yueyao, seeing the fury in Lian Dongfang’s eyes and speaking before he could, continued, "Uncle knows Tingzheng’s capabilities well. He started learning quite late, and I want him to have a solid foundation before entering an academy. Uncle, Tingzheng is the only heir of our second branch, and our future relies on him. I hope he doesn’t go astray." Yueyao’s words came just short of accusing Lian Dongfang of leading Tingzheng off course.

Lian Dongfang was seething with each beat of his heart, but since Yueyao and Tingzheng were not his own children, he couldn’t physically punish them without a justified reason, lest he gain a reputation for unjust severity.

Although Lian Dongfang did not want Tingzheng to return to Li Mansion, he could see Yueyao’s determination and her arguments were sound; naturally, he wouldn’t partake in such a thankless task and took a step back, "When you change your mind about sending him to the academy, let me know."

Yueyao humbly replied, "Yes." In truth, waiting another two years was merely Yueyao’s excuse, as children usually went to academy at the age of eight; however, she doubted that Lian Dongfang would find a suitable academy for Yueyao.

When Tingzheng returned to Changqing Courtyard with Yueyao, he said, "Sister, I’ve caused you worry again." Tingzheng felt guilty, as he could not only not help his sister but always seemed to be the reason she had to stand up for him.

Yueyao smiled and answered, "Silly boy, you’re my brother, and if not for you, for whom else would I make plans? Stop overthinking and get ready to go to Uncle Li’s place!" Before Tingzheng left, having prepared himself, Yueyao advised, "When you get to Uncle Li’s house and they ask why you came so late, tell them what happened today. If they don’t ask, then don’t mention it." Yueyao wanted Li Guoxing to be aware of Lian Dongfang’s actions in the hope that he would find a good academy for Tingzheng when the time came. Yueyao understood well that the quality of a teacher directly affects a student’s character and future prospects.

Tingzheng nodded, "Alright."

Li Guoxing learned about the incident the very same day, and he reassured Tingzheng, saying, "You’re still young, there’s no rush. Waiting another two years to attend school won’t be too late." Studying at an academy was certainly not as beneficial as receiving personal instruction from a teacher. His first two sons went to Bailu Academy only after becoming Scholars. Li Guoxing sent his sons to Bailu Academy not only because many contemporary Great Scholars taught there but also because the academy housed many exceptional students, broadening horizons and preventing narrow-mindedness. Furthermore, it allowed the children to form valuable connections that could become assets in their future careers.

Li Guoxing planned to have Li Han try for the Scholar rank in two years and then send him to academy for further studies. Given Tingzheng’s abilities, Li Guoxing never envisioned him entering Bailu Academy—it was a matter to consider in another year.

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