Chapter 8, Daily Life in the Wangfu
For the first time, instead of going out and causing a ruckus as usual, the young prince actually stayed quietly in the study! The young prince has started reading! If outsiders were to know, they would surely not believe it even if they were beaten to death, yet they are witnessing it with their own eyes.
Li Ye nodded slightly, he knew this term... The moon gently took a breath, and then began to sing...
Haste makes waste; patience, meticulousness, and confidence are essential qualities for Li Ye in his endeavors
Before long, the final notes faded away, and the study fell silent. Sunlight streamed through the paper window, gently illuminating Li Ye's lap, while tiny specks of dust danced chaotically in the light, much like a young girl's heart. Yue'er nervously clasped her fingers, gazing at him with an expression full of anticipation, her eyes sparkling.
He often chats with the two young girls. Perhaps due to the constraints of propriety, they do not speak much. However, girls of this age are like chattering, innocent, and radiant birds. Thus, he simply wishes to engage them in conversation, encouraging them to speak more.
Oh... Autumn was momentarily taken aback, obediently sitting on the chair beside Li Ye, with a pleasant fragrance wafting around her.
In the end, Li Ye had no choice but to spare them the difficulty
He is carefully and subtly changing everything within the range that everyone can accept, and he is skilled at manipulating psychological nuances
Yue'er excitedly moved a stool to sit in front of him, then patted her head: "I need to stand to sing well"
Then Qiuer and Yueer will serve the prepared breakfast. In this era, only wealthy families have three meals a day, while ordinary families can only have two meals, and some families may even have just one meal a day
With a clever smile, she greets her neighbor's daughter, encountering her along the mulberry-picking path
Qiu'er nodded quietly and said, "When we were young, we were taught music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The prince had the teachers in the residence instruct many girls, and Yue'er and I learned the best, which is why we are fortunate to serve the young master"
The location of the Prince Xiao's residence is excellent, situated in the eastern part of the city, facing south with the north at its back. It is adjacent to water in the front and backed by mountains in the rear. The surroundings are predominantly composed of the courtyards of high-ranking officials and nobility, with red gates standing tall, creating a beautiful and tranquil environment
Seeing her expectant gaze, Li Ye felt both amused and heartbroken. A fate that is predetermined is the saddest of all; if recognition is not attained, that sadness transforms into despair
Afterward, Qiu'er and Yue'er attended to him for a bath. Although it was not as convenient as in later times and required firewood for heating, it was still a good experience
Li Ye did not pay attention nor take notice
After all, they are just children. Over the course of a few days, under his patient guidance, the two little girls began to open up. Even so, the two girls were different; Qiuer was more reserved, while Yueer chattered away like a little oriole.
I wondered at the pleasant spring dream of last night, for it was today that I won the grass duel. Laughter arises from both faces
The Chief Steward of the manor, Yan, holds the highest prestige; whatever he says is undoubtedly true. Everyone falls silent, and from that moment on, no one dares to casually gossip or bring up this matter again
The servants of the Wangfu gradually noticed that the young prince had recently become very strange
Li Ye nodded, "Then you stand and sing, I will sit and listen, Qiu'er come over, you also come and sit to listen."
However, he soon understood that this was the trend of the times, one that he could not resist. He had to change his concepts and thoughts, gradually aligning himself with this era in order to survive
On the pond, three or four dots of green moss, beneath the leaves, one or two calls of the yellow oriole. As the day lengthens, the flying fluff is light
For instance, not allowing the two maids to perform heavy labor, removing many strict and rigid rules, such as the requirement for the two maids to stand while he eats, and for them to slightly lower their heads when facing him, etc.
Dining and drinking well at the mansion, accompanied daily by two charming maids, with no other concerns aside from casually exercising, this leisurely life is precisely what she had desperately sought in her previous life. However, there was no turning back then; now, it is different... He enjoys this tranquility and is content with the status quo, for ease is a blessing
The two young girls are minors, and in the future, this would be illegal. Moreover, at their bright age, they should not be engaged in such activities. They ought to enjoy the love of their families, freely blossom in their youth, and receive a basic education
Every morning, Li Ye rises early, and then Qiu Er and Yue Er attend to his grooming. After that, he runs a lap by the river before returning to the courtyard to perform a set of sit-ups and push-ups. Progress must be gradual, and the quantity can be increased slowly. Being overly eager for success only leads to detrimental results.
"Yes, yes, not only can I read, but I can also sing lyrics. Would the young master like to listen?" The moon's eyes sparkled brightly, suggesting that the young master had never heard him sing before.
Her voice is crisp, and her tone is lively. Although the lyrical style may seem somewhat outdated to later critics like Li Ye, the combination of these lyrics and the young girl is inexplicably harmonious, creating a unique charm when listened to, especially highlighted by her earnest and diligent expression.
Is this not retribution ... ? ... What strange ailment has been caused ?
... ...
Li Ye was unconcerned, laughing as he pressed her little head back down: "I didn't write before because there was nothing to write about. Now that I want to write, have Qiu'er and Yue'er studied?"
Qiu'er quietly ground the ink on one side, tugging at Yue'er's hem: "One must not be disrespectful..."
"Young master, what characters are you going to write? I have never seen you write before." In the study, Yue'er cheerfully leaned her little head over. After spending many days together and under Li Ye's intentional and unintentional inspiration and guidance, the two little girls had also become more lively.
... ...
After the moon stood still, she began to regulate her breathing and then said: "I will sing a song 'Spring Scenery' for the Young Master, which is set to the tune of 'Po Zhen Zi'"
Li Ye couldn't help but burst into laughter, this is exactly what a girl of fourteen or fifteen years old should be like
When the swallows arrive, the new society is formed; after the pear blossoms fall, the Qingming Festival arrives
He makes slight adjustments to certain matters as much as possible within a reasonable range, without delving into deeper issues
... ...
Although at times he finds it difficult to accept the shocks of this era, such as having two young girls personally giving him baths every day
Everyone only discusses it privately and does not dare to make it public. Chief Yan has repeatedly instructed that anyone who dares to spread the strange matters of the young prince outside the residence will have their legs broken and be thrown out
Practicing calligraphy has always been Li Ye's hobby. Ink and brush, characters, all possess a beauty that transcends reality and evokes profound artistic conception, an abundance of beauty that is overwhelming. Realism values authenticity, while expressive art is often serendipitous and elusive
The breakfast at the Wangfu was quite lavish, with pastries, lamb, fruits, rice porridge, and warm mung bean soup... a table full to the brim, which he simply could not finish. Therefore, he invited the two standing maidservants to join him in eating. The two maidservants hurriedly shook their heads, and after repeated insistence, they approached the food as if they were going into battle, wishing they could weep and recite: "The wind is bleak and the waters of the Yi River are cold..."
rather than being confined in a courtyard, summoned and ordered about, serving others without any dignity
He put down his pen, clapped his hands and said: "Alright, first bring the chairs over."
Moreover, every morning I am chased around by people, running until I am drenched in sweat, while also performing some strange and incomprehensible movements