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Early in the morning, after having breakfast in Old Madam Yan’s courtyard, Daohua followed Ping Tong toward the Virtue and Art Court where the young ladies usually had their lessons.

Since Wang Manman was newly purchased and understood many rules and etiquettes, Madam Li had Ping Tong accompany Daohua and bring Wang Manman along in passing.

The Virtue and Art Court, though called a courtyard, actually consisted of only a few rooms; the main room was used as the parlor for the ladies’ classes, and the wing room was Master Qin’s residence.

By the time Daohua arrived, Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile had already gotten there.

Apart from them, there were three other young girls in the parlor.

The three girls were around eight or nine years old, one being the daughter of the Deputy County Magistrate Xu Keke, one being the daughter of the instructor Zhu Xiuyun, and one being the daughter of Xian Wei’s daughter, Fan Siran.

These three families, whether to curry favor with the Yan County Magistrate or to freeload on education, had sent their daughters here.

The moment Daohua entered the room, the chatting crowd immediately fell silent, gave her a collective glance, and then as if by agreement, ignored her.

To this, Daohua did not even bat an eyelid; she scanned the parlor and spotted a guest table at the far corner, clearly farther back than the others. Without saying a word, she walked over to sit down and took the book chest from Ping Tong, saying, “You can go now!”

Ping Tong, worriedly glancing at the untroubled Daohua and then at the others flagrantly isolating her, frowned and quickly stepped out of the parlor.

Once outside, Ping Tong took Wang Manman, who was waiting by the house, aside and instructed, “Watch over the young lady carefully. It’s her first day of class, and if she feels any discomfort whatsoever, immediately report to Madam in the main courtyard.”

Wang Manman, unaware of the underlying tensions within the parlor, nevertheless nodded solemnly.

Inside, Yan Yihuan looked at the silent Yan Yishuang and the others who were ignoring Daohua and felt that it was somewhat improper to act this way. She turned to Daohua, who was setting up her textbooks and writing materials, and hesitantly said, “Big sister, the light is not good there. Come sit by me!”

Daohua looked up at Yan Yihuan, who was about to stand, and smiled, “No need, I’m quite content sitting here.”

Yan Yile immediately interjected, “Exactly, second sister, big sister is the oldest among us and also taller. It’s most fitting for her to sit in the last row.”

Hearing this, the others bowed their heads to hide their smiles.

At that moment, a woman in her thirties who looked somewhat stern walked in.

Upon her entrance, Yan Yihuan and the others immediately straightened up and rose to pay their respects, “Greetings to Master.”

When Daohua saw this, she followed suit.

Master Qin glanced at Yan Yihuan and the others, her gaze pausing on Daohua, “Sit down.”

Daohua had just sat down when she heard Master Qin call out, “Yan Yiyi.”

Startled, Daohua soon realized she was being addressed; Yan Yiyi was her formal name.

“Student greets Master!”

Daohua stood up gracefully and bowed to Master Qin.

Master Qin did not immediately instruct Daohua to sit down, but appraised her silently instead.

This eldest young lady of the Yan family indeed had a commendable appearance and demeanor. Among those present, even her favorite Yan Yishuang couldn’t compete. If she hadn’t known her background already, she might have mistaken her for a young lady from an aristocratic family.

No wonder Yan Yishuang had been restless lately, worried about maintaining her place in the favor of the Yan patriarch.

Feeling the pressure of having such an outstanding elder sister was unavoidable.

“Rise,” Master Qin finally said.

Daohua stood up, maintaining a calm composure as she looked at Master Qin.

Seeing her standing without sitting back down, Master Qin nodded approvingly. Although brought up in the countryside, she seemed to have some grasp of etiquette, “You’ve just arrived, so I’m unaware of what you’ve studied.

Tell me about it.”

Daohua reflected for a moment, “To Master, I have completed the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, and Thousand Character Classic. I am currently reading the Four Books.”

Master Qin looked at Daohua in surprise, clearly not expecting she had read so much.

Children of 8 or 9 years old are usually too restless and playful to sit still, let alone to study.

Lately, while residing in the County Governor’s Office back courtyard, she had heard plenty about the eldest Yan girl—rumors describing her as a lively and unruly young lady.

With that temperament, could she truly quiet her mind to study?

Especially the dry and profound Four Books.

Master Qin was skeptical, feeling that the eldest Yan girl was overstating her abilities, probably having just glanced over the Four Books and then claiming she had studied them. She seemed somewhat dishonest.

Yan Yihuan and the others appeared equally surprised, especially Yan Yishuang.

Aunt Lin had told her that in the countryside, not to mention women, even men had almost no access to books. She advised her to be at ease; as long as her big sister attended class, she would surely fall behind in comparison.

But now it seemed that the big sister had nearly read more books than her.

Master Qin, “The Four Books are meant for men, you should not continue reading them to avoid affecting your temperament. From today onward, I will teach you the Women’s Admonitions, Women’s Instructions, Women’s Analects, and Women’s Pan Jie Lu.”

Daohua frowned slightly, “Master, why can’t women read the Four Books?”

Seeing Daohua’s retort, Master Qin’s expression turned displeased, but remembering her status, she still explained patiently, “Women should primarily focus on needlework and feminine crafts. If you are to learn, it should be the three obediences and four virtues. Reading those other texts is merely a waste of time.”

After speaking, she waved her hand, signaling Daohua to sit down, clearly not inclined to discuss it further.

Daohua did not agree with Master Qin’s view at all, but she didn’t continue to argue either. She was aware that in ancient times, the status of a teacher who passed on knowledge was exceptionally high—’Once a teacher, always a father figure’ was not merely a saying.

Though they were only learning from Master Qin without having formally become disciples, they couldn’t argue with a teacher at will. If she garnered a reputation for being disrespectful to her elders, regardless of the reason, she would undoubtedly be the one to suffer in the end.

As for the directive to not read the Four Books, she’d just let that go in one ear and out the other.

“Alright, let’s begin our lesson,” Master Qin announced..