Chapter Nine: Unusual Blossom

It wasn't that Xu Zimo was particularly kind-hearted; rather, he simply had no knowledge of Xu Ruojin’s background. Lady Yang, having suffered a bitter lesson with Xu Zilin—spoiling him into a debauched, gambling wastrel—kept an especially strict watch over Xu Zimo’s household. Any servant who dared to gossip or speak filth here would be beaten and thrown out without the slightest mercy.

Thus, Xu Zimo only knew he had a second sister who rarely showed her face; beyond that, he was entirely ignorant. Even catching a glimpse of her during festivals was a rare event. If he hadn’t known in advance that his second sister would join him for lessons with Tutor Wang today, he might not have recognized her if they crossed paths in the estate.

Although Xu Zimo was not as dissipated as Xu Zilin, he, too, was fond of amusement. He came alive for birds, flowers, and fish, but the mere sight of books put him to sleep. Now, learning that his second sister would also be attending lessons, he was secretly delighted—another companion to share the scolding would ease his own burden.

“It’s my first time meeting Tutor Wang, so I arrived a bit early. Did I disturb your rest, Third Brother?” Xu Ruojin concealed her astonishment and offered polite words with a cheerful smile.

In her memory, Xu Zimo had been a chubby little boy, but now he was a stout young man—his round, fair face so plump that his small eyes were almost lost if one didn’t look closely.

Xu Zimo came over and wiped his face with a towel. It was already late autumn, yet he was sweating in just a single layer of clothing. “Tutor Wang is always late. Tomorrow, Second Sister, you needn’t come so early. It’s not that I mind your company, but who wouldn’t prefer to sleep a little longer? If we doze off in class, the teacher will smack our hands. By the way, what are you here to study? The Analects?”

Lianqiao had already set out chairs and poured tea, her manner attentive and her face all smiles toward Xu Ruojin—a stark contrast to just moments before.

Xu Ruojin relaxed. “I’m here to learn to read. I barely recognize a handful of characters, let alone read the Analects.”

Xu Zimo let out a long sigh of relief, his smile brightening. “That’s wonderful! I can help you, then.”

“I’ll be counting on your help, Third Brother. I’m timid—if Tutor Wang gets angry, you’ll have to shield me,” Xu Ruojin replied, matching his lightheartedness. In her previous life, she had always been top of her class. Now, having faced so many setbacks and scorn since her rebirth, she could not bear the thought of being an illiterate as well. That would be too bitter a blow.

Xu Zimo started to pat his chest in promise, but halfway through, he hesitated, letting his hand fall. “Tutor Wang is formidable. I can't stand up to him either,” he admitted awkwardly.

“How formidable? Why not tell me, Third Brother?” Xu Ruojin tried to probe for more information about Tutor Wang. Xu Zimo tensed, then stammered, “He’s just... formidable. You’ll see for yourself when he arrives!”

He shook his hands and cast a few pitying glances at his palms—soon, they might suffer the ruler’s lash...

Xu Ruojin couldn’t help but giggle, but after the laughter faded, she was left stunned. Was this the first genuine smile she had worn since coming to the Xu family?

Today, Tutor Wang was in a foul mood.

Barely in the door of the Xu estate that morning, he was summoned by Lady Xu and informed he would be giving Xu Second Miss a crash course in etiquette and the precepts for women over the next several days. This wasn’t for knowledge’s sake—only to prepare her for marriage.

Tutor Wang had little patience for such tasks. As the academic instructor of the county school, a scholar of some standing, he already felt roped in by having to tutor Xu Zimo. Now to be told to teach a young girl the disciplines of womanhood? Absurd!

But Tutor Wang was a man of breeding. He couldn’t refuse outright, and merely suggested that it would be more fitting for a reputable matron, perhaps one who had served in the palace or a great household, to instruct the young lady. Lady Yang, however, had no such intentions. Allowing Tutor Wang to give Xu Ruojin a few pointers was already an unprecedented concession; spend a fortune hiring some dignified woman? She would never do it.

In the end, Tutor Wang could not withstand Lady Yang’s persistence and reluctantly agreed. He arrived at Xu Zimo’s courtyard with a heavy heart, set his books down, and let out a few cold snorts.

Xu Zimo stiffened in fear, not daring to joke with Xu Ruojin about birds and fish any longer. He opened his book and began cramming in earnest, rubbing his palms nervously under the table, bracing himself for the ruler’s sting.

Xu Ruojin, having no idea why Tutor Wang was angry, approached with a sincere heart to seek instruction. She didn’t even finish her polite greeting before Tutor Wang raised a hand to interrupt. “No need to call me teacher. I’m only here to make you recite a few books.”

Xu Ruojin was no stranger to cold receptions and replied courteously, “Please guide me.”

“Do you know your characters?” Tutor Wang asked, sparing his words.

Xu Ruojin thought for a moment and shook her head. “Just a few simple ones.”

“Can you write?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the point of reciting the precepts for women? Learn your characters first.”

Xu Ruojin was bewildered, but dared not question further. Tutor Wang swiftly wrote a few characters on a sheet of paper and handed it to her. “Practice these until you know them well. Then we’ll talk.”

Xu Ruojin accepted the paper respectfully with both hands and looked down. There were seven large characters:

“One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven.”

Tutor Wang arched an eyebrow and pointed at the characters with his ruler, offering an irrefutable reason. “A woman marrying into a household must manage the accounts. If you can’t even count or recognize numbers, how will you manage anything? Go practice!”

“Yes,” Xu Ruojin replied softly, taking the sheet back to her seat.

She spread the paper, ground the ink, and took up the brush, earnestly beginning to practice her writing.

Xu Zimo sneaked a glance her way and, seeing her scrawled, crooked characters—barely recognizable—couldn’t help but tease, “Second Sister, you’re really hopeless. Your writing’s even worse than mine.”

“What do you know? You’ve held a brush for seven years. Your sister’s only just learned. If you wrote any worse than her, you might as well bash your head on a block of tofu!” Tutor Wang’s cold retort made Xu Zimo shrink his neck in alarm. “Second Sister, is this really your first time holding a brush?”

“Yes.”

“If you’ve just started writing, why not practice your basic strokes first?”

“I’m not sitting exams or writing essays. As long as my writing can be recognized, it doesn’t have to be perfect,” Xu Ruojin replied, her focus fully on the paper. She was truly learning how difficult brushwork could be. After just one round of the seven characters, she felt drained of strength.

There was nothing more to say—only two words fit: too little practice!

Xu Zimo frowned in envy. “It’s good to be a woman...”

Her next stroke went astray.

Xu Ruojin wasn’t sure what to make of Xu Zimo’s sigh, nor did she wonder whether, if he had been born a girl, Lady Yang would have indulged him so. Perhaps she hadn’t accumulated enough virtue in her past life—otherwise, she might have been reborn as a man this time. Anything would be better—just not that cold-faced man. No matter how handsome, he was as icy as death!

Another stroke—crooked again!