Learning at 58

  Yang Lan thought for a moment and replied seriously: "This tea has a rich and refreshing flavor when entering the mouth, with an initial full-bodied fragrance that intoxicates people, but the aftertaste is slightly bitter, leaving one feeling disappointed and regretful!" After finishing speaking, her face turned slightly red, looking a bit embarrassed.

  I don't know if I'm right or wrong, the way of tea is just a rough understanding, it's still thanks to my past life often tasting tea with my grandfather and having some insights, but not proficient, my grandfather often said that her fire is not enough, can't taste the true meaning of life, and stay on the surface.

  At that time she was still not convinced, but now as a person in two lifetimes, she suddenly understood her grandfather's meaning, only to regret that he couldn't see it, perhaps this is the regret of life!

  His eyes softened slightly, his thick eyebrows slightly raised, and his tone was gentle, "Oh? What tea is this?"

  Yang Lan smiled lightly and said, "This tea is made from the tender bamboo leaves picked last year, which were stir-fried after harvesting, so it's slightly refreshing but lacks a sweet aftertaste."

  "Why must you follow me to learn painting?" Her eyes were sharp and piercing, with an intimidating aura that was no less than a princess.

  Yang Lan gently rotated the rim of the cup with her hand, a faint smile appeared on her calm and composed face, her elegant demeanor was dignified and majestic. She raised her eyes to look straight ahead, her gaze clear and bright, without a hint of fear or apprehension.

  I love painting, my biggest dream in life is to travel all over the mountains and rivers, appreciate the beauty of nature, and experience the customs and culture. She tilted her head, recalling the time when her parents took her on a trip around Guangdong province, the joy and happiness still lingered vividly in her memory, the carefree delight lingering in her heart.

  Her eyes were distant and her mouth involuntarily curled up into a beautiful arc, with a natural and pleasant expression on her face. Perhaps she was thinking of happy things, the whole person looked extremely elegant and refined, with an aura of warmth and joy.

  Staring at her for a long time, he revealed a very faint smile, "Since that's the case, I'll take you as my disciple!"

  Yang Lan's eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately picked up a cup of tea, moved her body to kneel on the cushion, held out the teacup with both hands, and respectfully opened her mouth. "Disciple Yang Lan greets Master, please have some tea!"

  Smiling and nodding, he took over the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

  "From now on, come to my place every three days, and I will guide you. This time, go back and select three different paintings that you think are your best works for me to see, they can be landscapes, flowers, birds, fish or insects."

  Yang Lan was delighted in her heart, this is to see if her painting has the spirit of wind and bone, suitable for which category, good targeted guidance. She nodded immediately in agreement.

  The two of them said a few more words and then served tea to see off their guests. The brother and sister bowed and withdrew.

  Yang Huan only showed a few smiles after leaving Puji Temple. "This master is indeed a person with real skills, but he's too serious. I've never felt so oppressed even when I saw my uncle. Can you bear the hardship?"

  Yang Lan's face was filled with excitement, her little head nodding like a chick pecking at grain. "Although it's a bit serious, as long as I have real skills, that's all that matters, brother can rest assured, his sister isn't so useless, shrinking back from a little difficulty isn't the style of our Yang family. I don't just want to learn painting, I've also heard that Master was a talented woman in her youth, with excellent calligraphy, and poetry, songs, and historical records were all within her grasp. I want to learn it all, as long as you teach me skills and let me do something worthwhile!"

  Yang Huan nodded after a moment of contemplation. He naturally understood his sister's intention. As a former princess who had experienced the ups and downs of court politics and life's twists and turns, she had a unique perspective on life that others did not possess. Especially since she was born into royalty, she had an innate sharpness and insight into politics that his sister wanted to learn from, which would be infinitely useful in the future.

  She let out a faint sigh in her heart. Her sister was studying hard for the Yang family and to avoid causing trouble for them, she was absorbing all the knowledge she could get, so as not to make any unforgivable mistakes when entering the palace.

  Looking at the sensible younger sister is a bit heart-wrenching. The younger sister isn't even ten years old yet! While other people's children are still worrying about which flower to wear to look good, the younger sister has already begun entering the palace and working hard to gain the pity and favor of those in power using her own methods, earning a tiny bit of opportunity for their father and son.

  She knew she couldn't influence the emperor's decisions no matter how much he doted on her, but she still did it, even if it was just to gain a little sympathy, wasn't that all for their father-son relationship?!

  Yang Huan smiled gently, "Alright, as long as Lan'er likes it, don't overexert yourself, and don't sleep too late at night. I think from now on, let Lin Mama teach you separately. Learning with them together is slowing down your progress. You often enter the imperial harem, so you should learn some knowledge about medicinal herbs and poison identification. You're growing up day by day, and there are some skills you need to understand too. I'll go talk to Mother later, and from now on, let Husband and Mama teach you separately. Don't learn with them together anymore."

  He knew his sister had a photographic memory, so she learned things quickly and remembered them firmly. Although she often slept in class, many things she had already learned before, and with her sisters together was just a review of what they had already studied. Now that the situation is getting more tense, her curriculum needs to be adjusted, some things need to be prevented beforehand.

  Yang Lan couldn't help but hesitate a bit, "Actually, I quite like studying with the sisters, it's pretty interesting to have someone accompany me."

  Yang Hao looked at his sister with a doting gaze and smiled, saying, "You can secretly go find them to play."

  It's no use trying to change his mind now, Yang Lan could only nod obediently, "Don't worry, big brother, I know what's important." She knew that her big brother was doing all this for her own good, and she had to quickly grasp knowledge of medicine, palace politics and other skills, or else she would be taken advantage of in the harem and wouldn't have any means of self-defense.

  Yang Hao smiled contentedly.

  Back home, Yang Huan and Yang Lan immediately went to see their mother. Yang Huan told her about Master taking his sister as a disciple and also specially consulted with her about giving his sister private lessons.

  "Mother, I think the situation will become increasingly tense. Someone has already made a tentative move to propose establishing the crown prince in the imperial court. I'm afraid there's still more trouble ahead! I think it would be better for my sister to study with her governess alone." Yang Huan sat on the chair, his right hand gently rotating the jade pendant at his waist.

  "Alright! I was thinking of waiting until next year, but seeing how well Lan'er and the others are getting along, I couldn't bear to separate them. It seems we need to prepare ahead of time now. So, starting tomorrow, Lan'er will learn in the courtyard, and I'll instruct the nanny and teacher. At noon, you'll study household management with me, and in the afternoon, you'll learn from the nanny."

  Yang Lan nodded and stood up, "Yes, daughter understands."

  From then on, Yang Lan began her learning career. She would get up early to practice writing, and then study with the teacher; at noon, she would learn about managing the household with her mother, in the afternoon, she would study with the nanny, and then again with the teacher until dinner time. In the evening, she would discuss with her mother how to draft a gift list, what etiquette was involved, and information about various noblewomen's families, as well as some taboos and factions. She had to learn all these things by heart.

  Ten thousand words even more