Miscellaneous things

  "Mother, next month is Father's birthday. Why don't we invite a troupe of performers to liven things up? I also want to invite some good sisters over to play!" Yang Lan remembered that next month was her old father's birthday, but she had not found anything good to give to him in the past few months and was worried.

  He Hui Chang Gong Zhu hesitated for a moment, and also felt that it was very suitable to invite some noble ladies and madams to their home at this time. She said: "I'll discuss with your father to see if he has any plans? Have you thought about what gift to give to your father on his birthday?"

  Yang Lan pouted, "Not yet! Originally, I had found a very good piece of jade material, but after cutting it open, there was a slight flaw. I'm not quite satisfied; I still want to find a good sword to give to Father, as he likes collecting various swords. However, you also know that good swords are hard to come by, so I'll ask around some more!"

  He Hui was delighted, her daughter's heart was full of sincerity, she touched her head with a smile all over her face, "Silly girl, even if you just gave your father a piece of cloth, he would be happy, if you really can't find anything, then make some clothes for your father, the shoes you made last year were very good, when your father came back and showed them off to me, his colleagues envied him, he was thrilled!"

  Yang Lan was not very satisfied, "Year after year, month after month, sending clothes and shoes, not sincere at all. I'll go find some more, mobilize my friends to help me find some, if we really can't find any, we'll just have to carve the jade material into a jade carving!"

  She is still a good soldier, Dad's most cherished one. His family has an armory full of all kinds of weapons, all his favorite, and the eldest brother wants to get one, but he has to rely on his merits!

  Back in the house, Yang Lan had a great time going out today. She ate a bowl of black rice and red bean porridge, tied sandbags to her wrists and started practicing calligraphy at her desk. Nowadays she has begun to practice large characters, which require strong pen power, but since her wrist is not strong enough, she ties sandbags on it and practices for several years before it's almost done.

  She plans to practice writing the character "fu" (good fortune), and if she can accumulate a hundred of them, she'll keep the good ones and have them embroidered into small screens as gifts for the Empress Dowager's birthday. Although it's still early, around July or August, some things need to be prepared ahead of time, and as a backup, two sets of gifts must be prepared in case something unexpected happens.

  Bi Yun poked her head in to take a look, and found Yang Lan practicing calligraphy seriously. She quietly retreated back out, and only when she reached the gate of the courtyard did she say in a low voice to Lin Mama: "Mama, Master is practicing calligraphy! I don't dare disturb him!"

  "Let's go back and tell Sister Li that the master has returned, feeling tired, and has already gone to sleep. Whatever it is can be discussed tomorrow!"

  Bi Yun nodded and responded with a sound, walking out of the courtyard. Yatou Xiaohong stood outside the Yilan courtyard. This time, Lin Niangniang and others had learned to be more careful and no longer allowed idle people to enter the courtyard. If there was something, they would report it standing outside the courtyard, lest they disturb their masters and get into trouble.

  Biqiun stood on the steps, her eyes slightly arrogant, her expression somewhat cold, but her voice was very calm and warm. "Xiaohong sister, sorry, the master is back and is exhausted, he's already asleep, let's talk about it tomorrow!"

  Xiao Hong stood below with her head hung low, looking somewhat resentful but helpless. "But my master said I must invite the young lady over to have a private conversation, and I...!"

  Bi Yun was somewhat displeased, with a hint of it showing on her face. She thought to herself, "How can the people from the Li family be so unrefined? They're always saying 'I'll come' and 'I'll go', what's their status anyway? Can't they even address themselves as 'your servant'?"

  At this point, her tone was somewhat urgent, "Xiao Hong, it's not that I'm speaking out of turn, but when facing the master, you should refer to yourself as a slave, the Yang household is a family with rules and regulations, and they especially dislike it when slaves overstep their bounds. Don't learn any wrong ideas! Our young mistress is somewhat tired, when she wakes up, I'll convey Miss's words to her truthfully, you can go back first!"

  "Yes." Xiao Hong's face turned bright red with embarrassment and anger, looking extremely ugly as she stormed off.

  Biyun watched her leave, then turned around, with a pretty maid in a pink dress and a round face behind her. Qingmiao, the second-class maid, happened to come out carrying a water bucket and saw this scene, shaking her head and scolding: "This young lady is really strange, without any rules at all, and she puts on airs as if she's a big shot! When we ask her what she wants, she doesn't even bother to respond to us! She really thinks she's someone important!" She was very unhappy, muttering to herself.

  Bi Yun smiled and glared at her, "What are you muttering about again? Have you finished the task? Two days ago, I asked you to embroider a pair of shoes for Master, have you done it?"

  Qingya didn't dare to argue with Biyun, as soon as she entered the courtyard, Biyun took her under her wing, teaching her etiquette and rules hand in hand. Although Biyun was strict and harsh towards her, she had a kind heart, a typical sharp-tongued but soft-hearted person.

  She put down the water bucket and smiled at Biyun: "Look what you said, sister entrusted me with this task, when have I not been careful? It was done yesterday, let Lin's nanny check it out, I'll take it to you in a while?"

  Bi Yun nodded in satisfaction, she's a sensible one, not like those who are narrow-minded and opportunistic, thinking of climbing up the social ladder at every chance. She also knows to come through me first, and has been filial in her daily life, so I'm satisfied with her for now. Thinking ahead, I can assign some household chores to her, and cultivate her into a top-notch maid to serve our master. Those who follow our master must have a clear conscience and be upright, otherwise they'll bring trouble.

  "Hmm, come over in the evening and I'll teach you how to make tea and identify teas. Have you been diligent in studying your characters?" Biyun asked with a straight face, without beating around the bush.

  Qingya didn't fear Biyun Hu's scowling face, and instead smiled as she approached him, "I've learned it! I can recite the Three Character Classic and the Hundred Family Surnames. I've written several sheets of characters too! The only problem is that paper isn't very useful for this, so my brother made me a wooden box with sand inside to practice writing on. He said all the kids in our alleyway learn to write like this to save paper!"

  What a great thing it is to learn and recognize many characters! Qingya has already recognized one, reading books is a valuable thing indeed! She can teach her older brother and younger brother after she learns well! Older brother has already recognized over 100 characters, he's thrilled!

  So Qingya was obedient to Biyun in a hundred ways, doing whatever she was told. Her mother said that following her would teach her discipline and skills, and that she would become a capable wife and daughter-in-law. She shouldn't learn from those girls with small eyes but big hearts, who did shameful things and lost face for their families, or else she would get scolded!

  Bi Yun's eyes were gentle, knowing that she had put her heart into it, and was very happy in her heart. However, she didn't reveal even a hint of it on her face. "En, I still have some leftover paper from Master's writing, I cut off the edges and accumulated a stack, I'll bring them to you later. Don't throw away the papers that have been written on either, take them back and give them to your brothers, let them learn to recognize characters too. Master likes people who are knowledgeable, well-mannered, and hardworking around him, if you work diligently, there will be no lack of good rewards for you!"

  Qing Ya heard this, and thought it was a good thing for her whole family, so she nodded enthusiastically. "Don't worry, sister! You don't know our family yet! We're following the old master's people. My dad is very loyal, my brother isn't good at anything else, but he can run errands and deliver messages, that's just a sharp-tongued gourd, his mouth is very strict!"

  Bi Yun waved her hand, "As long as you are loyal, there will be no shortage of good things for you. The master is a kind person. You help me keep an eye on Miss Biao's courtyard, and if there's any news, come back and report to me quietly, don't alarm anyone. This matter the master doesn't know about, I'm afraid that side might have some evil intentions, so let's take precautions in advance!"

  Qingya immediately understood Biyun's meaning, "Don't worry about this, I know. In two days, I'll send you a letter. I remember that I know the cleaning lady in the courtyard next door, and I'll go ask her for information later."

  "Alright, I can rest assured with you handling things! Be careful, got it? I left a bowl of yogurt in your room for you." Biyun deeply understood the principle of giving someone a carrot after hitting them with a stick.

  "Thank you, sister! I know you're thinking of me! I'll make a pair of insoles for you first, and you can come to my place to pick them up tonight!" Qingya smiled with pursed lips, not being polite to Bixia either.

  Give me a collection click, thank you!