Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 479 - 176 Lesson (Part 1)_2

Chapter 479: Chapter 176 Lesson (Part 1)_2

Mingzhu was about to retort to Yueyao’s words when she heard Yueyao start to play a melody. The tune was cheerful, and although Mingzhu was very irritated, miraculously, she felt her anger subside as she listened to the music.

After Yueyao finished the melody, Mingzhu moved closer and asked cautiously, "If I seriously learn, how long will it take me to play like you?"

Yueyao had a foundation in music, so it took her less time. She was not familiar with Mingzhu’s specific circumstances, and after thinking, she said, "It depends on your talent and perseverance. If you just want to learn and casually produce a complete sound, at most half a month; if you want to play a complete and moving piece, without any foundation, it would take at least two to three years."

Mingzhu’s face fell somewhat. "Didn’t you say you learned it in just a few months? Why do I need three years?"

Yueyao patiently explained, "I had learned flute before, so it took only three to five months to play a complete melody. I am not familiar with your situation."

Mingzhu’s face fell.

After thinking a moment, Yueyao continued, "Persistence is necessary. If you start learning, you need to engage seriously. Don’t quit halfway. If you cannot persist, it’s better not to start at all. Learning half-heartedly is just a waste of time."

Mingzhu came down from the mountain without giving Yueyao a definite answer, still hesitating. To learn for two or three years, she didn’t know if she could persist.

In the afternoon, Yueyao went to the studio to paint, and Mingzhu seemed to have nothing to do. Here, unlike in the Marquis’ household, there were not many entertaining things to do.

Bai Yi seized the opportunity to suggest, "Miss, why don’t you practice your calligraphy?" Mingzhu’s handwriting was not bad, but it was barely passable.

Mingzhu frowned. "Is there nothing else to do besides practicing writing? I also want to learn painting." She had to have Yueyao teach her.

Bai Yi, feeling his master was rather capricious, then suggested, "Maybe ask Miss Lian."

Yueyao, though interrupted, was not angered but patiently taught Mingzhu the basics. After one Shichen, Yueyao unapologetically said, "You might as well not learn; it’s just a waste of time." Not only Mingzhu’s time but also hers was being wasted.

Mingzhu angrily asked, "Why?"

Yueyao didn’t want to discourage Mingzhu, but in this situation, she couldn’t help it. "You’re not suited for painting. I mastered these basics in just half a Shichen, and you haven’t grasped them even in a full Shichen. The most basic requirements for learning painting are talent and perseverance, and you lack both." Yueyao was very talented and diligent; that’s why she had mastered the basics in four years and laid a solid foundation.

Mingzhu, furious, her face turning green, could not tolerate any more disrespectful remarks. She roared back, "Just because you say I should quit means I should? Just because you say I have no talent means I don’t? I insist on learning."

Yueyao, unyielding despite Mingzhu’s anger, kept on, "Everyone has their strengths. If you lack aptitude in this area, learning it would just be wasting time. You’d better learn what you actually enjoy. That way, not only would you genuinely learn something, but you could also make a name for yourself." Yueyao had already seen that Mingzhu didn’t really enjoy painting but regarded it as a pastime.

Bai Yi interjected, "Miss, Miss Lian makes a lot of sense. For example, Miss Lian excels in painting but not in playing the Guqin or Writing Poetry and Songs."

Yueyao nodded, "Yes, I don’t have a talent for the Guqin or Poetry and Songs, so I didn’t waste time learning them."

Luo Mingzhu finally calmed her anger, but she still didn’t know what she was good at. After thinking for a while, she shook her head and said, "I don’t have anything I particularly like to do."

Yueyao looked toward Bai Yi, who shook his head. He really didn’t know what Luo Mingzhu was good at. She didn’t want to learn anything, and the only thing she was good at was having fun. She would play with whatever was fun.

Yueyao said helplessly, "Then tell me what it is you really want to do?"

Luo Mingzhu shook her head; she had nothing she particularly wanted to do, "I just hope to sleep until the sun rises every day, play until I feel like sleeping, and eat and drink my fill every day."

Bai Yi’s face turned red; her master was truly a person without aspirations.

But Yueyao didn’t see anything wrong with that, "That’s quite nice too. If one could live so freely for a lifetime, it’s also a blessing. People have to live bound by all sorts of rules and can’t do as they wish."

Mingzhu was surprised, "Don’t you think I lack ambition like this?"

Yueyao shook her head and sincerely said, "No. Some people like money, some like power, and others regard money and power as dung. Everyone has their own preferences. You like to live a life free from restrictions, and that’s quite normal."

Mingzhu was somewhat disbelieving, "But they believe the best thing is to become a talented lady who excels in Guqin, Chess, Calligraphy, Painting, Poetry, and Songs; or to become a dignified, virtuous, gentle, and generous woman. Don’t you really think there’s anything wrong with me?"

Yueyao nodded, "I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. Not all women in the world are talented ladies or refined and elegant women. Ask Bai Yi, isn’t someone like me also considered an exception?"

Bai Yi opened his mouth but didn’t know how to respond.

Xi Yu, prompted by the look in Wei’s eyes, intervened, "Miss, have your evening meal first. If we wait any longer, the dishes will go cold." Yueyao had many quirky habits, like the drinking water she preferred, was not just boiled water but needed to be not too hot or too cold, a middling temperature, and as for what that temperature was exactly, one needed to manage it themselves. She also never ate cold meals after saying that cold meals were bad for the stomach.

Upon hearing this, Yueyao immediately said, "Let’s eat first, then talk."

After having the evening meal, Yueyao had a habit of walking after eating. While walking, she said, "Actually, I think you think too much. Life is your own to live, so why compare yourself to others? Why let others influence how you live?"

Mingzhu felt it was novel, "You are the first person to talk to me this way. Everyone around me always tells me how to become a noblewoman, but this is the first time someone has told me to just go with the flow."

Yueyao, looking thoughtfully at Mingzhu, said, "Since you haven’t figured out what you want to do or what you are best at for the time being, why don’t you practice calligraphy with me? Regardless, perfecting your calligraphy can’t do any harm."

Luo Mingzhu thought about how beautifully Yueyao wrote and how diligently she practiced every day. Compared to Yueyao, her writing was pitifully bad. Well, practicing calligraphy with her for the time being wasn’t a bad idea.

Yueyao looked at Luo Mingzhu’s neat calligraphy and nodded, "You write very nicely." After praising her, she pointed out the areas needing improvement.

That day, Mingzhu practiced calligraphy for nearly a Shichen. This delighted Mingzhu and Zhi Qin, as it was really an unprecedented event.