Sixty-Eight Self-Confidence
I've noticed that the author suddenly posted a number to her chapter starting from Chapter 69. I don't know why, though. It seems like she didn't count the first two chapters. Weird. Updated (03.09.23): I think the author didn't count the extra chapters (chapters 41 and 42) as the main chapters for ROHYX. There's actually another extra chapter, the original chapter 43, that I forgot to translate. But it has no effect on the story, so I won't translate it.
Momo[1] Quan placed more than 20 kinds of medicinal materials in the room. Before explaining the characteristics of these medicinal materials to Yuxi, she explained, "You must be familiar with all kinds of medicinal materials before learning about medicinal diet, and then you must be familiar with the medicinal properties of all kinds of medicinal materials. You can't make this mistake. Do you understand?"
Yuxi nodded. "I know that if there is a mistake in brewing medicine, it will not become a tonic but a poison."
Momo[1] Quan was satisfied with Yuxi's answer. "You are right, so be careful. Many herbs look similar, but their properties are entirely the opposite. If there is a mistake, it may well take a human life."
Yuxi listened more seriously and took notes. With the experience of learning from Teacher Song, Yuxi was used to taking notes very quickly.
After class, Momo[1] Quan read Yuxi's notes and advised, "You don't have to remember them in such detail. Just write down the most important parts." After that, she taught Yuxi how to take notes well but quickly.
Yuxi was very much inspired.
"Don't tell anyone what I teach you," reminded Momo[1] Quan.
Yuxi nodded and agreed without even thinking much, "Momo[1], rest assured. I won't tell anyone else." Momo[1] Quan's medicinal diet was good because of her continuous practice over so many years. She just started learning pharmacology from Momo[1] Quan. How would she dare to tell others casually? What if something went wrong? She couldn't afford this huge responsibility.
Momo[1] Quan nodded slightly. "Remember what you just said."
It didn't take long for Yuxi to understand what Momo[1] Quan meant. Pharmacology was not as simple as she thought because it was not just about preparing a medicinal diet. It involved a lot of things. Simply put, if she wanted to learn pharmacology well, she must have medical skills. Of course, practising medicine properly required a lot of experience and practice. Even though she learned it not to cure other people's diseases or save lives, she still required to have medical skills. Momo[1] Quan had no problem with people knowing that she was teaching Yuxi pharmacology. Still, it would be a big problem if people in residence knew that she taught Yuxi medical expertise.
When you were tense and busy with life, you always felt that time passed quickly. In an instant, it was already the end of the year.
In the cold winter months, snowflakes looked like goose feathers continuously falling, weaving a curtain of snow. They were like catkins of willow trees, silver-like white and smooth like jade. One after another, they clustered, fluttering about as they slowly floated down while shining the world with their cold silver lights.
Yuxi came out and looked at the falling snowflakes. She muttered that the snowy road was not good for travelling, so it would be impossible for her hamlet to send things out.
Hongshan did not know what Yuxi was thinking. She smiled and said, "A timely snow promises a good harvest. We will have a good harvest next year if we have two more snowfalls."
It then snowed heavily for another two days, leaving a vast white expanse outside. The day the snow finally stopped coincided with the start of Teacher Song's holiday.
Yuxi was getting ready to go to the main courtyard after breakfast when she saw Yuchen's maid, Shiqin, coming over.
Shiqin greeted Yuxi and said, "Fourth Miss, our Miss is in the back garden in Tingyun Pavilion. She invited Fourth Miss to come over." Momo[1] Quan could not move to the Rose Courtyard because she had to prepare medicinal meals for Yuchen so she had to stay in Tingyun Pavilion. Plus, Rose Courtyard was relatively small and had no empty room. So, every afternoon, Yuxi had to go there for etiquette classes. If there were no classes in the morning, she would stay in Tingyun Pavilion much longer. So this year, Yuxi's evening meals were basically in Tingyun Pavilion. Of course, after spending so much time together, Yuxi and Yuchen's relationship became much better.
Yuxi wondered, "What is San Jie[2] doing in the garden on such a cold day?" The back garden in Yuchen's courtyard was bleak and had nothing to look at.
Shiqin was being tight-lipped with Yuxi, saying only: "Miss will know when Miss gets there."
Yuxi walked to the back garden of the Tingyun Pavilion with her maid, and before she arrived, she could smell a strong scent. After turning into a corner, she could see several plum blossoms proudly blooming.
In this world of snow and ice, the blooming red plum blossoms were particularly delicate and charming.
As Yuxi and her maid approached the scene, they saw Yuchen collecting snow from the plum blossoms. Yuxi asked surprisingly, "What are you doing, San Jie[2]?"
Yuchen smiled. "I'm collecting snowflakes from the plum blossoms. I'll use them to make tea later on." Using snow, especially freshly melted snow from plum blossoms, to make tea was the most refined activity of the intellectuals.
Yuxi's mouth twitched when she heard about making tea with freshly melted snow. Eh, the book did mention such a way, but she had an ordinary mind. She would rather spend her spare time reading more medical books. "San Jie[2], I think it would be much nicer if we could draw this beautiful scene."
Yuchen was in a good mood. When she heard Yuxi's words, she thought it was very reasonable. The scenery here was beautiful. It would be nice if it were painted, but at that moment, she was busy collecting the freshly melted snow from the plum blossoms. "I should finish collecting the snow first."
Yuxi said nothing more. She had no right to pick on what Yuchen was doing. In the eyes of others, what Yuchen did was what a lady should do. To them, her act of studying pharmacology was considered silly. Others believed that people of high status, like them, could invite a professional to come even if they just wanted to take good care of their health. There was no need to waste time learning it.
Seeing Yuxi standing motionless in the snow, Hongshan whispered to remind her, "Miss, Third Miss is collecting snow from the plum blossoms. Miss should lend a hand as well."
Yuxi returned to her senses and joined the group in collecting freshly melted snow.
The group of people spent an hour busily collecting freshly melted snow from several plum trees. Once they had done collecting, Yuchen smiled and said, "Si Mei[3], come to Tingyun Pavilion with me and try what the tea made with this snow taste like."
Yuxi also learned about the tea ceremony. She did not learn it voluntarily though, since Momo[1] Quan required her to learn it. She said it was essential for noble ladies to learn how to brew fragrant tea. Yuxi studied it for three months, and when she became proficient, she immediately dropped it.
A video on traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
At the Tingyun Pavilion, Yuxi followed Yuchen into the tea room. This tea room had been specially set up for Yuchen to learn the tea ceremony, and it was also here that Yuxi was taught how to brew tea.
A little stove was already burning. Yuchen poured the collected snow water into a small copper pot, put it on the stove, and then sat back down at the tea table with Yuxi.
Yuxi looked at a purple clay tea set placed on the tea table and asked, "San Jie[2], who sent this tea set?" A blue and white porcelain tea set was still on the table a few days ago.
Yuchen smiled and replied, "This is from my Jiujiu[4]. He said that tea made in apurple clay pot tastes mellower."
Although Yuxi could brew tea, she was not keen on it and knew little about it. Presently, she responded with a smile, "Marquis Pingqing intentionally gave them to San Jie[2]."
Yuchen took a handful of tea leaves from a small box of tea canisters. Seeing Yuxi's puzzled look, she explained, "This is Yunwu[5] tea."
When Yuxi was learning about tea, she read a brief introduction of Yunwu[5] tea and said, "It is said that Yunwu[5] tea has a beautiful metaphor of 'fragrance is finer than orchid'. Today, we have to see if the rumour is true."
Yuchen nodded. "Yes, Yunwu[5] tea is famous for its 'mellow flavour, beautiful colour, fragrant aroma, and clear boiling water'." Though she hadn't had this tea before.
Yuxi didn't drink tea very much. She didn't like to drink tea, no matter what others said about its benefits. It was not that she had any quirks, but Momo[1] Quan advised her that women shouldn't drink tea too early. Yuxi admired Momo[1] Quan very much. Whatever she said, Yuxi would always abide like they were imperial edicts.
When the water started to boil, Yuchen went over and looked at it seriously. One had to pay particular attention to the water used for brewing tea. It couldn't be boiled too much or too little; otherwise, the taste would be lacking.
Yuxi watched Yuchen's graceful and skilful movements. She felt it was also a pleasure to watch Yuchen brewing tea rather than drinking it.
After Yuchen finished making tea, she brought a cup to Yuxi.
Yuxi took the teacup and noticed that the colour of the tea inside was like jasper. She took a sip and commented, "It tastes like Longjing[6] tea, but mellower. San Jie[2], where did you get this tea from?" It must be from Marquis Pingqing again.
Yuchen answered happily, "Well, this is my Jiujiu[4]
's newly acquired tea leaves. He couldn't get much of them as they came in small canisters and especially gave me a few."
Yuxi knew that Marquis Pingqing was good to Yuchen, but sometimes she had a very subtle feeling that he treated Yuchen far too well. But that had nothing to do with her. She did not want to say too much about it either. If she did, others would think she was jealous of Yuchen for having such a good uncle!
After tasting the tea, Yuchen went to the studio to paint and took Yuxi with her.
Until noon mealtime, Yuchen's painting had yet to be completed. "Si Mei[3], you can have lunch with me!"
Yuxi replied, "Okay." After over a year, she felt that her original decision was brilliant because her body had gotten better now. Of course, this was due to her insistence on exercising every day, but the medicated diet she ate every day also helped a lot.
What Yuxi didn't expect was that early the following day, Yuchen asked her to go to Tingyun Pavilion again. Yuxi was somewhat frustrated. She did not understand why Yuchen always liked to drag her out for tea, painting, playing the qin and so on! She could still join her occasionally, but when they were done in quick succession, she didn't have that much time. Besides, she had her own things to do!
Yuxi told Shiqin, "Please tell San Jie[2] that I have something to do today. Let's make it another day."
Shiqin hadn't expected Yuxi to refuse. She tried to persuade her again, but when she saw Hongshan shaking her head, Shiqin decided not to say anything more and said, "I'll go back and tell my Miss."
Hongshan sent Shiqin out. She whispered when they reached the courtyard gate, "My Miss stands by her words. Once she has decided not to go, it will be useless for you to say more."
Shiqin secretly muttered, this attitude is very similar to that of Third Miss.
Yuchen was disappointed to hear that Yuxi was not coming. She wanted Yuxi to listen to her qin today. It was rather boring without an audience. Yuxi always gave her some advice when she was there. However, Yuchen also knew that it was impossible to force Yuxi. "Since Si Mei[3] is busy, just forget about it."
For Yuxi, the New Year meant red envelopes and nothing else.
After the Lantern Festival, Teacher Song came back to the residence. After the chess lesson the next day, Teacher Song met Yuxi alone and told her, "I have finished teaching you the four books and five classics. I will now consider this lesson to be over."
Yuxi had no regrets and said, "Teacher, I really don't want to learn painting." Now, her mind was completely on pharmacology, so she didn't want to waste time painting.
This time, Teacher Song readily agreed: "Okay." Yuxi had a natural talent for painting, but she wanted to spend less time practising. How could she hone her skills if all she wanted to do was attend the painting class and do the homework assigned to her? So, for the past two years, Yuxi's painting skills had not improved at all.
After two years, Teacher Song finally knew she couldn't persuade Yuxi to study painting seriously. She just went with her flow. In any case, Yuxi was not her official student.
After a few days, Yuxi heard that Teacher Song started teaching Yuchen history books. She asked Momo[1] Quan, "Momo[1], what's the use of learning history books?"
After teaching Yuxi for more than a year, how couldMomo[1] Quan still not know what Yuxi thought as she answered, "Learning history can cultivate one's morality, unite one's family and rule the country and with that one can bring justice and virtue to the world[Ref.]."
Yuxi was stunned. By learning history, one could cultivate one's morality, unite one's family, and rule the country, thus bringing justice and virtue to the world. What a very lofty idea!
Seeing Yuxi's reaction, Momo[1] Quan sternly said, "Didn't I tell you not to change your expression no matter what you encountered, even when Mount Tai collapse in front of you?"
Yuxi was torn from her wandering mind and felt that she had just blown her own cover. It would take her 20 years to reach the state where she would remain calm even when Mount Tai collapsed. However, she did not dare to say these words out loud, or Momo[1] Quan would punish her again. She quickly changed the subject by asking, "Momo[1], why didn't Teacher Song let me study history with Yuchen?"
Momo[1] Quan did not hide the truth from Yuxi as she frankly answered, "She doesn't want you to be a threat to Third Miss."
Yuxi suddenly felt silly. She finally responded after a while, "Momo[1], could there be a mistake? Teacher Song is worried about me being a threat to my San Jie[2]? How can I be a threat to her?" There was nothing about her that could be compared to Yuchen, okay? She did not understand why Teacher Song was so worried.
Momo[1] Quan shook her head helplessly, "You are too modest. Although Third Miss has her own natural advantages, she is far inferior to you in some aspects." Yuxi did things with a sense of purpose. For people like Teacher Song, she didn't like people with too much purpose like Yuxi.
Yuxi asked incredulously, "How is that possible?" Yu Chen was far inferior to her in some aspects? This was no fantasy! [😅][8]
Yuxi's exaggerated expression succeeded in pleasing Momo[1] Quan. She smiled and said, "Be confident with yourself. Nine times out of ten, people the same age as you in this capital can't even compare to you."
Yuxi blinked as if questioning whether she truly had such excellent sides.
Momo[1] Quan said helplessly, "Why do you have no confidence in yourself? Your chess skills and calligraphy are better than Third Miss. Not to mention your embroidery. Even in that, Third Miss can't hold a candle to you."
Yuxi looked at Momo[1] Quan with a bewildered expression and honestly stated, "I think San Jie[2] as a fairy in the sky, out of my reach." In her heart, Yuchen was an unattainable existence!
Momo[1] Quan didn't know if she should laugh or cry. "Although peony is the king of flowers, graceful and luxurious, can you say that lotus and orchid are not as good as peony?"
Yuxi shook her head. "No." Different flowers, different species. How could they be compared?
Momo[1] Quan nodded and explained, "Peony symbolises wealth and auspiciousness; lotus symbolises purity and tranquillity, orchid symbolises high quality. Fourth Miss, people are the same as flowers, so you don't have to feel so inferior to Third Miss at all."
Yuxi knew Momo[1] Quan said these words to tell her that she was no worse than Yuchen. This statement was something she never thought of. She couldn't help herself from thinking about it deeply.
Momo[1] Quan did not disturb her from her thinking.
Unexpectedly, after a while, Yuxi finally nodded and exclaimed, "Momo[1], I won't belittle myself again in the future."
Momo[1] Quan found this child was worth teaching.
After saying so much, Yuxi still remembered her original intention. "Momo[1], then what's the use of learning history books in the end?" Bringing justice and virtue to the world by cultivating one's body, uniting one's family and ruling one's country was beyond her reach. She was more interested in whether it would be useful to her.
Momo[1] Quan chuckled. This was what she liked best about Yuxi. No matter how many turns she took, she always remembered her original intention. "Reading history can increase your knowledge, broaden your mind, and help you see things more thoroughly. If you learn it well, it will be much more useful than learning pharmacology or embroidery."
When Yuxi heard this, there was only one thought in her heart: something so useful must be learned!
Her transformation began here.
Footnotes Full List
- a term for an elderly woman
- san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie
- si=fourth, mei=younger sister, short form for Meimei
- mother's brother; maternal uncle lit. clouds (云 yún) and mists (雾 wù)
- lit. dragon (龙 lóng) well (井 jǐng)
- I love this person's explanation of these words.
The famous phrase you listed is acutally a short version of a longer paragraph from Book of Rites - Great Learning. And the original goes like this:
古之欲明明德于天下者，先治其国；欲治其国者，先齐其家；欲齐其家者，先修其身；欲修其身者，先正其心；欲正其心者，先诚其意；欲诚其意者，先致其知，致知在格物。物格而后知至，知至而后意诚，意诚而后心正，心正而后身修，身修而后家齐，家齐而后国治，国治而后天下平。
“From ancient times, those who want to promote great virtue to the world, first need to govern their states; in order to govern their states, they need to first manage their family; in order to manage their family, they need to first improve themselves; in order to improve oneself, they need to regulate their mind; in order to regulate their mind, one needs to maintain sincere intention; in order to maintain sincere intention, one needs to exhaust one's knowledge; in order to exhaust one's knowledge, one needs to study the essence of the physical world. Study the physical world, learn everything you can learn, be sincere with your intentions and regulate your mind; with your mind at the right place, you'll be able to improve yourself. After you improve yourself, you can manage your family, after your family is managed, you can govern your states and bring justice and virtue to the World.”So in short, the phrase should be translated into "improve upon yourself first, then manage your family, then govern your state; that is the only way to bring justice and virtue to the world".A lot of people mistake the word "平" as meaning "world peace". It really isn't. People in Confucius’ time didn't have the concept of "world peace". Confucius was an educator and a consultant for rulers. He's more like a benevolent Machiavelli than a Gandhi. He cared about the lives of regular people, but he also believed in obedience and classism. And he believed the only way for regular citizens to have a good life is for rulers (kings and emperors) to do their job right. So when he talked about "平" something, the word is never about peace. In this case, 平 is used as a verb, an extension of its original meaning "to level" or "to put down", "to rule".From this perspective, Confucius is talking about how a ruler should better manage his family and state through education, study and self improvement. - Feifei Wang via Quora - Ehem... You are in a fantasy world, Yuxi.
Noob Translator's Musing
One more thing, I thought it was funny that Yuxi thought learning painting was something worthless for her to improve on, but far in the future chapter, she will regret that decision. 😌
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi