Concubine Daughter’s Survival Manual (Chapter 9 Part 1)
Chapter 9: Clan School (Part 1)
Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader
The clan school of the Yang clan was held in the residence of Eldest Master Yang. Heading out from the main courtyard, passing through a winding narrow pathway, and turning left into a small courtyard brought one to the clan school for the unmarried daughters. The two sons of the Yang family’s Second Master, as well as Ninth ge, needed to walk a bit further and then turn right to reach their place of learning. At the end of the narrow path was a set of tightly closed wooden doors. Usually, the family members of the teachers entered and exited using this narrow pathway. The households of Eldest Master Yang and Second Master Yang were also separated solely by this narrow pathway.
Second Master Yang’s legitimate daughter, Eighth niangzi, had always been in poor health. Although she was the same age as Seventh niangzi, she had not yet begun her enlightenment. Only Eldest Master Yang’s daughters attended the clan school. Second niangzi needed to prepare her dowry, and so had stopped attending. Now, with Third niangzi at the head, everyone sat down in order. Lixia, waiting upon Seventh niangzi, found a small seat next to the window and prepared brushes, ink, and paper for her, as well as a copy of A Jade Forest For Young Learners. [1]幼学琼林 (yòu xué qióng lín) is one of the essential texts for beginners in Ancient China, specifically in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The content is written in parallel prose and is relatively easy to memorize, and covers topics ranging from astronomy and geography to food, clothing, and daily life.
Seventh niangzi lowered her head, flipping through her copy of A Jade Forest For Young Learners.
Fifth niangzi was not one to remain still and silent. The moment she sat down, she asked Third niangzi, “Third Elder Sister, I have not seen your sleeveless jacket [2]比甲 (bǐ jiǎ) is sleeveless, collarless, long vest, often with side slits for the convenience of movement. This garment could go as long as the hips, knees, or lower and was worn as an outer garment. before.”
Third niangzi looked at the brand new, bright red, kesi [3]See: Kesi (tapestry) – Wikipedia sleeveless jacket on herself, and responded cheerfully, “Fifth Younger Sister, there is no need to be anxious. By tomorrow, Xianxiufang will have sent over the new clothes.”
Fifth niangzi twisted her lips. “Just a few sets of new clothes. What is there to be anxious about? Unlike those shortsighted people who eagerly wear their new clothes out the moment they get them.”
Third niangzi and Seventh niangzi both looked down at the new clothes they were wearing.
Other than that new bright red sleeveless jacket, Third niangzi’s other clothes had all been submerged in water before. [4]下过水 (xià guò shuǐ) means to have been in the water before, and here is used to say that the clothes are not brand new and have been washed (at least once) before. Third niangzi smiled, at ease, and looked towards Seventh niangzi.
From head to toe, Seventh niangzi was wearing brand new clothes. Even her pair of shoes was brand new — Bailu had worked on them overnight the past few days to finish them.
Seventh niangzi put all her focus into reading the book, reciting with full attention. “Gentle rain and sweet showers both refer to timely rainfall. The dark vault above and the blue heavens are different names for the Heavens above. Snowflakes falling in sixfold patterns [5]TL Note: I think this describes the shape of the snowflakes, i.e. hexagonal snowflakes. are a sign of a good harvest year. When the sun has already risen high, people say the day is late. A dog of Shu barks at the sun, showing how rare such a sight is. [6]Supposedly, Shu (ancient Sichuan) was so cloudy that it was rare ever to see the sun. An ox of Wu pants at the moon, making one laugh at fears that are much too exaggerated.” [7]Wu (referring to ancient Jiangnan region) was so hot that the ox, mistakenly taking the moon as the mid-day sun, pants in fear of more heat.
Upon reciting the words ‘A dog of Shu barks at the sun’, she raised her head to smile at Fifth niangzi.
Fifth niangzi could not help but be angered. Third niangzi was so amused that she could not help but laugh out loud.
The teacher entered the room.
This was an elderly teacher. He wore a faded blue satin robe. Although the material was good, it looked somewhat worn. He had a white-streaked beard, giving him a kindly and benevolent appearance.
The small group of Yang clan daughters quickly stood up to greet him.
“Good morning, Teacher.”
Additionally, Seventh niangzi went to the front to kowtow to the teacher. “May Teacher offer me more guidance in the future.”
“Good, good.” The teacher stroked his beard. “Sit.”
The teacher thus began teaching the five daughters of the Yang clan. They were reading Domestic Lessons, [8]内训 (nèi xùn) was one of the Four Books for Women – Wikipedia. This was a collection of teachings on feudal virtues for women compiled by Empress Xu (Ming dynasty) – Wikipedia. reciting from ‘Serving one’s parents’.
“Filial piety and respect are the foundation of serving one’s parents. The difficulty lies not in serving them materially, but in showing sincere respect. Merely offering drinks and food is but the lowest and most superficial form of filial piety.” His elderly voice echoed within the small room.
Seventh niangzi understood the words without fully understanding them. Listening, she felt very bored, and could only flip through A Jade Forest For Young Learners. A Jade Forest For Young Learners was very fascinating indeed, and she read through the contents with great interest.
Fifth niangzi listened for a while, then grew bored. She flipped through her copy of Domestic Lessons and slowly and steadily slumped down to lie upon her table.
Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi dozed off as they listened. Sixth niangzi was flopped over on her table, doodling.
Seventh niangzi looked around and felt that the scene was very familiar. It was just like listening to lectures in college—the professors would be speaking about whatever, and the students below would be busy with their own matters.
The teacher recited for half a shichen [9]1 hour. before pausing to take a breather. Everyone hurriedly sat up straight. Seventh niangzi had finished flipping through A Jade Forest For Young Learners and had begun rereading from the beginning.
“Can you understand what you are reading?” The teacher asked.
“I can understand,” Seventh niangzi replied quietly. “It is just that there are many words I still do not know how to write.”
The teacher had the other sisters go read on their own, and came over to watch Seventh niangzi write.
Seventh niangzi rolled up her sleeves and clumsily ground a reservoir of ink. Picking up a fine tipped wolf hair brush, she thought for a moment before slowly writing down her own name.
The two characters Yang Qi (杨棋) were written so that they gave off a sense of gentleness and beauty. The teacher, upon seeing this, was shocked.
After considering for a moment, he asked, “You have studied before?”
Seventh niangzi gave an bashful smile “Staying at home is monotonous. Occasionally, I would practice calligraphy.” In truth, Ninth yiniang’s rooms could not even produce a complete set of the four treasures of the study. Her practice was but her foundation from her past life.
The teacher nodded. “No wonder. Your calligraphy is not bad. You are following Zhao Mengfu?” [10]See: Zhao Mengfu – Wikipedia
In her past life, Seventh niangzi indeed focused on studying the calligraphy of Zhao Mengfu. “The only copybook I had was in his handwriting,” Seventh niangzi replied with a smile.
Fifth niangzi walked to Seventh niangzi’s side to see her handwriting. Third niangzi also moved closer, saying enviously, “Seventh Younger Sister’s handwriting is indeed very pleasing to the eye.”
Fifth niangzi’s face reddened. Walking back to her own table, she covered up the words that she had written, as if in a fit of pique.
The elderly teacher sighed. “In terms of beauty and grace, it is Madam Wei’s [11]See: Wei Shuo – Wikipedia works that are the best. In the future, you can reference Madam Wei’s handwriting more often.” After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Have you finished reading A Jade Forest For Young Learners?”
“Finished.” Seventh niangzi replied quietly. There was no need for her to hide her abilities and begin learning step by step, starting from the Three Character Classic [12]See: Three Character Classic – Wikipedia. Seventh niangzi did not have that level of patience.
The jealousy within Fifth niangzi’s eyes could not be hidden at all—in fact, it seemed practically about to overflow.
Third niangzi was no longer smiling, either.
The teacher glanced around at them and sighed again. “Then just study Domestic Lessons with the rest of them.” He flipped through the pile of books atop his desk. Pulling out a ragged, worn copy of Domestic Lessons, he handed it over. Seventh niangzi lowered her head, responding in the affirmative. The teacher then walked back to his desk and began reciting once more.
“This is indeed a truth. From young till the age of ji, [13]笄 (jī) refers to a hairpin and here is used in reference to the hairpin ceremony or coming-of-age ceremony for young women in Ancient China. See: Ji Li (ceremony) – Wikipedia. and upon reaching the age of ji there is the expectation of marriage. Then, she extends the way she served her parents to her parents-in-law, leaving nothing lacking or diminished.”
After not even a single ke, [14]刻 (kè) is 1/100 of a day, or 14.4 minutes, or approximately 15 minutes. See: Traditional Chinese timekeeping – Wikipedia Seventh niangzi also began to feel drowsy.
After much struggling, the morning classes were over. Everyone grew spirited. After paying their respects to the teacher, they stood chatting in groups of two or three, waiting for their maids to finish clearing up and putting away their four treasures of the study.
“Does Teacher always recite in such a way?” Seventh niangzi whispered to the most good-natured Sixth niangzi.
Sixth niangzi sighed. “Yes. It is very dull. And I cannot understand at least half of it.”
This sentence evoked no disputes. Even Fifth niangzi nodded in agreement. “Teacher does not really explain the meaning behind the words.”
Seventh niangzi did not dare to continue Fifth niangzi’s words, and only nodded at her with a smile.
Fifth niangzi humphed and turned her head away.
