Time Is Slow - Chapter 52

Inside the hall, the noble ladies did their best to maintain their elegance and composure, but their ears were perked up, listening intently for any sound from outside.

The younger girls could no longer hold back and had quietly slipped out.

The corridor was getting more and more crowded.

Everyone watched as the guest monk walked over unhurriedly, accompanied by a middle-aged nun, which only added to the curiosity.

The guest monk entered the hall and came before Old Madam Deng.

Old Madam Deng quickly glanced at Qiao Zhao. Seeing her calm expression, the anxiety that had been hanging in her heart instantly eased.

“Master—” she had just opened her mouth when the monk stepped aside slightly and introduced, “Old Madam, this senior sister serve by Abbess Wumei’s side. Master specifically ordered her to escort Third Miss Li back.”

Jingxi pressed her palms together and said, “This humble nun is Jingxi.”

Old Madam Deng hurried to return the greeting.

The eyes of everyone in the hall turned to Jingxi, filled with doubt and surprise.

Third Miss Li was actually sent back by a nun serving under Abbess Wumei—what did that mean?

So it really was Third Miss Li who had copied that scripture?

Heavens!

Just how good was her handwriting, to be summoned by Abbess Wumei herself and even have her personal attendant escort her back?

Everyone was dying of curiosity. They wished for nothing more but to see that scripture.

It was in this tense atmosphere that Jingxi spoke.

“Old Madam, Master is very fond of this young benefactor’s handwriting. She hopes the young benefactor can come to Shuying Nunnery every seven days to copy scriptures. Would that be convenient?”

The customs of Great Liang were open, and it wasn’t particularly difficult for women to go out—especially if it was to copy scriptures at the invitation of Abbess Wumei of Shuying Nunnery.

Old Madam Deng didn’t even hesitate.

“It is her great fortune that her writing is favored by the Abbess. Of course, there is no inconvenience.”

Old Madam Jiang, standing nearby, suddenly looked at Qiao Zhao with changed eyes.

She was of the royal clan herself—others might not know, but she did. That Abbess Wumei, once the Grand Princess, was known for being proud and unapproachable, looking down on everyone.

And now, Third Miss Li’s calligraphy has actually gained her approval?

Yes, Third Miss Li’s transcription was indeed beautiful—perhaps among the best in the capital—but the Grand Princess herself had once been famed for her calligraphy!

Perhaps people really did change. Like the calm and composed girl before her now.

Logically speaking, such a talented girl emerging from the Li family should be celebrated. However, Old Madam Jiang couldn’t bring herself to be happy, thinking of the disgrace earlier. Besides, Third Girl’s reputation had already been stained—what use was it to gain a name as a genius now? Respectable families still wouldn’t take such a girl as a daughter-in-law.

If only that fame had landed on any other girl in the Li family…

Old Madam Jiang sighed with regret once again.

“This humble nun takes her leave. Young benefactor, we shall meet again in seven days.”

As Jingxi departed, the entire Dafu Temple buzzed with excitement.

How rare it was. One young girl’s handwriting had impressed the former top female scholar of the realm, a woman of princess status, so much that she personally invited her to copy scriptures!

Everyone knew that Shuying Nunnery never allowed outsiders inside. In recent years, only the most noble women in the land had set foot there.

The Empress Dowager was a devout Buddhist. Though she hadn’t visited the nunnery recently, her connection with it remained. It was said that the Ninth Princess had just been there recently to pray on the Empress Dowager’s behalf.

The ladies present were either nobility or from high official families, clinging to the center of power was practically ingrained in their bones. Otherwise, why would they care so much about a nun who had relinquished her royal title?

“Old Madam, may I ask who taught Third Miss her calligraphy?” the ladies crowded around Madam Deng, asking eagerly.

Old Madam Jiang was fuming inside.

This was the first time in a public setting that she’d been completely ignored while everyone surrounded Madam Deng.

“Her teacher? Ahem, our Third Miss hasn’t studied under any renowned master. She just studied together with the girls at home. But her mother has always been very attentive—she’s bought many precious calligraphy copies and paintings for her to practice with.”

Everyone inwardly rolled their eyes.

If practicing with purchased copies could lead to this kind of talent, that would really be something.

Seeing their skepticism, Old Madam Deng beamed.

“Perhaps she simply has a natural gift for calligraphy and painting.”

A natural talent… It was something others could only envy.

Everyone: “…” Was this… really something you just say about your own granddaughter?

At some point, Du Feixue had slipped back into the hall. She couldn’t help herself and said sweetly, “Old Madam, I’ve seen Third Sister’s handwriting. It seemed a bit worse than Cousin Jiao’s, actually.”

Li Jiao quickly tugged at her.

Du Feixue was the only daughter of the Duke Guchang’s household. Her spoiled and willful nature was well known in their social circle.

However, for daughters of noble military families, such arrogance wasn’t unusual. The other ladies didn’t take offense. Even Du Feixue’s mother, Madam Zhu, merely shot her a warning glare but didn’t reprimand her aloud.

Compared to a young girl’s rudeness, what they were more interested in was Third Miss Li’s calligraphy.

The moment someone questioned her granddaughter’s skill, Old Madam Deng immediately became displeased. But since the one speaking was just a young girl, it wasn’t appropriate to directly confront her. The old lady simply smiled and said, “Miss Du, haven’t you heard of the phrase ‘hiding one’s brilliance’? Our Third Girl is still young and unwilling to steal the limelight from her elder sisters.”

These “elder sisters” clearly didn’t just refer to the girls of the Li family.

The noble ladies present all twitched their mouths.

Too arrogant! Too smug! This old woman was clearly dismissing all the time and effort they’d put into teaching their daughters music, chess, calligraphy, and painting!

If Third Miss Li’s calligraphy didn’t impress them today, they might as well camp out in Dafu Temple and refuse to leave!

The guest monk who had been squeezed into a corner looked completely innocent and inwardly wailed.

Please don’t camp here, this is a monastery! The abbot will break my legs!

The ladies kept exchanging glances, shooting hints at Madam Zhu, the Duchess Guchang.

At that moment, Madam Zhu felt rather conflicted.

Her daughter had never drawn so much attention from outsiders yet now, people were urging her to push the girl forward?

Madam Zhu hesitated briefly but gave in quickly.

Oh well. She was dying to see Third Miss Li’s handwriting herself.

“Feixue, stop being unreasonable. Just because you’ve seen it before doesn’t mean it hasn’t improved. How can you doubt her like that? Hurry and apologize to Old Madam Deng!”

Du Feixue was instantly indignant upon hearing her mother speak this way. But she still remembered that in front of the other ladies, she couldn’t act too spoiled. So she gave a little bow to Old Madam Deng and said sweetly, “Please forgive my rudeness, Old Madam. But I’m truly curious about Third Sister Li’s handwriting—”

She paused for effect, then clapped her hands.

“Old Madam, why don’t you have Third Sister Li write something for us? Let us all witness how wonderful the calligraphy that caught Abbess Wumei’s eye really is.”

Qiao Zhao, who had remained silent all this while, glanced at Madam Zhu.

This lady must be Elder Brother Zhu’s aunt, then?

Her gaze shifted slightly, landing on the young girl beside another noble lady.

That girl had skin like snow and an air of tranquility that radiated from within.

Earlier, as she’d walked past in the corridor, she’d heard Du Feixue call her “Zhu Qi,” and a memory had clicked into place.

So this was Elder Brother Zhu’s full-blooded younger sister.

Zhu Qi seemed to sense Qiao Zhao’s gaze and suddenly looked up, giving her a gentle smile.