Chapter 292: Homework Inspection

Yan Huaiwen didn’t scold his daughter. Instead, he patiently asked about the recent changes in the village, household matters, and her daily life.

Daya started out answering hesitantly, stumbling over her words, but gradually grew more fluent as she talked about herself and the people around her.

When she spoke of helping out in the kitchen and learning needlework with the Qi sisters, her face lit up with joy.

Watching from the side, Yan Yu thought her uncle was truly a good father.

Big Sis Daya was delicate and sensitive. With both Uncle and Eldest Brother away from home for long periods, the household had only their immediate family. Yan Lao’er was a good-for-nothing, and Madam Li was just an ordinary woman trying to manage everything on her own. She likely didn’t have the time or energy to care for Daya properly. Er Ya was still young and couldn’t compare to Daya, who had the mind of an adult and a gentle, considerate nature.

Yan Yu nodded to herself. Yes, that was exactly it.

So Daya’s personality hadn’t formed overnight. It needed gentle, consistent guidance to change.

Ever since Uncle returned home, he’d noticed the problem. He often gathered the three of them together for lessons. During those times, the usually stern-faced uncle naturally stood on the opposite side, while the three of them huddled together like pitiful little things, shivering in fear…

Well, maybe that was a bit exaggerated. But Uncle really was terrifying when he checked their homework.

Or maybe it was just that she lacked confidence? Felt guilty?

Yan Yu asked herself, but before she could figure it out, the questioning turned to her.

Daya was asked a few simple questions at the end and managed to barely answer them correctly. Then came the writing portion, which she went off to prepare for.

Clang!

The awakening bell rang, snapping Yan Yu back to attention. She focused all her energy and prepared to answer.

Yan Huaiwen didn’t go easy on his niece.

He started right off with definitions and recitations.

He read the original text aloud, and Yan Yu had to recite three sets of commentary.

One was an old annotation, its ink faded with age. One was a recent note written by her uncle. The last was her own, a mix of classical and vernacular Chinese…

Yan Huaiwen spoke quickly, like a taut bowstring. Yan Yu, influenced by his pace, answered just as fast.

She was very familiar with the two written annotations, but when it came to her own, her articulation faltered. In the end, she gave up trying to sound scholarly and just translated it into plain speech based on her understanding. Whatever, let it be.

Her words grew more and more colloquial, but she spoke with increasing ease.

Yan Huaiwen remained expressionless, subtly omitting a few words here and there.

This was what they called “punctuation practice.”

In the Child Scholar Examination, reciting and writing out full passages was a significant part.

The questions he asked came straight from the books covered in the Tong Sheng Examination. Just this section alone should earn Xiao Er full marks.

When the questioning ended, the tense atmosphere evaporated with Yan Huaiwen’s gentle, warm smile.

Yan Yu felt as if a flower bud inside her had suddenly bloomed. Bathed in the sunlight of her uncle’s satisfied and approving gaze, she blossomed in full glory!

So beautiful!

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at her uncle, filled with eager anticipation.

Daya had stopped writing and stood quietly to the side, not daring to make a sound. The question-and-answer session between her father and younger sister had been… terrifying!

“You write a few characters for me too,” Yan Huaiwen said, ignoring Xiao Er’s hopeful gaze and motioning for his daughter to come over.

Daya quickly brought over her writing.

Her father gently pointed out a few areas for improvement, and she nodded earnestly.

Yan Yu, still riding the high from the rapid-fire questioning, wrote at lightning speed. Her characters were just like her—sharp and bold.

Her strokes were powerful and connected with strength, the brushwork piercing through the paper!

That round of questioning had been intense and exhilarating, like a fierce duel. Yan Yu felt she hadn’t lost. In fact, it was probably a draw?

Of course, Uncle definitely hadn’t gone all out. But she had given it her all—her peak performance so far.

Wait a minute.

Something felt off.

Why had she tried so hard?

Was she… stupid?

Realizing this, Yan Yu looked at the characters she’d written and felt a wave of embarrassment.

She had gone all in and hadn’t held back at all. If Uncle saw this, she’d be in trouble.

Without hesitation, she crumpled the paper and stuffed it into her little backpack.

She wiped down the small desk with a cloth, and once the surface was dry, she poured fresh water and began grinding ink again.

As the ink slowly dissolved, her heart gradually settled.

This time, Yan Yu didn’t write in the semi-cursive script Uncle had taught her. Instead, she chose to copy the Calligraphy Copybook Uncle had written for her father.

The characters were neat and upright, bold and well-rounded. She perfectly replicated Uncle’s Calligraphy Copybook, stroke for stroke.

When Yan Huaiwen saw the finished piece, he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

Xiao Er thought hiding her first attempt would fool him. Little did she know, he could multitask. While guiding Daya, he had kept an eye on her every move.

That bold, confident brushwork—even if he hadn’t seen the ink hit the paper, just by watching her movements and how the brush bent under pressure, he could tell a lot.

Especially since she had wiped the desk.

Totally unnecessary.

Looking closer at the current piece, Yan Huaiwen narrowed his eyes and let out a soft laugh. The imitation was decent.

It had the form, but none of the spirit.

The two sisters followed him into Yan Xiangheng’s room.

Yan Yu trembled at the side.

Uncle… was doing random spot checks!

She didn’t know how Big Brother would fare, but just watching made her extremely alert. From now on, she had to hide her homework well. No—every single sheet with writing on it!

Finally, it was reward time.

Yan Yu pushed aside all distractions and accepted ten copper coins from Uncle’s hand.

Eldest Sister Daya received five.

Big Brother… got nothing!

Who knew if he’d get his share when he returned?

Haha! Even if he did, it would still be the lowest amount.

Yan Huaiwen offered a few more words of warm encouragement and set the time for tomorrow’s lesson before letting them go.

Yan Yu, full of loyalty, grabbed Big Sis Daya’s hand and ran off with her.

Once they were inside, they shut the door behind them, took off their shoes, and climbed onto the heated brick bed. One sat to Li Xuemei’s left, the other to her right.

Yan Yu scooped up Maomao, who was dozing at the head of the bed, and gave the cat a thorough cuddle. Then she passed it to Eldest Sister so she could pet it too and calm her nerves.

Daya mimicked her younger sister, pressing her cheek against the soft fur. It was a little prickly and ticklish, and she couldn’t help but giggle.

Li Xuemei watched their whole series of actions and said, “From now on, you should set aside time each day for your studies. That way, you won’t be so anxious and on edge.”

Daya nodded quickly. After this experience, the lesson had sunk in.

She wouldn’t dare slack off again.

Yan Yu chimed in, “Actually, Uncle didn’t say anything. We just scared ourselves. Look, Mama, a reward!” She held up a copper coin proudly before tucking it back into her little pouch.

“Auntie, I got five copper coins too,” Daya added shyly.

Li Xuemei beamed. “That’s wonderful. It’s a good thing your father holds you to high standards. You’re still young—this is the best time to learn.”

Just then, voices drifted in from outside. It was Yan Huaiwen talking with Granny Rong.

Li Xuemei and Yan Yu exchanged a glance.

Without missing a beat, Yan Yu hopped off the bed, slipped on her shoes, and dashed outside.

Yan Huaiwen was in the middle of asking Madam Rong about the sudden appearance of extra poultry, pigs, and sheep in the backyard.

Madam Rong had just picked up a stick, ready to write on the ground.

That was when Yan Yu arrived. She naturally slipped her small hand into her uncle’s and looked up at him with a sweet, adorable smile.

“Uncle, you’ve been gone for days. Let me show you around!”

Author Note:

Sorry, darlings! I was setting up a computer for my son—plugging things in, moving desks…

There’s just too much stuff at home. It took ages just to clear out a space. I’m exhausted o(╥﹏╥)o

Then I looked at the time and—bam—not enough left!

~o(*////▽////*)q~

P.S. Uncle’s back, and suddenly I feel like there’s so much to write. Ideas are pouring in! Let me sort through them, we’ll take it slow. No rush, okay?

(End of Chapter)