Yueyao fetched the "Hundred Family Surnames" and pointed to the first one, saying to Brother Zheng, "Come, Brother Zheng, this character is pronounced Zhao. Yes, come on, say Zhao..."
Yueyao tutored Brother Zheng for a while and then understood why everyone said Brother Zheng was of poor aptitude. Such aptitude really couldn't get any worse. What she could remember after one time, Brother Zheng couldn't remember even after ten times.
Yueyao let out a gentle sigh.
Brother Zheng was very sensitive. Seeing Yueyao frown and sigh, he asked hesitantly, "Sister, am I really that stupid?"
Yueyao thought for a moment and decided that rather than comforting him with false words, it was better to tell him the truth, to encourage Brother Zheng. Denying it blindly would be unrealistic. "Brother Zheng, your aptitude may be slightly poorer than average, but that doesn't mean you are stupid. Brother Zheng, the key to success is not aptitude but rather temperament and perseverance. Since you have a lesser aptitude, you need to work even harder to compensate. Brother Zheng, as long as you are willing to put in ten or even twenty times more effort than others. What I worry about is whether you can endure such hardship."
Brother Zheng shook his head, "I'm not afraid of hardship. I will definitely listen to my sister and study hard." He wasn't afraid of suffering; what he feared was his sister despising him and not wanting him.
Yueyao said with satisfaction, "Mm, as long as Brother Zheng has this determination, you won't be inferior to anyone in the future." Learning relies on tenacity and perseverance. Many with great aptitude have wasted their potential due to laziness. With perseverance and dedication, Yueyao believed that even if he couldn't become a dragon, Brother Zheng would certainly not turn out to be a worm.
Brother Zheng nodded vigorously, "I'll listen to my sister."
The evening breeze blew against the window, causing it to rattle noisily, as if it wanted to awaken the two deeply engrossed persons inside. But no matter how loud the noise, it couldn't draw the attention of the two focused on their studies.
Yueyao taught Brother Zheng how to recognize characters all the way until the second quarter of the hour of You (around 6 PM). In one afternoon, Brother Zheng had recognized ten characters: Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Wu, Zheng, Wang, Feng, Chen.
Yueyao couldn't help but sigh. Her father took one day to recognize all the "Hundred Family Surnames," and she herself mastered them in just half a day, even reciting them backward fluently. But now, considering Brother Zheng's speed of recognizing characters, it would probably take a month to learn the "Hundred Family Surnames," provided he could remember what he learned and not forget it all upon waking up the next day, otherwise...
After taking a deep breath, Yueyao comforted herself by setting low expectations. This brother was fortunate to have come back; she didn't expect him to become a Juren or a Palace Graduate, nor did she ask him to bring glory to the family. All she needed was for him to grow up safely and continue the bloodline of the second branch, so that she could have her own family to rely on and not be alone.
Yueyao calmed her restless heart with these thoughts.
After calming down, Yueyao became grateful that she spent ten years in the Nunnery, which had smoothed out her temper. Otherwise, faced with Brother Zheng's decaying aptitude, she wondered if her proud and lofty nature from her previous life would have made her impatient and driven her to throw Brother Zheng out long ago.
Seeing that the time was almost right, Yueyao decided it was time to rest. She took Brother Zheng by the hand and stepped outside. The meal was shortly delivered.
Yueyao saw the sumptuous dishes on the table and looked at Mu Qiu. Mu Qiu was in charge of their meals, and it was time to have a clear understanding with her.
Smiling, Mu Qiu said, "This is the portion for both the lady and Young Master Zheng." Mu Qiu meant that Tingzheng was also being served according to Young Master standards, hence the meal being more lavish than usual.
Yueyao nodded. This was what they deserved, and there was no reason to be embarrassed.
After washing their hands, the two sat down to eat. Brother Zheng had changed since noon, and after finishing a bowl of rice, he proactively asked Hua Lei for more.
Yueyao smiled at Brother Zheng to offer encouragement. Brother Zheng also beamed with joy. Yueyao thought to herself how modest the child's needs were.
After dinner, Yueyao took Brother Zheng out to the courtyard. The setting sun stretched their long and short shadows out very far.
Looking at the two shadows, Yueyao suddenly said, "Brother Zheng, recite the characters you learned today to your sister." Although it was only ten characters, Yueyao hoped Brother Zheng would remember what he had learned.
Brother Zheng recited loudly, while Yueyao listened on the side. It was normal for him to recite it; if he couldn't, she would have been the one to cry!
In the evening, Yueyao didn't continue to teach Brother Zheng new characters but instead had him practice writing. After writing the character for Zhao, she instructed, "Starting today, you will practice writing during the day and practice your calligraphy in the evening."