Chapter 26: The Origin of Cultivation
If Lizi noticed their reddened eyes, the bright maidservant never mentioned it. Instead, she presented the books the master requested in a timely fashion.
"These are the books you requested," she placed the Doctrine of the Mean and dictionary on one side of the table and another heap beside it. "These are some books I thought the master and young miss might need."
Nodding, Mingfeng thanked Lizi and had her fetch his writing materials from the study. At the mention of writing, Anji seized the opportunity to broach a subject that had long been on her mind.
"Father, is it possible to make a smaller brush? I can write, but Brother Mingshen’s brushes are too big for me. There is always ink on my sleeve. I feel bad when Lizi has to clean them..."
Agreeing to gift his daughter with a customised brush set, Mingfeng finally started the lessons.
"Let’s review what you’ve learned before lunch," Mingfeng smiled. "Could you read this paragraph?"
Anji remained propped up in her bed with a stack of cushions behind her. Her father turned the book and folded it for her, isolating from the book a random page closer to the front. Anji remembered this section from her lessons and read with fluid confidence.
"What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature. An accordance with this nature is called The Path of Duty. The regulation of this path is called Instruction."
Nodding proudly, Mingfeng confirmed that Anji could read the difficult book without aid. Even if this was the basic principle of the Doctrine of the Mean, it was the most important thing that applied to any foundation, including cultivation.
"Very good," he acknowledged, bringing a shy smile to Anji’s face. "You can read very well. Sorry for doubting you. We won’t be needing this then."
After putting the dictionary aside, Mingfeng checked on his daughter’s understanding. Although the paragraph only consisted of a few words, it was not the easiest to understand.
"What do you understand from the paragraph? I know you attained enlightenment about the nature of qi at the martial arts exchange. I won’t have you explain Nature anymore. However, do you understand what the Path of Duty and Instruction refers to in cultivation?"