Time Travel: The Noble Family

Zhuang Ruolan’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing Yueyao mention going to Zhaohua Temple, and she asked anxiously, "Why on earth do you want to go to Zhaohua Temple? Has someone in the mansion wronged you?" The last time could be said to be for praying for her grandmother, but this time there was no reason for a sudden desire to go to Zhaohua Temple. Zhuang Ruolan suspected that Lady Cheng had said something bad about Yueyao, making her no longer want to live in the mansion.

Seeing Zhuang Ruolan’s anxious look, Yueyao hurriedly explained, "Mr. Yu Shan has sent me a letter, saying he hopes I will go to Zhaohua Temple. Mr. Yu Shan will be at the temple for the next two months, and if I go there, I can receive more guidance from him. I also have many questions to ask him, and I’ll talk to my uncle about it tonight."

Yueyao didn’t want her reputation to spread. Mr. Yu Shan also didn’t want others to know that Yueyao was skillful in painting. Previously, Yueyao’s painting talent was just a rumor, and to those in their circles, hearing such whispers was something to be brushed off with a laugh. It wasn’t until he came to know Yueyao that he realized, Yueyao indeed possessed an extraordinary talent. For this reason, Mr. Yu Shan broke convention to teach her, hoping to take her a step further. To his satisfaction, Yueyao made rapid progress, even beyond his expectations.

Mr. Yu Shan believed Yueyao was ready to become a master in her own right. He was confident that once her paintings were made public, they would definitely bring her fame. However, he worried that Yueyao was too young and that premature fame might negatively affect her character, as she was easily influenced at her tender age. This was not the first time such a concern had arisen; Mr. Yu Shan had personally witnessed a child prodigy fall from grace due to overwhelming fame. Hence, Mr. Yu Shan wanted Yueyao to live on the mountain, both to provide closer guidance and to better temper her skills.

Zhuang Ruolan had thought that something within Ma’s Mansion had incurred Lady Cheng’s disdain, which then led to retaliation against Yueyao by sending her to suffer on the mountain. She hadn’t expected that it was Mr. Yu Shan’s suggestion. Remembering that Yueyao hadn’t formally accepted Mr. Yu Shan as her teacher, she asked, "Did Mr. Yu Shan say when he would take you on as a student?" If Mr. Yu Shan were to accept Yueyao as his disciple, it would benefit her for a lifetime.

Yueyao shook her head and said, "Mr. Yu Shan said he will not take me on as a student." In fact, Mr. Yu Shan had said her current level of skill didn’t require her to seek a new teacher, but in her heart, Yueyao regarded Mr. Yu Shan as her mentor.

Zhuang Ruolan found Mr. Yu Shan to be quite strange. However, it wasn’t her place to interfere. If Yueyao could receive Mr. Yu Shan’s full teachings, it would be beneficial for her, and of course, Zhuang Ruolan would not obstruct it. "Then when do you plan to leave? I will prepare accordingly." Zhuang Ruolan was certain Ma Chengteng would not object to this news as he was even keener than she for Yueyao to make a name for herself in the art world.

Yueyao shook her head and said, "There’s no need, apart from bringing some clothes, there’s nothing else I need to take. Mr. Yu Shan has already arranged everything." Mr. Yu Shan had prepared a courtyard for Yueyao, right next to his, which was very convenient.

The more Zhuang Ruolan heard, the weirder it sounded. If it weren’t for her trust in Mr. Yu Shan’s character, she would have rushed to find her father-in-law to reject this invitation. Indeed, geniuses and eccentrics often went hand in hand.

That very night, Yueyao spoke to Ma Chengteng about it, and he naturally wouldn’t refuse, even mentioning that he would visit Yueyao at the mountain when he had the time.

Yueyao didn’t linger any longer. When she returned, she had someone pack her belongings. This time she only took clothes and books; hence, her luggage was not substantial.