Too high to reach

Chapter 105 They really know how to enjoy life.
The girls prepared their things and went to the classroom.

Upon entering, I noticed the exquisite rug under my feet. Looking at it, it seemed my mother had a similar one, though of slightly lower quality. But she only used that for New Year's or when important guests came.

The charcoal brazier burning in the middle of the room wasn't producing a single wisp of smoke, unlike what you'd typically see at home. My uncle and aunt really went all out!
There was a carved bronze stand on the charcoal brazier.

A bronze kettle sits on top, along with its stand, forming a complete set. It looks quite old, with a very antique design.

The room was incense-filled, and a faint fragrance lingered, making one want to take a few deep breaths.

There was a shelf on the table, on top of which was a teapot and two cups, made of porcelain as smooth as cream, with flowing curves. Next to them, a small dish held some candies…

The lower shelf contains an incense burner and some bottles and jars.

These items are basically of a certain style, and you can tell they are frequently used.

One can imagine how pleasant it must have been for Granny Zhao at home, boiling water to make tea, enjoying tea and burning incense...

Because her two older sisters were coming to sit in, the seating arrangement was rearranged. Mo Yi's table and chair were in the front, and her two older sisters' were in the back. After looking around, Mo Yi didn't stand on ceremony and sat down at the very front.

Perhaps it was due to some mysterious aura surrounding them, but the two older sisters felt that their honest and unassuming younger sister had changed quite a bit...

Mo Yuan smiled and leaned closer to Mo Wen, whispering, "I never expected that among the Mo family girls, the most promising one would be Mo Yi."

Knowing that these words were meant to anger her, Mo Wen replied coldly, "Say what you want to say quickly. Once Granny Zhao comes out, you'll only be able to speak at lunchtime."

“Likewise!” Mo Yuan said with a smile.

The sound was too soft for Mo Yi to hear clearly.

But based on her understanding... Mo Wen must have been hurt in her self-esteem because of Zhao Mama's extremely impolite words. Although she came to class, she was probably angry with herself!
As for Mo Yuan... she will never let Mo Wen get away with it when the opportunity arises! Let them be!
She didn't even turn her head, letting go of everything. Now that things had come to this, she could only move forward!
Mo Wen was indeed annoyed with her: "So, she's getting cocky now?! Just you wait!"
When Granny Zhao came out from the inner room, the three girls stood up and bowed.

If he had been merely polite to Granny Zhao before, now, facing the lady who had received an imperial decree at the age of twenty, he was completely convinced.

Granny Zhao changed her clothes. It was hot inside, so she wore a gray soft silk narrow-sleeved thin silk blouse, a gray pleated skirt, and gray silk shoes. Her hair was simply tied up in a round bun, adorned with two white jade hairpins.

She raised her hand to tidy the table, revealing a white jade bracelet on her wrist.

Apart from that, she wore no other accessories, exuding both competence and elegance.

Mo Yi couldn't take her eyes off the bracelet the moment she saw it. What a wonderful piece! So white and smooth, so wide and thick, with natural oils. It's probably... similar to the one Lady Hou wore last time.

If this were sold at Qizhenlou, that cunning shopkeeper Zhao would probably charge an exorbitant price, wouldn't he?!
No wonder Granny Zhao spoke like that; judging by her possessions and manpower, she's probably very wealthy!

Such a person, coming to teach her... She dared not think any further and stared intently at Granny Zhao.

"Miss Mo! Let's begin the lesson. First of all, let me clarify: we are not going to take an imperial examination to become the top scholar, nor are we going to the palace for a beauty pageant, nor are we holding a ladies' gathering that is held every two years. I also have no ability to teach music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, or songs."

What we need to learn is how a young woman should speak and behave in important occasions... such as in the palace, in front of the Empress, or even when she has the honor of seeing the Emperor.

Strictly speaking, there are many rules and etiquette involved, and they are quite complex. However, given the young lady's current status, she doesn't need to think about those things.

Because when the Empress says she wants to see you, it might really just be for a quick glance.

At most, they might ask you your name, age, where you live, who lives with you, what you do on a daily basis, etc. They are unlikely to ask you anything else.

So all you need to do is: stand properly, sit properly, speak in a gentle and calm tone, keep your eyes focused and steady, and maintain a calm and composed demeanor. That's enough!
So, let's start with how to stand properly. Please, young lady, stand by the empty wall..."

After Zhao Mama finished speaking, she stood up first.

Mo Yi walked to the wall, leaving more than half for her two older sisters. Mo Wen was still hesitating, but Mo Yuan took the initiative to get up and stand over there.

"It might be a little tiring at first, I hope you can persevere. Stand with your back against the wall!" Her expression and words were completely flat, neither serious nor gentle.

The tone is unquestionable; nothing is repeated twice.

Mo Yi stood against the wall.

"First, do it like this: turn your shoulders back and lower yourself down." Granny Zhao demonstrated personally. "Hands should be naturally close to your sides. The back of your head, shoulders, buttocks, calves, and heels should all be against the wall. You should know how to breathe with your abdomen... Be careful not to let your eyes wander, keep your gaze straight ahead."

The Mo family girls all did as instructed.

"Hmm, very good. Be aware of the position of your head. Don't raise your chin, don't lean it forward, tuck it back slightly. Don't deliberately stick out your chest, especially your ribs, don't stick them out."

"Hmm...good. Hold this position. Breathe evenly, stand firm and don't move...you may move only when I say so."

She said she wouldn't teach Mo Wen and Mo Yuan, and she really didn't. She neither observed their movements nor offered any feedback.

Once Mo Yi was standing still, he turned around and sat down behind the table.

The copper kettle on the charcoal brazier was boiling, and steam was rising from it.

She calmly and made tea.

The three Mo sisters rarely use this standing posture, but now they are all trying to learn it and are slowly figuring it out.

Granny Zhao first leisurely drank a cup of tea.

Then, he took out a brass incense burner from a small box next to him and placed it on the table.

Open the rosewood box, take out a jar, use a small incense shovel to scrape out the white base powder from the jar, and put it into the incense burner. Pick up a silver incense chopstick, mix the white powder evenly, and then use a carved silver press to compact the white powder.

A perforated incense seal mold was placed on top. Two small spoonfuls of brown powder were scooped from another small jar and sprinkled onto the incense seal mold. The powder was then lightly swept into the openings until it was all inside. Finally, a feather duster was used to clean up any remaining powder on the sides.

Then, with a gentle lift, the hollowed-out incense seal mold is lifted, revealing a brown cloud pattern on the white base powder.

The young maid lit a stick of incense and handed it to Granny Zhao. Granny Zhao took it, found the edge of the cloud pattern, and lit it.

As soon as the lid was closed, a wisp of smoke emerged from the gap, filling the air with an elegant and refreshing aroma.

This set of movements is so fluid and beautiful!

If the three girls hadn't given themselves a long reminder beforehand, they probably would have exclaimed in amazement...

This is the way of incense appreciation...

Although the Mohist school didn't possess it, all three girls had heard of it; as the saying goes, "every inch of incense is worth its weight in gold." It's not something just anyone can afford to play with!
No wonder this stuff is expensive; it's so beautiful and smells so good...

She really knows how to enjoy life! No wonder people say her classes are priceless... It seems she's not only a noblewoman, but also incredibly wealthy! Mo Yi envied this kind of life from the bottom of her heart.

Granny Zhao had no idea what the three young ladies were thinking. She stood up and walked up to Mo Yi, "Miss Mo."

Guang was completely focused on watching Granny Zhao's performance. When he heard her call his name, he thought she was calling a halt, and Mo Yi immediately relaxed: "Granny."

Mo Wen remained motionless, and Mo Yuan also relaxed... she was a little tired.

"Miss Mo, I haven't said stop yet, so please continue standing properly!"

Granny Zhao's attitude was cold...

(End of this chapter)