The next day, Qingqing was at the study door by Mao hour, thanks to the Third Madam’s repeated instructions and her own eagerness to not miss this hard-won opportunity. She had barely slept from excitement, waking up early. The study door was still closed, so she waited outside for a full hour. Normally, no servants were present at the study, only cleaned at night. As she waited, she didn’t see her younger siblings but instead, Mr. Liu arrived. “Good morning, Mr. Liu. Your student pays her respects.” Qingqing bowed in the manner of a scholar, as was customary in the academy where few girls studied, so the etiquette was the same for both genders. “Hmm…” Mr. Liu opened the study door, noting the time was exactly Chen hour, “Just you?” Qingqing replied, “I expect my brother and sister will arrive soon.” Just then, Lin Hong and Ya Fu indeed arrived. “Mr. Liu, the young master and second miss have arrived.”
Mr. Liu stated, “The young master and second miss are late today; they must stand outside as punishment for an hour.” The youngest madam, who had personally brought her children, protested, “Mr. Liu, they’re not even a quarter of an hour late, there’s no need for such strictness.” Mr. Liu, seemingly unimpressed by the youngest madam’s status, recited, “Today, today, how fleeting! If not today, when will it end? Life is but a hundred years, how many todays? If not today, what a pity…” Lin Hong bowed, “Please be lenient, Mr. Liu. My mother’s deep affection for us is quite evident.” As the youngest madam was about to argue further, Ya Fu spoke up, “Mother, Mr. Liu is right, ‘If we wait for tomorrow, tomorrow brings more tasks,’ we were indeed wrong to be late, and we should be punished.” The youngest madam, not wanting to appear petty, left with her maid. Thus, Lin Hong and Ya Fu stood upright at the door to receive their punishment.
