I Am This Type of Woman

Chapter 5 - Hiding Silver

Fǔ – household; official residence; mansion

Hou Shizi – Viscount; Marquis’ heir

Xiangjun (Country Lord) – Title given to wives or daughters of high ranking noblemen

Gōng zǐ – title used for sons of officials or nobility (I’ve translated this as Lord)

Analects of Confucius, Mencius, Book of Rites – These are all books that are part of the “Four Books” and “Five Classics” that were tested in Imperial Examinations

Hating iron for not becoming steel – Disappointed in someone for not improving as expected

Ban Hua got out of the sedan chair and asked the servant who had come to greet her, “Has Shizi come back?”

“Xiangjun, Shizi came back half an hour ago,” the servant bowed and answered, “He is studying in his study.”

“Studying?” Ban Hua raised her eyebrows. Her younger brother usually became dizzy as soon as he entered the study. If he could actually calm his mind and read a book, it would really be like the sun rising in the west. “Lets go. I want to take a look at him.”

As soon as Ban Hua walked to the door of the study, she heard the sound of Ban Heng reading out loud, “Confucius said: Do not worry that others don’t understand themselves. Only worry that you don’t understand others … “

She pushed the door open and saw him looking smug and serious. Folding both arms over her chest, she said: “Don’t pretend. You’re reciting “The Analects of Confucius” while holding “The Book of Rites” in your hand. You are really amazing.”

“I am studying by the mixing up method. My eyes read “The Book of Rites” but in my heart I’m reciting “The Analects of Confucius”. Only this kind of method can help me improve my memory.” Ban Heng lied without blushing or skipping a beat “What would you know about such things being a woman?”

“Huh?” Ban Hua raised an eyebrow. “What did you just say?”

“I… I didn’t say anything, ah” Ban Heng put down the “Book of Rites” in his hands and moved closer to Ban Hua with an ingratiating smile, “Sister, you know that my brain doesn’t work very well. I was just speaking nonsense just now.”

Ban Hua ignored him, walked to the bookshelf and pulled out a collection of “Mencius”. As soon as she opened the book she found that though it had the cover of “Mencius “, on the inside was actually some other random book. Before she could open it, Ban Heng hurriedly snatched away  the book.

“Sister, my good sister, you can’t read this book.” After grabbing the book, Ban Heng desperately hugged it to his chest. If he let his sister read this kind of book, his mother would beat him to death.

“I don’t have to read it to know what’s inside. It’s nothing more than stories about encountering fox immortals in the mountains or a young nobleman and young lady’s mutual promise of marriage.” Ban Hua glanced at the shelf full of books and asked, “How come you’re so well behaved today?”

Ban Heng lowered his head and did not speak.

“Did you get into trouble outside again?” Ban Hua glanced at him suspiciously. “Or are you short of money?”

“That … it’s not a big deal,” Ban Heng’s eyes looked up at the roof and down at the ground but he dared not look at Ban Hua, “It’s just a little thing.”

“Tell me quickly. What’s wrong?” Ban Hua sat down on a chair and pointed to the seat next to her. “Sit down and tell me slowly.”

“Today, when I was coming back after riding, a person suddenly scuttled out from a side lane and my horse accidentally kicked him.” Ban Heng felt that he himself had suffered a grievance. Clearly, he had ridden the horse very slowly. Who knew that someone would suddenly emerge from nowhere to scare his horse and then get kicked by the horse?