Volume One, Chapter 18: I Want to Learn Martial Arts

Each of the maids was exceptionally beautiful and possessed a refined temperament; one could tell at a glance they were no ordinary servants. However, they all appeared to be in their twenties.

Song Shuning looked at Jin Hua with confusion. Jin Hua smiled at her and gestured toward the first woman, who was dressed in blue. "This is Lanyin. She has attained a high level of mastery in music, being proficient in the pipa, zither, guzheng, erhu, and drums. She will be responsible for teaching you music, Miss Song."

Lanyin stepped forward and curtsied to Song Shuning. "Lanyin greets Miss Song."

Song Shuning quickly stood up and bowed back. "Teacher Lanyin."

Lanyin was amused by Song Shuning’s gesture; she covered her mouth and returned the greeting. Fearing they would get stuck in a cycle of polite bows, Song Shuning sat back down and turned her smiling gaze toward the second woman, who was dressed in orange.

"Could this be Cheng..."

Jin Hua smiled and nodded. "Miss Song is clever. This is Chenghua. She excels in calligraphy and painting, particularly skilled in small seal script and regular script. Her painting is also of a caliber far beyond that of the noble young ladies in the capital. From now on, Chenghua will be your instructor for calligraphy and painting."

Song Shuning started to rise again, but Shen Qiyuan reached out and pulled her back down. "There is no need to stand."

She glanced at him sideways; Shen Qiyuan withdrew his hand and looked away. Chenghua had already smiled and offered her greeting. "Chenghua greets Miss Song."

Song Shuning could only nod from her seat. "Teacher Chenghua."

Chenghua also covered her mouth and laughed upon hearing the title "teacher."

Following them were Qingyi, Zishu, Hongxiu, and Yueli, who were tasked with teaching Song Shuning fashion and makeup, poetry and literature, chess, and needlework and etiquette, respectively.

Song Shuning’s eyes crinkled into a smile. She glanced at Shen Qiyuan, wondering, is this man trying to train me into an all-rounder? Are all the noble ladies in the capital this formidable?

Shen Qiyuan met her gaze, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He tilted his chin toward her. "Are you satisfied with the arrangements Mama Jin Hua has made for you?"

"Could I be anything but?" Song Shuning asked.

"You think it’s too little?" Shen Qiyuan swept his gaze over the group before returning his focus to Song Shuning. "What else is missing?"

Is that what I meant? It’s just that it’s too much!

"Can’t I focus on just one thing?" Song Shuning gritted her teeth. "Even if this is a crash course, there’s no way I can learn all of this!"

She raised her hand. "For example, I don't really need to learn poetry and literature, do I?" After all, if she encountered an emergency, she could just recite poems from the ancient sages! She was certain no poetry could surpass theirs.

"Are you capable of that?" Shen Qiyuan asked.

Song Shuning wasn't sure if the sages existed in this world, so she asked, "Do you know Li Bai, Du Fu, Tao Yuanming, or Du Mu?"

"Who are they?"

Song Shuning let out a sigh of relief; it seemed those sages did not exist here. Feeling slightly guilty, she said, "They are very famous poets. I have some connection to them, so I should be able to skip the poetry lessons."

After all, not everyone can write poetry! She could recite a few verses at most... if she tried to compose them, she would only make a fool of herself. *My apologies, ancient sages, if I am forced to borrow your works when the time comes!*

Shen Qiyuan nodded. "Then, can you improvise one now?"

"Let's skip it for today, but I promise, I won't drag us down when it comes to poetry in the future!" She raised her hand in a vow, but the sudden movement pulled at her injuries, causing her face to contort in pain. While only her arm had been hurt the other day, today, everything ached!

No! Song Shuning looked at Shen Qiyuan. "Actually, there is one thing I want to learn most!"

"What is it?"

"Kung fu." Song Shuning said, her gaze steady. "I want to learn martial arts." Whether to protect herself or to seek revenge, she felt that mastering martial arts would make it easier to deal with those people. Otherwise, all these other skills would be useless if she ended up kidnapped and killed anyway!

Seeing Shen Qiyuan frown, she quickly added, "Don't worry, even while learning martial arts, I will still master everything else. I won't neglect the rest!"

"Your father and elder sister both know martial arts," Shen Qiyuan said, lifting his gaze to hers. "Why not learn from them?"

"My father has no time," Song Shuning replied instantly. "My sister’s skills aren't particularly high, and besides, haven't you heard that one shouldn't learn a craft from family?"

She wasn't sure if she was cut out for martial arts. If she turned out to be untalented, she didn't want to be nagged by her sister, who might just give up on teaching her entirely. That wouldn't do; she was determined to learn. If it took a year, so be it; if it took two, she would persist! She would rely on her own hands to protect herself and exact her vengeance.

Shen Qiyuan rubbed his brow and turned to Mofeng. "Is there anyone suitable among the Black Armored Guards?"

Song Shuning’s eyes lit up. The Black Armored Guards! Shen Qiyuan’s trump card! The protective talisman left to him by the late Emperor!

Mofeng nodded. "I will find someone capable of teaching Miss Song."

With the matter settled, Shen Qiyuan dismissed the others, leaving only Song Shuning behind. "I originally intended to tell you the plan so you could discuss it with your family, and then you would move into my villa in the capital until your training was complete. But since you are injured, it will take several days to recover. Let us wait until after the Spring Hunt, shall we?"

"The Spring Hunt?"

Right. In the book, there was a Spring Hunt where officials of the fifth rank and above and their families attended. It was at the Spring Hunt that Song Shuyun shone and caught Shen Qiyuan’s eye, eventually being chosen for the Black Armored Guards. The protagonist, Lu Shiyan, also attended due to his ties to the Princess Royal’s estate. He won the hunting competition, caught the Emperor’s attention, and was chosen to teach the eldest prince martial arts, thus entering the court.

Shen Qiyuan continued, "You are a disciple of a miracle doctor and have ties to the Zhaixing Tower. You must seize your opportunities when they arise. If you can convince the Princess Royal to take you under her wing, no one will dare look down on you again. Only when you return to the public eye as a brilliant, talented woman will you have a legitimate standing."

Song Shuning was speechless. Is this the mind of a mastermind? She had just been injured, and he had already drafted a more comprehensive plan than the last one? She felt utterly outclassed.

Seeing her stunned expression, Shen Qiyuan arched an eyebrow. "Do you have other thoughts?"

Song Shuning shook her head, then added, "But at the Spring Hunt, Lin Shaoyan, her brother, and Jiang Qingya will surely be there, right? I’ve completely crossed paths with Lin Shaoyan today. I’m just worried they’ll play dirty..."

Shen Qiyuan tapped his fingers on the table. "Don't worry. Before the Spring Hunt, I will send you someone to teach you martial arts. You haven't bought a maid yet, have you?"

Song Shuning shook her head. "No." Their family finances had been stretched thin, and her mother hadn't had the chance to buy her one yet since the rewards were issued.

Shen Qiyuan nodded. "Buy her as your maid then. Have her serve you closely, and she will ensure your safety."

"You really are thoughtful, my lord!" Song Shuning stood up and bowed respectfully.

*My lord?* Shen Qiyuan watched her clumsy attempt at a bow, stood up, and flicked her forehead. "Be serious."

He began to walk out of the Zhaixing Tower. Song Shuning followed him, saying, "My lord, I actually have something else to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"Given my physical state, I surely can't come to see you tonight, so..."

Shen Qiyuan stopped in his tracks. Song Shuning, unable to brake in time, crashed into his back. She clutched her nose, tears welling up in her eyes. "My lord, why did you stop so suddenly? My nose is gone..."

Shen Qiyuan looked at her with amusement and reached out to pinch her nose. "Let me see..."

The people standing in the courtyard were stunned.

Mama Jin Hua thought: Is this really the cold, detached master I know?

Mofeng thought: Don't misunderstand! Miss Song comes to see the master every night only to treat his illness!