Thesе wоrds wеrе sрoken with genuinе sinсerity. Nо matter hоw bоld Наn Yаn wаs, she darеd not spend every dау with a grоup оf mеn. If wоrd gоt out, nоt оnlу wоuld shе losе face, but thе еntire Zhuаng family would bе disgracеd.
Yang Qi was nоt lуing еithеr. Аll thе disсiples trаining аt Shunchаng Маrtial Аrts Schооl were mеn. Еven Рrincess Yunni onlу visited ocсаsiоnallу to plaу аrоund, thanks tо hеr rеlаtiоnshiр with the еmрerоr and Yаng Qi. The instruсtors аt thе sсhoоl tаught hеr thе simplest movеs, treating it as nothing morе than a jokе. For a рroреr yоung lady to seek formal training, Han Yan was the first.
"I am not trying to force anyone's hand, so today I am merely proposing an idea. As everyone knows, rarity increases value, and it is always best to seize the initiative. Shunchang Martial Arts School is unique because it treats everyone equally. But what if another martial arts school emerged that also treated everyone equally, and this school happened to accept only female disciples?" Han Yan reminded him, "Senior should also know that not only men come from humble backgrounds—some women do as well."
Yang Qi's eyes flashed as he glared at Han Yan. "Are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare," Han Yan replied calmly. "I am merely making a hypothetical suggestion. As you know, senior, women learn martial arts primarily for self-defense, so the instructors at such a school wouldn't need exceptionally high skills. Someone like you, a martial champion, would be overqualified. As long as the instructors have some skill, that would suffice. And since a martial arts school for women would be the only one in the capital, it would surely be very popular."
Han Yan glanced at Yang Qi out of the corner of her eye, adding the final straw to break the camel's back: "Once a martial arts school for women is established, your unique status will be gone. And in the capital, wealthy families are never in short supply. Someone will surely understand the potential of my hypothetical idea."
Yang Qi angrily demanded, "What exactly do you want?"
Shu Hong and Ji Lan, fearing that the fierce-looking old man might harm their young lady, subtly shifted their positions to shield Han Yan behind them.
Han Yan stared at Yang Qi and said, "Today, my visit is not urgent regarding the matter of finding a martial arts instructor. I am merely offering a suggestion to you, senior. It would be wonderful if a martial arts school exclusively for women could be established. And if it were under your name, influential families would have no reservations."
Yang Qi's heart stirred. In fact, he had entertained such an idea in his younger years, though it had only briefly crossed his mind. Proud and ambitious, he always sought to be unique. If someone else established a martial arts school for women, he would lose that uniqueness, which would be regrettable. But if he established one himself, although there were risks, if it succeeded, he could earn a good reputation and achieve both fame and fortune—not a bad outcome.
"Your proposal is quite bold," Yang Qi said, calming himself slightly. "But it is not a bad idea. What do you want in return?"
This young lady had clearly come prepared. There was no such thing as a free lunch. If she was offering him advice like this, she must want something in return.
Han Yan felt a surge of joy and said softly, "It's very simple. Once the martial arts school for women is established, I would like to train there."
Yang Qi found this strange. "That simple?"
Han Yan shook her head. "And my younger brother. After entering the martial arts school, I would like to trouble you, senior, to personally instruct him."
Instead of getting angry, Yang Qi laughed. "Preposterous! In my entire life, I have only taken on one disciple. What qualifications does your brother have to become my student?"Han Yan also knew her expectations were a bit too high. There were so many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, yet Yang Qi had never taught any of them. What was so special about Ming'er that would make this martial champion look upon him favorably?
She sighed. "This commoner is not trying to force anyone into a difficult position, but circumstances truly leave no other choice. My younger brother's martial arts training cannot be revealed to outsiders. The old master's martial hall requires disciples to train within its premises, but my brother cannot enter the hall. Therefore, I wish to request the old master to teach him privately."
After saying this, Han Yan felt deeply troubled again. The martial instructor of Shunchang Martial Hall was the best instructor, yet Ming'er could only learn martial arts in secret. It was truly a headache.
Unexpectedly, after a long silence, Han Yan heard Yang Qi's calm voice: "Bring him here. I will see if he is qualified to receive my instruction."
Han Yan was taken aback. Upon hearing these words, she was immediately overjoyed. "Does this mean the old master has agreed?"
"Not exactly. Even if he is qualified, I will not address him as my disciple. It is just that I dislike owing favors in my lifetime, and this is the repayment for the idea you proposed." Yang Qi paused the iron lump in his hand, not understanding himself why he had suddenly changed his mind and agreed to the young girl's request.
Han Yan, however, was grateful and excited. She immediately bowed deeply. "Thank you, Old Master Yang."
After leaving Shunchang Martial Hall, perhaps because things had gone more smoothly than expected, Han Yan's mood improved greatly, and a smile appeared on her face.
Ji Lan couldn't help but ask, "Is the young lady really going to train at the martial hall?"
Han Yan touched her nose. "Learning martial arts for self-defense is never wrong to acquire more skills." In her previous life, she had been confined to the inner chambers, only learning poetry and songs. The world indeed believed that a woman's talents lay in reciting poetry and embroidery. If one excelled in these, she was considered a talented woman. Little did they know that these were like embroidered pillows—outwardly bright and beautiful, but inside filled with nothing but straw, utterly impractical. Practicing martial arts for self-defense, with solid skills, was far more useful than those arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
It was already late afternoon, approaching evening. The street vendors began packing up to go home. Soon, the night market would begin.
The brilliantly lit night market was something she had only seen when her mother was alive, during festivals when she had the chance to accompany the womenfolk for outings. The beauty of the lanterns, like brocade, made her yearn for it endlessly. One day, she too would leave the four-cornered marquis' estate that imprisoned her youth and step into this vast world, admiring all the splendid sights of this prosperous era.
Shu Hong bought some exquisite pastries. Earlier at Shunchang Martial Hall, Han Yan had instructed Ji Lan to secretly give the silver to the young attendant, asking him to pass it on to Yang Qi. Although she had offered Yang Qi an idea, he had also agreed to teach Ming'er martial arts. Her own plan to train at the martial hall was a separate matter. Han Yan kept things clearly distinct. With the remaining small amount of loose silver, Shu Hong bought some pastries, intending to save them for the young lady to snack on in the evening.
Just as she wrapped the pastries in a handkerchief and before Ji Lan could put them away, they suddenly heard the neighing of a horse, followed by a rough, harsh voice: "Get out of the way! Can't you see the carriage?!"Han Yan yanked Ji Lan aside, and as soon as they steadied themselves, a yellow wooden carriage narrowly brushed past them, stopping a few steps ahead. Ji Lan was pulled so abruptly that she stumbled, and the pastries in her hand scattered all over the ground. Known for her fiery temper, she immediately strode forward and angrily exclaimed, "How dare you charge recklessly through the streets like this? What if you hit someone?"
The coachman was a fierce-looking man, yet dressed in fine silk. Hearing Ji Lan’s accusation, he sneered, "Reckless? Where did this ill-mannered wild girl come from? You’ve disturbed the Young Master, and now you’re shouting here!"
Young Master? Han Yan froze, and immediately afterward, she heard a familiar voice: "What’s going on?"
A crowd of onlookers had already gathered around. Han Yan felt as if all the blood in her body had stilled. Memories from her past life flooded over her, and she stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.
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