Surе еnоugh, after just а mоmеnt, Маdam Zhou smiled аnd sаid, "I would feеl guilty having Yu Shаn bоthеr Fоurth Мiss аll day. Whу not invite that Auntie Yan? I just dоn’t knоw if we сan mаnаgе tо invite hеr…"
Zhuаng Shiуаng wаved his hаnd dismissively. "What’s sо diffiсult abоut that? I’ll have а servant tаke my nаmе саrd tо invitе hеr shortly. Just wаit аnd seе."
Sееing her gоal асhieved, Наn Yan smilеd. "Father, Yan’еr has an aрроintment with Sistеr Deng Chan tоdау, so I’ll tаkе mу lеаvе now."
Zhuаng Shiуang hаd alrеady fоund Hаn Yаn’s рresеnсе bоthersome, sо he replied impаtiently, "Thеn hurry alоng."
Hаn Yаn bowеd again and took her leave properly.
On the way back to Clear Autumn Courtyard, Ji Lan couldn’t help but ask, "Miss, why did you give Concubine Zhou such a good idea? Someone as talented as Auntie Yan won’t be teaching you but will instead benefit the one in Dove Tree Courtyard. What if she outshines you in the future?"
Before Han Yan could respond, Shu Hong said firmly, "How could she ever compare to our miss?"
Han Yan was taken aback for a moment before breaking into a smile. Seeing no one around, she whispered, "Do you know who Auntie Yan is?"
Ji Lan was stunned for a second but quickly caught on, looking at Han Yan with pleasant surprise. "Could it be…"
"She’s not someone easy to get along with," Han Yan said lightly. "Sister Yu Shan has too much free time on her hands. She needs something to keep her occupied."
Ji Lan couldn’t help but praise, "Miss, you’re so clever."
Han Yan neither confirmed nor denied it.
Her knowledge of Auntie Yan was thanks to Madam Zhou in her previous life. In that life, after learning she was to marry Wei Rufeng, Han Yan had been afraid of making any mistakes and begged Madam Zhou to invite a governess to teach her. Madam Zhou had indeed invited a talented woman from the capital—Auntie Yan.
It was true that Auntie Yan was exceptionally talented, but unfortunately, talent and character are not the same. Auntie Yan had nearly become a palace consort in her youth but ultimately failed due to her plain appearance. As a result, she despised all beautiful women. With Madam Zhou’s deliberate "instructions," Han Yan had suffered no small amount of torment from her in her previous life. Zhuangshan was strikingly beautiful, so Auntie Yan was likely to give her a hard time.
And Zhuangshan, with her pride and arrogance, would likely clash with Auntie Yan more often than not. Whether Zhuangshan would endure humiliation for the sake of talent or refuse to back down under insult was not something Han Yan cared about.
Back at Clear Autumn Courtyard, Shu Hong asked, "Miss, are we going to Minister Deng’s residence?"
Han Yan shook her head. "Find an inconspicuous carriage. We’re going to Shunchang Martial Arts School."
Though surprised, Ji Lan did as she was told and went to find a carriage. Meanwhile, Han Yan changed into a plain dark green satin vest, covered it with a silver-red short jacket, and wore a white silk pleated skirt underneath. She still wore her hair in a bun, looking like a maid from a wealthy household.
The short jacket was already a bit too small. Shu Hong remarked, "Miss, when will we go to Ruyi Pavilion to have some clothes made? This one is too short…"
Only then did Han Yan notice, but she couldn’t bear to part with it. These clothes had all been made for her by her mother while she was still alive. Since her mother’s passing, no one in the household had cared about her daily needs except for her maids and Mama Chen. She couldn’t help but smile bitterly. "No need. I think this is just fine."Shu Hong hesitated, "The silver you usually give to the servants as rewards would be enough to make several outfits..."
Han Yan shook her head, "If my clothes don’t fit, it won’t cause me any trouble, but if the servants in this household aren’t taken care of for even a day, they might stir up trouble. Besides, it’s not because I’m short on silver..." She smiled again, "Never mind, let’s not talk about this. Let’s go."
Shu Hong carefully helped her put on a veil, and Han Yan took a banknote from a small box, tucking it into her sleeve. Shunchang Martial Arts School had recently established a women’s branch, and women in the capital had flocked to it, making it quite lively for a time. Han Yan had already heard about it—it was time to collect her interest.
Yang Qi had, after all, accepted her suggestion.
As the carriage traveled along the streets of the western city, Han Yan listened to the clamor of vendors doing business outside and recalled what Ji Lan had learned about the women’s branch of Shunchang Martial Arts School.
Unlike the men’s branch, the women’s branch allowed women, due to their special status, to choose their own instructors and practice martial arts not at the school but in their own homes, eliminating the inconveniences associated with their gender.
When Yang Qi implemented this approach, people in the capital were first astonished, then cautious, and finally eager to try it. This was especially true for daughters of military families, who had loved martial arts over feminine adornments since childhood. Hiring an instructor to teach martial arts at home was an excellent option. Once one person started, others followed, and gradually, the women’s branch grew in popularity, even surpassing the men’s branch.
Han Yan breathed a sigh of relief. The worry that had plagued her for so long was finally resolved. In her previous life, two years later, a women’s martial arts school had also emerged in the capital, but its founder was not Yang Qi—it was Minister Chen, Consort Chen’s relative. At that time, the women’s martial arts school was extremely popular and prosperous, while Yang Qi suffered from a chronic illness, and Shunchang Martial Arts School gradually declined. Minister Chen used the women’s martial arts school to win over a large number of influential figures in the capital, thereby strengthening the Seventh Prince’s faction.
When she had first suggested this idea to Yang Qi, it was precisely to prevent the Seventh Prince’s faction from gaining power. If Yang Qi were to establish it, its future influence would likely be even greater. She had initially worried whether Yang Qi would accept, but the current situation put her mind at ease.
When the carriage arrived in front of the martial arts school, Han Yan allowed Ji Lan and Shu Hong to help her down. As women frequently came to hire instructors these days, passersby were no longer surprised. The young attendant who opened the door was still the same cute and handsome Xiao Li from last time. He recognized Ji Lan and Shu Hong at a glance and, realizing that Han Yan was the young woman who had visited in men’s clothing before, blushed slightly. "Please follow me, miss."
Han Yan had no reservations and followed the young attendant through several winding paths before finally arriving at the hall where she had met Yang Qi last time. As soon as she stepped into the hall, she saw Yang Qi sitting in a yellow pearwood chair in the center, sipping tea. He glanced at her and said indifferently, "You’ve come."
Han Yan bowed and stood in the center of the hall. "It seems the women’s branch of your martial arts school is doing well, Elder."
Yang Qi looked up at her, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger. "Have you come to collect your interest?"
"Yes," Han Yan replied straightforwardly, prompting Yang Qi to study her for a moment. After a while, he sighed, "You are bold, unlike a typical young woman."
Han Yan smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Elder."Yang Qi stared at her, noticing that her eyes, visible through the white veil, still held a placid expression. He felt somewhat disappointed. "So young, yet so solemn. I wonder who taught you that. Very well, Xiao Li, go and summon the instructors."
Ji Lan and Shu Hong exchanged a glance as the young servant hurried away. In no time at all, he returned, leading over ten women dressed in martial attire into the room.
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