Chapter 44: Chapter 38, Learning Martial Arts_l
Translator: 549690339 ,
“Manman, do you know martial arts?”
Daohua looked at Wang Manman with curiosity.
To be honest, although she had been living in ancient times for 9 years, she was still filled with unease about life under feudal rule.
Back when she was in Yan Family Village, this uneasiness hadn’t emerged because, after all, she had her ‘space.’ As long as she stayed in the countryside, even if she encountered natural disasters, she wouldn’t starve.
But after arriving in Linyi County, her uneasiness intensified.
In ancient times, it was a monarchy and a patriarchal society.
Here, the freedom and democracy she wanted simply did not exist. Take her mother, the first lady of the Yan Family—as virtuous and capable as she was, managing the household efficiently, both beautiful and capable—yet, she still couldn’t obtain equal respect and affection from her husband.
Not to mention taking concubines, but also showing favoritism towards the children of those concubines, squandering the family wealth his first wife had diligently amassed at his whim.
During this time, whenever Madam Li managed affairs, Daohua would occasionally listen in; along with what she usually saw and heard, it was easy for her to deduce the actual situation of the Yan Family.
Her father, though a County Magistrate, hadn’t saved much money over the years due to his integrity.
The only reason the family could still be maintained was all thanks to her mother, who had brought a generous dowry.
In Daohua’s eyes, her father wasn’t worthy of her mother at all.
But the reality was, her mother had to look to her father’s mood for everything, living cautiously and warily all the time, fearing to upset him.
Just the thought of marrying such a man and living a similar life in the future made her feel desperate.
Was she reborn just to experience an oppressive life?
She didn’t want to!
However, escaping such fate was too difficult; she didn’t know what to do, but she did know that whatever she did, a good physique was necessary, and knowing some martial arts would be even better.
The security in ancient times was not great; knowing martial arts could not only strengthen the body but also serve as self-defense in dangerous situations, which was a win-win.
Seeing the young lady eagerly looking at her, Wang Manman nodded, then shook her head.
Daohua was puzzled, “Do you know how or not?”
Wang Manman: “I know a little, but not much.”
Immediate joy spread across Daohua’s face, “No worries. We’re not aiming to become heroes or anything. Knowing a little self-defense is enough.” She looked at Wang Manman with shining eyes, “Can you teach me martial arts?” Wang Manman nodded, “If the young lady wishes to learn, I am willing to teach, but practicing martial arts is very hard.”
Daohua swept her arm with a heroic air, “What does hardship matter? Isn’t it hard to be a person in these times?” She then placed down her poorly embroidered purse and eagerly asked, “When shall we start?”
Wang Manman glanced at Daohua’s tragically pricked fingers, “We can start now, do you want to learn?”
Daohua was in high spirits and immediately agreed.
And so, the two of them began learning martial arts with great enthusiasm. “Manman, don’t we need to do horse stance when learning martial arts?” “Manman, you’re starting by teaching me how to fight, is that right?” “Young lady, just study with peace of mind. My father said, ‘Practice makes perfect, a hundred brawls make a hero.’ The more you fight, the skill naturally improves. The day you can knock me down, you won’t have to worry about being caught in a hemp sack.”
“Hey, young lady, you’re quite strong!”
“Young lady, your physique is quite good, with strong flexibility. You can even do splits, bend down, and kick high. You’d make a good martial arts student.” “These are just yoga fundamentals.” This life, her physical condition was indeed good, and with the nourishment of space food, her body was even better.
“Young lady, what is yoga? Is it also a kind of martial art?”
The wing room of the main courtyard was very spacious. On the left wing, Madam Li made sure Daohua had a comfortable living space by knocking through three rooms to create a wide-open area.
In the room, Daohua was gesturing back and forth with Wang Manman.
The two of them, one daring to teach and the other daring to learn, practiced with great enthusiasm.
Daohua doubted Wang Manman’s professionalism, but since it was the cold winter, moving her body during practice prevented her from feeling too chilled, so she went ahead and learned with resilience.
She didn’t know if she actually mastered any kung fu from this, but her body had become increasingly nimble.
Days slipped away as Daohua immersed herself in reading, practicing needlework, and secretly learning martial arts.
In the classroom, Daohua always behaved properly. Even with needlework, despite having her fingers prick-swollen, she managed to embroider some recognizable flowers and animals.
In the blink of an eye, it was the twelfth lunar month.
On Laba Festival, Yan Zhigao took a break from his duties, and since he had rested at Shuangxin Courtyard the previous day, he ate breakfast there that morning.
Since the first snow in November, Madam Yan had insisted that each household eat in their own quarters instead of making a trip to hers, to avoid the cold.
At the breakfast table, Yan Zhigao, who had been busy with refugee resettlement and had not quizzed his children on their studies for a while, suddenly took an interest in their school affairs.
“Bin’er, are you still comfortable attending the county school?”
All the young masters of the Yan Family had been arranged by Yan Zhigao to study at the county school. Yan Wenxiu need not be mentioned; having earned the title of Scholar last year, he was a prominent figure there. The other brothers were also fairly satisfactory.
Yan Wenbin nodded obediently, “Thank you for your concern, Father. I am still comfortable there.”
Yan Zhigao promptly questioned him on a few topics, and seeing that Yan Wenbin answered all correctly, showed satisfaction, “Your father has been too busy to guide you. If there’s anything you don’t understand from your books in the future, ask your elder brother more often.”
Yan Wenbin nodded.
Yan Zhigao then turned to Yan Yishuang, “Yishuang, do you understand everything taught by Master Qin?”
Yan Yishuang affectionately leaned against Yan Zhigao, proudly stating, “Dad, I know everything Master Qin has taught. She even praised me yesterday.”
Yan Zhigao affectionately stroked her head, “Our Yishuang is clever indeed.” He glanced meaningfully at Aunt Lin, “She takes after her mother in this respect.” Aunt Lin gave a coy laugh and shot Yan Zhigao a look, “My Lord, you better not praise this girl too much, or her tail will be up in the air tomorrow.” “Mom, I wouldn’t do that,” Yan Yishuang said, playfully clinging to Yan Zhigao’s arm for a while.
Aunt Lin watched her husband and children playfully with a smile all over her face.
“Right, how has your eldest sister been conducting herself in the guest hall?” Yan Zhigao suddenly inquired.
A brief silence fell upon the room.
Yan Yishuang, somewhat displeased that her father brought up Daohua at this time, responded coolly, “Eldest sister is just the same as always.” Yan Zhigao frowned, “What do you mean by ‘the same as always’?” Fearing Yan Yishuang might say something unfavorable, Aunt Lin took over the conversation, “Ever since the eldest miss talked back to Master Qin, and Madam spoke with Master Qin, she seems less willing to correct the eldest miss.”
Yan Zhigao’s brow furrowed, “What does that mean? As a teacher, it is her duty to guide and correct the students’ mistakes. What does she mean by not willing?”
Yan Yishuang casually remarked, “It just means she doesn’t dare to correct eldest sister too much, fearing that our mother might dismiss her.” “Shut your mouth, what nonsense are you talking about!” Aunt Lin glared at Yan Yishuang.
With an aggrieved face, Yan Yishuang protested, “But that’s how it is.”
“You…”
Aunt Lin seemed about to scold Yan Yishuang again, but was stopped by Yan Zhigao, “She’s still a child. Speak to her nicely, there’s no need to lose your temper over everything.”
“Yes!” Aunt Lin replied meekly.
Afterward, Yan Zhigao stayed for a little while longer before getting up and heading toward the old Madam’s courtyard..