Sure enough, after a moment, Madam Zhou smiled and said: “I wouldn’t want to burden Fourth Young Lady with Yu Shan all day. Let’s invite Lady Yan instead. Though I wonder if she would accept…”
Zhuang Shi Yang waved his hand dismissively: “That’s simple enough. I’ll have someone take my card to invite her – just wait and see.”
Seeing her objective achieved, Han Yan smiled: “Father, I have plans to meet Elder Sister Deng Chan today. I’ll take my leave now.”
Zhuang Shi Yang had found Han Yan’s presence irritating anyway, so he impatiently replied: “Then go quickly.”
Han Yan bowed again and properly took her leave.
On the way back to Qing Qiu Court, Ji Lan couldn’t help saying: “Young Lady, why did you give Madam Zhou such a good suggestion? Instead of having someone as talented as Lady Yan teach you, you’ve given the advantage to Gong Tong Court. What if she surpasses you in the future?”
Before Han Yan could respond, Shu Hong said firmly: “How could she ever compare to our Young Lady?”
Han Yan was startled into laughter. Seeing no one else around, she said softly: “Do you know who Lady Yan is?”
Ji Lan paused, then quickly reacted, looking at Han Yan with excitement: “Could it be…”
“She’s not someone easy to get along with,” Han Yan said casually. “Sister Yu Shan is usually so idle, she needs something to keep her occupied.”
Ji Lan couldn’t help praising: “Young Lady is so clever.”
Han Yan did not comment.
Her knowledge of Lady Yan came from Madam Zhou in her previous life. After learning she was to marry Wei Ru Feng, Han Yan feared doing something wrong and begged Madam Zhou to invite an instructor. Madam Zhou had indeed invited a talented lady from the capital – this very Lady Yan.
While Lady Yan’s talent was undeniable, unfortunately, in this world, talent and character weren’t necessarily linked. In her youth, Lady Yan had almost become a palace lady but ultimately failed due to her ordinary appearance. Since then, she had despised all beautiful women. Combined with Madam Zhou’s special “instructions,” Han Yan had suffered greatly under her in the previous life. Given Zhuang Yu Shan’s beauty, Lady Yan would likely make her life quite difficult.
With Zhuang Yu Shan’s pride and arrogance, conflicts with Lady Yan would only increase over time. Han Yan wondered whether Zhuang Yu-Shan would humble herself for the sake of learning or resist the humiliation, but that was no longer her concern.
Back at Qing Qiu Court, Shu Hong asked, “Young Lady, are we going to Minister Deng’s residence?”
Han Yan shook her head: “Find an inconspicuous carriage. We’re going to Shun Chang Martial Arts Academy.”
Though surprised, Ji Lan followed her instructions to find a carriage. Meanwhile, Han Yan changed into a plain blue satin vest with a silver-red jacket over it and a white silk pleated skirt, keeping her hair in a bun. She looked like a maid from a wealthy household.
The outer jacket had become somewhat short, and Shu Hong said: “Young Lady, when shall we go to Ru Yi Tower to have some new clothes made? These have gotten too short…”
Han Yan noticed this for the first time but was reluctant to part with them – these clothes had been made by her mother while she was still alive. Since her mother’s passing, apart from her maids and Madam Chen, no one in the manor cared about her daily needs. She smiled bitterly: “No need, these are fine.”
Shu Hong hesitated: “The silver Young Lady gives to the servants would be enough for several new outfits…”
Han Yan shook her head: “Ill-fitting clothes won’t cause me any harm, but if we don’t keep the manor’s servants properly compensated, they might cause trouble. Besides, it’s not about lacking silver…” She smiled again: “Never mind that, let’s go.”
Shu Hong carefully helped her put on a veil, and Han Yan tucked a banknote from her box into her sleeve. Shun Chang had recently opened a women’s martial arts section, which had become quite popular among the capital’s ladies. Han Yan had heard about it – it was time to collect her interest.
Yang Qi had indeed taken her suggestion.
As the carriage traveled through the western city streets, Han Yan listened to the noisy vendors outside while thinking about what Ji Lan had learned about the women’s section of Shun Chang.
Unlike the men’s section, due to women’s special status, they could choose their instructors and weren’t required to practice at the academy. Instead, instructors could teach at their homes, avoiding the inconvenience of their status.
When Yang Qi implemented this approach, the capital’s residents were first surprised, then observed, and finally became eager to try it. Especially daughters from military families who preferred martial arts to feminine pursuits found the idea of having an instructor teach at home quite appealing. Once the first person tried it, others followed, and gradually the women’s section became even more prosperous than the men’s.
Han Yan felt relieved – a long-standing worry was finally resolved. In her previous life, a women’s martial arts school had also opened in the capital two years later, but the founder wasn’t Yang Qi – it was Imperial Consort Chen’s family member, Official Chen. At that time, the women’s martial arts school had been extremely successful, while Yang Qi had fallen ill and Shun Chang had gradually declined. Official Chen had used the women’s school to build connections with many noble families, strengthening the Seventh Prince’s faction.
When she initially suggested this idea to Yang Qi, she had hoped to prevent the Seventh Prince’s faction from gaining power. If Yang Qi ran it, the influence would likely be even greater. She had been worried whether Yang Qi would accept, but the current situation put her mind at ease.
When the carriage arrived at the academy, Ji Lan and Shu Hong helped Han Yan down. Since women often came to request instructors lately, passersby paid no attention. The door attendant was still the same cute and clean young Li from last time. He immediately recognized Ji Lan and Shu Hong and realized Han Yan must be the young lady who had dressed as a man before. He blushed: “Miss, please follow me.”
Han Yan followed without hesitation as the young attendant led them through several winding paths before finally reaching the main hall where she had met Yang Qi before. Upon entering, she saw Yang Qi sitting in a central huangli wood chair, drinking tea. Seeing her, he merely said indifferently: “You’ve come.”
Han Yan bowed and stood in the center: “Elder, your women’s martial arts section seems to be doing well.”
Yang Qi looked up at her, his tone unreadable: “You’ve come to collect your interest?”
“Yes.” Han Yan answered directly, causing Yang Qi to look at her several times before sighing: “You’re quite bold, unlike most young women.”
Han Yan smiled slightly: “Elder jests.”
Yang Qi stared at her, seeing her eyes remain calm behind the white gauze, and seemed somewhat disappointed: “So composed at such a young age – wonder who taught you that. Well then, Little Li, go call the instructors.”
Ji Lan and Shu Hong exchanged glances as the young attendant hurried away. Shortly after, he returned leading about ten women in training clothes.