After Madam Zhou left, Ji Lan and Shu Hong approached. Ji Lan said, “Young Miss, Madam Zhou doesn’t look like a good person.”
“Don’t speak carelessly,” Shu Hong interrupted before Han Yan could respond. “There are people everywhere—don’t cause trouble for Young Miss.”
Han Yan laughed heartily: “Shu Hong, don’t be so tense. Keep frowning like that and you’ll get wrinkles.”
Shu Hong maintained her expressionless demeanor, making Han Yan rub her nose—how dull.
“Ji Lan, Shu Hong, let’s go out for a walk today.”
Ji Lan’s eyes brightened: “Young Miss wants to leave the manor?”
“Young Miss, you can’t,” Shu Hong frowned. “If Master discovers this, it would be terrible.”
“Don’t worry,” Han Yan said confidently. “Father is busy enjoying family time and won’t think of us for a while. Besides, we won’t use the main gate. Shu Hong, keep the silver safe—we’re going to the East City to find a martial arts instructor for Young Master Ming.”
Shu Hong wanted to say more but seeing Han Yan’s determined expression, she swallowed her words, though worry still creased her brow. Ji Lan, however, was so excited she didn’t know what to do, rushing to prepare things in their room.
The back wall of Qing Qiu Garden had a dog hole—Han Yan’s childhood secret. When younger, she often snuck out with Ji Lan and Shu Hong through it. After learning proper female conduct at seven, she knew it was improper and stopped. But now, living a second life, her mindset had changed. Why let such conventions restrict her happiness?
Han Yan had Shu Hong find servant’s clothes, and the three crawled through the dog hole wearing coarse cotton garments. Han Yan, crawling in front, suddenly giggled, startling Ji Lan.
“What is it, Young Miss?”
Han Yan shook her head: “I was thinking how pleasant this is. Being a noble young lady is boring—common folk have more freedom.”
Ji Lan shook her head: “Common folk aren’t necessarily free. Every household has its troubles. Young Miss’s life is something many commoners can only dream of.”
“You have a point,” Han Yan nodded. Compared to her previous life, she was more open-minded and appreciated life more. In this brief existence, she must do what she enjoys—after avenging her mother, of course.
The three emerged from the dog hole, dusting off their clothes. Han Yan dressed as a maid to avoid detection, not noticing anything unusual. Rather than hiring a carriage, since they rarely went out, they decided to walk and explore.
Han Yan didn’t notice a stranger watching them from near the outer wall. The man held a blade of grass between his teeth, observing their retreating figures with interest: “Strange how the Zhuang household maids prefer crawling through dog holes to using the main gate.” He shook his head and smiled: “Interesting.”
The streets bustled with people, and vendors selling various goods along both sides. Ji Lan, rarely leaving the manor, excitedly touched and examined everything.
Though Han Yan found it all fascinating too, she contained her excitement, only occasionally revealing glimpses of wonder and curiosity in her eyes. Shu Hong remained most composed, instinctively walking ahead to protect Han Yan.
As Han Yan explored, she reflected that had she known the outside world was so fascinating, she should have snuck out more often. Her status as the marquis’s daughter was practically meaningless—Zhuang Shi Yang never cared for her. After her mother’s death, fewer people paid attention to her, making it easier to move about unnoticed.
Shunchang Martial Arts Academy was the capital’s most renowned institution. Its founder was Yang Qi, the previous dynasty’s martial arts champion. The instructors were all first-rate masters and many noble families sent their sons there to train. Despite its prestige, the academy had an unwritten rule: all training must be conducted on the premises. Han Yan had heard that when the current emperor’s thirteenth son wanted to invite an instructor to the palace, the martial arts champion directly refused. The emperor was furious and wanted to punish Yang Qi, but court officials intervened, and the matter was dropped.
Han Yan admired the martial arts champion, not just for daring to refuse the emperor, but for establishing this rule that treated everyone equally. The poor historically had fewer opportunities than the wealthy, even in education. But by keeping all students at the academy under public scrutiny, instructors couldn’t play favorites and had to teach diligently.
Thinking this way, she grew quite curious about the previous dynasty’s martial arts champion.
As they walked, Ji Lan couldn’t resist eyeing the roadside cosmetics stalls. Han Yan teased her: “If you want to buy something, just buy it. Why be so stingy? I didn’t know you were so frugal.”
“Young Miss,” Ji Lan said seriously, “Now isn’t the time—the household needs silver. We can buy these things when we have more money.”
Han Yan found this more amusing: “I can still afford a box of rouge.” She pulled out some copper coins from her sleeve: “Let’s buy two boxes, one each for you and Shu Hong.”
Shu Hong looked uncomfortable: “This servant doesn’t need such things.”
“Are you both trying to save money for me?” Han Yan felt both annoyed and amused. “In that case, why not save your monthly wages too?”
This silenced Ji Lan. Han Yan’s thoughts turned serious—indeed, a single coin could stump a hero, and money was now a major concern for her.
Looking around at the bustling crowd of merchants and farmers, she wondered how to earn money quickly.
Unable to think of an immediate solution, Han Yan made a mental note, knowing this would be a major concern in the coming days.
The West City was more prosperous than North Street, perhaps because it bordered trade routes, always bustling with visitors and travelers. The architecture was more elaborate and delicate, with green tiles and vermillion pavilions creating beautiful scenes everywhere. The streets were packed with townspeople and tourists. Ji Lan and Shu Hong protected her through the crowds until they reached a tall building deep in an alley. A pear-wood yellow signboard displayed “Shunchang Martial Arts Academy” in powerful, striking calligraphy.
Ji Lan stepped forward and knocked on the copper lock of the vermillion door. Soon, the door creaked open, and a handsome young boy in a blue cotton jacket emerged.
Seeing the three women, the boy was startled: “Miss, what brings you here?”
Han Yan smiled gently: “Please lead the way, young sir. We’re here to find an instructor.”
Since its founding, Shunchang has never accepted female students. The boy hesitated, blushing: “But you’re a woman.”
“Does Shunchang Academy have a rule against women learning martial arts?” Han Yan smiled at him. This boy was much more adorable than Young Master Ming—quite naive.