In the end, Hua Zhi only learned one set of boxing techniques from Shao Yao. She had once studied close-quarters combat, so picking up this new style came easily to her.
Not wanting to startle anyone, she practiced only within her own courtyard whenever she trained. The maids who had witnessed the incident at the estate also wished to learn alongside her, and Hua Zhi permitted them all — learning more never hurt anyone, and there was no loss in acquiring new skills.
Since both the mistress and the senior maids were learning, how could the other maids of varying ranks in the courtyard dare to slack off? Even the rough-work serving women learned a few moves. Shao Yao, serving as the drill instructor for this all-female company, was full of vigor each day — especially after discovering that Huahua possessed remarkable natural talent, which made Shao Yao eager to pass on everything she knew.
While they were busy building their strength, the day of the apprenticeship ceremony arrived.
Mu Qing understood the Hua Family’s circumstances well and cared nothing for formalities, requesting that everything be kept simple.
Hua Bailin, dressed in a crisp new set of robes, bowed three times before the portrait of the Sage, then knelt in three deep kowtows before Mu Qing, who sat in the seat of honor, and offered him tea. With that, the ceremony was complete.
Mu Qing gifted him a magnificent set of the Four Treasures of the Study — brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. In high spirits, even his words of instruction were delivered with a smile. “Having entered my tutelage, you must conduct yourself with uprightness and integrity, and approach all matters with a clean conscience. Do not apply your cleverness to shortcuts in scholarship. There are no shortcuts in learning — you receive precisely what you put in, and nothing more. It is the most impartial thing in the world. You are already able to settle your mind to study, and for that your teacher is glad. Continue to press forward and build upon this foundation.”
“Yes, this disciple humbly receives your instruction.”
Mu Qing nodded in satisfaction, his smiling eyes turning toward the Old Madam seated to one side as a witness. “This one shamelessly wishes to ask the Old Madam for a favor.”
“Please speak, Sir.”
“It has been seven years since I came to the capital. When I left, my young child was only three years old. Now that I have decided to remain, I intend to bring my parents, wife, and child here to be reunited as a family. Some days ago I sent word home, asking my family to make preparations — by my estimation they should have finished settling matters by now. Though the household has modest means, my parents have never undertaken a long journey before. I therefore wish to borrow a few people from the Old Madam to escort them into the capital.”
The Old Madam could not have been more willing. Ever since learning that Mu Qing had originally planned to return to his hometown, she had worried that one day he might tender his resignation. Yet here he was, intending to bring his family to the capital — clearly he had no plans to leave. Whatever the case, this teacher was finally secured.
She exchanged a glance with her granddaughter, who wore an equally delighted expression, then rose and inclined in a bow. “The Hua Family is deeply indebted to you, Sir.”
Mu Qing quickly moved aside to deflect the gesture. “Not at all — if anything, it is I who have come out ahead.”
“The Hua Family will not refuse whatever Sir requests. Zhi’er, select a few capable people and send them. They must ensure that Mu Qing’s family is escorted safely to the capital.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
Hua Zhi thought the matter over carefully in her mind, then went to find the Lu teacher.
Upon learning it was an escort for family members, Gu Yanxi swiftly selected five men for her. In such a short time it was impossible to teach them much of anything, and these five were not people he had specifically chosen and trained for Hua Zhi — but they were perfectly capable of serving as an escort. As far as loyalty went, the Hua Family’s people were all reasonably reliable.
Hua Zhi was just about to offer her thanks when a thunderclap suddenly split the sky — so tremendous the very ground seemed to shudder beneath their feet. The sky, which had been bright only moments ago at mid-morning, plunged into a darkness close to nightfall. Something came to her mind, and she walked briskly toward the clan school.
Gu Yanxi thought nothing of it and followed after her.
They had just stepped onto the covered walkway when they saw Mu Qing emerging from the senior class’s schoolroom. Catching sight of Hua Zhi, he paused his steps, gave her a nod, and retreated back inside — with the eldest young miss here, there was no need for him to worry.
Since Hua Bailin’s apprenticeship ceremony had taken up the morning, Hua Zhi had allowed the junior class children to study independently, free to read or practice their writing as they wished.
Rolling peals of thunder came one after another, and tremendous bolts of lightning split the sky as though cleaving it in two. The light inside the schoolroom flickered between brightness and shadow. Although all the children still sat in their respective places, their unease was plain to see.
Hua Zhi went straight to Hua Baizhen, who sat at the very front, and gathered the trembling child into her arms, then settled into his seat. She beckoned toward the other children who were putting on brave faces. “Come to your eldest sister.”
The children rushed to her all at once — some leaning against her, some clutching the hem or sleeve of her robe, some sitting at her feet. In moments they had settled, the alarm on their faces fading away.
In the past they had formed almost no impression of this eldest sister. But through these recent weeks of spending time together, they had come to hold her in both respect and — more than anything — genuine fondness. Attending eldest sister’s lessons made them all feel clever, because her lessons were so easy to follow. They no longer felt the least bit afraid of going to school. Though there were many sisters at home who treated them all very well, they all understood instinctively that eldest sister was different from the others — they could not quite put into words why, but even though eldest sister required them to read and practice their characters, they simply loved her best.
The moment the thunder had sounded, they had longed for eldest sister to come — and now she truly had come. She was holding them, protecting them.
Gu Yanxi leaned in the doorway watching this scene, and his gaze softened in a way he could not explain.
This was the first time he had ever encountered someone whose nature and conduct were so contradictory. She was, without question, a person of cool reserve — yet she brought such warmth to everyone around her. The responsibility she bore had been thrust upon her by circumstance — yet she appeared wholly willing, fulfilling it with wholehearted dedication. Anyone else in her position would likely have clung to the marriage arrangement with the Shen Family and done everything possible to extract herself from the Hua Family’s predicament.
Listening to her speak gently to soothe the frightened children, Gu Yanxi turned his gaze to the world outside. Such thunder was rare. Such rain too — uncommonly heavy.
When the sound of hurried footsteps reached them, Gu Yanxi’s heart gave a jolt. A bad premonition took hold of him without warning.
The maid could not see him standing there. She rushed into the room and called out, “Eldest Young Miss! The Fourth Mistress was frightened by the thunder and her labor has been disturbed — the midwife says the birth may be starting!”
Hua Zhi gently patted the child in her arms. “Liu Xiang — go find Shao Yao and ask her to come take the Fourth Aunt’s pulse.”
Liu Xiang understood the gravity of the situation and bolted out without a second word. She had barely reached the doorway when her mistress’s voice carried after her: “Remember to bring her her hat.”
“Yes.”
Hua Zhi needed to go as well. She set the child down gently and was about to speak when footsteps sounded again at the door. She frowned slightly and looked over — her heart sank when she recognized Chun Xiang, the maid who attended at her grandmother’s side.
“Eldest Young Miss, the Old Madam has been given a fright by the thunder.”
Hua Zhi pressed down on the soft flesh between her thumb and forefinger, then crouched down to look at the cluster of small faces before her. “Are you still afraid?”
“We are not afraid anymore, Eldest Sister. Please go and look in on Grandmother — we will study properly.”
“Good children.”
Hua Zhi stepped out of the room. Seeing that the Lu teacher was still nearby came as no surprise — this was a place he was permitted to be.
She gave a light bow in his direction, then, as she made her way toward the inner courtyard, called a junior maid to her side and instructed, “Go find Liu Xiang. Tell her to bring Shao Yao to see Grandmother first.”
“Yes.”
At that moment Ying Chun came hurrying to meet her. “Young Miss, Bao Xia has taken people to lock all four corner gates — no one may enter or leave without your seal of authority. Your servant has already asked Steward Xu to take a full accounting of the household staff. All those not essential to immediate duties have been confined to their quarters. Nian Qiu and Fu Dong have gone to the rear courtyard to take a headcount of each household. In your name, each room’s mistresses and concubines have been asked to keep their own people in order. Does this arrangement meet your approval?”