Episode 5: Fight with a Master
It was at the Emperor's Birthday Banquet, I was 10 years old and father brought me to congratulate the Emperor.
Excitement overwhelmed me seeing all the colourful place and beautiful people singing and dancing. After some time, a beautiful man came out with his guqin, introducing himself as the Third Prince Zhou Tianjin. He settled himself in the centre of the hall and started to play the most beautiful song I've ever heard.
It was a present to the Emperor but I enjoyed as if he was playing for me. Those smooth skill playing the string, those beautiful voice humming. Such a talented and beautiful person, how come he isn't the talk of the Empire?! The more I thought about him, the more I wanted to see him and know about him.
As I grew older, there was a lesser chance to see my idol but everytime I got a chance to see him, even from a distance, my face turned red and my heart beat fast. Is this how we are if we like someone?
But having the thought of him loving another hurt me when I like him for five years.
Li Wutang
*Shake vigorously*
Li Yueyin
Ah, Ah, Ah! I'm awake, I'm awake.
Li Yueyin
Oh, father, you came.
Li Wutang
I called you many times but you didn't respond. What happen?
Li Yueyin
Nothing, nothing.
Li Wutang
Get up, we're going to be late.
Li Yueyin
Huh, late for what?
Li Wutang
It's the start of summer so the Imperial Academy is opening from today. I already told you that you'll attend starting this year.
Li Yueyin
Imm... Imperial.... Academy?
Li Yueyin
I don't want to.
Li Wutang
That's up to my decision.
Li Wutang
*Pull her on the hand*
Li Yueyin
I don't want to goooooo.
Li Yueyin
Father, I rather run around the mansion 100 times but I don't want to go to school.
Li Wutang
Just....come.....
Li Wutang
*Continue to pull*
Teacher
The Book of Women was in three volumes with different writers............
Li Yueyin
(At the end, I was still dragged here despite all my pleading)
Teacher
Gongxi Feng was the first person to write the book which is the Volume 1, followed by Qiao Zhenxiang and Rui Jifeng.
Li Yueyin
(Tsk, so boring)
Feng Ruolin
I read all the volumes and done some researching and later found out that Gongxi Feng's also has contribute for Volume 2. But why does Qiao Zhenxiang take all the credit for Volume 2?
Shang Feiying
It may seem like that, but more than contribute, it is more like it pass on to generations. Among the many students of Gongxi Feng, Qiao Zhenxiang was his favourites. So it makes it meaningful if the teacher pass down his knowledge to his disciple.
Zhou Ruan (Second Princess)
To talk about it, now I realize why does Volume 1 and 2 seems so similar.
Zhou Qiyuan (First Princess)
Volume 3 was my favourite because the first two mostly contain etiquette for Concubines and Empress while the third contains all for nobles and commoners.
Li Yueyin
(Hah, look at the teacher's satisfying face. He might want to worship them)
Teacher
All of you are correct and I'm very happy to know that you've read it.
Teacher
Would you share us some of your thoughts?
Li Yueyin
I feel..... it doesn't make sense at all.
Teacher
Ah... Ah... Miss Li.
"Hoho, what an arrogant child"
An old man suddenly enter while caressing his long beard, smiling satisfyingly. All the people including Li Yueyin hurriedly stand and bow.
Cheng Wu
Please put away the formalities.
Not even talk of the arrogant Li Yueyin, even the Emperor and Li Wutang would bow their head towards this man. Cheng Wu, who served three generations of Qi Emperor and the person who personally teach Zhou Wuzhen and Li Wutang was one of the most respected person. Even people from different place has heard of his famous dedication.
Cheng Wu
Is this beautiful lady the daughter of Li?
Cheng Wu
Miss Li, please continue to say about your thoughts.
Li Yueyin
(He must be already atleast in his seventies but he doesn't seem to be older than father and Emperor. I guess he still continue on his cultivation)
Li Yueyin
To me, the famous book among ladies, the three volume of the Book of Women felt no more better than teaching a fish how to swim.
Li Yueyin
As our teacher just said, it was written by three men.
Li Yueyin
How does a men who never once enter the women society could write about ladies etiquette.
Li Yueyin
They often said it is a good book and help the women. But what they write is only their expectations of how they want us to be.
Li Yueyin
Also, here we have a man teaching women about this book.
Cheng Wu
Then do you mean that this should be instead write by a woman?
Li Yueyin
That won't also make sense.
Li Yueyin
If a woman was to write, I'm sure they'll put restrictions on how much to write and what not to. Or they won't allow to publish at all if they write openly of what they feel. At the end, they'll turn no more better than this one.
Li Yueyin
Till this day, women were often restrict to what they must done and say. Same goes to you, Master Cheng. I heard that you only took male disciples and kick out any women that hope to be teached by you.
Zhou Qiyuan (First Princess)
Li Yueyin, you insolent..... mind your manners.
Li Yueyin
See, the First Princess just proved my theory.
Cheng Wu
Miss Li, yes it's true that my disciples were often male. But your theory of me kicking out women are a little bit overboard, perhaps there are also many men that I send back.
Cheng Wu
Also, I didn't kick them out, they left themself or I send them back because I think that they are incompetent?
Cheng Wu
Will you believe me?
Li Yueyin
I can't make the decision yet.
Cheng Wu suddenly grab his left side and pull out a sword, passing to Li Yueyin.
Cheng Wu
Ever since I retired, I always brought two swords with me in case I find a good opponent. Now, I finally found it.
Cheng Wu then pull out the sword hanging on his right and charge towards Li Yueyin without any warning.
Li Yueyin adjust her position to the side and hold her sword straight towards the coming other sword. The two swords clashed each other in a cross sign.
Zhou Tianjin (Third Prince)
My paper!
Zhou Jingyu (Sixth Prince)
What kind of wind is this?
Zhou Yuanjing (Second Prince)
It's not a wind.
Zhou Qingyan (First Prince)
Huh?
Zhou Jiang (Fourth Prince)
Look, it came from the opposite hall.
The sudden strong wind make all people uneasy and most students runs to the ground for safety while all the six princes runs towards the 'Manners and Etiquette Hall' out of curiosity.
When they arrived, all the girls students shout.
Zhou Qiyuan (First Princess)
Ah, brother!
All then run towards them.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Jiejie!
Even the six princes curiosity disappear when they see the scene, two people were fighting vigorously as if they want to kill each other.
Li Yueyin
The rooms is too inconvenient for a huge battle, shall we go down there.
At a glimpse, the two jumped from third floor to the ground where most people run to. Normally, it was high enough to break an ankle or arm but for the two masters, they land firm and smooth like a cat jumping from a high place.
The people below watched them dumbly while the people upper watch from the window, knowing what it might lead to.
Feng Ruolin
That's... so scary. I thought they might kill each other.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Excuse me.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
*Run*
Below, the two never stop raising their sword to each other. Li Yueyin began to lose energy but she also tried to never lose. On the other side, Cheng Wu still remained energetic while swinging his sword.
Li Yueyin
(As expected of a martial master)
Cheng Wu
I also used to teach your father so I have a high expectation from you.
Cheng Wu
But I guess you're not qualified to get my expectations anymore.
Li Yueyin
You can rethink it after we battled atleast twenty times.
Cheng Wu dodge the attack and slap her hand which made Li Yueyin's sword fall to the ground.
Li Yueyin was tired enough to even lift the sword and by those slap, she can't hold it anymore. For a second, she was shock to her empty hand and gaze towards Cheng Wu only to see him extending his sword to her.
Cheng Wu was shock to see that someone throw a rock to his hands and let his sword fall too. He look at Li Yueyin but instead saw a boy extending his arm in front of Li Yueyin, protecting her from Cheng Wu.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
MASTER CHENG!
Cheng Wu often sees the fifth prince in and out of the palace, but he never met him with such an angry eyes glaring at him.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Master Cheng, come back to your sense. You almost kill my senior sister!
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Huh? What do you mean by 'did I?'
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
You almost took an innocent life.
Li Yueyin
He won't do that.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
What's so funny in that, huh?
Cheng Wu
Your Highness, haha, you really thought, hahaha, I'll kill her, hahaha!
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Shut up!
Li Yueyin
*Block his mouth*
Li Yueyin
Enough, he was right. Don't you realise that this sword is fake.
Zhou Ling then hurriedly examine the sword and froze at the spot. They look indeed like a real sword but it was made of some foam rubber. This kind of fake sword won't even pierce human even if you stab them hundred times.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
(Who the hell made such realistic sword just out of some foam?! Bring them here and let me bury them!)
Cheng Wu
Anyway, I'm really happy to see that you care for other.
Cheng Wu
*Back to his courteous self*
Cheng Wu
Miss Li, I really admire your talent and courage. Would you please accept to be my first female disciple?
Li Yueyin
Thank you for your offering, but I already have a master which is my father.
Cheng Wu then turn away, started to caress his beard again.
Cheng Wu
Then, we'll see again.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Eh, eh.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
JIEJIE!
Li Yueyin
What, what is it?
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Master.... no, that old man cause such a ruckus and fought with an underage you for his funplay and you just let him go like that?!
Li Yueyin
He is such a strong head person, letting him continue to stay won't even change things.
Li Yueyin
Anyway, thank you for coming to save me.
Li Yueyin
I'll repay you later.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Fool!
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Huh?
Li Yueyin
I mean, are you embarassed because you didn't knew the sword is fake?
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
Nonsense.
Zhou Ling (Fifth Prince)
*Leave*
Li Yueyin
Ehhhh, why you're so angry? Let me buy you your favourite sweet, okay?
Zhou Yuanjing (Second Prince)
.....
Zhou Yuanjing (Second Prince)
How impressive.
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