CH 15

Chapter 15: Exercising During Martial Arts Class

Wen Yantong was taken all the way to study hall by Mu Yang.

When entering, they saw that almost all the seats were filled. Their classmates all looked towards the door. However, Mu Yang didn't pay much attention to their gaze, so he returned the crutch to her and asked, "Where are you sitting?"

Wen Yantong took back the crutch angrily. "Why are you asking?"

She had a fight with Wu Yutian as soon as she arrived this morning, so she had yet to find a seat.

Wen Yantong looked around and saw a seat in the back row, so she stepped towards it.translate(d) by puretl . com / do not steal / re po/st

The atmosphere in the study hall was a little strange. Most students of Dingliu Hall were playboys from Chaoge City. A few civilian students were included here, all of whom were at the bottom of the academy in literature.

The nobles looked down on the commoners, and the commoners did not dare to provoke them, so they gathered in the academy unrelatedly, resulting in neither a learning atmosphere nor a lively atmosphere.

After Wen Yantong was seated, the tablemate looked up at her, then lowered his head quickly.

She was unsure what was going on in Mu Yang’s head as he insisted on sitting near her, driving away the person sitting in front of her. As soon as he was seated, he turned his head and said, "Can you show me how you hit the bull's eye during this afternoon's martial arts class?"

"I said it before. It was just a coincidence." Wen Yantong was really helpless. "I can't replicate it."

"How do you know if you don't try?" Mu Yang frowned.

"Okay, I’ll try." Wen Yantong said, "But if I miss, Young Master Mu can't blame me."

"Of course," Mu Yang happily replied.

Wen Yantong was afraid that he would make another request, so she turned her head and took the initiative to talk to her deskmate. "What class are we having this morning?"translate(d) by puretl . com / do not steal / re po/st

Her tablemate was a very handsome young man. He had a healthy wheat-colored skin, dense and long eyelashes, and eyes colored with ink.

He replied in a small voice, "Teacher Zhao's Knowledge of Calculations."

Before Wen Yantong could reply, she saw Mu Yang digging his ears with his little finger. "Did you speak just now? Your voice is smaller than the sound of a baby chick hatching in my courtyard’s tree."

This rascal was probably intentionally finding fault.

Wen Yantong said, "I heard it. Maybe Young Master Mu was far away, so you couldn't hear it clearly."

Mu Yang contemplated a bit before he suddenly leaned into the boy's face. "Say it again."

The young man was startled and shrank back. Either he was afraid or shy, but redness crept up from his neck to the tip of his ears. "It…It's Teacher Zhao's Knowledge of Calculations."

Mu Yang clicked his tongue and said in disgust, "This sissy’s chirping seems to be even more of a chicken than Wen Yantong?"

Who are you calling a chicken?!

Wen Yantong really wanted to take Mu Yang out with his table, lest he incited the others’ animosity.

The young man lowered his head and did not refute. He hurriedly opened his book and ground the inkstone that was about to dry, pretending to be very busy.

But Mu Yang was unrelenting as he flipped through his book. "Fu Zixian? Are you from the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

Wen Yantong was stunned when she heard his name. She turned her head to look at her deskmate seriously.

Fu Zixian, the prime minister's illegitimate son, was the sibling that was closest to Fu Tanghuan.translate(d) by puretl . com / do not steal / re po/st

Wen Yantong really enjoyed Fu Zixian’s character very much when she was reading the book. When he was young, his personality was very similar to Zhang Jieran. He was timid, but as he grew up, he became calmer, more assertive, and more independent in his actions. 

More importantly, he later had a very good relationship with Mu Yang. During the war for the throne, Fu Tanghuan chose to stand on Cheng Xiao's side, while Fu Zixian supported Chi Jingxi. He attached great importance to friendship and remained loyal.

However, both he and Mu Yang later died on the battlefield.

Wen Yantong sighed. She had unexpectedly met this little cutie in class.

After Fu Zixian heard Mu Yang's question, he humbled himself, being a concubine’s son, and lowered his head even lower.

Mu Yang has always disliked people with such a timid temperament and despised men who were cowardly, so the contempt in his tone was not concealed. "No wonder you have such temperament."

Fu Zixian did not dare to retort.

Wen Yantong gave him an angry look and secretly scolded him in her heart. Just wait and see! You’ll be hugging his thigh one day, flattering how fragrant it is!

Mu Yang only stopped and turned around when Teacher Zhao came in.

Wen Yantong did not console Fu Zixian’s low mood and listened to Teacher Zhao's class honestly. His math class was the only class that Wen Yantong could understand.

However, because the subject was too introductory, Wen Yantong shrunk her head into her padded jacket and closed her eyes drowsily.

Teacher Zhao thought of what she said earlier that she couldn't sleep all night long. He emphasized her special situation and turned a blind eye.

She slept like this all morning until the class bell rang. Wen Yantong blinked and woke up. Teacher Zhao sorted out the books and suddenly asked, "Wen Yantong, did Teacher Li give you the list for the martial arts class distribution?"

Wen Yantong was reminded and nodded in response. She took out the list, and as she was about to get up, she was stopped by Teacher Zhao. "You don't need to give it to me. Just read it."

She didn't dare refuse, so she bit the bullet and read the names on the list. After reading it, she found that only three people in Dingliu Hall were accepted into Zi Hall.translate(d) by puretl . com / do not steal / re po/st

Besides her and Mu Yang, there was also Fu Zixian.

Master Zhao nodded with satisfaction. "Remember what class you have been assigned to. Don't go to the wrong place for the martial arts class in the afternoon."

After that, he dismissed the class and left with the book.

The people in the study hall were discussing the martial arts class distribution before they rushed to the dining hall one after another. Thinking there was plenty of time till noon, Wen Yantong decided she would head back to take a nap.pure tl . com is the original tler / don’t re-post

There was no need to go squeeze into the dining hall since the servants arranged by Fu Tanghuan would prepare a sumptuous meal for her.

After she made up her mind, Wen Yantong walked out on crutches. Fu Zixian chased after her and said, "I'll take you back to your room."

Wen Yantong was very surprised but still replied, "I don't dare to bother you. I can go back myself. Thank you for your kindness."

Fu Zixian looked left and right and whispered, "My third sister asked me to take care of you and to have dinner with you."

So it was arranged by Fu Tanghuan.

Wen Yantong's heart warmed. So this was how the supporting characters felt when the protagonist lent a helping hand.

But then again, she was not a supporting role but a little cannon fodder whose appearances do not exceed over two pages.

She no longer refused and brought Fu Zixian to her dorm room.

He was mild-mannered, very easy to get along with, and had no pretense of being a noble at all.

The two sat and ate together. After chatting for a while, they took a nap.

A heater was placed in the bedroom, so Wen Yantong took off the gray coat and carefully lay on the bed. Fu Zixian slept on a soft couch behind a screen.

Perhaps the room was too warm. The two of them slept so sweetly that they almost forgot the time. Fortunately, Wen Yantong had instructed a maid to wake them up when the time came, so they were not late.

The two changed their clothes and rushed towards the venue for the martial arts class.

The area for martial arts classes was vast. Each class was separated by a row of two and a half meter high wooden sticks. The contents taught by each division were somewhat different.

With the help of Fu Zixian, the two easily found Zi Hall. Teacher Xu, who was their instructor, had arrived, and the other students were standing in line.

Wen Yantong’s limping steps slowed down when she saw Chi Jingxi, who was the most conspicuous among the people in the first row.

She had guessed this would happen when she was assigned to Zi Hall. In fact, in addition to Chi Jingxi, Cheng Xin, and Cheng Xiao, the other sons of famous high-ranking officials and nobles in Chaoge City were all in Zi Hall.pure tl . com is the original tler / don’t re-post

This made Wen Yantong very depressed.

As she got closer, she found that Teacher Xu was the one who caught her trying to slaughter the academy’s rooster. He was also the one who kicked her right leg, which caused her to be in severe pain for several days. This made her even more depressed.

Teacher Xu glanced at her but did not urge her, and there was no anger on his face. On the contrary, the other students standing in the queue were a little impatient.

Whenever Wen Yantong glanced over, she would always look at Chi Jingxi subconsciously. Currently, his arms were folded, chin slightly raised, and dark eyes full of impatience; he looked like he was born to look down on others.

She involuntarily quickened her pace, and when she reached Teacher Xu, she opened her mouth to ask to be excused from class.

After all, her leg was lame. There was no way she could run and jump around, right?

Who knew that Teacher Xu spoke one step ahead of her. "Wen Yantong, right?"

She nodded dumbly. pure tl . com is the original tler / don’t re-post

"I heard about your leg injury before." He sighed lightly. "It's really not the right time for the injury. The class has just started, but you will need to recuperate for a while."

Wen Yantong also looked regretful. "This student was too careless."

"You don't have to participate in martial arts class for the time being," he said.

Wen Yantong almost smirked, but fortunately, she held back.

Then she heard him say, "Your leg injury will be difficult to heal in winter. The more you lie down, the slower it will heal. So you should walk around this perimeter and slowly exercise."

Ah?

Ah? ? ?