How did those two end up together? Ji Huaian couldn’t figure it out. Although both Sun Yu and Zhao Xue had been bullied by the original owner, there wasn’t much information about them in his memories.
To the high-and-mighty Young Marquis, they were just ordinary people.
“Xue’er…” As soon as Sun Yu slipped in, he grabbed Zhao Xue’s hands.
“Brother Yu…” Zhao Xue’s face lit up with a smile that only appeared when a girl saw the man she loved.
“Xue’er, you’ve gotten thinner. That little bastard—has he bullied you?”
“Brother Yu, don’t worry. I won’t let him touch me.” Zhao Xue’s eyes reddened, and tears started falling, making one’s heart ache.
So that’s why she’d rather die than yield—it was because she had someone she loved. And it was this poor scholar. What a tragic pair of lovers… sinful indeed. His conscience reminded him that the original Ji Huaian was a scumbag, but seeing Sun Yu holding Zhao Xue’s delicate hands made him feel a twinge of jealousy.
All the pretty maids in this residence are mine… the little devil inside his heart shouted.
Did taking over a scumbag’s body make him a scumbag too? Shameless… he cursed himself.
“Xue’er, you’ve suffered.”
“Brother Yu, I’m fine.” Zhao Xue wiped her tears, then took a black cloth-wrapped item from her sleeve and pushed it into Sun Yu’s hands. “Brother Yu, take this. It should fetch some silver.”
“Xue’er, once I become the top scholar, I’ll buy your freedom.”
“Brother Yu, I’ll wait for you.”
“I’m leaving now.”
“Mm, go quickly. Someone might come soon.”
Sun Yu held the black bundle and slipped out the courtyard gate. Zhao Xue quickly latched the door, wiped her tears, and hurried away.
After the two left, Ji Huaian turned and met Honglian’s gaze. He couldn’t help but feel awkward. “Am I a terrible person?”
“Young Master naturally has his reasons for everything. Honglian dares not speak out of turn.”
So sensible… He nodded and said, “Let’s go, I’m starving…”
Back in the eastern courtyard, a few maids had already prepared a lavish breakfast spread. The Marquis Residence was large, and with many wives living in different courtyards, everyone usually ate separately. Only during festivals or when the old Marquis summoned everyone did they dine together.
After breakfast, he felt a bit bored and began pacing in the courtyard to digest. Honglian followed by his side.
“Honglian, how about you teach me martial arts?”
This world hadn’t developed technology or firearms, but martial arts thrived. While it wasn’t as exaggerated as Jin Yong’s wuxia world, masters could locate enemies by sound, leap across rooftops, and even fight dozens singlehandedly… in short, many were ridiculously overpowered.
The original owner had no interest in martial arts and didn’t know much about it—just that his fifth brother Ji Ping was extremely skilled and definitely one of those overpowered types.
“Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of hardship.” Who would believe that? Honglian glanced at him.
“Ahem… After that kidnapping incident, I realized I should learn some self-defense.” He explained seriously.
And it was true. Back on the pleasure boat, seeing Yuan Tong and Honglian’s agile moves had stirred a longing within him. After all, he grew up reading wuxia novels and watching martial arts dramas. Who hadn’t dreamed of riding a white horse, wielding a spear, or roaming the world with a sword?
“Honglian, is there any ranking system for martial artists in the martial world?” he asked.
“Ranking system? What do you mean?” Honglian didn’t understand.
“Like: basic fighter, advanced fighter, top-tier expert, super master… that kind of strength division.”
“There is!” Honglian nodded.
“So what’s the system?”
“Exactly what you just said.”
“…” Ji Huaian was speechless. This girl had a knack for killing the conversation.
“So would you count as a top-tier expert?” he asked.
“No, I’m just an average fighter. Fifth Young Master is the top-tier expert.”
His fifth brother Ji Ping had founded Azure Robe Tower and roamed the martial world, rarely returning home. Not only him—the other siblings were never around either.
Eldest brother Ji Wu guarded the borderlands.
Second brother Ji Ning was a prince consort in the capital.
Third sister Ji Yun was in the Imperial Harem.
Fourth brother Ji Yang ran the Merchant Alliance in Jiangnan and was too busy to come home.
Only he, the sixth son, lived in the residence permanently.
“Eldest Young Master should also be a top-tier expert, but I’ve never met him,” Honglian added.
Ji Wu was already over thirty and had long been stationed at the borderlands. Even Ji Huaian himself had only met him a few times. Being awarded the title of Grand General of the Cavalry spoke for his martial prowess.
“Honglian, check my bones. Maybe I have special bones—what if I’m a martial arts prodigy?” he said as he extended his arm.
Honglian gave him a look like he was an idiot, but quickly withdrew it and respectfully replied, “Young Master, martial arts must be learned from childhood. Starting now is a bit late.”
“Then is there any shortcut technique?”
“There isn’t…”
“Then I’ll teach you a basic sword technique.”
“Great. I like swordplay…”
Honglian nodded in agreement, then with a flick of her wrist, a sleeve sword fell into her palm. She really carried a sword at all times. Good thing he hadn’t tried anything last night.
He looked closely. Her sleeve sword was only as long as a palm, slim and narrow, gleaming with a cold glint.
“Young Master, watch closely.” Honglian moved her feet. The sword in her hand flashed, emitting a faint hum…
The young maid demonstrated a full set of sword moves. Her technique was agile and elegant, yet sharp and precise. Her swift motions dazzled the eye—just like a heroine in the movies. Ji Huaian was left completely dumbfounded.
A moment later, Honglian returned to his side and handed him the sleeve sword. “Young Master, your turn.”
“Ahem… Do you have anything simpler?” Those moves had been too fast and complex—he couldn’t remember any of it.
“What I just showed was a basic sword form. It’s already the simplest.”
“…” Ji Huaian looked helpless.
Staring at the short sword, he hesitated, then said, “Break it down for me. Teach me one move at a time.”
Though her skills were excellent, it was obvious she didn’t know how to teach. Honglian found that reasonable and nodded, “I’ll show the first three moves slowly.”
“Slower.”
“Alright…” Honglian demonstrated the first three movements in slow motion.
“Young Master, got it?”
“Got it.” Ji Huaian took the short sword confidently. He stepped forward, swung the sword, turned, kicked—and landed flat on his butt, falling hard.
Honglian rushed to help him up. “Young Master, are you alright?”
“I’m fine… ahem…” He rubbed his aching rear and coughed lightly to hide the embarrassment.
“Young Master, do you still want to continue?” Honglian picked up the fallen sword and asked.
“Forget it. I’m done.”
Martial arts wasn’t just about swinging a few poses. Even the simplest moves were hard to pull off with his stiff body. There was no point in continuing. Realizing he wasn’t suited for martial arts, he could only give up on his wuxia dream.
He was already the Young Marquis—why make life harder for himself? He had plenty of people protecting him. He quickly got over it.
Honglian calmly stowed the sword back into her sleeve, as if everything had gone exactly as expected.
The old Marquis had lived a legendary life. All his sons and daughters were outstanding—except this sixth son, who was a complete waste.
And yet, she had been assigned to this sixth son. If only she had been placed beside any of the other young masters instead…
Honglian sighed inwardly.