It wasn’t that her martial arts were weak, but the difference in strength was too great. She was still a child. No matter how hard she trained, the physical strength of an adult could not be achieved yet. Therefore, whenever she sparred with Wei Yan, she focused on using her advantages while avoiding direct confrontation. She relied mainly on her footwork and sword techniques, using clever movements to neutralize his attacks.
“When you grow a little older, Ali, there will surely come a day when you can defeat Wei Yan. Martial training should not be rushed. With the skills you already have, you can protect yourself well enough. Why put yourself through such hardship?”
Fu Qingchen handed her a handkerchief from his sleeve so she could wipe the sweat from her face. Jiang Yueli did not refuse. She took it, casually wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, and then handed the used handkerchief back to Fu Qingchen. Judging by how natural the movement was, it was obvious this was not the first time she had done such a thing.
Fu Qingchen simply folded the handkerchief and put it away again, not minding at all that it had already been used by Jiang Yueli.
In truth, Jiang Yueli had gotten used to this because Fu Qingchen had spoiled her. He always seemed to carry various handkerchiefs with him. Whenever Jiang Yueli needed one, he could always produce it. After she used it, he would never throw it away. Instead, he would say it could simply be washed and used again.
Because of this, Jiang Yueli never thought much about it. After all, they had known each other for many years, and their relationship was quite good.
Jiang Yueli sheathed her sword and followed them to the flower hall to drink tea and chat.
Fu Qingchen loved playing chess, but unfortunately the rest of them were terrible players. None of them could truly compete with him. In the end, Jiang Yueli simply taught them how to play Gomoku and Chinese checkers instead.
They learned those games quickly, but when it came to strategy and intelligence, they were still no match for Fu Qingchen. Even Jiang Yueli, the one who had taught them, could not defeat him. In the end, Fu Qingchen deliberately held back and allowed her to barely win a single round.
The years before she turned ten were the most carefree and relaxed years she had lived across both of her lifetimes.
Above her were elders who doted on her, and around her were several brothers who protected her. She could run around freely with her friends, ignoring age differences and enjoying life to the fullest. Sometimes they went boating on the lake, sometimes they raced horses, and other times they simply sat together chatting about everything under the sun. Those days were filled with freedom and joy.
Aside from her daily martial training, which she never missed, Jiang Yueli also practiced calligraphy and developed a beautiful hand. She learned everything very quickly, and the teachers at the academy all liked her very much, teaching her with great dedication.
Although the customs of Nanyao were relatively open and did not strictly forbid boys and girls from interacting when young, after the age of ten one had to observe proper boundaries between the sexes.
Fu Qingchen was several years older than Jiang Yueli, so she should have kept some distance from him.
Jiang Yueli always said she understood, but behind the scenes she still frequently went out with them to have fun.
If her mother refused to let her go out, she would simply disguise herself as Jiang Yuebo. Once dressed in men’s clothing, most people could not tell the difference between them anyway.
Only those who knew them well could notice the difference.
Jiang Yueli’s skin was fairer and more delicate, and her eyes were livelier and more mischievous. She was also slightly shorter than Jiang Yuebo. However, as long as the two of them were not standing side by side, the difference was not very obvious.
In this life, Jiang Yueli only wanted to live freely and happily, doing whatever she pleased.
Her only wish was for her family to remain safe and healthy.
Because they were the people she loved most.
Perhaps because the past few years had been too comfortable and carefree, she had overlooked the person who had been carrying the burden of the family all along—her father.
All the glory of the Zhenyuan General’s Residence had been bought by Jiang Shi’an with his life, time and time again.
She had only seen the glory and praise when her father returned victorious.
But she had not seen the way her mother cried quietly when she saw the wounds covering his body.
Nor had she seen how each of those scars represented a moment when he had narrowly escaped death.
No one remains fortunate forever, just as flowers do not bloom for a hundred days.
Perhaps Jiang Shi’an’s good luck had finally begun to run out.
When Jiang Yueli was fourteen years old, the Old Madam of the Zhenyuan General’s Residence was about to celebrate her sixtieth birthday.
Half a month earlier, Jiang Shi’an had written a letter home saying that once this battle ended, he would return to the capital for several days to celebrate the Old Madam’s birthday.
However, even on the day of the birthday banquet, there was still no news of his return.
Over the years, whenever Jiang Shi’an came back to the capital, he could only stay for a few months before being sent back to the frontier. The Jiang family had long grown used to it.
But whenever he said he would return, he had never broken his promise.
Yet this time, there was still no word.
Meanwhile, the imperial palace had already received urgent news from the frontier.
In the Battle of Sh丘, General Zhenyuan Jiang Shi’an had been ambushed and struck by the War King of Beichen, Beichen Yuan. A single spear pierced through his shoulder blade, leaving him gravely wounded and unconscious.
The Zhenyuan Army had fought desperately, suffering more than half their men dead or injured before managing to rescue Jiang Shi’an, who was barely clinging to life.
After reading the urgent report, Emperor Anjing was deeply worried.
But the situation on the frontier changed constantly. Fortunately, other generals were still guarding Tong Pass, so the defense would not collapse even with Jiang Shi’an seriously injured.
Matters within the palace were confidential, so no one else knew about the news.
Especially not the Zhenyuan General’s Residence, where the birthday celebration was currently being held.
Early that morning, the emperor had already sent birthday gifts from the palace: a pair of exquisite jade ruyi scepters and a calligraphy piece personally written by Emperor Anjing—a powerful and vigorous character for “Longevity.”
The Old Madam held an official noble title, and with her son’s achievements, the emperor’s gift alone was already a great honor.
Still unaware of the news from the frontier, the Zhenyuan General’s Residence had been decorated since early morning with red silk and bright lanterns.
The residence had not been this lively in a long time.
The Old Madam woke early that day, looking energetic and spirited. No one would have guessed she was already sixty years old.
In the inner courtyard, Shen Nanzhi hurried to Jiang Yueli’s room to ask if she had finished preparing.
But after knocking for a long time, no one answered.
When she pushed the door open, the room was empty.
“Xianglan? Zhiqiu?”
Seeing that Jiang Yueli was not inside, Shen Nanzhi called out into the courtyard.
Two young maids quickly ran over.
“Madam.”
Shen Nanzhi looked at Xianglan and asked, “Where is Ali? Did that girl sneak out again?”
Normally it would not matter, but today was her grandmother’s birthday. Soon she would need to accompany the Old Madam to greet the guests.
How could she not be found now?
Seeing how anxious the madam looked, Xianglan quickly explained.
“Madam, the young lady went out early this morning. It seems she went to the pastry shop. She said she wanted to personally prepare a birthday gift for the Old Madam. The young master went with her. They should be back soon.”
“That girl… not even saying a word,” Shen Nanzhi muttered.
The guests would be arriving soon.
Although she sounded like she was scolding her, there was no real anger in her voice. She simply sighed and turned to leave with her maids.
Jiang Yueli loved sweets.
So when she turned ten, her maternal grandfather gifted her several shops.
One of them was a pastry shop, another a clothing store, and another a jewelry shop. All of them were large stores located in excellent areas, earning huge profits every day.
Together with the gifts from the elders in the family and from her brothers, Jiang Yueli had already accumulated quite a considerable private fortune at a very young age.