The Emperor’s choice of who to favor meant nothing to Ye Jinyun. On her very first night in the palace, she slept soundly and peacefully.
At around dawn, she vaguely heard noises coming from the courtyard. Her hearing was quite sharp; even though the sounds were faint, she could tell they were coming from a woman.
She called out twice toward the outside. Qing’er rubbed her eyes and came over sleepily.
“My Lady, what is it? Why are you awake so early today? It’s barely dawn outside,” she said, stretching as she spoke.
“What’s that noise outside? Go take a look,” Ye Jinyun said, propping herself up slightly.
Qing’er went out and checked, then returned to report that it was Lady Lin practicing morning exercises in the courtyard.
Ye Jinyun’s eyes immediately lit up. Since she was already awake and didn’t feel like sleeping anymore, she quickly had Qing’er help her wash up and change into light clothing before rushing out without hesitation.
This was a perfect opportunity to get closer to her goddess—she definitely couldn’t miss it.
When she reached the courtyard, she saw Lin Qingtang practicing basic movements.
She was dressed in a white training outfit, her hair tied high with a ribbon at the back. Her dark strands were lifted by the cool morning breeze, brushing across her cold and elegant face. Yet she paid them no mind, fully focused on her movements.
So cool. She looked exactly like a wuxia heroine!
Ye Jinyun stared at her with admiration, practically sparkling with excitement.
She didn’t just stand there. She walked over and greeted Lin Qingtang from a short distance. However, Lin Qingtang was busy and only nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Ye Jinyun didn’t mind at all and went to one side to start her own exercise.
“Exercise,” in her case, was simply the radio gymnastics she had learned in her previous life during school—nothing difficult. Even after all these years, she still clearly remembered every movement.
After warming up, she began doing the full set of radio gymnastics in the courtyard.
The palace attendants were stunned, their jaws nearly dropping. What kind of strange exercise was this? They had never seen anything like it before.
Qing’er, however, remained calm. She knew exactly what her mistress was doing.
When Ye Jinyun was young and often ill, she would make Qing’er practice this set of exercises with her every morning in the courtyard. After a few months, Qing’er’s health had noticeably improved.
At first, Lin Qingtang hadn’t paid much attention to Ye Jinyun’s presence. But when she saw her suddenly jumping around beside her, performing strange and unfamiliar movements, even she was taken aback.
What kind of training method was this?
She observed silently for a while, then stopped her own movements and studied Ye Jinyun carefully.
Although the movements looked odd and unconventional, they seemed to engage every part of the body. Judging from the routine, it likely benefited physical health significantly.
After Ye Jinyun finished two full rounds, Lin Qingtang finally couldn’t help but ask,
“What kind of martial technique is this? It has so many subtle benefits.”
Hearing this, Ye Jinyun inwardly chuckled. Hooked already, huh? But outwardly she remained composed.
“This?” she said casually. “It’s called radio gymnastics. It helps strengthen the body and is suitable for people of all ages.”
Lin Qingtang nodded in agreement. She was right—although the movements were strange, they were indeed good for the body.
Seeing the opportunity, Ye Jinyun quickly offered to teach her. Lin Qingtang showed genuine interest and agreed immediately.
So the two of them—one teaching, one learning—began performing what were once compulsory morning exercises for primary and secondary school students in 21st-century China right there in the palace courtyard.
With her martial foundation, Lin Qingtang picked up the movements quickly. After Ye Jinyun explained each step, she had already memorized the entire routine. Ye Jinyun then led her through it again, calling out the rhythm as they went.
Chanting the count made it feel very different from silent counting in one’s head; the rhythm became much more lively and coordinated.
At first, Lin Qingtang felt a bit awkward following the vocal rhythm, but seeing how focused Ye Jinyun was—and how naturally Qing’er accepted it—she gradually adapted and began moving in sync.
And so, when Yu Wan’er finally woke up and stepped out of Qingyin Pavilion, she saw the two of them in the courtyard, jumping around and performing strange movements.
Meanwhile, Ye Jinyun was loudly calling out:
“Jumping exercise—one two three four, five six seven eight, two two three four, five six seven eight, three two three four, five six seven eight…”
Yu Wan’er: ???
She must have woken up too early. That’s the only explanation.