Chapter 4: Beifeng Fierce Horse "Song Pushe is also good at cooking?" ...

A quarter of an hour later.

Min Shian left in a hurry, entered the princess's mansion through the secret passage, changed his clothes and immediately went to see Song Tinglan.

"Shi An, how are you these days? How's your schoolwork going?"

Min Shian's face fell as he said worriedly, "It's unbearable. I have to go back at 11:00 today. How did you and Song Pushe get through it?"

"I wasn't used to it at first, but I got used to it eventually. But my brother..."

Song Tinglan paused, a look of shame on her face, and said slowly and awkwardly, "When I couldn't finish my calligraphy at first, he imitated my handwriting and wrote a lot for me."

"Tinglan's small seal script is unparalleled in the world. Even Song Pushe is in a difficult position. Teacher, didn't you notice that?"

Song Tinglan nodded hesitantly and said softly, "The teacher didn't say anything, but later reduced the amount for me."

"I think he knows."

Min Shi'an understood. Song Tinglan was in poor health. Otherwise, she would not have asked her brother for help.

This Song Pushe really doted on his sister and made exceptions for her many times.

She wiped away her nonexistent tears and said with deep sorrow, "Why don't I have a brother like this?"

"Those two troublesome brothers only know how to cause trouble, and Mother is reluctant to punish them severely. In my opinion, just hang them up and let them starve for a few days."

Song Tinglan pondered for a moment and didn't quite agree with this approach, but then she thought about it and realized that Min Shi'an's two younger brothers were indeed a bit naughty. She said, "The princes are still young, so they should be disciplined."

Mentioning this, Min Shian became even more irritated. She rubbed her temples and said tiredly, "It's all in vain that my mother has cultivated me so carefully. Well, let's not talk about it anymore."

The two chatted for a while. Min Shian wanted to go to the Queen's Palace for dinner, but was kept by Song Tinglan.

"Brother is free today, so he cooked for me. I asked him to make your favorite Poria cocos pastry. Why don't you have dinner before you leave?"

Min Shian instantly became interested, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in amazement: "Song Pushe is also good at cooking?"

"It's not considered a mastery, but it should be just enough to suit Your Highness' taste."

Hearing this, Min Shian turned around and saw Song Sheng standing outside the pavilion with great discretion. His light brown pupils were as charming as candied fruit. The sunlight just happened to fall on his hair, and the mutton-fat jade hairpin made his expression look even gentler.

She secretly felt sorry that it would be better if this man was consistent in his words and deeds. It was a waste of this appearance.

"The meal is ready, please come in, Your Highness."

Min Shian and Song Tinglan walked arm in arm, chatting and laughing as they headed towards Wangyou Pavilion. Song Sheng lagged behind them a few steps, reminding them from time to time to watch their step.

Since it was a small family gathering, there weren't so many rules. During the meal, Song Tinglan smiled with her eyes curved as she kept talking about her brother's embarrassing childhood experiences.

Song Sheng smiled helplessly and ate his meal without stopping him.

"When my brother was eight, my mother invited my uncle to teach him horseback riding and archery. I was curious about this, so I watched from afar, hoping that he would teach me when he had time to learn."

Min Shian raised his eyebrows. Song Sheng was tall, but a little thin, as if he could take off with the wind at any time. He originally thought that he was not good at riding and shooting.

"But for some reason, the horse refused to let you get on its back. If your uncle hadn't been watching, you would have broken your leg."

Song Tinglan glanced at Song Sheng as she spoke. Seeing that he looked normal, she continued vividly, "Brother always thought he was incapable of riding, so he fought the horse with all his might. It took him more than half a month to tame it."

"My uncle was full of praise, and my brother noticed something was wrong. After asking carefully, he found out that this was the most powerful horse in Beifeng."

Beifeng borders Beiwu and is an important border area. The Xiao family is good at using cavalry, and it is not an exaggeration to say that the fiercest horses in Beifeng are the fiercest horses in Dajin.

Min Shian couldn't help laughing and almost choked on the Poria cocos pastry. He quickly drank a few sips of tea.

"When my mother found out, she flew into a rage and chased my uncle around the yard, beating him. It took a long time for her to calm down, and only then did she allow my uncle to continue teaching my brother."

Seeing that Song Tinglan was about to continue, Song Sheng stopped her in a gentle voice: "Okay, Tinglan, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Your Highness."

Song Tinglan paused, feeling a little unsatisfied, and winked at Min Shian, indicating that she would continue the conversation next time. Min Shian nodded slightly.

Song Sheng glanced at Song Tinglan and said nothing more.

Lunch passed quickly amidst laughter and joy. Min Shian praised from the bottom of his heart, "Song Pushe's cooking skills are truly amazing. Tinglan, if your brother cooks again, please call me."

Song Tinglan chuckled and said meaningfully, "As long as Shi'an likes it, that's good. If you live in the Song Mansion in the future, there will be plenty of opportunities like this."

Before Min Shian could react, he heard Song Sheng say slowly, "Tinglan, please don't be rude. Please see His Highness off. I have some government affairs to attend to."

Song Tinglan smiled lightly and agreed. She stood up to send Min Shian off, but she stopped her and said, "I'll go find mother later. You can rest for now."

"What kind of magic potion did Song Yanxuan give you? You don't even need the lunch I prepared."

Min Shian listened to Empress Xie's half-hearted complaints and said in a very flattering manner, "Your Majesty, you are wronged. Tinglan specially asked Song Yanxuan to make Poria Cocos Pastry for me. It is really a kind gesture that I cannot refuse."

When Song Tinglan was mentioned, Empress Xie seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "I remember that Song Tinglan's wedding is coming soon, and it seems to be after the Wenqing meeting?"

"Yes, half a month after the Boon Keng meeting, everything is ready, just waiting for the auspicious time."

Empress Xie sneered and said disdainfully, "Does Song Yanxuan really love his sister so much that he's willing to let Song Tinglan marry far away in Beifeng?"

Min Shian pursed his lips and whispered, "This matter was arranged by the Jiang family of Suiyang, and Lord Song Ling also agreed. It's a marriage between aristocratic families, and Song Yanxuan and Tinglan have no room for resistance."

Seeing this, Empress Xie realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly tried to make amends, saying softly, "I know Xiao's child well. He is brave and skilled in battle, well-educated and well-mannered, and has no bad habits."

"Plus, with Song Yanxuan backing Tinglan, the Xiao family will not dare to neglect it. Don't worry, An'er."

Min Shian had already checked and found that what Queen Xie said was true, so he could only comfort himself in this way.

Min Shian, who had rushed to the Taifu Mansion after many twists and turns, was startled to see Taifu Zhang standing at the door with his hands behind his back, obviously having been waiting for a long time.

She jumped off the sedan chair swiftly, waved her hand to tell them to go back home, and walked hurriedly towards Master Zhang without looking back.

"Meet the teacher."

Looking at the radiant Min Shian, Master Zhang began to doubt his teaching methods for the first time.

So the two of them talked about this matter as they walked.

"Is it because the studies are too boring? I see that An'er has lost a lot of weight."

Min Shian thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth: "Not entirely. The teacher's daily workload is heavy, but for the students, it's still bearable. Moreover, the students' memory has improved by leaps and bounds recently, and they have benefited a lot."

She had been forgetful since childhood, and Empress Xie even sought out famous doctors for treatment, but there was no improvement at all.

I never thought that after just a few days in the Taifu Mansion, I would break through my limits under such high pressure.

"That's great."

In the next few days, Min Shi'an gradually adapted to the situation. In addition to completing his daily homework, he also had free time to discuss poetry and philosophy with Master Zhang.

Tutor Zhang would also teach her how to deal with life if she left the protection of her family.

Time passed quietly, and more than half a month had passed in the blink of an eye.

Min Shian will also face her first assessment since she started studying.

Tutor Zhang did not reveal the content of the test, but only exempted her from one day of school so that she could have a good rest.

Min Shi'an was completely confused and couldn't guess what Master Zhang was thinking, so he simply did as Master Zhang said and slept for a few hours.

Unexpectedly, Song Tinglan rushed over and woke her up. She said bewilderedly, "Brother coughed up blood for no reason today, but the court doctor couldn't find the cause. He just said it was due to overwork."

Min Shian instantly woke up, feeling a little puzzled. He stood up and said, "Don't worry. The doctors in the pharmacy are very skilled. I think Song Pushe is just overworked and can't handle it."

Then, she asked cryptically, "Have you carefully checked Song Pushe's diet?"

"Also, this matter must not be leaked to the outside world at all."

Song Tinglan's eyes were filled with tears. After coughing a few times, she choked and said, "We've checked, and everything is fine. The news has been blocked because it happened in the mansion and outsiders don't know about it."

"But brother has always been in good health, never even had a cold. How could he be coughing up blood?"

Min Shian helped her sit down, and after Song Tinglan calmed down a little, he said, "Don't worry, trust the court doctor, and take good care of yourself."

"I'll go ask the teacher for instructions, and then I'll go back to the Song Mansion with you later, okay?"

Song Tinglan tried to calm down, her face still pale. She said in a trembling voice, "It's okay. I heard you'll be taking the test tomorrow. Brother is fine now."

"I'm just overly worried, don't worry."

Min Shi'an comforted her with sweet words for another quarter of an hour, and Song Tinglan was finally completely relieved. Before leaving, he reminded her to be more careful during the assessment.

Song Sheng's health problem was no small matter. Min Shi'an sat upright on the couch, staring out the window in a daze. Various images flashed through his mind, and it took him a long time to lie down again.

But I couldn't sleep well.

The next morning, Min Shian finished washing up and waited for the test. Unlike the first time she became an apprentice, this time she was sure of success and extremely confident in herself.

In the study, Grand Tutor Zhang placed some bamboo slips on the desk, looked at Min Shi'an and said kindly, "These are the poems you have been reciting recently. Choose one and recite it. You will pass if you can recite it without making any mistakes."

Min Shian breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the bamboo tube in the middle at random, glanced at the name of the poetry collection, put it back, recalled for a moment, and then began to recite.

When she recited the first sentence, the second half automatically appeared in her mind. Surprised, she recited the whole article very smoothly, and then stared at Master Zhang without blinking.

"Very good. We'll start the next task in half an hour." Grand Tutor Zhang nodded in satisfaction and continued, "The brush and ink are ready. I'll check your calligraphy later to see if it has improved."

"Thank you for the compliment, teacher."

Min Shian had some doubts in his heart. Master Zhang did things unexpectedly, and his eldest disciple Song Sheng had mastered the true teachings. It might not be a calligraphy test later.

As she expected, when the time came, Master Zhang took her out of the mansion in a carriage and drove towards the outskirts of the city.

Min Shijing was silent for a while, but he couldn't help asking, "Teacher, what kind of calligraphy can only be written in the suburbs?"

Zhang Taifu was delighted to see her daring to be angry but not to speak out. The smile on his face spread and he continued to coax her, "An'er, this is a return to nature."