Ye Zhen moved quickly, casually picked up a jade hairpin to tie up her long hair, and then left the room.

Xie Tingzhou didn't press the issue further. He returned to Moyuan early and had Xing Ze prepare the ingredients for Ye Zhen. He didn't even go to watch Ye Zhen cook, fearing that she would feel uncomfortable and distance herself from him.

He had recovered from his disappointment. Ye Zhen didn't dislike him; in fact, she had feelings for him.

Ye Zhen just hadn't realized that yet.

Or perhaps it was his own abrupt departure years ago that made Ye Zhen hesitant to pursue relationships again.

He will make amends for his mistakes.

Tse Ting-chou has great patience with Yip Ching.

Ye Zhen was quick and efficient; the three dishes and soup were ready in less than half an hour.

It was Fu Guang who brought it over. "The young mistress has gone back."

Xie Tingzhou nodded.

As expected.

He was a little uneasy, wondering if Ye Zhen would return those things. He only felt at ease after he finished his dinner, jumped onto the roof, and saw that the lights in Ye Zhen's room were off.

Ye Zhen did not return the items; she did not distance herself from them.

A warm smile appeared in Xie Tingzhou's eyes. He took off his mask, went back to his room to change into his night clothes, and ordered, "Bring that mask here."

Fu Guangming understood his meaning and quickly fetched the mask that Ye Zhen had made for him the second time.

Fifteen minutes later, Xie Tingzhou left the Marquis's residence and disappeared into the night.

The following day, Marquis Zhongyong summoned Ye Zhen, wanting to see the children's abilities.

Ye Zhen was not exaggerating. The children she raised all chose a skill to specialize in based on their own strengths or interests.

This was also a suggestion Ye Jinghong made in his letter after learning that she had adopted orphans and beggars.

Ye Zhen used to admire Ye Jinghong, not only because she was good at fighting, but also because she always had unique insights into many things.

For example, she did not agree that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, and supported Ye Zhen in learning more skills to support herself.

For example, she believed that only through struggle could the invaders be driven out and national freedom and peace be achieved.

She told Ye Zhen that what men can do, women can do too, and protecting the country is not just a man's job.

The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen; the individual and the nation coexist. Therefore, she was willing to fight for her country and for the peace and prosperity of the nation, even if it meant her clothes were stained with blood, and she vowed to fight until the bandits were defeated.

She added that her fight was not only for her current survival and dignity, but also for her descendants to live in a peaceful world without war or aggression.

Ye Zhen was deeply moved and inspired by her intense patriotism and purity, and she resolutely carried out Ye Jinghong's suggestion.

Nurturing children with care.

Therefore, the children did not disappoint the Marquis of Zhongyong; on the contrary, they surprised him even more than he had expected.

The incredibly strong Ah Niu was only up to the shoulder of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, yet he could easily carry the Marquis on his back and run like a whirlwind.

Chunni was able to use her little slingshot to shoot off the pouch containing snacks from A Niu's waist as they ran.

Ah Li would use her light-footed skills to pick up the purse before it fell to the ground, and the other children also demonstrated their abilities.

And they worked together seamlessly.

Marquis Zhongyong, his hair disheveled from being jostled around, disregarded his appearance and praised him repeatedly.

"How about coming to the military camp with me?"

He asked a few boys.

Ah Li cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Marquis. I wish to prepare for the imperial examination next spring."

Marquis Zhongyong remembered Ye Zhen saying that Ah Li was good at studying, so he nodded and said, "Alright, I will find you a trustworthy teacher."

Ye Zhen thanked him on behalf of Ah Li.

Ah Li is talented in studying and wants to become an official in the imperial court, but with powerful and influential families ahead of him, it is not easy for a poor scholar to rise to prominence.

If Marquis Zhongyong were to recommend her, Ah Li's path would be much easier, and Ye Zhen wouldn't feign righteousness to hinder the children's future.

Ah Li also quickly expressed his gratitude.

Marquis Zhongyong was pleased with their informality and did not refuse their invitations, thus avoiding any sense of distance.

He then looked at the others.

Ah Niu scratched his head, "I ate a bit too much. Will they laugh at me when I get to the military camp? Will I still be able to come back to see my older sister?"

He was strong since childhood, which his family disliked because he ate too much. But his older sister said that this was a strength and that he would achieve great things in the future.

Ah Niu was not a good student. He had thought carefully about his future and realized that he might become a military general. He wanted to become a great general to repay his older sister.

But there are always higher mountains to climb, and with his current abilities and age, it will be very difficult for him to win first place in the martial arts examination.

He was somewhat tempted by the Marquis of Zhongyong's proposal, and thus expressed his concerns.

Marquis Zhongyong laughed, “The men in the army can all eat well, and His Majesty can afford to feed them, so you don’t need to worry about that. There are leave opportunities in the army during the truce, so you can come back to see the people you want to see.”

A Niu and the others then looked at Ye Zhen. Seeing Ye Zhen nod, they earnestly bowed to the Marquis of Zhongyong, indicating their willingness to join his ranks.

The Marquis of Zhongyong laughed heartily as he discovered several outstanding talents.

Looking at Chunni and Suisui, he still felt a little regretful, as the army did not accept women.

Otherwise, he would have liked to take both of them, especially Chunni's slingshot accuracy; if she were to use a crossbow and arrows, the potential would be limitless.

He couldn't help but think of Ye Jinghong; if only her Red Tassel Army were still around.

Ye Zhen wasn't worried about where Chunni and the others would go. Her mother had said that women could also have their own future.

She will do her best to plan for them.

Marquis Zhongyong was a man of action. That very day, he handed the children over to his trusted deputy general, Luo, who would personally train them. He would wait for him to return and inspect the results. In the afternoon, he took Ahli to visit a retired scholar.

The old scholar and the Marquis of Zhongyong had a close relationship. After testing Ali's knowledge, he was very satisfied with this apprentice, and both of them were happy.

Having no way to repay the kindness, Ye Zhen wrote down a set of internal energy cultivation techniques and passed them on to the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, which could save his life in critical moments.

Another day passed, and it was time for Marquis Zhongyong to leave the capital to suppress bandits. He went to bid farewell to the old lady.

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