Chen Mianmian said with great interest, "Because I'm interested! I think practicing martial arts is so much fun. It can strengthen the body, help me protect myself, and even improve my sleep at night. Now I practice calligraphy and martial arts every day, plus I play mahjong with my wife. My life is as fulfilling as it gets."
Bai Qingzhou opened her mouth, then finally stammered, "...What about me?"
"What? You? You don't need to practice martial arts. Once I've mastered it, I'll protect you."
"..." Bai Qingzhou's face turned a little pale. "I'm not talking about who will protect me. I'm talking about how your life is so fulfilling, what am I supposed to do?"
However, he also realized the problem—what if her martial arts skills surpassed his?
They even imagined a scene where the two were walking down the street when they were suddenly harassed by a thug. The woman pulled him behind her and then chased the thug away with a few punches.
...No! That's not right! He should have been the one to chase away the thugs!
Every man dreams of protecting the woman he loves, and he was no exception! If he can't even protect his own woman, is he even a man?
Chen Mianmian chuckled, "Oh dear~~ Isn't Your Highness busy too? After you finish the imperial examination, won't you have to become an official? Since you're not home during the day, I have to find something to do."
Bai Qingzhou was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's go practice martial arts together." With that, he stood up.
"?" Chen Mianmian asked, puzzled. "Didn't you want to study?"
"No rush, practice for a while, then read."
"……All right."
Seeing that Fengchu insisted, Shenmianmian did not stop him.
Moreover, she still hoped that Fengchu could practice some martial arts; not to mention becoming a peerless martial artist, at least he should be strong and healthy.
Modern students also have recess exercises and physical education classes.
The two got up, washed up, had a simple breakfast, changed into their martial arts training clothes, and went to the training ground.
After warming up, Chen Mianmian ran a lap around the training ground, then took a long staff, found an open space, and began to practice skillfully.
"..." Bai Qingzhou.
Watching the woman wield her long staff with such power and fierceness, Bai Qingzhou felt extremely uncomfortable. Although the two of them had trained before, they had only joked and played around. It was more like playing than training.
But this time, it was completely different.
Upon arriving at the training ground, the woman's demeanor suddenly changed, becoming serious and resolute, much like a soldier in a military camp, inspiring fear in others.
Bai Qingzhou picked up the long staff and began practicing—no! He would never lose to anyone, but he absolutely could not lose to Mianmian! He refused to believe he couldn't beat Mianmian!
Thinking about it, I practiced even harder.
In an instant, the training ground was filled with murderous intent due to the two of them!
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
The two were still practicing, unaware that two more people were walking towards them from the training ground.
One of them was Marquis Anning.
The other person was Xue Heze, a close friend of the Marquis of Anning and then serving as the Vice Minister of War.
Marquis Anning returned last night. It happened to be Vice Minister Xue's day off. Hearing that his friend had returned, he came to visit him early this morning.
The two originally planned to visit an old friend, but as they chatted, Marquis Anning casually remarked that Vice Minister Xue had started to gain weight in recent years, wondering if he had neglected his martial arts training.
Upon hearing this, Vice Minister Xue became displeased and insisted on dragging Marquis Anning over to have a match.
Unexpectedly, before the two could even exchange blows, they saw a young couple practicing with long staffs with murderous intent.
Marquis Anning was taken aback—the last time he saw Qingzhou teaching the Shen family the long staff, he also saw Qingzhou wielding the long staff, but the momentum there was completely different from now.
If the last time was just a performance, a way to stretch one's muscles, then this time it's for real. The two of them are focused, especially Qingzhou, whose eyes are filled with hostility and aggression.
This was the first time he had seen such a look in Qingzhou's eyes. Nineteen years! A full nineteen years, he had never seen it before!
If it weren't for the fact that the young man focused on wielding the long staff looked exactly like his son, he wouldn't even believe that this person was his son, Bai Qingzhou.
Vice Minister Xue was also surprised, "How come Qingzhou has changed so much in just a few years? What kind of vicious methods did you use to drive the child to this state?"
"..." Marquis Anning—ha, he also wanted to know how he did it.
If he had known, he would have done it long ago, and it wouldn't have been delayed until today.
Vice Minister Xue stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming with interest. "I must say, this lad is quite good at fighting. He's got the makings of a martial arts prodigy... Wait, if I remember correctly, wasn't it rumored that he topped the county examination?"
Marquis Anning pursed his lips. "Yes."
Minister Xue was astonished. "So, are you going to have him study literature or martial arts? Could it be that he'll be proficient in both? You're quite something, kid. You're a master of both. Tell me how you're teaching him so I can teach my good-for-nothing son when I get back."
"..." Marquis Anning.
This time, Bai Qingzhou spotted her father with sharp eyes, was startled, and quickly stopped practicing.
Upon seeing Minister Xue beside her father, she said to her, "Mianmian, stop practicing, we have guests."
"Ah? A guest?" Shen Mianmian turned her head and saw Marquis Anning and the strange man beside him. She stopped her cultivation and ran to Bai Qingzhou's side. She spoke more carefully, behind him, "Um... according to the rules, is it inconvenient for me to see a man outside?"
She vaguely remembered that there was such a rule in ancient times, but the standards for "meeting outsiders" were different in different dynasties.
Bai Qingzhou took a few deep breaths, trying to regulate his breathing. "It's alright. We, a family of military generals, are more unconventional than families of scholars."
"Okay, then I'm relieved." Despite saying that, Shen Mianmian didn't run off in a carefree manner, and still hid behind Feng Chu like a little woman.
Bai Qingzhou noticed the woman's subtle movements. He remained calm on the surface, but was actually overjoyed. He loved the feeling of being a strong man, with his beloved woman hiding behind him. At this moment, he would be willing to lose his life.
He secretly resolved that he must master it!
At that moment, Vice Minister Xue entered the training ground and said to Bai Qingzhou with a smile, "Qingzhou, are you trying to be both a scholar and a warrior?"
Bai Qingzhou blushed, but still tried her best to remain upright. "This junior greets Uncle Xue."
Chen Mianmian was also behind Bai Qingzhou, and she gave a lady's curtsy to Minister Xue, but she didn't say anything to greet him, and she secretly looked him over.
However, it was observed that Vice Minister Xue was not very tall, a head shorter than Marquis Anning, and even shorter than Fengchu, but he was robust and his belly was showing signs of growing.
Marquis Anning followed Vice Minister Xue into the training ground, but remained silent, deliberately keeping a straight face to hide his embarrassment and awkwardness.
Vice Minister Xue patted Bai Qingzhou's arm. "You're quite good at using the long staff. How about a match with your uncle?"
Bai Qingzhou was startled and hurriedly said, "This junior thanks Uncle Xue for his kind offer, but this junior is no good... This junior's martial arts... are really no good..."
Marquis Anning also said, "Xue Heze, didn't you want to spar with me?"
Vice Minister Xue laughed and said, "Afraid I'll hurt your son? Do you think I'm not careful? Don't worry, if I accidentally hurt him, I'll bring all three of my sons here to compensate you."
Chen Mianmian's lips twitched—Fengchu just said this person was a vice minister? A vice minister is a high-ranking official, isn't he? Is he really that unserious?
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