Bai Qingzhou politely declined several times, and Marquis Anning also refused several times. However, the smooth-talking Xue Shilang and the straightforward Marquis Anning and his son were no match for him. In the end, Bai Qingzhou had no choice but to agree to spar with him.
While Vice Minister Xue was warming up, Guan Shui arrived and brought water, inviting the young master to drink some in preparation for their sparring session.
Chen Mianmian and Hanrong retreated to a corner of the training ground.
Because she was so worried about Fengchu, she kept her eyes on him while walking and hardly looked where she was going.
After stopping, she immediately focused on capturing Fengchu's figure, completely ignoring the fact that there was another person standing not far from her.
Hanrong subtly nudged her aunt's arm, and Chen Mianmian turned her head to look at her, "What's wrong?"
Hanrong lowered her head and pointed.
"?"
Shen Mianmian turned her head and froze for a moment, because just one meter away from her stood a tall and imposing man, none other than Marquis Anning.
Marquis Anning also noticed Chen Mianmian approaching and was considering whether to leave.
But as soon as the woman came over, he walked away, as if he disliked her.
The same question also troubled Shen Mianmian—was it too late for her to leave now? There was a feeling that trying to cover it up was making things even more awkward.
To be honest, she didn't mind standing very close to Marquis Anning... Besides, modern social distancing is between one and two meters, and she and Marquis Anning were more than one meter apart.
On a sudden impulse, Chen Mianmian pulled Han Rong over and placed her between the two of them.
"..." Hanrong.
"..." Marquis Anning.
Chenmianmian smiled contentedly—she felt completely at ease.
By this time, Vice Minister Xue had finished warming up, picked up a long stick, and even waved it around.
Then he walked up to Bai Qingzhou and asked with a smile, "How are you? Have you rested well?"
Bai Qingzhou sighed helplessly, "This junior is ready." He was prepared to be beaten.
He didn't mind being beaten; he was used to being beaten by his father. But... he didn't want to be beaten in front of Mianmian.
Thinking about it, Bai Qingzhou glanced worriedly in the direction of Chen Mianmian.
When Vice Minister Xue saw this, he laughed and said, "Don't worry, your uncle won't let you lose face in front of women. You'd better try your best and do well."
"..." Bai Qingzhou blushed, "This junior thanks Uncle Xue."
The two then began a formal sparring match.
Shen Mianmian nervously gripped her handkerchief, even more so than when she sparred with the female bodyguard.
While watching the battle, she would steal glances at Marquis Anning.
I expected to see disgust on the face of the foul-smelling Marquis Anning, but to my surprise, I found that Marquis Anning was also nervous.
Well, at least this disgusting man has some conscience.
Chen Mianmian withdrew her gaze and continued to watch the battle.
On the training ground, the two exchanged blows, not fiercely, but evenly.
Vice Minister Xue did not use any fierce moves, but rather the simplest moves, and his speed was not fast. It did not seem like a friendly sparring match, but rather like a training session.
After fighting for a while, Hanrong couldn't help but whisper, "Auntie, so the young master's martial arts are so good?" She added in her mind, "Wasn't it rumored that the young master was timid and weak, even worse than a woman? Now it seems that's not the case."
Chen Mianmian replied softly, "It's not that good. Minister Xue didn't make many moves. I guess Minister Xue was testing the prince's endurance."
Hanrong was surprised, "A test of patience?"
"Hmm, do you remember when the princess was at the princess's residence, the princess was riding a horse and whipping me with a soft whip, and I was running laps with stones tied to my legs and a leather bag on my shoulder?"
"Remember."
"What the princess said on horseback was that a martial artist's endurance is like the foundation of a house, the most basic and the most important. Without endurance, even the best martial arts skills cannot unleash their full power."
The Crown Prince hasn't practiced martial arts in a long time, and the difference in martial arts skill between Minister Xue and the Crown Prince is vast. Only a contest of endurance would be fair.
After hearing her aunt's explanation, Hanrong finally understood, "So, the final outcome between Minister Xue and the heir was not about who defeated whom, but rather who ran out of energy first?"
Chen Mianmian nodded, "Pretty much. It's a test of endurance, but the final outcome will definitely be different. If Vice Minister Xue runs out of strength, he will call a halt immediately. If the Crown Prince runs out of strength, he will be unable to withstand the Vice Minister's offensive and will be defeated."
Hanrong nodded vigorously, having benefited greatly.
Because they were so close, their whispered conversation reached the ears of Marquis Anning.
Marquis Anning was shocked once again—the Shen family had actually received martial arts instruction personally from Princess Ruian? Moreover, this Shen family was different from what he had imagined.
Isn't she a submissive, beauty-obsessed young woman who serves men with her looks?
But no matter how submissive a woman may appear, her inherent humility and composure will still be revealed through details such as her words.
He looked at the training ground, where his son was locked in combat with Vice Minister Xue, and his suspicion became clearer—Qingzhou's dramatic change was definitely related to this Shen family.
After that, Hanrong didn't pester her aunt any further.
Firstly, because the Marquis was still nearby, and secondly, because she could sense her aunt's worry and dared not disturb her.
Hanrong looked at her aunt and saw that Aunt Chen's beautiful face no longer had its usual leisure and ease. Her eyebrows were furrowed more and more tightly, and she even unconsciously began to bite her lip. Her whole body was tense, as if she couldn't wait to rush up and help the young master spar.
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.
Half an hour has passed.
An hour has passed.
The two were still sparring in the training ground.
Hanrong looked up at the sky, then at her aunt's sunburned face, and whispered, "Aunt, shall I go get you a chair?"
After all, they had been standing there for an hour.
Chen Mianmian is indeed tired, but she can still hold on. She underwent grueling training a few days ago, and now she is in good physical condition.
Before Chen Mianmian could answer, she heard Marquis Anning say to Guan Shui, "Go and have someone bring chairs and hold up umbrellas."
"Yes, my lord."
Guan Shui dared not delay and hurriedly went to find someone to move tables and chairs.
Before long, a group of servants arrived, bringing not only tables, chairs, and parasols, but also the lady herself.
When Madam Ding and Granny Li arrived, they were terrified to see their son sparring with Vice Minister Xue in the training ground. They dared not question the Marquis, and could only complain tactfully, "My lord, wasn't Vice Minister Xue supposed to be sparring with you? How did it turn into sparring with Qingzhou?"
Marquis Anning said in a deep voice, "It was requested by Xue Heze."
Ding hesitated, wanting to say—why didn't you stop him? Since Xue Shilang entered the Ministry of War, he hasn't practiced martial arts very often, but Qingzhou hasn't practiced for so many years... even back then, he wouldn't be able to do it.
Seeing that the madam was about to cry, Shen Mianmian whispered to comfort her, "Madam, don't worry, the young master did a very good job."
Ding suddenly remembered that Mianmian was also a semi-martial artist, and only then did she feel relieved.
They fought for another hour.
It's noon!
In other words, Vice Minister Xue and Bai Qingzhou fought for a full four hours without resting or drinking water!
Finally, Vice Minister Xue couldn't take it anymore and shouted, "Alright, alright, that's enough! I surrender!"
Only then did Bai Qingzhou dare to stop, her face pale and panting heavily.
Vice Minister Xue plopped down on the ground, his face also deathly pale. He looked up in confusion and asked, "Qingzhou, how do you have such good stamina?"
Shen Mianmian suddenly remembered that when she first transmigrated into the book, she was also tormented for an entire night. At the time, she wondered how this seemingly delicate and frail Phoenix Chick could have such good stamina.
Now I understand, the Phoenix's stamina really is a cheat code!
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