Chapter 52
In the second year after Wang Yu married into the Lu family, she discovered that the Lu family's youngest daughter, Fei Fei, was actually practicing martial arts.
Lu Huaying lived with her grandfather and only occasionally stayed at the Duke's Mansion in Chongrenfang, Chang'an. Wang Yu noticed that Lu Huaying often had injuries on her body, with bruises on her arms and legs. She thought it was due to the servants' negligence. After discussing it with her husband Lu Yujin, she specially selected two of her most honest and careful maids and sent them to take care of Lu Huaying.
A month later, Lu Yujin brought Lu Huaying back to Chang'an. When Wang Yu helped Lu Huaying change her clothes, she saw that her shoulders and arms were swollen. She felt both distressed and angry and blamed the servants and maids.
Lu Huaying smiled and defended her maid: "Sister-in-law, I hurt myself. I saw that the cherries were ripe and wanted to climb the tree to pick them, but I fell down."
She was lively and charming, always laughing and joking. When Wang Yu heard her say that she had fallen from the tree, she believed her and helped her apply medicine, telling her to be more careful in the future.
Soon after, Lu Huaying was injured again, with her eyebrows, right cheek and chin all bruised and bloody.
When Wang Yu saw it, she was so frightened that she stood there stunned for a long time.
Lu Huaying felt a little guilty, but she smiled at her through the pain and said, "Sister-in-law, it doesn't hurt. Just apply some of our family's face powder, and it will be healed in a few days."
Wang Yu felt guilty for not taking good care of Lu Huaying, and told her husband Lu Yujin about it, wanting to bring Lu Huaying to live with her and take care of her personally.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yujin sneered and said, "Grandpa spoils Feifei too much. Feifei has grown up and can't be as willful as before. It's time to bring her back and let her learn some manners from you. I'll talk to Grandpa tomorrow."
The next day, the Duke of Yan and Lu Yujin also saw the injury on Lu Huaying's face.
Both father and son were startled.
The Duke of Yan asked Lu Huaying to stay at the Duke's mansion to recover from her injuries, while he took his eldest son to see the old Duke of Yan.
Two days later, the grandfather and his two companions returned to Chang'an. All three had gloomy faces. They went straight to the study upon returning to the mansion, and soon an argument broke out inside.
Wang Yu never expected that her suggestion would cause such unrest in the Lu family. Feeling guilty and uneasy, she stood outside the courtyard and saw Lu Yujin come out. She quickly went up to him and said that she wanted to apologize to the old Duke of Yan.
Lu Yujin waved his hand and said, "It's none of your business."
Wang Yu then learned that Lu Huaying had watched the old Duke of Yan practice swordsmanship since she was a child. She had begged her grandfather to let her learn too. The old Duke of Yan doted on his granddaughter and taught her the simplest footwork. He originally just wanted to entertain his granddaughter and relieve his boredom. Who knew that Lu Huaying was so intelligent and quick to learn. He demonstrated the footwork to her a few times, and she memorized it after practicing on her own. Moreover, she had extraordinary talent and could be both soft and strong.
The old Duke of Yan's son, eldest grandson, and second grandson were not suited for martial arts. Although they had all practiced martial arts since childhood, their skills were not outstanding. The old Duke of Yan was very disappointed that no one could inherit his mantle. Unexpectedly, when he was feeling discouraged, his youngest granddaughter showed a talent for martial arts!
The old Duke of Yan was both delighted and heartbroken. He was delighted that his granddaughter was so talented, but heartbroken that she was not born a boy.
Lu Huaying memorized the incantation and stances in just one month and insisted on practicing swordsmanship. The old Duke of Yan originally just wanted to amuse her and did not intend to teach her the complete set of swordsmanship. However, seeing her talent, he simply treated her like his grandson and taught her.
The injuries on her body were all sustained while practicing with a knife.
The Duke of Yan firmly opposed the old Duke of Yan teaching Lu Huaying martial arts, reminding the old Duke of Yan not to forget the Lu family's rule that "women are not allowed to practice martial arts."
The old Duke of Yan, who had spent half his life on the battlefield, was furious when his son accused him of corrupting his granddaughter. He took Lu Huaying and left Chang'an, saying he would continue to teach her.
The Duke of Yan dared not contradict his father and could only turn a blind eye.
After the storm passed, Lu Huaying continued practicing martial arts, and no longer needed to hide it.
Practicing martial arts is not easy.
Lu Huaying learned riding and archery from the Xiliang family generals of the Lu family. The generals told her to practice her basic skills first and then her internal strength. They gave her a large stone and asked her to move it from the east side of the courtyard to the west side and then back again, doing this twenty times a day.
One day, Wang Yu went to the drill ground to see Lu Huaying.
Little Lu Huaying was carrying a huge stone, walking step by step under the scorching sun, gritting her teeth and crying as she persevered, tears streaming down her face.
Wang Yu felt sorry for her, so she went over and advised her to stop practicing and go back to her room to rest.
There was chilled cherry yogurt in the room.
Lu Huaying looked at her sister-in-law with a wronged expression, hugged the big rock tightly, and shook her head while crying, refusing to go back to rest.
It wasn't until she had moved the stone twenty times that Lu Huaying finally put it down, wiped away her tears, and happily went back to her room to eat cherry yogurt.
Wang Yu took a handkerchief to wipe Lu Huaying's sweat and said with a smile, "Practicing martial arts is so tiring, you even cried just now, why don't you skip practice tomorrow?"
Lu Huaying shook her head and said, "No matter how tired I am, I will still practice!"
The maid teased Lu Huaying, "Will Third Sister still cry tomorrow?"
Lu Huaying held the cherry cheese, earnestly
He thought for a moment and nodded.
Practicing martial arts is very hard. When she's tired, she can't help but want to cry, but after she's done crying, she has to keep practicing!
Wang Yu and her maid both laughed.
With the support of the old Duke of Yan, Lu Huaying persevered through her tears.
Unable to stop his father, the Duke of Yan privately instructed the Lu family's retainers not to be too diligent in teaching Lu Huaying.
Lu Huaying was a girl, and the guards already looked down on her. They also received a hint from the Duke of Yan, so they were very perfunctory when they taught her.
Her masters were very lenient, but Lu Huaying was strict with herself. She completed all the exercises assigned by the family servants diligently, and she always made sure to do them better than her fellow disciples.
When Lu Huaying turned eleven, the family guards all said that among the Lu family's children, she was the best at riding, archery, and swordsmanship.
Even the Duke of Yan, who vehemently opposed Lu Huaying's martial arts training, couldn't help but sigh to his eldest son, Lu Yujin: "Feifei is indeed exceptionally talented. If she were a boy, your grandfather's mantle would have a successor."
However, Lu Huaying is a girl.
She is eleven years old. In two or three years, she will be able to get married. She will marry, be a good wife and mother, and manage the household. She does not need to learn martial arts. She needs to learn how to manage a household and memorize the family genealogy.
Wang Yu taught Lu Huaying to memorize the family genealogy, showed her the family's account books, and taught her how to host a banquet.
Lu Huaying didn't want to study.
Wang Yu urged her to study diligently: "Feifei, you will be getting married in a few years. If you don't learn the family genealogy and household management well, you will be laughed at by your husband's family. Your parents-in-law and husband will all despise you."
Lu Huaying thought for a moment and said, "Then I don't want my husband's family, my parents-in-law, or my husband!"
Wang Yu was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "What young lady doesn't get married?"
Her grandmother, her mother, her sisters... all the young ladies from the five families, regardless of their personalities, grew up and married, becoming wives of other families, supporting their husbands and raising their children, being filial to their parents-in-law, managing the household affairs, bearing children, and living their lives from daughters to wives to mothers.
Lu Huaying straightened her back and said, "I will not get married."
Wang Yu thought Lu Huaying was too young and didn't take her words to heart.
Another year passed, and Lu Huaying turned twelve. She still loved playing with weapons. When the Duke of Yan saw her holding a knife, he would frown and scold her. She would listen obediently and then turn around and make a face.
That year, on the old Duke of Yan's birthday, his nephews and grandsons all came to offer their congratulations, but Lu Huaying was nowhere to be seen entering the house.
Where did Feifei go?
The old Duke of Yan asked Wang Yu.
Just as Wang Yu was about to go out to look for someone, a clear laugh came from outside the door. A handsome young man dressed in a Hu robe strode in, kowtowed to the old Duke of Yan, and said with a smile, "Grandfather, your grandson Si Lang wishes you boundless happiness and longevity!"
The old Duke of Yan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter and beckoned the young man to sit down next to him.
Wang Yu couldn't help but laugh.
The guests at the birthday banquet looked at the spirited young man beside the old Duke of Yan and asked Wang Yu, "Is this your fourth son, Lu Wanyan?"
Wang Yu nodded with a smile.
The old Duke of Yan disliked social engagements. He said he wanted to test the riding and archery skills of the Lu family's sons, so he led everyone to the Lu family's sports field. Lu Silang also went with him.
Wang Yu was a little worried, so she sent her maid to follow them.
An hour later, the maid returned with a beaming smile and said, "My lady, Fourth Brother won! He won both the horseback riding and target shooting competitions today!"
Wang Yu was surprised and happy.
After the banquet, Wang Yu escorted the female guests back to their rooms, where a handsome young man in a Hu-style robe was waiting for her at the courtyard gate.
Seeing her return, he rushed over and hugged her arm, pouting, "Sister-in-law, I won the lottery today!"
Wang Yu smiled as she wiped the boy's sweat.
I drink in the fine liquid of the flying spring, and cherish the precious essence of jade.
There is no fourth son in the Lu family; Lu Wanyan is Lu Huaying.
Fearing that Lu Huaying's martial arts training would be exposed, Lu's father devised a plan: he required Lu Huaying to dress as a man while practicing martial arts and to tell others that she was Lu Silang.
Lu Huaying really enjoys dressing up as Lu Silang. Lu Silang is carefree, can practice martial arts, and can compete with other members of the Lu family.
Gradually, everyone in Chang'an knew that the Lu family had a handsome young man named Lu Silang.
...
After the old Duke of Yan's birthday banquet, Lady Wang asked Wang Yu if Lu Huaying was engaged.
The Lu family only intermarries with the other four of the five surnames. Lu Huaying is twelve years old, and Madam Wang hinted that she wanted to strengthen the family ties and settle the matter as soon as possible.
Both the Duke of Yan and Lu Yujin felt that this marriage was very suitable.
suitable.
Wang Yu, a daughter of the Wang family, knew that the Wang family had many rules and that the relationships between the legitimate and illegitimate branches of the clan were complicated. Moreover, there were four generations living under one roof, and all three mothers-in-law were still alive and very strict. She was worried that Lu Huaying would be disliked by her mother-in-law after marrying into the family, so she advised Lu Huaying to give up martial arts and learn how to manage the household properly.
Lu Huaying didn't want to marry into the Wang family: "Sister-in-law, why must young ladies marry into other families when they grow up? My brothers can stay in the Lu family, can I marry a husband and enter the Lu family like my brothers? So he can help me manage the household!"
Her words left Wang Yu and the maids in the room both amused and exasperated.
These words later reached Lu Yujin's ears. He had always been very dissatisfied with the old Duke of Yan's doting on Lu Huaying. He summoned Lu Huaying to his study and reprimanded her, saying, "As the eldest son of the Lu family, I have practiced martial arts, studied military strategy, and learned how to deploy troops since I was a child. Your second brother is in poor health, so he focuses on his studies. We always remember the teachings of our elders and dare not disgrace the Lu family's reputation. You are a daughter of the Lu family, and you must also recognize your responsibilities and act as a proper young lady of a noble family, instead of being spoiled and willful and bringing shame to our Lu family!"
"Starting today, you're no longer allowed to practice martial arts!"
Lu Huaying rolled her eyes at her elder brother and said, "Brother, why is it that when you and my second brother make contributions to the Lu family, it's considered bringing glory to the family, but when I practice martial arts, it's considered spoiled and willful?"
Lu Yujin sneered, "Because all young ladies have to get married when they grow up! Because you are a daughter of the Lu family, a daughter's responsibility is to arrange marriages for the Lu family!"
Lu Huaying retorted defiantly, "I can also follow my grandfather to the battlefield to fight the enemy and make contributions to the Lu family! I can also shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the family business like my brothers, instead of just getting married!"
Lu Yujin was furious and punished Lu Huaying by sending her back to her room to reflect on her actions.
The next day, Lu Yujin sent people to guard outside Lu Huaying's room to supervise her copying "Rules for Women".
In the evening, Lu Yujin returned from the government office. Wang Yu advised him to calm down, saying that Lu Huaying was raised by the old Duke of Yan and was inevitably a bit unruly. She was still young and should be properly taught.
Lu Yujin sighed, sat for a while, then changed out of his official robes to go see Lu Huaying.
Wang Yu thought the brother and sister would reconcile, so she ordered the servants to prepare dishes they both liked. Just as dinner was being prepared, the servants ran back to report the news.
Lu Huaying secretly slipped out, and Lu Yujin flew into a rage when he discovered it, interrogating the servants. The servants dared not lie and said that Third Sister had gone to the basketball court.
When Lu Yujin arrived at the stadium, the game was in its most intense moment. Two teams of Lu family guards were chasing a small, colorful ball, moving with incredible speed and raising clouds of dust.
On the golf course, Lu Huaying wore a headband and a round-necked robe, riding a horse and swinging her golf club, her brows covered in sweat.
Enraged, Lu Yujin ordered his attendants to interrupt the race, drag Lu Huaying off her horse, and take her back to the Duke's mansion.
The brother and sister had another fight.
After Lu's father returned home, Lu Yujin went to complain to him. Lu's father then gave an order that Lu Huaying was no longer allowed to dress as a man and go out to play ball.
Lu Huaying has been placed under house arrest.
Wang Yu brought Lu Huaying's favorite pastries to visit her and advised her, "Feifei, you should listen to your older brother. He's doing this for your own good."
Lu Huaying said aggrievedly, "Do I really have no choice but to get married? When I won the prize, my grandfather and father were very happy. Why can't I continue to be Lu Silang?"
Wang Yu sighed.
Lu Huaying picked up a piece of cake and ate it, saying, "When Grandpa comes back, he will stand up for me! Grandpa loves me the most."
The following year, when Lu Huaying was thirteen years old, the old Duke of Yan passed away.
...
Click.
A cold wind blew by, and a clump of snow fell from the earthen wall.
Wang Yu recalled Lu Huaying's hopeful little face and eyes when she said that her grandfather loved her the most. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned away to wipe her eyes with a handkerchief.
Chai Yong stood beside her, staring blankly at the opposite side of the courtyard.
Lu Huaying sat by the stove wiping the snow off her saber. The firelight shone on her face, revealing a calm expression and bright eyes.
It turns out that the Lu family's fourth son, whom everyone lamented, was Lu Huaying.
Her father and brother strongly opposed the marriage, and her grandfather, the only person in the family who doted on her, also passed away, so Lu Wanyan died at the age of thirteen.
This became a source of great anxiety for Lu Huaying.
Chai Yong remembered the rumors in Luoyang that Lu Huaying started living in the Duke's mansion at the age of thirteen.
He knew Lu Huaying must have suffered a lot when he discovered she was practicing martial arts, but after hearing Wang Yu recount the Lu family's past, he realized that he, like Pei Jingyao, knew nothing about Lu Huaying's past.
A sudden impulse welled up inside him.
He wanted to go up to Lu Huaying and tell her that he and she had no past, but he wanted to be a part of her future.
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