23. The old man with the ever-present golden spear◇
◎I heard I thank you◎
Two major news stories broke out at the Marquis of Dingbei's residence today. One was that the Crown Princess angered Mr. Mo and drove him away.
It is said that the Crown Princess was illiterate, and Mr. Mo taught her the meaning of a gentleman's friendship. As a result, the Crown Princess wanted to invite Mr. Mo to drink egg drop soup, and they had no idea what the connection was.
The second big news: the Crown Princess gifted the Marquis of Dingbei a golden spear! Good heavens, it must weigh about seventy pounds!
Martial arts training ground.
Early in the morning, Feng Ran, full of energy, carried a long object and ran to the training ground.
Duan Jingchuan guessed what this might be. "Madam, is this a gun for Father?"
After a period of training, Duan Jingchuan was no longer as gloomy as before. His complexion was much rosier, and he looked exceptionally radiant. He even seemed more cheerful.
Feng Ran smiled broadly and nodded excitedly, not forgetting to boast, "Husband, aren't I clever? I accidentally broke Father's old gun before, and now I've replaced it with a new one. The blacksmith said that this gun is absolutely unbreakable, and I tried it, and it really doesn't work."
The spear was wrapped in wooden strips, so Duan Jingchuan didn't get to see its true face, but seeing how certain Feng Ran was, he felt a sense of anticipation.
He was also very curious, "Was this gun forged from a special material?" He kept thinking about whether there was a similar hard material in his warehouse that was suitable for making a silver gun, but after thinking it over and over, he could not come up with a solution.
Feng Ran looked around and, finding no one watching, whispered, "I guarantee this spear is one of a kind in the world. Husband, just watch, Father will surely love it."
Infected by Feng Ran's smug expression, Duan Jingchuan's eyes also showed a slight smile. He was not in a hurry to see the true appearance of the gun, but waited to reveal the answer with his father.
As usual, when the two arrived at the training ground, Lord Duan was already there.
However, the training ground was much more lively today, with not only the two half-brothers present, but also several daughters.
Feng Ran frowned, wondering to herself why the martial arts arena was getting more and more lively, and whether her socially anxious friend could adapt.
Noticing Feng Ran's questioning look, Duan Jingchuan smiled and shook his head. He's now used to being in crowded places and no longer reacts excessively like before, though he's not very good at talking to people.
Feng Ran patted Duan Jingchuan's shoulder with a grin, "I told you you lacked exercise. Look how great you are now. I look forward to my husband being able to curse in the street someday."
Having grown accustomed to Feng Ran's occasional witty remarks, Duan Jingchuan calmly corrected her, "Madam, it would be more appropriate to use 'debate with a group of scholars'."
Feng Ran paused in her steps, turned around ninety degrees while carrying her gun, and Duan Jingchuan almost bumped into her.
"What's wrong?" Duan Jingchuan asked, puzzled.
"I want to see if my husband's tongue is very hard?" Feng Ran stood on tiptoe and stared intently at Duan Jingchuan's tightly pursed lips.
Duan Jingchuan expressed his regret, saying that the phrase "unmoved" didn't suit him, and said with a wry smile, "It's just an adjective."
Feng Ran shook her head and sighed, "Forget it, I don't understand the thinking of you intellectuals."
From afar, Lord Duan saw Feng Ran carrying a long object, walking with an exceptionally elegant gait. He couldn't help but recall his wife complaining to him that she had driven away Mr. Mo, whom she had hired at great expense.
He sighed deeply, regretting once again how much better it would have been if Feng Ran had been born a boy. Illiteracy is not a problem; as long as one can wield a spear and kill the enemy, who cares about one's education?
Upon seeing Lord Duan watching them from afar, Feng Ran jumped for joy, one hand on the spear on her shoulder and the other waving.
"Father, I have brought you something. I'm sure you'll like it."
Lord Duan had already guessed most of what was going on from the long bridge-shaped object that Feng Ran was carrying on her shoulder, but he didn't show it and said in a cooperative tone, "Then I'm very much looking forward to what it is."
The training ground was paved with sand and gravel, making it exceptionally sturdy. No matter how much swords, spears, or daggers struck it, it remained undamaged.
Feng Ran could still hop and skip while carrying the spear, so Old Marquis Duan thought it was just an ordinary silver spear. Although he had many, none of them were gifts from his daughter-in-law, and he waited there with great interest to receive them.
Duan Jingchuan and Feng Ran arrived at the center of the training ground, where their other siblings gathered around, maintaining a comfortable distance—enough to hear the commotion but not enough to make Duan Jingchuan uncomfortable. This, it seemed, was the last act of tenderness from their half-siblings.
Upon arriving before Lord Duan, Feng Ran released her grip on Duan Jingchuan's sleeve and slammed the spear from her shoulder to the ground with her left hand. With a loud thud, the ground beneath her feet trembled.
Both Lord Duan and Duan Jingchuan's faces cracked at the same time.
Duan Jingchuan felt his voice was a little unsteady, "Madam, what is this gun made of?"
Feng Ran thumped her chest with a loud thud, "I accidentally broke my father's old gun a few days ago. I feel extremely ashamed after thinking about it. Now I can only replace it with an even better one for my father. I hope my father will not take offense. The blacksmith said that if this gun is taken to the battlefield, it will definitely attract everyone's attention. It can kill two people without any problem, and it won't break again."
The people standing nearby were quite curious. The gun didn't look heavy, but it could crack the stone pavement, which showed that it was made of special material.
Lord Duan also felt a genuine sense of anticipation. "Open it and take a look."
"Then I wish Father an everlasting golden spear." With a whoosh, Feng Ran pulled off the cloth strip wrapped around the spear.
The morning sun was warm and the breeze was just right, but as soon as the spear was fired, the entire training ground was suddenly filled with golden light, so bright that it almost blinded everyone.
If an outsider were to observe closely, they would surely notice that everyone in the martial arts arena, except for Feng Ran, was speechless, staring in horror at the golden spear that looked incredibly expensive standing in the center of the arena.
That's right, this gun was made of iron by Feng Ran and covered with shiny gold. It weighs 70 jin. When she got the gun, she swung it around a few times and found it to be very easy to handle. This gun had emptied her husband's two large chests of gold.
As far as the eye could see, only two expressions remained on the training ground. One was the serious-looking Feng Ran, and the other was the stunned crowd.
Duan Jingchuan also felt another emotion: his heart was pounding with fear.
Before everyone could react, Duan Jingchuan quickly stepped forward to explain, "Father, what Madam means is that you are the foremost military general of the dynasty and the renowned General Dingyuan, whose fame resounds throughout the land. This spear is worthy of your status. Madam is young and ignorant and does not know how to express her respect for you, so she uses the golden spear to praise you. I hope Father will not take offense."
His eloquence and fluent speech were completely unlike the Duan Jingchuan of the past.
Feng Ran blinked and pouted, about to say something, when Duan Jingchuan tugged at her sleeve and gave her a warning look.
Feng Ran was puzzled, but ultimately did not say what she wanted to say.
No one noticed the fleeting smile on Old Marquis Duan's lips, which he immediately suppressed, raising his eyebrows and glaring, before speaking sharply, "Princess Consort, do you think you can just let it go by breaking one of my silver spears? You're even trying to fob me off with a gold spear? Is that even comparable?"
Feng Ran's smug little face immediately fell. She stood at attention, lowered her head, and held her breath, obediently waiting for a scolding.
For a moment, the training ground was completely silent, and the other young ladies and gentlemen of the Duan family dared not provoke them.
Duan Jingchuan moved, stepping forward to shield himself from the old Marquis Duan's anger. He stood between Feng Ran and the old Marquis Duan, bracing himself against the pressure and looking directly at the old Marquis Duan. "Father's silver spear is indeed important, but this was an unintentional mistake by the Princess Consort. Why be so harsh?"
Old Marquis Duan suddenly put his hands behind his back, clenched his fists tightly, and sweat appeared on his palms. Whether it was from nervousness or excitement, he didn't know. His back was straight, but his face was still full of anger. "Are you going to help her get away with it? If I want to punish her, shouldn't I get past you first?"
“My wife and I are one body. If my wife is wrong, I also bear responsibility. I ask my father to punish me.” Duan Jingchuan did not back down at all, showing an attitude of punishing both of us.
Feng Ran was terrified behind Duan Jingchuan, not daring to make a sound, for fear of being noticed by the old Marquis Duan. She was already short, and by deliberately hiding behind him, Feng Ran completely disappeared from the old Marquis Duan's sight.
"Very well, since you are so responsible, then I will punish you two by making you memorize the Art of War. The Marquis of Dingbei's mansion has no family rules, so the Art of War is the family rule. You have five days to memorize one volume, and I will test you then."
Upon hearing this punishment, Duan Jingchuan understood that his father's true intentions were not what they seemed, and that he had been too anxious. However, he also breathed a sigh of relief.
Upon hearing that she had to recite, Feng Ran immediately forgot to hide and poked her little head out. "Father, is it okay if only my husband recites it? I can encourage him from the side."
Lord Duan relaxed at this moment, glared at Feng Ran with a displeased look, and shouted, "Recite it together!"
"Oh." Feng Ran looked somewhat dazed, and the golden spear in her hand almost fell to the ground.
She glanced resentfully at the golden spear before her, thinking to herself that it was truly not worth it. Not only was it expensive, but it was also useless and hadn't pleased her father at all. She would melt it down and exchange it for delicious food.
Noticing Feng Ran's subtle movement as she pulled the gun back, Old Marquis Duan couldn't help but chuckle, but he kept a straight face and said casually, "Considering this is the first time the Crown Princess has given me a gift, I will accept it." With that, he reached for the golden gun.
Feng Ran thought it must be because she got up wrong today. How did she end up losing gold and having to recite texts? But she couldn't refuse Lord Duan, so she had to hand over the golden spear and the gleaming silver in her hand.
Lord Duan initially thought the golden spear was made of ox sinew wood inside, since Feng Ran handled it very easily. Upon receiving it, he was about to swing the spear.
Huh, I couldn't move it.
His face immediately darkened; Old Marquis Duan was in a difficult position.
Even if he managed to pick up the gun, its weight would be so great that if he just swung it around a couple of times, his old back would be ruined, which would be quite embarrassing.
Fortunately, although Feng Ran was oblivious to the situation, Duan Jingchuan kept a close eye on the old Marquis Duan's expression, afraid that he would blame Feng Ran again.
Seeing the old Marquis Duan's dilemma, Duan Jingchuan immediately suggested, "Father, although the Crown Princess has good intentions, the golden spear is too ostentatious. Why not leave it in the training ground as a warning to future generations to always be careful with their words and actions?"
Lord Duan nodded calmly, then gestured to Duan Jingchuan with his eyes: "What should we do with this gun? I can't lift it, give me a suggestion."
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