"Teacher, you're lying. Everyone knows you're a master of both poetry and prose; composing poems is second nature to you," Zheng Liwan pouted.
"You have great talent; you have a foundation in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You should focus more on those areas," Qin Mu said with a hint of helplessness. This little girl, after becoming more lively, has become very unruly, and with that comes more questions.
“What’s the point of those things? I’ve been forced to learn them since I was little,” Zheng Liwan said with dissatisfaction.
Indeed, girls from prominent families, regardless of their talent, had to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. After studying for more than ten years, it was normal for them to feel resistant.
"You are truly talented, it would be such a waste to let you go to waste. Unlike your teacher, I can't even find a way to advance further in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting." Qin Mu wanted to pat his son, but Princess Changning slapped him away.
"If even you, teacher, are no good, how can you teach me like this?"
"So what! Your teacher is never bad! I taught your sister Yuxin, and look at her instrument, is it worse than yours?" Qin Mu glared at him, how could a man say that someone is no good?
"Really?" Zheng Liwan asked Qin Yuxin with suspicion.
Qin Yuxin smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "My 'Azure Sea Tide Song' was written by my elder brother!"
"Teacher!" Zheng Liwan grabbed Qin Mu's arm and shook it coquettishly.
"As a person, you can't always rely on others. You're so smart, you can definitely create your own musical scores," Qin Mu said earnestly.
"Teacher, I'm not a three-year-old. What's the point of lying to me like this?" Zheng Liwan said, looking down at Qin Mu.
"Hehe! Ouch!" Seeing that Qin Mu had failed to fool the little girl, Princess Changning couldn't help but laugh. However, after only two laughs, she clutched her stomach and cried out.
"What's wrong?" Qin Mu was startled and hurriedly asked with concern.
"It's nothing, it's nothing," Princess Changning said, rubbing her belly and waving her hand.
"Don't laugh like that again, it scared me to death," Qin Musong warned in one breath.
"Um."
"I'm sorry, teacher." Zheng Liwan knew she had almost caused trouble, so she quickly lowered her head and apologized.
"Thankfully, you're alright. Just don't make your master's wife laugh so much in the future," Qin Mu said after taking her pulse.
"Why are you so serious? You're scaring Liwan." Princess Changning glared at Qin Mu and said.
"Okay, okay, it's all my fault." Qin Mu hurriedly raised his hands in surrender.
"You're so kind, Master's wife." Upon hearing Qin Mu ask her to call her Master's wife, Zheng Liwan immediately beamed with joy, walked over to sit down next to Princess Changning, and hugged her arm as she spoke.
"Hey! You're really opportunistic. I was even planning to teach you how to compose and write lyrics."
"Hehe! Teacher, you are the best teacher too."
"You haven't learned anything else, but you've picked up being glib and smooth-talking very quickly! You were so honest when you first came here, how did you turn out like this? If word gets out, people will think I taught you how to talk." Qin Mu said, rubbing his forehead.
"Hehe! It's because the teacher is so nice that I'm having a good time."
"Hmm, seeing how eloquent you are, I'll reluctantly offer you some guidance. Which of the four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, or painting—would you like to learn?"
"Can't we learn them all?"
"Don't hold back then, but let me make this clear: I have no problem guiding you, but whether you can understand it depends on yourself."
"Mmm!" Zheng Liwan nodded repeatedly.
"Take these. These are some very good calligraphy copybooks, but I can only copy them to the letter. As for whether you can glean your own essence from them, that depends on you. You can discuss painting with Yuxin; I've taught her everything I know. This is a chess manual and two military treatises; you can look at those yourself as well." Qin Mu took out several books and handed them over.
"Thank you, teacher." Zheng Liwan smiled sweetly, took the instrument, and then looked at Qin Mu expectantly. She knew that since Qin Mu had mentioned music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, there must be a final item: musical scores.
"I don't have a suitable sheet music on hand, but I can give you a few lines. As for whether you can create something from them, that depends on your comprehension."
"Please give me your guidance, teacher!" Zheng Liwan said solemnly, bowing deeply.
"Yu Xin, listen carefully too. This is just a description. I don't know what it will actually produce, since everyone's understanding is different."
The large strings clanged like a sudden downpour, the small strings whispered like private words. The sounds mingled and intertwined, like pearls of all sizes falling onto a jade plate. The warbling of orioles glided beneath the flowers, the murmuring of a spring flowed with difficulty beneath the ice. The icy spring was cold and astringent, the strings froze and broke, the sound ceased for a moment. A hidden sorrow and resentment arose, at this moment silence spoke louder than words. Like a silver bottle suddenly shattering, water gushing forth, like iron cavalry charging, swords and spears clashing. The music ended, the plectrum was drawn across the strings, the four strings sounding as one, like tearing silk. After a moment of recollection, Qin Mu reminded himself, went to the room, picked up paper and pen, and began to write and recite.
"The large strings clang like a sudden rainstorm, the small strings whisper like a private conversation. Teacher, are these the pipa instruments you're talking about? I happen to have studied a little bit of them," Zheng Liwan asked thoughtfully.
"It's just a rhythm, it doesn't necessarily have to be played on a pipa. Try it yourselves!" Qin Mu waved his hand and said.
"Yes, I understand, thank you, teacher!" Zheng Liwan nodded, then tugged at Qin Yuxin's sleeve and said, "Sister Yuxin, the teacher said she wants you to teach me how to paint!"
"The seniority is messed up, you should call me 'Shishu'!" Qin Yuxin smiled and walked outside, speaking gently to Zheng Liwan.
"No way, calling you 'Uncle-Master' makes you sound old, Sister Yuxin."
The eyesore was finally gone. Qin Mu waved for the maid to leave as well. His wife was pregnant, and he needed to spend more time with her to keep her happy, which was good for both the mother and the child.
Qin Mu had just reached the top of the first peak when he heard footsteps coming from the stairs. He frowned and looked towards the door with a cold expression.
“Um… Master Qin!” Li Ke appeared at the door and was startled to see two pairs of eyes staring at him and Qin Mu’s expressionless face. He didn’t know what to say.
"What are you doing here?" Upon hearing the title "Master Qin," Qin Mu's face darkened even further. He used to call him "Uncle," so what, was he determined to marry my sister?
Qin Mu didn't dislike Li Ke; he simply didn't want to get too involved with Li Shimin's sons. The Li family had excellent genes, and none of Li Shimin's sons were easy to deal with. They were all masters of causing trouble, whether they were fools or clever, and even among sons and daughters, few were honest and obedient.
However, this was an imperial decree issued by Li Shimin, who even bypassed Qin Mu and discussed it directly with Qin Qiong. It makes sense, since Qin Yuxin's parents were still alive, Qin Mu naturally did not need to make a decision about her marriage.
Good heavens, ever since they got together, it's been inconvenient for him to visit the Qin family, so he's been running to the Princess's residence all the time, ostensibly to visit his aunt and uncle. But who doesn't know that the Prefect's residence and the Duke of Yi's residence are separated by only a wall, and they've even connected. It's as if his intentions are as clear as day.
Qin Mu was naturally not in a good mood towards such a treacherous person. If he weren't Li Shimin's son, he would have definitely thrown him out of the mansion.
"Uncle, about that Master Qin, I..." Li Ke panicked when Qin Mu glared at him, unsure of what to say.
"Tell me your story slowly. Your uncle isn't a monster." Princess Changning was naturally willing to side with Li Ke.
With Princess Changning's help, what could Qin Mu do but sit there speechlessly.
Seeing Qin Mu's unfriendly expression, Li Ke hesitated before opening his mouth, and finally mustered up his courage to say, "Master Qin, please forgive me. It was indeed I who asked my mother for help, but I didn't mean anything by it. I genuinely like my younger sister."
As you know, we can't make our own decisions about marriage. I've finally met someone I like, so I don't want to give up.
Qin Mu stared intently at Li Ke with a cold expression; while Li Ke mustered his courage and met his gaze without flinching.
"It's not impossible for my younger sister to marry you, as long as you do one thing! Otherwise, you should give up on this idea! Even if I don't want the title of Duke, I beg Your Majesty to rescind the imperial decree!" Qin Mu stared at Li Ke without blinking as he spoke.
"Please tell me, I can definitely do it," Li Ke said seriously.
"That is it, you'll become an official! You'll be able to request a local official position yourself! From now on, be a dashing prince," Qin Mu said.
Li Ke was stunned, not expecting Qin Mu to make this request. After thinking for a while, he understood Qin Mu's meaning: he wanted him to completely give up the idea of vying for the throne.
Li Ke relaxed and said with a smile, "No problem, this request is very simple. I will ask my father to grant me a fiefdom tomorrow."
"You don't need to rush to make a decision. You can go back and discuss it with your mother." Qin Mu was slightly surprised, not expecting Li Ke to agree so quickly.
“Master Qin, I understand what you mean. I have no ambition for the throne. Any of Father’s sons can compete for it, but my brother and I are not. I am very clear about that,” Li Ke said with a smile.
“Very well, since you understand, then I can assure you that as long as you don’t have that kind of thought, as long as I’m here, no one will touch you.” Qin Mu smiled and said confidently.
"Yes, thank you very much, Uncle!" Li Ke looked at Qin Mu gratefully.
Hearing these messy titles, Qin Mu felt a headache coming on. Li Shimin had messed up the generational order, but to Li Shimin, it was just a trivial matter.
"I need to rest." Princess Changning understood Qin Mu's thoughts, gently covered her mouth, and said with a smile.
Upon seeing Princess Changning's finger pointing behind her, Li Ke was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "Aunt, please rest. I will take my leave now."
"You know, this matter has far-reaching implications. If we're not careful, our family could get involved too," Qin Mu sighed.
"This child is someone you've watched grow up. If there's really a problem, would you just turn a blind eye?" Princess Changning asked with a smile.
"Of course not. I will not allow anyone to destroy this country," Qin Mu replied without hesitation. The Han and Tang dynasties were a source of pride for him, a weighty emotion even in a different world. If anyone tried to destroy them, Qin Mu would not hesitate to deliver a full-force blow. The royal family might not be that important. Apart from Li Shimin, he had indeed seen his sons since childhood, but he had shown them not a shred of respect.
“That’s right, Ke’er isn’t a bad person at heart. What’s wrong with helping him out? The key is that my elder sister is also very satisfied.” Princess Changning said, supporting her back as she stood up.
"Yes, you're right, Madam."
"Husband, my waist is getting thicker and thicker. I gained weight after giving birth to Ying'er, and I'm sure I'll gain even more weight this time. Will you mind?"
"No, no, as the saying goes, if you want your family to prosper, your wife has to be plump. I like slightly plump the most!" Qin Mu, of course, didn't hesitate when faced with these potentially disastrous questions, and immediately made Princess Changning beam with joy.
"Last time, when I was pregnant with Ying'er's hand, my husband was away fighting. Now that you have some free time, why don't you take Shijian and the other maids into your care?"
"We'll talk about this later."
“No, my husband hasn’t had a single maidservant all these years. People outside are already saying I’m a jealous woman,” Princess Changning said with dissatisfaction.
"Madam, don't think so much. Let outsiders talk nonsense. I only have so much affection left. It wouldn't be good for you to divide it among other people. Besides, having too many children will cause headaches in the future," Qin Mu said, shaking his head slightly.
"How could that be? Shijian and the others are just maids from the household, not outsiders," Princess Changning said, puzzled.
Qin Mu was aware of this issue. A maidservant's role was to serve the master in place of the mistress when she was unavailable, preventing him from seeking other women out of desperation. As for princesses and noblewomen, their maids were meticulously trained, beautiful, and skilled in bed. Although inexperienced, they were there to compensate for the mistress's shortcomings. After all, one couldn't teach a lady of high birth how to sleep, so these maids had to be skilled. As for the children, everything in the house belonged to the mistress, so there was no question of dividing the inheritance.
"Yes, yes, Madam, you're right." Feeling the intense gazes behind him, Qin Mu nodded hesitantly. Although he had gotten used to some things, there were still some aspects he wasn't used to. In the beginning, when he shared a room with Princess Changning, there were actually two maids serving him, whom he had to forcibly kick out; but as soon as it was over, they came back in to help clean up the mess, which almost made Qin Mu weak with fright.
As one can imagine, the two girls stood outside, listening intently. The thought of having two people watching him while he did his work, or even eavesdropping from outside, made Qin Mu feel extremely uncomfortable. It was only through forced command that he changed this habit, even though he knew they hadn't actually gone far and were ready to be summoned at any time. Furthermore, Qin Mu disliked being served when bathing or dressing, except when putting on his coat, in which case he would ask someone to help him tidy up.
“That’s right. Shijian and the others have been married into the family for so many years. If I hadn’t persuaded them, they would have hanged themselves. You wouldn’t want them to die, would you?” Princess Changning smiled with satisfaction.
The maids behind her were all those who had accompanied Princess Changning on her marriage. Unlike concubines, they didn't even need any additional ceremonies; they were already part of the bride's family. Princess Changning had mentioned this several times before. Although more than three years had passed, the maids were only in their early twenties, each one incredibly beautiful. Qin Mu secretly glanced at them; the maids were all blushing, looking at them with anticipation. Their shy and bashful expressions perfectly captured their feelings.
When Qin Mu looked over, he saw two maids whose legs tightened slightly and whose heads were almost tucked into their clothes.
Damn the old society! Although I know this isn't good, I can only go along with it. Don't think Princess Changning is lying. If Qin Mu doesn't settle the identities of the maids, the four maids who married into the family with her might really hang themselves. After all, the princess's household isn't like an ordinary family; they can't just marry out. It's a matter of the princess's reputation, and there's no other way but death.
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