Chapter 194 Nezha: What a sinister child! ...
At this moment, Zhao Ji came to call them to eat. Fu Li said, "Okay, it's time to eat. We can continue studying after eating."
Ying Zheng finally found a proper teacher, but he was interrupted just when he had started learning. He was obviously unhappy.
Fu Li smiled and said, "Relaxation and tension are the key to both literature and martial arts. Whether studying literature or martial arts, a balance of work and rest is essential for achieving twice the result with half the effort. And your body is the foundation of learning. You should eat when it's time to eat. Only when you're full will you have more energy to study. Don't you agree?"
Ying Zheng nodded thoughtfully: "Teacher, your teaching is correct. I was just too impatient."
"This isn't a lesson, just some simple truths." Fu Li stood up and took his hand as they walked towards the kitchen. "Besides, you're so dedicated to your studies, and as a teacher, I'm only pleased. Why would I teach you a lesson?"
Nezha walked to the other side of Fuli and took her other hand. The three of them walked hand in hand to the kitchen door. There was a wooden basin rack on the left, with a clean copper basin on it.
Little Ying Zheng let go of Fu Li's hand, ran into the kitchen, held the edge of the water tank and stood on the three green bricks stacked in front of the tank, reaching out to grab the ladle floating on the water.
Fu Li followed in and saw what was happening. She was startled and rushed forward to hug him, saying anxiously, "What are you doing? It's very dangerous!"
Such a small person, such a big tank, and half of it still has water in it. If he accidentally falls in, he won't even have a chance to call for help.
Little Ying Zheng looked back at her blankly and said as a matter of course, "Help the two teachers get some water to wash their hands."
Fu Li was startled, and her anxious and fierce expression instantly relaxed. She said softly, "You are still young, you don't need to do these things."
As he said that, he walked out carrying him and passed by Nezha who was holding a copper basin.
A moment later, Nezha came out with a basin full of water and placed it on the ground. The three of them squatted around the basin and washed the mud and sand off their hands together.
All of this felt very novel to little Ying Zheng, but he didn't understand what the emotion surging in his heart was. He just felt warm, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
After washing his hands, Nezha took out three cotton towels from his arms, gave one to Fuli first, then to Ying Zheng, and the one he kept for himself was obviously worn out.
Little Ying Zheng raised his head and said, "Teacher Yin, please switch with your students."
Nezha raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Just use what's given to you. Don't try any of this nonsense. I don't want it." Before he finished speaking, he had already wiped his hands dry and even threatened the child, "If you don't wipe them quickly, you'll have to put them up to dry later."
Little Ying Zheng looked up at the clothesline which was much taller than him, and immediately became obedient. He wiped his hands obediently and returned the towel to Nezha with both hands.
Nezha maliciously pulled the small bun on his head before taking his towel. He also took Fu Li's and hung it on the bamboo clothesline.
"Let's go, let's go eat." He pulled Fu Li and was about to leave first.
The slight touch of emotion that had just risen in little Ying Zheng's heart was immediately wiped out by his tug. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth: "Damn it!"
The child's eyes rolled, and he ran forward, grabbing Fu Li's hands and shaking them. His eyes were red with tears, as if he could burst into tears at any moment: "Teacher, Teacher Yin is bullying me!"
Nezha was stunned: Isn’t this little brat quite serious? How could he be capable of such tricks?
But reality didn't allow him to think anymore, because Fu Li had already turned around and looked at him, her face full of clear disapproval: "Nezha, don't always bully Zheng'er."
Nezha, who really bullied the child: “…………”
——There is really no way to argue with this fact.
At this moment, little Ying Zheng gave him a provocative look, grinning smugly at him while softly displaying his magnanimity: "Teacher, I think Teacher Yin has realized his mistake. Please forgive him this time."
Nezha again: "......"
——Are all kids nowadays so sinister?
Fu Li was already melted by the soft childish voice. She gently touched the little Ying Zheng's forehead and unconsciously raised her voice: "Okay~ I will listen to Zheng'er."
The three of them continued to walk towards the main hall hand in hand. Nezha and little Ying Zheng were on either side of Fuli, and they both retreated slightly. Their eyes met behind her, and there was a "crackling" sound, as if lightning were connecting in the air.
The yard was small and the distance was short, so we arrived at the destination before they could decide the winner.
Zhao Ji's attitude was obviously much better. When she saw the three people coming in, she stood up to greet them personally, pushed the two gentlemen to the seats of honor, and sat at the lower seat with her son.
This was the proper way to entertain guests, so the couple did not refuse.
The popular practice in the Central Plains was to eat separately. The food on the table for four people was basically the same. On the food table for Fu Li and Nezha, there was also a meat soup made by Zhao Ji herself, as a tribute to the gentleman.
As for other food, in addition to the cooked food Nezha bought, there were also mixed grain rice, pickled houttuynia (young leaves of beans) and a bowl of wild vegetable soup.
Don’t talk while eating and don’t talk while sleeping.
Although the family was in a state of poverty, Zhao Ji and Ying Zheng, mother and son, still strictly followed the Zhou rituals and stopped talking from the beginning of the meal.
Fuli and Nezha also followed the local customs. The four of them finished their afternoon meal in silence. Little Ying Zheng then told Zhao Ji that Fuli had started teaching him to read.
Zhao Ji was very happy about her son's progress. She repeatedly told him to study hard under the teacher. She turned around and thanked Fu Li, asking her to be strict when teaching and not to take Ying Zheng's identity into consideration.
"Don't worry, Madam. I will do my best."
Zhao Ji was no longer surprised by the couple's self-proclaimed identity after she learned that they were from Shu.
In Shu, from nobles to commoners, anyone over three years old with a sense of self referred to themselves as "I." Some exceptionally bright children, over two or even one year old, developed self-awareness, changing their imitative ways to refer to themselves as "I."
After leaving the main hall, Fu Li did not immediately take Ying Zheng to learn to read. Instead, she held his hand and walked slowly around the yard for a few laps. Only after he had digested his food did she start her afternoon study.
As for Nezha, he left the house right after dinner. As for what he was going to do, seeing that Fu Li didn't ask, Ying Zheng didn't ask either.
When it was getting dark, Nezha came back with two skinned and cleaned wild rabbits, gave them to Zhao Ji, and went to find Master Fu Li and his apprentice.
Ying Zheng was still squatting on the ground, carefully writing the characters of the seven countries with a branch, even though he had already memorized all ten characters.
It was not until Fu Li said "Okay" that he stood up and put the branch into his sleeve, ready to use it tomorrow.
The couple took him to wash his hands, and then returned to his room, where Fuli applied ointment to his tired, red and swollen fingers and wrists.
Nezha said, "I've found a place. It's in the valley outside Handan. I'll cut some bamboo tomorrow and build a house within two days."
Fu Li said, "Okay, we'll move there when the time comes."
Seeing Ying Zheng looking at them curiously, Fu Li smiled and said, "Want to know what we are talking about? Or have you already guessed it?"
Little Ying Zheng said shyly, "I've guessed a little. Teacher Yin is talking about our new residence, right? Does that mean Teacher Yin won't be able to teach me martial arts tomorrow and the day after tomorrow?"
Nezha chuckled twice: "I can't teach you martial arts, but I can assign you homework. I'll let you supervise me when the time comes."
——I don’t believe that there are children who are not afraid of doing homework.
But Ying Zheng is not an ordinary child. He is now determined to learn martial arts as soon as possible to strengthen his body so that he can beat Zhao Chuan and his gang until they cry for their parents.
"Okay, okay, thank you Teacher Yin!"
The smile on Nezha's face suddenly disappeared, and Fuli chuckled.
Little Ying Zheng blinked her big watery eyes, and no one knew what she was laughing at.
Fu Li touched his face and coaxed him, "Don't overthink it, kid. Now, take off your clothes and I'll apply the medicine on you."
"No... no need, I can apply it myself." Little Ying Zheng subconsciously grabbed his collar, the redness on his cheeks quickly spread to the back of his ears and neck, he was so embarrassed that his whole body was smoking.
Nezha grabbed his hand from behind, lifted it up and shook it, then mercilessly pointed out: "Stop it, you're only four years old. With your short hands, can you even reach my back?"
Little Ying Zheng: “…………”
——Teacher Yin, you don’t have to tell the truth.
I don't know if Nezha heard his thoughts, but he really stopped talking. He chose to take action directly. In no time, he stripped the child naked and placed him on Fuli's legs.
Perhaps because the body couldn't be seen, the children attacked without restraint, and the injuries were much more serious than those on the face.
Fu Li and Nezha couldn't help but look cold, and mentally took note of the parents of those children.
——They don’t bully children, but the father should pay for the son’s debt, is there anything wrong with that?
The two of them suddenly fell silent. Little Ying Zheng, lying on his stomach, couldn't see their expressions, but he had an amazing intuition. He squirmed uneasily, making him look even more pitiful.
Fu Li sighed softly and silently applied the ointment to him. She carried him to the inner side of the bed, covered him with an old fur coat, and said softly, "Go to sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, your injuries will be healed."
Little Ying Zheng huddled in the fox fur, with only his head exposed. He looked at Fu Li with his round eyes, his expression showing reluctance, but he did not say anything to keep her.
Fu Li smiled and said, "Go to sleep. We'll leave after you fall asleep."
The child felt relieved immediately after hearing this. His big eyes like black grapes curved into two crescents. He nodded vigorously and closed his eyes obediently.
After a moment, he quietly opened his eyes a crack, made sure Fu Li was still there, and then closed them again with peace of mind.
Fu Li pretended not to see anything and let him repeat it three or four times until his breathing gradually became longer.
The two waited for another quarter of an hour, and after confirming that little Ying Zheng was asleep, they tiptoed up, slowly backed out, and closed the door silently.
Zhao Ji had already prepared a place for him to live. It was the house that was reserved for entertaining guests when Yi Ren was still alive.
"I was in a hurry today and didn't have time to prepare. I hope you two gentlemen don't mind."
Zhao Ji felt that she had lost face in front of the passengers, and was extremely ashamed and angry, which inevitably showed on her face.
Fu Li smiled and said, "Madam, you're too kind. We'll be moving out in a couple of days, so there's really no need to clean up here, and it'll save us the trouble later."
Zhao Ji's complexion improved a bit, and she smiled more naturally: "It's getting late, gentlemen, please rest. I will go back first."
"Madam, take care."
Fu Li sent her to the door and watched her leave before returning.
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