Shen Nanzhi stepped forward, took the wooden sword from his hand, and said, "You don't need to be so polite in the future."
Chengli retorted, "Ritual cannot be abandoned."
Seeing Cheng Li's serious expression, Shen Nanzhi said nothing more, picked up the wooden sword in his hand, and asked, "Your swordsmanship just now was quite good. Who taught you?"
"My older brother taught me."
Shen Nanzhi fiddled with the wooden sword and said, "Do you want me to teach you a couple of moves that you can learn in no time? I guarantee they'll be faster and more accurate than the moves you just practiced."
Cheng Li said with delight, "Please enlighten me, General Shen."
When Mu Chenshuang arrived at the courtyard, she saw Shen Nanzhi teaching Chengli swordsmanship.
Chengli quickly grasped the knack and learned it in no time.
As Mu Chenshuang approached, Shen Nanzhi saw her. She was dressed in simple clothes, without much adornment. Her long, ink-black hair was simply tied up with two hairpins. Her beauty didn't need elaborate hair ornaments or makeup; she was naturally beautiful, like a painting. Her skin was like jade, her red lips alluring, and her eyes, like stars in the dark night, were captivating. A casual glance from her could make anyone's heart flutter.
Shen Nanzhi gazed at her intently, his heart pounding with uncontrollable excitement.
Until Mu Chenshuang walked up to him.
"What's wrong?"
Mu Chenshuang's voice brought Shen Nanzhi back to his senses. He quickly composed himself, looked away awkwardly, and calmed himself down. "It's nothing."
Mu Chenshuang didn't ask any more questions. She moved to Chengli's side and said, "The move you just used suits you very well."
Cheng Li looked up at Mu Chenshuang and replied, "It was General Chen who taught me."
Shen Nanzhi said to Mu Chenshuang, "Chengli is a good prospect for martial arts. If we nurture him well, he will definitely achieve great things when he grows up."
Mu Chenshuang also pointed this out, saying that Chengli learns very quickly, both in academics and swordsmanship.
"Chengli will definitely study hard and will not let Sister Shuang down."
It took Mu Chenshuang a long time to correct him to this form of address. She planned to nurture Chengli properly and not waste such a promising talent, so there was no need to seem distant. She could simply recognize him as her younger brother.
Mu Chenshuang smiled with satisfaction and let Chengli practice on his own first.
"What brings you here today?" Mu Chenshuang asked.
The two strolled leisurely in the courtyard.
"Nothing much, nothing much at home, so I thought I'd come and see you."
The two walked into the pavilion, sat down opposite each other, and chatted for a while. Then, Shen Nanzhi suddenly said, "The hairpin I gave you before is very suitable for your outfit today."
These words were spoken.
Mu Chenshuang's expression froze slightly, but she quickly recovered and concealed the panic in her eyes.
"Anyway, I have nothing to do today and don't need to leave the mansion, so I just casually put on two hairpins when I got up this morning, without making any special selections."
She answered calmly, but felt a pang of guilt in her heart. She really didn't know how to continue making a reasonable excuse. It was obvious that Shen Nanzhi really cared about that hairpin.
Clearly, Shen Nanzhi was not convinced by her explanation.
"Then, Shuang'er, may I take a look at that hairpin?"
Shen Nanzhi's sudden insistence left Mu Chenshuang somewhat puzzled about his thoughts. Had he guessed something?
"Why do you suddenly want to see that hairpin?" Mu Chenshuang asked with a forced smile.
Shen Nanzhi looked serious and said in a deep voice, "I just noticed that you haven't been wearing it, Shuang'er. I wonder what's wrong with it. I'd like to take a look."
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