Ki spent most of her life learning new skills to survive whether it was cooking, poison, using of different herbs for medicine…
The list could go on but there was a time when she did pick up a hobby for herself as a way to try treat or alleviate some of her problems.
She suffered from high stress, headaches and had difficulty sleeping so she took what she learned about herbs and various fruits and took up a new hobby to create different variations of teas and wines.
During her time tea and wine making she succeeded in making them with different medicinal effects but she also made various poisonous wines too however her favourite ones she ever made had effects which helped a lot with her condition.
The effects were to calm ones mind and provide the person drinking it to experience a moment of clarity or peace.
For most martial artists, scholars or artists who experienced setbacks and lacked a chance to make progress in their profession, one drink would be able to provide a person enough of a clear mind to unblock ones complicated and blocked thoughts for a moment and have a moment of inspiration.
Asking for the research room and other things was to provide her a place to continue her hobby without being disturbed and use it to start up her own starting point to sell her own specialty wines and teas in the future.
The mulberry tree ideas were mainly based on the inheritance which inspired her to use the mulberries and leaves in a signature tea and wine so she believed she could create something worth selling with a little experimenting.
Ki greeted her mother with a smile. "Hi mom, what did you want to talk about? Brother is waiting for me so can we be quick?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "So impatient hmph! I worked hard for you, so ungrateful. It's just a rough version so it will have to do for today, I modified some old clothes to be like you said so how is it?"
'Old clothes but the fabric is expensive, not what I had in mind but it should work for me for now. Hopefully I can urge her to try to make her own version with lower grade products which can be mass produced… hmmm…' Ki took and inspected the clothes. "They are good mom but have you ever thought about using something similar to start up a business with the families help?"
Elizabeth looked bewildered and lacking in confidence. "I don't think anything I make will sell but what do you mean?"
"You got the style right and the quality and materials would work well for its use but it would only be sold to those with more money who train their body and still wish to look and feel good. However there aren't many who would purchase something like this unless it is heavily promoted to the noble circles for their guards use or themselves to use during their training time so why don't you try experimenting with cheaper materials which are durable and easy to clean. This way you can mass produce them and sell them to mercenaries, sects, martial artists in training, guards and the general population. Since they are a simple design it leaves options for different colours and to add a marking, logo or badge for their affiliation and ranking. Later you can use higher quality versions and also look into making alterations to make a set if work clothing for men and women once they begin to gain more popularity. Try talking to grandmother and dad if you wish to give it a try. I believe in you mom." Ki quickly left after dumping another job for her mother to complete.
'Sigh what a task to complete my daughter has given me. Although I didn't get to question her over why she has changed recently Its probably best that I talk to mother and Adam about it first." Elizabeth looked at her daughter running away before she could get a word out. "I have no room to refuse huh… I guess I can give it a try, it wouldn't hurt even if I fail."
After changing into her training clothes Ki met up with Leon under the mulberry tree by the pond. "So you waited for me."
"Yes sister, what are we going to do?" Leon smiled happily.
"Hmm… Leon do you want to practice martial arts with your sister?" Ki began to grab Leon's arms, hands, legs and shoulders to check his bodies condition before thinking. 'His physique would definitely be suited for more difficult training in order to make use of his broader shoulders and stronger grip strength. He has a bigger build than most boys his age so maybe he could train to use a larger and heavier weapon as he grows up. For now I have to keep his attention and interest on practicing so he doesn't waste his talents.'
"What are martial arts?" Leon looked confused.
"Martial arts are used when fighting and help strengthen our bodies." Ki looked lovingly at her younger brother. "I have started practicing martial arts in order to protect my family from bad guys. Don't you want to protect sister?"
"Hmph sister the boys in the village are mean and say bad things are they bad guys?" Leon looked confused.
"Bad guys are those who hurt or try to hurt you and our family. They may say mean things to make you feel bad but that does not mean you can hit them, martial arts are used to become strong and protect what you have but if someone ever tries to hurt my Leon I will beat them up." Ki coaxed her brother one step at a time. "Do you remember your grandmothers sisters grandchildren? One said he is practicing martial arts when they came over yesterday?"
"Oh so sister is so strong, I want to be strong like sister too. Then I can protect sister." Leon thought for a moment. "I remember! He said he would be powerful in the future and be able to have powerful punches if he trains hard."
"Yes if he works hard then he would be able to punch hard but he will never be as powerful as your sister. I'm just using him as an example so I don't see my brother go down the wrong path but what do you think of his temper?" Ki asked again.
"I heard mom say he has a bad temper and hits people when he is angry." Leon thought for a moment before answering.
"The reason I am teaching you martial arts is for you to protect yourself and the ones you love and not to do the same as your cousin. I do not want you to harm others without a good enough reason because you could cause serious damage to the other person if you do not know how to hold yourself back." Ki patted Leon's head. "But I know my Leon is a good child and would never lose his temper with anyone without a good reason."
Leon grinned happily upon hearing his sisters words. "So sister what are you teaching me first?"
"I had a few ideas but I think considering your age it would be best to get familiar with your body and slowly build up your strength for a few years." Ki remembered a basic martial art which could be used to improve his flexibility, limb and muscle strength that would not be too taxing on his body while it could also keep him interested. "I know of one you might like! How about the imperial beast 8 forms?"
Leon opened his mouth wide in shock. "Beasts what kind of beasts?"