As the Lantern Festival passed, the capital city gradually transitioned from the chill of winter into the warmth of early spring.
In the garden of the Marquis of Wu'an's estate, life returned once more—the pond thawed, and the sounds of birds, insects, and fish filled the air.
Yet, none of this had much impact on Chen Yi, who continued his daily lessons as usual.
However, in addition to his previous studies in literacy, etiquette, and cognitive development, a new course had been added—martial arts drills.
This wasn't for him to actually practice martial arts, but rather, a teacher from the training grounds had been brought in to demonstrate a few sword techniques each day.
According to Xia Wanwan, who had approached the Marquis of Wu'an, it was a "slow bird flying early" approach—to give Yier a bit of experience in martial arts that might someday prove useful.
Who knows where she got this peculiar idea, but Chen Taiping, ever the doting husband, agreed to it immediately.
And so, Chen Yi had to bear the brunt of it.
It wasn't that the martial arts instructor lacked skill, but the sword techniques he demonstrated were, in Chen Yi's eyes, hard to critique.
They had the same strange, flawed beauty as the moves he'd previously seen at the training grounds.
This discomfort was hard to put into words, yet anyone with a hint of perfectionism would struggle to endure it.
With no other choice, he decided to play the role of a "master" himself, viewing the sword techniques from the perspective of evaluating a student.
At the same time, he mentally rehearsed a more precise version of the sword forms.
After observing for several days, he shifted his approach again, attempting to find counters to each move.
It was like playing a game of chess with himself, controlling both the black and white pieces.
Aside from his lessons, Chen Yi spent most of his time trying to gather information about both the inner and outer workings of the marquis's estate.
Within the estate, he would discreetly eavesdrop on the gossip of the more talkative servants.
Though, there was little of real value—things like the Second Master disciplining some branch family members at the training grounds, the Old Madam planning to commission a golden Buddha statue for worship, or a maid from one of the courtyards getting expelled from the estate for a mistake.
Things outside the estate were much livelier.
According to a servant named Yang Xi, ever since the descent of the Great Void Buddha, the number of people worshiping had surged.
Not only was the Chen family's Old Madam offering incense, but members of other marquis and dukes' households were also worshiping, creating something of a trend.
This, however, infuriated the Daoist monks of the Taixu Sect, and rumors began circulating that Gu Tiangang was planning to establish a sect branch in the capital to recruit disciples.
Though unconfirmed, the Taixu Sect's residence in the capital was already packed with nobles and high-ranking officials.
It was said that many people were lined up outside the gates, with carts of gifts, waiting for an audience, while others traveled directly to Taixu Sect's sacred mountain to inquire in person.
The most exaggerated rumor going around was that the Supreme One on the imperial court even hoped a few of the princes could apprentice under Taixu Sect.
This news stirred up quite a buzz in the capital for a long time.
Eventually, Chen Yi confirmed that Taixu Sect did indeed plan to recruit a few disciples from the capital.
However, they wouldn't remain in the capital but would instead journey to the holy grounds of Mount Taixu for training.
Of course, this information didn't come from Yang Xi but from Chen Yi's father, Chen Taiping, who had mentioned it in private.
Chen Taiping's exact words were: "Taixu Sect plans to escort interested candidates to their sacred grounds by next Mid-Autumn Festival. Anyone who passes the test will be accepted into Mount Taixu."
"The requirement is that they must be children under the age of five, with decent potential in foundational martial arts."
"If Yuan and Yi could join Taixu Sect, their martial arts achievements would be much greater in the future."
Chen Yi wasn't sure what Zhou Wanyi thought about this, but Xia Wanwan was clearly invested.
She promptly swapped his literacy books from Confucian classics to Daoist texts.
Titles like The Ten Great Daoist Paths, An Introduction to Daoist Scriptures, and The Ten Celestial Daoist Maidens…
That last one, oddly enough, was something Yang Xi had picked up on one of his trips outside the estate, yet it was enough to broaden Chen Yi's horizons.
The illustrations in the book depicted ethereal beauties, each one exuding an unmatched grace and celestial charm.
Chen Yi couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited the author of this book. Hopefully, they wouldn't end up on the Daoist sect's wanted list—he was eagerly waiting for the next volume, after all.
Three peaceful months passed, until a major event shook the household.
A joyous event—Zhou Wanyi is pregnant!
Who knows if she made a wish at Great Void Temple, but it just so happened that she conceived right before Chen Taiping's departure to guard the northern borders.
Chen Yi hadn't thought much of it at first, but as it turned out, Zhou Wanyi's pregnancy would spell trouble for him before anyone else.
Apparently, someone advised Chen Taiping that it wouldn't be wise to let young Chen Yuan run wild and potentially disturb Zhou Wanyi's pregnancy.
Chen Taiping took this advice to heart and specifically spoke with Xia Wanwan, arranging for Chen Yuan to stay with Chen Yi.
Not only would they eat and sleep together, but Chen Yuan would also have to join him in all his lessons!
This left Chen Yi speechless.
He could hardly imagine just how "eventful" his days would become with Chen Yuan around in the east wing—
"Second Brother, hey, Second Brother."
Watching Chen Yuan run over with his books clutched to his chest, Chen Yi secretly rolled his eyes.
Ever since the eldest brother could recite the numbers from one to ten, he had taken to calling himself "Second Brother" with a "二" in front.
"What's this character read?"
Chen Yi saw him pointing at the character for "笨" (stupid).
"Ben."
"Ben?"
Chen Yuan tilted his little head and thought for a moment, then said, "Second Brother, why are you calling me stupid just like Mother does?"
Chen Yi: "..."
His mother wasn't wrong in what she said.
Of course, he only thought that in his mind; outwardly, he patiently explained things to Chen Yuan.
Strangely enough, perhaps due to the grievances expressed during the naming ceremony, Chen Yi felt little animosity toward this somewhat simple older brother. At least for now, he wouldn't take out his frustrations with Zhou Wanyi on Chen Yuan.
"Oh, so I am this character?"
"Wrong! You're not this character; you're Chen Yuan, my brother, Chen Yuan!"
Chen Yi's face grew serious for once.
"If anyone ever calls you '笨' (Stupid), you can't let them get away with it!"
"Then," Chen Yuan said, his expression still a bit confused, "what about when Mother says it to me?"
"Not allowed."
"Got it! If Mother calls me '笨' (Stupid) again, I'll tell her she's a bald donkey!"
Chen Yi chuckled, imagining the consequences of little Chen Yuan saying that; he was pretty sure that the old lady would beat him half to death.
"That's not allowed either! Just tell her I said it."
"Alright, I'll tell Mother that Second Brother doesn't let anyone call me '笨.' (Stupid)"
"Exactly…"
Unbeknownst to the two children, their conversation was overheard by Chen Taiping and the two ladies outside the door.
"These two little rascals get along quite well," Chen Taiping chuckled softly.
Noticing Zhou Wanyi's silence, Xia Wanwan chimed in, "Yuan is pure-hearted, and Yi is clever and mischievous; all the teachers like them very much."
"Of course, just look at whose offspring they are."
"Dear…"
"Alright, alright, I admit I spoke out of turn. I shouldn't be so crude."
In the dim light of the night, Zhou Wanyi gazed at Chen Yi with a complex expression, remaining silent.
(End of Chapter)