APSIL -Chapter 127 Unable to Restrain His Feelings

It seemed that neither of them had expected the other to say such a thing. For a moment, the mother and daughter, Ninth Aunt and Zhu Ying, stared at each other wide-eyed. After a long while, just as Zhang Shou had begun to worry that the two of them might start arguing, both of them suddenly burst into laughter.

“Mother, Grandmother and Father have always told me that you were a heroine among women back then. Perfect! You can teach A-Shou, and I’ll stand beside you and learn as well. That way, I won’t let your reputation fall in the future!”

“Don’t listen to your father’s nonsense!” Ninth Aunt’s face rarely turned slightly red, but she ultimately did not drag her mother-in-law into the complaint. Instead, she said unhappily, “I almost forgot. Your grandmother spoils you, and your father indulges you even more. Your personality has grown even wilder than mine was back then, and your martial skills might even surpass mine now. You and A-Shou will become husband and wife sooner or later. It’s fine if you teach him. However…”

Before Ninth Aunt could finish the words “however,” Zhang Shou, who truly could not bear it any longer, hurriedly coughed heavily and said: “Really, there’s no need! I just want to learn a few moves for self-defense. I’m not planning to become some martial arts master. Surely there are plenty of guards in the residence who can teach me. Besides, at my age, even if I wanted to become a peerless martial expert, it’s already too late, isn’t it?”

Zhang Shou originally only wanted to brush the matter aside for now.

But unexpectedly, the answer he received was once again unanimous.

“Not necessarily!”

Seeing her mother slightly nod, indicating that she should speak first, Zhu Ying immediately smiled brightly.

“A-Shou, don’t be fooled by those legendary stories and martial arts novels. Learning martial arts actually doesn’t need to start too early. A child’s bones haven’t fully developed yet. If they train too hard when young, they can easily injure themselves, and their progress may not even be faster. Unless someone has extraordinary talent, starting around twelve or thirteen is enough.”

“Of course, people like my father and my elder brother, who have exceptional talent, are different. From childhood, they first used medicinal baths to strengthen their bodies. When they began growing at seven or eight years old, they were constantly nourished with all kinds of precious supplements. Before they turned ten, they had already mastered the basics. By fourteen, their martial skills had reached a certain level, and gradually they were capable of leading an elite force on their own.”

“You’re a little older, but our Zhu family’s inherited martial arts are extremely powerful. It’s not too late for you to start now.”

Inherited family martial arts can actually be taught to outsiders so casually?

Zhang Shou could not help but glance toward the Old Madam.

Unexpectedly, this gentle and kind elderly woman simply smiled at him.

“Back then, after your Ninth Aunt married into our family, she also taught much of our family’s martial arts to Yingying’s father. Even Eldest benefited greatly from it. Things passed down through generations should not be treated as personal treasures. If they are hidden away for too long, they will only be lost, and a precious gem will become covered in dust. Therefore, at the beginning of our dynasty, Emperor Taizu strongly encouraged exchange and sharing.”

Perhaps because she had unintentionally mentioned Emperor Taizu again, the Old Madam paused with a trace of sadness before casually continuing: “However, the current atmosphere is different from back then. Whether it is family knowledge or martial techniques, people have gradually become unwilling to teach outsiders and prefer keeping them hidden.”

“A-Shou, if you want to learn swordsmanship, it would be better to let A-Liu practice here first, then have him teach you later.”

Zhu Ying had not expected her grandmother to suddenly suggest such an idea. She immediately protested: “Grandmother!”

Seeing Ninth Aunt look at him with slight confusion, Zhang Shou smiled and explained: “A-Liu was a child my mother picked up back then. It seems he learned martial arts from Seventh Master Hua. His skills are quite extraordinary.”

This was not a secret.

Perhaps Zhu Ying had already mentioned it to the Old Madam and Ninth Aunt when she was excited, so Zhang Shou casually brought it up.

After A-Liu had confessed to him that Hua Qi was actually connected to the imperial family, Zhang Shou had also wanted to see how the Zhu family would react to this “madman” Zhu Ying often talked about.

Sure enough, while the Old Madam remained calm, Ninth Aunt laughed.

“So it was that madman who kills people as easily as slaughtering dogs!”

Although she called him a madman who killed without hesitation, the Zhao State Duchess rarely revealed a smile.

She looked toward Zhu Ying, who was still somewhat unwilling, and said: “Yingying, the disciple taught by that madman Hua Qi must be just like him—capable of mastering anything he learns. Once A-Liu learns swordsmanship and teaches A-Shou, he will definitely be much better than us half-trained people.”

Zhu Ying could only reluctantly agree.

Zhang Shou quickly changed the subject.

When he and Zhu Ying left Qing’an Hall, he did not immediately return to the guest courtyard to see Madam Wu.

Instead, he looked at Zhu Ying, who still seemed slightly unhappy, and softly said:

“Yingying, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for several days. I’m not sure whether it’s appropriate, so I wanted to ask you.”

Zhu Ying’s temper had always come quickly and disappeared even faster.

She immediately threw away that little bit of frustration and asked excitedly:

“What is it? Quickly tell me.”

“You know those people from Lu Sanlang’s group. Back then, I accepted quite a lot of tuition fees from them. The money from twenty-four people combined is honestly not a small amount. Most of it was silk and cloth, though there was also some gold and silver.”

“Keeping it stored away would just be a waste, so I plan to use it.”

“Of course, it’s not because I lack money. It’s for my mother.”

The question that had reached Zhu Ying’s lips immediately disappeared.

Ever since the Old Madam had lost control of her emotions when she first met Zhang Shou, Zhu Ying had persistently questioned her grandmother and learned many things.

After Ninth Aunt returned, she had also managed to pry out even more details from her mother, who was terrible at hiding things.

Therefore, although neither side had spoken openly about it, Zhu Ying, who rarely bothered to think deeply, had still realized one thing: Madam Wu was probably not Zhang Shou’s biological mother.

She knew it.

With Zhang Shou’s intelligence, he naturally could not have failed to realize it either.

Yet he still treated Madam Wu as his mother.

And Zhu Ying naturally did not mind.

After all, whenever Madam Wu met her, she was always gentle, smiling warmly, and speaking softly. She was nothing like those vicious mothers-in-law from wealthy families who looked down on daughters-in-law from humble backgrounds.

“Are you planning to use this money to prepare some gift for Aunt Wu?”

Zhang Shou had not expected Zhu Ying’s first thought to be buying Madam Wu a gift.

He could not help but laugh.

“You’re half right. I do want to buy her something, but not an ordinary gift.”

“Originally, the small residence Mr. Qi from the back street of the Zhao State Duke Residence lent us was very comfortable. But because of the Jiuzhang Hall recruitment, it’s temporarily unsuitable for us to live there.”

“Also, I don’t have enough time to accompany Mother, so I want to find something for her to do.”

Seeing Zhu Ying’s surprised expression, he sincerely said: “I want her to open a small shop. First, it can help pass the time. Second, it can give Yang Hao and Qiao Hu something to do. And naturally, it can also earn some money.”

“What do you think about opening a cosmetics shop?”

After finally understanding what he meant, Zhu Ying seriously considered it.

Then she shook her head.

“A-Shou, the rouge and cosmetics business already has many established old shops in the capital. For Aunt Wu, someone who has just arrived here, trying to establish herself would probably be very difficult.”

“Not to mention others—I myself never use things bought outside. Most of my rouge and cosmetics are personally made by Zhan Jin and Liu Yin.”

Seeing Zhu Ying genuinely thinking it through, Zhang Shou could not help but feel that this serious girl was truly adorable.

He finally asked the question he had carried since the village: “Yingying, just like back then in Cuiyun Pavilion, why have you never thought that I’m too obsessed with money and too worldly?”

“Hmm?”

Zhu Ying was startled.

She stared into Zhang Shou’s eyes for a long time before firmly saying: “Because A-Shou, you have never lacked money, and you have never cared about money.”

“How could you possibly be greedy and worldly?”

“How could someone greedy and worldly teach children poetry and the Nine-Nine multiplication song for free in the village?”

“How could someone greedy and worldly study mathematics with Grandpa Ge?”

“Everyone knows that many people in court believe things like mathematics are beneath dignity. They think they are merely useless tricks and clever crafts, incomparable to the teachings of sages.”

“People like Grandpa Ge only revealed their talents later.”

“But you became famous for mathematics so early. Your path in officialdom was bound to be difficult.”

“Someone like you, who faces difficulties head-on, how could anyone call you greedy and worldly?”

Zhang Shou originally wanted to say:

How could I not lack money? How could I not care about money? In this world, even a single coin can defeat a hero.

However, when Zhu Ying actually described him as a warrior who bravely faced hardship, he fell silent without realizing it.

After a long while, he thoughtfully asked: “But you have never advised me that if I continue doing things this way, my future path will become difficult.”

“Why should I advise you?”

“Although my talent in mathematics is so poor that Grandpa Ge often curses me for it, if you believe something is right, and I also think it is a good thing, then naturally you should persist!”

“Besides, you can turn someone like Lu Sanlang, whom everyone thought was useless, into a genius.”

“You can make Zhang Chen admit defeat.”

“You can make those old-fashioned scholars speechless.”

“Isn’t that wonderful?”

As Zhu Ying spoke, her eyes shone brightly.

“I’m not like Princess Yongping, who seems to only care about people who can become top scholars!”

“My father told me before: a person who can kill enemies on the battlefield is talented.”

“Someone who can design beautiful buildings is talented.”

“Someone who understands how to build bridges and roads is talented.”

“In any case, A-Shou, whatever you want to do, just do it.”

“I’ll always support you!”

Even though they were standing inside the Zhao State Duke Residence at this very moment, Zhang Shou’s emotions surged so strongly that he could no longer remain calm.

He stepped forward.

Then suddenly reached out and pulled the spirited young woman before him into his arms.

At that moment, he forgot everything.

The rules about men and women keeping distance.

The image of himself as a refined gentleman.

Everything was thrown aside.

Only after he truly felt her warm, soft body in his embrace did he suddenly regain his senses.

He hurriedly released her and stepped back, lowering his head apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I was too sudden.”

“I don’t know why…I couldn’t control myself.”

Zhu Ying’s face was flushed red.

She had not even recovered from Zhang Shou’s sudden action.

But when she suddenly noticed that Zhang Shou’s handsome face had also turned suspiciously red under the lantern light, the embarrassment she had just felt instantly vanished.

She coughed awkwardly and muttered: “If it had been anyone else, I would have already knocked them flat!”

Zhang Shou felt that the little romantic atmosphere around them instantly disappeared because of Zhu Ying’s domineering declaration.

He even glanced at the small passageway.

Seeing that no one was around, he could not help but wonder whether the Zhu family had intentionally left them enough space.

After a long while, he suppressed those distracting thoughts and forced the conversation back on track.

“Since a cosmetics shop would be difficult, I remember Mother used to love embroidery and mending.”

“But later, perhaps because she worried about damaging her eyes, she gradually stopped using needles.”

“Whenever she mentioned it occasionally, she seemed a little regretful.”

“Now that she has nothing to do, why not find some people for her to teach? She can pass down her skills, and she won’t have to spend her days idle.”

“What do you think?”

And A-Shou says he is worldly and obsessed with money? Look at this.

This isn’t opening an embroidery workshop to make money.

He is finding apprentices for Madam Wu so her skills can continue.

This time, Zhu Ying did not answer immediately.

She quickly glanced at Zhang Shou, then smiled.

“If you trust me with this matter, I’ll help you find suitable people.”

Zhang Shou immediately smiled.

“Then I’ll leave it entirely to you.”

“After all, I’ll probably be staying at the Imperial Academy often in the future, and I may not have much time to return.”

His identity would eventually be revealed.

Perhaps the time when he could call Madam Wu “mother” would not last forever.

Before that happened, he wanted her to have something meaningful to do.

Something that could keep her busy.

A few companions she could talk with.

And besides…

This was also preparation for other things to come.