If Yueyao saying she wanted to learn martial arts was surprising, the most shocked was not Madam Ping or Zhuang Ruolan, but Luo Mingzhu. When Luo Mingzhu heard Yueyao express her desire to learn martial arts, she thought there must be something wrong with her ears. A talented lady wanting to learn martial arts? Wasn’t that as absurd as it raining red from the sky?
Luo Mingzhu asked incredulously, "You said you want to learn martial arts? Are you serious?"
Yueyao nodded, "I asked my uncle a few days ago to find me a female master to teach me martial skills. I didn’t know before, but later I found out that practicing martial arts is good for the body and can strengthen and improve one’s health."
Luo Mingzhu looked at the rosy-cheeked and tall Yueyao, full of doubt, "Are you unhealthy?" If the person in front of her was sickly, then probably no one in the Capital City was healthy.
Yueyao smiled and said, "I also have to thank an old doctor who taught me a set of boxing exercises, which I persist in doing every day. I used to be very weak and got sick easily. Ever since I started practicing these exercises each day, I hardly ever fall ill."
Ruo Lan knew nothing of Yueyao asking Ma Chengteng to find her a teacher, but she was aware that Yueyao practiced the Five Animal Frolics every day, and explained, "This child practices her boxing for half a shichen every morning and evening." Ruo Lan indirectly affirmed that Yueyao wasn’t lying.
Luo Mingzhu, who was tall for her age, looking more like she was fourteen or fifteen instead of twelve, asked, "Now that you are healthy, why do you still want to learn martial arts? Don’t you know ladies should be gentle and dignified? Only those who are crude engage in martial arts."
Upon hearing Luo Mingzhu’s words, Madam Ping’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. This young girl, who routinely disregarded propriety herself, was actually preaching about dignity to others.
A look of surprise crossed Yueyao’s face as she asked, "Is there an inevitable connection between practicing martial arts and becoming a noble lady?" Learning martial arts was just a means to protect oneself, and it truly had nothing to do with whether she was a noble lady.
"Ah?" Luo Mingzhu was caught off-guard by the question.
Madam Ping was also full of curiosity; this was no ordinary girl. She asked Yueyao, "Practicing martial arts involves handling swords and spears, do you think a lady that learns martial arts can still be considered refined?"
Yueyao nodded and said, "I want to learn martial arts because at the beginning of the year, I was involved in an accident and almost died. If I knew martial arts, I could protect myself. I believe there is no conflict between learning martial arts and being a distinguished young lady."
Zhuang Ruolan laughed softly, "I also think that even if Yueyao learns martial arts, she’s still a distinguished young lady from a reputable family." Yueyao’s manners and etiquette were impeccable; learning martial arts wouldn’t change that.
Of course, Zhuang Ruolan supported Yueyao because she was certain that even if Yueyao learned martial arts, she would only be practicing boxing techniques and definitely not wielding swords or spears.
After thinking for a moment, Luo Mingzhu said, "But people who practice martial arts often handle swords; their hands become rough and calloused. Would you really be willing to have rough and calloused hands?" Luo Mingzhu said this because she had personal experience, as both her father and brother had thick calluses on their hands.
Yueyao unfolded her hands.
Luo Mingzhu saw the calluses and exclaimed, "How did you get these? Don’t tell me they came from practicing martial arts?" From her earlier tone, it certainly didn’t sound like she was practicing martial arts.
Yueyao laughed and said, "These are from practicing my calligraphy day and night."
At that moment, Cai Yun entered and said, "Young Lady, Miss Ying has come."
Ruo Lan had not asked anyone to invite Loo Ying over, and wondered if she had come because she heard of a distinguished guest’s visit. She commanded, "Let Miss Ying in."
Loo Ying was unaware that a guest had arrived at the estate; she had initially intended to find Yueyao and only came here after hearing Yueyao was with Ruo Lan.
Loo Ying saw an unfamiliar face outside the courtyard and realized a visitor was at the estate. She felt a bit saddened that Yueyao had been summoned, but not her – the Eldest Cousin-in-law was indeed biased.
Ruo Lan said with a smile, "Yajing, this is Yingying, the daughter of my Second Great Aunt. Yingying, these are the Wife of the Heir of Marquis Jingning and the Third Miss of the Luo Family."
Loo Ying’s attire had changed markedly. Today, she wore a goose-yellow dress and a daffodil scattered flower muslin skirt beneath it; her hair was done up in double hoop coils with a red gold inlaid with gemstones hairpin with pendants, from which hung pearl tassels the size of rice grains. She also wore red gold pendants inlaid with jadeite and cat’s eye stone in her ears, a red gold necklace around her neck, and a pair of shrimp bracelets on her wrists. Such attire was very luxurious and it is said that clothes make the man. Loo Ying’s ordinary features were now enchantingly dressed, seemingly enhanced from a modest three to a dazzling nine points.