Examinations at the Imperial College test not only literary knowledge but also martial skills.
At the very least, a certain level of physical fitness is required.
Students have to live on campus, and if they frequently fall ill and need medicine, the academy cannot accommodate these young ladies and gentlemen.
Therefore, the entrance exams include physical strength tests.
Feng Liuli, at the age of forty-two, bears the traces of time’s wear on her face but cannot fully obscure the beauty she once had. Faint crow’s feet can be seen at the corners of her eyes, and her cheeks slightly sag, accompanied by weariness, showing she rarely takes care of herself. Her eyes are dim, and she has an uninteresting stern demeanor, a typical strict teacher’s presence.
Unlike the Ye Family’s elegance and charm, which is mature and graceful, she is slender and weathered.
One can easily see she is a woman with a story.
Originally named Feng Ruoruo, she was born into a wealthy family, with notable artistic skills from a young age. Following her parents’ wishes, she married hastily, only to find her husband to be a poor match, favoring concubines over her and even resorting to violence.
After enduring for ten years, she requested a separation, and her family did not understand her, stating harshly that she was not to return to the Feng Family after the separation.
Her husband’s unfaithfulness, the concubine’s arrogance, the disdain from servants...
In that place, she found no purpose and finally resolutely left.
She moved far from her hometown, changed her name to Feng Liuli, and opened a painting studio in the Jiangnan city of Suzhou, where she made a living through her remarkable painting skills, gaining some fame in Suzhou.
A few years ago, Ye Yuan traveled south on business.
He met her by chance and was impressed by her talent. Now, with a need, he sent a letter to invite her to the Capital City.
The poet Meng Jiao once wrote a poem for Chang’an.
"Yesterday’s squalor is not worth boasting, today’s indulgence has no bounds.
The galloping horse rejoices in the spring breeze, seeing all the flowers of Chang’an in a single day."
She left her painting studio to the care of a manager and set off to the Capital City the next day, curious to see how the flowers of Chang’an might differ.
Her teaching responsibilities include painting, music, and games.
To make a good impression on the Teachers, Ye Zhi carefully dressed up, wearing a dignified Shu Brocade dress embroidered with gardenias, her hair styled elegantly, her face simple and neat, looking adorable.
Shen Chen also dressed neatly, with his hair tied up high, looking very spirited, his small face stern.
The two young children stood facing a row of three Teachers.
With respectful attitudes, they spoke in unison, "Greetings, Teacher."
The three Teachers nodded slightly.
The two children, with rosy cheeks and white teeth, were clearly good seedlings with promising roots!
Xun Yin and Gu Yan’s faces were calm, accustomed to such sights.
One is a dignified Cabinet Scholar, the other a Martial Arts expert. They have guided countless students and disciples, nothing surprises them, and they handle everything with ease.
Compared to the other two’s calm composure, Feng Liuli’s outward strictness masked a bit of inner nervousness!
After all, this was her first time taking on disciples.
Lord Minister hired her to teach his own daughter, showing great trust, so she couldn’t just teach perfunctorily.
On the first day, the three Teachers didn’t start teaching; they just got to know the two children and exchanged some basic greetings!
They also set the class schedule:
During the Hour of the Dragon, Gu Yan will guide: Martial Arts Class.
Martial Arts Class content mainly includes practicing the basics: stance training, basic boxing techniques, self-defense, riding, shooting, and so on.
During the Hour of the Snake, Xun Yin will teach: Calligraphy Class.
The content mainly involves teaching students calligraphy. After mastering a thousand characters, they will learn to read the "Three Character Classic," "Hundred Family Names," "Classical Chinese," etc.!
They will also be taught thought, arithmetic, and more.