Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 432 - 155: Persevere

Chapter 432: Chapter 155: Persevere

Zhuang Ruolan was the lady of the Ma’s Mansion, and Yueyao could keep her secrets for two or three days, but not for much longer, because she needed more and more medicine for her bruises and injuries.

When Zhuang Ruolan came over, she just happened to see Bai Yi applying medicine to Yueyao.

Yueyao had been falling frequently while practicing her punches these days, not knowing how many times she had fallen, and it was at this time that Yueyao realized how vast the difference was between the Five Animal Frolics and true martial arts.

Zhuang Ruolan hurried forward and rolled up Yueyao’s other sleeve, revealing abrasions that had medicine applied to them.

Xi Yu, who was behind her, wiped away tears and said, "Young lady, Miss doesn’t have a single patch of unbruised skin left. Please persuade her to stop learning this."

Zhuang Ruolan looked at Yueyao’s legs, which were also blue, purple, and red. She couldn’t help exclaiming, "How did it get like this?" She didn’t expect it to be so serious. Daughters of great families were coddled, where even a scrape was a major event. If the Shen family knew of Yueyao’s condition, they would surely come to call off the engagement.

Zhuang Ruolan immediately said, "Yueyao, stop learning this. If you insist on continuing, I will tell your uncle." Yueyao hadn’t been outside because she was in mourning, so outsiders didn’t know her situation. When her mourning was over and Yueyao went out to socialize, if people saw her hands full of calluses, who knew what kind of gossip she would face.

Zhuang Ruolan knew that Yueyao enjoyed painting and practiced calligraphy diligently to prepare for it. Yueyao was obsessed with painting, so nothing she said would be useful; moreover, since Yueyao had talent in this area, it would be a pity to forcibly stop her. However, the situation was different now. Zhuang Ruolan thought that Yueyao’s so-called martial arts practice was just like the Five Animal Frolics, but she hadn’t expected it to be so frightening.

Yueyao smiled and shook her head, "Cousin-in-law, don’t listen to Xi Yu’s nonsense. My skin is fair, so it looks worse than it is. It’s not actually that bad—the bruises won’t leave scars, except for the scrapes on my hands."

Zhuang Ruolan still disagreed, "No, stop learning. If the Shen family hears about this, they will surely have a big problem with it." The Shen family hadn’t called off the marriage because of last time’s rumor, but if they knew about Yueyao’s behavior, they would surely end the engagement.

Yueyao’s mouth curled into a sneer after hearing this, "Cousin-in-law, rest assured, even if the Shen family knows, they won’t do anything. And they definitely won’t call off the marriage." For the sake of his own future, Shen Qian would not call off the marriage. At most, he would plot some scheme to do it, just like in her previous life.

If she had previously believed that the annulment was solely Lady Mu’s idea, she wasn’t so naive now. Shen Qian must have agreed to it; otherwise, such a big matter couldn’t have been concealed.

Seeing the mocking smile on Yueyao’s face, Zhuang Ruolan’s eyes flashed with suspicion. That kind of look was usually reserved for enemies. She asked directly, "Why are you so certain the Shen family won’t call off the engagement?" There must be something she didn’t know.

Yueyao replied, "My father saved Lord Shen’s life. As long as Lord Shen doesn’t want to tarnish his reputation with ingratitude, he won’t break off the marriage." The fact that Lian Dongbo had saved Shen Qian’s life had not spread widely and was known by only a few.

Zhuang Ruolan’s frown deepened, "Even if your uncle saved Lord Shen’s life, you shouldn’t have this attitude. After you marry into the Shen family, you’ll have to live there. With this attitude, you’ll suffer in the future." This was like how she wasn’t taking care of her body; Zhuang Ruolan thought Yueyao was going too far.

Yueyao didn’t want to discuss it much because it could easily trigger painful memories, but she knew Zhuang Ruolan meant well, so she revealed some matters, "Lady Shen won’t like me just because I am literate and logical, so no matter what I do, it won’t matter to her." Lady Mu valued money, Lady Mu valued power. Yueyao’s parents were both gone; without power or influence, she couldn’t win Lady Mu’s favor no matter how well she performed.

Zhuang Ruolan was stunned. She wasn’t very familiar with the Shen family and didn’t know what they had done to Yueyao, but she knew that Yueyao wasn’t someone who made unfounded claims. Since she acted this way, there must be a reason: "Even so, you shouldn’t torment yourself like this."

Yueyao smiled and shook her head, "I think this is good. Once I’ve learned it, I’ll feel secure." With the ability to protect herself, she wouldn’t have nightmares at night anymore.

Seeing the sadness and sorrow in Yueyao’s eyes, Zhuang Ruolan found it impossible to voice her concerns.

After Zhuang Ruolan left the Begonia Garden, she said to Cai Yun, "Go find out about the Shen family, especially about Lady Shen."

It was easy to look into Lady Mu’s reputation. Her reputation was exceptionally good; she was seen as virtuous and well-behaved and had good connections with many noble families in the Capital City.

These materials completely revealed that Lady Mu was someone who was smooth as silk yet power-hungry. Zhuang Ruolan let out a bitter smile, "Yueyao, this child, is too intelligent." Yueyao must have long seen that Lady Mu valued the power of family background. Yueyao knew no matter what she did, she could never gain Lady Mu’s favor, so she gave up early and did as she wished.

Zhuang Ruolan felt some heartache. She now somewhat understood why Yueyao tried so hard in painting, calligraphy, and even learning martial arts. When one has no support from their parent’s family and can’t rely on the future husband’s family, the only thing left to rely on is oneself.

Zhuang Ruolan kept this matter from Ma Peng. If she told Ma Peng, his father-in-law would surely know by the second day. She also saw through this matter. From the fact that Yueyao had asked her father-in-law to get a teacher, it was clear that her pursuit of martial arts was not a whim but a well-planned decision. Since it was premeditated, her opposition would be useless.

Zhuang Ruolan murmured to herself, "An orphan’s path is always much harder than that of ordinary people." It was also at this time that Zhuang Ruolan felt she had been too harsh on her father. No matter what, her father still cared for her; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let her choose Ma Peng. If her father had been truly heartless, he wouldn’t have allowed Madam Bao to meddle.

Starting out was very difficult, but as long as one perseveres, success will follow. In the beginning, every day felt like Yueyao was enduring torture. If it weren’t for a strong sense of determination, she might have given up already. However, half a month had passed, and Yueyao had now adapted. Her legs no longer trembled during standing post in the morning, and her punches had shape and form, even though their strength did not satisfy Bai Yi. The only thing that was still somewhat painful was the small sandbag tied to her hands; it was very heavy.

During this half month, there was a significant gain. The set of fists taught by Bai Yi consisted of eighty-one moves; Yueyao had already learned twenty-one. To complete them, the task remained arduous. However, Yueyao was pleased when Bai Yi said that though the initial learning phase was difficult, perseverance would make subsequent learning much easier.

Bai Yi was not at all guilty about his concealment. He said, "Learning martial arts is not that easy. If one gives up because of a little pain, then there is no need to waste time."

One day, Ma Chengteng came to Yueyao and said, "Mr. Yu Shan said he will come tomorrow to see if you have made progress?" Ma Chengteng really hoped that Mr. Yu Shan would accept Yueyao as a student, but Mr. Yu Shan had always refused. Ma Chengteng was somewhat unclear about Mr. Yu Shan’s intentions, rejecting Yueyao as a student yet meticulously teaching her; she did not know what Mr. Yu Shan was actually thinking. Regardless, it was a good thing for Yueyao.

Yueyao felt she had made a lot of progress, but she had always been a very modest person and never praised herself. She said with a smile, "Okay."

After Ma Chengteng left, Yueyao said to Bai Yi, "I have something to do tomorrow. I do not know if I will have time to practice martial arts in the afternoon. You have worked hard for the better half of this month; you can go back to the Marquis’ household for a visit." Bai Yi had been at Ma’s Mansion for over half a month and hadn’t gone home to take a look.

Yueyao learned martial arts to train her body and to protect herself, but painting was her hobby and ultimate goal, so naturally, martial arts had to take a backseat.

Bai Yi shook his head, "I will return only after Miss has mastered this set of fists." According to Yueyao’s learning progress, it would take about another month to teach her.

The next day, Mr. Yu Shan arrived very early, and Yueyao had just finished breakfast. Mr. Yu Shan didn’t waste words and pointed at the pot of peonies carried by the attendant following him, "Today, you are to paint the peony." He wanted to watch Yueyao paint the peony and then color it.

Yueyao took less than a shichen to finish painting the peony. Then she spent over a shichen coloring it. After completing the painting, Yueyao let out a long breath and looked at Mr. Yu Shan nervously.

Yueyao did not mind when Bai Yi said she had no talent for martial arts, but she cared very much about Mr. Yu Shan’s critique; she paid attention to any comment he made.

Bai Yi stared blankly at the peony painted by Yueyao, lost in thought for quite some time.

Mr. Yu Shan criticized thoroughly.

As Bai Yi came back to his senses from the shock, he heard Mr. Yu Shan’s words. Bai Yi’s mouth twitched uncontrollably, thinking it was twisted how Mr. Yu Shan could talk at length about just one line not drawn well. However, when Bai Yi saw Yueyao’s serious demeanor, he immediately swallowed any sarcastic thoughts he had. Yueyao was also very serious when practicing martial arts, but she was not as invested as she was now. It was said that Third Miss Lian had a talent for drawing, and Bai Yi had thought it was just a rumor, but it turned out to be true.

After listening, Yueyao even took out her pen to note down all these shortcomings one by one.

Seeing that Yueyao was not angry but instead noting down his comments, Mr. Yu Shan became even more confident in Yueyao’s future. After finishing his critique, he said with a smile, "Although there are many shortcomings, your progress this past month is great. However, you must never grow complacent and must continue to work hard."

Bai Yi rolled his eyes outright. But Yueyao responded with a smile, "I won’t. I will work very hard." She would keep striving to become a great painter.

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