The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Liu Muqiu sighed softly and said with a sigh, "You always think things through too thoroughly."

"Very well, my husband, let Muyuan go to the west courtyard. He is a well-mannered boy, and he won't be at ease if he stays here."

Zhou Shili did not force him and nodded in agreement to his decision.

"That's good. You're about the same age as Shixu, so you can keep each other company on weekdays."

The Marquis of Zhongjing's residence was filled with joy that night. Lanterns were hung in the corridors everywhere, and all the servants were rewarded with half a year's worth of monthly allowance.

As Liu Muyuan rode in a sedan chair from the east courtyard to the west courtyard, he lifted the curtain and gazed at the red lanterns lining the road, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He was stunned for a long time after hearing the news that his sister was pregnant.

He dared not think about what would happen if something went wrong during the process and his sister lost her child.

If anything were to happen to his sister, all his efforts over the years would have been in vain.

Before I knew it, the sedan chair had come to a stop.

"Young Master Liu, we've arrived."

Liu Muyuan got out of the sedan chair and took out a few pieces of silver from the purse at his waist to reward the servant.

The servant thanked him with a beaming smile and quickly made the bed. Then Liu Muyuan said softly, "I'm not used to being served. Usually, I only have a pageboy by my side at the Liu residence. I didn't bring him with me this time because I was in a hurry."

"You don't need to follow me around all the time these next few days."

The servant was delighted to have some free time and nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, secretly pleased that he had found a good job.

Liu Muyuan stood in front of his desk, gazing towards the east courtyard. After a long while, he took a deep breath.

For the sake of his and his sister's future, he made the right choice.

...Right?

*

"Miss, Miss Chu has arrived."

Chu Yuan'er arrived shortly after breakfast.

Zhou Ming'an quickly looked at the woman beside him. Seeing that she nodded, he ran to the door as fast as he could and opened the gate himself.

"Aunt Chu, you've arrived!"

"Yes, I heard the news yesterday and wanted to come see you. But the old lady wouldn't let us come. I was worried sick all night, and I came early this morning. You..."

Chu Yuan'er looked at him with a smile but with worry in her eyes, but her smile faltered when she noticed the handkerchief tied around her forehead.

Why are you dressed like that?

Zhou Ming'an wiped the sweat from his chin, his eyes shining: "Aunt Chu, I was just about to introduce you. This is Lord Duan Tianyin, a third-rank General of the Cavalry who once led an entire platoon of female soldiers!"

"My father specially invited Lord Duan to teach me martial arts; from now on, he will be my master!"

Zhou Ming'an said with great enthusiasm, his tone full of admiration and excitement.

Duan Tianyin was dressed in shorts, looking capable and efficient, with her hair styled high for ease of movement.

After Zhou Ming'an's introduction, she nodded to Chu Yuan'er with a lukewarm expression, then looked at Zhou Ming'an, her tone still indifferent.

"Keep practicing your horse stance, are you waiting for me to speak?"

Despite Duan Tianyin's cold attitude, Zhou Ming'an was happy and responded crisply. He then ran back to where he had been standing and assumed a horse stance, focusing his energy in his dantian.

It's clear that she's very willing to learn martial arts from Duan Tianyin.

But Chu Yuan'er's smile faded a little.

"Lord Duan, is that you? Did the Marquis invite you?"

"The young lady is covered in sweat; shouldn't you let her rest? I think the Marquis invited you here to help the young lady improve her health, not to deliberately torment her, right? How is what you're doing any different from what the old lady is doing?"

Chu Yuan'er's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for Zhou Ming'an to hear.

Duan Tianyin's gaze never wavered, and upon noticing Zhou Ming'an slightly turn his head, she immediately snapped, "Concentrate!"

Zhou Ming'an's spirits lifted, and he immediately looked away.

Duan Tianyin then looked at Chu Yuan'er, glancing at her indifferently.

"The Marquis of Zhongjing invited me to teach Zhou Ming'an martial arts. I only need to be responsible for her."

"If there's anything you don't understand, let Marquis Zhongjing ask me. I have no obligation to answer questions from others."

This attitude made Chu Yuan'er's heart sink.

Ever since Lu Mingzhao came back, it seems like everyone can give her the cold shoulder.

Lord Hou is one thing, Lu Mingzhao is another, but now even some random female general who appeared out of nowhere dares to treat her like this.

She lowered her voice slightly and sneered, "Does Lord Duan know that I have a close relationship with the young lady, and I'm practically her mother? Just because I asked a few questions, does Lord Duan become so impatient? With such an attitude, how can you possibly raise the young lady well?"

Duan Tianyin countered, "Does having a good attitude guarantee she'll learn martial arts?"

"..."

"Aunt Chu, don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Zhou Ming'an finally realized that the atmosphere was a bit off, and quickly raised his voice, "I'm already very happy that my master is willing to teach me martial arts. You have no idea how powerful my master is; she was the first female general of this dynasty!"

Chu Yuan'er paused, narrowed her eyes, and said, "Lord Duan, you have quite the skills. You've only been here a short while, yet you've already won over the young lady with such trust."

Duan Tianyin raised her chin: "No need to see me out."

Chu Yuan'er stared at her for a long time before finally turning and leaving.

As she passed Zhou Ming'an, she pinched her palm and said softly, "An'an, I've prepared some tea and snacks. Come find me after you finish your martial arts practice, okay?"

When Zhou Ming'an looked up, she saw Chu Yuan'er's eyes full of pity. Her heart softened, and she obediently nodded: "Okay, Aunt Chu, wait for me."

Zhou Ming'an practiced with Duan Tianyin for two hours before taking a break.

Duan Tianyin said, "Not bad, get some rest, we'll continue tomorrow," and then left.

Zhou Ming'an's mind kept replaying that sentence, and he was so happy he was completely lost.

Cuilan smiled and said, "Miss, you finally have something to do this time."

Zhou Ming'an was very proud: "Of course, when I go out in the future and say that my master is Duan Tianyin, I don't know how many girls will envy me."

"Actually, ever since I found out that my second brother knew martial arts, I've wanted to learn. But you know my situation at home, so I didn't dare to say these things. I never expected that my father would take the initiative to find a master to teach me martial arts, which is a pleasant surprise."

After Cuilan helped him wash his hands and handed him a towel, she casually remarked, "By the way, is Miss Chu still waiting for you, young lady?"

Zhou Ming'an was taken aback, and quickly slapped his forehead: "Look at my memory, I almost forgot, let's go to Aunt Chu's for lunch."