Chapter 8, Discussion on Jiangnan

Faced with He's incessant chatter, Wei Jun and He Bin dared not speak, only Wei Heng was unafraid of her. However, facts speak louder than words. Wei Heng gave Mu Yu'er a glance, prompting her to take out the stack of large characters she had written recently and present it to Wei Jun and He.

No one expected Wei Heng to suddenly say such a thing, especially He.

Wei Heng heard the words "going to sea" from outside and could not help but rush in, asking, "Uncle, are you going to sea?"

Zhu Zhu's calligraphy has greatly improved, with a hidden sharpness in the strokes, already exhibiting a grand style, commented Wei Jun

Wei Heng was actually well aware of the situation, yet still had to put on an appearance of being unable to guess. He was led by He Bin to see the young horse that was pacing in the garden. The horse was entirely red, its coat like fire, with its head held high. Though it had not yet grown up, it already exuded an arrogant demeanor that looked down upon all other horses.

"You little brat, always coming up with new ideas every day," He said with a helpless smile, "Hurry up and pack your things. You must come back to the residence with us today. The old lady has been thinking about you all day, her eyes are about to wear out from looking for you."

He Bin stayed in the capital due to extremely important business matters. Now that he has completed his tasks, he realizes he will not make it back to Hangzhou for the New Year. He can only comply with the He family's request to remain in the capital. However, he has already made up his mind to leave after the third day of the New Year, and the He family cannot persuade him otherwise.

"This child, why hasn't he grown up yet?" He sighed with annoyance.

He then turned to Wei Hang and said: "I wondered why you were unwilling to go to school; it turns out you had already made up your mind to learn horseback riding, haven't you? You spend all your time playing, and I am worried sick for you."

Wei Heng suffered from being a woman, lacking the opportunity to travel the world like He Bin. However, in her next life, she no longer wished to be confined to the inner courtyard.

He Shi indeed missed her mother. Hearing Wei Heng say this, she playfully scratched Wei Heng's nose and said, "Stop trying to flatter me. It was you who agreed to go to school at the beginning of the year. You are already ten years old this winter, and in two years, you will have to take the entrance exam for the girls' school. If you fail the exam then, I wonder how you will face others." In the end, it all came back to Wei Heng's studies.

Indeed, I will wait for my uncle to return and bring you some good things from abroad said He Bin

Wei Heng thought for a moment; in fact, the practice of archery on horseback is extremely tedious and painful. The inner side of her thighs still aches from the friction. However, Wei Heng knows the answer. Although she enjoys archery, her ability to endure such monotony and pain is not solely due to her fondness for it, as she has been raised in a pampered environment.

On that day, Wei Heng listened attentively as Li Yong explained the impact of wind speed on mounted archery. She repeatedly tested the effects of wind speed with a specially made small bow until Ge called her for dinner, at which point she reluctantly set down her bow and arrows

He Bin has been remarkably bold since childhood, showing little interest in studying, yet he loves to roam freely like a wandering knight, traveling from the northern grasslands to the southern seas, from the western regions to the eastern lands of Goryeo; there is no place he has not visited. For Wei Heng, He Bin is like a book of celestial knowledge, and she wishes she could be by his side every day to listen to stories and learn new things

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Wei Hang had to return to the residence, as the old lady had already inquired several times. Wei Jun came to pick up Wei Hang together with He Shi, and naturally, there was another round of chatter with He Bin.

Ge sighed softly; in fact, she had long realized that Wei Heng's talent in poetry and literature was mediocre. However, she did not expect that at such a young age, Wei Heng could see through her own weaknesses, a quality that most people could hardly match.

Ge discovered that Wei Heng's eyes seemed to speak, sparkling and glistening, like the clear and charming water reflecting the red leaves of autumn. Such a young girl, not to mention He's deep affection, even Ge had grown extremely fond of Wei Heng's innocent charm after these few days of interaction

I have grown up this much, yet I have never seen my grandmother on my mother's side" Wei Heng said with a hint of melancholy

"I know!" Wei Heng laughed loudly and said, "Thank you, Mother, you are truly wonderful." Wei Heng embraced He Shi's neck, pressed her face against He Shi's face, and kissed her repeatedly.

As the end of the year approaches, Wei Heng should have returned to the Jingning Marquis's residence long ago. However, because He Bin is present, she is determined to stay and not leave. The He family also conveniently allows Wei Heng to remain to accompany He Bin, keeping an eye on her overly wild-hearted younger brother.

He had nothing more to say, only turning to remind Zhu Zhu: "You little ghost, you have found two good helpers to speak for you. You may go, but you must write to me every ten days, sending back your assignments. If there is no progress, I will immediately send someone to bring you back, do you understand?"

He Bin patted his chest and said, "I can definitely get in, the headmaster is my friend." The He family donates a considerable amount of money to Baihe Academy every year; otherwise, how could Baihe Academy operate so successfully?

Upon hearing Wei Heng's words, Wei Jun let out a sigh. Over the years, He Shi had never visited Hangzhou to see her elderly mother-in-law in order to take care of him. It had been many years since the family had seen their closest relative.

Wei Heng nodded vigorously in agreement with Wei Jun's words, then turned to He Shi and said: "Mother, I would like to go to Hangzhou with my uncle to visit my grandmother."

The art of star divination has just been introduced to the Great Xia Dynasty, and not many people in the country dare to be the first to take the plunge. However, Wei Heng's uncle, He Bin, is precisely that first person, returning with countless riches for the He family every time he sets sail.

"Can Zhu Zhu enter Bai He Academy?" He asked.

Wei Heng smiled at He with satisfaction and said, "I will go play with the flames for a while"

Indeed, sister, speaking of it, our Baihe Academy in Hangzhou is not inferior to the girls' schools in the capital, it is merely that its reputation is slightly less. He Bin also supported Wei Heng's statement; he was a filial son, thinking of how the old lady often missed the He family's several grandsons. If he could bring Wei Heng back this time, the old lady would surely be so delighted that she would eat three more bowls of rice. "Mother often mentions Zhu Zhu, saying that when she was little, she was so fair and plump, blessed with good fortune."

"Yes, Uncle would never dare to underestimate our Zhu Zhu." He Bin said

Fortunately, He Bin is quick to pull, "Zhu Zhu'er, this horse has not yet been tamed, it is very wild, be careful not to get kicked, wait until it has been tamed before riding it."

"Why haven't I seen you before? Your grandmother was still in the capital when you were born," said He.

"Uncle." Wei Heng was even more delighted to see He Bin than to see her own parents. He Bin frequently traveled to the capital due to business matters, so Wei Heng was not unfamiliar with her uncle.

Upon hearing what Ge said, Wei Heng felt a surge of confidence. The girls' school enrolls dozens of female students each year, with daughters from all corners of the country eligible to take the entrance exam. In Wei Heng's view, this is truly no easier than passing the imperial examination. She had neglected her studies for several decades, and with limited talent, there was no way to make up for lost time. The only solution was to carve out a unique path for herself.

Ge asked Wei Heng, "Why do you like archery so much?"

At that time, I was so young, I didn't understand anything and didn't remember anything. Wei Heng said, "Apart from my uncle, I don't know my other uncle, aunt, or my cousins at all. Wouldn't that just make me a laughingstock?" Wei Heng pouted as she retorted to He.

Wei Heng raised her eyes to look at Ge, as if silently asking: Do you really think so?

"It has been over a year since we last met, and our Zhu Zhu has grown so tall!" He Bin, who does not have a daughter of his own, is deeply fond of Wei Heng, "Guess what good things Uncle has brought for you?"

However, the He family is very low-key about their wealth, which is also a testament to the wisdom of the He family members

"This is unacceptable, I cannot allow you to go. The sea is very dangerous; nine out of ten ships do not return. Our family lacks nothing, so why are you so determined to go all out?" He said anxiously.

The art of archery and horsemanship is intricate within its coarseness; it cannot be mastered merely through brute strength. Otherwise, the phrase 'hitting the target from a hundred paces' would not have become a legend.

He Bin said: "Sister, I am not striving desperately; I simply have no grand aspirations in this life. I only hope to use my eyes to see and experience more. I have never been abroad, and I just want to take a look, to see what is on the other side of the sea, how those blue-eyed people live."

A true man, with aspirations that reach the four seas, you should not hinder your brother-in-law any longer. You know his temperament well; he will not heed your advice. If you push him too hard, he might very well leave tomorrow

Wei Heng has been living in Zhuangzi for nearly two months. On ordinary days, when Wei Jun has time off, he comes with the He family to persuade her to return, but she has steadfastly rejected their temptations.

The items have long been packed away. Wei Heng nestled in He's embrace and said, However, there is one more matter. I have been getting along very well with the flames, and I feel that they no longer reject me. I would like to ask Father and Uncle to support me as I tame the flames.

Thus, Wei Heng was even more determined to practice archery and horseback riding, as she truly enjoyed the sense of achievement that came from hitting the bullseye.

"What flame?" He asked.

It is said that the He family also has a residence in the capital, but since He Bin has arrived in the city, He Shi, as the elder sister, is absolutely unwilling to let him live outside. However, the rules of the Jingning Marquis's residence are quite strict, and He Bin is a person who does not like to be constrained. He is very much opposed to living in the marquis's residence. Coincidentally, he has matters to attend to in the suburbs, so he asked He Shi to stay at the villa, also taking the opportunity to visit Wei Heng.

Do not worry, you will definitely be able to get into the women's academy. Diligence can make up for lack of talent; with more practice, you will surely improve, " Ge said to comfort Wei Hang. However, it is absolutely impossible to enter the women's academy without studying poetry and literature. At this moment, Ge did not have the heart to discourage Wei Hang, so he did not say it out loud.

Wei Heng said, "My horse will naturally be tamed by me, Uncle, do not underestimate me." Wei Heng appeared confident and composed, which elicited a hearty laugh from He Bin and Wei Jun.

Let Zhu Zhu go, although she is a girl, it is good for her to walk around and see more to broaden her horizons. The climate in the south is pleasant, and since Zhu Zhu is weak, it is just right for her to go and recuperate. She can also fulfill her filial duties under the old lady's knee. Wei Jun also supports Wei Heng going to Hangzhou

He Bin had not yet responded when He Shi interjected, saying: "You should ask your good daughter about this. She wrote a letter to her uncle behind my back and wouldn't let me see it." He Shi turned her head and complained to He Bin, "Why do you allow Zhu Zhu to act so recklessly?"

"What made you think of giving such a precious foal to Zhu Zhu?" Wei Jun asked. This fiery red pony was clearly a purebred Akhal-Teke, a horse that was hard to come by and worth a fortune. He had always known that his brother-in-law had extensive connections and friends all over the place, but it was still not easy to find such a foal. He couldn't understand why he would think to give it to a little girl like Zhu Zhu.

"Going to a school in Hangzhou is the same. Has mother forgotten that at the Baihe Academy in Hangzhou, the top student in the girls' school graduation for the past two years has always been a female student from Baihe Academy?" Wei Heng said

Over the past month, you have gained strength, and you can see the improvement in your calligraphy, can't you? Ge said: "I observe that the two skills of horseback riding and archery can stabilize your legs and enhance your arm strength, which will also be extremely beneficial for your calligraphy practice."

Wei Heng's days have now become extremely fulfilling. Every day after practicing archery and horseback riding, she also has to write, memorize texts, and then cultivate her relationship with Huo Yan. In the evening, she insists on having He Bin tell her stories.

"That is the horse, the one I named Flame." Wei Heng hurriedly walked outside, fearing that the He family would keep her.

Wei Heng raised her head to look at Ge and said: "Sister-in-law, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Although the art of horsemanship and archery is difficult, every step of progress can be seen, which is particularly fulfilling. However, poetry and literature are different. Moreover, I feel that my talent in poetry and literature is just average. To gain admission to the girls' school, I can only take an unconventional path."

He Bin smiled without answering

Mother, please allow me to go with Uncle to visit Grandmother. I will write to you every month and send you drawings of Grandmother and the others.

On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the government office sealed its stamp and ceased operations. Wei Heng thought that her parents would probably come to take her back home, but to her surprise, along with Wei Jun and He Shi, there was also her little uncle He Bin.

Thank you, uncle, I like it so much" Wei Heng exclaimed loudly, wishing she could immediately throw herself into the flames

He Bin is truly a remarkable talent in business. The He family relies on him, conducting trade far and wide, and their business continues to grow larger. The exact wealth they possess is unknown even to Wei Heng; all she knows is that when she asks her uncle for a loan, he readily provides several tens of thousands of taels of silver, and without any expectation of repayment.