Chapter 1: The World of Sand

The current East Room has neither maids nor servants. Even the young master Zhao Fubo does not have a single penny to spare, which does not endear him to the maids and servants.

Certainly, it is still too early to discuss these matters. The family rule states that no man under the age of 18 may marry, and only those who are both literate and martial can manage the household

In the Central Plains, such things will never exist; this is a desolate land. One day, I will surely return to the Central Plains! I will learn from the Martial Ancestor and reclaim the old territories of the Song Dynasty!

Driven by his thoughts, he was only interested in martial arts, practicing with swords and guns, especially the gun manual he had already studied for five years. The techniques and training methods within it were unprecedented and unseen for someone who loved martial arts. He was so delighted that he even dreamed of practicing shooting incessantly.

Shasha ... ... ''

Indeed, such a girl is rare in this sand-filled world. Compared to the other girls here, she is as beautiful as the brightest dewdrop on the blades of grass in the morning

However, the Zhao family is different; currently, the third lady is in charge, and in the future, it is likely that this young Shu Yu will take over the leadership.

"War is a matter of deception... If advantageous, entice them; if in disarray, seize them..."

Outside the window, accompanied by the approaching footsteps, is a young girl, appearing to be around fifteen or sixteen years old. With a sweet and adorable little face, her eyebrows are gently arched; if she were to smile, she would immediately radiate the charming beauty of a young woman.

Miss Yu'er, why do you think San Niang wants me to memorize this difficult material, as well as the square characters that I have never seen anyone else write outside

Er Lang, San Niang has said that if you haven't memorized the lines, you are not allowed to eat!

For the Central Plains, Zhao Fubo only has a vague impression, which is a place that San Niang insists the men of the family must remember. Every year, when paying homage to the grand map of the Dragon traversing the Nine Provinces and the eight-edged purple-gold mace, San Niang always says this.

What saddened him the most was that there were the Yang Family Generals, the Hu Family Generals, and the Yue Family Generals, yet after suffering from the bullying of the Jin and Xia dynasties, they now faced the Mongolian army. He feared that the court, which had only managed to secure a small territory, would not last much longer.

As the favorite maid of San Niang, Shu Yuer is indeed a pure-blooded Han Chinese, which is quite rare in Liu Garden

Pressured by Shu Yuer, Zhao Fubo let out a helpless sigh. What he understood the least was why he had to bear this incomprehensible matter that no one outside could understand

Hmph, could it be that you are feeling mischievous again, even daring to harbor resentment against San Niang!

Bored, he rested his chin on the table, supporting his heavy head that became weighed down by the books. His black-and-white eyes helplessly gazed at those annoying square characters, which he simply could not recognize all of them! Moreover, as his eyelids grew heavier, those square characters seemed to dance, mocking him with their laughter.

This respect is also inseparable from her father, the esteemed master of Ruiyu Manor. Given the wealth of Ruiyu Manor, whether it is the eldest son from the west wing or the second son from the east wing who marries her, the household affairs will be one less thing to worry about.

If we follow what is stated in the book, the Zhao family should be from the Central Plains. But shouldn't the people of the Central Plains be led by men?

Alas, this wretched book

Indeed, she is anxious for the current "Er Lang"; reciting from memory is not his strong suit. If he were like Da Lang from the west room, the son of Zhao Fubo's second uncle Zhao Wujie, who could treat practicing archery and horsemanship as part of his studies, he would have probably gone out to play long ago

Seeing Zhao Fubo's lack of interest in reading, Shu Yuer couldn't help but feel annoyed. The faint smile that had been on her face completely vanished, and her expression turned sour.

The third lady is the head of the Zhao family. Not to mention that she is merely a young master without adulthood in the east wing, even the second uncle in the west wing, who manages the family business and the library, can only lower his head and obediently listen when he sees the third lady with her head full of white hair

According to the custom that non-pure Han individuals from the Zhao family cannot be the legitimate wife, a girl like her will eventually become the legitimate wife of the head of the household

How about this: if you can recite a line, you can have a bite of food; otherwise... you know I can't help you either. If San Niang presses you for answers... seeing how poorly you recite, you will surely be punished severely!

Among the daughters of the Zhao family, she is the standout, one in a hundred. As a result, the housemaids and servants speculate that she is likely to be the next head of the household

She is dressed in a maid's outfit, adorned with a few simple hairpins, which accentuates her uniqueness. When she walks, her elegant demeanor clearly indicates that she is a girl who has received careful training. When it comes to her work, her meticulousness and composure are truly remarkable

As for studying, as long as he is willing, he can memorize it all!

That won't do, San Niang said that if you can't recite this passage today, you will be kept hungry until the evening

However, at this point in the conversation, the coldness on Shu Yuer's face had vanished, replaced instead by a faint smile. Her clever dark eyes twinkled a few times, and she had already devised a plan for Zhao Fubo.

Although Zhao Fubo wanted to curse a few times, he did not dare to

Miss Yu'er, could you please let me eat first? I have been hungry all morning

Who made him a child without a father, without a mother, and without anyone to care for him

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Fubo's excitement in the presence of exquisite food and beautiful women immediately dissipated like the wind. Especially the warning from Miss Yu, which caused him to cry out in alarm.

Go away, who is the best with you, how shameless...

This old ... ...

The windows and doors of the house are adorned with patterns that are rarely seen here. Even though the gaps in the patterns have been filled with glass from Venice and books, the ubiquitous sand still seeps in through every crevice

When the pretty little face turns serious, it completely resembles the expression of a maid in the upper room, and she certainly would not show any good grace to a person like Zhao Fubo. Even if he is the young master of the east room, and even if San Niang allows him to study and practice martial arts, he remains a solitary individual.

If it involves horseback riding, archery, or practicing with long and short weapons, these are naturally activities that men should engage in without hesitation

He shook the book in his hand out of boredom and sighed with an air of old-fashioned melancholy. If possible, Zhao Fubo would prefer to thrust the iron spear a few hundred more times or practice his swordsmanship several more times.

Where is it, who doesn't know me... I am indeed the best... the best of Miss Yu'er...

The cumbersome rituals, along with the numerous vows that must be memorized, often left Zhao Fubo feeling bewildered. Among all these trivial matters, the only thing that piqued Zhao Fubo's interest was the place called "Central Plains," which was devoid of sand

This is what worries Shu Yuer. The young man before her is both clever and agile, yet he is too playful. This often causes her concern that she may have misallocated her affections. If her heart is entrusted to the wrong person, she fears it may be difficult to find peace of mind for the rest of her life

As for other matters

Shu Yuer's face turned cold as she let out a disdainful snort, showing no fear towards the so-called "Er Lang" before her. Compared to the west wing, he was merely a neglected individual. Especially when facing her, he had never once acted like a little master.

She held the tray steadily on her shoulder with one hand, while the other hand moved in a regular manner. When her slender waist swayed gently, it resembled a red willow swaying in the breeze

Although he calls upon the name of Allah, he does not truly believe in them. This is because San Niang said that among the Zhao family, one can trust no one but oneself. This is the most perplexing aspect for Zhao Fubo, why is it that people from other families pray to the Almighty every day, except for those from his own family? Is it possible that in this "Black-clad Da Shi" (present-day Iraq), only his family is like this?

He enjoys practicing martial arts, and under the guidance of a martial arts master at home, he is certainly no match for the neighboring children who are at least his age. However, the books he reads are of no use at all. At the very least, he knows that the content of these books is meant for people outside this courtyard, and it is clearly a case of talking at cross purposes. Even if these characters were written in the sand, no one would recognize them

In that large plate, one half was filled with roasted lamb, golden brown, while the other half was glistening with oil, containing hand-pulled rice. Zhao Fubo, who had been tormented by this task all morning, immediately brightened at the sight of the food, and his eyes sparkled even more upon seeing the approaching maid.

A faint sound of footsteps approached, and Zhao Fubo straightened his body, immediately beginning to read the book in front of him. He feigned an appearance as if he had been holding the book from the very beginning, as if he had been this serious since the early morning.

In Zhao Fubo's eyes, the world is composed of sand

Even so, the skin on the faces of the women outside is still not as delicate as that of the girls at home. At least in his heart, those rough and clumsy girls cannot be compared to Shu Yuer.

Although San Niang had many flowers and plants planted in the courtyard, they could not conceal the vast expanse of yellow sand beneath. When the wind picked up, the sand here was as fine as dust, often forcing women to cover their faces with veils.

The only one who is not afraid of San Niang is probably Zhao Fubo's father, who once managed the household and is well-versed in both civil and military affairs. Unfortunately...

In that case, I will accompany you in reciting it. I will recite a line, and you will follow with a line. I suppose that once you become familiar with it, you will be able to recite it as well! But if you persist in refusing to recite, do not expect me to pay you any attention in the future!

O Allah... when will I be able to finish memorizing this damned book...!

Still lost in thought about how to please the present Shuyu'er, Zhao Fubo could only hear the stern reprimand.

It is precisely for this reason that, despite being only fifteen or sixteen years old, Miss Yu'er commands the respect of others in her family

Hmph, this is the family rule: no reciting of scriptures, no practicing martial arts, and thus no managing the household. Do you wish to become a debauched young master, or merely a weak man who can only guard the house? If so, then I can only blame myself, Shu Yuer, for misjudging you, thinking you to be someone of worth

The descendants of the Zhao family must always remember that the vast and beautiful landscape of the Central Plains is the foundation of our family As sons of the Zhao family, you must diligently practice martial arts and study

Although Xifang Dalang is also a second-rate individual, he does not know how to turn, being neither agile nor clever. In contrast, Erlang, who appears somewhat playful and carefree, may be disinterested in studying, yet he is a wild lad capable of riding a swift horse and drawing a strong bow

His eyes gazed out at the sandy ground, and he had long since lost the desire to read any book. The nature of youth is always like the clouds in the sky, swiftly blown by the winds of the desert on a bright sunny day

Seeing Shu Yuer get angry, Zhao Fubo no longer insisted. Stepping out of his small courtyard, counting the dozens of maids and young servants, it seemed that only this young lady Yuer would look at him directly.

A man who cannot manage his household naturally has no choice but to be a lord who does not manage the household, just like Zhao Wujie, the second uncle of Zhao Fubo, in the present day. He can only oversee the Jifeng Manor, taking care of the Zhao family's horses and sheep.

Only the concerns of daughters are known to daughters themselves

The head of the family is the most peculiar rule of the Zhao family

When mentioning San Niang, Shu Yuer displayed a hint of anxiety on her face

She is not only exceptionally intelligent at a young age but also quite resourceful, excelling in both her studies and needlework, standing out among the maids in the household.