TFSRITA Chapter 170

“Memorize this.” Yan Qing walked to the bookshelf, took out a book on military strategy, and handed it to him. “If you memorize this, I’ll let you go out and play for the whole day, but it must be without any women. If you can’t do that, you won’t be going out anymore.”

Ji Jiahun was a smart guy. From someone like him, who didn’t really practice martial arts or study much, yet still managed to become the leader of a small group, it was clear that he had exceptional qualities in certain areas.

Thinking about what was to come, he knew he couldn’t just sit back and wait for things to go badly. He needed to gain some skills. Based on the principle of proximity, Yan Qing hoped he would learn to fight on the battlefield.

Only power could protect his family’s lives.

Of course, Ji Jiahun couldn’t understand her good intentions at this moment. When he saw how thick and complex the book was, his face immediately changed. His handsome face scrunched up in distress. He tentatively tugged at Yan Qing’s sleeve, pouting and saying, “This is too much. Can we just memorize part of it? I’ll be good, don’t worry. Next time I see a woman, I’ll avoid her. After all, if she’s there, I’m not; if I’m there, she’s not!”

Yan Qing smiled, her lips curving up sweetly and gently.

Ji Jiahun was momentarily stunned, a spark of hope rising in his heart.

But in the next second, that hope was dashed.

The beautiful woman before him spoke softly, “Be good, and there will be a reward when you’re done memorizing it.”

Ji Jiahun felt his ears tingle, and the words of refusal he had prepared vanished. He blinked a couple of times, avoiding her gaze, and shyly but expectantly asked, “So… what’s the reward?”

Yan Qing gently hooked her thumb and index finger under his chin and moved his head closer to hers. She tilted her head slightly, their eyes meeting perfectly. She could see the bashfulness and hesitation in his eyes as she spoke slowly, “What do you want?”

Ji Jiahun bit his lip, his heart pounding wildly. As he looked at the delicate lips so close to his own, he made up his mind. Lowering his head, he brushed his lips against hers, and then hoarsely said, “This!”

In an instant, a certain memory surfaced. It seemed… there had been someone else who had kissed her like that.

But quickly, Yan Qing composed herself, focusing back on the present.

“Alright,” she said with a smile, patting his now-red cheek. She turned to Xiao Liuzi. “Go prepare something your master likes to eat.”

“Yes, Madam!” Xiao Liuzi joyfully went off.

Ji Jiahun pouted, still upset that Xiao Liuzi had acted as a messenger.

Seeing this, Yan Qing rubbed his ear. “Alright, after you eat, go wash up and then come back to study.”

Ji Jiahun pursed his lips, suppressing a smile, and raised his chin slightly, looking both reserved and aloof as he nodded, “Mhm.”

…

“Hey, did you hear? I just went to deliver tea to the young master, and I heard he’s memorizing books now.”

“Really? No way!”

“Yes! I heard it with my ears. The Madam was there, even grinding ink for the young master!”

“Wow!!!”

The servants at the Grand Princess’s residence were in disbelief as they looked in the direction of the study.

In just a short while, the news that the young master was memorizing books spread throughout the entire residence.

Even the Grand Princess, who had been chatting in her courtyard with her husband, was stunned.

“You didn’t hear wrong?” The Grand Princess looked at her nursemaid, her mouth agape. She had been holding a piece of fruit, but it remained halfway to her mouth, forgotten.

The nursemaid nodded seriously. “Yes, I confirmed it. I went to ask the boy who delivered tea to the young master, and he said so with certainty!”

The Grand Princess turned to her husband. “Looks like that girl is the one who can tame our son!”

From the age of eight, Ji Jiahun’s rebellious nature started to show. Everyone in the Hou residence, and the Grand Princess’s residence, knew that he hated studying. When he was younger, his martial prowess kept him in check, but as he grew older, he became more cunning and hard to manage. Eventually, no one had the time or patience to deal with him anymore.

So, they had given up on him not studying. After all, their family was powerful and didn’t care whether he read books or not.

But just because they didn’t need him to study didn’t mean they didn’t want him to. Education made people wise, and it was always better if he was willing to read.

The Prince nodded with a smile. “That brat, just like his father!”

Even now, he was still very much under his wife’s influence. Their son had married, and it seemed like he had finally become obedient. If they’d known this would happen…

The two exchanged a glance, and the Grand Princess muttered, “If we’d known, we should’ve had him marry sooner.”

“Others may not have worked,” Prince Pingwu replied, thinking of his daughter-in-law’s beauty and her strong personality. Both of these aspects had a hold on their son—one charmed him, and the other kept him in check. Otherwise, how would he have become so obedient?

The Grand Princess sighed, finally understanding.

After a moment of thought, she said, “What if I ask my daughter-in-law if she needs any help? I worry she’s getting too tired, and might give up.”

She had tried to discipline their son before, but it was exhausting. It felt like more work than when she had taught him manners. After only a few days, she had given up because it was just too difficult.

Her son was like an eel—slippery and impossible to catch or stop.

Prince Pingwu nodded. “Alright.”

So, that very afternoon, Yan Qing received a message from the Grand Princess. She immediately agreed, saying, “We need a few skilled martial artists, and one with greater strength. The young master wants to learn martial arts.”

The nursemaid who had come to inquire looked more perplexed. The young master wants to learn martial arts? Who would believe that?

However, since the Madam had said so, she agreed and went to report back. The Grand Princess had the same reaction, but the next day, the people were still sent.

…

After being tortured by the book all day, the young master couldn’t resist sneaking closer to his wife in the middle of the night.