The carriage ambled along for half an hour before reaching the General's mansion.
Though it was in the East City, just like the Marquis's estate, the distance was not insignificant. The Marquis's estate was in the northern part of the East City, while the General's mansion was in the southern part, spanning the entire East City.
A small maidservant stood expectantly at the entrance of the Shen residence. As soon as the Marquis's carriage stopped, she hurried forward to greet them.
The maidservant had a round face and round eyes, radiating cheerfulness.
"Is this the Second Miss from the Marquis's estate? My name is Yuan Xiao. I am the head maidservant to my lady, and I have been ordered by her to wait here to welcome the Second Miss." Yuan Xiao's voice was crisp and clear.
What a peculiar name.
Qi Zhenzhen, assisted by Er Xi, alighted from the carriage and nodded at Yuan Xiao, "Thank you, Yuan Xiao... sister."
"I am fifteen years old this year, but I have a baby face, which makes me look like a child," Yuan Xiao corrected earnestly.
Fifteen years old?
Qi Zhenzhen changed her address, "Then thank you, Sister Yuan Xiao."
Yuan Xiao grinned, "It's my duty."
Yuan Xiao led the way, winding through corridors for a good quarter of an hour. Had they arrived at the training grounds?
There, Shen Zhi Xin, clad in martial attire, wielded a silver spear with impressive vigor.
Truly a tiger daughter of a military family.
After completing a set of spear techniques, Shen Zhi Xin placed the silver spear on the weapon rack. "You've arrived. I boldly invited you over, and I thought you might not come."
Shen Zhi Xin sized up Qi Zhenzhen. "Why are you also in martial attire?"
"I surmised that Miss Shen prefers martial attire over ornate dresses, so I came prepared to please you," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile, looking at Shen Zhi Xin with poise.
Shen Zhi Xin was taken aback, her smile deepening. "You are indeed an interesting person. Can you also wield a spear?"
Fang Momo, standing nearby, felt a pang of anxiety. How could this Miss Shen be so unexpected? Her young lady was a refined lady; how could she be dancing with spears and sabers?
Qi Zhenzhen winked playfully, "I couldn't before, but I can now."
Shen Zhi Xin's eyes lit up. With a swift turn, she picked up the silver spear she had just put down. With a flick of her wrist, she smoothly tossed the silver spear in Qi Zhenzhen's direction.
Fang Momo's face turned ashen. The tip of the silver spear was sharp and glinted with a cold light. If it struck someone, wouldn't it pierce a hole through them?
Er Xi also tensed up, ready to intercept the silver spear for Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen remained composed, stepping forward lightly. She spread her fingers and steadily caught the silver spear thrown by Shen Zhi Xin. "Indeed, a fine spear."
Weighing it a few times, Qi Zhenzhen, under Fang Momo's stunned gaze, began to perform the spear techniques. Her movements were clearly the same set Shen Zhi Xin had just demonstrated.
Shen Zhi Xin's initial expression of amusement turned increasingly serious as she watched. She had practiced this spear technique since childhood and had mastered it to perfection. The spear techniques were the treasured family art of the Shen family; even for outsiders to learn them would require considerable effort. Yet, this Second Miss from the Marquis's estate, having only seen it once, was performing it with such proficiency!
"A humble display," Qi Zhenzhen said after finishing the set, secretly channeling her internal energy and flicking the spear away.
Shen Zhi Xin raised her hand to catch it, feeling a jolt in her tiger's mouth, leaving it somewhat numb.
Interesting, very interesting. This delicate young lady from the Marquis's estate turned out to be kindred spirit. Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover.
Shen Zhi Xin happily put the spear away and led Qi Zhenzhen towards her courtyard.
"At the birthday banquet that day, your tea artistry truly astonished my grandmother. She has been mentioning it frequently, saying that young ladies should be like you, with dignified, graceful, and proper demeanor, possessing the bearing of a refined lady. She also said your tea artistry was rarely seen in her lifetime. On impulse, I boasted that I could also learn it..." Shen Zhi Xin's smile was a bit awkward. "To avoid embarrassing myself, I thought of inviting you to my residence for some guidance."
So that was it.
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Everything else is simple. The 'Three Nods of the Water Phoenix' is what truly tests technique and strength, of course, and also comprehension. I observe that Miss Shen has great talent in martial arts, so your comprehension and strength should be no issue. As long as you master the technique, it shouldn't be difficult. As for the final 'Phoenix Spiral,' that is a clever trick."
"If you can learn the 'Phoenix Spiral,' learn it. If not, then not. After all, the 'Three Nods of the Water Phoenix' I've seen before did not include the 'Phoenix Spiral'," Shen Zhi Xin said.
Shen Zhi Xin's courtyard was adjacent to the training grounds. After a short walk, they arrived.
The courtyard was quite spacious. Besides a pavilion with a stone table and stone stools within it, the vast courtyard was otherwise empty, devoid of any flowers or plants.
"I usually practice boxing and swordplay in the courtyard in the morning. If there were flowers and plants, they would get in the way," Shen Zhi Xin explained proactively. "The Shen family is a family of military generals, and my parents generally don't pay much attention to the estate's decor. Everything is kept as simple as possible."
"This is quite good," Qi Zhenzhen found nothing wrong with it.
Shen Zhi Xin led them into the house. Given the state of the courtyard, Qi Zhenzhen could already guess what the interior would be like.
Indeed, judging by the room alone, it would be impossible for most people to guess it belonged to a young lady.
Apart from the essential tables and chairs, there wasn't even a soft couch, let alone various decorative items.
Because there were no space-consuming items, the room appeared large and spacious.
"Yuan Xiao, go and prepare the tea set and tea utensils," Shen Zhi Xin instructed Yuan Xiao. "Oh, and also prepare some snacks and fruits."
"Miss, I am alone!" Yuan Xiao pouted. "If I have to do two tasks, I won't be able to manage."
"Oh, then I'll go and prepare the snacks and fruits myself," Shen Zhi Xin stood up. "Second Miss, please sit for a moment. I'll be right back."
With that, both mistress and maidservant left the room.
Fang Momo's expression was still somewhat peculiar. "Miss, how is this Miss Shen, how..."
Fang Momo found herself unable to find any words to describe it; it was truly too outrageous. The maidservant's words earlier were outrageous, and Miss Shen's actions were also outrageous. A young lady engaging in martial arts, and speaking without any subtlety. As a daughter of the Shen family, she had to prepare snacks and fruits herself to entertain guests. She had long heard that General Shen's family was uninhibited, but not to this extent.
"Momom, everyone has their own temperament. I find Miss Shen to be quite good. It's just that the Shen family's family traditions differ from the Marquis's estate. With Miss Shen's straightforward personality, it's more comfortable to befriend her. She says what she means, without beating around the bush or worrying about schemes," Qi Zhenzhen said softly.
Fang Momo was about to say something more when she saw Shen Zhi Xin stride in, carrying a plate in one hand.
Her walk was too uninhibited.
"Sister Zhenzhen, these apricots are sweet and sour, and very delicious. These pastries were made by my mother, and they are my favorites," Shen Zhi Xin pushed the two plates towards Qi Zhenzhen, saying with a smile.
Qi Zhenzhen also generously ate an apricot and then two pieces of pastry.
After eating, she also sincerely praised the pastries for their unique flavor. Shen Zhi Xin listened, her face beaming. This young lady truly pleased her. In the past, when she invited guests, they would either find fault with this or that, and would hesitate to eat her pastries, as if her pastries were not meant for human consumption. This Miss Qi was so much better – unpretentious, generous, straightforward, and she even knew martial arts. Good, very good!