Chapter 36 Her Wish [2], Part 1
Old General Mu pounded the table in anger. A corner of the table shattered. “Is she trying to tire you to death? Or wear you down? So that you won’t have any time to study martial arts or medicine?”
At these words, Zi You had a confident smile on her face. This smile was like bright fireworks in a night sky, gorgeous and dazzling. Even the study suddenly became bright and dazzling. “Grandfather, rest assured. She won’t tire me. I currently have a photographic memory. Whether it is books or objects, as long as I’ve seen them, I won’t forget. You know You’er’s martial arts progressed rapidly. Don’t you believe in your granddaughter’s abilities? It’s good that she wants to invite a teacher for me so I won’t have poor etiquette when I’m invited to big occasions in the future. I am now studying flower embroidery with ShiYun. If she [Wang Yiping] could get a good teacher for me, I’ll have to thank her.
“As for marriage, women can help the casualties of the army, in addition to medicine and martial arts. Other standards/norms women should have, I have too. If someone appreciates me and treats only me wholeheartedly, then I will marry. If he can’t appreciate me or give me his true heart, no matter how excellent he is, I don’t want.
“In this world, even if there this kind of true man and hero like grandfather or uncle, I would rather be alone my whole life. Grandfather, You’er doing this is not only to fulfill mother’s unfulfilled wish, but also to help her protect grandfather and uncle. You’er has a wish and that is to help mother gain honor and recognition. If I can accomplish meritorious deeds for the nation, who would dare laugh at mother for being a lowly barbarian and of unknown origins?” “You’er…” Old General Mu did not expect his young granddaughter to see things so clearly and long-term, with such high ambitions. He looked at Zi You excitedly and didn’t say anything for a long time.
Chapter 36 Her Wish [2], Part 2
Old General Mu did not tell Zi You’s aspirations to his oldest son [Zi You’s father], but he did tell them to his younger son and his wife. The three were happy and proud of her.
They were getting more and more disappointed towards MuYingRui and Wang Yiping. Today was the first time Zi You went out without adult supervision for a whole day. The two were not concerned and did not show concern. They didn’t even look at Zi You once since she came back awhile ago.
Mu YingYi’s two sons, seven-year-old Mu QingHeng and four-year-old Mu QingYuan, seeing jiejie [older sister, can be used to denote familiarity] return from the market, circled around her. Trying to curry favor, they said, “Jiejie, we saved you a moon cake. It’s very delicious.”
Zi You took out the dough figures, wooden swords and wooden boat she bought at the market for the two rascals. She lovingly patted their little heads. She said to Née Liu, “Aunt, let Heng’er and Yuan’er follow me to learn martial arts. I know you don’t want them to follow grandfather and uncle’s military path. But martial arts can strengthen one’s body and willpower. Even if our Mu family’s descendants are only civil servants, they would still have the blood of soldiers and a strong iron physique.”
Zi You’s words once again got Old General Mu excited. He looked proudly at his granddaughter and nodded approvingly. “You can say such words; you are worthy of being this old man’s granddaughter!”
Née Liu was always worried about her husband setting off on war campaigns. No matter what Mu YingYi said, she would not let her two sons learn martial arts. Now listening to Zi You’s words, she pondered for awhile and readily agreed. “Okay, aunt will listen to You’er. Aunt will support the things You’er believes in.”
