Chapter 439: The Wildly Imaginative Naughty Child
For tomorrow’s spring outing, Zhu Ping’an did not take it particularly to heart. In the modern world, outings like this were commonplace. After Fatty Zhou and Li Shu left, Zhu Ping’an sat down at his desk, laid out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began practicing calligraphy.
Practicing characters now was no longer merely about improving his handwriting. To Zhu Ping’an, it had become a way to cultivate both body and mind. Once he picked up the brush, he would almost completely forget himself and the world around him. His heart settled into stillness like calm water, so quiet that he could almost hear the slow flow of blood through his veins and the steady rise and fall of his heartbeat. In its own way, this too was a form of self-cultivation.
On careful reflection, Zhu Ping’an’s naturally steady and composed temperament was not only the result of having lived two lifetimes and grown older in spirit. It was also inseparable from the fact that he had practiced brush calligraphy since childhood. Writing with a brush was the best way to temper one’s patience—it required long-term perseverance and constant contemplation. Through years of repeating the same strokes again and again, one unknowingly gained a refinement of character. For Zhu Ping’an, this was an unexpected but welcome reward.
As evening approached, Li Shu came once more to Zhu Ping’an’s guest room, bringing along the little maid Baozi. In addition to dinner, they also delivered a set of clothes prepared for the next day’s spring outing.
It was a sapphire-blue riding outfit with narrow arrow sleeves, suitable for horseback riding and hunting.
“I already have clothes,” Zhu Ping’an said as he looked at the outfit cradled in Baozi’s arms. He tugged lightly at the corner of his mouth, feeling faintly as though he were being kept and provided for.
At his words, Li Shu rolled her eyes and pouted slightly as she scolded him, “Tomorrow you’ll be riding and shooting. None of your clothes are suitable. There’ll be so many noble families and military households there—do you want people laughing at you?”
“Master-in-law, hurry and try it on to see if it fits. Miss had the seamstresses rush this out this afternoon,” Baozi chirped, bouncing over with the clothes in her arms.
Hearing Baozi call him “master-in-law,” Li Shu did not stop her. It was as though she had not heard anything at all.
Seeing how eager Baozi was, Zhu Ping’an could not bring himself to refuse. He nodded in agreement, took the clothes with both hands, and gestured that he would change by himself.
Heh heh… Baozi giggled twice and scampered back to Li Shu, whispering something into her ear.
By reading her lips, Zhu Ping’an could tell exactly what the little maid was saying: Master-in-law is blushing.
Oh, give me a break. Which eye of yours saw me blushing? Zhu Ping’an felt utterly speechless.
Li Shu’s household seamstresses had made many outfits for Zhu Ping’an before and were already intimately familiar with his build. As a result, the sapphire-blue arrow-sleeved warrior outfit fit him perfectly.
The fabric was of excellent quality. Both the cuffs and collar were edged with black flowing-cloud embroidery, and the carefully matched belt and jade pendant lent the outfit an added air of elegance and nobility.
Sure enough, clothes made the man. Once Zhu Ping’an put on this sapphire-blue warrior attire, the ordinarily plain-looking, slightly honest-faced youth suddenly appeared far more spirited and striking than usual.
Moreover, the scholarly aura that clung naturally to Zhu Ping’an softened the martial sharpness of the outfit, adding an unmistakable touch of refined elegance.
Li Shu looked Zhu Ping’an over after he had changed and nodded. A hint of amusement flickered in her clear, watery eyes.
She seemed very satisfied.
Uh… was this girl smiling at me?
Zhu Ping’an was genuinely surprised. He could hardly remember seeing this proud, tsundere girl smile at him since childhood.
“Mmm, the seamstress did very well. Hua’er, remember to reward today’s seamstress according to the usual rules when you go back,” Li Shu said, curving her lips slightly as she turned to instruct Baozi in the very next moment.
Ah—so she was satisfied with the clothes. I really did overthink it. Zhu Ping’an pursed his lips.
After confirming that the outfit fit properly, Li Shu left with Baozi. While Zhu Ping’an had been changing, Baozi had already set out his dinner on the table.
“Sis, this is the place! I told you—this bumpkin—no, brother-in-law’s food here is really delicious. A hundred times better than what we eat at home!” No sooner had Li Shu and Baozi left than the naughty-like naughty child, still glowing from a hearty lunch, came trotting in hand-in-hand with the little loli girl.
The two of them had even come prepared—each chubby little hand held a small wooden bowl, and they had brought their own chopsticks.
“Brother-in-law, hello~~” the little loli greeted sweetly the moment she stepped inside.
“Brother-in-law, hello,” the naughty child echoed right after her. This time, there was none of his usual reluctance; he called out cheerfully and without hesitation.
Zhu Ping’an chuckled and beckoned them over to eat together. There was more than enough food anyway. Besides, how could anyone possibly refuse them? They had even brought their own bowls and chopsticks, and their mouths were so sweet with greetings.
“Sis, you’re amazing! We really brought bowls and chopsticks, and we actually get to eat! Hurry and try it—it’s super delicious,” the naughty child said eagerly, plopping down and showering the little loli with attention.
Hearing this, the little loli rolled her eyes hard. Brother Rui is such an idiot. Didn’t I tell you not to say that?
“Go on and eat,” Zhu Ping’an said with a laugh, gently patting the little loli’s head.
The two children ate with great relish. Especially the naughty child—this chubby little fellow had an impressive appetite. His chopsticks flashed back and forth as he shoveled food into his bowl while eyeing the dishes on the table. His round little face never stopped chewing, looking exactly like a tiny piglet.
By comparison, the little loli ate far more gracefully. Although her small chopsticks moved quickly as well, everything about her still appeared neat and refined.
Teaching through a meal.
In between bites, Zhu Ping’an pointed at a meat patty on one of the plates and asked the naughty child and the little loli, “If five children need to share this meat patty, but you’re only allowed to cut it three times, how would you divide it evenly?”
This was a common creative thinking question often used in modern elementary schools to broaden students’ minds. Zhu Ping’an posed it now for the same reason—to get them thinking in different ways.
“That’s easy,” the naughty child said confidently, putting down his chopsticks.
“Oh? Then tell me how,” Zhu Ping’an replied with a smile.
“First, I use one cut to kill one of the children,” the naughty child said, waving his chopsticks as he gestured, “then I use two more cuts to divide the patty into four pieces and give them to the remaining four children.”
Pfft—
Zhu Ping’an hadn’t even had time to react before the little loli, who had been drinking soup, burst out laughing and sprayed it everywhere. She glanced at Zhu Ping’an in embarrassment, her face turning red, then shot the naughty child a fierce glare. Idiot Rui-ge! You made me embarrass myself in front of brother-in-law!
Zhu Ping’an was equally speechless at the naughty child’s wild imagination. If the Marquis of Linhuai ever heard this, he would probably be so furious he’d start shouting about cleansing the family line. Smiling helplessly, Zhu Ping’an picked up his chopsticks and demonstrated on the meat patty while explaining the method step by step.
After one explanation, the little loli understood immediately. But it took a full three explanations before the naughty child finally had a sudden moment of enlightenment.
The difference was obvious. The Li family really did favor daughters over sons.