As expected, Zhao Wanting showcased all twenty-four steps of the Taiji Fist basic routine within an hour. Gu Ying had no idea how much Anji learned from that. Most children only learned a few moves a day and spent more time practising the proper postures instead of understanding how a move could be applied in different scenarios. Even the brightest child could only learn up to five moves a day. Not to mention, the young princess was only three. To her, this might be just another entertaining show watching two grown-ups swat flies for fun in the name of martial arts.
"You’ve worked hard, Mother, Martial Sister," Anji smiled and gestured for a waiting servant to present them with clean handkerchiefs to wipe their sweat.
Wanting accepted the handkerchief even when she did not break any sweat in her demonstration. It was almost time for lunch with her dear daughter, and Gu Ying was a great help as her teaching assistant. If not for the Manchurian beauty, she would not have noticed the problem until after the lesson was over.
"Let’s have lunch now," Wanting smiled. "You must be hungry. Gu Ying, why don’t you join us?"
As Wanting carried Anji in her arms, Gu Ying bowed and followed behind them. Cheekily, Anji grinned at Gu Ying and mouthed the words to praise her for assisting her ditzy mother.
Gu Ying hid a giggle behind her sleeve and nodded in acknowledgement to continue supporting Zhao Wanting silently.
Anji liked Gu Ying, even if they had only met this morning. The Manchurian beauty was smart, hardworking, loyal and professional. She knew how to handle the situation as well as Lizi. She had a bright look in her eyes and spoke sincerely. Her mother could use someone like Gu Ying by her side.
At lunch, the servants brought out dishes different from their usual. Anji had a feeling Doctor He had a hand in it from the sight of herbs mixed into everything. Zhao Wanting did not mind the medicinal meal. However, Gu Ying was surprised. Anji did not look that ill to her. The medicine used in this meal alone must have been a farmer’s wages for at least half a year.
"Doctor He told the cook to add these herbs into your food for the first four days of your recovery to prevent your immune system from collapsing. You must remain in bed for at least two hours this afternoon to let your muscles recover. You can talk to Gu Ying if you want to, but no reading or writing."
Sulking a little, Anji stared at Gu Ying, who hadn’t picked up her chopsticks.
"Do you not like the taste of herbs?" Anji asked curiously, comparing the mountain of dishes piled up in her bowl compared to the jade-eyed cultivator.
Startled, Gu Ying looked lost. Sharing a meal with the sect leader’s wife and daughter was already a great honour. However, she couldn’t possibly eat these expensive dishes before they finished their meal. Anji probably needed the nutrition more than she did.
Although there were many inner disciples in the sect, Wanting kept her eye on Gu Ying for a while. She knew the meticulous child had an awkward personality and wasn’t used to dealing with kindness from others. She often wore a cold expression, but when nobody was paying attention, Gu Ying would collect cute things and treasure them with a small smile. She knew Gu Ying and Anji would like each other after her husband suggested a few candidates to act as Anji’s bodyguard.
"What do you think of the lesson today?" Wanting asked Anji, piling meat onto Gu Ying’s bowl. "Was it difficult?"
Choosing her words carefully, Anji studied how Gu Ying squirmed in her seat as the meat piled higher than the rice in her bowl.
"It was very informative, mother. I finally understand what you mean by a constant flow of movements. However, I think it would take me a while to remember all twenty-four steps."
Beaming with delight at the opportunity, Zhao Wanting quickly promoted Gu Ying to the position of official teaching assistant.
"Truthfully, Mother has a lot of things to oversee in the sect. I was worried that no one else could teach you for the next few days while you’re still recovering, so I rushed through today’s lesson. If you understand the most important thing, Gu Ying can help you revise over the next few days while Mother attends to the sect business. What do you think, Teaching Assistant?"
Taken aback by the sudden promotion from a regular senior inner disciple to a teaching aide, Gu Ying placed her chopsticks down and humbly lowered her gaze to the table.
"Gu Ying is not skilled enough for such an important position," she trembled. "Madam, please reconsider your decision. There are plenty of other seniors who are more capable than me."
Tapping her cheek thoughtfully, Wanting gave Anji a troubled look.
"Anji, what do you think? The most important opinion is yours."
Ah, so that’s what her mother was trying to do. Apart from the genuine air-headed mistake, Anji had a feeling Gu Ying was someone important that her mother wanted to introduce into Anji’s circle of caregivers.
"I like Martial Sister Gu Ying," she approved. "With her help, I can probably remember all twenty-four steps by this week."
Clapping her hands once with glee, Zhao Wanting concluded the matter before Gu Ying could express her doubts. Anji secretly gave her mother a high five under the table, greeting Gu Ying playfully.
"I’ll be in your care now, Assistant Teacher Gu!"
Assistant Teacher Gu?! Unable to accept the title full of responsibility, Gu Ying tried to reason with the mother-daughter duo but was quickly silenced when they piled more food into her bowl.
"At least call me Martial Sister Gu..." the jade-eyed cultivator whimpered weakly. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NoveI★Fire.net
There was only one word to describe the awkward goofball who would become her assistant teacher for a week. Anji grinned.