Mo Chou stared in disbelief at the strictness of the plan her mistress had devised.
For instance, the requirement to practice horse stance under the sun for an hour, with an additional five jin of weight for every ten jin over the limit. They also had to run for half an hour daily in the backyard, with gradually increasing weight, and perform pull-ups, push-ups, and other exercises.
It was so strenuous that even she, an adult, would struggle to complete it, let alone children. Fortunately, all the children persevered, though they were as exhausted as oxen.
However, within half a month, the results were evident. The children, who were previously frail and wheezing, had become remarkably strong. Without the weights, they ran with exceptional ease and agility, light as swallows.
After another half month, the training regimen was intensified. Not only did they have to complete the original exercises, but they also had to train martial arts with Mo You for an hour each day.
"Miss, if they continue training like this, they'll be ready within a year," Mo Chou sighed. She wondered where her mistress had learned these methods. If applied to training generals on the battlefield, they would likely become formidable warriors.
"I plan to train them for two years. Some of the older ones will be released, and the younger ones will be kept for future use and further training. For now, we'll proceed like this," Qing Yao said while sipping her afternoon tea. A sudden thought struck her. "Mo Chou, why don't we go shopping? Staying here is too boring. Let's go out and see what's happening. If there are no major issues, I want to leave here as soon as possible. If our hiding place is discovered, Yin Xuan might be implicated."
"Alright," Mo Chou agreed. But she wondered what would happen if they encountered that woman, Yi Shuang'er. The mere thought of her brought an inexplicable annoyance. She didn't know what the woman had done to provoke her, but Yi Shuang'er's outgoing nature meant she hadn't noticed this subtle detail.
"Then let's disguise ourselves before we go out."
"Okay," Qing Yao nodded in agreement. The two of them walked into a room.
When they emerged, they had transformed into two men with sallow complexions, looking as if they were suffering from illness. Their appearance was that of men who frequented places of ill repute, sickly and gaunt. Even if they stood before Yi Shuang'er, she would likely shun them out of disgust, let alone recognize them.
"Let's go."
Qing Yao led the way out. Their street was secluded and deserted. Perhaps it was because the surrounding areas were private properties of royalty and high officials, the search had not extended to this block. This made Qing Yao wonder how Yin Xuan came to own this place; he must have paid an exorbitant price.
Due to the unexplained searches, the entire Huang Yuan Kingdom had been in a state of panic for quite some time. Half a month had passed, and things had finally quieted down. Taverns and teahouses were packed with patrons, all discussing the bizarre events.
Qing Yao and Mo Chou also blended in at a teahouse, listening to the patrons' increasingly lively discussions.
Some said that assassins had infiltrated the palace and attempted to assassinate the emperor, which was why the authorities had launched investigations.
Others claimed that something valuable had been stolen from the palace.
The storytellers spoke mysteriously, and the listeners were captivated. Qing Yao gently sipped her tea and looked outside. A luxurious carriage arrived on the street. A woman in fine clothes descended from the carriage, leading two charming maids, and walked into the teahouse.
This woman was none other than Yi Shuang'er. What was she doing here?
After half a month, this young girl seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight. Her chin was even sharper than before. Was she lovesick?
Qing Yao's eyes flickered. Girls in ancient times were truly precocious. Having grown up in the modern era, she would still be clinging to her grandmother's embrace at that age.
Thinking of her past life, her heart ached. She wasn't worried about others, only her maternal grandmother, who had loved her the most in the world. She wondered how her grandmother was doing now, and how heartbroken she must be to have lost Chen'er.
Qing Yao fell into a pensive silence, her gaze unfocused in the steaming tea.
Yi Shuang'er had already entered the teahouse. As soon as the patrons saw her enter, they all fell silent. Miss Yi was no ordinary person; provoking her would surely lead to unpleasant consequences.
Yi Shuang'er scanned the surroundings with her bright, expectant eyes. Not seeing the person she was looking for, a look of disappointment crossed her face, but she said nothing. The teahouse attendant quickly scurried over.
"Miss Yi, please follow me to a private room on the second floor."
"Down here is fine," Yi Shuang'er said, for some inexplicable reason, perhaps due to fatigue, she didn't want to go to the private room on the second floor and decided to have tea in the main hall. The moment she spoke, several patrons stood up.
They were insignificant individuals; they couldn't afford to offend her, so why not avoid her? One by one, and then in succession, many people left. The attendant dared not speak, but led Yi Shuang'er to the best vantage point in the center of the hall and quickly served her the finest tea the teahouse had to offer.
In the end, only Yi Shuang'er, her two maids, and Qing Yao and Mo Chou remained in the hall.
Each person drank their tea. Qing Yao and Mo Chou had been out for a while, had finished their tea, and had heard enough gossip. They got up to leave. Just as they were walking past Yi Shuang'er, they heard her venomous voice: "Stop."
Qing Yao froze. Had Yi Shuang'er recognized them? She stood still, then turned to face Yi Shuang'er.
She saw that the woman's face was filled with resentment. Yi Shuang'er glared at them angrily and coldly said, "Am I a tiger? Why did you all leave as soon as I arrived?"
Qing Yao was taken aback. So, she hadn't recognized them. It was just that this young lady was in a bad mood. She should ask herself why people left when she arrived, and why she was asking them. Qing Yao replied unceremoniously, "I've had my fill of tea. Am I supposed to stay here?"
Qing Yao's demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing, and she didn't exhibit the usual fear. However, the moment she spoke, the two maids behind Yi Shuang'er became displeased, their expressions darkening as they spoke fiercely.
"How dare you! Do you know who is before you? How can you speak like that?"
Mo Chou, standing behind Qing Yao, had already developed a dislike for Yi Shuang'er. Hearing the maids' words, she was about to retort. What was wrong with speaking? She dared to hit her. If she provoked them further, she'd make sure her nose bled.
Qing Yao sensed Mo Chou's cold aura and feared that she might impulsively do something that would reveal their identities.
Although they themselves were fine, their actions could cause trouble for Mo You. The imperial family was already looking for him, and even though he was powerful, his life might be in danger.
"What is it you want, Miss?"
"Sit and have tea with me," Yi Shuang'er said matter-of-factly. Mo Chou glared at her. Qing Yao reached out and patted her shoulder, signaling her to remain calm. Qing Yao then smiled and said, "As you wish."
Yi Shuang'er was somewhat surprised by her prompt agreement and raised an eyebrow.
She saw that this man looked ordinary, with a sallow complexion. At that moment, his lecherous eyes were scanning her face, with a tendency to look lower. Yi Shuang'er was still a sheltered maiden.
Even without much knowledge, she knew that the man before her had ill intentions. Her face darkened, and she roared coldly.