Chapter 68: Xu Nian Learns Martial Arts – The “Bracelet” Weapon

The next day, Wang Pingting arrived early at Qingteng Courtyard, carrying her treasured spear. She proudly showed it to Xu Nian and said, “You have no idea how many conditions I had to agree to with my mother just to bring this here. You owe me a favor!”

Xu Nian chuckled. “Alright, alright, whatever compensation you want, you’ll get. But first, Sister Wang, show me a set of spear techniques. Let us all admire the mighty prowess of the esteemed Lady Wang!”

Wang Pingting was not one to hesitate. With a swift motion, her spear traced a silver arc through the air before she spun gracefully and caught it firmly in her hands. Her movements were fluid and agile, but far from delicate—each strike was sharp and forceful. Several times, Xu Nian could even hear the whistle of the spear slicing through the wind.

After completing the entire routine, Wang Pingting was only slightly out of breath, without a single bead of sweat on her face. Xu Nian was in awe—who knew how many years of relentless training, through bitter winters and scorching summers, it had taken to achieve such mastery?

“Sister Wang, you’re amazing! Truly a warrior who stands equal to any man!”

Wang Pingting waved her hand dismissively. “This is nothing but child’s play. If you want to talk about true spear mastery, that would be the Prince of Zhenbei. My father says his spear skills are godlike—he can take down enemies on the battlefield without them even realizing what happened. My father himself is not even one-tenth as skilled as the prince, let alone me.”

She sighed wistfully. “Ah, if only I could witness the prince performing a full spear technique in person!”

” Cough, cough… “

A voice came from the entrance of Qingteng Courtyard. Yun Ling stood there, looking at Wang Pingting wielding her spear with a headache brewing.

Was she going to follow in Sister Buqin’s footsteps as well?

And just as he feared, the thing you dread most is often the thing that happens.

“Miss Wang, your hand is in the wrong position.”

“Miss Wang, don’t take such large steps.”

“Miss Wang, stop darting your eyes around.”

“Miss Wang…”

Wang Pingting had been so thrilled while showing off her spear skills earlier, but now she was just as frustrated. “It’s just walking! Why are there so many rules?”

Xu Nian, trying her best to minimize her presence, dodged the resentful gaze thrown her way. She truly couldn’t help her now.

Finally, after the morning training session ended, Wang Pingting sat at the dining table, viciously chewing her food while smiling sweetly at Xu Nian.

Xu Nian, chopsticks in mid-air, suddenly felt a chill down her spine.

“Little Sister Xu, I think you have excellent natural talent for martial arts. How about I start teaching you from tomorrow?”

Xu Nian swallowed hard and forced a smile. “You flatter me, Sister. I just remembered—an esteemed fortune-teller once read my fate and told me I must stay far away from swords, spears, and staffs. Looks like martial arts aren’t for me after all.”

” Heh heh… “

” Haha… “

“I won’t make you touch any swords, spears, or staffs. Don’t worry.”

Xu Nian was anything but reassured. She was certain now—Wang Pingting had gone a little crazy and was determined to drag someone down with her.

Sure enough, from the next day onward, while Wang Pingting practiced her posture and etiquette, Xu Nian had to stand in a horse stance beside her. However long Wang Pingting trained in etiquette, Xu Nian had to hold her stance for just as long.

What was worse—Wang Pingting had actually remembered Xu Nian’s nonsense about avoiding weapons. True to her word, there were no swords, spears, or staffs involved. But instead, she placed a basin of water between Xu Nian’s legs. If her stance wavered, she would suffer the humiliation of “wetting her pants.”

In just a few short days, the resentment had completely shifted to Xu Nian.

She never imagined Wang Pingting could be so ruthless. What a truly evil, soul-crushing trick!

Where did she even learn such diabolical methods?

Wang Pingting, feeling refreshed and energized, progressed rapidly in her training. She even had spare time to correct Xu Nian’s movements from time to time.

This routine continued for half a month. At first, Xu Nian could only endure for the duration of one incense stick’s burning, but now, she could persist for half an hour.

Although Wang Pingting’s actions had a playful element, her true intention was to teach Xu Nian martial arts. Xu Nian, much like herself, was not the type to stay put and always found ways to sneak out.

Even though Xu Nian was always accompanied by others when she went out, they were all delicate women who could barely defend themselves. Moreover, Wang Pingting was unwilling to admit that, deep down, she harbored a sense of wariness toward Shen Yan.

After finally being freed from horse stance training, Xu Nian was met with a new challenge—wielding silk ribbons. According to Wang Pingting, she would have mastered the technique once she could make the soft and pliable ribbons shoot out as sharply as a blade.

“Here—don’t say I never treat you well. Open it and take a look.”

Xu Nian curiously opened the wooden box Wang Pingting handed her and found a coiled bracelet inside. Its design was quite unique. Just as she was about to try it on, Wang Pingting smacked her hand away.

Wang Pingting picked up the bracelet, gave it a firm flick, and—surprisingly—it straightened into an incredibly thin, flexible wire, akin to a soft whip. As she swung it through the air, the leaves in the courtyard were sliced cleanly in half, revealing just how sharp it was.

“When I first started learning martial arts, my father gave me two choices. I chose the spear, so now this is yours.”

Xu Nian carefully took the bracelet, deeply touched. She knew this “bracelet” must be very precious to Wang Pingting.

From that day on, this bracelet never left Xu Nian’s wrist.

“Sister Wang, I promise to train diligently from now on. No more slacking off.”

Wang Pingting held back a laugh. She wasn’t blind—she could clearly see Xu Nian slacking. But since Xu Nian was only practicing martial arts for self-defense, there was no need to be too harsh on her.

“Oh, by the way, I won’t be able to come for a while. Make sure to practice for at least half an hour every day without interruption. Otherwise, all your previous suffering will have been for nothing.”

She repeatedly reminded Xu Nian, not wanting her to slack off in her absence.

“Sister Wang, is something the matter?”

“It’s my grandmother’s sixtieth birthday soon. My mother and I need to go pay our respects, so I’ll be away for some time.”

“When are you leaving? I’d like to prepare a birthday gift for your grandmother as well.”

Xu Nian was not just saying this out of politeness. She genuinely liked Wang Pingting and was truly grateful to her. It was only natural for her to prepare a gift for the elder.

Wang Pingting did not decline and directly suggested, “My grandmother prays to Buddha daily. You can get her something related to that.”

Xu Nian agreed without hesitation.

Since Wang Pingting was leaving in two days, there was no time to create a Buddha painting or other intricate gifts. Instead, she decided to make a “zhupei” (an ornamental hanging similar to a forbidden step pendant). She designed it using a three-dimensional lotus platform knot, with a pearl embellishing the bottom—both elegant and rich in Buddhist symbolism.

She spent an entire night and half a day crafting the piece, then packed it into a wooden box and had Xiuer send it over.

Knowing that Wang Pingting would have to endure several days of travel in a carriage, Xu Nian also had the kitchen prepare various flavors of dried meat for her. Most of the spices she used came from her special supply, and even before the jerky was fully cooked, its enticing aroma spread far and wide.

Xu Ling followed the scent to the dried meat, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Xu Nian found her reaction amusing and set aside a portion just for her.

When Wang Pingting received the package, she was overjoyed. She grabbed her bundle and eagerly went to show off to her parents.

Upon catching a whiff of the delicious jerky, Wang Qianzong found it incredibly appetizing and thought it would pair well with wine. He tried to negotiate with Wang Pingting to share half with him.

But the moment she heard this, she bolted away without a trace, leaving her father behind in stunned silence. Lady Guan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh at his misfortune.