“Alright, let’s continue discussing your issues. Fifth Uncle, your medicinal bath remains the same—stick to the previous formula. Your physical training will be doubled. Once you can complete the assigned tasks within the required time, you can move on to the next training phase.”

Lin Yuxin continued addressing everyone’s concerns.

“Got it! I’ll work hard to catch up.”

Zhao Yingxuan nodded in agreement. No matter how exhausting it would be this time, he couldn’t slack off.

“Big Cousin, did you injure your left leg in the past?”

After finishing with Fifth Uncle’s matter, Lin Yuxin turned to her eldest cousin, Lin Chenxi, and asked directly.

She had initially intended to ask in private, but since time was running short, she decided to be straightforward.

“…!”

Zhao Chenxi’s heart skipped a beat. How did his cousin know? Well, with her remarkable medical skills, she was bound to find out sooner or later.

“Injured? Boss, you got hurt? When? How come we didn’t know?”

Zhao Shijie tensed up upon hearing Lin Yuxin’s question. He frowned at Zhao Chenxi, demanding an answer.

His eldest grandson had been injured right under his nose, yet he had no idea. Judging by the situation, it must have been a long time ago.

As his grandfather, he felt utterly negligent.

A flash of pain flickered in Zhao Chenxi’s eyes. He pressed his lips together for a moment before finally speaking.

“Yes, I was injured. It happened in a fight while I was away.”

Lin Yuxin remained silent as she observed him. She knew he wasn’t telling the whole truth, but as long as he was willing to talk about it, resolving the issue wouldn’t be difficult.

“Alright, if you don’t want to explain, that’s fine. But your injury wasn’t severe. The problem is that it wasn’t treated in time, which led to your current condition.”

“You try hard to conceal it, and while you walk like a normal person, you occasionally feel pain. During the run just now, one of your legs landed noticeably lighter than the other. That clearly exposed your injury.”

Lin Yuxin pointed out his flaw so that he would be aware of it.

“I’ll examine your leg later. If it’s treatable, it should be taken care of as soon as possible. If you wait until it becomes irreversible, you might end up crippled for life.”

She advised him earnestly.

“Treat it—do it right away! You brat, how could you get injured and not tell us? What, do you think you can just handle everything on your own now?”

Zhao Shijie was both angry and distressed.

His eldest son only had two children, and his eldest grandson had been suffering from an injury for years without anyone knowing.

How could he face his son in the afterlife with such a failure?

His eyes reddened with emotion.

“I understand, Grandfather.”

Zhao Chenxi, too, had reddened eyes as he acknowledged his grandfather’s words.

“Grandfather, don’t worry. I’ll take a look at his leg later.”

Lin Yuxin reassured her grandfather when she noticed his troubled expression.

“Hmm, I know. With you here, I’m not worried.”

Zhao Shijie, comforted by her words, snapped out of his sorrow and spoke in a firm tone.

“Alright, next, let’s talk about Second Cousin. Second Cousin, tell me about your problem!”

Lin Yuxin gently patted her grandfather’s hand to console him, then turned to look at her second cousin, Zhao Chenxuan, with a half-smiling expression.

“Me? What problem do I have?”

Zhao Chenxuan’s heart skipped a beat. Under Lin Yuxin’s gaze, he felt completely exposed. Did she see through him?

[Hah! Second Cousin sure hides well. He acts all high and mighty every day, but keeping up that act must be exhausting! With his level of skill, there’s no way he learned it in just a few years. He must have had a great teacher!]

Lin Yuxin could tell—Zhao Chenxuan’s martial arts skills were impressive.

He just never showed them. But why?

“Alright! Since you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask. However, I’ll have to adjust your training plan.”

She didn’t press him. It was his private matter. If he had such an opportunity, then it was his fortune.

“Alright! I trust your judgment, Cousin.”

Hearing that Lin Yuxin wouldn’t dig any further, Zhao Chenxuan secretly sighed in relief.

He had promised his master to keep his identity a secret; otherwise, his master would disown him as a disciple.

“Third Cousin, your biggest problem is… well, everything. Honestly, I think you should give up martial arts and follow Third Uncle to study for the imperial exam. With your constitution, the military might not be the right place for you.”

Lin Yuxin tried to be as tactful as possible, but she couldn’t help feeling speechless as she looked at her third cousin.

[If Third Cousin weren’t older than our two younger cousins, even Fifth Cousin might outrun him. Other people take running seriously—he, on the other hand, runs for a bit, then gasps for air. He’s even weaker than Third Uncle!]

[And yet, he has no physical issues. He just doesn’t want to move. If he weren’t born into the Zhao family—if his father weren’t bedridden and he wasn’t forced to step up—he’d probably be the kind of person who sits whenever he can and never stands unless absolutely necessary.]

Even Zhao Shijie, upon hearing Lin Yuxin’s inner thoughts, looked at his third grandson with a clenched fist.

This brat always acted so diligent, and he had thought the boy had matured after his father’s illness.

But now? The truth had come out in just one training session.

Clearly, he hadn’t been disciplined enough!

Zhao Shijie glared at Lin Chendong. This disgrace of a grandson!

He could hardly acknowledge him as part of the Zhao family.

Feeling his grandfather’s gaze, Zhao Chendong’s heart pounded.

What did he do wrong? He had already tried his best! But he just couldn’t run anymore!

Studying would be much easier for him.

When he heard Lin Yuxin’s suggestion, his eyes lit up. Could he really?

Lin Yuxin saw his reaction and knew her third cousin had no passion for martial arts. A month of rigorous training was probably already his limit.

After thinking for a moment, she turned to her grandfather and said:

“Grandfather, since Third Cousin’s interests lie elsewhere, why not let him follow Third Uncle and prepare for next year’s imperial exam? Maybe he’ll surprise us!”

Zhao Shijie remained silent, observing the group of children in front of him.

A deep sorrow filled his heart.

Lin Yuxin was right.

When she first proposed her training plan, he had high hopes.

He had hoped that the Zhao family’s next generation would become the future of the Zhao Army.

That was why he had gathered all the children and made them follow her training regime.

But now he realized he had taken too much for granted.

Each child had their own path.

After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke to Zhao Chendong in a deep voice.

“Third grandson, think carefully. If you choose to give up martial arts for scholarly pursuits, you must dedicate yourself fully. Do you understand?”

Zhao Chendong couldn’t believe it. His grandfather had agreed?

It wasn’t until Second Cousin smacked him on the back that he snapped out of his daze and excitedly responded.

“I understand, Grandfather!”

Finally! No more waking up early for training.

Zhao Chendong was so happy he could fly.

Anyone could see how overjoyed he was—it was almost unbearable to watch.

Even Zhao Shijie wanted to smack him! This brat didn’t even know how to tone down his excitement!

Lin Yuxin chuckled at his exuberant reaction before turning to her eight-year-old fourth cousin.

“Alright, Fourth Cousin, from now on, you’ll train with Fourth Uncle using his new regimen. I believe in you—keep it up!”

She didn’t go into details, but her message was clear: since Zhao Chenhai was now training alongside Fourth Uncle, he had successfully advanced to the second training stage.