Xie Lin was busier than before—governing a nation proved far more challenging than destroying one.
In the blink of an eye, Yuancheng had turned four, the age to begin martial training.
Grand Tutor Xu taught Yuancheng to read, while Xie Lin had originally intended to personally instruct him in martial arts. But with his current workload, he had no choice but to hire a martial arts master to lay the foundation for Yuancheng first.
The martial master for Yuancheng was carefully selected by Xie Lin and Jiang Yunshu. Xie Lin first shortlisted several candidates with exceptional martial skills and upright character, then had Jiang Yunshu join him in making the final choice.
Jiang Yunshu quietly asked Xie Lin, "How do you think Yuancheng’s talent for martial arts is?"
Xie Lin replied, "Just average."
"Having Yuancheng learn martial arts is mainly to strengthen his body and give him the ability to protect himself in case of danger in the future."
Jiang Yunshu nodded and personally met with the shortlisted masters, eventually selecting Master Wen, who was around forty years old and ranked among the lower half in martial skill compared to the others.
Of course, all the masters who passed Xie Lin’s initial screening were outstanding in martial arts.
Still, Xie Lin was slightly surprised by Jiang Yunshu’s choice. "Why not pick someone more skilled?"
Jiang Yunshu had each master give a "trial lesson." Though she knew nothing of martial arts, her past life as a long-time student had taught her what made a good teacher.
"The more skilled masters at the top all had extraordinary natural talent."
But Yuancheng’s talent was only average.
"I worry they wouldn’t understand his struggles."
It reminded her of her pre-transmigration school days, when she’d had a teacher from a prestigious university. That teacher’s credentials were impeccable, but during lectures, they couldn’t grasp why so many students struggled with seemingly simple concepts.
The students suffered, and the teacher did too.
Later, that teacher was reassigned to teach an elite competition class, and the school replaced them with an experienced instructor for Jiang Yunshu’s class. Both teachers and students finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The Master Wen she chose was like that experienced instructor—his own martial talent was just as average as Yuancheng’s.
Master Wen had achieved his exceptional skill through relentless effort.
Moreover, he was patient and even-tempered. He had four sons, each with varying levels of talent, and he had trained all of them himself.
Jiang Yunshu asked Master Wen, "If you were to rank Yuancheng alongside your four sons, where would his martial talent place?"
Master Wen repeatedly declined to answer, but Jiang Yunshu insisted he speak frankly.
He finally said, "Second place—below my youngest son, but above the other three."
Hearing this, Jiang Yunshu felt even more at ease. She told Xie Lin, "Master Wen has taught three students duller than Yuancheng. He’ll be patient with him."
Xie Lin chuckled. "So Her Majesty just can’t bear to see Yuancheng scolded."
Thus, Yuancheng performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony, and Master Wen officially became one of the imperial tutors, beginning Yuancheng’s martial training.
For the first few days, Xie Lin was uneasy and visited the training grounds daily. After observing Master Wen’s teaching for several days and confirming his competence, he stopped going.
Some time later, on the day of Yuancheng’s assessment, Xie Lin and Jiang Yunshu went together to the training grounds to watch Master Wen evaluate him.
Yuancheng had improved remarkably!
His small frame now executed each move with precision.
Jiang Yunshu was overjoyed, clapping enthusiastically from the sidelines and showering him with praise and encouragement.
"Amazing!"
"Fantastic!"
"That last move was perfect!"
