During the break, Master Zhang thought it over.
What Li Jin said earlier was right.
The Princess was a very gifted child, and having a student like her was a teacher's pride.
He could no longer use ordinary teaching methods on her; he needed a method suited specifically for the Princess.
Initially, he only intended to give Duoduo a single booklet to study slowly.
Once he figured this out, he decided not to hold anything back and brought out all of his medical case records.
These handwritten volumes represented half a lifetime of his hard work.
How much the Princess could comprehend would depend on her own fortune.
Master Zhang closed the booklet, and Duoduo hastily stopped him without even lifting her head.
"Master, I haven't finished reading yet."
"Princess, take these back and read them slowly at your own pace."
"Now, let us continue with the lesson."
As Master Zhang spoke, he moved the booklets to the side.
Duoduo cast a reluctant glance at the booklets, trying her best to pull her thoughts back and listen to the lecture.
"Earlier, this old man taught you how to take a pulse. Next, I will explain what kind of pulse conditions might appear with different illnesses."
Once Master Zhang began his lecture, Duoduo immediately threw herself into listening.
Yingniang, on the other hand, fell into agony; her brain felt like a lump of paste.
However, she was a study companion and could not leave.
The acupuncture points and meridians Master Zhang spoke of were like a spider web that bound Yingniang up, turning her into a cocoon.
Yingniang was gloriously hypnotized into sleep.
Meanwhile, the Princess Consort of Pingyang was chatting with Xu Jinxin.
"I originally thought about studying medicine alongside Duoduo."
"But after attending a couple of classes, I realized that taking a class with Duoduo is exactly like practicing martial arts with you."
Xu Jinxin was cracking melon seeds. "Like it how?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang pursed her lips and smiled.
"In your words, it is asking for torture!"
"Hahaha! Is it really that tragic?" Xu Jinxin was amused.
"Tragic! Very tragic! Extremely tragic!"
After saying this, the Princess Consort of Pingyang could not help but laugh herself.
"To be honest, I really admire Yingniang. As Duoduo's study companion, she must be having a very hard time."
Xu Jinxin looked thoughtful.
"Then I need to comfort her properly later."
"Yes, do comfort her well. It really is tough on her."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang pursed her lips, her eyes curving in a smile.
"Are you still going to continue studying medicine, then? Besides, as a Princess Consort, what do you need to learn all that for?"
"You might as well practice martial arts with me to strengthen your body and beat up bad guys!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang nodded.
"I am learning. I practice the fist techniques the Prince taught me every day."
"The Prince said that once I master this set, he will teach me another."
Xu Jinxin's interest was piqued.
"So, how is your training going?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang put down her needlework.
"I've just gotten the flow of it. Since the Prince is not in the manor, I don't even know if I'm doing it right."
Xu Jinxin tossed aside the melon seeds in her hand.
"The Prince isn't here, but I am!"
"Why don't we spar a bit, and you can show me how the fist techniques the Prince taught you are holding up?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang shot Xu Jinxin a sideways glance.
"If you ask me, you're just bored, aren't you?"
"You've practiced martial arts since you were a child. How could I possibly compare to you? Forget it, I'd rather not bring humiliation upon myself."
"Oh, come on, come on. I'm so bored just sitting here."
"I'm the kind of person who can't stay idle. Once I'm idle, my whole body gets itchy."
"Don't worry, I absolutely won't use my full strength!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang set aside her needle and thread.
"Since you're so bored staying here, why don't we go shopping tomorrow?"
"Aren't you all going to the capital with us? There are quite a few things we need to purchase!"
Xu Jinxin clapped her hands together.
"Ah, you're right!"
"But if we go shopping, I'm calling Li Jin to come along."
"Why call him?" The Princess Consort of Pingyang hesitated slightly.
"To be our guard, of course! And, more importantly, I don't have any silver on me, so he can pay for things!"
"You... alright, I'll have someone go tell him."
"Oh, right, how about we invite Yingniang along too, so she can go relax a bit?"
"Good idea, but I wonder if Duoduo would be unhappy if she found out?"
Xu Jinxin felt a little guilty.
"It's fine. Once Duoduo starts studying, she won't go out to play."
"Just bear with it for today, and we'll head out tomorrow after breakfast."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang reassured her best friend.
"I was just thinking about what items we need to prepare."
"By the way, do you have paper and a brush? I want to write them down first."
Xu Jinxin was the type to act on whatever came to mind.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang called for Lianxin and asked her to prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Before long, Lianxin brought the items over and placed them on the table next to Xu Jinxin.
"Clothing, food, shelter, and transportation; the first is clothing."
Xu Jinxin muttered to herself.
Seeing that her best friend finally had something to do, the Princess Consort of Pingyang pursed her lips into a faint smile.
The lessons in the study room did not end until the middle of the You hour.
Yingniang had slept through it all, and she rubbed her cheeks in embarrassment.
Master Zhang concluded the class. He had lectured to his heart's content today and left with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
Duoduo was still keeping her head down, recording some of the content the master had just taught into her notebook.
The Prince of Pingyang had once taught her that a good memory is not as reliable as a worn-out writing brush.
Therefore, Duoduo would still write down some of the most critical and important points.
Yingniang leaned over to look, and the notebook was densely packed with key points.
"Duoduo, he actually taught this much today?"
Yingniang had fallen asleep and had no idea there would be so much material today.
Duoduo lifted her head and gave Yingniang a sweet smile.
"Sister, wait a moment, I'll be done right away."
Yingniang twisted her fingers, feeling very embarrassed.
"Duoduo, I'm sorry I accidentally fell asleep earlier. Master Zhang wasn't upset, was he?"
Duoduo shook her head. "No."
"The master said that everyone has areas they excel in."
"And it's not just you; even if Mother came, it would be the same."
"Many people find it hard to adapt to the way I study, so you don't need to take it to heart."
Yingniang felt comforted.
"It's just that, Duoduo, do you know that studying with you makes me feel very stupid?"
Duoduo finished writing the last character and put her brush away.
She flashed a bright smile at Yingniang.
"How could that be? Sister is very smart! You practice the fist techniques the master taught much better than I do!"
"That's because I'm older than you!"
"Plus, I started learning years before you did, and now you're about to surpass me."
"I've tried very, very hard, but I still can't catch up."
This wasn't the first time Yingniang had felt a sense of defeat.
Ever since she started attending classes with Duoduo, she had been filled with self-doubt every single day.
She was obviously older than Duoduo, yet why did she understand less and less of what the master taught?
She had even started to dread going to class.
She was afraid of the master asking her questions, and even more afraid of him ignoring her.
Seeing Yingniang looking so dejected and disappointed, Duoduo reached out and hugged her.
"I'm sorry, Sister."
"How about I teach you everything again every night?"
Yingniang shuddered and pushed Duoduo away.
