Chapter 123: Physical Training
Chapter 123: Physical Training
Upon seeing Suisui's agreement, Princess Qi finally lifted her head and smiled at General Huguo, "Apologies, but she worked hard to make these charcoal briquettes, so I had to ask her opinion."
General Huguo didn't usually interfere much with his children's affairs and, although he didn't understand many things, he grasped the underlying meaning.
He felt that Princess Qi's approach was quite good for the children.
General Huguo felt he had learned something new and smiled as he waved his hand, "Of course, of course."
The charcoal briquettes were still wet and couldn't be moved yet.
However, General Huguo had already arranged with the palace staff, and he would send someone to collect them later.
Although these briquettes were different from the ones commonly used, it was precisely because of this difference that the General had become interested.
He thought...
Perhaps there would be a pleasant surprise?
He had originally come to offer guidance, but since the young girl had already finished making the briquettes, he didn't say anything further. Additionally, as he had other matters to attend to, he soon took his leave.
Princess Qi politely tried to detain him for a while longer before seeing him out.
After bidding farewell to General Huguo, Princess Qi took Suisui back to the rear courtyard.
The young girl had lost interest in the charcoal-making process and now wanted to go and watch her brothers' lessons.
Princess Qi, of course, indulged Suisui and led her by the hand to watch the ongoing class.
Today's curriculum didn't involve archery or horsemanship, so the lesson was relatively quieter.
However, it was also more exhausting.
All the young masters were undergoing strength training with added weights.
They needed to enhance their leg strength, improve their arm strength, and increase their overall bodily strength.
After all, a robust physique was the foundation for riding and archery.
Hence, the basic exercises were essential.
When Suisui arrived, her brothers were in the midst of an arm strength training session.
Each of them held a stack of books with their arms outstretched.
Professor Shen walked among the young masters, holding a ruler and occasionally correcting their less-than-standard forms.
"Raise your arms higher."
"Don't fidget your wrists."
...
Professor Shen's voice was neither loud nor harsh; instead, it carried a hint of a smile.
Yet, the young masters feared him.
The students' awe of their professor seemed to be an ingrained habit.
Feng Xuanbin, who had previously wanted to skip class, was now diligently training as well.
Being the youngest, he carried a lighter load.
Each of his arms held three relatively thin books.
The weight was manageable, but the challenge lay in endurance.
Feng Xuanrui and the others had already reached their limits and were grimacing, indicating their need for a rest.
But when they saw Suisui, they didn't want to show weakness, so they straightened their backs and stiffened their arms even more.
As a result...
They got even more exhausted!
Boo hoo!
Extra training was so tough!
Suisui couldn't help but gaze at them with envious, starry eyes, admiringly whispering, "My brothers are so amazing!"
In Suisui's eyes, any brother who could lift such a thick stack of books was a mighty strongman!
Princess Qi observed the young masters, noting their determined expressions despite the occasional twitches of discomfort. She knew they hadn't reached their limit yet and could continue training, so she felt relieved.
Moreover, she trusted Professor Shen.
At most, he would push the young masters to their physical limits, but he wouldn't engage in mindless training that would harm the children's foundations.
Thus, Princess Qi gently patted Suisui's head, "Suisui, you need to eat more and build up your body. Then you can join your brothers in their training."
Suisui was still too thin.
Forcing her to train with a weak foundation wouldn't benefit her growth.
Additionally, as she had no companions, Princess Qi temporarily didn't let Suisui join her brothers.
Hearing her mother's words, SuSUI nodded earnestly. "Okay, Mother, don't worry. I'll eat more and grow bigger!"
The little girl's round face scrunched up adorably.
Actually, it wasn't quite accurate to call SuSUI's face round, as her cheeks were not yet full and chubby—the perfect embodiment of cuteness and softness.
However, Princess Qi was confident that it wouldn't be long now.
Very soon, with SuSUI's arrival, her brothers managed to persist a little longer.
Before long, Professor Shen instructed them to take a break, allowing them to adjust their arm strength and stretch their bodies.
Then, it was time for leg strength training—running with weights.
As soon as they got a break, Feng Xuanrui and the others rushed over to where SuSUI was.
"Sister, did you make charcoal briquettes?"
"Is it fun?"
"You made some, right? Give them to me, brother. I'll use them to warm myself up; I've been feeling a bit chilly lately."
...
Feng Xuanrui was the first to squeeze his way over, but before he could even get a response from SuSUI, he was pushed away by Feng Xuanbin, who outweighed him.
Feng Xuanbin hadn't even finished speaking when he, too, was forcibly removed by the combined efforts of Feng Xuanjie and Feng Xuanbo.
The group of children huddled around their fragile little sister, playfully jostling and poking at each other, yet they all tacitly avoided bumping into SuSUI, leaving her ample space.
SuSUI tilted her head, thoughtfully responding to her brothers' inquiries. "Yes, it's so much fun!"
"I made a lot, but I have to give some to Uncle Su, and if you brothers want more, I'll make some more for you tomorrow!"
...
As soon as the little girl mentioned making more, everyone else became intrigued.
Especially the youngest, Feng Xuanbin, who was at the age where playing with mud was the most fun.
So, upon hearing about playing with dirt, he immediately turned his head and looked at Princess Qi with hopeful eyes. "Mother, can I make some too?"
Princess Qi couldn't help but laugh at his expression, raising her finger to point at Professor Shen in the distance. "Ask your teacher if he'll give you a break, but no skipping class, okay?"
Feng Xuanbin had skipped class the day Feng Xuanrui returned home, and he still remembered the punishment he had received from Professor Shen for it.
Hence, when told not to skip class, he meekly lowered his head and reluctantly agreed. "...Okay."
However, despite his eagerness, Feng Xuanbin didn't dare to actually ask Professor Shen for a break.
Boo hoo!
If he asked and the answer was no, he would definitely be punished again!
Feng Xuanbin felt that he needed to come up with a different plan.
One that would allow him to skip class without getting punished.
Their break was brief, and soon enough, Professor Shen cleared his throat, signaling the end of their break.
Feng Xuanrui and the others may have been reluctant to resume their training, but they obediently returned to their lesson—running with weights was nothing new to them.
However, to SuSUI, it all seemed novel and intriguing.
She watched her brothers with curiosity and admiration as they ran laps around the field, carrying weights.
During the exercise, Feng Xuanrui even got into a scuffle with Feng Xuanbin, and the two brothers ended up on the ground, tugging at each other's hair!
SuSUI's eyes widened at the sight, and she instinctively tried to rush over to help, forgetting that her hand was still held by her mother.
As she attempted to dash forward, she was pulled back by Princess Qi, who had unconsciously held onto her hand.
SuSUI stumbled in front of Princess Qi, turning halfway around before coming to a stop by her mother's legs.
She looked back and forth between her brothers and her mother, a hint of hurt in her eyes as she pouted. "Seven Brother is fighting with Big Brother. I want to help Big Brother!"
(End of Chapter)
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