Chapter 13: Embarrassment

Zhao Cheng carefully watched Meng Tao's every move, listening to his explanations, and secretly admired him. From his posture, it was clear that Meng Tao had considerable martial arts skills. Zhao Cheng imitated his stance, and Meng Tao slightly adjusted his position, saying, "Second Young Master, when you first stand, your legs will often feel sore and weak. Over time, you'll feel loose and powerless, which is a sign of changing strength. You must gradually build up to the point where you can stand for an hour and still feel relaxed and natural."

Zhao Cheng knew what Meng Tao said was true, but his body wouldn't cooperate. After standing for a short while, his calves started to tremble, his buttocks began to sag, his stomach ached, and finally, his whole body began to shiver, his posture becoming hunched and unsteady. The onlookers couldn't help but laugh!

"Second Young Master, hold on! When you stand in a horse stance, avoid pushing your feet flat and not firmly grounded, avoid bending your waist, as it will prevent your qi from descending, avoid standing up immediately, as your legs will not be able to bear the pain, and avoid raising your shoulders, tilting your head, stiffening your neck, looking around, or sticking out your buttocks."

With a 'thud,' before Meng Tao could finish speaking, Zhao Cheng fell to the ground. Jian Xi was startled and quickly helped him up, asking anxiously, "Second Young Master, are you hurt?"

"It's fine!" Zhao Cheng felt his cheeks turn red from embarrassment, and he broke free from Jian Xi's hand, saying, "Master Meng, I'm sorry, I'll keep practicing!" He then repositioned himself into a horse stance but collapsed again after less than half an incense stick's time. It wasn't that he didn't want to persist, but his body simply couldn't handle it. In just a short while, his clothes were drenched in sweat.

"Master Meng, I'll try again!" Zhao Cheng, with trembling legs, got up and said apologetically.

Meng Tao hadn't expected Zhao Cheng to be so weak. He sighed and said, "Second Young Master, martial arts training is not something that can be achieved overnight. It must be done gradually. In the future, you can practice in your courtyard according to what I've taught you. When you can stand for an incense stick's time, I'll continue to teach you!"

"Master Meng, that's fine. I'll practice diligently when I return!" Zhao Cheng bowed and said, feeling extremely embarrassed. His face was red and swollen as he limped back with Jian Xi's support.

"Old Meng, why did Second Young Master leave?" At this moment, Yang Feng rushed over and asked.

"His body is too weak; he can't even hold a horse stance. There's no way to teach him," Meng Tao said, shaking his head.

"Old Meng, you're really something. Kids just want to have fun. What do you expect him to achieve? Teach him a few fancy moves to make him happy, and that's enough," Yang Feng couldn't help but complain.

"Training in martial arts without practicing the fundamentals is a waste of time. Learning a few flashy moves will only harm him in the future!" Meng Tao said and walked away.

"Ah!" Yang Feng sighed deeply. He had long guessed Zhao Cheng's identity. In the capital, each prince's household had an official position. He could have used teaching martial arts to build a closer relationship, which would have helped him in the future. But this good opportunity was missed by the unsociable Meng Tao. He pinched his head, regretting his excessive drinking the night before.

By now, it was already bright. Zhao Cheng suddenly noticed that the entire area was decorated with large red lanterns. A group of people were busy on the stage, and a colorful pavilion was set up at the entrance, adorned with various silk flowers. "Jian Xi, what's going on?" he asked, puzzled.

"Second Young Master, how could you forget? The tenth day of the tenth month is the Heavenly Peace Festival, the Emperor's birthday, which is just around the corner!" Jian Xi said, surprised.

"Oh, it's almost my father's birthday," Zhao Cheng said, feigning realization, but he didn't really care. It reminded him of a leader from a previous life, whose birthday caused the entire country to go through a lot of trouble, not only wasting resources but also risking punishment for disrespect if forgotten.

"If we were in the capital, preparations would have started a month ago. The gifts from local governments would have arrived, and celebrations would be held in various regions. The Empresses will go to the National Temple and the Lingxiao Palace to pray for the Emperor's well-being. In the following days, there will be grand banquets in the palace, which will be very lively!" Jian Xi said, full of anticipation.

"In that case, I'll return to the capital tomorrow to wish my father a happy birthday. Let's prepare to go back to the capital."

"Second Young Master, that's not a good idea. Without an imperial decree, we can't enter the capital at will. We should just send a congratulatory message!" Jian Xi was sweating, knowing that if the young master caused trouble, he would suffer as well.

Fortunately, Zhao Cheng didn't press the issue. After a moment, he asked, "What will the other brothers in the capital do?"

"They will probably go to various temples to offer incense, fast for a few days, and pray for the Emperor's well-being," Jian Xi said, not having seen it himself but having heard about it from the elders.

"Are there any temples or Taoist monasteries nearby?" Zhao Cheng asked. Regardless of the era, filial piety was a traditional value in Chinese culture. If he didn't show any respect, his father would surely be displeased.

"There are some in the capital, but they are a hundred miles away. The closest ones are small rural temples, not as large as the one in our estate."

"Nothing works. I might as well return to the capital tomorrow to wish my father a happy birthday!" Zhao Cheng hadn't been to the temple for a while. His former unlucky teacher had also fled, leaving him without the resources he needed, which made him very angry.

"Second Young Master, don't be upset. I'll discuss it with Da Guan!" Seeing the young master about to lose his temper, Jian Xi sent him into the courtyard and quickly went to consult with Huang Jingchen.

After breakfast, Zhao Cheng quietly left the house. A flock of geese flew overhead, calling out in a neat line. "The geese are returning south, they have a home. Where is my home?" He sighed, looking up at the sky. Although he had been in this world for a year, he still felt no sense of belonging, always thinking it was just a dream that would eventually return him to his original noisy world.

At that moment, a lone goose cried out, struggling to catch up with the flock. However, the distance between them grew, leaving it far behind. Zhao Cheng watched the solitary figure slowly disappear into the horizon, thinking, "I am that lone goose, without family or friends, a poor soul thrown into this strange world by fate!"

"Second Young Master, the seeds we planted have sprouted! The leeks are growing the fastest, already an inch tall!" Zhao Cheng, driven by habit, found himself at the greenhouse again. Zhao Xin was excited to see him, and the others nodded in agreement, amazed that the seeds could sprout in early winter, which challenged their previous understanding.

"Oh, that's great!" Zhao Cheng, coming out of his daze, saw their excitement and temporarily forgot his troubles. He entered the greenhouse with the others, where the sun had already risen, and the warming mats had been rolled up, allowing sunlight to fill every corner. Zhao Ren was watering the plants with the others, all of them having taken off their cotton coats and wearing only light jackets, still sweating.

"It's warm in the greenhouse but cold outside. Make sure to wear your coats when you go out, so you don't catch a cold!" Zhao Cheng said to the waterers.

"Second Young Master, don't worry, we're in good health!" Zhao Ren said with a smile.

Zhao Cheng smiled and squatted down, watching the green seedlings push through the soil, their tender leaves still glistening with dew, growing resiliently. His unhappiness suddenly vanished.

"Zhao Ren, stop watering the leeks. If you water them too much, the roots will rot!" Zhao Cheng grabbed a handful of soil and squeezed it, saying, "Be careful when loosening the soil around the cucumbers, don't damage the leaves or roots. When the eggplants grow larger, they will need to be transplanted. When the temperature rises at noon, open the doors to ventilate." He pointed out the things the waterers needed to pay attention to. Unfortunately, the variety of vegetables in this era was limited. He had tried planting coriander and celery, but there were no peppers, tomatoes, or potatoes, which would have to wait a few hundred years.

"Second Young Master, a pair of young gourds can sell for over ten strings of coins in early summer. If we can grow them in winter, I wonder how much they would sell for!"

"What?!" Zhao Cheng was surprised. A pair could be worth so much, "Let's plant the entire plot with gourds. If we have a good harvest, we'll eat meat every day!" He thought for a moment and made a new decision.

"Second Young Master, you must keep your word!" Zhao Xin said.

"Of course, a man's word is his bond!"

"Let's pinky swear, no breaking the promise!" Zhao Xin extended his little finger, and the others joined in.

"Alright!" Zhao Cheng had no choice but to extend his hand and hook his finger with Zhao Xin's, "Pinky swear, a hundred years, no breaking the promise!"

"Second Young Master, have you ever farmed before? Old Li came to check today and said that only someone with ten years of farming experience could cultivate the land like this. I told him it was done according to your instructions, but he didn't quite believe it!" Zhao Yi asked curiously.

"Let's keep it a secret for now. I'll tell you later!" This was hard to explain, so he had to be mysterious.

As everyone was chatting and laughing, the servants suddenly fell silent and stood at attention. Zhao Cheng turned around and saw Jian Xi enter. They weren't afraid of Zhao Cheng, but they were wary of Jian Xi, their direct supervisor.

"Second Young Master, Da Guan has agreed. I've already sent them to clean up!" Jian Xi bent down and whispered.

"Alright, tell them not to touch anything inside!" Zhao Cheng nodded and reminded him. There might still be things he could use, and he didn't want the eunuchs to ruin them.

"I've already given the order!" Jian Xi said softly. He was quite perceptive. In the past, the young master would always take something back whenever he visited. Now that Qing Yun and the others had fled, everything would be his.

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