Chapter 33

After seeing Liu Ling and the others off, Liang Miao invited the enthusiastic neighbors into the house, intentionally or unintentionally displaying the generous gifts sent by Liu Ling, which drew a chorus of admiration. Liang Xiao felt a bit embarrassed and pulled the talkative Tuniu to one side.

"That rascal Hu Lai spat blood," Tuniu patted his chest and said, "If he didn't spit blood, I'll beat myself until I spit blood."

"Alright, alright," Liang Xiao interrupted Tuniu's boasting. "Do you know anyone around here who knows about the rites?"

"Rites? My fists are the only rites I know," Tuniu rolled his eyes, looking around proudly. "Who's causing you trouble?"

"Get lost! I mean the archery rites. Didn't you hear the archer by Hu Lai's side say he wants to invite me to the archery rites? The archery rites are not just about shooting arrows; they involve many rituals. Without knowing the rites, shooting accurately is useless."

"Those rites, huh." Tuniu scratched his head awkwardly. "For miles around, everyone is poor. They mostly participate in village sacrifices, sharing some wine and meat. Who has ever attended archery rites? That's something only those who have studied properly know. We don't understand that stuff."

Liang Xiao also felt a bit frustrated. He should have paid more attention to the details when he was studying the materials. He knew a bit about major events, but once it came to specifics, he was at a loss. Tuniu was right; the archery rites were not something ordinary people could access. They were originally a privilege of the nobility.

In ancient times, the education of noble children was divided into two levels: one was specific skills, known as the Six Arts—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics; the other was high-level culture, the Six Classics—the *I Ching*, the *Book of Songs*, the *Book of Documents*, the *Book of Rites*, the *Book of Music*, and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. The archery rites belonged to the second level, the *Book of Rites*. Compared to simple archery, the archery rites emphasized rituals more than the precision of the first level.

By the Han Dynasty, the original nobility had disappeared. Everyone could carry a bow and learn archery, but not everyone had the opportunity to participate in the archery rites. After the burning of books during the Qin Dynasty, the cultural heritage in the folk was difficult to maintain, and ordinary people had no chance to learn.

Liang Xiao was not willing to give up. Seeing that his mother was still entertaining the neighbors, he pulled Tuniu out of the house and went to Shili to find Zhongli Qi.

As soon as they met, Zhongli Qi smiled. He had already heard about Liang Xiao's reputation among the young men of Guangling and was pleased, thinking that Huan Jun had not made a mistake in choosing him. When he heard that Liang Xiao had refused Liu Ling's invitation, he was even more satisfied and praised Liang Xiao for his insight. However, he was equally clueless about the archery rites.

"Don't worry. Huan Jun is not only skilled in archery but also proficient in the archery rites. He will teach you when he returns. For now, focus on practicing your archery. The archery rites are important, but on the battlefield, it's all about accuracy."

"Uncle Zhongli, where did my master go, and when will he return?"

"Where, I don't know. It could be a few dozen days or a hundred days. When you complete your foundation, he will return to teach you archery."

Liang Xiao's heart stirred. Liu Ling said he would come back in three months, which coincided with Huan Jun's return. Could Liu Ling be interested in Huan Jun, not me? With this thought, Liang Xiao recalled the meeting with Liu Ling, who seemed particularly interested in the east wing where Huan Jun lived.

"Uncle Zhongli, does my master have any connection with the Prince of Huainan?"

"I don't know." Zhongli Qi smiled and changed the subject. "Tuniu, are you healed? Shouldn't you start practicing martial arts?"

"Sure, sure." Tuniu's excitement was evident, rubbing his hands and looking flatteringly. "Master, when will you start teaching me?"

"Right now." Zhongli Qi looked at the sky. "Follow me, I have prepared some things for you."

Tuniu happily followed Zhongli Qi inside, but Liang Xiao did not. He could tell that Zhongli Qi was not being honest. Huan Jun and the Prince of Huainan definitely had some connection, and he knew it but was unwilling to say.

Damn it, I thought I was the main attraction, but it turns out Huan Jun was the target, and I was just the freebie.

...

Tuniu started practicing martial arts with Zhongli Qi, being beaten like a dog every day. He would stick out his tongue at Liang Xiao, envious of his seclusion. Liang Xiao did not need to practice boxing and kicking like Tuniu. He spent most of his time practicing the movements of drawing a bow. After that experience, he became even more dedicated, constantly pondering. After more than a month of focused practice, the warm current in his waist became more noticeable. Each time he drew the bow, the warm current reached his fingertips, making each finger slightly swollen.

Liu Ling did not appear again, nor did Lei Bei. Although Liang Xiao did not want to be involved with the Prince of Huainan and never expected a revolutionary friendship with Liu Ling, he still felt a bit uncomfortable knowing he was just a freebie. However, he also understood that his current strength was not enough to attract Liu Ling's attention. Only Huan Jun was worthy of Liu Ling's personal visit.

Without strength, there is no dignity. To have respect, one must first strengthen oneself. Only the strong have the right to choose; the weak may not even have the right to be chosen.

Driven by this indescribable emotion, Liang Xiao became even more diligent. He almost never left his room, practicing drawing the bow all day except for eating and sleeping. Gradually, he began to feel a sense of "sitting, standing, and walking, never leaving the bow," as if his whole body was a bow, always ready to fire.

Liang Miao saw Liang Xiao's dedication and was delighted. She spent more time weaving, and the sound of the loom became lighter and faster. Occasionally, she could be heard singing softly.

As summer arrived and the weather became hot, the chickens stopped laying eggs. Liang Xiao, focused on archery practice, had no time to hunt fish. Liang Miao took some of the gifts from Liu Ling, exchanged them for money, and went to the market every day to buy meat to improve their diet and provide Liang Xiao with better nutrition. For the families in Qingyunli, having meat every day, even just a small bowl, was an extremely luxurious lifestyle. However, no one said anything about it when it came to the young scholar Liang Xiao.

As Liang Xiao's best friend, Tuniu almost came every day to freeload. Each time he ate his fill, he would forget the day's pain, leaving with a greasy mouth, and the next day, he would energetically go to Zhongli Qi.

When the scorching summer finally passed and the first autumn rain fell, Huan Jun appeared before Liang Xiao.

"Master." Liang Xiao went forward, bowed, and his posture was like a bow.

Huan Jun looked at Liang Xiao, his eyes narrowing, a hint of joy flashing in them before he regained his composure. He threw the shoulder bag to Liang Xiao, leaned on his cane, and walked to the west wing, bowing to Liang Miao who came out to greet him.

Liang Miao returned the bow, and they exchanged a few words before bowing again. Liang Miao retreated to the west wing, and Huan Jun stepped back, turned, and returned to the east wing where he lived. Liang Xiao did not dare to be disrespectful, hurriedly went forward to open the door for Huan Jun, served him, and fetched water for him to wash.

While Liang Xiao was busy, Huan Jun sat motionless on the mat. Despite his weary and dusty appearance, he exuded an unapproachable aura, his gaze fixed on Liang Xiao without wavering.

After washing his face and drinking some water, Huan Jun gestured for Liang Xiao to sit.

"Axia, do you know who Liu Ling is?"

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