"It’s good enough that there was soone to teach at that ti. You old thing, don’t know what’s good for you."
"Alright, alright, stop arguing..." An old lady dressed in a white Tai Chi uniform, with kindly features and a smiling face, looked at Elder Sima, "Teacher Sima, are you coming back tomorrow?"
Elder Sima pondered slightly, "I’ll be staying here for a few days."
"That’s wonderful, do teach us well when the ti cos."
An old man said enthusiastically and excitedly.
Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen exchanged smiles. Gu Qiaoqiao knew that the Tai Chi set practiced by Elder Sima was no ordinary one.
She did not understand the routines of the martial arts, but she saw every move was like a needle wrapped in cotton, gentle yet firm, causing the air around him to subtly distort, flowing like water.
Others naturally couldn’t see this.
But Gu Qiaoqiao could see it clearly. Because of this aura, his Tai Chi set instilled a sense of respect and submission in the others.
At this mont, Elder Sima shook his head with a smile, flexed his wrist, and said casually, "I apologize, my visit to Jinling City entails other errands I must attend to. However, I’ve already corrected a few of your small mistakes. As long as you avoid them in the future, this set of Tai Chi will be the most authentic."
The old man nodded repeatedly, "Thank you so much, thank you indeed."
While speaking, he clasped his hands in salute, displaying a rather heroic deanor.
Elder Sima clasped his hands in return, "I apologize, my child has co to find ."
Afterwards, he walked towards the direction of Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen.
The old n and won followed his gaze and saw the two girls standing like begonias in the morning breeze, radiant and bright. Under the morning glow, everything else seed dim; it was as if only Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen existed in the surrounding world.
Elder Sima felt sowhat pleased; these two little girls were each outstanding, and he felt proud to be associated with them.
As he approached the two, before Elder Sima could speak, Xiao Wen affectionately grabbed his arm, "Dad, you’re quite impressive, becoming their teacher."
"Yes, I was here waiting for you all in the morning. Arrived a bit early, saw them practicing Tai Chi with so incorrect movents, couldn’t bear to watch so I corrected them."
"Great Elder, your moves are surely the most standard, right?" Gu Qiaoqiao asked with a smile.
Before Elder Sima could reply, Xiao Wen smugly said, "Qiaoqiao, didn’t you know? My dad stayed on Wudang Mountain for a long ti back in the day."
Oh, alright.
Gu Qiaoqiao fluttered her eyes, thinking that if that’s the case, it must be very authentic.
However, it’s rumored that the founder of the Wudang Sect is still alive today, though it lives on in many legends. So say they even saw the figure during the late Qing Dynasty.
Elder Sima reached out to ruffle his daughter’s hair but smiled without saying anything, and the three walked toward the small park exit. It’s near the Fang family mansion, crossing a street and turning a corner would get there.
Here lies an enclave within the bustling city, but without the noise; afar remains bustling, but here is tranquil and serene.
There’s a certain calm in the middle of chaos.
Before leaving ho in the morning, Xiao Wen called Fang Liang. Last ti, when leaving, Fang Liang gave her the Fang family’s number to keep in touch for matters.
So, Xiao Wen called in advance.
Elder Sima has many affairs to handle; if he visits, he intends to et Fang Liang.
Otherwise, he doesn’t have much ti to waste.
Yet, Xiao Wen didn’t specify a ti.
Soon, the three reached the alley entrance, about two hundred ters from the Fang family mansion.
The trio walked leisurely, like strolling and enjoying a day out.
As they approached within over a hundred ters from the Fang family, Gu Qiaoqiao suddenly stopped, her delicate brows furrowing involuntarily.
Seeing Gu Qiaoqiao halt, Elder Sima and Xiao Wen stopped as well, looking at her with inquisitive eyes.
"Qiaoqiao, what’s wrong?" Xiao Wen asked.
Gu Qiaoqiao listened intently and faintly heard a woman’s crying coming from the Fang family’s courtyard. This certainly was peculiar.
She had visited several tis before, never having seen a woman’s presence in Fang Liang’s house, inside or out.
The sa was true for Old Man Fang’s courtyard next door.
It’s said Fang Liang’s mother died in childbirth.
He survived, but Fang Liang’s mother bled to death.
Since then, Old Man Fang took on both parental roles, enduring hardship to raise Fang Liang. During this ti, he feared bringing in a stepmother who might mistreat the son. Plus, the old man never forgot Fang Liang’s biological mother, so he remained alone.
When Gu Qiaoqiao heard this at the ti, her feelings were quite complex.
Fang Liang, this old man, is comndable, sentintal and righteous toward kin. Yet ruthless and indifferent towards foes.
Sotis, things can’t be generalized.
But what could be causing this woman’s weeping from the courtyard?
The sound was mournful, as if a lump blocked the chest, unable to be removed or placed, just sitting there uncomfortably.
Gu Qiaoqiao murmured, "I seem to hear a woman’s crying from within the courtyard."
"What?" Xiao Wen exclaid, "Won crying in Brother Fang’s courtyard, you sure you heard right, Qiaoqiao?"
"I heard it right," Gu Qiaoqiao affird.
Elder Sima nodded in agreent, "Yes, indeed."
But the sound was extrely faint, barely audible, combined with the large Fang family courtyard, one might not hear clearly even sticking close to the gate.
It’s unsurprising since the one who heard the sound was Gu Qiaoqiao.
Here, only Xiao Wen couldn’t hear it. Unconvinced, she walked forward, seemingly wanting to confirm whether there was a woman crying.
She had agreed with Brother Fang that she and her father would visit today. Brother Fang surely knew the purpose.
Such an important occasion, why would there be a woman crying in his courtyard? Brother Fang wouldn’t be the type to ignore such matters.
Xiao Wen silently pondered, quickly reaching about twenty steps from the Fang family’s gate.
After all, she’s Xiao Wen, belonging to the Phoenix Clan.
At this distance, she indeed heard the sorrowful crying emanating from the courtyard.
Xiao Wen’s brows furrowed involuntarily.
At this mont, Elder Sima and Gu Qiaoqiao also reached her side.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked at Xiao Wen hesitantly, "Should we go in?"
Before Xiao Wen could respond, Elder Sima shook his head, "Don’t go in; it will make things awkward for everyone."
User Comments
0 comments from readers