Wen Jia found herself enjoying multiple days off for the first time in years.
In recent weeks, Wen Furen or He Jiao appeared at Wen Gongzi's door, waiting for him to get ready before he accompanied them to walk around Qishan Wen. On other days, he tagged along to eat lunch in Wen Furen's garden.
Wen Gongzi's previous surly attitude changed into one of a typical happy child. This was a delightful change to Wen Jia and the other caretakers.
A welcomed change.
Instead of a child on a constant verge of a tantrum or a daydreamer who ignored them, Wen Gongzi was more attentive and easier to handle. He was eager to impress the now involved Wen Furen with his intelligence. Of course, Wen Furen showed her approval through physical kisses and voiced praises. Wen Gongzi puffed out his chest, grinning from ear to ear, accepting the surge of affection with open arms.
Wen Gongzi was a bright child, but desperately craved his parents' attention. Desiring his mother most of all. They lived in the same wing, but rarely interacted before Wen Furen's change of perspective. Wen Jia was not offended by Wen Gongzi's dislike of his caretakers. Parental attention was far better than a caretaker.
Nannies were more or less on call. Ready to care for their charges at all hours of the day if needed. Wen Furen's subsequent seclusion into her rooms pushed Wen Jia to almost live in Wen Gongzi's rooms.
The concept of free time was an aspect of life that Wen Jia never dreamed of receiving. She knew she would be tied to Qishan Wen or alongside Wen Furen in case of visits outside the sect.
As an unmarried woman, she didn't have the justification to comment on Wen Furen's behavior. Other sect leaders' wives followed the same concept of rearing their children. Wen Jia heard of plenty of mothers who disliked the idea of spending time with their children, happily leaving them to be raised by another woman. A luxury sect wives took full advantage to continue on focusing on their own personal lives alongside their sect wife duties.
Wen Furen was a contradiction.
Wen Jia saw the pride in her eyes when she visited Wen Gongzi. Her love and affection was clear in her small smiles. The rare kisses on Wen Gongzi's cheek and caresses of his hair were spoken by the boy for weeks. Wen Furen's command of constant updates meant she cared or at least wanted to know her son was alive.
Yet, Wen Furen slowly secluded herself in her rooms. She prohibited visits by her son, giving Wen Jia permission to keep him away unless she visited. Only letting a handful of servants and He Jiao inside her rooms to dress her, bring in food, or hot water to prepare her tub. Of course, Wen Zongzhi appeared for his once a month visit in her bed, leaving sometime after, never staying long inside of her rooms.
Once Wen Gongzi grew older and cognizant of his position, he ordered her to see his mother. His determined face hurt her heart. He commanded Wen Jia to take him to his mother's rooms, an order she had to refuse often.
"I want to see Muqin!"
"My apologies, Wen Gongzi. That is not possible at this time."
"I order you! I want to see Muqin!"
"My apologies."
Wen Jia knew she earned her charge's ire through denying his order to see his mother. She could see the growing dissatisfaction in his eyes whenever she blocked his way out the door or the other nannies diverted his attention. The bad looks did hurt her heart. Wen Gongzi was to be her sect leader one day and she was turning into his enemy.
Before their caretaker meeting, Wen Furen brought in Wen Gongzi, explaining the caretakers' importance and affection they held for him. The main tension between the caretakers and Wen Gongzi was due to Wen Furen's orders. Which prompted Wen Furen to profusely apologize to her son for her lateness in coming to terms with herself. How she loved him more than anything in the world. The tears she expelled caused Wen Gongzi to launch into her arms, crying into her arms, voicing his forgiveness.
Afterwards, the first caretaker meeting with Wen Furen lessened the burden on their shoulders. Wen Furen's eyes twinkled in determination as she spoke about the emergency exits and hidden areas for them to hide inside of. Hidden passages which would eventually have modified talismans for the use of concealment. She transitioned into pulling the head of the hidden sect guards, Deng Rong, into this portion of the conversation.
Wen Jia spoke about the unknown areas inside of the various rooms of Qishan Wen while Deng Rong showed a map of escape routes on the grounds. Safe to say, Wen Jia and Deng Rong spent a long time speaking on this topic. Once they realized they took Wen Furen's time, they turned to see her amused smile.
Wen Furen motioned them to speak, wanting every bit of information they knew.
At the end of the meeting, Wen Jia and Deng Rong came to an understanding and a new signal was issued for emergencies and complaints.
Wen Jia and the others spent time learning the signals before they unknowingly summoned them for a simple mistake. In recent days, Wen Jia noticed Deng Rong in her peripheral vision more often than not. Almost as if he was silently telling her the guards were paying attention and not turning a blind eye to them.
During her latest day off, she visited the nearby town, finished various errands, wrote letters to her older cousin, the branch leader of the Dafan Wen, congratulating him on the birth of his daughter, and relaxed for the first time in years. She had a long bath inside one of the spare bedrooms for the caretakers. Wen Jia ate sweets she kept on reserve and melted into her tub. Well, as best as she could relax inside of a single person tub with little leg room.
Her walks around Qishan Wen brought her to mingle with old friends who thought she was chained to Wen Furen's wing. Most were amazed at having seen her, whispering questions about Wen Furen. About the reason why she was making her appearance after some time.
Wen Jia could only respond. "Wen Furen wished to make her appearance. I don't know why she decided to reappear."
Multiple claims of being secretive didn't matter. Wen Jia wasn't losing her job in case Wen Furen changed her perspective yet again, firing her for being loose tongued. Even if she knew the reason, she wouldn't reveal it so nonchalantly.
As she walked away from the latest curious servant, Wen Jia made her way outside to breathe in fresh air. Previous orders of keeping her charge behind closed doors made it impossible for her to go on a simple walk. Excluding the mountainous terrain and volcanic hot spots, Qishan Wen gave one a good workout throughout the area.
Most of the outside servants ran off after a month of dealing with the strain of steep hills and rugged terrain. Those who remained in the sect soon acclimated to the added exercise that came with their job.
Without thinking, she made her way past Wen Furen's garden. A sectioned off area with vibrant flowers and greenery. Where a large pavilion was built for her comfort and entertainment. In recent weeks, Wen Furen couldn't help but stay inside of her gardens for hours at a time.
Anyone would grow tired of being indoors for such a long time.
Walking close to the entrance, when peered inside to see Wen Furen, He Jiao and Wen Gongzi. From the laughter coming from the group, they appeared to be enjoying themselves.
"A-Niang!" Wen Gongzi screamed as Wen Furen tossed him in the air. "Higher! Higher!"
Wen Furen grinned up at him. Continuing on tossing him up in the air with ease. Not at all physically tired from pushing a growing child with her own arms. Wen Jia was slightly jealous of the arm strength; her own golden core was weak, and she couldn't have the stamina to continue what Wen Furen was doing.
He Jiao stood beside Wen Furen, watching with attentive eyes every time Wen Gongzi landed in Wen Furen's hands.
Shaking her head in amusement, Wen Jia rushed away from the heartwarming scene not wanting to interrupt them.
Zhang Xuehua readied herself to speak to the Shifu or the Head Disciple of the Wen disciples through a series of pacing and breathing exercises inside of her room.
She had not visited the training grounds in the last few days. Keeping it as her last reintegration visit before she started doing office work. After all, looking at the various sections gave her a visual for when she looked through the budget. She couldn't scratch off certain expenses if she didn't have an argument to back it up. She imagined arguments over her changes, on account of her shifting whatever income Wen Ruohan gained around to all areas of Qishan Wen, but she needed to look through the budget book first.
A budget book that was certainly in Wen Ruohan's office. There was no other place it could possibly be in. It should have been in the Original's office, but there wasn't one provided for her. She avoided talk of her own private study and isolated herself in her rooms. The Dreamer would have snatched the gift of an office, but there wasn't one.
Sighing, she paused in place.
Maybe, there was on office, just unused and gathering dust. All sect wives had their own little room to complete paperwork and balance the budget. There was no way Zhang Xuehua didn't have one.
If she was honest, she was nervous to bring this up to He Jiao. The rapid-fire lessons provided the padding needed to keep her from messing up in front of servants, elders, and the possibility of bumping into Wen Ruohan. There was no talk of her office. She focused on necessary knowledge to think ahead rather than to order a cleanup of her office. From the flashes of memories, Zhang Xuehua entered Wen Ruohan's office a handful of times but never her own space. Meaning, she didn't know where her own office was located.
The thought of infiltrating Wen Ruohan's office came to mind. This way, he would see first hand that she was useful. How she rearranged their sect's entire budget to continue their lifestyle and bring in revenue.
Through showing her worth, Wen Ruohan wouldn't stop his support. Without his approval, she was doomed. Considering she received decent clothing, food, and jewelry, meant that the Original impressed Wen Ruohan to express his favor. Noblewomen of her position relied on their husband's generosity. Without him, Zhang Xuehua would have lived in squalor. Her lower ranking family wouldn't have been able to provide support or help her. Not that they would, she was a mere ticket to rise up the ranks and compliance was all she would be advised to do.
The servants obeyed her commands due to Wen Ruohan keeping complaints about the Original inside of his mind. He spoke of no ill will about his wife. The same went to the elders who most certainly would have disobeyed her commands if Wen Ruohan said one negative aspect about her. There were elders who despised her existence, tolerating her on account of having birthed Wen Xu.
The extra servants who tended to her were Qishan Wen servants. They did their duty but didn't have an emotional attachment to her. Unlike He Jiao, who watched Zhang Xuehua grow up from birth, would do anything in her power to get rid of Zhang Xuehua's problems. The woman was committed to sticking by her side until she was unable to do so. She could detect poisons, create them, and apply them without anyone noticing.
The Dreamer would know, she received memories of different events where He Jiao poisoned enemies of her mistress. Her swift and sneaky hands transferred poisons one way or another onto someone. Some activated immediately while others lingered about until they randomly surged through the body.
Zhang Xuehua was lucky she had such a protective, loyal person like He Jiao. No one else in Qishan Wen had her best interest at heart.
Well, until she managed to gain her own momentum and gain the same respect as Wen Ruohan.
Speaking of him, the Dreamer saw no sign of Wen Ruohan around her area of Qishan Wen. Such a shame. She missed seeing his handsome face and fit body. Looking at the man would urge her reintegration process to go even faster. Sharing the bed again was something Zhang Xuehua would wholeheartedly enjoy.
Weeks passed since they slept together, and they never bumped into each other. Taking in the vastness of the Wen sect, she shouldn't have been surprised Wen Ruohan wouldn't be close to her area. He had sect leader business to do.
Maybe he was busy with training, paperwork, or… plotting the end of the Cultivation World.
She hoped he was busy with something other than taking over the Cultivation World. The idea of having to deal with canon events was nerve wracking for the Dreamer. Reading and seeing the events in various forms of media was one thing, to experience it was not what she wanted to do. Even if this body was a cultivator, this didn't mean she was fighting.
She barely started practicing with Mingzhu.
Her body and memories helped to guide her along. Going through the practices in front of the mirror, the Dreamer caught her mistakes and corrected herself. What she had not done yet was fly on her sword. She would do this on a different day, when she wasn't so nervous and timid of standing on the sword.
"I have to take the plunge and go for it. I need to meet with the disciples before I chicken out. Putting this off for too long does nothing to help me." Zhang Xuehua muttered. "Handling in house people is one thing, but cultivation is another. Damn it. It's not like I'm going to be training these kids."
Looking at her half eaten breakfast, Zhang Xuehua whined. "And today's breakfast was especially delicious too. I couldn't even enjoy it because of my nerves. I can picture He Jiao's unamused stare over not eating everything on my plate."
The main doors to her suite opened to reveal He Jiao. They made eye contact for a few seconds; He Jiao could only arch her brow before further opening the door.
All of a sudden, a red and white blur passed He Jiao, screaming. "A-Niang!"
"Xu-er!" She returned with the same enthusiasm.
Zhang Xuehua's worries vanished in a flash. She couldn't help but smile in her new son's presence. He always looked happy to see her, rarely frowning whenever she looked at him. With the restrictions being lifted, Wen Xu immediately took advantage to see her every single day.
Wen Xu ran into her legs, clinging onto her with a smile on his face. "Are we going to eat outside again?"
Sighing out, Zhang Xuehua picked up her son with a pout. "Not today. A-Niang has to meet with the disciples."
Frowning, Wen Xu asked. "Why?"
"I'm going to visit them in secret in order to see them in action. Had I announced my trip, they would behave far too well for me to see their true selves." She poked his nose. "Also, I have to check the weapons inventory of the disciples."
Wen Xu accepted another nose poke before he continued asking. "But, why?"
Zhang Xuehua arched her brow. The growing comfort level between them brought this surge of childishness in her son. This was not a bad thing. Wen Xu was allowed to ask questions and she was happy to answer him. Of course, she used different words for an easier intake of information.
"I have to distribute the money your father brings into the sect without overdoing it. If done correctly, we will have more money to use. That is why I have to check on every single facet of the sect." Zhang Xuehua tucked a stray hair behind his ear.
He Jiao coughed into her fist. "Speaking of visiting the disciples, I was informed that a large group of the disciples left for a week- long night hunt."
"I see." Zhang Xuehua wanted to groan in disbelief.
Visiting all the disciples one time was better than handling them by small groups. The training grounds were a far distance away from the manor homes, nestled in between the volcanic mountains and rugged terrain. Possibly as a means to build character or to torture the new disciples with threats of being thrown in a volcano.
The Dreamer wondered if the Original Wen Chao was threatened with being thrown into a volcano. A bit of burning didn't hurt anyone.
Probably not.
Wen Ruohan might have seen his second son as a disappointment, but he wouldn't let him be threatened by lesser people. Instructors let him do as he wished, giving him a sense of superiority, one he didn't deserve.
Besides, Wen Ruohan wouldn't threaten his son with words unless he meant it.
Imagining his threatening tone turned the Dreamer on. When it was directed at other people of course, not at her. She didn't react well to threats. No one reacted well to threats. An authoritative tone on the other hand? She would melt into a puddle and follow his every whim.
Wen Xu's light pat to her cheek broke her from her thoughts, diverting her back to the disciples.
Knowing the disciples had instructors brought a wave of relief over her. She didn't have to do more than show up, watch the disciples, then speak to their instructor. Afterwards, she would be formally introduced to the new disciples who had never seen her before. The constant acceptance of new disciples meant that most of them wouldn't have a clue of who Wen Furen was. By the end of this visit, she would check their inventory and listen to whatever necessities needed to be replaced.
For the sake of the sect's budget, Zhang Xuehua needed all the information she needed to get. This was why she walked all over the place, socialized with the leads, and made mental notes of everything she deemed important. Once she got a hold of the budget booklets, she would nitpick all the details and make sure everything was efficient.
She couldn't fail in front of her new husband.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
He Jiao said. "But there is still a sizable group in the spare training grounds. The younger disciples have not been cleared to join the older disciples on night hunts. Which is why they were left behind with an instructor." He Jiao looked down at Zhang Xuehua's clothes and inquired. "Do you wish to change into your Wen sect robes, Wen Furen?"
Looking down at her sleeping robes, Zhang Xuehua chuckled. "I will."
"Um..." Zhang Xuehua blinked rapidly to get rid of the chaos in front of her eyes.
Various new disciples, ranging from young kids to preteens, were positioned wrong or let to repeat their mistakes. From their hidden position, she saw the Shifu or a senior disciple, whoever he was, yell at the kids to continue on their positions. There were no critiques, no corrections, he stayed put, yelling at these exhausted children. This teacher sat on top of a cut down tree stump, waving a fan against his face, as if he did strenuous activity to warrant his current slouching.
Memories of the Zhang Sect, under Shifu, flashed through Zhang Xuehua's mind. Under Shifu's leadership, Zhang Xuehua and the Zhang disciples flourished. Shifu never yelled. He stood beside them, offering guidance and critiques. All of Shifu's students learned the fundamentals and mastered the basics to circumvent these minute mistakes. Mistakes which could kill a cultivator who thought themselves arrogant enough not to learn.
Her previous small sect far surpassed these people.
Qishan Wen boasted about their prowess and superiority above the rest of the sects. As one of the oldest sects, they earned their reputation, but neglected to notice the lack of education. Zhang Xuehua was blown away at the blatant disregard at mastery, correction, and practice.
These kids were on the track to being killed in a night hunt because their fundamentals were lackluster.
Zhang Xuehua uttered out. "Is…this it? These are the Wen disciples?"
He Jiao grimaced. "Ah… these are the beginners, Wen Furen. The black band on their left arm signifies their lower ranking. Golden bands are for the senior disciples."
"Oh." Zhang Xuehua sighed in relief. "I thought these were the senior disciples. I was about to fall onto my knees and weep in sorrow."
"No!" Wen Xu hugged Zhang Xuehua's neck. "Don't be sad!"
Chuckling, Zhang Xuehua poked his nose, "I exaggerated for dramatic effect, my love."
"Oh." Wen Xu blushed over hearing the endearment.
Zhang Xuehua had to poke his red cheeks. Repeatedly.
"But this…" Zhang Xuehua glanced at the disciples moving into their forms without proper direction and correction. "This is not good. This isn't laughably funny."
He Jiao agreed. "I have watched your training sessions since you were old enough to begin cultivation. The one teaching these young men and women is doing them a disservice."
Zhang Xuehua glared at the slacker of a teacher. "Do you think the senior disciples are lacking these foundations as well?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"On who trained them before they entered the Wen Sect. Wen Zongzhu accepts powerful cultivators in his rankings. To rise into a golden band means they have proven themselves to receive such an honor."
"Doesn't mean they know how to conduct themselves. For all we know, there are ticking bombs waiting to explode on an unsuspecting victim. I might have been in my rooms, but I heard servants speaking about the conduct of the senior disciples. Many of them are not good. At all. Qishan Wen needs a better elimination process for valuable assets, not liabilities."
He Jiao nodded her head.
"There is no knowing if a Shifu or rogue cultivator taught them the fundamentals for growth and improvements. Shifu would have tanned my hide for breaking out of form." Zhang Xuehua placed her hand against her cheek.
Wen Xu copied her actions.
He Jiao hummed. "What are your orders, Wen Furen?"
"Let me deal with the lazy bum and you will sit on that stump with Xu-er."
Li Jinhai hated overlooking the junior disciples.
He ignored the complaints coming from the brats. Whines of water, rest, and dizziness did nothing to sway him. Neither one of them knew how to hold their swords correctly or even made an attempt to correct themselves. Wang Shifu would have canned these kids for making their sect look foolish. Their lack of talent kept them as juniors, staying on the bottom to never advance to senior.
Having lost the draw, he was the one who stayed behind while the majority of the senior disciples left on the newest night hunt. The juniors couldn't be left on their own. They needed someone to oversee their training, keep them from falling into the volcanos. He was basically a nanny.
He didn't leave his minor sect to watch over a bunch of kids.
When he first entered Qishan Wen, he imagined a life of glory and riches. Wen sect disciples were compensated well if Wen Zongzhu favored them enough. Having seen multiple Wen disciples saunter around the nearby towns, they radiated smugness and superiority. Li Jinhai wanted a piece of this power.
He remembered an old acquaintance who boasted about the riches given to him after a job well done. Sometime later, he smugly presented a wife far beyond his station. His matchmaker set him up with a better wife because he was a Wen sect disciple.
Even if cultivation didn't work out, Li Jinhai was not ignorant of his faults, he could settle down and have a few sons. The notoriety of Qishan Wen would amplify his chances at getting a good wife. This didn't mean he couldn't try his hand at rising up the ranks and impress his current sect leader.
Not that he ever saw Wen Zongzhu.
Wen Ruohan was always busy, keeping him away from the training grounds. Well, he avoided the disciples' training grounds. Wen Ruohan had his own personal training grounds. Of course, he wouldn't dirty his shoes with those lesser than him.
Exhaling deeply, Li Jinhai heard another brat yell. "Li shixiong! Bao fainted again!"
Li Jinhai rubbed his temples, snapping out loud. "Drag him out and leave him to burn under the sun. Shifu will know of his weakness when he returns from his trip." He smirked at the palling expressions on their faces.
Before he could relish in the feeling, an authoritative feminine voice commanded. "Get up."
Li Jinhai looked up, almost falling out of his stump at the sight of Wen Shimu. Years passed since he last laid eyes on her. The rare walks down to the training grounds meant the disciples rarely caught a glimpse of the woman. She was as beautiful as his last impression of her.
He heard rumors of her leaving her quarters. Prompting interesting conversations between disciples and servants alike. Everyone wondered why she ventured out of her rooms after years in seclusion.
The stern countenance was new. Wen Shimu was not intimidating whatsoever. The last time she was seen outside of her quarters, she was silent, keeping herself to the sidelines. This time, however, her unamused frown and glaring eyes brought a shiver up his spine.
Eyes narrowing, Wen Shimu snapped her fingers. "Are you misunderstanding my orders? Get up. Now."
"No, this disciple apologies, Wen Shimu!" Wei Jinhai scrambled off of the stump and not too long after, Wen Shimu's servant and Wen Gongzi took his palace. "This disciple apologize-"
Wen Shimu ignored him. Her attention turned to the disciples before she commanded. "Attention."
The brats immediately stopped practicing, sheathed their swords and bowed deeply. There were a few newer disciples who paused, took in Wen Shimu's appearance, then followed along with the other brats.
Wen Shimu turned her back to Li Jinhai and continued. "Break time. Return after you have rested and quenched your thirst. Then, return back to receive further instructions."
The brats wasted no time in thanking Wen Shimu, moving the passed out brat into the shade, and ran to get water.
Li Jinhai attempted to make conversation, but Wen Shimu kept her eyes forward. He got the hint. Badgering his superior would do nothing more than further anger her.
When he looked at her servant, she shook her head, almost rolling her eyes at him. He was about to reprimand her for her actions, but Wen Shimu blocked his vision with her arm. One stern glare from her and he turned away quickly.
He dared to look back at the servant and realized Wen Gongzi glared at him.
Wen Gongzi pulled the servant's sleeve; fury was clear on his face. "He Jiao, who is he? Why did he make A-Niang mad?"
Before there was a response, the brats returned. Many tripped on their feet as they made their way back into position. Wen Shimu didn't comment on the brat who was left underneath the shade, but Li Jinhai was certain he would get an earful for it.
Wen Shimu observed the exhausted brats before she spoke. "How long have they been practicing without a break?"
Li Jinhai realized she addressed him. "Uh…well…"
"And why have you not corrected the mistakes from sets–" Wen Shimu spoke every single position these brats were showing in this training session. She was watching them from who knows where. "Are you even qualified to lead? Do you not know how to inspire the disciples to strive?"
"Well, you see…"
"Useless. Absolutely useless." Wen Shimu hissed back at Li Jinhai. "If you're going to lay back and do nothing, I will just have to intervene and show them the basics." Turning back at the brats, she beamed. "Alright everyone, do you know form number–"
Li Jinhai stood idly by, white faced and mortified, as Wen Shimu corrected every single aspect of this training session.
He Jiao relaxed on the stump with Wen Gongzi standing beside her. His eyes stayed locked on his mother. Never trailing off as she asked the disciples if they knew of the beginners' stances. After a sequence of bad forms, Wen Furen commanded them to stretch their limbs and meditate instead.
Looking at the inadequate teacher's stiff back, He Jiao rolled her eyes. This person was not high ranking enough to teach let alone look after budding cultivators. The lead disciple didn't assign the second or even the third lead disciple to wrangle these children.
Feeling a tug on her sleeve, she turned her attention to Wen Gongzi. "Yes?"
Wen Gongzi asked. "A-Niang was a cultivator."
"How else would she know how to use a spiritual sword, Wen Gongzi?" He Jiao said. "She practiced cultivation before she married Wen Zongzhu."
"Why did she stop?"
"Your A-Niang was an amazing cultivator." He Jiao informed Wen Gongzi. "She just … listened to the wrong advice and stopped. Many married women advise their daughters not to continue cultivation once they get married."
Wen Gongzi huffed. "The other person was dumb. A-Niang is good."
He Jiao wanted to laugh, but she controlled herself. Somehow, she kept her stern face intact. It wouldn't do to laugh in his face. The boy was surprisingly prideful and disliked being made fun of. Given his position in life, no one would dare laugh in his face unless they faced the consequences.
"I think so as well." He Jiao smirked as Zhang Xuehua commanded a successful drill of the beginner's stances. "Wen Furen will flourish well beside Wen Zongzhu. He won't let her light decrease."
At some point, Zhang Xuehua asked her to go treat the boy who was slowly regaining consciousness. He Jiao told Wen Gongzi to remain on the stump, giving her time to go check up on the boy. Once she was certain the boy was alright, she returned to Wen Gongzi's side.
Using her sheath to position the youngest disciple correctly, the boy stiffened in place. Zhang Xuehua chuckled. "Tensing does nothing more than strain your muscles at the end of the day. Your body will soon learn these poses without effort. Lessening the tension that would have come from his position."
The little boy nodded his head, earnestly. "Yes, Wen Shimu. Thank you, Wen Shimu."
Zhang Xuehua removed her sheathe and commanded. "Relax. Breathe through your nose, then try again."
The boy obeyed her instructions, improving his posture, he didn't overextend his arm. He appeared shocked, but then a huge smile formed on his face. Restarting from the beginning, he went through every single position without stopping.
Zhang Xuehua stood near every single disciple, correcting them gently, then used Mingzhu's sheath to move them into place. Embodying Shifu's spirit, Zhang Xuehua watched with patience and never raised her voice. The boys and girls soaked in her words, fighting through their incoming tiredness to impress her. Zhang Xuehua found them adorable.
She knew the meeting with the senior disciples wouldn't be as easy as these kids. The juniors were listening attentively and were open to learn everything their seniors and shifu's taught them. Senior disciples, on the other hand, were firm in their convictions, not liking to change their ways unless a stronger cultivator put them in their place.
She imagined having to bust a nose or two. Zhang Xuehua was not kidding when she claimed to overhear the Wen servants talk about the immorality of the senior disciples. How they used their position to bully and extort the weak. There were instances where they frequented brothels and abused the women, tossing money to soothe the owners from complaining.
These trash senior disciples needed to go.
Walking to the front of the juniors, she smiled, causing them to smile despite their exhaustion. "Better." Zhang Xuehua nodded at the group. "Much better."
All of the new disciples bowed low, yelling in unison. "These lowly disciples thank Wen Shimu."
"Dismissed!"
Turning back to the senior disciple, Zhang Xuehua hid her amusement at his sheet white face. He knew he was in trouble. Big trouble.
"We shall have a discussion on proper teaching on another day." Zhang Xuehua looked into the disciple's eyes, promising retribution. "I have other obligations which need my attention. Be prepared for another impromptu visit in the near future. Rest assured; I will be speaking to the lead disciple over this abhorrent behavior."
Chastised and shamed, he bowed deeply. "Yes, Wen Shimu."
Zhang Xuehua dismissed him with a wave of her hand before turning to Wen Xu and He Jiao. He Jiao stood beside Wen Xu to prevent him from falling. Wen Xu appeared in awe, standing on the stump to see everything she did.
Zhang Xuehua rubbed the back of her neck. "Um…I didn't mean to do that."
He Jiao shook her head, smiling big. "I'm not surprised. You were a great instructor, Wen Furen. You would have never let these children flounder about."
"I suppose not." Zhang Xuehua walked to them and picked up Wen Xu. "Why don't we go back and eat some food?"
A week passed before the senior disciples returned from their night hunt. Zhang Xuehua thought it best not to bother them yet. From the sounds of the rumor mill, many of the senior disciples returned with harsher injuries than usual. Since she didn't want to make a third trip to the Wen disciples, Zhang Xuehua kept an ear out until the last senior disciple recovered.
Which wouldn't be for another few days.
Taking a day for herself, Zhang Xuehua left her rooms to walk around the manor home. Wen Xu was left to his caretakers, pouting with tears in his eyes, Zhang Xuehua had to leave him. As much as she loved having him around, she needed a bit of a break. He Jiao stayed behind as well, making sure to finish her usual duties when not tending to Zhang Xuehua or Wen Xu.
With Mingzhu tied to her hip, she felt secure and protected. Add on the guards who now patrolled around the vicinity. Ever since she started those weekly meetings, the guards were far more attentive to the needs of her section. No one went inside of her spaces without proper authorization.
She felt much safer now.
"I did not expect to see your sword back on your hip, Wen Shimu."
Turning around, Zhang Xuehua received swift memories of the solemn young man with the darkest of black eyes. He was one of the lead disciples of the Wen sect. Maybe, even the first lead disciple. The Original's memories recalled talk of Cao Rong's ceremony into being given the position of lead disciple. She mentally congratulated him but didn't attend the ceremony.
"Cao shixiong." Zhang Xuehua tipped her head while Cao Rong bowed deeply.
"Wen Shimu."
Zhang Xuehua smiled lightly as she answered his unasked question. "This one has been living a life of leisure for long enough. I thought it best to regain my position." She motioned to Mingzhu. "If I may have a moment of your time, Cao shixiong."
Of course, this was an order, not a request and Cao Rong knew it.
Cao Rong lifted his head and nodded his head. "As you wish, Wen Shimu."
"Please, explain to me why the beginning disciples are in such dire straits?" Zhang Xuehua leaned against one of the outside pillars to take weight off of her feet. "The reckless fool who oversaw their training did not know the names of these disciples nor corrected their basic forms properly. What is his position in this sect?"
Cao Rong grimaced. "Li Jinhai is a lower senior disciple."
"And he is worthy of being assigned as a teacher?" Zhang Xuehua snipped. "Who approved of this action?"
Cao Rong bowed again, denying nothing. "I approved of it."
Zhang Xuehua narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
Cao Rong answered. "He lost the draw. Had it not been him, another senior disciple would have stayed behind. He was not chosen by me."
"Is there a Shifu in this sect?"
"There is." Cao Rong told her. "Wang Shifu left to attend a funeral in his hometown. He is set to return in a few days."
Rage filled through her body at the knowledge of a sect shifu. Lead disciples or seniors teaching the juniors incorrectly was one thing, but there was a shifu. She saw the results of his teachings and liked none of it.
Zhang Xuehua wanted to pit her previous Shifu against this one. Shifu would have torn into this Wang Shifu, scolding him for ruining these impressionable children. Teaching them the wrong way to train their bodies and their minds. They appeared relieved to follow her orders, a woman who slowly integrated into the life of the real Wen Furen, over their own shixiong.
"Wang Shifu is dismissed from this sect. Effective immediately."
Cao Rong snapped up, eyes wide and mouth open. "D-Dismissed?" He bowed over his clasped hands. "My apologies, Wen Shimu."
"That disciple who oversaw those kids is to be punished as well. I leave the punishment up to you, Cao Shixiong." Zhang Xuehua turned away from him. "If Wang Shifu steps one foot in Qishan Wen, my husband will deal with him."
Cao Rong stiffened in place. "A-As you command, Wen Shimu."
"You are dismissed."
On her way back from her extended walk, the sight of various pools of bubbling water caused Zhang Xuehua to venture off the path. Her thoughts of having to wrangle someone to teach the new disciples disappeared at the welcoming sight of soothing, warm water.
"There's a hot spring here?!" Zhang Xuehua hovered around the nearest pool, her hands poised to touch them, but she refrained from doing so. "I didn't know Qishan Wen had these around here. But then again, there are volcanoes around here. There should be endless hot springs, ready to be used!"
Kneeling beside the nearest pool of water, Zhang Xuehua watched in fascination as steam floated from the surface. Depending on the temperature of the water, this would be a perfect way to decompress from a long week at work.
"Why haven't they made these volcanoes into hot springs resorts?!" Zhang Xuehua put out her hands in exasperation. "I mean..I get the danger of lava and volcanic explosions, but that's where talismans and well placed construction comes in! There can be civilian hot springs and the fancier one for the cultivation sects. Why the hell hasn't Qishan Wen made use of this?!"
Sighing out loud, she reached out her hand and tapped her finger on the surface of the water. Her body shivered at the perfection of the temperature. She swiped her head back and forth, checking if someone was in the vicinity. The temptation to remove her outer robes and dip into these waters with her inner robes was irresistible.
As much as she liked the bathtub, the hot springs provided a different manner of relaxation for the muscles. She was certain several of these natural hot springs contained valuable minerals to amplify the blissful effects of the hot springs. Her one trip to Japan opened her eyes to the serenity of hot springs.
"I'll keep a note of this for another day." Zhang Xuehua promised to herself. "This is a good business venture and prime tourist real estate! We can even keep the best spots for my husband to use for his own private use."
TBC