"However, before learning martial arts, one must cultivate virtue. To cultivate virtue, one must first set aspirations; to set aspirations, one must first be well-informed; to be well-informed, one must strengthen memory. You still have a long road ahead before you can truly practice martial arts," Qin Xu said, his eyes flashing with a trace of memory, a playful smile appearing on his face.
Standing nearby, Huang Lao's eyes also flickered with reminiscence.
These words were exactly what the Marquis had once told the Young Master. Unexpectedly, the Young Master had repeated them verbatim to Qin Yi.
"Ah? So many steps?"
Qin Yi first sighed, then quickly clenched his fists, pounding them against his chest with determination.
"I will learn the first few steps quickly and begin martial arts training!"
Qin Xu laughed heartily.
"Good, I look forward to your performance, haha… cough, cough…"
His laughter was cut short by a sudden, violent coughing fit.
In an instant, Huang Lao moved beside him, producing a jade vial from his bosom. He poured out a pill and fed it to Qin Xu.
After swallowing the pill, Qin Xu stopped coughing, though he appeared visibly exhausted.
"All right, you may leave for now. Come by before breakfast tomorrow," Qin Xu said to Qin Yi, waving his hand as Huang Lao helped him into the inner chamber.
Soon, Huang Lao emerged, signaling Qin Yi to follow him and escorting him out.
As they passed the windbreak wall, Qin Yi saw Qin Yong standing outside, waiting. Huang Lao suddenly stopped, turned his body, lowered his head, and fixed Qin Yi with a serious gaze:
"Do not speak of anything regarding the Young Master to anyone. Not even your parents or siblings. Do you understand?"
Qin Yi was momentarily stunned, then earnestly promised,
"Yes, I will not tell anyone."
"Good. See you tomorrow." Huang Lao nodded, and in the blink of an eye, disappeared from sight.
Huang Lao's warning instantly shattered the joy of father and son reuniting.
Qin Yong, seeing Qin Yi, preemptively cautioned him:
"Remember the elder's instructions. Anything about the Young Master—at any time, in any place—you must not tell anyone. Even at home, even to me. Understood?"
Qin Yong understood perfectly. Huang Lao's timing was deliberate: neither too early nor too late, but precisely at the gate, upon seeing Qin Yi.
This warning was less about cautioning Qin Yi and more about protecting him. It even accounted for those in the village secretly watching the courtyard.
Those onlookers might have no ill intent, only curiosity upon seeing a small child standing at the West Mansion gate.
Qin Yi understood why Huang Lao had done this.
With Huang Lao's warning, even if villagers knew he had become the Young Master's Sword-Bearer, no one would dare pry into the Young Master's affairs through him.
It was a form of protection, though Qin Yi still felt a bit irritated.
He disliked the air of martial prowess—or perhaps aristocratic pride—emanating from Huang Lao.
"Yes, Father, I understand," Qin Yi said earnestly, reaffirming his promise to Qin Yong.
Returning home, Qin Yong saw Zhuzi eager to ask Qin Yi questions. Before Zhuzi could speak, Qin Yong said,
"From now on, no one is to ask Big Head about anything related to the West Mansion or the Young Master. Understood, Zhuzi, Shuzi?"
Then, turning to Qin Yi, he said,
"You are now 'the master' in your own right. You may decide what to do, and your mother and I will support you unconditionally."
Qin Yong also understood Huang Lao's unspoken meaning.
From now on, Big Head's visits to the West Mansion would likely become routine.
Qin Yong's heart twisted with anxiety. He wanted to ask Qin Yi what was happening, but with Huang Lao's warning, he dared not utter a word, swallowing his curiosity instead.
It was frustrating—but judging by the situation, it had to be good.
Big Head had evidently earned the Young Master's favor.
Perhaps it was because of his talent—or simply because he pleased the Young Master's eyes.
In any case, it was enough that Big Head had caught the Young Master's attention.
Since Big Head could now freely enter the West Mansion, he could no longer be treated as an ordinary child under three years old.
Instead, he was granted full autonomy, treated as an equal in dialogue with adults.
Qin Yi rubbed his ears, hardly believing what he had just heard.
What had he just heard?
Full autonomy?
Heaven! The power he had longed for so much…
He had assumed he would have to wait more than ten years to receive it. Yet now… unexpectedly… so easily… he had it.
It was truly an unexpected delight.
Then he reflected: even he, in his place, might not have made such a decisive move.
Qin Yi looked at Qin Yong with admiration.
His father was truly a man of great wisdom.
Only his status and position limited him.
What a pity.
"By the way, Mother, you don't need to prepare my breakfast tomorrow."
Seeing Qin Yong and Big Head return, Zhen Niang had just recovered from her anxiousness, only to hear two major decisions from Qin Yong.
Though puzzled, she trusted her husband's judgment.
Then, hearing Big Head refuse breakfast, she instinctively wanted to lecture him about the importance of eating in the morning. But glancing at Qin Yong, she noticed his subtle nod, and helplessly she nodded,
"All right, I understand."
Zhen Niang then went into the kitchen. Qin Yong comforted Shuzi and Zhuzi, and encouraged Big Head, before going to the kitchen to speak to Zhen Niang, who was brooding at the stove:
"Big Head's future achievements are beyond our imagination. All we can do is not hold him back."
Although she had limited understanding, as Qin Yong's closest confidante, she roughly grasped the reasoning behind his arrangements.
She just found it hard to accept at first.
"It concerns Big Head's future. I know its weight, but…" Zhen Niang's eyes reddened, tears uncontrollable, her voice choked:
"But he is still so young, and yet must face this alone…
"And as his parents, we can do nothing, we cannot even know what to do, and we dare not act, fearing that our good intentions may hinder him…
"Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.
"Big Head's path is truly difficult, sob…"
Qin Yong said nothing. He simply went over and held Zhen Niang tightly from behind.
(End of Chapter 22)