The next day, Qin Yi woke up late again and rushed into the Village West Courtyard.
"Sorry, Young Master… I… I overslept again. I… I don't know why," Qin Yi said, feeling extremely guilty for repeating the same mistake.
"It's alright. This is just your body's normal reaction after training too hard," Qin Xu reassured him. He didn't scold Qin Yi but explained why it happened, letting him feel at ease.
"From now on, we'll start lessons at this time."
"Alright, finish your restorative soup, and let's begin today's morning lesson."
"Today, we'll study characters related to time. First, we'll learn common units of time: the smallest moment, the quarter hour, the hour, the day, the week, the month, the season, and the year."
"Time, like numbers and directions we studied before, focuses on one aspect. There's also a deeper study called calendar studies, which is extremely important and practical for humans."
"Of course, this is just an introduction. We won't go too deep yet. Now, let's start with the first unit of time: the smallest moment."
Meanwhile, in the eastern wasteland of the village, many children were waiting at the village entrance, eyes wide with expectation. Finally, Shuanzi arrived—but Zhuzhi did not.
As soon as Shuanzi arrived, he was surrounded by children: "Shuanzi, where's Zhuzhi?"
His eyes slightly moist, Shuanzi whispered, "Zhuzhi can't come."
"Why not?" the children asked.
Shuanzi sighed. "Yesterday, when Da Tou returned from the Village West Courtyard, Zhuzhi asked about what happened there. Da Tou said nothing new had happened, just the usual routine. Zhuzhi didn't believe him and acted up. Father saw it and, angry, beat him so badly that Zhuzhi's bottom was swollen and he couldn't get out of bed."
"Really?"
"If you don't believe me, ask Gensheng. He was there too."
The children looked at Wang Gensheng, who nodded quickly: "Yes, Shuanzi is right. Zhuzhi got a really bad beating. He cried so loudly."
Another child who lived near Qin Yong's house confirmed: "I heard him crying at dinner. That sound… it was pitiful. So that's why Zhuzhi got beaten."
With enough witnesses, the children stopped asking about Zhuzhi.
"Alas, no new stories today."
"Didn't Da Tou say it's just like yesterday? Nothing new. Da Tou didn't tell, so we can't expect Zhuzhi to make up stories, right?"
"Zhuzhi's already been beaten so badly. He's done his best."
Once no one was crowding Shuanzi, Wang Gensheng approached him, concerned: "Shuanzi, is Zhuzhi okay?"
Shuanzi glanced around, leaned close, and whispered: "Zhuzhi's fine. His bottom is a bit swollen, but he can still get out of bed. He's just afraid to tell stories and get beaten."
Wang Gensheng understood and thought: No wonder… Shuanzi and Zhuzhi are really clever at keeping secrets.
Even more, he felt touched that Shuanzi had deceived everyone else, but not him.
At noon, in the Village West Courtyard, Qin Yi was reviewing the morning lessons. A carriage entered the courtyard. Qin Yi glanced at it but paid no mind.
Since the Young Master arrived, carriages had become common, so Qin Yi was used to it.
He continued writing carefully in the sand, pondering the wisdom behind the lessons.
After an hour and drinking the restorative soup given by Elder Huang, Qin Yi prepared to remove his shoes and pick up his wooden sword for the next lesson.
Suddenly, Qin Xu handed him a set of small-sized teal clothing and a pair of small leather boots.
Qin Yi guessed immediately but asked cautiously, "Young Master… what's this?"
Seeing Qin Yi's curious and uncertain expression, Qin Xu laughed and said: "Of course it's for you! Why haven't you changed yet?"
"Ah… Young Master, this… it's not proper. I eat and learn with you. Wearing… clothing… isn't proper," Qin Yi said firmly, like a little adult, trying to refuse.
Qin Xu shook his head, smiling: "Da Tou, you are my sword boy. I should provide your clothing, food, and daily needs. That is my responsibility. Don't feel embarrassed."
"Ah! A sword boy gets such treatment? It's this good?" Qin Yi scratched his head and carefully accepted the clothes and boots.
"You little rascal, when you drank the restorative soup, you didn't hesitate at all. One cup of soup costs enough to buy over a hundred sets of these clothes," Qin Xu said.
Qin Yi's eyes widened: "Wow! That soup is that expensive?"
He hadn't realized, especially compared to skill upgrades and after drinking so much, he had subconsciously ignored the cost.
"Try them on. See if they fit," Qin Xu urged.
"Where should I change, Young Master?" Qin Yi asked shyly.
"You're so young. Changing clothes? Don't be embarrassed. Go to that wing room," Qin Xu said.
Qin Yi hurriedly went to the room to change.
Once changed, he found the clothes were similar to his usual training outfit but slightly different—designed for better movement. They wouldn't tear even during large motions.
The boots didn't feel tight or stuffy. He didn't even know how they were designed.
Stepping out, Qin Xu examined him and nodded in satisfaction. Elder Huang had chosen perfectly—the training clothes fit perfectly, and the boots were just right.
Still, Qin Xu asked: "Do they fit?"
"They fit, thank you, Young Master," Qin Yi said, smiling brightly, and bowed sincerely to express his gratitude.
"Good. I prepared many sets. When these no longer fit, you can change into others in the wardrobe of the wing room."
Wow, Young Master prepared so thoroughly… he's so good to me. How can I repay him? I'm really troubled!
Seeing Qin Yi's grateful eyes, Qin Xu shook his head: "Alright. Since the clothes and boots fit, let's start today's training."
"Studying hard is the greatest repayment," Qin Xu added.
"Today, we'll learn the third move of basic sword technique: the Raising Sword."
End of Chapter