1612 Teaching Request
"It's nothing difficult." Emperor Yang Zhou showed a smile. He waved to the eunuch to signal them to call the people over. "I have two daughters and think that they would need the basic of martial arts a bit. But the other teachers are not suitable."
Not suitable because they're men.
Nan Hua completely understood why Emperor Yang Zhou picked her. What made her relatively curious was why Emperor Yang Zhou would pick her instead.
The fact that Emperor Yang Zhou had several children for the past few years were not a secret.
And not just one…
Emperor Yang Zhou already had four children, two princes and two princesses.
All of them from different concubines.
The first princess was around 4 to 5 years old while the second princess was 3 to 4 years old.
The first prince was around the same age as the second princess while the second prince was barely 1 year old.
The second prince was born during the time when Emperor Yang Zhou was still at the frontline. Perhaps, he was the most unfortunate one because his month old celebration couldn't have the Emperor present.
This information could be easily gathered and Nan Hua had enough information given by the Night Rat before she came back. After all, the situation in the Imperial Capital had changed slightly ever since the last time she came here.
"Your Majesty, the two princesses are still young," Nan Hua said carefully. Teaching martial arts to a barely 4 and 5 years old child, Nan Hua felt that it was too fast. Even though she herself learned how to kill at that age in her previous life, she didn't really want these children to face the same thing.
She was simply forced by the situation back then.
But if these children came forward… they would be learning because they truly wanted to.
"It's not too young at all." Emperor Yang Zhou laughed. "My first son had already started to learn the basic. I don't ask for much, General Jun but some tricks so that they can protect themselves. This should be easy for you, isn't it?"
The tone that Emperor Yang Zhou use clearly didn't leave any room for rejection.
Nan Hua took a deep breath internally and looked at the two women and two children who came forward. The first woman looked soft and demure, very hard to attract the attention of others. The second woman had clever look, but she looked soft and beautiful, more easily attract attention of others.
With one look, Nan Hua had guessed their identity.
The first woman was the mother of the second princess, Imperial Concubine Kang, while the second woman was the mother of the first princess, Imperial Concubine Huan.
At the same time, Nan Hua recalled the message that Emperor Yang Zhou seemed to call Imperial Concubine Huan more often than most other concubines.
Her lips pursed slightly.
The favorite concubine.
"Imperial Concubine Kang (Imperial Concubine Huan) greets His Majesty."
"Princess Yang Lin (Yang Luan) greets His Majesty."
After that, the four of them greeted Prime Minister Lan and Nan Hua. Looking at how the two children were already taught proper etiquette at such a young age, Nan Hua realized that perhaps in this era, it was indeed normal for children to grow up so quickly.
While they might not be so smart, they were still taught some things that was necessary when they were facing outsiders and so on.
"As you can see, the two daughters are not bad at all. They should be able to handle learning some basic of martial arts." Emperor Yang Zhou looked at Nan Hua. "General Jun, what do you say?"
Nan Hua cupped her fist. "Since this is your order, Your Majesty, this general will follow."
"Good." Emperor Yang Zhou laughed and then stood up. "Zhen still had meeting to be done. You can teach them for an incense stick of time every morning."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
While Emperor Yang Zhou walked away, the two children looked at Nan Hua curiously. Their mother only said that they would come here to learn something from a new temporary teacher that their Imperial Father brought.
Seeing Nan Hua, they were curious what this new teacher will teach them.
Nan Hua looked at the first princess, Princess Yang Luan, and then at the second princess, Princess Yang Lin. The two children looked like they were well fed but the second princess was a bit smaller.
"Does the two children have any illness?" Nan Hua looked at the two Imperial Concubines.
"Replying to General Jun, Princess Yang Lin was born prematurely." Imperial Concubine Kang flustered a bit.
Nan Hua nodded.
No wonder that the second princess looked a bit weaker and smaller. Even with the Imperial Family had already trying their best to make her life better with a lot of resources, it was difficult for her to get better.
"In that case, I hope you can give her healthier food. Come here, I'll check their pulses first."
"Yes, General Jun."
The two children obediently extended their hands. They had heard from their mother that the position of a general belonged to awesome people. Looking at Nan Hua in front of them, they were also very curious.
Nan Hua checked the two of them.
They were fine but the second princess shouldn't be introduced to strenuous activities.
"I'll teach the two of you to warm up. Follow my movement."
"Yes, General Jun!"
The two Imperial Concubines stood at the side, watching their respective daughter following Nan Hua's movement. For a moment, there was a flash of jealousy within their eyes but in the next moment, it was gone.
The position of a general looked glorious but who knew how much hardship one had to suffer in order to reach that position.
They were born and raised within the boudoir, rarely come into contact with these things.
Even if their lives were not completely satisfying, at the very least, they didn't need to worry about their food, clothing, and resting place.
For them…
It was enough.
