76 Failure and Punishment

"Old Master had already instructed that you shouldn't go out at all, so where do you plan to go, Young Master?" Hou Liang was pissed off.

He had just finished instructing the two brats of their daily training as usual. Just as he was about to take some breaks, Hou Lin came over to him and informed him that the two brats were going out.

Hou Lin himself couldn't detect Nan Hua but he knew Nan Luo was in the trees, trying to get out.

Hou Liang had no other choice but to head over and confront the naughty young master.

"I…I'm just looking around." Nan Luo waved his hand, trying to brush off this matter.

However, Hou Liang didn't plan to let him off just like that. His resting time was disturbed because of this annoying young master. "I'll report to Old Master that Young Master is escaping."

"Wait, no, I'm not escaping!"

"Young Master didn't want to train."

"It's not that!"

Old Master Nan watched from a distance. He had heard from Hou Lin that his grandson wanted to go out. Upon seeing his grandson arguing with Hou Liang, he felt the urge to beat that mischievous brat so that he would be confined in his bedroom for a long period of time.

If not because he knew his grandson still had to train, he would have long acted on that thought.

"Nan Luo, copy the 'Art of War' three times."

"Nooooo….."

Nan Hua peeked her head from the tree and looked at her grandfather and Hou Liang. The two of them didn't even notice she was there until she moved. Her erasing presence skill was already developed to the extent that one wouldn't be able to differentiate her from inanimate items.

"Grandfather."

"Hua'er… Do you also want to go out? It's very dangerous outside." Old Master Nan didn't want his granddaughter to get involved and probably taken note of by some people there. It was clear that this festival was quite unsuitable to host but the Emperor had no other choice but to host it.

Nan Hua shook her head lightly and jumped off the tree. "Grandfather, I'm sorry."

"NO, Nan Hua didn't do anything wrong! I'm the one who pull her so that we can get out and watch the shows!" Nan Luo quickly raised his hand so that his grandfather would not punish Nan Hua.

"Hua'er, write a copy of Art of War." Old Master Nan sighed and looked at his grandson. "As for you, write five copies and you're going to have more night training."

Nan Luo's face scrunched. He knew very well that the night training also included one that would help him to erase his presence…. He swore that he would master it so that he could go anywhere undetected.

Nan Hua nodded obediently and followed Old Master Nan back inside.

Only Hou Liang sighed as he knew that the training of Nan Luo would be given to him. He felt that the young master really only knew how to create trouble.

Thus, the first adventure of the twins who wanted to sneak out ended in failure.

…

Days passed swiftly. Soon, most of the snow had melted and it was already spring. The warmer temperature also encouraged the ministers to work. At the same time, news of war started to ring incessantly from time to time. The mourning period ended and people started to work normally.

There was no big war but even smaller wins would still make its way here, especially if the one who made move was a famous one.

But it was the least of Nan Hua's current concern.

She and Nan Luo were preparing to head over to Yi Shang Temple that was located not far from the capital city. Old Master Nan couldn't accompany them because he had to attend the annoying court but the soldiers came along with them.

"Miss, we've prepared enough supplies for you." Xiao Yun helped Nan Hua to dress up. Since they were going out, she had to make sure that Nan Hua was presentable and no one would be able to pinpoint any mistake in her.

Nan Hua nodded. "Xiao Yun and Bai Yin will come with me. Mu Yan, you shall stay behind."

"Yes, Miss."

The three girls were not unfamiliar with this arrangement. Whenever Nan Hua was going to stay for a long time, she would bring two maidservants to go with her. If it was just a small event, Xiao Yun alone would be more than enough. Mu Yan was the one who would stay behind most of the time and took care of the household.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Nan Hua felt a bit tired. If she had to be dolled like this every single day, it would be extremely tiring.

However, women's armor was their makeup and dresses. They were competing because they didn't have any other choice in their lives. It was not like they were the one who wanted to live this way, but this was the only methods they could use to survive.

Nan Hua herself didn't know whether it was luckier for one to be born as an assassin like her, who was within the darkness. Or would it be those women who had to doll up like an accessory because in their world, their competition was that of beauty and knowledge of arts.

She didn't let herself think too much, though.

"Hua'er!" Nan Luo waved his hand when he saw Nan Hua walked out. Several carriages filled with whatever they needed were already prepared. One of them was for them to use.

"Luo."

"You're going to ride a carriage with me. Hou Liang will protect us so that there wouldn't be any mishap!" Nan Luo grinned.

Hou Liang passed a look at Nan Luo. If there was ever any mishap, that would have been caused by Nan Luo inviting the trouble to their doorstep.

Nan Hua knew that there were more people but she said nothing about them. Nodding her head, Nan Hua said simply, "Ok."