Chapter 15: Do You Want to Learn Martial Arts?

  Lyu Yang followed Cui General Manager into the inner courtyard of the Lyu Mansion and was received after a brief report.

  "Are you Lü Yang?"

  The third madam was a noble and elegant lady who, upon seeing Lü Yang, unexpectedly showed him kindness.

  Lyu Yang changed into a clean set of clothes, and his entire person was refreshed and warm, like beautiful jade. He completely had the appearance and temperament of a noble young master. This kind of demeanor could make these high-ranking people feel a few points of fondness from the bottom of their hearts, and they wouldn't look down on him because of the difference in status.

  Lü Yang did not know that when he saw him, the third madam had indeed felt a few points of incredulity. She had not expected that a slave-born child would have such spirit and temperament. This was not to say that his appearance was particularly handsome, but rather that the temperament that flowed out unintentionally from his entire body gave people a feeling of excellent quality, which was generally unmatched by the self-proclaimed geniuses of aristocratic families.

  She was not familiar with martial arts and did not know why Lü Yang, as a humble house slave, would have such good skin. However, from this observation, the principles of martial arts were similar to those of human physiology: when one's qi and blood flow smoothly, their complexion looks good, and their skin is smooth. This was a sign of excellent temperament, which in martial terms meant that one had innate meridian circulation and a good foundation for practicing martial arts.

  The first impression was completely based on appearance, if Lü Yang was still as ordinary and unremarkable as before, he would not have caught anyone's attention. After all, no matter how much he dressed up, without changing from the inside out, a servant is just a servant, and it's impossible to enter the master's eyes.

  However, all of this has completely changed under the transformation of Lü Yang's rebirth. The third madam now appreciates that Lü Yang is not only good-looking and elegant but also knows that a person with high martial arts skills must have a strong temperament, be fearless, and have an attitude towards people and things that is vastly different from those of lowly servants. Even if he is still a humble servant now, he will not always be so in the future.

  The three madams had seen countless people, and at first glance, they knew that Lü Yang was not suitable to be a humble servant. A person like him would sooner or later rise to prominence and become a leader among men.

  "Reporting back to the Third Madam, I am indeed Lü Yang."

  The three madams sized up Lü Yang, but Lü Yang didn't dare to be as casual as them. After paying his respects, he replied cautiously.

  "It's no wonder my son took a liking to you." The third madam seemed to have a very good first impression of Lü Yang, and with a smile, said, "Lü Yang, don't be so formal. My son has taken a liking to you and wants to bring you by his side as an attendant. Of course, it's also in hopes that our family can cultivate another talented individual. From now on, your status will be different from before, and you'll need to work hard at learning martial arts and strive for self-improvement."

  "Madam is absolutely right." Lü Yang bowed his head in response, but secretly wondered to himself, "What? Feng'er? Isn't that the eldest young master of the Lü family, Lü Xuanfeng?"

  As she pondered, the third madam pointed to the seat beside her and smiled warmly: "I heard your father is Lü Shan? He's a loyal servant, often mentioned by Master Gong in front of me. Come, don't stand there, sit here and chat with me."

  "In front of the three madams, where is there a seat for a lowly person like me? I'd better stand and listen respectfully." Lü Yang came back to his senses and hastily said.

  "Good, good, you're really a well-behaved and sensible child." The third madam also didn't force the issue, but instead smiled and praised her.

  She asked about Lü Yang's background and experience in a familiar tone, and then encouraged him again. After a while, she said to Cui General Manager: "General Manager Cui, arrange for a side house in the old mansion for him."

  "Yes, Third Madam." Manager Choi replied, and immediately took Lyu Yang away.

  "Director Choi, what's going on here?" Lu Yang asked as they walked to the old residence, "Things seem a bit off. Clearly it was Fourth Miss who wanted me to be her long-serving attendant, but somehow in Third Master's mouth, it became Peak Young Master?"

  "What? Didn't Master Feng tell you?" Manager Cui asked in surprise.

  "What identity do I have to meet Master Feng?" Lü Yang shook his head, "I'm not afraid to say it out loud and let Manager Cui laugh at me. Until now, I still don't understand what happened. If Manager Cui knows, please enlighten me."

  "Apparently you didn't know, but I was remiss!" Manager Cui chuckled and explained, "Well, let me tell you now. From now on, nominally you'll be following Master Feng, but in reality, you'll still have to listen to Miss Fourth's orders. However, there's no need for you to feel troubled, because Master Feng is Miss Fourth's biological older brother, born of the same mother, so serving either one of them is the same."

  "It turns out so." Lü Yang was stunned for a moment, and then came to his senses. "Indeed, being the long follower of Peak Gongzi is also being the long follower of Fourth Miss, essentially the same thing. However, although the current etiquette is not as strict and old-fashioned as in the previous dynasty, emphasizing what men and women do not give or receive personally, I am a man after all, and it's still not good to enter the inner courtyard. Using Peak Gongzi's long follower identity would be more suitable. But what does Fourth Miss want to do by getting me over there?"

  Whenever he thought of Miss Lü Yuèyáo, the fourth young lady of the Lü family, and all the rumors surrounding her, Lü Yáng felt uneasy. If there was anyone in the Lü household who might see through his secret, it would probably be this Fourth Young Lady.

  "Lyusong, you've finally made it this time. Remember to stay humble and focused, work diligently, and serve Master Feng's young master well. This is a better opportunity than working at Yaoshan for 20 years. I too started as an attendant for the old master back in the day, which is a coveted position that many people would kill for." Seeing Lyusong looking dazed, Manager Cui thought he was overjoyed and reminded him with a stroke of his beard.

  "Being ordered around by others, being sent on errands at someone's beck and call, what a wonderful job, not as good as doing real things." Lü Yang thought to himself, but this kind of talk was not suitable to be said out loud, so he had to pretend to be honored and repeatedly responded with "yes".

  Director Choi thought he was happy in his heart and couldn't help but smile.

  Soon after, Director Choi brought Lü Yang to a side courtyard behind the Lü residence.

  One hundred years ago, the Lv family of Nanling expanded their estate on a large scale, doubling its original size. They also frequently sent their sons to serve at the Xuantian Gate, and some of the old courtyards were left uninhabited and gradually fell into disrepair. Later, after renovation, except for the ancestral hall and the master's room, other guest rooms and separate courtyards were given to slaves who had rendered great service or managed affairs, as a token of favor.

  The servants of the Lü manor all took pride in living in this old mansion.

  Lyu Yang did not expect that after joining the camp of the third madam, he would immediately be granted the right to reside in the old mansion and live alone in a separate residence. In terms of winning people's hearts, it can be said that this is one of the most generous rewards.

  "You can live here from now on." Director Choi pointed to the large house in front of him, "Don't look at how old and worn out it is, it's a place where only managers like us can live, and it has been well taken care of all along, so there's nothing else that needs to be prepared, you can move in directly. However, I'm afraid the tables, chairs, doors, and windows inside are dusty, don't go in yet, I'll send a few people to help you clean it up."

  "Then thank you, Director Cui." Lü Yang didn't stand on ceremony with him either, bowing his head in thanks.

  Before long, Director Cui indeed sent a few servants to help. They saw Lv Yang and diligently swept the house, cleared the weeds, and dredged the ditches. Since someone had taken care of this place before, all these things were done in just one morning.

  The whole yard, both inside and outside the house, is at least clean and tidy, and it's no problem for people to live in.

  Spent some silver coins to invite a few people for a small gathering, and Lv Yang returned to the yard with a full stomach after drinking enough wine, only to see an unexpected person.

  Miss Lü, the fourth daughter of the Lü family, Lü Yu Yao, rumored to be one of the most outstanding talents among the younger generation in Zhongzhou's ancient land, was actually waiting in the courtyard. And judging from her appearance, she hadn't been there for just a short while, but had been waiting for quite some time already.

  "Have met Fourth Miss." Lü Yang hastily stepped forward and paid his respects.

  "No need for formalities." Lü Yuèyáo nodded slightly in response.

  "I didn't know Miss Fourth was coming, what instructions does she have?" Lü Yang looked at this white-clothed woman who seemed like an immortal, guessing her intentions in his heart.

  "This time I came, is to ask you something." Lyu Yu Yao said.

  "Fourth Miss, please speak," said Lyu Yang.

  "Tell me honestly, do you want to learn martial arts?" asked Lü Yuexiao.

  "Learn martial arts?" Lü Yang was taken aback.

  "Fourth Miss, you're saying, learn martial arts?"

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