In the Shangwu Hall, Cui Ying had been maintaining a squatting posture for over a minute, without moving at all.

  She was very tired, her legs ached all over, but it wasn't time for Erniang to call out yet, she gritted her teeth and refused to let herself relax.

  The last ash of incense fell on the desk, and Liang said, "Fifth brother and sister, it's time."

  Cui Ling supported herself on the edge of the table and stood up with difficulty, only to find that her legs were trembling uncontrollably due to numbness.

  She let out two heavy breaths, "It's just a horse stance, I didn't think it would be so hard!"

  Li's impression of Cui Rong was not very good, after a few superficial contacts, he only thought that his fifth brother and sister were just a greedy and lazy little girl, although she had already married, but her temperament was like a spoiled little girl.

  She doesn't dislike it, but she doesn't particularly like it either.

  But yesterday at the Taian Hospital, Lian and Su Zihua were both diagnosed with pregnancy. At that time, her first reaction was not that the Yuan family would have another addition, nor was it perhaps she could adopt a satisfactory heir from one of her two younger sisters.

  The first thought that came to her mind was that her fifth younger brother and sister must be very sad.

  She had forgotten to congratulate him and didn't even greet him, her eyes were fixed on Cui Rong's face, worried that his younger siblings would think of something wrong.

  This morning, the sky was slightly overcast and just brightening up, and as usual, Liang came first to Shangwu Hall for exercise.

  Since Yuan Erlang's death, she felt empty and unfulfilled, and couldn't sleep well at night, so she started practicing martial arts every morning.

  Although it is said that practicing morning exercises every day is an unwritten rule in the back house of General Town's mansion, it has long been a mere formality.

  The elder sister-in-law is in charge of household affairs and has many things to attend to every day, so she usually doesn't come.

  Three younger brothers and four younger sisters have become parents, all of whom have young children at home and often absent.

  As for the old lady, even if she was young and rode horses on the battlefield, but now that she's older, her body isn't as agile, especially on windy and rainy days when it's cold, Du and Qiao wouldn't dare to call her out.

  It's windy and rainy, but every day before dawn, he comes to the Shangwu Hall for training, and only leaves when the sun is high in the sky. Only Liang Shi does this.

  From a delicate and weak lady who couldn't even lift her shoulders or hands, to being able to effortlessly pick up the stone lions in front of the Shangwu Hall, from being a pampered daughter of a noble family to being proficient in the eighteen gun techniques of the Yuan family, Liang had only used five short years.

  For these five years, she was usually alone when spending time in Shangwu Hall.

  After the old lady exempted her fifth younger sister from morning exercise, she thought that this kind of lonely and long practice would continue, and she would be alone, lonely and long-lasting.

  But this morning, as soon as Liang pushed open the door of Shangwu Hall, a clear and pleasant female voice came from behind him, "Second sister, I'm here to practice!"

  Li was somewhat surprised, but then suddenly enlightened.

  She naturally thought of the pulse diagnosis by Wang, the imperial physician, yesterday. The fifth younger sister who was highly expected to be pregnant did not conceive, but instead the third and fourth younger sisters were both pregnant again.

  The younger brothers and sisters were mindful of this in their hearts, and they would also feel embarrassed to continue enjoying the grandmother's favor, so they would take the initiative to come and practice.

  Liang felt that the transformation of his five younger siblings was heart-wrenching.

  She thought of herself many years ago.

  Nine years ago, the scene of her marrying Yuan Erlang seemed to be yesterday. At that time, she was elegant and gentle, calm and quiet, just like other girls from bookish families who were required to read books and understand reason since childhood. Where did half of today's stubbornness and violence come from?

  But her gentle and calm temperament did not bring a peaceful life to Liang's family.

  She was married for four years without any children, and later her husband died in battle. Less than two years later, her natal family encountered another disaster.

  At that time, she, like her five younger siblings, chose to practice in fear and anxiety.

  This is her best way of venting and also her only solace.

  Li's eyes flickered, and she came back to her senses. Seeing Cui Ying's legs still trembling uncontrollably, she couldn't help but step forward and support her. "This is your first time practicing, this length of time is a bit too long for you. Don't be so stubborn next time."

  She helped Cui Ying sit down, squatted down and gently massaged her trembling legs, sighed and said, "You can't become a big fat man by eating one mouthful, if you want to be fast, you won't reach your goal. For practicing exercises, listen to Er Sao, it's better to progress gradually."

  Liáng shì bù céng fā xiàn, tā shuō huà shí yǔ qì jí qīng, wēn róu de hǎo xiàng gǎi le yī gè rén.

  English Translation:

  Liang did not realize that when she spoke, her tone was extremely soft and gentle, as if she had become a different person.

  Cui Ling was slightly stunned, and then smiled. She didn't refuse Liang Shi's kindness, and she also bent down to massage the other small leg in the same way as Liang Shi.

  "She said with a press, 'I just want to make up for the first two months that were wasted.'"

  Li's family disapprovingly glanced at Cui Ying, "If the fifth brother and sister are because they have not conceived a child, feeling guilty towards their ancestors, I advise you to give up this idea."

  She paused slightly, "Grandmother is an open-minded and kind person, she doesn't have the petty heart of ordinary women. These days, she has been good to your younger siblings, not just because she's expecting them to have children, but because she truly likes their temperament."

  Rows of icicles hang from the eaves, silver spearheads with red tassels dancing in the wind, emitting a faint glow.

  A star flashed in Liang's eyes, and her voice suddenly became severe, like a broken-stringed zither, hoarse and piercing. "If you're here just for those who are practicing, I advise you not to suffer this hardship in vain."

  Her face sank like water, "Just take this horse step, without hard work, it can't be practiced in a year or two."

  Cui Ling's face showed a bitter smile, before, she always thought that following her elder sister to learn housekeeping or following her fourth sister to recognize characters and read books were all just to make Old Lady Yuan happy.

  She treated Lao Taijun as the highest leader and a long-term meal ticket for her to eat, drink and have fun.

  So, since the old lady has spoken up, she must go and do it even if she is unhappy in her heart.

  But after two months of daily interactions, and truly devoting herself to these things that she had some reservations about, but had to do in order to please the old lady, she discovered that reality was obviously not as she had imagined.

  A scholar can know worldly affairs, reading books can clarify moral principles.

  These may not have been important in her past life, but if she wants to start anew in the future, they will be the foundation of her independence.

  The old lady let her learn these things, not because the Yuan family needed a daughter-in-law who understood these things, but because she would need to master them when she became the mistress of the house in the future.

  Just like Choi Yeon-ah getting up early in the morning at Sangmu-dang, she thought that she couldn't continue to be lazy and play tricks on her with the expectation of Old Lady's favor.

  When she had been squatting for a good half an hour, what came to her mind was that the horse stance exercise not only tempered one's body but also one's spirit.

  During that time, she wanted to give up countless times and felt like she was at the edge of her physical limit countless times, but she persevered again and again. Although now her legs are trembling with some embarrassment, her whole body is filled with strength and confidence.

  Cui Ling raised her head, gently grasping Liang's hand. She smiled and shook her head, "I didn't come here because I was afraid of being scolded by my grandmother for not having children."

  Her eyes sparkled like stars, "I just don't want to be lazy anymore, that's all! Second sister, I saw you using the red-tasseled spear earlier, it was so cool, can you teach me?"