PDLP Chapter 22 My sister-in-law's decision inspired me to become stronger too!
Chapter 22 My sister-in-law's decision inspired me to become stronger too!
The backyard of the Li residence.
Qin Shuyu sat by the window, holding a newly sewn undershirt for Yang Qian in her hand, but her eyes were somewhat unfocused as she stared blankly at the lush osmanthus tree in the courtyard.
These past few days, she has been living a life she never dared to dream of before.
They lived in the most magnificent house in the entire Qixia Town, ate delicacies from land and sea, and wore fine silks and satins.
No longer do we have to get up before dawn to sew and wash clothes for others in exchange for a meager amount of food.
No more worrying that thugs will suddenly kick down your door and humiliate you with foul language.
Her uncle protected her very well.
The servants in the mansion treated her with utmost respect.
Qian Si and his menacing-looking henchmen would all lower their heads and not dare to breathe loudly when they saw her.
She was like a canary kept in a gilded cage, safe, comfortable, and carefree.
However, she was not happy.
She knew that this peace and comfort was bought with her uncle's life.
She could never forget the night her uncle was covered in blood and had to be helped home.
Although he pretended nothing was wrong the next day and even smiled as he gave himself a gold hairpin to comfort himself.
But she could sense that his injuries hadn't healed.
She also couldn't forget these past few days; her uncle left early and returned late every day, his brow always furrowed.
She knew that many troublesome people had come to the town, all drawn by the bounty.
Although my uncle said he was fine, the murderous aura emanating from him grew stronger day by day.
She was scared.
She wasn't afraid of those so-called martial arts masters; she was afraid that something would happen to her uncle.
She felt very useless.
Aside from mending clothes for her uncle and making some soup, she couldn't do anything else.
When danger came, she could only hide behind her uncle like a burden and watch him fight and bleed.
She didn't want to continue like this.
She no longer wanted to be a canary that could only be admired.
She wanted to...do something for her uncle.
Even if it's just a little bit.
"Madam, why are you standing here in a daze again?"
A crisp sound interrupted her thoughts.
It was a new maid named Xiao Cui who had just arrived in the mansion. She was clever and cute, and Qian Si had specially chosen her to serve Qin Shuyu.
"It's nothing."
Qin Shuyu forced a smile and folded the clothes in her hands.
"Madam, look, these are grapes that Steward Qian just sent over. He said they're from the Western Regions and they're very sweet. Would you like to try some?"
Xiao Cui came over carrying a plate of crystal-clear purple grapes.
Qin Shuyu looked at the plate of grapes, but had no appetite.
She stood up, walked into the yard, and took a deep breath.
There seemed to be a tense atmosphere in the air.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from the direction of the front yard, mixed with the clash of weapons and a short scream.
"What happened?"
Qin Shuyu's heart jumped into her throat instantly.
"Don't be afraid, madam!"
Xiao Cui quickly helped her up:
"It seems that some fools tried to break into our mansion again, but were dealt with by Steward Qian's men."
Xiao Cui seemed to be used to this kind of thing.
"These past few days, there have been some self-important martial arts practitioners who tried to come to our manor to test our strength, but they all ended up having their legs broken and being thrown out."
Qin Shuyu's body trembled slightly.
She looked in the direction Xiao Cui was pointing and saw two men in black dragging a blood-soaked, unconscious man toward the back door, like a dead dog.
The bloody scene made her stomach churn.
But she didn't scream like before, nor did she close her eyes.
She just watched quietly.
She saw the two men in black, their faces expressionless, as if they were simply dealing with a piece of trash.
She noticed that the servants around her were all bowing their heads, doing their own things as if they hadn't seen anything.
Is this the world my uncle lives in now?
A world filled with bloodshed and slaughter, where human life is treated like dirt.
And every day in this world, he struggles and fights to protect himself.
An unprecedented determination began to grow wildly in Qin Shuyu's heart.
She can't go on like this!
She could no longer take for granted the comfort that her uncle had bought with his life!
She also wants to... become stronger!
Even if I can't become a towering, powerful figure like my uncle.
But at the very least, she needs to have the ability to protect herself!
At least when danger comes, she won't be a burden to her uncle, and might even... be able to help him a little!
Once this thought takes hold, it can never be stopped.
That evening, after Yang Qian finished dealing with the affairs of the manor, he dragged his tired body back to his room and found that Qin Shuyu had not gone to sleep as usual, but was waiting for him with the lamp lit.
"Sister-in-law, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Yang Qian was somewhat surprised.
Qin Shuyu stood up and walked up to him, her beautiful eyes fixed on him.
The fragility and timidity of the past were gone from her eyes; in their place was an unprecedented firmness and determination.
"Uncle."
She took a deep breath and mustered the greatest courage of her life.
"I want to... learn martial arts from you."
"What?"
Yang Qian was stunned; he wondered if he had misheard.
"Sister-in-law, what did you say? Learn martial arts?"
"Um."
Qin Shuyu nodded vigorously and repeated it.
"Uncle, I want to learn martial arts! I don't want to be a burden to you anymore! I want to... protect myself, and I also want to... be able to help you when you need me!"
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resolute, filled with unwavering determination.
Yang Qian looked at her, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.
He never imagined that his frail and helpless sister-in-law would take the initiative to learn martial arts.
His first instinct was to refuse.
Learning martial arts is a very difficult and dangerous thing.
He didn't want his sister-in-law to suffer that hardship or take that risk.
He just wanted her to be a quiet little princess, cherished and pampered.
But when he saw Qin Shuyu's determined eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say no.
He saw a longing in those eyes.
A desire to be unworthy of mediocrity and to be protected as a weakling.
He suddenly understood.
By constantly protecting her under his wing, he not only gave her safety but also deprived her of the right to choose her own life.
Perhaps, letting her experience this real and cruel world, and empowering her to protect herself, is the true way to respect her.
and……
Yang Qian thought of the most basic book, "Changchun Gong".
Although that cultivation technique is not very powerful, it is peaceful and balanced, making it most suitable for women to cultivate.
More importantly, it has the effects of prolonging life and strengthening the body.
My sister-in-law has always been in poor health. If she could practice the "Eternal Spring Gong," it would definitely be of great benefit to her health.
Thinking about this, Yang Qian's resolve wavered.
He pondered for a long time before slowly speaking.
"Sister-in-law, learning martial arts is very tough."
"I'm not afraid of hardship!"
Qin Shuyu answered immediately.
"Learning martial arts will lead to injuries, bleeding, and even... death."
"I'm not afraid of anything as long as it helps my uncle!"
Qin Shuyu's eyes showed no sign of backing down.
Yang Qian looked at her and finally let out a long sigh.
He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Silly sister-in-law."
He said in a low voice.
"Okay, I'll teach you."
Qin Shuyu's body trembled slightly in his arms.
She then stretched out her arms and hugged Yang Qian's waist tightly.
She buried her face in his chest, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.
But this time, they were tears of joy.
She knew that from this moment on, her life would be completely changed.
She was no longer the orphaned girl of the Qin family who could only depend on others.
She will become someone who can fight alongside her beloved uncle!
Although she is still very weak.
But she believed that one day she would be able to catch up with him!