Jun Hua rested on her home lazily the next day. By her side, Xia is the one preparing for the things she needed at school.
"Miss, you have to prepare early. Your lesson on Monday is about embroidery and you need to learn how to hold the needle properly."
Jun Hua stared at the needle like it's her biggest enemy. She has tried a few times only to get her hands pricked countless times. The calm demeanor she usually possess as general has vanished completely in front of this needle.
"I hate embroidery."
Xia smiled helplessly. Surprisingly, the excellent 'Jun Min' has times when she's defeated completely without any change to retaliate.
"Come on, you're the one who wanted to learn in the first place."
Jun Hua sighed. "If I know how troublesome it is, I prefer to stay at the frontline and forget my identity as Jun Hua..."
"Miss..."
Filled with reluctance, Jun Hua picked the needle, the thread, and the silk. Before long, the sound of a angry woman filled the room.
Xia doesn't know whether to laugh or cry seeing the helpless situation Jun Hua in. In the end, she could only put away the embroidery equipment and take out a book. This time she chooses the math book.
"Woman needs to learn etiquette, music, painting, needlework, and math. I can't help with etiquette, music, and painting, but at least I know math and needlework."
Jun Hua picked the book Xia take out and started to do the exercise. In a couple of minutes, she returned the book to Xia.
"I'm done."
Xia looks at the answer with wide eyes. Jun Hua had already answered the entire question inside the book perfectly. Xia feels bursting into tears, to think that she needed one whole day to finish this book and her miss could do it much more quickly...
Jun Hua laughed. "I have learnt about all of it when I'm studying strategy, so it's normal that you cannot beat me. Anyway, what I need to learn is the other things aside from math."
In terms of math, if there's anyone among the girls at the academy could beat her, it's already a miracle in itself. Since she has to think about various strategy days and night, she's already very familiar with counting and the likes. If one wants to find her match, they better call another general or veteran strategist.
Xia took the book resentfully. "Madam Mu will come this afternoon. She will give you some introduction for etiquette and painting."
"She has finished her task?"
"It seems so. You should be glad that she's willing to be your teacher."
Jun Hua nodded. Madam Mu was a palace maid, but she slowly climbed through ranks and became a female official. Her main job is to teach etiquette and manner, but she already retired years ago. In the past, her mother also studied under this madam and learned a lot from her.
A lot of nobles are trying to invite Madam Mu to teach their daughter, but she's picky and won't accept request lightly. The reason she's willing to come here is that she has good relation with Jun Hua mother and she's also one of the few people who knows about her dual identity.
"I only hope that she won't treat me too harshly."
"That's..." impossible. Xia wanted to say that, but she didn't dare to. In the end she could only pray that her miss can survive through the arduous training.
That afternoon, Madam Mu comes. She has round face that seems to exude friendliness despite her old age. She came dressed plainly in silvery gray brocade dress and hair that's tied with a simple pin. Her whole appearance seems modest and neat.
"Little Hua, you have grown," Madam Mu looks at Jun Hua with smile. She has met the girl once before, but at that time, the little girl dressed as boy.
Jun Hua smiled. "Thank you Madam Mu."
Madam Mu examines Jun Hua carefully. She has not expected that the girl-like boy she meets in the past would turn into a beautiful flower. Even though she has long seen many beautiful women, she has to admit that Jun Hua is undoubtedly among the top ranks.
The little girl was wearing a white dress with a flowery skirt. Her profile is highly delicate with fair skin similar to a big porcelain doll. Her hair was tied into a bun with silver ribbon. Her clear eyes were beautiful, they seem glittering under the sun light.
Deep inside Madam Mu feels pity that such a beautiful face has to stay hidden from the whole world. Indeed, the more beautiful someone, the more trouble they would bring especially in this era. If it's not like that, why are there phrase: 'a calamitous beauty'?
"It's time to start our lesson. I will instruct you how to walk gracefully."
"Please, Madam Mu."
Once she started teaching, Madam Mu turned into the strictest person. Jun Hua has to repeat the same things for over than dozens of times until she could do it right. By the time they finished learning how to walk gracefully, the sun has long set and Jun Zhenxian has gone to sleep.
"Grandfather didn't wait?" Jun Hua wiped her sweat as she asks.
"No, Old Master said that he's tired and wanted to rest early," Xia answered.
Jun Hua nodded. She has to admit, walking with such speed and caring about her skirt movement is indeed terribly taxing. If not because she has once experience hell training under her grandfather, she doubts that she could pass this lesson safely.
"Heat up some foods, I want to eat before sleeping."
"Miss..."
"I won't go to sleep straightaway after eating! I will walk around a bit."
Although that's what Jun Hua said, in the end she just falls asleep after eating. She's already tired both mentally and physically. Since this is not the battlefield, Jun Hua is reluctant to force herself awake much longer.
Xia sighed helplessly. She cannot really understand her miss at all. One time she's the young general and another time, she's the spoiled young lady.
Madam Mu also goes to rest. She's satisfied with Jun Hua progress since that girl could hold on under her teaching. Tomorrow afternoon is going to be another lesson day.
