Sheng Yiran looked at Han Xuemei and nodded, "Yes!"
Ye Qingcheng walked up to the constable. "I admire you. What's your name?"
The constable was flattered and straightened his attire. "My name is Pei Changqiu."
Ye Qingcheng nodded. "Pei Changqiu, a good name. I'll remember you. I'll invite you for a gathering sometime!"
The other party immediately replied, "I dare not."
On the way back, Ye Qingcheng tidied her clothes in the carriage. Xiao Wangye said he needed to go to Kaifeng Mansion and would not return with her.
Perhaps it was due to his official duties.
Bixi watched Ye Qingcheng's happiness from meeting Pei Changqiu and couldn't help but remind her, "Your Highness, please maintain some distance from Young Master Pei!"
Ye Qingcheng was puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"
Bixi explained, "When you asked for Young Master Pei's name just now, you didn't see the Prince's expression. It was very displeased."
Ye Qingcheng was speechless. "When has his expression ever been pleasant? He always has the same look."
Bixi thought about it and seemed to agree.
The next day, Ye Qingcheng was woken up early by Elder Jun to practice martial arts. This time, he began to teach her moves.
A simple introductory move took her a full half a month to learn. She had already grasped the essence of the moves, but Elder Jun wouldn't let her switch. He said, "If you can't even master the basics, then you shouldn't learn any advanced techniques later."
Ye Qingcheng was helpless. "But without practical combat experience, how many times I practice will still be the same."
Elder Jun thought about it and agreed. He tidied his sleeves. "That's true. You've been learning for several months now. Come, let me see your progress."
Ye Qingcheng refused. "No."
Elder Jun paused with his hands demonstrating a move, perplexed. "Why is that?"
Ye Qingcheng casually slung the wooden sword over her shoulder. "Think about how old you are and how old I am. We are not peers, so you don't know the gap between me and my peers."
Elder Jun retorted, "You will only improve by comparing yourself to me."
Ye Qingcheng understood.
"It's precisely because I know you are very powerful that... I want to compare myself with my peers..."
Elder Jun found her to be pretentious. "Where are you going to find peers?"
Ye Qingcheng also thought about it. If she were to find Xiao Wangye's hidden guards, they would surely go easy on her because she was the Princess. Perhaps they would even let her win.
Did she really have to spar with Elder Jun?
Wouldn't that be like a dimensional attack?
Then there would be no point in comparing.
But for some reason, the figure of the constable with his sharp sword-like brows and broad shoulders and narrow waist suddenly appeared in her mind.
"I know who to find!"
Elder Jun was full of doubt. Who else could she find?
In a teahouse, Ye Qingcheng and Elder Jun, disguised, came for tea.
It was unavoidable, mainly because Ye Qingcheng had become well-known among the common people after dealing with Han Xuemei on the street that day. Thus, she had to disguise herself.
In the teahouse, people were discussing the case a few days ago when Pei Changqiu, along with several yamen runners, apprehended a burglar.
"I heard that Constable Pei single-handedly subdued the great thief. Constable Pei is quite formidable!"
"That's right!"
Elder Jun put down his cup and listened to their words. "Is this the peer you mentioned who can spar with you?"
Ye Qingcheng said proudly, "Isn't it!"
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd. "Quick, go take a look! The yamen is holding court."
The crowd rushed towards the yamen.
Ye Qingcheng became interested. "Let's go and see."
Elder Jun didn't want to go. "See what? It's all the same."
But Ye Qingcheng was eager and pulled Elder Jun towards the yamen.
By the time they arrived, the crowd was already large, and the trial was nearing its end.
Two people were kneeling in the hall, one still weeping, the other wearing shackles.
In the courtroom, the magistrate of the prefectural office slammed his gavel. "Good. Now that Shen's guilt is clear, he is sentenced to three years in prison to repent and reform."
Ye Qingcheng didn't understand and asked a bystander who was gossiping, "Hey, brother, what's the situation here?"
An aunt glanced at her and explained, "See that man? He committed home robbery and theft. He confessed to his actions, so he has to return the stolen property and go to prison for three years."
"Oh!" Ye Qingcheng understood.
After the court session, the crowd dispersed. Ye Qingcheng, with her sharp eyes, spotted Pei Changqiu at the back, dealing with the aftermath.
Pei Changqiu was handling the aftermath when his shoulder was suddenly tapped. He turned around and saw an unfamiliar young man, but this young man looked so familiar.
Seeing his unfamiliar gaze, Ye Qingcheng felt a pang of discomfort.
"Pei Changqiu, have you forgotten me?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Pei Changqiu remembered who it was.
"Ah! It's the Princess! Your subordinate greets the Princess."
Ye Qingcheng chuckled. "No need for such ceremony. You're too polite."
Pei Changqiu respectfully stood up. "May I ask why the Princess is looking for me?"
Ye Qingcheng pointed to Elder Jun behind her, who was looking around curiously at the yamen runners.
"This is my master, he teaches me martial arts. Today he wants to test my strength, and I really can't find an opponent. I wonder if Brother Pei is free today to spar with me?"
Pei Changqiu looked at Elder Jun, then at the Princess. "The Princess has spoken, and naturally, I won't refuse. However..." He looked at Elder Jun, hesitant to speak.
Ye Qingcheng didn't quite understand his hesitation. "Brother Pei, please speak freely."
Pei Changqiu respectfully said, "To be honest, I have one question. Why not let the Princess's master spar with you?"
Ye Qingcheng sighed. "Mainly because he is too strong, and there's no element of surprise. If I spar with him, I know I will definitely lose. But if I find a peer to spar with, perhaps I can anticipate winning against you."
"So that's how it is."
Pei Changqiu understood.
"Princess, please wait for me for a moment. I'll finish some matters, and then I'll come to find you."
Ye Qingcheng was naturally happy that he agreed.
"It's alright, you tend to your business. I'll wait for you."
Elder Jun walked closer and nudged Pei Changqiu's back with his chin. "Is that the young man you mentioned?"
Ye Qingcheng nodded. "Yes!"
Elder Jun understood. "Hmm! Give up. You can't beat him."
Ye Qingcheng rolled her eyes. "How do you know I can't beat him if we haven't even sparred?"
Elder Jun pressed his finger firmly against her forehead. "Please, use your brain. Just by looking at how he grips the sword hilt, it's from years of holding a sword, with calluses all over his fingers. And the way he walks, with every step, dust is kicked up. That's a sign of internal energy. If you compare yourself to him, it's hopeless."
But Ye Qingcheng was still unconvinced. "How do you know I'll lose if we haven't even sparred? You saying that only makes me want to spar even more."
As a result, she waited for four hours.
Ye Qingcheng fell asleep drooling beside the stone lions.
Elder Jun impatiently kicked Ye Qingcheng's leg.
Ye Qingcheng was woken up. She suddenly looked around, wiped her saliva, and pushed herself up with her wrist. "Hmm? Has he come out? Can we go now?"
Elder Jun threw a small stone at her. "No."