Chapter 430 - 154: Difficulties
Chapter 154: Hardship
Before going to sleep, Bai Yi noticed the study still had lights on and quietly asked Xi Yu, "Why hasn’t the young lady gone to sleep?" It was so late, what was Third Miss Lian still doing in the study?
Xi Yu said with a smile, "Miss Bai doesn’t know, our young lady practices writing every night till the Hai Hour; she won’t go to sleep until the time comes." It was precisely because of her excessive dedication that calluses had formed on her hands. Despite applying ointment every night before bed, it was useless, and Yueyao’s attendants were very worried about her because of it.
A look of contemplation appeared in Bai Yi’s eyes. Since her arrival at Begonia Garden, she had never seen Yueyao rest; this level of earnest dedication shook her profoundly.
The next day, two quarters past the Mao Hour, Yueyao got up on time. Just after washing up, she saw Bai Yi waiting for her in the courtyard. Bai Yi looked at Yueyao’s loose clothing and was not very pleased, but for now, there was no choice but to make do. The first thing Bai Yi taught Yueyao was the standing post method, introducing, "Starting today, you will stand in the post position for half a shichen every morning." Besides assuming the horse stance, two sandbags were also added to her hands.
Yueyao did as told. At first, it was alright, but after five minutes passed, Yueyao began to realize the agony involved; anyone lacking willpower would have surely sat down by now. Yueyao held on for dear life, with sweat drops the size of beans falling to the ground.
After half an hour, Bai Yi came out and saw Yueyao still in the horse stance, though by now she was wavering.
Yueyao’s mind was fuzzy at the moment; she truly wanted to sit down on the ground so the pain would stop. However, a belief supported her, urging her not to give up and to persist. Each time she felt like she couldn’t hold on, Yueyao thought of her past experiences. She always reminded herself that it’s better to rely on oneself than on others. Now that she had such an excellent opportunity, she had to persist and gain Bai Yi’s approval to learn the skills to protect herself.
Yueyao kept telling herself that compared to her previous life, this pain was nothing. What matters in one’s endeavors is willpower; not giving up is the victory.
Bai Yi saw Yueyao’s beautiful face contorted in agony, but she still continued without giving up, and Bai Yi felt a silent admiration for Yueyao’s tenacity.
After half an hour, Bai Yi finally said, "That’s enough." Half an hour in the horse stance wasn’t really much; she used to persist for an hour each day. But considering Yueyao was a pampered young lady, she couldn’t use the same standard for her. Moreover, Yueyao was not following her path; learning these things was at most for self-defense and increasing hand strength.