Time Travel: The Noble Family

Yueyao waited for Tingzheng to calm down before saying, "Tingzheng, don’t be afraid, your sister can protect herself and you as well, but I can’t protect you for your whole life. Tingzheng, you must learn a skill so that in the future you won’t be controlled by others, and we won’t be manipulated by anyone."

Tingzheng nodded vigorously and said, "I understand, sister. I’ll definitely learn a skill to protect you in the future."

Yueyao nodded with a smile and asked, "Sister believes in you. But tell me honestly, Tingzheng, do you prefer to study literature or martial arts?" Ever since Xiang Wei suggested that it would be better for Tingzheng to practice martial arts, Yueyao had been deliberately asking Hua Shaoye to train Tingzheng more. Hua Shaoye also told Yueyao with certainty that Tingzheng indeed had the talent.

During this time, Yueyao was also in a dilemma. With Tingzheng’s talent, he was not going to achieve much in the imperial examinations; becoming a Scholar was already reaching for the stars. However, if he pursued martial arts, perhaps it could open up a new world for Tingzheng.

Tingzheng hesitated for a while before saying, "Sister, I like studying literature." He remembered he had previously said he wanted to become a Palace Graduate and Juren, to be a court official so he could protect himself.

Yueyao saw Tingzheng’s hesitation and said with a smile, "Studying martial arts can also lead to the imperial examinations; you can still become a Successful Candidate and Palace Graduate and be a court official." If Tingzheng pursued literature, he definitely wouldn’t make any remarkable achievements in his lifetime. Since Tingzheng had a talent for martial arts, why let the pursuit of a false reputation hinder him for a lifetime? Yueyao, having been reborn, saw such things much more lightly. What she was most worried about now was that if Tingzheng pursued martial arts, the war that would come in more than a decade could endanger his life. But within danger lies opportunity, and to rise above others, one must endure the greatest hardships. This is an eternal truth.

Tingzheng was very hesitant, and asked cautiously, "Sister, wouldn’t this harm father’s reputation and be bad for the Lian family?"

Yueyao was startled. From this, it was clear that Tingzheng had also considered this but was unsure who had convinced him otherwise. Yueyao shook her head and said, "No, we must think long-term. If you pursue martial arts and later make achievements in the military, obtaining a position to support the household, then father would be more than happy; why would he be unhappy?"

Listening to Yueyao’s analysis, Tingzheng nodded and said, "Okay, I’ll listen to my sister." If sister said it was good, and he himself also liked martial arts, then he would take this path.

In private, Yueyao asked Xiang Wei, "You said that if Tingzheng takes the path of martial arts, later generations who are talented in literature could pursue it, couldn’t they?"

Xiang Wei replied with a smile, "In theory, it’s feasible, as there’s no law saying the son of a military general cannot enter officialdom through the imperial examinations. But in practice, it’s difficult as literary and martial court officials cannot coexist; the conflict between them is fierce." The main point is that the Emperor doesn’t hope to mix military and literary officials together. It’s best if both sides fight to the death, securing his position as the only stable one.

Yueyao felt somewhat disappointed.