Zhu Changle and Aunt Feng, who was carrying a package, headed straight for the Chengde Medical Clinic.
When Tang Ming saw her, his eyes lit up at first, but then remembering the eldest young master's warning, he suppressed all his thoughts and waited for the fourth young lady to speak.
"Tang Ming, could you draw me pictures of the medicinal herbs that are in season now?"
Tang Ming was surprised, "Not just the spices?"
"No, any medicinal herbs will do." Zhu Changle explained helplessly, "I forgot it's only May. When I asked the kitchen staff, they said some spices aren't even growing on the mountains yet. Aunt Feng has already memorized some of them. Just draw some valuable medicinal herbs, and I'll have them bring those back too. Since we're using them for trading, I can decide what to trade with."
Understanding her intention, Tang Ming readily counted out several drawings for her. "August and September are when most medicinal herbs are available, but Yunbei's weather is warmer than most places, so some herbs are already growing."
Zhu Changle looked at the drawings herself and showed them to Aunt Feng. Seeing that Aunt Feng recognized about seventy to eighty percent of them, she felt relieved - with Aunt Feng by her side, there was nothing to worry about!
"Alright, I'm off."
"Fourth Young Lady." Tang Ming called out to her as she was about to run off. When she turned back, he found himself at a loss for words, feeling more apologetic than he had even when facing the eldest young master.
Zhu Changle grew impatient, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm in a hurry!"
"I spoke out of turn yesterday. I apologize to Fourth Young Lady." Tang Ming bowed.
"Apology accepted, see you later." Zhu Changle waved and ran off, not forgetting to urge Aunt Feng, "Hurry up, hurry up, we're late."
At the dock, having received word about today's change in training plans, the group wasn't idle, still earnestly practicing their horse stance. Their progress was visible, and they were training with increasing vigor.
"I'm here!" Zhu Changle lightly touched her toes and leaped from afar, landing on the large rock.
"Today we're going to the mountains."
The crowd exchanged uncertain glances. Unlike Zhu Changle with her superior skills and courage, even those living at the foot of the mountains only dared to gather firewood and catch rabbits on the smaller hills nearby. Venturing deep into the mountains was absolutely forbidden - it wasn't just the tigers they feared, even a single wolf or wild boar could be enough to end their lives. Landless hunters had always been the least desirable matches for young women, as most didn't live to old age - they either disappeared in the mountains or succumbed to their injuries.
This fear had been passed down through generations, ingrained in their bones.
Zhou Zheng tentatively asked, "Miss Zhu, do you want to test how well we've learned?"
"You're still far from ready!" Zhu Changle put her hands on her hips like a little boss. "The horse stance is to stabilize your foundation, but that alone is far from enough. I've thought of a way to train your endurance. See that mountain?"
Zhu Changle pointed to the mountain range not far to the west. "We're going there."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw it wasn't the deep mountains to the east. Although no one dared to go alone to this western mountain either, it looked much lower than the eastern ones.
Zhou Zheng pointed to the sandbags on his arm, "Should we bring these?"
"Not today. I want to test your endurance first."
The forty-eight people quickly removed their sandbags, shaking their feet and stretching their arms, feeling suddenly lighter.
"Ready? Aunt Feng, lead them first."
Aunt Feng nodded, taking her whip in hand. Those who had suffered from it before tensed up at the sight.
"Let's go."
Watching the group being herded like ducks by Aunt Feng, Zhu Changle covered her mouth to suppress her laughter. She jumped down from the rock in front of her second brother and asked, "Second Brother, are you coming?"
Zhu Changning thought it over, wanting to go but worried he wouldn't be able to keep up.
"I hope you'll come."
Zhu Changning looked at his youngest sister, "Why?"
"After these days, you've actually become their real manager."
"They respect you."
Zhu Changle shook her head, "They don't just respect me, they submit to me because I'm stronger than them. You're different. You manage them with rules and regulations, making them obey you. It's called... called... authority, yes! You have authority in their eyes. They fear you, but it's different from fearing physical strength. Oh dear, I'm explaining this all jumbled up. Second Brother, do you understand what I mean?"
"I think I get the general idea." Zhu Changning smiled rarely, "I'll go."
"That's more like it." Without another word, Zhu Changle went behind her second brother and pushed him forward. "It doesn't matter if you can't keep up. Everyone knows you're a scholar. Scholarly types are naturally weaker physically, nobody expects you to be incredibly strong."
"So scholars are useless?"
"I take it back, I take it back! Scholars are the most useful! The country is governed by civil officials. I'll fight anyone who says scholars are useless!"
"I'll help you fight them." Zhu Changning reached back to tap her head, but Zhu Changle ducked and ran to the side, "Can't catch me, can't catch me! I still say scholars are useless, nya nya nya..."
She really deserved a smack! Zhu Changning couldn't help but laugh as he picked up his pace to follow.
"Second Brother, you need to conserve your energy." Zhu Changle ran back and walked backward while gesturing animatedly. "If you walk too fast now, you'll run out of energy later. Walking at a steady pace will take you further."
"What if I run out of energy halfway?"
"Then you rest!" Zhu Changle grinned at her second brother, secretly delighting in her heart. It felt so good without her second sister-in-law around! Just like old times.
"Just follow this path straight ahead, go as far as you can, and wait at the foot of the mountain. I'll have Little Golden wait for you there. If you want to climb up, let it guide you to find me." Zhu Changle smiled sweetly. "It will protect you."
She made the fierce bird sound like an obedient pet, and surprisingly, it really was docile in front of her. Zhu Changning looked toward the mountain, "Don't worry about me, you go ahead."
"I'm off then." Zhu Changle whistled to call Little Golden down, patted and stroked it, and whispered to it for quite a while.
Seeing Little Golden circling overhead after she left, Zhu Changning felt warmth in his heart, and his steps became lighter.
Catching up with the group ahead was the simplest thing for Zhu Changle. Although going to the mountain had multiple purposes, when she saw how scattered the formation had become after such a short distance, with their breathing clearly irregular, she frowned - their endurance was far too poor.
Thinking about how ruthless her master had been when training her, she understood why strict masters produce outstanding disciples. Take herself for example - it was because of her master's strictness that she became so capable!
Compared to her master, she was still too soft-hearted. This wouldn't do, Zhu Changle criticized herself internally.
"Don't slow down, and don't suddenly speed up either. Conserve your energy and run at a steady pace." Zhu Changle ran beside them, giving instructions. "Just run at a comfortable pace. Endurance training is about how long you can last, not how fast you can run. Follow my lead and adjust your steps."
In terms of status, Zhu Changle was their teaching master, her words carrying as much weight as their parents'. They watched Miss Zhu's feet and matched their steps, finally achieving synchronization, but after running a short distance, they gradually fell out of step again.
"Crack!" The sound of the whip in the air immediately jolted them back to attention, and they continued running with renewed focus.
Zhu Changle realized that physical intimidation worked.
