"The Lin family has met with lots of misfortune," Fan Lanying said as she studied with Jun Hua in the school.
Jun Hua nodded. Part of it was her scheme, but the rest was from what Chun Maora had sown. She will stay in jail for a long time until Jun Hua won't even remember her anymore.
"Today's lesson is music. How's your skill, Jun Hua?"
Jun Hua smiled sheepishly. She hasn't learned much about music. Hopefully, the teacher won't pick on her again. Unfortunately...
"Jun Hua you try to play this song."
Jun Hua awkwardly came forward and started playing the zither. The sounds she made were barely correct and some students even held their ears. Halfway through, the teacher stopped her.
"Stay behind until you can play correctly."
That day, Jun Hua kept on plucking the string with Fan Lanying waiting beside her. The girl said that she didn't have anything to do at home too, so it was better to stay behind and help Jun Hua learn. After all, in a few days, it will be their test day.
"You have to use less force and move more... how do you say it? Swing, I guess?"
Fan Lanying's choice of words truly made Jun Hua feel a headache. She hadn't helped her much and even until the end, she still could not play the song correctly. The teacher dismissed her since she too has become depressed by how poor Jun Hua played.
"How about you skip school and meet me at my home tomorrow? Math is so boring," Fan Lanying suggested.
Jun Hua thought about it for a while. It was true that she had grown tired of changing places with Yamin every Friday and getting surrounded by the girls. Since she is about to finish her lesson, there is no harm in visiting her friend's home first.
"Sure then."
The next day the girls in the academy felt heart-broken because Jun Min wouldn't come. On the contrary, the teacher felt relief because the appearance of Jun Min would surely create another chaos in the academy.
"Excuse me for interrupting," Jun Hua said as she came in.
Madam Fan, Fan Lanying's mother, was there and she seemed to be happy for Jun Hua's visit. She was wearing a plain dress, but maybe because she is the wife of a general, she has an air of authority around her. She quickly ushered Jun Hua and her servants to come in as she ordered the servants to call Fan Lanying from her room.
"Jun Hua greets Madam Fan."
Madam Fan smiled. "You don't have to be so polite. Lanying is upstairs so you have to wait for a while."
"It is fine, Madam Fan."
Madam Fan stared at the girl before her. The girl is still as pretty as before. She only used a simple dress but it has made her looks exceptionally charming. Madam Fan truly wondered how can there be someone so pretty like her. She looked as if she came from a painting.
Fan Lanying came down quickly after she heard about Jun Hua's arrival. The girl was wearing her training clothes and in her hand was a wooden dagger.
"Jun Hua, come accompany me in my training," she pushed Jun Hua to the training room. Madam Fan only laughed at her daughter's action and continued to sip her tea. She was glad that her daughter had a decent friend.
Jun Hua refused to train with Fan Lanying. It was not because she can't, but because her skill was far above Fan Lanying. If she were to fight the other party, it will look like bullying.
Fan Lanying also didn't force her as she started to practice her usual moves. Not long after her practice started, someone came.
"Lanying, you're still practicing? I thought you would stop when I leave?" A burst of laughter reached their ears. A young man around the age of 18 walked inside. He was wearing training clothes too with his sword hanging by his waist. His face was similar with Fan Lanying, but he was much taller than her.
"Big Brother," Fan Lanying said excitedly. She ran to his side and looked at him from top to bottom. "You have grown taller."
He messed up Fan Lanying's hair. "Isn't it you who has grown shorter?"
"Big Brother!"
He turned towards Jun Hua, "This is?"
"This is Jun Hua, my best friend," Fan Lanying answered. "And Jun Hua, this is my brother, Fan Ying. He's the captain of a small squad, I guess."
Fan Ying almost choked on the air. "I'm a captain of a hundred army squad, Lanying..."
"Oh yes, sorry about that," Fan Lanying stick out her tongue.
"Nice to meet you, Fan Ying," Jun Hua greeted.
Fan Ying nodded. "You don't have to address me so politely. I'm just one of the few captains under your brother."
Jun Hua was startled. Fan Ying is someone below her? Wait a minute... she doesn't really remember him. She has thousands of soldiers under her and she only managed to remember around 4/5 of them all. Besides, if he had just been promoted, there was no chance to meet her before.
Looking at Jun Hua's doubtful face, Fan Ying laughed. "You don't have to display that face to me. I have just joined his soldiers a few months ago."
Jun Hua nodded.
Fan Lanying's eyes flashed. "If you're under her brother then, Jun Hua can you ask your brother to give my brother a promotion?"
"..."
Promotion is not that easy. The person in question must have done merit and have been under service for a long time for it to happen. In Jun Min's case, she had done exceptional battles and won a lot of merit thus making her rank rise very quickly. It's not like she cannot pick people to promote if they're under her, but she needs a reason for that.
Looking at the two faces that stared at her weirdly, Fan Lanying laughed dryly. "Fine, I'm just kidding..."
Fan Ying laughed. "Don't worry Lanying, there will be more chances for me to rise through ranks."
"But you have been in the military for 4 years and is still only a captain..."
"I'm just lacking the opportunity," Fan Ying said simply.
Jun Hua listened to their conversation curiously. Given the aura Fan Ying had, she knew that he was someone capable. How can he not rise that quickly in these 4 years?
