Dao Yun is not a weak woman

Xie Xuan smiled and said, "Sister's words remind me of my childhood. In the past, I was playful and neglected my studies. Sister repeatedly scolded me, saying, 'Why do you not make any progress? Is it because you are preoccupied with worldly affairs and your talent is limited?' I still remember those words to this day."

A warm feeling welled up in Xie Daoyun's heart, along with a touch of emotion: "That was many years ago. You have grown up now, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and are quite imposing. You are no longer the boy I used to urge you to study and practice martial arts."

Xie Xuan shook his head and said solemnly, "I still remember my elder sister's words from back then. Over the years, I have been studying, practicing martial arts, serving in the government, and training soldiers. Whenever I feel lazy, I think of my elder sister's words, 'Why do you not make any progress?' If it weren't for my elder sister's constant encouragement, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to lead the righteous followers and troops in this manor today."

Xie Daoyun smiled, then turned and beckoned to Qingxiao, no longer pursuing the topic. Qingxiao understood and quickly stepped forward to hand her a bow and arrows.

She had her own bow and arrows, slightly shorter than Xie Xuan's, with a thinner bowstring. She held the bow in her hand, slung the quiver over her waist, and walked to the spot where Xie Xuan had just stood.

"It's been a long time since I've practiced archery, I'm a bit rusty," she said, nocking an arrow and drawing the bow.

Her bow-drawing posture differed from Xie Xuan's. Xie Xuan's was vigorous and powerful, pulling the bowstring taut and cleanly. Hers, however, was slow and deliberate; she gradually drew the bowstring, and when it was fully drawn, her arm remained steady, the bow arm perfectly still. Her right hand gripped the string with her index finger slightly loose, her middle finger slightly tight, and her ring finger slightly loose—a skillful technique.

She aimed for a moment, then released the arrow.

"Hmph." The arrow struck the target, but missed the bullseye.

She didn't mind, so she drew another arrow, nocked it, drew the bow, aimed, and released it.

The arrow hit the bullseye.

Her lips curved slightly, then closed again as she continued drawing the arrow.

Arrow after arrow, and arrow after arrow.

After ten arrows were shot, six arrows hit the target, with two of them hitting the bullseye.

Xie Xuan, watching from the side, couldn't help but praise, "Sister, you haven't practiced archery for a long time, yet you still managed to hit the target six out of ten times, and even two out of ten times, which is already excellent."

Xie Daoyun shook her head, handed the bow and arrow to Qingxiao, and looked down at her hands: "I'm rusty. I used to be able to hit seven or eight out of ten arrows. Today I only hit six, and only two of them went into the bullseye."

Xie Xuan knew his elder sister's temperament. She always had high standards for herself, even in archery.

Xie Daoyun tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear and said, "Bring me the knife."

Xie Xuan smiled knowingly, then turned and called out, "Lie Zhong, bring the knife to my sister!"

He Meng responded and soon returned carrying a short knife. The knife was not long, with a blade no more than two feet long, single-edged, slightly thick on the back, and the tip slightly upturned.

Xie Daoyun reached out and took the hilt of the knife, weighed it in her hand, and nodded.

She held the knife in her hand, took a deep breath, and then began to wield it in the winter sunlight.

She began with a stance, the blade slashing upwards from her waist. Then, her steps followed the blade, her body turning with each step, her slashes and strikes perfectly synchronized. Her movements were swift and agile, her steps steady and firm; the sunlight reflected off the frosty blade, creating a dazzling, cold glint.

Don't assume she's a frail woman.

The Xie family's traditions differed from those of ordinary aristocratic families. Although Xie Yi and Xie An both enjoyed philosophical discussions, they did not neglect martial arts. Xie family members not only had to study, but also had to learn riding, archery, and swordsmanship from a young age.

Although Xie Daoyun was a woman, she had practiced martial arts with her brothers, including Xie Xuan, since childhood. However, after getting married and living in the Wang family manor, it was inconvenient for her to practice martial arts. Returning to her parents' home was a different story.

If Liang Shanbo were here today and saw this scene, he wouldn't find it strange.

According to later historical records, at the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Sun En of the Five Pecks of Rice sect rebelled against the Jin and besieged Kuaiji. Wang Ningzhi, who was then the governor of Kuaiji, neither sent troops nor set up defenses. He simply closed his doors and prayed every day, claiming that he had summoned "ghost soldiers" to guard the pass. As a result, the city fell and he was killed.

In the midst of the crisis, Xie Daoyun led the women of her family to break through the encirclement with knives and personally killed several bandits. Even after being captured, she still fiercely protected her young grandson. In the end, Sun En admired her talent and courage, spared her life, and sent her back to her hometown. She then lived as a widow in Kuaiji County.

Xie Daoyun practiced her swordplay for a while, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. Sweat trickled down her temples, dripping onto the rammed earth. Her breathing became somewhat rapid. Yet, she remained focused and composed, her swordplay undiminished. Only at the very end did she turn, sheath her blade, and cease her movements.

Xie Xuan watched intently from the side. Only after she sheathed her sword did he clapp his hands and laugh, "Sister's swordsmanship is still so crisp and clean. Every chop, slash, cut, and interception is precise. Even I might not have such clean technique as you."

Xie Daoyun handed the knife to Xie Xuan, took out a handkerchief, gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, looked down at her wrist, and smiled slightly: "Sister's stamina seems to be not as good as before. In the past, she could wield the knife in one go without changing her expression or panting. Now, she has only been wielding it for a short while and she is already panting. By the last few moves, her wrist was also a little weak."

Xie Xuan said with concern, "Sister, you must be tired. You've come a long way today and practiced for so long on the training ground. Why don't you go inside and rest soon? I've already ordered someone to prepare hot water for you to bathe and relax."

Xie Daoyun shook her head: "I'm not tired yet. I'll ride horses with my sister for a little while longer."

Xie Xuan smiled and nodded, then turned to He Meng and said, "Lie Zhong, bring my sister's horse."

He Meng responded and strode away.

A short while later, He Meng led over a chestnut horse, slightly smaller than Xie Xuan's black horse, with a neatly combed mane and a long, flowing tail. This was Xie Daoyun's own horse, kept at the Xie family manor.

Xie Xuan took the reins and led the chestnut horse to Xie Daoyun. Xie Daoyun reached out and stroked the horse's neck. The chestnut horse recognized her, lowered its head, and gently nuzzled her hand. She smiled slightly, mounted the horse, and moved nimbly and gracefully, not like someone who hadn't ridden in a long time.

Xie Xuan also mounted his black warhorse.

The two rode their horses side by side, the reins loosely held in their hands, slowly making their way across the training ground.

The winter sun shone warmly, and the drill ground was empty and quiet, with only the clatter of horses' hooves on the rammed earth.

Xie Daoyun raised her head, looked at the winter sun in the sky, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the wind brush against her face, causing the stray hairs at her temples to flutter gently.

She turned her head and called out, "Jie."

Xie Xuan turned his head to look at her.

She laughed and said, "The wind on this drill ground is much more refreshing than the wind in Wang's Manor."

Xie Xuan looked at her profile, wanting to say something, but held back for the time being.

Not far away, Qingxiao watched Xie Daoyun and Xie Xuan walking side by side. Seeing the relaxed expression on Xie Daoyun's face, which was rarely seen in the Wang family manor, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve up.

Aqi stood behind Qingxiao, her expression indifferent.