Временные трудности / Temporary hardships: Глава 2

Chapter 2, in which the hero takes a step towards his dream
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Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 12:46

"You'll never be able to become like me, of course," came a soft, slightly mocking voice. "But these are only temporary hardships!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 12:50

When Han heard those words behind him, he almost jumped up with indignation. He hadn't seen the speaker yet, but he realized with sudden jade clarity that he wouldn't like this man. It wasn't even because Han had to hurry from the refectory to the small reception room in the other wing of the mansion. No, it was a matter of course that the youngest heir of the House of Nao could not meet a guest in the inner chambers or, ha ha, in his bedroom. And not so much that this ignoramus used the words of two completely different characters at once. Although the insidious and ruthless villain Dariush Al-Tsap had said that Bao Xiao's Impetuous Blade could not become like him, the phrase about temporary hardships was a favorite saying of Liu Mingfei's Ice Crow, who never gave up and was not afraid of troubles. Accordingly, to use these phrases at the same time was a sign of extreme bad taste.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 12:52

Han was going to make the meeting with his future mentor as dignified as possible. He stood in the reception area with his back to the entrance, his posture thoughtful and relaxed, looking at the engravings hanging on the walls with a sage's gaze, which, of course, were no match for the deep philosophical sayings that adorned the walls of his bedroom.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 01:28

When the teacher arrived, and the servant announced his arrival, Han would turn around with noble restraint and give the guest an attentive glance, showing that, however illustrious he might be, the House of Nao was to be taken very seriously. And that would be the beginning of a harmonious teacher-student relationship based on dignity and mutual respect.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 01:29

And that rude man who spoke first without asking instantly ruined everything!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 01:29

Han turned around, noting with displeasure that his new teacher was not accompanied by servants. He was brought by not only Father Guang but also Mother Lihua as if he were the most honored guest. And against their backdrop, the guest looked like a pitiful sparrow next to the two dazzling phoenixes!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:47

The teacher looked ridiculous. Instead of the expected silk robes, he wore some sort of leather jacket studded with rivets, wide belts, and wide leather pants. Instead of beaded silk shoes with curved toes, he wore boots like a commoner or a soldier. His clothes made him look like one of the barbarian mercenaries or shenzi of his father's troops. Even the servants in Nao's house looked better than this 'teacher'! At least they wore silk! The only ornament, the white jade plate on his belt, looked ridiculous, like a peacock feather on a crow!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:48

His appearance was equally disappointing. Instead of his aristocratic, elegant pallor, his face was covered with a vulgar tan that he did not even try to hide with rice powder. His hair was cut short, just below his shoulders, and tied back in a ponytail with a simple cord instead of the elaborate hairdo he was supposed to wear.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:49

His arms, peeking out from the short sleeves of his jacket, appeared to be ungracefully strong and muscular, violating all the canons of subtlety and grace expected of a noble teacher. Instead of a sword with a jade hilt on his belt, there was a stick sticking out from behind his back that looked suspiciously like the ones the peasants on the estate used to use in their black-footed fuss.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:51

And the facial features... Han couldn't call him ugly. On the contrary, his face was attractive in its own barbaric way. But it was not the face of a respected wise teacher, but of a crude, amusing companion of the hero, who appeared only to be killed by the dastardly hirelings of a hostile house in the first third of the story, giving the protagonist an excuse to take terrible revenge for him.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:53

"Dear..." the mother spoke, stepping forward and stopping between Han and the guest, as if wanting to cover her son from all harm with her body.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:54

Even though she knew how eagerly Han was looking forward to the teacher's arrival, she instantly sensed with her motherly heart that the new mentor was not living up to her son's expectations.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:55

"Enough!" General Guang rumbled, raising his hand. "For two cycles, I have put up with all these excuses and tricks, tales of illness, and a weak heart. I have waited for a long time. Now it is your turn to wait, my noble wife."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:56

"But how can I wait if you're going to hurt our child?" Lihua clasped her snow-white hands.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:56

Pain? Is he going to be hurt? But that's not how it works. That's not how it should be! Yes, sitting in the lotus posture all day long, letting qi flow through the dantian, wasn't very fun or exciting, but no one ever said it was going to be painful!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:58

Fearless and powerful, even if not personally as strong as the imperial Grandmasters of Qi, but still an illustrious general who had spent many years away from home, on the borders, and in wars, General Guang hesitated. He was very fond of his third wife, Han's mother, and it seemed that her defenses would work now.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 12:59

"Our son was so weak and tender. He was sick so much, and you are obviously up to something bad. You want to cause him pain and suffering!" The snow-white hands soared to the ceiling again. "He has a weak heart!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:01

"I'm sorry, Lady Lihua," the one who had been brought in by his father suddenly stepped forward.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:03

He bowed with his hand to his chest, and Han stared at him, grumbling angrily. If this is the villain, he is Bao Xiao, who will smite the villain with his impetuous blade!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:03

"Pain brings not only suffering but also joy and new life. I hear your delivery of young Master Han Nao was difficult?"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:08

"Yes, I almost lost my dear Lihua," Guang immediately sounded like a battle gong.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:08

"And now you're going to lose your son and me! How can I endure such suffering?! Can't you see, dear, that our son is already sick? Tomorrow, Dr. Ping will examine him, give him treatment, and after that..."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:09

"No after!" for a moment Han felt like he was on a battlefield against hordes of Evil. "Enough! Your love has blinded you, Lihua, and it has blinded me, almost preventing the wrong from happening! I would have gone away, resigned, but Heaven has sent me a sign!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:10

He pointed to the "teacher" he had brought with him, and Han suddenly noticed that the maids who had come with his mother and the two guardsmen who had accompanied his father were watching the scene and exchanging eloquent glances. Along with anger came resentment. He and his mother had always been kind to the servants and lenient with their mistakes. It was his father who had always chased them away and reprimanded them. And now they were almost laughing and mocking, except they were not pointing their fingers at him!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:12

Believe me, Mrs. Lihua, the upbringing, and development of your honorable offspring is a noble concern. I will do my best to protect your son's graceful tree from the influence of misfortune and will not let it wither away.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:13

Han frowned even more, sensing the mockery. He had once read the phrase about house, tree, and son, and he had skillfully improved it, adding the words that one should plant enough trees for a house full of sons and still have some left over. He wrote beautifully on a scroll, even planted the first tree, and hung the scroll on a branch, intending to plant a tree a day, moving towards the horizon. But the next day, it rained, then the idle servants lost the seedling, then new scrolls of The Pork-loving Battle Monk Zhu's Adventures were brought, and then the first tree began to wither for some reason, and somehow everything was forgotten.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:23

But how would an imposter "teacher" know that?

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:23

"He's not too modest for his look," Han said, looking his father firmly in the eye.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:48

The one squinted menacingly in response, so Han had to look away.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:52

"One should never be ashamed of one's victories and should admit one's blunders and defeats as befits a man," replied the impostor in his father's stead, with a quotation that Han considered one of his most successful creations.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:53

"You're kidding me!" Han flared up, losing all desire to follow etiquette. And who was there to show off to? Certainly not this commoner brigand!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:54

His legs were weak from worry and painful disappointment. He took a few stiff steps toward the wall and collapsed into a chair, clutching at his heart. //"One cannot rely on others. A worthy man takes fate into his own hands." Following his own wise saying in addition to the gesture with his heart Han also groaned, showing how much he was suffering from the injustice of the cruel world.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:55

"A-ya! A-ya!" Mother exclaimed angrily. "Look who you have brought! Some black-footed peasant who insults our son! And Haonya's health is already very poor!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:56

"Shut up, woman!" Guang shouted. "This is not some quack like your Ping, this is ...."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 13:57

Han tried so hard to make himself look as painful and exhausted as possible. At that moment, his heart really did feel a prick, so he listened to himself with horror, forgetting everything in the world. But the prick was not repeated, and he breathed out a sigh of relief, returning to the noisy and terrible reality.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:00

"...of the White Jade Emblem, the youngest of the Qi Grandmasters in the whole Empire!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:00

Of course, Han didn't miss anything interesting!

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:01

"Youngest" bowed his head, hiding a smug grin.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:01

"Honey, why don't you start teaching our son on your own?" asked Mrs. Lihua suddenly, ingratiatingly.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:08

Han perked up. The idea was a great one. Father never had time anyway, and the subordinates he assigned to train his son couldn't resist Mother's direct orders.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:08

"Because I've tried it many times before, remember?" rumbled Guang's voice again like on a battlefield.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:09

Han took his hands away from his heart and covered his ears, feeling a prick of anxiety at the same time. Normally, things unfolded in a different scenario. Once he grabbed his heart, Mother would rush to his defense, and Father would retreat. Why was his father back now? What did that insolent man who dared not only condemn the Han Tree but also mocked Han sayings tell him?

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:10

"...just after the first dozen years, after he was given an adult name! And what did you do?"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:11

"You destroyed our son's potential! You've overworked him and strained him, so he'll never be able to use his qi! If I hadn't invited Dr. Suo."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:12

"Don't mention that charlatan to me! The only thing he's accomplished is curing the infertility of a dozen maids!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:12

The maids who had accompanied her looked at each other meaningfully but did not dare to giggle. By now, there were half a dozen servants in the corridor behind her parents, who had suddenly had a lot of urgent business to attend to in this wing of the mansion and, for some reason, only near the Small Jasper Reception Hall.

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:13

"And you drove them all away! Dr. Nang."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:02

"His ginseng pills turned out to be fake. It only miraculously no one was poisoned!"

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:02

"Dr. Ao..."

Camrad_RIP 08.01.24 в 14:01