The appearance of Jun Hua cannot be described as mere shocking. She makes the whole class stunned silly! Her face is still covered by a veil, but she has already made all the noble girls feels defeated.
Lin San stared at that face with hatred. She doesn't like to see someone as pretty as Jun Hua standing there. With just standing she has gained the attention of the whole class. Then there's her brother Jun Min who makes the girls wants to get close even more. Lin San shifted his gaze away, refusing to look at the girl.
Jun Hua gaze naturally catches Lin San action. She smiled behind her veil. Before long, she would make that girl comes to her on her own will. Of course, it still requires some effort on her side as there's no way she could change an arrogant girl like that easily.
It's fine, she has plenty of time. Jun Hua gaze turned back to the smiling teacher and she bowed a bit.
"Jun Hua greets Teacher Pei."
Teacher Pei real name is Xuan Pei. He's not a noble, but a scholar who achieves good result. He refuses to serve as official because he doesn't like the dirty palace so he becomes a teacher in this academy.
Xuan Pei nodded and allowed Jun Hua to sit down before explaining about this week lessons plan. After carefully explaining all of it, he called the female teacher who starts to teach the girls how to do needlework.
Most of the girls are already proficient in this matter since they have learned the basic the year before. But for someone like Jun Hua who only touch needles yesterday, this is a huge hurdle. It doesn't require her long to make a mess of her thread.
"Teacher, I think I need some help."
The female teacher almost fainted when she sees the mess Jun Hua has made. In the end, she has to start explaining all of the process to Jun Hua before the girl could barely make a good one line of stitches.
Even after the first hour of the lessons end, she cannot advance further than one line.
"Wow, I never thought that there's someone worse than me."
A comment from the side makes Jun Hua raised her head in bewilderment. She sees a girl around the same age with her standing beside her with her hands on her hips. The girl has a delicate face, but cannot be considered pretty at most only graceful. Her clothes are good which indicate that her family status is quite high.
Jun Hua lowered her eyes. "I have never learned needlework before."
The girl grinned. "Well, I have only learned a little bit. They're truly boring! But my father won't allow me to escape from my lesson."
Jun Hua is surprised to see a frank girl among the nobles. Most of them have beautiful words but behind it is a deadly trap. Seeing someone who just speaks out what's on her mind is truly a pleasant surprise.
"My name is Fan Lanying. I'm really curious, are you truly useless in woman works like the rumors?"
With the question head strike to her weakest point, Jun Hua had no way to answer that. It's not like she's completely useless. At least she still knows how to count their income and manage household (by dumping everything to her servants). But compared to many other nobles, she has to admit that she's not their match.
Seeing Jun Hua didn't answered, Fan Lanying immediately thought that she's a timid young lady. She also didn't press her any longer, only taking a seat by her side.
"The chair next to you is empty. Let me see your needlework. Although I'm not the best, I should be able to do better than you."
Jun Hua handed the silk on her hand and Fan Lanying examine it for a moment before smiling.
"It's not too bad, but you're too rough..."
For the second hour of the lesson, Fan Lanying helped her make another neat line and tells her how to make other shape. She herself has her own embroidery and it's still looks very beautiful despite her claim that she's the worst in the class.
Before long, the lesson has finished. Fan Lanying stretched up her body with happiness.
"Finally, I can go home and continue my training."
Fan Lanying words piqued Jun Hua interest. She doesn't have much knowledge about Fan family, but the girl in front of her is highly interesting.
"Training?"
"Yes! I wish to become a general like my father."
Jun Hua blanked for a moment. A general? Isn't Fan Lanying a girl? She still doesn't remember the law allowed girls to participate in the war. Besides, if it's not because of the law, she wouldn't have bothered to change her identity.
Fan Lanying laughed when she sees Jun Hua face.
"Right now, it's still impossible for woman to join the army. But even if it's so, there's no rule that prohibit woman to train and become stronger. Even if I couldn't become a general, I wish to be stronger so I could help my brother training."
Jun Hua nodded. Her words make sense. Although they're not allowed to participate in the war, there are no rules against women growing stronger. It's just, if a woman is not 'virtuous' and 'gentle', how could she married in the future? Those high-ranked officials would rarely choose such a tomboy-girl.
Fan Lanying peer into her face. "Don't think about it, my family will resolve those matters for me."
Jun Hua smiled. It seems Fan Lanying has long gotten used with people reaction towards her decision to train and didn't follow the usual rules.
"See you tomorrow Jun Hua."
"See you tomorrow."
Fan Lanying waved as she walked towards her carriage. Seeing that, Jun Hua also cleaned up her things and walked towards Xia. Today lesson is really tiring.
