The next day most of the girls spent their time by walking around or looking at the flowers in the garden. Jun Hua stayed at the garden when Fan Lanying came over to accompany her. The girl kept on talking about her experiences with Ming Hui the day before.

“With you having not learned etiquette, are you going to be alright?” Jun Hua asked suddenly.

Fan Lanying pursed her lips. “I don’t want to learn it and Princess Hui said that I could accompany her, so I don’t have to be worried.”

Jun Hua nodded. Although the disparity in their etiquette would be apparent, with Ming Hui at her side, who would dare to mock her? Besides, Fan Lanying was not one to care about these kinds of things. What she wanted was to become a great female general in the future and probably lead her own soldier.

“What did you prepare for her birthday present?”

These things were quite tricky because as a princess, Princess Ming Hui didn’t lack anything. A lot of girls would only send presents for formality but knowing Fan Lanying, she would surely think of something special.

Fan Lanying hesitated for a moment. “I’m thinking about playing a piece of music for her because my mother would surely prepare other gifts for her. I don’t really know if she would like it or not.”

“I’m sure she will,” Jun Hua answered.

“Really? Won’t I make a joke out of myself?” Fan Lanying was worried. Usually, she wouldn’t care about what people thought about her, but Princess Hui was her friend and she was really kind to her. Fan Lanying wanted to repay her but she was not sure what to do about that.

“Don’t worry, no one will laugh at you. And I’m sure that your skills have improved during the time you spent learning with her,” Jun Hua consoled her friend. They have been learning for almost 3 weeks now and it would be weird if there was no improvement at all.

“Thank you,” Fan Lanying said seriously. “What about you? What will you give for her?”

“Me?” Jun Hua was not really sure about it but if she was to give her something, she could only think of one thing. “It’s a secret.”

“You won’t even tell me?” Fan Lanying said, feeling disappointed.

Jun Hua smiled, she was only teasing Fan Lanying. There were several reasons why she could not tell Fan Lanying and it would be best if she knew about it from Ming Hui herself. That is, if she wanted to tell her.

“Let’s head to the training room. I have asked Princess Hui permission to use it.”

“Why do you want to go there?” Jun Hua said confused.

“Of course, to train my body. I’m already itching to move around,” Fan Lanying grinned.

Jun Hua stared at her blankly. This tomboy truly didn’t know her place and she would do anything she likes! Not that Jun Hua never secretly trained though, but she would never do it in a broad daylight and at the place where many people might see her.

She wasn’t able to hold Fan Lanying back, thus Jun Hua can only follow after the girl. Fan Lanying happily changed into her training clothes and took out her wooden dagger. This time Jun Hua was really wondering where she was keeping the weapon. When they arrived to the palace, their belongings have all been inspected. Did the princess allow her to bring that wooden dagger?

Fan Lanying started to move her body and attacked the air. Jun Hua studied her movements and she had to admit that Fan Lanying was talented. She still could not compare to ‘Jun Min’ though. However, for a girl who never went to a real war, she was really good.

Jun Hua raised her head and looked towards the other side of the room. Her mouth slightly curved up.

On the other side of the room, Ming Hui was standing behind the window. She knew that Fan Lanying had asked her to borrow this room and out of curiosity, she went here. Looking from the window, she was able to see the girl move around with a wooden dagger in her hand.

“Princess?”

Ming Hui was startled at the call from her maid. She smiled slightly. “When everything is done, remind me to take her inside.”

“Yes Princess.”

Ming Hui stared into the room again and this time she noticed another girl inside. The girl was sitting calmly while watching Fan Lanying move around. No matter how quick Fan Lanying was, the girl never showed any sign of fear or any reaction.

Then the girl raised her head to look at Ming Hui. Ming Hui’s smiled deepened. She had just found the girl from the Jun family was as interesting as her brother. They didn’t bear the name of Jun family for nothing.

“Let’s go.”

“You don’t want to come inside, Princess?”

Ming Hui shook her head. “No need. There will be other chances to meet them again. Besides, there will be a show I need to prepare first.”

Jun Hua noticed their presence becoming fainter and she knew that Ming Hui had left. Jun Hua didn’t think much about it and continued to look at Fan Lanying’s practice. It took the girl almost three hours before she was satisfied.

“How’s it?” Fan Lanying grinned.

“It’s not too bad,” Jun Hua answered.

“What is not bad?” Fan Lanying lips pursed. “I’m better than my brother you know, at least in the past. He won’t be able to beat me on normal condition.”

“That might change after this,” Jun Hua said. Fighting in the battlefield was completely different from training in the training hall. She had experienced it by herself. The reason her uncle let her join the army at the mere age of 11 was not only to help him, but also to let her gain more experiences and grow stronger. People could only grow faster when they were under pressure.

Fan Lanying nodded. “Father is unfair. I want to join the army too and become the first female general of Ming Kingdom!”

Jun Hua was speechless. The first female general… she should have taken that title already if she didn’t hide her identity. The current law still prohibited women to join the army. Thus, before the law would have to change, she could not let anyone know about it. Besides, lying to the emperor was a big crime.

Speaking of lying, there were many other people who lie to the emperor. Jun Hua knew that the number of loyal officials was very few.

“Let’s eat. I’m hungry after moving around.”

“Alright.”