“Heh, Grandmother, did you hear that? He says he not only knows your great name but can recount your deeds in detail?! *In detail*! His boasting is so wild it’s making the mountain boars fly! He’s not afraid of biting his tongue with such big talk!”
Cen Da Lu grew excited at Zhu Ping’an’s words, chattering away. *This hypocritical Central Plains lord isn’t just fake—he’s foolish too! I haven’t even made a move, and he’s already handed me his weakness.*
*As expected, Central Plains people have read themselves silly with the Four Books and Five Classics! And he’s the top scholar of those texts? That makes him the biggest fool among fools, the ultimate idiot!*
*Grandmother! Are you still calling me immature now? It’s clearly him who’s hypocritical and foolish! I’m absolutely right to call him out.*
Cen Da Lu was practically bouncing with excitement.
“You insolent southern barbarian! If you dare insult our lord again, don’t blame my blade for showing no mercy!”
Liu Dadao couldn’t hold back any longer. Hand on his saber, he stepped forward, glaring fiercely at Cen Da Lu, his tone menacing.
“Hmph!” Cen Da Lu scoffed disdainfully, pointing at Liu Dadao’s face with an untamed air. “Your blade’s merciless? Is mine full of affection? Hmph, I’ll remember you. Once I expose your lord’s hypocritical mask, we’ll settle this in the arena. Let’s see whose blade is merciless! Whoever backs down is a coward!”
“Da Lu! Stop being rude!” Madam Wa Shi reprimanded.
“Dadao, stand down. Don’t be discourteous to our guests,” Zhu Ping’an said, waving Liu Dadao back.
After Cen Da Lu and Liu Dadao stepped back, they locked eyes, neither yielding, sparks practically flying between them.
Madam Wa Shi glared at Cen Da Lu again, and only then did he break eye contact with Liu Dadao. Turning to Zhu Ping’an, he said sarcastically, “Oh, this Central Plains lord who knows my grandmother *in detail*. Please, go ahead. I’m dying to hear how you recount her deeds!”
“Then I’ll make a fool of myself. Please correct any mistakes,” Zhu Ping’an said with a slight smile, beginning slowly.
“You know you’re making a fool of yourself…” Cen Da Lu muttered sarcastically.
“Cen Da Lu! One more word, and it’s a hundred military lashes, no mercy!” Madam Wa Shi scolded, her face stern face stern.
Cen Da Lu shrank back.
“Madam Wa Shi, originally surnamed Cen, given name Hua, childhood name Wa Shi, daughter of Cen Zhang, hereditary chieftain of Guishun Prefecture. After coming of age, she married Cen Meng, chieftain of Tianzhou, as a wife. To avoid her husband’s surname, she adopted her childhood name ‘Wa Shi’ as her surname, hence Madam Wa Shi. From a young age, she loved martial arts, not only mastering and refining Zhuang boxing techniques but also excelling in weapons like swords, spears, maces, shields, bows, crossbows, and darts. She was especially skilled with dual swords and dual blades, wielding them with supernatural finesse. Beyond martial prowess, she was adept in military strategy and tactics…”
Zhu Ping’an spoke steadily.
Madam Wa Shi raised her eyebrows in surprise. She hadn’t expected Lord Zhu Ping’an to actually know her.
He knew her original surname was Cen, her given name Hua, and even the origin of her surname Wa Shi.
He truly knew her.
Most people, hearing her called Madam Wa Shi, assumed she was born with the surname Wa Shi, inherited from her father.
Only those who truly knew her understood that she adopted her childhood name as her surname after marrying to avoid her husband’s surname.
For Lord Zhu to know the origin of her surname proved he was, as he claimed, familiar with her.
Beyond her name, he knew she loved martial arts from youth, was skilled in various weapons, and excelled with dual swords and blades.
He genuinely knew her.
Madam Wa Shi’s impression of Zhu Ping’an shifted dramatically.
“That’s hardly impressive… it doesn’t live up to your claims of ‘renowned’ or ‘recounting in detail,’” Cen Da Lu said, closing his shocked mouth, taking a deep breath, and stiffening his neck as he nitpicked.
*Damn it, this Central Plains lord actually knows my grandmother’s name, her father’s name, and even that she’s skilled with dual swords and blades.*
*He really knows about her.*
*But I can’t admit defeat. I have my pride! I’ll just have to pick at every flaw.*
“Da Lu, you’re making things difficult for Lord Zhu,” Madam Wa Shi chided her disobedient great-grandson again.
“It’s no trouble,” Zhu Ping’an said with a slight smile.
“No trouble?” Madam Wa Shi was momentarily taken aback, not quite following.
The next moment, Zhu Ping’an continued, “In the fifth year of Jiajing, the Tianzhou Incident occurred. Chieftain Cen Meng and his eldest son were killed, leaving Tianzhou leaderless. Ambitious opportunists eyed the chieftainship, and Tianzhou descended into chaos. In this crisis, Madam Wa Shi didn’t despair or sit idly by. With extraordinary wisdom and strategy, and an unmatched capacity for enduring hardship, she stabilized Tianzhou. First, she ordered the Cen clan of Tianzhou and its affiliated leaders to cooperate with and accept the court’s handling, obeying imperial orders, securing leniency and stabilizing Tianzhou’s foundation. At the same time, she immediately took her young grandson, the father of the young general here, Cen Zhi, to Wuzhou’s military command to claim the chieftainship, securing the court’s recognition and legitimacy. To prevent power struggles, she persuaded the Tianzhou Cen clan and neighboring counties’ Cen branches to prioritize the greater good, supporting her young grandson’s succession and avoiding further conflict. Given his youth, she overcame opposition to act as regent, governing Tianzhou on his behalf. Under her leadership, Tianzhou’s society stabilized, and its people lived in peace and prosperity. This was all due to Madam Wa Shi’s efforts, earning her the love and support of Tianzhou’s elders.”
“Last year, when the Li people of Qiongzhou rebelled, Tianzhou chieftain Cen Zhi was sent to quell the rebellion but tragically died in battle. Once again, Madam Wa Shi, suppressing her grief, took up the responsibility, governing Tianzhou and raising her young grandson, the chieftain…”
Zhu Ping’an spoke fluently, recounting her deeds as if they were second nature, unable to stop.
As he spoke, Cen Da Lu’s expression shifted from mockery to shock. His mouth gaped wider and wider, big enough to fit a fist.
He was utterly stunned. *How is this possible? He knows more about Grandmother than I do! Am I hallucinating? I can’t accept this.
He’s actually recounting her deeds in detail!
He even knows things about Grandmother that I don’t! How did he do it?!*
Madam Wa Shi’s eyes widened in disbelief. Zhu Ping’an truly knew her so well.
As he claimed, he could recount her deeds in detail.
Truly worthy of being the top scholar!
Able to do what ordinary people could not!
