Chapter Forty: Father Teaches Riding and Archery

After the Wei family had strolled through the streets, Wei Mingtin led everyone to the training grounds.

The grounds were where the soldiers usually drilled, and in ordinary times, outsiders were forbidden entry—even the families of the officers were not allowed. But recently, with the soldiers all holding the front lines, their training had moved closer to the eastern city gate, leaving the field mostly unused, watched only by a few guards.

Taking advantage of this rare respite, Wei Mingtin brought his children here to teach them to ride horses. Among his children, only his eldest son had already learned; he had yet to find the time to instruct the others.

Wei Mingtin decided to let his two daughters try. He and his eldest son would each teach one—he chose to guide Wei Ruo himself, leaving the task of instructing Wei Qingwan to his son.

As for his youngest, Wei Yilin, he was left in Lady Yun’s care to practice on a pony.

At home, Wei Yilin was as mischievous as a monkey, but with his father present, he behaved with uncharacteristic obedience, not daring to throw a single tantrum.

Leading his own steed, “Scythe,” Wei Mingtin approached Wei Ruo and asked, “Would you like to give it a try?”

Wei Ruo nodded; in all the time since her arrival in this world, she had never ridden a horse.

“Let me teach you. These are the stirrups—you put your feet here. This is the saddle, these are the reins…” Wei Mingtin patiently explained all the essentials of riding.

Wei Ruo listened intently. When he finished and invited her to try, she did not hesitate—one foot in the stirrup, she swung herself onto the horse in a single, fluid motion.

Her movements were swift and confident, without the slightest trace of fear.

Wei Mingtin had been about to fetch a stool for her to mount, but before he could, Wei Ruo was already seated.

He laughed, saying, “You’re even more decisive than your brother. I remember when your elder brother first learned to ride, he hesitated for quite some time.”

Nearby, Wei Yichen, who was teaching Wei Qingwan, heard his father’s teasing and protested with a smile, “Father, must you tell my sister everything? Where am I to keep my dignity as an elder brother?”

Wei Mingtin replied, “Dignity is something you earn for yourself, not something I can shield you with.”

Wei Yichen quickly added, “All right, all right, I admit it—I am not as capable as Ruo! Our Ruo is truly a heroine among women, as bold and valiant as any man!”

Wei Ruo, the subject of such praise, felt little, but beside her, Wei Qingwan lowered her head in disappointment.

Wei Yichen turned and noticed her sorrowful expression. “Wanwan, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” he asked with concern.

“It’s nothing… I just feel a little foolish. I can’t master riding as quickly as my sister…”

“Don’t think that way, Wanwan. You have your own strengths, your own talents—many things you excel at, Ruo does not. Your pastries are delicious, your embroidery, calligraphy, and poetry are all outstanding. You don’t have to be the best at everything; that would be exhausting,” Wei Yichen comforted her.

“Mm,” Wei Qingwan murmured softly.

“All right, let’s continue,” he said, patiently resuming his lesson.

They had barely begun when Wei Ruo, already mounted, urged her horse into motion, galloping around the field again and again.

She laughed freely as she rode, utterly without the timidity one might expect from a first-timer.

Watching her, Wei Mingtin felt a surge of pride. “I never imagined Ruo would resemble me the most. If she were a boy, perhaps she could have joined me on the battlefield.”

Lady Yun, seeing the pride in her husband’s eyes, could not help but feel pleased herself.

After all, Ruo was their own daughter, and she saw much of her husband in the girl. Since the last incident, her attitude toward Wei Ruo had cooled, but today’s events softened her heart once more.

After riding for a while, Wei Mingtin fetched a bow and arrows for Wei Ruo to try.

“Archery is different from riding—it’s more difficult. Give it a try, but don’t force yourself if it’s too hard,” he cautioned.

He had intended only to teach his daughters to ride today, not to shoot, as archery seemed too daunting for young women. But Wei Ruo’s display on horseback made him reconsider.

Wei Mingtin demonstrated—nocking the arrow, drawing the bow, and releasing. He seemed born for the martial life; the moment he gripped the bow, an ineffable authority and energy emanated from him, his taut muscles promising explosive strength.

Every arrow he released struck the bullseye.

He handed the bow to Wei Ruo. “Now you try.”

“All right.” Wei Ruo took the bow, mimicking his movements—drawing an arrow from the quiver, placing it to the string.

She picked it up quickly, soon able to shoot arrows downrange. But her power and accuracy were limited: where Wei Mingtin could draw the bow in a perfect arc, she could manage only half; as for accuracy, she was fortunate not to miss the target altogether. Of ten arrows, only two struck home.

Watching Wei Mingtin, she’d thought it didn’t look hard, but once she tried for herself, she realized that hitting the mark at a hundred paces was no simple feat.

Annoyed, Wei Ruo glared at the bow in her hands. Why wouldn’t this wretched thing behave?

Wei Mingtin laughed at her expression. “Don’t be frustrated, Ruo. Take your time. For your first day, you’re already doing very well.”

He was not merely offering comfort—she had indeed done well. Few, even among the young men, managed such progress on their first attempt.

Not far off, Wei Qingwan, still learning to ride with Wei Yichen, saw her father’s gentle expression toward Wei Ruo.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Big Brother, I’d like to try archery, too.”

“Of course, I’ll take you,” Wei Yichen replied. He did not know her true thoughts—if she wished to try, he would accompany her. Today was meant for the younger siblings to have fun; whether they learned anything was less important than that they enjoyed themselves.

When they reached Wei Mingtin, he explained the situation, and Wei Mingtin instructed an attendant to bring another bow.

Wei Qingwan took it, imitating the demonstration, and prepared to draw.