Chapter 808: Training Parrots

Editor: Henyee Translations

On this night, under the black curtain adorned with sparkling stars, the beauty of the scene resembled a painted scroll.

In her room, Chu Qingzhi held a book, reading aloud slowly, word by word. Her clear, crisp voice echoed gently in the room, captivating the flock of parrots before her.

Chu Qingzhi was training the parrots to speak, a skill essential for their scouting missions. Without the ability to communicate, their intelligence-gathering would be futile. They needed to learn to speak or accurately repeat others’ words.

Two ropes were stretched across the room for this training session. When it was time for the parrots to learn to speak, they flew into the room, perched on the ropes, and listened to her reading.

The simplest way to teach parrots to talk was to expose them to a large amount of speech for them to imitate.

Chu Qingzhi dedicated half an hour each day to train the parrots. After the reading session, the parrots were encouraged to mimic as closely as possible before they could return to their nests to sleep.

After finishing the book, Chu Qingzhi pointed to Shuang’er, “Your turn to recite.”

Shuang’er eagerly began reciting, “The great learning lies in the illumination of virtue, in being close to the people, and in resting in the highest good…”

It took Shuang’er three days to break the habit of repeating each sentence twice, a challenging feat. As a reward, Chu Qingzhi caught several caterpillar cocoons for it to eat, now that winter had come and there were no small green worms.

Sitting down, Chu Qingzhi listened carefully. Shuang’er started off smoothly but began to falter after a while, hesitating and stuttering, indicating it didn’t memorize the rest very well.

Chu Qingzhi took out a booklet to record Shuang’er’s recitation performance, then pointed to the second parrot, “Your turn.”

The second parrot faced a similar challenge, managing to recite even less than

Shuang’er. Chu Qingzhi noted this as well.

The third parrot Continued-

Listening to the parrots’ recitations and observing her notes, Chu Qingzhi noted that compared to the previous day, Shuang’er had made significant progress, reciting fifteen more words.

The second parrot also showed substantial improvement, reciting eleven more words.

After a while, all the parrots had finished reciting.

Chu Qingzhi, pleased with their progress, believed that with time, they would be able to mimic freely and accurately convey any overheard conversations without missing a word.

She poured some small green worms onto a plate and placed it on the floor,

“This is your reward. Enjoy.”

The parrots, having learned not to fight over food, ate their favorite treats in an orderly fashion without haste.

Chu Qingzhi, resting her arm on the back of the chair, watched them eat. At that moment, a message came from the golden phoenix, prompting Chu Qingzhi to reveal her arm and tap it, receiving Tang Jinghong’s voice, “Qingzhi, have you gone to sleep?”

Feeling a bit lazy, still resting on the chair back, she replied, “Not yet, I’m watching the parrots eat.”

Tang Jinghong visualized Shuang’er and smiled, “The parrots must have grown by now, right?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “They’ve grown. By the time you return, they should be ready for their missions.”

Tang Jinghong looked forward to it, “Then I’ll let them try when I get back.”

Chu Qingzhi quickly asked, “When will you return?”

“In about half a month,” Tang Jinghong said. “I ran into a bandit nest on the way, which delayed me as I helped the local soldiers eliminate them.” Chu Qingzhi expressed concern, “Be careful when dealing with bandits.” Tang Jinghong assured her, “I will. By the way, I found a peculiar plant in the bandit nest. It’s purple, with flowers shaped like temple bells but smaller, growing alone or in clusters. Is it useful? If so, I’ll bring it back.” Chu Qingzhi pondered; Tang Jinghong’s description sounded like Fritillaria, a valuable medicinal herb, “Dig them all up and bring them back.”

“Alright, I’ll have someone dig them up right away.”

Chu Qingzhi then remembered Wen Shaoyuan, “By the way, Jinghong, there’s something I need to tell you…” She informed him about Wen Shaoyuan’s situation.

After a moment of silence, Tang Jinghong said, “Let’s talk about this when I return.”

“Okay,” Chu Qingzhi agreed.

After some more casual conversation, Tang Jinghong urged Chu Qingzhi to rest and not stay up too late.

Chu Qingzhi mused that in the modern era, they say a man who cares about a woman’s health truly loves her. Tang Jinghong seemed to fit the criteria of a good man.

Collecting her thoughts, Chu Qingzhi turned around, took out paper and pen, and began to work on her autobiography, knowing she needed to finish it before Tang Jinghong’s return.

In the bandit’s lair, Tang Jinghong summoned Meng Shengdong, “Take some men and dig up those strange plants. I want to bring them back.” Meng Shengdong, a capable lieutenant in Tang Jinghong’s service, bowed, “Yes, General.”

Tang Jinghong, standing by the window in his black robe, bathed in moonlight, appeared enigmatic and unreachable, a contrast to his usual sharp and fierce demeanor.

Qi Kaiming approached, “General, the county magistrate sent two beauties. Should I bring them in to serve you?”

Admiring Tang Jinghong, Qi Kaiming was ready to follow his lead.

Tang Jinghong’s expression darkened, and he sternly commanded, “Send them away!”

Startled by Tang Jinghong’s tone, Qi Kaiming quickly complied, “Yes, General. I’ll see to it immediately.”

The county magistrate, fearful upon seeing the beauties being sent back, asked, “Was the general displeased?”

Qi Kaiming, annoyed, said, “Didn’t you know the general abstains from carnal pleasures?”

The county magistrate’s face stiffened, “Does the general prefer… men?” Qi Kaiming was speechless, warning him to leave before angering the general further.

Shivering, the county magistrate hurriedly left with the beauties.

Qi Kaiming glanced back at Tang Jinghong’s room, admiring the general’s self-discipline and vowing to emulate him.

In Fengxin County, Li Tingzhao drank alone, his face etched with unresolved troubles.

Suddenly, a knock on the door was followed by a guard’s voice, “Your Highness, there’s news. Master Li poisoned Madam Lin, who is now already dead.”

Li Tingzhao paused, his face twisted in mockery, “Is the news reliable?” The guard confirmed the verification, “We’ve sent someone to check. It should be true.”

Li Tingzhao’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness, “Keep a close eye on it. Even if it turns out to be false, we’ll make it true. Also, spread the news tomorrow that Master Lin poisoned Madam Lin.”

The guard affirmed, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Li Tingzhao sneered, mocking the notion of sacrifice for power, “To give up a wife of over twenty years for power, how ruthless!”