Song Qingshu was taken aback. "Why not? Is it dangerous inside?"
Plum Sword replied, "It isn't dangerous. This is an important place of the palace, and we maidservants dare not enter without permission."
Song Qingshu understood. The original work had indeed mentioned this: inside were the Xiaoyao School's most profound martial arts. Anyone with insufficient cultivation would not only gain nothing from viewing them, but could easily suffer Qi Deviation.
In the original work, Xu Zhu had let them enter, and they had nearly trained themselves to death.
Of course, Song Qingshu had no need to mention that now. It was better to do them a favor. "Come in together. What does it matter? The passage outside is so narrow; it's uncomfortable just standing there." The four girls looked at one another, all showing delight.
Plum Sword said, "Master, before Tiao Lao passed away, she told us sisters that if the four of us served faithfully, committed no transgressions, and practiced diligently, then once we reached forty, we would be permitted to enter this stone chamber for one day each year to study the martial arts on the walls. Even if Master is deeply gracious and does not revoke Tiao Lao's promise, that would still be twenty-two years from now."
Song Qingshu laughed. "Wait another twenty-two years? Wouldn't that drive you mad with frustration? By then, you'll all be old. What martial arts would you still be learning? Come in, all of you!"
The four girls were overjoyed and immediately dropped to the ground in worship.
Song Qingshu smiled faintly and paid it no mind. With him there, even if these little girls developed problems from training, he could save them. He might as well take this chance to win their loyalty.
The five entered the stone chamber. The rock