Chapter 167: A Husband Who Heeds His Wife’s Words

Chapter 167: A Husband Who Heeds His Wife's Words

The Xiang family trio hadn't anticipated the severity of Xiao Yuming's injuries; the guilt on their faces deepened. Mrs. Xiang glared fiercely at Miss Xiang Fifth before apologetically saying, "May we visit the Second Young Master?"

Tang Shuyi nodded, stood up, and led them to Xiao Yuming's quarters. Upon reaching the inner chamber's entrance, they saw Shi Mo standing guard. He immediately greeted them and said, "The doctor is administering medicine to the Second Young Master."

Under such circumstances, it was inappropriate for Mrs. Xiang and Miss Xiang Fifth to enter. Tang Shuyi glanced at General Xiang, "General, please accompany me inside."

They needed to witness the extent of Xiao Yuming's injuries to facilitate further discussions.

General Xiang grunted in acknowledgment and followed Tang Shuyi into the inner chamber. They found the doctor treating Xiao Yuming, who was crying out in pain. Upon seeing Tang Shuyi and General Xiang, he immediately closed his mouth, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain.

General Xiang's expression was grave; he had assumed Xiao Yuming had merely suffered a bump, not realizing the injury's severity. Standing by the bed, he furrowed his brows, looked at Xiao Yuming sweating cold beads, and said, "In martial arts, one must train not only techniques but also bones and muscles. If..."

He wanted to say that if the bones and muscles were well-trained, a mere bump wouldn't break ribs. But before he could finish, Mrs. Xiang's coughing sound came from outside, prompting him to swallow his words.

Tang Shuyi realized that General Xiang was a thoroughly straightforward man, a reticent one at that.

"This child has always enjoyed playing with swords and spears," Tang Shuyi said. "But when the Marquis was alive, he was often on the frontier, and we were all in the capital. I don't know how to teach martial arts, so he was neglected."

General Xiang grunted, then after a moment of silence, he said, "It's Miss Fifth's fault. State any demands you have."

That was precisely what Tang Shuyi wanted to hear. She said, "The Marquis had planned to personally guide him once he turned twelve or thirteen, but we didn't anticipate..."

Tang Shuyi's face was filled with sorrow. General Xiang pursed his lips. Tang Shuyi expected him to say something, but when he remained silent, she added, "The Marquis is no more, and the child has no one to instruct him in martial arts. I hope the General can offer him some guidance."

Tang Shuyi bowed deeply to him. General Xiang's eyebrows knotted in a frown. He had a good relationship with Xiao Huai and had received considerable help from him in the past. If the Yongning Marquis's household needed help, he would certainly lend his full support, but he was reluctant to take on this wastrel as a disciple.

As a candid man, he would say whatever was on his mind. He began, "I don't..."

"Cough, cough!"

Mrs. Xiang's coughing came again from outside, and General Xiang swallowed the rest of his words. Tang Shuyi nearly laughed out loud in her heart; she hadn't expected this robust general to be one who heeded his wife's words. One could only admire Mrs. Xiang's authority.

Just then, the doctor finished applying the medicine to Xiao Yuming and left with his medicine chest. Mrs. Xiang, who was sitting outside, immediately stood up and entered the inner chamber, fearing her husband might utter more tactless words.

Upon entering, she walked to the bedside, looked at Xiao Yuming with a pained expression, and said, "What a pitiful sight."

Then she sternly pulled Miss Xiang Fifth forward and said, "Apologize to the Second Young Master right away."

Miss Xiang pursed her lips and said, "I'm sorry, it was all my fault. When you get better, I'll let you hit me without fighting back."

Xiao Yuming: "..."

How is that less embarrassing? He turned his head away, not wanting to speak.

Seeing this, Tang Shuyi said, "It's also because his skills were lacking, which is why I thought of asking the general to give him some guidance."

She addressed this to Mrs. Xiang, knowing that if she agreed, the matter would be nearly settled.

Mrs. Xiang looked at Xiao Yuming with pity and said, "He’s still a child; as long as he is willing to endure hardships, he won't be too far off the mark."

Tang Shuyi understood her meaning; this was to say that training under General Xiang would be arduous. She was worried that her pampered son wouldn’t be able to handle it and might bring disrepute to the general’s reputation if his training wasn’t up to par.

"This child was indeed a bit unruly before, but he has truly matured. Lately, he has been rising at dawn to practice martial arts and only rests late at night," Tang Shuyi quickly added.

She even nudged Xiao Yuming’s head, urging him to make some kind of promise. After spending so much time together, mother and son naturally understood each other well. He turned his head to look at General Xiang and said, "I'm not afraid of hardship or fatigue; I will definitely work hard."

General Xiang’s brows were still furrowed, and Tang Shuyi looked at Mrs. Xiang. Understanding her intent, Mrs. Xiang approached her husband and softly said, "Husband, what do you think?"

General Xiang was silent for a moment, then said, "Come find me after your injury heals."

A weight lifted off Tang Shuyi's heart, and she bowed deeply to General Xiang, "Thank you, General."

General Xiang stepped aside, "Madam need not be so formal."

As for why she need not be so formal, he didn’t elaborate and Tang Shuyi didn’t bother to guess. Her wish was fulfilled, and Xiao Yuming was also pleased. He twisted his neck to thank General Xiang, "Thank you, General."

In fact, he wanted to say thank you, Master, but without a formal apprenticeship, he couldn’t call him that.

General Xiang grunted in acknowledgment. Mrs. Xiang expressed a few more words of concern for Xiao Yuming, then the group moved outside. After chatting for a while longer, Mrs. Xiang said they must be leaving, and Tang Shuyi escorted them out.

As they were parting, Mrs. Xiang sighed to Tang Shuyi, "Children are a burden; my own heart is heavy with worry. She’s thirteen, an age to consider marriage, yet she’s always brandishing swords and spears. She even injured your Second Young Master so badly this time; if word gets out, who would dare to marry her?"

Tang Shuyi understood; she didn’t want the incident of Miss Xiang injuring Xiao Yuming to spread, affecting her daughter's prospects for marriage. Since General Xiang had agreed to train Xiao Yuming, Tang Shuyi naturally wouldn’t let the word out.

She said, "Children from military families naturally differ from others. I actually think it’s good for a young lady to have some skills. But rest assured, this matter will absolutely not leak from our end."

Mrs. Xiang smiled gratefully, "Thank you for your consideration."

Tang Shuyi: "Why, that's not at all necessary. We will still be counting on your guidance for Yuming in the future."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before parting ways.