Chapter 176: A Test or Reality?

Chapter 176: A Test or Reality?

Although the household faced potential crises, life at the Tang residence proceeded as normal. After all, they had made all necessary preparations, and if a crisis were to arise, they would face it head-on.

A few days later, Xiao Yuming's injuries had significantly healed, and he couldn't bear to stay idle at home any longer, so he reported to General Xiang. The general had told him to come once he recovered, and now he had.

After breakfast that day, Tang Shuyi accompanied Xiao Yuming, bringing along a multitude of gifts, to General Xiang's residence. On their way, she contemplated giving him a few words of advice, like urging him to study hard, but then decided against it. He would surely treasure this hard-earned opportunity without her needing to remind him.

Upon reaching the entrance of General Xiang's mansion, they were greeted by the smiling nanny from Lady Xiang's side, who was waiting at the door. As their carriage approached, she came forward to pay her respects. Tang Shuyi exchanged a few pleasant words with her and then proceeded to the rear courtyard together. Xiao Yuming, meanwhile, was led by General Xiang's guards to the training grounds.

There, they saw General Xiang engaged in a bout with a young man, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, including Xiang Wu.

"Stand here and watch; the general is busy," said the man who brought Xiao Yuming, leaving him with these words before walking away.

Xiao Yuming felt a slight discomfort. In all his years in the capital, he had always been treated with respect. Now, however, he felt neglected.

But he didn’t voice his discontent and simply stood aside to watch the match. The more he watched, the more he realized his inadequacy. General Xiang's moves were straightforward and precise, each strike aiming for vital points.

The young man sparring with the general, despite being inferior in strength and speed and appearing on the verge of defeat, was someone Xiao Yuming reckoned he couldn't withstand for even five moves. His previous training with Niu Hongliang was limited to basic techniques and military boxing; Niu didn't know much else.

As he watched, utterly engrossed, he didn’t even notice someone standing beside him until a voice asked, "Have your wounds healed?"

Xiao Yuming turned to see Xiang Wu standing next to him. He still felt somewhat awkward around the girl and managed only a strained "Hmm" before adding, "Almost fully healed."

"Don't be afraid; my father is quite approachable," Xiang Wu whispered.

She felt a tinge of guilt for the incident that had left Xiao Yuming bedridden for so many days.

And Xiao Yuming felt somewhat stifled, he, a grown man, afraid of someone?

At this moment, a nanny hurried over, bowed to Xiao Yuming, and then said to Xiang Wu, "The lady asks for your presence in the back garden."

Xiang Wu reluctantly glanced at the training ground before following the nanny away. She had been confined to the back garden by Lady Xiang these days and had sneaked out to this place today.

"I have to go now, if you have any problems, just let me know, I've got your back..."

"Thanks." Xiao Yuming cut her off.

Xiang Wu didn't mind, turned around, and left with the nanny. Xiao Yuming looked back at the center of the training ground and saw that General Xiang had finished sparring with the young man and was standing at the edge of the ground wiping sweat. The person who had brought him here had already started sparring with someone else in the middle of the ground.

After thinking for a while, he walked towards General Xiang, and when he got close, he bowed with fists clasped, "General."

General Xiang glanced at him, threw the towel in his hand onto the table, and asked, "Are you healed?"

Xiao Yuming nodded, "I am."

General Xiang sat down authoritatively, his eyes fixed on the sparring in the center of the ground, and said, "I need an attendant by my side, you'll do."

Xiao Yuming: "..."

Is this a test or for real?

General Xiang didn't get a response from him, turned his head to look at him, and asked, "Unwilling?"

Xiao Yuming pursed his lips, recalling Tang Shuyi's earnest gaze when he had come, then clenched his fist and said, "Willing."

General Xiang grunted and then continued watching the match in the center. Xiao Yuming wasn't sure how to serve as an attendant, but after thinking carefully about how Yantai and Shimo usually worked, he shifted his steps and stood behind General Xiang.

General Xiang glanced at him from the corner of his eye but said nothing, continuing to focus on the sparring. Soon the sparring ended, and General Xiang emotionlessly ordered them to continue training and then stood up to leave.

As an attendant, Xiao Yuming had to follow at all times, so he quickly stepped forward to follow. The two of them, one after the other, reached a courtyard where two robust soldiers stood at the door, saluting upon seeing General Xiang.

General Xiang pointed at Xiao Yuming, "He's my attendant, no need to stop him in the future."

The two soldiers glanced at Xiao Yuming, memorized his face, and both responded affirmatively. General Xiang stepped in, and Xiao Yuming hurriedly followed. Only after entering did he realize that this was a study, which explained why it was guarded by soldiers.

A general in command of the military, the study housed many military secrets, and ordinary people were not allowed near. Although Xiao Yuming was somewhat unhappy about being appointed as an attendant by General Xiang, that feeling had now dissipated.

General Xiang's willingness to lead him to the study and grant him unrestricted access signified a profound trust. Xiao Yuming was now convinced that the General was testing him. With this realization, he no longer faced any psychological barriers in his duties.

After all, not just anyone could serve as General Xiang's personal attendant.

Watching General Xiang enter the study, Xiao Yuming proceeded to the adjacent side room, where he found two maidservants boiling water. He approached with a smile, "I'm the General's personal attendant. He would like some tea."

Upon hearing this, the maidservants hurriedly prepared the tea. Once ready, they handed him the tray with curiosity, noting that this attendant was dressed rather finely.

Oblivious to the maidservants' thoughts, Xiao Yuming carried the tray into the study, poured a cup of tea beside the desk, and presented it to General Xiang, "General, your tea."

General Xiang acknowledged with a grunt. Xiao Yuming waited for further instructions, but none came. The General remained engrossed in a map. Xiao Yuming glanced over but couldn't make heads or tails of it. General Xiang, however, didn't utter a word about his actions.

………

In the back courtyard, Tang Shuyi and Lady Xiang were engaged in lively conversation. Lady Xiang also hailed from a military family, albeit one without much military power. She and General Xiang were childhood sweethearts whose marriage was a natural progression.

Through their conversation, Tang Shuyi could tell that Lady Xiang was deeply cherished. General Xiang had four children, all with Lady Xiang, and remarkably, he had no concubines—a rarity in those times.

Miss Xiang Wu stayed with them throughout, and Tang Shuyi sensed that Lady Xiang was probably trying to impart wisdom and set an example. Whether it was effective remained to be seen.