Chapter 5, The Old Butler

Individuals like Wei Wu, who have only recently entered the mansion, are typical of the younger generation when compared to Xu Wuyan, who has spent decades within the Xiao family and is almost integrated with them. Even though Xu Wuyan is now unable to carry burdens or stoop, a single glance from him is enough to instill fear and trepidation in Wei Wu

What is this considered a major event? Beyond life and death, there are no significant matters. Xu Wuyan turned his one eye, revealing more white than black in his gaze. Through experience, it is evident that Wei Wu is indeed a remarkable figure

Grandfather Xu is in good health! Xiao Cheng sincerely said: The residence cannot do without you, Grandfather Xu

I am afraid that what I was taught by Master Cen at the clan school today will not escape my father's notice. When I return, I will at least receive a scolding, and if I have had too much to drink, I might end up suffering even more.

"Grandfather Xu, Wei Wu is a person with both a resilient character and a good disposition. Please treat him kindly." With that, Xiao Cheng playfully took hold of one of Xu Wuyan's hands.

Beautiful! Xiao Cheng exclaimed sincerely, just by looking at Wei Wu's appearance, one could tell how much effort he had put in.

Xiao Cheng took a deep breath and nodded helplessly

"Grandfather Xu said this, but I cannot bear such a title. My father is a high-ranking official in the current court, and my elder brother is a formidable general who commands respect at the borders. What am I in comparison?" Xiao Cheng laughed.

Xu Wuyan squinted with his single eye, watching Wei Wu's back, and said: "Er Lang, Wei Wu has been in the mansion for nearly three years now. Since you provided him with this pair of iron feet, he has indeed put in a lot of hard work, and he is now capable of handling matters on his own. However, when it comes to his temperament, he still falls short and requires further refinement. His nature is too impulsive. Perhaps after experiencing some more events, he will become a bit more mature."

Seeing the hunched old man, Wei San on the roof stuck out his tongue, and a curtain rolled down, as he obediently walked over

Xiao Cheng's body stiffened for a moment, and the smile on his face gradually faded. The two walked silently through the corridor and entered the second courtyard, where Xiao Cheng's residence, the west cross courtyard of the second courtyard, was located. The east cross courtyard was occupied by the eldest son of the Xiao family, Xiao Ding, but now it was only inhabited by the eldest sister-in-law and her three-year-old nephew.

Because the archer stands not on two flat feet on the ground, but on two iron plates, each measuring over one foot in length and approximately three inches in width

The general mentioned by Xu Wuyan is none other than Xiao Cheng's grandfather, Xiao Ding

"It is precisely because I, as an old servant, have witnessed so much life and death that I do not shy away from discussing these matters. Compared to those brothers who died on the battlefield in such a dismembered state, I consider it a blessing from my past life that I can pass away peacefully in my bed. " Xu Wuyan said calmly, "In the past, there were many things I could not let go of, and I had to hold onto this breath. In these past few years, seeing you, Erlang, has made me feel that many things have found resolution, and this breath has gradually eased."

Wan'er is the maid beside the lady, who has always been proud and haughty, and she is also good-looking. Would Wan'er be willing to accept Wei Wu, who has a disability? If she is unwilling, Wei San is also a person with high aspirations. In that case, it would lead to a resentful couple, which would be quite unfortunate. Xiao Cheng reached out to support Xu Wuyan, helping him step over the threshold of the study and into the inner room.

"Then, Grandpa Xu, don't you think my temperament is quite lively as well?" Xiao Cheng chuckled.

Xu Wuyan turned to look at Xiao Cheng, and his deep gaze made Xiao Cheng's heart skip a beat. After a long while, when Xiao Cheng's smile had become somewhat forced, Xu Wuyan finally sighed: "Er Lang, please stop pretending in front of me. If your nature were truly carefree, there would be no steady person in this world."

This level is quite extraordinary. It is comparable to books

"Grandfather Xu, I cannot accept this. If you say it like that, isn't it my fault?" Xiao Cheng said

"Brother Wei San, your archery skills have improved once again," Xiao Cheng said with a smile as he walked over to the target, examining it with admiration.

Xiao Cheng smiled faintly. In front of others, he could pretend to be exceptionally innocent, like a harmless little lamb. However, in front of the old man before him, no matter how many layers of disguise he wore, he would be stripped bare and left with nowhere to hide.

Wei Wu laughed heartily as he struck the iron leg with his bow, "With wings like a tiger, Erlang, you have my full support for Luo!"

Unlike the servants of other families, the servants of the Xiao family are mostly individuals with disabilities

"How can Grandpa Xu say such discouraging words? You have emerged from a sea of corpses and rivers of blood, not someone ordinary can compare to you," Xiao Cheng said earnestly as he helped Xu Wuyan sit down.

The sound of a feathered arrow being released from the bowstring echoed in my ears, and with a sharp twang, a feathered arrow had already appeared between the eyebrows of a human-shaped target fifty paces away

Once Wei Wu's temperament has been refined, he will be given a bridle, and when he has one son and one daughter, he will truly belong to the Xiao family, and will be of great use in the future. Xu Wuyan said, "When the old man can no longer manage, let Xu Shen return to oversee the affairs of the household, and then allow Wei Wu to take charge of the external matters, thus maintaining the situation.

Xiao Cheng is a carefree person. Since it is destined to encounter this calamity, then lamenting the spring and mourning the autumn at this moment is merely futile and will only worsen one's mood. It is better to drink today and be merry today; when misfortune arrives, it is sufficient to sigh about the disappointments of life then.

"Er Lang is here to mock me again," Wei Wu said, holding a bow in one hand and carrying a quiver of arrows in the other, as he steadily walked up to Xiao Cheng.

The identity of the visitor is extraordinary; he is one of the few remaining individuals from the generation of the old master of the Xiao family estate. He currently serves as the leader of the Xiao family's guardians, bearing the significant responsibility of protecting the Xiao family. In addition, he also manages certain matters that occur beneath the surface of the Xiao family's public affairs. Even Xiao Cheng's father, Xiao Yu, does not regard him as a subordinate. There are many affairs of the Xiao family that Xiao Cheng may not be aware of, but this old man is absolutely clear about everything.

This is a person who has lost both of their lower legs

Xiao Cheng immediately began to applaud

"I plan to speak to the master and the lady later, suggesting that they find a wife for Wei Wu. The lady's Wan'er is already in her twenties and should be released now," Xu Wuyan said. "Wei Wu is a spirited horse and needs to be reined in."

Upon turning the screen wall, I saw some individuals practicing martial arts and wielding weapons in the spacious courtyard before the main hall, and my mood instantly brightened.

"Wei San, come down!" A deep voice resounded. Xiao Cheng turned around to see an old man with a single eye covered by an eye patch walking out of the hall with a stern expression. "Why climb so high? Do you think others can't see you? Are you trying to cause trouble for the master?"

As if measured by a ruler

Indeed, even among the Fourth Army, it would be hard to find a few sharpshooters like you! Xiao Cheng said earnestly, "Brother Wei San, have you considered seeking a position as an archery instructor in the Fourth Army? If my father were to speak on your behalf, it would surely not be a problem."

If one were to see the appearance of the archer, it would be even more astonishing

It can no longer be concealed from others

The master is indeed good, but after all, he is a young gentleman who grew up during peaceful times. Although he has been tempered in the military, he still lacks a certain essence. Darlang is indeed a rare military general in the world, beneficial to the country, but it may not necessarily be the same for the family. Xu Wuyan sighed, saying: "The general's methods were exceptionally sharp back in the day. The Song Dynasty has been established for three hundred years, and as a military general, he rose all the way to the position of a member of the Privy Council and a scholar of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a distinguished official of both courts, and he is the only one like that. Erlang, you don't think the general relied solely on military achievements back then, do you?"

Of course, if it were not for the daily interactions, Xiao Cheng believed he could have concealed it from the other party. However, after spending over a decade together, and having been somewhat careless in the past, he ultimately allowed this elder before him to observe many matters. By the time he suddenly became aware, it was already too late.

Housekeeper Xu

Wei Wu shook his head repeatedly: "I have no such intention, Erlang. As long as the Xiao family does not mind me, I will guard the Xiao family and protect their home."

These individuals with disabilities are not born that way, but rather have sustained injuries on the battlefield and subsequently retired. Previously, such individuals were mostly remnants from the era of the old lord, and most of them have long since passed away. The current group primarily consists of those who were injured while following the young master Xiao Ding in battles in the northern frontier and are now homeless.

"How could one feel disdain? With a master like you, one cannot even invite you!" Xiao Cheng squatted down, lifted the somewhat empty pant leg of Wei Wu, looked at the iron ring above the knee, reached out to touch it, and said: "Brother Wei San, have you completely gotten used to it by now?"

From the servant, it was learned that after his father finished his duty today, he did not return, but was instead invited by the Duke of Baoguo to drink. A wave of sadness involuntarily rose in Xiao Cheng's heart

As I stepped through the gates of the Xiao residence, the sun had already begun its descent in the west

With Erlang by your side, I can truly entrust many matters. Xu Wuyan said softly, "Otherwise, I can only hand them over to Xu Shen, but Erlang, even if Xu Shen is my son, I still do not feel at ease. If something else happens and I die, how will I face the general?"

Xu Shen is the son of Xu Wuyan and is currently in charge of managing the affairs outside the Xiao residence

With a slight motion, Wei Wu had already taken a step forward and began to run. After a few strides, he suddenly crouched down, and in Xiao Cheng's eyes, he saw the flat iron bar bend slightly before quickly snapping back. However, Wei Wu had already used the force of the rebound to leap into the air. Extending his hand, he grasped the high eaves, then rolled over and landed on the roof. Kneeling on one knee, with one foot standing straight, he held the bow in hand, pretending to draw the string. Once again, Wei Wu had used the force of the rebound to leap into the air, extending his hand to grasp the high eaves, rolling over to land on the roof. Kneeling on one knee, with one foot standing straight, he held the bow in hand, pretending to draw the string.

It is no longer possible! Xu Wuyan pounded his legs, saying, "I am becoming less and less capable day by day. At my age, who knows when I might go to sleep one day and never wake up again? Some matters must be prepared for in advance."

Grandfather Xu! Xiao Cheng also slightly bowed his body

Amidst the applause, the sound of the feathered arrows whistled continuously, starting from the first arrow between the eyebrows and descending to the navel of the human-shaped target, with a feathered arrow inserted approximately every three inches.

"He broke both of his calves, and that's not considered a major incident?" Xiao Cheng exclaimed in astonishment

Xu Wuyan waved his hand at Wei Wu as if trying to shoo away a small insect, and Wei Wu immediately tucked his tail between his legs and hurriedly signaled the remaining people in the courtyard to leave quickly

The Xiao family has a worthy successor, the old man feels greatly comforted! Xu Wuyan chuckled and said: Although Erlang is only sixteen years old, he already possesses the demeanor of a general from his prime. Compared to the master, Dalang is much stronger.

Xu Wuyan let out a cold laugh: "Er Lang, sometimes this old servant truly does not understand what you are thinking. No matter how proud Miss Wan'er may be, her status is still what it is. You have previously mentioned that Wei Wu is also a capable person. Although he resides in the Xiao residence, he is still, in essence, a free man. How could marrying Wei Wu be a grievance for her? Would she be happier if matched with a country bumpkin from outside?" You have previously mentioned that Wei Wu is also a capable person. Although he resides in the Xiao residence, he is still, in essence, a free man. How could marrying Wei Wu be a grievance for her? Would she be happier if matched with a country bumpkin from outside?