Chapter 21: Her shadow guard

<p>--- GENERAL WU'S HOUSEHOLD ---<br/>On the round table was a spread of steaming hot dishes. Today, there were only two table settings instead of three, unlike usual days. Their doors were tightly shut and all servants had been promptly sent away after delivering the dishes.<br/><br/>Although every servant in the General's household was thoroughly investigated before being employed, it was always better for them to be safe rather than sorry, especially when it concerned Jiang Yingyue, the young daughter of their dear friend, Lu Jiayi.<br/><br/>Seated opposite one another were Wu Zhong and Xiang Nuo...<br/><br/>Wu Zhong was a tall, well-built man nearing his 40s, yet he still had a youthful and strong-spirited look about him. Xiang Nuo barely looked a day over 30, with long dark hair and only slight wrinkles starting to form around her eyes. <br/><br/>They had been together for over 10 years and their understanding of each other ran deeper than just husband and wife. They had raised their son together all these years and after the departure of Wu Zhong's mother, they had been left with the task of secretly caring for what remained of the Lu family, especially Lu Jiayi.<br/><br/>Having just heard the news from Xiao Zhu earlier that afternoon, they quickly decided to have a private meeting over dinner to discuss what they should do to help. All they had ever heard was that the 3rd young miss of the Jiang family was useless in all skills no matter what she tried - coming from Xiao Zhu, it seemed that it must have been more than just mere gossip.<br/><br/>Since her test the month before, she had suddenly become a great talent in not only painting and calligraphy but she even dared to speak up against Madam Jiang who was much like her father, Duke Su. A cruel man, and his merciless daughter...<br/><br/>If they were right, Madam Jiang would not let this offence slide - she would certainly come for Yingyue, hence why the couple were discussing over dinner, worried about her situation.<br/><br/>They had considered their most trusted guards, both men and women, yet had not been able to find anyone suitable for the circumstances. If Yingyue didn't have anyone to protect her, soon she could be in grave danger.<br/><br/>"Although she is in danger, perhaps Madam Cha's invitation to study at the Junior Academy of Arts has come at a fortunate time. If she studies there, she will have to move to the boarding house within the academy so Su Rushi may not be able to easily reach her there." Wu Zhong tried to comfort his wife.<br/><br/>"Wu Zhong, I'm truly happy for her. She's the first one who has ever received a personal invitation from Madam Cha. It seems that she's just like Jiayi back then... But that also means she'll be in great danger, until she moves out of the Jiang household, at least."<br/><br/>"I promised Xiao Zhu that we would send a shadow guard by tomorrow morning, but we've still yet to find anyone who we can trust to take care of her." Xiang Nuo put down her rice bowl worriedly.<br/><br/>Wu Zhong had a thought come to mind... It would certainly work but he was doubtful whether they could agree on it. He swiftly stood and strode towards the closed door, his every footstep light as feathers. As he reached the door, he yanked it inwards.<br/><br/>Wu Ming who had been leaning with his ear up against the door hadn't been able to hear his father approach. One moment he was confused about why the conversation had stopped, and the next moment, he had face-planted on the ground at his father's feet.<br/><br/>When he finally regained his senses, he looked up to see his father smirking at him... "You still need to work on your breathing, son. I could have heard you from a mile away."<br/><br/>Xiang Nuo grinned at their father-son relationship. The two of them teased each other all day long, but when it came to military matters, both of them were calm and detached as if not relatives at all - only superior and subordinate. She was glad to see that as Wu Ming grew, he did not grow apart from them.<br/><br/>Wu Ming was scratching the back of his head, embarrassed that he had been caught eavesdropping on his parents. "How can you blame me...? I came back from training today and the housekeeper told me my parents were taking their dinner separate from me. Then, I come over here, and your door is closed! Of course, I'm curious..."<br/><br/>Wu Zhong patted his back roughly as he laughed and pushed him towards the third seat at the dinner table. "Sit down, Ming'er. We might need your help with this matter, actually."<br/><br/>Xiang Nuo naturally understood what her husband meant by this. If it was her son, she could rest assured.<br/><br/>Wu Zhong knew this was a serious matter. "I'm sure you would have heard parts of our conversation already... Concubine Lu is part of the Jiang family, and it is both her and her daughter that need our protection during this vital period of time. You will come to understand why in the future. Jiang Yingyue will soon be attending the Junior Royal Academy of Arts."<br/><br/>Wu Ming's eyes widened as he heard this. Although he was involved in the military and didn't not much about the scholarly side of society, he had heard that the Royal Academy of Arts was notoriously difficult to enter, and mostly only through recommendations. He wondered how this girl had been able to achieve such a feat.<br/><br/>"She needs close observation whenever possible as Madam Jiang is a cruel woman and she will not tolerate Yingyue being admitted when her daughter hasn't been..."<br/><br/>Wu Ming understood what his father was asking. "So you would like me to become her shadow guard and keep watch of her?"<br/><br/>His parents both nodded hopefully...<br/><br/>"I can agree to do it, but give me the night to observe her. I can't possibly watch her all day if I don't like her." He shrugged.<br/><br/>Both Xiang Nuo and Wu Zhong knew their son's personality... It seems this wouldn't last very long and they would have to find another solution soon. They quickly agreed and the three of them finished the now cold dinner before Wu Ming set off in a pitch-black garment.</p>