Chapter 23: Privilege Treatment
On the training ground, Mr. Xu was flanked by a few young men in their early twenties. One of them, lethargic, was yawning: "Master, why did you ask us to come here so early?"
"Isn't it obvious? He's taken a fancy to another disciple!"
"Isn't today about letting us observe those two Attendant Students of Seventh Young Master?"
These young individuals were all Protectors of the Zhao Mansion, but their relationship with Mr. Xu was somewhat closer than the other Protectors.
Although all the Zhao Mansion's Protectors were trained by Mr. Xu and were nominally his disciples.
But these were the ones who had formally served tea and paid respect to become disciples, referring to Mr. Xu as Master, among them one was even Mr. Xu's own nephew.
Thanks to Mr. Xu's care, they had advanced quickly and carried significant responsibility across the Zhao Family's various businesses, all very busy. Without Mr. Xu's summoning today, a gathering like this would not have been easily arranged.
At this moment, these individuals were also curious about the reason Mr. Xu had called them.
"Today there's a lad with decent potential. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he'll be your junior disciple in the future."
"Hold on." The young man who yawned earlier caught on: "The Attendant Student of Seventh Young Master? Is he willing to guard the mansion like us?"
It's not self-deprecation; even with Mr. Xu's protection, none could match the backing of Seventh Young Master.
His position as Attendant Student was secure, and he might even be aiming for the stewardship; who would want to slog as a Protector, up at dawn and toiling into dusk, through wind and rain?
"Is apprenticing under me something to be ashamed of? Moreover, he needs to secure the Attendant Student position first!" Mr. Xu huffed upon hearing this: "When he's chased away by Seventh Young Master, he can plead with the lady of the house."
The young men exchanged glances, finding their Master's words quite reasonable.
Who in the Zhao Family didn't understand the temper of Seventh Young Master?
His Attendant Students never lasted long.
"So Master, why did you call us here?"
"Firstly, to get to know the boy, so if anything comes up, you can help him out."
"You really think highly of this kid, Master." The young man who spoke first commented dismissively.
"Secondly, the lad is talented and probably will advance quickly in martial arts training. I fear he might grow arrogant..."
"Got it! A show of force!"
The young men looked at each other and rubbed their hands eagerly.
"Who told you to lay hands on him! Just talk, a bit of sideline coaching will do; let them understand that there's always someone better out there."
Now the young men were sure; their own Master really did value this yet-to-be inducted junior disciple, fearing to hurt him.
...
When Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan arrived at the training ground, they were a little uncomfortable under the probing gazes.
They didn't hear the whispering among the few:
"Which one, which one?"
"The taller, darker one."
"And the other one's no good?"
"Inferior talent, and his father is Housekeeper Gao from the second family branch; he has his own path. With my humble beginnings, he likely wouldn't care."
"This future junior disciple doesn't seem to stand out."
As Zheng Fa and the others approached, Mr. Xu couldn't help but add, "Apart from his solid foundation, his main asset is his steady temperament—an excellent prospect. Enough of that!"
By the time Zheng Fa reached them, he saw Mr. Xu frowning and looking at him with a dissatisfied expression.
The young men behind him also had grave expressions.
It was supposed to be a training evaluation day, and with such a stern audience, the two became even more stressed.
They didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.
"You two are late!"
Mr. Xu's opening was a reproach, and without daring to argue, they bowed their heads obediently.
"Beginning your martial arts training, this is the time for diligent study and practice. Why are you late?"
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"It's my fault... I overslept and delayed the time," Gao Yuan stammered.
He had been relentlessly studying those few diagrams over the past several nights, pulling all-nighters, and at his age when sleep was hard to resist, by the time Zheng Fa called for him, it was already too late.
"You? Since you sleep so well, you must also be quite good at the Songhe Stance, right? Show it to me!"
Gao Yuan's face turned sour, as his body honestly assumed the posture of the Songhe Stance.
Zheng Fa watched from the side, observing how Gao Yuan's whole body stood firm on the ground, shoulders undulating with his hips.
From Zheng Fa's beginner's perspective, Gao Yuan was also close to mastering the basics!
This surprised him quite a bit, as he knew that without the modern seven-day framework, he would not necessarily have reached the level Gao Yuan was at now.
Moreover, Mr. Xu had clearly stated that his own foundation surpassed Gao Yuan's.
In Mr. Xu's eyes, there was also a hint of surprise. He walked around Gao Yuan twice and, after frowning for a long while, suddenly asked, "Did your father give you special training?"
"...Yes," Gao Yuan murmured modestly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Your posture has the same flaw as your father's, left shoulder an inch higher! He has that due to an injury, and now you're copying it?" Mr. Xu scoffed, "Relax!"
He patted Gao Yuan's left shoulder blade.
Gao Yuan subconsciously adjusted his posture, clearly breathing more smoothly, his stance now capturing more of the essence of the Songhe Stance.
"Good!" Mr. Xu nodded, "Not bad, quick progress! But in the future, ask your father to feed you less medicine. Training too hard can harm the body, and tonics will hardly compensate!"
Zheng Fa had an epiphany on the side.
He wondered why every day at lunchtime, Gao Yuan had to step out for a while and also always brought his own meal.
Now he guessed that Gao Yuan was probably sneaking away to practice martial arts with his father daily.
According to the rules, just like Zheng Fa, one should only practice the Songhe Stance for two hours a day and no longer.
But going by what Mr. Xu implied, Gao Yuan was drinking medicinal supplements daily and could practice longer than him.
Richer than you and also works harder than you, that's really rubbing it in.
Gao Yuan seemed embarrassed that Zheng Fa discovered his secret efforts, hanging his head low and not daring to look at Zheng Fa as he stepped back.
"You come here!"
Mr. Xu called out to Zheng Fa with a stern face, but his eyes twinkled with amusement, "Gao Yuan's talents are inferior to yours, and yet he's almost got it. Let's see how good you've become!"
Indeed, he was quite satisfied in his heart.
On one hand, Gao Yuan's progression was beyond his expectations.
The boy not only came from a well-off family but was also diligent.
Even though he knew Gao Yuan would not become his direct disciple, having taught a capable student always made him happy.
On the other hand, he felt having a person like Gao Yuan to compete with would further motivate Zheng Fa.
The other has lesser talent but practices better than you.
Does that make you anxious?
Even calling a few direct disciples over today seemed a bit redundant.
Gao Yuan alone was enough to make this young one not underestimate the world!
He already had in mind how to reprimand Zheng Fa if he performed worse than Gao Yuan.
"Hm?" Mr. Xu looked at Zheng Fa, who had assumed the Songhe Stance and was lost in his practice, then turned back to compare him with his other disciples, a look of uncertainty on his face.
Those disciples too were a bit astonished.
They all realized that Zheng Fa's Songhe Stance had reached a level of proficiency.
Mr. Xu stretched out his fingers, counting, he asked Gao Yuan beside him, "One day, two days, three days. It's only been three days since I taught you both the complete Songhe Stance, right?"
Gao Yuan nodded.
"So, he has mastered it?" Mr. Xu, pointing at Zheng Fa, continued to doubtfully ask Gao Yuan, "Your father is so generous, did he also give special training to him?"
Gao Yuan: ...But I'm an only child!
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