After giving Hu Qian a few pointers, Nie Yannian left the Training Field again to find Xun Mei.
Xun Mei happened to have a visitor: Jiang Shuanyou.
"Teacher Nie." Jiang Shuanyou felt extremely awkward and hurriedly bowed.
"What's this about? Does Xun Mei owe you wages?" Nie Yannian casually sat down and accepted the teacup delivered by a little maid.
Xun Mei smiled but said nothing.
"No, no," Jiang Shuanyou said humbly. "I feel the work is too easy. There's nothing to do all day. Others feed and tend the horses, so I want to return to the ranch and help out."
"You're far too honest." Nie Yannian laughed when he heard that. "This job was meant to let you live out your retirement!"
"My granddaughter has a future now, and Little Meng is clearly going places. If I do nothing and still draw a monthly wage for free, I can't feel at ease," Jiang Shuanyou said.
"That's where you don't understand." Nie Yannian took a sip of tea, pointed at Jiang Shuanyou, and said, "Little Gelder is the Princess Consort's guard. He hasn't been assigned work yet, but he'll have plenty to do later. When the Princess Consort travels or inspects the Quiet Garden, he'll have to put in the effort."
Jiang Shuanyou still looked baffled, clearly not having caught on.
"In the guard line of work, loyalty comes first. If someone is both loyal and capable, then he must be put to good use. Little Gelder was recommended by Xun Mei and taught hand in hand by me. He goes around every day with 'life between Heaven and Earth' hanging from his lips, so he's clearly loyal enough, and his ability is passable too."
Nie Yannian patiently explained, "Guards differ from other positions. They stay too close to