After sending Eunuch Dou away, Xiao Yuan stayed at the Xu family's residence.

Xiao Yuan was very cautious when he first arrived in this new place, which made Zhang Zhaoci feel uneasy. She took Xiao Yuan out to do this and that every day, afraid that Xiao Yuan would start thinking about all sorts of things when he had free time.

Children's attention is easily drawn, and Zhang Zhaoci quickly brought out their natural liveliness. They smiled more and talked more. When Xu Di saw this, he said to Zhang Zhaoci, "You've never put in so much effort for the three of us."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "You three have been with me and your father since you were born. Haven't you had a good life? Haven't I given you enough care? You're about to get married, and you're still competing with a little kid for your mother's attention. Aren't you ashamed?"

Xu Di said, "Why would I be embarrassed about my own mother? I'm just afraid that Xu Bai will be jealous when he comes back."

Zhang Zhaoci sneered and said, "Him? How old is he? How old is Xiao Yuan? If he's jealous, isn't he afraid of drowning in his own jealousy?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Di exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, you knew about this?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "He crawled out of my belly, how could I not know? He's always acting cute and charming, I'm embarrassed for him."

Xu Di said, "That's just how they are. What are you going to ask them to do if they don't act cute and charming? Study hard and become a top scholar? Don't you find that terrifying?"

Zhang Zhaoci said, "That's true. I wonder how well that kid is doing in Beijing. Sigh, he's been gone for days now, and I miss him. I've gotten used to him running around the house all the time, and now that he's suddenly gone, I'm really not used to it."

Xu Di said, "Since Xiao Yuan has come to our house, we can no longer go to the capital. When my uncle and his family bring my cousins, we can have a good time. If possible, I would like to go with them to visit the men's quarters."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "You're so lucky. You can leave whenever you want without any worries. Take advantage of being all alone and have no family to support, and travel around as you please. Once you're married and have a family to support, it won't be so easy for you to leave."

Xu Di said, "Why don't you come along? Take Xiao Yuan with you, and we can all see this beautiful land. With more people, how can it not be safe?"

Zhang Zhaoci was somewhat tempted. The original owner's parents were still in the south. In the past few years, they had to stay in Hexi to guard the area, so there was no good opportunity for them to go to the south.

Xiao Yuan was led by Bai Wei from the back garden. The backyard of this house had a small garden that had been abandoned for many years. Zhang Zhaoci and his three Bais planted some common herbs in it, which were convenient to use after processing.

When Xiao Yuan saw Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di sitting and talking under the sycamore tree in the front yard, he was originally jumping around happily, but after seeing him, he became a little embarrassed. He suppressed his excitement and acted like a little adult, stomping his feet as he approached.

Zhang Zhaoci was overjoyed to see this and immediately pulled Xiao Yuan, who had walked up to her, into her arms. She pinched Xiao Yuan's cheeks, which were already flushed red, and said, "Oh dear, what are you doing?"

Xiao Yuan said shyly, "Aunt, I haven't paid my respects to you yet."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "We're all family, there's no need for this. Do whatever makes you comfortable. Come on, tell your aunt what you were doing in the backyard?"

Xiao Yuan said, "Sister Baiwei took me to see the flowers. Sister Baiwei said that those flowers can be used as herbs to cure diseases and save lives. Aunt, those flowers are so beautiful and can also be used as herbs. That's amazing."

Zhang Zhaoci smiled and said, "That's right, there are many, many more plants that can be used as flowers and herbs. By the way, have you finished the homework your uncle assigned you?"

Xiao Yuan said, "Aunt, I've finished writing everything. My uncle asked me to recite a passage from the Four Books and write two large characters, which I've already done."

Xiao Yuan's mother was also a talented woman. When she had nothing to do while staying in the Cold Palace, she would teach Xiao Yuan to recite texts every day. He could already recite the Three Hundred Characters and the Thousand Character Classic from memory, and he knew many characters. After Xu Rao checked Xiao Yuan's homework, she prepared a lesson plan for him separately. Xu Rao was a teacher by training, and Xiao Yuan was a person with a strong ability to learn. The two of them, one teaching diligently and the other learning diligently, had already started teaching him the Four Books in just over half a month.

Xu Di watched as Xiao Yuan clearly enjoyed Zhang Zhaoci's intimacy with him, yet tried to maintain his mature demeanor. His expression was conflicted, and even his movements seemed somewhat awkward. He couldn't hide his smile either. Xiao Yuan, seeing Xu Di laughing at him, was even more at a loss for what to do.

Xu Di said, "We're planning to go south and take a look. Do you want to go?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up. Then, as if thinking of something, he lowered his head, his eyelids drooping, and his long eyelashes cast a dark shadow under his eyelids.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Zhaoci gently patted Xiao Yuan's back and said, "Doesn't our Yuan-ge'er want to go?"

Xiao Yuan quickly raised his head, stared at her, and said, "No, Aunt, I'm afraid that if we go out, we'll run into those people again. Those people are terrifying. They'll wave their knives at us and try to kill us when they see us."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "Then let's bring more people with us, so we won't be afraid of them."

Xiao Yuan shook his head and said, "Aunt, no, I know those people want my life. If I go out with you, I will implicate you."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaoci felt that this little guy was a truly considerate child, and said, "No, your brother has already taken care of this matter. As long as he says it's alright, then it's alright."

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