In Ganzhou, families with many children are always making a ruckus, and the situation in the capital is no less chaotic.

After traveling for more than twenty days, Granny Lu finally returned to the Marquis's mansion in the capital.

The old lady had been waiting for a long time. When she heard that the people had entered the city, she went directly to the second gate, the hanging flower gate, to wait. So, Granny Lu didn't take the two children to wash up. After kowtowing to the old lady in front of the hanging flower gate, she followed her to the old lady's courtyard.

Ning Shi and her sisters-in-law were already serving the old lady in her courtyard early on. After they went to the hanging flower gate to pick her up and brought her back to the old lady's courtyard, the ladies of the mansion were busy serving her handkerchiefs, hot tea, and snacks. This made Xu Zhi feel a little apprehensive and uneasy.

When the old lady saw this, she smiled and said, "You should sit down and relax, have some tea and snacks. Your aunts and uncles are always at home. It's good for them to move around and get some exercise."

Ning was dignified, Chen was kind and honest, and Yao and Zhou were lively. Yao, in particular, often joked with the old lady. After hearing what the old lady said, she laughed and said, "What the old lady says is true. We girls stay at home all day without moving around. If we don't get some exercise, we'll really be just like that thing."

Zhou then said, "Grandmother, are you saying we're like pigs?"

The old lady chuckled and said, "Did I say that? I didn't say that. You all said it yourselves."

The room was filled with a harmonious atmosphere. The old lady pulled Xu Bai into her arms. The little guy was almost four years old. He ate well and grew strong. His little face was fair and tender, and his big eyes blinked as he looked at the people around him. At first glance, you could tell that he was a very clever child.

Seeing everyone smiling, Xu Bai also smiled with his eyes narrowed. The old lady gently pinched Xu Bai's cheek and said, "Our little Qi has grown quite a bit. Come on, tell your grandmother what you've eaten along the way."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai pointed to his chubby fingers and said, "I've eaten roasted lamb leg, braised beef, oat noodles, knife-cut noodles, and lamb stew. Grandma also bought me a lot of snacks from different places, and I also ate steamed white buns. Grandma, all those things were delicious. My sister said she asked how they were made, and when she came back, she thought about making them for you to try, so you can enjoy the food there without having to go to those places."

Upon hearing this, the old lady happily said, "Oh my, our little Jiugen and Xiaoqi are so thoughtful. I'm already so happy that you've come all this way to visit your grandmother. Don't bother with the kitchen work. We're boys, after all. What kind of boy cooks?"

Xu Bai shook his head and said, "Grandmother, it's not just my sister who has to do it, but Xiao Qi also has to do it. Whether or not she needs to do it is one thing, but whether or not she knows how to do it is another. Once you learn to cook, it's your own skill, and you won't have to go hungry no matter where you go in the future."

Upon hearing this, the old lady looked at Xu Bai's earnest expression and burst into laughter again.

Xu Bai was good at coaxing people. The old lady sat cross-legged on the kang bed, and Xu Bai was put in her arms. Xu Bai hugged the old lady's neck and whispered, "Grandmother, let me tell you, I'm learning to roll out noodles with my sister now. I've already learned it, but my arms are still not strong enough. When I grow a little longer and my arms are stronger, I'll roll out noodles for you to eat."

Upon hearing this, the old lady hugged Xu Bai tightly, calling him her darling. Xu Bai was the youngest child in the family, and even if the other children felt jealous, they were too embarrassed to compete with their little brother for affection.

Granny Lu naturally knew Xu Bai's temper, and just smiled as she watched Xu Bai act cute and charming with the old lady. Xu Zhi whispered a reprimand: "Seventh brother, don't be too much for the old lady."

Xu Bai glanced at his older sister and quickly got off the old lady's lap. The old lady watched with a smile. When the children were together, the younger ones had to listen to the older ones. The old lady never tried to reason with the older ones on behalf of the younger ones.

After spending some time in the old lady's courtyard, Granny Lu led Xu Zhi and Xu Bai to kowtow to the Marquis.

The Marquis was very fond of Xu Bai, and asked him many questions, such as how many characters he knew and whether he could write. Xu Bai chattered away, making the Marquis laugh heartily. When Granny Lu took Xu Bai back to his own courtyard, Xu Bai was holding a gold-threaded red inkstone that the Marquis had given him. The inkstone was not very useful, but it was very precious, and it was said to be worth a thousand gold pieces. Xu Bai liked it when he saw it on the antique shelf in the Marquis's study. He coaxed Xu Bai into giving it to him.

Looking at Xu Bai, who was laughing non-stop, Xu Zhi said to Granny Lu, "Granny, we need to restrain our little brother's behavior. We need to correct this habit of coveting other people's things. Otherwise, if we take him out, he will covet other people's good things and people will laugh at our child for being stingy."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai pouted and said, "Sister, this was a gift from Grandfather. Why was it given to me? It's because I'm well-behaved and obedient. If I weren't obedient, would Grandfather have given it to me?"

Xu Zhi said, "Little brother, I could hear all the things you said to Grandfather about this inkstone. How could Grandfather not hear them? Grandfather didn't care because you're young. Since you like it, I'll give it to you. You're already four years old. If you don't change this habit, people will laugh at you when you grow up."

Xu Baiqiang argued, "Sister, I'm still young now. I won't be like this when I grow up. In this life, you have to do the right things at the right age. Otherwise, you'll regret it when you get old."

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!