Chen Zhaoci didn't hide anything and told Xu Shao about the purpose of her visit during the day. Xu Zhi was shocked and widened her eyes, saying, "Auntie is really daring, actually wanting Fourth Sister to marry Cousin Xing."

Xu Bai sighed and said, "Women, it's really scary how shallow they are. Who gave my aunt the courage to come and ask my cousin to marry my fourth sister? Putting aside the difference in social standing between our two families, our two families are not even on the same level in terms of family traditions."

Xu Zhi said, "That's right, my aunt would tear my aunt apart."

Xu Bai nodded and said, "Didn't they complain to Grandfather? That provoked Grandfather and Uncle to take action together. My eldest aunt is powerless to fight back. I think my eldest aunt will definitely be able to get revenge."

Chen Zhaoci said, "You two, alright, you're talking about other people's gossip, look how excited you are."

Xu Bai said, "Mother, it's just that my older sister got married early. Otherwise, she would have been my aunt's target too. Now, my aunt doesn't care about family background when looking for a wife. What she values ​​most is the dowry the wife will bring. She has already filled her own dowry, and now she's preparing to use her daughter-in-law's dowry to fill the gap."

Xu Zhi thought of something, put down her calligraphy brush, leaned over the kang table, and whispered, "I've been looking for a house on the street these past few days, and I also heard some gossip about my cousin Yan. After my cousin Yan married into the Yang family, she hasn't had any children. Her mother-in-law treats her badly and keeps stuffing people into their room. I heard that my cousin Yang's husband already has several concubines, and countless maids, but he hasn't given birth to a single child. Some people say that my cousin Yang's husband probably has a problem."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai chuckled and said, "I saw my cousin-in-law Yang outside last time, but he didn't recognize me. He came out of the restaurant with a very handsome man. Some people say that my cousin-in-law Yang is a regular at Xiaoguanguan."

Chen Zhaoci, hearing the two children's increasingly outrageous talk, scolded them in a low voice: "What kind of knowledge have you two gained out there? Xu Bai, how many books have you read since you came back? Xu Zhi, when you're out and about, there are some things you should avoid mentioning, so as not to be gossiped about."

Chen Zhaoci never talks about his children, but this time he really couldn't stand it anymore. These two kids, although one is already married, are still teenagers, and the other is even younger, not even ten years old. In modern times, they would be middle school or elementary school students who don't know anything. Even after school, they would worry about being kidnapped. But now the two of them are getting together and talking about these messy gossips. Even though Chen Zhaoci has a good temper, he can't stand it anymore.

Seeing that Chen Zhaoci's expression had really changed, Xu Bai and Xu Zhi quickly stopped talking. Xu Bai noticed that Chen Zhaoci's complexion had improved slightly, so he quickly moved closer and said, "Mother, do you think my eldest brother is doing at the examination hall? It's so cold at night, I wonder if he's getting cold."

Chen Zhaoci said, "I left him some pills before he left, for typhoid fever and diarrhea. You don't need to worry about that. Xu Bai, your older brother told you before he left that he would check your studies carefully when he came back. Although you are determined to do scientific research, it is the most basic requirement to pass the imperial examination and get the title of Jinshi. You should review your studies well these few days, so that you won't be caught off guard when your older brother comes back."

Xu Bai sighed and said, "Mother, I finally came here to talk to you and my sister and relax, but you're telling me all this. I know what I'm doing. I'll make sure our family has three Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in the future, and you'll be the mother of two Jinshi."

The next day, the weather was rather bad, gloomy and overcast. Although it was the end of February, the weather was unpredictable. Chen Zhaoci got up early in the morning and stood in the courtyard looking at the gloomy sky. The wind was biting, and Chen Zhaoci's heart was as cold as the sky.

Xu Zhi brought out a thick cloak from the inner room and draped it over Chen Zhaoci's shoulders. Chen Zhaoci sighed and said, "Xiao Jiu, look at the weather, it's so cold. I wonder how your brother is doing now."

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Mother, my eldest brother planned very carefully. He brought so many things, including the wolf-skin knee pads that Fourth Sister gave him. He definitely won't get cold."

Chen Zhaoci's mood worsened as she watched a few snowflakes drift down from the leaden clouds. She said, "Look at the weather, it's so cold, and it's even snowing. I wonder if your brother's hands are cold when he's writing."

It was unusual for Chen Zhaoci to be so sentimental, and Xu Zhi was still a little unaccustomed to it. She pushed Chen Zhaoci's shoulder and pushed her into the house, saying, "Mother, I don't know how my brother is now. I only know that if you continue to stand outside in the cold wind, you will catch a cold. My brother is at the examination hall now, and we can't go to help him. Let's just stay at home and wait. My brother is such a capable person, he will definitely take good care of himself."

The room was warm. After entering, Chen Zhaoci sneezed twice, which startled Bai Wei and Bai Mi, who were worried that Chen Zhaoci had caught a cold.

With someone in the family taking an exam, it's inevitable that those waiting at home will start to overthink. Chen Zhaoci sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), pondering the matter, feeling uneasy. Xu Zhi sighed and said, "Mother, if you feel uneasy, why don't we go play in Grandma's yard? Didn't you say you wanted to play cards last time? Let's go play cards with Grandma."

Chen Zhaoci said, "Your grandmother is still sleeping right now. Why would you bother her? Never mind, I won't think about it anymore. I'll go to the pharmacy in the backyard and keep busy. You just do what you need to do."

Xu Zhi originally intended to go to the street, but after thinking about it, she went to Xu Di's courtyard to talk to her sister-in-law.

Li Yuexi was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) sewing shoe soles when she saw Xu Zhi coming over. She quickly put down her needlework, and Xu Zhi said, "Sister-in-law, don't get down. I'll go up to the kang to warm up."

Li Yuexi quickly called someone to bring her hot tea. Xu Zhi took two sips and said, "I came from our mother's side. The weather has changed, and our mother is very worried about disturbing our eldest brother. She's been restless."

Li Yuexi was quick-witted and immediately understood Xu Zhi's meaning. Seeing that Xu Zhi was dressed for going out, she smiled and said, "Ninth Sister, it's good that you have things to do. I happen to have something to talk to our mother about. It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer."

Xu Zhi smiled and agreed, then put on her cloak and went outside. Li Yuexi packed up her sewing basket and headed towards her mother-in-law's courtyard.