When people get old, what they like most is to be surrounded by their children and grandchildren and enjoy the happiness of family life. However, people in ancient times were generally more conservative, and people as enthusiastic and unrestrained as Xu Bai were very rare.

The old lady's heart melted as Xu Bai kissed her a few times. She quickly pulled Xu Bai's small body into her arms, feeling a pang of tenderness. Just then, the Marquis arrived with Xu Di to kowtow to the old lady. Seeing Xu Bai in the old lady's arms, Xu Di glared at her. Xu Bai quickly climbed out of the old lady's arms, crawled to Zhang Zhaoci's side, took Zhang Zhaoci's hand, and sat obediently.

Everyone laughed when they saw this. Zhang Zhaoci said, "My youngest son is fearless. He's not even afraid of his father. He's only afraid of his older brother. If his brother misbehaves, he'll be obedient as soon as his brother coughs."

When they saw the Marquis coming over, everyone stood up. Zhang Zhaoci quickly made way for the Marquis and tried to hug Xu Bai to get up, but Xu Bai wouldn't let him. Once the Marquis sat down, he started to act cute with him.

Xu Di kowtowed to the old lady, who smiled and said, "Our Di-ge'er has grown taller and bigger. At first glance, he even bears a resemblance to the old Marquis."

Upon hearing this, the Marquis shifted his attention from Xu Bai to his eldest grandson, who was already showing signs of becoming a handsome young man. He stroked his beard and smiled as he looked at him, when he felt someone tugging at the jade pendant hanging on his body. Looking down, he saw that his grandson, Xu Bai, had already pulled the jade pendant by the silk ribbon and pulled it into his hand. When he saw that the Marquis had noticed him, Xu Bai looked up and smiled at him. This smile, with the few small, snow-white teeth that had just appeared in his mouth, looked like it could melt a person's heart into a pool of spring water.

The old lady followed the Marquis's gaze to Xu Bai and said with a smile, "He's taken a fancy to your things. See? My lotus ornament is already in his bag."

Seeing his younger brother's unambitious behavior, Xu Di coughed lightly. Xu Bai heard this, quickly put down the jade pendant in his hand, and sat down next to the Marquis with his head down. His pitiful appearance was hard to describe.

When everyone saw Xu Bai's appearance, they forgot about the presence of the Marquis and burst into laughter. Even the Marquis laughed and picked Xu Bai up and held him in his arms. As the Marquis lifted him up, Xu Bai looked up at this man who looked to be about fifty years old and had a refined appearance. This was the most powerful person in the Marquis's mansion, and he couldn't help but stare at him carefully.

Children's gazes are always very focused. Their large, clear eyes stare intently at you, and you can see your own reflection in them. The Marquis saw himself in his grandson's eyes, and when he looked at his grandson, there was doubt in his eyes, but more than that, he probably felt a deep affection for the man he should call grandfather.

The Marquis felt very comfortable. This was the unbreakable bond of blood ties. He smiled and touched Xu Bai's little face, saying, "Have you taken a fancy to Grandpa's things? This one isn't good. How about Grandpa finds you a better one when he comes back?"

People of status always carry a few things with them. On certain occasions, they will take these things off their person and give them to others as gifts. The jade on the Marquis's person is actually of good quality, but the Marquis feels that his beloved grandson deserves something better in return.

Xu Bai naturally understood what the Marquis was saying. His words indicated that he was favored by the Marquis. Thinking that he had many grandchildren in the mansion, and that he, the youngest grandson, was being asked to find something better for him, Xu Bai was very happy. Isn't the competition for favor simply a matter of whoever is favored getting more good things?

Xu Bai stared at the Marquis with some doubt on his face, then looked at Xu Di standing to the side. Xu Di quickly came over and said, "Grandfather, my little brother is a bit heavy. Let me carry him."

The Marquis waved his hand and said, "Our Bai-ge'er is eight months old. This is the first time I've seen him. Our Bai-ge'er is a good child. Let Grandfather hold him again."

Upon hearing this, Xu Bai grabbed the Marquis's collar, stood up from his embrace, stepped on the Marquis's legs, wrapped his arms around the Marquis's neck, and kissed the Marquis twice on the face, leaving the Marquis somewhat bewildered.

The old lady came in, laughing heartily, and said, "Our Bai-ge'er likes you, Marquis. Just now, when I gave him that little ornament, he came over and kissed me like this."

Zhang Zhaoci was speechless. Seeing her nominal mother-in-law Wu's face growing increasingly gloomy, she knew that Wu was displeased with her youngest son's show of himself today. However, Zhang Zhaoci didn't want to waste any more time arguing with her and felt there was no need to bother with her.

The people in this room all wore smiles on their faces, and they were smiling quite heartily, but only they knew what they were really thinking.

Aside from the old lady, Zhang Zhaoci never got close to anyone in the mansion, nor did she interact with anyone in the mansion much. This was because Zhang Zhaoci felt that although this large family was all in the same boat, she had her own sons and daughters, and besides herself, she also had to plan for her children. There was definitely some selfishness in her actions.

After Zhang Zhaoci married into the family, she understood that the Marquis's mansion was large and complex, with many people. She didn't ask for much else; she just wanted to live her own life behind closed doors. Who knew that people would still skimp on her food? Zhang Zhaoci wasn't one to tolerate such treatment. If someone bullied her to her face, why wouldn't she fight back and let them continue to bully her? It was also because of Zhang Zhaoci's strong personality that no one else in the mansion dared to provoke her. Although Zhang Zhaoci had lived in the mansion for more than ten years, because she was a concubine's daughter-in-law, and her nominal mother-in-law, Madam Wu, was someone who didn't like to manage household affairs and lived a secluded life, her children and grandchildren only needed to come and pay their respects on the first and fifteenth of each month.

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