Chapter 419 Photographic Memory
A slight blush crept onto Li Xi's face. She unconsciously placed her hand on Lin Changning's neck, nodded gently, and replied, "I'm much better now, Sixth Uncle. Thank you for your concern, Sixth Uncle."
Seeing Lin Changning pick up Li Xi, the two little maids in the room couldn't sit still anymore. They stopped reciting their lessons and looked shyly at Mr. Zheng in the hall.
Mr. Zheng sighed helplessly: "Alright, go ahead. There are banquets at the manor these few days, so I won't keep you from going. I'll give you a few days off, but I will check your homework next time you go to class."
The two little girls cheered and ran out quickly, while Mr. Zheng watched as Lin Changning, who was holding the child, slowly tidied his desk.
The two little girls ran to Lin Changning's side, and Lin Changning subconsciously put Li Xi down and picked up the two little girls, one in each arm.
He rubbed his face against the two little girls' faces: "Oh, oh, oh, do you miss your sixth uncle?"
Er Ya, with her sweet tongue, nodded: "I've missed Uncle Liu so much."
Sanya nodded: "Sanya dreams about Uncle Liu. Uncle Liu hasn't come to see us for many days. He always comes back so late."
As she spoke, San Ya unconsciously pouted, feeling somewhat dissatisfied. Uncle Liu was busy every day and hadn't come to see her and Er Ya for many days.
Lin Changning patiently coaxed the two little girls.
Li Xi stood to the side, pursing his lips with a hint of envy. The warmth of Lin Changning's embrace was still lingering. After squeezing his little hands, Li Xi stood quietly next to Lin Changning, looking up at the three of them being so close, feeling a little envious.
When he was little, he vaguely remembered that his father must have held him like this. Now he no longer has a father, nor a mother, and his beloved grandfather is gone too.
Thinking of this, Li Xi silently lowered his head, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Lin Changning spent a while getting close to the two little girls before putting them down. Just then, he noticed Xi'er's disappointed look. After putting her down, Lin Changning patted Li Xi'er's head and praised her, "Xi'er was great today. Although you started reading the latest, it's really amazing that you could memorize it so quickly."
After saying that, he flicked the two little girls' foreheads: "Learn from your brother properly, do you hear me?"
Er Ya and San Ya had already become familiar with Li Xi. Although they pouted slightly in dissatisfaction upon hearing this, they still looked up at Lin Changning and promised, "You heard me, Sixth Uncle~"
Mr. Zheng couldn't help but smile as he looked at Lin Changning with the child.
"Xi'er, take your two younger sisters back first. Change your clothes and then come back to find your sixth uncle. The master has something to say to your sixth uncle."
Li Xi nodded and respectfully bowed to Mr. Zheng: "Yes, sir."
After saying that, he took one in each hand and walked towards his own courtyard.
Lin Changning looked up at Mr. Zheng and bowed slightly to him: "Sir, is there something you need from me?"
The gentleman nodded slightly, looking at Lin Changning with a hint of emotion in his eyes: "Is it true that Li Xi is an orphan?"
Lin Changning blinked, somewhat puzzled as to why the master would suddenly ask such a question, but nodded and said, “My father died on the way to his service, and my mother passed away earlier this year after a serious illness. My grandfather took an arrow for me and the young master and also passed away. We really don’t have any relatives left. At that time, the young master and I went to find someone to look for his maternal grandfather’s family, but that family was just an ordinary farming family.”
Mr. Zheng sighed deeply, looked at Lin Changning, nodded and said, "That's good. This child may have a great future."
Lin Changning looked at Mr. Zheng with a slight frown, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "What do you mean by that, sir?"
Mr. Zheng handed the homework to Lin Changning, nodded gently, and said, "This child has a photographic memory."
Lin Changning's eyes widened in surprise: "Photographic memory?"
Mr. Zheng nodded and said again, "I've been observing this child these past few days. Not only does he have a photographic memory, but he might also be hiding his talent, waiting for Da Ya and Er Ya to memorize it before he tries to memorize it himself. It just so happens that you came over today, and this child was eager to see you. He only glanced at it once before coming up to me and reciting it. I just finished teaching this lesson, and the children have only been memorizing it for less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. So, I'm sure that Xi'er really does have a photographic memory."
Lin Changning nodded to indicate that he understood: "With such talent, I would be grateful if you would take good care of Xi'er and not let her talent go to waste."
The gentleman's lips twitched as he mentioned this, and he sighed, saying, "This matter still needs to be handled by the adults. The child is indeed quite talented, but perhaps because he has only been in the Lin family for a short time, he is a bit preoccupied and always waits until Er Ya and San Ya have finished reciting before he will step forward."
Upon hearing Mr. Zheng's words, Lin Changning understood that Li Xi was afraid of being too outstanding and being disliked by her family. He couldn't help but chuckle and said, "I understand, sir. Let's go look for Xi'er here."
When Mr. Zheng saw that Lin Changning had agreed, his eyebrows curved into a smile. He thought to himself that Lin Changning himself was a one-in-a-million chosen one, possessing divine power and a smooth career. Not only that, the child he had taken in was also a chosen civil official.
He is about to marry a princess from the royal family.
I wonder what kind of fate this family has?
It's like they can do anything and succeed at it.
The two walked hand in hand to the courtyard where Li Xi and the others lived. The eldest sister-in-law was not at home, and the maids were helping the children change their clothes.
Li Xi was the first to change. Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, he ran out first, jogged over to the two of them, and bowed respectfully.
Lin Changning's gaze toward Li Xi remained calm and righteous, while Mr. Zheng's gaze was filled with eagerness.
Changning took Li Xi's hand and led Mr. Zheng to a study in the courtyard. After helping Li Xi to a seat, Changning and Mr. Zheng sat on either side of her. After pouring tea for all three of them, Changning asked, "Xi'er, do you have a photographic memory?"
Li Xi seemed not to quite understand what Lin Changning meant: "Huh? Sixth Uncle? What does 'photographic memory' mean?"
Mr. Zheng added, "Xi'er, recite the lessons I taught you the other day to the adults."
Li Xi nodded obediently, her clear voice echoing in the room.
"The Great Learning teaches us to manifest our bright virtue, to love the people, and to abide in perfect goodness. Knowing where to abide, we can then be resolute; being resolute, we can then be calm; being calm, we can then be at peace; being at peace, we can then deliberate; deliberating, we can then attain. Things have their roots and branches; affairs have their beginnings and ends. Knowing what comes first and what comes last, we are close to the Way. Those in ancient times who wished to manifest their bright virtue to the world first governed their own states..."
Lin Changning rubbed his chin, and seeing Xi'er reciting her lessons like this, he was pretty sure she had it all figured out.
However, she still wanted to confirm it again. After thinking for a moment, she took a pen and paper, wrote down the contents of the official document, and handed it to Li Xi.
"Xi'er, watch it once and try to memorize it."
Li Xi took the paper from Lin Changning, nodded, and after reading half of it, he suddenly hesitated and looked up: "Sixth Uncle, I don't recognize these words."
Upon hearing Li Xi's words, Lin Changning stood up, picked Li Xi up, and, holding a piece of paper in his hand, taught Li Xi to read it word by word.
After Lin Changning read it once, he was about to read it again with Li Xi when he saw Li Xi suddenly struggle to get down from the ground: "I've memorized Sixth Uncle."
After saying that, he stood in front of Lin Changning with his head held high and said loudly:
"The imperial edict reads: You are hereby specially ordered to strengthen the military preparedness of Ping and Ning prefectures, Qingzhou, and other places, and to concurrently manage the military affairs of Liping, under the command of the Qingzhou governor. Recently, bandits have been harassing nearby prefectures and counties. You should conduct thorough patrols along the river, ensuring the repair of city walls and the training of troops. If bandits appear and commit misconduct, you should lead the garrison officers to capture them, and then promptly report to the garrison commander and governor. All complaints from the military and civilians shall be handled impartially."
All civil and military officials under your jurisdiction who dare to violate the law will be punished according to the circumstances, and those who commit serious offenses will be reported to the emperor. As a minister entrusted with this responsibility, you are especially duty-bound to uphold justice and fairness, lead your subordinates, and ensure local peace and tranquility, preventing disturbance to the military and civilians. You are forbidden from acting recklessly or deviating from the proper course of action. Your responsibilities are clearly defined, and you must be mindful of this. Therefore, this edict is issued.”
Lin Changning and Mr. Zheng exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
Lin Changning couldn't help but pinch Li Xi's cheek: "Xi'er is such a precious baby, hahaha~"
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