Huiyi recounted the story with great relish, her facial expressions shifting and changing like a peach blossom touched by a spring breeze.
Feng Yun had already covered his face and sighed, his voice full of helplessness, "Alright, alright, you blockhead!"
Huiyi seemed oblivious, and continued to grumble with resentment: "Hmph, Grandma is really greedy. Auntie is kind-hearted, but she only cares about money and not about family. She doesn't care about fairness at all, and the whole family has to fawn over her. Auntie, I really feel sorry for you!"
Jiang Huaiyu asked calmly, "Are you finished?"
Huiyi raised her chin slightly, revealing two rows of snow-white teeth, "I'm done!"
Seeing that she still looked like she wanted credit, Feng Yun frowned and glanced at her, saying with a hint of pity, "She's hopeless, a piece of rotten wood that can't be carved... Sigh, really!"
This silly boy, has he forgotten his aunt's other identity?
Sure enough, Huiyi was all smiles, and she asked Jiang Huaiyu with a hopeful look on her face, "Auntie, Huiyi wants to eat Liangji's pastries. Did you bring Huiyi any delicious pastries when you came back this time?"
“Of course it’s prepared, but…you can’t taste it.”
"Huh? Why!" The little girl's eyes widened, her face full of confusion.
Jiang Huaiyu gently stroked her head, his smile revealing affection, but his words struck Huiyi's heart like a bolt from the blue.
"Bai Huiyi has spoken ill of her elders. As punishment, you are not allowed to enjoy the snacks brought back from the capital. In addition, you are required to copy ten chapters of the Classic of Filial Piety."
Feng Yun laughed gleefully, "You idiot, you're finally getting what you deserve!"
Huiyi looked pitiful and said aggrievedly, "Auntie, what Huiyi said is the truth, I'm not talking nonsense. Don't you want to know about the situation at home?"
Jiang Huaiyu calmly replied, "If I want to know, I will naturally ask Aunt Liu or your parents. Of course, you can also tell me the facts, but you must never criticize your elders casually. If you think your elders are wrong, you can offer suggestions and help them correct their mistakes, but discussing them in private will not change anything and is disrespectful to your elders. Do you understand?"
Huiyi pouted and nodded gently, "Huiyi knows she was wrong."
"Go, go and copy the scriptures."
Jiang Huaiyu had already given the order, and Huiyi, knowing her personality well, dared not plead any further. She could only walk into the main room with a belly full of grievances.
Feng Yun chuckled to himself, then suddenly turned around and met Jiang Huaiyu's gaze.
He was taken aback and quickly explained, "Auntie, I...I went to read a book!"
Jiang Huaiyu stopped him and asked gently, "You must have fallen behind in your studies while I was away for more than half a month, right?"
"No, no!" He shook his head quickly, but felt a little uneasy.
Jiang Huaiyu glanced at him sideways, her eyes revealing a hint of reproach. "You knew your sister's words were inappropriate, yet you didn't correct her in time. Instead, you watched her being punished with a gloating expression on your face. Fine, you can go in and copy the scriptures with Huiyi. You must hand in your homework tonight for me to check. If I find any slackness on your part, you will be severely punished."
Feng Yun's smile froze instantly, and he silently entered the main room like a quail.
The brother and sister looked at each other, their expressions more painful than tears.
"Hahaha!"
A burst of laughter rang out; it was Bai Jinxiao returning. Seeing his two children in such a sorry state, he couldn't help but laugh heartily, overjoyed.
"I really have to thank my sister-in-law for managing to keep them so obedient!"
He, as the father, no longer needs to worry about anything, and Jiang Huaiyu's methods will undoubtedly ensure that his child will achieve great things in the future.
"Big brother is back?"
After exchanging greetings, the two sides took their seats in the main hall.
Jiang Huaiyu glanced at the brother and sister who were engrossed in copying books, then looked up and surveyed the courtyard, saying thoughtfully, "Perhaps now is the right time to build a new house."
As children grow up, studying in the main room for extended periods can be disruptive, which is not a sustainable solution.
Bai Jinxiao responded in a low voice, "That is indeed not difficult. The family has sufficient financial resources at present. If my second sister-in-law is willing, after I discuss it with my mother and second brother, we can gather craftsmen to start construction."
Jiang Huaiyu pondered for a moment, then said, "In the past, when it was just our family, this courtyard was quite suitable. But now that the family has grown significantly, we are short of living space and need to build a new stable. So why not rebuild a house?"
Regardless of where Bai Yujing will work in the future, renovating this old house seems like a natural course of action.
“You’re right,” Bai Jinxiao slapped his thigh and said decisively, “Then let me take charge of this matter.”
He then added, "As for the cost of building the house, you don't need to consider bearing it yourself. This is a major event for the Bai family. As long as Mother agrees, the cost should be shared by the eldest son's family, the second son's family, and the Gongzhong family."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and readily agreed, "Alright, we'll do as you say, elder brother."
Bai Jinxiao smiled with satisfaction before getting to the point, "Sister-in-law, I knew you were coming back today, so I came to report on the recent progress of the business."
He gave a detailed account of the recent business operations and the accounts, and finally asked, "Sister-in-law, do you think there's anything amiss?"
Although Bai Jinxiao managed things well, he always felt something was missing due to Jiang Huaiyu's absence. He hesitated when making decisions, lacked confidence, and was afraid of making mistakes that would lead to adverse consequences.
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook her head and said with a gentle smile, "Big brother, you and sister-in-law have done a very good job. There are no problems at the moment."
Upon hearing this, Bai Jinxiao's heart, which had been in his throat, finally calmed down.
"That's great, that's really great!"
Seeing Bai Jinxiao's expression, Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but smile. After a brief pause, she asked again, "Brother, you mentioned before that you've already politely declined those colleagues who came seeking cooperation with large sums of money, is that right?"
Bai Jinxiao nodded and replied, "I keep your teachings in mind. We have always developed steadily and practically, without relying on the strength of others. Therefore, I have ignored all those who come to us wanting a share of the pie."
As he spoke, he exuded confidence, as if he had undergone a complete transformation and was entirely new compared to his previous role as accountant.
Jiang Huaiyu praised with a smile, "Big brother's current demeanor already has the air of a shopkeeper."
Bai Jinxiao scratched his head shyly and said, "Sister-in-law, please stop teasing me. If it weren't for your help, where would I, Bai Jinxiao, be today?...By the way, is there something you're worried about when you bring this up?"
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook his head and explained, "There's nothing wrong with it. Brother, I remember when we first opened, Tu Jijiu gave us a piece of calligraphy and painting by himself. I wonder if it's still in the shop?"
"Yes, and the gifts from Yujing's classmates are still kept in the shop."
Jiang Huaiyu suggested, "Brother, when you go back, remember to hang Tu Jijiu's calligraphy and painting in the center of the front hall. Other calligraphy and painting gifts with his signature can also be hung up together."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
