The small courtyard rarely hosts guests, and the tea leaves are just ordinary tea leaves; no matter how many times you brew them, you can't make good tea. Placing them on the table is purely a matter of courtesy.
Everyone knew that Old Madam Jiang would never drink the tea here.
But when the teacup was actually brought in, she actually reached out and took it, used the lid to skim off the floating crumbs, took two sips, and then put it down.
Seeing the several teenagers staring intently, Madam Jiang smiled calmly, "I just want to taste what the tea my granddaughter drinks every day tastes like."
Jiang Sheng grinned.
The older brothers all fell silent.
Zheng Ruqian, in particular, originally thought that his sister had been taken away and that the Jiang family was despicable. He was surprised to find that someone actually loved Jiang Sheng. He couldn't help but feel gratified.
Love can be divided into small love and great love. Small love is tied to your side, while great love is let go and observed from afar.
If the Jiang family can truly treat Xiao Jiang Sheng well, her brothers can grit their teeth and separate from her.
As long as... as long as she's alright.
Zheng Ruqian sniffed, almost moved by his own greatness, but when he turned his head and saw Jiang Sheng blinking, he was completely confused.
"Second brother... brought you... meat porridge." The little girl tried her best to express herself with facial expressions.
Zheng Ruqian answered with twitching, "What...did you...say?"
"Meat porridge." Jiang Sheng blinked.
Zheng Ruqian convulsed, "What?"
Watching from the side, Old Madam Jiang couldn't help but chuckle. "Jiang Sheng brought you a big bowl of meat porridge. Tan Yue is tending the fire, and it should be ready soon."
Just as he finished speaking, a whiff of meat and rice aroma wafted over.
Starving, Zheng Ruqian could not bear it any longer. He apologized to Old Madam Jiang and rushed out in a hurry.
Jiang Sheng also bowed to her grandmother, followed her obediently to the door, and then ran after her like a madman.
The brother and sister disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan weren't particularly hungry, but with their brother and sister there, they couldn't help but feel restless.
They're still just kids.
Madam Jiang smiled and said, "You should hurry up too. The head chef specially cooked some meat porridge, and Jiang Sheng drank three bowls of it."
The two boys apologized and left together.
Xu Mo remained seated firmly in the main hall.
"Why aren't you going?" Old Madam Jiang asked curiously.
Xu Mo smiled and said, "The child is still young and can do as he pleases, but as the elder brother, I will take responsibility."
It's like when guests come to your home; as parents, you need to treat them well, but as children, you only need to greet them politely.
They had no parents or elders, and Xu Mo, as the eldest brother, took on all the responsibilities.
He is neither greedy nor arrogant, but composed and knows how to behave appropriately.
Not to mention other fifteen-year-old boys in Fengjing, even those around twenty years old are no match for him.
Jiang Sheng's countless praises rang out at the right time, and Old Madam Jiang had to admit that Xu Mo's excellence far surpassed that of the Jiang family's children.
At a young age, he won the championship several times.
Even if the top scholar title is taken away, he can still remain calm and composed.
His only disadvantage was his lack of a distinguished family background, but that didn't defeat him.
If such a young man were born into a noble family, how quickly he would rise to prominence and achieve great success.
Even though he comes from a poor family, he will have a place in Fengjing in the future.
Madam Jiang suddenly realized something, and a jumble of thoughts flashed through her mind: Jiang Sheng having such an elder brother might be a great support, and the key to a peaceful life for the rest of his days.
Wealth and status are not about what you have now, but about what you will leave to future generations.
If a powerful family cannot produce outstanding descendants, no matter how much power it wields, it will eventually decline...
As Madam Jiang pondered her thoughts, Xu Mo quietly kept her company.
The main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and even the laughter and noise outside were much clearer.
“They were just playing around again, and I’m sorry to have made the old lady laugh.” Xu Mo defended his younger siblings, “We grew up together, so it’s inevitable that we’re a little close.”
Madam Jiang remained unfazed, stood up with her cane, and said, "It's alright, I'll go take a look."
Xu Mo could only follow behind.
There are two dining tables in the second courtyard, one in the main hall and one in the courtyard.
The main hall was used for entertaining guests, while the siblings sat on the stone benches in the courtyard, enjoying hot meat porridge.
The four children took their places, and Jiang Sheng had an extra cushion.
"Did you bring anything good back from your trip to Lingnan this time, Second Brother?" The little girl had clearly eaten her fill, but now she was still clinging to a bowl and wouldn't let go.
Zheng Ruqian had already finished his bowl and went to get a second one. "Of course there are good things in it, but I won't tell you yet. I'll tell you after I sell them."
"Huh?" Jiang Sheng was greatly disappointed. "Second Brother, won't you let us try some first?"
Zheng Ruqian suppressed a laugh and took out a jade bracelet from his pocket. "Do you want to try something? Or do you want a gift?"
The jade ring appears to be pure white, but upon closer inspection, one can find cotton-like inclusions and flaws. The price shouldn't be too high; at least, it wouldn't be coveted by the legitimate daughters of prominent families.
But Jiang Sheng still held it in her palm as if it were a treasure, "Second brother is the best. Second brother always brings us gifts."
Zheng Ruqian chuckled, finished his meat porridge in one gulp, and only when he put down the bowl did he notice that his two younger brothers had also started to peek.
Hmm, they're just a bunch of little brats.
The second brother took out two small jade pendants from his pocket, saying, "These are for you."
"Thank you, Second Brother," Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan said in unison.
Zheng Ruqian scratched his head with joy, "Not only you, but the third brother and the eldest brother also have some. The jade from Lingnan is not considered precious, but the price is quite low. This time, in addition to fruit, I also brought a lot of jade pieces. I can definitely make a fortune by selling them to jewelry shops later."
He possesses a paradoxical blend of shrewdness and simplicity; he is capable of being both shrewd and efficient, yet also possesses a touch of humanity.
Although he has a rather flamboyant personality, and his joys, sorrows and anger are all on display, the more this kind of person is, the more trust he can gain from the people, and his business journey will definitely not be difficult.
Madam Jiang gasped.
She has managed Youranju for decades, and her judgment is sharp; she would never misjudge someone.
The reason for the shock was that, in addition to Xu Mo, there was actually a second outstanding young man in this small courtyard.
In the courtyard, Zheng Ruqian and Jiang Sheng were talking about something when Zheng Ruqian suddenly choked and started coughing incessantly.
Xu Mo nervously took two steps forward.
Wen Zhiyun reacted the fastest, throwing down his bowl and chopsticks, first patting Zheng Ruqian's back, then wiping his mouth and nose, and finally pressing down hard along his spine.
Miraculously, Zheng Ruqian stopped coughing, and his complexion returned to normal from being flushed.
Changyan took out a handkerchief and said in a calm tone, "Little sister, don't tease your second brother. You might choke on your food."
Jiang Sheng, sitting obediently on the mat, said, "Fifth Brother is right, I will definitely change in the future."
Chang Yan could only sit back down, feeling both amused and exasperated, but he didn't forget to pour Zheng Ruqian a glass of water.
Madam Jiang's eyes shone even brighter.
It was at this moment that the siblings saw Xu Mo looking worried.
Jiang Sheng stood up happily and brought over a full bowl of meat porridge, saying, "Big brother, this is for you."
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