Xu Lingyi's hesitation made Eleventh Lady laugh secretly in her heart.

The content after this transitional sentence is the main point of what Xu Lingyi said to me today, right?

In fact, he was worrying too much.

In the face of such a major event like "separation of the family" and "future", she didn't want to take the blame for Xu Lingyi's decision. So no matter what decision Xu Lingyi made, she would show obedience and submission.

"My Lord, is there anything you want to tell me?" Eleventh Lady gave him a way out.

Who would have thought that Xu Lingyi's face would actually flash with embarrassment after hearing this.

"It's like this..." He spoke a little slowly, sounding thoughtful. "There are three of us brothers. Needless to say, my fifth brother is in the Imperial Guards. If my third brother were to join the government again, I'm afraid there would be rumors."

Eleventh Lady had an idea when she heard this.

Did he want to...

"What does the Marquis mean?" Her voice couldn't help but become solemn.

"What I mean is that one cannot take all the benefits." Xu Lingyi stared into Shiyi Niang's eyes, "Next spring, I want to resign from the post of commander-in-chief of the Five Military Commandery and let my third brother enter the government."

How cunning!

Eleventh Lady couldn't help it and the corners of her mouth curled up.

Resigning from the post of the commander-in-chief of the Five Military Commandery, but retaining the post of the prince's tutor, and then exchanging a third-rank official for a seventh-rank county magistrate... I'm afraid neither the emperor nor the Censorate would say anything, right? And he also took the opportunity to pull himself down from the spotlight, cooling down the current situation of the Xu family. Even if the Third Master saw Xu Lingyi's true intentions, if he was not cruel enough, he would still be grateful for his brother's sacrifice for him. If this made the Third Master completely stand on the side of brotherhood from now on, then the Third Lady would not be able to make any achievements!

Kill several birds with one stone!

But why did he tell me this? Was he afraid that I would object? In my impression, for something like this that concerns the family's honor and fate, he should not pay attention to his wife's objection...

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but look at Xu Lingyi.

But I caught a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

It turns out that I don’t trust myself…

In a flash, Eleventh Lady suddenly understood.

In the past, Yuanniang must have had serious conflicts with him over these things. So, he tested his attitude again and again!

It might feel a bit like being forced to take a test, but at least there's still a chance to take it!

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "My Lord has foot paralysis, so he should rest at home!"

Xu Lingyi's eyes fixed as he listened.

Eleventh Lady is telling the truth.

A big tree attracts the wind.

She was taking shelter from the heat under this big tree, and naturally hoped that the tree would grow luxuriantly, but she hoped even more that the tree would stand the test of wind and rain.

"I'm afraid I'll be unemployed at home." Xu Lingyi looked at Shiyi Niang with burning eyes, "I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to enter the government in the future."

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

I wonder how many people’s lifelong goal is to retire at the age of thirty-five or forty and then start enjoying life...Xu Lingyi is not even thirty years old!

Thinking that she didn't know when it would end...she felt a little sour in her heart, and thought with jealousy: Looking at his appearance, he probably doesn't have any hobbies. It would be a waste even if he retired and stayed at home!

She didn't dare to show her expression, but just smiled brightly: "My Lord, you have worked hard for the family for so many years. If you can stay at home and spend a leisurely life raising flowers and feeding birds, I think it would be a great thing."

Xu Lingyi said nothing, and a hint of confusion flashed across his eyes as he looked at her.

He could tell that she was speaking from the heart, and there was a hint of envy in her tone.

A virtuous and obedient woman who regards her husband as her God will naturally support his decision. But she is envious... Why is she envious?

However, when Eleventh Lady caught Xu Lingyi's strange gaze, her heart sank.

My answer is very standard, why is Xu Lingyi not satisfied?

What went wrong?

Now is not the time to pursue the matter. I have to find a way to divert his attention and think about it carefully when I am alone at night... Anyway, he is staying with several concubines during this period of time and can do whatever he wants at night.

"My Lord, do you want to discuss your resignation with me?" Eleventh Lady's eyebrows showed worry, "After all, this is also related to the Third Master's exile..."

Xu Lingyi looked at his wife's sincere eyes and felt something strange in his heart, but he couldn't tell what was strange.

In fact, he was also thinking about this. He was a little surprised that Shiyi Niang could think of this. But when he thought of her words that day when she advised him not to divide the family casually, he felt that it made sense... He immediately put those insignificant feelings behind him and asked Shiyi Niang: "Do you have any ideas?"

Resigning from office, entering the government, these news came too suddenly. Not to mention that Eleventh Lady was a little confused now. Even if she was not confused, she would not dare to speak out in front of him without full confidence. Moreover, she felt that with Xu Lingyi's cautious character and her current position in his mind, he would definitely not tell her so directly before the matter was settled. In this case, he must have already started to work on it and has achieved initial results. Then she only needs to express her point of view ambiguously...

The thought flashed through her mind, and Eleventh Lady lowered her head slightly, and said uneasily: "I am ashamed. I don't have any ideas at the moment. I just think that it is a great thing that the Marquis can now stay at home peacefully after so many years of fighting in the east and the west..."

She spoke slowly, and the words "Now I can live safely at home" were like a spring breeze on his face, making Xu Lingyi feel extremely happy, and the expression on his face became gentle.

"I am just worried. The Marquis is wholeheartedly planning for the future of the Third Master. The Third Master is a wise man and knows what is going on. But the Third Sister-in-law is a woman after all, and may not have the vision of the Third Master. I have to test her attitude and make her satisfied. Otherwise, any misunderstanding will arise and the good intentions of the Marquis will be wasted..."

Xu Lingyi couldn't help but nodded after listening.

"There is also mother. Third Master grew up by her side. Now that he suddenly wants to be sent away, he must find a reason that she can trust. Otherwise, won't she be sad? After Third Master leaves, how should family affairs be arranged? How should business affairs be arranged? Mother is a far-sighted person. In my humble opinion, it will not be wrong for you to discuss this with her now!"

"Not bad!" Xu Lingyi nodded slightly, stood up and put on his shoes: "It's getting late, let's go!"

It seems that my guess was correct. Xu Lingyi not only had an idea long ago, but he had already started to implement it!

Eleventh Lady pondered over it and squatted down to put on Xu Lingyi's shoes.

Xu Lingyi pulled her up and said, "Just call the maid!"

All the maids were sent away, and then a maid was called in specifically to put on shoes... What would happen if this got out!

Eleventh Lady smiled and squatted down again: "These are just trivial matters, Lord Marquis, there is no need to worry about it."

Xu Lingyi did not insist, but he looked a little uncomfortable, as if he was not used to it.

Eleventh Lady thought about it and realized that she had never squatted down like this to put on his shoes.

For a moment, the room was silent, with only the rustling of sleeves being heard.

* * * * * *

Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang arrived at the Dowager's place a quarter of an hour later than usual, but they didn't expect that the Third Master and the Third Madam had not arrived yet.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but secretly guess, could it be that they were also discussing what to do like them...

Several younger generations were chattering and laughing around the old lady. When they saw the two men come in, they all stepped forward to greet them. Even Zhun Ge did not hide when he saw Xu Lingyi as he did in the past. He followed behind Zhen Jie and saluted his father awkwardly.

Xu Lingyi looked at it with a slight movement in his heart.

Well, I'll just quit my job and concentrate on teaching this evil creature at home!

The lady hadn't seen her son for two days, so she took Xu Lingyi's hand and sat on the kang: "What? Don't you have to go to social events?" There was a smile in her eyes.

Xu Lingyi smiled and said, "There's no end to the social activities! I was just thinking about my mother. That's why I didn't go out today."

A little maid lifted the curtain and said, "The Fifth Master and the Fifth Madam are here!"

Everyone was surprised.

The Third Master and the Third Madam who were supposed to come didn't come, but the Fifth Master and the Fifth Madam who were exempted from greetings came!

The lady dowager was also surprised and asked, "Why are you here at this time!" Before she finished speaking, the Fifth Master and the Fifth Madam walked in with a smile.

The Fifth Master wore a bright red silk gown and a dark green silk crane cloak, which made him look handsome and tall. The Fifth Lady wore a dark blue jacket with rose and butterfly sleeves and a silver red flowered skirt. Her black hair was tied up in a bun. She might be a little fatter than the last time I saw her, because she was pregnant, but her face was as bright as a full moon and she looked very healthy.

Xu Siqin and others came forward with a smile and saluted the two men. It was obvious that they had a very harmonious relationship with this uncle.

"Oh, why don't you wear a cloak?" The lady immediately ordered Mrs. Du beside her, "Quick, quick, give her my hand warmer."

"Mom, I'm fine!" The Fifth Lady quickly walked to the side of the Dowager Lady. "If you don't believe me, feel my hand." As she spoke, she extended her hand to the Dowager Lady.

The lady touched her hand and saw that it was indeed warm. Her face lightened up a little, but she still blamed her, "Even if it's not cold, you should be careful." She still stuffed the hand warmer into the fifth lady's hand. She added, "If there is anything, just send a maid to tell me. It's so late, and you are so anxious to come here. What if you slip and fall?"

Madam Wu looked at Master Wu and giggled, which made Master Wu's face turn red and he was at a loss.

"I have good news to tell Mom. That's why I rushed here!"

Everyone was stunned when they heard this. The lady laughed and said, "What good news!"

The Fifth Lady covered her mouth and smiled: "Mom, you are going to have another grandson!"

When Eleventh Lady heard this, her heart skipped a beat and she couldn't help but look towards Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi could not hide his astonishment. He looked at the Fifth Madam, then at the Fifth Master who was standing beside him with a frightened look on his face, and anger gradually appeared between his brows.

"What grandson?" The lady's face turned pale. "Danyang, what did you say?" As she spoke, she tightly grasped the fifth lady's hand.

Madam Wu said softly, "Mother, Xiaolan is pregnant."

The lady looked at the Fifth Master with eyes as sharp as knives.