Chapter 183: New Year (Part 2)

The sweet words came out of Eleventh Lady's mouth rationally and calmly, making Xu Lingyi feel a little cold no matter how he listened to them.

He couldn't help but look carefully at the person in front of him.

She had a slender and well-proportioned figure, black and shiny hair, a snow-white face, and a pair of sparkling eyes, like the stars in the sky, mysterious and unpredictable, with an indescribable complexity. I just stood there in a daze.

This is the woman who was as gentle as water in his arms last night...

He was a little unsure for a moment.

Seeing that he was staring at her but did not answer her question, Shiyi Niang thought that he did not want to answer, so she could not force him to do so. She smiled and took the tea brought by the maid and passed it to him: "My Lord, have a cup of hot tea."

Xu Lingyi said "Oh", came to his senses, took the teacup and took a sip.

A maid had already cleared away the kang table that was usually used, and the old women who did the chores brought up the kang table that had been set with breakfast.

Everything was done according to Xu Lingyi's preferences.

Shiyi Niang gently moved the sweet white porcelain bowl of hot and sour soup to Xu Lingyi's right hand side and said with a smile, "My Lord, please enjoy!"

Xu Lingyi looked at her gentle yet polite smile and recalled her bell-like laughter last night.

He lowered his head and drank the hot and sour soup. Shiyi Niang picked up two meat buns stuffed with mushrooms and put them on the small gold-plated plate in front of Xu Lingyi.

"Change that tent!" He suddenly raised his head and ordered her, "The floor heating is on, and we are sleeping on a bed inlaid with nanmu boards, and there is a tassel curtain hanging outside. It feels a bit stuffy."

Eleventh Lady followed his gaze and saw the big red curtains hanging over the bed.

The house has custom-made appliances for all four seasons. However, Xu Lingyi is the head of the family, and he has the final say. Even if someone thinks something is inappropriate, he can answer it with confidence.

Eleventh Lady replied "yes" and consulted with him: "My Lord, what kind of curtains do you think we should hang?"

Xu Lingyi didn't have any good ideas for the moment. After a little thought, he said, "Let's just hang a gauze curtain!"

Shiyi Niang said nothing. She served him breakfast and immediately went to the storehouse to find a moon-white cotton gauze tent, a bright red burnt cloth tent, and a silver gauze tent.

"Which one do you think is better, Lord Hou?"

Xu Lingyi looked dissatisfied. Just then, the three concubines came to pay their respects and were startled to see this scene.

Eleventh Lady smiled and explained, "The Marquis said the room was too hot and asked us to change the tent."

Aunt Qin nodded: "The Marquis has always been afraid of heat."

Madam Wen said, "Do you want to ask the sewing room to make a fine ramie tent? It looks more sleek than brocade, burnt cloth, or silver gauze!" Eleventh Lady married in September, and her dowry only included brocade and burnt cloth tents for autumn. Ramie and gauze are used for summer tents, and the Luo family will not send them until the Dragon Boat Festival next year. She really doesn't have a fine ramie tent in her store. Madam Wen naturally understood, and said with a smile, "It just so happens that I still have a fine ramie tent. If you like it, I'll ask Qiuhong to bring it to you for a look."

Her bed was hung with Madam Wen's tent... Shiyi Niang refused without a second thought. But before she could speak, Qiao Lianfang, who had been standing silently by her side, suddenly said, "The ramie outside is heavy and stuffy, how can it compare to the tribute from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Since the Marquis feels stuffy, why not go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ask for some ramie to make a tent." After saying that, he paused, smiled and said to Shiyi Niang, "Madam, the ramie cloth is ginger yellow, which matches the black lacquered furniture in your room just right. I think it's better to use ramie tents!"

It was a pity that she had the idea to ask me to go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ask for tribute - she really treated me like a child! However, she had no intention of fighting with Qiao Lianfang. After all, their identities were different, and it would be unfair to win!

Eleventh Lady remained calm and just smiled at Aunt Qiao.

Madam Wen, who was interrupted by Qiao Lianfang, had been standing there smiling brightly. Later, when she saw that Shiyi Niang didn't say anything, she immediately stepped forward with a smile and said, "Madam Qiao is really knowledgeable. I am a rough man, and I only know that fine hemp is more valuable than gold. I think it's a good match for Madam."

"It doesn't matter whether something is good or bad, or expensive or cheap." Qiao Lianfang smiled reservedly, "As long as it fits your use, it's fine."

Eleventh Lady laughed secretly.

It was Xu Lingyi who said the room was stuffy, it was Xu Lingyi who wanted to change the tent, and it was Xu Lingyi who decided what kind of tent to use and most importantly, got his nod.

She leaned forward slightly and said thoughtfully, "My Lord, what do you mean?"

"Then make a fine gauze tent!" Xu Lingyi said lightly, but Shiyi Niang saw a flash of surprise in Qiao Lianfang's eyes. "I'll let Chief Butler Bai take care of this."

Once he spoke, who dared to object?

The wives and concubines all responded in unison, “Yes.”

Zhen Jieer came to greet Xu Lingyi. Just after she bowed, Xu Siyu and Zhe Ge arrived one after another. After greeting, Xu Lingyi led his wife and children to pay respects to the lady. The first time that Shiyi Niang invited the three concubines to come over at the beginning of the afternoon to talk: "... Today is the Little New Year, everyone should get together."

The three concubines knelt down and replied "yes", then sent Xu Lingyi, Shiyi Niang and the three children out.

On the way, Shiyi Niang explained to Xu Lingyi: "The monthly allowance and New Year's money for our room have been distributed, and the maids and old women's new clothes for the New Year have also been made. It will be even busier in two days, so I think I should take this opportunity to get these things done."

Xu Lingyi didn't care: "Just make the decision."

The group arrived at the lady's place. The third master and his wife, the fifth master and his wife, Xu Siqin and Xu Sijian were all there, and they were talking about the New Year.

After everyone exchanged greetings, the Fifth Master smiled and ushered Xu Lingyi to sit next to the Madam. "Fourth Brother, it's rare that you're at home for the New Year this year. Why don't we buy some more firecrackers?"

"What do you mean I should spend the New Year at home too?" Xu Lingyi said with a gentle expression.

Seeing that his brother was not upset, the Fifth Master smiled and said, "In previous years, you were either not at home, or you had to attend court or socialize. Unlike this year, everyone is at home."

Xu Lingyi was moved by what he said.

My third brother will be leaving for work in the spring, so he will not be able to spend the New Year at home. We will not have many family reunions like this year.

"Okay!" he said with a smile, "I'll leave this to you."

The Fifth Master looked at Xu Lingyi in astonishment. He didn't expect him to agree so easily, and he immediately became happy.

Xu Lingyi looked at him and said, "However, since you were the one who brought this up, you should be responsible for the firecrackers."

"Sure!" Fifth Master said with a smile, "I'm best at this."

"Not only are you responsible for the firecrackers," Xu Lingyi added with a smile, "but you are also responsible for the safety of the people at home. First, you are not allowed to cause an accidental fire due to setting off firecrackers; second, you are not allowed to injure anyone due to setting off firecrackers; can you do it?"

"Don't worry," Master Wu patted his chest, "Leave this matter to me!" His voice was louder than usual.

The lady was not very reassured, and hurriedly reminded him to be careful. She also told him to check whether the large vats in front of the doors of each house were filled with water, and to send people to carefully watch over the places where accidents were likely to happen...

"Mom, don't worry. I'm not a child anymore and I know what to do." Seeing his mother's attitude, the Fifth Master couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

The lady responded immediately and said with a smile: "Mother has grown old and loves to nag."

After listening to this, Master Wu perked up again and called Xu Siqin and Xu Siyu: "Do you want to join me?"

Although they were mature, they were still teenagers and nodded with interest.

Xu Sijian saw this and also shouted that he wanted to go, and when Zhe Ge saw that he was going, he also shouted that he wanted to go. For a while, the room was filled with laughter and was very lively.

Xu Siqin laughed at his younger brother and said, "Children should not interfere with adult matters. You just need to play with me at home."

Xu Sijian was not convinced and shouted, "You are going to your mother-in-law's house for the New Year this year, so how can you have time to help your fifth uncle with the firecrackers?"

Everyone in the room was stunned by the conversation. Xu Siqin blushed with shame. Xu Siyu blinked at him with a half-smile. Zhen Jie lowered her head, pretending she didn't hear anything. Xu Sijian and Zhe Ge both felt the difference in the atmosphere. One was very confused, while the other looked around curiously, looking a little silly and cute.

The lady smiled faintly and said to Xu Siqin, "Go and play! Otherwise, you will feel uncomfortable as if you were sitting on needles and felt while we are talking here." She was obviously sending the children out so that she could have an excuse.

Several children even went to the east room as if they had been pardoned.

The old lady looked at the third lady with a smile: "What's going on?"

The third wife's face turned pale, and she immediately came to her senses and said hurriedly, "Mother, this is just a discussion. There is no definite information, so I didn't tell you."

The lady smiled and said, "You are the parents. No matter how close I am, I am still the grandmother. You should be the one in charge. I just heard about it for the first time and wanted to ask. It is also for the sake of preparing a meeting gift for the grandson's daughter-in-law."

This may sound light, but it is very serious if you think about it carefully.

The Third Lady looked at the Third Master for help.

"Mother, don't listen to what the kid says." The third master stood up immediately with a smile, "We saw that Sister Xian and Brother Qin from our eldest uncle's family were of similar age, good-looking, and gentle, so we thought, "It would be great if our Brother Qin could marry a daughter-in-law like this." You also know that our eldest uncle is the prince, and Sister Xian is the eldest daughter... We were just thinking about it."

The third lady wanted Xu Siqin to marry her niece?

This is a relationship between uncle and aunt, which is expressly prohibited by modern science!

Eleventh Lady looked at the Lady Dowager nervously.

The old lady smiled and nodded after hearing this, saying, "Xian Jie'er is indeed outstanding. I think she is a good child." The third lady was immediately delighted after hearing this. Who knew that the old lady changed the subject and said, "However, marriage is a matter of mutual consent. You should also test your eldest brother-in-law's attitude. If you spread rumors everywhere, others will think that you are engaged. If this gets to the ears of the Gan family, what will the Gan family think!"

"We didn't make a fuss..." The Third Lady was about to explain herself, but the Third Master had already pulled her sleeve and knelt down. "Mother is right. This is our fault. We will be more careful in the future." Seeing that her husband had knelt down, the Third Lady had no choice but to kneel down as well.

"Get up!" The lady smiled. "I'm just reminding you. You'll have to start your own business in the future. I can't rest assured if you keep being so impatient!"

The Third Master was refreshed by the hidden meaning in the words of the Madam, and the Third Lady was even more delighted. Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang knew what was going on and sat quietly on the side. The Fifth Master was not a person who worried about anything and listened silently. Only the Fifth Lady Danyang raised her eyebrows slightly, as if she was thinking about something.