Eleventh Lady was stunned.

She didn't expect Xu Lingyi to say this to her.

Thinking of his coldness when we first met and his blushing face and whispering now, I couldn't help but smile.

Seeing his wife smile, Xu Lingyi felt a little embarrassed and said angrily, "What I said was true. Afterwards, I asked Aunt Qiao why she screamed. Aunt Qiao said that she suddenly found someone behind the screen... It was a complete misunderstanding."

Eleventh Lady saw his change clearly, and thought to herself that something was wrong. She hurriedly asked, "Who is the Marquis? He has pacified the southern barbarians and conquered the northwest. He is a real man. Why would he lie to a woman?"

There is something particular about wearing this tall hat.

Xu Lingyi knew it clearly, but he couldn't help but feel happy. Thinking about how he brought a child back home without any explanation to Shiyi Niang, but Shiyi Niang never doubted him, he suddenly felt at ease. He spoke without any reservations, "It seems that this is Xiaowu's fault. But seriously speaking, it is my fault." His voice was a little frustrated. "I was fighting outside during those years and paid little attention to family affairs. When I came back, he had become a dandy boy who only knew how to eat, drink and have fun... I felt uncomfortable seeing him, so naturally I had nothing good to say to him. He was also afraid of me and would stay away from me no matter what. When something happened, let alone consulting me, the first thing he thought about was how to hide it from me..." He leaned on the big pillow and took a long breath, looking at Chengchen blankly, "Speaking of which, I was not a well-behaved person when I was a child. But my second brother always treated me with gentle words and we would discuss things with him. When we brothers had problems, my second brother would spare no effort... As for Xiaowu, I either beat him or scolded him. Naturally, he didn't dare to tell me when something happened. It's no wonder that he has come to this day. Speaking of which, I, I am much worse than my second brother." At the end of his words, he was already very disappointed.

When a dead person serves as a standard, it is difficult for the living to surpass it.

Eleventh Lady looked at Xu Lingyi with some sympathy.

"It's not too late to start changing now!" Her voice was unexpectedly gentle. "Besides, Fifth Master is only nineteen years old this year. You will be idle at home in the future, so you have plenty of time."

Xu Lingyi stared at Shiyi Niang.

Her expression was peaceful, her smile was tranquil, and the look she gave him was sincere and tolerant.

His mood suddenly became very calm and peaceful.

"I hope he can become more sensible after learning this lesson!" Xu Lingyi sighed.

Eleventh Lady thought of something: "Can you find out who wants to buy the child?"

Xu Lingyi shook his head: "There is no news yet."

As the two were talking, a servant came in and said, "My Lord, the uncle from Gongxian Hutong is here!"

Xu Lingyi's expression straightened up and he ordered the servant, "Please invite in, uncle!" Then he got up and got off the kang.

Eleventh Lady personally opened the curtain to see him out, and then called Amber over: "Go to Banyuepan and take a look. He is just a child and doesn't understand so much. Give him food and drink and he will be close to you. Bring some cakes over and ask Dongqing to coax Fengqing to eat something. The Marquis said that he will send him away in two days. Let her work hard for these two days."

Amber nodded and retreated.

A maid came in and said, "Madam, the Marquis asked you to go to the hall."

Eleventh Lady went to the dressing table, adjusted her temples and clothes, and then went to the hall.

Xu Lingyi and Luo Zhenxing sat on either side of a black lacquered square table, on which were several gift boxes with the Chinese character "Fu" (good fortune) on them. Seeing Shiyi Niang come in, Luo Zhenxing stood up and called out "Shiyi Sister".

Eleventh Lady hurried forward and bowed.

Xu Lingyi pointed to the armchair below him and said, "There are no outsiders here, so let's sit down and talk!"

Eleventh Lady replied "yes" respectfully and sat down. A maid brought her tea, and then she tiptoed back.

Xu Lingyi then said, "Zhenxing came here this time to help Master Zhu deliver the New Year gifts."

Mr. Zhu sends a New Year gift... Is that Zhu Anping?

As soon as the thought flashed through his mind, Luo Zhenxing smiled and said, "It was my seventh brother-in-law. He sent someone to deliver New Year gifts to each family. Unexpectedly, the road was more difficult than expected, so he was delayed. He arrived at noon today. I stayed for dinner and then accompanied him here."

"Seventh brother-in-law is so polite!" Eleventh Lady felt a little embarrassed.

As daughters who were also getting married for the first year, she and Wu Niang only gave gifts to their elders but not to their peers.

She looked towards Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi immediately nodded at her, meaning that he was prepared.

Eleventh Lady breathed a sigh of relief.

Luo Zhenxing said: "Seventh sister also specifically pointed out a few things for you. I have helped bring them over."

Since we are in Beijing to give New Year gifts, sending a few mothers to accompany us to greet the elders will be both respectful and not in the way... Why didn't you think of this and let your eldest brother, a man, help carry the things...

He muttered in his heart that Zhu Anping was clumsy in his work, but he smiled and stood up and bowed to Luo Zhenxing: "Thank you, big brother."

Luo Zhenxing smiled and said, "It's just a piece of cake," then he pushed the paper box on the table and said, "I was planning to ask the mothers who accompanied the car to come in and greet you, so that you can ask about Seventh Sister's recent situation and pass on personal information to each other. But the two mothers were afraid of being impolite and dared not come in anyway. So I had to do it for them."

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but feel ashamed.

It turned out that it was not that they were rude, but that they were afraid that her threshold was too high and they did not dare to come in... I couldn't help but feel a little regretful. It would be great if I could meet her and ask about Qi Niang's situation!

She couldn't help but say, "In that case, let the two mothers come in and let me take a look!"

Luo Zhenxing smiled and said, "Forget it! So as not to scare others."

Eleventh Lady didn't want to force it, so after Lvyun put away the box, Xu Lingyi asked about the eldest master and the eldest mistress: "...Are the two elders in good health?"

"Not bad." The eldest wife's health had not been good for a day or two, Luo Zhenxing replied politely.

"Just tell me if you need my help." Xu Lingyi said, "I just got two fifty-year-old ginsengs a few days ago. You can take them back to nourish the two elders."

Luo Zhenxing hurriedly declined: "My Lord is not in good health, and it is time to take medicine. How can I take your ginseng?"

"One family should not talk about other families' differences." Xu Lingyi directly called the servant to go to the chief steward Bai to get the ginseng, and then asked, "What plans does my father-in-law have?"

Luo Zhenxing blushed slightly, thinking that Xu Lingyi was asking him how the master reacted when he asked him to transfer last time.

"Father has the temper of a scholar. I'm afraid it will take some time before we know the emperor's intention of granting amnesty to the whole country."

Xu Lingyi's eyes flashed with helplessness, and he said, "Father-in-law has been an official for a long time and has brought benefits to the people. It's a pity for him to be idle like this. But the emperor is in his prime and wants to learn from Emperor Taizong's civil and military skills and become a sage ruler. There will be a big exam in the spring of next year, and more positions will be moved. Elder Liu has been retired for two years. Zhenxing should persuade father-in-law. Once he makes up his mind, I can help him."

He hinted to Luo Zhenxing to convince the eldest master and make him follow the emperor wholeheartedly, and he could help him find a vacancy next spring.

Luo Zhenxing did not show the joy he should have shown after hearing this. Instead, he was in a state of uncertainty for a long while, then looked at Xu Lingyi resolutely and said, "I appreciate the good intentions of the Marquis. But my father is getting old, and his health is getting worse day by day. Rather than seeking a high position and making the family worry, it is better to stay at home and enjoy the company of my grandchildren, plant flowers and raise fish."

She actually declined Xu Lingyi's kindness.

Xu Lingyi was very surprised and hesitated, "Do you want to go back and discuss it with your father-in-law?"

Luo Zhenxing glanced at the surprised Eleventh Lady and shook his head, "It's better not to discuss it with him." He added, "The political situation is unpredictable now, and the emperor's mind is hard to guess. Instead of getting involved at this time, it's better to live a stable life at home." As he said that, he stood up and bowed to Xu Lingyi, "I hope that the Marquis will understand Zhenxing's painstaking efforts and fulfill Zhenxing's filial piety."

Eleventh Lady nodded secretly in her heart.

Although this would hinder the master's future and was somewhat unfilial, compared to the master's so-called ambitions, it would be better to let him stay at home, at least he wouldn't cause any trouble. Moreover, Luo Zhenxing would close his office the year after next, so instead of finding a job for the master, it would be better to find a good job for Luo Zhenxing.

Xu Lingyi was a little undecided.

He was not against Luo Zhenxing's opinion. On the contrary, he agreed with Luo Zhenxing's approach and admired his ability to judge the situation. But he was a son-in-law... Who wouldn't want his family to be prosperous and help him gain a foothold in his husband's family? Besides, he was not incapable of helping the master.

Thinking of this, he looked towards Eleventh Lady.

Seeing that Xu Lingyi had remained silent, Shiyi Niang looked over at him. Their eyes met in mid-air.

Seeing the hesitation in Xu Lingyi's eyes, she immediately nodded at him, meaning that she agreed with Luo Zhenxing's idea.

A hint of surprise flashed across Xu Lingyi's eyes.

Eleventh Lady simply smiled and asked Luo Zhenxing: "Big Brother will be closing the school next year, right?"

Luo Zhenxing was stunned.

Xu Lingyi understood. He immediately gave up asking about the master's affairs and asked Luo Zhenxing with a smile: "What are Zhenxing's plans? I think the Ministry of Personnel is good. Do you want to go there to gain some experience?"

Staying in Yanjing as a court official, and then starting from the Ministry of Personnel, the head of the six ministries... This is already a very high starting point. Others can't even ask for it.

Eleventh Lady also looked at Luo Zhenxing with a smile.

Luo Zhenxing continued to politely refuse: "...I have studied for so many years, but all I know is theory. If I want to be an able official who benefits the people, it is better to start as a county magistrate."

Xu Lingyi smiled slightly and said, "Although most capable officials start out as county magistrates, you should first serve as a court official in Yanjing for a few years and make some friends. It will be beneficial for you to be sent out in the future."

Luo Zhenxing wanted to say something, but Xu Lingyi said, "There's still some time left. You should think about this matter carefully. You might as well listen to your father-in-law's opinion before making a decision."

Xu Lingyi's attitude was already very clear, and Luo Zhenxing didn't know what to say. The two chatted for a few words, and Luo Zhenxing said that he still had to give Si Niang a New Year gift, and stood up to say goodbye.

The couple accompanied Luo Zhenxing to pay their respects to the lady-in-waiting and saw him off to the gate of the hanging flower palace.

Manager Bai had already prepared the return gifts for the Zhu family, and several servants were loading them onto the Zhu family's carriage. Eleventh Lady was shocked to see that the Xu family had returned a carriage full of gifts to the Zhu family.

Luo Zhenxing smiled bitterly: "The Zhu family's gift was generous, and we each got a cart of things."

Eleventh Lady laughed and couldn't help whispering, "Seventh Sister really married a rich man!"

The Xu family only spent eighty taels of silver per family on New Year's gifts, and they only sent ten loads of gifts. However, the Zhu family paid for them by the cartload.

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Today's update...~~~~(_