Xu Lingyi laughed.

From yesterday till now, Eleventh Lady has been feeling a little uncomfortable.

He found it very interesting that his normally graceful wife lost her composure in front of him.

He really wanted to tease her a few more times, but when he thought about how she was angry, anxious and blushing yesterday, he knew that she was very sensitive and was afraid of really angering her, so he called Chunmo and Xia Yi to come in and help him change his clothes.

Eleventh Lady breathed a sigh of relief.

I didn't expect Xu Lingyi to be such a scoundrel. He said those nonsense without blushing or beating his heart.

She really wasn't used to it - in her two lifetimes, no man had ever treated her like this.

I was even more outrageous. Why did I feel uneasy for some reason and put my hand into his collar...

You know, Xu Lingyi has never lacked in sexual desire. Not to mention that he has three concubines, even if it is the maids in this mansion, if he likes them, can I stop him? He abides by his seemingly rigid but thoughtful arrangement of sleeping with his wife, just out of respect for his wife. Otherwise, how could Qiao Lianfang not take Qin concubine and Wen concubine seriously and not care about their attitudes at all. You know, even historians will use the number of concubines who visit them as a basis when commenting on the relationship between an emperor and his concubines. Not to mention Qiao Lianfang. In fact, this also indirectly shows the situation of the two getting along.

I can only blame myself for being too panicked yesterday. Unconsciously, the part of Moyan hidden deep in my heart emerged again.

Eleventh Lady stroked the plum blossom carved on the boxwood comb in her hand and smiled self-deprecatingly.

Speaking of which, I am a bit stubborn and I just can’t be a complete Eleventh Lady!

While she was thinking, a little maid came in and said, "Madam, the fifth young master is here!"

She restrained her emotions, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly, turning into the Eleventh Lady with a gentle smile: "Let the Fifth Young Master in!"

The little maidservant responded and left.

Dongqing and Binju walked in, hugging Xu Sijie on the left and right.

He was wearing a brand new royal blue brocade jacket today and had his hair combed into a bun, which set off his crystal clear skin and made his features look even more beautiful.

Seeing Eleventh Lady looking at Xu Sijie, Dong Qing hurriedly explained, "We helped the Fifth Young Master make clothes for the New Year overnight."

"This color is very good." Eleventh Lady nodded with a smile, and asked Dongqing to follow the old woman who was going to Gongxian Hutong to report the news - today was the second day of the New Year, and everyone had to go back to their parents' home to pay New Year's greetings, so as to avoid running into the Fifth Lady in front of the Chuihua Gate.

Dong Qing was not keen on going back to the Luo family, but Shiyi Niang looked like she wanted them to meet old friends, so she couldn't refuse Shiyi Niang's face. She smiled and agreed, and left the Xu Mansion through the side door.

Seeing that Xu Lingyi had not come out yet, Eleventh Lady hugged Xu Sijie and chatted with him, asking him if he had had breakfast, what he had eaten, what was delicious and so on.

Xu Sijie was very articulate, not like a three-year-old child at all, and answered Shiyi Niang's questions one by one.

As he was speaking, Xu Lingyi came out after washing up.

Xu Sijie immediately became a little absent-minded, his eyes following Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi didn't pay attention to these. He only saw Shiyi Niang holding a pretty baby with gentle eyes and bright smile. She looked very comfortable, which made him feel peaceful and calm.

"Brother Yu hasn't come yet?" He smiled and straightened his sleeves, motioning Chunmo to help him put on his cloak.

Shiyi Niang knew that she was about to go out, so she handed Xu Sijie to Bin Ju to hold, and stood up and said, "She should be with Zhun Ge!"

Xu Lingyi nodded and took Shiyi Niang and Xu Sijie to the lady dowager.

The people from the third house had come to bid farewell to the Madam and went to the residence of the Earl of Zhongqin. Xu Siyu was standing in front of the Madam's kang, watching her tidy up Zhun Ge's clothes while carefully instructing him on some etiquette. When he saw his father and mother come in, he hurried forward to pay his respects. Zhun Ge happily called out "Jie Ge'er". When Xu Sijie saw Zhun Ge calling her, he looked at Zhun Ge'er and smiled.

When the lady saw the two of them being so affectionate, she laughed.

Xu Lingyi, however, spoiled the fun by scolding Zhun Ge with a stern face: "Did you call me Jie Ge'er? You should call me Fifth Brother!"

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

Zhun Ge wilted like an eggplant hit by frost, and murmured to Xu Sijie, "Fifth Brother". When Xu Sijie saw Xu Lingyi's stern face, he was so scared that he hid next to Shiyi Niang.

The lady shook her head and tried to help: "It's New Year's Day, why are you scolding me? Can't you say a few nice words?"

Xu Lingyi hesitated to speak, looking helpless about the lady's interference.

Eleventh Lady looked at him and smiled as she carried Zhun'er off the kang: "It's getting late, let's get up early!"

Xu Lingyi took the opportunity to step down, and stood up to say goodbye with Shiyi Niang and the child.

As soon as I walked out of the yard, I ran into Xu Lingkuan and the Fifth Madam.

After everyone greeted each other, Xu Lingkuan and the Fifth Madam went to the Madam's place, while Xu Lingyi and others went to Gongxian Hutong.

Big red lanterns were hung in front of the Luo family’s door, couplets were posted, a big red "Fu" character was pasted on the door, and the flowers and trees in the corners and yard were tied with red ropes, creating a festive atmosphere.

The old woman from the Xu family who brought the news arrived earlier than them, and Luo Zhenxing and the eldest grandmother greeted them in front of the hanging flower gate. When they saw Xu Sijie, they both looked at him.

Eleventh Lady remained calm and asked her three children to bow to Luo Zhenxing and the eldest grandmother according to their age, and accepted the New Year's money from them.

Luo Zhenxing took them to meet the eldest master and the eldest mistress.

The eldest grandmother leaned close to Eleventh Lady's ear and said, "Thinking that the child would eventually go to her mother's family, I told her tactfully. Mother was satisfied knowing that the child was raised under Aunt Tong's name."

The eldest wife is concerned about Zhun Ge's interests. Since his interests are not harmed, there is nothing to worry about!

Eleventh Lady nodded and went to the main house to pay her respects to the eldest master and the eldest mistress.

The eldest master stayed to talk to Xu Lingyi, while the eldest mistress, Shiyi Niang and the children stayed in the eldest wife's room.

Mother Xu gave the children New Year's money on behalf of the eldest wife.

When Xu Sijie came, she stared at the child with her eyes, and scared Xu Sijie so much that he was unwilling to come forward no matter what.

Eleventh Lady frowned as she looked at him, walked forward, took Xu Sijie's hand, and helped him receive the New Year's money.

The fourth grandmother standing by laughed out loud, took out a red envelope and stuffed it into Xu Sijie's hand: "This is from fourth aunt." She then greeted Xu Siyu: "Is this the second young master? He's so handsome." She gave a red envelope to Xu Siyu and Zhun Ge respectively.

After her making such a fuss, the atmosphere in the room became lively again.

It seems that my fourth sister-in-law is also a smart person.

Eleventh Lady looked at him and nodded secretly in her heart, and gave Brother Xiu the New Year's money that she had prepared long ago.

Xiu Ge accepted it with a smile on his face. Just as he bowed to Shiyi Niang and said "Happy New Year", Zhun Ge pulled him over and pointed at Xu Sijie and said, "This is my fifth brother!"

Brother Xiu looked at Xu Sijie curiously: "He looks like a little girl."

Zhun Ge immediately corrected him: "He is a younger brother, not a younger sister." He then pointed at Xiu Ge and said to Xu Sijie, "This is your eldest cousin. Call him eldest cousin."

He was so serious, like a little adult, that all the women in the room laughed.

Fourth Grandma laughed especially heartily: "Fourth Young Master, Brother Xiu is not Fifth Young Master's cousin, he is his elder cousin."

Only then did Zhun Ge realize his mistake and smiled embarrassedly.

Xu Sijie looked at the unfamiliar smiling faces in the room and seemed a little frightened. He looked around at a loss, and when he saw Shiyi Niang beside him, he calmed down.

Eleventh Lady sensed his uneasiness, stepped forward and touched his head, then pointed at Brother Xiu with a smile and said, "This is your eldest cousin."

Only then did he gently call out "Cousin".

"Fifth cousin has such a nice voice!" Brother Xiu's eyes widened.

"Of course." Zhun Ge looked very proud, "He is my fifth brother." He added, "Do you have any muffins in your room? He loves muffins the most!"

"No!" Brother Xiu seemed a little embarrassed, "But we have walnut cookies, chestnut cakes, and silk candies. They are all delicious. Especially the chestnut cake, which we make ourselves." As he said that, he straightened his chest, "Aunt Eleven also liked to eat it when she was at home!" Then he looked at Eleventh Lady eagerly, as if seeking her support.

How could Eleventh Lady hurt the child's self-esteem? She nodded immediately and said, "Yes, our chestnut cake is soft, sweet and delicious."

After hearing this, Brother Xiu pecked his head like a chicken eating rice: "I didn't lie to you! Aunt Eleven also said it was delicious."

The eldest grandmother burst out laughing when she saw this. She thought that since the eldest wife was ill, it would be bad for the children to stay here for too long, so she called Mother Hang and said, "Take the young masters to the east side room for some snacks."

Mother Hang smiled and said "yes", but Brother Xiu said loudly: "No, no, Fifth Aunt hasn't come yet. We haven't received the New Year's money from Fifth Aunt yet!"

Everybody was laughing so hard.

A little maid came in and reported: "Fifth uncle and fifth aunt are here!"

When everyone heard this, they laughed even harder, and Qian Ming and Wu Niang, who had just come in, laughed so hard that they scratched their heads.

Fourth grandmother explained: "Our brother Xiu is afraid that he will miss out on the New Year's money from his fifth uncle and fifth aunt!"

Qian Ming laughed when he heard this, and immediately took out a red envelope from his sleeve: "One for each person!"

Brother Xiu happily went forward to take it.

Zhun Ge was a little reserved.

Brother Xiu leaned close to his ear and said, "Fifth Uncle is the best. Don't be afraid."

Zhun Ge then took it and thanked Qian Ming softly.

Qian Ming looked at him with a very gentle gaze and asked him, "Why didn't you see the Marquis?"

Zhun Ge stood respectfully with his hands down: "Dad and Grandpa are talking in the study."

Qian Ming nodded with a smile, then handed red envelopes to Xu Siyu and Xu Sijie.

Xu Siyu thanked her with a faint expression, and Xu Sijie ran to Shiyi Niang and handed the red envelope to her.

Wu Niang looked at it and said, "Ouch!" and smiled, "This child is destined to be with Eleventh Sister."

After hearing this, Qian Ming coughed heavily a few times, then sat on the small stool in front of the eldest wife's bed and asked about her daily life.

The eldest wife had lost a lot of weight and still had difficulty expressing herself. Seeing Qian Ming whispering caring words, her eyes were slightly wet and she nodded continuously. And Xu's mother, who was helping the eldest wife answer the questions, also had tears in her eyes and treated Qian Ming with a more respectful attitude than she had just treated Xu Lingyi.

Brother Xiu took Brother Zhun to ask Wu Niang for New Year's money.

Wu Niang was well prepared. She took out red envelopes with a smile and distributed them while joking with the grandmother: "When the eldest sister-in-law was pregnant with Brother Xiu, the god of wealth was worshipped in the house, right?"

The grandmother blushed and said, "I have spoiled this child."

Wu Niang covered her sleeves and laughed.

A maid came in and reported, "The twelfth lady, the fifth concubine, and the sixth concubine are here!"

After hearing this, Qian Ming quickly stood up and left.

The eldest wife looked at him and said with difficulty, "Come and play," and signaled Mother Xu to take him away.

Qian Ming leaned over and whispered a few words to the first wife, and then Mother Xu escorted him out the door.

※

Blushing and saying sorry...