Chapter 557: Job Hunting

But I am happy to be born." Eleventh Lady smiled and said..., what's more, your brother Qin not only gave me calligraphy, but also two palace fans." Then she called her, "Eat Shou noodles!"

Fang stopped talking and lowered her head to eat noodles.

The lady over there ate half a bowl of noodles and called Xu Sijian over, who had already drunk up all the soup.

"How are you doing studying with your teacher these days? Can you take the exam next year?"

Xu Sijian smiled awkwardly: "How can I have the ability like my second brother!"

The lady smiled slightly and asked him, "What are your plans for the future?"

Xu Sijian has not thought about this question yet.

He was stunned for a long time, then said, "I listen to my father."

Everyone laughed.

The lady raised her head and said to the third master, "Every family has its own children in their hearts. I think that Brother Zhuang has a lively temperament. Although he is not as good at studying as Brother Yu, he is straightforward and honest." After saying that, she paused and said, "Brother Qin is your eldest son, so I don't care about him. There is a job for the flag bearer guard in the Imperial Guard, and I think it's good. After the Dragon Boat Festival, let Brother Zhuang go there to work!"

The flag bearer was the one who guarded the gate in the palace.

Except for Xu Lingkuan, everyone in the room was shocked, and the Third Master and the Third Madam looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Mother told me that she wanted to find a job for my brother." Xu Lingkuan smiled, "So I invited the people from the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War to dinner. When they saw that it was me, they handed me a list of names to choose from. I saw that the job of the Flag Bearer Guard was of the sixth rank, and it would be convenient for me to be transferred to the Five Cities Military Department in the future, so I chose this job." He smiled with a bit of pride, "The people from the Military Selection Department asked us to reply quickly, saying that several families are eyeing us. If our family doesn't like it, they can reply to other families quickly. The higher-ups are waiting for them to report the list!"

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

Although Xu Lingyi looked calm, there was still some surprise in his eyes, and it was obvious that he didn't know about this either.

The third master and the third lady were even more at a loss.

The lady's expression turned cold: "Why? Do you think this job is not good? Is there a better arrangement?"

The teacup that the old lady gave him two days ago still made the Third Master feel uneasy. How could he dare to think too much about it? He hurriedly said, "No, no. I don't have any arrangements." It's not that I think this job is bad. I just didn't expect..." At this point, he suddenly came to his senses. Although this matter was the idea of ​​the old lady, without Xu Lingyi's reputation, even if Xu Lingkuan came forward, those people in the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War who had their eyes on the top of their heads would not be so straightforward to take out the list for Xu Lingkuan to choose at will. He hurriedly pulled the sleeve of the Third Lady and knelt down first: "Mother, thank you for finding such a good job for my brother." He stood up and bowed to Xu Lingyi, "Fourth brother, thank you very much!" He bowed to Xu Lingkuan, "Thank you, fifth brother, for your help."

The third lady also reacted.

The future of her two sons has always been a concern for her.

Since the time of Taizu, from the first rank to the seventh rank, one son could inherit the throne from generation to generation. There were also those who had several sons who were granted titles because of their contributions to the country or the emperor's favor. In the eyes of outsiders, "with Xu Lingyi's merits and the emperor's favor for the empress, the future of his sons was not a problem at all." But she knew her own affairs. Xu Lingyi had said a long time ago that the Xu family would not have to be relatives by marriage, but since they were relatives by marriage, they must not only abide by the law, but also be strict and self-disciplined. They must not embarrass the empress, nor discredit the princes. He also took the initiative to refuse the emperor's favor and let the eldest son study for the imperial examination... so that they were in a dilemma: if he let the eldest son receive the favor, what about the second son? If the second son Yin En was left alone, what about the eldest son? She had also grumbled to her husband to help her find a solution, but her husband was timid and cowardly, and did not dare to find someone in the name of Xu Lingyi. He also said something like "Fourth brother is a sensible person, and he will make his own arrangements when the time comes", which made her sullen for many times.

Unexpectedly, after being furious with the couple, the lady suddenly took the initiative to arrange a job for Xu Siqin... Xu Lingyi couldn't say anything now, right? When she met the Ministry of Personnel, she could report Xu Siqin's name, and she would have no regrets in the future!

Thinking of this, the third lady couldn't help but smile.

She kowtowed to the old lady and said, "Mother, how would our brother live without you?" She also hurriedly called Xu Sizhen over. "Silly child, what are you doing standing there? Come and kowtow to your grandmother!" She looked up and saw the fifth lady sitting on the kang, and said, "Hurry up and thank your fifth uncle!"

Xu Sijian was still a little confused. It was only after his mother pulled him that he finally reacted. He couldn't help but grin.

"Thank you, grandmother, thank you, fifth uncle." Thinking of this and that, he thanked them all. Fourth uncle couldn't help feeling a little lonely, and kowtowed to Xu Lingyi: "Thank you, fourth uncle."

Xu Lingyi smiled and nodded.

Xu Lingkuan said to his nephew, who was only half a head shorter than him, "Work hard in the Banner Guard and strive to be promoted to the fifth rank. When you go to the Five Cities Military Command, you will be at least a fifth rank. Your life will be easier."

Xu Sijian smiled from ear to ear and nodded repeatedly: "I'll listen to my fifth uncle." He glanced at his brother and sister-in-law standing beside him, and couldn't help but hesitate, stammering "big brother". He was confused in his heart: if big brother got married, he should settle big brother's affairs first and then talk about his affairs...

However, Xu Siqin was sincerely happy for Xu Sijian.

My mother was very worried about Xu Sijian's marriage. After all, it was because Xu Sijian was the second son, and according to common sense, the eldest son would inherit the family. But he didn't have the ability like Xu Siyu to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. Now that my younger brother has a job, it will be easier to find a marriage in the future.

"You must do your job well." He gently patted his brother's shoulder. "If you don't understand something, ask your fifth uncle. Your fifth uncle is a member of the Imperial Guards. From the commander of Ouyang to those who guard the palace gate, we can all walk together."

Seeing that his brother had no grudges, Xu Sijian was even happier: "Don't worry, I will definitely learn from my fifth uncle when the time comes."

Fang let out a long sigh.

Xu Sizhen's future was settled, which meant Xu Siqin's future was also settled. She was really afraid that the third wife would make trouble and give her father-in-law's reputation to her youngest son. But for some reason, she always felt something was wrong.

Why didn't they find a job for Xu Sijian earlier, or later, but only after your father-in-law had started his career, and it wasn't a glorious one at that. Doesn't the Xu family plan to find a job for your father-in-law?

The thought flashed through her mind and she shook her head.

Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Xu Sizhen is already sixteen years old this year. When the children of noble families reach this age, they should also consider their future.

Seeing the scene of joyful congratulations, Fang threw all these things behind her mind, thinking that she would have to send someone to inform Fang Ji later. The behavior of the lady today was very clear. The Xu family did not take the rumors of the husband-killing to heart. In this case, I have to ask my eldest brother to apologize to the elders of the Xu family...

…

Seeing that Jian'er's breathing gradually became steady, Shiyi Niang stopped beating him.

Xu Lingyi, who was leaning against the head of the bed, came over and looked at his son who looked peaceful: "He's asleep!"

Eleventh Lady nodded. Fearing that her son would get too hot, she put his hand outside the quilt, then whispered "asleep" and sat up quietly, leaning on Xu Lingyi's shoulder: "Tell me, what happened to mother? Suddenly, without saying a word, she asked Fifth Master to help find a job for her son..." She felt a little uneasy, as if something was going to happen.

Xu Lingyi thought for a moment and said, "Do you think that mother didn't consult us, so..."

"That's not the case." Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "I see that Second Sister-in-law and Fifth Brother's wife are more surprised than I am. Well, Mother must have told Fifth Master... I just can't understand it. To be honest, this is a good thing. Why is Mother so mysterious!"

Seeing her confused face, Xu Lingyi smiled, turned his head and kissed her, and whispered: "Let's not talk about these things. It's your birthday today. Do you think you want something special? I'll buy it for you."

"No!" Eleventh Lady laughed, "Didn't the Marquis give me a golden hairpin? I think it's pretty good. I don't want anything special."

Xu Lingyi thought for a moment and said, "How about we take the kids to Goldfish Hutong and live there for a few days, just like my fifth brother and his friends did? You haven't been to Goldfish Hutong since it was renovated. It's a remote place, but it has its advantages. It's surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the weather is fine..."

By then, the children would still have to visit me every morning and evening, especially Xu Siyu, who was already fifteen or sixteen years old. Every time I saw him, I would dress up carefully, fearing that his jewelry was too flashy or his clothes were too thin, which might be inadvertently disrespectful... Besides, it was not like modern times, where you could go out with just a suitcase. By then, I would even have to bring my usual flower bottle with me." Not to mention the maids and the old women, in such a hot day," it would be better for them to stay at home.

"I think we should just forget it!" Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "It's too hot and I feel lazy and don't want to move. Let's wait until the weather cools down!"

Xu Lingyi thought for a while and said, "How about you leave Jiange at home and go back to your parents' home for a few days? You can take this opportunity to visit your fourth and fifth aunts. Zichun has taken over the position of magistrate of Wendeng County. He will leave Beijing at the end of May. I don't know when we will see each other again. You sisters must have a lot of private things to talk about..."

Gongxian Hutong is run by Aunt Wang, and Shiyi Niang is her aunt, so naturally she dare not be careless, and Shiyi Niang can also relax for a few days.

"My Lord, please don't chase me out." Eleventh Lady couldn't help laughing, "I can't bear to leave my brother." She looked up and saw Xu Lingyi's mouth slightly twitching, as if he was about to speak, and hurriedly said, "My Lord, I appreciate your kindness. I'm used to living at home and don't want to go out.

If the Marquis feels the weather is too hot, we can tell the Madam and move to the Chuilun Waterside Pavilion to spend the summer!"

Xu Lingyi thought that Shiyi Niang usually liked to stay at home when she had nothing to do, so he smiled and said nothing more.

Eleventh Lady asked him, "Didn't you say a few days ago that you were promoted to the position of Chun'an County Magistrate? Why was it changed to Wendeng County Magistrate?"

Wu Niang did not go back to her parents' home today. She said that Qian Ming and a group of his classmates were visiting her home and she wanted to entertain the guests.

"Although Wendeng is poor, it is still the head of a county. It's not like going to Chun'an, which is rich but works under someone else." Xu Lingyi explained, "Zichun is already on good terms with the people in the Ministry of Personnel's Selection Department, and is willing to spend money. Naturally, it will be done once he says so!"

"When Mother Song went to deliver the Dragon Boat Festival gift, Fifth Sister said nothing. I planned to go and see her after the Dragon Boat Festival." Eleventh Lady nodded, "Since she will be leaving Beijing at the end of May, I will go there tomorrow."