Chapter 621: Studies (Part 1)
Eleventh Lady did not wait for Xier, but waited for Nanyong's wife.
"What happened?" Thinking of how Nan Yong's wife had been coming into her room for no reason since she moved to the outer courtyard, she felt nervous and sent everyone in the room away and asked Nan Yong's wife in a low voice.
"The fifth young master just came to my place and asked me about his childhood..." Nan Yong's wife said nervously.
Madam asked her to pay attention to Xu Siqi's movements because she was afraid that the Fifth Young Master would be bullied in the outer courtyard and someone would report it, not because she wanted her to make irresponsible remarks. Although her words today were well-intentioned, they were still presumptuous. Madam knew about it, would she blame her? But thinking that this matter was related to the mother-son relationship between Madam and the Fifth Young Master, she still bit the bullet and told Shiyi Niang what had just happened.
Eleventh Lady was shocked, and when she thought of Xu Siqi's strange behavior just now, she couldn't help but feel emotional.
She had been unable to find a suitable opportunity to tell Xu Siyi about what happened that year, but unexpectedly, Yongnan's wife helped her out.
At first, she chose Nan Yong not only because she was honest and loyal, but also because she was very down-to-earth. She hoped that Xu Siyi could be influenced by Nan Yong and live a down-to-earth life. Now it seems that her choice was relatively correct. If Nan Yong had not treated Xu Siyi sincerely, Xu Siyi would not have thought of Nan Yong first when he was anxious, Nan Yong would not have been able to look for Xu Siyi with meaningful words, and Xu Siyi would not have been able to cheer up so quickly...
"Fortunately, you are here to enlighten him." Seeing that Nan Yong's wife was a little uneasy, Shiyi Niang immediately affirmed her actions, "I am worried about something!" Then, she told her that Xu Lingyi was going to let Xu Siqi burn incense to Tong during the New Year. "I never mentioned it before, and now I suddenly want him to recognize Tong. I am afraid he can't accept it for a while. Well, if I tell him in advance, I am afraid he will ask about the past... With your words, he will breathe a sigh of relief, and I can tell him some things."
Nan Yong's wife felt relieved after hearing this, and a smile appeared on her face, but it soon disappeared, and some worry appeared between her brows.
In this way, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is clear, and the people in the mansion know the good attitude of the Marquis. I am afraid that the Madam and she will not be able to stop some things. By then, Xu Siyi's situation will be much more difficult than it is now!
But on second thought, this is also a good idea.
Only when you know how much you weigh can you know how much strength you have and how much you can accomplish!
This way, the Fifth Young Master can live his life in peace.
Her brows relaxed again, and she said tactfully, "The New Year is coming soon, and families will come to give New Year gifts. The housekeeper will come in to greet you, and the fourth young master will also have guests to entertain. I'm afraid the family will be so busy that they won't even have time to drink a cup of tea."
The housekeeper's mother came in to greet Eleventh Lady, and naturally presented small gifts from various mansions to the children. Because Xu Si'e was raised in Eleventh Lady's house, the things given to him were always the same as those given to Xu Si'e. Moreover, it was New Year's Day, and if Xu Si'e held a "Spring Banquet" at home, he would definitely invite his brothers to accompany him. Xu Siyu was older and had never participated in these things, so he would definitely not go. If Xu Si'e was not explained clearly to her, and if he went there without knowing what was going on, and something like Dou Jing happened again, not only would the Xu family lose face, but it would also be a kind of harm to Xu Si'e - everyone wanted to be liked.
Eleventh Lady sighed slightly.
When Xu Lingyi came back, she discussed with him: "How about I talk to him in the next few days?"
Xu Lingyi felt that Shiyi Niang was being too cautious, so he casually said "OK" and asked about the banquet for Mrs. Gan tomorrow: "How many people will come in total?"
"There are two tables for male guests and one table for female guests." Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "I heard that the uncle who sent us Huiquan will also come!"
"Then I'll prepare some good tea for him." Xu Lingyi said, and Xiang came over to serve Shiyi Niang dinner.
"I don't need any service here." Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "After you have dinner in your own courtyard, just come with me to pay respects to the lady.
Xiang was very surprised.
Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "Go ahead! I usually go there at 3:45 in the winter and 3:45 in the summer. You can come around this time!"
Seeing that Shiyi Niang was determined, Xiang knelt down, bowed, and retreated.
Xu Lingyi laughed and said, "You don't even let your wife serve you!"
"It's not even convenient to talk." Eleventh Lady laughed, "Not to mention it makes everyone uncomfortable."
Xu Lingyi didn't say much. Shiyi Niang asked someone to bring back Jin'er, who was playing with Jin'er in the back garden, and told the maid to serve the meal.
Jianger ate two bowls of lion's head soup with a clay pot, and asked for a third bowl. Xu Lingyi couldn't help asking him, "What did you eat for lunch?"
"It's so delicious." Jiang'er said as he swallowed another roasted lion head.
Xu Lingyi looked towards Eleventh Lady.
Shiyi Niang picked up a piece of bean sprouts from the bean sprout and pork belly soup and put it into Jiange'er's bowl. She said helplessly, "For lunch, we made duck liver drunk with wine, steamed minced meat and eggs, crystal shrimp, braised yellow croaker... but he only ate fried quail."
As he was talking, Jiang'er hid the bean sprouts under the rice with chopsticks and continued to eat the braised lion's head with the white rice on top.
Xu Lingyi was amused and said, "It's better to eat a little bit of everything."
"Yes!" said Eleventh Lady, giving her son some tofu.
Jiangeni glared at Xu Lingyi and said, "Dad, grandma said we can't talk while eating!"
Xu Lingyi burst into laughter.
Xu Siyu and Xiang came over to greet them.
Eleventh Lady asked them to sit in the living room, and after dinner, she invited them to the west room.
Xu Lingyi asked about Xu Siyu's plan.
Xu Siyu said: "I plan to leave for Le'an in early November."
Leave after the wedding.
It's gone so fast! Have you not spent the New Year at home?
Eleventh Lady looked at Xiang, who had a calm expression, and it was obvious that she had known the news for a long time.
Xu Lingyi also felt that it was a bit early, and said thoughtfully: "Let's not waste time yet. Let's set off again after the Lantern Festival!"
Xu Siyu hesitated to speak, but finally bowed and replied "yes".
Madam Wen and Madam Qiao came over to greet them.
"Our Second Young Madam is here too!" Mrs. Wen said enthusiastically. "The bracelet on her hand is so beautiful!"
Xiang hurriedly knelt down and bowed to Aunt Wen and Qiao Lianfang, calling them "Aunt".
Xu Sizhen and Xu Siqi came over.
Eleventh Lady observed Xu Siqi carefully.
He stood behind Xu Sizhen as usual. Although he had a smile on his face, there was no bright joy in his eyes.
Eleventh Lady sighed slightly, said a few words, and went to the lady's place.
It just so happened that Xu Lingkuan also brought the fifth wife and children to pay their respects to the old lady, and the old lady's place immediately became lively.
Xu Siniang took the time to ask Shiyi Niang about the calligraphy score.
"Your uncle said he's looking for it for us." Shiyi Niang whispered to him, "Did Wang Yun promise when he would return it?"
"No!" Xu Sizhen also said in a low voice, "However, when this happened, I wrote an envelope to Wang Yun, saying that I accidentally dropped the book into the water. I asked him to give me a few days to find a way to copy a copy and send it to him. Wang Yun listened and told me not to return it. He said that when the time comes, I will go to the home of Han Xueshi in the Hanlin Academy to borrow a copy and leave. But we damaged the things, even if Wang Yun doesn't want it, we can't not return it!"
Eleventh Lady nodded: "So, Mr. Han from the Hanlin Academy is pregnant?"
Xu Sizhen's eyes showed a hint of pride: "We can also borrow it and make a copy!"
"Then I'll ask your uncle to borrow one and give it a try!" Eleventh Lady smiled as she watched. Xu Lingyi's gentle and firm voice came to her ears: "...No need. Our two families are close friends. Let Brother Chen go with me. It's a good opportunity to learn some etiquette in dealing with people." Then he instructed Xu Sichen, "Go to the Hui Office tomorrow and prepare the New Year gifts for the Yongchang Marquis' Mansion. We'll visit the Yongchang Marquis in two days."
Hearing that he was going out, Xu Sizhen felt a little bored.
He nodded and went to the office early the next morning to ask for the gift list. After seeing off the Gan family members in the evening, he took the gift list to report to Xu Lingyi.
The New Year gifts from the two families were nothing more than some vegetable leaves, candies and the like, not exceeding fifty taels of silver.
Xu Sizhen carried the paper box and went to the Yongchang Marquis' Mansion with Xu Lingyi.
Eleventh Lady, on her side, welcomed the New Year's ceremonies of Cangzhou.
As in previous years, the Shao family sent someone to bring a cart of Cangzhou specialties.
Besides the mother who brought New Year gifts to the Xu family this year, Xiulan also came into the inner courtyard to greet Eleventh Lady.
She opened her face, combed her hair into a woman's bun, and wore brand new silver jewelry. She looked a little excited and kowtowed three times to Eleventh Lady as soon as she entered the room.
Eleventh Lady laughed and asked, "Who did you marry?"
Xiulan blushed and said, "I am the servant of the master and I am his attendant."
The eldest master is Shao Zhongran.
It looks like Zhen Jie'er has integrated into the Shao family.
Eleventh Lady nodded with a smile and presented Xiulan with two silver lotus hairpins: "This is a gift for you!"
Xiulan thanked him hurriedly and told Zhen Jie'er what she said: "…………I heard from the eldest master that the Sixth Young Master wants to find a master to teach boxing and kicking. There is a master named Pang in Cangzhou, who is related to the Shao family. Although his left foot is a little injured, his riding and archery skills are very good. Many children of the Shao family worship him as their master, so he opened a martial arts school. Someone in the house died of illness a few days ago" and he has no children. Master Pang is not interested in teaching martial arts and closed the martial arts school. I don't know if the Marquis has found a master for the Sixth Young Master. If not..." The eldest grandmother wants to recommend this Master Pang to teach the Sixth Young Master boxing and kicking kung fu!"
Eleventh Lady was surprised and asked with a smile, "What did your master say?"
The mother who came with them laughed and said, "Our eldest master also learned riding and archery from Master Pang for two years, and he admired Master Pang very much. When our grandfather mentioned this matter, our eldest master thought of Master Pang. But he was afraid that Master Hou would look down on him because he was a country bumpkin. Master Pang also opened a martial arts school in Cangzhou, and he didn't know whether he was willing to go north. So he put the matter aside. Later, he learned that Master Pang's roommate was dead, so he came up with this idea. Let us come and ask." She laughed again, "It was our eldest grandmother who instructed us to ask Madam first. If Madam agrees, then we can take out the letter of recommendation from our eldest master!" As she spoke, the smile on her face became even deeper.
What kind of logic is this!
She doesn't understand these.
"Give me the letter!" Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "I will ask the Marquis what he thinks first, and then I will write back to you!"
The two of them responded respectfully, and the Jiang family’s New Year gift arrived.
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Sorry, sorry, I'll just post a draft first and check for bugs later!! ~!