Shiyi Niang and Xu Sijie came out of the banquet room chatting and laughing, and did not see Jing'er. Knowing that Xu Lingyi had taken her to the small study in the outer courtyard, Xu Sijie tugged at Shiyi Niang's sleeve shyly: "Mother..."

Taking the imperial examination was not only related to Xu Sijie's future, but also a big deal for the Xu family. It was impossible not to discuss it with Xu Lingyi. Although he was full of confidence in front of Eleventh Lady, Xu Sijie was still a little unsure when facing Xu Lingyi.

Eleventh Lady smiled and said, "I'll go with you to talk to your father."

There are some things that Xu Sijie needs to slowly learn to face alone.

He took a deep breath, encouraged himself in his heart for a long time, and then nodded to Eleventh Lady - a look of determination appeared on his face.

Eleventh Lady saw it, secretly approved of it, and went with him to the small study in the outer courtyard.

Xu Lingyi lay diagonally on the Drunkard's chair, with the jade pendant on his waist falling in mid-air. As the chair swayed, it swung back and forth like a pendulum.

"Wuchang", "Jingzhou", "Xiangyang"... He recited the place names casually, and Jing'er, who was lying on the map of Kyushu, was looking for them on it with his butt raised.

"What are you doing?" Eleventh Lady was shocked.

"Mom!" Jing'er jumped up, "Daddy and I are playing Find the Place!" He pulled Shiyi Niang in front of the map, "Look, this is a map, the map of the Great Zhou!" Then he tilted his head and asked Shiyi Niang, "Mom, do you know what a 'map' is?" He explained carefully, "It's a painting of the mountains and rivers of the Great Zhou at a scale of 1:100,000." He added, "Do you know what 1:100,000 means?" As he spoke, he stretched out his index finger, "Look, my finger is only this long, but the one in the painting is this long, as long as 100,000 of my fingers..."

"Okay, okay!" Xu Lingyi came over at some point. He touched Jin Ge'er's head, "Don't show off in front of your mother. Your mother not only knows what a map is, she also has a copy of "The Great Zhou Nine Regions". Where is Wuchang? How far is it from Yanjing? What rivers are nearby? What counties are under its jurisdiction? Everything is written clearly."

Jin Ge'er opened his eyes wide and looked at Shiyi Niang, with a hint of awe in his eyes.

Eleventh Lady glanced at Xu Lingyi and said softly to her son, "Mom does have such a book. But having such a book and being able to recite the contents of the book by heart are two different things..."

Jing'er said "Oh" and looked as if he had suddenly realized something.

"I know, I know," he shouted, "Mother and I read 'Youth Learning' just like that. I recognize some words and not others. I know some parts and not others."

Everyone found what he said interesting and burst into laughter.

"Am I wrong?" Jing'er muttered, a little unhappy.

"You are right." Xu Lingyi looked at his son, his eyes showing a bit of pride that Shiyi Niang didn't understand. "So you have to memorize all the place names. This way, when someone mentions a place, you won't give an irrelevant answer."

Jing'er nodded seriously.

Eleventh Lady winked at Xu Sijie, indicating that Xu Lingyi was in a good mood at the moment and it would be best to talk to him at this time.

Although Xu Sijie understood, it was his first time to make a request in front of Xu Lingyi, so he still felt a little nervous. After adjusting his mood, he whispered, "Father, I, I have something to discuss with you!" His voice trembled slightly.

Xu Lingyi's eyes flashed with surprise. Thinking of Shiyi Niang accompanying Xu Sijie, he straightened his face and pretended to listen attentively. His brows habitually revealed a bit of awe, which made Xu Sijie suddenly panic.

This guy, doesn't he know how serious his expression is when he is serious?

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but complain in her heart and gave Xu Sijie an encouraging smile.

Xu Sijie watched and gradually calmed down. Although he spoke slowly and with a bit of timidity, he still clearly expressed his intention to take the imperial examination.

Xu Lingyi looked up at Shiyi Niang, unable to hide his surprise.

"Jie'er told me," Eleventh Lady said frankly, "I agree - since he is so determined, why not give it a try. Who knows what the result will be? Isn't there a saying that 'Su Laoquan, at the age of twenty-seven, began to work hard'? Our Jie'er is only twelve this year!" As she said that, she smiled at Xu Sijie again.

Xu Sijie felt a little more courageous.

"Father, please let me try!" He said sincerely, "I will study hard..."

Even if he failed the exam, he at least thought about finding a future on his own. It was better than being ignorant and only knowing how to eat, drink and have fun all day long...

"Okay!" Xu Lingyi made a decision immediately. "Just tell Manager Bai what you want." Thinking of his shy personality, he added, "Or you can tell your mother!"

"Thank you, father! Thank you, father!" Xu Sijie was ecstatic - this was not just a matter of studying, but his father's affirmation of his decision, "I will definitely study hard..." He was so excited that he was a little incoherent.

Xu Lingyi couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

When I first brought him home, I only planned to raise him with adequate food and clothing, and then find a job for him, so that he could start a family, and give Xu Lingkuan an explanation. I didn't expect that this child would suddenly have such ambition without making any noise.

He couldn't help but say, "You're already grown up, so you should act like an adult. Now that you've made this decision, you can't give up halfway. No matter what difficulties you encounter, you must persevere. As your parents, we will definitely support you. The rest depends on your own luck..."

Xu Sijie listened respectfully, nodded repeatedly, and assured Xu Lingyi: "Don't worry, father. I will study hard like my second brother." Then he went to Shuangfuyuan to find Mr. Zhao: "I want to tell him about my story..." He seemed to be impatient to meet Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao is a good teacher and friend to him!

Xu Lingyi nodded with a smile: "Go ahead!"

Xu Sijie went to Shuangfuyuan excitedly.

Jing'er pulled Xu Lingyi's sleeve and said, "Dad, fifth brother wants to take the imperial examination like second brother. Does he have to go to Le'an to study? Then when I grow up, do I have to go to Le'an to study too?" He looked very worried.

Xu Lingyi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Why? You don't want to go to Le'an to study?"

"Then, can I take Changshun, Suifeng, Huang Xiaomao, Liu Erwu and the others to Le'an together? And Yiyi, Erer and the others... I want to take them with me too!"

Xu Lingyi laughed, but his eyes fell on Shiyi Niang: "I want Zhenxing to help find a knowledgeable teacher for Jie'er. What do you think?"

Ever since Xu Sijie said he wanted to take the imperial examination, Eleventh Lady had been thinking about it.

Mr. Zhao is a good person with good knowledge, but he is better at teaching poetry, essays, and eight-legged essays. I am afraid it is better to find another good teacher. She also considered sending Xu Sijie to Anle. First, Le'an is a long way away, and she is a little reluctant to let Xu Sijie go; second, Xu Sijie and Xu Siyu's situations are different. Xu Lingyi sent Xu Siyu to Le'an mainly to let Xu Siyu and Jiang Song establish a teacher-student relationship and to bring Xu Siyu and Xu Sizhun closer. Otherwise, in such a big city like Yanjing, where can't you find a teacher who can guide Xu Siyu's studies?

It would be great if Luo Zhenxing, who was once a scholar-official, could specially invite a tutor for Xu Sijie!

"Okay!" Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "Then I'll go to Gongxian Hutong tomorrow! Let's settle this matter as soon as possible, so that Jie'er can study with peace of mind!"

The couple discussed it and the next day, one went to see Mr. Zhao while the other took Jing'er to Gongxian Hutong.

Luo Zhenxing was so happy to see Jing'er that he played with him for a long time before talking to Shiyi Niang about serious matters.

When Luo Zhenxing heard that it was for Xu Sijie to invite a teacher, he was a little surprised. Although he readily agreed, he also warned Shiyi Niang: "For the imperial examination, three parts depend on the teacher, and seven parts depend on yourself. Otherwise, how come so many failed scholars have become champions, and how come so many juren have become jinshi! You'd better keep an eye on him and make him study hard!"

"I know that, too." Eleventh Lady had to overcome many difficulties to get a full scholarship to study abroad. "It's just that the teacher's knowledge is better, so the students can have an easier time."

The two chatted about some family matters in Yuhang. Eleventh Lady had lunch and then returned to the lotus garden with Jing'er.

Xu Lingyi had just returned from having lunch with Mr. Zhao in the outer courtyard.

"Mr. Zhao also thinks it's a good idea to hire another teacher for Jie'er!" He drank a little wine and was in high spirits. He hugged Jing'er and kissed him several times. Jing'er was so choked by him that he kept crying. "In this way, he can concentrate on teaching Jing'er in the morning and Zhun'er in the afternoon. Jing'er's progress can also be faster!"

Eleventh Lady wrung out the handkerchief to wipe Xu Lingyi's face, and Jing'er took the opportunity to run away.

"How much did you drink? Look how scared the child is!"

"I'm happy in my heart!" Xu Lingyi smiled, and when he handed the handkerchief to Shiyi Niang, he pulled it along the way, and Shiyi Niang fell into his arms, "Our Jin'er can read maps!" As he said that, he kissed Shiyi Niang hard on the face.

The servants in the room looked at it and retreated with their heads lowered.

"You're drunk!" Eleventh Lady struggled to stand up and handed him a bowl of sobering soup, "Wake up!"

Xu Lingyi didn't answer and looked at her with burning eyes.

Eleventh Lady is funny.

Sit down on the kang and feed him.

Xu Lingyi pulled Shiyi Niang's hand and said, "Moyan, let Jing'er go to my academy to copy the red characters from now on!"

"Children should develop good habits when they are young." Eleventh Lady said tactfully, "Look at me, no matter how big the matter is, I will urge Jing'er to do his homework first. The Marquis has a lot of things to do, how can he have the time!"

"I have nothing to do, but just busying myself." Xu Lingyi stared at Shiyi Niang with a serious expression, "Jin Ge'er came to my room to trace the red characters, so he can keep me company."

Eleventh Lady felt sad when she heard this.

Xu Lingyi is only thirty-six this year.

In her era, it was the prime age for a man...

"Then let's make a deal!" Her voice softened unconsciously, "You can't fish for three days and dry the net for two days..."

※

The matter has finally come to an end. From today on, I will start paying off my debts...

However, the update is a bit late, so please read it tomorrow at noon!

I'll adjust the time as soon as possible!

O(∩_∩)O~