Chapter 669: Gaze (Part 1)

He just wanted to tease Shiyi Niang, but her cheerful smile made Xu Lingyi feel a little petty.

"It's just to let you see the world." He smiled and pulled Shiyi Niang's hand. "I'm not at home these days. Is there anything going on at home?"

Eleventh Lady looked at him and laughed.

Xu Lingyi acts like a commander of troops. Although he often does some treacherous things, he is always open and aboveboard and knows his limits.

She followed his wishes and sat down next to him.

"Everything is fine at home. Nothing much to do. I am just busy preparing for the New Year." Eleventh Lady's tone softened unconsciously. "I asked Jiang to come over to help. Jiang is smart and quick at mental arithmetic and abacus. I can see that she learned these at home and got the hang of it quickly. I am relieved a lot."

Xu Lingyi squeezed her hand and whispered, "I know you've been having a hard time these past few years. But they just got married, and maybe we'll have another wedding at this time next year. You should take care of some things. After a few years, it won't be too late to hand over the family affairs to Jiang. After all, she just got married, so we'll have to wait and see about some things."

Eleventh Lady has her own plans.

No matter how bad the Jiang family is, can I hold on to this family's affairs forever?

If Jiang is a filial daughter, she will naturally know how to abide by her duty. If Jiang is determined, even if she doesn't let go, Jiang will find a way to fight with her. It's better to keep Jiang by her side as early as possible, so that she can prepare for the rainy day. Maybe, if she shows some tolerance, the two of them can get along well!

For some things, someone has to take the lead.

"I think this is a good idea." Shiyi Niang rejected Xu Lingyi's offer, "Follow me and learn slowly, so that when you take over, you won't be so flustered." Then she changed the subject, "From what Jian'er said, the Marquis met a lot of people this time. He must be happy to meet an old friend, right?"

When Xu Lingyi saw that she didn't respond, he knew that she had made up her mind.

Eleventh Lady has always been kind to others, but she is not always tolerant. When things get critical, she has her own ideas.

Thinking this way, I feel that the person in front of me is even better.

He couldn't bear to interrupt her, so he followed her wishes and told her about his experiences along the way: "It's not that I wanted to see him intentionally. Because I'm bringing Jian Ge'er with me, I can't be careless about food, clothing and other expenses. Everyone heard that I was going to Baoding, so they hurried over to get together. I was cautious in my heart. Over the years, those who knew about it saw it with their own eyes and would not come. Those who didn't know about it hurried over, and I met them when I had nothing to do." As he spoke, his smile deepened, "Jian Ge'er, he had a great time..."

Since they were old friends, they naturally knew him. If they didn't know him, even good friends would have gradually become distant. Not to mention the fact that he was "idle". Eleventh Lady felt relieved and listened to him talk about her son's embarrassing situation.

Jiang looked at Xu Sizhen trying on the straw hat given by Qinger in front of the dressing mirror, and couldn't help laughing: "How did Sixth Uncle think of giving you a hat? It's not good, I think you look really good in it." Xu Sizhen handed the hat to Baozhu who was serving beside him, and said with a smile: "Sixth brother always likes to have strange ideas. You haven't seen what she gave Fifth Uncle, it's actually a snuff bottle with a painting of a beauty."

Jiang couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

Xu Sizhen looked at her and felt something in his heart. He pulled her hand and said, "How about we go to Second Aunt's place as well?"

Just now, the two of them asked Jin Ge'er and Shen Ge'er to stay here to play. Jin Ge'er said that he had something to deliver to the Second Madam, so he stood up and said goodbye.

"Don't you want to see the 'flowing wheel'?" He smiled, "Isn't this the perfect time? Then we can go to grandma's place with Jiange'er. It won't delay you from helping mother with chores, nor will it delay you from having dinner at grandma's place."

Jiang had heard her father tell the story of "wooden flowing cows and horses". It is said that it has been lost since Zhuge Liang. Hearing the name "flowing water cart" is somewhat similar to "wooden flowing cows and horses", she wanted to see it. After hearing what Xu Sizhen said, she was naturally tempted. "Then should we also bring some things." She hesitated, "Sixth Uncle is going to deliver something, and we will be a little rude if we go empty-handed?"

"Didn't the palace give away two boxes of snacks two days ago?" Xu Sizhen said with a smile, "Why don't we take this with us? I don't think Second Aunt would be interested in the others."

"Okay!" Bringing food was even more cordial. Jiang smiled, told Baozhu to take the two boxes of snacks, and went to the second teacher with Xu Sizhen. Jing'er and Shen'er had not left yet.

One of them stood in front of the Second Madam with a frown on his face, while the other sat on the armchair beside them, looking at Jiang'er and the Second Madam curiously.

"You are here!" Seeing Xu Sizhen and Jiang, the second wife picked up the teacup and drank a sip of tea, then asked them to sit down with a smile, and did not let Jiang'er sit down as well.

Xu Sinye and Jiang were both a little surprised. They sent gifts and greeted Jin Ge'er and Shen Ge'er. They chatted about family matters and explained their purpose.

"Put the things in the banquet room." The second lady instructed Jiexiang, "Take the fourth young master and the fourth young mistress over to take a look!" Her eyes fell on Jiang'er again.

Jian'er curled his lips, looking helpless, while Shen'er tilted his ears, looking as if he was listening attentively.

The couple exchanged glances and followed Jiexiang to the banquet room next to the hall. As soon as they entered the room, they saw the carriage parked on the Duobao Pavilion.

"So this is what it looks like!" Jiang quickly stepped forward to take a look.

The conversation between the Second Lady and Jiang'er could be heard faintly from the hall.

"…Which places does the White Tiger have?"

"West!" Jiange'er said hesitantly, "Kui, Wei, Shen, Bi... Lou... Ang... and one more... Zi!"

Jiang's attention was inevitably drawn to it.

"I heard that you can read ten lines at a glance and memorize a page of a book in the time it takes you to stick an incense stick." The second wife said indifferently, "You recited so haltingly, it's obvious that you don't take it to heart at all." Her tone seemed a little disappointed, "It's a pity that I think so highly of you. I promised to make a new 'waterwheel' for you..."

"I, I..." Jiange'er said with shame, "I have been traveling with my father these days, rushing on the road every day, and the car is shaking violently. I, I didn't memorize it well."

"You didn't back me, that's all." The Second Lady was slightly annoyed, "You're still making these excuses. It only makes me look down on you even more."

There was a long silence in the hall.

"Should we go out and persuade her?" Xu Sizhen also heard it. Thinking of the Second Madam's strictness, he whispered in Jiang's ear, somewhat undecided.

"Let's wait and see!" Jiang whispered, "I see that Second Aunt is trying to encourage Sixth Uncle to learn stargazing! Second Aunt won't let Sixth Uncle get angry and leave like this..."

As soon as she finished speaking, the second wife's voice came from outside: "Here, the positions and distribution of the twenty-eight constellations are written. Next time you come, recite it to me." After that, she added, "I think you should come back in three days!"

Jian Ge'er replied with a frustrated "Yes": "Well, then I'll go back first!"

The second wife hummed softly.

The footsteps gradually approached the banquet room: "Fourth brother, fourth sister-in-law, we are going back first!"

"Oh!" Xu Sizhen said hurriedly, "Then be careful. It will snow tomorrow, and it started to blow this morning, so the ground is slippery."

Jin'er responded with his head down in a dejected manner, while Shen'er said to Xu Sizhen with a smile, "Fourth brother, fourth sister-in-law, let's go then!" He looked very happy.

The couple found it even more strange.

When they went to have dinner at the Madam's place, Jiang found an opportunity to ask Jiang'er, "Is Second Aunt telling you about stargazing?"

When Jian Ge'er heard this, he nodded helplessly.

Chen Ge'er, who was eating a plate of Fuling cake, leaned over and said, "Second Aunt said that if you learn to stargaze, you won't get lost. I want to learn it, too. Second Aunt said 'OK'!"

Jian'er obviously didn't like this topic. He glanced at Shen'er and said, "Second aunt stays at home every day and has no idea how big the outside world is. There are post roads and post stations wherever we go. We just follow the post roads. How can we get lost? There is no use in learning this." As he spoke, he suddenly became excited, "However, since I promised second aunt, I will definitely learn it." After that, he waved his clenched fist in the air as if to show his determination.

Chen Geer was laughing jokingly at the side. He whispered to Jiang: "Sixth brother lost the bet!" He did not try to hide his schadenfreude!

"Jin'er!" Jian'er jumped up and down.

Brother Xie ran away laughing.

Jiang bent over with laughter.

When he went home that night, he said to Xu Sizhen, "I also want to learn stargazing from my second aunt. Daddy said that if you learn stargazing, you can not only read Feng Shui, but also choose auspicious days. I've wanted to learn it. But it's a pity that my father doesn't quite understand it. My second aunt is amazing! No wonder everyone says she is knowledgeable." He looked very admiring.

"Great!" Xu Sizhen thought this was a good thing. "Second Aunt is always alone. If you learn stargazing from her, she will have someone to keep her company."

Jiang was very happy.

"I'll go tell mother after the Chinese New Year." She sat at the table on the kang, her elbow resting on her cheek, thinking with a smile, "Mother has been very busy these days. After March 3rd, she should be free..." As she spoke, her eyes widened, "My second sister-in-law is about to give birth in March... Then, then..." She bit her lip, "We have to wait until June for the 100-day ceremony..."

"We will learn slowly." Xu Sizhen said with a smile, "We are not going to take the imperial examination or become the top scholar, so why are we in such a hurry?"

Too!

I will stay here for the rest of my life!

Thinking of this, Jiang blushed slightly and glanced at Xu Sizhen shyly.

Only then did Eleventh Lady know that Second Lady had taught Qin'er astronomy.

"...It's very difficult." Qin Ge'er frowned, "I have to learn arithmetic too!"

Shiyi Niang had always felt that her son's curriculum was a bit monotonous, with only Chinese and physical education. Now that he had added mathematics and astronomy, it was of course great.

She gently gave her son a slap on the face: "You have such a good thing but you don't study hard. You even complain!"

Jiange'er just wanted to act coquettishly in front of his mother.

"Mom," he threw himself on Eleventh Lady's back, "Should we go back to my uncle's house on the third day of the junior high school? Then can I see my grandmother?"

Eleventh Lady was surprised: "Do you really want to see your grandmother?"

Jiange nodded: "She is beautiful!"

Eleventh Lady couldn't help laughing.

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