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

"It's just to open your eyes." He smiled and pulled Shiyi Niang's hand. "I haven't been home these days. Is there anything going on at home?"

Eleventh Lady looked at him and laughed.

Xu Lingyi acts like he is leading troops. Although he often does some treacherous things, he is always honest, upright and sensible.

She followed his wishes and sat next to him.

"Everything is fine at home. Nothing much has happened. 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 can do mental arithmetic and abacus very quickly. I can see that she has learned these at home and got the hang of it quickly. I feel a lot more relaxed now."

Xu Lingyi squeezed her hand and whispered, "I know you've had 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 more responsibility for some things. It won't be too late to hand over the family affairs to Jiang in a few years. After all, she just got married, so we'll have to wait and see about some things."

Eleventh Lady has her own plans.

Even if Jiang is a bad person, can I still hold on to this family's affairs forever?

If Jiang Shi is filial, she will naturally know how to abide by her duty. If Jiang Shi is determined, even if she doesn't let go, Jiang Shi will find a way to fight with her. It's better to keep Jiang Shi 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 always has to take the lead.

"I think this is a good idea." Eleventh Lady rejected Xu Lingyi's offer, "Learn slowly by my side, so that when you take over, you won't be so flustered." Then she changed the subject, "From what Jin said, the Marquis met a lot of people this time. He must be very happy to meet an old friend, right?"

Seeing that she didn't respond, Xu Lingyi 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 also has her own ideas.

Thinking of this, 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 what he had seen and heard along the way: "It's not that I wanted to see her on purpose. Because I'm with Jing'er, I can't be careless about food, clothing and other expenses. Everyone heard that I was going to Baoding, so they rushed over to get together. I have reservations in my heart. Over the years, those who know about it have seen it with their own eyes and will not come. Those who don't know about it rushed over, and I met them when I have nothing to do." As he spoke, his smile deepened, "Jing'er, you had a great time..."

Since we are old friends, we naturally know him. If we don’t know him, even if we are good friends, our relationship will gradually fade. What’s more, there is the big hat of “idle” in front.

Eleventh Lady felt relieved and listened to him talk about her son's embarrassing situation.

* * * * * *

Jiang looked at Xu Sizun trying on the straw and rattan hat that Jing'er had given him in front of the floor-length dressing mirror and couldn't help but burst out laughing: "How did your sixth uncle think of giving you a hat? But I think it looks really good on you."

Xu Sizhun 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 he gave to fifth uncle, it turned out to be a snuff bottle with a painting of a beauty."

Jiang couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

Xu Sizhun looked at her and pulled her hand, "How about we go to Second Aunt's place as well?"

Just now, the two of them asked Jing'er and Chen'er to play here. Jing'er said that he had something to deliver to the second lady, so he stood up and said goodbye.

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

Jiang had heard her father tell the story of "wooden oxen and flowing horses". It was said that it had been lost after Zhuge Liang. Hearing that the name "flowing water cart" was somewhat similar to "wooden oxen and flowing horses", she wanted to see it. After hearing what Xu Sizhun said, she was naturally tempted.

"Should we bring something with us?" She hesitated. "Sixth Uncle is going to deliver something. Wouldn't it be a bit rude if we go empty-handed?"

"Didn't the palace give us two boxes of snacks a few days ago?" Xu Sizhun 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!" Giving food was even more intimate. Jiang smiled and told Baozhu to take the two boxes of snacks, and went to the second teacher with Xu Sizun.

Jing'er and Chen'er haven't left yet.

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

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

Xu Sizhun and Jiang were both a little surprised. They gave gifts, greeted Jing'er and Shen'er, chatted about family matters, and explained their purpose.

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

Jing'er curled his lips, looking helpless, while Chen'er pricked up his ears, looking as if he was listening attentively.

The couple couldn't help but exchange 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 that's what it looks like!" Jiang quickly stepped forward to take a look.

The conversation between the Second Madam and Jing'er could be faintly heard from the hall.

"…What are the White Tiger's lodges?"

"West!" Jing'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 just one incense stick." The second wife said in a light tone, "You recited it so haltingly, it's obvious that you don't take it seriously at all." Her tone seemed a little disappointed, "It's a pity that I think so highly of you. I promise to make a new 'waterwheel' for you..."

"I, I..." Jing'er said with shame, "I have been traveling with my father these days, traveling every day, and the car is shaking a lot. I, I didn't memorize it well."

"I didn't carry it, so I didn't carry it." The second wife was a little annoyed, "You're still making these excuses. It will only make me look down on you even more."

There was a long silence in the hall.

"Should we go out and persuade them?" Xu Sizun 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 go away like this..."

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

Jinger 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 Sizhun said hurriedly, "Then be careful. It snowed yesterday, and it started to blow this morning, so the ground is slippery."

Jin'er responded dejectedly, while Chen'er said to Xu Sizun 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, Jiang found an opportunity to ask Jing'er, "Is Second Aunt telling you to watch the stars?"

When Jin Ge'er heard this, he nodded indifferently.

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

Jing'er obviously didn't like this topic. He glanced at Chen'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, "But 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 at the side and whispered to Jiang: "Sixth brother lost the bet!" He did not try to hide his gloating!

"Brother Jin!" Brother Jin jumped up and down.

Brother Xie ran away laughing.

Jiang bent over with laughter.

When he went back home that night, he said to Xu Sizhun, "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 always 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 Sizhun thought this was a good thing. "Second Aunt is always alone. If you follow her to learn stargazing, 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, and thought with a smile, "Mother has been very busy these days. After March 3rd, she should be free..." As she spoke, her eyes widened, "and my second sister-in-law is about to give birth in February... then, then..." She bit her lip, "We have to wait until May for the 100-day ceremony..."

"We can just learn slowly." Xu Sizhun 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 forever!

Thinking of this, Jiang's face turned slightly red and she glanced at Xu Sizhun shyly.

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

"...It's so difficult." Jinger frowned, "I have to learn arithmetic too!"

Shiyi Niang has always felt that her son's curriculum is a bit monotonous, with Chinese and physical education. Now that he has added mathematics and astronomy, it's of course the best.

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!"

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

"Mom," he threw himself on Eleventh Lady's back, "Are we going 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?"

Jinger nodded: "She is beautiful!"

Eleventh Lady couldn't help laughing.

※

What I posted is a draft, and I will correct the typos later, so please bear with me for now!

O(∩_∩)O~

PS: Make up for the extra update on August 28th.