Early the next morning, Xu Lingyi washed, changed his clothes, and took Xu Sijin to the ancestral hall.
After offering sacrifices, worshipping ancestors and admonishing his son, he just walked out of the ancestral hall and saw a servant in charge of the ancestral hall standing beside the green pine trees beside the hall, looking forward to his arrival.
"My Lord, Sixth Young Master." Seeing the two of them coming out, he hurried forward to salute and said in awe, "The Madam has sent messages several times, asking when you and Sixth Young Master will be there?"
Xu Lingyi nodded, without even looking at the boy, and walked out slowly.
Seeing his father seemed to have something to say, Xu Sijin hurriedly followed him respectfully: "Dad, do you have anything else to say?"
Xu Lingyi stopped and looked at his son, who was half a head taller than him and had a solemn look. He couldn't help but hesitate for a moment... Just as he hesitated, Xu Lingkuan suddenly appeared from the end of the corridor: "Jin'er, Jin'er, come on, grandma is waiting for you to have breakfast, and she said she has something to tell you!" After that, he said "Oh" as if he had just seen Xu Lingyi, and said: "Fourth brother, you should have said everything you should say! If you have, then Jin'er and I will go first - mother has asked several times, and she is angry because the servants are not doing their job well! Even my second sister-in-law can't persuade her. I have to come to you in person." As he spoke, he winked at Xu Sijin, turned around and walked out of the fence of the ancestral hall, "Jin'er, grandma is important!" He didn't care about Xu Lingyi's expression.
Xu Sijin was a smart guy, and he could tell what Xu Lingkuan meant. He hurriedly said to his father, "Dad, I'll go first," and hurriedly caught up with Xu Lingkuan.
"Fifth Uncle," he whispered, "Did Grandmother really lose her temper?"
"Your grandmother is just a little anxious." Xu Lingkuan whispered back, "If I hadn't said that, would you have been able to get away? I know Fourth Brother best. Once he starts talking, he won't stop. When I went to the Imperial Guards, he pulled me aside to lecture me after I offered sacrifices to my ancestors. He lectured me for two hours and my feet were numb from standing. If your grandmother hadn't seen that we hadn't returned yet and sent the steward to look for us, I'm afraid I would have continued to stand there." Then he asked curiously, "Why did Fourth Brother come out with you so soon this time?"
Xu Sijin felt that his fifth uncle was extremely considerate to him, and hurriedly said, "I already scolded him the day I came back. Besides, I'm about to leave. If I say too much, it will delay my trip."
"That's right!" Xu Lingkuan nodded and said, "I heard that this time, Elder Chen and Minister Lu have spoken, and the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War have sent people to escort you. If you are late, it will be bad to make others wait. Although they are only fifth or sixth rank, they are officials of the six ministries after all. You will need them to do things more often in the future. It is not worth it to offend them for such a small matter."
It was not customary for people from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War to see him off. It was obvious that Chen Ge Lao and Lu Shangshu did this on purpose to promote him.
"I know, I know. I will take care of the people from the two ministries." Xu Sijin said hurriedly, "Fifth Uncle is in Beijing. If there is anything in the future, I will ask Fifth Uncle to help me keep an eye on it."
"Don't worry. Although your fifth uncle is not as capable as your father, he is very popular with people. There is no official in Beijing who is not familiar with me. If you have any problem, just go to your fifth uncle!"
Xu Lingkuan patted his chest and looked up at the lady's yard.
The two smiled at each other, stopped talking, and quickened their pace into the yard.
Xu Lingyi smiled and shook his head and walked into the lady's room. The lady was talking to Xu Sijin.
"...When you arrive in Guizhou, remember to write home. Don't be stingy with money. Eat well and live well along the way. If you don't have enough money, your grandmother will make up for it for you." The lady repeatedly reminded him while glancing at Jiang and Yingniang. "You are not married yet. According to the rules, the government should give you a monthly allowance. Although you have a salary now, one thing is one thing. What you should be given should still be given to you. Otherwise, how can it be called a rule!"
There was something else in these words. Since Yingniang was not the head of the household, it was nothing. However, Jiang's face turned red when she heard this.
Xu Sijin couldn't help but stick out his tongue.
No wonder others say that it is difficult to be a clan wife. Fourth sister-in-law didn't say anything and even ate the first meal for nothing. If she gets angry, she will be scolded by the grandmother and then the mother!
The thought flashed through his mind, and he smiled and said, "Look at what grandma said, as if I am the kind of person who is stingy with money. I grew up in front of you and you looked after me. Don't you think I can do this? Don't worry, I would rather waste money than let myself down!"
The lady's goal had been achieved. Upon hearing this, she turned to the second lady and said with a laugh, "See? For every one I say, he says ten back to me."
"That's also because of your favor." The second lady smiled, and everyone laughed.
Amidst the laughter, Jiang cast a grateful look towards Xu Sijin.
Then the Dowager Lady, Eleventh Lady, Second Lady, Fifth Lady, Jiang, Ying Lady... gave another round of instructions, and as the auspicious time was almost approaching, everyone reluctantly personally escorted Xu Sijin to the gate.
Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie were in the outer courtyard before dawn to supervise Xu Sijin's luggage. By then, the carriages had been prepared, with more than 20 carriages lined up end to end. The tall and strong guards were standing silently beside the carriages, leading all the dark red horses, with a majestic momentum.
The lady began to cry reluctantly.
The female relatives hurried forward to persuade her, and Xu Sijin also hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the tears of the lady.
Contrary to his usual behavior, Xu Lingyi stood aside and said nothing.
Xu Lingkuan saw that this was not a big deal, so he squeezed in and whispered to his mother, "You must be patient. Jing'er is now the general, and those who follow him will serve under him in the future. If he is fussy, how can he convince others in the future?"
The lady stopped crying immediately, looked at Xu Sijin reluctantly, and urged him, "Hurry up and get on the horse! If you don't leave now, those people waiting to see you off at Deshengmen will be anxious."
Before Xu Sijin could say anything, Xu Lingkuan pulled Xu Sijin out and said, "Mom, Brother Jin will be back after the Spring Festival!" Xu Sijin was just getting tingling with fear at this, but someone came to his rescue and ran faster than a rabbit. He even got on the horse before Xu Lingkuan and waved behind him, "I'm leaving first. I'll bring you some delicious food during the Spring Festival!"
Xu Sizun, Xu Sijie, Xu Sishen, Xu Sicheng, Tingger and Zhuangger saw them out the gate. Several younger generations stood at the gate waving their arms vigorously, some calling them "Sixth Brother" and some "Sixth Uncle", and saying things like "Have a safe trip and come back soon".
He is now a provincial governor, and the stage for farewell should be given to those in official circles. It would be better for the Xu family to stop here.
Xu Sijin smiled and turned around, and inadvertently caught a glimpse of his mother from the corner of his eye - she was looking at him with tears in her eyes.
He was stunned.
The guards had already mounted their horses, and the coachman had cracked his whip, making a crisp sound as the carriage slowly moved forward.
Xu Sijin couldn't help but turn his head and look at his mother again.
There was a smile on the mother's lips, and there was no trace of tears in the corners of her eyes.
She stood there quietly, peaceful and beautiful, like a rock. No matter how strong the wind, frost, snow and rain were outside, no matter how changeable the outside world was, she was always there waiting for him, with steaming hot meals, bright clothes and a warm embrace... He didn't know what was waiting for him in Guizhou... Being in charge of a dusi and going there to serve as a soldier were two different concepts. He was a little worried and afraid, and would hesitate and waver, but when he saw his mother's figure, he suddenly felt more at ease than ever before.
No matter what, his mother would always be there waiting for him.
Xu Sijin turned his head resolutely, his brows full of longing for the unknown world. Facing the rising sun, he laughed and shouted, "Let's go", then urged his horse forward in a heroic manner and trotted out of the lotus flowers.
Many things will happen in the future, but as brothers they are united and looking out for each other, they should be able to overcome any obstacles.
Xu Lingyi, who was following the women far behind, stood alone with his hands behind his back, listening to the clattering of horse hooves and the rumbling of wheels that were gradually fading away, and smiled with satisfaction...
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There will be another chapter similar to the extra chapter "Postscript" tomorrow and the article will be concluded~~~~(_