During the Spring Festival of the third year of Xining, the Yongping Marquis' Mansion was more lively than in previous years.

First, Xu Lingyi was granted the title of Prince Taibao, becoming the first person in the Great Zhou Dynasty to be both one of the Three Orphans and one of the Three Dukes; then, Xu Lingkuan, who had been in the Imperial Guard for more than 20 years, was promoted to the commander-in-chief of the Wucheng Bingmasi. Although he was in charge of some miscellaneous matters, he was a third-rank official; when the lanterns of the Lantern Festival fell on the 18th day of the eighth month, Xu Sichen was granted the title of a hereditary assistant of the fourth rank.

In front of the gate of Xu's mansion, there was an endless stream of carriages coming and going with green curtains decorated with silver dragon embroidered ribbons and plain lion head embroidered ribbons.

Xu Sijin couldn't help but touch his head: "It's already mid-February, why are there still so many people?"

He wore a dark blue coarse cloth robe, and traveled day and night, looking a little dusty, but his eyes were bright and his brows showed a bit of majesty, and it was obvious that he was not an ordinary person.

"Didn't they say that the Marquis, the Fifth Master, and the Seventh Young Master were all promoted?" Seeing the familiar black-painted copper-nailed door of the Xu Mansion, Chang'an couldn't help but smile happily, "I guess they are here to congratulate us!"

He helped Xu Sijin lead the horse. Although they were both dressed alike and were both tall and handsome, Xu Sijin looked relaxed and confident, while he was more cautious. Everyone's eyes would fall on Xu Sijin first.

Someone immediately discovered Xu Sijin.

"Sixth Young Master, Sixth Young Master..." The steward on duty at the door left behind the staff and stewards who came with flattering smiles to deliver visiting cards, and ran over in a flash, "Oh! It's really the Sixth Young Master!" The steward said as he bowed to Xu Sijin, "This humble servant to the Sixth Young Master..." Without saying a word, he slapped his mouth lightly, "Look at my stinky mouth. I'm so happy to see the Earl that I can't speak. Now you can't call me 'Sixth Young Master' anymore, you have to call me 'Earl Wujin'," he said, bowing to Xu Sijin again, "This humble servant wishes you a happy old age! I wish you all the best and a successful career..."

Before he could finish his words, the doormen who heard the noise came running over.

"Uncle, I am Gou Fu, wishing you a happy new year!"

"Master, I am very lucky. Do you still remember that my sister worked for the Fourth Madam? I wish you a happy new year!"

It was noisy, like a vegetable market.

Xu Sijin laughed heartily and ordered Chang'an: "Give them all a reward!"

Chang'an smiled and took out a purse embroidered with a pattern of "all wishes come true" which he had prepared long ago and used to reward servants, and gave it to whoever he met.

Someone immediately said, "Hey, isn't this Brother Chang'an from Steward Wan's family? After all, he is someone close to Master Bo. If we meet him on the street, I'm afraid we won't recognize him!"

Chang'an smiled slightly and said nothing more.

The staff and stewards who came to deliver the visiting cards were all shrewd people. They also gathered around and waited until the servants of the Xu family were quiet before they straightened their clothes and came forward to salute Xu Sijin.

Xu Sijin spoke politely to these people.

A clever servant ran to inform the lady, Shiyi Niang and Xu Lingyi.

After a while, Chief Steward Bai, Xu Sizhun, Xu Sijie and others came out to greet them.

"Sixth brother!" Xu Sizhun's face was full of surprise. "Didn't you say you wouldn't be back until late February? How come you're home on the tenth?"

"Let's get going!" Xu Sijin said with a smile, and greeted Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie. He pointed to the seven or eight carriages behind him and said, "These are all things for everyone. Fourth brother, please ask someone to pack them up. I'm going to go see mother and grandmother first!"

"Young masters, go and get busy!" Manager Bai stepped forward considerately, "Changan and I will be here!"

Xu Sijin nodded and instructed Chang'an, "Give the things to Manager Bai, and you can go back and rest! Your family is thinking about you." Then he went to the backyard side by side with Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie.

"How are you? Are you doing well in Guizhou?" Xu Sijie asked him with a smile, "Looking at your spirits, you seem to be doing well!"

"Of course." Xu Sijin said with a smile, "Do you think I'm the kind of person who would suffer a loss?"

Before he finished speaking, two people came running towards him: "Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother..."

They are Xu Sichen and Xu Sicheng.

"Seventh brother, eighth brother!" Xu Sijin stepped forward and put his arm around Xu Sichen's shoulders affectionately, "I was afraid that you had already left for Henan, but I didn't expect you were still at home! I heard that you were granted the hereditary title of assistant, congratulations!" As he spoke, he let go of his hand, looked Xu Sichen up and down, and teased him, "Well, after three days of absence, you should look at me with new eyes." He smiled and said, "I'll set up a congratulatory banquet for you in Chunxi Tower later." Then he looked at Xu Sizun, Xu Sijie, and Xu Sicheng who were present one by one, and said generously, "Everyone should come and accompany us when the time comes. We won't go home until we are drunk." The solemnity of the superior was inadvertently revealed.

The younger brother who he had to take care of yesterday seemed to have suddenly grown taller, making his outstretched wings look weak and powerless, and also making him seem like he was turning around to take care of him... Xu Sizun was a little uncomfortable with the sudden change. He looked at his younger brother with complicated eyes and was silent for a while.

Xu Sicheng looked at Xu Sijin with eyes full of admiration.

After Sixth Brother goes to Beijing to take the civil service exam, he will follow Sixth Brother to Guizhou! Sixth Brother is open and honest, a real man, and he wants to be like Sixth Brother.

"Don't come back until you're drunk!" Xu Sijie laughed and scolded Xu Sijin, "Be careful or your mother will get angry if she finds out!"

Xu Sijin laughed.

Two forty-year-old men wearing the uniforms of fourth-rank military officers came over and saluted them: "Aren't these the Crown Prince and the Seventh Young Master..." His eyes fell on Xu Sijin, and he couldn't help but shudder, and hurriedly said: "Sir Xu, I didn't expect to meet you here? You just came back from Guizhou, right?" He hurriedly introduced himself: "I am Zhou Jing, the co-governor of the Xishan Camp, and I used to be a colleague with Sir Lin. This is my good friend, Sun Ming, the commander of the North City of the Five Cities Army."

Xu Sijin smiled and nodded.

Zhou Jing hurriedly invited him warmly: "It is better to meet by chance than to be invited by someone. It shows that we are destined to meet you. If you don't mind, Brother Sun and I will welcome you at Chunxi Tower one day. Please give us a favor." He added, "We are all from the Imperial Guards, and we are good friends with your fifth uncle. This time we are here to congratulate Commander Xu on his promotion!"

"We'll talk about it when the time comes!" Xu Sijin smiled gently, "My examination is due in mid-March, and I rushed back early just to spend a few more days being filial to my elders!" He maintained the enthusiasm among colleagues, but also had the reserve of a superior.

"Of course, of course!" The two said respectfully, but their eyes could not hide the disappointment.

Another person was walking towards this side slowly, and he was wearing a red official uniform, and the person accompanying him looked like Xu Lingkuan.

Xu Sijin shuddered.

He was wearing a red official uniform, and was at least a third-rank official. He was accompanied by Xu Lingkuan, so he must be a powerful figure. If they met, they would inevitably have to chat for a long time.

He wants to see his mother as soon as possible!

As soon as the thought flashed through his mind, Xu Sijin winked at Xu Sizhun, indicating that he should come out and help entertain Zhou Jing and Sun Ming. At the same time, he said to them with a smile, "My lords, I just came in and had no time to greet my father and mother. I have to leave now!"

The two men were also smart people. Before Xu Sizhun could speak, they said, "Master Xu, you have something to do, so please leave first. We were just about to leave!"

Seeing the red official uniform getting closer and closer to him, Xu Sijin hurriedly said a few words, left his brother and younger brother behind, and quickly walked towards the main courtyard.

Xu Sizhun and the others were stunned, and Xu Lingkuan's voice rang in their ears: "It seemed to be Jin Ge'er just now..."

The brothers turned around and responded "yes", but Xu Sijin had already entered the Chuihua Gate and almost bumped into Mother Song who was about to go out to inquire about him.

"Oh my!" Mother Song pulled Xu Sijin excitedly, "Madam is thinking of you..."

It’s better to get to mother’s room quickly to avoid being called!

"I understand, I understand!" Xu Sijin walked quickly to the main house without waiting for her to finish.

Mother Song followed behind him with a smile.

Although it was early spring, the weather in Yanjing was still very cold. The crabapple trees and grape vines in the yard had not yet sprouted new green leaves and were bare. But in Xu Siyu's eyes, they looked very friendly.

The little maidservant shouted, "Sixth Young Master is back," and helped him lift the curtain.

Eleventh Lady came out immediately.

"Jin'er!" She had tears of joy in her eyes.

"Mom!" Xu Sijin hugged his mother, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine! I'm fine!" Eleventh Lady also hugged her son.

There was a soft cough behind me.

"Now that you're back, come sit inside!"

Xu Sijin followed the direction of the voice and saw his father's face, which looked a little serious but with a hint of joy in it.

"Dad!" He stepped forward and saluted Xu Lingyi.

Xu Lingyi nodded lightly and turned to go into the house.

My father is still the same.

No matter how happy you are, you have to keep a straight face.

Xu Sijin made a face at his mother.

Eleventh Lady glared at him.

He pursed his lips and followed his father into the house.

The father and son sat down on the big kang by the window in the west room, and Eleventh Lady personally poured tea for them.

"I'll do it, I'll do it!" Xu Sijin hurriedly stood up and took the tea from his mother. His eyes fell on his mother's face and he found that his mother was rounder and in better spirits than when he left.

He was just about to tease his mother when he heard a baby crying softly, like a cat, from the inner room.

Eleventh Lady smiled at him apologetically and whispered, "It's your sister!" and hurried into the inner room.

Xu Sijin was stunned for a moment: "Sister?"

Why didn't anyone tell him?

Xu Lingyi hummed uncomfortably.

Xu Sijin jumped up like a cat whose tail was stepped on: "Dad, when did you take a concubine again?" He stared at his father with wide eyes.

Xu Lingyi was speechless.

Xu Sijin said: "Otherwise, where would I get my sister?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Eleventh Lady came out holding her 42-day-old daughter, and said angrily, "She's your sister!"

Xu Sijin's face was filled with shock, and he pointed at Shiyi Niang and said, "You, when did you give birth to your sister? I, how come I didn't know?" As he spoke, he couldn't help but look at the big red Kesi swaddling clothes in Shiyi Niang's arms where hundreds of babies were playing.

Eleventh Lady hesitated for a while: "Weren't you fighting the Tartars those days?" She held her daughter in her arms and showed her to her son, "You went home to rest for two days and then left. I never had a chance to talk to you..."

Xu Sijin pouted in dissatisfaction.

Opportunities are found by people, not given by God... But as Eleventh Lady approached, his gaze fell on the face of the baby girl in the cradle who was looking at him with big dark eyes.

She is so small.

His face was probably not even as big as his palm.

Her hair was as black as midnight, her lips were as red as cherries, her skin was as delicate and fair as the first snow, especially the pair of eyes looking at him, maybe because she had just cried, there was still a hint of water in her eyes, as clear and pure as a mountain spring, which made people's hearts suddenly clear.

This is his sister... a sister from the same mother...

Xu Sijin couldn't help but stretch out his fingers to touch her cheek.

But the calluses on her fingertips looked so rough against her delicate skin.

His hand couldn't help but shrink.

Afraid that he would hurt her, afraid that he would destroy her delicate and tender body, Xu Sijin felt a bit of awe in his heart for the first time facing such a little person who knew nothing.

Eleventh Lady smiled.

Both father and son are the same.

Xu Lingyi still doesn't dare to hold his daughter in his arms, as if he's afraid of accidentally breaking her. Unlike Jing'er, he dares to throw her into the air...

She handed her daughter to her son and said, "Do you want a hug?"

"No, no!" Xu Sijin took two steps back and felt as if sweat was coming out on his forehead.

Xu Lingyi felt the same way and hurried to help his son out: "Okay, you just came back and are covered in dust. Go wash up first, and then we'll go see your grandmother together."

Xu Sijin breathed a sigh of relief, looked at his sister twice, and then bowed respectfully in response.

There was a sudden noise outside.

The people in the room were a little surprised.

The sound was getting louder and louder, getting closer and closer to the main house, and faintly I could hear words like "You can't go in there".

Eleventh Lady frowned.

Someone came in through the curtain.

"Xu Sijin, you promised me that you would take me to your home, how could you leave me to those stewards!"

A little girl of about eleven or twelve years old stood coquettishly in front of Xu Lingkuan and Shiyi Niang.

Xu Lingyi and his wife were stunned.

Although the girl was young, she had delicate features and a lively gaze. She wore a double spiral bun, a royal blue jacket embroidered with peach blossoms, and a pair of ox horn collars made of pure silver around her neck. Although she was very beautiful, she looked a little out of place.

But both of them were not ordinary people, and they immediately recognized that the pair of ox horn collars were Miao ornaments.

This little girl is probably also a Miao girl.

The two of them couldn't help but exchange glances, then looked at Xu Sijin.

Xu Sijin looked uneasy but calm: "Amu, didn't I tell you to wait outside? I will introduce you to my parents after I tell them. This is Yanjing, not Guizhou. You also promised me to follow the local customs."

The girl, whom Xu Sijin called Amu, immediately looked ashamed. She lowered her head and murmured, "It was your housekeeper who said I couldn't enter your house, and couldn't even stay in the kitchen. They wanted to arrange for me to live in another house called Goldfish Lane..." As she spoke, she raised her head and looked at Xu Sijin with tears in her eyes, "I, I'm scared!"

Arrange to go to my mother's house... Whose bad idea was this!

Xu Sijin frowned slightly, a trace of anger flashed in his eyes, and then he hurriedly explained to his mother as if he was afraid that his parents would misunderstand him: "Mother, this is Miss Amu, the daughter of Sinan Tusi Shabao. I was in Guizhou and Shabao took good care of me. This time when I came to Beijing, Amu insisted on coming to Yanjing to visit, so I brought her in..."

Before Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang could say anything, Amu had already stepped forward and bowed awkwardly, calling them "Uncle" and "Mom".

Xu Lingyi's face turned pale, but he still nodded reluctantly to Amu. Shiyi Niang also felt that this matter was a bit inappropriate. Thinking about the little girl who had come all the way to Beijing with her son, Xu Lingyi's face was already not looking good. If she was cold and stiff again, it would be too inhumane. And judging from her son's appearance, it didn't seem like he had any feelings for this little girl...

"You are a guest now!" Eleventh Lady smiled and instructed Amber, "Go and clean up the place where Jing'er used to live so that Miss Amu can rest."

When Ah Mu heard this, she immediately smiled with her eyes bent, and said to Shiyi Niang, "Amu, you are so kind!" Then she boldly stepped forward to look at the child in her arms, "Is this Lord Xu's sister? She is so beautiful! However, she doesn't look like Lord Xu." She said, and looked at Shiyi Niang carefully, "She looks like Ah Mu. She will definitely be a beauty when she grows up!"

When Eleventh Lady heard someone praising her daughter, she couldn't help but smile and said, "Amu is also a pretty girl."

"Really?" Amu touched his face in surprise and joy, "Amu, do you think I'm beautiful too? My father said so too. But Lord Xu said that there are many people like me in their family, a lot of them." There was a hint of coquettishness in his tone.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help laughing as she looked at her son.

Xu Sijin was very embarrassed and glared at Amu fiercely: "My mother asked you to go down and rest, didn't you understand? Why are you talking so much!"

Amu was not afraid. He made a face at Xu Sijin and said to Shiyi Niang, "Amu, I've taken a bath and am here to help you take care of your sister. I have seven nieces and I know how to take care of children." Then he followed Amber, who was worried.

Xu Sizhun walked in immediately: "Mother, Minister Lu came to visit my fifth uncle. He heard that my sixth brother is back and wants to see him!"

"He still caught me!" Xu Sijin muttered to himself as he bowed to his father and mother, "Dad, Mom, I'll be back soon."

Xu Lingyi was upset by the sudden appearance of Amu and said "hmm" with a cold face.

Xu Sizhun hurriedly pulled Xu Sijin out of the door.

"What happened to you? You brought a Miao girl back?" He said in a low voice as he and Xu Sizhun walked out. "She looked like she had a close relationship with you. The stewards couldn't stop her, so they hurried to report to me, but it was still too late... Daddy will never allow you to marry a Miao girl."

"Who said I was going to marry her!" Xu Sijin was still full of grievances. "I found Ah Mu hiding in my carriage when I left Guizhou. When she was found, she had not eaten for five days and five nights and was dying. I wanted to send someone to send her back, but she tried to commit suicide. She is smart and ordinary people can't keep an eye on her. I'm really afraid that something will happen to her... Otherwise, how can I explain to her father!" As he said this, he seemed to remember something and hurriedly pulled Xu Sizhun's sleeve, "Fourth brother, are you familiar with all the wealthy families in Yanjing?"

"They are usually familiar!" Xu Sizhun looked at his brother and asked curiously, "What are you going to do?"

"No, nothing!" Xu Sijin said hesitantly, "It's just that when I entered the city, I saw someone entering the city with incense... I heard a sound through the carriage..." A suspicious red cloud appeared on his face, "I rushed into her carriage..."

Xu Sizhun was dumbfounded: "You, you can't be?"

After saying this, Xu Sijin felt relieved, thinking, "It can't get any worse than this." He smiled and put his arm around Xu Sizhun's shoulder, "Fourth brother, I'm in a rural area like Guizhou now. I'm not like you, who was born and raised in Yanjing. You know everyone in Yanjing. Please help me! I'll get you some Guizhou Miao lanterns. I guarantee they'll be very different from the ones in Yanjing!"

When Xu Sizhun heard about the lantern, his heart was moved, but he soon showed a stern look: "No. Parents' orders and matchmaker's words. We can't do such private things."

"Oh, I have no other choice, right?" Xu Sijin provoked Xu Sizhun, "You are my brother, if you don't help me with such a small matter, who else can help me? Besides, I am not going to break off the engagement, and Miss Wang is not someone who has already had an in-law..."

"Miss Wang?" Xu Sizhun caught Xu Sizhun's flaw, "Which Miss Wang? Have you figured out who she is?"

Xu Sijin chuckled: "She is the sister of your good friend Wang Yun! Lord Wang's eldest daughter!"

"No!" Xu Sizhun shook his head like a rattle. "Daddy said that he wants to find you a daughter of a general. Their family is a civil servant. Besides, Lord Wang is from a humble background, with only one son and one daughter. He is alone and powerless. Not to mention daddy, even I will not agree!"

"If you don't agree..." Xu Sijin crossed his arms and said slowly, "Then, I'll have to come to your house myself!"

"You, you..." Xu Sizhun didn't know what to say. He held it in for a long time before saying, "Don't forget, you are now the general of Guizhou, a third-rank official, not Chen Ge'er or Cheng Ge'er. If something happens, everyone will think that they are still young and ignorant. If you make a fool of yourself, where will your father and mother put their faces?"

"Then just help me!" Xu Sijin said nonchalantly, "Otherwise, how would I know what to do?"

This younger brother has been very competitive since he was young, and he has had a smooth life when he grew up. If he gets arrogant, he might really rush to the Wang family to recommend himself... Xu Sizun thought of the time when Xu Sijin was a child and was left outside in the wind and rain for two hours without begging for mercy by his mother. He felt a splitting headache: "Let me think about it, let me think about it carefully!" His tone had softened.

Xu Sijin's eyes flashed with cunning, and he smiled and put his arm around Xu Sizhun's shoulders: "Good brother, whether I can get married depends entirely on you!"

His father’s stern face suddenly appeared in Xu Sizhun’s mind.

He couldn't help but shudder.

Over there, Xu Lingyi and Shiyi Niang were worried about Amu.

"As long as my son likes it, I like it." Eleventh Lady patted her daughter gently, "But is Amu willing to leave Guizhou? Jing'er can't stay in Guizhou forever, right?" She was a little worried.

The son and daughter have completely different personalities, one is naughty and the other is gentle.

Xu Lingyi walked around the room with his hands behind his back. "What do you mean, as long as he likes it? He is still young, and he knows what he likes and what he doesn't like. We can't let him do whatever he wants. I absolutely don't agree with him marrying a Miao woman..."

"Life is but a few short decades. It's rare to meet someone who shares the same feelings with you. If Jing'er likes it, I'll agree." Shiyi Niang ignored his anger and slowly carried her sleeping daughter into the inner room. "Didn't you say that I should decide what kind of wife Jing'er should marry?"

Xu Lingyi stared at his wife's back, speechless for a long while, thinking about how to make his wife change her mind. He was still in the dark about the trouble Xu Sizhun was in...

(over)

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When I typed the word "Finish", I felt very complicated... Thank you all for your company over the past 17 months. It has helped me grow and learned a lot.

Thank you everyone!

PS: Let me calm down first before writing the ending.

O(∩_∩)O~