Chapter 497 A Dream of Splendor 29
Although there was a significant age difference between the two, Xie Qi greatly enjoyed reciting texts with Xie Ning, and he especially liked asking Xie Ning how she memorized them so quickly.
Xie Ning couldn't just say that she had a good memory, but she did have some techniques for memorizing, namely contextual memory, which she was happy to share.
"Is that so? Well then I'll give it a try!"
Xie Qi silently began to recite the book. Xie Ning took a sip of tea, then turned to a page and started reading. It was exactly the part they had read the night before, describing the story of Qing Nu.
The book says: Qingnu is a celestial goddess, the Jade Maiden of the Azure Sky, who is in charge of frost and snow.
In other words, Qingnu is the goddess in charge of bringing frost. When literati write poems and lyrics, they can use Qingnu to refer to frost and snow, and also to white hair.
After Xie Qi had finished reciting two lessons, Chen Shi led a group of people to drag a lot of things home. Without even taking a break, she changed her and her two children's clothes and then got into the carriage to go to the Chen family's house at the crossroads.
Xie Ning quietly lifted the curtain to look at the scene outside. The streets were bustling with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares. He had heard that the city was also very lively at night, but Xie Ning had never been out so late before.
Xie Qi also lay down beside him to watch, occasionally exclaiming, "Bao'er, look! There's a fire-breathing person over there!"
It was just a juggling act, but the two of them still watched with great interest.
After a few swaying and staggering movements, we arrived at the Chen residence.
Xie Qi looked up at the plaque and whispered to Xie Ning, "This calligraphy isn't as good as Father's."
Xie Ning nodded. Indeed, although the calligraphy on the plaque was good, it lacked the spirit and essence of Xie Wangzhi's calligraphy.
Xie Wangzhi coughed lightly, and Xie Qi immediately stood up straight and said no more.
The steward, who had been waiting at the main gate, saw the Xie family's carriage approaching from afar and had already sent someone to inform Chen Yin. Then he opened the main gate to welcome the group into the mansion.
"This must be Bao'er. When we met before, she was just a tiny little bundle. Now she's grown so much. Qi'er is the same. He's already as tall as his uncle's chest. They've really grown up."
The woman who came to greet us was plump and had a very cheerful and generous smile; she was none other than Chen Yin's wife, Madam Huo.
The group exchanged greetings.
"This is your aunt," Chen introduced to Xie Ning.
"Uncle, Aunt, greetings." Thanks to Chen's prior instruction, Xie Ning knew proper etiquette.
"Oh, how well-behaved."
Behind her were two young boys and a boy of seven or eight years old, all sons of the Huo family.
"Yun Sheng, Yun Bai, Yun Cheng, quickly greet your uncle and aunt."
The children bowed in greeting. After bowing, the youngest, Yun Cheng, tugged at Madam Huo's sleeve and asked, "Mother, can I take my sister's hand and walk with me?"
Huo then looked at Chen.
Madam Chen instructed Xie Wangzhi to put Xie Ning on the ground, saying only, "Cheng'er, please walk slowly. Bao'er is small and can't walk fast."
Qingli followed the two children very consciously, but she was skeptical of what Chen said. You know, she couldn't keep up with Ning Jie yesterday, those little legs could probably run away!
Chen Yuncheng patted his chest and said, "I will definitely take good care of my little sister!"
"Bao'er, guess what we're having for dinner today?" Chen Yuncheng was so excited that he couldn't contain his desire to share.
Xie Ning shook her head, indicating that she didn't know.
"Hehe, Dad bought a sheep a few days ago, and today we're having mutton! The grilled mutton skewers and the boiled mutton slices are all so delicious!"
"Baby, do you like to eat lamb?"
"I like it." However, mutton is quite expensive, so my family doesn't buy it often. We usually eat pork or rabbit meat.
"I like it too. I love spicy food, but unfortunately my mother won't let me eat too much."
Hearing this, Huo glared at Chen Yuncheng and said, "With your mouth, it will swell up for three days after eating a little bit of spicy food. And you still want to eat it all the time. Don't cry when the time comes."
Bao'er has a weak stomach and spleen, don't encourage her.
Chen Yuncheng just chuckled, showing no remorse whatsoever.
He also shared other delicious and fun things with Xie Ning, and asked Xie Ning what he liked to do.
Xie Ning didn't know how to answer for a moment. Should she say that she liked playing with dolls?
However, she spent almost all her free time reading, so she honestly replied, "I like reading."
Chen Yuncheng was shocked. How could anyone like reading? He had been struggling to memorize the Thousand Character Classic lately.
Chen Yunbai, who was chatting with Xie Qi, was also somewhat incredulous. "Qi, how can Bao'er, who is so young, like to read books?"
Studying is so boring; if it weren't for his father's whip forcing him, he wouldn't have been able to study at all.
"Wow? Bao'er is amazing! She can recite the Thousand Character Classic, the Three Character Classic, and... she can even read the Classic of Filial Piety now."
The Xie family was already surprised, especially since Xie Ning had learned to read right under their noses, but the Chen family was completely stunned.
Chen Yin's eyes widened, and he stared blankly at his younger sister, "Wan Niang, you didn't say Bao'er was this amazing!"
Previously, Chen's letter only mentioned that Xie Ning wanted to study, so Xie Wangzhi started teaching Xie Ning to read. At the time, he only felt that it was a bit too early and a bit like forcing a seedling to grow, but no one told him that the seedling could grow so tall.
Mrs. Huo slapped her son's hand away and picked Xie Ning up, saying, "How can this child be so adorable?"
If only half of her sons were smart. Her eldest son, like his father, only thinks about how to make money; her second son only dreams of becoming a chivalrous hero in a storybook; and her youngest son is just a pure foodie.
There wasn't a single one of them who had the patience to settle down and study.
Xie Ning received another wave of praise, which made her feel somewhat embarrassed.
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