Tian was extremely satisfied with Qiaofeng. She had been in a trance these days. Qiaofeng was in charge of the two younger ones, while her second sister-in-law and Qinglian helped to manage the affairs of the winery.
Although she didn't make a big deal about it, she knew it in her heart. Qiaofeng took care of the two children's eating, drinking, defecating and urinating, and also sent Ma Xiaodou to school.
Qiaofeng arranges breakfast for Dabao and his friends every day, including today. She packed their breakfast in lunch boxes and asked them to eat while walking. She then arranged the rest before inviting them over.
Ding Youtian, Tong Bajin and his wife, and Xu Dali's family were all sitting in the kitchen. Ding Youtian was talking to Xu Dali's mother, Cao, asking her and Xiuqin to get a job in the mansion in the future and help manage the people below, without having to go out and find a place to stay.
"Lord Ding, how much would a house like yours in Yanchao Capital cost?" Although Pei Zitong was demoted to a commoner by her royal brother, she had not yet adjusted to her current status and was still thinking about buying a house and hiring servants.
Tong Bajin glanced at her silently, wanting to say something when Jian Ning and Tian came over with Ma Xiaomai and Qiao Feng. Jian Ning had heard Pei Zitong's words on the corridor, and after entering, he looked at her and said, "Buying a house is not something that can be done in a short time. Come live with us first. If you don't get used to it and want to move out and start your own residence, you can discuss it with Brother Tong then."
Cao and Xiuqin also advised her, saying, "What's the point of two people living together? If they all lived together, they could look after each other."
When Pei Zitong lived in Xing'an County Government Office, she and Duan Xinyan did not get along well. Duan Xinyan had a prejudice against her, the former princess of Yue Kingdom, because of Zhuo Qingmu's death. Two people with similar personalities could not get along well. Therefore, Pei Zitong was also worried that Cao and Xiuqin were hostile to her. When she met them, they both tried to persuade her, and Jian Ning also said so, so she nodded in agreement.
After breakfast, Jian Ning and the others said goodbye to Tian and took a carriage back to their new house to settle down. In the afternoon, Jian Ning and Ding Youtian first went to Yang Jinyu's parents' home for a visit, and then took a carriage to the Taifu Mansion.
"Xinning!" Mrs. Huo burst into tears when she saw her, but then she took the handkerchief from the maid and wiped her tears, holding Jian Ning's hand and said, "I am really old and confused. I heard from Man'er that you are pregnant again. I shouldn't have cried in front of you and made you worry."
Yesterday, Erniu and Sanniu had already spread the news of Jian Ning's pregnancy everywhere, so Ah Man naturally knew about it too.
"It's okay. I'm not that delicate, and neither are my children. I think Aunt Huo already knows that Jincheng went to save me, and I owe him that. Aunt, feel free to tell me about your pain and sorrow. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, please don't hesitate to ask for my help.
Jian Ning had always respected Madam Huo. Even if Huo Jincheng had not died for her, she would have felt obligated to help.
"It's his fate!" Old Madam Huo's eyes were red again. "If it weren't for the cruelty of the Min brothers and sisters, you would have been Cheng'er's wife, my eldest daughter-in-law. I know that Jincheng doesn't say it, but he's thinking about you in his heart. He would be happy to die for you. There were signs before he came back for the last time, and he gave me and his father a great gift. It's all fate!"
As Mrs. Huo spoke, she could no longer hold back her tears.
Jian Ning hugged her silently. "Aunt, if you are willing, please treat me as your daughter from now on. You and my mother have been good friends since childhood, and in my heart you are the closest elder. But the dead cannot be resurrected, so Aunt should mourn and not hurt yourself."
She chatted with Old Madam Huo for a while. Ding Youtian and the Grand Tutor also came over from the study. The Grand Tutor had retired and no longer attended court. In just a few years, his temples had turned gray and his back had become slightly hunched. He was no longer as energetic as before.
"Uncle Huo." Jane Ning had met him before and was about to kneel down to greet him, but was stopped by Mrs. Huo. "No need to be so polite. You just told me to treat you as my own daughter. We are all family, so why are you being so polite?"
Ding Youtian hurriedly bowed deeply to Madam Huo and the Grand Tutor on her behalf, and then said to Madam Huo, "I was just about to say the same thing to the Grand Tutor. From now on, we are one family. Madam and I will fulfill the filial piety that Jincheng has not yet fulfilled. Please, Madam, be more reserved with my wife and me in the future."
Mrs. Huo nodded repeatedly with tears in her eyes.
The Grand Tutor and Old Madam Huo insisted on inviting Jian Ning and the others to have dinner at their house. The Grand Tutor's house now has a private school, and the young men and women from each branch are studying there, including Da Jun.
Upon learning that Jian Ning and Ding Youtian had arrived, Da Jun and A Man came over and first paid their respects to the Grand Tutor and Old Madam Huo, and then each of them paid their respects to Jian Ning and Ding Youtian.
Ah Man sat down next to Jian Ning. Old Madam Huo saw that she and Jian Ning were still close, but she didn't call them Jian Ning or Ding Youtian. She just followed Da Jun in bowing. She looked at Ah Man and said, "Why don't you call your mother?"
Da Jun also looked at A Man.
Jian Ning quickly answered for Ah Man, "It was a ceremony between brother and sister. Since the young prince has already addressed her, there's no need for him to address her again. We're all family from now on, so there's no need to be too formal."
She had criticized the family a bit too harshly, and Mrs. Huo immediately realized that Jian Ning had an eldest son, and she had also met Dabao. She thought that Jian Ning must have arranged Ah Man's marriage with Huo Jincheng. Ah Man was older now, and it would be inappropriate to continue calling her "mother" as she had done before getting married. She didn't want outsiders to laugh at her, as if the girls of the Huo family couldn't get married, and were so eager to call her mother-in-law "mother" so early, so she stopped talking.
The Taifu Mansion has strict rules. The children and grandchildren of each family have their own seats for meals. Jian Ning and Ding Youtian sit at the same table with the Taifu couple, while A'man and Dajun each sit at a table with the young men and women from other rooms.
After dinner, Jian Ning and Ding Youtian said goodbye to the Grand Tutor and his wife, and left the Grand Tutor's residence together with Dajun and Ah Man. Ah Man took Jian Ning's arm and said to Dajun, "Brother, wait for me in the carriage. I'll be right there."
Da Jun responded with a yes, bowed to Jian Ning and Ding Youtian, and walked towards the carriage driven by Lai Xi.
"But do you have something to tell me?" Jian Ning asked Ah Man with a smile.
"I'll come visit you when the family school is closed." Ah Man said, glancing at Ding Youtian, and then added, "You are all my closest relatives, Huo Ah Man, along with Brother Dabao and Sister Shu'er."
When Jian Ning heard her call Dabao "Brother", her heart sank a little. Is she really planning to become a saint in the future?
"Man'er, have you made up your mind to follow Yuechan and Yue'e back to Yue Country to rebuild their tribe?" Jian Ning brushed her bangs behind her ears and asked her softly, "Do you want to think about it again?"
Ah Man shook his head and smiled slightly, "This is my mission!"
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