When Yuan Huiniang and the others arrived at Yan Qingqing's room, a wave of warmth immediately washed over them.
Li Xiangping smiled and said, "Mother's room is as warm as ever."
Before Yan Qingqing could answer, Ruyi laughed and said, "Young Master, you don't know, when Madam learned that you had recently come to the capital, she made sure to keep not only her own room but also yours warm every day."
They were afraid that Miss Sun and Young Master Sun would get cold if they turned around.
Li Xiangping and the others were deeply moved upon hearing this.
After taking off their coats, Li Xiangping, along with Yuan Huiniang and Li Xiangkang, respectfully kowtowed to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing smiled and quickly told them to get up.
Then he held Li Jinqian in his arms and sat him in the main seat.
Yan Qingqing looked at them and said, "I was just talking to Ruyi a few days ago about whether you could all come."
Especially the eldest and fourth son, I was worried that it would be so lonely at home if only those two brothers were left for the New Year.
Li Xiangping is an official and cannot simply leave, and Li Xiangkang is currently at a time when he has a heavy academic workload.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang smiled and said, "The weather is too cold now, and my husband's research hasn't made much progress."
Magistrate Gao said that the gentleman had worked hard all year, so he gave him an early New Year's holiday.
As for my fourth brother, I don't know much about his studies. Mother, you can ask him.
Yan Qingqing then turned her gaze to Li Xiangkang, who was standing to the side.
Li Xiangkang is already ten years old. In the past two years, he has been eating and dressing well, and now he is even taller than Yan Qingqing.
Moreover, he exudes a scholarly air, clearly a learned man.
Not only that, the child has also become much more mature and composed.
At least this time he didn't cling to Yan Qingqing and act coquettishly.
Heaven knows how jealous Li Xiangkang was when he saw Li Jinqian sitting in his mother's lap.
His mother used to love him the most, but now he knows he's grown up and needs to be mature and steady. He also needs to keep a certain distance from his mother, otherwise people will laugh at him.
Seeing Yan Qingqing looking at him, Li Xiangkang straightened his clothes and replied with a gentle expression, "Mother, the teacher said that I am still young, and although I have some talent, I lack experience."
If you have the opportunity, go out and broaden your horizons. This will not only expand your knowledge but also elevate your character.
Yan Qingqing nodded upon hearing this and said, "Your teacher is right. It is true that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."
However, traveling ten thousand miles is not as good as being enlightened by a famous teacher.
"Silang, your mother plans to send you to study at the Imperial Academy. What do you think?"
The Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the entire Great Yan Dynasty, and it was full of knowledgeable teachers.
Ji Tongwen, the second-place scholar in the imperial examination, was a graduate of the Imperial Academy.
Yan Qingqing is now a second-rank imperial consort, and her Li family already has two places for her to study at the Imperial Academy.
There is no doubt that the education in the capital is much better than that in Chengyang County, but Yan Qingqing is worried that if they want to return to Canghe Town one day, they may have to leave Li Xiangkang in the capital.
You can't have it all, and you can't have it both ways. The choice is up to Li Xiangkang.
Li Xiangkang only considered it briefly before replying, "Mother, I am willing to study at the Imperial Academy."
Mother, you don't need to worry about me. I'm an adult now. There are some things I'll have to face on my own sooner or later. It doesn't matter whether it's sooner or later.
Now that Li Xiangkang has figured it out himself, Yan Qingqing doesn't need to say anything more.
However, after thinking for a moment, Yan Qingqing said, "Isn't Ding Xiu your best friend? When you have time, write him a letter and see if he would like to come to the Imperial Academy with you to study."
Yan Qingqing always remembered the favor she owed the Ding family when she donated money. Although Master Ding also gained a good reputation, it was ultimately a separate matter.
Li Xiangkang happily agreed upon hearing this. Although he was not afraid to study at the Imperial Academy, he was unfamiliar with the capital and would appreciate having a familiar playmate.
After discussing Li Xiangkang's situation, Yan Qingqing inquired about her family's circumstances.
I learned that everything was alright at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Yan are in good health and can eat at least two bowls of rice in one meal.
Grandpa Li and Li Kaishan are both doing well; they're busy with the village's profit-sharing arrangements at the end of the year.
Both the workshop and the embroidery shop have professional management and accounting, and with Li Sanniu and Xu Shi taking care of things at home, nothing bad will happen.
Yuan Huiniang also kept Du Ruzhi at home to take care of her.
Yan Qingqing was finally completely relieved.
Canghe Town is their stronghold, and they absolutely cannot afford to lose it.
Fearing that Yuan Huiniang and the others were tired, Yan Qingqing quickly asked Ruyi and Ruxue to take them to their respective courtyards to rest.
After waking up, Yuan Huiniang was full of energy and ran to Yan Qingqing's courtyard again.
She hadn't seen her mother-in-law in a long time and wanted to have some private conversations with her.
When Yuan Huiniang arrived, Yan Qingqing was still looking at the account book in her hand, which Mu Xi had given her yesterday.
Upon seeing Yuan Huiniang arrive, he put the account book aside and asked with a smile, "Have you rested well?"
Yuan Huiniang nodded and smiled, "Mother, I'm not actually tired, after all, I came all the way by carriage."
The only problem is that the space inside the carriage is too small and feels a bit cramped.
I only realized after I woke up that I didn't see Xiaoqi.
Yuan Huiniang was so happy to see Yan Qingqing that she felt something was missing. It turned out that she hadn't seen Li Xiangyang since arriving in the capital.
Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "That girl was taken to Prince Chen's mansion by Mo Chen to play. Our big silly bird came to the capital with Mo Chen."
Xiao Qi found it fascinating and has even stopped practicing kung fu these past two days, insisting on playing with Xiao Hei.
Yan Qingqing was curious before, because she hadn't seen Xiao Hei since Xiao Mochen returned to the capital, and she had even sent people to search for him on the mountain several times.
Later I found out that this silly bird had been kidnapped by Xiao Mochen.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Huiniang smiled and said, "Mo Chen is a prince now, and he's usually so busy. The fact that he still came to pick up Xiao Qi to play shows that he truly likes our little sister Xiao Qi."
Yan Qingqing smiled upon hearing this and said, "Mo Chen is indeed very kind to everyone."
"You're very skilled. The New Year is coming soon; you should make him a couple of outfits. He'll be very happy."
Xiao Mochen lacks nothing, but he lacks family affection. Yan Qingqing is very good at understanding this, and Yuan Huiniang quickly agreed upon hearing this.
Yan Qingqing glanced at Ruyi beside her and continued, "Logically speaking, since you've just arrived in the capital, I should let you rest for a while."
But there are too many things to do at home, and there are some things that still need your attention.
Yuan Huiniang laughed and said, "Mother, why are you being so polite with me? Just tell me what you need."
If you really don't let me do anything, then I'll feel useless.
Yan Qingqing knew that Yuan Huiniang was a restless person, so she said, "Ruyi has been with me for quite a while, and Ada is also a good boy. They are both interested in each other, and I want to take advantage of the New Year to get them married."
Yuan Huiniang gave Ruyi a teasing look after hearing this.
Ruyi blushed upon hearing this and quickly made an excuse to leave.
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