Chapter 6: Feeding her until she became a big fat woman
From then on, Xiao Jingheng indeed arrived at Jinxiu Pavilion at Shenshi (3-5 PM) every day to "check in," rain or shine, even more punctual than the water clock in the palace.
He would usually pose a question that was being hotly debated in the court, such as "How should we view the advantages and disadvantages of the canal transport reform?" or "Why are there frequent disputes in border trade?" and ask Xiao Lingxi to express his opinion.
At these times, the study is always particularly "exciting".
Xiao Jingheng sat upright, his face ashen.
Xiao Lingxi stood below, scratching his head and sweating profusely. His opinions were often naive and shallow, missing the point.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoyu, who was grinding ink, was experiencing a rich inner world:
[Reform of the Grand Canal? Isn't this obviously taking away the vested interests of officials at all levels along the river? They used to make a fortune by embezzling transport fees and collecting tolls privately. Now the reform is going to block all those routes. Can they fight back fiercely?]
As for border trade, it's even simpler. The two sides use different weights and measures, don't speak the same language, and have complete control over pricing. Our merchants are just easy prey! If the imperial court could send someone knowledgeable to manage it uniformly and establish a fair maritime trade office, all this trouble would be avoided!
Su Xiaoyu was once again relieved that her previous history and politics teachers were strict and required her to memorize everything by rote.
Otherwise, she really wouldn't know anything about these ancient court matters.
While listening to his sister's flawed answers, Xiao Jingheng silently noted down Su Xiaoyu's insightful and to-the-point "heartfelt words".
Although he appeared serious, he increasingly felt that placing this little girl by Xiao Lingxi's side was a wise decision.
After Xiao Lingxi finished stammering out her "brilliant insights," the study fell into a deathly silence.
Xiao Lingxi nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, waiting to be criticized and scolded!
However, Xiao Jingheng simply gave a faint "hmm" and, for the first time ever, gave her a "reward".
It is an exquisitely carved food box!
Xiao Lingxi was flattered and opened the package. Inside were neatly arranged, crystal-clear steamed chestnut flour cakes with osmanthus sugar.
She paused for a moment, then looked up at Xiao Jingheng: "Big brother, are you sure you're not mistaken? I... don't eat these kinds of sweet pastries!"
Xiao Jingheng remained expressionless, not even raising an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then try something different next time."
Xiao Lingxi wanted to say, "Can't you send me something else? I don't want food."
But seeing her brother's cold expression, she swallowed her words.
It's rare for my older brother to be so "generous," so let's accept it first.
She closed the lid, thinking to herself, "My older brother really doesn't care about me at all..."
As soon as Xiao Jingheng left, Xiao Lingxi pushed the food box to her head maid, Zisu: "Here, this is for you."
Zisu quickly thanked her, but then said with difficulty, "Miss, this chestnut flour cake is very sweet and can cause indigestion. We servants are afraid of gaining weight, so we dare not eat too much..."
As soon as Zisu finished speaking, the courtyard fell into a brief silence.
Immediately afterwards, all the maids turned their gazes to a certain figure in the corner.
Su Xiaoyu stood there, craning her neck, her eyes fixed on the exquisite food box.
That longing, focused look in his eyes made it seem as if the whole world consisted of nothing more than that box of pastries.
Xiao Lingxi laughed in exasperation at her spineless attitude.
"Hey hey hey! Su Xiaoyu, you glutton! You can eat so much! Aren't you afraid of getting fat? Look at your eyes, they're almost popping out!"
Su Xiaoyu, upon being called upon, snapped back to reality and subconsciously licked her lips. She raised her innocent almond-shaped eyes:
"Second Miss, this servant...this servant doesn't know either. It's just...no matter how much I eat, I don't seem to gain much weight."
Her tone was still full of melancholy and confusion.
These words pierced the hearts of Xiao Lingxi, Zisu, and the others.
Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable!
How could there be such an annoying creature as Su Xiaoyu in this world!
Xiao Lingxi couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Alright, alright, take it. Look at you, so pathetic. Stop making us jealous!"
"Thank you for the gift, Miss!" Su Xiaoyu beamed with joy, rushing over to hug the food box as if afraid that she might change her mind, and holding it in her arms like a precious treasure.
The speed at which his expression changed left everyone speechless once again.
As Xiao Lingxi watched her joyful figure disappear into the distance, and then carefully recalled her elder brother's unusual behavior in recent days, a thought became increasingly clear to her.
She sat back down at the table, puffing out her cheeks, and instructed Zisu, "Go tell the kitchen to give Su Xiaoyu more portions of food from now on, add more meat, and make it greasy. She can have braised pork, braised pig's trotters, whatever she wants!"
Zisu was stunned for a moment: "Miss, what is this...?"
Xiao Lingxi snorted coldly, her tone carrying a mischievous tone that suggested she had seen through the truth.
"I think I've figured it out now. The reason my older brother is going to such lengths to get back at me is probably because I made him dye handkerchiefs and take care of the cat. He's just finding ways to vent his anger on her!"
The more Xiao Lingxi thought about it, the more she felt that this was the case.
The eldest brother couldn't openly show favoritism, so he used the excuse of testing her to supervise the work every day, and incidentally compensated that silly girl with delicious food!
After thinking it through, Xiao Lingxi ground her back teeth: "Didn't he want to feed me?"
"I'll feed her properly! Feed her as much as I can! I'd like to fatten her up to a chubby fatso, and see if my brother will still look down on her then!"
Thinking of this, Xiao Lingxi finally felt a little better.
In the following days, Xiao Jingheng's actions further confirmed Xiao Lingxi's suspicions.
There's no other reason than that my older brother always brings food!
"Big brother, this is way too sweet."
Xiao Jingheng: "Change it next time."
"Brother, this is so oily and greasy."
Xiao Jingheng remained expressionless: "Understood!"
"Brother, I'm allergic to cilantro, so I can't eat this."
Xiao Jingheng: "Oh."
But the ending remains the same!
After this happened several times, even Xiao Lingxi, who was usually oblivious, realized that something was wrong!
An absurd and extremely unpleasant thought suddenly popped into my head.
My brother... could it be that he didn't come here to test me at all, but instead used me as an excuse to... feed the pigs?
Xiao Lingxi was stunned by her own thoughts!
Hurrah!
Xiao Lingxi grew angrier the more she thought about it, pacing back and forth in the room, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
"I knew it! My brother was suddenly so concerned about my studies. Turns out, he had ulterior motives!"
She felt that her intelligence and dignity had been insulted like never before!
"No way! I can't let that stupid fish get away with this! I have to get rid of her!" Xiao Lingxi thought angrily, and immediately prepared to go and complain to her mother.
So, after finishing her studies that day, Xiao Lingxi rushed to Liu's Yilan Garden like a gust of wind.
"Mother! Mother! You must stand up for your daughter!"
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