Chapter 719 The Handsome Young Man
Before Lu Qiniang could speak, Si Ya beside her stood up with a smile and said in a clear voice, "Brother is here."
Before he finished speaking, the door curtain was gently lifted and a figure walked in.
The person who came was Xiaoman.
In just three years, he had shed much of his childishness and grown much taller. He wore a bamboo-green brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a silver mouse-grey waistcoat, which made him look taller and more elegant like jade.
He inherited Xiao Yan's handsome face, with clear eyebrows and a straight nose, but his expression had the calmness of Zhang Heyao, and his every move and gesture showed the demeanor of a handsome young man.
After he entered, he first walked up to Lu Qiniang, bowed politely, and said in a clear voice: "Son greets mother."
"Hurry up and get up," Lu Qiniang said with a smile, "There's no need for so many formalities among our family. It's cold outside, come and warm up."
"Brother!" Si Ya smiled with her eyes curved. She immediately offered up the thick cushioned embroidered cushion she had been sitting on, which was closest to the charcoal basin. "Brother, sit here. It's warm."
Having said that, she turned around and ordered the maid behind her: "Quickly, make a cup of hot ginger tea for my brother, and bring the plate of freshly baked jujube and yam cakes and milk shortbread."
After giving the order, she very naturally grabbed a handful of pine nut candies from the small box beside her and stuffed them into Xiaoman's hands: "Brother, have some of this first, it will sweeten your mouth."
Xiaoman watched her sister busying around, her smile deepening. She sat down on the embroidered cushion and put the pine nut candy into her sleeve pocket, saying softly, "Okay, thank you, Chichi."
His gaze immediately fell on Aci, who was snuggling beside Lu Qiniang and looking at him curiously with her big black eyes.
Xiaoman stretched out his hand to her, his smile becoming more gentle: "Aci, come here, let your uncle hug you."
Ah Ci seemed to like this handsome and gentle uncle very much. She was not shy at all. She giggled, opened her little arms and rushed over.
Xiaoman skillfully took the soft and sticky little ball in her arms, carefully placed her on her lap, and gently touched her little nose with her finger, which made Ah Ci laugh again.
The house was filled with warmth, the aroma of tea and snacks filled the air, and the atmosphere was full of joy.
Lu Qiniang asked Xiaoman about the Spring Examination.
In the just-concluded autumn examination, Xiaoman passed the imperial examination.
However, Zhang Heyao did not allow anyone to publicize this matter.
Otherwise, if he passed the imperial examination at the age of eleven, he would be a child prodigy in any era.
"Mom, I don't plan to take part in the imperial examination next year." Xiaoman said in a calm tone with a smile.
"Not taking the exam anymore?" Lu Qin's mother was very surprised when she heard that. Deep down, she still had a dream in her heart that her son would become the top scorer in high school.
"With my current age and experience, even if I'm lucky enough to pass, I can only rank second at best. Even if I pass, I have too little experience to take on practical tasks, and I will easily become a target of public criticism." Xiaoman analyzed calmly, his eyes clear, without the impetuousness of a young man.
Lu Qiniang thought for a moment and then said, "If you pass, you'll have to seek an official position. You're really too young to wear the official uniform."
"If my brother was sent away, I wouldn't be able to bear it!" said Si Ya.
Perhaps because they are of similar age, the two have always had a good relationship.
Jiang Xuan even secretly mentioned to Daya that he was reluctant to see Si Ya marry out and suffer, and if she could still be as good as Xiaoman in the future, the two of them could be together.
But Daya said that they were brother and sister.
No matter who Si Ya marries in the future, Xiaoman will never let Si Ya be bullied because of her protective personality.
Lu Qiniang: "I haven't even thought about sending it out yet. It's not good, it's really not good."
Xiaoman looked at her mother and sister's reactions, and the smile in her eyes deepened.
Seeing that the serious business was finished, Lu Qiniang's tone became relaxed: "You are not busy today, right? Can you stay home for dinner?" She paused and added, "Your father went to Chengde and has not been at home for the past two days."
She pointed this out carefully because she noticed that Xiaoman always felt shy and reserved, a typical teenager, when she saw Xiao Yan.
"Yes, I want to eat the dumplings with cabbage and meat stuffing that my mother made." Xiaoman said.
"Pack it! Mommy will pack it for you."
She immediately told the maid to tell the kitchen staff to knead the dough, while she put on an apron and went to the small kitchen to prepare the filling herself.
After a while, the noodles and fillings were ready.
Lu Qiniang put the chopping board on the kang table and called Xiaoman and Chichi. Even Aci joined in the fun and lay down beside the table, watching with her big eyes blinking.
Lu Qiniang skillfully rolled out the dumpling wrappers, and the dough spun rapidly under her hands, turning into round and even thin slices.
Xiaoman and Chichi washed their hands and sat down to learn how to make dumplings.
Xiaoman had nimble fingers and learned very quickly. Although the dumplings she made were a little raw, they were still well-rounded. Siya was a little flustered. She either put too much stuffing in and the dumplings couldn't close, or she pinched them crookedly, which made her giggle.
Si Ya has never been very good at doing these delicate tasks.
Of course, she didn't care.
She feels pretty good about herself.
Ah Ci was anxious and stretched out her chubby little hands covered in flour to help, but she only pressed a few little finger prints on the white dough and was then carried away by the nanny with a smile.
Lu Qiniang smiled and said, "Her clothes are all dirty. Take her to change. Si Ya, go wash your hands and change your clothes too. Don't waste my noodles and stuffing. I'll make a pot of noodle soup later."
After everyone left, only the mother and son were left in the room.
Lu Qiniang looked at Xiaoman.
Xiaoman laughed and said, "Mom, am I that obvious?"
"I noticed you were frowning since you came in. Something must be wrong." Lu Qiniang said, "Tell me, why are you still beating around the bush with me?"
Xiaoman's relationship with her biological father and adoptive father does have its own difficulties.
But there is no barrier between me and my mother.
"Mom, I came here to remind you of something."
"explain--"
"Now your influence is growing. You are really amazing."
Lu Qi's mother was delighted to be praised by her own son, "Not bad."
Although she felt so too.
Qi Niang, ah Qi Niang, she is so great. She has helped so many people and is loved by many people.
"but--"
Lu Qiniang thought to herself, your "but" is really Zhang Heyao.
However, she may dislike men, but not her own son.
"Mother, many people now praise you too highly."
"That's true. I was panicking too." Lu Qiniang sighed.
Many people call her "an extraordinary woman of all ages" and "a female saint", and place her on a very high altar, detached from the world.
"I have to think twice before I say or do anything now," Lu Qiniang said, "I'm afraid someone will catch me."
"That's actually nothing."
There are Zhang Heyao and Xiao Yan, and many other people are willing to protect Lu Qiniang.
"Mom," Xiaoman lowered her voice, "There's only one person I'm worried about."
"who?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
