The old lady had the idea of sending the children out to see the world, to see how big it was, and to see the different customs and culture of this country. What was wrong with that?
Ning held Xu Gao's hand and said, "Tomorrow morning I will ask Physician Zhao from the Imperial Hospital to come and take your pulse. Physician Zhao is most skilled in gynecology. If we take good care of our bodies, we can have more children, so that your mother-in-law won't talk nonsense all day long."
Xu Gao lowered his head and softly hummed in agreement. Ning looked at her daughter, who had become so thin that she was almost unrecognizable, and felt a sharp pain in her heart. She whispered, "I don't know what Cheng Kai is thinking all day long. His own wife is in such a state, and he doesn't even say a word of justice for her?"
Xu Bai happened to overhear this and said, "Auntie, my brother-in-law probably doesn't understand these things. I explain them to him but he doesn't understand. If you have anything to say, just say it to him directly, otherwise he won't understand."
The old lady said, "How do you know he doesn't understand?"
Xu Bai said, "I asked him, and he was stunned. I guess it's because he didn't grow up with his parents and no one talked to him about these things. That's why he's like this. We, as his brothers-in-law, should take good care of him and talk to him properly."
Ning said, "Our Bai-ge'er has become quite capable now, able to accomplish such a big thing."
Xu Bai said smugly, "That's right. If you ever have any problems in the future, just come to me, and I guarantee I'll handle them clearly for you."
After dinner, the Marquis did not leave but stayed to tell the old lady about Cheng Kai's idea. The old lady held a teacup in her hand, thought for a long time, and said, "In that case, let the young couple go together. It is inconvenient for them to go if Rao'er from the Northwest is here. Let them go to Liaodong. The general guarding Liaodong is the grandson of the deputy general under your maternal grandfather. He is an upright man. Let Cheng Kai go there."
The Marquis asked, "Should we have someone write a letter from home and take it with us?"
The old lady said, "No need. Let him go out and make his own way. What we need to do is help him find out the relationships between people in Liaodong from top to bottom. Let Cheng Kai go out and make his own way. As for what he can achieve in the end, and how far he can go, that's all up to him."
Whenever there was a major event in the manor, the Marquis of Yongning would come to ask for the old lady's opinion. The Marquis would usually adopt the old lady's suggestions. The Marquis knew very well that although the old lady did not usually manage affairs, her grasp of the situation and her analysis of the situation were more profound and comprehensive than his own.
This time, the old lady's opinion was naturally adopted. After figuring out the situation in Liaodong, the Marquis went to the Taoist temple outside the city with a small entourage. He talked with the Earl of Qingping behind closed doors for a long time. After returning, he invited Cheng Kai to his study in the front yard.
Looking at Cheng Kai sitting opposite him, Marquis Yongning said, "Your father and I think you should go to Liaodong. Your third uncle is in the northwest, so it won't be convenient for you to go. On the surface, our Marquis's mansion doesn't have anyone with influence in Liaodong. However, the garrison commander Wu Jinzhong's grandfather was the deputy general of Marquis Yongyi back then. What I can do for you is to help you find out the situation in Liaodong, from the garrison commander to the deputy general, as well as the situation of some officials in Shenyang Prefecture. I will write it all down for you."
Upon seeing the pages filled with writing, Cheng Kai stood up and bowed deeply to the Marquis. The Marquis of Yongning said, "You will have to walk your own path from now on. Take Gao'er with you, and the two of you go together. Once you arrive, settle Gao'er in Shenyang. Shenyang is right next to the Great Jin, and the Great Jin has been making moves in recent years. If you work hard there for a few years, you will surely achieve something."
Cheng Kai listened attentively to the Marquis's words. The Marquis said, "And you and Gao'er, you two are husband and wife. After you go there, you two will depend on each other and live a good life together."
Cheng Kai repeatedly agreed, while the old lady was already talking to Ning Shi and Xu Gao about Cheng Kai's trip to Liaodong.
The old lady said, "Gao'er, although life in Liaodong is tough, you and Cheng Kai were young lovers. If you suffer together when you are young, you can stay together in your old age. Cheng Kai is a responsible person, and he will definitely take good care of you if he takes you there."
Xu Gao already knew that Cheng Kai was going to join the army. He had originally thought that if he could go to the Northwest, he could be with his third uncle and aunt. Going to Liaodong would be too far away. However, it would be nice to go with his husband. Xu Gao had been listening to Xu Bai talk about his experiences in Hexi these past few days, and he felt a longing for it. He thought that it would be a good thing for a person to be able to see different places in his lifetime.
Xu Gao said, "Grandma, I'm not afraid of hardship."
The old lady said, "Back then, I stayed in Liaodong for quite a long time with the adults in the family. Although it was cold there, the houses were warm, with heated walls and kang beds, so it wasn't too cold. It was even better than winter in the south. Gao'er, you must remember one thing: as long as the family is of one mind, you can live a good life anywhere. Although you are a woman, don't focus on that little place in the backyard. It's meaningless to always be focused on the gains and losses in the backyard. You should look at the outside world more often."
Xu Gao nodded repeatedly, and Ning Shi said, "Grandmother, what kind of luggage should I prepare for Gao'er?"
The old lady said, "There are all kinds of good things in Liaodong. Since some places are close to the sea, we don't need to prepare seafood or dried goods. You should prepare more cotton clothes for her, and make them lightweight. There are many leathers there, but little fabric, so just bring some cotton fabric with you."
Ning nodded repeatedly. The old lady said, "While you're still here, find a doctor to help you get better. After you leave, live your life, raise your child, and when Cheng Kai becomes famous, he'll come back with the child. Also, remember, you are Cheng Kai's wife. Don't meddle in outside affairs. Just manage the inner quarters. If anyone sends women to Cheng Kai, don't be afraid of losing face. If you need to, kick them out. It's just right for the two of you to raise the child. If there are more people, life won't be a life anymore. You know how many concubines have come into our household over the years. You need to learn to be a little more assertive. If you need to say something, then say it. If you don't, people will think you don't understand or that you're willing to."
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