Xu Di said, "I've noticed that you're getting more and more complaining. Xu Xiaobai, this kind of thinking is not good. Too much complaining can break your heart."
Xu Bai said, "Oh, brother, I know, I know. I'll go ask Granny Lu for a steamed bun. Can you bake me some steamed bun slices?" Xu Bai went inside, and Xu Di glanced at the wall. The head wearing the white fox fur hat was still there, staring intently at the meat skewers in his hand. It's true, the influence of delicious food is the same in any era. In modern times, barbecue and hot pot on the street are popular with men, women, and children, and it's the same here.
Xu Di did not leave any servants in the courtyard, but there were a few people in the room helping to cut meat skewers, and a few servants from the Marquis's mansion guarding the gate of the courtyard.
Xu Di was busy with his work when a servant guarding the door came over to report that a visiting card had been sent from the neighboring courtyard. Xu Di wiped his hands, took it, and looked at it. It was from the Feng family in the capital.
This Feng family is the family of the current Grand Secretary, Feng. Grand Secretary Feng came from a rural background and was the top scholar in his year. After entering the Hanlin Academy, he gradually rose to the position of Grand Secretary. He is a capable and shrewd person. Grand Secretary Feng is an upright official and a role model for many scholars.
Xu Di, who had also taken the imperial examinations, naturally knew who Lord Feng was. He quickly invited someone in, and an elderly nanny came in. Upon seeing Xu Di, she said with great embarrassment, "Young Master Xu, our young master insists on eating your family's roast meat. Our old lady was at her wit's end with the young master's fuss, so she sent this old servant to bother you."
Granny Lu had already come out of the house. When she saw the old nanny, she quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Granny Chen, it's you!"
The old nanny looked at Granny Lu carefully, but after a long time she still didn't recognize her. Granny Lu smiled and said, "Granny Chen, I used to be a little palace maid serving in the late Empress Dowager's palace."
Upon hearing this, Granny Chen said, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I'm getting old and I've forgotten many things from years ago."
Granny Lu smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright. Where have you come from?"
Xu Di quickly took out Chen Mama's visiting card. When Lu Mama saw it, she smiled and said, "Oh, I thought it was something important. If your young master Feng is willing, he can come over to our house. Our young master and young lady are both here. This tastes best when it's being made and eaten at the same time."
Upon hearing this, Granny Chen said, "I'll go and reply to the old lady first, and then I'll come and tell you."
After escorting Granny Chen back to the neighboring courtyard, Xu Di took Granny Lu's arm and walked into the house. When they reached the porch, he asked in a low voice, "Granny, this is not like your usual style."
Granny Lu smiled and said, "The old lady of the Feng family was once a daughter of a marquis who had fallen on hard times. Although Lord Feng came from the countryside, he would not have reached where he is today without the support of the old lady's family. Lord Feng has been an official for decades, with an upright reputation and a heart for the people. He is a family worth befriending."
Xu Di said, "Granny, there must be something you haven't told me yet."
Granny Lu said, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. This old lady of the Feng family was once a famous young lady in the capital. She went to a temple outside the city to burn incense and was killed by villains. She was forced to live in the countryside and was forced to marry. It wasn't until Lord Feng passed the imperial examination that she was accepted back by her family. The old lady had a very good relationship with the late Empress Dowager. At that time, the Empress Dowager was still the Empress. Old lady Feng often went to the palace to play. She was originally to be betrothed to a prince, but after that incident, the marriage was eventually taken by one of her cousins. The late Empress Dowager had a falling out with Old lady Feng's family because of this."
Xu Di said longingly, "Granny, I often hear you mention this late Empress Dowager. I think she was truly a woman of unparalleled elegance and talent."
Granny Lu said, "Of course, the late Empress Dowager was the most powerful woman I've ever met, and also the most unforgettable."
Xu Di said, "It's a real pity that I was born decades too late and never got to meet this Empress Dowager."
Granny Lu smiled and said, "Your interruption made me forget where we were. Oh, right, we were talking about the late Empress Dowager and Madam Feng's family. The late Empress Dowager never stopped inquiring about Madam Feng. It was through Lord Feng, who was the top scholar in the imperial examination, that she found Madam Feng. It was also through Granny Lu who contacted Madam Feng's family and got what Madam Feng deserved. Even Granny Chen, who was the head lady-in-waiting in the late Empress Dowager's palace, was given to Madam Feng by the late Empress Dowager."
Xu Di said, "The late Empress Dowager did so much for Madam Feng."
Granny Lu said, "Back then, there were two beauties in the capital. One was Old Madam Feng, and the other was our old lady. One was a scholar and the other was a warrior. Both were well-known ladies from prestigious families. It's just a pity that Old Madam Feng has disappeared without a trace, and our old lady hasn't appeared in public much since she went to the battlefield."
Xu Di said in surprise, "I never imagined that my grandmother was one of the two beauties of the capital back then."
Granny Lu said, "There are many things you haven't thought of. I estimate that Granny Chen will be bringing the young master of the Feng family over soon. You should put your things here for now, find someone to watch the stove outside, and then you can go inside and take care of the children."
Xu Di agreed and called over one of his attendants to keep an eye on things. He figured that once the meat skewers were ready, the mischievous kids would come out and wreak havoc on the grill. Over the years, Xu Di had accumulated a lot of experience with children of all ages. As long as they didn't cause trouble and prevent everyone from eating, he let them wreak havoc. Isn't that how all children grow up? Who hasn't been beaten in their childhood?
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