Hearing Wu Mama mention her younger brother, Wu Mama's mood improved. She sighed and said, "My younger brother is over forty years old and he has never gotten married. My father was worried about his marriage before he passed away. I don't know what will happen when he comes back this time."
Granny Wu sighed and said, "With a talent like our master, I don't know what kind of person could be worthy of him."
Ms. Wu said, "He just lives too casually."
After the master and servant changed the subject, the atmosphere improved considerably. The Marquis, still looking sullen, returned to his study in the front courtyard. Just as he sat down, Xu Di came in. Seeing the Marquis's expression, he exclaimed, "Grandfather, I still have some things to do. I'll come back to see you when I'm done."
The Marquis sighed and said, "Alright, stop pretending. Grandfather is fine. What brings you here to see him?"
Xu Di carefully observed the Marquis's expression and asked, "Grandfather, are you really alright? Where did you suffer some misfortune?"
The Marquis also wanted to talk to someone about his feelings, so he sighed and said, "It's all because of your muddle-headed grandmother. She can't distinguish right from wrong or inside from outside. The little things she has are almost taken away by outsiders."
Upon hearing this, Xu Di understood what was going on and said with a smile, "Grandfather, look at what you're saying. How could Grandmother be so unreasonable? Grandmother is happy that Aunt Shao's cousin is getting married. In addition, Aunt Shao hasn't had a very good life these past few years, and Grandmother is saddened by this. It's only right that Grandmother help her out more."
It was rare for the Marquis to confide in Xu Di about his bitter experiences. He said, "Your grandmother was a very perceptive person when she was a young girl. But in recent years, she has become increasingly confused. No matter how I hint at it, she can't understand. As soon as I mention your father, her temper flares up. Sigh, she's becoming more and more unreasonable. It was only a few years ago that I saw her doing things out of line and took over the shops and estates that came with her dowry to help manage them. Otherwise, all those things would have been a bottomless pit for your Aunt Shao."
Xu Di laughed and said, "Grandmother is like this because Grandfather spoils her. Grandfather, please don't show off your love in front of me. No matter how much you and Grandmother quarrel, your relationship has always been good, hasn't it?"
The Marquis shook his head and said, "It's all because of me that your grandmother has harbored resentment towards me all these years. Alright, let's not talk about her anymore. What brings you to see your grandfather?"
Xu Di said, "Grandfather, there are a few courtyards in the backyard. I'd like to ask someone to come and renovate them."
The Marquis said, “What are you going to do with this? Once it’s been repaired, it needs to be properly maintained. I originally thought those courtyards were for you brothers to use as wedding rooms, and that we could repair them after you got married. Now that they’re repaired, we need to take good care of them. Not to mention anything else, we need to repaint these pillars every year.”
Xu Di said, "But it's not good to leave this courtyard like this. Some of the younger sisters in the mansion still live in the same courtyard as their aunts and uncles. Let's just repair it and let each of the younger sisters live in their own courtyard."
After listening, the Marquis pondered for a long time and said, "The young ladies are all over ten years old and will be getting married in a few years. Is it worthwhile to renovate the courtyard so extensively?"
Xu Di sighed and said, "Grandfather, these years at home before my sisters get married are the most relaxed time for us. The backyard connects to the back garden, and the scenery is beautiful. Since my sisters are not yet married, we might as well live in the backyard for two years. When we look back on it, it will be a wonderful memory."
The Marquis said, "I think you've become addicted to repairing houses lately. I heard you made the craftsmen redo the house over at Tianjing Hutong several times."
Xu Di said, "That's right. I've already bought the house, so it's my own house now. Why would I just leave it dilapidated if I didn't take good care of it?"
The Marquis said, "You've really gone to great lengths for your father-in-law's family."
Xu Di said, “My father-in-law’s family are all honest people. My brother-in-law isn’t very ambitious. He just wants to take good care of his parents. Actually, that’s good. My father-in-law and mother-in-law are both sensible people. They know their strengths and weaknesses. My father-in-law always does whatever my father says. Such people are not good at expanding territory, but they are good at maintaining the status quo. I wrote to my father-in-law, asking him to buy a house in the capital, any size, so that he would always have a place to stay when he comes to the capital and can rent it out. My father-in-law said that he is an official and can stay wherever he goes. The house in his hometown has been renovated. After he retires, he will take his family back to his hometown.”
The Marquis said, "Marrying a girl from a humble family has its advantages." The Marquis was not very satisfied with the Li family's background. Originally, Xu Di was the son of an illegitimate son, and his status was awkward, so the marriage was easy to arrange. But now, Xu Di is the son of the Marquis's legitimate son and the Marquis's most beloved eldest grandson. Looking at the Li family's background, he looked down on them.
Xu Di could easily understand the meaning behind the Marquis's words, and said with a smile, "Grandfather, a real man should rely on his own abilities to make a living. As for your grandson, do you still resent that I won't make a name for myself in the future?"
The Marquis said, "Having a good family background for one's wife is always an advantage."
Xu Di said, "I think having a good family background has its advantages and disadvantages. Everything has two sides. If you benefit from someone else's influence and use their resources, won't you have to pay them back in the end? They might want more than they can give you. What if you can't provide what they want? Without these constraints, I might do even better."
The Marquis didn't say anything more, but just sighed and discussed the renovation of several courtyards in the backyard with Xu Di.
Although the manor paid for it, Ning Shi was in charge of managing the affairs in the backyard. The Marquis sent someone to invite Ning Shi over from the backyard.
Ning has been in a good mood lately. Her eldest daughter has a baby, a boy. Her second daughter has come to terms with her situation and has been sent to Liaodong. As for her son, under the strict discipline at home, his studies are improving day by day. As a mother, these are the things that make her happiest.
Following the people sent by the Marquis to the front yard, Ning Shi heard the Marquis mention Xu Di's idea. Naturally, she had no objections. This Marquis's mansion would be inherited by her and the heir in the future, and now that it was repaired, she wouldn't have to worry about repairing it anymore.
With no objections from any party, the matter was settled. The young ladies in the manor were very happy to learn that the house was being built so that several young ladies could move in. Xu Zhi, however, didn't seem to care much.
After school, Xu Tong and Xu Zhi walked towards their own yard. Xu Tong said, "Ninth Sister, I see that you don't seem to care about how to repair the yard."
Xu Zhi said, "After my brother gets married, I want to go to Ganzhou with my mother."
Xu Tong said in surprise, "I thought you were going to stay in the mansion until your marriage was settled."
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "My marriage is still decided by my parents, according to their wishes and the matchmaker's words."
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