Having received nine years of compulsory education, Chen Zhaoci studied geography and naturally knew the general locations of some places.
Xu Zhi looked at the map, listened to Xu Di's explanation step by step, and compared it with the Daliang Mountain and River Records in her hand. Many of her doubts were suddenly resolved.
Xu Di talked until the second watch of the night, and Chen Zhaoci, seeing that it was getting late, urged him to go back and rest.
Xu Zhi and Chen Zhaoci were sleeping on the same kang (heated brick bed). The kang was warm and cozy from the fire. Xu Zhi tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Chen Zhaoci, disturbed by her, became more and more awake. He sat up and said, "What are you doing, girl? Why can't you sleep properly?"
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Mom, I'm so sorry to have kept you awake. I was still thinking about the map my brother told me about. I never imagined that all the places in our Daliang were located in such a way. I really hope I can visit every single one of them."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci smiled and said, "It's probably not feasible to visit every place, but while we're still young, it's still possible to visit some places. For example, this time, I'm going to Dengzhou with your brother and sister-in-law. I heard that it's by the sea, so I can live by the sea."
Chen Zhaoci suddenly remembered a sentence he had heard before and couldn't help but say it: "I have a house facing the sea, where spring is warm and flowers bloom. Just thinking about it makes me happy."
Xu Zhi listened and repeated softly. Finally, she said to Chen Zhaoci, "Mother, it makes me really happy to hear that. But the seaside isn't always warm and beautiful all year round. Mother, you don't know, there are typhoons at sea every year. The wind is so strong that it uproots trees that thick as trees. Sometimes the roofs of houses by the sea are blown off by the wind. So it seems that living by the sea isn't very safe."
Chen Zhaoci thought that Xu Zhi must have witnessed the power of typhoons in Yuezhou, and said with a smile, "Dengzhou is in the Bohai Sea. Typhoons usually don't go there. When typhoons come from the sea, they usually go to Fujian and Yuezhou or Jiangsu and Zhejiang."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi asked in surprise, "Mother, how did you know about this?"
Chen Zhaoci thought for a moment and said, "I heard it from others. Since I'm going to stay in Dengzhou for an unknown period of time, I should at least find out about the climate, products, and local customs there, don't you think?"
Xu Zhi nodded, and hearing that the third watch gong had already sounded outside, she quickly lay down and said, "Oh dear, it's getting late, Mother, let's go to sleep quickly, we have to get up early to go to Aunt's house tomorrow."
When Zhao Sixing got married, not only the women of the family had to attend the wedding banquet, but also the men of the family. Therefore, the Xu family, Zhao Sixing's maternal family, mobilized the entire household except for the matriarch.
The alley where the Yongping Marquis's residence was located was packed with carriages early in the morning. They were all relatives and friends who came to offer their congratulations and attend the ceremony. These noble families in the capital were all related, and when one family had a happy event, many families in the capital would come to offer their congratulations.
Xu Di arrived early with his family. Upon arrival, he saw several servants sent out by the Zhao family directing everyone's carriages on how to park. These servants all seemed to be novices, and their instructions were really incompetent. The alley was not wide to begin with, and soon the carriages inside the alley could not get out, and the carriages outside the alley could not get in.
Xu Di dismounted and had his attendant lead the horse. He walked to the Yongping Marquis's residence and saw the steward greeting guests at the gate. Upon seeing Xu Di, the steward quickly bowed and said, "Oh, Lord Xu, you are very polite. Please come in."
Xu Di waved his hand and said, "The carriages in the alley outside are already crowded together and can't move. You should arrange a few capable people to clear the way. If it's chaotic, people will laugh at your household for being incompetent."
Upon hearing this, the steward looked troubled and said, "Lord Xu, it's not that I don't want to send someone, but we are short-handed and I really can't find anyone."
Xu Di nodded and said, "In that case, I will arrange for my household servants to help you smooth things over."
After Xu Di finished speaking, he turned and left. The steward wanted to call him back, but after thinking for a moment, he turned around, snorted coldly, and flicked his sleeves as he entered the courtyard.
There was an inn outside the alley. The inn had a fairly large courtyard so that the carriages of the people who came to stay could have a place to park. Xu Di sent his steward over and made arrangements with the innkeeper to borrow the courtyard to park the carriages. Then, a group of servants from the Yongning Marquis's mansion began to direct traffic.
Some of the carriages trapped in the alley had already disembarked, and the carriages were directly guided into the courtyard of the inn. Others, whose passengers had not yet disembarked, were first guided to the gate of the Yongping Marquis's residence. After the guests were invited to disembark at the gate, the carriages were driven into the courtyard of the inn.
The people from the Yongning Marquis's residence were very efficient, and the alley was cleared up immediately, allowing the Xu family to get off the carriage.
Following behind her mother-in-law, Ning saw the steward standing at the gate to greet guests as they entered the main gate. She couldn't help but purse her lips. Today, all the guests were relatives and old friends. Marquis Yongping and his son should be greeting guests at the gate, but the two of them were nowhere to be seen.
Even before entering the alley, Marquis Yongning frowned, and his frown deepened as he entered the gate of Marquis Yongping's residence. Marquis Yongping's chief steward accompanied Marquis Yongning to the front courtyard where guests were received. As they walked, Marquis Yongning asked him, "Where is your Marquis?"
The head steward bowed and said, "Reporting to the Marquis, our Marquis and the young master are in the study. They have some matters to discuss at home."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Yongning turned and headed toward his study, with the head steward following behind. He said, "My lord, please wait in the side hall for a moment."
Marquis Yongning walked without stopping until he reached Marquis Yongping's study. There, he saw several stewards and a few nannies who looked somewhat respectable standing in the courtyard.
Upon seeing Marquis Yongning, someone hurriedly reported the news into the room. Before Marquis Yongning even reached the door of the study, Marquis Yongping came out from inside, saw Marquis Yongning, and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Xu, please come to the side hall for a while."
When Marquis Yongning saw the scene in the courtyard, he frowned and said, "Brother Zhao, today is Xing'er's big day. You are Xing'er's grandfather and the heir is Xing'er's father. You should be welcoming guests at the main gate, so why are you hiding in this study?"
Marquis Yongping said somewhat embarrassedly, "Brother Xu, a small matter has arisen at home, and we are currently discussing countermeasures."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Yongning glanced at Marquis Yongping's expression and his heart skipped a beat. He sneered and said, "Now everything must give way to Xing'er's wedding. Xing'er's marriage is the most important thing today. No matter what happens in your household, you must take care of Xing'er's marriage first."
Marquis Yongping tugged at Marquis Yongning's sleeve, pulled him aside, and whispered, "The kitchen staff just reported that some of the dishes that were ordered for Xing'er's wedding banquet have run into problems. There are dozens of tables to go. Where can we find replacements?"
In the end, Marquis Yongping's face showed both shame and anger, which left Marquis Yongning stunned.
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