Zhou Junhong and Zhao Sixing's child is already seven or eight months old, a very fun age. Dressed in a bright red silk outfit, the child is very familiar to everyone and always greets them with a smile.
When Zhao Sixing and his siblings were young, Xu Shao was busy fighting with Zhao Ziqi's concubines, and Jiang Shi was also in a very strong position. So when did she ever properly hold a child?
Xu Shao held her chubby granddaughter, whose two tiny teeth were clearly visible when she smiled, and she was overjoyed. Even though Jiang Shi, who was sitting at the head of the table, scolded her a few times, Xu Shao didn't take it to heart and continued to playfully tease her granddaughter.
Zhao Ziqi was also sitting nearby. He hadn't paid any attention to the child Xu Shao was holding, as he had never liked children. However, for some reason, this little girl, whose nickname was Xiaolingdang, seemed to enjoy staring at Zhao Ziqi.
Every time Zhao Ziqi's gaze fell on Xiaolingdang, Xiaolingdang would give Zhao Ziqi a big smile. After a few times, Zhao Ziqi felt as if a patch of spring water had suddenly welled up in his heart.
Zhou Junhong was still standing on the ground, while Jiang Shi sat in the main seat, wiping away tears with a handkerchief. She would cry for a while and then talk for a while, while Zhou Junhong listened with a smile, occasionally nodding or offering a few words of advice. Xu Shao had spent a lot of time with Zhou Junhong, so she naturally knew that her daughter-in-law was provoking her mother-in-law's anger. Xu Shao suddenly felt bored. This mother-in-law, who used to control her daughter-in-law a few years ago, was now trying to control her granddaughter-in-law. She was really regressing with age. It was better to play with her precious little Lingdang than to argue with her.
Xu Shao looked down and saw that Xiao Lingdang, who was sitting on her lap, was laughing in one direction. Following Xiao Lingdang's gaze, she saw Prince Zhao Ziqi secretly making faces at her, making Xiao Lingdang giggle. Xu Shao sneered, glared at Zhao Ziqi, and turned Xiao Lingdang around. Because Xiao Lingdang was facing away from Zhao Ziqi, she couldn't see the person who had made her laugh, so she twisted her chubby little body and kept looking back.
Zhao Ziqi couldn't play with this fair-skinned little one anymore, and she felt an itch in her heart, wanting to go over and hug and kiss him properly. However, she was hindered by her mother's crying and shouting. Zhao Ziqi was a little annoyed and said, "Mother, Xing'er will be taking the exam next year. It's a crucial time. If he doesn't come back, he doesn't have to. There are so many children and grandchildren at home to keep you company."
Jiang finally got a response from someone. She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and said aggrievedly, "Kexing is the eldest grandson of the eldest branch. He couldn't come back for the New Year, and now he can't come back for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I feel so sad."
Xu Shao chuckled and said, "Grandma, you don't need to be so sad. Our Xing'er is studying very hard at Aunt Tai'an's house. He can't come back now, isn't it so that he can pass the imperial examinations in the future and make you proud? Yes, families like ours can get a way out by relying on favors, but if our children pass the examinations based on their own abilities, won't people praise our children for being so promising?"
Hearing Xu Shao's words, which ostensibly meant to make her understand the difficulties of children's education but were actually a veiled insult implying her lack of understanding, Jiang felt a lump in her throat, unable to breathe properly, and extremely uncomfortable. At the same time, Zhao Ziqi stood up, bowed to Jiang, and said, "Mother, Xiaolingdang and her daughter have come back from a long way. Let them go back and rest well first. Tonight, I will have Juxinglou send a banquet over to you so you can have a good time."
Zhao Ziqi stood up, and Zhou Junhong naturally took the opportunity to curtsy to Jiang Shi and quickly came over to take her chubby daughter from Xu Shao's arms.
Little Lingdang was taken by her mother, hugged Zhou Junhong's neck, and gave her a big kiss. Then she looked at Zhou Junhong happily. Zhou Junhong smiled and said to Xu Shao, "Last time, Uncle took Little Lingdang to Aunt's garden. Uncle secretly picked two flowers for Little Lingdang. Little Lingdang liked them very much. Uncle then let Little Lingdang kiss him. Little Lingdang learned that if she likes someone, she should let that person hug her and give her a kiss."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shao laughed and said, "This Shen-ge'er is just so unreliable."
Zhao Sishen was not good at studying, and Yue Qingchuan suppressed his desire not to take the exams, telling him to study hard for a few more years. Zhao Sishen did not really want to participate in the imperial examinations, but he felt that having a degree would make things much easier for him in the future, so he was able to restrain himself and study in Tai'an.
Zhao Ziqi looked at Xiaolingdang with great envy, wanting to hug her and kiss her sweetly, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Hearing Zhou Junhong's words, he frowned and said, "Shen-ge'er is really unreliable. How can he teach a little girl to kiss him?"
Zhou Junhong said with a smile, "Father, how old is our little Lingdang? She lives with us in Tai'an. We all live in the same courtyard. When I'm busy cooking and washing clothes, it's Shen Ge who helps me take care of the child. Our little Lingdang is very close to her uncle."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ziqi frowned and asked, "What's going on? Why is the child so young and there's no one to take care of him?"
Xu Shao gave a cold laugh and said, "The children are going there to study and endure hardship. What's the point of having servants around them?"
Zhao Ziqi argued, "Isn't that because of our little bell? Your sister and brother-in-law are just being unreasonable." She said the last sentence in a low voice, but Xu Shao heard it.
Xu Shao stopped in her tracks, gave a cold laugh, and said, "Yes, we were ignorant. We were ignorant, but our relatives' children could pass the imperial examinations after studying for a few years. Your family is so sensible. Tell me, how many of your sensible children have actually passed the imperial examinations?"
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