Confined to the backyard all day, even Xu Bai was somewhat listless. Back in Hexi, his favorite thing was being carried around to play in the streets. After returning to the Marquis's mansion, he spent his days in the same few places. Xu Bai was a bit dejected and wanted to tell his mother that he didn't like it here and wanted to go back to Hexi, but he couldn't speak yet, and the smiles on Xu Bai's face were becoming fewer and fewer.
Xu Zhi is now frequently called upon by the young ladies of the mansion to go to school together. The family has hired female tutors for the girls to teach them needlework, musical instruments, illustration, and the art of incense. As for the Four Books and Five Classics, they are only given a brief introduction. The girls do not need to take the imperial examinations, so there is no need for them to study them in depth. The children of the Xu family are all educated according to the standards of a matriarch, whether they are the eldest daughter or the youngest daughter. This was a decision made later by the old lady after discussing with the Marquis of Yongning. There are nine girls in the family of Xu Zhi's generation, from Xu Gao, the eldest daughter of the heir apparent's family, to Xu Zhi, the youngest daughter of Xu Rao's family, ranging in age from sixteen to eight. Xu Gao, who is sixteen years old, is already engaged to the heir apparent of the Qingping Earl's family. The wedding date is set for April of next year. Zhang Zhaoci returned not only to accompany Xu Di to take the exams, but also, and very importantly, to attend Xu Gao's wedding. The marriage of the first child of Xu Zhi's generation in the mansion should be taken seriously.
Xu Gao has stopped attending classes and is staying at home embroidering her dowry. Xu Quan's eldest daughter, Xu Tao, is fifteen years old and is engaged to the eldest son of the Feng family, the family of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Although they are not a prestigious family, they are still a scholarly family. Moreover, it is said that Xu Tao's fiancé is already a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination) at a young age. Because he is young, Vice Minister Feng is preventing him from taking the exam and is instead sending him to travel and study to see the world before taking it again.
Xu Tao's marriage was arranged by Yao Jijiu, Xu Rao's maternal grandfather. Feng Shilang was Yao Jijiu's student, and the marriage was arranged by Yao Jijiu when Xu Tao was very young. At that time, Feng Shilang was not yet Feng Shilang, but a sixth-rank Tongzhi who was sent to a remote area. Yao Jijiu valued Feng Shilang's shrewdness, competence, and foresight. Coincidentally, Feng Shilang's eldest son was about the same age as Xu Tao. Yao Jijiu also felt that although his son-in-law Xu Quan was the legitimate son of the Marquis's family, he was the youngest daughter and could not inherit the title in the future. He could only inherit some of the family property. Finding a powerful in-law would only benefit Xu Quan's family.
Over the years, Vice Minister Feng rose from a sixth-rank assistant prefect to a second-rank vice minister of rites in just over ten years. The Minister of Personnel is getting old and is about to retire. Now, Vice Minister Feng manages all the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Vice Minister Feng will be the head of the Ministry of Personnel in the future. Many people say that Chancellor Yao has good judgment and knows how to judge people. Xu Tao is already engaged. The six rites between the two families have been completed, and only the wedding date is set. Madam Yao and Vice Minister Feng's wife have discussed that after Xu Gao gets married, the two families will set the wedding date. Both families have elderly people, and they are quite old. They may pass away at any time. If that happens, the children's wedding will be delayed for another three years. The children are already fifteen or sixteen years old, and they cannot afford to delay.
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