Xu Di was busy until September, and finally finished the basic construction of the estate. There was still a lot to do, but they could not delay their return to Hexi any longer. In addition to working, Xu Di also selected an elderly and respected man named Li from among the old lady's people to be the estate manager. Li was Li Yanliang's uncle, and he was fair and just. Everyone on the estate respected him.
Xu Di carefully wrote down some things for Grandpa Li, including the planting techniques and precautions for sweet potatoes. As for making vermicelli, Xu Di had already thought it through. He would find someone to start making it when he returned to Hexi. There were many sweet potatoes planted on the estate outside Hexi City, and they were probably already harvested. He would use them to study how to make vermicelli when he got back.
The Double Ninth Festival is a very important festival.
Many people from the manor would ride in carriages to the mountains outside the city to climb high and enjoy the view, wearing dogwood. Meanwhile, people in the manor would drink chrysanthemum wine, admire chrysanthemums, and eat Double Ninth cakes.
The Marquis's mansion was bustling with activity from early morning. The old lady was too old to leave the mansion, so the people decided to enjoy the chrysanthemums there. The Marquis spent a lot of money to purchase a batch of brightly blooming chrysanthemums, which were colorful and very beautiful, and placed them in the passageways and gardens of the mansion.
Xu Di returned last night. After washing up, he went straight to sleep in his own courtyard. When he got up in the morning, he dressed in his new clothes, ate breakfast, and went to his parents' courtyard. Then, his younger siblings, who had already eaten breakfast, went to the old lady's courtyard.
In the old lady's courtyard, below the steps and under the covered walkway, various chrysanthemums were displayed, mostly yellow, creating a golden expanse when viewed from afar.
After Xu Bai entered the old lady's courtyard, he broke free from Xu Di's hand and ran through the passageway. He then began to wander around the chrysanthemums along the outside of the covered corridor. Xu Di strolled slowly along the brick path from the passageway to the main house. When he reached the door of the old lady's main house, he called out to Xu Bai. Xu Bai reluctantly walked to Xu Di's side and said, "Brother, the flowers are so beautiful."
Xu Bai, who is almost two years old, has a growing vocabulary and can eat more and more things. Because of his love of food, he is getting fatter and fatter. Every time Xu Di sees him, he will make fun of his figure. Xu Bai always calmly says that he is still growing and being able to eat is the most important thing.
Xu Di looked at his younger brother, took his hand, and said, "You're really making a fuss over nothing. It's just a few plates of chrysanthemums, why are you making such a fuss? Come on, go and greet Grandma first, then have a good chat with her. We're leaving in a couple of days, and we won't see Grandma for a long time."
Xu Bai said, "Go back to Hexi? Hexi is great, you can go out and have fun there."
Xu Di said, "But there's no Grandmother in Hexi. We'll definitely miss her when we go back."
Xu Bai said, "Can't we take Grandma with us? Mother's carriage is so nice, Grandma can ride it to Hexi."
Xu Di said, "Grandma is getting old and can't walk too far. You should spend some quality time with her and talk to her. Don't forget about her."
Xu Bai rolled his eyes at Xu Di and said, "If I could forget about my grandmother right away, what kind of pig brain do I have?"
The two brothers chatted as they entered the old lady's banquet area. Xu Zhi had already entered and saw that the old lady had filled the daybed to the brim, and even the round table in the room was covered with things, including fabrics and jewelry.
Xu Di asked in surprise, "Grandmother, what are you doing?"
The old lady said with a smile, "Aren't you leaving in a couple of days? I've found out some things you might need, so you can take them with you to Hexi."
Xu Di said, "Look at you, this is not good. Quickly put them away, otherwise the other brothers and sisters will think we are freeloading."
The old lady scolded, "Nonsense! How could you be trying to freeload? You've earned a lot of money for your grandmother. It's only right that your grandmother gives you things. If any of them are envious, they should earn just as much money for me."
Granny Shen came in from outside with several maids carrying several boxes, saying, "Madam, look, these are all the ones you asked for, and I've found them all for you."
Upon hearing this, the old lady quickly put down what she was holding and said, "Bring it here quickly so I can take a look."
Xu Di saw that the maids were carrying several boxes made of nanmu wood with intertwined branches and flowers. They didn't look very heavy, and he didn't know what was inside.
The maids placed the boxes on the daybed. The old lady opened one, and inside were several books, which looked quite old.
The old lady said to Xu Di, "Look, these are the dowry I brought when I married into the family. I heard these books are ancient texts. My family were military officers, but my husband's family didn't have any scholars. These things have been kept at the bottom of the trunk. After you passed the imperial examination, I thought I would take them out for your father, but he rushed off to Hexi, so I put the matter aside. Now that you have passed the provincial examination, I think these things should be given to your family. In our family, it is you and your father who have made a name for yourselves through studying."
Xu Di had no knowledge of ancient books, only that he had heard that some ancient books were worth a fortune. However, he didn't know which ancient books they were. Judging from the old lady's books, the boxes used to hold them were carved from nanmu wood, so they must be quite valuable.
Xu Di said, "Grandmother, this is something you've kept hidden away. I think you should keep it safe."
The old lady said, "Why would I keep these things? Once I close my eyes, I don't know where they'll go. I was thinking that while I'm still conscious, I should find these things and give them to whoever they belong to. I'll have someone send them to you later, so you can take them with you when you go to Hexi. It's a little something I want to give you."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
