The next day, Jiaming got up early, washed up, and then took a watering can to water the flowers and plants she had planted.
Hongxuan and Hongjing, who had also gotten up early, washed up and went to an open space outside to practice boxing.
When Hongjing saw his brother practicing boxing, he wanted to learn too, and Hongxuan didn't refuse and taught him.
After only a few times, Hongjing was able to correctly perform the boxing techniques taught to him by his older brother Hongxuan.
From then on, whenever his older brother Hongxuan returned, Hongjing would practice boxing with him.
Normally, with Jiaming supervising him and his older brother Hongxuan's expectations, Hongjing would get up every morning to practice boxing. On sunny days, he would practice outdoors, and on rainy days, he would practice indoors, rain or shine.
After finishing his boxing practice and having breakfast, Hongxuan took over the usual task of teaching Hongjing to read and do arithmetic.
Seeing the two brothers looking so serious, Jiaming went about her own business.
He took his sewing basket and cloth and started making clothes.
The days were ordinary and uneventful, but the mother and her two children lived a very warm and cozy life in the peach orchard.
In the afternoon, after having dinner, Hongxuan said, "Mother, I'm going back to the front yard now."
He returned to the front yard the night before, and Jiaming knew that he was still thinking about his older brother, so she didn't stop him anymore.
Although Hongjing wasn't happy that Hongxuan was going back early, his fourth brother said he had things to do and needed to go back ahead of time.
If that's the case, then he won't hold onto his sleeve to stop him from going back.
Hongxuan could still sense his younger brother Hongjing's unhappiness, so he patted his head and made several promises to him, which made Hongjing smile.
As the two brothers were talking, Jiaming had already asked Hongtao to bring over the food box she had prepared.
Upon seeing this, Hongxuan immediately understood that these were snacks his mother had brought back to the front yard for him to eat. They must have been made by his mother herself. He quickly and happily said, "Thank you, Mother!"
Jiaming followed behind the two brothers, watching Hongxuan hold Hongjing's hand and walk step by step towards the exit of Taoyuan.
When they arrived at the entrance of Peach Garden, Jiaming took Hongjing's chubby little hand and watched Hongxuan walk towards the front courtyard with precise and measured steps.
Upon arriving at the front yard, Hongxuan walked towards the Fourth Master's study.
Behind him followed Little Li and two eunuchs carrying food boxes.
Upon arriving at the study door, the eunuchs guarding the door immediately bowed and greeted Hongxuan.
"No need for formalities! Is Father inside? One of you should go in and inform Father."
The two gatekeeper eunuchs exchanged a glance, and one of them responded with a "Yes, sir!" and then knocked on the door.
Upon hearing this from inside the house, Gao Wuyong asked, "What is it?"
The eunuch went in and reported, "Chief Eunuch Gao, the Fourth Prince has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Gao Wuyong immediately went to the Fourth Master's side and whispered his report.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Master put down the memorial he was working on and said, "Let him in!"
Outside, Hongxuan heard this and was about to go in when he caught a glimpse of the food box carried by the little eunuch. He turned his head and gestured for Xiao Li to take the food box and follow him inside.
When Fourth Master saw Hongxuan enter, along with Xiao Lizi carrying a food box behind him, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up. He said, "Bringing food?"
Hongxuan nodded, then shook his head.
Fourth Master was not annoyed that his son's feelings for him were not simply out of concern for him. He took the handkerchief that Gao Wuyong handed him and wiped his hands.
As he wiped his hands, Su Peisheng took the food box, placed it on his desk, handed the handkerchief back to Gao Wuyong, picked up a piece, and began to eat.
After taking a bite, Fourth Master said, "Your mother's cooking." Then he continued eating.
Hongxuan laughed and said, "Father, you're amazing. You knew it as soon as you tasted it."
Fourth Master glanced at Hongxuan and said indifferently, "Your mother's cooking skills have always been excellent. Her food has a unique and delicious taste that anyone can tell."
The implication is that what you just said was very poorly worded.
Hongxuan wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, he nodded in agreement, saying, "That's true."
Unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince understood that Hongxuan had probably come for this reason, but he didn't know the specifics of his intentions.
Hongxuan: "Father, you said these snacks taste so unique and delicious, even if my brother doesn't have a very good appetite, he should still be able to eat some, right?"
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Master immediately understood what his fourth son meant.
For a moment, Fourth Master's eyes were filled with complex emotions, a mixture of helplessness and worry about his eldest son Honghui's illness, and a sense of pride and satisfaction at his fourth son's respect for his eldest son and his sincerity towards his eldest son.
However, with mixed feelings, he still seriously considered the possibility that Hongxuan mentioned; perhaps it really was possible.
When I don't have a good appetite, I always manage to have a hearty meal at Taoyuan Xuan'er's mother's place.
Hongxuan had been watching the Fourth Master's expression closely, noticing even the slightest changes in his demeanor and aura. He immediately seized the opportunity to make a suggestion.
"Then Father, let Mother cook for Eldest Brother. It's inconvenient to have too many people handling the food. Why don't you choose a skilled cook and have him learn from Mother's Little Kitchen? Like the cook in Peach Garden's Little Kitchen, who learned about 60-70% of Mother's skills and makes quite delicious food."
Fourth Master glanced at Hongxuan, knowing that his fourth son's suggestion was actually the best one.
It's good for the Guarjia clan, it's also good for the Fujin (principal wife), and it's safer for Honghui.
So he nodded slightly, and then asked in an affirmative tone, "Did your mother agree?"
Hongxuan nodded, "I agree. Father, you can choose someone to send it over."
"Alright, once you've chosen the right person, send them over."
After hearing this, Hongxuan happily said goodbye, "Then my son is alright, I'll head back now."
"Yes!" Fourth Master replied.
But Hongxuan still didn't leave, and the Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow at him.
Hongxuan said with a grin, "Father, Mother made these snacks for me. Look, I haven't eaten much yet."
Fourth Master squinted, "It was given to you by your mother, but you just said you were bringing food to your father."
Hongxuan: "...Then, Father, please give some to our son."
"No!" Fourth Master refused calmly.
"Father?" Hongxuan was unwilling to give up, still looking at the Fourth Master with unwavering determination. "Could you at least spare a little bit for your son?"
The Fourth Prince hesitated for a moment.
Upon seeing this, Hongxuan felt a glimmer of hope.
Fourth Master picked up a pastry, broke off a small piece, then grabbed Hongxuan's hand and placed the small piece of pastry into his palm. His movements were quick and efficient, and he finished in an instant.
Hongxuan immediately had a bad feeling.
Fourth Master smiled, "Just a little bit of yours."
a bolt from the blue!
Hongxuan was stunned!
He asked his father to spare him a little bit of snacks, and he actually got a tiny bit.
Inside the room, Gao Wuyong and Xiao Lizi, who had been standing by and witnessing this scene, lowered their heads and trembled uncontrollably.
While Hongxuan was still in a daze, the Fourth Master said very seriously, but the smile that flashed in his eyes betrayed him.
"Here's the little bit you wanted. You should go now." Then, she turned her gaze to Gao Wuyong, who was bowing his head and shrugging his shoulders, and instructed him, "See the Fourth Prince out, and while you're at it, select a cook and send him to Peach Courtyard."
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