Xiao Bei is now much more cheerful, and the childlike nature that was once suppressed has been stimulated. He’s become much naughtier, and she knows he sometimes gets into mischief.
She also knows that this toddler would never let her know when he’s caused trouble, but would instead go to tell Mu Houchu, pitifully begging Mu Houchu to help him clean up the mess. Mu Houchu indeed covered for him, she only found out later when she noticed something odd and forced it out of Mu Houchu.
This naughty boy!
Xiao Chaihu hurriedly shook his head, "No, today Gou Dan and them came to find Xiao Bei to play. I don’t like the noise, so I didn’t go."
Actually, not liking noise is one thing, but more importantly, he really isn’t particularly interested in those childish games. Perhaps it’s because his early life was fraught with hardship, so he’s more mature than the average child.
Only then did Xin He smile and pat his head: "So why did you come here? Do you know it’s peaceful here?"
Xiao Chaihu was a little embarrassed: "No, it’s just that we’ve just finished the Child Scholar Test, and the academy has given us a holiday. I felt bored at home, so I thought I’d come see you, Madam. I can learn some things while being around you."
Being around Ji Xinhe, he could learn a lot that he couldn’t at the academy, he wasn’t lying in saying this.
But the most important reason, he knew in his heart, but he would not say it, nor dared to say it.
"Why didn’t you go in? What are you doing standing outside?" It’s early spring now, with unpredictable weather. It’s hard to handle when it’s cold.
The coachman laughed, "This child is really honest. He said the madam doesn’t like him, a little kid, running into the Flower House, so he doesn’t want to go in. He said he’d wait outside for the madam to come out."
Xin He smiled and said, "You usually seem like a very clever child, why are you being so awkward now?"
Xiao Chaihu bit his lip and didn’t say anything.
"Get in the carriage. I’m just about to make a trip to the Winding Pavilion." Xin He laughed.
"Okay!"
The carriage is big enough, even with Ji Xinhe and Shulan Xiaoyu, plus Xiao Chaihu, there’s still plenty of space.
Because the weather is still very cold, a heater is kept in the carriage. Xin He hates the cold, and now that she is pregnant, Shulan and Xiaoyu naturally don’t dare to slack off in the slightest.
"Following me, you won’t learn much. I haven’t read many books. It would be better to focus on a career in officialdom." Xin He smiled.
As for Xiao Bei and Xiao Chaihu’s studies, she actually specifically asked the academy’s teacher. Xiao Bei was of average talent but is diligent, so his future is yet to be determined. But this child Xiao Chaihu had high praise from the teacher, who seemingly sees him as his most proud student, calling him a future top scholar.
It’s because of this that Xin He advised him to take up officialdom, perhaps he could achieve unlimited greatness in the future.
Xiao Chaihu didn’t say anything, but obediently nodded, "I will work hard to study, but I also want to learn something that I can’t learn in the academy. It’s always beneficial to learn more."
Indeed, Xin He’s wisdom and means are not any less than those boring books.
After thinking for a moment, Xin He nodded in understanding, "That’s true, in the future when you follow the career path, once you pass the exams and become an official, the official scene will be complicated. A bookworm won’t get anywhere. It might not be a bad idea for you to learn some social skills and techniques while you’re with me."
Actually, Xin He had thought of this long ago, but she always felt that they were still young and not suitable to be exposed to it. She thought she would bring them for training when they got older.
But now, she has realized that Xiao Bei is fine, he behaves like an 11-year-old child should - his life revolves around studying and playing - after all, he has his older siblings protecting him, and his childlike innocence naturally remains.
But Xiao Chaihu is different, this child has nobody to rely on. Although she’s taken him in now, deep down he doesn’t feel secure, because after all, she isn’t his real sister. Unlike Xiao Bei, he doesn’t dare to be willful, instead, he’s somewhat sensitive and cautious. Perhaps letting him grasp more things would provide him a better sense of security.
Sure enough, Xiao Chaihu’s eyes lit up with excitement and he nodded eagerly, "Okay!"
Shulan couldn’t help laughing, "This child, he doesn’t seem too interested when it comes to playing, but he’s over the moon when it comes to learning new things. How did the madam find such a gem?"
Xin He laughed helplessly.
IShe made a trip to the Winding Pavilion, where she confirmed the arrangements for the Spring Fashion Show in three days, and then headed back home.
Three days later, the Winding Pavilion’s Spring Fashion Show kicked off again.
Early in the morning, there was an endless stream of carriages at the door, and Xin He was interested in interacting with the Song family and fishing for some information, so she naturally went as well. This time, she also brought Xiao Chaihu. Xiao Bei didn’t like watching this, what boy likes women’s clothes? So Xiao Bei didn’t come.
This time Xin He came in the identity of "Lady Mu". Every time the Winding Pavilion has a show, almost all the young women from noble families in Yu State come, so her, as a woman from a small household, naturally doesn’t stand out in this crowd.
The most conspicuous of them all is the Song family, no doubt.
Although the little master of the Song family contracted a terrible disease in the palace a while ago, causing tension between the Song family and the emperor, and even prompting them to resign their posts, even Imperial Noble Consort Shu asked for permission to leave the palace to cultivate her spirituality in Qingshan Temple, but how could the emperor agree?
If he really agreed, wouldn’t the entire court drown him with their saliva?
So he naturally had to appease the Song family, with generous rewards of gold, silver, and land. To show his innocence in this matter and his trust in the Song family, he even handed over the military power of the 30,000 stationed troops in You City near the capital to Commander Song. These days, the emperor has been staying in the quarters of Imperial Noble Consort Shu, enjoying unparalleled favor and grace.
With this incident, the Song family has gained even more face. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
The prestige of the Song family in the capital naturally brings glory to the Song family here in Yu State.
This time, there is still half an hour before the show starts, but almost all of the noble ladies have arrived. This Winding Pavilion’s fashion show, somehow, has gradually evolved into a social platform for the ladies of the noble families.
This is a good thing, at least it means that the noble circle has recognized the status of the Winding Pavilion.
Xin He even specially had the garden behind the Winding Pavilion tidied up, and held a small banquet before the show. At this time, the women in the garden were gathered in groups of threes and fives, chatting and laughing. This too, is a form of social interaction.
And the most noticeable one is still the Song family at the center.
Many people were surrounding them with flattering remarks. The one who came this time was the second lady of the Song family. Her mood didn’t change much despite the compliments, instead, she remained dignified and reserved. Just by looking at her, you could tell she was a lady from a prestigious family.
"No wonder she was able to raise such a daughter." Xin He glanced over there and couldn’t help but murmur.
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