Aunt Zhang was concerned about her son's marriage, so she and Uncle Zhang went back home that night, while the Wang family stayed at Xichun's place.
"Xiaofeng, have you been studying hard this year? I'll have your brother-in-law check on you later to see how well you've learned." After everyone else had left, leaving only family members, Xichun led Wang Shi and Xiaofeng to her room.
"Sister, I've been studying hard." Xiao Feng said this with a guilty conscience, and he even glanced at his mother furtively.
When Xichun saw him like this, she guessed that there was another hidden reason, so she sent Xiaofeng away to play with the children, while she chatted with Wang.
"Mother, is there some problem you're having? I noticed you seemed hesitant to speak just now, and Xiaofeng had that expression on his face."
"Well, it's a long story. Xiaofeng is a hard-working kid, but there's one problem: his older brother's son is now studying at the same private school as him. The two kids inevitably compare themselves to each other. Although his sister-in-law is good at putting on a good show, she has her own ideas about her son's studies and always compares him to Xiaofeng."
Xiaofeng is a very thoughtful child. Seeing that his grandmother and older brother both side with their nephew makes him feel bad, so he always pretends he can't learn to avoid trouble. I think his personality is too weak, and I want him to be more assertive like you, but I'm like that myself, so how can I teach him well?
Wang was also troubled by her son's situation, and this trouble had been going on for some time. However, thinking that Xichun was busy outside, she didn't dare to trouble Xichun again because of this matter. Since she came with the Zhang family this time, she also wanted to discuss a solution with Xichun.
"Mother, do you have any thoughts on this?"
“Of course I hope that Xiaofeng can study hard and become successful so that he can support you. When he becomes capable, he won’t need your help. Otherwise, you’re already living in fear, and you’ll have to take care of us too. That would be too tiring.”
Last night, after hearing what Madam Fu said about what Xichun and the others experienced after arriving in Shaoming County, Wang was also shocked. She originally thought that becoming the county magistrate would make him the most powerful official, someone no one dared to offend. Who would have thought that there would be such troubles?
"Mother, don't worry, I don't need Xiaofeng to support me. I can only rely on myself. As for Xiaofeng, Changfeng is currently rectifying the academic atmosphere in Shaoming County. If you and Uncle Ma are not worried, I think it would be better to let Xiaofeng study here. With a few children to keep him company, as well as the private school teacher and his brother-in-law, I think he can make good progress in his studies in the future."
He's almost ten years old now; we can't delay any longer. If he continues like he was at home, it definitely won't work.
Xi Chun thought about it and realized that she had had this idea before, but she was still separated from it by the Ma family, so she couldn't bring it up herself.
"That would be wonderful. Of course I trust you. I'll go back and talk to your Uncle Ma. He should know that it wasn't easy to manage his two sons. If you two are watching over them, he won't have any worries."
Having received her daughter's affirmative answer, Wang knew that her son-in-law's family would not object, and she felt much more at ease. She immediately wanted to discuss it with her husband.
“Mother, don’t rush. You’re not staying here for just a day or two. Wait until Taozi’s wedding is over before you leave. There’s no need to rush. The children will have companions and will study harder.” Xichun quickly pulled her back.
"That's true. Look at me, why am I in such a hurry? I'll go to the Zhang family right now. They've just arrived, so I'm afraid they might not know some things. I'll see if there's anything I can do to help."
“Then let’s go together. I’ll go take a look and help out.” Xi Chun had someone report Xuanxuan to Old Madam Fu and then took Wang Shi to the new house that Taozi had bought.
Aunt Zhang and Uncle Zhang were directing people to arrange the furniture in the house when they saw the two of them coming over, so they quickly came over to greet them.
"Xichun, you're here! Please have a seat. I didn't like the furniture Taozi had arranged, so I had it rearranged. Please bring some tea," Aunt Zhang warmly welcomed them.
"Aunt Zhang, is there anything we can help you with? We'd like to take a look."
"It's alright, it's alright. You all just rest at home. Fortunately, Taozi is quite capable in other aspects. I've already found out the rules for the matchmaker, and I'll go shopping later according to the requirements. We'll go to the girl's house to finalize the engagement the day after tomorrow."
“Perfect timing, we’ll go shopping with you and learn about these unique wedding customs.”
"That's great! We'll head over in a bit. Have you eaten yet? I'll have someone cook something."
"I've already eaten. It's so late, how can I not eat?"
After rearranging the furniture, the three of them, along with their maids and guards, went out. Xichun was familiar with the streets and quickly found the items on the list. They compared prices at several stores and bought everything they needed.
On the day the engagement was set, since Aunt Zhang's family didn't have any relatives in the area and the two families hadn't met before, after obtaining the girl's family's consent, Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang went to the girl's house together to meet her. Aunt Zhang had also asked Xichun to take her there in advance to buy a gold bracelet for the girl to wear as a gift.
Since Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang were also in charge of Xichun's business in Weinan County, they were very busy. They chose the closest auspicious day and started setting up wedding decorations in front of the Zhang family's house. The surrounding people also knew that there was a wedding going on.
The Qian family was even happier to see that Taozi's parents were kind people. When they saw that the mother-in-law's first gift was a gold bracelet, which represented her regard for her daughter, they were even more pleased. They had finally made a name for themselves in the village.
When the villagers learned that their family had actually formed a marriage alliance with the town's head steward, they were all incredibly surprised. All the previous sarcasm and ridicule were replaced by smiling faces, and as they walked down the street, everyone wore a fawning smile.
Soon, amidst the sound of firecrackers, Taozi successfully married his bride. Fu Changfeng, as their officiant, truly brought honor to both families.
Taozi's business partners came to celebrate, and the scene was no less grand than a wedding of a prominent local family. Uncle Zhang was deeply moved, thinking that Taozi had met a benefactor in his life by meeting Xichun.
If it weren't for Xichun's help, his family would probably still be toiling in the fields for a living, worrying about making ends meet.
"Taozi, you owe your success to your sister Xichun. You must always remember to listen to her in order to live a good life. Never betray her in the future. How far our family can go in the future depends entirely on you two brothers."
"Dad, I know. Sister Xichun and Brother Changfeng have been very good to me. I will never forget their kindness in my life." Taozi had been drinking, but he was particularly sober at the moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
