Lu Baichuan didn't refuse. His wife's gift could save his life, and he still cherished his life.
Jiang Jiuniang stayed at her parents' home for two days, and Peng Ke stayed with her for two days as well. During this time, Peng Yuan wanted to come and take her son back, but the little guy didn't want to go back. He would throw a tantrum whenever he saw his mother, as if she wasn't his mother, but a child trafficker.
Peng Yuan was both amused and embarrassed, and said to Jiang Jiuniang, "Sister Jiuniang, I really didn't expect this child to be so attached to you. How did you manage to do that?"
As a mother, Peng Yuan felt bitter seeing her son, whom she had worked so hard to give birth to, being closer to Jiang Jiuniang. However, at this moment, she only felt respect for Jiang Jiuniang and had no other thoughts.
She knew that the child was so attached to Jiang Jiuniang because Jiang Jiuniang was a good teacher who made the child happy, which was why the child was willing to stick to her.
She explained that she used to hit her child frequently to prevent him from going astray, and she could understand why her child disliked it.
Seeing Peng Yuan's bitter expression, Jiang Jiuniang felt helpless. She pulled Peng Yuan down to sit and said, "I didn't do anything. I just asked him to take care of Xiangxiang for me. These past two days, he's been acting like an older brother and taking good care of Xiangxiang. Maybe he thinks Xiangxiang needs his care, which is why he doesn't want to go back with you."
Peng Yuan was shocked: "Are you sure you want him to take care of Xiangxiang?"
Peng Ke himself is still an immature child with a stubborn personality. It's good enough if he doesn't bully his younger sister, how could he possibly take good care of her?
"Don't worry, he did a great job. I'll take you to see for yourself."
Jiang Jiuniang pulled her up to look. The little boy, who was just over two years old, was still walking unsteadily, but he did things no worse than an adult. He was taking the prepared milk bottle to the bedside to give his younger sister a drink.
Xiangxiang sat on the bed, watching him walk over, and couldn't help but urge, "Brother, hurry up!"
Peng Ke ran up, handed the bottle to Xiangxiang, and watched her drink.
Peng Yuan was stunned. She always thought her son was still a little kid who couldn't even take care of himself. She didn't dare let him do anything at home and only let him study with his teacher. But he was disobedient and would make a fuss with her from morning till night.
Who knew that once she was in Jiang Jiuniang's hands, she was like a completely different person, both obedient and diligent. Peng Yuan could hardly believe her eyes.
"That's not all. When Gou'er comes back at night, Ke'er will ask Gou'er to teach him martial arts. Although it's just simple horse stance, the little guy learns it very seriously."
"What?"
Peng Yuan thought there must be something wrong with her ears, otherwise how could she hear such outrageous words, telling her son to take the initiative to learn martial arts? This was even more bizarre than a sow climbing a tree.
"It's true. If you don't believe me, stay a little longer and you'll see when the dog comes back."
There are many things that Jiang Jiuniang knows she needs to do, but she doesn't know how to explain them to Peng Yuan. So she can only do them herself and let Peng Yuan learn by herself.
Just as Xiangxiang finished drinking her milk, Peng Ke was about to go and wash the bottle for his younger sister when Jiang Jiuniang pushed open the door and started praising Peng Ke.
"Ke'er, you're amazing! Even without your aunt, you've taken such good care of your little sister. But you don't need to wash the bottles; just teach the maids. You've been busy for so long, so you can take a nap with your little sister in a bit. She likes you so much; she'll be so happy if you can stay with her during her afternoon nap."
Peng Ke is rather mischievous and doesn't usually take a midday nap, but today he was flattered by Jiang Jiu Niang's praise and immediately agreed.
"Auntie, can I stay with my sister during her afternoon nap instead of going back with my mother?"
He tilted his head back, looking somewhat nervous.
The person eavesdropping outside the door was on tenterhooks. Jiang Jiuniang didn't answer immediately, but asked instead, "Why don't you want to go home with your mother?"
“My mother only forces me to study. If I don’t do well, she beats me. I don’t want to study.”
"Here, my aunt praises me no matter what I do, but at home, my mother scolds me no matter what I do. My mother makes me imitate my brother Gou'er, and she scolds me if I don't do it well..."
As he spoke, his voice lowered considerably, and he looked quite aggrieved.
Upon hearing this, Peng Yuan burst into tears. She never imagined that in her child's eyes, she was such an unreasonable mother.
I didn't think much of it when I did it, but now that I think about it, I realize that I have absolutely no patience for my son. At least I wouldn't talk to him and listen to his thoughts like Jiang Jiuniang did.
I never realized I was such an annoying mother.
Jiang Jiuniang spoke up for Peng Yuan: "Your mother actually loves you very much, but it's her first time being a mother, and she doesn't know how to get along with a child. She's also worried that you won't learn good things, so she's extra strict with you. I'll talk to your mother and ask her not to treat you like that in the future. Are you willing to forgive her?"
Without hesitation, the little guy nodded and said, "My mother is very good to me when she doesn't hit me."
Jiang Jiuniang sighed inwardly. This child was so pitiful; she couldn't help but want to cry.
Peng Yuan could no longer hold back. She came in from outside, hugged her son tightly, and sincerely apologized to him: "I'm sorry, Mommy knows she was wrong. I will never hit you again."
No matter how much she beat her son at home, he was unwilling to learn. But at Jiang Jiuniang's place, he did everything and was willing to learn everything. Peng Yuan felt that not only should she send her son to live with Jiang Jiuniang, but she should also come and live with the Lu family for a while to learn how to be a good mother.
This was the first time Peng Ke had ever seen his mother cry like this. He was a little nervous, but he still reached out to wipe away his mother's tears and said earnestly, "Mother, don't cry. Ke'er will definitely be good and obedient from now on and won't make you sad."
"No, it's not your fault, it's Mother's fault..."
The mother and son apologized to each other. In the end, Peng Ke was unable to stay with Xiangxiang for a nap and went home with Peng Yuan instead.
Jiang Jiuniang didn't stay with Jiang Ruoya for long. After Xiangxiang fell asleep, she took Xiangxiang back to the General's Mansion to start preparing for the banquet.
The General's Mansion, which had been quiet for more than two years, was about to become lively again. Moreover, the Emperor still valued Lu Baichuan so much. The court officials knew this very well and dared not openly provoke the Lu family. They even had to prepare a generous gift to present when they received the invitation.
This first banquet was ostensibly a homecoming celebration for the family. Since it wasn't appropriate to invite just a few families, they invited all the familiar faces. Before the banquet began, Jiang Jiuniang instructed the children in her family: "Carefully observe who you like, and then invite them to play separately later."
Besides Youya and Jiezi, Tingya and the other younger girls were also arranged to go. Jiang Jiuniang's idea was to let them take a look in advance, so that even if they weren't in a hurry, they could choose in advance and make a reservation if they liked it.
Of course, it's okay if you don't want to choose. You can either wait a few more years or stay at home. Life isn't just about getting married and taking a wife.
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