Chapter 19: Tacit Understanding: Mother doesn’t keep her word.
More than half a month passed by unknowingly. It seemed that except that we no longer slept on the same bed, these days were no different from the past.
A husband who goes out early and comes back late, and a wife who goes to bed early and gets up late to take care of the children, they don't say a few words every day, but they can keep this family running indefinitely.
Perhaps, there is some kind of tacit understanding that is difficult to explain.
At night, Song Baoyuan stood in front of the window with her hair disheveled, staring at the moon in the sky in a daze.
In her peripheral vision, she saw a slender figure passing through the corridor. She turned around subconsciously, but accidentally knocked over the bronze mirror beside her.
"Bang!"
The sound of the mirror shattering in an instant was extremely abrupt in the silence, making people tremble.
Jiang Keyu, who had been walking leisurely, quickened his pace upon hearing the noise and walked into the house. Seeing his thinly dressed wife squatting on the ground picking up debris, he suddenly became anxious, "Don't move!"
Song Baoyuan paused her movements and stared at the incomplete self in the broken mirror.
"Why are you alone in the room?" Jiang Keyu approached, squatted down, and helped her clean up. "Where are Qiaoyue and Qiaoyin?"
"I want to be alone for a while." Song Baoyuan whispered, "Let them do other things."
They were the only two people in the room, which made her inexplicably nervous.
Jiang Keyu didn't say anything else. To be more precise, she didn't know what to say.
They fell into silence, and the only sound in the room was the crackling of mirror fragments.
Until the ground was clean, the two stood up, but they both looked away at the same time.
After a while, Jiang Keyu walked to the coffee table and picked up a thin booklet.
"I left this thing here a while ago, and I finally found it." He said as he walked out, "I still have files to look at, so I'll go back to the study first. You should get some rest early."
"Um."
Song Baoyuan stood there blankly for a long time before turning her head to look in the direction he left.
After he left, I felt much more relaxed.
Song Baoyuan walked slowly to the bed, fell sideways into the soft bedding, and sighed deeply.
She looked dazed, remembering how many years ago, every time she interacted with her "brother," she would be as nervous as she was just now. She was always afraid that she wasn't being ladylike enough, that she would leave a bad impression on him, that he would dislike her because of some small detail.
But what I was afraid of just now was just getting along with him.
Song Baoyuan knew that what she was doing now was completely an escape.
Although it's shameful, at least there's a chance to breathe.
The lights in the study were not on.
As soon as Jiang Keyu entered the room, she casually threw the book onto the desk. She lay down on the couch, shielding her eyes with her sleeves, her mind a little confused.
He knew that his wife had been in a bad mood recently, and he also knew that as a husband, it was his responsibility to accompany and comfort her.
But when it really came in front of me, I even opened my mouth, but my mind went blank.
It was like going back to the time when his "sister" suddenly became his "wife". Because of the sudden change of identity, he was at a loss and had no idea how to face her.
…
That's all.
Just like back then, he could only hope that time would wash away all his emotions.
At worst, he can sleep in the study for a while longer.
*
The next evening, Jingzhai was extremely beautiful at dusk, but the atmosphere was particularly depressing.
Song Baoyuan, who was already in a bad mood, became even more depressed because two quarters of an hour ago, Jingzhai's maid ran all the way to the backyard and breathlessly explained to her what had happened.
Jiang Chengyou became restless after only a few days of studying with the teacher. He kept asking the teacher questions that were not related to the class to delay the class.
Today I asked, “Why should I go to school?”
Master Zhuang was a patient man. "Study wisely, and you will become a wise man in the future."
Perhaps to close the gap, he added, "Only if you thoroughly read can you be like your father, pass the imperial examination and become a good official who can lead the people and benefit the people."
Jiang Chengyou tilted his head, "Then why aren't you like my father, Master?"
"Because..." Zhuang Yingxu was speechless for a moment, then answered honestly, "Because the teacher is not as good as your father and did not pass the exam."
"What does it mean to pass the exam?" Jiang Chengyou didn't understand, but he grasped the key point. "Since Master himself can't pass the exam, how can you teach me to pass the exam?"
He threw the pen in his hand and ran away, "Master is not good at all, I don't want to learn from you!"
Zhuang Yingxu was stunned and couldn't refute for a moment.
Of course Jiang Chengyou was arrested and Song Baoyuan had to come forward and go to Jingzhai together.
Facing each other across the desk, Zhuang Yingxu's face was not very good, but he was still polite, "Why bother Madam Song to come in person?"
"My son is a naughty boy. Please forgive me, sir." Song Baoyuan said apologetically, "His father will be back soon. I will teach him a lesson and apologize to you then."
Jiang Chengyou, who was standing aside, became timid when he heard the word "Daddy" and hung his head.
"Jiang Chengyou." Song Baoyuan said coldly, "Come here and apologize to the teacher."
His mother had never scolded him, or even said harsh words to him. Jiang Chengyou's heart sank when he heard his name coming out of her mouth, and he was extremely panicked.
"mother……"
"Hurry up and apologize to the Master!"
Jiang Chengyou pursed his lips, stepped forward and saluted obediently, "Master, I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Zhuang Yingxu smiled, not wanting to embarrass him. "You're not wrong either."
Song Baoyuan was immediately startled. Seeing the sadness in his eyes, she felt even more guilty. "Sir, you are a man of profound knowledge and profound learning. Please don't underestimate yourself because of a child's ignorant words."
"Mrs. Song, you're too polite." Zhuang Yingxu lowered his eyes. "I'm indeed not as good as Brother Jiang. To be honest, even if I try my best, I may not be able to cultivate your son into a talented person."
Song Baoyuan was stunned. "Is it because he refuses to be disciplined?"
"No, it's my fault." Zhuang Yingxu unconsciously tightened his grip. "I really didn't make the list myself. If it weren't for Brother Jiang's kindness, I wouldn't be qualified to be your teacher."
While he was speaking, Qiao Yue brought the teapot and was about to look at the tea when Song Baoyuan stopped her.
"Let me do it." Song Baoyuan stood up and began to work. "Even though passing the imperial examination is great, I don't think it has a direct bearing on whether you're a good teacher. Even if you only took the imperial examination once, there are very few people in the world who can pass it on their first try. If you deny yourself because of this one failure, how many people would be disheartened."
Zhuang Yingxu smiled bitterly, "Mrs. Song, you are too kind."
"Before you came, my husband told me you had great talent. If you were determined to take the imperial examination, you would definitely succeed." Song Baoyuan's hands moved fluently. "But why don't you try again, sir?"
Zhuang Yingxu was stunned. A voice from many years ago suddenly rang in his ears, and the memories that he had buried emerged in his mind.
He was still young at that time, and when he saw his beloved girl sad, he plucked up the courage to express his feelings.
"Do you think I'm unwanted? What can you compare yourself to? Do you think I'm a rag collector?"
"Next time, believe me, I will definitely pass the exam next time!"
"You won't pass! You won't pass even if you try a hundred times, a thousand times, or even ten thousand times!"
Zhuang Yingxu knew that he would not pass the exam.
His beloved girl told him the result early on.
"I really can't." He repeated in a daze.
Song Baoyuan was surprised by his reaction, but she didn't want to delve into it.
She pushed the poured tea across the table and said sincerely, "To be honest, sir, compared to something as distant and rare as passing the imperial examination, I hope Chengcheng can learn from you to distinguish right from wrong and be confident and independent. When faced with difficulties, I'm not afraid of him failing. I just hope he won't doubt himself or lose heart. I hope that no matter what situation he finds himself in, he will have the courage to start over again."
She chuckled, "Hopefully, Mr. too."
Zhuang Yingxu was slightly stunned.
He lowered his head and could see the woman's gentle smile from the reflection in the tea.
Like a spring breeze, it comforts people's hearts.
"Thank you." He looked up.
He picked up the teacup and used it to cover his eyes, subtly taking in the beautiful face of the person in front of him.
He twitched the corner of his mouth and said in a deep voice, "Thank you, Madam Song, for the tea."
Song Baoyuan nodded, breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled sweetly.
This was the first smile Jiang Keyu had seen on his wife's face in nearly a month.
He stood quietly at the door of Jingzhai and caught a glimpse of the remaining smile through the window.
Inexplicably dazzling.
Because he missed dinner, Jiang Keyu learned about Jiang Chengyou's actions as soon as he came back, and hurried to Jingzhai with Jiang Suisui who was waiting for him at the door.
At this moment, Jiang Suisui leaned on his shoulder and asked softly, "Daddy, why don't you leave?"
Jiang Keyu came back to her senses and glanced sideways at her daughter who was blinking, as if thinking about something.
"Daddy?"
Jiang Keyu suddenly smiled and raised her hand to pinch her face, "I suddenly remembered that I seemed to have forgotten something I promised Sui Sui."
Jiang Suisui straightened up suddenly, opened his eyes wide and recalled carefully, "Daddy promised... to buy me candied haws!"
"Really?" Jiang Keyu narrowed her eyes.
Jiang Suisui stuck out her tongue guiltily, "Then Daddy agreed..."
She scratched her head, as if she was thinking hard.
"If Sui Sui can't remember it, then it probably didn't happen."
"Yes!" Jiang Suisui said anxiously, clutching the clothes on his father's shoulders, "Yes!"
Jiang Keyu pretended to think, "Did he agree to tell Sui Sui a story tonight?"
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Getting is earning, Jiang Suisui agreed to everything first, and then thought, "Tell me a story, Daddy wants to tell me a story..."
Her eyes suddenly lit up, "I remember now! Daddy promised to give me a sister!"
"Is there?" Jiang Keyu frowned slightly, with doubt in her eyes.
Jiang Suisui kept patting his shoulders, as if afraid he would deny it, "Yes, yes! You and mother promised me yourselves!"
Jiang Keyu remained silent, looking troubled and unable to remember anything.
"It's true!" Jiang Suisui pouted, "If you don't believe me, ask mom and brother later!"
"oh."
Jiang Keyu responded indifferently and strode forward.
Jiang Suisui was furious and yelled at the top of her lungs, "Mother! Mother!"
Everyone in the room looked over and saw Jiang Keyu holding her daughter and walking into the room calmly.
"Mom!" Jiang Suisui stretched out her arms towards her mother impatiently, filled with righteous indignation, "Hurry up and tell Dad, did you promise to give me a sister?"
Song Baoyuan's eyes froze for a moment.
Jiang Keyu naturally covered Jiang Suisui's mouth and smiled awkwardly at Zhuang Yingxu, "The child just thinks whatever he wants. Excuse me."
He turned around and handed his daughter to Song Baoyuan, "Take Sui Sui back for dinner first, and I'll take care of the rest."
"Hmm...oh."
Song Baoyuan agreed, avoided his gaze, took her daughter, and glanced at her bewildered son with an expressionless face.
She said nothing, pretending not to see her husband stop her son from grabbing the corner of her clothes.
*
Under the moonlight, accompanied by the breeze, the shadows of the trees swayed.
The father and son walked three feet apart, one in front and one behind, in a corridor where there was no one else.
Jiang Keyu in front paused, and Jiang Chengyou behind immediately dared not move, with restraint written all over his body.
"Come here." Jiang Keyu said coldly.
Jiang Chengyou pursed his lips, took root under his feet, and did not dare to act rashly.
Jiang Keyu's patience ran out, and she turned and walked towards him.
Daddy's shadow loomed over him, and Jiang Chengyou was so scared that he quickly squatted down with his head in his hands. "Dad, I was wrong! I really know I was wrong, and I won't dare to do it again!"
Jiang Keyu slapped his hand away and grabbed his ear, "Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you hoping your mother will hear you and come to save you? If you dare to act pitiful in front of your mother again, believe it or not, I will..."
“Hmm!”
"You still dare to cry?"
Jiang Chengyou felt very aggrieved, "It's not me!"
Jiang Keyu let go of her hand and turned back to follow the sound of crying. It was Jiang Suisui's voice, coming from the inner room.
He hurried down the corridor and into the house, only to find Jiang Suisui sitting on the floor with her legs apart, crying her eyes out. Song Baoyuan squatted beside her, at a loss, trying to soothe her softly, but to no avail.
"What's wrong?"
"Daddy!" Jiang Suisui kicked her legs like a tantrum, "Mom didn't keep her word. She doesn't want to give me a sister!"
"I..." Song Baoyuan had no way to refute.
Jiang Keyu's eyes paused for a moment, and he looked at his wife, who seemed to dodge and avoid his sight.
"I want a sister! I want one! Why can brothers have sisters but I can't?"
After a moment of blankness, Jiang Keyu bent down, picked up her daughter, held her in her arms, and patted her back to comfort her, "Okay, Sui Sui, don't cry."
"You don't keep your word!"
"No, Daddy..." Jiang Keyu was speechless for a moment.
Song Baoyuan stood up slowly, clasping her hands behind her back.
"Why are you..." Jiang Keyu turned her back. "I know childbirth is difficult. If you don't want to, no one will force you. But Sui Sui is still a child. She will forget what she said after a while. Why bother to tell her directly?"
He said and walked out the door.
Song Baoyuan stood there, speechless for a long time.
Were you blaming her just now?
As Jiang Keyu left with her sad daughter in her arms, Jiang Chengyou ran into the house and pounced on his mother.
In the courtyard, Jiang Keyu walked around and around with her daughter in her arms, coaxing her from crying to sobbing, and finally making her calm down.
Inside the house, Song Baoyuan sat at the table, with her son eating quietly beside her.
The door was wide open, and the moonlight climbed over the threshold confidently, accepting the gaze.
Because the gaze is silent, there is great silence both inside and outside.
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