The Xiao family has always had dinner in Ninghe Hall. After dinner every day, everyone would chat about family matters for a while before leaving. Today, not only were all the Xiao family members here, but even Nanny Ruan was invited.
This is the rhythm of something big! Xiao Yao's eyes sparkled, and she was looking forward to the content of the next conversation.
"Since everyone is here, I want to ask your opinions on something." Xiao Jingkang clenched his fist and put it to his lips and coughed. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, waiting for the next word, he did not keep them in suspense and continued, "Ping'an's grandfather found a famous doctor in Suzhou. He is very skilled in medicine, especially in treating internal injuries. So he wants to take Ping'an back to Suzhou with him. What do you think about this?"
"Can Ping'an really be cured?" Qin was still quite concerned about her granddaughter's condition, although a large part of her concern was her fear of her grandson being punished if her husband learned the truth. But regardless, it would be a good thing if she could cure her granddaughter before her husband learned the truth.
"I'm very confident." No one dares to make a foolproof guarantee, especially when it comes to treating illnesses and making consultations. No one dares to speak too confidently. Xiao Jingkang is not a doctor and cannot guarantee anything.
"Madame Ruan, what do you think?" Tong Mingyu respected Madame Ruan very much and wanted to know her opinion on the matter.
"Ping'an is very talented in painting. Jiangnan is picturesque, and there are countless places of interest and historical sites." Nanny Ruan did not directly answer Tong Mingyu's words, but her answer already showed her attitude of supporting Xiao Yao to go to Suzhou.
"I also agree that Ping'an should go to Suzhou," Li Jiaoying continued with reason. "The climate in the south of the Yangtze River is mild and very suitable for recuperation. If he is treated by a famous doctor, Ping'an will definitely recover soon. Besides, what Nanny Ruan said is absolutely right. We can't bury the child's talent. With Uncle Tong and Aunt Tong accompanying us on this journey, we have nothing to worry about!"
"Since everyone agrees, let's pack Ping An's luggage." Xiao Jingkang seemed to have exhausted all his strength to make this decision. Intellectually, he agreed with everyone's opinion, but emotionally, he suddenly felt his eyes tingling and a pain when he looked at his daughter's face, and his heart felt a little empty.
"Why didn't you ask for my opinion?" This was the worst of the ancient world, where children had no say. My family was already very democratic, even letting the children participate in discussions. If it were someone else's family, telling you the results two days in advance would have been considered pretty good.
"Ping An doesn't want to go, right?" Xiao Jingkang hoped his daughter could give him the answer he expected, but what was he expecting? If his daughter went to Suzhou, he would be reluctant to let her go; if she didn't go to Suzhou, he would feel guilty. After thinking about it, Xiao Jingkang didn't know what kind of result he wanted.
"I just have one small question." Xiao Yao avoided her father's burning gaze and turned to ask Tong Mingyu: "Can I come back before my grandfather returns to Beijing? I promised my grandfather that I would go to the city gate to pick him up, my second uncle and my fourth uncle. People should be honest and not break their promises, right?"
"Ping An is right." Xiao Jingkang thought this was a good idea. At least his daughter wouldn't be gone for a year or two. He would be able to see his daughter again when his father came back in a few months. This would satisfy his daughter's wish to go to Suzhou, and she would be able to find a famous doctor. He would also be able to explain himself to his father-in-law. This was the most perfect plan, right?
"My son is willing to send Ping An to Suzhou," Xiao Yi pleaded. He had already passed the imperial examination and was just waiting for next year's spring exam. He didn't dare to hope for a top three spot, but he was confident of passing the imperial examination. He had been worried about having nothing to do recently! God had given him a great opportunity, and he couldn't miss it. He absolutely couldn't miss it.
"I want to go too. My sister is gone, and I miss her. What should I do?" Xiao Jun has started school now. No matter how late he gets out of school or how much homework he has, he always goes to Yaoyuan Building. Even if it's just to say a few words to his sister or just to take a look, he's content. He couldn't accept the fact that his sister would be away for such a long time. His voice was filled with tears. If he were two years younger, he would probably be crying by now.
"I want to go too. You can't separate me from my sister." Xiao Yuan ran to Xiao Yao and hugged her tightly, refusing to let go. Jiangnan! Who doesn't want to go? Today, even if I cry, make a scene, or even commit suicide, I have to go with you. Xiao Yuan blinked desperately, trying to squeeze out two tears.
"Listen to me." Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Xiao Jingkang had to step forward to maintain order.
"If Ruyi wants to go, uncle will write a letter to your parents. As long as they agree, you can go."
"Wow! Uncle, you are so kind. Please write a letter to my father now. They will definitely agree." Xiao Yuan said confidently.
"As for Ayi and Ajun's requests, I will discuss it with your mother and decide later." Xiao Jingkang did not object to his eldest son going to Suzhou, but his youngest son was not within his consideration, so the task of comforting him was left to his wife.
"Haha, Ajun has nothing to do with this discussion." Xiao Rui said gloatingly. As soon as he finished speaking, he was slapped by Xiao Jingkang as expected.
"My son also wants to study in a college in the south." Xiao Yang intervened in this chaotic situation.
"Isn't the Imperial College good?" Xiao Jingkang had never studied in the Imperial College. He had only heard of students from other places trying hard to go to the Imperial College, but he had never heard of any students from the Imperial College wanting to go outside.
“Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.”
Insightful and classic, even Xiao Yao wants to give a thumbs up to her third brother. Dad, let’s see how you respond now!
"Look, I have four children in total. When they heard that there was a chance to go to Suzhou, none of them wanted to stay." Tong Mingyu always thought that children were home-loving, but who would have thought that as long as they got the chance, they would want to go out.
"Boys should go out and explore the world. I envy my eldest sister-in-law!" Li Jiaoying said this sincerely. Her eldest son was a guard and would be settling down in Kyoto. Her youngest son was too weak, and she felt safe only when he was by her side. Unlike her eldest sister-in-law's children, they were capable and courageous. Even Ping'an was more resourceful than the average girl.
"These little heartless people, I love them in vain." Tong Mingyu said angrily.
Xiao Jingkang glanced at his wife and said, "Stop chatting. What should we do now?" Could he really let all four children go to Suzhou? Otherwise, he should take a long vacation to Suzhou himself. Xiao Jingkang silently thought about how likely this was.
"Let's settle Ping'an's matter tonight. As for your matters, let me discuss it with your father before making a decision." Tong Mingyu said with the finality, acting like the mistress of the house.
In the following days, some decisions were made one after another. Xiao Yi went to see his sister off, but he could not stay because when he returned from Suzhou, the New Year would be approaching. As the eldest son of the eldest house, there were many things waiting for him to do.
Xiao Yang could study abroad, but he'd only be allowed to go south if he achieved excellent grades at the Imperial College. Xiao Jun? Tong Mingyu called him "nonsense." Just as Xiao Jun was about to throw a tantrum, Tong Mingyu's light words silenced him.
"If you want to make a fuss, then Ping An shouldn't go to Suzhou. Let her continue to be sick. After all, we are not the ones suffering. Jun, do you think what mother said makes sense?"
"I won't make a fuss anymore. Let my sister go to Suzhou." Xiao Jun looked as listless as an eggplant hit by frost.
"You're a boy, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to go out in the future. Besides, if you don't have any skills, what are you going to do outside? Are you just waiting to be bullied? If you don't learn skills, how can we expect you to keep me safe?"
"I'll listen to mother, but please don't let my sister stay in Suzhou for too long. I'll really miss her."
"Your sister won't stay here for long." Tong Mingyu firmly believed in her judgment that her daughter would come back within half a year.
Xiao Jingkang admired his wife's leadership ability very much. She was able to settle her sons with just a few words. He thought his youngest son would make a big fuss, but not only did he not cry as expected, but he was the one who was most active in helping his sister prepare travel supplies.
"How did you convince Ajun?" Xiao Jingkang asked his wife the secret for the nth time.
"Take your time to guess." Tong Mingyu was feeling very proud at the moment because she had successfully dealt with her sons.
Seeing that there was no one around, Xiao Jingkang pulled his wife into his arms. He gently blew a breath of hot air into his wife's ear, and Tong Mingyu surrendered obediently. Xiao Jingkang took the opportunity to steal a kiss and got the answer he wanted without any effort.
Tong Mingyu waved her fist in frustration at her husband's retreating back. Every time he used this trick, she was left defenseless, and this guy just happened to seize this fatal flaw of hers, and it worked time and time again. No wonder Ping An was full of tricks; they must have been inherited from her father.
Besides Nanny Ruan, Tong Mingyu also assigned Xiying to look after Ping'an, and the married Qiaoyue also went along. Xiaofu and Xiaohui were also on the trip, but since they were still young, Tong Mingyu didn't expect them to take good care of her daughter. She only hoped that they would gain more experience and not hold her daughter back in the future.
Xiao Jingmin's reply was just as Xiao Yuan wished. The couple was more open-minded. In the letter, they told Xiao Jingkang and Tong Mingyu directly that they would have full authority over their daughter's stay in Kyoto. As long as her uncle and aunt agreed, her daughter could go wherever she wanted and she just had to come back before getting married.
"This couple is so careless." Xiao Jingkang pointed at the letter on the table and criticized dissatisfiedly. Thinking about his daughter leaving him, Xiao Jingkang had not slept well for several nights.
But these two looked like they didn't mind at all, not like their real parents at all. Xiao Jingkang complained for a while, then turned around and envied them. When would he be able to cultivate to be like them, just as heartless!
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