Although General Xiao was a military man, he had a very keen insight. He repeatedly warned his children and grandchildren that no matter how the situation changed in the court, the Xiao family only had to remember one thing, that is, to be loyal to the emperor, obey the emperor, do their job well, and stay away from right and wrong.
They have been doing this all along, but now they find that Fang Yufu is actually trying to get involved with the Han family. If anyone says that there is no connection with the Xiao family, Xiao Jingkang says that he will never believe it.
Alas, I had originally planned that even if we couldn't become in-laws, I would do my best to maintain the existing relationship and meet any needs they had. Unfortunately, Fang Yufu chose another path, so I can't blame others for being ruthless.
"Go back first and see where your second uncle is and ask him to come to my study."
"Yes, I'll take my leave." Xiao Yi did what he should do. The rest of the matters needed to be decided by the elders. At the same time, he felt relieved. It was impossible for the other party to arrange marriage. He and his elder brother didn't have to worry anymore. It was great.
The Xiao brothers chatted in the study until all the lanterns in the house were lit. After leaving the study, the two brothers showed no signs of abnormality, as if nothing had happened. Xiao Yi lamented that he still lacked experience and composure. In order to protect this home, for the happiness of his loved ones, and for the future of the family... he still had a lot to learn.
The lively first month of the year passed quickly, and in February a day of great significance to Xiao Jun and Xiao Yao arrived: their first birthday and the one-year-old celebration.
General Xiao sent back a small wooden sword and a fiery red fox fur cloak from the northern border. Third Uncle Xiao and Fourth Uncle Xiao, whom he had never met, also sent gifts. Family and friends went to great lengths to prepare everything from food and clothing to daily necessities and toys. Xiao Jun was thrilled. He gave them all to me. Xiao Yao was overjoyed. If only her birthday were every few days, she'd soon become the youngest millionaire in history.
On the morning of February 26th, in the newly decorated Yayuan, Xiao Yao was pulled from her bed, still half awake. She was served by the maids, dressed in a new red dress embroidered with colorful butterflies and flowers. Her thin hair was tied into two small ponytails and tied with a matching pearl headband, looking cute and sweet. Xiao Jun was also wearing a red robe, a matching cloud-embroidered belt, and black boots, looking dashing and lively.
Qin placed longevity locks on Xiao Jun and Xiao Yao, and after friends and family had gathered, the "Zhuazhou" ceremony officially began. A large huanghuali wood table sat in the center of the hall, upon which were laid not only the boy's supplies, but also a ruler, embroidery thread, a spatula, and even jewelry. Would both children be caught at the same time? What if the boy grabbed the jewelry and the girl grabbed the seal?
Xiao Jingkang, however, wasn't worried. Even if his son grabbed some jewelry or something, he'd definitely give it to his daughter. After all, his daughter was smarter than her brother, so there was no need to worry. Today, let's show friends and family how the boy-girl twins' "Grab the One" ceremony is performed. Tong Mingyu originally wanted to use two separate tables, but her husband's sudden idea was unanimously approved by everyone except the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, especially Xiao Jingtai and his wife, and Xiao Rui. They prepared everything themselves, showing unprecedented enthusiasm.
The guests naturally hoped for the most lively occasion, but the Tong and Li families were the only ones who were a little worried. Holding a boy and a girl's "Grab the One" ceremony together was unheard of, so they hoped nothing would go wrong. Minister Tong was looking forward to his grandson and granddaughter making a splash, shocking the entire crowd so he could brag about them when he met his parents-in-law. Just imagining the old man puffing his beard and glaring, he really hoped he'd come back soon. He mustn't be kept waiting too long! Seeing his daughter and son-in-law with burning eyes, Li Yuan really wanted to bring them over for a lecture. It was obvious from the looks of things that this bad idea was definitely theirs. Even if they weren't the mastermind, they were accomplices. The child was already in her teens, and her parents were becoming more and more childish. Should he be grateful that the Xiao family hadn't abused their daughter, or should he be angry that they were raising her in an increasingly unreliable way?
The Fang family also arrived. Qin briefly introduced them as relatives from her hometown. A few close relatives nodded in greeting, but no one else came, and the family sat quietly in a corner. Looking at the high-ranking officials and noble ladies before them, each with their own thoughts, Fang Yufu desperately wanted to establish a connection and establish a friendship, but he had no idea where to start. Mrs. Fang seemed to see her granddaughter already among them, chatting and enjoying herself. The two young ladies had already noticed several young men: some handsome, some gentle, and some elegant (the Wen family)... They wondered which one was the young master of the Xiao family, but each one was truly captivating.
Xiao Jingkang first put his son on the table and said to him encouragingly, "Ajun, go and see which one you like." Xiao Jun listened to his father's words, his eyes already starting to look around one by one. After a glance, he still stood there steadily. Just as he was about to take a step, he seemed to remember something, and his eyes moved away from the table, searching among the crowd, calling out "ah, ah". Tong Mingyu came over with Xiao Yao in her arms. As soon as his sister appeared, Xiao Jun immediately smiled, and his little head nodded, as if to say, "Sister, I'm waiting for you, come quickly!"
Twins, a boy and a girl, are unique and extremely close. In addition, the two children are good-looking, so many people think how great it would be if they had such smart children.
Xiao Yao smiled sweetly at everyone, then, supported by her mother, she slowly walked to her fifth brother's side and sat down. She wasn't as steady as him, and with so many things on the table, a trip would be disastrous. Xiao Yao had originally planned to wait until her fifth brother finished grabbing the things before taking action, but no one understood her intention. They all rushed forward to coax her, saying, "If you just sit there, how can the Grab the One-Year Plan ceremony continue? Hurry up and get up."
Seeing his sister still struggling to get up, Xiao Jun turned around and tried to pull her up. His mother had repeatedly instructed him on what to do and what not to do, and Xiao Jun was about to follow her instructions, but he couldn't resist his sister's cooperation. A pink silk flower lay at Xiao Jun's feet. He bent down to pick it up, placing it in Xiao Yao's hand. He tilted his head to observe his sister's smile, and inspired and encouraged by her smile, he began to carry the embroidery thread, pens, and paper to his sister.
No one had ever seen such a one-year-old ceremony before. The whole audience was stunned.
Several older brothers gathered around and gave on-site guidance.
"Ajun, you find what you want, and Ping'an can also go and get it, okay?" Xiao Lang looked at his sister-in-law gently and dotingly, and his tone was always gentle. It gave Xiao Yao the feeling that if she didn't do what her eldest brother said, it would be wrong and wrong, and it would make people feel deeply guilty.
Xiao Yi rubbed the little tufts on his sister's head, and playfully flicked his brother's forehead. The little idiot who only knew how to use brute force. Fortunately, Ping An and he were siblings, otherwise they would have been sold by Ping An and would have had to help him count the money.
"You two are really messing around. Oh, it's so worrying." Xiao Rui shook his head, his expression like, "It's not easy being a brother. I have to worry about everything every day. Where can a brother like me find such narcissistic and showy attitude?" There were too many guests. If it were just family, he would probably walk around the hall with his hands behind his back, his legs spread wide. When it comes to tsundere, the fourth young master of the Xiao family is the one who takes it. Who else but me?
It seemed that trying to keep a low profile was no longer an option. Xiao Yao set to work under the expectant gazes of the crowd. Since walking for long periods of time wasn't an option, she decided to crawl. The small, red figure moved across the table, shifting things around, constantly busy. It took a while for her to sit up straight. Her face, rosy after the exercise, resembled a ripe peach. Her delicate features, especially her large, watery eyes, drew admiration from everyone present. Those with daughters were jealous, while those without decided to return home and work hard, not letting the Xiao family take all the spoils.
I can't help but be curious about how my sister will behave when her brother doesn't follow the beaten path.
At first, Xiao Jun thought he'd been abandoned by his sister and felt a little sad. After all, in his heart, no one could replace his sister. Aside from his mother, who held a small place, everyone else ranked far behind. A child's emotions were all written on his face, and his expression of wanting to cry or not instantly vanished when he saw his sister waving at him.
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