Chapter 6: The Xu Family in Qingshui Town (Part 6)

Chapter 6: The Xu Family in Qingshui Town (Part 6)

Joining Master Guangming's school was something Xu Zeli was determined to achieve.

The reason he was chosen as a son-in-law by the Minister of Justice was not because of his handsome appearance or outstanding talent, but because his father-in-law was a close friend of Master Guangming's eldest disciple—his own elder brother. Thus, he was well aware of his situation and, after thorough evaluation, deemed him worthy.

He learned about this connection only after marrying that fierce man.

Although there were some discrepancies in their generations, they still addressed each other according to their own terms.

"Father, I have my own ways to become Master Guangming's disciple," said Xu Zeli. In his previous life, joining Master Guangming’s school was purely coincidental. He and his mother had gone to Yunwu Temple to pray for safety and accidentally saved Master Guangming when his carriage overturned during a rainstorm. To repay their kindness, Master Guangming took him under his wing.

This time around, with three years left until the rainstorm incident, Xu Zeli naturally wouldn't wait. He had his own plan to join Master Guangming's school.

Master Guangming had unique tastes, including an unexpected preference—stinky tofu! Such a snack was unheard of in Heluo County, where the cuisine was light. If it weren't for spending years with Master Guangming in his past life, Xu Zeli would never have known that such a distinguished scholar enjoyed such a common delicacy.

Xu Songshan met Xu Zeli's determined gaze and felt a tremor in his heart. Worried that he might be too harsh on his eldest son, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Perhaps I've been pushing you too hard. Tomorrow, I'll go to the slave market to pick out two maidservants to help with household chores. Why don’t we take a day off together and go pick them out?"

Xu Zeli knew his father was backing down. Understanding that some things couldn't be forced, he replied, "Thank you, Father. I’ll think about it tomorrow."

Though he said he would consider it, Xu Songshan could see the determination in Xu Zeli's eyes.

In a daze, Xu Zeping heard the conversation between Xu Songshan and his wife.

He overheard Xu Songshan's disapproval of Xu Zeli changing schools and Xu Linshi's consoling words...

Private school??

Hearing the vague conversation, Xu Zeping suddenly felt his muddled mind clear up. Private school? Wasn’t that how schools were called in ancient times?

Damn, did he really reincarnate into ancient times?

Thinking about the children's way of addressing their elders earlier, Xu Zeping became even more convinced of his theory... but with China’s five-thousand-year history, he hoped he was born in a peaceful era!

Pfft!

Before Xu Zeping could fully comprehend the situation, he uncontrollably let out a loud fart.

—Waaah!

Along with the fart, Xu Zeping felt a warm sensation below, and the stench filled his nostrils, causing him to cry uncontrollably.

Xu Songshan, hearing the youngest child's cry and the fart, chuckled. He told Xu Linshi to stay in bed while he got up to change the diaper. "I think the youngest needs to be changed. There’s still warm water in the pot. Stay here, I’ll bring some water to change the diaper."

Xu Songshan, being a devoted father, fetched hot water from the kitchen and skillfully washed Xu Zeping's bottom.

Seeing the small but noticeable bulge under the wrinkled belly of the little monkey, he couldn’t help but chuckle, "Not big yourself, but your little pepper isn’t small."

This comment made Xu Linshi blush, and she lightly coughed, "Erlang!"

After changing the clean diaper, Xu Songshan patted the little monkey's flat belly and carried him to Xu Linshi. "The youngest is too young to understand."

Xu Linshi opened her robe to feed the baby, murmuring, "Youngest, your father isn’t a good person. We won’t play with him."

Xu Zeping, having given up on maintaining any dignity, started feeding immediately.

Xu Songshan couldn’t help but laugh, earning a glare from Xu Linshi. He then went outside to wash the dirty diaper. By the time he returned, Xu Zeping had finished eating and fallen asleep.

As dawn broke, Xu Songshan woke up and first checked Xu Zeping’s diaper, finding it wet as expected. After changing it, he took the dirty diaper out of the bedroom.

Upon stepping out, he faintly heard a child’s voice coming from the study. Surprised, he walked through the corridor and across the pond toward the study, where he clearly heard the child reciting—

"Heaven and earth are dark yellow, the universe vast and boundless. Sun and moon wax and wane... cold comes and goes, autumn harvests and winter storages..."

It was the "Thousand Character Classic"!

Through the window, Xu Songshan could see Xu Zeli reading earnestly.

Feeling conflicted, he knew that this notorious troublemaker usually didn’t wake up until late morning. Every day, his mother had to drag him out of bed with a feather duster. Now, he was voluntarily reading aloud.

Recalling what Xu Zeli had said, Xu Songshan’s resolve wavered. If a new teacher could inspire him to strive, he would do everything possible to send him to Master Guangming.

Xu Songshan quietly left the study, looking at the budding lotus flowers in the pond. His heart felt lighter than ever.

Unbeknownst to him, Xu Zeli had noticed his reaction. Once Xu Songshan left, Xu Zeli couldn’t help but smile.

The fish had taken the bait.

Even so, Xu Zeli continued to read in a steady voice.

Xu Tangshi, seeing Xu Songshan’s flushed face, quickly put down the fire tongs and helped him, worried, "Second son, did you get up too quickly?"

Xu Songshan placed his hand on Xu Tangshi’s wrist and gently patted it. "Mother, I’m fine. I just encountered a joyful event, which stirred my emotions."

"You, always so unsteady, even as a father!" Xu Tangshi rolled her eyes at her son, who had always been the most troublesome.

"Mother, I need you to bear with me today," Xu Songshan said, trying to please her. "I need to ask Mr. Ouyang for leave and arrange some matters at the teahouse. I’ll return later and take the eldest to pick out two maidservants. You won’t have to work so hard tomorrow."

Xu Tangshi had no objections to her son’s proposal.

Born into a wealthy family, Xu Tangshi’s father squandered their fortune, leaving her to fend for herself. She understood the need for maidservants to care for the children.

With his mother’s nod, Xu Songshan washed the diaper and left the old residence in a carriage.