Chapter 213

Chapter 217: New Year's Greetings (Part 1)

Binju hurriedly explained beside her, "Madam, the fifth young master heard that you had returned and insisted on seeing you. We couldn't hold him back..."

Mainly because Xu Sijie is now a young master, it's hard to stop him!

Eleven Lady looked at his clenched fist and softly asked, "Xu Sijie, do you want to give me candy? Are you giving me the Dragon Beard Candy that Chun Ge gave you?"

He was held in Binju's arms, head bowed, silent and staring.

Eleven Lady's heart softened, and she sighed gently.

Her unintentional rejection must have upset the child.

Eleven Lady stood up, ruffled his hair, and her voice became even softer, "Xu Sijie, do you want to give me candy?"

Xu Sijie looked up at Eleven Lady, somewhat uncertain.

Eleven Lady beamed at him.

They gazed at each other in silence.

Binju anxiously said, "Madam, after you left, the fourth young master wanted to teach the fifth young master to kick shuttlecocks, but the fifth young master refused and insisted on coming back; the fourth young master then brought out walnut cakes to calm the fifth young master, but still couldn't calm him. I had to bring the fifth young master back. He refused to enter the room, clinging to the corridor pillar, refusing to move. We had no choice but to wrap him in a cloak and stay with him here. Even at mealtime, he wouldn't let go, and both Dongqing and I took turns persuading him, even bringing the lamb soup made by Madam Wu from the kitchen to coax him into the house to eat... We finally got the fifth young master into the house. Then someone said you had returned. He jumped off his chair and ran to your room." As she spoke, her voice gradually lowered, "At first, we were puzzled why the fifth young master kept his fist clenched so tightly... We didn't realize he was holding a piece of candy."

Eleven Lady's expression softened into calm serenity, and she asked again, "Xu Sijie, is the Dragon Beard Candy from Chun Ge very tasty?"

He nodded, then shook his head, and slowly unclenched his fist.

The rose-colored Dragon Beard Candy, which had melted from being held too long, was once again revealed before Eleven Lady.

Eleven Lady smiled and took the candy from his hand.

Perhaps from the sweat on his hand, it had a slightly salty taste.

"Mmm!" Her lips curved slightly, and her smile lit up her eyes. "This Dragon Beard Candy is indeed sweet."

Xu Sijie smiled, pursing his lips, his beautiful phoenix eyes like stars in a summer night sky, sparkling with joy.

Eleven Lady instructed Binju, "Help him wash his hands and find his candy—so he doesn't hide it under the bed or pillow and it melts." Thinking it might not be appropriate, she added, "Give him a small box just for storing things, to help him develop the habit of keeping his items in the box."

Binju quickly nodded in agreement.

Eleven Lady smiled and rubbed Xu Sijie's head, "Remember, next time you want to do something, tell me first!" Then she looked at him sincerely, seeking his understanding.

Xu Sijie nodded and suddenly spoke, "Candy sweet."

Eleven Lady quickly showed a big smile, "You're such a good boy, Xu Sijie. Always talk to me like this from now on, okay?"

Xu Sijie smiled and nodded.

Eleven Lady asked Binju, "Has he eaten yet?"

Binju frowned, "He ate two dumplings."

So he hasn't eaten yet...

Eleven Lady thought for a moment and said, "Are the eldest young master and the second young master still playing at the elder madam's place?"

When they went to the palace to offer congratulations, they left the children with Madam Du.

Binju nodded, "When I arrived, the young masters were all napping in the fourth young master's room!"

Eleven Miss smiled and said to Xu Sijie, "Would you like to come with me?"

Xu Sijie nodded repeatedly.

Eleven Miss laughed, "Remember what I just told you? You need to speak up about what you want, okay?"

Xu Sijie immediately said, "I'll come!"

"Alright, finish the dumplings Binju gave you, and I'll take you with me."

Hearing this, Xu Sijie immediately pushed Binju aside and ran off.

"Fifth young master!" Binju stamped her foot, quickly told Eleven Miss, "I'll go check on him," and ran after him.

Amber, who was serving nearby, smiled, "Are you really going to keep the fifth young master by your side? Someone might come to pay New Year's respects!"

Eleven Miss smiled, "Let the little maid tell him to play kick shuttlecock in the inner room."

Xu Sijie wasn't a clingy child; as long as Eleven Miss was in sight, he stayed quiet. If Eleven Miss was entertaining guests in the east room and a maid took him to play in the west room, he wouldn't cause any trouble.

After a few days of observation, Amber had started to get a sense of Xu Sijie's habits. Hearing this, Amber didn't argue and helped Eleven Miss into a pink plain satin jacket and a dark green skirt with embroidered borders. Lord Xu, already in casual home attire, walked in and asked, "Ready?"

His eyes lit up.

The pink satin made her cheeks glow like peach blossoms.

"Ready!" Eleven Miss laughed as she stood up, "But Binju's still feeding Sijie—let's wait a little!"

Lord Xu frowned slightly, "What time is it, still eating? We need to teach him some manners."

"He's just arrived!" Eleven Miss chuckled, "It takes time to adjust."

Lord Xu didn't say anything else and sat on the large kang by the window.

"Our kitchen made dumplings today. Should I bring you some to nibble on?"

"No need," Lord Xu replied without hesitation.

Eleven Miss, knowing he only ate three meals a day and avoided snacks, fruits, and late-night meals, didn't push further and sat down with him, smiling.

"Let's visit the Jiang family this afternoon!" Lord Xu said suddenly, "Raising a daughter to marry, lowering to take a daughter-in-law. Besides, this marriage was arranged by Old Master Jiang and Jiang Bai, and Jiang Song isn't too happy about it. Our family needs to show sincerity."

More courtesy, less blame! Especially given Lord Xu's status, others would only see it as humility.

Eleven Miss nodded, "I checked the account books the other day, and for such family visits, the gift shouldn't exceed fifty taels..."

"Just fifty taels!" Lord Xu said firmly, "I'll have Manager Zhao select a few paintings from the treasury to send along."

Eleven Miss agreed, took the tally from the elder madam, and had Amber retrieve the paintings.

A young maid came in and announced, "The fifth young master is here!"

"Come in!" Eleven Miss nodded, and Binju came in carrying Xu Sijie.

When Xu Sijie saw Lord Xu, his eyes lit up immediately.

Binju led him to bow to Lord Xu, and he stood there motionless, looking up at Lord Xu, completely lacking his usual liveliness, appearing somewhat dazed.

Lady Eleven found it amusing and remarked, "Finished eating so quickly?"

With Lord Xu present, Binju was extremely respectful: "He ate nine dumplings!"

Lady Eleven nodded and smiled at Brother Jie: "Brother Jie is really good."

Brother Jie was delighted.

Lord Xu, however, frowned: "Why isn't this child speaking?"

Brother Jie immediately took two small steps back, his little face tense.

Lady Eleven couldn't help but laugh, stepping forward to pick up Brother Jie: "Let's go to the Elder Madam's place!"

"Isn't he able to walk?" Lord Xu stood up, puzzled, "Let Binju carry him? Be careful he doesn't slip."

Carrying a three-year-old child was indeed a bit strenuous, so Lady Eleven handed the child to Binju as advised, smiling: "It takes the time of two cups of tea to walk to the Elder Madam's place, Brother Jie is still too young."

Lord Xu was just casually asking.

He had no experience dealing with children.

The first time he became a father, he left when the child was still in the womb, and when he returned, the child could already run and jump. By the time of Brother Chun, he had already moved to Half-Moon Bay, and later went on military campaigns...

Lady Eleven, however, was thinking about the visit to the Jiang family.

On the first day of the New Year, just returned from the palace, the first thing was to visit the Jiang family.

It seemed that he not only decided to complete this marriage alliance but also took it very seriously.

She also thought of something she had always kept in her heart—the choice of teacher for Brother Chun.

"My lord, didn't Second Sister-in-law say that Brother Qin and Brother Yu's studies are very good, and we should hire a private tutor? The Jiang family runs a school in their hometown, why don't you ask them to recommend someone..."

Lord Xu gently shook his head: "After all, our two families have not formally exchanged gifts." He paused, then added, "Moreover, the Jiang family's school emphasizes eight-part essays over poetry and songs. I think it's better to forget it!"

Lady Eleven thought of what Lord Xu had once said, that the late Marquis had also prevented the Third Young Master from taking the imperial examinations.

She also thought of her time in the Luo family. Whether it was the elder master or the elder mistress, they both unanimously instructed Luo Zhenxing and Luo Zhensheng to study eight-part essays well and take the imperial examinations, saying that poetry and songs were heresy. The Xu family's approach was quite the opposite, not encouraging the children to take the imperial examinations. It was important to know that in the Da Zhou dynasty, the only proper path to officialdom was through the imperial examinations, and all other paths were considered unorthodox and not respectable. Lord Xu had both legitimate and illegitimate sons, but there was only one Yongping Marquis title. To minimize these conflicts, the best way was to encourage the children to be self-reliant—after all, the competition for the title was essentially a struggle for survival. If the other children had the ability to survive, their desire for the title would be much weaker than those who could not handle life on their own.

Lady Eleven hoped that Xu Siyu and Brother Jie could be self-reliant...

"Your thoughts are quite unusual, my lord," she tried to communicate with Lord Xu, "I've only heard of teaching children to excel in eight-part essays, but I've never heard of a family hiring a private tutor who disapproves of teaching eight-part essays!"

Lady Eleven was a daughter of the Luo family and grew up in the inner courtyard, so her views naturally reflected those of the Luo family.

Lord Xu said, "Our family is different from the Luo family."

Lady Eleven was slightly startled.

Did he mean that the Xu family was a hereditary noble family?

Seeing a flash of confusion in Lady Eleven's eyes, Lord Xu couldn't help but smile slightly.

No matter how clever Lady Eleven was, she still lacked some experience.

"Since the imperial examinations began, common families have used them to bring honor to their families. Upon entering officialdom, they gain the support of fellow villagers, classmates, and examination peers. Our noble family is distinct. We are appointed by the Emperor and serve him. Our wealth and honor depend entirely on the Emperor." Lord Xu said tactfully, "We must not be greedy and lose our principles."

Lady Eleven pondered Lord Xu's words for a moment before understanding.

For families like the Luo family, the only way to elevate a family's status is through the imperial examinations, hence the need to excel in the eight-legged essays (a highly structured form of essay writing required in imperial examinations). However, for families like the Xu family, it is sufficient to serve the monarch well.

It is important to know that after ten years of hard study, one will be taken care of by seniors who have gone through the same experience. Without passing the imperial exams, one not only misses out on recognition from exam passers but also lacks connections with fellow townsmen, classmates, and exam peers. To thrive and succeed, the only dependable ally is the emperor himself.

Therefore, for the Luo family to rise above others, they must rely on the imperial examinations; for the Xu family to rise above others, they must rely on the emperor's favor. Because the paths are different, the things they need to learn are also different.

This seems to be yet another strategy by the emperor to maintain balance among his officials.

She was momentarily speechless.