Chapter 473

Chapter 480: Brothers (Part 1)

"Jin'er!" Lady Eleven exclaimed in surprise and delight—this was the first time she had heard her son 'speak.'

She quickly pointed to the toy in Xu Sizhun's hands: "Do you like it?"

Jin'er clenched his tiny fists, his dark eyes fixed intently on the toy.

"Mother, mother," Xu Sizhun also cheered, "Sixth Brother likes the pecking-chicken toy!"

"Yes!" Lady Eleven nodded with a smile.

Xu Sizhun then excitedly tugged the string.

The toy chicken’s head kept pecking at the rice tray.

But after just a moment, Jin'er's attention shifted—his gaze landed on Xu Siyu.

Lady Eleven pointed at Xu Siyu: "That's your second brother, Xu Siyu!" Her voice was soft and affectionate.

Xu Siyu instinctively stepped forward.

He stared at Jin'er's rosy, round face and reached out to hold the baby's chubby hand, but midway, he pulled back.

Such a simple action. Lady Eleven didn’t understand why Xu Siyu seemed so hesitant and conflicted.

Perhaps something had happened to him in the past.

Lady Eleven had no wish to dwell on past pains—she only hoped all her children would treat each other with kindness.

After a moment’s thought, she handed Jin'er to Xu Siyu: "Do you want to hold him?"

Xu Siyu looked at Lady Eleven in surprise, then slowly turned his gaze to Jin'er, who was staring at him unblinkingly: "You’re letting *me* hold him?" His eyes widened, his tone uncertain, and a boyish uncertainty crossed his face.

Had she overcomplicated the matter?

After all, Xu Siyu was only a thirteen-year-old boy. Society said, "A gentleman belongs far from the kitchen," let alone holding a baby.

Lady Eleven laughed softly: "I guess you’ve never held a baby!" With that, she supported Jin'er's head, letting him rest against her shoulder. Her face softened, warm as a spring breeze as she did so.

Xu Siyu’s heart gave a small jolt. From the depths of his memory, a harsh, scornful voice rang out in his ears: "Don’t let Yuge near Zhun'er. Who knows where he’s been running wild? Be careful he doesn’t bring in dust and dirt, sullying this place. Zhun'er is the legitimate heir, a treasure beyond compare. Not some stray to be discarded and replaced!"

Almost without thinking, he suddenly stretched out his hands: "Show me how to hold him."

Seeing Xu Siyu’s somewhat lost expression, Lady Eleven paused, uncertain.

But in Zhenjie’s eyes, her second brother just looked awkward.

It must be because Mother asked him to hold Sixth Brother, and he didn’t know how.

She thought for a moment, then walked over with a bright smile: "Second Brother, here, let me show you!"

She reached out for Jin'er as she spoke.

With her standing right there, and Jin'er swaddled in thick layers, there was no cause for concern.

Lady Eleven smiled and handed the child to Zhenjie.

Zhenjie showed Xu Siyu: "Second Brother, look, you have to hold him like this! Especially the head—you must support it. Sixth Brother can’t hold his head up yet!"

"Oh!" Xu Siyu clumsily took Jin Geer into his arms.

The little brother, porcelain-like and dressed in a bright red silk jacket, lay in his embrace. His head was heavy, his body soft, adjusting to the way Xu Siyu held him... He rested quietly in the crook of his arm, waving his little hands cheerfully—unafraid, unworried... trusting that he wouldn’t harm him... A pang of emotion tightened Xu Siyu’s chest, and his vision blurred...

He lowered his head, blinking hard to clear his vision, but Jin Geer in his arms suddenly burst into tears.

"What’s wrong? What’s wrong?" Xu Siyu, forgetting decorum, looked to Lady Eleven and Zhenjie for help, his expression flustered.

Zhenjie, seeing Xu Siyu’s awkwardness, was reminded of her own first time holding Jin Geer... She was about to step forward to assist when Lady Eleven said, "It’s fine, it’s fine!" She moved to take the child. "He doesn’t like being held horizontally. You have to hold him upright!"

But Xu Siyu didn’t hand Jin Geer over. Instead, he copied Lady Eleven’s hold, lifting him upright. "Like this?"

Lady Eleven was surprised. She looked up, studying Xu Siyu carefully. Seeing his gentle expression and calm demeanor, she relaxed slightly and murmured approval, then gently patted Jin Geer’s back.

Jin Geer stopped crying at once.

Xu Siyu sagged with relief. Lady Eleven called for a maid to bring a warm towel to wipe Jin Geer’s face. As she rubbed balm on his cheeks, she sighed, "So fussy! What will he be like when he grows up?"

"Sixth Brother is still young!" Xu Siyu said defensively, carefully supporting Jin Geer’s head. "When he’s older and has studied, he’ll learn manners."

"By the time he starts studying, it might be too late!" Lady Eleven said airily, not wanting to explain the importance of early education to Xu Siyu—he might not understand and could even find her ideas strange.

Meanwhile, Zhenjie, noticing Xu Siyu standing stiffly with Jin Geer, hurried over to instruct him. "You have to bounce him as you walk... If you stay still, he’ll start crying again!"

Xu Siyu gave an "Oh" and began pacing the room with Jin Geer in his arms.

Jin Geer obediently snuggled into his shoulder, quiet as a mouse.

Seeing this, Xu Sizhun tugged at Lady Eleven’s sleeve and looked up. "Mother, I want to hold Sixth Brother too!" Xu Sijie, following his lead, chimed in, "Mother, I want to hold Sixth Brother too!"

Lady Eleven looked at the two lanky boys—one all arms and legs, the other with spindly limbs—and laughed. "You can hold Sixth Brother when you’re as big as Second Brother!"

The two boys scuffed their feet, dejected.

A maid announced from behind the curtain, "Lord Xu has returned!"

The room fell silent for a moment before the curtain was swept aside and Lord Xu swept in.

Lady Eleven and Zhenjie curtsied, while Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie bowed deeply, their heads lowered. Only Xu Siyu, still holding Jin Geer, froze, torn between bowing and not dropping the baby. Lord Xu, seeing Xu Siyu back and even holding Jin Geer, raised an eyebrow.

But he quickly composed himself and said evenly, "You’re back."

Gu Ma hurried forward to take Jin Geer.

Xu Siyu bowed respectfully to his father.

Lord Xu nodded, let a maid freshen him up, and change his outer robe, then took his place on the large heated bench by the window.

Lady Eleven took the tea offered by a maid and placed it before him, standing by in silence.

Zhenjie stood close to her mother, while the boys lined up in front of the kang. Gu Ma remained near Zhenjie, still holding Jin Geer.

Lord Xu drank deliberately before speaking. "What texts have you mastered at Luoyeshan lately?" His expression was solemn.

Xu Siyu replied respectfully, "As instructed by Mr. Jiang, I re-studied *The Analects* and *The Great Learning*. Currently, I now contemplate *The Doctrine of the Mean*."

Lord Xu nodded slightly and asked Xu Sizhun, "How are you doing with Mr. Zhao's assignments?"

Compared to Xu Siyu, Xu Sizhun seemed a bit nervous. "I've finished most of it. I still have a hundred calligraphy sheets to do," he said, as if worried he'd be scolded, quickly adding, "But Mr. Zhao won’t be back until after the Lantern Festival, so there’s still over half a month left. I’ll definitely finish by then." He continued, "Also, as Mr. Zhao instructed, we practice the flute for half an hour every day. Sijie and I have been doing it diligently without slacking off."

When Xu Sijie heard his brother mention him, he hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Lord Xu wasn't pleased with Xu Sizhun’s response.

Finished means finished, unfinished means unfinished. Defending unfinished work was a matter of attitude.

His brows furrowed slightly.

Lady Eleven, who had been observing Lord Xu’s expression, gave a soft cough. Lord Xu recalled her words—"Some children learn quickly, while others need repeated teaching. If even we, as parents, can’t be patient and give them more time, who else will tolerate them?"—and his frown slowly relaxed.

"As long as you follow Mr. Zhao’s instructions properly, that’s what matters. From now on, set an example for your younger brother and don’t slack off. Finish your homework before Mr. Zhao returns."

Xu Sizhun felt relieved inwardly, his posture no longer as stiff as before.

He responded in a low voice, his voice sounding somewhat cheerful.

Lord Xu had to force himself not to frown again.

It wasn’t even praise—why was he so easily satisfied?

At this thought, he felt a surge of frustration and turned his gaze to his youngest son.

Jin Geer was staring right at him.

His big eyes were as clear as a mountain spring.

Lord Xu’s expression softened slightly as he asked, "How was Jin Geer today?"

Lady Eleven smiled. "He slept from morning until noon. Gu Ma was afraid he might spit up, so she carried him around the room, but unexpectedly, he didn’t go back to sleep. He’s been playing ever since!"

Hearing this, Lord Xu’s expression softened further.

Gu Ma promptly brought the baby over.

Xu Siyu and Xu Sizhun watched as their usually stern father gently cradled their little brother in his arms, extending a finger to touch Jin Geer’s tightly clenched fist. Immediately, Jin Geer opened his hand and grasped his father’s finger tightly.

Lord Xu's eyes showed a hint of a smile.

"So energetic?" he asked Lady Eleven. "Playing from morning till noon—what's kept him busy? Not even napping?"

Lady Eleven chuckled. "With his brothers and sisters here, he wanted to be part of the excitement!"

Lord Xu’s smile deepened as he lowered his head to speak to Jin Geer. "Our Jin Geer knows how to join in the fun, does he?"

Jin Geer answered with a yawn.

Lord Xu laughed and handed the child back to Gu Ma. "Seems like he’s sleepy now."

Gu Ma promptly carried Jin Geer to the warm chamber.

Lord Xu's smile slowly disappeared.

"The New Year is approaching, and with all the activity in the household, your studies must not be neglected." With that, he glanced at Xu Siyu, his gaze lingering for a moment on his dust-covered boots. "Since you’ve just returned, there’s no need to rush. Go clean up and change, then greet your grandmother." He then looked at Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie. "It’s getting late. Return to your rooms. Since your second brother is back, we’ll all have dinner at Grandmother’s later."

The three sons bowed and murmured "Yes, Father," then quietly left the room.