Chapter 648

Chapter 656: Winter Insects (Part 2)

Elevenniang and Xu Sijie emerged from the resting lounge, laughing and chatting, but they didn’t see Jin Geer. Learning that Lord Xu had taken him to the outer study, Xu Sijie shyly tugged at Elevenniang’s sleeve. "Mother..."

Taking the imperial examination was not only crucial for Xu Sijie’s future but also a significant matter for the Xu family. It was impossible not to discuss it with Lord Xu. Though he had been confident in front of Elevenniang, facing Lord Xu directly still made Xu Sijie somewhat uncertain.

Elevenniang smiled. "I’ll go with you to talk to your father."

Some things, Xu Sijie needed to learn to face on his own.

He took a deep breath, psyching himself up for a long while before nodding firmly at Elevenniang, his expression resolute.

Elevenniang watched him with silent approval and accompanied him to the outer study.

Lord Xu lounged in a reclining chair, the jade pendant at his waist hanging in midair, swaying back and forth like a pendulum with the chair’s movement.

"Wuchang," "Jingzhou," "Xiangyang..." He casually recited place names while Jin Geer, who was sprawled across the map of Da Zhou, wiggled excitedly as he searched for them.

"What are you two doing?" Elevenniang was startled.

"Mother!" Jin Geer jumped up. "Father and I are playing a game of finding places!" He pulled Elevenniang to the map. "Look, this is a map—a map of Da Zhou!" Then he tilted his head and asked, "Mother, do you know what a 'map' is?" He explained earnestly, "It’s where all the mountains and rivers of Da Zhou are drawn on paper at 1:100,000 scale." He added, "Do you know what 'one to a hundred thousand' means?" Stretching out his index finger, he said, "See, my finger is only this long, but on the map, this distance represents 100,000 of my fingers..."

"Alright, alright." Lord Xu, who had approached unnoticed, patted Jin Geer’s head. "No need to lecture your mother. She not only knows what a map is, but she also has a copy of *The Nine Domains of Da Zhou*. Where is Wuchang? How far is it from Yanjing? Which rivers are nearby? Which counties are under its jurisdiction? It’s all written clearly in there."

Jin Geer widened his eyes at Elevenniang, his gaze now tinged with awe.

Elevenniang gave Lord Xu a look before gently telling her son, "I do have such a book. But having the book and being able to recite it by heart are two different things..."

Jin Geer let out an "Oh," his expression one of sudden understanding.

"I know, I know!" he exclaimed. "It’s like when Mother reads *Primer* with me—some characters I recognize, some I don’t. Some parts I understand, some I don’t."

Everyone laughed at his childish logic.

"Am I wrong?" Jin Geer sulked, slightly displeased.

"You’re absolutely right," Lord Xu said, looking at his son with a pride Elevenniang couldn’t quite decipher. "That’s why you must memorize all the place names. Then, when others mention a place, you won’t give irrelevant answers."

Jin Geer nodded solemnly.

Meanwhile, Elevenniang gave Xu Sijie a meaningful glance, signaling that Lord Xu was in a good mood—now was the perfect time to speak to him.

Xu Sijie understood, but this was his first time making a request directly to Lord Xu. He still felt nervous. After collecting himself, he said softly, "Father, I... I have something I’d like to discuss with you." His voice trembled slightly.

A flash of surprise passed through Lord Xu’s eyes. Realizing Elevenniang had accompanied Xu Sijie, he straightened, prepared to listen. Yet his usual stern expression inadvertently made Xu Sijie even more nervous.

*This man, does he not realize how intimidating he looks when he’s serious?*

Elevenniang thought to herself irritably before offering Xu Sijie an encouraging smile.

Seeing this, Xu Sijie gradually calmed down. Though he spoke slowly and with some hesitation, he clearly expressed his desire to take the imperial examination.

Lord Xu looked up at Elevenniang, unable to hide his astonishment.

"Jie Geer has spoken to me about it," Elevenniang said frankly. "I support him. Since he has such determination, why not let him try? Who knows what the outcome will be? Isn’t there a saying, 'Su Laoquan only began studying seriously at twenty-seven'? Our Jie Geer is only twelve this year!" She smiled again at Xu Sijie.

Xu Sijie felt a boost of confidence.

"Father, please let me try!" he said sincerely. "I’ll study hard..." Even if he didn’t pass, at least he wanted to make his own way. That was far better than being idle and indulging in idle pleasures...

"Very well!" Lord Xu made his decision promptly. "Whatever you require, just tell Steward Bai directly." Considering his timid nature, he added, "Or you can tell your mother as well!"

"Thank you, Father! Thank you, Father!" Xu Sijie was overjoyed—this wasn’t just about studying, but his father’s approval of his decision. "I will study hard..." He stammered in excitement.

Lord Xu couldn’t help but feel moved.

When they first took him in, the plan was simply to raise him with food and clothing, then find him a job and arrange a marriage—just to give Xu Lingkuan an answer. Who’d have guessed this unassuming boy would harbor such drive?

He couldn’t help but say, "You’re a man now—act like one. Once you’ve made this decision, you can’t give up halfway. No matter the hardship, you must press on. As your parents, we will support you, but the rest depends on your own efforts..."

Xu Sijie listened respectfully, nodding repeatedly, and assured Lord Xu, "Don’t worry, Father. I’ll study hard, just like Second Brother." Then he wanted to go to Shuangfu Courtyard to find Mr. Zhao: "I want to tell my teacher about this..." He seemed eager to see Mr. Zhao.

To him, Mr. Zhao was as much a guide as a confidant.

Lord Xu smiled and nodded. "Off you go." Xu Sijie happily headed to Shuangfu Courtyard.

Meanwhile, Jin Geer tugged at Lord Xu’s sleeve. "Father, if Fifth Brother is going to take the imperial exams like Second Brother, does that mean he has to study in Le’an? When I grow up, will I have to go to Le’an too?" His face clouded with worry.

Lord Xu was taken aback, then laughed. "What? You don’t want to study in Le’an?"

"Well... can I take Zhang Shun, Sui Feng, Huang Xiaomao, and Liu Erwu with me? And Yi Yi, Er Er too... I want to take them all!"

Lord Xu chuckled but then glanced at Eleven Miss. "I was thinking of asking Zhen Xing to help find a knowledgeable tutor for Jie Geer. Your thoughts?"

Since Xu Sijie broached the exams, Eleven Miss had been considering this.

Mr. Zhao’s integrity and erudition were unquestionable, but he was more skilled in teaching poetry and prose. For policy essays and the eight-legged essay, it would be better to find another teacher. She had also thought about sending Xu Sijie to Le’an. However, Le’an was far away, and she was reluctant to part with him. Moreover, Xu Sijie’s situation was different from Xu Siyu’s. Back then, Lord Xu sent Xu Siyu to Le’an mainly to establish a formal teacher-student relationship with Jiang Song and to bring Xu Siyu and Xu Sizhun closer. Otherwise, why, in a city as large as Yanjing, couldn’t they find a tutor to guide Xu Siyu in his studies?

Having Luo Zhenxing, a former Hanlin scholar, personally find a tutor for Xu Sijie was the best solution!

"Splendid!" Eleven Miss smiled. "Then I’ll go to Gongxian Alley tomorrow! The quicker this is settled, the sooner Jie Geer can focus on his studies!"

Once the couple had agreed, the next day, one went to see Mr. Zhao while the other took Jin Geer to Gongxian Alley.

Luo Zhenxing’s face lit up at the sight of Jin Geer. He played with him for a while before discussing the matter with Eleven Miss.

When he heard it was about finding a tutor for Xu Sijie, Luo Zhenxing was surprised. Though he agreed readily, he also cautioned Eleven Miss, "The exams hinge three-tenths on the teacher and seven-tenths on the student. Otherwise, how could so many failed scholars produce Huiyuan, and how could provincial graduates produce metropolitan graduates? You should focus on making sure he studies hard!"

"I know," she said—she had fought her way through exams to earn a full scholarship abroad. "But with a better teacher, the student can learn more easily."

They traded news of Yuhang before Eleven Miss had lunch and returned to Gongxian Alley with Jin Geer.

Lord Xu had just returned from dining with Mr. Zhao in the outer courtyard.

"Mr. Zhao also thinks it’s better to hire a separate tutor for Jie Geer!" Tipsy and buoyant, he kissed Jin Geer several times, the boy whined at the liquor on his breath. "This way, he can focus on teaching Jin Geer in the mornings and Zhun'er in the afternoons. Jin Geer’s progress can speed up too!" Eleven Miss dampened a cloth to wipe Lord Xu’s face, and Jin Geer took the chance to escape.

"How much did you drink? You scared the child!"

"Can’t a man revel?" Lord Xu grinned. As he handed the towel back to Eleven Miss, he pulled her into his arms. "Our Jin Geer can read maps!" Then he planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

The servants in the room discreetly lowered their eyes and withdrew.

"Drunken fool!" Eleven Miss struggled to stand and handed him a sobering soup. "Wake up already!"

Lord Xu ignored it, his gaze burned into her.

Eleven Miss found it amusing.

Perching on the kang’s edge, she spooned the soup into his mouth.

Lord Xu took Eleven Miss's hand and said, "Mo Yan, let Jin Geer come to my study to practice calligraphy in the future."

"Children need to develop good habits early," Eleven Miss replied tactfully. "Take me for example—no matter how urgent matters are, I always make sure Jin Geer finishes his homework first. Given your responsibilities as a marquis, how would you have the time?"

"What duties? It's all just busywork," Lord Xu gazed at Eleven Miss earnestly. "Having Jin Geer come to my study to trace characters would be good company for me." His words made her heart ache.

Lord Xu was only thirty-six this year.

In her original era, this would be the prime of a man's life...

"Then it's settled," her voice softened unconsciously. "But you can't be inconsistent—no flip-flopping!"