Chapter 180: Mother Said Who? [Many thanks for everyone's support! Bowing again!]

With the birth of a legitimate grandson to the Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu, not only the Cao and Sun families, but also the Gu and Sheng families, as well as the Qi and Hai families, all sent congratulatory gifts.

Even a female official from the Empress's side in the palace arrived with an entourage, bearing imperial rewards into the Xu household.

Sun Shi and Xu Xu Pingmei, who had returned to her maiden home, stood in the front hall to see the female official off; upon returning to their courtyard, the Hou Fu stewards began counting the gifts and registering them in ledgers.

Seeing that Sun Shi had barely spoken the entire way back, Xu Xu Pingmei smiled and asked:

"Mother, what is wrong with you?"

Sun Shi glanced at her eldest daughter and said, "These congratulatory gifts today far exceed those received when your brother was born."

"Mother, how can the past compare to the present?"

"Indeed, I even have a grandson now; I am getting old."

"But you do not look old at all! Come, let us go see your grandson."

The mother and daughter walked arm-in-arm in front, while the nannies and maids following behind were also smiling.

Arriving at Xu Xu Zaijing's courtyard and entering the room, Xu Xu Pingmei, supported by Qingxia, sat down beside Xie Shi's bed.

The wet nurse sent by the Xie family placed Xu Xu Pingmei's eldest nephew into her arms; gazing at the sleeping infant in the swaddling clothes, Xu Xu Pingmei's heart was filled with joy.

"Those eyebrows and eyes truly resemble my brother's."

Hearing this, Xie Shi laughed and said, "Why does everyone say he looks like his father!"

"Who else said that?"

"Your younger sister!"

Sun Shi interjected from the side.

After watching for a while, Xu Xu Pingmei handed the infant back to the wet nurse.

Noticing the sewing basket and the small garments atop it near Xie Shi, Xu Xu Pingmei frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, it has only been a few days; how can you handle needlework? Do you not care about your eyes?"

Xie Shi smiled and replied, "Not at all; I merely saw that the items Mother sent were exquisite, so I examined the embroidery work closely with my personal maid; they were sent by the eldest miss of the Sheng family."

The sister-in-laws exchanged a smile.

"Hmm, not bad; she hasn't even entered the household yet and is already currying favor with her sisters-in-law."

"As if you won't do the same when your time comes!"

After Xu Xu Pingmei spoke, she received a light tap from Sun Shi.

The three Da Da Niangzi chatted for a while longer before Xu Xu Pingmei rose to take her leave.

As they walked toward the second gate, Sun Shi asked again about the Gu family and her own eldest son-in-law.

"Mother, my mother-in-law's standing within the Gu family grows stronger by the day."

"How could it not? With an eldest son who achieved such scholarly honors, a younger biological son, and an only daughter who stands firmly by her side. Have the fourth and fifth branches of your family caused any more trouble?"

"Ever since your son-in-law sealed off the Bilian Courtyard, they have remained obedient until now! With marriage negotiations approaching soon, their attitude is quite agreeable."

"You must also keep your wits about you! Childbirth is like stepping with one foot into the gates of hell!"

Only after Sun Shi gave a thorough series of admonitions did she allow Xu Xu Pingmei to return to the Gu family.

In early August,

After a month of adjustment, Xu Xu Zaijing began going to bed early each night and rising one double-hour earlier than before in the morning.

He also resumed his morning exercises, which had been halted for over half a month.

Welcoming the cool autumn breeze, Xu Xu Zaijing arrived at the horse track just as he was warming up,

when two figures emerged from beneath the lantern at the entrance of his master's quarters by the trackside.

"Ten-Man Commander Di Jing and Feng Feng Dabao pay respects to the Young Master."

After Xu Xu Zaijing nodded,

Brother Qingyun smiled slightly at the two and said, "You two, come run a lap first to warm up your bodies."

Four quarters of an hour later,

Brother Qingyun skillfully adjusted his posture mid-air, landing without tumbling onto the haystacks behind him.

Behind him, Di Jing and Feng Feng Dabao lay sprawled beside the haystacks, still unable to recover from the sensation of 'flying.'

Brother Qingyun extended both hands, pulling them up one by one.

Helping them brush the straw debris from their clothes, he said, "It is fine; you will get used to it soon. Stand further back; the Young Master is about to practice flying axes."

Coming to their senses, Di Jing and Feng Feng Dabao heard the 'whoosh-whoosh-whoosh' of the flying axes cutting through the dark air and the 'thud-thud-thud' of them embedding into the thick tree trunks, causing their throats to bob as they swallowed hard.

As daylight fully broke,

the personal soldiers prepared to accompany Xu Minghua to the camp.

While arranging the horses' saddles and bridles,

Zhu Zhu Qinghu looked at his two dispirited Ten-Man Commanders and comforted them, "Do not look so wretched!"

"Wei Xiao... I..." Di Jing hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu smiled and said, "What? You want to ask if there is anyone in the Western Army or Bai Gao as formidable as Brother Jing?"

Feng Feng Dabao hurriedly nodded.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu pondered for a moment before saying, "I have even crossed blades with the most elite scouts of Bai Gao; to tell you the truth, I have never seen anyone like him!"

"I have also witnessed the four upper armies around Bianjing alongside my uncle, the Marquis!"

Zhu Zhu Qinghu patted Feng Feng Dabao and said, "You could rank within the top fifty."

Then he patted Di Jing and said, "You could rank within the top five, so rest assured; we do not compare ourselves to him."

The two nodded heavily.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu's words restored some of their confidence.

At two quarters of the Mao hour,

Xu Xu Zaijing was already seated in the Sheng family's lecture hall, beginning morning recitations with his classmates.

After reading for three ke, the sun rose in the east and the sky grew bright.

Xu Xu Zaijing sat in the third row, looking to his left, watching young Minglan sway along with her brothers and cousin Jing Biao Ge, the pearl hairband fixed atop her small bun moving with her little head.

Sensing Xu Xu Zaijing's gaze,

Minglan turned her head to look at him, pouted her lips, and even rolled her eyes at him.

"Excellent, excellent, your voices are full of spirit."

Hearing Master Zhuang arrive at the lecture hall, everyone stood up to greet him.

After a round of questioning, Master Zhuang sat behind the desk and said:

"The official gazette says the Nong people first submitted to Jiaozhi, but recently submitted a memorial to the court declaring their submission. If you were examiners, how would you set the question? Zai Zhang, you speak first."

"Master, since these Nong people are so fickle, I might set a question: 'Without the mortise in a large cart, or the tenon in a small cart, how can they move?'"

"Sheng Changbai, you go."

"Yes, Master. This line comes from the Analects: 'If a man lacks trust, one does not know what he is good for. Without the mortise in a large cart, or the tenon in a small cart, how can they move?'"

Whether Gu Gu Tingye or Xu Xu Zaijing, both listened intently, thinking in their minds how they would handle such a question if faced with it.

Seeing Mo Lan pretended to be very interested,

Yulan felt drowsy listening,

while Minglan continued to copy the calligraphy model with a gloomy expression.

When Master Zhuang finished explaining Sheng Changbai's line of thought and allowed everyone to rest, Xu Xu Zaijing strolled over to Minglan's desk, looked at her writing, and stood there with his mouth agape.

Minglan gave him a white look and covered all the papers.

Watching Xu Xu Zaijing walk out of the lecture hall,

Minglan pretended to casually approach Seeing Mo Lan's desk.

Looking at the writing above, which already showed considerable skill, she sighed in disappointment and said softly, "Alas! It must be the brush's fault that I cannot write well."

"Miss, have some water."

Minglan took the tea cup from little Xiao Xiao Xiaotao, took a sip, and turned to see what looked like a cricket drawn on the rice paper on Yulan's desk.

She pressed her lips together; Fifth Sister was certainly enjoying herself.

The fourth ke of the You hour (after 6 PM)

The school dismissed, and Minglan returned to Shou'an Hall.

The Old Lady, seeing Minglan's gloomy mood, furrowed her brows slightly.

After Minglan fell asleep, the Old Lady asked Mother Fang to call Xiao Xiao Xiaotao into the bedroom:

"Xiao Xiao Xiaotao, did your young lady encounter something at the school? Why is she so unhappy?"

Little Xiao Xiao Xiaotao blinked her eyes and said, "Replying to the Old Lady, these past few days Young Master Jing has been mocking the young lady's writing. The young lady says it is the brush's fault that she cannot write well."

Hearing little Xiao Xiao Xiaotao's words, the Old Lady shook her head and clicked her tongue.

When Mother Fang took Minglan's book chest, pulled out the papers with writing on them, the Old Lady examined them, nodded, and said:

"Hmm, written like this, it might truly be the brush's fault! Xiao Xiao Xiaotao, you may return first."

Little Xiao Xiao Xiaotao squatted in a bow and walked out of the Old Lady's bedroom.

Mother Fang, standing nearby, kept her head down and said nothing.

The Old Lady leaned closer to the candlelight, looked at Minglan's writing a few times, and said, "Sister Sister Suqin, take a look; it is time to change her brush."

"Hmm? Why are you not speaking?" The Old Lady looked at the paper, then at Mother Fang, and asked with a frown.

"Old Lady, when you were young, you said the same thing to the old Marquis."

"Me? Where did that happen???"

The Old Lady looked at Mother Fang with a confused expression.

"When you were on the ball field, the first time you used the 'Phoenix Follows the Meteor' move!"

"Ah? Oh~~~ Hmm~" The Old Lady first frowned in recollection, then her face lit with realization, followed by helplessness.

"Old Lady, this servant knows the Master's writing is good! Please look at the characters on this embroidery picture."

"Ming'er is still young; grant her a few more years."

The Old Lady looked again at the embroidery picture on the wall; the characters stitched there were exceptionally beautiful. She was familiar with Sheng Hong's handwriting; naturally, the Old Lady knew this was not written by Sheng Hong.

"Old Lady, you are a master at burning incense, arranging flowers, hammering balls, and playing polo, but..."

"Sister Sister Suqin, you are right. Go, go call Cui Cui Ruan over; I will give her some instructions."

The next day at noon, the Old Lady called Minglan back.

Without even eating, she instructed Minglan to go to Jin'an Zhai.

Arriving at the courtyard gate, seeing the plaque hanging at the entrance, Minglan happily entered the room.

"Mother, where is younger brother?" Minglan asked, peeking in.

"Younger brother is sleeping." Wei Wei Shuyi's gentle voice came.

"Ming'er, come stand here. Sister Sister Xiaodie, open the book chest."

Sister Sister Xiaodie took the book chest from Xiao Xiao Xiaotao's hands and took out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone inside.

Minglan looked at Wei Wei Shuyi in surprise.

"Mother, what are you doing? Are you going to write?"

She had grown this big and had truly never seen Wei Wei Shuyi write.

In Yang Zhou, in the side courtyard, there were not even paper and brushes.

Wei Wei Shuyi looked at the brush Minglan had just washed after school and nodded, then dripped a few drops of water into the inkstone and slowly ground the ink with an elegant posture.

Minglan looked at her own mother's hand grinding the ink, then raised her head to look at her mother's face,

her large eyes filled with surprise.

Wei Wei Shuyi stood beside the table, having finished grinding the ink.

She spread out a sheet of paper from Minglan's book box, secured it with a paperweight, then picked up the brush that Minglan had 'disdained' in one hand, swirled it gracefully a few times in the inkstone, and once the brush had fully absorbed the ink,

after lightly licking the brush tip against the rim of the inkstone a few times, Wei Wei Shuyi wrote a line of poetry on the paper.

"The road is hard, with many forks; where am I now?"

She let the brush drink its fill of ink again,

"A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves, to set my cloud-white sail and cross the sea which raves."

Minglan stared dumbfounded at the characters on the paper, which she could not describe yet found simply beautiful.

"Mother! You can write, and you write so beautifully!!!"

Hearing Minglan's words, Sister Sister Xiaodie also stood aside; having followed Wei Wei Shuyi for so many years, she too recognized quite a few characters.

"Lady, these are far more beautiful than what you wrote with a twig in the courtyard back in Fujian Circuit!"

Wei Wei Shuyi reluctantly set down the brush in her hand, affectionately stroked Minglan's little face, and smiled, saying, "Ming'er, this is the result of my bitter practice over many years! You must also study diligently and practice hard; Mother believes you are capable of writing characters like these."

Minglan looked at her own mother with an expression full of admiration and nodded heavily:

"Mm!"

Afterwards, Wei Wei Shuyi skillfully washed the brush and tidied up Minglan's book box.

Off to the side, Xiao Xiao Xiaotao watched with a face full of surprise, thinking to herself: So a book box can be arranged like this!

After having lunch at Jin'an Studio, Minglan returned to the lecture hall, took out her copybook, and, shutting out all surrounding matters, devoted herself entirely to practicing calligraphy.

Seeing this scene, Scholar Zhuang stroked his beard and nodded.

In the evening,

it was past six ke of the You hour.

Minglan, having eaten, rarely requested to practice calligraphy a while longer; just as she was opening her book box,

"The sky is already dark; you are still practicing calligraphy? Do you not care for your eyes?" Hearing the Old Lady's words, Minglan then abandoned the idea.

At this moment, Sheng Hong, having left his office, entered Shou'an Hall amidst the announcement of his arrival.

Minglan happily stood beside the Old Lady and called out, "Father."

"Mm! Ming'er is obedient."

"Mother."

"Mm, did everything go smoothly today?" the Old Lady asked.

Sheng Hong replied respectfully.

Because the Great Zhou Emperor had produced an heir, and a robust Imperial Prince at that, there were no turbulent storms swirling through Bianjing.

When Sheng Hong confirmed his promotion in Yang Zhou, he began leveraging the connections of his father's fellow Five Jinshi scholars, those uncles and elders who had passed the exam alongside his father, who was a Tanhua;

at the same time, his brother-in-law in Runzhou wrote numerous letters to old acquaintances of the Wang family, borrowing the influence of his wife's family, the Wangs;

added to this, Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel was currently a cousin from his mother-in-law's side of the family;

previously, he had even received commendation from the Ministry of Personnel;

in the first half of the year, he further assisted Duke Qi in rectifying affairs within the Yang Zhou officialdom, and news of the marriage alliance with the Xu family had also been sent back to Bianjing;

with assistance from both civil officials and hereditary nobles,

Sheng Hong unexpectedly secured a position in the Ministry of Personnel this time; although the rank was not high, this was a post within the Bianjing Ministry of Personnel!

However, had it not been for the Old Lady's guidance.

Hmm... having figured out such crucial links,

therefore, in recent days, Sheng Hong had been spending even longer periods staying in Shou'an Hall.

Just as he was conversing with the Old Lady, the corner of Sheng Hong's eye caught sight of that sheet of paper Minglan had placed in her book box at noon in Jin'an Studio.

Then he abruptly turned his head, a bright light shining in his eyes.

Seeing the astonishment filling Sheng Hong's eyes, the Old Lady moved her chin slightly; Mama Fang, understanding the hint, retrieved the paper from the book box and handed it into Sheng Hong's hands.

Sheng Hong glanced at the Old Lady, then looked at the paper in his hand with uncontrollable joy, saying:

"Mother! Scholar Zhuang truly deserves his title as a great Confucian scholar of our dynasty; these characters! Hiss... this child did not even know! I ought to seek out the Scholar to discuss the art of running script."

Sheng Hong loved fine calligraphy, understood the art deeply, and was extremely fond of delving into its intricacies; seeing this paper was like beholding a treasure.

"Mother! Look at this character 'An' (Peace); the character 'An' is difficult to write, yet this is written beautifully, hiss... between the strokes there is even a sense of grace and restraint; pity this character 'Duo' (Many)! Tsk! Why does it seem somewhat... unfamiliar? It should not be so."

Sheng Hong shook his head repeatedly, his face showing puzzlement.

Lady Sheng smiled as she looked at the entranced Sheng Hong,

lowered her head to take a sip of tea, then glanced at Minglan, whose face was full of pride.

She looked once more in the direction of Jin'an Studio, thinking of the infant in that courtyard, and a warmth stirred in the Old Lady's heart.

"Hong'er, these are not Scholar Zhuang's characters."

Hearing the Old Lady's words, Sheng Hong snapped out of his contemplation and looked at the Old Lady with a face full of confusion, saying, "Ah? Mother, what did you just say?"

"These were written by your concubine, Wei Wei Shuyi."

"Mother said who?"

There should be one more chapter.

With so many monthly votes, I cannot help but write more.

I do not know how late I will be typing.

Do not wait.

The author has finally realized that inspiration only arrives at night.

It simply does not come during the day.

Thank you all for your monthly votes and recommendation tickets.

Thanks to reader 20190609131745197 for the 500 donation!

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(End of Chapter)