Chapter 661: Call Her Auntie [Heartfelt Thanks! Thanks Again! 36k Chapters Owed]

Having said this, Lady Kang Wang turned her head and smiled at Mama Jin: "I never expected such a coincidence! Earlier I heard that some family in the capital was searching for someone; I never imagined it was actually your honorable household."

Mama Jin smiled politely and said no more.

The main hall fell silent for a moment.

Seeing Lady Kang Wang's eyes darting about, looking as though she wished to speak but held back, and recalling Wu Da Da Niangzi's instructions before coming to the Kang residence, Mama Jin smiled and said, "Da Da Niangzi, I wonder if Young Master Jin of your household has any leisure time recently?"

"Ah?" Lady Kang Wang's eyes widened.

The reason she had remained silent just now was that she was thinking of her own biological son, Kang Jin.

Last year, Lady Kang Wang's legitimate daughter, Kang Yuan'er, caused a calamity of world-shaking proportions at the Duke of Chengguo's residence; this not only ruined Kang Kang Haifeng's hopes of being reinstated but also left Kang Jin without a single friend in Bianjing.

After all, on that day, most of the womenfolk from the great noble families of the capital had gone to the Feng residence, where they were terrified by the fire and the mad horse; inevitably, they vented their anger upon Kang Jin.

Kang Jin was honest by nature and not skilled in social maneuvering; when others deliberately slighted him, he found himself everywhere ignored and bullied.

Sometimes Kang Jin wished to treat others to a meal at his own expense, yet the young masters of other families were unwilling to accept; during these recent days, there had been little smile upon his face.

Of course, there were some who sought out Kang Jin to play.

But Kang Jin was honest, not foolish; he knew that those who sought him out regarded him merely as a money-spending fool to be exploited, so naturally he did not go.

Lady Kang Wang had only this one precious legitimate son, and her heart ached terribly for him!

Yet as a woman confined to the inner quarters, she was powerless to manage affairs concerning men in the outer courtyard; even if she sought help from her own relatives of the Sheng family, the young men of the Sheng clan spent every day studying and simply had no time to accompany her son.

The moment Mama Jin spoke this inquiry, a little thought revealed that she was asking on behalf of the Liang family's Sixth Young Master.

This was truly like someone bringing a pillow just as one felt sleepy, or delivering charcoal just as one felt cold; indeed, the question had struck straight into Lady Kang Wang's heart.

Lady Kang Wang's smile instantly became far more sincere and bright; she laughed and said, "Oh! Mama Jin speaks of my brother Jin? Lately he has buried himself in piles of books; I have told him countless times to go out and relax a little!"

"Since Mama Jin has asked, even if he claims to have no time, I shall make him carve out some leisure!"

Mama Jin smiled and bowed slightly, saying, "Young Master Jin is truly diligent in his studies! Yet one must also balance labor with leisure."

Lady Kang Wang happily flicked her handkerchief and said, "Who doesn't say so? Yet he simply will not listen!"

Mama Jin nodded and said, "Tomorrow, our Sixth Young Master is hosting a warming-stove gathering at the Wu Pavilion outside the city, where we may discuss poetry and taste fine delicacies; indoors there will be wrestling and archery, while outdoors one may fish upon the ice; if Young Master Jin has leisure, upon returning to your residence I shall request that our Da Da Niangzi send an invitation."

Lady Kang Wang smiled so broadly that her dimples appeared; she nodded and said, "Then I must trouble Mama Jin."

A moment later,

"Da Da Niangzi, Concubine Su has arrived," a serving woman announced from behind the screen.

"She has come!" Lady Kang Wang said with a laugh as she rose to her feet.

Concubine Su, the birth mother of Kang Zhao'er, placed her hands before her abdomen, lowered her head, and walked out from behind the screen.

Gazing at the ground before her, Concubine Su performed a formal bow and said, "This humble servant pays respects to Da Da Niangzi."

"Raise your head and let our honored guest see you!" Lady Kang Wang commanded.

Concubine Su obeyed and lifted her head; immediately, a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

The reason was none other than that Lady Kang Wang, usually fierce and terrifying, today wore a smile of great joy and sincerity.

In all the years Concubine Su had entered the Kang household, this was the first time she had ever seen Lady Kang Wang like this.

"This humble servant pays respects to the honored guest," Concubine Su said, bowing once more toward Mama Jin.

"Concubine need not be so ceremonious," said Mama Jin, who squatted slightly in return; as she swept her gaze up and down over Concubine Su, observing her complexion and condition, she already formed a clear judgment in her heart.

"Concubine, do you remember that youth whom you rescued by the roadside when you returned to the city from the estate outside the walls?" Mama Jin asked.

After this exchange,

a look of surprise also appeared on Concubine Su's face; she smiled slightly and said, "As long as the person is unharmed, that is good, that is good."

Mama Jin nodded, then turned, lifted a food tier from the table behind her, and said with a smile, "Concubine, knowing that you saved our relative, this is a token of gratitude from our noble patron."

As she spoke, Mama Jin kept her eyes fixed on Lady Kang Wang.

Lady Kang Wang, in an excellent mood, understood the hint and nodded, then said to Concubine Su, "Why do you not hasten to receive it!"

"Yes, Da Da Niangzi."

Concubine Su stood stunned for an instant, then hurried forward; without drawing her hands from her wide sleeves, she directly accepted the food tier.

Although she did not expose her hands, the sharp-eyed Mama Jin still noticed several chilblains upon Concubine Su's hands.

"Inside there are several pieces of cake; our Da Da Niangzi specifically ordered them placed within, saying they would not taste good if cooled, so beneath them a charcoal stove has been placed," Mama Jin said, looking at Concubine Su with a smile.

After receiving the food tier, Concubine Su felt the weight was somewhat unusual; a look of sudden realization appeared on her face, and she whispered, "This... the charcoal stove is precious; how can this humble servant return it?"

Mama Jin smiled.

Lady Kang Wang, standing nearby, also caught the meaning in Mama Jin's words; she interjected, "This need not concern you! Since it is said they will not taste good if cooled, do not disappoint Wu Da Da Niangzi's kindness; hasten to take them back for the children to taste."

Mama Jin nodded repeatedly with a smile.

"Yes, Da Da Niangzi," Concubine Su said; after performing a formal bow, she walked around the screen and headed out of the hall.

In the Kang family's rear courtyard,

in a small courtyard not far from the second gate,

inside the door,

"Sister, has Concubine Mother returned yet?"

a young boy's voice came from within the room.

"Let me check!"

Kang Zhao'er called out toward the direction of the room, then craned her neck and glanced outside, her eyes full of worry.

Seeing the passageway empty of anyone, Kang Zhao'er rubbed her ears and was about to turn back to speak.

Suddenly,

a figure carrying a food tier turned into Kang Zhao'er's line of sight.

"Concubine Mother!" Kang Zhao'er, forgetting to rub her ears, immediately ran out with quick steps.

Arriving close at hand,

Kang Zhao'er looked at the food box in Miss Wei's hands with a face full of surprise, saying, "Miss, it smells so good! What's inside?"

Miss Wei smiled and shook her head: "They say it's pastries and fruits."

Very soon,

they entered the somewhat cold room.

Kang Zhao'er's younger brother and sister were lying prostrate, huddled under the quilt, their eyes wide open as they curiously watched the two people entering the room.

A moment later,

before the food box had even been opened,

"Wow! Miss, it smells so good!" The two little ones on the bed drooled, their gazes fixed on the food box being carried into the room.

Their postures also shifted unknowingly from lying prostrate to kneeling.

The three-tiered food box was opened, and the fragrance grew even richer.

"Miss, these pastries in this layer look so familiar! They're just like the ones I brought back that time!" Kang Zhao'er swallowed, speaking as if presenting a treasure.

Miss Wei said, "These were sent by the Hou Fu of Yongchang; naturally, they are much like the ones from that time."

"The Hou Fu of Yongchang?" The two little ones on the bed, forgetting to look at the food box, exclaimed in surprise.

"Mm." Speaking thus, Miss Wei opened the second tier.

"What is this...?" Amidst the rich fragrance filling the room, the four of them looked at each other in bewilderment at the unfamiliar pastries in the food box.

Miss Wei slowly moved the second tier of the food box aside, gradually revealing the small charcoal stove at the very bottom.

Suddenly,

Miss Wei's gaze hardened; she stopped her movement, then slowly moved the second tier of the food box back to its original place, fitting it together without a gap.

"Miss?" Kang Zhao'er asked in confusion.

"Below is the fire stove; let's not open it, lest we burn the two of them." While speaking, Miss Wei took out the pastries from the second tier.

After placing the pastries from both tiers on the table, Miss Wei lifted the food box and said, "You eat first."

Leaving the room, Miss Wei came to outside the courtyard.

She glanced back at the main house, then gently lifted the second tier of the food box again, revealing the third tier where the small fire stove was placed.

Neatly arranged beside the small fire stove, which was similar in style to a hand warmer, were six gold ingots, each the size of a fingernail.

After hesitating for a moment, Miss Wei reached in, picked out the gold ingots inside, and put them into her sleeve.

Gu Gu Tingye had been married for five or six days.

On this early morning,

Xu Xu Zaijing, who had arrived at the Sheng family academy before dawn, looked at Gu Gu Tingye's still-empty seat and smiled while shaking his head.

Inside the academy, where the floor heating was burning,

Changbo, sitting in the front, yawned, flipped a page of the book in his hand by candlelight, and said without looking up, "Brother Jing, it seems Brother Ye won't be coming before the Winter Solstice."

"I think so too," Xu Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

While speaking, Xu Xu Zaijing took off his large fur-lined cloak and, as was his custom, began reviewing his lessons under the candlelight.

As the time approached two ke into the hour of Mao, Qi Heng, Sheng Changfeng, and others gradually arrived at the academy.

After the sun rose, the sky gradually brightened considerably.

At noon,

Tutor Zhuang had already left the academy.

Just as Xu Xu Zaijing was discussing scholarship with Qi Heng and Changbo, a burst of laughter came from outside the courtyard.

Hearing Buwei, standing in attendance nearby, hurried to the door, lifted the cotton curtain, glanced outside, and said in surprise, "Second Young Master Gu, you... how have you come here?"

Hearing these words, Xu Xu Zaijing and the others all turned their gazes toward the door.

A moment later,

Gu Gu Tingye, wearing a face full of smiles, appeared, ducking his head to pass through the cotton curtain and entering the academy.

"Haha, several fellow students, long time no see!" Gu Gu Tingye clasped his hands and said with a smile.

"Second Uncle, you truly look buoyant and proud today."

Gu Gu Tingye raised an eyebrow at Qi Heng and said proudly, "That's right!"

Speaking thus, Gu Gu Tingye also jerked his chin toward Xu Zaizhang, who was beside Changbo, in a manner very much like a greeting between men: "Brother Zhang!"

Seeing this, Xu Zaizhang smiled helplessly.

Sheng Changfeng happily stood up and said with a smile, "Second Brother Gu, why have you come at this hour today?"

Gu Gu Tingye looked proudly at Xu Xu Zaijing, smoothed his sideburns, and said, "Your sister-in-law heard that Old Lady Yu was coming to Jiying Lane, so she persuaded me not to neglect my studies too much; thus, she escorted her to the Sheng family, and I came along for the ride."

"Oh!" Sheng Changfeng nodded.

Looking at Gu Gu Tingye's proud appearance, Xu Xu Zaijing said with a smile, "I must say, Yuan Erlang, Miss Yu advising you to study and guiding you toward progress truly befits the daughter of a scholarly family!"

"If not for her, when were you planning to come to school?"

Gu Gu Tingye said with a smile, "Naturally, it would be after the Winter Solstice. By the way, Brother Jing, I am older than you; don't keep saying 'Miss Yu'; from now on, you must address her as Sister-in-law."

Xu Xu Zaijing did not respond, but simply looked at Qi Heng and said, "Yuanruo, why don't you go first?"

Qi Heng, who had been dragged into this, smiled helplessly: "Brother Jing, if I call her 'Auntie,' wouldn't that make her feel old?"

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head and said with a smile, "Yuan Erlang doesn't care about that."

"Who says so!" Gu Gu Tingye said, glaring playfully with a smile.

While everyone was joking and laughing in the academy,

in the Sheng family's rear courtyard,

inside Shou'an Hall,

Old Lady Yu was sitting on a Luo Han chair, conversing with Old Lady Sheng.

"Yu Yanran is already a woman who tends to her own household; why did you bring her along when you came to my home? Aren't you afraid your daughter-in-law will gossip?" said Lady Sheng with a smiling face.

Lady Yu smiled helplessly, looking at Yu Yu Yanran, who stood beside the main hall laughing while making tea with Minglan, and said, "I had intended to come alone, but this girl Yu Yanran sent someone this morning to deliver tonics."

"That old thing by my side cannot keep her mouth shut, so Yu Yanran learned of this matter and then clamored for her husband to accompany me over. I even scolded her a few times on the way, but she—"

Lady Sheng smiled, assuming an attitude of listening.

Lady Yu continued, "In the end, Yu Yanran said she wanted to persuade her husband to attend school at the Sheng family and not neglect his studies for too long! What an excuse, truly..."

Lady Sheng turned her head and exchanged a smiling glance with Mama Fang standing nearby, then said, "Flawless indeed!"

After speaking, Lady Sheng glanced at Yu Yanran, leaned toward Lady Yu, and whispered, "As for the items Yu Yanran wears on her head and hands, were those part of your dowry, or...?"

Hearing this, the corners of Lady Yu's mouth could not help but curl upward; covering her mouth with a handkerchief, she laughed softly, "How could I possess such fine things! These were gifts from Yu Yanran's mother-in-law, who said there is still a boxful of items left in her room. Your grand-niece also gave quite a number of fine gifts."

Lady Sheng nodded repeatedly with a smile: "Xu Pingmei is the eldest sister-in-law; it is only right that she should do so."

Lady Yu continued with a laugh, "We hope Yu Yanran will soon conceive a son; before my husband and I return to Xuzhou, this would settle one worry from our hearts."

Lady Sheng whispered, "Then, have you done what I entrusted to you?"

"Done! When your grand-nephew delivered the bridal adornment gifts on behalf of my son-in-law, the old nurse by my side accompanied Yu Yanran in presenting a gold hairpin."

"Surely it wasn't the one left behind by Yu Yanran's birth mother?"

Lady Yu shook her head: "Yu Yanran saved up the interest from her own business ventures to buy it herself."

"Oh my, how long must she have saved for that!" Lady Sheng exclaimed with a sigh.

"Not long at all; the business of the shops under Yu Yanran's name is doing remarkably well!"

As the two old ladies conversed,

Yu Yu Yanran, dressed in the hairstyle of a married Lady, looked at Minglan beside her with a slightly flushed face and pretended to be angry as she whispered, "Sixth Sister, why do you keep staring at me? Make the tea!"

Minglan pressed her lips together and smiled, saying, "Sister Yu Yanran, the ornaments on your hair bun are truly beautiful! Your ear pendants are lovely too! But..."

Seeing Yu Yu Yanran look over in confusion, Minglan laughed and said, "But none of them are as beautiful as Sister Yu Yanran's complexion."

At these words,

Yu Yu Yanran, who was making tea, jerked her hand; the blush on her face deepened intensely, and she shyly glared at Minglan, saying, "Sixth Sister, if you continue like this, I will ignore you!"

"Oh!" Minglan replied with a laugh.

Seeing Minglan's expression, Yu Yanran hastily changed the subject: "By the way! I heard that her younger brother has been found."

"Seeing Qingcao's younger brother? How do you know, Sister?" Minglan asked with a face full of confusion.

"I heard it from Official Gu; he said the boy came from their hometown to seek refuge and has been searching for several days," Yu Yanran said, pressing her lips together.

Minglan nodded slightly: "Oh, no wonder Seeing Qingcao did not smile at all those few days."

"Then, Sister Yu Yanran, will you come out for the gambling games during the Winter Solstice? At that time—"

Before Minglan could finish, Yu Yanran shook her head and said, "On that day, I should be staying by the side of my mother-in-law and sister-in-law."

"Very well!"

Seeing Minglan look somewhat dejected, Yu Yanran said, "Minglan, I haven't seen your little brother; can he read characters yet?"

Once this topic was opened, Minglan nodded proudly and laughed, "He can recognize characters; my Little Lady taught him personally—"

In the afternoon,

After Yu Yanran rode in a carriage to deliver her grandmother to the Yu residence, she went straight back to Xingguo Ward.

Gu Gu Tingye attended classes all afternoon, and after school dismissed, he rode his horse home alone.

Xu Xu Zaijing and others exited the academy courtyard,

walking and talking as they approached the vicinity of the stables,

and when mounting their horses,

Xu Xu Zaijing vaulted onto his horse, his movements crisp, elegant, and powerful.

When Xu Xu Zaijing sat atop his horse and looked at Gu Gu Tingye beside him, he discovered that as Gu Gu Tingye stepped into the stirrup and exerted force, his leg actually gave way slightly.

"Hmph."

The sound of Xu Xu Zaijing stifling laughter from the side seemed to provoke Gu Gu Tingye, who then vaulted onto his horse a second time with great agility.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng, who was boarding a carriage nearby, both raising their eyebrows, Gu Gu Tingye said resentfully, "Han Wulang and Yuanruo, stop laughing; just wait until you have wives, then let's see if your legs go soft!"

"Tsk! Yuan Erlang, do you think I would be like you? What a joke!"

Speaking thus, Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head, lightly tapped his horse's flank, and headed straight for the gate.

Qi Heng, having entered the carriage, lifted the curtain and said, "Second Uncle, I am still young."

Gu Gu Tingye: "You two..."

Two days later,

Xu Xu Zaijing returned to Hou Fu as he did on ordinary days.

While changing clothes in his own courtyard, Seeing Qingcao said nearby, "Young Master, today Young Master Liang Liu sent someone to report that the matter you entrusted to him has been completed."

"That young master from the Kang family, since parting ways at Wu Lou, has improved his relations with other families considerably."

"It seems that in the future, the young master of the Kang family will feel grateful for the role played by that Little Lady Su."

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded: "Mm, that is good! Added to the six taels of gold you provided, their future days should certainly be easier."

Seeing Qingcao nodded with a smile.

(End of Chapter)