C170 Hui Nationality
C170 Hui Nationality
Xun Er was too young to sit still. He did not even write a few words before he twisted his body and snuck into Shen Jingli's embrace, acting like a spoiled child. "Mama, Xun Er, don't write big words, don't write big words …"
He pouted his lips and looked at Shen Jingli with his teary eyes, as if he had suffered from a severe torture. Looking at the pair of eyes that looked similar to Mu Chen's, Shen Jingli's heart softened.
"No." Mu Chen sternly cut off the words that he wanted to say, and pulled Xun Er out from his embrace, allowing him to sit back on the chair. "Hurry up and write, otherwise you won't be able to eat anything in the afternoon."
Because Shen Jingli doted on him, he had to make the kitchen make all kinds of snacks for him. It could even be said that the snacks after the lunch break was what Xun Er looked forward to the most, but Mu Chen used this method to threaten him. When Xun Er heard this, how could he endure it?
Seeing how Xun Er was crying made Shen Jingli's heart ache, he quickly hugged him and coaxed him, "Good girl Xun Er, don't cry, your father is just teasing you …"
As he said that, he turned and glared at Mu Chen, and said: "He's still young, it's normal that he can't sit still. Why do you have to be so strict with him?"
In Shen Jingli's opinion, a three or four year old child should be happy playing around, learning while playing.
Mu Chen's face was dark, as he refused to let go at all, "Don't spoil him too much, at his age, I can already recite the 'Analects'."
What is doting? Shen Jingli unhappily frowned. Could it be that by killing the child's innocence, he raised the child into a person like Mu Shisi, who did not talk or laugh, something that was called not spoiling?
Shen Jingli raised his head and looked at Mu Chen's face. He was good-looking, but his face was expressionless, and looked like a model in a shop window. He lacked in popularity, and didn't want to cultivate his son to such a state.
"Xun Er is not you. He doesn't have as much patience as you." Shen Jingli patted Xun Er's back, looked at his son who was still sobbing, and said with great affection: "It's not that you can't practice skills, but you can't let him practice for just a few hours. With his patience, he can only hold on for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
With that, he coaxed Xun Er: "Xun Er, be good, finish writing the first page, and have Nian Hua and Huaixin accompany you to swing."
Hearing Shen Jingli's words, Xun Er turned his head to look at the Xuan paper on the table, then anxiously laid his head on Shen Jingli's chest.
"I will be able to finish writing the first page very soon. After that, I can go and play with Huaixin." Shen Jingli continued to coax him, "Huaixin only wrote two words last night, you can't be too far behind."
Hearing that, Xun Er tilted his head to think, then climbed down from Shen Jingli's embrace and started writing on his own.
Not long after, Nian Hua hurriedly came in and reported, "Madam, the Third Old Lady Mu has sent someone to take you to Mu Mansion. He said that he has something to discuss with you."
As Shen Jingli thought about it, he felt that he should return to his hometown to pay his respects to the ancestor. He should also ask the old lady what kind of things she should pay special attention to and what presents she should prepare.
"Tell them to wait a moment, I'll be right there."
Hearing that Shen Jingli wanted to go out, Xun Er immediately threw down his brush, and rushed over to hug Shen Jingli's leg, looking full of expectation, "Mama, Xun Er wants to go as well."
Shen Jingli turned to look at Mu Chen. Seeing him looking at Mu Chen, Xun Er also turned to look at Mu Chen pitifully, and said softly: "Father."
Mu Chen had no choice but to nod his head.
Xun Er clapped happily and strode towards Huaixin, "I'll go find Huaixin, let him come with me."
Shen Jingli looked at his small back and laughed helplessly. This son of his had not even been raised and felt that he already belonged to someone else.
"..."
Third Old Lady Mu had specially sent a carriage to pick him up. From the looks of it, it made Shen Jingli more cautious, afraid that it would not be a simple matter when he returned to the clan.
The distance between County Prince's Mansion and Mu Mansion was not far, and in a while, they would arrive. Madam Qin had personally come out to greet them, and Mu Sihua was following closely behind.
"Jinglee, you finally came, the old lady had been muttering to herself for a long time." Madam Qin walked down from the gate and carried Xun Er, who was in Jin Yu's embrace, over. "Aiyo, my good nephew, you're really getting more and more handsome."
Being praised to the point of complacency, Xun Er began to giggle, and obediently called out, "Second Young Madam."
"Ai, how obedient." Madam Qin laughed happily and turned to Shen Jingli, "Quickly go in, don't let the old lady wait too long."
Shen Jingli nodded, he turned and instructed his servants to bring the gifts here.
Seeing this, Madam Qin stared at him accusingly, and said: "It's good that you're here, why are you bringing such a gift?"
Shen Jingli laughed, and did not reply. Instead, he chuckled: "Sister-in-law has always been thoughtful in her work."
Mu Sihua turned her head and looked at Shen Jingli with her winking eyes. He looked like a cute little girl, teasing Shen Jingli until he burst out laughing.
Seeing that his daughter was being dishonest, the Madam Qin turned around and glared at her, "You, you're already about to get married, how can you be so dishonest."
However, Mu Sihua was not shy at all. She playfully stuck out her tongue and followed beside Shen Jingli, secretly telling him about the interesting things that happened in the Manor.
As they chatted, they had arrived at Old Madam Mu's courtyard. The Old Mistress was drinking her bird nest soup, and when she saw Shen Jingli and the rest enter, she immediately took care of them, "Jinglee is here, quickly come over and sit."
When Shen Jingli sat down beside her, he instructed the mama beside him, "Quickly go to the small kitchen and bring Jinglee a bowl of Swallow's Nest soup."
Knowing that the madame liked her, the nanny nodded and happily went to the kitchen.
The Third Old Lady Mu turned around and said to Shen Jingli: "This morning's soup is good for your health, drink more of it later."
The Third Old Lady Mu looked at Shen Jingli's body that had not grown any longer, and frowned: "Your body, in the end, has become a little thinner, so you need to make it better, so that you can give Zi An a few more children in the future."
Then, they would have to rely on Shen Jingli. Everyone in the Great Yan Dynasty wished to have a few more children, and naturally, the Third Old Lady hoped that Shen Jingli would have a few more children.
Shen Jingli was drinking his tea, but upon hearing this, he burst out laughing, choking himself. "Cough cough cough …"
"Aiya, why was I so careless?" When Old Madam Mu saw his expression, she hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. "Why are you in such a hurry? "It's not like this tea can run away."
Shen Jingli laughed bitterly, but did not explain.
Third Old Lady Mu looked at him. Seeing that his expression was indifferent and did not seem to care about what he had said, he could not help but shake his head.
The mama quickly served up the Swallow's Nest soup, and also carried over a bowl of red bean curd water with a bit more sugar on top of the warm bowl that was still taking into account Mu Sihua's taste.
Mu Sihua took a sip of the sweet, sweet drink, which was very much to her liking. She raised her head and smiled towards the mama, saying, "The mama is still the best to me."
Third Old Lady Mu was displeased after hearing that, she raised his eyebrows and glared at her, "What's wrong? Did my dear grandmother mistreat you? "
"Aiya, why would Grandmother say something like that to bury her granddaughter? Grandmother treats granddaughter so well, and granddaughter has always remembered it in her heart. Even Grandmother treated her granddaughter so well, all thanks to Grandmother's blessings." Mu Sihua went over to Old Madam Mu's side and acted coquettishly.
"You …" Old Madam Mu extended a hand and poked her forehead. "You will say some good things to coax this old woman."
"Grandmother isn't old. Grandmother is as beautiful as a flower, comparable to a celestial fairy." Mu Sihua's expression did not change.
Who didn't like others saying that they were young and beautiful? Hearing her granddaughter praise her so highly, Old Madam Mu happily smiled and pinched Mu Sihua's cheeks.
After eating the Swallow's Nest soup, he knew that the old mistress had something to say to Shen Jingli, so the Madam Qin led Mu Sihua and Xun Er out. They let Mu Sihua play with him, while the Madam Qin went to the front courtyard to take care of some business.
"Regarding the matter of returning back to the clan, Zi An told you." Once they left, Old Madam Mu immediately went straight to the point.
"Yes." Shen Jingli nodded, he knew that the Old Mistress must have asked him for this matter, "I wonder what Third Young Madam has to tell me?"
"There's nothing to pay particular attention to." Old Madam Mu said kindly, "There is one thing that I must tell you in advance, lest you go to the clan and find out about it. You are disrespectful."
"Not long after the Qingming Ancestor was born, it was Grand Uncle's eightieth birthday. Since you and Zi An have returned to the clan, you naturally have to attend the ceremony, so you should prepare a congratulatory gift in advance." Old Madam Mu said.
Eighty years old. In ancient times, where medical care was not developed, it was indeed an extremely old age. The clansmen should have taken this birthday banquet very seriously.
"Also, the first time you return to the clan, you must also spend some effort to bring some gifts for the clan's elders." Old Madam Mu herself knew about Mu Chen being exterminated, but she did not agree in her heart, nor did she want to. For some reason, other than being exiled from her family, everyone else would think that Zi An had a bad character, if someone in the imperial court were to use this matter, Zi An's future career would be ruined.
Mu Chen might not care about his own career, but Old Madam Mu was worried that it would affect his descendants.
"I know." Shen Jingli felt that it was a very normal etiquette to bring presents back to the village, so he did not notice the deep meaning behind Old Madam Mu's words.
Old Madam Mu was worried and reminded her again, "Especially Great Granduncle's birthday. You must use more snacks."
The Great Granduncle was the clan's oldest and oldest member who had the ability to speak. If Mu Chen and Shen Jingli were to get his attention, then the matters regarding the clan would not be a problem.
"Jinglee understands." Shen Jingli said.
Old Madam Mu was afraid that he might be mistaken. After some thought, she continued, "How about this, the steward in charge of the house will have a lot of experience dealing with this matter. Bring him back and let him advise you so that you won't mess around and create a big joke."
With help, it would save him a lot of energy. Shen Jingli naturally agreed with a smile.
After finishing his business, Old Madam Mu did not keep him any longer. She pulled him along with her for a while longer. She had to quickly get pregnant with the second child before letting him go.