In the past few days, Ling Jingshu was busy making friends with Ling Jingyan and spent much less time with Ling Xiao.
Lu Hong stayed with Ling Xiao every day, patiently teaching him the meaning and prose of the scriptures. Ling Xiao benefited a lot. He didn't have many opportunities to get along with teenagers of his own age, so he found it quite new. Lu Hong deliberately coaxed him again, and the two quickly became familiar with each other.
Ling Jingshu sent someone to ask Ling Xiao to come to Qiushui Pavilion for lunch. Ling Xiao naturally invited brother Lu Hong to come with him. Unexpectedly, Ling Jingshu would be unhappy because of this.
Even though she didn't see anything, she could still hear the indifference in Ling Jingshu's impatient tone.
"Ah Shu," Ling Xiao tugged on Ling Jingshu's sleeves uneasily and asked in a low voice, "Are you not happy?"
Ling Jingshu's expression immediately softened, and her tone was relaxed and cheerful: "How can I be unhappy when so many people are having a lively meal together? Don't worry too much. The food has been prepared. Let's go there now."
With that said, he took Ling Xiao's hand and held Ling Jingyan's hand with a smile: "Cousin Yan, let's go in together."
Lu Hong and Lu Qian, who were ignored intentionally or unintentionally: "..."
The two brothers looked at each other, each concealing the sadness in their hearts, and followed him as if nothing had happened.
... ...
The meals were of course sumptuous. There are no elders present, and there is less restraint.
Ling Jingyan glanced at it and couldn't help but smile: "Are you going to have a fish feast today?"
Most of the dishes on the table are fish. There is no need to go into details about the various methods of steaming, braised in sweet and sour soup.
"Axiao likes to eat fish the most." Ling Jingshu smiled slightly and explained simply. Then he picked up a piece of fish, carefully and patiently removed all the fish bones, and put it into Ling Xiao's bowl.
Ling Xiao has loved eating fish since she was a child. After losing sight, eating fish became a troublesome matter. Ling Jingshu didn't want to take advantage of others, so she had always done the fish bone picking with her own hands.
Ling Xiao's bowl was almost full, and Ling Jingshu stopped her hand and said softly: "Axiao, the fish bones have been removed, you can eat with confidence."
Ling Xiao hummed happily and started eating.
When Ling Jingshu saw Ling Xiao eating happily, a smile appeared on her face.
That light and gentle smile instantly lit up her beautiful face, and her eyes gleamed like gems, overflowing with brilliance.
Under such a breathtaking face, all words seemed pale and feeble.
Lu Hong took a breath and couldn't help but stare at her.
So hot, so focused.
It's impossible to ignore even if you want to.
Ling Jingshu just turned a blind eye and served Ling Jingyan with a smile: "Cousin Yan, I don't know if these meals are to your taste. Don't be stunned and eat more."
Ling Jingyan composed herself and responded with a smile.
With such a handsome young man sitting in front of her, cousin Shu was not moved at all. This determination is really amazing.
"Cousin Shu, you have been picking fish bones for Cousin Xiao and picking up vegetables for Cousin Yan, but you haven't eaten yet!" Lu Qian broke the silence with a smile, while enthusiastically picking up vegetables for Ling Jingshu, and in the blink of an eye he piled up a bowl: "You must have a bad appetite these days. You look a little thinner. It's better to eat more."
Faced with such enthusiasm, Ling Jingshu could not keep a straight face, so she had to say thank you.
At this point, the silent and weird atmosphere at the dinner table was slightly dissolved.
"Tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday. What birthday gifts have you prepared?" Ling Jingyan asked curiously.
Ling Jingshu smiled and said, "It's been prepared a long time ago. I made a pair of shoes for my grandmother. What about you, what have you prepared?"
"I originally planned to make clothes for my grandmother, but my mother said that my dress was not exquisite and my grandmother would not like the clothes I made. Later, I made a sachet instead. Some dried chrysanthemums were put in the sachet. Yes, it has the effect of calming the nerves, refreshing the brain, and calming the mind.”
The two sisters chatted nonchalantly.
Lu Hong was separated by a floor and couldn't say anything.
Lu Qian had no scruples and interrupted with a smile: "I copied a Buddhist scripture for my grandmother." He then asked Ling Xiao enthusiastically: "Cousin Xiao, have you prepared a gift for my grandmother?"
Ling Xiao was a little embarrassed and whispered: "I originally wanted to prepare the gifts myself. But I can't see, so I can't copy Buddhist scriptures..."
It’s really hard to pick up any pot! Knowing that Ling Xiao was blind and had to be taken care of by others for food, clothing, and daily necessities, it was impossible to prepare any gifts with his own hands!
Lu Qian was secretly annoyed and said with a smile: "Having this filial piety is more important than anything else. Even if I don't give you anything, my grandma won't mind."
Ling Xiao forced a smile, but there was a bit of unhappiness between his brows.
"I have come up with an idea." Lu Hong suddenly smiled and said, "It doesn't take much thought and it can make grandma happy."
Ling Xiao's face lit up and he asked expectantly: "What solution did Cousin Hong come up with?"
Lu Hong leaned into Ling Xiao's ear and whispered a few words. Ling Xiao nodded excitedly while listening.
Ling Jingshu's curiosity was also aroused and she wanted to ask. But as soon as he saw Lu Hong's affectionate eyes, he felt sick to his stomach and swallowed his words silently.
... ...
The Ling family is a well-known family in Dingzhou. Uncle Ling is an official in the capital, and Fifth Master Ling is a well-known socialite in Dingzhou city. It is easy to say that he has a wide network of friends. And with her son-in-law Lu An, who is the governor of Jizhou, who has returned from afar, Mrs. Ling's 70th birthday party was naturally a lively one.
Early in the morning, Ling Mansion opened its main entrance to welcome guests.
There were a lot of guests coming to celebrate birthdays and give gifts. The sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and grandsons-in-law of the Ling family all came to greet the guests, and they were so busy that they kept their feet on the ground.
Ling Jingshu also had no time to relax. She and the sisters Ling Jingxian, Ling Jingwan and Ling Jingyan were responsible for greeting the young girls who came to visit with their elders.
Those who are qualified to be guests are all well-known boudoir daughters in Dingzhou City. We are mostly acquainted with Ling Jingshu, and it is inevitable to have a warm exchange of pleasantries when we meet.
After a long time, Ling Jingshu's mouth was dry and her throat was almost smoking.
Because Ling Xiao was blind, he couldn't come out to greet the guests, but he was happy to take it easy. He has been obediently staying with Mrs. Ling.
The female relatives who came to celebrate Mrs. Ling's birthday would inevitably look at Ling Xiao with regret when talking to Mrs. Ling.
This beautiful, delicate and intelligent young man was blinded in an accident. Unable to read or practice calligraphy, and having to be taken care of by others for food, clothing, and daily living, he is no different from a disabled person. What a pity.
Ling Xiao was completely unaware of these strange looks... Maybe he noticed it, but what could he do? He has been living under this gaze since he was eight years old. Over time, you have to get used to it.
The guests who congratulated each other and gave gifts finally came to an end.
Mrs. Ling was in great spirits today and did not feel tired at all. She smiled at Mrs. Ling and said, "Your father passed away early. I have been raising you brothers and sisters for so many years. In this blink of an eye, I am also old. "
Seventy years of life are rare in ancient times. To live to the age of seventy and still be so energetic is indeed a long life.
Mrs. Ling has been sweet-tongued since she was a child and is used to coaxing Mrs. Ling. She immediately smiled and said, "Mom, you are rosy and energetic. You look at least fifty years old, but you don't look old at all."
Mrs. Ling was coaxed into smiling.
Ling Xiao, who had been silent all this time, suddenly smiled and said, "Grandma, my grandson has also prepared a birthday gift for you!"
Mrs. Ling suddenly became interested: "Since you have prepared gifts, why didn't you just send them along with Sister Shu and the others?"
"The gifts prepared by my grandson are different." Ling Xiao smiled clearly, like a child who doesn't understand the world, with an innocence that is not stained by the world.
Mrs. Ling always cared for Ling Xiao and smiled lovingly: "What kind of gift is it? When you said that, grandma was curious and looking forward to it."
Ling Xiao stood up and cleared his throat: "It's my grandma's birthday, and my grandson specially wrote a poem dedicated to her."
It turned out that I had made a birthday poem.
Mrs. Ling listened with interest.
"The wine is fragrant and all the guests are standing there, as if they are receiving blessings, wealth and longevity. The east tower is verdant with pines and cranes, and the sea is vast and the mind is full of glory. The auspiciousness of longevity comes to reflect the sun and the moon, and the songs and poems are compared to the blessings of old age. The southern sky is moved to the ginseng. The banyan tree, the fairy peach gifted by the mountain has entered the pavilion." Ling Xiao chanted slowly, with a clear and beautiful voice.
Old Mrs. Ling was very knowledgeable. She smiled happily and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay! This poem is so well done! Grandma has received so many congratulatory gifts today, and this gift is the most satisfactory."
When Mrs. Ling spoke, others naturally wanted to join in and praise her.
Ling Xiao was very happy as he came out of the limelight. It's a pity that Ah Shu accompanied a group of girls to the garden to enjoy the flowers, and was not here to share his joy.
A familiar young man's voice sounded in his ears: "Cousin Xiao, you did a really good job with this birthday poem."
Ling Xiao grinned: "Thank you very much, cousin Hong, for giving me such a good idea."
Lu Hong did not take credit, and smiled humbly: "I just mentioned casually that you made this birthday poem yourself, and I didn't help at all."
After a pause, he asked tentatively: "Cousin Xiao, did you just want to find cousin Shu? You have trouble walking alone, so I can go out with you to find her!"
Ling Xiao was stunned and quickly nodded.
Lu Hong suppressed the joy in his heart and slipped out of the inner hall with Ling Xiao when no one was paying attention.
It was indeed the right decision to make friends with Ling Xiao. This is the most convenient way to get close to Ling Jingshu. The best thing is that this time, taking advantage of the crowd, Lu Qian was also left behind. Lu Qian was always following him, making it difficult for him to find a chance to confess his feelings...
Lu Hong was lost in thought when Ling Xiao suddenly stopped and whispered in a low voice that only two people could hear: "Cousin Hong, do you like Ah Shu?"
Lu Hong: "..." (To be continued)