Xu Xiaomin said: "Oh, Sister Lan, this... Even duck eggs are useless!"
Xu Junya glanced at Xu Xiaomin and said, “Little sister!”
Xu Xiaowan also tugged at the corner of her clothes. Under the candlelight, she saw Zhuang Yulan's cheeks flushed red. Originally, it was a look of shame, but now she looked particularly beautiful.
When Xu Xiaomin met Xu Junya's slightly reproachful gaze, she stopped talking, stuck out her tongue lightly, and lowered her head.
Old Madam Xu looked at the teacup on the tea table and said calmly, "Lan'er has always been the best at dividing tea, but she failed this time. I think it's because the candlelight was dim at night and she couldn't see clearly, or maybe it's because the weather is too cold and the tea soup is not hot enough..."
Xu Junying said: "It must be Mei Niang's fault. The most important thing to avoid when dividing tea is distraction. Mei Niang was ignorant and moved Lan'er's tea leaves and the serving dish. Just do it again. Lan'er's tea dividing skills are really superb. I have never seen anyone better than her!"
Zhuang Yulan's eyes lit up with joy, and the embarrassment on her face disappeared without a trace. She regained her confidence and calmness. She waved to Ruiyu to come over to help clean up the tea table, and began to make and serve tea for the second time.
Mei Niang wanted to say something, but seeing that Old Lady Xu was very interested, she stopped talking. However, Xu Junying came over and whispered in her ear:
"If you are tired of sitting here, just find an excuse to go back and don't say anything more!"
Mei Niang's heart suddenly exploded, and she felt like giving it a go. She opened her mouth to say something, but when she turned her eyes and saw Sixth Master Xu Junxuan with a smile on his face, she finally closed her mouth.
No, this is not the time to act recklessly and seek pleasure!
My elder brother Qin Boqing was still protected by his people, traveling from Yuezhou to the capital. After the New Year, he would participate in the imperial examination with Xu Junxuan in the spring. In such a world, status was determined by wealth, fame, and power. The Qin family could not continue to decline. Even if my elder brother could not pass the imperial examination, he could get some ordinary fame. Then he could find a way to ask Xu Junying to help him find a better official position. As long as he became an official, the Qin family would no longer be looked down upon.
Mei Niang's mind turned, a sweet smile bloomed on her face, she looked around at everyone and said slowly:
"It's common to make mistakes when dividing tea. This is nothing. It's also my fault that I don't know the art of making tea and messed with the tea leaves... Cousin Lan will definitely succeed this time!"
This was considered an apology to Zhuang Yulan, which suited Xu Junying's wishes. There was a hint of approval in his eyes as he looked at Mei Niang.
Mei Niang was depressed again. Ning Rulan on the opposite side smiled and said, "It's not that sister-in-law doesn't know the art of tea. It's just that you've been sick for so long that you've forgotten everything. Remember we once had a tea art competition in Tsinghua Academy? The tea flowers that sister-in-law made lasted longer than mine!"
Huh? Is this true
Gan suddenly interrupted quietly, "Yes, I passed by the door that time and heard that there was a tea art competition inside, so I went in to see, and it was indeed the eldest sister-in-law who won over the third sister-in-law!"
Mei Niang looked at her two sisters-in-law with a little touching feeling, but she didn't know what to say, so she just nodded slightly.
Xu Junxuan smiled and said, "My sister-in-law is only weak in health. The Qin family is a famous family, how could they not have learned tea art? No one would believe it. My uncle is the same age as me and will also take part in the imperial examination in the spring. I had a good chat with him that day. It was really a pity that we met too late! My uncle is a handsome man, a gentleman, well-read, well-educated, and has done a lot of homework. I think he is an excellent candidate for the top scholar!"
Mei Niang was very happy in her heart, but she showed a humble expression on her face: "Sixth Master, what you said is just a joke between us, don't say it outside! How can my brother from my mother's side be that good? He is also a sickly person. Although he studies hard, he doesn't dare to claim to be a learned man, let alone the title of top scholar!"
Mrs. Xu nodded and said, "Don't panic, that was Lao Liu's flattery! There are so many learned people in the country, just vying for the top spot, how can it be easy to win! So uncle is also going to take part in the imperial examination? Very good, striving for progress is a good thing, let Lao Liu take care of him more. Ying'er has recommended many famous teachers for Lao Liu, let uncle go to visit them, it will be very helpful. This fame is gathered by diligence and luck. If uncle is diligent enough and has luck, he should be able to earn fame!"
Look at this old woman, her words reveal everything. If Qin Boqing can pass the imperial examination in the future, it will be due to the luck of the Xu family. If he fails, it will be because he is not diligent enough!
Mei Niang didn't have time to complain, and quickly stood up and bowed to Old Lady Xu: "Granddaughter-in-law thanks the ancestors on behalf of my brother! With the good words of the ancestors, my brother will definitely gain something this time!"
He bowed to Xu Junying again and said, "The ancestor has spoken. Please support Heng'er's uncle!"
Xu Junying glanced at her, then looked at Xu Junxuan, as if blaming him for being too talkative, and said lightly:
"What happened in the examination hall has nothing to do with luck. It all depends on the scholars' daily diligence in studying and accumulating knowledge. According to what my sixth brother said, my uncle is a well-educated man, so a mere fame should not be a problem!"
Mei Niang lowered her head and watched Zhuang Yulan pour the boiling hot tea into the teacup. The tea foam swirled, condensed, and dissipated in the gradually filling jade cup. A string of exquisitely shaped flowers instantly bloomed on the surface of the tea, and disappeared in just a second.
Everyone was listening to Xu Junying attentively, and no one noticed the camellia that Zhuang Yulan had created. Mei Niang's eyes turned, and she felt like an elf who had stolen some auspicious energy between heaven and earth - she was the only one who saw Zhuang Yulan's camellia. Of course, Zhuang Yulan herself saw it too, but that didn't mean anything. She created a strange illusion, but Mei Niang captured it: it was a bunch of osmanthus flowers, osmanthus flowers with branches and leaves!
Is this a warning? A sign that my brother will win the spring exam next year, enter the palace exam, and win first place
An irrepressible feeling of joy rose from deep within her heart. Mei Niang smiled and sat back beside Xu Junying, saying gently:
"Thank you, Lord Hou, for your good words. Heng'er's uncle will definitely be able to pass the imperial examination!"
Zhuang Yulan was filled with frustration. She had clearly planted camellia flowers, but no one came to see them. She was at a loss as to what to do when suddenly a maid came over and bowed, saying:
"Replying to the old lady and the great grandmother: Miss Xiangrui in the second master's room has given birth to a boy!"
The old lady was overjoyed: "It's a boy? That's great! Isn't it before the due date? And it's already born?"
The old woman lowered her head and said, "Miss Xiangrui accidentally touched it, so my brother came early!"
Xu Xiaomin clapped her hands happily and said, "My second brother has a son! I wonder how happy my father must be!"
Xu Xiaowan glared at her secretly. Xu Xiaomin was startled. She turned around and saw Ning Rulan's head hanging down to her chest. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Mei Niang smiled and said, "Congratulations, old ancestor, you have another great-grandson! This boy came at the right time. Tomorrow is the winter solstice, the most solemn day of the year for ancestor worship. He is here to worship the ancestors!"
Everyone laughed, and Old Lady Xu was even happier: "Yes, this child is really blessed! Call Mother Ji to come in and get two gifts from the inner room, one for Xiangrui and one for my brother!"
Mei Niang said: "Xiang Rui gave birth, and Kilometer Yuan should also be rewarded with objects and silver. Sun's wife will go back and let people..."
Old Madam Xu pondered for a moment, "Lang'er has only had one eldest sister for all these years, but now he has both a son and a daughter. You are in charge of the family now, so you should go there in person and look after the children for me... If it snows and the roads are slippery, let the maids carry the soft bridge over!"
Mei Niang responded and turned to look at Xu Junying. Without waiting for her to speak, Xu Junying nodded and said, "Go ahead, you should have done these things!"
She wanted to pretend to tell him to be careful on the way back because the road was slippery, but she got this cold remark from him instead. Mei Niang was completely speechless and turned to walk out, only to hear Ning Rulan say:
"Wait a minute, sister-in-law, should I go with you?"
Mei Niang waved her hands as she walked: "It's very cold outside, you don't need to come... Third Master, please send Rulan back to the house!"
Gan looked at the Fourth Master, then at the old lady, and finally did not dare to say anything.
Xu Junxuan stood up and said, "Grandfather, it's snowing heavily outside and it's pitch dark in the garden. I'm going that way too. Can I go with my sister-in-law on the way?"
Mrs. Xu thought for a moment, and said to Ruixue, "I forgot that when Lao Liu came in, he was covered in snow. He did have a cloak. Go open the cupboard and get the thick velvet cloak with a cape and bright red embroidered with golden peonies for the grandmother. She is still weak, don't let her get frozen. Ask more maids to go with them, and take a dozen or twenty lanterns to prevent them from falling. Lao Liu should go back with you, and take the third and fourth girls with you. They will also go that way, so that you can take care of them along the way. Remember: just send your sister-in-law to the gate of the courtyard, and don't step into that courtyard! You are going to take the exam, and giving birth to a child is not a joke. It brings bad luck and bad luck, so you can't get close to her!"
Xu Junxuan responded: "Grandson will remember it!"
Xu Xiaowan and Xu Xiaorong bowed to the old lady and their brother and sister-in-law. A maid had already brought them thick cloaks, and they helped them tie them up and prepare to go out with Xu Junxuan.
Ruihong helped Xu Junxuan tie his cloak, bowed to everyone in the room, took her two sisters, turned around the screen, and went out to chase Mei Niang away.
Xu Junying looked at the folding screen with gold-sprinkled plum blossoms and finally made a decision: "I'd better go with you. I'll go back to Tsinghua Courtyard after picking up Mei Niang. I'll just let the maids talk to the old lady, so we don't have to run back and forth!"
Old Madam Xu looked at him, her face full of nervousness: "But you can't go! You can't even go past the gate of the courtyard! Sit down and have a cup of tea, let the maids take you back to the courtyard with a lantern to rest. You have to get up early tomorrow to worship the gods of heaven and earth and offer sacrifices to the ancestors... The same goes for the third and fourth brothers. Your ancestors have done good deeds. Your eldest brother inherited the title and made many contributions, so he has to take care of the family. You will all have official positions after the New Year. You have to rest well tonight and get enough rest. Tomorrow you can kowtow in front of the ancestral tablets. Do you understand?"
Xu Junya and Xu Junting stood side by side and bowed to the ground: "Grandson will remember! Grandson will remember the kindness of his ancestors, the love of his grandmother, and the support of his elder brother!"
Old Mrs. Xu nodded with satisfaction, a smile on her face: "Good, they are all good sons of my Xu family!"
He then said to Xu Xiaorong who was standing beside him, "Tomorrow we will worship our ancestors, so girls should be serious. With the blessing of our ancestors, you will marry into a good family in the future, which will be a blessing for your whole life!"
Xu Xiaorong bowed: "I will follow my grandmother's instructions!"
Old Madam Xu reached out and took her hand. "Go back with your third brother and his wife later and see if the old woman has sent a cloak. If not, Grandmother will give you one too!"
Xu Xiaorong leaned closer to the old lady and said with a smile: "Thank you, grandma!"
Since the mother-in-law came to report that Xiangrui had given birth to a child, Mei Niang got up and left. Xu Junxuan hurriedly took Xu Xiaowan and Xu Xiaomin to follow him. Xu Junying was also leaving, and the house was in chaos. When Mrs. Xu was giving a lecture, the descendants of the Xu family would naturally stand in front of her to listen. Ning Rulan and Gan quietly stood behind their husbands. No one was at the tea table to accompany Zhuang Yulan. She was alone at the tea table, looking at a raging charcoal fire and a steaming brass kettle. She had no emotions at all. She wanted to pick up a teacup and smash it to vent her resentment. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian. to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)