freenovelworld Chapter 723 Why not write the words "shelter from the rain"?
Chapter 723 Why not write the words "shelter from the rain"?
Master Song remarked that while these children couldn't produce elaborate essays, they were "extremely skilled in mental arithmetic." Master Wen praised them for their "organized work." These children were all clever and eager to learn, capable of managing clerks or keeping accounts, but they were certainly not candidates for the imperial examinations, unable to even reach the threshold of the county examination.
This is also the reason why Jing Qiurong and Jing Yi felt at ease letting them go out after discussing it. After all, the children have grown up and they can't just stay idle in the farm. Only when they are able to work and are willing to work can they have a way out in the future.
Now the other three boys stayed in the city and worked as apprentices in shops, but Xiaolian had other ideas.
She assumed Jing Chunxi was at home, so she asked for leave to come back, claiming she was visiting her younger siblings. She had deliberately changed into her most respectable clothes early in the morning, with a silver hairpin in her hair. She had been meaning to come over to see Jing Chunxi, but she hadn't expected the mansion to summon her specifically for something that morning.
"Jian'an County is so far away, can you leave your younger brothers and sisters there with peace of mind?" Jing Chunxi did have the idea of sending a few people to Jiujiang County and Jian'an County. As the business there grew, it would naturally be beneficial to leave some of his own people behind.
The teacup spun half a circle in her hand. She had recently been searching for a candidate who was both intelligent and capable, as well as loyal and reliable. It was difficult to send Da Ya back. Although the child was smart, Jing Chunxi still felt it would be better to have him work in a different place, so that he would be less likely to get into trouble.
She didn't dare take other people's promises seriously and felt that appropriate supervision was still necessary, just like a kite must always be held by the string.
"The youngest in the family is six years old, and the others are all over ten and very sensible." Xiaolian's voice was soft but firm, and her face showed the satisfaction of seeing her children grow up. "I've been away in Beijing for more than half a year, and they've been living well. Even the youngest one fetches water to wash his face in the morning and folds his clothes at night."
After a pause, a happy smile appeared on his face. "Last night, they made water for me to wash my feet."
She paused again, "I also talked about this with Cong again. He told me that if I have any ideas, I can go for it. He said... only in this way can my younger brothers and sisters truly grow up." When she talked about her younger brother, her eyes flashed with pride.
"Once you go to Jian'an County, you can only come back once a year at most. Are you really willing to leave?" Jing Chunxi stared at Xiaolian's slightly trembling eyelashes and continued, "Also, next year I plan to let Congxin, Congxuan, and Congyu go to Wenhua Academy with Pu Ge'er." She deliberately downplayed her words, but carefully observed Xiaolian's reaction.
When Xiaolian heard this, instead of being worried, her eyes suddenly lit up, as if someone had lit a lamp in her heart.
Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, "If I can work as an accountant and have a promising future again, my younger brothers and sisters will be more motivated and work harder." She seemed to have already seen her younger brothers and sisters wearing neat clothes and holding books.
"Since you are determined, then be prepared." Jing Chunxi finally smiled, "I will discuss with my father and mother and choose three more people, and we will set off together after the Lantern Festival." According to the current situation, Jiujiang County and Jian'an County each send two people, and there are people to take care of them there, so it should be enough.
"Hey! Hey! Thank you, Xi'er." Xiaolian was so happy that she almost knocked over the teacup in front of her. She hurriedly used her sleeve to catch it, but then she remembered that this was not her own wooden table and her face flushed. But she still remembered to say, "Then what about the butler..."
"Don't worry, I'll ask mother to tell the butler." Jing Chunxi patted her hand soothingly. "But do you have anything else in the city? Do you want them to bring it back?" She couldn't help but ask with concern, and was also happy for Xiaolian's upcoming new life.
"No more, I brought everything back. Hehehe!" Xiaolian showed a sly smile in front of Jing Chunxi for the first time, like a little mouse that stole oil.
She had been prepared and was determined to get it. She only had two or three changes of clothes, and when she returned, she stuffed them all into the blue cloth bundle. As for the pillows and bedding, they were all public property, so someone would take care of them.
She only took away the boxwood abacus that she had saved up money to buy. It was her livelihood in the future and was worth cherishing the most.
When sending Xiaolian out, Jing Chunxi couldn't help but look towards the study in the east wing.
Her gaze lingered on the carved wooden door for a moment, as if she could see the mysterious couplet inside through the thick door panel.
A breeze blew through the courtyard, bringing a hint of coolness, but it couldn't blow away the doubts lingering in her heart.
"Why didn't they write the words 'shelter from the rain'?" Xiaolian happened to see Jing Chunxi's glance, and she couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with the unique crispness of a young girl and her curiosity that could not be concealed.
In the sunlight, Xiaolian raised her head slightly, revealing a pair of clear eyes under her fine bangs.
Early in the morning, several people were called to look at the couplet together. Looking at the blank scroll, she wanted to mention this sentence at that time.
At that time, the study was filled with the scent of sandalwood, and everyone was staring intently at the couplet with only the two words "shelter from the wind" in it, holding their breath. No one said a word, and even the breathing was so light that it was almost inaudible.
She clenched the corners of her clothes with her small hands. Seeing that the teacher and the other students with good academic performance did not think that the couplet was inappropriate, she was worried that others would think she was too superficial if she said it out loud, so she swallowed the words like a sour plum.
Now, speaking only to my niece, who was about the same age as me, I didn't feel like there was anything I couldn't say. The peach blossoms in the courtyard had already begun to bud, and I could imagine that after the New Year, the pink and white petals would drift down in the wind, forming a soft and beautiful carpet on the ground.
"Write the words?"
Jing Chunxi wondered aloud, a bit surprised, but also feeling a certain truth in the question. Her brow furrowed slightly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the tassels on the jade pendant at her waist. The warm winter sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her face, making her appear a bit hesitant.
But who would dare to scribble on the late emperor's belongings? Aren't they afraid of losing their heads? The thought struck her mind like a bolt of lightning, sending a shudder through her. In the distance, someone's laughter rang out, a stark contrast to the uneasiness she felt.
She thought so in her heart, but Jing Chunxi naturally couldn't tell Xiaolian. She pursed her lips and suppressed those dangerous thoughts back in her heart.
But she still turned around and shouted, "Hongfen, tell them to call the master and the mistress over." Her voice was deliberately calm, but it still revealed a hint of anxiety.
After Jing Yi and Jing Qiurong got married, Aunt Mi had the servants change their manner of addressing their masters as "Master" and "Madam." This change caused a stir in the mansion for a while, as everyone was happy that Qingshan Manor had a male master. Now, it has become the most natural thing.
Jing Chunxi thought for a moment, then instructed Chuntao who was standing on the steps, "Chuntao, see if Uncle Qi and Uncle Chong San are here, and call Xiaoman, July, and September over." She spoke a little faster than usual.