Wei Huan was very tired. He had been away from home for nearly a month and finally came back. He didn't call for a reunion dinner, just had a regular meal with Old Madam Song in a hurry and told everyone not to disturb.

On the side of the eldest branch, Wei Zhenghong was weak and lived in his yard for recuperation. He met his wife and children almost once a month. Usually, Madam Song took care of the meals of the eldest daughter and the second son. Although Song Zaishui was living with the eldest branch now, Song Zaishui grew up in the capital and Jiangnan, so her taste was different from that of the Wei Family. When Song Zaishui went back from Jiangnan to the capital, Old Madam of the Song Family loved her so much that she sent her cook here. There was a small kitchen right behind Mingse House. So, after living for a long time, she came here occasionally to have a meal together.

Today, for example, Song Zaishui didn't come to have dinner. Madam Song loved her children very much, so she was not very strict about their table manners and allowed her children to chat while eating.

At the table, Wei Changying asked Wei Changfeng, "What did grandpa say about your schoolwork today?"

"Grandpa said that I had learned my previous lessons very well. He'll ask the teacher to teach me new subjects tomorrow." Wei Changfeng said calmly. Wei Changying was recognized as a villain, but Wei Changfeng was famous for making the elders worry little. But in fact, the two were similar in some respects, such as working hard. The way Wei Changying chose was to practice martial arts well and defeat her husband in the future. She had to be able to endure hards.h.i.+ps in martial arts practice. From the age of five, she had been practicing constantly in winter and summer regardless of the weather. And Wei Changfeng was taught by Old Madam Song and Madam Song when he was little that he should take the rise and fall of the Wei Family as his duty. He had been studying hard since he was a child. Since he had the talent and was willing to work hard, there was no possibility that he couldn't learn well.

How could the person with good study be afraid of an examination? He wished he could be asked about schoolwork every day.

Wei Changying asked in confusion, "How about Gaochuan? Let Uncle Zhijiao teach you a new subject and then teach him the old one? I'm afraid Uncle Zhijiao won't like it."

The Wei Family of Fengzhou was proud of its flouris.h.i.+ng literary and cultural atmosphere. During the Vi Dynasty, great scholars were born in this family from generation to generation. To teach their children, of course, they would not hire people from outside the family. Wei Changfeng and Wei Gaochuan were now taught by a distant relative of the Wei Family. In terms of seniority, he was in the generation of Wei Zhenghong. His given name was "s.h.i.+gu" and he styled himself Yongs.h.i.+ and named himself with the t.i.tle of his study, Zhijiao House. He was well-known far and wide for his good learning and was respected as the master of Zhijiao House.

Therefore, Wei Changying and others privately called him Uncle Zhijiao, after all, the Wei Family had been multiplying for hundreds of years, with many children. According to the branches and clans, everyone had some different rankings and names. It was easier and clearer to simply call their alternative names.

"He failed to recite a piece of Fu and was punished by grandpa to transcribe it a hundred times." When being asked about Wei Gaochuan, Wei Changfeng hesitated for a moment and said, "Grandpa wanted him to review his schoolwork first and ask the teacher if he didn't understand. And grandpa let teacher teach me a new subject first."

When Madam Song listened to her children's words, she said, "It really embarra.s.ses your aunt. She serves your grandmother painstakingly all day long. That's why your grandmother agreed that the eldest son in the third branch to be instructed by your grandfather himself. I didn't expect him to be so disheartening. Changfeng, you can't learn from him." Then she said, "Your grandfather simply asked Wei Yongs.h.i.+ to teach you a new lesson first, or if he procrastinates you, I will talk to your aunt."

She counted on her only son. If she delayed Wei Changfeng's learning in order to take care of Wei Gaochuan's progress, will Madam Song agree? Moreover, Madam Song was a mighty person, and Wei Gaochuan's submissive appearance was despised by her.

But Wei Changfeng said seriously, "Mother, I don't think that he intentionally refuses to learn well. He was really not able to remember. I heard from people around him that the piece of Fu he couldn't recite in front of grandpa today was what he started to learn day and night ten days ago, but he just couldn't remember it. Therefore, we can't say that he is bad. I'm afraid it's because of his lack of talent, but we have nothing to do with it. In the end, we can't blame him."

If someone else said that, Madam Song would have been furious. Even if Old Madam Song said so, Madam Song would be somehow unhappy. But now it was her beloved son who was talking, so Madam Song didn't take Wei Changfeng's refutation to heart at all. Instead, she said happily, "My son loves his brother, he is broad-minded and will succeed in the future!"

It was not a surprise for Granny s.h.i.+ and others. They were even reluctant to turn their backs and sn.i.g.g.e.r. However, Wei Changfeng felt that he was too rude to his mother, and apologized, "Mother, you manage very matter at home. It was inevitable that you don't know that the fourth brother's slow learning is not due to carelessness. I was too anxious. I hope you forgive me."

Hearing this, Madam Song was more satisfied with her son, "My son, how can I blame you? What's more, I just wronged Gaochuan. And if that spreads out, won't it hurt this kid? It was lucky that you told me."

Wei Changying was impatient about Wei Gaochuan's story. She chimes in, "Did grandpa talk to you about Liao City?"

Wei Changfeng was surprised, "Of course not. Grandpa was very tired. After asking about our schoolwork, he told us to leave and go inside to have a rest. Why are you asking that?"

"Liao City faces Eastern Hu on the north. Wouldn't northern tribes have invaded Fengzhou?" Since Wei Changying was interested in martial arts, she had occasionally read some books on the art of war. Although she just had a quick look and didn't understand it all, she can understand some plain part. She immediately thought more about the urgent report from Liao City's and said, "Otherwise, how could grandpa come back in such a hurry? Even the reckless bandits of Fengqi mountain were not wiped out. How close Fengqi mountain is to our city!"

Madam Song hated her daughter's concern for these military and political affairs. She thought it was a performance of not doing her own business. She scolded her daughter lightly, "Eastern Hu is the hometown of the Liu Family. Now there is no bad news from the Liu Family. How can northern tribes enter Fengzhou through Eastern Hu so easily?"

Then she said to her daughter, "What's more, no matter northern tribes entered Fengzhou or not, your grandfather and uncle were taking care of that. What's the matter with you? You'd better learn some needlework well if you have time to think about that!"

Wei Changying was used to this kind of words for a long time. These words just went in at one ear and out at the other. She said, "I'm worried about my grandpa and uncle! Besides, northern tribes used to come to Fengzhou from the gap of Liu's garrison. I heard that before I was born, it happened like this once. Although the two hundred soldiers of northern tribes who sneaked over were all blocked in Xin City, a key town in the northeast of Fengzhou, and none of them survived at last, before they were surrounded in Xin City, they burned, killed and pillaged all the way across Nu River and left several towns in the northern part of Fengzhou desolated. They also built several Jingguan. At that time, Liao City held it!"

Madame Song stared and said, "So do you think it's useful to talk about it here? Can you arrange arms and embattle or go to the front to fight the enemies?" She immediately felt that she was too cruel to her daughter, so she slowed down her voice and said, "The safety of such a key town is not a small matter! Think about it. If you spread this conjecture, whether it is true or not, won't Fengzhou be in an uproar when people know that northern tribes are coming? When the time comes, the general feeling of insecurity will make trouble. Do you think it's something that can be talked about freely?"

"I'm talking about it only here." Wei Changying felt her mother was right on the second thought. She apologized awkwardly, "I didn't expect that it would frighten the common people when it came out. You were right to remind me. I won't say that anymore."

She suddenly thought of an idea and said, "Mother, cousin Zaishui doesn't want to go back to the capital to be Crown Princess. If this news is true now, can we take this opportunity to let her stay in our house for more time?"

Madam Song heard it, frowned and said, "This child!"

Although she said so, Wei Changying, who was very good at guessing her mother's real mood, heard that Madam Song didn't intend to force Song Zaishui to return to the capital immediately. She strongly persuaded, "Why not you write to uncle and say that Liao City is in an emergency and it's suspected that northern tribes have invaded? From Fengzhou city to the capital, even if the fast horse can't reach the border of Fengzhou in two days. It's also all the way to the north. My cousin can't ride a horse, so it's even slower to take a carriage. How can our family afford to put her in danger at this point? What if something happens? My uncle may not be able to rest a.s.sured, so he will probably allow my cousin to return to the capital afterward."

Madame Song sighed, "It's impossible to postpone always like this! Besides, what if Liao City is not invaded by northern tribes? How can we make a false report about the military situation? Although your uncle is not the minister of the public, it's not difficult for him to find out the real military situation. Don't make him angrier at that time. He can't do anything to you, but he might vent on your cousin."

"In fact, I just felt weird. In terms of wealth, our six families are deeper than the royal family of the Vi Dynasty! We might even have the treasure that is not in the palace." Wei Changying turned her mouth and said, "And my uncle is not a man who clings to wealth with all his heart, right? Why does he have to force cousin Zaishui to marry the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince is not a good husband. I've heard from my cousin that there are many imperial concubines in the Eastern Palace now. He even already has four or five sons. When cousin Zaishui marries him, even if she was the glorious Crown Princess in front people, her ident.i.ty as the first daughter of the Song Family is also not bad! Does it worth the trouble?"

She lowered her voice, "And I heard that the position of the Empress seemed to be unstable now. The Crown Prince was set up because of his mother. Once the Empress was abandoned, I'm afraid that the Crown Prince will be the same as the previous several abandoned Crown Princes. At that time, my cousin..."

Madam Song heard it, flared and said, "Stop!"

Wei Changying pestered her mother, "why does uncle have to force cousin Zaishui to be the Crown Princess?"

"Your uncle has always valued commitment," Madam Song frowned with a haze on her face and said, "OK, I'll write to him to explain that Zaishui doesn't want to marry to the Eastern Palace. Don't make more trouble for me!"

Wei Changying asked suspiciously, "Will my uncle agree? My cousin has written several letters to him."

Madam Song said distractedly, "How do I know? I haven't written the letter yet! But Zaishui is a younger generation and his daughter after all. I am your uncle's sister. Your uncle will listen to me somehow."

Obviously, she didn't want to talk more about it. She pushed the cup and asked someone to tea.

After the meal, Wei Changying went back to Xianshuang Court. When she went in, she saw Zhu s.h.i.+ and other maids gathered together under the steps in a circle, peeling something together. Mrs. He, who was always strict with the maids, stood on the corridor and looked at them with a smile. "What are you doing?" She asked curiously.

"Ah, First Miss is back!" Hearing this, they all put down what in their hands. They wiped their hands on the handkerchiefs and came up to salute.

Mrs. He stepped down and said kindly, "First Miss, you are back early today. The sour plum soup for digestion is not cool yet."

"Never mind. I'm not thirsty." Wei Changying pointed to several small baskets under the corridor. It was going to be late. Although the Wei Family was rich, they also encouraged frugality. Since the master was not here, they didn't turn on the light at that time. She couldn't see the contents of the baskets clearly from a few steps away. She asked, "what is it? Why do so many people gather here?"

Mrs. He said, "Zhu s.h.i.+ and Zhu Xuan just got free and ran to the garden to play with water. They picked a big handful of wild water chestnut back. They took the skirt and put it in the pocket. These two new Lotus root silk skirts were dyed. These two girls were so forgetful that they cried a moment and invited everyone to peel and eat together."

Wei Changying asked, "Picked in the garden? I haven't noticed. Is wild water chestnut the same as red water chestnut?"

"Of course not. The fruit of red water chestnut was juicier," Mrs. He said, "Zhu s.h.i.+ just picked a wild water chestnut for a maid. She chose one for a long time, and the biggest one was smaller than two-thirds of that of red water chestnut. In the aspect of taste, it's sweet and refres.h.i.+ng. When being pinched, if it touches the juice of the sh.e.l.l, it will also be a little astringent and bitter. It's not red water chestnut, sweet and crisp as it is raw and soft and waxy when it ripens. It's just for the novelty."

Wei Changying was interested, "Give me some, too."

Zhu s.h.i.+ answered with a smile and ran to the corridor to get a big blue bowl of apricot flowers. She said, "It's a coincidence that you came back now, First Miss. We just peeled more than half a bowl before we have time to eat. To honor you, they are all yours now."

Mrs. He heard the words and spat, "So short-sighted! Are you afraid First Miss doesn't remember your filial piety and mentioned it especially? You are all the people who serve the First Miss. It is also your duty to peel even ten bowls or eight bowls of that for First Miss."

Although Mrs. He taught her a lesson, Zhu s.h.i.+, her niece, was not afraid of her. The little maid put out her tongue and chuckled, "Granny, you are so mean. How can I boast myself a bit contribution to First Miss? I'm just saying that First Miss is a lucky gourmet."

When Mrs. He taught Zhu s.h.i.+, Wei Changying had picked up a piece of water chestnut to taste, and nodded, "It's fresh and sweet, different from red water chestnut."

Lvfang suggested, "Since there is a lot in the garden, then shall we prepare a bowl of it for First Miss every day?"

"That's it!" Wei Changying pointed to the bowl in Zhu s.h.i.+'s hand. "Take it in, and I'll eat it as a snack when I'm bored later."

"I'll get it soaked in the well water, or it will get dry." Zhu s.h.i.+ said quickly.

Wei Changying nodded contentedly, "You've been peeling it for me for such a long time, but it became a treat for me. I can't let you down. Tomorrow I'll ask the kitchen to give you a portion of my dessert."

Everyone smiled and thanked her. They went in cl.u.s.tering round Wei Changying.