ebookland Chapter 8 The Xiao Family Meeting
Chapter 8 The Xiao Family Meeting
Five years later
In the Xiao family's courtyard, under a peach tree, lay a little girl of about four or five years old. She was wearing a bright red dress, with two small pigtails. Her exposed hands looked chubby, but upon closer inspection, her face was somewhat pale.
This little girl is Xiao Siyue, who is already five years old.
Despite years of gradual recuperation and careful care from her family, Xiao Siyue has become plump and healthy.
However, the damage to the foundation has still affected my health. In recent years, I have been suffering from a series of illnesses, both major and minor. A few days ago, when the weather turned cold, I caught a cold without realizing it and only just recovered today. Therefore, my complexion still looks somewhat pale.
It's spring planting season now, and everyone in the family has gone to the fields, leaving Lin Qin at home to take care of Xiao Siyue and cook dinner.
Xiao Siyue came out for some fresh air because the weather was warm, as she had been kept indoors by her family for several days due to her illness.
Lying on the exquisite recliner that her second father had specially made for her under the peach tree, Xiao Siyue's thoughts were racing.
It's been several years since I got the system. Apart from signing in every day, I've hardly done any tasks. My current merit points are only enough to exchange for two years of lifespan.
"System, aren't you going to give me any more tasks? At this rate, when will I ever accumulate enough merit points?" Xiao Siyue said dejectedly.
"Host, the missions are triggered randomly, I can't issue them directly." The system was also a little helpless. The host was too young and always sick, and hardly ever went out, so it was difficult to trigger missions.
"Yue'er, come in quickly. You've been lying outside for a long time. It's cool under the tree, and you'll easily get sick if you lie there for too long." Just then, a gentle voice called out to me.
"Coming, Mother, come in now."
Upon entering, I saw Lin Qin cooking in the kitchen. Looking at her back, I couldn't help but think of all the things that had happened over the years.
After several years of recuperation, Lin Qin's health has improved a lot, but she is still very anxious about her daughter's health. She thinks this is not only because she cares about her daughter, but also because she feels a little guilty.
Back then, after learning about her daughter's health condition, she was trapped in a dead end, always feeling that it was her fault that her daughter had a short lifespan. Fortunately, she has gotten a little better in recent years thanks to her father's guidance.
"Mom, what did you make for dinner?" Xiao Siyue pulled herself out of her thoughts, walked over to Lin Qin, and looked up to ask.
"Porridge and pancakes, move away quickly, be careful not to get splashed with water," Lin Qin said, glancing down at her daughter as she put down her spoon.
"Mom, I'll go out and see if Grandpa and the others are back yet?" Xiao Siyue hurriedly ran out when she saw her mother urging her to leave.
Just as I reached the kitchen door, I saw several family members walk in from outside the front door.
"Grandpa, Grandma, you're back."
“Our Yue’er looks much more energetic today. Come here, let your uncle give you a hug,” Xiao Qiren said with a doting expression as he put down his hoe, lifted Si Yue high, and spun her around.
Over the past few years, Xiao Qiren has spoiled Siyue like his own child, often bringing her back snacks or interesting trinkets from town. Today happens to be his day off. He's the shopkeeper in town and gets two days off every month.
"Boss, put Yue'er down quickly. She's always so unruly. How old is she?" Old Mrs. Xiao scolded.
"Oh dear, your grandma is angry, you can't lift her up high anymore." Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiren put Siyue down and whispered something in Siyue's ear with a smile.
After dinner.
Grandpa Xiao gathered everyone together, except for Xiao Siqi, the eldest grandson of the Xiao family who was still in town.
After everyone had taken their seats, Old Master Xiao coughed twice and said solemnly, "I've gathered everyone here tonight to discuss two things."
"Firstly, the third son is going to participate in the autumn imperial examination this year. As you all know, I plan to have him put aside his schoolwork and make time for studying."
After speaking, Old Master Xiao glanced at his sons with his somewhat cloudy eyes. Seeing that none of them showed any unusual expression, he nodded in satisfaction.
It was nothing more than him doing something unnecessary. Over the years, because Xiao Qinian was the first scholar in their Xiao family, he had always hoped that this son could bring glory to the family, so he had used most of the family's resources on Xiao Qinian.
There are still nearly six months until the autumn imperial examinations. Putting the school aside means that the third branch of the family will have no income during this period and will rely entirely on the family for support. He is afraid that his other two sons will feel that he is showing favoritism, which will lead to estrangement between the brothers.
Siyue, sitting in Xiao Qiren's lap, saw her grandfather's gaze sweep over her eldest and second uncles and understood what was going on. She secretly covered her mouth and laughed.
“Father, I understand. I won’t let you down,” Xiao Qinian solemnly promised.
For the sake of Lin Qin and her daughter's health, Xiao Qinian missed the last autumn imperial examination. He's already thirty years old this year, and if he doesn't work hard to pass, he'll have to wait another three years. Although he knows this is somewhat unfair to his two older brothers, he doesn't complain and can only repay them in the future.
"The second thing is, my wife, and my eldest son's wife. Siqi is nineteen this year, and they need to get married as soon as possible," Old Master Xiao said with some melancholy.
His eldest grandson is the eldest grandson of the Xiao family. Xiao Siqi is nineteen years old this year and still unmarried. He has been studying at the school for the past few years, but perhaps he is like his father and not good at studying. He has not been able to pass the imperial examination for several years. In the end, he simply became a waiter in a restaurant, just like his uncle Xiao. Fortunately, he is eloquent and does a pretty good job.
"Hey, boss, when you come back from town tomorrow, buy some meat and snacks. Your wife and I will take them to the village chief's house and have your Aunt Fang ask Siqi about them. What do you think, boss's wife?"
When Old Lady Xiao heard her husband mention the eldest grandson, she quickly instructed her son. She and her husband had discussed this matter before, so they had some plans.
Aunt Fang usually delivers babies in the surrounding villages, so she knows a lot of people. Their eldest daughter-in-law was introduced to them by Aunt Fang.
For so many years, she has been dutiful to her parents-in-law, taken care of the children, and managed the household impeccably. Everyone who sees her praises her. She trusts Aunt Fang's judgment in finding them a good granddaughter-in-law, and of course, she will also keep an eye out for her own options.
"I'll listen to Mother." Zhao Yindi's eyes were full of gratitude when she heard her mother-in-law say this; her mother-in-law was giving her face.
She has been married into the Xiao family for twenty years. Her parents-in-law are kind and have never made things difficult for her. Her husband is also caring and loving. Her sisters-in-law get along well, which has given her a happiness she has never experienced before. Over the years, everything has gone smoothly. Now she only has to worry about her sons' marriages. When her parents-in-law mentioned it, she happily agreed.
Hearing this, Liu Cui, who was sitting opposite, had an idea. Her eldest son, Xiao Sizhe, the second grandson of the Xiao family, was only a few years younger than Xiao Siqi, and it was about time for them to get married. Why not take this opportunity to propose marriage to both of them?
Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered that his son was a good student and, at only sixteen years old, was already a student of the first level of the imperial examination.
Her third uncle had said that she could try to take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai in two years. There was no rush now; once she became a Xiucai, wouldn't she have better options? The difference between a Tongsheng (a student who passed the lowest level of the imperial examination) and a Xiucai was quite significant. Thinking of this, Liu Cui stopped worrying, sat up straight, and continued listening to the people in the room.