On the evening of that day, the Yongning Hou Mansion called the famous Chunxi team in the capital to come, and it was lively and lively next to the water pavilion in the backyard.

Lin Xi was not very interested in this kind of song that he couldn't understand and sing, so he sat for a while and went back in the name of being inconvenient and lively in filial piety.

In the next few days, Lin Xi stayed in Lanyue Xuan to draw cats and mice to the little ancestor of Rui Wangfu. Although I watched a lot in my previous life, after all, I was too far apart, and I couldn't remember many plots clearly, so I could only rack my brains and make it up by myself, but this kind of humor Lin Xi didn't have that talent, and he always felt that the original things were too boring, so he scribbled and changed them, and finally reached the thirteenth year of the new year.

At this time, the lively Yongning Marquis Mansion slowly became cold, and there were many fewer visitors.

After the Lantern Festival, it is the beginning of the dynasty, the opening of the yamen, the duties of the six departments, and the opening of the college, Lin Xi thought that it was almost time.

He summoned Lin Fang and asked him to go to Zizhuxuan to investigate.

Lin Fang moved quickly, and after a while, he hurriedly ran into Lanyue Xuan, "Young Master, the little one has inquired with the waiter beside the eldest cousin young master, the eldest cousin is in the mansion today, and I have never heard of being invited out with someone." ”

Lin Xi nodded, motioned for Yuan Yuan to bring his cloak, and after getting dressed, he went out to Zizhuxuan.

Xiao Yuheng has not been idle since the beginning of the New Year, although he is not qualified to entertain those senior officials and elders, but the young leaders among his peers, colleagues and colleagues in the officialdom have spent a few days dealing with them one by one, not to mention that he still needs to accompany his wife back to Taishan Mansion to deal with the relatives of his wife's family, plus visiting the elders of the master, he has been busy until now.

However, there was no arrangement today, and he could have been at ease for a day, but he didn't want Lin Xi to come to the door.

Listening to the little girl's announcement, Xiao Yuheng said to the Bai family: "This is really strange, since my cousin came to the house, he has never liked to run into the house, except for going to his grandmother's place to ask for peace, he has nested in Lanyue Xuan, and he is even more happy than his sisters." ”

Bai slowly stood up with the support of the maid, Xiao Yuheng quickly got up and helped him, and persuaded: "You are heavy, what are you doing when you stand up, my cousin is not an outsider, he is the most well-behaved and sensible." ”

Bai Shi glanced at her husband, held her trembling belly, supported her waist, and said angrily: "The concubine's body is not very good-looking. ”

"Where it doesn't look good, I think it's the best now, sit down quickly. Xiao Yuheng helped Bai Shi to sit down slowly, "Wait for my cousin to come, if you don't believe it, I'll just ask him." ”

That smug look made Bai's heart sweet, and when he thought of this kind of flirting and scolding thing, he had to let outsiders know and suddenly felt that his husband was too thick-skinned.

When Lin Xi followed the little girl into the main house, he saw Xiao Yuheng being beaten by the Bai family, but the strength was not enough to shoot a mosquito to death, and the smile on Xiao Yuheng's face was very spoiled, and the Bai family was also full of happy joy, which made Lin Xi, who walked into the door with one foot, a little embarrassed.

It seems to disturb the love between the young couple.

Seeing Lin Xi, Bai's face suddenly turned red, and he raised his eyes and glared at her husband again, while Xiao Yuheng's face was much thicker, the expression on his face did not change at all, and he took the time to smile at Bai.

Bai Shi was choked by his cheekiness and immediately stopped talking.

Lin Xi saluted at this time: "Xi has seen the eldest cousin, the eldest cousin, please don't blame me for taking the liberty of visiting." ”

The Bai family had not officially seen Lin Xi before, because his body was getting heavier and heavier, he had less invitations to his mother-in-law and Mrs. Tai every day, and he lived in a simple place on weekdays, but only saw a few times in a hurry during the Chinese New Year's Eve and New Year's party, and every time Lin Xi either stood quietly beside Mrs. Tai, or couldn't see it through the screen.

Only now did the Bai family carefully see Lin Xi's appearance clearly, and praised it in his heart.

It's not that Lin Xi is handsome, just looking at his appearance is just delicate, and he is still a little weak at a glance, but he just stood there, with a shallow smile on his face, and his eyebrows and eyes were bent, like a clear spring clean and translucent, flowing through the bottom of his heart, which also made people feel happy.

In a word, it is pleasing to the eye.

Bai Shi turned his head and saw Xiao Yuheng raising his eyebrows at her, as if to say, "What, my cousin is good." ”

Lin Xi's character was not clear, but he immediately liked it when he saw it like this, so he smiled and nodded.

Xiao Yuheng said to Lin Xi with a smile: "What kind of wind blew my cousin over today, my small courtyard is shining, Xi'er, don't stand, sit down." ”

Lin Xi didn't say much, and after Yuanyuan took off his cloak, he sat down and said, "I wanted to visit my eldest cousin and eldest cousin for a long time, but everyone was busy during the New Year's Festival, so I didn't come to the door." Today, I saw that my cousin was a little free, so I took the liberty to come. ”

As he spoke, he stood up and kowtowed to the Bai family, "I received my cousin's gift before, I love it very much, and I don't know what to reply, the day before yesterday, there was a century-old ginseng in the New Year's gift sent by Rui Wangfu, thinking that my cousin-in-law was about to give birth, so I made some pills that would help my cousin-in-law recover as soon as possible after giving birth, and I hope my cousin-in-law will not dislike it." ”

After speaking, Yuan Yuan presented a small porcelain vase with a thin neck and round belly.

A surprised smile immediately appeared on Bai's face when she heard this, and at this time, what she was most worried about was giving birth to a child. The gift that Lin Xi sent was exactly what she needed, and her love for this cousin in her heart added a little more.

She motioned to the cui dressed maid beside her and immediately took the small porcelain vase, and said with a smile: "Cousin has a heart, sister-in-law presents your love." ”

Lin Xi just curled the corners of his mouth and smiled, "Cousin-in-law is polite." As he spoke, he looked at Xiao Yuheng.

Bai Shi understood, stood up with a smile, and said with a smile: "You brothers must have something to say, don't bother the concubine, remember how many taels of tribute tea was given by the emperor years ago, I'll take a look." It's still early, you talk slowly, cousin will stay and eat. ”

"There's a lady Lao. Xiao Yuheng immediately supported the Bai family except for the door, and instructed the good maid to wait carefully before turning back to the house.

"My sister-in-law is virtuous, and my eldest cousin is so blessed. Lin Xi praised sincerely, Bai knew at a glance that he was born in a scholarly family and knew how to be knowledgeable.

Xiao Yuheng had a smug expression on his face, "When Xi'er marries, there will be such blessings." Suddenly, I remembered some secret things, and I was happy for a while, and when Lin Xihu looked at him suspiciously, he coughed lightly and said, "Let's go to the study to talk." ”

Lin Xi walked into Xiao Yuheng's study for the first time, and what caught his eye was a room full of books, calligraphy and paintings.

There are always similarities between literati, and the previous Master Lin also had such a study, and Lin Xi often went there if he was not sick.

When the two of them sat down, a small servant brought a charcoal basin in, Lin Xi immediately felt warm all over his body, and another maid served tea, and felt comfortable after taking a sip.

"Is there something wrong with Xi'er looking for me?" Although Xiao Yuheng shouted cousin in front of him, he liked to call him "Xi'er" in front of him, compared to his half-brother Xiao Yuqi, he preferred his cousin who had only been with him for about two months.

Lin Xi didn't talk much nonsense, and said straight to the point: "Cousin, I want to take the imperial examination." ”

After the meal, Lin Xi left Zizhuxuan with a stack of books presented by Xiao Yuheng, and those books were naturally the key books for the exam. Although he needs to be filial piety to participate in the township examination, the three years of preparation for the exam is not long at all.

And Bai Shi saw that her husband's face was not quite right after Lin Xi left, so she asked, "What did my cousin tell you, his face is so weird." ”

"He said he was going to take the imperial examination. ”

Hearing this, Bai Shi wondered, "Isn't this a good thing?"

Xiao Yuheng said: "It's really not a bad thing. ”

"Then why are you ......?"

"My husband just sighed, no one in the entire Yongning Marquis Mansion walked the same path as me, but I didn't want to come halfway to my cousin, but he had great ambitions in his heart, and he was worthy of being the son of Tanhualang. ”

When the Bai family heard this, he put his heart at ease, "Why not, isn't the second brother in the Guozi Prison?"

"He's a serious student like that. "Xiao Yuqi's ability to be in the Guozijian is not a quota in the Hou Mansion, but he is not seriously admitted.

Bai Shi smiled and did not comment on the little uncle, "In the future, you will give more advice to your cousin, but what are the troubles?"

Xiao Yuheng frowned when he said this, and the Bai family immediately withdrew from the maid.

"My father mentioned before that he would marry his second sister to Xi'er, and he would get married when he was filial, but Xi'er's identity was embarrassing and she didn't have an official title, so she discussed with me to donate an official. But if Xi'er is determined to take the imperial examination, I am afraid that it will take several years for her to become famous......

The Liu family and the Bai family also vaguely mentioned this matter, so she also had a bottom in her heart, but she just heard her husband say this, "Is it already decided?"

"No, my father just mentioned to me that the second sister was born by Aunt Mei after all, and she needs to be informed. ”

Bai Shi stopped talking when he heard this.

For Aunt Mei, what she listened to the most was from Liu's mouth, and every time she either gritted her teeth or sneered and disdainful. Just by looking at the second lady Xiao Jinlan's figure, you can know Aunt Mei's beauty, Liu can still give birth to a son and a daughter under such domineering, and raise an adult, it can be seen how favored this woman is, if it weren't for Liu's mother's illustrious family, Xiao Yuheng is afraid that he will be reversed.

In fact, the Bai family is not optimistic about this marriage, although she doesn't like Aunt Mei, and she has no position to like her, but as a mother, she will not agree. The serious lady of the Hou Mansion, even if she is a concubine, has a good future, and it is more than enough to be the wife of a decent official family, or to choose a poor Jinshi.

However, Yongning Hou also has no rules, even if this marriage is not the right household, but Mrs. Tai is in charge, Yongning Hou and Mrs. Hou nodded, this is an ironclad thing, as an aunt, you only need to take care of Miss, and those who have the ability to prepare themselves are enough.

It's just that she can't talk about her father-in-law's affairs, so she can only say: "Father and mother can always think of a way, and my cousin wants to be motivated, do you still want to stop it?"

Xiao Yuheng nodded, "When spring begins, I will find a teacher for Xi'er." ”

Bai Shi thought for a while and said: "There are many students under my grandfather who are full of poetry and books to teach in the Bai Family Academy, and there are also my father's classmates, and after a few days, the concubine will find an opportunity to talk to my father, if my cousin does not dislike it, you might as well go to the Bai Family Academy." ”

Xiao Yuheng's eyes immediately lit up, and he held Bai's hand and said, "How can there be anything disliked, it would be great if my father-in-law could agree, but I have to work you again." He paused, put away the smile on his face, looked up and down at Bai's big belly, and shook his head again, "No, let's wait until the confinement is over, nothing is as important as you." ”

The prestige of the old Shilin of the White Pavilion is extremely high, and the Bai family is also very noble, not to mention a number of Jinshi, there are several champions, and the scholars in the Bai's School are all today's great Confucians, enjoying a high reputation.

It would be great if Lin Xi could enter the Bai Academy to study. I think that if it wasn't for the engagement with the Bai family, Master Bai took a fancy to this son-in-law and often instructed him, and the old Bai Pavilion beat him from time to time, Xiao Yuheng was a high school jinshi and entered Hanlin.

Xiao Yuheng is grateful that his wife can think about her in-laws like this.

Bai Shi responded with a smile: "The concubine understands." ”