Chapter 3

Regarding the family's collective pilgrimage and blessings, Mother Xiao was certain that the old lady would take the opportunity to publicly examine all the grandchildren. At that time, those who performed well would naturally receive praise from everyone, while those who performed poorly would make their parents lose face.

Therefore, right after lunch, Mother Xiao sent a maid to call everyone, preparing to personally supervise the three children. Meanwhile, the other two households did the same, as it was rare for the old lady to be so pleased, and no one dared to take this trip lightly.

In the flower hall outside the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Xu, the graceful Mother Xiao sat on a chair, with a landscape painting by a contemporary scholar hanging behind her. The Xu siblings sat obediently on one side, with five or six maids standing with their heads bowed around them, and a few old women waiting outside the door.

Knowing her own children best, the ambitious Mother Xiao was not anxious and simply explained the situation briefly.

"Your Uncle is going to take office, which is a great joy for the Xu family. The Old Lady, in her delight, will personally examine your studies. I do not expect you three to make a stunning impression, but I hope you will not be timid and disgrace yourselves."

Xu Hao nodded along with his sister and younger sister. He secretly observed his mother's expression, which was as usual, showing no jealousy over Uncle's new position. Although being an official now was a mixed blessing, it could still bring glory to the family. If Father was overshadowed, would Mother really not be moved at all?

The eldest sister, Xu Qinglian, was seventeen years old, sitting upright and speaking softly, "Mother, please rest assured. Your children will not disappoint you."

Xu Hao turned to look at his always gentle and kind sister. Xu Qinglian looked very much like Mother Xiao, clear and refined, like a white lotus growing in the south, a gentle and modest southern lady, with a personality completely opposite to Mother Xiao's.

The youngest sister, Xu Hongye, lived up to her name, with bright eyes and a charming smile. Her personality, lively and mischievous, was most like her mother's. She leaned lazily against the chair, smiling carelessly.

Mother Xiao, like most mothers, indulged her daughters and did not mind the youngest's playful manner. She smiled and said, "The Old Lady values the virtue of women, and your embroidery and needlework are already quite good among your sisters. Even if you do not win, it is not a problem. What I am most worried about is Hao, who has been weak and sickly since childhood. Alas!"

"Mother is right," Xu Qinglian agreed, her worries growing as she stroked her brother's head, showing deep affection. "If anything happens, I hope Mother will not blame us."

Xu Hongye, indignant, said in a soft voice, "What's there to fear? It's true that Brother is weak, but the Old Lady won't make him practice martial arts. As for literature, it's just reciting the Four Books and Five Classics and composing a couple of poems. With my help, winning first place won't be difficult."

"That won't do," Xu Qinglian shook her head vigorously. "How can you secretly help in public? It will only make the Old Lady angrier to know you are skilled in literature."

"Even if we get scolded together, I don't care," said Xu Hongye, who at fifteen had a carefree attitude.

"Ridiculous, Hongye, you must not act rashly," Mother Xiao said sternly, but with a hint of joy in her eyes. Which mother does not want to see her children love each other?

Only Xu Hao, surrounded by the three women, could only smile bitterly. A man of dignity had become the weakest, and the frustration was indescribable. But this frustration could only be swallowed.

After all, in martial arts, he was a complete novice, and in literature, how could he compare with the people of this era? Was he to come up with some shocking and unconventional ideas?

Xu Hao shook his head. This was not a novel, and even if it were, he did not want to become a 'star' that everyone looked at. As the saying goes, trouble comes from the mouth. He was not an ordinary person and could not bring disaster to the entire family for a moment's pleasure.

Moreover, what shocking ideas could there be? Even if he dared to say them, the ancients might not understand! Xu Hao frowned, thinking. Although he had read books and practiced writing for a few days, he could not match his cousins.

After some thought, Xu Hao said honestly, "Mother, I will disappoint you. It's better to hide one's talent than to show it. I will go to the Old Lady and apologize tonight."

Everyone in the room was shocked. Xu Qinglian and the maids were all surprised, as they had never seen the usually spoiled Xu Hao speak like this.

Xu Hongye, angry, stomped her feet and said, "Why do you want to undermine our family's prestige? They are just stuffed dummies. Do you lack the confidence to compete with them?"

Xu Hao smiled bitterly at his mother, who remained calm, and said, "Even stuffed dummies are embroidered. I admit I am not as good as them. Mother has always taught me to be honest, and my ambition is not to achieve great things or to become an official."

The straightforward Xu Hongye could not help but ask, "What do you want to do in the future? Not a military or civil official, will you just stay at home and lead a mediocre life?"

Xu Hao frankly said, "Yes, being a wealthy man is not bad. Contentment brings happiness."

"Brother," Xu Hongye looked at Xu Hao in disbelief, "You didn't use to say that. You always said you wanted to be like Grandfather, a great general."

"Those were just childhood jokes, not to be taken seriously," Xu Hao said with a bitter smile.

Xu Qinglian let out a long sigh and smiled, "I agree with my brother. Whenever Uncle goes to war, the Old Lady and Aunt are always praying. The whole house becomes gloomy, and any unlucky words can make the Old Lady furious. I don't want to worry about my brother all the time. Besides, as the saying goes, generals are not spared in battle. It's better to live a peaceful life as a wealthy man."

"Sister," Xu Hongye was somewhat indignant. She was still in her romantic youth and could not understand the worry. She always imagined her brother's heroic figure on the battlefield, and the pride she would feel.

The maids in the room had their own thoughts. Those close to Xu Hao, like Qiuxiang, naturally sided with the Xu siblings. The others were mostly like Xu Hongye, thinking that if their young master became a general, it would be a great blessing for the family, and personal safety was secondary.

Which mother does not worry about her children's safety? Although her son's words lacked ambition, Mother Xiao preferred her children to be healthy and happy. The Xu family was not a poor family and did not solely rely on their sons to revive the family name.

However, there was still a hint of hope in her heart. Mother Xiao said sternly, "To be a wealthy man, you need skills. You need to get along well with the government and neighbors, understand business, know how to manage people, and be frugal. Do you have these skills?"

Xu Hao smiled and said, "Then please find me a capable wife, like Mother, and I can live a carefree life like Father, with everything provided for me."

This flattery made everyone burst into laughter. Xu Hongye used her small hand to rub her cheeks, "Shame, shame, Brother wants a wife."

"Go, you little brat," Mother Xiao blushed slightly, feeling flattered, but said cautiously, "Since you plan to hide your talent, go and explain to the Old Lady. I don't want to be blamed along with you. Alas, we will be one step behind the other two households again."

Mother Xiao turned away, somewhat melancholy. Xu Qinglian and Xu Hongye quickly comforted her. Xu Hao noticed a hint of disdain in the maids' eyes and bowed deeply to Mother Xiao, then left with Qiuxiang.

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