After hearing what he said, Zhao Huanxi was at a loss for words at first, then his face flushed red.

Xu Moxiu rolled up the scroll and handed it to him, saying, “If you want to find a master to teach you painting, it’s not difficult with your current level. But I still suggest you practice calligraphy first. After all, since ancient times, calligraphy and painting have been closely related. Learning to paint should be a test of patience and perseverance. If you don’t even have the patience and perseverance to practice calligraphy well, how can you make others believe that you will have the perseverance to learn painting from others?”

Zhao Huanxi replied awkwardly, “You make a good point. Ah Xiu, do you have any insights into calligraphy? Could you share them with me?”

Xu Moxiu turned away and took a book from the shelf, casually saying, “Calligraphy is all about personal understanding and practice. I’ve just started myself and don’t have the qualifications to teach you.”

Zhao Huanxi glanced at the manuscript on his desk, the characters on it naturally elegant and beautifully vigorous, already beyond the reach of ordinary people. He looked up to see Xu Moxiu, who was reading a book with a cold and indifferent attitude. Feeling dissatisfied, he couldn’t help but whisper, “We are both younger brothers; what is the need to keep people a thousand miles away like this?”

Xu Moxiu’s eyes glanced back, then lowered to look at the 《Book of Documents》in his hand. He asked the person behind him, “Have you read the Four Books and Five Classics?”

四书五经 (Sìshū Wǔjīng): The Four Books and Five Classics. These were the authoritative canon of Confucianism in China and served as the core curriculum for the imperial examinations. It represent the absolute baseline for any educated man or aspiring official. The Four Books include Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects, and Mencius. The Five Classics include Classic of Poetry, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, I Ching (Book of Changes), and Spring and Autumn Annals.

Zhao Huanxi, seeing that he was willing to pay him some attention, naturally answered with great eagerness: “I have read them.”

“Then do you know, in the second year of the Jiayou era, from which classic the provincial examination essay topic ‘On the Utmost Sincerity of Magnanimity in Punishments and Rewards’ originated?”

The "Jiayou" Era (嘉佑): This is a specific historical era name (reign of Emperor Renzong of Song). The second year of Jiayou (1057 AD) is legendary in Chinese history because it produced one of the most brilliant lists of successful candidates in the history of the imperial exams, including famous figures like Su Shi and Su Zhe.
刑赏忠厚之至论 (Xíng shǎng zhōng hòu zhī zhì lùn): This is a famous historical essay title by Su Shi. It refers to the idea that rewards should be generous and punishments should be lenient. The chief examiner, Ouyang Xiu, praised the essay, considering it a departure from the ornate and difficult style prevalent since the Five Dynasties and early Song Dynasty, and once remarked, "Reading Su Shi's work, one breaks into a sweat without realizing it, how delightful! I must avoid this man, lest he outshines me completely."

Zhao Huanxi: “…” This was even worse than being ignored.

On the other side, Xu Nian’an comforted Zheng Furen, then called Xu Qian’an and Xu Hui’an to the room to ask about the situation with the shop and the flower field. Despite sounding hesitant and stumbling over words, everything seemed to be more or less normal.

Xu Nian’an felt slightly relieved and remembered that she didn’t know what was happening with Xu Moxiu and Zhao Huanxi, so she went over to find out. Just as she arrived at Xu Moxiu’s door, she saw Zhao Huanxi coming out with a dejected look, holding a scroll in his hand.

“What’s wrong? Did Ah Xiu say you didn’t paint well?” Xu Nian’an asked as she approached.

Zhao Huanxi shook his head. “He said my painting is quite good.”

“Then why the dejected look?”

“He discussed the Four Books and Five Classics with me.”

Xu Nian’an: “…..”

With few people at home, Xu Nian’an, her siblings, and Zhao Huanxi sat at only one table for lunch. Xu Nian’an presided over the meal, and Xu Moxiu was a bit more polite to Zhao Huanxi. Zhao Huanxi, who wasn’t one to hold grudges, happily engaged in conversation with Xu Moxiu.

After lunch, Xu Nian’an went to bid farewell to Zheng Furen, while Zhao Huanxi seemed a bit reluctant, saying, “We’re leaving so soon ah?” He had been closely watched by Yin Furen since childhood, and with a gentle and introverted personality, he basically had no friends. Xu Moxiu only slightly improved his attitude towards Zhao Huanxi at Xu Nian’an’s behest, speaking more cordially, and it already made Zhao Huanxi reluctant to part.

Xu Nian’an glanced at her brother, who was concealing his disdain beneath a calm exterior, and said to Zhao Huanxi, “The journey is long, so we should head home early to avoid worrying Mother.”

Before getting on the carriage, Zhao Huanxi repeatedly invited Xu Moxiu to visit the Grand Duke of Jing Residence. Xu Moxiu responded perfunctorily, only looking back at his eldest sister with reluctance.

“Today, go back to the academy and don’t delay your studies,” Xu Nian’an instructed him.

Xu Moxiu nodded solemnly. “You take care too.”

Xu Nian’an smiled. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry. I’ve instructed Baokang that if there’s anything at home, he should come to the Jing Guogong Residence to find me. You focus on your studies and don’t worry about things at home.”

The siblings bid farewell at the door, and Xu Nian’an got on the carriage under Xu Moxiu’s watchful gaze.

“Are we really going back now? It’s not easy to come out for a trip,” Zhao Huanxi said, even as the carriage had already travelled some distance, he was still peeking back through the curtain.

“How come you’re getting along so well with my brother?” Xu Nian’an found it quite funny.

“Yes ah, even though he’s only three months older than me, he knows a lot, and I really admire him,” Zhao Huanxi said. “And it’s very comfortable to be around him. He doesn’t look down on me because my knowledge is not as good as his, nor does he try to please me because of my status as the legitimate eldest grandson of a duke. It’s like being with a friend. Friends should be like this, right?” As he spoke, he seemed to be lost in thought for a bit.

Xu Nian’an felt a sense of pity and comforted him, saying, “You will have such friends in the future.”

“How can you be so sure?” Zhao Huanxi came back to his senses and asked her, puzzled.

“Because you will gradually grow up, and as you grow, you will understand what you really want and what kind of person you want to become. Similar things group together, similar people fit together, and once you know what kind of person you want to be, you will naturally gravitate towards people who are similar to you. By then, you will naturally make friends who are compatible with your temperament.”

Zhao Huanxi looked at Xu Nian’an, his gaze soft and gentle. “You’re really kind. Talking to you always makes the future seem full of hope.”

Xu Nian’an somewhat awkwardly shifted her gaze away from his face. “As long as you’re willing to work hard, the future is always full of hope.”

“By the way,” Zhao Huanxi suddenly remembered something, “from what you said, it seems that your Zumu also showed favouritism when you were at the Count Zhongyi Residence. How did you deal with it at that time? And what about your Er Mei?”

“My father, though was a legitimate son (born from the legitimate wife), he is not the eldest. My Zumu originally planned to marry her Wai niece to my father, but my father followed my Zufu’s orders and married my mother instead. My Wai Zufu came from a family of scholar-farmer (gengdu), and he was serving in the Censorate at the time. Such a background was far inferior to that of the Count Zhongyi Residence. With a lesser family background, and without the favour of the mother-in-law, as well as harsh sisters-in-law, what could my mother do? She could only endure. Xu Hai’an’s mother, He Yiniang, was sent to my father’s room by Zumu after my mother became pregnant with me.”

In the traditional Chinese social hierarchy (士农工商 - Scholar, Farmer, Artisan, Merchant), the scholar and the farmer were the two most respected classes. The gēng dú ideal bridged these two, suggesting that a person could be a productive member of the peasantry while maintaining the high moral and intellectual standards of the elite. Being from a gengdu family means her mother's family were respectable scholars but lacked the hereditary noble titles.

Speaking of this, Xu Nian’an couldn’t help but smile faintly, a hint of coldness in her clear eyes. “Actually, my Da Bomu was right. If I hadn’t married you, where would I have had the courage to confront her?”

Seeing her like this, Zhao Huanxi felt uneasy. After hesitating for a while, he asked, “Then, when you see my mother, could it remind you of your Da Bomu((? After all, to my several **Shenniangs, my mother is also the Zhangsao, the one in charge of the household’s affairs.”

Xu Nian’an was surprised for a moment and then laughed. “How could you think like that? How could my Da Bomu be compared to your mother? My Da Bomu is evil rotten from the root, while your mother appears tough but is actually kind and upright. If not, how could your Shu brothers grow up so smoothly and even have promising futures? How could those Shenshens from Fourth and Fifth Branch have the courage to make things difficult for me in front of your mother on our wedding day? Good people are often taken advantage of, just as good horses are often ridden by horsemen. This is an unchanging truth.”

Zhao Huanxi became happy. “In that case, you don’t need to worry. If Da Bomu dares to make trouble for your family, I’ll have my mother deal with her.”

Xu Nian’an shook her head and smiled. “I know you mean well, but Mom manages the food, clothing, and daily needs of hundreds of people in the mansion. She has to deal with the fuss from various famiky branches and manage external social interactions (with other family/residence). She’s already very tired. Instead of adding to her worries, we should think about how to share her burdens.”

In short, if Yin Furen works herself ill and passes away, regardless of whether the Zhao family’s patriarch remarries, both Xu Nian’an and Zhao Huanxi’s treatment in the mansion will plummet.

Xu Nian’an knew that thinking like this was too realistic, but it was also the reality that made people more clear-headed.

Zhao Huanxi obviously hadn’t thought of this, but it didn’t stop him from feeling ashamed. “You’re right.”

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Jing Guogong Residence, entering through the east gate as usual. Just as they, accompanied by their maids and servants, reached the corner gate leading to Songmao Hall (the main hall), unexpectedly, over ten people walked out from Guogong Yé’s study.

“Huanxi, you’re back. Lu Bofu is visiting, and Zufu is about to take us to the garden to compose poetry. Why don’t you come along!” Zhao Huanxu shouted from afar.

Zhao Huanxi’s body stiffened for a moment. He turned slowly and walked towards Guogong Yé and the others by the study, his steps faltering.

“Who is Lu Bofu?” Xu Nian’an followed him and asked quietly as they walked.

“He is a close friend of my Zufu, currently serving as a Director in the Ministry of Works. Shuxian Tang Mei from the Fifth Branch is betrothed to the Lu family’s son,” Zhao Huanxi answered quietly, appearing rather listless.

Xu Nian’an was momentarily speechless. She thought to herself: it was a good thing Guogong Yé had many children and grandchildren; otherwise, if he made a few more friends, there wouldn’t be enough descendants to go around for all the marriage alliances.

“Huanxi greets Zufu, Lu Bofu, all Tang Yeye and Tang Bofu…” In addition to Guogong Yé and Lu Bofu, there were also five other elders from the family accompanying them. Among the younger generation were Zhao Huanxu and several grandchildren of similar age from the Third and Fourth Branch.

Xu Nian’an followed behind him and paid her respects to everyone.

Guogong Yé warmly asked Zhao Huanxi and Xu Nian’an, “Today’s the day of your Huimen. Why return so early?”

Zhao Huanxi kept his head lowered and simply answered, “Yes.” Xu Nian’an, on the other hand, smiled and replied, “We didn’t want to leave, but my brother had to stay home. I was worried we’d miss the time for him to return to the academy. So after lunch, I urged Sanlang to return home.”

Upon hearing this, Guogong Yé seemed to be reminded of something and smiled at Lu Langzhong beside him. “I forgot to tell you, my granddaughter-in-law’s younger brother also studies at the Canglan Academy.”

Langzhong is his rank; the Director of the Ministry of Work.

Lu Langzhong had a round face with a short beard under his chin, giving him a friendly appearance. He looked slightly surprised and said, “He should be quite young. To enter the Canglan Academy at such a young age, his future is limitless! What’s his name?”

“Surname is Xu, and named Moxiu.”

“Xu Moxiu, with the style name Wenlin?” Lu Langzhong continued.

courtesy name, also known as courtesy name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name

This time, it was Guogong Yé’s turn to be surprised. “How did you know?”

Lu Langzhong laughed heartily. “It’s true that family members may not recognize each other. This Xu Gongzi is actually a good friend of my son, and has visited our home as a guest. He is indeed a very outstanding young man. In my opinion, he has a good chance of excelling in the upcoming Provincial Examination in two years.”

“Lu Langzhong, don’t just praise others. Isn’t your family’s Lu Gongzi also admitted to the Canglan Academy at such a young age? Everyone in the capital knows about it.”

“Ei? It’s all just luck, just luck.”

The older generation was praising each other, while Zhao Huanxu, who had been left out in the cold, stood aside with a look of resentment.

After they finally finished, Xu Nian’an tugged at Zhao Huanxi’s sleeve. Zhao Huanxi quickly bowed and said, “Zufu, Lu Bofu, all Tang Yeye and Tang Bofu, Huanxi won’t disturb your enjoyment any longer. One will take leave first.”

“Ei? Huanxi, we agreed to compose poetry together in the garden. Don’t spoil everyone’s mood like this!” Zhao Huanxu came over and grabbed his arm, not letting him go.

With this scene, everyone’s gaze immediately focused on Zhao Huanxi.

Embarrassed, Zhao Huanxi’s cheeks turned red. He wanted to refuse but couldn’t find a suitable excuse. He could only mutter softly, “I… I didn’t…”

Guogong Yé’s expression turned ugly.