The Erjin small courtyard rarely entertained guests, and the tea leaves were all the most ordinary crumbs, which could not be brewed into good tea even with multiple steepings. Putting it on the table was purely for etiquette.
Everyone knew that Madam Jiang would not possibly drink the tea here.
But when the tea cup was actually served, she unexpectedly reached out to take it. She used the lid to skim off the floating debris and took a couple sips before putting it down.
Seeing a few young men staring at her without moving their eyes, Madam Jiang smiled frankly, "I just wanted to taste what kind of tea my granddaughter drinks every day."
Jiang Sheng grinned widely.
But the few brothers all fell silent.
Especially Zheng Ruqian. He had originally thought his sister was snatched away and the Jiang family was detestable. He did not expect someone actually cherished Jiang Sheng. Amidst the astonishment, he could not help feeling relieved.
Love could be divided into petty love and magnanimous love. Petty love tied one by one's side while magnanimous love let go and watched from afar.
If the Jiang family could really treat little Jiang Sheng well, the brothers could also grit their teeth and separate from her.
As long as...as long as she was fine.
Zheng Ruqian sniffed his nose. He was almost moved by his own nobility. When he turned his head and saw Jiang Sheng blinking her eyes, he was instantly confused.
"Second brother... I brought... meat porridge for you..." The little girl tried hard to convey with her expression.
Zheng Ruqian twitched to respond, "You... say... what?"
"Meat porridge." Jiang Sheng blinked her eyes.
Zheng Ruqian twitched, "What?"
Madam Jiang at the side could not help laughing quietly, "Jiang Sheng brought you guys a big bowl of meat porridge. Tan Yue is cooking it now. It should be ready."
She had just finished talking when the aroma of meat mixed with rice wafted over.
The starving Zheng Ruqian could not stand it anymore. After apologizing to Madam Jiang, he rushed out anxiously.
Jiang Sheng also bid farewell to her grandmother properly before chasing out joyfully like a little girl.
The brother and sister's figures disappeared from sight in a flash.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan were not that hungry but with their elder brother and little sister gone, they were inevitably a little tempted.
After all, they were still children.
Madam Jiang smiled, "You should go quickly too. The head chef specially cooked the meat porridge. Jiang Sheng already had three bowls."
The two little boys bid their excuses before leaving together.
Only Xu Mo was left sitting steadily like a mountain in the main hall.
"Why don't you go?" Madam Jiang asked curiously.
Xu Mo smiled, "The young ones can act on a whim but as the eldest brother, I shoulder the responsibility."
It was like when guests came to a family. As parents, they needed to entertain the guests properly while the children only needed to greet politely.
They did not have parents or elders. As the eldest brother, Xu Mo shouldered all responsibilities.
He was not greedy, neither servile nor overreaching, perfectly composed with proper manners in coming and going.
Not to mention other fifteen-year-old youths in Fengjing, even those in their early twenties could not compare to him.
The words of praise that Jiang Sheng boasted about countless times rang out at the right time. Madam Jiang had to admit Xu Mo's excellence far surpassed the Jiang family juniors.
He was the leader many times despite his young age. Even when they lost power in the meeting, he could still remain calm.
His only weakness was his lowly status but it did not beat him down either.
Such a young man, if he was born in a prestigious family, how high he could have climbed and how smoothly he could have succeeded.
Even coming from a humble background, there would still be a place for him in Fengjing's future.
Madam Jiang somehow felt enlightened as complex thoughts flashed by: With such an outstanding elder brother, perhaps Jiang Sheng also had a pillar of support that was the key to her stability for the rest of her life.
One should not care about immediate wealth and honor but focus on the next generation instead.
If a prestigious family could not produce outstanding descendants, however much power they held would still decline eventually...
Madam Jiang's thoughts roamed freely. Xu Mo quietly accompanied her.
The main hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. It made the laughter and chatter from outside even clearer.
"They are making noise again, making Madam laugh," Xu Mo spoke on behalf of his younger siblings. "Having grown up together, we are inevitably closer."
Madam Jiang's expression did not change. Supporting herself with a cane, she stood up, "It doesn't matter. I'll go take a look."
Xu Mo could only follow behind.
There were two dining tables in the small Erjin courtyard. One was in the main hall while the other was in the yard.
The main hall was used to entertain guests so the siblings sat on the stone stools in the yard to enjoy the piping hot meat porridge.
The four children took their seats with Jiang Sheng having an extra cushion.
"Did Second Brother bring back any good stuff from Lingnan this time?" The little girl's stomach was already full yet she still hugged a bowl without letting go.
Zheng Ruqian's bowl was already empty. He went to refill his second bowl, "Of course there are good stuff but I won't tell you guys first. I'll talk after I sell them."
"Ah?" Jiang Sheng was greatly disappointed. "Won't Second Brother let us try them first?"
Zheng Ruqian endured his laugh and took out a jade bracelet from his clothes, "Do you want to taste stuff or want presents?"
The jade circle looked purely white at first glance but upon closer look, one would notice cotton fuzz and flaws. Its price should not be too expensive, at least prestigious family daughters would not care for it.
Yet Jiang Sheng still held it preciously as if it was the greatest treasure, "Second Brother is the best. He always brings us gifts every time."
Zheng Ruqian chuckled gleefully and finished the meat porridge in one go. Only after putting down the bowl did he notice his two younger brothers were also eyeing him stealthily.
Humph, just a bunch of brats.
Eldest Brother Number Two fished out two small jade pendants from his clothes, "These are for you."
"Thank you, Second Brother," Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan said in unison.
Zheng Ruqian scratched his head happily, "Not just you guys, Third Brother and Big Brother have them too. Jade from Lingnan cannot be considered precious but the prices are exceptionally low. Aside from fruits, I also brought back quite a lot of jade items this time. I can definitely make a fortune by selling them to jewelry shops afterward."
His temperament contained the conflicting qualities of shrewdness and simplicity. He could be astute yet preserved some human touch.
Although his personality was a bit dramatic with joy, anger, sorrow and happiness all apparent, it was even easier for such a person to gain the people's trust. Doing business would definitely not be difficult for him.
Madam Jiang sucked in a breath of cold air.
Having managed the Yuanyuan Residence for decades, her judgement was exceptionally penetrating. She would absolutely not see a person wrongly.
She was shocked not because she thought there was a second outstanding youth in this small courtyard other than Xu Mo.
In the yard, Zheng Ruqian seemed to have said something amusing to Jiang Sheng and suddenly choked, coughing nonstop.
Xu Mo stepped forward anxiously.
Wen Zhiyun reacted the fastest. He threw aside his bowl and chopsticks, patted Zheng Ruqian's back first before wiping his mouth and nose and finally pressed hard down his spine.
Miraculously, Zheng Ruqian stopped coughing with his complexion turning from flushed red back to normal.
Chang Yan took out a handkerchief. His tone was steady and composed, "Little Sister, don't tease Second Brother anymore. It's easy to choke when eating."
Jiang Sheng obediently replied from the cushion, "Fifth Brother is right. I will definitely improve in the future."
Chang Yan could only smile wryly as he sat down, not forgetting to pour Zheng Ruqian a cup of water.
Madam Jiang's eyes grew increasingly brighter.
It was also then that the siblings noticed the worried Xu Mo.
Jiang Sheng happily got up with a bowl full of meat porridge and brought it over, "Big Brother, I saved this for you."
