Chapter 4: A Glance in Autumn

Indeed, I just embroidered it last month. Does Bai Ge'er like this pouch? If you do, I will give it to you, and I can embroider another one when I return. Mo Ruohui, seeing Jiang Bai examining her pouch, couldn't help but smile. This Bai Ge'er is quite handsome, yet he has a fondness for some feminine items. Every time he comes back, he loves to ask about the names of the clothes and accessories he wears. If one didn't know better, they might think he was a girl.

After Jiang Baiting listened to Mo Ruoping's words, she propped her chin on her small hand, tilted her head, and glanced at Mo Ruoping and Mo Ruohui, saying: "Look at how well my flirtation is going, isn't it?"

He Yuanzheng was speaking when Xingren entered and said: "Young Madam, Grandma Mo has brought the young master and young lady and is currently going to see the old lady ahead!"

Mo Ruo Ping did not see Jiang Xuan and Jiang Qing nearby. Hearing that they were still practicing in the martial arts hall, he smiled and said, "When I was in the residence, I usually practiced martial arts in the evening. I will go over now to see what skills Xuan and the others are practicing."

Grandma Mo listened to Lady Jiang's words and smiled as she replied a few sentences. After having lunch, she left first, leaving Mo Ruoping and Mo Ruohui at the General's residence. Jiang Xuan was naturally excited to mention that Gu Zhengchong and others were going to take him and Jiang Bai hunting. Jiang Huanan, hearing Jiang Xuan's words, laughed and said: "When I was your age, I followed my father and uncle to hunt. Tomorrow, the Second and Third Princes will lead a hunting party, and I will go with your second uncle. You and Prince An and Prince Shu can follow behind, which is no problem. Bring your bows and arrows; if you are quick, you might catch a rabbit or a mountain chicken to bring back for everyone to taste."

Haha... seeing Jiang Bai's comical appearance, Mo Ruo Ping couldn't help but laugh, clapping his hands and saying: "Brother Bai, you are glaring at us; how can that be a mere glance?"

"Pinger is only nine years old, yet he can compose poetry; that is quite impressive." He Yuan also had a fondness for Mo Ruoping and Mo Ruhui. At this moment, he led Jiang Bai towards the main room of the old lady Jiang. Upon arriving outside the door, he noticed several maids from the Mo family standing by the curtain, dressed in brand new and vibrant attire, standing upright. It was evident that these maids had been personally trained by Grandma Mo, and they were indeed more courteous than the other maids of the Mo family.

As Mo Ruo Hui was about to take off her pouch, Jiang Bai hurriedly pressed her hand down and said with a smile, "Sister Hui, just teach me how to embroider this pattern."

Mo Ruo Ping saw Jiang Bai and Mo Ruo Hui still whispering, so he approached them to join the conversation. He heard Jiang Bai recounting amusing stories from his martial arts training with Gu Zhengchong and Gu Qiubo, which made him smile. After a while, noticing that the adults were not paying attention, he couldn't help but quietly ask Jiang Bai: "Is the name of the King of Shu really Qiu Bo?"

Jiang Hua'an, after instructing Jiang Xuan, heard Jiang Bai's words and placed his hand on her head, gently saying: "You are still young; hunting is not suitable for you"

Brother Bai is truly amusing! Mo Ruo Hui couldn't help but laugh so hard that she couldn't stand up straight, and she couldn't resist reaching out to pinch Jiang Bai's face. Seeing his clothes in disarray, she reached out again to straighten them for him

Almond was speaking as she went to help He Yuan change clothes, and also took out a cloak for Jiang Bai to wear, saying: "Young Master Ping, Miss Hui's words are indeed sweet. She keeps calling me 'sister' as soon as she sees me, making it hard not to love her! Just now, I was in the old lady's room and heard her ask about Young Master Ping, saying that she had heard before that he could compose poetry, but she was somewhat skeptical. Who would have thought that Young Master Ping would immediately compose a poem, and only then did the old lady believe it. She was so pleased that, in addition to the customary meeting gift, she also gave Young Master Ping a jade fish and a belt. Miss Hui presented her hand-stitched purse and a pair of shoes, all exquisitely embroidered, which the old lady also praised!"

"Are you going to learn embroidery?" Mo Ruohui was taken aback and murmured, "Boys should practice martial arts and study literature, how can..."

If you don't let me go, won't I sneak out? Jiang Bai rolled her eyes and walked away with her head held high.

Jiang Bai tilted his head and thought for a moment, saying: "Mother, I will study embroidery diligently and will definitely create a pouch that is even more beautiful than the one hanging at the waist of the King of Shu"

At that moment, as the adults were speaking, Jiang Bai pulled Mo Ruohui aside to whisper. He also touched the pouch hanging from her waist and quietly asked, "Sister Hui, did you embroider this pouch yourself"

I am merely allowing them to stay for a few days, yet you are climbing the ladder of opportunity, bringing Ping Ge and Hui Jie to learn the craft. Old Madam Jiang has attempted several times to match her relatives' daughters with Jiang Huahong, hoping to strengthen the ties between the Mo family and the Jiang family. Unfortunately, Jiang Huahong has consistently refused, leaving her with no choice but to abandon the idea. Now, considering her advanced age and the declining fortunes of the Mo family, she feels the need to seize the opportunity to lend a hand. Mo Ruohui appears to be a suitable match; if she could arrange a union with the General's residence, perhaps with Jiang Xuan or Jiang Qing, the Jiang family would naturally look after the Mo family, and she would have fulfilled her duty to her brothers in her maternal family. Now, considering her advanced age and the declining fortunes of the Mo family, she feels the need to seize the opportunity to lend a hand. Mo Ruohui appears to be a suitable match; if she could arrange a union with the General's residence, perhaps with Jiang Xuan or Jiang Qing, the Jiang family would naturally look after the Mo family, and she would have fulfilled her duty to her brothers in her maternal family.

At that moment, Jiang Xuan and Jiang Qing also arrived, and the children were laughing and playing. Old Madam Jiang, having invited Mo Ruoping and Mo Ruohui to stay for a couple of days, smiled at Grandma Mo and said, "Given your busy schedule this year, we can't keep you. However, it's rare for Ping and Hui to come, so they might as well stay a few more days before heading back. Don't worry, when the time comes, I'll have Huagai send them back, ensuring everything is in order, and they will make it back in time for the New Year"

When it comes to Gu Zhengchong and Gu Qiubo, Grandma Mo naturally pays close attention and follows up on Old Madam Jiang's remarks with a few inquiries

Grandmother Mo, who has an almond-shaped face, is actually the granddaughter-in-law of Old Madam Jiang's younger brother. The brothers and nephews from Old Madam Jiang's family also have military backgrounds and considerable prestige. However, in recent years of peace, military officials have gradually lost their importance, and the younger generation of the Mo family, lacking military achievements, is not as impressive as before. Old Master Mo remarked: "The Mo family members only know how to wield swords and spears, but now that there is peace, the younger generation should read books. If any of them are intelligent, they should take the imperial examination and make a name for themselves in the court, which is certainly better than suffering at the borders." Because of Old Master Mo's words, the Mo clan invited renowned teachers to educate the younger members. Since the Mo family did not originally come from a scholarly background, many of the clan's youths were not fond of studying, which led to several teachers leaving in frustration. Unexpectedly, the pair of children from the third branch's granddaughter-in-law, named Mo Ruoping and Mo Ruhui, were different from the other Mo family youths; they loved reading from a young age, which delighted Old Master Mo, who cherished them immensely. Old Master Mo also instructed Grandmother Mo to frequently take Mo Ruoping and Mo Ruhui to the general's residence to meet more people. This time, Grandmother Mo brought them to deliver New Year gifts.

Cough, should I tell the truth? He Yuan looked at the pouch in Jiang Bai's hand, then at her eyes filled with anticipation, feeling somewhat conflicted. Our child is joyfully learning to embroider pouches; isn't that difficult? Why does that little brat from the Shu Kingdom have to criticize her work as ugly? At just six years old, for a child to embroider like this is already commendable. If I say her work is ugly, will it discourage her confidence in learning embroidery? But if I say it is beautiful, I truly cannot bring myself to say it. If I say her work is ugly, will it discourage her confidence in learning embroidery? But if I say it is beautiful, I truly cannot bring myself to say it.

Indeed! Jiang Bai observed Mo Ruoping's seemingly amused expression and couldn't help but ask, "Is this name amusing?"

"Xiao Bai, you have only been learning embroidery for half a year, and you can already stitch like this. In the eyes of your father and mother, that is quite impressive." He Yuan embraced Jiang Bai and said gently, "It's just like learning martial arts; you can defeat the King of Shu because you have trained longer than he has. The same goes for embroidery; as long as you practice for a longer time, you will naturally stitch more beautifully."

"Mother, do you think the pouch I embroidered is beautiful?" Jiang Bai held a pouch in her hand, which she had prepared to present to her elders as a token of filial piety during the New Year. This pouch reminded her of Gu Qiubo's expression when she had called the pouch ugly, causing her confidence to waver. She ran over to He Yuan and said, "Father said the pouch I embroidered is very beautiful, but just now, the King of Shu said the pouch I made for my brother is very ugly." Whose words are true?

"Father, what weapon should I bring?" Upon hearing about the hunt, Jiang Bai thought to himself that he had not yet started learning archery. Could it be that he would take a wooden sword to chase after rabbits and pheasants?

"Xiao Bai, come here, and let me explain some things to you!" He Yuan, seeing Jiang Bai's indignation, could only pull him over and say, "You are different from your brother; the hunting grounds are not suitable for you. It would be better for you to stay at home and play with Sister Hui!"

"Does the boy enjoy embroidery?" Mo Ruo Hui murmured softly, suppressing the rest of her words. She thought to herself that the General's residence had no boys, and it was likely that they had unconsciously raised Bai Ge'er, who appeared frail, as if he were a girl. This had resulted in his peculiar temperament, leading him to want to learn embroidery like a girl. Fortunately, he was still young; this might just be a fleeting whim, and she expected that he would forget about it after a while.

Shh! Because He Yuan had instructed her not to tell anyone about learning embroidery, Jiang Bai shook Mo Ruo Hui's hand at this moment, preventing her from continuing. He leaned in and said, "This is my personal hobby, Sister Hui, please don't tell anyone."

"I have asked them to come over; you just sit quietly!" said Old Lady Jiang with a smile. "Every day I get up early to practice, and by this time, it is almost over. Because Prince An and Prince Shu have been practicing martial arts in the residence lately, that is why it has ended a bit later."

Upon seeing He Yuan and Jiang Bai arrive, several young girls hurriedly bowed and greeted them, then lifted the curtain to let them in. As soon as they entered the room, they saw Old Madam Jiang speaking with a young boy. Since the room was heated with a kang, the boy, wearing only a cloak, had on black boots and a brocade robe, which complemented his eyes like autumn waters and his brows like distant mountains, making him a remarkably handsome young man—indeed, it was Mo Ruoping. On the other side, a girl was sitting and reading, who was none other than Mo Ruohui. Mo Ruohui, seven years old this year, was fair and delicate, with a well-behaved disposition. Upon seeing He Yuan and Jiang Bai enter, she quickly stood up to pay her respects.

As she turned her gaze before departing, it was as if the autumn waves were stirred. Mo Ruo Ping involuntarily uttered a line of poetry, smiling as he explained the meaning of these words

I am only half an hour younger than my brother. Jiang Bai protested, accusing, "Last time we went to the Shang residence to celebrate a birthday, only my brother was allowed to go, and I was not permitted to attend."

Grandmother Mo, having heard that Gu Zhengchong and Gu Qiubo were learning skills at the General's residence, began to entertain thoughts of her own. If her son could establish a connection with the royal grandson, his future would be half secured. Although her daughter was young, she had a gentle disposition; if she could win the favor of Old Madam Jiang and Miss Shang, they could assist in her future marriage, which would be far more effective than her own efforts in the residence. In terms of lineage, the Mo family was the maternal family of Old Madam Jiang, and as long as Old Madam Jiang was alive, she would naturally look after the Mo family. However, Old Madam Jiang was advanced in age and could not provide care for many more years. It was essential for her daughter to win more favor from Miss Shang. As for the royal grandson, it was unlikely to be within reach; Xuan Ge'er was the eldest son and grandson, and it was expected that he would wait for the Emperor to arrange a marriage. Currently, Hui Jie'er was a year older than Bai Ge'er and had a good rapport with him; as the saying goes, "A girl grows a year older, she holds a gold brick." Grandmother Mo thought of this and knew that Old Madam Jiang appreciated straightforwardness. She smiled and replied, "The school is on break now, and they have returned to the residence, being quite mischievous. If the old lady keeps them for a few days, Ping Ge'er can practice martial arts with Xuan Ge'er and stretch his muscles. The young mistress excels in embroidery; if Hui Jie'er could assist her with the needle and thread, it would be quite beneficial. This is truly a sought-after opportunity!"

"Good, you have ambition. Your mother supports you!" He Yuanhu encouraged Jiang Bai by patting her head, then pinched her small hand and said with a smile, "These past two years learning martial arts from your father and uncle, you have indeed become a bit sturdier. It's so cold today, yet your little hand is warm."