Jiang Mubai laughed heartily again, his beard shaking with his laughter.
Ms. Ge scolded, âLook at you grinning ear to ear. Little Seventh Sister gives you a few compliments and you take it to heart. Donât keep praising him, Seventh Sister. Who knows what heâll do next? Tomorrow, he might start giving out his calligraphy everywhere. Heâs a General. People canât reject him easily. Accepting it, on the other hand, means they must offer something in return. Isnât this putting them in a difficult position?â
âWhat nonsense?â the General flares, âIâm not the one asking for their money. They insist on giving it! If I refuse, itâs akin to refusing their goodwill!â
Ms. Ge scoffs, âLittle Seventh, hear this man. Can you believe him? If youâre so capable, why not gift your writing to the Emperor and the Crown Prince? Letâs see if theyâre eager to pay for it.â
Jiang Ning chuckled, âItâs hard to say for the Emperor, but the Crown Prince would definitely pay. Aunt, please stop disparaging Uncle. His calligraphy is really goodâI even wondered if it was a masterpiece by a known master.â
âThere, there!â the General exclaimed with praise, âIndeed, us Jiangs have an eye for art! And you are a woman with long hair and short insight!â
Ms. Ge got furious, âI gave you four kids, and now you call me a woman of different surname? Fine, I will return to my parentâs house tomorrow, you can live on your own!â
The General remained completely unfazed, âYour parents are both gone. You intend to return to your maiden home just to bother your siblings, nieces, and nephews?â
Ms. Ge said, ââ¦Fine, then Iâll just go to our second childâs place. I donât believe they will also despise me and refuse to let me stay.â
âThey would definitely not.â Jiang Ning laughed, âMy mother would be delighted to have Aunt stay over to keep her company. Itâs just that Aunt may be reluctant to leave Uncle, and so have been too shy to say it.â
âWorried about him, that old man? Pah! Iâm going to pack my things now, and insist on living at the second childâs place for at least a year or half!â
She stomped off, then, after a few steps, turned back to grab half of the snacks, leaving only a cup of tea and a plate of snacks for Jiang Ning. She took all the rest with her.
âAuntie, Auntie, please cool your angerâ¦â Jiang Ning tried to soothe her.
âSeventh Sister, disregard that old lady. The older she gets, the more dramatic she becomes.â Jiang Mubai, still full of enthusiasm, called out to Jiang Ning, âSeventh Sister, come over here and tell your Uncle more about whatâs exceptional in my calligraphy.â
âUncle, why donât you go and comfort Aunt? She takes care of the household all by herself while youâre away. Sheâs been through so much.â Jiang Ning handed him his tea and chuckled, âDonât put on a false front in front of your daughter.â
Jiang Mubai took the tea and sipped it, laughing and sighing, âDaughters are always thoughtful. Ah, itâs a pity that your second sister married far away and seldom comes back. I regret it now. She should have married someone close by, just like you. Being able to see her regularly is what truly matters.â
âSecond Sister always cares about whatâs going on at home. When sheâs not around, Iâll fulfill her filial duties. If thereâs anything you or Aunt need me to do, just say it. Donât be shy.â
âWhy are you so considerate today?â The General eyed his sweet-talking niece, âCome on, youâre trying to ask me for a favor, arenât you?â
âItâs nothing major.â Jiang Ning put some pastries in front of him, âI just wanted to ask you for somebody.â
âWho might that be?â@@novelbin@@
âGufeng.â Jiang Ning began to massage his back, âUncle, I really like Gufeng. Could you please let me have him?â