LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 459
Cangzhou was neither too far nor too near from the capital. Under normal circumstances, it'd take about half a month walking by foot. As the waterway needed to take a detour, it'd take longer. The sun in autumn was still hot. Little Dumpling was only two months old. For the sake of the baby, Yan Shengrui gave up the land route and took the waterway. All the way, they could also appreciate the sceneries on the banks.
Of the three ships, only the first one was carrying people, the second and third ones were both carrying goods, including their sorghum wine, grade wine, jam and this year's newly harvested early rice. Having being used to the quality rice they grew themselves, they already didn't want any other rice. Not only that, Ling Chenglong also said after the late rice was harvested, he'd send all of it to the capital for them, and promised that he'd send them the rice every year.
"Daddy, look, our little brother is so good at eating. Will he eat goat's milk instead of a nanny's?"
In case the nanny thing happened again, and due to the pressing time, Ling Jingxuan didn't find another nanny, but took two ewes with him. Whenever the kid got hungry, he'd milk some for him, then mixed it with some crescent spring water, removed its strong smell and fed the kid with a spoon. After first, it was really a bit troublesome, since the little Dumpling had been used to sucking tits, so he refused to open his mouth when using a spoon. Later, maybe he was too hungry, soon he had learned to eat with the spoon. The few little buns fed him in turns everyday. Every time if there was any left, Ling Wu, as his elder brother, would love to help him finish it all.
"Anyway, we still need a nanny. But maybe we'll talk about that after we arrive in the capital. Hand little Dumpling to me. Didn't your father say he'd teach you martial arts? Go.'
Taking the baby over and slightly patting his back to let him burp, Ling Jingxuan reminded the kids with a smile. Days on the ship were boring. So Yan Shengrui and Ling Jinghan took over the job of teaching the kids. One taught them martial arts in the morning, while the other taught them reading in the afternoon. Sometimes, Ye Ruyun would join to teach them martial arts. The only one who had nothing to do should be Ling Jingxuan. The little Dumpling only needed him to take care of for a moment while he needed feeding. Most of the time, it was Lady Zhang, Ling Yun and others who were taking care of the baby.
"OK, little Dumpling, we'll come back for you later.'
As he couldn't reach his little brother's head, Ling Wen directly patted on his little foot. Then the three little buns turned to leave after bowing to Ling Jingxuan like little adults. Song Shuiling who was waiting on by the side couldn't help smiling, 'Master Xuan, the little masters are behaving more and more like childes from an official family.'
"Hehe...they are always so good."
Ling Jingxuan withdrew his gaze and put the little dumpling who stopped burning in bed, then leaned against the chair and continued boringly, 'I don't know what those official families' formalities, my kids only need to be themselves.'
That was also why he had not hired someone to teach children the basic etiquettes. Kids, if you put too many restrains on them, they'd become little old men. His little buns were already premature, he really didn't wish them to become more premature. If they became like little Seven, wouldn't he feel sorry for them?
"Master Xuan, I heard that people in the capital are very snobbish. Will they look down upon us?"
Seeing that he seemed in a good mood, Song Shuiling couldn't help moving forward and asked what was worrying her. She was not afraid that she'd get bullied or what, but only worried someone would ride over their master's head. Before leaving, the master's parents had told her that she had to make sure of the safety of Master Xuan and the little masters even at the cost of her own life. She knew that except some handwork, she wasn't good at anything, what she all was only her loyalty to Master Xuan.
"That's for sure. Whether it's the capital or somewhere else, given my farmer's background, people will look down on me. After all, our lord's background is there. Let alone I'm a farmer, even if I am the legitimate son or daughter from a big family, I'm still far from good enough for him. So, forget about others, we only need to be ourselves. Besides, being looked down upon by snobs may not be a bad thing.'
A great man knows when to yield and when not. Although he had never planned to wrong himself, sometimes, it might not be a bad thing to pretend to be a fool, just take it as a way to test others. He didn't plan to have any head-on confrontations with those people in the beginning. Of course, if they were in a hurry to seek death, he didn't mind getting rid of some of them as a warning.
"I understand. What Master Xuan is trying to say is we should roll with the punches?"
Song Shuiling was a smart girl. Hearing here, she basically knew what he meant. Ling Yun on the side who was a bit older than her showed a doting smile, 'That's what Master Xuan means. Others looking down on us, why should we care? Can we sublimate our dignity if they think highly of us? As long as we keep on the rails and wouldn't do anything that crosses the line, even if something happens, someone will stand out for us.'
"Is that right?'
Song Shuiling looked over at Ling Jingxuan who was leaning against the chair, while the latter was enjoying the scenery outside. After quite a while, he murmured, 'Shuiling, learn more from Ling Yun when you have time. Do more and speak less. The capital is different from the countryside. You may lose your head anytime. You know, in the future, you'd have to help me regulate the whole mansion.'
He was glad she was so pure. If in the countryside, he wouldn't request her to change. Keeping such a pure heart was a rare thing. But now they were heading for the capital and were about to 'Yes, I know, master.'
Knowing he was helping her, Song Shuiling hurriedly withdrew the curiosity and fun in the eyes and stood aside. Ling Jingxuan also said no more, only looking out of the window. Soon, they were arriving at the capital.