From that day onward, Xiao Jingheng indeed arrived punctually at Jinxiu Pavilion every day at the hour of Shen to "clock in," unwavering through wind and rain, more precise than the palace water clock.
He would typically pose a currently debated court issue, such as "How to view the pros and cons of canal transport reform?" or "Why do border market disputes frequently occur?" demanding Xiao Lingxi to articulate her views.
During these moments, the study always became particularly "lively."
Xiao Jingheng sat upright, his expression calm as still water.
Xiao Lingxi stood below, scratching her head and ears in frustration, sweating profusely with nervousness. Her opinions often came out naive and superficial, missing the crucial points.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoyu, who was grinding ink, had exceptionally rich inner monologues:
[Canal transport reform? Isn't this obviously threatening the interests of officials along the river? They used to grow fat by embezzling freight charges and collecting illegal tolls. Now the reform aims to block all these avenues – how could they not resist desperately?]
[As for border markets, it's even simpler. The measurement systems aren't unified between both sides, languages aren't understood, and pricing power rests entirely with the other party. Our merchants going there are just fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered! If the court could send knowledgeable people to manage uniformly and establish fair maritime trade offices, where would all these troubles come from!]
Su Xiaoyu felt grateful once again that her history and politics teachers had been strict, requiring rote memorization.
Otherwise, she would truly be completely ignorant about these ancient court matters.
While listening to his sister's flawed responses, Xiao Jingheng silently noted Su Xiaoyu's sharp, core-piercing "inner thoughts."
Though maintaining a stern exterior, he increasingly felt that placing this young girl beside Xiao Lingxi was indeed a wise decision.
After Xiao Lingxi haltingly finished presenting her "brilliant views," the study fell into dead silence.
Xiao Lingxi nervously clutched her clothes, awaiting criticism and scolding!
However, Xiao Jingheng merely responded with a faint "Hmm," and unprecedentedly gave her a "reward."
It was an exquisitely carved food box!
Overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, Xiao Lingxi opened it to find neatly arranged, crystal-clear osmanthus-sweetened steamed chestnut cakes.
She paused, looking up at Xiao Jingheng: "Elder brother, did you remember wrong? I… don't eat such sweet pastries!"
Xiao Jingheng remained expressionless, not even blinking. "Is that so? Then I'll bring something different next time."
Xiao Lingxi wanted to ask if he could give something else instead of food.
But seeing her elder brother's stern expression, she swallowed her words.
Since elder brother was rarely this "generous," she should accept it for now.
Closing the lid, she muttered to herself: [Elder brother really doesn't care about me at all…]
As soon as Xiao Jingheng left, Xiao Lingxi pushed the food box toward her chief maid Zisu: "Here, it's yours."
Zisu hurriedly expressed thanks but said awkwardly: "Miss, these chestnut cakes are particularly sweet and hard to digest. We maids fear gaining weight and dare not eat much…"
As Zisu's voice faded, the courtyard briefly fell quiet.
Then, several maids simultaneously turned their gazes toward a certain figure in the corner.
There stood Su Xiaoyu, stretching her neck, her eyes firmly glued to the exquisite food box.
Her longing, focused expression made it seem as if the entire world had shrunk to just that box of pastries.
Seeing her hopeless appearance, Xiao Lingxi couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
"Ai-ai-ai! Su Xiaoyu, you glutton! How can you eat so much! Aren't you afraid of getting fat? Look at your eyes—they're practically sinking into your cheeks!"
Su Xiaoyu, hearing her name called, snapped back to attention and instinctively licked the corner of her mouth. She raised her innocent almond-shaped eyes:
"Replying to Second Young Lady, this servant… this servant doesn't know either. It's just… no matter how much I eat, I don't seem to gain much weight."
Her tone was filled with melancholy and confusion.
These words stabbed straight into the hearts of Xiao Lingxi and Zisu, leaving bloody holes in their feelings.
Comparing yourself to others is enough to make you die of anger!
How could there be such a detestable creature like Su Xiaoyu in this world!
Xiao Lingxi couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Alright, alright, take it! Look at your pitiful state—stop making us drool here!"
"Thank you for your reward, Second Young Lady!" Su Xiaoyu beamed with joy, as if afraid Xiao Lingxi would change her mind, and pounced to hug the food box, clutching it to her chest like a treasure.
Her lightning-fast change of expression left everyone speechless once again.
Watching Xiaoyu's jubilant retreating figure, Xiao Lingxi carefully recalled her elder brother's unusual behavior over the past few days, and a thought grew increasingly clear in her mind.
She plopped back onto her seat in a huff and instructed Zisu: "Go tell the kitchen to increase Su Xiaoyu's daily food portions from now on. Add more meat dishes, make them greasier—let her have whatever she wants, like braised pork belly and big trotters!"
Zisu was taken aback: "Young Miss, this is…?"
Xiao Lingxi snorted coldly, with the mischievous vengeance of someone who had seen through the truth.
"I've finally figured it out! The reason Big Brother has been tormenting me so relentlessly is probably because he's finding ways to get back at me for making her dye handkerchiefs and serve the cat!"
The more Xiao Lingxi thought about it, the more convinced she became.
Since Big Brother couldn't openly show favoritism, he was using the pretext of supervising her studies to come monitor her every day, while using delicious food to compensate that stupid girl!
Having figured this out, Xiao Lingxi gritted her teeth: "So he wants to feed her, does he?"
"This young lady will help him feed her properly! Feed her vigorously! Hopefully we can fatten her up into a big fatty, then let's see if Big Brother still finds her attractive!"
With this thought, Xiao Lingxi finally felt somewhat balanced.
Over the next few days, Xiao Jingheng's various behaviors further confirmed Xiao Lingxi's suspicions.
For no other reason than because every time her elder brother came, he brought nothing but food!
"Big Brother, this is too sweet."
Xiao Jingheng: "I'll bring something else next time."
"Big Brother, this is so greasy and heavy."
Xiao Jingheng remained expressionless: "Noted!"
"Big Brother, I'm allergic to cilantro—I can't eat this."
Xiao Jingheng: "Oh."
But the outcome remained the same!
After several such occurrences, even someone as thick-skinned as Xiao Lingxi couldn't help but notice something was wrong!
An absurd and extremely irritating thought suddenly popped into her head.
Could it be… that Big Brother wasn't actually here to supervise my studies at all, but was using me as an excuse to… feed a pig instead?
Xiao Lingxi was stunned by her own realization!
Well then!
The more Xiao Lingxi thought about it, the angrier she became. She paced back and forth in her room, as agitated as an ant on a hot pan.
"How outrageous! This is absolutely outrageous!"
"No wonder Big Brother suddenly became so concerned about my studies—his real intentions have nothing to do with wine!"
She felt her intelligence and dignity had suffered unprecedented insult!
"No! I can't let that stupid fish off so easily! I have to get her out of here!" Fuming, Xiao Lingxi immediately prepared to go tattle to their mother.
Thus, when the day's lessons concluded, Xiao Lingxi swept into Liu Shi's Yilan Courtyard like a whirlwind.
"Mother! Mother! You must stand up for your daughter!"