Early the next morning, Jiang Xinyu's family set out at six o'clock, fulfilling the children's request to eat out.
The family was well-prepared, of course, Jiang Xinyu had the two children prepare their own items, as she wanted to train them from an early age.
Shang Zhenkun was very pleased with Jiang Xinyu's approach; spoiling children knows no class boundaries, and while Jiang Xinyu was always generous with material goods for them, she never spoiled them.
However, in terms of education and living standards, she has always been strict with the children, instilling them with correct ideologies.
Bai Hongying was pushing a stroller loaded with food, water, clothes, and the children's bags.
Shang Zhenkun pushed a bicycle with a small seat strapped to the front bar, ready for Feifei to sit whenever she gets tired.
A cushion was also tied to the seat at the back, while Jiang Xinyu took care of the two kids, holding their hands.
The first stop was the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, not yet a tourist spot as seen in later years but with its doors closed. Moreover, the government undertook renovations last year, which are still incomplete. Jiang Xinyu sweet-talked the gatekeeper with a slew of compliments before they were allowed to take a look inside.
Shi Jing looked up and exclaimed, "Mom, this pagoda is so tall!"
"Hmm, seems like it's over sixty meters."
"Mom, can we go inside and have a look?"
Jiang Xinyu shook her head, "Shi Jing, we can't go inside; it's under construction. We must protect the precious legacy left by our ancestors." Latest content published on novel·fiɾe·net
Jiang Feifei was just standing and staring up at the pagoda in a daze.
"Feifei, what's going on?"
"Although we can't go in, I've read some books and know a few things. Would you like me to tell you about them?"
"Mom, what do you know?"
"You two, count how many floors there are in this pagoda?"
Shi Jing earnestly pointed in the air with his little finger, "Mom, there are seven floors."
Holding their hands, Jiang Xinyu led the children to the south gate. "Hmm, the first floor used to be a naming place for successful scholars, with inscriptions from two emperors of the Tang Dynasty on each side."
The two children, while familiar with scholars and emperors, understood it better since Shang Zhenkun explained it to them.
"The Great Wild Goose Pagoda is also called the Ci'en Temple Pagoda, built upon Tang Xuanzang's return from India. Therefore, the second floor houses a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, which could be considered the Treasure of the Tower.
The third-floor contents are unknown, but Buddhist scriptures are stored on the fourth, a stone tablet inscribed with Shakyamuni Buddha on the fifth, while the sixth floor showcases poetic works by five great Tang poets. Poetic Sage Du Fu, Cen Can, Gao Shi, Xue Ju, and Chu Guangxi gathered to ascend the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, admired the view and crafted poems with remarkable talent, their lines are exquisite and have been passed down through generations.
The seventh floor offers a panoramic view of the surroundings."
"Mom, when can we go to the seventh floor to see?"
"That's hard to say, and Mom doesn't know. Today, I'm taking you guys to see it, and when you're older, maybe you'll have the chance to revisit."
Bai Hongying brought water for the two kids, and the family strolled around the Great Wild Goose Pagoda a few more times before leaving.
"Mom, if I became a scholar one day, could I inscribe here too?"
Kneeling down, Jiang Xinyu earnestly looked at her son, "Shi Jing, that title belonged to ancient times; it's history now. There's nothing comparable today, so it's not something we can claim.
Furthermore, even if you achieved something great in the future, you wouldn't be able to inscribe here; it's a gesture of respect towards our ancestors."
Seeing his mom so serious, Jiang Shijing nodded, "Mom, I won't say it again in the future."
Jiang Feifei lowered her head, her pupils slightly contracting. Then she lifted her head and grabbed her brother's hand. "Brother, when you grow up, hopefully you'll come back to see, maybe even help maintain it."
Shi Jing nodded, "Yes, when I'm capable, I'll come back and restore it."
"Shi Jing, Feifei, your mom mentioned the sixth floor holds works from five great poets; do you two want to memorize them when we go back?" Shang Zhenkun asked with a smile.
The pair ran cheerfully to Master Shang. "Master Shang, we want to memorize them. Can you teach us when we go back?"
"Sure, let's memorize the poems when we get back today."
The Great Ci'en Temple hasn't been fully repaired; Jiang Xinyu feared danger, thus deciding not to tour around with the kids.
"Mom, why are there temples?"
"In ancient times, they were places for people's beliefs and spiritual sustenance."
Shi Jing couldn't quite understand, but didn't ask further.
By the time they emerged, it was already half-past ten. "Let's go eat. This summer, we aim to try all the snacks here."
After saying that, Jiang Xinyu glanced back at the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. It hasn't started leaning yet, but with the excess underground water extraction, it's understandable given the drought, survival has become the priority. Recalling the sight of a dazzlingly bright pagoda online in the future era made her not too worried.
The group wandered through the streets, stopping at every snack shop to let the kids experience different things.
By midday, it was too hot, so they decided to go home and not venture out in the afternoon.
This routine followed every morning, and by the end, they visited every tourist spot in the city, with Niang San tanning significantly, especially Shi Jing who only had visible white teeth when he smiled.
Jiang Xinyu even took the kids to have their pictures taken; it's not high-resolution color pictures, but they clearly show their tan. Shi Jing is the most obvious.
This will serve as a memento. A cherished memory—although they might forget it when they grow up, the photos will help them reminisce.
When August came, and the rainy season commenced, the family finally stayed home.
On August 3rd, Kong Mengjie gave birth to a daughter, Huang Yiyi, weighing five pounds eight ounces, in the infirmary.
After the child was born, Huang Hongwei didn't show any signs of disappointment. His smile was genuine, while Kong Mengjie was upset and disappointed; she wanted to have a son for Huang Hongwei. But once again, they had a daughter.
Huang Hongwei carried the bundled-up daughter home, "Tiantian, your mom gave you a little sister. I'll put her on the bed, make sure Jianfeng doesn't touch her; Dad's going to fetch your mom."
"Okay Dad, I'll take good care of my sister."
The two children got on the bed and sat beside the swaddling clothes, watching intently.
After praising the children, Huang Hongwei took the family's quilt, went to the infirmary, and greeted his slightly dismayed wife, Kong Mengjie, with a laugh, "Mengjie, having daughters is wonderful. You'll be blessed with so many in the future and enjoy prosperity.
I brought the quilt, let me wrap it around you and take you home. It's only the three kids at home."
Kong Mengjie glanced at her husband's genuinely smiling face and forced herself to sit up.
Huang Hongwei wrapped her in the quilt, then carried her horizontally, bringing her home.
The little nurses in the infirmary envied them a lot. Eventually, an older nurse explained their situation, causing the young nurses to withdraw their envious expressions.