The atmosphere was tense for a moment.
Xun Yin, the peacemaker, stepped forward to take charge:
"Old Tan, the kids all say it’s nothing. If there were any issues, they would come to us adults for help. I don’t think Huanhuan is the type to be bullied, so don’t make a big fuss about it. I understand how you feel. You never attended the Imperial College, but the exam questions change every year. When I took the exam, it wasn’t as simple as riding a horse to catch a chicken. Do you know what we had to do?"
He paused, teasingly keeping everyone in suspense before continuing:
"We had to catch fish and shrimp. Just think how I managed to get in back then, but this was just a bonus question. If you have a wealth of knowledge, you can still get in. Old Tan, I’m telling you this to show that bumps and scrapes in exams are normal. Kids shouldn’t be too coddled; they’ll grow up just fine."
"Take our Ah Zhi, for instance. She’s a delicate girl but she’s fine. Her elders have always taught her to seek adults immediately if there’s a problem, or to fight back on the spot. She definitely won’t suffer losses."
This series of words.
Managed to enlighten Housekeeper Tan, and it seemed to make sense.
Everyone was also convinced by Xun Yin’s straightforward logic, provided he agreed with Ye Zhi, which lent his words credibility.
The former Cabinet Scholar wasn’t someone who would just talk nonsense.
Tan Huanhuan feared the housekeeper might not let go, so she hurried over to pull Ye Zhi and Qinglian along, playfully complaining, "Housekeeper Tan, you’re overthinking. It’s so hot. Ah Zhi, let’s go quickly, I’m hungry."
The three little girls quickly scampered off!
Off they went!
The Ye Family member swiftly caught up, saying, "Housekeeper Tan, don’t overthink it. Huanhuan is clever; you’re experiencing parental anxiety, and it’s normal."
After comforting him, she stepped forward to follow in her daughter’s direction.
Everyone left, but the Housekeeper Tan was still slowly trailing behind, questioning himself. Was he really overthinking? Was no one bullying the young lady?
Father Ye noticed him still in a daze, slowed his pace, and approached him: "Housekeeper Tan, what are you thinking?"
"Ah, little girls have grown up; they’re not as dependent on me as they were when they were young."
Sighing, who could understand the melancholy of a parent’s child growing up?
Father Ye generously shared his parenting experience: "Huanhuan is only seven years old now. Asking her in front of so many people might make her embarrassed and shy about speaking up. So, after the exam in the afternoon, try subtly probing. Remember, a seven-year-old girl is already aware and cares about her image; don’t be hasty."
Housekeeper Tan seemed to partially understand.
Father Ye nodded, knowing it would take time to truly comprehend.
After all, not everyone was like him, without concubines and attentive to his children—a good man in the Daqing Dynasty.
In the Capital City, everyone knew the Minister’s Wife had a fierce personality and hated wrongdoing. Lord Minister daring to take a concubine would be a dead end...
Who knew if Lord Minister didn’t want a concubine or just didn’t dare to take one.
Once they arrived at the Jingxin Building, there weren’t many people there.
While everyone was haggling with the shopkeeper, Ye Zhi sneaked over to Shen Chen for a quiet chat.
"Why did you leave without saying anything at the rear hill?"
The Little Traitor glanced at her: "Because I didn’t want to help Liu Qingxi."
"Why? Don’t you like her? She’s the masked person you liked during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
...
Shen Chen was silent for a moment, not answering. The little girl in front of him stared at him with a worried, moist gaze, eagerly awaiting a response from him.