Gao Qi held a dustpan and stood in a fenced area beside the small lake. She cooed a few times, and there was an eager response from within the fence.

A large group of chickens clucked and flew towards them on their short legs. A few big roosters, perhaps feeling that the hens were blocking the way, jumped up, rode on the hens and pecked them wildly.

Above the lake, a large group of ducks and a few big white geese were swimming leisurely. When they heard the noise and saw the familiar figure, they also swam towards the lake one after another. Several big white geese spread their wings and fluttered.

With almost light steps, he was on the shore in a blink of an eye, and squeezed into the chicken group arrogantly. With two wings, he had already pulled aside the previous few big and fierce roosters, and then spread his wings.

Big mouth, squawking and looking at Gao Qi expectantly.

He reached out and took out a large handful of wheat from the dustpan and sprinkled it inside the fence. It immediately became quieter inside, and everyone lowered their heads. The ducks finally waddled up from the river, but they couldn't.

Unable to squeeze in, Gao Qi raised her hand and spread some to the ducks behind her.

The chickens, ducks and geese in the steward's house usually eat very well, so they all grow very plump.

After scattering the wheat in the dustpan, Gao Qi walked to the side of the plum tree, sat on a wooden pillar, and looked at the lake silently.

At present, the plum blossoms have basically stopped blooming, and tender green leaves have grown on the branches. Occasionally, there are a few flowers, which are also crumbling. When a gust of wind comes, a few petals leave the branches and fall flutteringly.

above the lake, and then drifted into the distance with the ripples caused by the wind.

There is a huge difference between this year and last year.

But these habits developed over the past few years have survived.

Even after moving from the previously small place to the new general manager's residence, which is now as spacious and luxurious as a palace, without raising some chickens, ducks, geese, etc., I feel empty in my heart. Those things that were purchased in Shentang Castle are still there.

It works. When you are upset, spinning and weaving and listening to the sound of the machine makes it easier to calm down than playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting in the past.

The tragic death of her parents-in-law separated them forever, which made Gao Qi extremely sad. Since marrying into the Xiao family, her parents-in-law have nothing to say to her. The Xiao family does not have the rules of a high-ranking family, and is the most indifferent among the families.

The family affection is extremely strong in the Xiao family.

Life in the Xiao family was actually much easier than when she was a girl in her parents' family.

But such a good person will be gone if he quits.

Ever since her husband moved their family here from next door, Gao Qi knew that she would never have the chance to return to Bianliang or see her parents in this life.

If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken, if you marry a dog, follow the dog. Gao Qi has no complaints because now she is Xiao Gao's family.

Even if Xiao Ding fails in the future, she will be caught by the court and have her head chopped off, which is also a destined fate.

The flapping of geese and ducks down the river woke up Gao Qi, who was silent and thoughtful. She stood up, patted a few fallen flowers on her body, and walked inward along the lakeside path with a dustpan in hand. Following her pace, there were constant sounds on both sides.

The maid flashed out and the mother-in-law followed.

Since entering this mansion, the number of soldiers and warriors has continued to increase, and even the number of women and maids has increased several times compared to before.

It's no better than before. In the past, the imperial court was their reliance, but now the person who wants their lives the most is the official from Bianliang.

After bypassing a bamboo forest, the sound of reading came to my ears. In that monastery, there were seven or eight children studying. The leader was naturally Xiao Jing, and accompanying him was Xi

There are some children who are similar in age to Xiao Jing among the senior military officials. Those from Xin Jian’s family, Tuoba’s family, Renjia’s family, Yu Zang’s family, Chen Qiao’s family, Zhu Laoyao’s family...

The teachers of these people are all some of the best in the world, regardless of whether they are civil or military. And the childhood of these children is destined to be very different from that of ordinary people, and it will be too hard.

The daily schedule is full. There are rules for when to study and when to practice martial arts. Even if you have some free time, you still have to learn things like music, chess, calligraphy and painting.

Like now, the one who is teaching them how to read is Zhang Yuan.

Even if this de facto leader of the civil service in the Western Army was extremely busy every day, he would still spare an hour to teach these children.

Gao Qi is actually familiar with these. When she was in her mother's family, her brothers and nephews were also like this, because such a large family needs to be passed on and carried forward. I dare not say that the descendants should be better than the ancestors, but at least they must be able to maintain their legacy.

.

Too many wealthy families have collapsed because they have no successors. Having learned from the past, how can future generations dare to relax?

But sometimes, in a family, there really is no one who can take the lead and the family goes downhill step by step. There is nothing that can be done about it.

Just like the Gao family.

And this time because of myself, I'm afraid that the Gao family will also be implicated. Even if it doesn't hurt, I'm afraid that it will be disgraced for a while. The uncle may be able to protect himself, but his father will have to go home.

If you are idle, you will be lucky if you can avoid being accused.

The sound of reading in the room stopped, and then a group of children in the room started arguing. Gao Qi didn't think it was strange. He had seen such scenes many times. This was Zhang Yuan's lecture.

His characteristic is that he often lets these little kids debate a certain issue, and even if the little guys fight because they don't agree with anyone, he doesn't pay attention.

The door of the monastery was opened and Zhang Yuan walked out, stretched out and yawned. As soon as his hand was halfway up, he saw Gao Qi beside the bamboo forest and hurriedly walked over.

"Sir!" Gao Qi pulled up her skirt as a courtesy.

"I've seen Madam!" Zhang Yuan clasped his fists in his hands and cupped his hands as a gift. He looked at the dustpan in the girl's hand behind him and said with a smile, "Madam, did you go to feed the chickens and ducks again?"

"Idle time is idle time." Gao Qi said with a smile: "The chickens have begun to lay eggs this year. I will ask someone to pick up some for you and take them back later."

"The weather is getting warmer, it's time to lay eggs!" Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Madam worked tirelessly, but she set an excellent example for the people. Now in Xingqing Mansion, no matter who the lady is, she will raise some

Damn it, a woman who can’t spin or weave will be looked down upon by others! Having a wife like a wife is not only a blessing to the steward, but also a blessing to the Western Army!"

"I have so many things to think about, I just want to do something!" Gao Qi smiled bitterly and waved her hand, signaling the maids and women behind her to step back further, and then continued: "Sir, the officials are there.

Is there any news coming back?"

"It's only been these two days! Madam, don't worry, it's a sure thing to go out to Black Mountain to deal with Yelu Huan this time." Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

"The battlefield is dangerous and anything can happen. How can we relax?" Gao Qi sighed.

"Madam, after this battle is over, it will stop for a while. At least within one to two years, we can take time to run our own land." Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "The manager also has time to spend more time.

I’ll stay with you.”

"Really? There won't be any fights on the road to Shaanxi? Will the court let us go?" Gao Qi said happily.

Zhang Yuan smiled slightly. The lady in front of him still had not turned around. She still had a deep-rooted fear of the imperial court. But it didn't matter. After a while, not only Gao Qi, but also everyone in the Western Army,

I will no longer remember the official family of Zhao Song.

"It's not that the Zhao and Song officials don't want to fight, it's that they can't fight!" Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "Li Dan and Li Du were wiped out one after another, and the whole line of Hengshan was in our hands. Zhang Chao didn't dare to take action without enough troops.

Yes, and their money and food are not enough to continue to cope with such a war. As for the Liao people, hey, they are probably too worried about themselves next. They heard that their old emperor is about to die, and the inheritance of the throne of the Liao Kingdom,

It has always been very bloody. So, we will have time to strengthen ourselves."

"It's good if we don't fight!" Gao Qi nodded happily.

"Madam, when the manager is not at home, you are the head of the family." Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "It is not good to stay at home all the time. You should go out for a walk and take a look."

"As a woman, what can I do?" Gao Qi asked curiously.

"There are a lot of things that can be done!" Zhang Yuan said with a smile: "To appease people's hearts and encourage farmers. Madam is not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also knows a lot about farm work. The manager has been on the front line for consecutive battles. Madam

Don’t we complement each other by setting foot among the people and helping the poor and those in need?”

Gao Qi nodded: "That's right, sir, let him arrange these!"

Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "But this will require hard work, Madam."

"It's hard work to be able to share your husband's worries!" Gao Qi glanced worriedly when she heard that the arguing among the children in the room had turned into the sound of fists and kicks.

Zhang Yuan, however, waved his hand indifferently: "Madam, don't worry, although the young master is young, he already has the air of a general. Not only are his fists and kicks fierce, but his methods are also first-class. He will definitely not suffer any loss."

Gao Qi couldn't help but smile when she heard Zhang Yuan praising her children. Who would be unhappy when hearing someone else praise their children, let alone someone like Zhang Yuan? Everything that came out of his mouth was true. What if?

No, he will never say half a good word.

"But madam, there is one thing that Zhang Yuan still has to say."

"Sir, if you have anything to say, feel free to say it," Gao Qi said.

"The steward only has one child, the young master, but he is a little thinner!" Zhang Yuan took a deep breath, turned his head and glanced at the huge palace, and said: "This palace is so big, but it is too deserted. Zhang Yuan feels that it is lively.

Some are better."

The smile on Gao Qi's face slowly faded, and she understood the meaning of Zhang Yuan's words.

"This matter can be left to the official's will when he comes back." Gao Qi said, no woman would like her husband to take a concubine again. No matter how generous Gao Qi is, it is impossible for her to smile with Zhang Yuan at this time.

That's right.

"Madam, these things can only be done by you!" Zhang Yuan did not take a step back at all: "Madam, the steward is the one who wants to be the king, but if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. The barbarians under the steward's command

Most of them always need to be comforted and accepted."

Gao Qi was slightly startled, "You mean party people?"

"More than that!" Zhang Yuan shook his head and said. "Right now, the general manager has opened up a huge area of ​​​​the world with Lian Zhan and Lian Jieyi. If we can be happy next time, we will be able to firmly control this area."

Gao Qi nodded slowly and said: "I understand, let me take care of this matter. Didn't the sir arrange for me to go out for a walk and have a look, so that I can take care of this matter as well?"

Each family brings one or two back here, and let me teach them slowly first!"

"Madam is wise!" Zhang Yuan bent down deeply.

Gao Qi sighed.

"If there is anything you are worried about, madam, you might as well talk to Zhang Yuan."

"I don't have anything else to do. I'm just worried about my family in Bianliang!" Gao Qi said, "Sir, now that we are like this, my mother's family will suffer a loss, and those nephews will never get ahead again.

"
To be continued...