The Grand Secretary's Child-Raising Diary

However, if this matter is allowed to develop unchecked, it will indeed be detrimental to Jing Yan's reputation.

After pondering for a moment with a serious expression, Madam Qin turned to ask Qin's mother, "Have the festival gifts to be sent to my parents' home been prepared?"

Seeing Qin's unpleasant expression, Qin's mother felt a bit resentful, thinking that Lu Shiyan was really no good, causing trouble for her master during the New Year.

"It's all prepared now. Would you like anything else to add?"

Madam Qin: "Take some silver and go to Linlang Pavilion. Pick out the most fashionable jewelry in the capital and add it to the gift list."

Knowing that the money was probably meant for the Qin family's daughters, Qin's mother nodded in agreement, opened Qin's money box, and went straight there without caring that it was still snowing outside.

Lu Jingyan was somewhat displeased: "Mother, didn't Aunt send someone to tell you not to go back?" Why should Mother still go out of her way to please her when her uncle and aunt are showing such disrespect?

Qin had been feeling weak and dizzy due to her illness, but today, stimulated by Lu Shiyan's announcement that he would be giving a lesson at the mansion, she felt surprisingly refreshed, even though her face was still a little pale.

She patted Lu Jingyan's hand, raised her head and said, "That's your maternal grandparents' family, and now it's your uncle who's in charge. I only tolerated it before because I didn't want to make things difficult for her. I don't believe she'll dare to stop me when I go back to my parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year."

Lu Jingyan was a man who cared a lot about his reputation. Even though Qin Shi had said so, and even though his uncle Qin Bingshan had treated him like his own child since he was a child, he still felt that his mother should not forgive his uncle and aunt so easily.

Qin Shi had raised Lu Jingyan herself, so she knew exactly what he was thinking. She patted Lu Jingyan to comfort him and said, "Alright, the banquet isn't over yet. As the eldest son of the Marquis's family, you should be there. I know what's going on. You should go back now."

Hearing from Madam Qin that she already had a plan, Lu Jingyan's depressed mood immediately improved a lot. Even though he was already a father of two, he still acted like a spoiled child: "Then Mother, you must help your son. If my second brother really opens a clan school in the mansion, what prestige will I have in the clan in the future?"

Although it was inappropriate, Qin was very receptive to this approach and repeatedly assured Lu Jingyan that she would resolve the issue. Only then did Lu Jingyan leave satisfied.

Although he didn't know what his mother's method was, she had always given him whatever he wanted since he was little, and this time would be no exception.

Back at the banquet, Lu Jingyan gave Lu Shiyan a meaningful look, inwardly sneering, "What a hypocrite."

His hostility was obvious, and Lu Shiyan naturally sensed it, but he didn't even glance at Lu Jingyan. He believed that he and Lu Jingyan were on completely different paths, but over the years, the Qin family and Lu Jingyan had always regarded him as their biggest enemy.

Although Lu Chongxian agreed to the elders' request today, Qin Shi and Lu Jingyan will definitely hold it against him, and there will probably be more trouble later.

But this matter concerns the future of the entire Lu clan. No matter how confused Lu Chong is, he will never go back on his word because of Qin Shi's crying and fussing. So he is somewhat looking forward to seeing how Qin Shi will deal with him this time.

The banquet ended at noon. Lu Shiyan, using the excuse of drinking too much, was helped back to Songtao Courtyard by Shouyan and Huaiyan.

Reaching the artificial hill where he had encountered the fat magpie that morning, Lu Shiyan steadied himself and instructed Huaiyan, "Think of a way to lure this magpie to Songtao Courtyard."

Huaiyan glanced at the plump magpie wandering around in the snow, then looked at his master and wondered what he could do. How could he catch that thing when it flew so high?

But after giving his instructions, Lu Shiyan walked towards Songtao Courtyard again, completely unaware of Huaiyan's predicament. Shouyan followed behind Lu Shiyan with a grin, clearly gloating.

As the saying goes, "When the master speaks, the servants run themselves ragged."

Huaiyan spent the entire afternoon staking out the artificial hill, trying various kinds of food, from rice to millet and beans, but ultimately failed to lure the plump magpie that his master had his eye on to the Pine Waves Courtyard. In the end, he could only give up with regret, already planning how to apologize to his master.

He walked ahead, unaware that a chubby little creature was perched on a branch, tilting its head and staring in the direction he was heading.

On New Year's Eve, Lu Youning sat down at the same table with his adoptive father for the first time. Smelling the tempting aroma of the food, Lu Youning shamefully couldn't control his drooling. He couldn't eat any of it and could only look on with longing, while his adoptive father seemed to have a great appetite.

Lu Youning hadn't had a peaceful New Year's Eve in his previous life. The less he experienced it, the more he felt a special attachment to this day. Therefore, he decided not to cause trouble today and to wait until after tonight.

There were only the father and son in the courtyard, one of whom couldn't even speak a few words, yet Lu Shiyan felt more comfortable than any other Lunar New Year's Eve in previous years.

By the way, he was supposed to go to Chunhui Courtyard tonight to have a reunion dinner with Lu Chong and the others, but Lu Shiyan refused. Now he no longer needs to follow Lu Chongde's ideas in every matter.

......

Lu Youning was woken up early by the cawing of magpies.

After he finished eating and was wrapped up tightly and carried out, several plump magpies had already come to the yard and were vying to peck at the grains on the ground. Hearing Lu Youning's excited clucking, they didn't run away, but instead occasionally clucked back in response.

In Daqian, magpies are birds of good tidings and symbols of good fortune. Seeing these chubby little creatures, Zhang was overjoyed: "Magpies bring good luck! Our third young master will surely be free from illness and disaster this year and grow up well."

Having received Lu Shiyan's reward, Huaiyan proudly swaggered in front of Shouyan, his expression clearly saying, "Serves you right for laughing at me. What are you going to do about it? I actually brought a magpie to our Songtao Courtyard."

On the first day of the new year, the Lu family lived in peace and tranquility.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Chunhui Courtyard was bustling with activity early in the morning. Qin Mama directed the servants to load the prepared gifts onto the cart, while also sending someone to check if the Earl's side was ready.

When returning home for the New Year, the couple naturally went back together, and Qin also brought Lu Jingyan and his wife, along with their children.

The group headed to Minister Qin's residence in a grand procession.

Even the wives of prominent families all have their own families to return to. Since everyone is going back to their families, the guests coming to the mansion can't be left unattended. Therefore, in previous years, everyone would agree to stagger their visits.

In previous years, Madam Qin would entertain the ladies of the Qin family at home and only go to her parents' home on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

She had already said earlier this year that Qin Shi was not allowed to come back, but if Qin Shi didn't come back, the other aunts couldn't not come back either. As usual, Madam Qin still decided to go back to her parents' home on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

But to her utter surprise, the first person to arrive was Madam Qin. Since the person had come all the way to her doorstep, it would be improper not to let her in. In addition, with Vice Minister Qin sighing and complaining, Madam Qin had no choice but to grit her teeth and order her to be welcomed in.