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Because they were both from Jiangnan and had a familial relationship, Lin Ruhai and the Xue Family occasionally interacted. Thus, Lin Ruhai learned that the Dull Overlord of the Xue Family had taken Bai Tang as his teacher, successfully transforming a fallen playboy into an outstanding heir. Lin Ruhai admired Bai Tang even more and, thinking of his own son, decided to entrust him to Bai Tang for guidance. With his son's intelligence, he would surely be more exceptional than Xue Pan.
"Lin brother, my abilities are insufficient to teach your son," Bai Tang said with a wry smile. Having never fully read the Four Books and Five Classics, how could she teach someone else's child? Wouldn't that mislead him? Moreover, with Lin Ruhai as a father from a scholarly family, why seek another teacher?
"Haha, dear brother, I know you teach Xue Pan about morality and martial arts. I only hope you can teach my son in the same way," Lin Ruhai said, also considering teaching his son poetry and literature to establish a grand image before him. His son Guo'er had been weak since suffering from poisoning and was as delicate as a girl; perhaps learning martial arts would help him become healthier.
Good martial arts and moral teachings? Bai Tang thought to herself; what moral teachings did she have? Well, she could just alternate between imparting lessons on "Moral Education" and "Thick Black Theory" to Baozi.
"If I delay, Lin brother might not allow me to visit again," Bai Tang joked.
"How could that be! The doors of the Lin family are always open for you," Lin Ruhai said, knowing that Bai Tang had already agreed. He immediately had his son bow to Bai Tang.
Lin Brother quickly knelt down and bowed three times to Bai Tang. After he finished, Bai Tang reached out and lifted him up. Baozi was much lighter than the previous Xue Baozi; Bai Tang felt a pang of affection and let him sit on her lap, speaking gently with him.
Nestled in Bai Tang's warm embrace, Baozi inhaled her pleasant fragrance. His previously tense body relaxed as he earnestly answered her questions. His obedient demeanor made Bai Tang adore him even more; she wished she could take Baozi home.
"Master!" Lin Brother sweetly called out to Bai Tang. In this short time, all unfamiliarity with her had vanished, and he had grown fond of this amiable teacher.
"Good boy!" Bai Tang's mood soared with Baozi's call. Concealing her actions with her wide sleeves, she took out a tin frog from her bag and placed it in Baozi's hands. The tin frog could jump after winding it up, which fascinated Baozi since he had never seen such a toy before; he immediately loved it. Even Lin Ruhai and Jia Min were captivated by the lively and moving tin frog.
Bai Tang looked at the tin frog with nostalgia; such toys were now rarely sold. The one in Baozi's hands was something she had stumbled upon at the marketplace. The tin frog carried beautiful memories of her childhood; her gaze became distant as she reminisced about those days. Unlike today's children who have an abundance of colorful toys, the excitement of receiving a toy back then was something modern kids couldn't comprehend. Toys were scarce and thus precious; because they were precious, they were cherished even more. Tin toys, rubber toys, plastic toys, cloth dolls... Bai Tang had the most tin toys among them; the tin frog was one of them along with tin cars, tin fire trucks, helicopters with propellers, spaceships... Later on, when Transformers entered the country, all her tin toys transformed into shape-shifting Transformers. Wooden building blocks were among her favorite toys; spending hours constructing beautiful houses only to knock them down in an instant was truly exhilarating. Cloth puppets made of fabric and rubber could be worn on hands to create various funny expressions or used for puppet shows with friends. Dolls that blinked would cry or laugh if you patted them...
Memories of childhood flooded back to her mind as a smile crept onto Bai Tang's lips. When she came back to reality, she noticed Miss Lin Daiyu staring enviously at Baozi and the tin frog. Bai Tang's smile widened as she waved for the girl to come closer.
"You don't need to envy your brother; you have a gift too." Bai Tang pulled out a music box from her sleeve and presented it to Lin Daiyu.
Lin Daiyu curiously stared at the music box, unsure of its purpose.
Bai Tang simply opened the lid and wound it up; beautiful music flowed from within the box.
The girl's eyes lit up as she looked at the music box with delight.
Bai Tang smiled as he handed the Music Box to the young lady, saying, "Take it and have fun!"
"Thank you, Uncle Bai!" the young lady replied happily and politely.
Bai Tang's smile froze. Uncle Bai? That title sounded so cringeworthy!
Lin Ruhai watched the interaction between his daughter, son, and Bai Tang, smiling broadly. If it weren't for his wife needing to teach their daughter the ways of a housekeeper, Lin Ruhai would have wanted his daughter to learn some skills from Bai Tang as well.
Jia Min stood up with a smile, saying, "I'll go check on how the food is being prepared in the Kitchen."
"Sister-in-law, no need to trouble yourself."
"It’s no trouble! Since Young Master Bai has taken my son as a disciple, this apprenticeship banquet must be held regardless." Jia Min was very attentive; her thoughts aligned with Lin Ruhai's. She believed that with someone as capable as Bai Tang, her son's health would surely improve. As long as her son was well, she would do anything to curry favor with Bai Tang.
Jia Min took Lin Mei Mei along with her. Managing the Kitchen was also part of the housekeeper training, and while Lin Mei Mei might not know how to cook, she must understand how to arrange a menu properly.
"Brother..." Lin Ruhai called out to Bai Tang, unsure of how to continue. He recalled that some time ago, the Fourth Prince had inquired about Bai Tang, clearly trying to win him over. But would someone like Bai Tang be willing to get involved in royal disputes?
"Brother Lin, we are brothers; feel free to speak your mind!" Bai Tang noticed Lin Ruhai's hesitation and guessed it was about the Fourth Prince trying to recruit people. He smiled, thinking that he had come to the Lin family precisely to get to know the Fourth Prince through Lin Ruhai.
Facing Bai Tang's smile, Lin Ruhai steadied himself and was about to speak when Lin San walked in: "Master, Young Master Zhu has come to pay his respects."
Lin Ruhai had a great fondness and admiration for his excellent nephew, Jia Zhu. Whenever something good happened, he would think of Jia Zhu: "Let him in; it’s a good opportunity for you to meet Brother Bai."
Turning back to Bai Tang, he said, "Brother, my nephew is wise and capable; befriending him will surely not disappoint you."
Bai Tang smiled: "Brother Lin, I am already acquainted with Jia Zhu. I know him very well."
Lin Ruhai was surprised: "You know my nephew?"
Bai Tang laughed: "Jia Zhu and I share a mentor-disciple relationship; the sword techniques he uses on the battlefield were taught by me!"
Lin Ruhai laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Pineapple, it turns out we are indeed family."
Thinking of Jia Zhu's transformation, Lin Ruhai suddenly understood the key point and sincerely thanked him: "Brother, thank you for your concern regarding Zhu Er's matter!"
Bai Tang waved his hand: "Jia Zhu is a good kid, and I am more than happy to help him. Besides, he is my disciple."
As they were talking, Jia Zhu walked in with a sullen face. Upon seeing Bai Tang, Jia Zhu was taken aback and hurriedly approached Bai Tang, bowing deeply: "Master, it's so good to see you!"
"Pay your respects to your uncle!" Bai Tang reminded the excited Jia Zhu.
This time, Jia Zhu reacted quickly and hurriedly paid his respects to Lin Ruhai.
Lin Ruhai smiled and indicated that he did not mind: "Zhu Er was too excited to see Master, your uncle understands."
Jia Zhu nodded repeatedly. It had been a year since he last saw Master. This person had saved him from despair during his lowest moments and had become a pillar of support for him.
"Alright, you didn't come to Lin Manor just to catch up with me; you must have something difficult you want to consult with Brother Lin!" Bai Tang reminded Jia Zhu of the purpose of his visit. "If it's something too secretive for outsiders, I can step out."
"No need, I trust Master," Jia Zhu interrupted. "I actually need your advice."
"What exactly happened?" Bai Tang asked.
Jia Zhu looked around, and Lin Ruhai understood: "Daitou, take the young master to find the lady and the young miss!"
"Yes!" Maid led Lin Brother away, taking a group of servants with her while the remaining servants were also dismissed by Lin Ruhai.
"Brother Zhen from Jin Ning Mansion came to find me. He wants to celebrate and has set up a banquet for my colleagues, specifically emphasizing that I should invite my grandfather's former subordinates." Part of the reason why Jia Zhu was able to establish himself in the military so quickly was due to the connections left by his brother, Jia Daishan, within the army.
"Jia Zhen wants to consolidate the connections left by my father-in-law?" Lin Ruhai frowned. "He is likely trying to align himself with some prince!"
"I think so too. But royal matters are beyond our involvement; Brother Zhen is trying to pull both houses into a whirlpool." After a year of experience on the battlefield, Jia Zhu had become more composed and was more open-minded about the undercurrents in the court. "I have already rejected Brother Zhen's proposal, but I fear offending those behind him. If they take offense, I don't know how to respond."
Although he was granted a title due to his military achievements, his foundation was too weak, and the Jia Mansion could not support him. If a prince wanted to deal with him, he would have no way to resist.
Lin Ruhai furrowed his brows tightly, and his expression turned grim. If the prince had intentions against the Jia family, it would indeed be difficult to guard against.
"The Ning Residence will have a joyful event soon, and I worry that Brother Zhen will use this as an excuse to bypass me and directly invite people to his residence," Jia Zhu said, feeling exasperated. How could Jia Zhen be so troublesome? Uncle Jing, you shouldn't stay in the temple any longer; hurry back and manage your son!
"What joyful event?" Lin Ruhai asked. He had just arrived in the capital and naturally did not know about the affairs of the Ningguo House.
"Brother Zhen is going to marry a wife for Brother Rong!" Jia Zhu replied.
"Which young lady?" Bai Tang became interested. It couldn't be Qin Keqing, could it?
"It's Master Carpenter Qin Bangye's daughter."
It really was Qin Keqing!
"Master Carpenter?" Lin Ruhai was surprised. "How could Jia Zhen, who is also a third-rank general, marry the daughter of an official as a daughter-in-law? Brother Rong's wife will be the future matriarch!"
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