The flying lotus seed battle had diverted their attention. Su Xi stood in the water, smiling with his eyes narrowed, leaning against the shore without coming up, quietly watching the little rascals splashing around.
Xu Wan didn’t tactlessly ask if he wanted to come ashore. The old man seemed perfectly content in his bliss. She crouched halfway by the shore and said softly, "Sir, since you’ve lived in seclusion in the countryside for so long, I imagine you must love this kind of atmosphere the most."
Su Xi, who had been facing away from her, turned his head and asked, "Indeed, the joy of rural life is the purest. Madam Zong, why not join us in the water? The pond is quite refreshing in this heat."
Xu Wan knew well the freedom he spoke of, but... ancient society was harsh on women, especially in the strict and rigid Capital City. Merely exposing one’s feet could earn the label of indecency, let alone stepping into the water.
She chuckled and politely declined, "No need. As long as the children are having fun, that’s enough. I’m still waiting to see their poetic masterpieces."
Su Xi understood her reservations and didn’t press further. Instead, he remarked, "What a pity, though—all these lotus seeds being tossed around by these brats. The lotus seeds in your estate must be of the finest variety. Doesn’t it pain you to see them wasted like this?"
Xu Wan shook her head with a smile. "Not at all. No matter how precious the seeds are, they’re just worldly possessions. The knowledge you’ve generously shared, Sir, is the true priceless treasure."
Once again, Su Xi was impressed by her diplomatic words. He cupped his hands in admiration and said, "You Capital City folks really know how to talk. You’ve got me flattered speechless."
Xu Wan laughed heartily.
The young boys in the pond, while roughhousing, also picked lotus seeds. What was supposed to be finished by mid-morning was sped up when they were pushed into the water. But because they got carried away with their play, they neglected the task, and it ended up dragging until noon.
The entire pond of lotus leaves looked as if locusts had swept through—a tragic, post-battle scene.
Su Xi stroked his beard and commented, "Back in my village, after such unrestrained fun, each of them would’ve gotten a beating."
The five boys’ expressions instantly darkened.
Hearing this as an obvious attempt to egg Xu Wan into punishing them, they glared at Su Xi again.
Xu Wan looked at the boys—drenched from the waist up and caked in mud from the waist down—and winced. "Sir, what do you think? Should they write their poems first or go wash up?"
Su Xi wrinkled his nose. "Better wash up first. I’m afraid the mud on them would smear the paper so badly we wouldn’t even see what they wrote."
Xu Wan giggled and turned to Shunzi. "Take them to clean up first, then have them report to the main study after changing. We’ll serve lunch a bit later."
"Yes, Madam."
As the mud-covered troublemakers were led away, Xu Wan also had someone fetch a robe for Su Xi. "Sir, you should freshen up as well. I’ll oversee their poetry in the study. You may join us after lunch."
Su Xi nodded. "Very well. I’ll leave it to you then, Madam."
"It’s no trouble."
The bath was anything but easy. Xu Wan followed the little devil back to his courtyard, where he headed straight for the large bathing room—clearly afraid of dirtying his own small one with all the mud.
Even so, the servants bustled in and out, replacing bucket after bucket of hot water.
Xu Wan waited in the outer room for her son to finish.
Zong Jincheng leaned against the edge of the tub, delighted that his mother was waiting for him. "Mother, why sit so far away? I have to shout just to talk to you."
Xu Wan chuckled. "A grown son should keep some distance from his mother. Aren’t you embarrassed?"
Zong Jincheng, while being scrubbed clean by Shunzi, cheerfully replied, "Oh, right. But it’s fine—I’m just happy you’re here with me. I really am your one and only favorite child, aren’t I? Just wait, Mother. I’ll work hard and bring home the title of top scholar for you!"
Xu Wan laughed. "Always so sweet-tongued. With poetry skills like yours, passing the provincial exams would be a miracle."
Zong Jincheng immediately protested, "But I’ve improved! I’ve made huge progress these past two days! Teacher Pan praised me just last night, saying my ‘Wood Shavings Poem’ was a complete transformation. Just wait—once I’m out of this bath, I’ll write about picking lotus seeds. Ha! A simple narrative poem? Piece of cake!"
Shunzi interjected, "Young Master, you’re done. Time to dress and head to the study."
"Alright!" The little devil scrambled up and was soon dressed, dashing out to his mother.
"Mother," he beamed. "Well? Don’t I look dazzling fresh out of the bath?"
Xu Wan gave a thumbs-up. "Our Chengcheng is the handsomest in the world!"
"Hahaha, of course I am!!"
Arm in arm, the mother and son walked out, with Zong Jincheng clinging to Xu Wan like an overly affectionate puppy.
Having enjoyed their lotus seed gathering in the pond, the boys wrote their poems with ease.
Zong Jincheng, in particular, was brimming with inspiration. He composed three poems about young boys picking lotus seeds and even boasted boldly, "Let Su Xi pick whichever he likes! Every single one is destined to be immortal!"
Xu Wan rubbed her temples, thinking wryly, Thank heavens he didn’t include that line in the poems.
After lunch, Su Xi reviewed the boys’ work. His expression gave nothing away as he simply said, "Alright. No plans for the afternoon—you’re free to play. If you still want to pick lotus seeds, I believe there’s another pond in the east courtyard."
The boys’ eyes lit up.
Since getting covered in mud wouldn’t earn them a beating or any punishment—just another bath—they exchanged glances and immediately bolted for the next pond.
Soon, the study was empty.
Noticing Su Xi’s hesitation, Xu Wan asked, "Is there something you wish to say, Sir?"
Su Xi sighed. "I was just thinking of how to phrase it as tactfully as you would."
Xu Wan paused, then smiled. "No need to worry, Sir. I’m open to criticism. Please speak freely."
Su Xi raised an eyebrow. "In that case, I’ll be blunt."
Xu Wan nodded for him to continue.
Su Xi straightened and said firmly, "Earlier, I mentioned how these children are both unruly and obedient—a puzzling contradiction. After reading their lotus seed poems, I’ve finally pinpointed the issue. Madam Zong, they are unruly by nature, but your guidance has made them obedient, hasn’t it?"
Xu Wan hadn’t expected him to deduce so much in just two days. She sighed in admiration. "You have a keen eye, Sir."
Su Xi’s smile grew fond, as if looking at a daughter. He said gently, "Raising these boys the way you have is no small feat. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of praise. But today, I must point out where you’ve fallen short. Can you accept that?"
