Chapter 20 Birthday Banquet

These days, Ling Jingshu was busy making friends with Ling Jingyan, and spent less time with Ling Xiao.

Lu Hong accompanied Ling Xiao every day, patiently teaching him the meaning of the classics and contemporary literature. Ling Xiao benefited a lot. He didn't have many opportunities to spend time with teenagers of the same age, so he felt quite fresh. Lu Hong also deliberately coaxed him, and the two quickly became familiar with each other.

Ling Jingshu sent someone to ask Ling Xiao to have lunch at Qiushui Pavilion, and Ling Xiao naturally invited Brother Lu Hong to come together. I didn't expect Ling Jingshu to be unhappy about this.

Even if I didn't see anything, I could hear the indifference in Ling Jingshu's forbearing and impatient tone.

"Ah Shu," Ling Xiao pulled Ling Jingshu's sleeves uneasily and asked in a low voice, "Are you not happy?"

Ling Jingshu's expression softened immediately, and her tone was relaxed and cheerful: "It's lively to eat with many people, how can I be unhappy, don't worry. The food is ready, we will go now."

As she said, she took Ling Xiao's hand and held Ling Jingyan's hand with a smile: "Cousin Yan, let's go in together."

Lu Hong and Lu Qian, who were deliberately or unintentionally ignored: "..."

The two brothers looked at each other, each hiding the sadness in their hearts, and followed as if nothing had happened.

......

The food was of course rich. Without the presence of the elders, there was less restraint.

Ling Jingyan glanced at it and couldn't help laughing: "Are we going to have a fish feast today?"

Most of the dishes on the table were fish, and there was no need to elaborate on the various methods of steaming, braising, sweet and sour soup.

"Ah Xiao likes fish the most." Ling Jingshu smiled slightly and explained simply. Then she picked up a piece of fish, carefully and patiently removed all the fish bones, and put it in Ling Xiao's bowl.

Ling Xiao has loved eating fish since he was a child. After he lost his sight, eating fish became a hassle. Ling Jingshu didn't want to ask others to do it, so she always did the fish bone removal herself.

Ling Xiao's bowl was almost full, so Ling Jingshu stopped and said softly: "Ah Xiao, the fish bones have been removed, you can eat it with confidence."

Ling Xiao happily hummed and buried his head in eating.

Seeing Ling Xiao eating happily, Ling Jingshu also smiled.

That light and gentle smile instantly lit up her beautiful face, and her eyes moved, shining like a gem, shining and colorful.

Under such a breathtaking appearance, all words seemed pale and powerless.

Lu Hong paused for breath and couldn't help staring at her.

Such burning, such concentration.

It's impossible to ignore it.

Ling Jingshu just ignored it and picked up some food for Ling Jingyan with a smile: "Cousin Yan, I don't know if these dishes are to your taste. Don't just stand there, eat more."

Ling Jingyan calmed down and responded with a smile.

Such a handsome and elegant young man sat in front of her, but cousin Shu was not moved at all. This calmness is really amazing.

"Cousin Shu, you have been picking fish bones for cousin Xiao and picking up food for cousin Yan, and you haven't eaten yet!" Lu Qian broke the silence with a smile, while enthusiastically picking up food for Ling Jingshu, and piled up a bowl in a blink of an eye: "You must have a bad appetite these days, you look a little thinner. It's better to eat more."

Faced with such enthusiasm, Ling Jingshu couldn't keep a straight face, so she had to thank him.

At this point, the silent and weird atmosphere at the table was slightly dissolved.

"Tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday. What birthday gift have you prepared?" Ling Jingyan asked curiously.

Ling Jingshu smiled and said, "It's been prepared for a long time. I made a pair of shoes for my grandmother. What about you? What have you prepared?"

"I originally planned to make a dress for my grandmother, but my mother said that my needlework was not delicate and my grandmother would not like the finished dress. Later, I changed to making a sachet. I put some dried chrysanthemums in the sachet, which has the effect of calming the mind and refreshing the brain."

The two sisters chattered.

Lu Hong was separated by a layer and couldn't say anything.

Lu Qian had no scruples and interrupted with a smile: "I copied a Buddhist scripture for my grandmother." He asked Ling Xiao with great interest: "Cousin Xiao, have you prepared a gift for my grandmother?"

Ling Xiao was a little embarrassed and whispered: "I originally wanted to prepare a gift myself. But I can't see, so I can't copy the Buddhist scriptures..."

What a pot that is not open! Knowing that Ling Xiao is blind and needs someone to take care of his food, clothing and daily life, it is impossible for him to prepare any gifts by himself!

Lu Qian was secretly annoyed and hurriedly said with a smile: "Having this filial piety is more important than anything else. Even if you don't give anything, grandma won't mind."

Ling Xiao forced a smile, but there was some unhappiness between his brows.

"I have come up with an idea." Lu Hong suddenly smiled and said: "It doesn't take too much thought, and it can make grandma happy."

Ling Xiao's face lit up, and he asked expectantly: "What did cousin Hong think of?"

Lu Hong whispered a few words in Ling Xiao's ear. Ling Xiao nodded excitedly while listening.

Ling Jingshu was also curious and wanted to ask. But when she saw Lu Hong's affectionate eyes, she felt nauseous in her heart and swallowed the words silently.

......

The Ling family is a famous family in Dingzhou. Uncle Ling is an official in Beijing, and Uncle Ling Wu is a famous and romantic celebrity in Dingzhou City. It goes without saying that he has a wide range of friends. With the return of her son-in-law Lu An, who was the governor of Jizhou, Mrs. Ling's 70th birthday banquet was naturally a grand and lively one.

Early in the morning, the Ling Mansion opened the main gate to welcome guests.

There were a lot of guests coming to celebrate birthdays and give gifts. The sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and grandsons-in-law of the Ling family all came to greet the guests, and they were so busy that they kept their feet on the ground.

Ling Jingshu also had no time to relax. She and the sisters Ling Jingxian, Ling Jingwan and Ling Jingyan were responsible for greeting the young girls who came to visit with their elders.

Those who are qualified to be guests are all famous boudoir daughters in Dingzhou City. We are mostly acquainted with Ling Jingshu, and it is inevitable to have a warm exchange of pleasantries when we meet.

After a long time, Ling Jingshu's mouth was dry and her throat was almost smoking.

Because Ling Xiao was blind, he couldn't come out to greet the guests, but he was happy to take it easy. He always stayed with Mrs. Ling obediently.

The female relatives who came to celebrate Mrs. Ling's birthday would inevitably look at Ling Xiao with regret when talking to Mrs. Ling.

This beautiful, delicate and intelligent young man was blinded in an accident. Unable to read or practice calligraphy, and having to be taken care of by others for food, clothing, and daily living, he is no different from a disabled person. What a pity.

Ling Xiao was completely unaware of these strange looks... Maybe he noticed it, but what could he do? He has been living under such eyes since he was eight years old. Over time, you have to get used to it.

The guests who congratulated each other and gave gifts finally came to an end.

Mrs. Ling was in great spirits today and did not feel tired at all. She smiled at Mrs. Ling and said, "Your father passed away early. I have been raising you brothers and sisters for so many years. In this blink of an eye, I am also old. "

Seventy years of life are rare in ancient times. To live to be seventy years old and still be so energetic is indeed a long life.

Mrs. Ling has been sweet-tongued since she was a child and is used to coaxing Mrs. Ling. She immediately smiled and said, "Mom, you are rosy and energetic. You look at least fifty years old, but you don't look old at all."

Mrs. Ling was coaxed into smiling.

Ling Xiao, who had been silent all this time, suddenly smiled and said, "Grandma, my grandson has also prepared a birthday gift for you!"

Mrs. Ling suddenly became interested: "Since you have prepared gifts, why didn't you just send them along with Sister Shu and the others?"

"The gifts prepared by my grandson are different." Ling Xiao smiled clearly, like a child who doesn't understand the world, with an innocence that is not stained by the world.

Mrs. Ling always cared for Ling Xiao and smiled lovingly: "What kind of gift is it? When you said that, grandma was curious and looking forward to it."

Ling Xiao stood up and cleared his throat: "It's my grandma's birthday, and my grandson specially wrote a poem dedicated to her."

It turned out that I had made birthday poems.

Mrs. Ling listened with interest.

"The wine is fragrant and all the guests are standing there, as if they are receiving blessings, wealth and longevity. The east tower is verdant with pines and cranes, the sea is vast and the mind is full of glory. The auspiciousness of longevity comes to reflect the sun and the moon, and the songs and poems are compared to the blessings of old age. The southern sky is moved to the ginseng. The banyan tree, the fairy peach gifted by the mountain has entered the pavilion." Ling Xiao chanted slowly, with a clear and beautiful voice.

Old Mrs. Ling was very knowledgeable. She smiled happily and nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay! This poem is so well done! Grandma has received so many congratulatory gifts today, and this gift is the most satisfactory."

When Mrs. Ling spoke, others naturally wanted to join in and praise her.

Ling Xiao was very happy when he came out of the limelight. It's a pity that Ah Shu accompanied a group of girls to the garden to enjoy the flowers, and was not here to share his joy.

A familiar young man's voice sounded in his ears: "Cousin Xiao, you did a really good job with this birthday poem."

Ling Xiao grinned: "Thank you so much, cousin Hong, for giving me such a good idea."

Lu Hong did not take credit, and smiled humbly: "I just mentioned casually that you wrote this birthday poem yourself, and I didn't help at all."

After a pause, he asked tentatively: "Cousin Xiao, did you just want to find cousin Shu? You have trouble walking alone, so I can go out with you to find her!"

Ling Xiao was stunned and quickly nodded.

Lu Hong suppressed the joy in his heart and slipped out of the inner hall with Ling Xiao when no one was paying attention.

It was indeed the right decision to make friends with Ling Xiao. This is the most convenient way to get close to Ling Jingshu. The best thing is that this time, taking advantage of the crowd, Lu Qian was also left behind. Lu Qian was always following him, making it difficult for him to find a chance to confess his feelings...

Lu Hong was lost in thought when Ling Xiao suddenly stopped and whispered in a low voice that only two people could hear: "Cousin Hong, do you like Ah Shu?"

Lu Hong: "..."