Transmigrated as a Peasant Baby Who is Pampered by All

"I’m telling you, if you’re going to chat, just chat. Stop staring at my sister’s face; she’s only nine!"

After Xiao Mi left, Jiang Yu went to find Wei Ziang, who was still in the courtyard, with a bit of irritation.

Wei Ziang was leisurely flipping through a book, not sure how much he’d actually read: "Big Brother, I was just sharing some interesting stories from the exam room with Xiao Mi. You’re overthinking it."

Jiang Yu’s nose was almost bent out of shape with anger: "Nonsense, I think you’re just taking advantage of Xiao Mi’s young age, thinking she doesn’t understand anything. Look at your eyes, they seem like they want to stick to her."

Wei Ziang continued to smile calmly: "Only those with malicious thoughts believe others are the same."

Jiang Yu rolled his eyes: "Keep pretending, but be careful not to overdo it one day, or else Xiao Mi will fancy someone else, and you’ll have a good cry."

Wei Ziang remained unconcerned: "Don’t worry, Big Brother. Xiao Mi has very high standards, and few people can catch her eye."

For a moment, Jiang Yu didn’t even know if Wei Ziang was praising Xiao Mi or himself.

"Big Brother, what are you guys up to? Mom and Dad have been out for so long, why aren’t they back yet?"

Xiao Mi leaned on the window, watching the two in the courtyard who seemed to be arguing.

Arguing? Impossible, Big Brother and Big Bro get along well. How could they be arguing?

"Maybe there’s a lot to buy. Didn’t you invite Miss Yingying over? Naturally, everything needs to be well prepared."

When they left earlier, Mom and Dad took Xiao Wei with them. Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Xue and Liu Ze also tagged along, though Liu Ze went with Xiao Xue.

Before the exams, they had to review their lessons, so they hadn’t had the chance to go out and wander. Then came the anxious wait for the results, leaving them with no mood for anything else.

Later, they were kept at home by Mom and Dad to meet matchmakers, and this back and forth meant they hadn’t been out to relax for almost two months.

He was fine, not really into shopping, but Liu Ze was different.

He knew Xiao Xue enjoyed walking around and looking at things on the street, not necessarily to buy them, but to admire the embroidery and other details on people’s clothes.

So whenever he had the chance, Liu Ze would naturally seize the opportunity to go with her. With someone accompanying her, Mom and Dad felt assured, and he himself had more chances to be alone with Xiao Xue.

After all, Xiao Xue was a bit older, and since Liu Ze was the brother-in-law he approved of, he felt they were a good match and naturally wanted to create opportunities for them, so this time he didn’t follow them out.

In any case, he believed that apart from them, Liu Ze would always find a chance to take Xiao Xue out alone.

As for Wei Ziang, although he could see the budding relationship, since both of them were still young, he felt it was better to keep an eye on them.

At this point, Jiang Yu was too lazy to deal with Wei Ziang, so he turned around and walked over to Xiao Mi.

"Why do you suddenly want to keep birds? You’ve already got cats, dogs, and even a fox at home. The birds you picked up before haven’t laid any eggs in years."

Xiao Mi thought for a moment before remembering what her brother meant by birds that hadn’t laid eggs in years.

Those were peacocks. They take three years to mature and then grow gorgeous feathers.

By her calculations, by the end of this winter, they should have molted and become beautiful.

"Just felt like it, Big Brother. I’ve heard that parrots can talk too; why don’t you help me teach it?"

As she spoke, she handed the cage out of the window.

She had just calculated the time—an hour should be enough—so she returned to put Ling’er back in her space. By the time she brought it out again, it was already a talking parrot, on its own.

It was now kept in the cage, with a thick cotton cloth removed, soaking up the sun and eating.

Jiang Yu happened to reach the window and took it over: "Really, birds can talk?"

"Big Brother, you don’t know? Parrots aren’t ordinary birds; they’re the only ones that can learn to talk, but they need someone patient to teach them."

Wei Ziang spoke, now no longer reading, and came over.

"You think you know so much," Jiang Yu snorted. "If you’re so smart, why not focus on important things? Instead, you always read those idle books. Otherwise, you would have been on the list this time too."

Setting aside everything else, none of the other brothers could match Wei Ziang’s wit.

He was always out hunting with Xiao Mi, making beads, or occasionally seen in his room brandishing a wooden sword.

He even took time off each year, at least half a month, to run around the mountains with Xiao Mi.

It was rare to see him serious about reading or writing, yet he somehow managed not to fall behind in his studies at all.

He and Liu Ze had privately discussed that if it weren’t for Wei Ziang being distracted by other things, he would probably be on the list this time, and definitely the youngest Scholar!

Unfortunately, while he and Liu Ze felt frustrated, Wei Ziang himself was completely at ease, not worried at all.

Much like now, when Jiang Yu scolded him, Wei Ziang only smiled indifferently.

"There’s no rush to take the provincial exam before I’m twenty, so why hurry? Besides, having one Scholar in the family is enough, as it reduces a lot of taxes."

After passing the Scholar exam, both poll and grain taxes would be greatly reduced, especially all the taxes for the Scholar himself would be waived.

For Scholars from less wealthy families, they could even receive some government subsidies, like a certain amount of grain per month.

Of course, if one passes the provincial exam and becomes a candidate, the benefits would be even greater.

Needless to say, becoming a Tribute Student or Palace Graduate could lead to an official post in court.

This is undoubtedly one of the biggest incentives for everyone to study hard and seek a successful future.

Left speechless by his rebuttal, Jiang Yu simply ignored him.

Looking back at the bird in his hands: "I just saw you leaving it outside. Why did you lock it up again?"

He said as he was about to open the birdcage.

"Don’t!"

"Wait a minute!"

Wei Ziang and Xiao Mi simultaneously reached out, one above and one below, pressing down on Jiang Yu’s hand.

Wei Ziang’s eyes flickered, but Xiao Mi showed no reaction.

"Big Brother, this is a newly bought bird, not yet familiarized. If you open it, I’ll lose it."

"Xiao Mi’s right, and it’s too cold now. If you let captive birds out, they won’t find food and will easily starve or freeze to death."

However, Jiang Yu wasn’t listening, glaring fiercely at the two hands on the back of his own: "Let go of me!"

Because the two of them moved simultaneously, but since Wei Ziang was also standing outside the window and Xiao Mi was inside, Wei Ziang was a bit quicker.

Xiao Mi’s hand lay firmly on the back of Wei Ziang’s hand.

Pressing tightly.

Wei Ziang knew exactly what Big Brother was thinking, but Xiao Mi had no clue.

Releasing her hand, she didn’t forget to remind him: "Big Brother, please don’t open it. It took me a while to find this parrot."

After Xiao Mi let go, Wei Ziang also naturally withdrew his hand, showing no unusual behavior at all.

Leaving only Jiang Yu, fuming with frustration.