Chapter 167: The Xu Family, the Gu Family, and On the Road [Many thanks for everyone's support, thanks again!]

Qu Yuan Street.

Xu Minghua, having left the office, and his eldest son arrived together at the rear courtyard, where they saw their three children laughing and talking in the Zhumuzhengtang, while Xie Shi, already heavily pregnant, sat nearby.

Seeing their father and elder brother enter, everyone hurriedly stood up.

"What are you discussing that is so joyful?"

"Father, your daughter was recounting today's events at the polo field!" Xu Anmei said with a smile as she walked over, took the cloak from her father, turned, and began speaking to Xu Minghua, completely ignoring her elder brother who was still holding out the cloak.

Xu Zaiduan glared at his little sister for ignoring him, handed the cloak to Xiao Dan, and then walked over to his wife.

"At the polo field today, Little Five intended to help Liang Liu Lang... in the end, it was still a draw. Father, you didn't see Rong Rong Xian's final shot..."

Listening to his daughter's words, Xu Minghua smiled and shook his head: "How old are you now, yet still so lacking in modesty! Being so attentive today, what is going on..."

"Father, is this not what your daughter ought to do!" Xu Anmei declared with righteous seriousness.

After the father and son had washed their hands in the bronze basins held by the maids, Sun Shi rose and said, "Let us go to eat."

At the dining table, Xu Xu Zaijing covered his bowl and said, "Sister, I am nearly full; you need not serve me more food."

"Little Five, you!"

Xie Shi, heavily pregnant, whispered a few words into Xu Zaiduan's ear, causing him to snort with laughter.

Sun Shi cast an annoyed glare at Xu Xu Anmei, who finally quieted down to eat; seeing his eldest daughter's behavior, Xu Minghua grew even more curious.

After the meal, walking through the Xu family courtyard, Xu Minghua watched the brother and sister walking ahead and whispered, "What is going on? Did Xu Anmei ask you for something again?"

Sun Shi shot him a sideways glance and said, "Husband, think about what excitement has been happening in the capital recently?"

Xu Minghua frowned, thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Recently, with the rectification of the Tianwu Army, my mind has been filled entirely with military drills!"

"Tomorrow is the birthday of Yuan Erlang of Guan Kou in Zhou Xi!"

"Yes, yes, how could I forget the birthday of the deity at Shenbao Temple! Is Xu Anmei asking you to let her go out?" Xu Minghua asked, watching his second daughter chasing and beating Xu Xu Zaijing ahead.

"Although Xu Pingmei wrote a letter previously and Xu Zaiduan scolded her, causing her to restrain herself considerably, how old is she now, yet she still runs outside every single day!"

Watching Xu Anmei chase until she was out of breath, only to be provoked again by Xu Xu Zaijing, Xu Minghua said with some emotion: "I think An'er did quite well helping you manage the household before; besides, she does not have many years left to be a young miss."

"Hmm, it is just that you dote on the young miss, while I, as her mother, have a heart of iron and stone!"

Xu Minghua looked embarrassed, then shifted his gaze and changed the subject: "These past few days, I see the Sheng family has settled in; should we prepare to pay them a visit?"

"Let us wait for Aunt to send an invitation; she mentioned it on the day we went to the dock."

"Then shall we designate the eldest brother of the Cao family as our family's male matchmaker?"

"He is the Marquis's superior in the Western Army, so naturally, he is suitable. Did the Marquis not say he yielded his military merit to the Cao family's second son? Such deep consideration for a brother is excellent."

Xu Minghua nodded: "Then let An'er go out tomorrow; with Jing-ge'er there, it will be fine."

"Hmph, she certainly did not ask the wrong person."

Xu Minghua smiled and caught up to his wife; just then, a maid serving Sun Shi approached from the opposite direction, squatted, bowed, and said, "Da Da Niangzi, the Sheng family has sent an invitation, requesting you and the Master to visit the Sheng family the day after tomorrow."

Xingguo Ward.

Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu,

Gu Gu Tingye and his sister had already gone out to the polo field.

Fuyao Courtyard,

Gu Gu Tingyu, resting at home and handling official documents in his study, looked up at Youqing standing by the door and said, "Since Mother sent you, just go; speak freely and hold nothing back."

"Yes, Young Master."

Having spoken, Youqing followed Sister Qingzhi to the outside of the Gu family's Zhumuzhengtang.

"Someone, bring an embroidered stool," ordered Bai Shi, seated in the position of honor.

"Thank you, Da Da Niangzi," Youqing said, bowing deeply.

Bai Shi glanced at Xu Pingmei beside her and said, "Youqing, you serve Yu'er; many matters were not clear in the letters, so I have summoned you today to ask about certain things."

"Da Da Niangzi may ask away; the Young Master instructed this humble one to speak freely and hold nothing back."

"Good."

"Was Yu'er's participation in the metropolitan examination smooth?"

"Replying to Da Da Niangzi, during the Young Master's metropolitan examination, the weather happened to be quite cold with snowfall; fortunately, thanks to the wolf-skin mat prepared by Da Da Niangzi, the cotton-padded jacket and shoes prepared by the Lady, and the knee guards and cushions sent by the Hou Fu, the Young Master only suffered a slight chill. Hearing from people of other families, there were examinees who nearly..."

Bai Shi and Xu Pingmei exchanged a worried glance.

"And the palace examination?" Bai Shi continued to ask.

"Replying to Da Da Niangzi, by the time of the palace examination, the Young Master had fully recovered and achieved first place in the second class; the Young Master was very pleased. Before the palace examination, the Young Master had sought academic guidance from Scholar Zhuang; after the results were posted, he instructed this humble one to deliver a gift of gratitude to Scholar Zhuang. However, Scholar Zhuang said..."

Youqing glanced at the two ladies governing the household and hesitated to speak.

"Did not your master tell you to speak freely and hold nothing back?"

Hearing Xu Pingmei's words, Youqing stood, bowed, and said, "After the results were posted, Scholar Zhuang read the Young Master's essay along with those of the three top-ranking officials of the first class and stated plainly that the Young Master was not unworthy of the first class."

Upon hearing Youqing's words, Bai Shi and Xu Pingmei, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, exchanged a surprised glance; it must be known that this was Gu Gu Tingyu's first time taking the imperial examinations, yet he was already on par with the first-class winners.

Then Bai Shi fell silent,

and the main hall grew quiet.

Seeing her mother-in-law looking as if she wished to speak but hesitated, Xu Pingmei gave Cui Cui Mama Chang a signal.

Cui Cui Mama Chang glanced at Bai Shi and asked, "Brother Youqing, when exactly was the Bilian Courtyard sealed?"

Hearing the question, Youqing hurriedly bowed and replied, "Replying to Cui Cui Mama, it was after the Young Master received the imperial bestowal of the tablet and robe-boots and returned home; on the second day after the Young Master and the Master went to the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors, the courtyard of Bilian Courtyard was sealed."

Bai Shi and Xu Pingmei exchanged a glance.

After dinner,

while the Xu family was strolling in the courtyard,

in Gu Gu Tingyu's Fuyao Courtyard, Xu Pingmei sat in a chair drinking a medicinal soup for nourishment.

Although she knew her husband was different now from before, in Xu Pingmei's eyes, Gu Gu Tingyu had not changed at all.

"Lady, why do you keep staring at me?"

Gu Gu Tingyu, who was soaking his feet, asked with a smile.

Xu Xu Pingmei placed the empty bowl into Sister Qingzhi's hands and instructed, "Have the female servants stay further away."

Watching Sister Qingzhi exit the room, Xu Xu Pingmei, supporting her pregnant belly, approached her husband and said, "Husband, you..."

Xu Xu Pingmei stuttered on the word "you" for a little while, unable to say anything else.

"How did I convince Father?"

Xu Xu Pingmei hurriedly nodded.

Gu Gu Tingyu said, "Sit down first, then I will tell you."

"Actually, the first step to convincing Father was for you, Mother, and my younger siblings to leave Bianjing."

"For the first few days after you all left, Father did visit that Bilian Courtyard every day, but in less than half a month, he stopped going often; instead, he came several times to the gate of our courtyard asking when my siblings and Mother would return."

Seeing the confused look in Xu Xu Pingmei's eyes, Gu Gu Tingyu continued speaking:

"Father's visits to Bilian Courtyard were merely to reminisce about the past; the more we tried to stop him, letting him go every few days, the more he became intoxicated by it. Once you all left Bianjing, she was not my mother resurrected! If Father went every day, he would soon grow tired of it; seeing the Hou Fu empty and cold every day, Father gradually realized that Mother and my younger siblings are what matter in life now!"

"Of course, this only made Father somewhat realize the truth; for me, as a son, to persuade Father to deal with his concubine was already somewhat improper."

"So, Husband waited until you passed the second-class imperial examination before speaking to Father?"

"Correct; on that day, during the ancestral worship, facing the spirit tablets of the Gu family's Liezulie Sect, the tablets of my Second and Third Uncles who died in battle, and my mother's tablet, I laid this matter bare to Father."

Gu Gu Tingyu's expression turned solemn as he said:

"I asked Father whether his actions were worthy of the Liezulie Sect! Whether they were worthy of my Second and Third Uncles who died unmarried on the battlefield! Whether they were worthy of the comrades who stood under the Gu family banner! Whether they were worthy of my mother!"

"Husband, your words..."

Gu Gu Tingyu nodded and said softly, "They were indeed somewhat unfilial."

Xu Xu Pingmei stood up, took Gu Gu Tingyu's hand, and said, "But, it was not unfilial."

Holding Xu Xu Pingmei's hand, Gu Gu Tingyu said, "At that time, I told Father that before these spirit tablets, only one side could remain in the residence: either me, Gu Gu Tingyu, or Father's concubine. If Father insisted on keeping that concubine in the house, I would risk my official rank and submit a memorial to the Office of Imperial Clan Affairs, asking them to adjudicate the matter of Father taking a woman into the household during my mother's mourning period."

"Da Da Niangzi, some things are only known to be precious when one truly possesses them."

"For example, Husband's status as a Five Jinshi." Xu Xu Pingmei said with a smile.

"Indeed."

"Then..."

Hearing Xu Xu Pingmei's words, Gu Gu Tingyu said, "The Guan Guan Pozi and female servants who had no issues were sold off. That woman was sent to Tongchu Nunnery; I personally delivered her there."

Gu Gu Tingyu looked at Xu Xu Pingmei and did not speak the words that followed; originally, he had prepared to be absolutely thorough, but upon thinking of the news that Xu Xu Pingmei was pregnant, he did not resort to harsh measures and only sent her to the Tongchu Nunnery under the jurisdiction of the Imperial City Bureau.

When this matter was handled, Bai Shi was far away in Yang Zhou, so no rumors of jealousy or intolerance detrimental to her reputation spread.

Looking at the gentle expression in Xu Xu Pingmei's eyes, Gu Gu Tingyu said, "Mother treated me like her own son; actually, if Mother had not exposed the matter of my poisoning, perhaps Gu Tingye would have inherited the title by now."

Xu Xu Pingmei nodded.

"Let's not talk about me; it turns out Master Zhuang is going to the Sheng family."

Early the next morning,

on Quyuanjie,

Xu Xu Anmei and Xu Xu Zaijing, the brother and sister who had obtained their father's permission, one riding a horse and the other sharing a carriage, headed toward the west gate of Bianjing.

The 'Guan Kou Yuan Erlang' mentioned by Xu Minghua and his wife was in fact the Yuan Erlang God, also known as the Yuan Erlang Manifest Sage True Lord.

When the Great Zhou was founded, the worship of this Divine Lord was mainly prevalent in the Sichuan region.

This Divine Lord was initially revered as a deity for controlling floods and eliminating disasters.

Later, through promotion by the Great Zhou government, the Divine Lord's abilities expanded; subsequently, an imperial temple was constructed west of the capital city,

and every year starting from the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the incense offerings became abundant, with the grandest day being the twenty-fourth.

Xu Xu Zaijing accompanied his sister on the road out of the city; upon reaching the Zhou Wansheng Gate in Chengxi, the crowd gradually thickened.

Although it was still early, carriages and horses were already beginning to return to the city.

"Little Five, they are so early; they are already heading back," Xu Xu Anmei said, poking her head out of the carriage window.

"They probably stayed in the temple yesterday to burn the first incense," Xu Xu Zaijing said while riding his horse.

After exiting the city gate,

Xu Xu Anmei said from inside the carriage, "Little Five, did you see the banner pole in front of the temple?"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Sister, I saw it; there was even someone breathing fire up there."

"Ah? Really?" Saying this, Xu Xu Anmei lifted the carriage curtain to look forward, but she saw only the high-fluttering flag and a small black dot moving on the flagpole.

"Where is the fire-breathing? Ye'er, did you see it?" Xu Xu Anmei asked with a frown.

Xu Xu Anmei's maid shook her head.

"Brother Qingyun, what about you?" Xu Xu Anmei asked Brother Qingyun, who was driving the carriage at the front.

"Miss, this humble one also only saw the flagpole."

"Little Five, you are lying again!"

"Sister, you will know when we get closer," Xu Xu Zaijing said, relaxing his eyes while on horseback.

Just as the brother and sister were speaking, a rider from the side approached Xu Xu Zaijing, and Xu Xu Anmei naturally pulled the carriage curtain closed.

"Jing Ge'er, you are back!" Wei Wei Faqi from the Fu'an Hou Fu came close.

"Oh? Qi Ge'er, long time no see," Xu Xu Zaijing said perfunctorily, then looked behind him, discovering Han Han Wulang of the Duke of Han, Lü Zhang Sanlang of the Duke of Ling, Rong Rong Xian, and seven or eight other lavishly dressed descendants of noble families following behind, along with several carriages bearing various family plaques.

"Jing Ge'er, are you also going to watch the performances near the Shenbao Temple? Why not go together?" Wei Wei Faqi said.

"My family and I still have someone to wait for; Brother Qi should go ahead," Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Brother Qingyun slowly stopped the carriage by the roadside, and Xu Xu Zaijing also reined in his horse and halted.

Having previously had an unpleasant encounter with these individuals at Qiyun Tower, Xu Xu Zaijing did not believe them to be tolerant or magnanimous.

Looking at Xu Xu Zaijing stopped by the roadside, Han Han Wulang, while riding his horse, smiled and whispered to a young man beside him with a fierce countenance, "Jing Biao Ge, I heard you personally slaughtered bandits in the north; what do you think of this Xu family child?"

Hearing Han Han Wulang's words and seeing the somewhat admiring glances from the six or seven noble scions around them, that person smiled and said, "Stopping by the roadside just because the young master of the Marquis of Fu'an greeted him—what a cowardly mouse."

"Hahaha, Jing Biao Ge, well said!" Han Han Wulang laughed, then was the first to lightly tap his horse's flanks and ride past Xu Xu Zaijing.

Perhaps laughter was contagious, for several of the noble scions passing Xu Xu Zaijing deliberately let out a few laughs.

The carriages of their families following behind also moved past.

Inside the Xu family carriage, Xu Xu Anmei's maid, Ye'er, pulled hard on Xu Xu Anmei, saying, "Miss, you cannot show yourself at a time like this; have you forgotten how the Eldest Young Master scolded you!"

"Miss! Have you ever seen Han Wulang suffer bullying?"

This latter remark made Xu Xu Anmei's strength wane as she said, "If Little Five cannot vent this anger, I will go home and tell Big Brother!"

Outside the carriage,

Seeing Rong Rong Xian forced out a smile uglier than crying, without making a single sound.

Brother Qingyun, holding the reins of the horse pulling the carriage, naturally heard their words; he looked at that 'Jing Biao Ge' with some curiosity, then tightened his grip on the horsewhip in his hand.

The person whom Han Han Wulang had just called Jing Biao Ge, when he was the last to pass the Xu family carriage, actually stopped to one side.

He looked rather brazenly at the Xu family carriage, then clicked his tongue with a smirk at the corner of his mouth, swept a glance over Xu Xu Zaijing, and the two locked eyes for a moment.

Seeing that his Jing Biao Ge had not followed, Han Han Chengyun lightly reined in his horse, and when he turned around, he happened to see his Jing Biao Ge scanning Xu Xu Zaijing.

The five or six youths who had followed along also stopped their horses.

Wei Wei Faqi, standing to one side, whispered to Han Han Chengyun, "Han Wulang, with your Jing Biao Ge here, even I feel intimidated by such a gaze; rest assured, I'll watch to see if the Xu family scion dares to make a fuss, and today we will surely make him lose face once."

"It's not as if you haven't seen my Jing Biao Ge's gaze before; that is..."

Han Han Chengyun had not finished speaking when his eyes suddenly widened.

One more chapter remains.

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(End of Chapter)