Chapter 182: Brother Jing Is About to Steal the Show

"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival; before class dismisses today, recite a poem related to it."

Hearing the village tutor's words, Mo Lan's eager smile froze.

Ru Lan, meanwhile, was so startled by this statement that she stood dumbfounded.

Ming Lan stood up, wearing an expression of someone who had correctly guessed the exam topic; she glanced at the courtyard outside the lecture hall, began swaying her head and body, and her crisp voice rang out:

"The courtyard floor lies white, crows roost in the trees."

"Who knows upon whom these autumn thoughts will fall? Little Five, I didn't expect cousin Ming Lan, though young, to know this poem."

On the bustling street,

Xu Xu Zaijing, mounted on his dark horse, nodded: "The little girl is very clever! Second Brother, that new wine banner at Yuxian Yuxian Zhengdian is still hanging; they must still have new wine."

"Let's go; it's only just noon. How could so many shops have sold out their liquor and taken down their banners so early?"

Seeing the two men riding tall, sturdy horses, the waiter at the entrance hurried forward to greet them: "Two honored guests, please come inside."

It was not only the waiter at the shop entrance who saw them.

On the second floor, someone spotting the two horsemen through the window, especially Xu Xu Zaijing, turned away in a huff and walked outward.

"Two young masters, the wine upstairs is somewhat more expensive; this way, please."

"Second Brother, later we'll go to Li He's to buy some fruit and such; the hairy crabs are plump right now."

As Xu Xu Zaijing and his elder brother had just ascended to the second floor, they saw a youth glaring furiously at Xu Xu Zaijing.

【15】 "Sixth Brother, why do you look at me like that?"

"Liang Liu Lang, why do you look at me like this?"

"Brother Jing, you still ask me? I, your younger brother, took you to such a fine place, yet you told my mother! I got punished with the family rod because of it!"

Xu Xu Zaizhang said: "Little Five, where did you and Sixth Brother go?"

"Second Brother, it's nothing, nothing; you go buy the wine first, and I'll have a few words with Sixth Brother."

Speaking thus, Xu Xu Zaijing led Liang Han to the side of the stairs: "No wonder I haven't seen you for so long; weren't things fine when you returned that day?"

Liang Han measured the length of a bamboo plank with his hands: "Brother Jing, I was fast asleep! Mother used a family rod this long and literally beat me awake!"

"Then use your little brain; what benefit would I gain from informing on you?"

"Ah?"

Liang Han thought for a moment, then shook his head:

"None... But that group of brothers who went with us has been there many times without any trouble!"

Hearing this, Xu Xu Zaijing was also stunned; yes, he had gone only once and—

Suddenly,

Xu Xu Zaijing recalled Hearing Zhao Zhao Meifeng; previously, in both explicit and implicit remarks, he had said that this mission to Yang Zhou was, in terms of plugging gaps and correcting oversights for Xu Xu Zaijing, no less important than restoring the Southeast Imperial City Bureau.

Moreover, of those five cartloads of goods brought back from Yang Zhou, after Xu Xu Zaijing had his family deliver them to the palace, more than half were returned.

The Imperial City Bureau!

Putting it this way, Liang Han's beating indeed seemed to have some connection to him.

Thus, Xu Xu Zaijing patted Liang Han on the shoulder and said:

"Sixth Brother, this was my oversight; here's what I'll do: today I'll have my page send you some fine goods as my apology."

"I don't want those goods, younger brother! Hehe, just now I heard Brother Jing say he wanted to buy hairy crabs? Qiao Jiu! Come out quickly!"

After Liang Han shouted, six or seven noble youths rushed out of the small rooms on the second floor.

Coming up behind Liang Han, upon seeing Xu Xu Zaijing, they all clasped their hands and bowed in greeting.

"Brother Jing, you want to buy hairy crabs? Don't bother buying! I'll have the shop send them to you immediately." Upon hearing Qiao Jiu Lang's words, the page beside him clasped his hands and ran downstairs.

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Good; many thanks, Ninth Brother."

Qiao Jiu Lang: "Brother Jing, no need for such courtesy with your younger brother; hehe!"

Qiao Jiu smiled and nudged Liang Han; Liang Han, understanding, said:

"I wonder when Brother Jing will have time to go play polo? Recently, with you and the elder brothers from the Zhang and Zheng families absent, that Han Han Wulang and his crowd have been making quite a name for themselves."

Hearing Liang Han's words, the noble youths around them all nodded in agreement:

"Watching them win isn't even interesting anymore!"

"Exactly!"

"Even those from the Hu Yan and Bao families couldn't defeat him!"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded upon hearing this.

Liang Han continued:

"Brother Jing! He and Lü Zhang Sanlang and the others have already won twenty consecutive matches and have dominated the wooden leaderboard for half a month! Everyone entering our polo ground can see it!"

"Yes! So imposing!"

"We can't even hold our heads up!"

Xu Xu Zaijing looked at them and said: "Is this fame so great?"

Liang Han, Qiao Jiu, and the other youths exchanged glances; their eyes were full of excitement!

Brother Jing's competitive spirit had been stirred!

He was going to the polo ground to dampen the prestige of Han Han Wulang, Lü Zhang Sanlang, and their crowd!

It was Qiao Jiu Lang who clasped his hands and said: "Brother Jing, if you and the elder brothers from the Zhang and Zheng families take action, you will surely make an even greater name for yourselves!"

"Yes, yes!"

"Right! I still remember Brother Jing's heroic bearing from before the New Year!"

"I agree with Ninth Brother's words!"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled, looked at Liang Han, and asked once more:

"Sixth Brother, is this fame so great?"

Liang Han held up four fingers:

"Brother Jing, how is this not significant? Feiyun Terrace learned they were going and slashed prices by forty percent!"

"Tsk! Liu Lang, why can't you understand Brother Jing's meaning? Brother Jing means that even twenty consecutive victories amount to nothing!"

"Slashing prices by forty percent amounts to nothing!"

"Brother Jing, you still dare to think big! Slash prices by fifty percent!"

After Qiao Jiu Lang finished speaking, several noble young men nodded in agreement one after another.

"Brother Jing once defeated the Northern Liao barbarians; how could his courage be small?"

Liang Han, as if suddenly enlightened, looked at Xu Xu Zaijing with eyes full of longing.

Xu Xu Zaijing looked at them and shook his head.

"Ah? What does Brother Jing shaking his head mean? Could it be you want Feiyun Terrace to—"

The young men's faces showed disbelief: "Wow! We feel ashamed compared to you!"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and said:

"Liu Lang, Jiu Lang, and you younger brothers, no matter how great the spotlight, could it compare to the spotlight my brother-in-law received?"

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Liang Han froze, then frowned and exchanged a glance with Qiao Jiu.

'Brother Jing's brother-in-law?'

At that moment, Xu Zhang walked out from the second floor and said:

"Little Five, let's go."

Xu Xu Zaijing patted Liang Han on the shoulder and Qiao Jiu on the arm: "I appreciate your kindness."

Having said this, Xu Xu Zaijing left Yuxian Yuxian Zhengdian together with Zhang.

On the second floor of Yuxian Yuxian Zhengdian,

"Who is Brother Jing's brother-in-law?" one of the noble young men asked.

"Eldest Brother Gu Jiayu from the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu," Liang Liu Lang said before turning and entering the small room.

"Jiu Lang, I think achieving twenty consecutive victories would bring greater fame!"

"."

Qiao Jiu Lang pushed the young man who had spoken: "Get inside!"

Inside the small room,

Gazing at the scenery on the street outside the window, Qiao Jiu Lang approached Liang Han: "That day caused an uproar throughout Bianjing."

"Indeed, who knows how many teams went to report the good news along the Imperial Street to the Hou Fu in Xingguo Ward."

"Does Brother Jing's implication mean he is now focusing on his studies?"

"He is telling us not to become obsessed with these things. Sigh! Let's go, head home!"

Qiao Jiu said: "Disperse, disperse! Everyone return to their own homes!"

The young men boarded their respective carriages and departed from this place.

On the way home,

Liang Han sat in the carriage, recalling the scene of the banquet hosted by the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu that day.

His father, Lord Liang, and Lord Gu had always been comrades-in-arms in the military, and both were nobles in the capital; they had both been invited that day.

Lord Gu, usually known for his stern dignity, could not hide the smiles on his face at the entrance, chatting and laughing with others, his laughter clear and hearty.

Even the usually unworthy descendants of the fourth and fifth branches of the Gu family shared in the glory.

Liang Han's eldest half-brother, who was older than him and had succeeded in the imperial examinations, had always been arrogant and looked down on everyone in the Liang family, yet upon seeing Eldest Brother Yu at the Gu residence, his face showed nothing but heartfelt admiration.

Princess Princess Pingning of the Duke of Qi's household, who was usually stern and raised within the palace, revealed a rare gentle smile when she saw Eldest Brother Yu, a smile filled with deep envy; her son Qi Heng, whose status was considerably better than Liang Han's, looked at Eldest Brother Yu with an expression of pure worship.

Other peers from ducal and marquis households, upon seeing Eldest Brother Yu, regardless of their age or whether they had entered official service, all adopted an attitude of respect and caution.

"Why didn't I think back then about whether that spotlight was great or not?"

At Yongchang Hou Fu,

Wu Da Da Niangzi returned home from outside the residence; today she had visited the Sha family of Marquis Zhongshan Hou to arrange a match for their children.

The marriage arrangement for the Sha family's descendant had originally been settled.

However, a descendant of the family caused trouble, nearly ruining the marriage arrangement.

As soon as she stepped down from the carriage, the Liang family's stewardess mother greeted her beside the vehicle.

"Da Da Niangzi, ever since Liu Lang returned, he has been gloomy and unhappy."

"Wasn't he fine before? What happened now? Have you asked the attendants?"

"I have asked; the attendants said that after finishing school, Liu Lang went to Yuxian Yuxian Zhengdian, claiming he met the Xu family's Brother Jing. After the Xu young master left, Liu Lang became gloomy and unhappy."

Wu Da Da Niangzi took off her cape and placed it in the female servant's hands: "Overestimating his own strength; I suspect he went looking for trouble and got beaten by Brother Jing. Come, let's go see."

Very quickly, Wu Da Da Niangzi arrived at Liang Han's courtyard.

Upon entering the room, her eyes filled with surprise, for several exceptionally beautiful maidservants were actually standing outside the door.

Seeing Wu Da Da Niangzi, everyone hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Entering the study, Wu Da Da Niangzi saw the young Liang Han sitting dazedly before the desk.

"Han Ge'er?"

"Mother."

"What is wrong? Did Brother Jing bully you?"

Liang Han shook his head.

Wu Da Da Niangzi had never seen Liang Han like this before, which made her somewhat worried; she wrapped her arm around Liang Han and said:

"Han Ge'er, what are you thinking about? Tell Mother."

"Mother, I am thinking about making a name for myself."

Upon hearing these words, Wu Da Da Niangzi rolled her eyes so hard they nearly hit the roof beam; she was just about to raise her hand to teach Liang Han a lesson when suddenly she heard:

"Mother, earlier when Elder Brother Yu ranked first among the second-class successful candidates in the palace examination, did he not make an extremely impressive name for himself?"

Wu Da Da Niangzi abruptly halted her motion, and after her mind raced through various thoughts, she said to Liang Han, "Yes, on that day, which noble family in Bianjing did not envy Gu Hou! You saw the appearance of Princess Princess Pingning yourself."

"Mm! This child remembers! I also want to make such a name for myself!"

"My son has such lofty aspirations; how did you come to think of this?"

"Mother, this afternoon..."

As Wu Da Da Niangzi listened to Liang Han's account, her eyes gazed at the black ink in the inkstone on the desk and the red cinnabar beside the inkstone.

"Liu Lang, if you wish to make such a name for yourself, Mother supports you! But you must not aim too high without practical steps!"

Seeing the confused look in Liang Han's eyes, Wu Da Da Niangzi said, "Do you know what time Gu Dalang of the Gu family begins studying each day?"

"When we went to the Gu family, Mother had your father ask; he begins before the Mao hour each day."

Liang Han turned his head and looked at Wu Da Da Niangzi in surprise.

Wu Da Da Niangzi patted Liang Han's shoulder and said, "The 'fame' of this Gu Dalang of the Gu family cannot be said to be unmatched in the future, but it can certainly be said to be unprecedented! This is not something one can achieve casually."

"However, I believe in my son! Tomorrow, Mother will go to Bianjing to find a good tutor."

After leaving Liang Han's courtyard, Wu Da Da Niangzi wore a face full of joy when a maid carrying a wooden box came before her and said, "Da Da Niangzi, someone from the Xu family's Han Wulang sent a gift, saying it is for Han-ge'er."

"It should be me sending gifts to the Xu family; come, let me see."

Speaking thus, Wu Da Da Niangzi opened the box held by the maid and saw inside a piece of mutton-fat jade, carved into the shape of a vase, exceedingly exquisite.

Wu Da Da Niangzi examined it carefully and said, "Fine jade, fine craftsmanship. Did you ask why they sent a gift?"

"The young servant from the Xu family said it is Han Wulang's gift of apology."

Hearing the maid's words, Wu Da Da Niangzi was stunned for a moment.

After writing an invitation card and sending it to the palace.

That evening, Wu Da Da Niangzi and Lord Liang were preparing for bed in their bedroom.

Lord Liang looked at his wife, who was usually so cheerful, yet today was frowning: "Lady, what is wrong today?"

Wu Da Da Niangzi sighed, recounted the events of the afternoon, and then said, "My body is truly ill at an inopportune time! If I had gone to the dock to receive the Sheng family, perhaps Han-ge'er could have entered the Sheng family academy!"

"For the Xu family boy to speak such words was also for Liu Lang's good! Since it has given Liu Lang some ambition, we must acknowledge the kindness."

"Naturally, I understand."

"Previously I heard that Imperial Physician He's mother possessed superb medical skills, but unfortunately, her daughter-in-law fell gravely ill, and she left the capital early."

"Alas."

The Qiao family was a wealthy household in the capital.

In the Qiao family's shops, aquatic products were available year-round.

Years ago, their ancestors built their fortune selling aquatic products in Bianjing, and then, steeling their resolve, spent twenty thousand strings of cash to marry a woman from the imperial clan, who was raised in the Rongyang Courtyard and belonged to a collateral bloodline, as the Qiao family's Da Da Niangzi.

But unexpectedly, several decades ago, an Emperor emerged from the lineage of this woman of the imperial clan; although the relationship was not very close, they were still imperial relatives.

Thus, the Qiao family rose with the tide, gradually entering the ranks of the nobility in Bianjing.

Their social interactions were now with dukes, marquises, earls, and viscounts.

Because both families were engaged in commerce, they actually had a closer relationship with Hou Fu Yongchang.

In the courtyard,

The Qiao family steward stood before Qiao Jiu Lang and said, "Jiu Lang, after the goods were delivered to Hou Fu, Han Wulang of the Xu family ordered another barrel of hairy crabs to be sent to the Sheng family in Jiying Lane. Upon leaving, he gave me this."

Qiao Jiu Lang took the wooden box and, seeing the exquisite pair of jade carvings of hairy crabs inside, was slightly stunned.

He waved his hand, and the steward left the courtyard.

This was naturally a gift of thanks from the Xu family.

The hairy crabs sent to the Xu family this afternoon were worth no more than a hundred strings of cash, yet for just one of the jade carvings in this wooden box, you would not even dare to open your mouth if offered less than two hundred strings of cash on the market.

Thinking of Xu Xu Zaijing's words from the afternoon, Qiao Jiu Lang, unlike Liang Han, closed the wooden box, looked up at the bright moon in the sky, and said:

"Alas! There are many who study, but how many are like Gu Dalang of the Gu family!"

The fifteenth day of the eighth month, the Mid-Autumn Festival.

A three-story wooden tower within Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu had been renovated and made brand new well in advance.

The Xu family gathered on the tower to admire the moon and taste crabs; even Sun Shi and Xu Xu Anmei, who normally did not touch alcohol, drank a few cups of fruit wine.

Watching the eldest grandson in the wet nurse's arms by the table, Xu Minghua and his three sons unknowingly drank too much and had to be supported back to the main lady's courtyard by Xu Xu Zaijing alone.

Before returning to his own courtyard, Xu Xu Zaijing specifically went to the room beside the stable to share a few drinks with his master and Uncle Deng.

Nowadays, the cotton and corn around Bianjing had begun to be harvested; because their value was too high, the three marquis households of Xu, Liang, and Gu had to organize patrol teams to protect the cotton fields.

The next day.

The sky had not yet brightened.

When Xu Xu Zaijing rose early to exercise and practice martial arts,

Sounds of merriment still came from the streets and alleys where lanterns were lit; these were not early risers, but residents who had not slept all night.

From after the Mid-Autumn Festival until September, Xu Xu Zaijing continued to attend and leave school regularly every day.

In the Sheng family academy, Xu Xu Zaijing occasionally glanced at Minglan's calligraphy; her progress was considerable.

The eighth day of the ninth month, the Double Ninth Festival was approaching.

Wu Da Da Niangzi had moved patches of different types of chrysanthemums to the polo ground at Jinming Pool, forming a sea of flowers.

In this way, the nobility and officials' families of Bianjing could go out of the city to ascend heights and admire flowers.

For a time, an invitation to Wu Da Da Niangzi's home became extremely hard to obtain.

I have a severe headache from a cold.

He coughed as soon as he stood up.

Just one chapter today.

I intended to keep writing, but my condition simply wouldn't allow it.

If there are any typos or awkward passages, I beg my esteemed readers to point them out without hesitation!

Thank you all for your support!

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(End of Chapter)