Chapter 185: Should Never Have Come to Eavesdrop

"Heng'er, you did the right thing at today's flower-viewing gathering!"

Hearing his mother's words, Qi Heng in the carriage bowed slightly: "Thank you, Mother, for your praise."

Princess Princess Pingning, looking at Qi Heng—who was young yet remarkably sensible—smiled: "You must understand why those families' daughters are so eager to get close to you and curry favor."

"Mother, your son understands! Mother, I heard from Hearing Buwei that the young attendant serving Brother Jing is getting married!"

"Oh? Is that the one called Brother Qingyun?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Back then at your maternal grandfather's home, that young fellow protected you, and he is also one of Brother Jing's people. Prepare a congratulatory gift and have Hearing Buwei deliver it."

"Yes! But your son wanted to..." Qi Heng looked up, but seeing the smile vanish from Princess Princess Pingning's face, he did not finish his sentence.

"You are the legitimate son of a Duke's mansion! Preparing a generous gift is sufficient; what is his status, and what is yours? You going there?" Princess Princess Pingning asked after speaking.

"Mother, your son failed to consider this properly."

Feeling his mother's gaze, Qi Heng kept his head down, looking at his feet without saying another word.

"Heng'er, at your age, you should no longer continue to indulge in play!"

"Yes, Mother's lesson is correct!"

Outside the carriage, Hearing Buwei, having heard the conversation inside, let out a soft sigh.

The Double Ninth Festival had passed,

the scent of flowers gradually faded,

and in Chengnan's Old Crow Alley,

several women were standing at the alley entrance, watching the lane decorated with red cloth and brimming with festive joy.

The common folk in the alley constantly walked back and forth carrying trays, all busy around the Hua family's residence.

The Tian family woman, who had once sought to marry a Hua family Miss, had just made a few sarcastic remarks and was expecting the others to echo her, when she realized no one was paying her any mind; they were all staring dumbstruck at the street.

She turned her head to look and discovered a group of men on tall, sturdy horses escorting the groom toward them.

It turned out that Brother Qingyun, serving as the groom today, led the way on horseback, followed by Xu Xu Zaijing and Zhu Zhu Qinghu, then Hearing Buwei, the scar-faced personal soldier, and several other Gu family personal soldiers who had fought side-by-side with them in Yang Zhou previously.

The whole group was tall and imposing, their presence somewhat startling.

This caused people on the street to point and whisper among themselves.

Once the long procession entered the alley, more common folk gathered at the entrance to watch the excitement, forming a circle of onlookers.

In this Old Crow Alley, a wedding procession of such scale was somewhat rare, so naturally, some passersby began to ask questions.

"Which family is marrying off a daughter? What a grand spectacle."

"Tsk~ It's a little harlot surnamed Hua; she tried to throw herself into the Hou Fu but failed, and now a steward has taken a fancy to her!"

"Ah?"

"Is that Hua family girl really so good-looking?"

"Hah, she's not good-looking; she's just improper, that's all."

The Tian family woman said with considerable disdain.

"I say, Tian Guan Pozi, accumulate some virtue with your words; beware lest disaster spring from the mouth!"

Hearing these words, the passersby looked at the speaker and realized they actually knew her.

"Oh, isn't this Hao Guan Pozi from the brokerage firm? What are you doing here?"

Hao Guan Pozi shot the Tian woman a sideways glance, patted her somewhat gorgeous clothing, and said: "Everyone, that young lady inside having the happy event is a case of good people receiving good rewards!"

Seeing everyone looking over, Hao Guan Pozi continued: "It seems that a few years ago, that steward from the Hou Fu took one look and realized she was his benefactor; the very next day, he came to finalize the marriage!"

"Back then, it was this Tian Guan Pozi who, driven by greed, tried to seek the marriage, but alas, alas..."

After this speech, the Tian woman covered her face and left the crowd.

"Pah, what a thing! Everyone, this old woman, though unworthy, must also go take her seat at the banquet; you all may disperse."

Hao Guan Pozi waved her handkerchief, swayed her sturdy waist, and walked inside.

In the Hua family courtyard,

"Hearing Buwei, take a rest; ever since you arrived, you've been busier than anyone else in this alley."

Hearing Brother Qingyun's words, Hearing Buwei smiled and said: "Brother Brother Qingyun, don't worry about me!"

Saying this, he went to refill the wine cups for everyone seated at the tables.

Because the Hua family had few members, there were naturally no door-blocking games; even if there had been, they could not have blocked such a group of robust young men.

After offering a toast to Mother Hua, Hua Qing left the Hua residence with Brother Qingyun, boarded the sedan chair, and headed toward Qu Yuan Street.

Upon arriving at the Xu family residence,

Brother Qingyun and his bride bowed to Xu Minghua and his wife; afterward, one was sent into the bridal chamber, while the other was dragged by the crowd to the banquet tables to offer toasts.

At the wedding banquet,

after Hearing Buwei and Brother Qingyun clinked cups, the scar-faced man beside them raised his wine cup: "I say, Brother Qingyun, your wife is so tall; be careful your husband's authority doesn't waver."

Hearing these words, the whole group burst into loud laughter.

"But there are some people whose wives aren't even a shadow yet!" Zhu Zhu Qinghu said from the side.

The scar-faced man's smile froze.

"Hahaha!!"

The laughter grew even louder.

While offering toasts, Brother Qingyun was forced to drink quite a lot.

By evening, the three Xu brothers helped entertain the guests, while Hearing Buwei shielded Brother Qingyun, guiding him to the small courtyard prepared for his wedding night; just as they entered the courtyard, Seeing Qingcao was walking out carrying a tray laden with food.

"Brother Brother Qingyun."

Brother Qingyun smiled, nodded, pushed open the door, and walked inside.

Turning back to shut the door properly, Brother Qingyun approached the bed.

Seeing Hua Qing had been assigned to a shop in the Hou Fu during this period, no longer exposed to wind and sun, and eating much better, Brother Qingyun was somewhat surprised when he saw the face behind the round fan.

"Whiter, and plumper."

Seeing Brother Qingyun's gaze, Seeing Hua Qing felt somewhat shy; she habitually moved to cover her birthmark.

Brother Qingyun walked over, gently moved her hand away, and said, "From now on, don't think of it as something bad; without it, I wouldn't have been able to find you."

"Mm."

"Da Da Niangzi, let us settle down."

"Mm."

Outside the room, the maids and servants had long been called away to eat.

In the courtyard, though there were lanterns, it was still somewhat dim,

Xu Xu Zaijing, Zhu Zhu Qinghu, Bu Wei, and Scar-Face, among a few others, were crouched beneath the window, ears pricked up.

Perhaps because they had drunk wine, their faces were all somewhat red.

In less than half a quarter-hour, they heard a long sigh from inside the room.

The several people under the window nearly couldn't hold back their laughter and burst out.

"So short."

"Hehe."

"No experience."

"So incapable?"

"What are you brothers talking about?"

Then, after a little while longer,

two quarter-hours later, the sounds from inside still showed no sign of stopping, while the several people under the window were listening until each one's face turned red with embarrassment.

Zhu Zhu Qinghu twisted awkwardly and whispered, "I'm going back first."

Scar-Face nodded and said, "I'm going out for a bit too."

"Scar-Face, let's go together."

Bu Wei, face red, blinked and said, "I have to go back too."

"We shouldn't have come!"

No one knew who spoke this last sentence.

The next day,

just as the hour of Mao arrived (five in the morning),

Brother Qingyun, taking Seeing Hua Qing to kowtow to his uncle, passed by the horse racing ground.

Seeing Hua Qing followed gently behind Brother Qingyun; suddenly, she patted Brother Qingyun's arm and said, "Husband, look, what is that?"

Brother Qingyun, holding her hand, walked over,

and saw inside the horse racing ground a flatbed cart with its wheels removed, laden with heavy weights.

On the ground, there were several fairly fresh, deep scratch marks, clearly indicating that someone had pulled this heavily loaded cart around the horse racing ground for several laps.

"Young Master is exercising his body."

Hearing Brother Qingyun's words, Seeing Hua Qing looked at the cartload of heavy weights with a face full of shock.

Having said this, the two came to the entrance of a small hut nearby.

The door was opened; before Xu Xu Zaijing, his master, who was usually as steady as Mount Tai, appeared somewhat constrained.

"Come in."

Seeing Hua Qing, who already knew the whole story from the previous night, followed Brother Qingyun inside.

Brother Qingyun was just about to kneel when his uncle grabbed him and lifted him up: "It's not your turn yet."

With his single eye, he looked at Seeing Hua Qing, who was only slightly shorter than Brother Qingyun, nodded, then adjusted his robes, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply.

Seeing Hua Qing at the side hastily stepped aside to avoid the bow.

"I, I, I am not worthy of such a great bow from an elder."

"You are worthy!"

a hoarse voice stated.

After he rose,

Brother Qingyun glanced at Seeing Hua Qing and nodded.

Once his uncle was seated, the couple, Brother Qingyun and his wife, knelt on the ground and kowtowed once.

Seeing Hua Qing returned alone to the small courtyard belonging to the two of them.

As for Brother Qingyun, he saddled the Li Ju horse.

Xu Xu Zaijing, yawning, came to the side of the stable; seeing Brother Qingyun, he said, "Brother Qingyun, remove the saddle and tack; today you stay home, while I and Seeing Seeing Qingcao take the carriage to the Sheng family."

"Young Master."

"Go ahead."

Xu Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng arrived at the Sheng family at nearly the same time.

Seeing Seeing Qingcao quickened her pace, came before Xu Xu Zaijing, lifted the curtain of the lecture hall, and then a wave of hot air hit their faces.

As the weather grew colder, the underground heating beneath the lecture hall had already been lit, and window frames had been installed all around.

Xu Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng entered the lecture hall together; he took off the large fur cloak he was wearing and was about to casually hand it to Seeing Seeing Qingcao, but raised it in the air and then drew it back.

"Heng-ge'er, how many dan of charcoal did your family send over? My family's carriage can hardly fit them all."

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Qi Heng smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Jing-ge, Mother said they sent ten thousand jin."

As the two spoke, Hearing Rulan behind Seeing Mo Lan lowered the hand propping up her chin and shook her head back and forth a few times.

Seeing it was not the tutor arriving, she propped her chin up again.

Xu Xu Zaijing, bringing a trail of cool breeze with him, passed Seeing Mo Lan and Hearing Rulan, arrived at Minglan's desk, and snatched the writing brush from her hand.

"Practicing calligraphy by candlelight—do you want to develop myopia?"

"I—"

"If you wish to improve your calligraphy, this dim half-hour in the early morning is not indispensable."

Saying this, Xu Xu Zaijing placed the brush in his hand onto the table,

then went to the back and laid his large cloak on the low wooden platform where Xiao Xiao Xiaotao sat at the very rear.

Little Xiao Xiaotao, who had been dozing off in the back, lifted her head, stood up, squatted, and bowed: "Greetings, Young Master. Eh? Sister Seeing Qingcao."

Seeing Seeing Qingcao, who had followed behind, also broke into a smile upon seeing Xiao Xiaotao.

Seeing her Young Master casually toss his large cloak, she hurriedly picked it up, preparing to fold it properly again, while Xiao Xiaotao beside her quickly reached out to help.

While Xu Xu Zaijing stretched his neck and joined Sheng Changbai and the others for their morning recitation,

Imperial Palace,

Wende Hall,

the Emperor was listening to his officials below discuss the matter of the Nong people of Guangyuan Prefecture requesting surrender.

Standing among his colleagues, Sheng Hong, this minor celestial official of the Ministry of Personnel, closed his eyes and listened as the high court officials voiced their opinions.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

A burst of speech from an inner eunuch caused Sheng Hong to snap his eyes open.

Regardless of whether they had been speaking or not, the ministers all turned to look toward the source of the sound.

The Emperor frowned, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

That inner eunuch knelt to one side and reported, "Your Majesty, a female official from Niangniangdian reports that Her Majesty the Empress has begun to suffer abdominal pain!"

This chapter was under review; it has just been revised.

There is one more chapter coming; the time is uncertain.

If there are any typos or awkward phrasing, esteemed readers are kindly requested to point them out without hesitation!

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(End of Chapter)