[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son":3,"chapter-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Am the Xu Family's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2307799,4510,"Chapter 21: Supremely Auspicious [Thank You to Readers for Your Monthly Votes and Recommendations]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>The Yongyi Marquis House was an old-established noble family of the Great Zhou Dynasty; its founding Marquis had contributed the feat of conquering a kingdom, but after several generations, there were no worthy successors, and the house had somewhat declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could not compare with powerful noble houses like the Duke House or the Ningyuan Marquis House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many years ago, much of the Jingzhong Marquis House’s elite had followed Xu Zaijing’s aunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Marquis House’s properties in Bianjing were undeniably real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this land where every inch was worth its weight in gold, the Yongyi Marquis House possessed not only a training ground but also a vast riding field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at this riding field, as large as a football field from his past life,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and for some reason, suddenly imagined that Sheng Laofu, the central figure of this world’s story,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>perhaps when she was about the same age as he was now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had galloped freely across this very field, playing polo with youthful abandon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouch! Pain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The groom had whipped Xu Zaijing’s buttocks with a horsewhip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you daydreaming about? Get used to these bows and pick the one that feels best to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master,” Xu Zaijing bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to move, the groom pulled him back and slipped a leather thumb ring onto his right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the ground where five bows were laid out, the groom’s eye twitched as he watched Xu Zaijing casually draw a bow that even a grown man would struggle to pull open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression seemed remarkably easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Xu Zaijing been older and his arms longer, the groom felt he could have drawn the bow fully taut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough testing. These bows are unworthy of you. Let’s begin teaching you riding skills first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing happily walked over to his small horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the young servant Qingyun curiously approached the bows, picked the smallest-looking one, summoned his strength—and to his surprise, pulled it open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun was pleased, then released his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The groom turned and saw his nephew’s thumb, bare of a thumb ring, had already been scraped raw by the bowstring, blood about to well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During breaks from reading or needlework, Xu Zaijing’s older siblings often came to the riding field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi had prepared saddles and bridles for her two daughters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they would ride gentle old horses for leisurely rides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaiduan and Xu Zaizhang would practice archery, learn self-defense techniques, and occasionally ride as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After witnessing her youngest son’s talent, Sun Shi repeatedly emphasized to her older children not to speak of it outside the family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the affairs of the Sun family, they were treated as children’s play; as family, the four siblings had directly witnessed Xu Zaijing’s unusual nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The groom and Qingyun were trusted servants of the Marquis House, but Sun Shi had specifically warned them as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some secrets were better known by fewer people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Daoist emerged from the Yuxing Temple outside the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him were the sitting Daoists of Yuxing Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These sitting Daoists interpreted dreams, deciphered oracles, and foretold fortune and misfortune; now they gazed at the man ahead with utter reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man ahead was surnamed Yuan, from Yangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and bowed: “Fellow Daoist, farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We respectfully see you off, Dao Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yuan boarded a carriage; inside, his fingers moved continuously. As the carriage neared the city, he opened his eyes, filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These days, Bai Wanshu no longer stayed at the Marquis House but resided in the Bai family’s residence in Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion was large, yet due to its owner’s long absence, signs of daily life were sparse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant announced that Master Yuan had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Wanshu invited Master Yuan inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Servants set out tea utensils; Bai Wanshu waved his hand, and they all withdrew from the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old friend, have you uncovered anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yuan’s expression had returned to normal, but his hair was damp. He sipped tea and spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I spoke with the Daoists of Yuxing Temple and investigated events before and after my divination—and uncovered one thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Related to my niece?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Yongyi Marquis House, Xu family, spent considerable offerings to have the sitting Daoist deliver several oracles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yuan paused, then said, “I calculated it, and—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Wanshu’s eyes lit with curiosity: “What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was a chaos of confusion, no clarity—but on my way back, my carriage was struck by a mad ox and plunged into the river. Luckily, I can swim, or else—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Yuan sighed: “I fear I’ll never dare to divine again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our friendship has nearly cost you your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your niece was raised before my eyes; she nearly lost her life, and I feel deep guilt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then is it the Yongyi Marquis House that enabled my niece to survive this great calamity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know for certain, but it’s close.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, at least we have a lead. By the way, do you recall when my niece married, you divined the fortune of a sea vessel setting sail?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the one marked ‘Supremely Auspicious’? What happened to that ship? Did it sink?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that ship fared excellently. Today we received word from Yangzhou—it has docked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The last ‘Supremely Auspicious’ ship was the one that launched my fortune. Now that this one has docked, my old comrades say everything is normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it brought back only a few exotic beasts—hardly worthy of your ‘Supremely Auspicious’ omen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then perhaps we should invite someone from the Xu family to visit. Who knows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reasonable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun rose and set, time flowed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, four carriages arrived at the Yongyi Marquis House gate, their rain covers caked with dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi looked at the middle-aged steward in the hall; his sister was Xu Zaijing’s wet nurse, Cui Niangzi—she was familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi: “Steward, you’ve been with the Marquis House since the beginning. My sister sent these from afar—please thank her on my behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Lady. The Old Lady also asked me to convey her thanks to your Sun family relatives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Zhu, go to the back courtyard and call Cui Niangzi to join the steward for wine and to welcome him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A banquet was arranged in the house, with several elder servants invited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing’s wet nurse, Cui Niangzi held high status in the house; sitting with the elders, no one objected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward, who had traveled from Quanzhou to Jinling and then to Bianjing, was overjoyed to see his long-absent sister and expressed his concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the house erupted in chaos; when they stopped a maid to ask, they learned the palace had sent imperial gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason: the northwest armies had repelled a large-scale invasion by Li’s Baigao Kingdom along the Zhou border, slaying over two thousand enemies—a modest but notable victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the northwest armies, the Cao family held deep influence; as an allied house, Xu Minghua had shared in the spoils, his name appearing on the battle report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged eunuch who delivered the edict finished reading the imperial commendation and turned to Sun Shi and the other Xu family members: “Rise, all of you. Lady, may I have a word with you privately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi rose, waved to her maids Xiao Zhu and Xiao Dan, and followed the senior eunuch behind the screen in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seven- or eight-year-old eunuch followed, carrying a box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingyun, open the box.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, this was specially ordered by the Empress for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi glanced inside and saw an exquisitely carved hairpin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single prong is a hairpin; multiple prongs are a hairpin set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the box was a gold-leaf jade cicada hairpin: golden leaves held a jade cicada, carved from the finest jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade cicada was masterfully carved, lifelike and vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Empress!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi was about to kneel in thanks when the senior eunuch gently held her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, this gift is for your son Jingge. No need for such formalities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi was accustomed to her youngest son receiving gifts from elders—whether from Wu Niangzi or Princess Pingning, all had remarked on his great fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both had seen their wishes fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi’s mind turned, her eyes filled with astonishment; she hurriedly said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the Empress—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, understand in your heart. Say nothing more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, thank you, eunuch, for the reminder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Empress also instructed that if you have time, you may visit the palace with several of the Cao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, thank you, eunuch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam is too modest; then, I shall take my leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The eunuch, please go slowly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she saw the senior eunuch out the door; before he boarded his palanquin, Xiao Zhu placed a sachet into his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not refuse it, but once the procession had moved away, the young eunuch named Qingyun returned the sachet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This confirmed for Sun Shi that the Empress in the palace was most likely with child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Readers who tipped have already been kissed flat by me (づ￣3￣)づ╭～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Readers who tipped have already been kissed flat by me (づ￣3￣)づ╭～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you very much to all readers for your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deeply grateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bowing again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you find any typos, please kindly point them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If any passages are awkward, please let me know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(`) sending heart\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1571,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","77a9d4446750cc26469e85a2ac392bd4e0339c1d1c0e1b72d00f1b43ac9e3672","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-22","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-20",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]