Chapter 220: Buying melons outside Donghua Gate [Thanks to everyone for your support! Again]

A few days after the Marquis of Yongyi set out to leave the capital,

the royal gardens such as Jinming Pool and Qionglin Garden outside Bianjing City were closed,

and most Great Zhou commoners who wanted to go in and see them would have to wait until March or April next year.

Marquis of Yongyi's Mansion

Because Zhuang Xuejiu went out to meet friends today,

the school was closed,

Xu Zaijing got up a little later than usual,

looking at the emerald green grape trellis that was a beautiful scene in the courtyard in the morning and the pomegranate tree with red flowers blooming by the wall, Xu Zaijing stretched.

Coming to the horse racing field, missing the figures of many personal guards of the Marquis mansion, it seemed a bit deserted here.

However, soon those two divine horses were released and began to frolic in the wide open space.

It was also a bit lively.

When Xu Zaijing was warming up slowly, his master walked out of the small house, not looking at Xu Zaijing, but placing all his attention on those two divine horses.

At this time, the two horse attendants from Northern Liao, Alan and Xunshu, led the Li horse and the small foal out of the stable.

I don't know if it was Xu Zaijing's illusion, but he felt that the Li horse's body was stronger and its fur was brighter.

For half a year, the two Northern Liao youths had been living in the room cleared out next to the small house,

and Xu Zaijing's master, who could speak Northern Liao, made them less unfamiliar with the environment.

Coupled with their diligent work and excellent care of the Marquis mansion's horses, Xu Zaijing's master made the decision that their treatment would only be lower than Qingyun's.

Therefore, these two youths had long since lost their sloppy and shrinking appearance of wearing old, tattered sheepskin jackets.

Seeing Xu Zaijing, the two youths hurriedly bowed and saluted. When they stood up, they saw Qingyun walking over holding a bundle of bamboo-like things not far away.

"Young master, sugarcane sent from the south, just entered the mansion gate, and I hugged a bundle over."

Xu Zaijing waved his hand and said: "Let Qingcao and the two of them gnaw on it for fun."

After speaking, Xu Zaijing picked up the strong bow carefully made by the Ministry of Works and practiced with a quiver of feathered arrows.

Alan and Xunshu on the side looked curiously at the sugarcane in their hands,

learned from Qingcao's appearance, split the sugarcane skin with their teeth, and bit off a piece...

Hiss... sucking the juice,

feeling the sweetness in their mouths, the two looked at each other in surprise.

Looking at the two's appearance, Qingcao's eyes curved into smiles.

When Xu Zaijing finished morning exercise and went to his mother's courtyard for breakfast, he learned that the merchant fleet sent by the Gu, Xu, Cao, and Liang families in Bianjing to find cotton seeds in Guangnan had returned.

In Guangnan West Circuit, with the father of Xu family's eldest daughter-in-law Xie Shi, Viscount Xie, the merchant fleet's actions were much more convenient. After all, no matter how prominent you are as a noble in Bianjing, you cannot compare to a regional military commissioner who has been stationed here for a long time.

Learning that they were returning to Bianjing,

the Xie family specially selected some good sugarcane from Xie Shi's dowry sugarcane field and brought it back as a small toy for the merchant fleet.

Looking at the eldest daughter-in-law, who had been enlightened by her mother-in-law Sun Shi and teased by her sister-in-law Hualan these past few days, and gradually walked out of the sorrow of parting and worry,

Xu Zaijing listened to the three talking with a smile,

Xie Shi held the eldest grandson of the Xu family and said: "Mother-in-law, daughter-in-law just read the letter. In the letter, mother said that Prince Yong helped the pacification commissioner to recruit the Nong people and achieved merit for the country. He reported to the Emperor that many of his children were suffering from illnesses and wanted his family to return to the capital, and the Emperor agreed."

Hearing this, Sun Shi nodded and said: "There have been rumors in Bianjing for a long time, but I didn't expect it to arrive at about the same time as our family's merchant fleet."

"Mother-in-law, the son of the Nong leader is also among the group returning to the capital."

This last sentence Xie Shi said was something that was not in the rumors of Bianjing.

Xu Zaijing's chopsticks, which were picking up food, paused, then returned to normal. He thought to himself: This Prince Yong has pacified the Nong people, perhaps it can avoid a war in the south of Great Zhou in the future.

After breakfast,

Xu Zaijing stood up and said: "Mother, today a few good friends invited me to go out for fun, so I won't be back for lunch."

Sun Shi waved her hand and said: "Go."

When going out, he heard his mother and daughters-in-law talking about going to the Liang family for a banquet.

At the entrance, Qingcao saw her young master walking over leisurely with a plate of sugarcane pieces cut to a suitable size in his hand.

Xu Zaijing looked at Qingcao and handed the plate over:

"Hmm?"

Qingcao, whose mouth was a bit sour from chewing sugarcane, shook her head.

After returning to the courtyard to tidy up his outfit for going out,

Xu Zaijing took Qingcao and Qingyun and left the Xu mansion by carriage.

There were also a few pieces of crisp and sweet sugarcane in the back of the carriage.

On the way, they passed two or three temples with flourishing incense. Each temple had the smell of fragrant medicinal sugar water being boiled and distributed for free for the Buddha's birthday.

From time to time, pious men and women entered and exited the temples, holding gourds or water bowls in their hands.

When they arrived at Pan Lou East Street, the time was still early.

Xu Zaijing lifted the carriage curtain and said: "Qingyun, go around near Donghua Gate. I heard from Heng Ge'er that vegetable farmers from outside the city have been gathering there these few days."

"Yes, young master."

Arriving at Donghua Gate,

the clamorous sound suddenly grew louder,

on the street some distance away from Donghua Gate,

vegetable farmers carrying shoulder poles or pushing carts were looking at the palace gate with full expectation.

When the palace gate opened and the eunuchs responsible for purchasing in the palace came out, the greeting sound instantly grew louder.

The eunuchs were not arrogant either, just like arriving at a vegetable market, carefully selecting. When they saw eggplants and bottle gourds of good quality, the eunuchs were not stingy with silver.

Xu Zaijing got off the carriage and just happened to see a eunuch carefully looking at a pair of sweet bottle gourds in his hand. This pair of sweet bottle gourds grew to a suitable size, and the outer skin was like emerald jade, which was pleasing to the eye.

After the eunuch asked the vegetable farmer for the price, just as he wanted to bargain, another eunuch walked over directly, threw a few pieces of silver in his hand, and said:

"This melon grew well, I'll take it for five taels of silver."

"Thank you, eunuch!"

Saying this, the vegetable farmer hurriedly presented the sweet bottle gourd.

Hearing this conversation made the vegetable farmers nearby very envious.

The eunuch who had his melon snatched didn't say anything either. After all, those who spent silver so refreshingly must be favored in the palace.

Soon, eggplants of excellent quality were bought by others, also for more than four guan.

Seeing this scene, Qingcao, who was following Xu Zaijing, was dumbfounded. She had never known that a pair of melons and fruits could reach this price.

A clever vegetable farmer, seeing the attire of Xu Zaijing's group, abandoned the eunuchs in the palace and turned to Xu Zaijing to hawk.

Qingcao listened to the vegetable farmer's words and tasted the 'tasting sample' sent to her. The taste was very good. After all, it was intended to be purchased for the palace, but the price...

When Xu Zaijing returned to Pan Lou from Donghua Gate, there were a few more baskets of vegetables and fruits behind the carriage.

The waiter at the entrance saw Xu Zaijing's carriage and hurriedly gathered around,

seeing Qingyun, the waiter Min Ge'er hurriedly said: "Brother Qingyun."

Qingyun smiled and threw a few sweet and tender melons and fruits from the basket to him.

When going up to the third floor,

Manager Ran of Pan Lou followed behind and said: "Young master, our building has newly entered some wine from Qingfeng Tower, you..."

"Bring a jar."

The manager hurriedly waved his hand, and another waiter hurriedly followed with a jar of wine.

After entering the private room on the third floor, Xu Zaijing was the first to arrive.

While the tea and wine doctor of Pan Lou was busy putting the vegetables and fruits brought by the guests into plates,

Qingcao secretly put a piece of sugarcane into the waiter's hand and ordered:

"Find someone to peel it, cut it into pieces, the pieces should be smaller."

At this time,

it was already Si hour (9:00 AM).

Xu Zaijing came to the balcony outside the private room on the third floor of Pan Lou, lay on the wooden railing, and looked at the scenery of Bianliang, the capital of Great Zhou,

while looking at the birds flying over a certain building, he caught sight of three women riding horses, covered with veils and fluttering clothes, on the street downstairs,

beside the women were several wealthy young men from Bianjing, shirtless, revealing tattoos on their bodies, riding horses around the three women.

Seeing this scene, Xu Zaijing didn't have any thoughts of wanting to be a hero saving a beauty,

because those three women...

Just thinking, a wealthy young man's loud question came over: "I wonder where the three sisters are from?"

Listening to the words,

there was a carriage passing by nearby, the carriage curtain was lifted, Liang Sixth Young Master poked his head out to look, then shrank back.

While those young men were still circling the three women like peacocks spreading their tails, Liang Han went upstairs,

picked up a tender melon, came to Xu Zaijing's side, looked downstairs, and Liang Han said:

"These young brats, one look and you know they just arrived in Bianjing, they really thought those three were decent family girls."

Looking at Liang Han's height, Xu Zaijing laughed and said: "Sixth Young Master, how old are you?"

"Tsk, what does this have to do with age? Jing Ge'er, just watch, those three women will definitely go with these people in a while."

While talking,

the two continued to watch the excitement on the street downstairs,

after a while, Qi Heng entered the private room:

"Jing Ge, what are you and Sixth Young Master looking at?"

Liang Han hurriedly pulled Qi Heng over,

Qi Heng glanced and said:

"At this time, where are there women riding horses without brothers or servants? I'm afraid it's some..."

"Ahem, hmm"

Buwei, who was following behind, coughed as if his throat was uncomfortable.

Qi Heng stopped his words.

Watching the women downstairs reluctantly leaving with several wealthy young men, Liang Han tsked and shook his head.

Then the two returned to the private room,

another two quarters of an hour passed,

Gu Tingye and Changbai Changfeng entered the private room one after another,

Hai Chaojie, who had met a few times before and had more intersections because of what happened outside Shenbao Temple, also brought several good high-ranking official sons here.

Everyone took their seats, tasting fresh melons and fruits,

because those who came here were all students who were reading and wanted to take the imperial examination, so the conversation was mostly about poetry and songs.

Xu Zaijing cheated by relying on his memory,

using a few handed-down poems such as 'The lotus leaves reaching the sky are infinitely green, the sun-reflecting lotus flowers are uniquely red',

which also won a lot of praise and admiration.

They had lunch at Pan Lou,

during the meal, the young men were all not very old, and they drank some wine,

and quite a lot of news about the two northern countries had already spread these days,

and unknowingly, they talked about the current situation in the north.

The slightly tipsy Shen Herui put down his wine cup and said: "These days, I've been reading the court gazettes at home, and news about the Bai Gao Kingdom seems to have suddenly increased."

In the room, everyone nodded one after another.

"I did hear that Northern Liao had a fight with Bai Gao country at the border between the two countries, and Northern Liao didn't take advantage."

"Northern Liao is currently being troubled by Jin country, yet they dare to fight with Bai Gao country?"

"Maybe they think that if my Great Zhou can bite off a piece of meat, they can too."

"Hahaha"

After everyone's words fell,

Liang Han, who was a bit drunk on the side, stood up and said:

"I, Liang Han, Liang Sixth Young Master, thank you brothers for giving me face to participate in this poetry meeting. After the prefectural examination this month, please brothers come to my Wu Tower, I will be the host!"

Hearing this, Changfeng, Qiao Jiulang, and others opened their mouths and agreed one after another.

Wei hour (3:00 PM)

Because most of them had to go to school tomorrow, they started to disperse early.

A group of people went downstairs and walked out. When they arrived outside Pan Lou waiting for their own carriages,

Xu Zaijing's eyes froze, and he saw a woman on the street carrying a bamboo basket and walking with her head down, with several paper bags tied with thread in the bamboo basket.

Qingyun felt his young master's gaze and looked over too:

"This woman, why does she look so familiar."

"The woman who jumped off the boat in Yang Zhou."

Qingyun suddenly realized and said: "Didn't she enter the Yuan family gate."

Xu Zaijing shook his head. After returning to Bianjing, he didn't specifically ask about the Yuan family's outcome,

he only knew that the Yuan family's title was gone, and the official positions of the Yuan father and son were also stripped to the bottom, and they went to the north to be horse officials, starting from scratch.

The big and small Zhang Shi were completely gone, not knowing if they entered the Tongchu Nunnery or were divorced.

Fortunately, the Emperor was benevolent, and the Yuan family's mansion in Bianjing was not taken away.

Thinking of these, just as Xu Zaijing was about to get into the carriage,

an anxious inquiry came from the side: "Min Ge'er, have you seen my Zhiyue? Has she been here?"

"Sister Luoyou, no! I haven't seen her for a while!"

Hearing the conversation, Xu Zaijing looked over.

"What's going on?"

Seeing Xu Zaijing, Yang Luoyou seemed to see a life-saving straw, hurriedly walked over and was about to kneel, but was helped up by Qingcao.

"Young master, I don't know if my Zhiyue was kidnapped or what. I just went to repair the pipa and let her wait in the courtyard over there, but when I came out, I couldn't find her."

"Have you reported to the yamen?"

"I... I thought I'd look for her myself first. Maybe she got lost. If I go to report to the yamen, what if she can't find me..."

As she spoke, Yang Luoyou already had a crying voice.

Xu Zaijing waved his hand and said: "Go."

Qingyun on the side hurriedly unhitched the horse from the carriage, rode on it, and ran toward the Bianjing Prefecture Yamen.

Seeing the things happening on Xu Zaijing's side, Gu Tingye and the others also gathered around,

and after knowing the reason, they sent people to inquire around the place where the little girl went missing to help Yang Luoyou.

Some were warm-hearted, and some were for Xu Zaijing's face.

When Qingyun and a team of yamen runners from the Bianjing Prefecture Yamen rode over, the servants and maidservants of each family also returned, but they had no gains.

The yamen runners arrived in front of Pan Lou and dismounted. Seeing Xu Zaijing, the leader hurriedly cupped his hands and said:

"Little one Li Mubai has met the Yanei."

Xu Zaijing nodded. This could also be considered an acquaintance. He had seen him once on the way to Jinming Pool before.

Subsequently, the yamen runner Li Mubai carefully questioned Yang Luoyou, and after listening to the results of the search by the servants and maidservants of other families,

Li Mubai shook his head and said: "It shouldn't be like this!"

Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said: "Why do you say that?"

Li Mubai said: "It's better to go to that courtyard and take a look. The little girl was waiting at the door. If there was any real movement, the surrounding commoners would definitely have noticed it."

"Since no one said there was any abrupt situation, and this Miss Yang said that the little girl is extremely smart..."

While talking, the crowd walked toward the courtyard where Yang Luoyou repaired the pipa.

In the courtyard, the craftsmen repairing musical instruments were surprised to see the yamen runners coming here.

Li Mubai let his men explain to the craftsmen,

while he turned around in the courtyard, seeing the craftsmen's quilts drying on bamboo poles or chairs and other various utensils in the courtyard,

the quilts were many, blocking a lot of sight.

He bypassed the bamboo pole on the side and took a look behind,

and beckoned to the crowd with a smile...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 221 =====