Chapter 226

Actually, the day after the Marquis of Xiangyang sent gifts to the Xu family,

when Qi Heng went to the Sheng family school,

Princess Pingning had already returned to her maiden home and done a few things.

The first thing was to have all the maids and old women inside the second gate of the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence bathe and change clothes, then be inspected by the palace mamas while naked.

The reason was to measure the maids and old women of the residence for new clothes.

The second thing was to clear out all male creatures inside the second gate of the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence, except for the Old Marquis.

The reason was that the outer courtyard needed them more.

The third thing was to invite the female physician who had previously cared for the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Ningyuan's residence to take the pulses of all the women in the Marquis's residence.

The reason was concern for their health, and she also arranged for the female physician to come every few days.

If she could truly have a child this time, a boy would be best; even if it were a girl, she would likely not be married out but would have a husband recruited into the family.

It was no wonder Princess Pingning was nervous.

You must know,

the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence and the Marquis of Ningyuan's residence shared the same origin and the same surname, Gu; the first-generation Marquis were even brothers.

They were also both Marquis titles conferred at the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, the Marquis of Ningyuan's residence had always been flourishing; Gu Yankai alone had six children in his generation.

The Marquis of Xiangyang's residence, however, had difficulty with descendants; the generation after the first Marquis had no heirs, and they didn't adopt from their close cousins, the Marquis of Ningyuan, but adopted a descendant from the Gu family's hometown.

The seniority rankings of the two Marquis residences were different, and there was also a sense of secret competition.

Although the Marquis of Ningyuan's residence had previously faced a financial crisis and almost had its title stripped and its vouchers destroyed, the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence had risen steadily to become the Emperor's confidant.

However, the Marquis of Ningyuan married the Bai family and overcame the crisis; he still had descendants, Gu Yankai had two sons and one daughter, and his eldest son even became a high-ranking jinshi as a noble youth.

The Marquis of Xiangyang's residence, although they married the daughter of the Chai family, only had one daughter, Princess Pingning, grow to adulthood, and afterward, the Marquis of Xiangyang had no offspring.

You could have imperial favor and Princess Pingning could marry well, but there was no one to succeed...

Perhaps they would have to adopt again...

But these encounters of the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence had an invisible benefit:

Because there were no legitimate descendants to divide the property and gardens, the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence had an exceptionally large courtyard, the best in Bianjing, surpassing even the Duke of Qi's residence;

Moreover, Princess Pingning's mother was from the Chai family, and every year there were dividends from various businesses, plus the Emperor's rewards over the years,

which meant the treasures and wealth accumulated in the Marquis of Xiangyang's treasury were like a mountain, and the financial situation was shockingly good.

But in Princess Pingning's heart, she would rather not have this benefit and would prefer to have promising younger brothers or nephews in her maiden home.

The Princess's father, the Marquis of Xiangyang, had reasons for seeking a son when he first sent gifts to the Marquis of Yongyi's residence, but he also had the idea of clearing out his inventory, and unknowingly gave a bit too much.

And by this sixth month,

after two young mistresses of the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence were diagnosed as pregnant by the female physician,

the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence first presented many treasures to the Imperial Palace, then sent much wealth to the Marquis of Tuoxi's Cao family, and finally sent ten carriages of things to the Marquis of Yongyi's residence.

Compared to the things after the Dragon Boat Festival,

although it was also ten carriages, Sun Shi registered the things sent this time and didn't put them into the warehouse; instead, after changing into bright clothes, she specifically submitted a post to the Empress and entered the palace to report the matter.

The things sent were too precious...

Inside the Empress's palace,

the female officials were dressed elegantly and simply.

"This is also the Marquis of Xiangyang's intention; I will naturally report it to the Emperor, and your family can just accept it."

Listening to the Empress's words, Sun Shi hurriedly bowed and agreed.

"Does he still have the skin-moisturizing gel given to Jing Ge'er before?"

Sun Shi said: "Da Niangzi, there are still a few bottles; I think they can be used for quite a long time."

"When the Madam goes back, bring some more."

"Thank you, Da Niangzi, for the reward."

At this moment, the Princess on the couch began to cry; the accompanying female official couldn't stop her crying even after picking her up, and she wouldn't stop even in the Empress's arms.

After the Empress carried her and walked a few steps,

perhaps seeing the bright clothes on Sun Shi, this Great Zhou Princess actually opened her big eyes and looked at Sun Shi, stopping her crying.

Following her daughter's gaze, the Empress said: "Yue'er, do you want the Madam to hold you?"

Taking the Princess from the Empress's arms, Sun Shi held her skillfully; looking at her big eyes, her heart was about to melt.

West of the city,

outside Wansheng Gate,

the Shenbao Temple fair was as lively as it was last year.

On the market outside the temple,

Xu family servants had parked the carriage.

Xu Zaijing walked in front, followed by Qingcao, and behind Qingcao were two little maids.

At this time, these twins had already removed the various gold and silver jewelry they had worn that day and changed into the ordinary attire of Xu family maids.

Behind them were the couple Qingyun and Seeing Hua Qing.

There were also Xu family servants following; when everyone watched the juggling and variety shows, these servants were responsible for guarding against thieves and ruffians.

The sisters Rong Yunxiang and Huaxiang had been trained by mamas in the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence since they were old enough to understand things.

They had never seen such a grand temple fair, so their attention was always attracted by various juggling acts, and they needed Qingcao to remind them to keep up.

When the sisters watched the programs, there were always people focusing their gazes on them, but seeing their attire and the servants around them, they didn't dare to make any moves.

Although the Yunxiang sisters had quite a bit of gold and silver jewelry, they currently had no pocket money.

Qingcao generously used her own small purse to buy some delicious snacks for them.

After strolling around the temple fair market for a little while,

everyone held bamboo tubes filled with iced sweet water; Qingcao and Yunxiang held grilled meat skewers in their other hands, while Huaxiang held preserved fruit.

After watching a few juggling acts, the three little maids threw some reward money and arrived beneath the two large flagpoles outside Shenbao Temple.

Seeing Hua Qing and Qingyun followed side by side; the couple was about the same height and looked up in unison at the people performing on the crossbar of the flagpole.

"Da Niangzi, do you still dare to go up now?"

"What is there not to dare?"

"Ah!"

Listening to the exclamations around them, Xu Zaijing knew without looking up that the people on the flagpole were definitely scaring people again.

But the sisters didn't know; they were so frightened that their faces turned pale, and each grabbed one of Qingcao's sleeves, who remained unmoved.

The helpers asking for rewards beneath the flagpole also saw Seeing Hua Qing behind Xu Zaijing.

Seeing Hua Qing's height and the birthmark on his face were too obvious; they bowed in greeting one after another.

Seeing Hua Qing gave a reward of two pieces of silver.

The closer they got to Shenbao Temple, the louder the music inside the temple became.

Qingcao followed behind Xu Zaijing; at this time, she was already sandwiched between the two sisters,

who were asking questions one after another:

"Sister Qingcao, is it really as scary as you say if this flagpole falls down?"

"Naturally, you haven't seen..."

Continuing to walk toward Shenbao Temple,

I don't know what Qingcao said, but the sisters turned their heads to look at Seeing Hua Qing, then looked at the flagpole, both with expressions of disbelief.

Arriving at the high steps at the entrance of Shenbao Temple, Xu Zaijing looked back; beside the cable fixing the flagpole, yamen runners and soldiers were standing guard with umbrellas,

and there was not a single ox or horse.

When Xu Zaijing looked back outside the Taoist temple gate, in the courtyard inside the temple,

a maid wearing a veil lifted the thin gauze used for sun protection, and her eyes kept scanning the faces of those entering the temple.

After seeing Xu Zaijing's figure, she turned and left the place quickly.

In the side room behind Shenbao Temple,

the sound of the music played by the Junrongzhi and the teaching workshop was much lower.

The cool breeze was fanned over by the fan in Seeing Xi Bu's hand.

The breeze was not strong, but the summer clothes on that person moved with the wind, clearly extremely precious and light.

Rong Feiyan was drinking cold tea with her brother.

"Sister, wouldn't it be better for us to go home and drink? What's the point of staying in this side room? Besides, I have a poetry gathering this afternoon!"

Stared at by Rong Feiyan's beautiful eyes, which resembled those of Consort Rong, Rong Xian shut his mouth resentfully.

"Brother, whose poetry gathering is it?"

"It's hosted by the Heir of Prince Yan. He is currently in the capital; hearing that I play polo well and am close friends with the brothers of the Bao and Huyan families, he sent me a post."

Rong Feiyan drank some cold tea and was about to speak when Ningxiang arrived at the door wearing a veil and nodded to Rong Feiyan.

"Rest is enough, Brother, let's go."

Shenbao Temple courtyard,

under the cloth sheds on both sides,

the musicians of the Junrongzhi and the teaching workshop slowly stopped playing, holding gourds or silver water pots and drinking water.

When passing by this place, Qingcao had sharp eyes and waved to a little girl holding a drum.

Xu Zaijing also looked in the direction Qingcao was waving; Yang Luoyou, wearing a veil, was talking to two women, one old and one young, holding pipa.

Entering the main hall of Shenbao Temple,

he offered incense on behalf of his mother and gave incense oil money.

"You all go worship too; I'll wait for you at the door."

"Yes, Young Master."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing arrived at the door of the main hall.

The Taoist priest he had seen once last year saw Xu Zaijing and hurriedly walked over: "Little Taoist greets the Great Virtue."

"Greetings, Taoist Priest."

As the two were talking, Qingyun and Seeing Hua Qing walked out from inside.

Seeing the Taoist priest, Seeing Hua Qing walked up to him and squatted deeply in a bow.

Qingyun also bowed.

The Taoist priest helped them up and said: "Two believers, no need for such courtesy."

Qingyun and his wife bowed because previously, Seeing Hua Qing's father had been treated for an illness in the Taoist temple, which cost quite a bit of silver; it was this Taoist priest who took charge and lent medicine money to the Hua family.

The eunuch Huai Bao was also in the temple today; seeing Xu Zaijing, he let the little eunuch beside him, who was grateful to him, continue to be busy with temple affairs, while he himself walked over.

"Servant greets Jing Ge'er."

Huai Bao's foster father was the Emperor's personal Great Eunuch; naturally, he knew that Xu Zaijing was currently in the Emperor's favor.

After talking for a while, the Taoist priest and Huai Bao tactfully continued to busy themselves with their own affairs, and soon the music before the main hall sounded again.

At this time,

"Jing Ge'er!"

Rong Xian's voice came.

As he spoke, Rong Xian bowed.

Rong Feiyan, who was behind him wearing a long veil, also squatted in a bow with her maids behind her.

Xu Zaijing hurriedly returned the salute, and Qingcao and the Yunxiang sisters who came out also followed and squatted in a return salute.

"Jing Ge'er, it's been a long time since I've seen you! Are you returning to the city? Let's go together."

Xu Zaijing reached out a hand:

"Please."

Through the thin gauze of her veil, Rong Feiyan looked wantonly at Xu Zaijing's background,

while the maid beside Rong Feiyan looked at the pair of sisters beside Qingcao.

After leaving the Taoist temple, the two of them mounted their horses, and Qingyun and Seeing Hua Qing stayed at the very back of the carriage team.

Seeing Hua Qing asked Qingyun curiously: "Why aren't you following beside the Young Master anymore?"

"Previously, I beat up Rong family servants, so it's not good to get close anymore."

Seeing Hua Qing looked at Qingyun in surprise.

Actually, Rong Xian, from his initial violence to being taught a lesson by the Duke of Qi and the Marquis of Xiangyang,

to Xu Zaijing helping him vent his anger in the palace, and having watched Xu Zaijing defeat the Bai Gao Kingdom warrior,

Rong Xian was now somewhat respectful and fearful of Xu Zaijing.

Talking along the way,

Xu Zaijing felt the gaze behind him and endured it several times, almost turning his head to look at the Rong family women's carriage.

It was only after the two families separated at the West Water Gate that Xu Zaijing felt better.

Arriving at the Rong residence,

Hui Xue Courtyard,

Seeing Xi Bu came to Rong Feiyan's side with a serious face; while helping her change clothes, she was about to speak,

when Rong Feiyan asked with great interest: "Look at him, did he grow taller?"

"Da Niangzi, he did grow a bit taller; those two maids you saw... although they aren't old, their looks won't be bad in the future."

Rong Feiyan nodded: "Noble youths, how many don't have beautiful maids... Let him be."

Ningxiang, who was beside Rong Feiyan, looked at her and said: "Da Niangzi, it seems you have also grown a bit taller."

"Is that so?"

Rong Feiyan laughed instantly.

Just as she wanted to speak,

a little maid outside the door said: "Da Niangzi, the Madam wants you to come over."

Rong Feiyan hurriedly changed her clothes and arrived at her mother's courtyard.

"Mother? What's the matter?"

"In a few days, Kong Mama's time at the Duke of Yan's residence will end; you prepare yourself..."

"Oh, daughter knows."

"Kong Mama has taught quite a few noble girls; you have seen the daughters of the Imperial Son-in-law's family after being trained by the old lady..."

"Madam, Madam, the Young Master's little servant is back, saying the Young Master got into a fight with someone!"

(End of chapter)