[{"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-23":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},2307801,4510,"Chapter 23: The Eve of the Grand Birthday","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>In the horse racing field, the groom saw Xu Zaijing looking troubled and walked over to say, “Don’t be too downhearted—your archery is already quite good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I want to hit those little birds with perfect accuracy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The groom shook his head. “Your strength is still growing; this bow will eventually be replaced by one with greater power. Becoming too accustomed to this one isn’t a good thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at his master—he’d never had the chance to practice archery in his modern life and knew even less about bows than ancient archers or bowmakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, he felt considerably better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understand how fast your bow and arrow fly after release—anticipate the prey’s movement and shoot ahead of its flight path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve finished the mechanism you mentioned. Practice with it more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, the groom dragged an arrow target from the stable and placed it far away, then waved to Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow flew out and struck the target; the target toppled backward, triggering the mechanism and launching a straw ball into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s arrow missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun sprinted over, reset the target, and reactivated the mechanism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Xu Zaijing practiced archery in the field, Sun Shi was speaking with her two daughters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pingmei, Anmei, your brother is preparing a gift for the Emperor’s birthday. If we truly get to perform in the palace, we must dress well. For these next few days, make him armor based on opera costumes, all right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sisters exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other, and smiled at their mother. “Yes, Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing naturally didn’t know his mother was preparing for his performance—he was cheering wildly after hitting the flying straw ball for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small horse beneath him seemed to sense his excitement and neighed repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day in the palace, the pregnant Empress lay on her couch drinking tonic soup, while her brother’s wife sat beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, a few days ago, the younger sister of Marquis Yongyi Xu sent word through her family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress paused her actions, smiling. “Oh? What about the Xu family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve prepared a birthday gift for His Majesty and asked our family’s boy to take a look at it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Cao family are all military men. Why would the Xus ask us to inspect it? Are they trying to appear refined?” the Empress said with self-deprecating amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the Xus didn’t prepare poetry—they’ve prepared an archery performance by their third son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! That little rascal is putting on a show?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might not believe it, but from thirty paces, riding a small horse, he shot fifteen arrows—all hit the mark. Your younger brother was left speechless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he left your brother speechless, this third son must indeed be skilled. We’re a military family—such talent at his age, drawing a bow to shoot thirty paces, is truly auspicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress continued, “Send a palace physician to the Xu household—don’t let the third son harm his constitution over this birthday gift. He’s still so young. Also, send one of our embroidery mistresses to the Xus—don’t let little Jingge’er lose face during the performance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only Your Majesty cares so deeply for others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What gift has our Cao family prepared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We found a strange stone in the south—said to be extremely auspicious. Several family elders have seen it and are very pleased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I heard the others are also expecting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress’s expression gave away no emotion; she merely nodded, then looked at her sister-in-law as if struck by a thought. “I thought Pingning was just joking, but it seems Jingge’er truly has such fortune. Back then, we shouldn’t have let those others near him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That one is so favored, yet his ancestors were only bricklayers. You should relax. With Jingge’er so blessed and the Xus so close to our family, perhaps we can often invite Xu’s lady to the palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Empress, her orders were swiftly carried out. The palace physician arrived at the Xu household and carefully examined Xu Zaijing’s body, finding him perfectly healthy, with no hidden injuries or fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The embroidery mistress sent by the Cao family was kept at the Xu residence—no ordinary household could ever hope to host someone from the Imperial Uncle’s household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Pingmei and Anmei were placed beside the mistress, learning from a master. Especially since this mistress was generous with her knowledge, often offering pointers to the sisters’ embroidery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Emperor’s birthday, performances were not chosen at will—they had to pass screening by the Ministry of Rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, two officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived at Yongyi Marquis’s mansion to evaluate Xu Zaijing’s performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the horse field, Xu Zaijing, dressed in the embroidery mistress’s exquisitely crafted silver robe and golden armor, rode his horse and drew his bow. The distant target fell at once. One official said, “His archery isn’t astonishing, but given his youth, it’s quite good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The way the target falls after being hit is pleasing to the eye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the final target fell—and a silk ball was flung high into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two officials looked surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw Xu Zaijing shoot an arrow and strike the silk ball, they exchanged glances and nodded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving Yongyi Marquis’s mansion, the two officials told Sun Shi, “Lady, please have the young master practice more—we will report this to the palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, two small matters:”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, the young master might find two pheasant feathers, dye them, and attach them to his cap—it would add a touch of elegance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, the arrows he uses might have whistles attached to the shafts—making them whistle when shot, drawing more attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes—thank you for the advice, I’ll have our household prepare them immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll take our leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May your lords walk slowly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Xu Zaijing examined the two pheasant feathers fixed to his cap by the craftsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked just like the two feathers worn by Sun Wukong when he wreaked havoc in Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a room beside the stable, his master sat beneath candlelight, carving the arrow shafts with a knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days remained until the Great Zhou Emperor’s birthday, and all of Bianjing was steeped in festivity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few days, Bianjing’s residents most enjoyed visiting the city gates to view the birthday gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did local nobles and officials send tributes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eastern vassal states,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Western and southwestern tribes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Southern maritime kingdoms,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bai Gao Kingdom of the Li clan in the northwest,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Liao Kingdom of the Yelu clan in the north\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All sent their gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianjing’s people saw many things they’d never seen before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such as southern elephants, giant rhinos, and massive tortoises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Western golden-maned lions and golden-spotted leopards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern gifts included enormous tigers, brown bears, and white elk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each day, servants at Bianjing’s major taverns stood at the doors recounting the wonders and exotic beasts at each city gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diplomats from different nations, dressed in their distinct attire, became the talk of the town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the imperial palace, the Ministry of Rites summoned all registered foreign envoys to meet the Great Zhou Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Fengjuan Yu for the 200 reward\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Dulián Fánhuá Mèng for the 100 reward\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Liequan Xun Shu for the 1500 reward\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Hao Nan A Ai for the 600 reward\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gratefully acknowledge all readers for your monthly and recommendation votes\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(This chapter ends)\u003C\u002Fp>",1267,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b385d79a6a55178b29868c6468a4f99b22f1652e515e6439575b336d3c12db8d","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-24","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-22",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]