Chapter 252: Even if it

Huihefang.

The Lian Guo Gong Prefecture.

To the east of the Guo Gong Prefecture lies Yulin Lane, and within Yulin Lane is the residence of the Lu Imperial Son-in-law, who has six "Golden Flowers" (daughters).

This area is not far from the Imperial Palace.

To the north is Bianjing's largest restaurant, Fan Lou.

Further south, one can reach the Donghua Gate, and from the Donghua Gate, one can head east all the way out of the city.

It is one of the most prosperous areas in Bianjing.

Today, in front of the Guo Gong Prefecture's wide gates, a line of carriages entered the grounds.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the nannies and maidservants at the second gate,

A nanny who usually appeared very dignified and refined beside the Old Madam of the Guo Gong Prefecture,

Now had bloodstains on her face, her hair bun was disheveled, and her clothes were filthy.

She stepped down from the carriage, clutching the somewhat bedraggled Zong Ge'er, the legitimate grandson of the Guo Gong Prefecture.

The eldest son of the second branch's concubine, who had been bright and polished when he left the house, was now being escorted down, tied firmly with the same rope previously used to bind sacrificial offerings.

Following behind were servants from the Lu family, as well as unfamiliar powerful servants from other households.

In the front hall of the inner courtyard of the Guo Gong Prefecture,

The young masters of the Ying Guo Gong family who had accompanied them were invited to rest on one side of the front hall.

Under the watchful eyes of the second branch couple and the concubine who was the birth mother of the eldest son,

Lu Zezong, the legitimate grandson of the Lu family who had been calming down throughout the journey in the nanny's arms, gave a clear account of the events under the questioning of his mother and grandmother.

The maidservants and nannies of the second branch in the Lu family's inner courtyard were quickly escorted by the fierce nannies of the Guo Gong Prefecture before the Old Madam of the Lian Guo Gong Prefecture.

The concubine-born son of the second branch was tied up and made to kneel at the entrance.

After the Old Madam of the Lian Guo Gong Prefecture asked a few questions, the truth came out: the two brothers had been playing this game of hide-and-seek since last autumn and winter.

Upon learning this, the widowed eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family's first branch felt her hand, which was clutching her handkerchief, trembling continuously—partly from fear, partly from hatred.

At this moment, the Lu family's third son, the Imperial Son-in-law, arrived in the room with the Princess, the eldest daughter-in-law.

After hearing the Old Madam's brief account,

"Boiling beans over a beanstalk fire, brothers harming one another."

This Imperial Son-in-law closed his eyes in pain and sat down on a chair; the Princess beside him also looked somewhat embarrassed.

Suddenly,

The Lu Imperial Son-in-law's eyes snapped open. He slammed the table, threw the teacup from the table at the concubine-born son kneeling at the door, and scolded him, pointing his finger:

"I was still wondering why, when you played hide-and-seek with him before, you were holding a small drum and beating it at the start! Beating it there! You beast!!!"

While shouting, Lu Sanlang looked toward his second brother.

The person kneeling at the door flinched in fright from the thrown teacup.

Hearing these words, the nanny who had bitten someone was stunned. Realizing the truth, she prepared to pounce on him again but was held back.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family's first branch looked with confusion at her brother-in-law's anger. The Princess beside her whispered:

"In the Dao courtyard, when the drum sounds, everyone must stay away from the Qian Shan, because the Qian Shan is about to be lit for the sacrifice."

This meant that while everyone was moving away from the sacrificial Qian Shan, her young son had hidden inside the Qian Shan as if he were at home.

Upon hearing this, the Lu family's eldest daughter-in-law's hands trembled even more violently, to the point where she felt weak in her limbs from anger.

The Lian Guo Gong glanced at his second son's family; the second son and his wife both looked wrong, while the concubine-born son's birth mother simply kept her head down.

"Drag him to the ancestral hall and question him slowly."

After the Guo Gong finished speaking, someone dragged the Lu family's concubine-born son away.

"Sanlang, come with me to see the young masters of the Zhang family."

The Lu Imperial Son-in-law signaled for his eldest daughter-in-law to comfort her sister-in-law, then hurried to follow his father.

After another round of conversation,

While talking with the Zhang family's third and fourth sons, hearing them say:

"The surroundings were so hot that no one could get close."

"Jing Ge'er's quick wit, otherwise..."

"I went, but I couldn't even kick through the wooden stake."

"If we were any slower, we would have been buried by the pouring flames."

The elderly Lian Guo Gong nodded.

Knowing that the Lu family would certainly have much to deal with today, the Zhang brothers took their leave immediately after speaking.

After seeing the Zhang family off, the Lu Imperial Son-in-law helped his father back to the courtyard and briefly recounted what he had heard to the female relatives.

The nanny beside them also added a few words from time to time.

After finishing,

The hall fell silent.

"Madam, they risked their lives to save Zong'er. Let's go at noon today."

The Old Madam of the Lian Guo Gong Prefecture nodded and said, "Good! Then, how shall we reward them?"

Subsequently,

Lu Zezong was comforted and calmed by a shaman who was on good terms with the Guo Gong Prefecture. After bathing and changing clothes with the nanny, he followed his grandmother into the carriage.

After making a detour to visit the Ying Guo Gong Prefecture,

The group arrived at Quyuanjie.

Wu Daniang, who had learned the news this morning, had already left the Xu family. When she arrived, she had spoken in detail with Sun Shi about the situation at the Lian Guo Gong family, but today she did not stay to accompany Sun Shi in receiving guests.

With the two Guo Gong Madams visiting,

The Xu family's main gates were thrown wide open. Zaizhang stood respectfully at the main gate with his younger brother.

Sun Shi stood at the second gate with her daughter-in-law and daughter.

After entering the Xu family's main gate and reaching the second gate,

The two Guo Gong Madams and Zhang Wu Niang were sitting in the same carriage; it seemed the Lian Guo Gong Madam had inquired about many things regarding the Xu family on the way.

The Lu family's eldest daughter-in-law and the nanny brought Lu Zezong in one carriage.

The Zhang family's eldest daughter-in-law and the second daughter-in-law were also brought along by the Ying Guo Gong Madam.

Everyone stepped down from their carriages, and naturally, there was another round of introductions and pleasantries.

While they were talking, six noble young ladies of varying ages stepped down from the Lu family's last two carriages; they were from the Lu Imperial Son-in-law's household.

After they came before Sun Shi and paid their respects,

Zhang Wu Niang, who was familiar with these six young ladies, introduced them to Anmei.

The few young ladies who had not visited the Xu family much held hands, followed the crowd, and looked at the appearance of the Yongyi Marquis Prefecture,

Surprised by the large horse racing track within the Xu family's courtyard gates.

After entering the front hall,

Because their mothers and grandmothers were present, the young masters and young ladies of the various families were not particularly reserved and sat openly in the Xu family's guest hall.

The cat was not afraid of people either, walking back and forth among the young ladies, attracting many gazes.

The Ying Guo Gong Madam also yielded the two seats of honor to the Lian Guo Gong Madam and Sun Shi.

After saying many words of gratitude, the Lian Guo Gong Madam held Sun Shi's hand and brought up the matter of hoping to recognize him as a foster brother.

Sun Shi was about to say some polite and humble words, but looking at the Lian Guo Gong Madam's extremely sincere eyes, the hand tightly gripping hers, and her deep, heartfelt manner,

Combined with what Wu Daniang had said earlier about the Lu family's situation,

And looking at the smiling Ying Guo Gong Madam beside her, Sun Shi said:

"This is also the good fortune of the two children. It just so happens that this mischievous monkey doesn't have a younger brother. Being recognized as an elder brother by the Lu family's young master, and having him temper his temperament, is his blessing."

The Lian Guo Gong Madam hurriedly patted Sun Shi's hand and said, "Madam, it is our family that has received the blessing!"

"Zong'er, come over and pay respects to your elder brother."

Sun Shi waved at Xu Zaijing. Xu Zaijing walked to the center of the main hall and caught Lu Zezong, who was much shorter than him and preparing to kneel.

The young Lu Zezong looked confused.

Sun Shi, sitting in the seat of honor, hurriedly said, "You stinky brat! Bow together with the Lu family's young master!"

Xu Zaijing was embarrassed.

He had never bowed to foster brothers before.

This unexpected turn of events made everyone in the hall laugh.

Subsequently, Xu Zaizhang and Xu Zaijing took the Lu family's young master to the Xu family ancestral hall to offer incense and kowtow to the Xu family's ancestors.

When Xu Zaijing and the others returned to the hall, the Lian Guo Gong Madam said:

"From now on, we are relatives. We cannot be without meeting gifts. Come!"

After she finished, several nannies from the Lu family walked in carrying precious wooden boxes.

The Lian Guo Gong Madam signaled for her eldest daughter-in-law to speak for herself.

The Lu family's eldest daughter-in-law hurriedly stood up, bowed, and said:

"Sister, my maiden family's ancestors, fathers, and brothers were successive Directors of the Wensi Academy. At home, we only have these trinkets that people look down upon. Please do not despise them."

The Wensi Academy, under the Great Zhou Ministry of Works, was the department in charge of gold, silver, rhinoceros horn, and jade carving, as well as various types of painting, box-making, and decoration.

Looking at the exquisite ornaments in the wooden boxes, Sun Shi hurriedly tried to decline.

The Ying Guo Gong Madam beside her said, "We are all relatives now, don't be so formal."

Only then did Sun Shi reluctantly accept them.

The few Madams talked for a while longer,

And under the pretext of not delaying Xu Zaijing's visit to the Lu family ancestral hall, everyone took their leave.

Xu Zaijing naturally rode his horse and followed the Lu family back to Huimingfang.

Just as he had done at the Xu family, he kowtowed in the Lu family ancestral hall. Thus, he and the Lu family young master were now true foster brothers.

There was no blood wine or beheading of chickens; there was only the mutual offering of incense and kowtowing in each other's ancestral halls.

After kowtowing, Xu Zaijing spoke with the Lian Guo Gong, the Lu Imperial Son-in-law, and other elders.

He presented the best jade carvings Xu Zaijing had brought from Yang Zhou, as well as several treasures sent by the Marquis of Xiangyang, as meeting gifts, which made the value roughly equivalent to what the Lu family had given.

However, when Xu Zaijing returned to the Xu family, he was followed by a Lu family carriage.

The carriage did not contain gifts for the Xu family, but gifts for the young ladies of the Gu, Sun, Xie, and Sheng families.

The nanny in the Lu family carriage stated directly that Sun Shi should not return the gifts.

After returning to Quyuanjie,

Mama Zhu saw off the Lu family nanny.

Xu Zaijing sat in his mother's hall, listening to his mother and two sisters-in-law talking about the Lian Guo Gong family,

Such as how after the founding of the Great Zhou, successive Ministers of Justice had to visit the Lu family,

How many officials of the Ministry of Works had intricate connections with the Lian Guo Gong family,

That the cousin of the delicate Lu family Li Daniang was serving in the Directorate of Palace Buildings,

And so on.

It would be a lie to say Sun Shi wasn't happy. From now on, with such a solid relative, the benefits for any of the brothers would not be lacking.

Seeing Xu Zaijing listening attentively, Sun Shi said directly:

"It just so happens, distribute the things sent by your foster brother's family."

"Mother, it's almost time to eat..."

"Which family wouldn't keep you for a meal?"

"Oh."

Subsequently, Xu Zaijing did not change his clothes. He rode his horse, Lijuju, and had Qingyun drive the carriage, carrying the Lu family's gifts to visit relatives throughout Bianjing City.

Actually, it was mainly the Sun and Xie families; after all, the other two families' relatives could be brought along directly when school started.

Finally, Xu Zaijing ate dinner at the Sun family that day.

When he returned to Quyuanjie, the sky had already begun to darken, and the Xu family had hung up their lanterns.

The next day,

Qingcao was still resting.

Xu Zaijing, served by Huaxiang, put on his clothes and went to the side of the horse racing track together.

Although it was still early, the sky was already somewhat bright.

At this time, Alan and Xunshu were being beaten by Qingyun alone.

Qingyun shouted while fighting, telling them to hold their shields higher, clearly wanting to train a few more people to hold shields to share the pressure for him.

On the other side, the Li brothers were practicing finger strength; according to them, it was a method used by the Bai Gao Kingdom's infantry to train for climbing steep mountains and rivers.

After Xu Zaijing finished his morning exercise and meal,

He brought yesterday's gifts and arrived at the Sheng family.

At noon,

The Sheng family's three "Lans" each carried wooden boxes back to the Sheng family's inner courtyard.

Minglan showed the gold hairpin to the Sheng Old Madam like a treasure.

The Old Madam handed the gold hairpin inside to Mama Fang. Mama Fang looked at it carefully and said:

"Old Madam, compared to the ones in your jewelry box, this craftsmanship is still a bit lacking."

Old Madam: "Ahem."

"But it can be considered a rare fine item."

The Old Madam nodded with a smile and said, "Ming'er, it's still a bit early for you to wear it now, put it away!"

And in Weiruixuan and Lin Qige,

Wang Ruofu and Lin Qinshuang were rarely unanimous in their exclamation over the jewelry brought back by Rulan and Seeing Mo Lan.

After all, works by master craftsmen of the Wensi Academy were not commonly seen outside.

Wang Ruofu put away the jewelry Rulan had received.

And Lin Qinshuang, after Seeing Mo Lan went to school in the afternoon,

Specially inserted the hairpin Seeing Mo Lan had received into her own hair bun,

Looked in the diamond-flower mirror, and received heartfelt praise from Xueniang.

The gifts for Pingmei and Tingyi were brought back by Gu Tingye.

According to Gu Tingye, who went to school the next day,

The two who received the gifts thought they were sent by Gu Tingye and almost praised Gu Tingye to the point where he couldn't find north.

Of course, after finally knowing who actually sent them, Gu Tingye could not avoid being disciplined by Bai Daniang.

But the feeling of being praised after giving gifts had entered Gu Tingye's heart.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 253 =====