Chapter 26: Offering a Gift

The small horse beneath Xu Xu Zaijing had long been in perfect harmony with his intentions.

Silk 'horse armor' draped over the horse's body.

Ignoring the size difference, from a distance it truly looked like a heavily armored cavalryman on the battlefield.

"Boom, boom, boom."

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom."

The musicians began to play.

Xu Xu Zaijing, mounted on his horse, did not immediately draw his bow and shoot an arrow.

Instead, amidst the atmospheric music of the musicians, he rode his horse in a circle before the many officials and nobles gathered in front of the hall.

Within the music, the sound of the drums was particularly outstanding.

Xu Xu Zaijing, riding his horse, actually seemed to step, subtly yet distinctly, in time with the drumbeats.

But the audience did not remain solemn;

the first to laugh aloud were the Empress and the various consorts beside the Emperor.

There was also Bai Shi behind the table of the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu,

and the Princess of Princess Pingning from the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's Manor could not help but smile.

The eldest mistress of the Yongchang Marquis Manor even laughed out loud.

"Oh my, this little Brother Jing!"

This was because Xu Xu Zaijing's appearance was too cute and endearing, while his attire closely resembled that of a young general.

At the same time, Xu Xu Zaijing's face showed not a trace of playfulness, appearing extremely serious.

This contrast of cuteness made the various Ladies and Madams seated there find him exceptionally adorable.

Naturally, they laughed out loud.

They also hoped that through their laughter, Xu Xu Zaijing would reveal even more cute embarrassments.

It was much like modern university students spotting a cute cat senior brother or cat senior sister on campus and being unable to resist reaching out to pet the kitty.

The cheerful atmosphere even caused the Emperor to laugh.

But Xu Xu Zaijing did not smile; he kept his face stern.

Though the crowd could not clearly read this expression, they could sense it.

Many noble girls in their teens were also hooked by this little brother's performance, covering their mouths as they laughed.

Xu Xu Zaijing trotted his horse for two laps, then finally pulled the reins, making the horse rear up.

The horse was not yet old, so when it stood on its hind legs, it trembled slightly.

This made Xu Xu Zaijing appear even cuter.

Some nobles with a low threshold for laughter were already clutching their stomachs in pain.

Soon, the horse beneath Xu Xu Zaijing began to gallop.

Xu Xu Zaijing's face still showed no smile; he simply drew his bow and nocked an arrow.

"Whoosh."

"Shoo!"

Everyone, especially the military generals and nobles, showed looks of surprise.

The Duke of Britain beside Gu Yankai nodded and said:

"He knows that the whistling arrow is an important item and shows no trace of mockery on his face. This family's young lad is not bad, not bad at all."

Gu Yankai nearby nodded in agreement.

Marquis Zhongjing, Lord Zheng, standing beside Gu Yankai, also displayed an expression of approval.

Arrows fitted with whistles are called 'whistling arrows' in the military; they are crucial tools for transmitting military intelligence and issuing warnings.

Indeed, performing with whistling arrows while wearing a mocking expression would be quite inappropriate.

For some scouts issue whistling arrows at the cost of their lives to warn their comrades.

The laughter in the arena gradually subsided.

Only Xu Xu Zaijing remained on horseback, drawing his bow and shooting; the arrow sang, and the target fell.

The laughter was gradually replaced by cheers of approval.

This was because the dozens of arrow targets in the arena fell one by one at the command of Xu Xu Zaijing's arrows.

Cao, the Imperial Uncle, seated below the Emperor, said:

"Your Majesty, this Brother Jing has already drawn his bow twenty times, yet he still maintains such accuracy."

The Duke of Britain added from the side: "For ordinary soldiers, drawing the bow this many times would already cause their arms to become sore."

"Listening to the words of my beloved ministers, this child is indeed quite remarkable."

"Your Majesty is wise."

As the last few targets still stood on the platform, every time Xu Xu Zaijing knocked one down, a shout of

"Bravo!" would ring out.

Soon, only the final target remained.

Xu Xu Zaijing's arm was already beginning to feel somewhat sore.

He drew two eagle-feather arrows from his quiver.

"Shoo."

The target fell at the sound.

"Bravo! Ooh!"

Just as the cheer finished, a colorful ball suddenly flew up into the sky from behind that target.

The colored ball flying halfway into the air hovered briefly before falling back down.

"Whoosh."

An arrow shot forth, pinning the colored ball to the side of the platform.

"Bravo!!!"

The Emperor, seated in the center, also showed surprise on his face and clapped his hands happily.

Behind the table of the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu, Gu Gu Tingye excitedly slapped the table.

"Good child."

The Emperor spoke a word of praise.

Xu Xu Zaijing, having finished his performance, flipped off his horse.

The Emperor beckoned to him.

"Good child, how long have you practiced this?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, I have practiced for less than three months."

"But you must have suffered hardships, yes?"

"These hardships amount to nothing; the soldiers guarding the borders for the country in the north have endured far more than I."

"Good child, just now the little rascal from Hou Gu's family asked for a reward; I cannot treat you poorly either. What reward do you desire?"

Xu Xu Zaijing had intended to say he wanted no reward, but that would have been too ungrateful a slight to the Emperor's kindness.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing remain silent, the Empress said gently, "Jing-ge'er, whatever His Majesty asks, you need only speak."

Xu Xu Zaijing turned his head to glance at his mount and said:

"Your Majesty, I wish to request a small horse as a mate for my mount."

Silence.

The crowd, who had all been guessing what Xu Xu Zaijing would ask, instantly fell somewhat quiet.

The Emperor also spoke with a hint of stifled amusement:

"You truly have taken your horse as a good companion!"

Those seated below the Emperor burst into suppressed laughter.

Some of the nobles sneered, feeling Xu Xu Zaijing had wasted a fine opportunity.

Others smiled with sentiment, believing that since Xu Xu Zaijing could value his mount so highly, he would surely grow into a fine young man who treats his comrades well.

"Very well, then your request is granted. Where are the people from the Imperial Herds Office?"

In the distance, an elderly noble stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I am Yuan Bing, Earl of Zhongqin, currently serving as Vice Commissioner of the Imperial Herds Office."

"Good, remember My promise: find a good companion for Zhang Sanlang's horse."

"I obey the decree."

The Emperor smiled, shook his head, and waved his hand; Xu Xu Zaijing was led away by a female official to another place.

The program below continued.

The Emperor and the court officials continued their merriment.

Xu Xu Zaijing did not change his clothes; led by the female official, he arrived at the table where the Marquis Yongyi Marquis's household was seated.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing approach, Xu Xu Anmei did not ask him to remove his hat; instead, she stood aside and began playing with the pheasant feathers on Xu Xu Zaijing's helmet.

Lady Sun looked happily at her youngest son; for the Hou Fu, being able to show his face before the Emperor was a good thing.

At the same time, maidservants belonging to various noble Ladies continually arrived near the table of the Marquis Yongyi Marquis Xu family, delivering gifts of thanks from their mistresses.

It was not only the Xu family; many maidservants also went over to the Lady Ningyuan Hou Gu side, delivering gifts of thanks.

Thanks for what? Thanks to these two legitimate sons of the Marquis households for making the various Ladies laugh and feel happy.

At the same time, leaving these gifts of thanks meant that when the Young Masters grow older and it is time to discuss marriages, there would be such a topic of conversation; with the addition of time's blessing, would not this insight and affection become more profound and enduring!

To speak honestly, being remembered by the Emperor during His great birthday celebration, as long as one is not too disappointing, means that when the time comes for hereditary titles later, one might gain a few more benefits, would one not?

Compared in this way, it is much better than being an ordinary noble, so one must certainly establish a good connection in advance.

There were also maidservants who delivered invitations, asking the legitimate sons and daughters of the Marquis Yongyi Marquis's household to attend joyous banquets at their homes.

Looking at Xu Xu Anmei, who was still playing with her younger brother's pheasant feathers, Lady Sun felt she needed to carefully discipline her;

in another two years, marriage arrangements would be discussed, yet she was still so fond of play.

Half an hour later, Gu Gu Tingye arrived quite politely at the Marquis Yongyi Marquis Xu family's side; he gave Xu Xu Zaijing a wink and walked to a spot not far away.

"Mother, Ye-ge'er from the Gu family and I are going off to play."

"This is the great inner palace; do not run around wildly when you see the guards, do you understand?"

"Mother, rest assured."

"Mm, go then. Xu Xu Zaizhang, you stop right there; and you, Xu Xu Anmei, your younger brother is small and can go play, but how old are you two? Do you not see the Ladies all around watching?"

"Yes, Mother."

Xu Xu Zaizhang and Xu Xu Anmei instantly lost their spirit and could only watch enviously as their younger brother and his little companion left their seats to go play.

(End of Chapter)