Chapter 26: Offering Gifts

Xu Zaijing’s little horse had long been in perfect harmony with him.

The horse was also draped in silk “horse armor.”

Ignoring its size, from afar it truly looked like a heavy cavalryman on the battlefield.

“Dong dong dong.”

“Dong dong dong dong dong.”

The musicians began to play.

Xu Zaijing rode his horse but did not immediately draw his bow and shoot.

Instead, he circled before the assembled officials and nobles to the rhythm of the music.

Among the music, the drumbeats stood out especially.

Riding his horse, Xu Zaijing seemed to step ever so slightly in time with the drumbeats.

But the audience was not solemn.

First to laugh were the Empress and the other imperial consorts beside the Emperor.

Also laughing was Bai Shi behind the Ningyuan Marquis’s table,

and Princess Pingning of the Qi State Duke’s mansion could not help but smile.

Wu Dangzi of the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion burst out laughing.

“Oh my, this little Jing-ge!”

This was because Xu Zaijing’s appearance was overly adorable and his attire resembled a little general.

Yet Xu Zaijing’s face showed no trace of amusement—he looked utterly serious.

This contrast made the ladies and noblewomen present find him extraordinarily charming.

Naturally, they laughed out loud.

They also hoped their laughter would coax even more adorable antics from Xu Zaijing.

It was like modern university students seeing a cute cat-senior on campus and instinctively wanting to pet them.

The cheerful atmosphere made the Emperor himself laugh.

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

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

Many teenage noblewomen were also drawn to giggle behind their hands by this little brother’s performance.

After riding two laps, Xu Zaijing pulled the reins sharply, bringing his horse to a sudden standstill.

The horse, still young, wobbled slightly as it stood.

This only made Xu Zaijing seem even more adorable.

Some nobles with low thresholds for amusement already had sore stomachs.

Soon, the horse beneath Xu Zaijing began to gallop.

Xu Zaijing’s face remained expressionless as he drew his bow and nocked an arrow.

“Soo.”

“Xiu!”

The crowd, especially the military nobles, looked astonished.

The Duke of Ying, beside Gu Yan Kai, nodded and said:

“He understands the importance of the whistling arrow and shows no trace of mockery—this young man of the family is good, very good.”

Gu Yan Kai beside him nodded in agreement.

The Marquis of Zhongjing, beside Gu Yan Kai, also wore an expression of approval.

Arrows fitted with whistles were called “mingdi” in the army—a vital tool for transmitting military intelligence and issuing warnings.

Performing the mingdi with a mocking expression would indeed be inappropriate.

For some scouts risked their lives to fire the mingdi and warn their comrades.

The laughter in the hall gradually faded.

Only Xu Zaijing remained on horseback, drawing his bow and shooting—the arrows whistled, the targets fell.

Laughter was replaced by cheers.

For all dozens of targets on the field were falling one by one under Xu Zaijing’s arrows.

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

“Your Majesty, this Jing-ge has drawn his bow twenty times and still maintains such precision.”

The Duke of Ying beside him added: “For an ordinary soldier, that many draws would already cause arm fatigue.”

“Judging by your words, this child is quite impressive.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

The last few targets still stood on the platform; each time Xu Zaijing struck one down, a cry of “Cai!” rang out.

Soon, only the final target remained.

Xu Zaijing’s arms were beginning to ache.

He pulled two eagle-feather arrows from his quiver.

He drew two eagle-feather arrows from his quiver.

The target fell at once.

“Cai! Uh!”

Just as the cheer rose, a colorful ball suddenly shot up from behind the target.

The ball hovered briefly midair before beginning to fall.

The colored ball hung briefly in midair before falling downward.

One arrow shot out and pinned the ball to the side of the platform.

One arrow shot out and pinned the ball to the side of the table.

The Emperor in the center looked astonished and clapped his hands in delight.

Gu Tingye, behind the Ningyuan Marquis’s table, excitedly pounded the table.

Gu Tingye slapped the table excitedly behind his seat at the Ningyuan Marquis’s residence.

The Emperor praised.

After his performance, Xu Zaijing dismounted.

The Emperor waved him over.

“Good child, how long have you trained?”

“Your Majesty, less than three months.”

“Has it been hard?”

This hardship means nothing—soldiers guarding the northern frontier endure far greater suffering.

“Good child. Just now, Gu Hou’s little rascal asked for a reward—I cannot let you go unrewarded. What would you like?”

Xu Zaijing had wanted to refuse the reward, but that would have disrespected the Emperor’s kindness.

Seeing Xu Zaijing silent, the Empress said gently: “Jing-ge, whatever the Emperor asks, just answer.”

Xu Zaijing turned to look at his mount and said:

“Your Majesty, I ask that you grant my horse a mare as a companion.”

“Your Majesty, I beg to ask for a young mare as a mate for my mount.”

Those who had been guessing what Xu Zaijing would request fell quiet.

The Emperor said, slightly annoyed:

“You truly treat your horse as a true companion!”

Laughter rippled among those seated below the Emperor.

Some nobles sneered, thinking Xu Zaijing had wasted a fine opportunity.

Others smiled with warmth, believing that anyone who valued his mount so deeply would one day be a good leader to his comrades.

“Very well. I grant your request. Where is the Director of the Imperial Pastures?”

From afar, an elderly noble rose.

“Your Majesty, Yuan Bing, Marquis of Zhongqin, currently Deputy Director of the Imperial Pastures.”

“Good. Remember my promise—find a good companion for Sanlang’s horse.”

“As Your Majesty commands.”

The Emperor shook his head with a smile and waved his hand; a palace lady led Xu Zaijing away.

The next performance continued.

The Emperor and court officials resumed their merriment.

Xu Zaijing did not change clothes; under the palace lady’s guidance, he went to the table of the Yongyi Marquis’s household.

Seeing Xu Zaijing arrive, Xu Anmei did not ask him to remove his helmet; instead, she played with the pheasant feathers on his helmet.

Sun Shi beamed at her little son—appearing before the Emperor was good for the Marquis’s household.

At the same time, maids from noblewomen’s households kept coming near the Yongyi Marquis Xu family’s table, delivering thanks-gifts from their mistresses.

Not just the Xu family—the Ningyuan Marquis Gu family’s table also received many maids bringing gifts.

What were they thanking them for? For the two marquises’ legitimate sons making the ladies laugh and happy.

What is there to thank for? Let these two legitimate sons of the Marquis’s household make the ladies laugh and be delighted.

Leaving a gift behind is also a way to plant a seed for when the boys grow up and it’s time to arrange marriages—over time, such connections deepen into lasting goodwill and discernment.

To be honest, if you can make the Emperor remember you on his birthday—as long as you don’t embarrass yourself—you’ll gain advantages when your children inherit titles later.

Compared to ordinary noble families, this is far superior; you must cultivate goodwill early.

A servant delivered an invitation, inviting the legitimate sons and daughters of the Brave and Resolute Marquis to attend a joyous banquet at their residence.

Watching Xu Anmei still playing with her younger brother’s pheasant feather, Sun Shi felt she needed to give her a proper scolding.

In another two years, they’ll be marrying off—yet she still acts so childish.

Half an hour later, Gu Tingye arrived at the Brave and Resolute Marquis Xu family’s residence with proper courtesy, gave Xu Zaijing a glance, then walked to a nearby spot.

“Mother, I’m going to play with Gu’s Ye-ge.”

“Inside the imperial palace, don’t run off when you see guards—do you understand?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Hmm, go. Xu Zaihang, stop right there. And you, Xu Anmei—your little brother can play, but how old are you? Don’t you see all the ladies around you watching?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Xu Zaihang and Xu Anmei instantly fell silent, watching enviously as their younger brother and his companion left the table to play.

(End of Chapter)