Chapter 29: The Atmosphere in the School

"He is the legitimate third son of the Hou Fu, named Xu Zaijing; at merely seven or eight years of age, he can already ride horses and shoot arrows, earning a reward from Your Majesty."

"Then this young Master Jing is truly formidable, able to ride a horse at such a tender age."

"He even teamed up with the legitimate second son of the Lady Ningyuan Marquis Manor to wreak havoc on the fish in the palace."

Mama Fang remained silent; in her understanding, ruining the Emperor's goldfish should surely incur punishment.

Thus, the rewards and punishments had balanced each other out.

"It was the Empress who helped cover for the children. Mama Kong's letter stated that the Marquis Marquis Yongyi's manor has shown some signs of improvement, and my nominal nephew has also secured a position through the Cao family's connections, becoming a general with actual power in the Western Army."

"Mama Kong has spent far more time in the palace than you, Miss," Mama Fang remarked.

"Hmph, Sister Sister Suqin, what do you mean by that!" Lady Sheng glared at her personal maid.

"Miss, I merely mean that having spent so long in the palace, she has certainly seen more than we have; there must be careful consideration behind Mama Kong's letter."

"As you grow older year by year, and Hong-ge'er's official career proceeds so smoothly, you ought to think more for your own sake."

"What is there for me to think about? Once Sheng Hualan and Sheng Changbai are married, I can close my eyes in peace, no longer being an eyesore to others."

"Miss, once married, regardless of one's age, how could having a natal family be the same as not having one?"

"Mama Kong has witnessed many of those aged concubines in the palace;"

"does it make no difference in the palace whether their natal families have promising sons and daughters or not?"

"Say no more," Lady Sheng commanded.

Mama Fang did not continue speaking.

Walking over to Lady Sheng's side, Mama Fang prepared to attend to her mistress's afternoon nap.

"Miss, the incense offerings for the late Old Marquis and the late Old Lady must also be maintained by that family."

Lady Sheng said little more, merely waving her hand, and Mama Fang withdrew from the room.

As Lady Sheng's personal maid, Mama Fang had grown up within the Marquis Marquis Yongyi's manor since childhood, and during her upbringing, Lady Sheng's mother had shown her immense kindness.

This was precisely the reason she remained concerned about their ancestral offerings.

After the afternoon nap, Lady Sheng kept her eyes closed while allowing Mama Fang to wipe her face.

"Call my son over shortly; I have matters to instruct him on."

Soon, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong appeared in the Shou'an Hall where the Old Lady resided.

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong sat respectfully to one side, and the Old Lady spoke:

"Regarding this performance evaluation, there is no need to rush your transfer back to Jingcheng; seek out a wealthy prefecture or county and serve diligently for a few more years. As a Five Jinshi graduate, your promotion is already faster than that of others."

The Old Lady took a sip of tea, glanced at Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong, and said,

"Your position as Assistant Prefect allows direct access to the imperial court; gaining more experience is no bad thing. If there is an opportunity during this return to the capital, you might also visit the Sun and Xu families."

"Yes, Mother."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong adjusted his sitting posture and said,

"Mother, I was thinking that during this return to the capital, I could also look for a suitable match for Hua'er..."

"There is no need to consider the Xu family; Hua'er is such a delicate legitimate daughter, and there is no reason for you, the father of the bride, to broach the subject."

"Yes, Mother."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong exited Shou'an Hall, glanced at Wei Shi, who was heavily pregnant, offered her a few words of instruction, and then returned to Weirui Pavilion.

With Mama Liu's assistance, Wang Shi helped her husband remove his outer robes.

Mama Liu withdrew from the room, leaving only the couple, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong and his wife.

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong said, "In a few days, I shall return to Bianjing; you and the children need not endure the hardship of traveling with me."

"Mm, what my lord says is true. Ru'er has just come into this world and cannot withstand a long journey."

"Regarding this performance evaluation, Mother said there is no rush to return to the capital; it is better to seek a wealthy prefecture or county for further experience."

"My mother has also written, sharing the same view as the Old Lady; my natal brother said he would personally ask our father's former students to exert their influence."

"Please reply to express my gratitude to my mother-in-law, and thank my brother-in-law as well. Just now, Mother told me to visit the Xu family when I return to the capital."

"Ah? This is... My lord, since the Old Lady has always been on bad terms with the Xu family in the capital, there are other matters mentioned in my mother's letter that I am too embarrassed to tell you."

"She said that young Master Jing of the Marquis Marquis Yongyi's manor was praised recently at Your Majesty's birthday banquet; he has captured the Emperor's favor at such a young age."

"Being brilliant in youth does not guarantee excellence in adulthood."

"Back then, their family actually wanted to marry off a collateral illegitimate daughter to us; Mother, saving face, even went to see her."

"The result was that both her character and appearance were of the lowest quality! Truly outrageous."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong sneered, seemingly recalling the resentment he felt when looked down upon in the past.

Wang Shi's eyes sparkled with a look of triumph; after all, she was a legitimate daughter of the Wang family, possessing excellent character and appearance, along with a substantial dowry.

"My lord, my natal sister also wrote, saying that the Da Da Niangzi of the Xu family is very close with the Bai Wu Daniang of the Lady Ningyuan Marquis Manor."

"Lord Gu of the Lady Ningyuan Marquis Manor is a marquis with actual power in Great Zhou; his status is only slightly inferior to that of the Dukes of Qi and Ying."

"I also heard that the current Da Da Niangzi of the Marquis Marquis Yongyi's manor suffered considerable torment from her mother-in-law in the past; in previous years, my sister often told me about the Xu family's decline."

Wang Wang Ruofu was speaking with great enthusiasm when Mama Liu beside her tugged at her clothes.

The Wang Da Da Niangzi looked at Mama Liu with some confusion.

Then she caught sight of her husband's gaze.

She hastily suppressed her smug expression.

Her joyful demeanor just now, mocking her mother-in-law's natal family, was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

"My nominal cousin has become a general with actual power in the Western Army, and now my cousin's wife is on good terms with the Gu family, while this young nephew has also gained favor with Your Majesty; indeed, it would be worth establishing a connection."

"What my lord says is true; I heard that the eldest son of the Xu family has also reached the age for marriage negotiations, so our Sheng Hualan..."

"Mother said not to consider the Xu family. If our Hua'er were to marry back into the Xu family, who knows how many people in Bianjing would mock Mother."

"This time, when I go to Bianjing, I will first take a look; Hua'er is still young, so keeping her at home for a few more years is no problem."

"Then I shall begin preparing the travel pack needed for this trip, Master."

"Mm, while I am away, you must keep a close watch on the children."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong embarked on the journey back to the capital.

Bianjing,

The firecrackers set off during the Spring Festival were being cleared away by the Street Office.

Xu Xu Zaijing had passed yet another Spring Festival.

When he went to pay New Year's respects to the Emperor this year, he received quite a few gifts again.

This left Xu Xu Zaijing somewhat puzzled.

The Lady of the Duke of Britain sat in the palace hall this year as well; watching those noble ladies presenting gifts to Xu Xu Zaijing, she curled the corner of her mouth, her expression quite mocking.

She merely found this six or seven-year-old boy, Xu Xu Zaijing, so sensible that she felt a bit fond of him, that was all.

On this day,

on Qu Yuan Street,

Xu Xu Zaijing was practicing his daily routine of archery, spearwork, and breathing techniques in the horse-running field within the courtyard.

However, the figure of that groom was nowhere to be seen beside him.

In the inner courtyard, separated by a folding screen, that groom was speaking to Sun Shi in a hoarse voice.

"Wu Da Da Niangzi, nowadays Great Zhou's importance lies in literature while martial arts are suppressed; although Xu Zaijing's talent for martial arts is the finest I have ever seen in my life, the only way to rise above others is through literary studies.

As Wu Da Da Niangzi comes from a family of military officers, you also know that military generals are somewhat frowned upon in our Great Zhou."

"In that case, let Zhang Sanlang go to the capital academy together with his two older brothers."

"It would be better to invite a renowned Mr. to hold court here; lately, I have often heard the servants in the manor say that the atmosphere at that academy is indeed somewhat poor."

"Thank you, Mr."

"Wu Da Da Niangzi is too polite; I am merely a groom."

Afterwards, Sun Shi summoned the young attendants of the two Xu boys for a round of questioning.

By evening, before dinner, Sun Shi had Xiao Zhu stand behind her holding a bamboo strip one chi in length,

while Xu Xu Zaijing watched the two older brothers standing in the main hall with some curiosity.

"You two, kneel," Sun Shi said.

Xu Xu Zaiduan and Xu Xu Zaizhang exchanged a glance, some confusion in their eyes, but still knelt down.

"Your mother comes from a family of military generals and has read little; today I ask Gu Dalang, have you learned any scholarship at the academy?"

【Handsome guys and beautiful girls with votes can cast them.

The editor said to start the new book trial promotion and asked me to shout a few times.

Awkwardly, I only just saw the QQ message sent by the editor.

It has already been two days,

and I actually ignored the great editor for two days! ~~o(>_<)o~~]

(End of chapter)