Chapter 290: Pinching its scruff [Thank you all for your support! Bowing again!]

"My elder brother from my maiden home said that this is one of the many things sent by Northern Liao to the Jin Kingdom for peace negotiations."

"After the Jin Kingdom nobles picked what they wanted, they filled the boxes to be sent as tribute to our Great Zhou, and the rest were exchanged for spices with my elder brother's family."

These pearls in the wooden box looked slightly smaller than those previously bestowed by the Empress, but they were still treasures, not to mention there was a whole box of them.

Sun Shi hurriedly said: "Da Niangzi, you've gone to such trouble! This... is also too valuable!"

"Madam, what are you saying! An-jie'er is such a good girl, shouldn't I try to win over my relatives?"

Hearing Da Niangzi Pan's words, the female relatives accompanying them in the room all laughed.

Xu Zaijing smiled and looked at Anmei, who was lowering her head, then interjected:

"Da Niangzi, did these things arrive this morning?"

Da Niangzi Pan was startled and smiled as she looked at Xu Zaijing: "How did you know, Jing-ge'er?"

Zaihang said: "Da Niangzi, this morning..."

"So that's how it is!"

Da Niangzi Pan nodded, looked around at everyone in the room, and said with much emotion:

"Now that my eleventh son has found a position, the stone in my heart has finally fallen."

After returning to the capital with Gu Tingyu, Seeing Hu Yanjiong obtained a newly established position in northern inland river transport.

Now that the north is sharpening its weapons and horses, the responsibility is not insignificant.

Fortunately, the Huyan family is professional in river and sea transport; now the manpower is fully staffed, just waiting for the ships newly built and transferred from the south.

"Yes, Jiong-ge'er is a good child, diligent in his duties; my son-in-law has nothing but praise for him."

"I heard that previously, in order to explore the river conditions, Jiong-ge'er even went into the river in the dead of winter?"

Hearing Sun Shi's words,

Da Niangzi Pan's eyes inexplicably grew hot, and her nose felt sore; she hurriedly raised her handkerchief to wipe them,

Then smiled and shook her head:

"I've made you all laugh..."

Anmei and Xu Zaijing, who were present, were fine,

But Sun Shi, Xie Shi, and Hualan, the three ladies who had children or were about to have children,

All felt the same way; Sun Shi hurriedly reached out to comfort her, Xie Shi offered words of consolation, and Hualan shook her head to indicate it was nothing.

"Nowadays, there are quite a few people in the imperial court who want to work diligently!"

"Being diligent in public affairs is what he should do! He must not let Yu-ge'er help him, only to have people gossip."

Listening to Da Niangzi Pan's firm tone,

Xie Shi glanced at her son sleeping beside her mother-in-law, whose little arm was being held by her mother-in-law,

While Hualan subconsciously stroked her own belly and glanced at Zaihang.

As for Xu Zaijing, he smiled at Da Niangzi Pan and his own mother, who were looking at him.

Hmm, he and Seeing Hu Yanjiong were both the youngest sons.

Subsequently, the ladies tacitly changed the subject and chatted about lighter things.

As the sky grew dark,

Da Niangzi Pan politely declined Sun Shi's invitation to stay for dinner.

After quite a few return gifts were placed in the carriage that had followed them, she was finally let go by Sun Shi and left the Xu family residence in the twilight.

After finishing dinner,

Xu Zaijing chatted with his family for a while and then returned to his own courtyard.

After reading an article by candlelight, just as he was about to eat a candied fruit, a few lines of conversation came from outside the study.

A moment later,

Hua Xiang walked in holding a purse:

"Young Master, the Da Niangzi sent a purse, saying there are a few small pearls inside for sewing, and asked you to decide what to do with them."

While Hua Xiang was speaking,

Qingcao and Yun Xiang leaned over, their gazes fixed on the purse.

Xu Zaijing beckoned.

Hua Xiang hurriedly walked over; Xu Zaijing then took it, loosened the opening, and poured it downward.

A dozen or so pearls that weren't very round rolled onto the table.

Xu Zaijing curled his lips in slight disdain, picked through them, and said:

"You two sisters take these four that are similar in shape and make them into earrings!"

"As for the rest, Qingcao, you go find a few pieces of jade in that box to match them and string a bracelet."

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, the three maids all laughed.

Hua Xiang and her sister had fewer pearls, but they were quite large and of high value.

Qingcao had more pearls, but they were small; however, they were supplemented by the jade ornaments Xu Zaijing had brought back from Yang Zhou, so overall they were even more expensive.

"Yes, Young Master!"

After the maids responded crisply, they laughed and left the study.

When they reached the outer room, Qingcao even placed a small pearl into Xia Mama's hand:

"Xia Mama, this is a reward from the Young Master."

Xia Mama hurriedly thanked her and solemnly placed the small pearl into the purse at her waist; this small pearl could sell for at least a small guan of money outside.

The lights in Xu Zaijing's room were extinguished.

Before falling asleep,

The three maids were still chattering about which shop to find for drilling holes.

"I heard from Sister Miss Yun Mu that a jewelry shop under the Chai family says her name can get an eighty percent discount!"

"Sister Qingcao, then let's find that shop!"

"Cough, cough."

A coughing sound came from Xu Zaijing's room; the three maids exchanged glances in the candlelight and covered their mouths, laughing.

The next day,

Early morning,

After playing a little longer than when he was in school,

Xu Zaijing was riding his horse and strolling around the racetrack.

The brothers Li Taotie and Li Li Chi Mei were each riding their horses, accompanying Qingyun, talking about some cavalry tactics of the Bai Gao Kingdom.

Behind the three of them were Alan and Xunshu, who were listening intently.

Previously, when Great Zhou learned that the Bai Gao Kingdom envoys were coming, the imperial court specially invited the two brothers to study and discuss the negotiations with the Bai Gao Kingdom.

Now that the matter was over, the two brothers returned to the Xu family.

"The formation is like an arrow; only when the enemy formation is not yet formed can one charge..."

"The Great Zhou military formation cannot be charged; the heavy crossbows are too powerful..."

As the group talked,

At this moment, the Li Ju that Xu Zaijing was riding trotted, stepped forward, and overtook the five of them.

Li Taotie raised his chin, and he and Qingyun followed; the other three followed behind.

The six people formed a small arrow and slowly accelerated to a charge on the racetrack.

It was only because the Xu family had a large space; otherwise, they really wouldn't have been able to run.

When the sky brightened,

Except for Xu Zaijing's mount, the other horses were already panting.

After dismounting, Li Li Chi Mei said:

"Brother, I feel that having the Fifth Young Master behind the formation using a heavy bow would be more effective."

"It can kill the enemy and also cover us."

Hearing his younger brother's words, Li Taotie smiled and said: "That's a good point!"

"I've seen the power of the Fifth Young Master's heavy bow; if it hits, it kills; if it grazes, it wounds; no matter what armor is worn, it's useless."

Qingyun rubbed his face, which had been frozen somewhat stiff, and nodded.

Xu Zaijing smiled as he looked at Li Taotie, thinking to himself that this was a true meat shield taking damage while the archer outputted.

The difference was that this wasn't a game, but tactical experience piled up with human lives.

And he, Xu Zaijing, was no glass cannon.

After Xu Zaijing finished his exercise,

Just as he was about to return to his courtyard, he saw by the racetrack, beside the family's luxurious and wide carriage, the maids from his mother's courtyard igniting the small stove inside the carriage,

Preparing to heat the water tank in the carriage.

Hmm, it could be called "warming up the car."

During breakfast, Xu Zaijing ate a boiled egg in two bites, swallowed it, and said: "Mother, are you going somewhere today?"

"Hmm, going to see your sister today."

"And by the way, pass on the things sent by the Pan family to the Gu family."

Xu Zaijing: "Oh!"

"Jing-ge'er, do you want to go?"

"I see Gu Er and the others enough on ordinary days, so I won't go."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, the female relatives in the room all laughed.

After the Chen hour (after nine in the morning),

The sunlight brought some warmth.

The Xu family female relatives went out.

Xu Zaijing, feeling bored, strolled to the vicinity of Qiongzhi Pavilion, where his sister Pingmei used to live.

Anmei, in the courtyard next door, also followed to Xingguo Lane.

Fortunately, there were the sounds of maids and servants beating quilts and sweeping the floor, so it wasn't too desolate.

Walking on,

Suddenly,

Xu Zaijing stopped and narrowed his eyes to look.

Not far away, there was a cat with a goldfish in its mouth.

The fish in its mouth was still struggling weakly.

Sensing Xu Zaijing's gaze,

The cat looked up.

Amidst the sound of Qingcao jumping on her feet and shouting, "Put that down!"

It turned and ran.

Half a quarter of an hour later,

The cat ran to a wall; it kicked the wall vigorously, preparing to jump onto the wall top to occupy the high ground,

And was then pinched by the scruff of its neck from the air by Xu Zaijing, who had followed.

At this time, the "criminal evidence" in the cat's mouth was already gone.

Cat: "Meow~"

Xu Zaijing continued to lift it by the scruff of its neck:

"Little nipper!"

"Second Sister isn't home today, you're in luck! Hehehehe..."

Cat: "Meow."

"Qingcao, this wicked beast harmed your subordinates; today it's yours to deal with!"

Qingcao's eyes lit up: "Yes! Young Master!"

Subsequently, this pair of master and servant returned to the courtyard.

Qingcao held the cat in front of the large fish tank in the room, pointing at the tank and listing the cat's crimes, while Hua Xiang and her sister were also pointing at the cat's head with their fingers.

"Today you are punished and not allowed to eat!"

Hearing Yun Xiang's words, the cat struggled a few times.

"Hmph!"

Xu Zaijing, who was writing, snorted, and the cat immediately hid in Qingcao's arms.

Xingguo Lane.

Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's Mansion.

Chai Zhengzheng took a wooden box from Miss Yun Mu's hand behind her,

And walked to the front of the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong and Princess Pingning amidst Da Niangzi Chai's words.

"This item, Heng-ge'er saw it that day, and Zhengzheng also hopes it can bring good luck to my cousin!"

While speaking, Chai Zhengzheng had already opened the wooden box,

And after revealing an inkstone inside, she retreated to her seat.

Qi Yiqiu squinted and looked; while his eyes widened, his hand reached into the wooden box and took out the inkstone:

"Hiss! Natural perfection! This stone eye!"

Princess Pingning, beside him, smiled gratefully at Da Niangzi Chai and Chai Zhengzheng, and after glancing at the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong,

The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong hurriedly handed the inkstone to Princess Pingning.

Although Princess Pingning had been noble and precious since childhood and was accustomed to rare things, the inkstone in her hand still exceeded her expectations!

Princess Pingning stroked the moist edges of the inkstone, looking at the exquisite carvings on it, especially in the ink-grinding area pointed to by the Kui Star's brush, where the ancient characters "Qi Heng" were faintly visible.

Princess Pingning said solemnly:

"You have a heart! Go, let Heng-ge'er come over to thank his elder!"

A maid outside the door responded.

Soon, Qi Heng, who had not yet fully grown but already had a handsome appearance, walked into the room and bowed:

"Mother, greetings! Madam, greetings! Cousin, greetings!"

Chai Zhengzheng stood up and returned the salute.

Princess Pingning, beside her, said:

"Come, Heng-ge'er, look at this inkstone."

Qi Heng walked over, took a look, and then looked at Chai Zhengzheng in surprise: "Cousin, this is..."

Chai Zhengzheng smiled slightly.

Princess Pingning said earnestly:

"Heng-ge'er, you must study even harder; do not let down the expectations of your relatives!"

The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong, beside her, also looked at Qi Heng with full expectations.

"Yes, Mother!"

Qi Heng stood up and said.

"Go, continue your studies!"

"Madam, Cousin, then I will take my leave."

Chai Zhengzheng and the maid stood up and bowed slightly.

Qi Heng walked out the door, and his servant Buwei took the wooden box containing the inkstone from the Princess's maid.

After the two walked a few steps, Qi Heng sighed: "My cousin's family is truly generous."

Buwei, beside him, said: "It also touched the Da Niangzi's heart!"

Inside the room,

Da Niangzi Chai looked at Princess Pingning and said: "Truly an obedient and hardworking good child!"

"Hi! He's just someone who studies with all his might; let's not talk about him!"

"Previously, the Duke and the two Marquis mansions helped the Huyan family plan a newly established river transport position; in the future, our family's coal transport can also take this river route."

Qi Yiqiu, beside her, didn't speak, just nodded in agreement.

Da Niangzi Chai said: "Oh? I haven't heard a whisper of this! If there really is ship transport, it's much better than carriages."

The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong said: "Yes, but they are still transferring ships, and it will be spring or summer before it's operational!"

"No one expected that Yu-ge'er of the Ningyuan Hou Fu next door could complete this survey so quickly."

After the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong finished speaking, Princess Pingning said: "Speaking of Yu-ge'er, the gatekeeper said that the Xu family's carriage arrived this morning."

Looking at Chai Zhengzheng's expression, the Princess said: "I inquired, and they said only the female relatives and children came; the two brothers didn't come."

Chai Zhengzheng lowered her head.

Ningyuan Hou Fu.

Bai Shi and Sun Shi were sitting on the Luo Han bed, cracking dried fruits and chatting.

Chang Mama took a plate of dried fruits from a maid, placed it on the small table in the middle of the Luo Han bed, and turned to look.

She saw that another layer of cotton mattress had been spread on the carpet in the middle hall.

The Xu family's eldest grandson was competing with the Gu family's eldest grandson for a cloth tiger toy.

The uncles and aunts on the side didn't help, but instead cheered from the sidelines:

"Dai-ge'er, use your strength!"

"You're a descendant of the Gu family, go for it!"

The pregnant Pingmei and Hualan sat together, talking about pregnancy topics.

Watching the "battle" between the two children in the field, Hualan smiled and said:

"Seeing that the Gu family boy also likes this cloth toy, I'll have the family make more and send them over."

Hearing Hualan's words, Xie Shi replied: "Don't even mention it; with this cloth toy, Dai-ge'er sleeps much more soundly."

Pingmei was very interested: "Really! Then I must have one!"

Listening to the laughter in the room,

Chang Mama turned back to look at Da Niangzi Bai, who was laughing and talking with Sun Shi:

"Yes, that's the younger sister of Wei Xiaoniang! The managers under my father admire her so much!"

"With such a large business in Jiangning Prefecture, she supported it by herself for three months without a single mistake!"

Chang Mama nodded in agreement and said:

"I heard from the manager who came from our hometown that Da Niangzi Wei also used the Sheng family's connections to bridge the gap between our Bai family and Prefect Feng."

Sun Shi thought about it and connected the threads, then said: "Truly a formidable woman."

Bai Shi patted Sun Shi's hand to show agreement.

After chatting for a while longer,

The sun set.

Finally,

"Sister, this gratitude from the Pan family still needs you to help pass it on."

Bai Shi nodded.

Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's Mansion.

A maid came to the entrance to report:

"Da Niangzi, the carriages at the Ningyuan Hou Fu are starting to move."

Da Niangzi Chai, who was talking, was startled,

Then smiled and looked at Princess Pingning.

Da Niangzi Chai: "Then, shall we go too?"

Princess Pingning: "Let's go!"

Chai Zhengzheng, who was behind the two, also stood up to follow; before leaving the room, she rubbed her face.

Getting into the Chai family carriage,

When the Xu family female relatives' carriage arrived at the entrance accompanied by Sun Daniang and Bai Shi,

The Chai family carriage happened to arrive there.

Looking at Da Niangzi Chai walking out of the Chai family carriage at the bottom of the steps,

Sun Shi hurriedly smiled and greeted her.

Chai Zhengzheng bowed slightly to Anmei, Hualan, and Xie Shi, who had already boarded the carriage, and then followed her mother, listening to the ladies' greetings.

There were only the Gu and Qi families here, and with the carriages blocking the way, it was fine.

Half a quarter of an hour later,

The two families separated. Sun Shi, who had boarded the carriage, sighed: "This Chai family girl looks good when she smiles."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 291 =====