Chapter 311: Old Madam Chang's Mouth [Thanks to everyone for your support! Bowing again!]

The noble women watched two fierce battles,

and the time was just at the second quarter of the Wu hour (11:30 AM).

At this time, the winter sun was bright.

Under the sunlight shining in from the window,

Fifth Da Niangzi Zhang put the tips of her fair index finger and thumb together with the tips of Rong Feiyan's two pink, tender fingers,

widened the distance between Rong Feiyan's fingers slightly, and Fifth Da Niangzi pursed her lips and said:

"To tell the truth, it's about this big."

Seeing Fifth Da Niangzi's actions, the noble women around all covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and laughed.

"Fifth Da Niangzi, you are quite fair."

"Hahahaha!"

The atmosphere here was enthusiastic.

On the other side of the window, the girls from the Tan, Han, and other families were somewhat cold. Looking at the crowd here, someone muttered:

"Winning and then being arrogant, what are you proud of!"

Gu Tingyi looked over and said: "If you win and don't laugh, do you want to cry?"

Just as the other side was about to speak,

Old Madam Chang, who followed Gu Tingyi, held her hands in front of her abdomen, pinching her handkerchief, and shouted from the side:

"Girls! Prepare to eat."

Gu Tingyi pointed at the polo field and hadn't said anything yet, when Old Madam Chang said again:

"Just asked, the young masters in the polo field are also going to eat at this time."

Fifth Da Niangzi also took a look at the polo field and said:

"Let's go, those several brothers are all 'withdrawing troops' back to the tent."

When walking inside the third floor, Fifth Da Niangzi said crisply:

"Mother Fan! Hurry! Take out the frozen autumn pears we brought from home and let them thaw, and invite the sisters to taste them later."

"Yes, Miss."

The noble women on the floor were talking and left the vicinity of the window.

The Wu Lou maid standing to the side stepped forward and closed the window.

The curtain that blocked the view between the two groups of noble women was let down.

The third floor no longer had any place for cold wind to leak in, and it quickly became warmer. The noble women sat at the table, and the topic gradually turned to needlework and family trivialities.

Of course, the objects of discussion were all a certain girl on the other side.

On the side of the Tan family girls of the Duke of An and the County Princess,

Rong Feiyan, a girl whose ancestors were stonemasons, was mentioned many times.

From time to time, words like "fox-spirit," "hooking eyes," "isn't it just fair skin," "pretending to be pitiful," etc., were deliberately passed over.

It made Ningxiang, the maid standing by the curtain behind Rong Feiyan, breathe heavily. Just as she was about to go over to argue, she was pulled by Seeing Xi Bu. Seeing Xi Bu said in a low voice:

"They didn't name names, if you go over, wouldn't you be admitting it yourself!"

Rong Feiyan also shook her head at her.

Gu Tingyi, a girl whose mother was from a merchant family, was also mentioned many times.

"What kind of lowly merchant family," "what kind of luck to climb a high branch," "how long has it been and she's already instigating a family split," "that pitiful one in the collateral branch..."

Listening to these words,

Old Madam Chang, who was still smiling just now, had an increasingly ugly expression, and was accumulating anger when Gu Tingyi approached her and said: "Madam, don't be angry with them, just treat it as chickens and dogs barking."

Old Madam Chang patted Gu Tingyi's hand and said: "A big girl, what are you saying? Besides, this old woman knows the importance."

Now that Gu Tingyu was being heavily used as a military noble, and Marquis Ningyuan Gu Yankai was leading troops in the north,

Old Madam Chang, who was beside the Great Madam Bai, had heard many messy things in the noble families of Bianjing,

so Old Madam Chang cleared her throat and pointed at Ningxiang and shouted:

"The maid by the curtain, stay further away from there, lest you get stained with the dirty and rotten smell."

Old Madam Chang shouted, and the other side of the curtain went quiet.

"And next time you see the maids and mothers on that side, especially the good-looking ones, you must also show respect!"

Seeing Xi Bu was stunned and hurriedly followed up: "Madam, why do you say that?"

Old Madam Chang raised her chin and said:

"Why do I say that? That's because, how do you know that the beautiful daughter-in-law or little maid beside others won't be taken a fancy to by the elders or masters in their family?"

"If they are taken as concubines, you have to show respect!"

Seeing Xi Bu's eyes turned:

"Madam, what are you talking about! How come I haven't heard of it?"

"Those are all ancestors and fathers, how could they lay hands on the maids beside the younger generation's girls and daughters-in-law?"

Old Madam Chang said: "Sigh, you have little experience, I heard..."

Old Madam Chang's voice became almost inaudible, and here, silence was better than sound...

Then there were gasps and questions from the Rong family, Gu family, and other girls who heard the secret, and then laughter.

"Ah? Still using the daughter-in-law's dowry? Really..."

On the other side of the curtain, it was still quiet.

And the girls from the families of the County Princess, the Marquis of Jinxiang Ma, the Marquis of Fu'an Wei, the Marquis of Zhongshan Sha, etc., along with the maids, all widened their eyes, looking like they were eating melons.

Well, the muddy water was splashed back together.

Old Madam Chang waved her hand, and Ningxiang and Seeing Xi Bu hurriedly pulled the curtain shut.

Listening to the clattering on the other side of the curtain, it seemed like something was swept to the ground.

During the meal time afterward, the other side of the curtain was much quieter.

After the meal,

Gu Tingyi, Rong Feiyan, Chai Zhengzheng, and Anmei sat around the table, and the words praising Fifth Da Niangzi's performance just now made Fifth Da Niangzi very happy.

Fifth Da Niangzi said with a serious expression: "Hmph, we don't cause trouble, but we aren't afraid of trouble! Come, sisters, eat the frozen pears."

The people in the polo field naturally didn't know what happened on Wu Lou.

Xu Zaijing was eating in the tent with everyone, and discussing a few sentences from time to time.

When they were almost full, Gu Tingyu walked over, sat in the seat vacated by Second Brother Gu, and said:

"How did it feel to compete with these Jin martial artists this morning?"

Seeing Zhang Fangling eating, Xu Zaijing opened his mouth and said: "Very strong!"

Gu Tingye and Zheng Xiao nodded.

"I chatted with the Jin envoy for a while just now, and I have some insights."

"Wait a moment, you several also discuss it, Brother Jing and Brother Ye, you both write a post for me."

Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye nodded.

Zhang Fangling swallowed what was in his mouth and said: "Brother Yu, remember to give me a copy."

"That's natural! You continue eating,"

Gu Tingyu stood up and left the tent.

Seeing his elder brother walk away, Gu Tingye scratched his head and said: "The schoolwork of the scholar still has several articles not finished, and elder brother is adding work for me."

Gu Tingyu walked out of the Xu family tent and came to the tent where the Jin envoy was. At this time, a servant from the Tan family of the Duke of An walked in and said:

"Duke, the girl at home said she was uncomfortable, so she returned to the mansion first."

In the reply of the Duke of An, Gu Tingyu came to the Marquis of Xiangyang who was waving at him.

The elderly Marquis of Xiangyang looked at Gu Tingyu and said:

"Good boy, your speed of promotion is much faster than your father's back then."

Gu Tingyu smiled and cupped his hands: "Uncle's praise, this little nephew has never been on the battlefield. How do you see these Jin martial artists?"

The Marquis of Xiangyang stroked his beard, looked at the Jin envoy in the tent, and said:

"They are all elites! One-on-one, the strong soldiers of the Imperial Guard don't fall behind, but when there are many people, it's hard to say."

"Speaking of which, they are equivalent to the generation of our Gu family ancestors who were enfeoffed as Marquises, not easy to deal with."

Gu Tingyu nodded and discussed a few sentences with the two old Marquises from the Liang and Zheng families who had experienced battle formations.

After lunch,

the sun was just right.

The chairs and embroidered stools in the tent were moved into the polo field.

The sons of the Duke of An, Duke of Ling, and other families also had a chair to sit on, looking at the faces of these several Dukes.

Xu Zaijing and the other young Great Zhou nobles didn't continue to wear armor, but wore casual clothes and sat in the polo field chairs, preparing to compete in wrestling.

But before going on the field, they had to hand over one of their own things as a trophy for the winner.

The Jin martial artists were guests from afar and had priority in choosing opponents.

The middle-aged martial artist who went to the Xu family tent in the morning stood to the side.

He was talking to the young Jin martial artist who was about to go on the field, the one who was tied up because of drinking at Qingfeng Tower before:

"Yes, that's the handsome-looking young man who helped you before. Your uncle has looked at him carefully. When fighting, he will only draw his bow from the side!"

"And he has never fought head-on with us, he must be afraid of close combat! You choose him! If you win, you want that big Gao sword on his body."

The young Jin martial artist said:

"Uncle, my silver wine pot has already been given to the young man who is the owner of this polo field, I have nothing to take out."

"Besides, I see that he won two games this morning, somewhat easily!"

The middle-aged martial artist lowered his head, looked at the saber at his waist, and then made up his mind and took it off:

"How tired can just drawing a bow be?"

"You throw him to the ground and tell him to practice close-combat martial arts hard! It counts as us returning his favor!"

The young martial artist nodded, then took the saber and walked to Wanyan Zongjun's side,

placed the saber on the table, and pointed at Xu Zaijing, who was talking to Gu Tingye, and the precious sword at Xu Zaijing's waist.

This action made the Great Zhou noble sons shake their heads and laugh, whispering to each other.

This scene made the young martial artist look at Wanyan Zongjun in confusion. The Great Zhou translator beside Wanyan Zongjun said:

"They are saying that you chose the most formidable one among them."

The young martial artist nodded, gestured with a bow-drawing motion, and nodded:

"He is formidable at drawing a bow."

The translator smiled politely.

Xu Zaijing took off the big Gao sword at his waist, placed it on the table beside the Marquis of Xiangyang,

and while rolling up his sleeves, walked into the field.

"Yo-ho!"

After a burst of cheers,

the Marquis of Xiangyang, who was holding Xu Zaijing's sword and looking at it, felt a shadow in front of him.

The Marquis of Xiangyang raised his head in confusion: "Ah? Finished?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "You look slowly."

As he spoke, he returned to his seat.

Over there, the young Jin martial artist shook his head, patted the dust off his body, and stood back beside his uncle.

The middle-aged martial artist patted his shoulder: "Misjudged! My saber..."

The martial artist beside Wanyan Zongjun placed the saber on the table beside the Marquis of Xiangyang.

Another tall and sturdy Jin martial artist, no less than Qingyun, untied a belt with gold ornaments from his waist and placed it on the table beside Wanyan Zongjun.

Just as he was about to choose an opponent, his gaze fell on Qingyun.

Marquis of Xiangyang: Clang! The big Gao sword was pulled out a section.

The Marquis of Xiangyang turned the sword body and checked it carefully.

The patterns on the sword made the martial artist's eyes light up. The martial artist didn't know who to choose.

He glanced at the saber, and this martial artist turned and pointed at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing pointed his index finger at the tip of his nose:?

The martial artist nodded.

Xu Zaijing shook his head and stood up, came to the field again, but didn't win quickly like just now.

After several probes, Xu Zaijing found that this tall and sturdy martial artist's agility was no less than Qingyun's.

After circling for a while, Xu Zaijing stood in the field, carrying the Jin martial artist, who was a circle larger than him, on his shoulder, but didn't throw him down.

And that Jin martial artist also understood, didn't struggle on Xu Zaijing's shoulder, and after Xu Zaijing let go, stood firm and walked back.

At this time, the Marquis of Xiangyang nodded in approval and put Xu Zaijing's big Gao sword back on the table.

The next Jin martial artist went on the field, shorter and thinner than Xu Zaijing's opponent just now. After looking around Xu Zaijing, he didn't choose anyone,

turned around and walked toward the sons of the Duke of An, Duke of Han, and other families, and pointed at the Tan family sons.

The two put down their things,

after a confrontation and circling,

the result was shocking. I saw the Jin martial artist covering his crotch, kneeling on the ground in pain.

The Tan family son who went on the field shook his head and smiled, proudly raised his chin at the sons of the Han, Lu, Sha, and other families, celebrating his victory.

Seeing this scene, the Jin martial artist wanted to go up and hit someone, but was angrily shouted to stop by Wanyan Zongjun in Jin language. The Jin martial artists all gritted their teeth, supported the injured person, and retreated to their seats.

Xu Zaijing and Zheng Xiao, Zhang Fangling, and Gu Tingye to the side looked at each other, and there were feelings in everyone's eyes.

The Tan family son sat back in his chair with a smile. Before he could sit steady, a Jin martial artist appeared in front of him, his finger pointing straight at him.

Later,

this Tan family son wanted to repeat the same trick, but was seen through by the Jin martial artist. Others held his thigh with one hand, held his buttocks with the other hand, and used their shoulders to top his chest, lifted him up, and threw him heavily onto the hard winter ground.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 312 =====

Just as he was about to choose an opponent, his gaze fell upon Qingyun.

Marquis Xiangyang: *Clang! * A large, tall sword was drawn out by a few inches.

Marquis Xiangyang turned the sword body, examining it carefully.

The patterns on the sword blade made the warrior's eyes light up, and the warrior was somewhat unsure of whom to choose.

He glanced at the saber at his waist, and the warrior turned and pointed at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing pointed his index finger at the tip of his own nose:?

The warrior nodded.

Xu Zaijing shook his head and stood up, returning to the field once more, but he did not finish the fight as quickly as he had just now.

After testing him a few times, Xu Zaijing discovered that this tall and sturdy warrior was no less agile than Qingyun.

After circling for a moment, Xu Zaijing stood in the field, carrying the Jin warrior—who was a size larger than him—on one shoulder, without falling down.

The Jin warrior also understood; he did not struggle on Xu Zaijing's shoulder, and after Xu Zaijing let go, he stood steady and walked back.

At this moment, Marquis Xiangyang nodded in approval and placed Xu Zaijing's large, tall sword back on the table.

The next Jin warrior entered the field; he was much shorter and thinner than Xu Zaijing's previous opponent. After looking around Xu Zaijing, he did not choose anyone.

He turned around and walked toward the descendants of the Duke of Anguo and Duke of Hanguo families, pointing at the descendants of the Tan family.

The two put away their own belongings.

After a period of confrontation and circling,

The result was shocking: the Jin warrior was seen clutching his crotch, kneeling on the ground in pain.

The Tan family descendant who had fought shook his head and smiled, very proudly lifting his chin at the descendants of the Han, Lu, and Sha families to celebrate his victory.

Seeing this, the Jin warrior was about to go up and hit him, but was angrily stopped by Wanyan Zongjun in the Jin language. The Jin warriors all gritted their teeth, supporting the injured man as they retreated to their seats.

Xu Zaijing exchanged a glance with Zheng Xiao, Zhang Fangling, and Gu Tingye, who were on the side; all of them felt something in their hearts.

The Tan family descendant sat back in his chair with a smile, but before he was even seated, a Jin warrior appeared in front of him, pointing a finger straight at him.

Later,

This Tan family descendant wanted to use the same trick again, but it was seen through by the Jin warrior. The other man hugged his thigh with one hand and his buttocks with the other, pressed his shoulder against his chest, lifted him up, and threw him heavily onto the hard, frozen winter ground.

(End of chapter)