Chapter 313

Bianjing, Great Zhou,

From outside to inside, they are the Longhe River, the outer city, the inner city, and the Imperial City.

Places like the Xinzheng Gate, Ansu Gate, and Nanxun Gate all belong to the outer city.

And after entering the city from the Xinzheng Gate, one can walk straight along the street to enter the inner city through the Yiqiu Gate.

The place where the fifth young master of the Duke of Hanguo's family 'acted righteously' was on the street between the Xinzheng Gate and the Yiqiu Gate.

The carriages of the noble families had already driven past the place where the commoners were watching.

After the ruffian who was troubling the respectable woman was kicked in the buttocks by Han Chengyun, he squeezed out of the wall of onlookers in a panic and slipped away amidst the cheers of the Bianjing commoners.

"I wonder which family's young master this is?"

Hearing someone in the crowd ask, Han Chengyun waved his hand and said nothing, preparing to board the carriage and leave this place.

At this time, someone in the crowd said:

"I see the plaque on the carriage; it seems to be from the Marquis of Zhennan's family!" (They all share the surname Han)

Upon hearing this, Han Chengyun, who was holding his head high and chest out while boarding the carriage, stumbled; fortunately, he was quick-witted and grabbed the carriage compartment.

Someone else said: "I heard the servants of this family call him the fifth young master; it should be from the Duke of Hanguo's family!"

After this person finished speaking, the Han family's servants arched their hands at him, followed the Han family's carriage, and also walked toward the inside of the Yiqiu Gate.

"It seems to be the Duke of Hanguo's family."

Amidst the discussion, the commoners dispersed.

After the Han family's carriage entered the Yiqiu Gate, it stopped in front of a restaurant. After about a quarter of an hour, someone came to the side of the carriage and said:

"Young Master, the money has been distributed; this matter is guaranteed to be spread by the idlers."

"When the Chai family's carriage passed by, was my voice loud enough?"

The person beside the carriage said: "Young Master, this humble person heard it clearly; it was definitely loud enough!"

"Let's go."

Before Han Chengyun's voice had faded,

There was a commotion outside the carriage. He lifted the curtain and looked out; it was Xu Zaijing and a group of people riding horses past this place, followed by flatbed carts from various families carrying miscellaneous items.

And his cousin from the Marquis of Zhennan's family, in name only, was currently talking and laughing with Gu Tingye.

The Duke of Hanguo's carriage was naturally magnificent and extraordinary, unlike that of an ordinary family, and it was very eye-catching parked on the side of the road.

The noble youths like Xu Zaijing who were riding past naturally looked over, but in their field of vision, there was only the curtain swaying lightly behind the carriage window.

Before they had gone far,

Gu Tingye and Zheng Xiao beside him exchanged a glance and burst into loud laughter.

With this incident happening today, if nothing else, in the future, when Han Wulang and his group run into Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye's group, they will mostly have to take a detour.

To avoid being asked, "Young Master So-and-so, why did you leave so early on the third day? You weren't scared, were you?" and so on.

Of course, it is also possible they will be thick-skinned and refuse to admit it, but they shouldn't be that shameless, right?

Thinking of this, Xu Zaijing shook his head with a light laugh.

When they reached the intersection and waved goodbye to separate, Xu Zaijing heard Gu Tingye discussing with Zheng Xiao how to ridicule Han Wulang and his group the next time they met.

Continuing to walk toward Quyuanjie,

Lu Junyi and his two junior brothers were still on the same path as Xu Zaijing, occasionally whispering a few words behind him.

When they arrived at the intersection of Quyuanjie,

Everyone arched their hands on horseback to bid farewell, and Zaihang had already led people into Quyuanjie.

Under the urging of his two junior brothers, Lu Junyi gritted his teeth and said loudly: "Fifth Young Master, please stay your step."

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at the three of them, then lightly pulled the reins and paced his horse back.

"The three of you, what is it?"

Lu Junyi took a deep breath and asked in a low voice:

"Fifth Young Master, entertaining the Jin Kingdom envoys like this today, is it to deal with Northern Liao..."

Xu Zaijing pondered for a moment and said: "Today was just entertaining envoys; it is nothing."

Lu Junyi nodded and arched his hands in a salute.

After Xu Zaijing nodded in return, he rode his horse back to Quyuanjie.

Watching Xu Zaijing's back, Lu Junyi and the other two continued to walk toward Pan Lou Street.

Luan Tingyu on the side said:

"Senior Brother, which Marquis mansion should we join? The young master of the Duke of Xinguo's family also revealed intentions to recruit me."

"The Duke's mansion is one rank higher than the Marquis's mansion!"

Lu Junyi pondered without speaking.

Wu Song on the side said: "I still want to go under the Marquis of Yongyi."

Lu Junyi said: "Why?"

Wu Song said: "I heard from Master before that the Marquis of Yongyi's army is stationed at the border of the three countries, whether attacking Bai Gao in the west or raiding Northern Liao in the east..."

"Moreover, being able to go to the polo field this time was entirely due to the Fifth Young Master's invitation. To turn around and join the Duke's mansion after being recruited by them feels wrong."

Luan Tingyu on the side nodded and said: "Little Song's words make sense; it was I who thought wrongly."

Lu Junyi looked at the lively street, thinking of the things he had inquired about before, and said: "Then, let us report to Master and go join the Marquis of Yongyi!"

Marquis of Yongyi's mansion,

When Xu Zaijing arrived at the horse racing field,

Alan and the others were putting the last few items from the flatbed cart into the utility room on the side.

After dismounting, Xu Zaijing walked into the small room on the side, where his master was warming himself by the fire.

Xu Zaijing turned around and closed the door.

As the master and disciple were talking, and Xu Zaijing had just mentioned the match against the Jin warriors, Qingyun pushed the door open at the entrance and said:

"Young Master, an eunuch has come to the mansion to convey an imperial oral decree, saying to let the Young Master enter the palace immediately."

His master raised his hand and said in a hoarse voice:

"I can ask them a few questions; go ahead."

Xu Zaijing arched his hands and walked out. Just as he wanted to return to the courtyard to change his clothes, Qingyun on the side said: "Young Master, the eunuch said there is no need to change."

Xu Zaijing was stunned and said: "So urgent."

As he spoke, he changed direction, turned back to take the reins from Xiao Li Ju, mounted his horse, and walked toward the outside of the main gate.

The eunuch who came to convey the oral decree also came on horseback.

On the way to the Imperial Palace, Xu Zaijing asked a few questions, and the eunuch did not hide anything and told him everything in one go.

It turned out to be the young master of the Duke of Anguo's Tan family; this scoundrel woke up on the way from the polo field to the Duke's mansion and howled in pain the whole way.

The Tan family invited an imperial physician, and after a diagnosis, it was said that his bones were broken and his internal organs had also been shaken.

A youngest son, a eldest grandson, the lifeblood of the elderly.

As the eldest grandson of the Tan family, this injury really pained the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo, and without a second word, she entered the palace to file a complaint.

Moreover, when this Old Duke Madam was a young lady, her relationship with the current Empress's mother was quite good, and she could also speak in front of the Emperor and Empress.

The eunuch only stated the course of events and did not add his own evaluation.

Xu Zaijing nodded after listening.

Arriving outside the Imperial Palace,

Xu Zaijing threw the reins to Qingyun and walked quickly into the palace following the eunuch.

Arriving outside the Empress's palace, the eunuch Huai Bao, whom he had seen several times, was standing at the entrance. Seeing Xu Zaijing, he led him inside.

On the way into the palace, Huai Bao said:

"Young Master Jing, the Empress said that the Old Duke Madam has a somewhat impatient temper; you... should bear with it a bit more."

Xu Zaijing nodded to indicate he understood.

Walking along the corridor inside the palace to the outside of a room with an open door, Xu Zaijing heard crying coming from inside the door to the front left, and there seemed to be sighing as well.

The eunuch announced at the door:

"Your Majesty, Empress, the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family has arrived."

"Let him in!"

The eunuch made a gesture of invitation.

Xu Zaijing smoothed his clothes and walked forward. After turning left and stepping over the threshold, he scanned the room and saw everyone inside.

The Emperor and Empress were sitting in the seats of honor.

On one side below were the Duke of Yingguo's wife, whom he had seen several times, with Zhang Fangling. The Duke of Yingguo's wife had a straight face, and her expression was not good.

On the other side was an old woman he was not very familiar with, with the corners of her mouth turned down, who was wiping away tears; she was most likely the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo.

Seeing Xu Zaijing enter, she immediately gave Xu Zaijing a look of disgust.

Behind her stood four women, one of whom looked the youngest, and her gaze toward him was somewhat different from the others.

Xu Zaijing's mind turned, and he had a guess about this person's identity.

Xu Zaijing arched his hands and bowed:

"Greetings, Your Majesty, Empress, Duke's wife."

The Emperor cleared his throat and said: "Sit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xu Zaijing looked at both sides and sat below Zhang Fangling.

Subsequently, the palace hall suddenly became quiet.

Just as the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo opened her mouth to speak, the head eunuch on the side said in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, Empress, the Imperial Prince just woke up and is crying and looking for Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor sat up straight and said: "Ah? This..."

The Duke of Yingguo's wife below stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Prince is paramount; you should go take a look."

The Emperor nodded and left the palace hall.

After the Emperor left, the Empress sat down, raised her teacup, gestured toward the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo, and then looked at the Duke of Yingguo's wife, saying: "Drink tea."

Xu Zaijing hadn't even taken a sip of tea when a child's crying came from the side.

The Empress's personal female official said: "Empress, it should be the Princess who has woken up."

The Empress feigned surprise and said: "Ah? This... I will go take a look."

Everyone stood up again, respectfully sent the Empress away from the palace hall, and then took their seats.

With the Emperor and Empress gone, the Duke of Yingguo's wife drank her tea as if the Duke of Anguo's family were not in the hall at all.

And the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo squinted at Xu Zaijing and said:

"You are the one from the Xu family?"

"Going to that polo field, was it you and the Zhang family who suggested it to His Majesty?"

"Stirring up some kind of two-nation military exchange?"

Xu Zaijing said: "Yes."

"Then when wrestling, was it you who won two Jin warriors in a row?"

Xu Zaijing: "Mm."

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo said sarcastically:

"Hmph! You are truly formidable!"

"Then my grandson's injury must also have been caused by you!"

Xu Zaijing was stunned and shook his head, saying:

"No. Old Madam, why do you say that?"

The old woman glared, just wanting to habitually slap the table,

But suddenly remembering that this was the Imperial Palace, she endured it and gritted her teeth, saying:

"No? If it weren't for you winning against the Jin warriors in a row, making them angry, why would they vent their anger on my grandson!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said:

"Your grandson told you that?"

"Did he not say that when wrestling, he kicked someone else's crotch and vital parts?"

The old woman glared and said:

"That... that was a duel! Naturally, one must be steady, accurate, and ruthless. Using one or two underhanded tricks is also to win; it is fulfilling loyalty and serving the country."

"If it weren't for you winning twice in a row, letting them accumulate resentment! Why would my grandson be treated like this when he won! It is you!"

Xu Zaijing stood up and arched his hands, saying: "Your family's upbringing is truly bizarre!"

The old woman flicked her hand and pointed at Xu Zaijing, saying:

"Don't flatter me!"

"You, Xu Wulang, fighting and brawling in Bianjing City, being brave and ruthless; did you think this old woman wouldn't know your reputation in the inner courtyard?"

"Harming my grandson like this! Did you think you could get away with it by saying a few nice words?"

"Don't think your Zhang family can get away with it either! As if anyone else isn't a Duke's family!"

Don't look at this old woman's age; her speed of speaking was very fast. One could see she was used to lecturing her daughters-in-law at home.

Xu Zaijing looked sincerely at the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo and said:

"Old Madam, if your grandson winning is fulfilling loyalty and serving the country, then... I also won!"

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo glared: "That is you being brave and ruthless; who knows what kind of heart you have!"

Xu Zaijing sighed and said:

"Old Madam is wholeheartedly for the country; surely your family upbringing is strict, with brothers being friendly and younger brothers respectful! Once on the battlefield, seeing a brother in trouble, you would surely sacrifice your life to save him!"

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo said: "That is natural!"

Xu Zaijing continued to ask:

"Then, your eldest grandson was bullied like this by the Jin warriors; the other young masters of the Tan family would surely rise up to resist to avenge this hatred, right?"

"Later, what happened... let me think!"

The old woman said: "That is... they... that is planning before acting! Did you think they were as reckless as you?"

The Duke of Yingguo's wife squeezed her teacup until it squeaked, taking several deep breaths.

Zhang Fangling was shaking his head and clicking his tongue incessantly!

Xu Zaijing sighed and said:

"Old Madam is right; it is all this humble person's fault!"

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo's expression cleared slightly: "That is more like it!"

Xu Zaijing said:

"The young master of the Tan family is injured; this humble person cannot shirk the responsibility! Then, what would you like this humble person to do?"

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo said: "Apologize! Make amends!"

Looking at the shaking Xu Zaijing, the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo said: "What? No?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said:

"No, no."

"This humble person was thinking, having implicated the young master of the Tan family to suffer such hardship, how can I just apologize!"

"How about this, let all the healthy young masters of the Tan family come here, with no limit on the number!"

"Have a fight with me! With so many young masters of the Tan family, they will surely be able to beat me up painfully! Only then can they vent their anger!"

"This is also this humble person's attitude toward apologizing!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing bowed in a salute.

Zhang Fangling on the side also stood up, looked at the Tan family's relatives, and said: "Count my share on Young Master Jing."

Xu Zaijing bowed again:

"Count it on me."

"Then, shall this humble person go ask His Majesty to issue an edict?"

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo stood up and pointed at Xu Zaijing: "You!"

Xu Zaijing: "Me? What is wrong with this humble person?"

The old woman said: "You know it in your own heart!"

Xu Zaijing bowed and arched his hands, saying:

"This humble person naturally knows it in his heart!"

"I will definitely not call black white and implicate others without cause."

"Nor will I say that when I win it is fulfilling loyalty and serving the country, but when others win it is harboring evil intentions."

"And I will certainly not call a coward who is afraid before the battle starts a good pillar who plans before acting!"

After finishing, Xu Zaijing said to Zhang Fangling:

"Fourth Brother, if you are afraid to even go up to wrestle and lose, you might just feel a bit of pain! If you were on the battlefield, what would happen?"

The smile disappeared from Zhang Fangling's face, and he said:

"On the battlefield, one has to face life and death; such a coward might pee their pants!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said:

"No, no, no, it is more likely they will be like the young master of the Marquis of Jinxiang's family."

The Duke of Yingguo's wife asked suspiciously: "What Marquis of Jinxiang? The Ma family? What happened to him?"

Xu Zaijing looked at the Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo and said: "At someone else's word, he knelt down to the Jin warriors to beg for mercy and admitted defeat."

Xu Zaijing again feigned a sudden realization and said:

"Old Madam, this humble person remembers now; your two young masters did not avenge their elder brother and left together with this Ma family young master."

"Tsk tsk tsk, planning before acting!"

"Pfft!"

After finishing, Xu Zaijing arched his hands and said: "Old Madam, this humble person is right here! If you please?"

The Old Madam of the Duke of Anguo said angrily:

"They cannot beat you!"

Xu Zaijing: "This... this is not this humble person's fault then!"

(End of chapter)