Chapter 361

Scholar Zhuang stroked his white beard with one hand, held a folding fan in the other, and left the school with light steps.

In the lecture hall,

Gu Tingye didn't sit down, but waved directly at Zhi Que behind him and said: "Come, pack up, let's go have some fun!"

The young servant Han Niu walked to Changbai's desk: "Young Master, then what about us?"

Changbai stood up and said: "Back to the study!"

Young servant Han Niu: "Ah???"

At this time, Zaihang on the side walked over, put his arm around Changbai's shoulder, and said: "Back to what study! Brother Bo, go follow Yuan Erlang, Jing Ge'er, and the others out for a stroll! How can one only study and not rest!"

Changbai looked at Zaihang with difficulty and said: "Brother-in-law, I already rested yesterday."

Zaihang: "Then come for another day."

Changfeng, who was at the very back, was even more delighted; he was already personally packing up the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk. After the young servant came to take over, Changfeng looked at Gu Tingye and said:

"Gu Pei Erge, I don't know if Qiao Jiulang is up yet!"

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing with a smile on his face: "Let's go see in a while, won't we know! Maybe we can even see Yunniang without her veil!"

Changfeng looked at Xu Zaijing, who was nodding: "Hehe! Gu Pei Erge is right!"

It's no wonder Changfeng was happy; it was really because today it looked like he would be going out to have fun with Gu Tingye and Xu Zaijing. With these two brothers around, Changfeng basically didn't need to take out his own purse to play.

Seeing his brother like this, Seeing Mo Lan, who was sitting in the front row, secretly rolled her eyes at Changfeng, and after Yun Zai and Lu Zhong packed up their things, she walked directly toward Linqi Pavilion.

Rulan curled her lips at the departing Seeing Mo Lan, turned to Minglan, and said:

"Sixth Younger Sister, you have time today; I heard from Magpie that you and Fang Mama learned to roast mutton, I must test you and taste how much of the craft you've learned!"

Minglan smacked her lips and hurriedly nodded.

After a flurry of activity,

Everyone rode horses and took carriages, exiting the Sheng family gate one after another.

Zaihang, who came out first, looked back at everyone behind him, untied the purse at his waist, took out the silver notes inside, and said:

"Little Five, have fun with them! I'll go back first to see your sister-in-law and nephew."

Xu Zaijing: "Hey~ Brother!"

Listening to Xu Zaijing's voice, Zaihang waved his hand and rode away.

By the time Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and the others came out, Zaihang was already about to disappear at the entrance of the alley.

"Why did Brother-in-law leave!"

Changfeng asked, looking at Zaihang's figure.

Xu Zaijing explained a few words, and Changbai, who was following behind and heard Xu Zaijing's words, had a slight smile on his lips.

At this time, Qi Heng shouted from behind: "Jing Ge'er!"

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look.

After a conversation.

It turned out that, whether for safety or to avoid suspicion, Qi Heng had always taken a carriage to school at the Sheng family.

But today, going out to play, taking a carriage was not good.

Qi Heng cupped his hands and continued: "Jing Ge'er, so I was thinking of riding Qingyun's mount."

After Xu Zaijing signaled to Qingyun, Qingyun gave up his mount and sat in front of the Xu family's carriage compartment.

Just as everyone was about to set off, Qi Heng's young servant, Bu Wei, didn't get on the Qi family's carriage, but instead jumped onto the carriage shaft beside Qingyun and sat down.

Afterward, the group walked toward the outside of the alley.

On the way, Bu Wei kept calling Qingyun 'Brother' and talking, which made the young maid Huaxiang in the carriage curiously lift the curtain to take a few looks.

The group talked and discussed for a while, then decided that the first place to go this time would be Pan Lou.

After all, Pan Lou was very lively yesterday, and maybe they could even see Yunniang's true face.

Out of the alley,

the surrounding noisy sounds grew louder.

"Selling peaches~ juicy and sweet peaches~"

"Papaya~"

"Melon~ crisp and sweet melon~"

"The Bai Gao Kingdom acted against the natural order and suffered a heavenly punishment of an earthquake; our Great Zhou received the mandate from Heaven to recover the ancestral lands of this dynasty!"

Xu Zaijing listened to the shouts of the Imperial Guard knights not far away; the content was still the great victory in the northwest this morning.

But listening to the knights' voices, they seemed to be a bit hoarse.

Thinking about these things, Xu Zaijing looked at the vendors selling fruit from ox carts by the street, and then looked at the knights running toward the crowd,

just as he was about to wave to the Imperial Guard knight, a vendor by the road held a washed melon with water droplets and walked to the front of the Imperial Guard knight, shouting:

"Sir soldier, eat a melon to moisten your throat!"

The Imperial Guard knight waved the horse whip in his hand and said: "No need, I didn't bring any silver money either."

"No silver money needed! Just consider it a small tribute!"

When the two were talking,

Xu Zaijing's group had also arrived nearby.

The Imperial Guard knight glanced at Xu Zaijing's group, didn't continue talking to the vendor, but held the horse whip in his hand and cupped his hands toward Xu Zaijing and the others:

"This subordinate greets all the young masters."

Gu Tingye, who was riding a horse, looked at the knight curiously and said: "You know us?"

The Imperial Guard knight said: "Replying to Yuan Erlang, this subordinate has always been following the Rong family young master of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang!"

Gu Tingye smiled and said: "Oh! So it's Rong Xian!"

"Yes!"

Xu Zaijing glanced at the knight's appearance; it was a bit hard to recognize this person after he put on his helmet, but in his memory, he was one of the tall and strong close servants following Rong Xian.

Xu Zaijing smiled, nodded, and said: "Your throat is a bit hoarse, eat something to moisten it."

Imperial Guard knight: "Yes!"

After finishing, Xu Zaijing said to the vendor who was still holding the melon: "I'll take this cart of melons! Qingyun!"

Qingyun behind him nimbly took out silver.

After Qingyun gave the Imperial Guard knight a few melons, the knight prepared to leave and continue shouting along the street.

And the vendor, looking at the three valuable carriages, hesitated and was about to drive the ox cart to follow.

Other vendors who saw this scene flocked toward the Imperial Guard knight, wanting to let the knight taste their own fruit.

The knight looked at Xu Zaijing on the side with embarrassment, showing a fierce look, and was about to wave his whip to drive these vendors away.

"Wait!"

Xu Zaijing shouted, and the knight hurriedly stopped his actions.

"Qingyun!"

Saying this, Xu Zaijing raised his chin.

"Yes, Young Master!"

After Qingyun understood the intention, he began to take out silver.

Gu Tingye beside Xu Zaijing leaned over and said: "Jing Ge'er, what are you doing?"

Xu Zaijing said: "Yuan Erlang, I'm happy today!"

Seeing this scene, the Imperial Guard knight cleared his throat, cupped his hands, and shouted loudly:

"Everyone! Everyone!"

"This is the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family of the Marquis of Yongyi! Jing Ge'er!"

"As for me! I am following the Rong family of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang, who serves in the Imperial Guard, Xian Ge'er!"

The knight held the horse whip in his hand and pointed at the surrounding fruit vendors, saying:

"If I find out that you are being treacherous and slippery, using inferior goods to fool the Fifth Young Master! Then just wait! You'll get what's coming to you!"

"If you don't know who the Rong family young master is, then go and inquire more!"

Hearing the knight's words and knowing the identity of Xu Zaijing's group, some of the vendors who had flocked over shuddered and dismissed some of their thoughts.

Those who had heard the name Rong Xian and had plans to fool people retreated directly to the side.

Don't look at how quiet Rong Xian was in front of Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and others, always with a smile on his face.

But in this Bianjing city, this sister is a favored concubine, likes to wear bright red brocade robes, and likes even more to whip people with a horse whip and then pay money; the noble young master's 'good reputation' is very 'bright'.

After saying these words,

the Imperial Guard knight cupped his hands and rode away from this place.

After a while,

Xu Zaijing rode with Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, the Sheng family young masters, and others, continuing to walk toward Pan Lou, followed by six or seven ox carts loaded with peaches, apricots, and melons.

When Xu Zaijing passed the military patrol posts and fire-fighting team houses by the road, he would have the fruit vendors in the ox carts following behind, under the supervision of Qingyun and the self-recommended Bu Wei, move some fruit down to give to these soldiers and the surrounding commoners.

Standing on the street, the soldiers cupped their hands one after another and shouted loudly: "Thank you, Fifth Young Master!"

And the commoners on the side would mostly shout auspicious words repeatedly to express their thanks.

Xu Zaijing sat on the horse's back and returned the greeting: "His Majesty is wise, thanks to the great fortune of His Majesty, the Empress, and the Imperial Prince, the soldiers fought bravely, a great victory in the north, let's rejoice together, rejoice together!"

Gu Tingye and Qi Heng beside Xu Zaijing were not stupid either; their eyes were shining brightly.

By the street, the Bianjing idlers and half-grown children who saw this scene, listening to the discussions of the commoners by the road and knowing the general direction Xu Zaijing and the others were walking, kicked up their heels and ran forward.

They spread the news that 'a noble young master riding a divine horse is in a good mood today and just bought out several carts of fruit in front'.

Xu Zaijing and the others had been studying at the Sheng family for so long,

going to and from school morning and evening, along the way, the shops and vendors by the road often saw Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and others riding divine horses, and knew that young masters from high-ranking families often went to Jiying Lane.

Therefore, the idlers, rascals, and half-grown children spreading the news mostly made a living in the surrounding area and were mostly trusted by the merchants, receiving a few copper coins or fruit as thanks.

This also caused the Bianjing merchants and vendors by the road to always flock not far from Xu Zaijing and the others on their way to Pan Lou.

There were many people, but few dared to block the horses of the group.

There were also many young ladies and young wives standing by the road, pointing and gesturing at Xu Zaijing and the others.

Amidst a noisy sound:

"Fifth Young Master, Fifth Young Master, our family is a shop of the Marquis of Yongchang, Liang family, take a look at these preserved fruits!"

"Xu family young master, these are our family's dried fruits, they come from the same source as the Liang Gate Li He family, try them!"

"Oh my! This Fifth Young Master Xu is really handsome!"

"..."

"Several young masters, these are fruits just picked from the orchard!"

"Ah! That Fifth Young Master Xu looked at me!"

"Young Master! Young Master! Yuan Erlang, Ye Ge'er! Our family's salt! Salt!"

"Is that young one the Little Duke?"

On the way to Pan Lou,

behind Xu Zaijing and the others, on the ox carts of the fruit vendors who followed from the street near Jiying Lane, the quantity of fruit was constantly changing, and many other things were added.

Gu Tingye had the Ningyuan Marquis mansion and the Bai family behind him, so he was not short of money.

Qi Heng was backed by the Xiangyang Marquis mansion and the Qi family, and had been wealthy for several generations.

Following Gu Tingye and Qi Heng, they also began to buy things and give things away like Xu Zaijing.

Therefore, the number of ox carts carrying things was also constantly growing.

And because they knew that this group of Bianjing young masters, Xu Zaijing and the others, would give away what they bought for free, the number of Bianjing commoners following Xu Zaijing's group gradually increased.

Gu Tingye and Qi Heng began to shout 'rejoice together, rejoice together' more and more often.

Bianjing Prefecture Office,

Prefect Gu Lin finished the morning court and was handling official business in the back courtyard of the prefecture office.

The personal steward on the side bowed and said: "Master, Scholar Zhuang sent a post, saying he invites you to Qingfeng Tower to taste wine."

Gu Lin smiled slightly: "Ha! Eight-tenths likely this old Zhuang knows the good news from the north! Tell the messenger, I'll go after I finish this!"

"Yes, Master."

At this time,

a staff member walked in hurriedly, cupped his hands and said: "My lord, the yamen runners patrolling the street from our office came to report that several noble young masters in Bianjing are gathering people!"

Gu Lin looked at the official document in his hand and said: "Whose family? Why are they gathering? How many people?"

"Replying to my lord! It's the young masters of the Duke of Qi, the Marquis of Yongyi, and the Marquis of Ningyuan, and just seventy or eighty commoners; it sounds like these noble young masters are giving things away for free."

"Hmm! Send people to keep an eye on them, maintain order well, and just don't let anything happen!"

"Yes!"

Xu Zaijing's group continued to walk toward Pan Lou,

giving things away while buying things,

when passing the canal in the city and needing to cross a bridge, Xu Zaijing and the others saw the yamen runners and soldiers standing by the bridge maintaining order.

When going up the bridge, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded at one of the young leading constables.

When the carriages and horses passed,

this constable surnamed Li hadn't reacted yet when Bu Wei, who had changed to the ox cart, stuffed several peaches into his arms.

"Rejoice together, rejoice together!"

End of Chen hour (nine o'clock in the morning)

Pan Lou,

the guest room used for combing and grooming was full of red silk decorations,

Yunniang, who had already removed her veil, irritably covered her head with a thin quilt.

A moment later,

the thin quilt was violently lifted,

"What time is it, why is it so noisy outside!"

The young maid in the guest room said:

"Yun Young Lady, it's the young masters of several Duke and Marquis families giving things away! Just now, Young Master Jiu was called away by them!"

At this time, Mother Ruan pushed the door and came in: "Hurry up and dress up! Come with me to see those young masters!"

Yunniang restrained her expression, agreed, and then got off the bed.

In front of the dressing table,

"Yun Young Lady, these are all gifts from Young Master Jiu to you."

Listening to the young maid's words, Yunniang looked at the exquisite gold and silver jewelry and nodded with satisfaction.

Glancing at Mother Ruan in the bronze mirror, Yunniang pretended to ask unintentionally: "Mother, has Fang Niang returned to the building? Do you know what jewelry the Chai family gave her?"

Mother Ruan shook her head.

Yunniang asked in surprise: "Ah? Still hasn't returned? She, she wouldn't..."

Saying this, Yunniang's eyes were full of jealousy.

Mother Ruan said sternly: "Don't worry about her anymore!"

Pan Lou entrance,

the young servants of several families were giving away fruit, salt, and other things.

From time to time, there were shouts of 'Great Zhou Ten Thousand Victories' and 'Thanks to the great fortune of His Majesty, the Empress, and the Imperial Prince'.

Changfeng looked at the crowd on the street,

when he turned his head and saw Yunniang, who had walked out of the room, no longer wearing a veil and revealing her true face, his eyes were about to pop out.

"Really, really beautiful!"

Qiao Jiulang patted Changfeng's shoulder very proudly.

Looking at the young lady walking over, Xu Zaijing, like Gu Tingye, scanned Qiao Jiulang with an unclear meaning.

Qiao Jiulang on the side asked suspiciously: "Jing Ge'er, what kind of look is that from you and Ye Ge'er?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "Nothing!"

Gu Tingye whispered: "Jiu Lang, you're not doing very well!"

Qiao Jiulang: "I..."

When the group of people were talking,

a middle-aged man dressed as a prefecture office staff member, under the protection of yamen runners, squeezed through the crowded crowd and walked over.

The staff member waved at Yunniang and the others on the side, signaling them not to come over.

After arriving beside Xu Zaijing and the others, he cupped his hands: "Several young masters, the Prefect ordered this humble one to pass on a message."

Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye hurriedly put away their smiles and cupped their hands: "My lord, please speak."

The staff member said: "The Prefect said, if you want to give things away, please go outside Xuande Tower, the place is spacious there! Don't make it so crowded here, it's easy for something to happen."

Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng, Gu Tingye, and the others on the side looked at each other, then hurriedly bowed and agreed.

Qi Heng and Gu Tingye waved for people to prepare to leave the vicinity of Pan Lou,

and the staff member who passed the message said again beside Xu Zaijing:

"The Prefect said, you are all students of Scholar Zhuang! Outside Xuande Tower, it is not only spacious but also closer to the palace."

"Knowing your filial piety, His Majesty will also be happy."

(End of chapter)