Chapter 369

Time flies,

It is already June.

This morning,

The time had reached the end of the Yin hour (after 4:30 AM).

The sky was dim, and the morning light was faint.

At the Yongyi Hou Fu,

In order to let the cool night breeze into the room, the windows around the wooden house by the racecourse were all opened.

A lantern hung in front of the wooden house door, and around the lantern, moths were flying back and forth.

In the distance, two people, one tall and one short, walked out from the passageway leading to the inner courtyard, without carrying a lantern.

Before long,

The two figures arrived in front of the wooden house.

The snoring sound inside the wooden house stopped for a moment.

"Creak."

Qingcao pushed the door and entered the room.

The snoring continued.

Entering the room from the cool outdoors made Qingcao feel a slight stuffiness.

Qingcao placed the exquisite gourd containing warm water on the table, scanned the room, walked to the side, and then carried out a copper basin containing burnt-out incense ash.

Summer days are hot,

And there are many mosquitoes near the stables; if one does not burn mosquito-repellent grass or incense at night, it is difficult to fall asleep.

After dumping the ash, Qingcao returned to the room and replaced the mosquito-repellent sachet in the room with a new one.

Finally, Qingcao moved a small stool out of the room.

Sitting in the cool outdoors, in Qingcao's field of vision, Qingyun was walking forward holding a bow and arrow,

While her own young master was holding the tail of a surprisingly long spear with one hand, holding the spear horizontally.

Hanging under the spearhead was a stone lock that Qingyun and the Hou Fu's personal guards used to train their strength.

Qingcao had once tried to help put away that long spear; although under her young master's guidance she had found a position closer to the back, Qingcao still felt she couldn't carry it, and it pressed on her shoulders until they ached terribly.

"Twang!"

The bowstring of the powerful bow vibrated, and a feathered arrow shot over.

Xu Zaijing exerted force with one hand, using the shaft of the long spear to knock the incoming feathered arrow to the side.

After completing the movement, Xu Zaijing hurriedly steadied himself and continued to hold the long spear with a calm mind and steady breath.

The sky gradually brightened, and the sun's rays had already appeared in the east.

The racecourse slowly began to heat up.

And around Xu Zaijing, quite a few feathered arrows had already fallen.

When Qingyun walked toward the wooden house rubbing his arms, Xu Zaijing also put away the long spear and shook his arms.

At this time, Uncle Yin walked out wearing cool summer clothes and holding a cattail fan.

Looking at the appearance of his disciple and nephew, Uncle Yin said, "How does it feel to practice like this?"

Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Master, it is a bit taxing on the arms!"

Uncle Yin smiled and nodded, shaking his cattail fan as he limped toward the stables.

In the bathing room that was sealed in winter,

At this time, the windows were wide open,

Xu Zaijing, who was covered in sweat, held a basin of cool water and poured it over his head.

Subsequently, in a few quick movements,

In less than half a quarter of an hour, Xu Zaijing was wearing newly changed clothes and walking toward his mother's courtyard.

After the meal, Xu Zaijing returned to his own courtyard, sat on an embroidered stool, and let Qingcao tidy his hair on his own.

Finally, the tidied-up Xu Zaijing rode a horse out of the Xu family's main gate together with his elder brother.

On Quyuanjie, several large green cloth umbrellas shielded them from the morning sun.

Under the umbrellas,

Uncle Shu had already set up his stall and, with the help of several young boys, was serving warm, non-scalding rice porridge and the accompanying spicy crispy melon to the guests' tables.

After nodding in greeting,

Xu Zaijing left Quyuanjie.

Because it was summer, the sun was strong at noon, making people feel flustered.

Therefore, the farmers around Bianjing had already set up their stalls early at this time to sell some fruits and vegetables produced by their own families.

On the way to Jiying Lane,

Xu Zaijing looked at the fruits displayed on the side of the road; if there were any of good quality, he would let Qingyun taste them, and if the taste was good, he would buy a few.

When they were about to reach the Sheng mansion,

Looking at the melons on the side of the street, Xu Zaijing signaled to Qingyun.

Qingyun leaned over, dismounted and tasted half a melon, nodded in approval, and just as he was about to pay after picking a few, the stall owner refused to accept it no matter what.

It turned out to be one of the stalls that Xu Zaijing had paid to buy out after the Dragon Boat Festival.

Qingyun placed the melons in the Xu family carriage, spoke a few words to Qingcao, took the loose copper coins strung on a red thread, and rode his horse to the melon stall, cupping his hands and saying:

"Stall owner, my young master appreciates your kindness, but the money must still be collected."

As he spoke, he smiled and tossed the money into the stall owner's hands.

At the exact time of the Mao hour (6:00 AM),

The Xu brothers entered the Sheng family's school, while Qingcao went to the Sheng family's courtyard to ask for clear water, preparing to wash the fruits Xu Zaijing had bought.

At this time, the sky was bright,

Xu Zaijing looked at the tired expression of Changbai, who turned his head to greet him, and said in surprise, "Changbai, what happened to you?"

Changbai scratched the pimples on his face and shook his head.

Soon, Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and Changfeng all arrived at the school.

When the Sheng family's young ladies finished paying their respects and arrived at the school, Rulan's eyes lit up as she looked at the fruits that Qingcao had washed and placed on the scholar's table.

Then, looking at Changbai's complexion, she hurriedly lowered her head and walked behind her own desk.

On the small path outside the school lecture hall,

Scholar Zhuang held a folding fan to block the sunlight and walked over leisurely from the courtyard where he lived.

Looking at the students who had all arrived, Scholar Zhuang nodded with satisfaction; seeing the clear water soaking by the table and the fruits placed on the table, Scholar Zhuang was even more satisfied.

Sitting on the Arhat chair, Scholar Zhuang shook his folding fan and said, "Everyone, hand in yesterday's schoolwork."

Amidst Scholar Zhuang's praise and criticism of everyone's schoolwork, the sun rose, and the scorching summer sunlight shone straight into the courtyard.

Fortunately, the large tree in the courtyard had lush branches and leaves, blocking a lot of the sunlight; otherwise, the female servants and young attendants would not have been able to sit on the wooden platform in the back.

After finishing the lecture on Gu Tingye's schoolwork, Scholar Zhuang waved his folding fan and said, "Let's take a break." After speaking, he picked up the cold tea on the table and took a sip.

The female servants and young attendants in the school also hurriedly stepped forward to serve tea to their own young masters and young ladies.

Qingcao poured tea at Xu Zaijing's table, and watching Xu Zaijing drink the tea, Qingcao said in a low voice, "Young Master, I heard from Brother Han Niu that it seems like last night the Fifth Da Niangzi went to find Brother Changbai, and I don't know how she managed to rub open the window screen that Sister Yanghao had installed well."

Xu Zaijing's tea-drinking movement paused.

"Quite a few mosquitoes got into Brother Changbai's room, and although incense was lit, it still disturbed him so he didn't sleep well all night."

Xu Zaijing nodded, handed the teacup to Qingcao, and said, "No wonder Rulan is so well-behaved today."

As the sun climbed higher and higher,

The female servants lowered the light gauze on the three sides of the lecture hall.

After resting for two quarters of an hour,

Scholar Zhuang prepared to continue the lecture.

At this time, Mama Liu and Caihuan led the female servants and old women to the outside of the lecture hall.

First, they bowed to Scholar Zhuang, and then said, "Scholar, our Madam sent this servant to deliver some ice and well water."

Scholar Zhuang waved his hand.

The female servants of Weiruixuan placed the copper basins containing ice cubes beside everyone.

At noon,

Shou'an Hall sent over ice-chilled yogurt.

In the afternoon, they sent over freshly drawn well water and quite a bit of saltpeter.

In the hottest part of the afternoon, by putting saltpeter into the well water and having people fan it with folding fans, everyone was still able to stay in the schoolroom.

The sun slanted to the west,

It was already time for school to end,

After everyone thanked Scholar Zhuang, they walked out of the lecture hall.

As soon as they left the cool lecture hall, the frequency of the fans in everyone's hands rose sharply.

In such hot weather, the carriages of the Qi and Gu families both had ice cubes replaced by the Sheng family.

At the Sheng family's main gate.

Qi Heng, who had entered the carriage, lifted the curtain and looked at Xu Zaijing, who was riding a horse to the side, saying: "Jing-ge'er, are we still going to eat cold drinks?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "Not today. Mother gave orders yesterday, saying that we should return home immediately after school."

Qi Heng looked puzzled: "Jing-ge'er, why is that?"

Gu Tingye, who was behind Xu Zaijing, rode his horse to catch up and said, "Heng-ge'er, don't you want to think about how many things happened to Jing-ge'er in June over the past two years."

Hearing this, Qi Heng was stunned for a moment, then blinked and said, "Second Uncle is right, Jing-ge'er, you should indeed return home directly."

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head on his horse, lightly tapped the horse's belly, and left the main gate, with the others from the Xu family hurriedly following.

When they returned to Quyuanjie,

After entering the main gate,

Xu Zaijing saw his mother waiting for him at the second gate.

Zaizhang, who was to the side, dismounted and said, "Mother, I have already said it, I guarantee that Little Five will return home immediately after school this month; it's such a hot day, why are you still waiting here."

Da Niangzi Sun said, "I am standing here; if you brothers don't return after this time, it will be convenient for me to send people to look for you."

Xu Zaijing stood beside his elder brother and scratched his head: "Mother, didn't I just go to eat some cold drinks with Heng-ge'er and the others yesterday..."

Da Niangzi Sun did not listen to Xu Zaijing's words, turned around directly, and led the female servants toward the inner courtyard.

Leaving the two brothers looking at each other in dismay at the entrance.

The sun set,

The sky turned dark,

Half an hour later than in winter,

At the Ansu Gate in the northwest of Bianjing's outer city, the heavy city gate was slowly closed under the pushing of the soldiers.

The sky gradually turned black,

Lanterns were lit on the Ansu Gate, and fire basins were also lit under the city gate.

Summer days are hot, and after the city-guarding soldiers threw some mosquito-repellent grass into the fire basins, they immediately stayed far away from the fire basins.

Without the sun,

Bianjing at night was still cool; when the soldiers standing on the city wall looked into the city, they could see many pavilions shining with light.

In places closer by, the soldiers could even faintly hear the sound of silk and bamboo wind instruments.

This night scene could sometimes last until the next morning.

Night activities were much cooler compared to the daytime.

The deeper the night, the cooler the city became, and some banquets and gatherings were just reaching their climax.

Suddenly,

On the official road outside the Ansu Gate, the sound of rumbling horse hooves came.

"Urgent report! Urgent military report!"

A somewhat hoarse voice reached under the Ansu Gate's gate tower.

The city-guarding soldiers hurriedly stepped forward holding torches.

The team leader guarding the city, along with his subordinates, looked by the firelight at the token in the hands of the courier knight, who had a face full of sweat, dust, pale lips, and the smell of sweat,

A golden token.

This gave the team leader a jolt, and he hurriedly shouted toward the city wall: "Quick! Quick! Lower the hanging basket! It's golden!"

The comrades on the gate tower also heard these words, and the hanging basket was lowered at high speed.

The courier was pulled up at high speed.

After entering Bianjing City,

A fine horse was quickly exchanged for the knight under the Ansu Gate.

Subsequently, the courier knight ran toward the inner city at an even faster speed.

After the usual process outside the inner city wall,

The courier knight ran toward the Imperial Palace.

Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

Sleeping Hall.

Candles were lit in the main hall,

And large ice cubes were placed in the ice chests around, emitting cold air.

The female palace officials beside the ice chests were each holding large cattail fans as tall as a person, fanning gently.

Thin, exquisite, and breathable curtains hung around the dragon bed,

On the bed,

The Great Zhou Emperor held a small cattail fan in his hand, fanning Zhao Fang, who was beside him.

Watching Zhao Fang's peaceful sleeping face in the candlelight, the Great Zhou Emperor's face was full of doting smiles.

On the other side of the large bed,

The Empress said softly, "Your Majesty, you have been fanning for a long time, let this concubine do it!"

The Emperor shook his head and said, "I am not tired."

The Empress said softly, "You were waiting for news from the north and didn't even take a nap at noon; let this concubine do it."

The Emperor felt the soreness in his elbows and wrists and nodded.

Handing over the exquisite cattail fan, the Emperor continued to watch Zhao Fang and said, "Previously, when I was at Consort Rong's place, I heard from the female official in her hall who accompanied the Rong family young lady to the Xu mansion that the Sun family had quite a few children go there that day."

The Empress chuckled and said, "Yes, there must have been thirty or forty."

Hearing this number, the Emperor could not help but laugh involuntarily.

The Empress said, "I heard that when they were boarding the carriage to go home, they caused quite a bit of trouble!"

"I hope that our Fang'er will have so many children in the future!"

The Empress to the side smiled and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, there will be."

The Emperor nodded and smiled, "That's true, with that brat Xu family's Fifth Young Master around."

He added, "I don't know if the gifts sent by the Lu family's son-in-law have had any effect..."

As the Emperor spoke, his voice faded, and he fell asleep.

Watching the Emperor's appearance, the Empress rose, handed the exquisite fan in her hand to the female official by the bed, and said, "Tell them to use more force."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Subsequently, the sleeping hall fell into silence.

I don't know how much time passed,

A bright lantern shone on the window, moving quickly along the corridor outside the sleeping hall.

After a burst of whispering,

The Emperor's personal head eunuch walked quickly into the main hall.

After speaking urgently a few words beside the Empress's capable female official, the two of them entered the sleeping hall together.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Hearing the call, Zhao Fang opened his eyes instantly.

Watching the head eunuch by the bed, Zhao Fang hurriedly helped touch the Emperor: "Father Emperor, Father Emperor! The head eunuch is here!"

The Emperor, who was sleeping, opened his eyes suddenly: "Fang'er? What's wrong?"

The head eunuch by the bed said urgently: "Your Majesty, an urgent report from the northwest, an urgent report from the Marquis of Yongyi!"

Hearing this, the Emperor reached out, gripped the palm handed over by the head eunuch, and sat up suddenly.

Watching the Empress, who had also woken up, the Emperor waved his hand and said, "I will go outside."

As he spoke, the Emperor put on his slippers and walked out with the head eunuch.

"Is it good news?"

The Emperor asked while walking on the road.

The head eunuch felt the Emperor's trembling palm and said urgently: "Your Majesty, it is good news!"

"This servant followed your instructions, Your Majesty, and the courier delivering the news was brought directly into the hall."

The Emperor chuckled uncontrollably.

Arriving at the main hall to the side,

The courier, supported by strong imperial guard soldiers, was drinking honey water.

After seeing the Emperor's figure, he knelt on the ground suddenly and shouted: "Your Majesty, a victory report from the Marquis of Yongyi!"

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yongyi led the army, and Young General Xu, Young General Zhang, and Young General Cao launched a surprise attack over a thousand miles! They broke the Black Stone City of the Bai Gao Kingdom! They destroyed the Bai Gao Kingdom's Black Mountain Weifu Military Division! They have already recovered Fengzhou!"

"The Fengzhou beach has returned to the territory of our Great Zhou!"

(End of chapter)