Chapter 383: Departure and 'Idle You' [Thanks! Thanks again! Owed...]

After speaking,

Xu Zaijing bid farewell to Her Majesty the Empress and left the palace under Zhao Fang's reluctant gaze.

On Xu Zaijing's way home.

East of the Imperial City

Huihefang

Mansion of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian, Lu family

Inner courtyard,

The room was lit with bright yellow candles,

Madam Li of the Lu family's eldest branch sat on an embroidered stool with a smile, holding an unfinished undergarment, and just as she was about to continue threading the needle, a female servant to the side said:

"Madam, stop working, it hurts your eyes when it's dark!"

Madam Li smiled: "It's fine, just these few stitches left."

After saying this, she glanced at Lu Zezong, who was exercising with two small stone locks in the open space of the room, and said: "Zong'er, take a rest!"

"Mother, I have to lift thirty times before I can rest!"

At this moment, a female servant walked in from outside the door, bowed, and said: "Madam, the front courtyard says a eunuch from the palace has arrived, and the Xiao Xiao Gongye and his wife invite you over!"

"Okay!"

Saying this, Madam Li put down the things in her hand, signaled the female servant in the room to watch over Lu Zezong, and got up to walk outside.

When Madam Li arrived at the reception hall in the front courtyard, the eunuch had already left.

The Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian signaled Madam Li to sit down and said: "Just now the eunuch conveyed His Majesty's oral decree, saying that Zong'er's sworn brother might go to the Marquis of Yongyi in a few days and will need a lot of feathered arrows. Now that your maiden family's brothers are in charge of the Arrow-Making Institute of the Ministry of Works, have him select some top-quality feathered arrows to prepare."

Although Madam Li had doubts, she still nodded.

The Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian looked at Madam Li's expression and said in a deep voice: "Don't overthink it. If His Majesty had issued a direct decree to the Ministry of Works, it would seem like making a mountain out of a molehill, too much emphasis, and it wouldn't sound good if it got out!"

"Yes, daughter-in-law understands! Then specifically..."

The Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian pondered for a moment and said: "The Xu family boy is going north, so have more inch-gold chisel arrows and awl-shaped armor-piercing arrows!"

Madam Li said: "Yes, Father! Daughter-in-law will have someone send a message to my maiden family right away! When is the Xu family's Fifth Young Master going? Daughter-in-law will have Zong'er go see him off!"

The Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian said: "The eunuch didn't say; have Zong'er go ask in these two days."

"Yes!"

Later that evening,

A steward of the Lu family took Madam Li's letter to the Li family.

That night, the Bianjing Arrow-Making Institute was very busy.

At night,

Marquis of Yongyi's Mansion,

In the wooden house by the racetrack,

Xu Zaijing's master, Uncle Yin, sat under two candles, concentrating on checking the feathered arrows in the quiver with his single eye.

After putting the flawed ones aside and returning the neat feathered arrows to the quiver, he moved his lame leg and brought over Xu Zaijing's armor.

Uncle Yin carefully examined the armor plates under the candlelight to see if the cords binding the plates were damaged.

When Uncle Yin untied the cords on the handles of a pair of steel maces, the sound of horse hooves rang out outside the door.

A moment later, Xu Zaijing pushed the door and entered:

"Master!"

"How is it? Did you get permission?"

"His Majesty said to let Her Majesty the Empress decide; Her Majesty didn't say for sure today, only that she would have Mother come into the palace tomorrow!"

Uncle Yin nodded and said: "Since Madam has agreed to let you enter the palace, naturally everything else is agreed to as well!"

"Master is right!"

"Go!"

After Xu Zaijing exited the wooden house, Uncle Yin began to carefully wrap the cords.

The first day after the courtyard examination ended,

Early morning,

After Xu Zaijing finished exercising, he went to his mother's courtyard for breakfast.

At the dining table,

Zaizhang wanted to speak several times but was suppressed by Madam Sun with her eyes.

After breakfast,

Xu Zaijing and his elder brother went to the Sheng family,

Madam Sun had Mama Zhu redo her hair, put on solemn clothes, and took a carriage to the palace gate.

Imperial Palace

Inside the Empress's palace,

The princess, not yet two years old, was sleepy from being full and was lying on the couch in a daze.

Her Majesty the Empress, beside the couch, looked at her daughter's long eyelashes as she slept and felt her heart melting.

At this moment, the personal female official walked to the side lightly and whispered:

"Your Majesty, the wife of the Marquis of Yongyi has arrived!"

Her Majesty the Empress glanced at her daughter again, then got up and walked to the outer room.

"This subject's wife pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress!"

"Madam, no need for formalities, sit!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Looking at Madam Sun on the chair to the side, the Empress was silent for a moment and then said: "Madam, Jing Ge'er wants to go to the Marquis of Yongyi's place, has he told you?"

Madam Sun bowed slightly: "Replying to Your Majesty, he has!"

The Empress sighed: "Sigh! I've watched Jing Ge'er grow up, and he has quite a connection with me. He says he wants to go to the northwest; there are no eyes on the battlefield, so I don't agree!"

Madam Sun nodded: "Your Majesty is right; this subject's wife had the same thoughts as Your Majesty at first."

"But he is, after all, a child of a military family, and he has practiced martial arts diligently since childhood and has developed some skills! Now that the courtyard examination is over, he wants to contribute to Great Zhou and share his father's worries, so this subject's wife cannot stop him."

The Empress nodded and said: "Good! Since Madam says so, I will make this clear to His Majesty!"

Madam Sun squeezed out a smile.

The Empress continued: "But, I also have to set a few rules for Jing Ge'er and add some manpower!"

"Have the He family boy come to the palace gate!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After the female official responded, other female officials carried a screen and placed it at the door.

Looking at Madam Sun's puzzled expression, the Empress said: "He is a child from our Bianjing, and has some connection with the Cao family! He is two years older than Jing Ge'er and has real skills!"

Madam Sun blinked.

After a while,

A tall and long-limbed young man stopped at the palace gate behind the screen.

Perhaps someone had reminded him, the young man bowed and said: "This subject He Guan pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress and the wife of the Marquis of Yongyi!"

"Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Guan Ge'er, in two days the Xu family's Fifth Young Master will go under the Marquis of Yongyi's command; you will follow him and protect him, do you remember clearly!"

"Your Majesty, this subject will keep it in mind!"

"Good! After the wife of the Marquis of Yongyi returns to the mansion, you will follow her to see Jing Ge'er!"

After He Guan outside the door bowed and agreed, he was led by the female official in the palace toward the outside of the palace.

Madam Sun and the Empress talked a few more times about what rules to set for Xu Zaijing, and then she got up to take her leave.

Just as she exited the Empress's palace, she saw Madam Chai leading Chai Zhengzheng walking toward this side.

After walking closer, Chai Zhengzheng smiled and bowed in a very standard way: "Madam, greetings!"

Madam Sun nodded with a smile.

Madam Chai to the side was all smiles: "Madam, what are you doing?"

"Her Majesty asked me about some things!"

"Oh! By the way, how did Jing Ge'er feel after the courtyard examination?"

"He said it was what the scholar had taught, and it felt very good."

Chai Zhengzheng, who was listening to the side, had eyes full of smiles.

Madam Chai nodded very happily: "That's good, that's good! When I have free time, I will go find Madam for tea!"

Saying this, the three parted ways.

Arriving outside the palace gate,

Madam Sun saw the 'bodyguard' the Empress had 'introduced' to her youngest son: a very robust young man.

Around the You hour (after 6 PM)

Sheng family

School dismissal time,

After everyone bowed and thanked, Scholar Zhuang shook his fan and walked out leisurely.

Xu Zaijing, standing at the very back of the crowd, signaled to Yun Xiang, and then, under the curious eyes of Gu Tingye, Changbai, and others, quickly chased after him.

On the small path leading to the courtyard where the scholar lived,

In front of the moon gate, by the bamboo forest

"Scholar!"

Scholar Zhuang turned his head and looked at Xu Zaijing who had chased after him: "Zaijing? What's the matter?"

Xu Zaijing bowed slightly, bowed, and said: "Scholar, student in two days..."

Listening to Xu Zaijing's words, Scholar Zhuang stroked his beard slowly.

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, Scholar Zhuang let out a long breath and said solemnly:

"Zaijing, I have heard about your actions in Bianjing from Old Gu (Prefect of Kaifeng), and I know you are a capable person!"

Xu Zaijing bowed: "Scholar is too kind!"

Scholar Zhuang waved his fan, signaling that he hadn't praised the wrong person, and continued:

"I should not stop you from having a heart to serve the country. But! Including this time, you will have two months, or even more, in the past half year where you cannot attend class!"

"Next year is the provincial examination; have you thought that you might fail because of this?"

Xu Zaijing nodded to show he had thought about it.

Scholar Zhuang looked at Xu Zaijing's appearance, shook his head helplessly, and after thinking, said: "Come to the school tomorrow, and I will give you thirty questions. If you don't finish these questions when you return, don't come looking for me!"

"Yes! Thank you, Scholar!"

Scholar Zhuang put his hands behind his back and looked at Xu Zaijing, saying earnestly: "There are no eyes on the battlefield, protect yourself!"

"Yes, Scholar!"

Watching the scholar turn and leave, Xu Zaijing bowed again.

When he returned to the school,

The three Lans had already walked out of the school and were curiously looking toward Xu Zaijing at the intersection.

Seeing Xu Zaijing walk out, the three Lans hurriedly walked toward the inner courtyard.

Marquis of Yongyi's Mansion

Racetrack,

A fine horse was tied to a wooden fence, neighing from time to time at the little Li horse in the field.

This fine horse was fully saddled, and a strong bow was inserted in the bow bag hanging on it.

Two large quivers full of feathered arrows hung on both sides of the saddle.

The owner of the fine horse, He Guan, was walking slowly in the field,

Looking at the two dragon horses and the little Li horse in the field with envy from time to time.

Afterward, he would also look at the target placed to the side.

He was similar to Xu Zaijing, practiced martial arts diligently, and was not someone without experience.

He Guan clicked his tongue secretly looking at the marks on the target, and when he strolled to Uncle Yin's side by the wooden house, he bowed and said: "Old man, can this little one see Jing Ge'er's bow and arrows?"

Uncle Yin stood up, nodded, opened the wooden house behind him, and said hoarsely:

"Young Master He, please!"

After He Guan bowed slightly to show respect, he walked in.

Looking at the refined steel long spear on the table in the most conspicuous position in the wooden house, He Guan walked over slowly.

First, he tilted his head to look at the luster of the spear blade, clicked his tongue, then leaned in front of the spear blade to sniff, raised his eyebrows, and thought to himself: This time, it seems it's not as difficult as I imagined.

The sky was already dark

After dinner

Chai family

Qiusheng Garden,

"Da Niangzi? Da Niangzi?"

Hearing Yun Mu's shout, Chai Zhengzheng woke up from her distraction and said: "Ah? What's the matter?"

"Da Niangzi, it's time to read the next page!"

"Oh!"

Looking at the somewhat messy account book, Chai Zhengzheng closed it irritably, put down the brush, and said: "Forget it, read it tomorrow!"

"Yes, Da Niangzi!"

Saying this, Yun Mu reached out to collect the account book on the table and walked out holding it.

Yun Mu arrived in the outer room, looked at her young lady who was supporting her chin with one hand and lost in thought again through the bead curtain, and said to Ziting to the side: "What's wrong with the young lady tonight?"

Ziting shook her head and said: "Don't know, it's been like this since the young lady and Madam returned from the palace!"

After putting the account book away,

Just as Yun Mu and Fuyi were about to go to the inner room to make the bed for their young lady,

The little female servant outside the room lifted the exquisite bamboo curtain and walked in, bowed, and said:

"Two elder sisters, the steward Mama in the front courtyard sent a message saying that the Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Ying invites our young lady to taste tea at the Beishan Tea House on Old Cao Men Street tomorrow."

"Little sister, wait a moment, I will report to the young lady right away!"

Saying this, Yun Mu walked inside.

Chai Zhengzheng, who was still listening to Yun Mu's words with one ear, suddenly sat up straight: "Fifth Da Niangzi? Is her elder brother under the Marquis of Yongyi's command?"

Yun Mu thought for a while and nodded: "Yes, Da Niangzi!"

"Go! Must go tomorrow!"

The second day after the courtyard examination ended,

On Old Cao Men Street,

Beishan Tea House,

Private room on the second floor.

Han Wulang Da Niangzi of the Zhang family sniffed the tea soup in the tea cup and nodded in approval:

"I heard from Da Niangzi Feiyan before that the new tea in this tea house smells fragrant, and today it's really like that! Zhengzheng, what do you think?"

Chai Zhengzheng agreed with a hmm.

The two talked about the gossip in Bianjing for a while, and Chai Zhengzheng put down the tea cup and said: "By the way! Fifth Da Niangzi, I heard when I entered the palace yesterday that the Xu family's Fifth Young Master is going under the Marquis of Yongyi's command!"

Fifth Da Niangzi: "Ah? Could it be that Brother Jing isn't taking the imperial examination?"

Chai Zhengzheng said uncertainly: "Haven't heard, should be taking it!"

Fifth Da Niangzi: "Oh!"

Chai Zhengzheng waited for a while, looked at the Fifth Da Niangzi who had no follow-up, and could only say: "Fifth Da Niangzi, isn't your elder brother also under the Marquis of Yongyi's command? If the Xu family's Fifth Young Master goes, wouldn't it be just right for him to help you bring things over?"

Fifth Da Niangzi's eyes lit up: "Ha? That's right! Don't know if Brother Jing passes through Taiyuan Prefecture; if he does, he can also help Chaoyun bring things!"

Chai Zhengzheng: "How about we go ask?"

"Let's go! Pity, Brother Jing definitely won't pass through Brother Xiao's place! Sigh!"

Fifth Da Niangzi stood up as she spoke and walked downstairs with Chai Zhengzheng.

The two noble ladies took a carriage to Quyuan Street.

Before they even entered the Xu family's main gate, they heard some noisy sounds in the courtyard.

Fifth Da Niangzi lifted the carriage curtain and looked, seeing several carriages with rain covers in the Xu family courtyard: "Is Brother Jing going to the northwest or moving? Why so many carriages?"

Chai Zhengzheng glanced and said: "Maybe relatives of the Sun and Zhu families are also preparing things for the Xu family's Fifth Young Master to take!"

Fifth Da Niangzi nodded: "Zhengzheng is right!"

Afterward, after the carriage entered the mansion gate, Chai Zhengzheng and Fifth Da Niangzi passed through the somewhat busy courtyard and arrived at the main mother's courtyard together.

Seeing Madam Sun, Fifth Da Niangzi bowed with a smile: "Madam, we two came, causing you trouble!"

Madam Sun smiled: "Fifth Da Niangzi, what are you saying! Come, Fifth Da Niangzi, Zhengzheng, sit down quickly!"

Just as the two sat down, Xie Shi walked over holding a piece of fur in her arms, saying as she walked: "Mother-in-law, look at this fur... Oh! Fifth Da Niangzi and Zhengzheng are here!"

Madam Sun said: "Take it to Zaizuan!"

After Xie Shi responded, she smiled at the two young ladies and left this place.

Just as Fifth Da Niangzi was about to speak, Hualan walked over holding a piece of material: "Mother-in-law, look at this material, would it be... Oh, hello Fifth Da Niangzi, hello Da Niangzi Zhengzheng!"

Fifth Da Niangzi and Zhengzheng hurriedly stood up and bowed: "Hello, Elder Sister Hualan!"

Madam Sun said: "Then have the female servants rush it!"

"Yes, Mother-in-law!"

Fifth Da Niangzi and Zhengzheng looked at each other somewhat awkwardly; the two really didn't come at a good time...

Afterward, Fifth Da Niangzi asked clearly in a quick-cut manner, and knowing it was the morning after tomorrow, she left the Xu family as if fleeing, holding Chai Zhengzheng's hand.

The third day after the courtyard examination ended

Imperial Palace East Gate

Donghua Gate

He Guan walked out accompanying Xu Zaijing.

Behind the two were three carriages full of arrows.

"Fifth Young Master, do you remember the three rules Her Majesty the Empress set clearly!"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Elder Brother He, I remember clearly! First, don't fight recklessly just because your mount is good; second, don't get close if you can use a bow and arrow; third, protect yourself before talking about making merit."

He Guan laughed: "It's good that you remember clearly!"

Looking at the Imperial Guard squad leader bowing and saluting in the gate tunnel, He Guan asked casually: "Where is that fellow Rong Xian?"

"Replying to the officer, the Rong family's Second Young Master is on leave today!"

He Guan nodded.

Walking outside Donghua Gate, Xu Zaijing rode on the little Li horse and said: "Elder Brother He, shall we see each other tomorrow morning?"

"Good!"

After speaking, the two parted.

Xu Zaijing looked at Qingyun, who was waiting to the side with a happy face, and smiled: "Qingyun, how is it, did I pass the courtyard examination?"

Qingyun bowed and smiled: "Young Master, passed! Eleventh place!"

"What about Elder Brother and Changbai and the others?"

"Bo Ge'er is seventh, Ye Ge'er is thirteenth, Third Young Master is fifteenth, Young Xiao Xiao Gongye is twentieth, Feng Ge'er is twenty-ninth, almost didn't pass!"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Rong family

Huixue Garden

Rong Feiyan sat in front of the embroidery frame, threading the needle and embroidering something.

The female servant Seeing Xi Bu walked over in a hurry.

Seeing Seeing Xi Bu, Rong Feiyan smiled and said: "How is it, did he pass?"

Seeing Xi Bu squatted in front of Rong Feiyan and said urgently: "Da Niangzi, naturally passed, it's eleventh place!"

Rong Feiyan nodded with a smile, and the speed at which she lowered her head to thread the needle with a smile on her lips even became faster.

Seeing Xi Bu said urgently: "Da Niangzi! There's another thing!"

Rong Feiyan looked over with a smile: "What matter?"

"When the slave went to the Hai family, Sister Miss Zhu Jian beside Da Niangzi Chaoyun said, said she couldn't keep the appointment to go to Da Niangzi Zhengzheng's shop to listen to the pipa tomorrow. Said... to see the Xu family's Fifth Young Master off!"

"What? See off? Hiss!"

Rong Feiyan's finger pricked by the needle shrank quickly, then she put it in her mouth, and the look in her eyes toward Seeing Xi Bu was full of urging.

When eating dinner,

Madam Rong's eyes widened and she said: "Yan'er, are you going outside Ansu Gate tomorrow morning?"

Rong Feiyan nodded and said: "Go enjoy the autumn scenery, and then go to Yangzhong Garden to collect some dew!"

Madam Rong curled her lips and said: "Really idle you! If you want to go, go!"

The fourth day early morning,

West of Huihefang,

On Yang Lou Street running north-south, carriage sounds rumbled.

In the Chai family carriage,

Yun Mu lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the lantern on the carriage not far ahead, and said: "Da Niangzi, it's the Rong family's carriage!"

While speaking, the Rong family's carriage slowed down.

When the two carriages were side by side, Seeing Xi Bu lifted the carriage curtain and said: "May I ask if it's Da Niangzi Chai?"

Yun Mu replied: "Yes! Sister Seeing Xi Bu, is Da Niangzi Feiyan in the carriage?"

Afterward, Rong Feiyan and Chai Zhengzheng appeared in the carriage window.

"Da Niangzi Feiyan, where are you going?"

"Sister Zhengzheng, I'm going to Ansu Gate, and by the way, go to... Yangzhong Garden to collect some dew. How about you?"

"I'm also going to Ansu Gate, accompanying Fifth Da Niangzi to see someone off."

The fifth day,

Sheng family school,

Minglan in the back row, looking at the empty desk of her cousin on her right,

Xiaotao behind Changfeng, also looking at the wooden platform beside her where there was neither Sister Qingcao, nor Sister Huaxiang or Sister Yunxiang,

The master and servant sighed together.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 384 =====