Chapter 411: Jing-ge'er feels a sharp pain in his heart [Thanks! Bow again! Owed update]

End of Si hour (after 11:00 AM)

Beside the hitching post at the main gate,

A sturdy, pitch-black stallion was lowering its head to eat the high-quality horse feed in the wooden trough, occasionally lifting its head and snorting.

At the gatehouse beside the main gate,

Alan walked up with a saddle, accompanied by a young servant.

After the servant moved a wooden stool for Alan, he pointed at the gate proudly:

"Brother Alan, before you and Fifth Young Master came, I had already prepared this trough of high-quality feed."

"When we were at the Hou Fu before, I heard you and Brother Xunshu say that after a horse travels a long distance, it must be nourished with high-quality feed."

Alan nodded with a smile: "It seems Brother Yin and we didn't teach you in vain."

The servant chuckled, scratched his head, and continued:

"Brother Alan, at the Hou Fu, with experts like Brother Yin and Brother Xunshu sitting in charge, we didn't show much!"

"But around this Huyan family, those of us who came as part of the dowry are 'this' when it comes to the craft of taking care of horses!"

Saying this, the servant smiled and held up his thumb.

"In the surrounding families, if the horses have any problems, they mostly come to ask us for advice!"

Hearing this, Alan smiled with great satisfaction.

"Brother Alan, you and the Young Master went to the Northwest for these few months, tell us about your experiences in the Western Army."

A young servant walked over from the courtyard, holding a bamboo basket filled with pumpkin seeds, dried fruits, and meat jerky.

Handing the bamboo basket to Alan, the servant said with a smile: "Hehe, Sister Ye'er asked me to prepare it."

Alan looked at the servant squatting in front of him, whose eyes were full of curiosity, pinched a piece of dried fruit, thought for a while, and said: "Fine, let's not talk about the things after arriving under the Marquis's command first; I'll tell you about the things on the road."

"Brother Alan, what could have happened on the road!"

Alan's expression became solemn: "Eh! That's not right; how could nothing happen on the road? When the Young Master and I left Yulin for Shengzhou, it was just thick fog..."

Huyan family inner courtyard,

Under the corridor of the main room, which was made of dark, exquisite materials,

Ye'er supported the heavily pregnant Anmei standing there,

With several maidservants standing on both sides behind them,

Anmei stretched her neck and looked toward the courtyard gate: "Why hasn't Little Fifth come yet?"

"Madam, it's cold; you should go inside and wait! Just now the gatehouse said they saw Fifth Young Master; he'll be in the courtyard very soon!"

"What if they saw wrong?"

"Madam! How many horses like the one Fifth Young Master rides are there in Bianjing?! How could those people at the gatehouse see wrong!"

"That's true."

Ye'er glanced at the little maid behind her and said: "Go to the front courtyard and see, ask why Fifth Young Master hasn't come yet!"

The little maid responded and walked quickly toward the front courtyard.

Before long,

The little maid walked to the gate and was stunned.

She turned to the side and shouted toward Anmei's direction: "Madam, Fifth Young Master has arrived at the courtyard gate."

As soon as the words fell,

Xu Zaijing appeared at the courtyard gate, followed by Qingyun and Qingcao carrying things.

Anmei placed her hand on her big belly and looked at her little brother who was walking closer: "Little Fifth, the gatehouse said they saw you just now; why did it take so long to enter the courtyard?"

Xu Zaijing said with a smile: "Sister, I saw those two civet cats of yours in the front courtyard; they looked even cuter than the two we have, so I teased them for a while."

Anmei smiled and shook her head, reaching out a hand toward Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing smiled and also reached out his hand.

Although Anmei was older than Xu Zaijing and was about to become a mother, compared to Xu Zaijing, who had practiced martial arts for years, her palm still looked very delicate.

Anmei grabbed Xu Zaijing's wrist with one hand and stroked the calluses on Xu Zaijing's palm with the other.

She turned Xu Zaijing's hand over, looked at the chapped back of his hand after returning, and said: "When have I ever seen your hands like this before!"

"Sister, I was fighting for my life in the north; how could I take care of myself like at home."

"Also, Sister, it's already the beginning of winter; why are you waiting for me outside? I wouldn't have run away."

Anmei glared at Xu Zaijing and patted his hand: "Go, go inside!"

After entering the room and sitting down,

Anmei glanced at the wooden boxes in Qingyun and Qingcao's hands: "Didn't you say you were coming to my house in the afternoon? Why did you change it to the morning?"

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly at Ye'er, who was offering tea, and said: "The scholar has an appointment with a friend in the afternoon, and there is no school today, so I came directly."

Anmei nodded: "My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are busy managing accounts and can't get back in time."

Xu Zaijing held his teacup and said: "Let Aunt Pan not worry about me; I'll come again in a while."

Anmei rolled her eyes at her little brother, looked at the wooden box Ye'er was taking away, and said: "You come if you want, why bring things? Mother, Eldest Sister, and Sister-in-law have already sent me quite a few things; the storeroom is about to be full."

Xu Zaijing looked at Anmei: "Sister, these are many good medicinal materials obtained when clearing the Bai Gao palace in Xingqing Prefecture."

"They were first inspected by Brother Yu Huguang in the north, and after returning to the capital, they were personally checked by medical officers from the Imperial Academy; they are all good things."

"Yesterday, they were just rewarded to the house by the palace, and Mother had me bring some over today."

Anmei looked at Xu Zaijing and said: "Then will Father and Eldest Brother return to the capital before the New Year?"

Xu Zaijing's tone was hesitant: "I think Father probably won't return. The one leading the main army back to the capital will definitely be Old General Cao, and Bai Gao needs a great general to sit in command; Eldest Brother's qualifications are still not enough."

Anmei nodded, then looked up at Xu Zaijing: "Your brother-in-law, he..."

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly at the corners of his mouth: "I saw Brother-in-law once when I crossed the Yellow River."

"Hmm, is he doing well?"

"Didn't Brother-in-law write you a letter?"

Anmei glared at Xu Zaijing: "Letters, naturally I've received quite a few, but can I see him?"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Sister, rest assured, Brother-in-law is doing well in the north!"

"But, during the New Year, he might... also not be able to return."

"Oh..." Anmei touched her belly and replied.

Xu Zaijing continued: "Sister, now that the Northwest has won a new victory, with the foundation of the Huyan family, Brother-in-law needs to clear and smooth out the Yellow River transport; the distance from the Hehuang region to Xingqing Prefecture is quite long."

"This... isn't this the business of the Ministry of Works? Why did it fall to him?"

Looking at Anmei's anxious appearance, Xu Zaijing said: "Naturally, it's the business of the Water Department Physician in the Ministry of Works. But the Water Department doesn't have elite water soldiers like those under Brother-in-law's command! Someone entrusted it, and the Lu family begged Father."

Anmei was stunned: "That's true, after all, you and the Lu family's young duke are righteous brothers; it's only right to help."

Anmei nodded, and after a thought, looked at Xu Zaijing: "Little Fifth, then Brother-in-law putting in this much effort..."

"Brother-in-law's name will naturally be on the Ministry of Works' merit book."

"Brother-in-law is also doing it for him."

As he said this, Xu Zaijing looked at Anmei's belly.

"I heard from sisters in the capital before that when attacking the Bai Gao Qu region, it was your brother-in-law who built the pontoon bridge at night..."

Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly: "Sister, the merit you mentioned is not enough for what Brother-in-law wants."

Anmei: "Not enough? Does he really want..."

Xu Zaijing replied affirmatively: "When I parted with Brother-in-law at the Yellow River ferry, I heard from his words that he was thinking this way, so he agreed to this matter."

Anmei looked at Xu Zaijing: "Little Fifth, are there any good medicines for wind protection and cold prevention at home?"

"Sister! Father is over there! Can Great Zhou occupy so many Bai Gao cities and not have good medicinal materials? Can he let his little son-in-law have any problems?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" A smile appeared on Anmei's face.

"Madam, the kitchen says the dishes are ready."

A Huyan family nanny said from the side.

"Hmm, serve the dishes!"

Before long,

Xu Zaijing and Anmei stood up and sat down at the table to the side.

"Little Fifth, was the journey smooth?"

Xu Zaijing smelled the fragrance of the food: "Smooth, after leaving Bianjing, it was smooth all the way to Father's command."

"Then in the camp, what did you do all day?"

Xu Zaijing picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of hairtail fish: "What could I do, I spent the whole day wandering outside the camp with Jing Jing Biao Ge Zhu."

"Then when Father and the Bai Gao army had the decisive battle?"

Xu Zaijing sighed, put down his chopsticks and said: "Sister, I'm a scout! At that time, I was sent by Jing Jing Biao Ge to stand guard in the mountains!"

Without continuing to move his chopsticks, Xu Zaijing looked at Anmei.

"Oh! No wonder I didn't hear any news about you..."

After Anmei finished speaking, she waved her hand: "Eat! Eat quickly! Why are you being so restrained at your sister's house?"

"By the way, our house can sell horses now, Little Fifth, keep an eye out..."

Looking at Xu Zaijing picking up the hairtail fish with his chopsticks and looking at her, Anmei smiled and stopped talking.

After finally managing to eat a bite, Xu Zaijing said: "Sister, what kind of good horse doesn't the family have?"

"I'm not finding one for your brother-in-law!"

"Then who is it for?"

"Ouch!"

Xu Zaijing was startled: "Sister! What's wrong?"

Anmei smiled and shook her head: "The one in my belly is making trouble!"

Xu Zaijing exhaled in relief: "You scared me!"

Anmei laughed: "You're really making a fuss over nothing!"

Xu Zaijing pursed his lips.

With the startle, they didn't continue the previous topic.

Watching Xu Zaijing eating heartily, Anmei also ate a few more bites.

"By the way, Little Fifth, when will that imperial-gifted dragon colt give birth to a little foal?"

"Master says it will be in the twelfth lunar month... Sister, has the medical woman said about how long you will be...?"

Anmei nodded with a smile: "It's also in the twelfth lunar month."

Xu Zaijing sighed and said with great heartache: "If the dates are about the same, that little foal of Brother Xunshu's dragon colt will be his."

Hearing this sentence and looking at Xu Zaijing's heartache, the maidservants serving in the hall all laughed.

Anmei also smiled and touched her belly: "Eldest Sister-in-law's date is earlier than mine, so she definitely won't compete with him."

"Has a name been decided for the one in your belly?"

Anmei shook her head: "Not yet, wait until it's born to see if it's a boy or a girl!"

The siblings talked.

After finishing the meal,

Xu Zaijing was sitting in a chair drinking the same drink as at home,

A Huyan family maid came to the door and said: "Madam, the second gate sent word that the Sixth Young Master of the Marquis of Yongchang's mansion invites Fifth Young Master to go play in the evening."

"Got it."

Xu Zaijing said.

After the maid left the door,

Xu Zaijing looked at Anmei and said: "By the way, Sister! Have you heard any news or interesting stories about the Shoushan Earl Huang family?"

Anmei straightened her upper body, blinked, and just looked at Xu Zaijing like that: "Little Fifth, do you know how long your sister hasn't been out?"

"I haven't been out much since returning from Jinming Pool!"

"Oh..." Xu Zaijing said sheepishly.

"Although there are young sisters from the capital who are close to me who come to my house, I haven't heard any news about the Huang family. Why are you asking about the Huang family?"

Xu Zaijing explained a few sentences.

Anmei smiled: "Oh Little Fifth, can I ask my mother-in-law about this? The Pan family and the Earl of Yongping's family have some business dealings."

Xu Zaijing was stunned: "The Earl of Yongping's family? Are they still on good terms with the Shoushan Earl's family?"

The Countess of Yongping was the one who had widely publicized the Yuan family's scandal back then.

"Whether they are on good terms or not, the two madams have also been friends for many years, so naturally they know some things that others don't know."

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "Forget it, I was just asking casually."

Anmei: "Alright!"

In the afternoon,

The horses at the main gate of Huyan Jiong's mansion were no longer there.

In the inner courtyard room,

Anmei was sitting on a Luo Han bed, being diagnosed by Medical Woman Ren.

"Madam is here."

With the little maid's announcement, Madam Pan brought servants and maidservants in.

Smiling at Anmei and signaling her not to get up, Madam Pan said: "Has Jing-ge'er left?"

"Yes!"

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law didn't continue talking, just waited quietly for Medical Woman Ren to finish the diagnosis and leave.

Subsequently, Anmei and Madam Pan talked about some news regarding her husband.

Madam Pan nodded and said: "Since Jing-ge'er says so, it seems your husband won't be able to return for the New Year."

"Don't think too much, he's also doing it for the one in your belly."

Anmei nodded and then laughed.

Looking at Madam Pan's somewhat surprised expression, Anmei told her in a few sentences about Xu Zaijing wanting to send a little foal.

Madam Pan smiled and said: "Oh my! I've seen those divine horses of Jing-ge'er's; they are extremely spirited! The one in your belly is blessed."

"Mother-in-law, we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet!"

"That doesn't stop it from having a good horse!"

Whether boy or girl, they must learn to ride a horse after birth.

Jiying Lane

Sheng family

Weiruixuan

In the hall,

Wang Ruofu was standing at the door, her sleeve being pulled by Nanny Liu.

"Madam! You can't go find the Old Madam for this matter!"

Wang Ruofu frowned slightly and said: "The Gu family has started inquiring about people; isn't that preparing to arrange a marriage for their family's young lady? Can't my nephew ask a question? Her cousin is the future daughter-in-law of the Duke's family!"

"Sigh! Madam, don't you understand the situation of the Kang family?"

"My Kang family is also a family of officials for generations! Besides, I've already promised my sister."

Saying this, Wang Ruofu flicked her sleeve and walked toward Shou'an Hall.

Shou'an Hall,

Sheng Hong was sitting on half a buttock, talking to the Old Madam.

"Madam is here."

Little Tao, standing at the door, shouted crisply.

Wang Ruofu entered the hall, bowed to the Old Madam, and smiled at Sheng Hong.

"Madam, sit!"

"Thank you, Mother."

The Old Madam continued earnestly:

"Hong'er, returning to the ancestral land, you must be extremely attentive to the selection and appointment of officials for those two routes and twenty-two prefectures! Inquire and ask more, even if you offend people, you must not make any mistakes!"

Sheng Hong nodded heavily: "Mother, child understands! I will definitely inquire from many sides and investigate carefully to provide good advice to Minister Li."

The Old Madam nodded and then looked kindly at Wang Ruofu.

Seeing the Old Madam's gaze sweep over, Wang Ruofu smiled and said: "Mother, my sister from my maiden family came today and said she wanted to arrange a marriage for their family's Jin-ge'er."

Nanny Liu behind Wang Ruofu lowered her head and shook it slightly.

"Oh? Which family?"

"The Ningyuan Marquis family. Isn't their Third Da Niangzi inquiring about people? Madam Sun and Madam Bai are very close, and my nephew also..."

The Old Madam's smile disappeared.

Sheng Hong shook his head and said: "Hu Nao!"

"How is it nonsense?" Wang Ruofu asked back.

Looking at the Old Madam and Sheng Hong's appearance, Wang Ruofu continued: "That Madam Bai is of merchant origin; to match my nephew..."

"Match a...!"

Sheng Hong didn't say the dirty word. After glancing at the Old Madam, he said to Wang Ruofu: "You can even say that Madam Bai is of merchant origin?"

"This, it's what my sister said! And it's the truth!"

Sheng Hong pointed at Wang Ruofu hatefully: "Then do you know who requested the title for Madam Bai?"

"Who came first, Madam Qin or Madam Bai??? Hmm?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 412 =====