[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son":3,"chapter-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-45":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Am the Xu Family's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2307823,4510,"Chapter 45: Broken House [Thank You for Your Support! Please Vote! Grateful!]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>While the servants of the Hou Fu were urgently reporting and trying to restrain the commotion, Princess Pingning, disregarding propriety, led her ladies-in-waiting in swift strides toward the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng was her first child after marrying into the Duke Prefecture; since childhood, he had been sensible and obedient, quick-witted and eager to learn, and she truly cherished him to the core of her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had allowed Qi Heng to follow only because she saw Xu Zaijing attending the birthday banquet and hoped her own child might grow closer to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never imagined that less than half an hour after he left, such a terrifying scene had unfolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Princess Pingning walked, one of her ladies-in-waiting spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess, the servants say Heng-ge didn’t get hurt—he didn’t even know what happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph! This Rong family truly has the audacity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Princess Pingning also saw the guests gathered by the flower gate, watching the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send several capable ladies-in-waiting to escort the female guests away from that flower gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Princess Pingning continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the servants supporting the Rong family of Fuchang Hou were just catching sight of Princess Pingning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady of Fuchang Hou shot Princess Pingning a hostile glance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and snapped: “This is how the old noble families treat their guests? Hmph, what kind of trash!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning ignored her entirely, walking straight to her son’s side and carefully inspecting him—she saw no dust on his body, no disheveled braids or anything amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nearby page whispered quietly to Princess Pingning, speaking briefly and without fluff, summarizing the situation in just a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the ball didn’t just strike someone—it hit his head. Of course he’d be startled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buwei added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child this age, if startled so severely, could lose his spirit and grow weak; whether he fell ill or not, and how serious it might be, was hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worst case would be...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning’s breathing grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing the female guests nearby still entertaining themselves, their watching eyes made Princess Pingning take a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all her life, she had never endured such humiliation; her hands trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Princess Pingning bent down to pick up her son, she noticed Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and the others standing nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing-ge, good child. Someone, tell the guests to resume their merriment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Princess Pingning glanced once more at the female guests gradually dispersing near the flower gate and sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families already at odds with the Hou Fu or the Duke Prefecture now had fresh gossip to spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, Xu’s little page was amazing—he took down so many people by himself,” said Qi Heng, nestled in the Princess’s arms; his eyes showed no fear, only excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then waved his tiny arms around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning looked at her son—unfrightened, his eyes brimming with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you’re older, Mother will find you a master to study both literature and martial arts, shall we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, mother and son walked toward the main chamber of the Hou Laohou of Hou Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second son of the Duke, Princess Pingning’s husband, had already come over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Heng alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s fine—he’s even insisting on learning martial arts. It’s all thanks to Xu’s Jing-ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the couple walked, Princess Pingning briefly recounted the events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Rong family is growing more lawless by the day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who can blame them? They have the imperial consort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think the Rong family will let this go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They have their imperial consort—we’re not soft targets either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Er took his son from his wife’s arms, and the two continued toward the Hou Fu’s main chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the commotion over, the female guests resumed their merriment, laughing and gossiping about the Rong family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Miss of the Qin family moved like a plum blossom revived with life—her pace was quicker than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, what’s the matter? You seem in high spirits,” said her maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you see the technique that Xu’s third young master’s page used just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It looked somewhat... Miss, are you saying that was truly an Yin family lad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have your sweetheart investigate. If it’s true, we’ll need to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Miss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Sun Shi and Bai Shi, the two senior ladies, learned of the incident, it was already over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing her son hadn’t been harmed but had struck Rong’s son with the ball, Sun Shi felt a pang of worry—but then she relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed her son had done nothing wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging from the Xu family’s recent standing, they were clearly aligned with the Empress’s faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua’s appointments had all been secured with the help of the Cao family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning had been raised at the Empress’s side; to insult her was to insult both the Empress and the Hou Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the banquet, the Hou Fu showed no sign of disdain toward the Rong family and exchanged cups and toasts with the Rong patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian’s face bore two red marks from the ball—he couldn’t show himself before guests and returned early with his mother to the Fuchang Hou residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the guests of the Hou Fu departed, the Lady of the Rong family and Rong Xian had already reached the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady of the Rong family’s face was flushed with fury; beside her, Rong Xian had shed his earlier aggression and now looked pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I was just playing ball at the Hou Fu when the Gu and Xu boys came to bully me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They used their status as old Beijing nobles to call our Rong family bricklayers and broken-down households.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only argued with them a few words, and they used their numbers to beat our servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to calm things down, but that Xu third son threw the ball straight at my brother’s face! Your Majesty, our family is being crushed under their cruelty! Waaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, the Lady of the Rong family began to weep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the couch, the Rong Consort looked no more than twenty; her favor with the Emperor was no accident—she was a beauty of heavenly grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her black hair flowed smoothly, her skin as pale and flawless as jade; her fingers, exposed from her sleeves, were slender and delicate. Though long married into the palace, her eyes remained bright and innocent—any man who saw her would be awestruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian, now old enough to understand matters of men and women, sat quietly beside her after his tearful plea, too timid to stare directly at his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only sneak glances at the exquisitely embroidered shoes on her feet, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rong Consort did not respond to her family’s words; every gesture carried innate nobility. She turned to her mother and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, how is our younger sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine—obedient, adorable, eats well and sleeps soundly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Mother, our family rose to power solely because of the Emperor’s favor—we should have used this chance to ally with noble houses, not provoke the Duke family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hou Fu earned his title saving the Emperor’s life; the Princess is his only daughter; Heng-ge is her heart’s treasure!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rong Consort’s voice was sweet and unhurried; after listening, Rong Xian looked up at his sister with admiration and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, Mother says Princess Pingning is slandering you among the noble ladies, tarnishing our Rong family’s name. They fear the Qi family—I don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Rong Xian’s mother’s eyes flickered with guilt; she stole a glance at her daughter—and sure enough, the Rong Consort’s gaze was filled with reprimand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rong Consort continued: “Mother, you and Brother should return home soon. I will go before the Emperor and beg for forgiveness. Xian-ge, you must not leave the house these days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rong Consort ignored her brother; her lady-in-waiting bowed slightly, gesturing for them to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady of the Rong family and Rong Xian rose and, under the lady’s guidance, departed the palace in a sedan chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the palace gate, they stepped down; the Rong Consort’s lady-in-waiting still followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, the Consort had words she couldn’t say in person: Xu’s Jing-ge is a good lad. Once you leave the palace, don’t dare plot anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, gifts to compensate the Duke family are already on their way—tomorrow, you must go to the Qi family to apologize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And remember: the young man from our household serving in the Imperial Guards has a superior who was once a personal guard of the Hou Fu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lady-in-waiting turned and left; several palace attendants carried the gifts onto the Rong family’s carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the lady departed, she spotted a middle-aged maid of about forty, who bowed respectfully: “Lady Kong, greetings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fell out of the top 100 of the new book—crying. Dear readers with votes, please support me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(づ￣3￣)づ\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1480,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7af2ee78b87aab845695f152382180445b322ccc4056089c6a535e469ca3644f","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-46","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-44",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]