Chapter 480

The next day,

The exact hour of Si (after 9:00 AM)

Quyuan Street,

Zou Daniangzi was spinning thread under the shade of a tree at the door,

Zou Xiao Mei, who was standing beside her, was poking her head and looking at the entrance of the Hou Fu.

"Get to work!"

Zou Daniangzi said with a frown.

"Oh, oh!"

Zou Xiao Mei hurriedly sat back to help her sister spin thread, and smiled as if her great revenge had been avenged: "Sister, that bad boy Chu Zhan cried."

Zou Daniangzi rolled her eyes at her sister: "We do not know who cried until they were out of breath when leaving Yuzhou and saying goodbye to their little sisters."

Hearing her sister's words, Zou Xiao Mei put away her playful face and lowered her head gloomily.

At the entrance of the Hou Fu,

Qingyun smiled and touched Chu Zhan, who was wiping his tears.

Not far from them, the Li family's Taotie, Li Chi Mei brothers, and Xu Zaijing were standing there,

Beside the Li brothers stood several boys and girls with red eyes.

"Brother Chu Zhan, we are leaving, can we still see each other in the future?"

One of the little girls said in Great Zhou language with an accent.

Li Li Chi Mei smiled and rubbed the little girl's hair: "We are just moving, not parting forever. You will naturally have a chance to meet."

Chu Zhan nodded: "When you arrive at your new home, if anyone dares to bully you, come find me and tell me, I will vent your anger for you."

"Yes, yes!"

The children around the Li brothers nodded repeatedly.

"Brother Chu Zhan, we are leaving, the Zou brothers will not bully you, right?"

"They dare not!"

Further away from Xu Zaijing, Zhao Meifeng stood with his subordinates watching this scene.

Zhao Meifeng's eyes were calm, but his chest was rising and falling more than usual at times, obviously taking deep breaths to adjust his emotions.

At this time, Seeing Alan wiped his sweat with his rolled-up sleeves and walked over:

"Young Master, the things of the two young masters have all been packed."

Li Li Chi Mei smiled and patted Seeing Alan on the shoulder: "Hard work, let's go drink together later!"

Seeing Alan smiled and looked at Xu Zaijing, then nodded.

Li Taotie looked at the several carriages lined up along the entrance of the Hou Fu and said with emotion: "There was nothing when we came. Moving house this time, I only realized there were so many things when we left."

Xu Zaihang on the side smiled and said: "After so many years, can the things bought during festivals be less?"

Looking at the pots and pans for daily life on the carriage, the paper kites and windmills played in spring, the mohere, valley boards in summer, the lanterns after the Spring Festival, as well as wooden swords, small bows and arrows, etc., the Li brothers smiled and nodded.

Under the gate hole behind Xu Zaijing and the others,

The aunt of the Li brothers, who was born into a Bai Gao noble family, pressed her palms together and bowed to Sun Shi and other Xu family mistresses and Daniangzi.

Sun Shi, with her daughters-in-law, smiled and returned the salute.

Watching their aunt walk over,

The Li brothers hugged Xu Zaihang, Xu Zaijing, Qingyun, and Chu Zhan one after another, then cupped their hands and said: "Third Young Master, Fifth Young Master, then we will leave first."

Xu Zaihang smiled, cupped his hands, and nodded.

Xu Zaijing smiled and said: "If there is a chance, I will go to your house to drink."

"Our brothers will definitely sweep the bed and wait."

After the two brothers finished speaking, they waited for the children to get on the carriage, then mounted their horses and left.

Watching the carriages and horses go far away,

Several soldiers of the Imperial City Guard beside Zhao Meifeng also followed up.

Zhao Meifeng walked to Xu Zaijing's side and waved at the Li brothers who looked back, just like Xu Zaijing.

After putting down his arm,

Zhao Meifeng nodded again to Sun Shi and the others in the gate hole.

Watching Xu Zaihang follow Sun Shi and the others into the courtyard, Zhao Meifeng looked at Xu Zaijing and said: "Fifth Young Master, are you not going back?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said: "There is nothing to do at home, it is better to go directly to the Sheng family, and I can learn for more than half a day."

Zhao Meifeng smiled and nodded.

"Brother Zhao, why do you look so haggard today?"

"Is there?"

Zhao Meifeng touched his face.

Watching Xu Zaijing and Qingyun both nod, Zhao Meifeng smiled helplessly: "Let's talk on the road."

Soon,

Xun Shu led the little Li Ju, and the Hou Fu coachman drove the carriage out.

On the way to the Sheng family,

Zhao Meifeng scanned the pedestrians and commoners on the surrounding streets and said: "His Majesty's birthday is approaching, and things in the department are complicated. Today I also came out to take a walk because of the Li brothers moving house, and I will go back later."

Xu Zaijing said: "How did the craftsmen team of Zezong's maternal grandfather repair the Li brothers' house in these few months?"

Zhao Meifeng praised: "It is quite good! After the eunuchs in the palace looked at it for His Majesty, they were very satisfied."

Xu Zaijing nodded slightly.

For a while, neither of them spoke. After a while, Zhao Meifeng said: "Fifth Young Master, have you heard about the Sheng family main house affair yesterday?"

Xu Zaijing was startled: "Sheng family main house? What happened?"

Zhao Meifeng explained in a few sentences.

Xu Zaijing said: "I do not know about this matter, Sixth Young Master and the others... are really something."

"Fifth Young Master, how do you think the Sheng family will deal with this matter?"

Xu Zaijing thought for a while: "Now that this Sun scholar's imperial examination future is undecided, in order to avoid the Sun family's entanglement and Sun scholar's striving to make a name for himself, the Sheng family main house will mostly deal with this matter in a low-key manner."

Zhao Meifeng looked ahead, and after listening to Xu Zaijing's words, said: "Fifth Young Master, actually, that Sun scholar will likely not make a name for himself."

Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Meifeng with confusion and said: "Brother Zhao, he became a scholar at twelve after all, although he has not passed the provincial examination for many years, but..."

Zhao Meifeng turned his head to look at Xu Zaijing: "Before, when I spoke in front of His Majesty, I had heard about this Sun scholar! Actually, he is just an auspicious sign used by officials to celebrate His Majesty's birthday."

"Fifth Young Master, do not look at me like this. I have naturally asked His Majesty for permission to tell you this."

Xu Zaijing felt relieved after listening, cupped his hands and said: "That is good! Thank you, His Majesty, and thank you, Brother Zhao, for this."

Zhao Meifeng smiled: "Hmm, then I will go back."

"Brother Zhao, walk slowly."

Watching Zhao Meifeng lead people away, Qingyun on the side drove his horse to Xu Zaijing's side: "Young Master, no wonder that Sun scholar failed the examination repeatedly."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

Sheng family school,

"Scholar, the student is back."

Zhuang scholar, who was stroking his beard and reading, raised his head, looked at Xu Zaijing and his servant standing at the door, and nodded with satisfaction: "Come in."

While Xu Zaijing was putting away the book box,

Changfeng whispered on the side: "Jinggeer, why are you still coming to school! If it were me, I would come tomorrow."

Gu Tingye in front of Xu Zaijing did not turn his head, but his head nodded slightly to show approval.

"Thinking that you guys are actually studying for half a day more than me, I feel uncomfortable all over."

Behind the table, Zhuang scholar on the Luo Han chair seemed to have read to a wonderful place and nodded with self-satisfaction.

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, the classmates,

Changfeng was dumbfounded: "Ah?"

Changbai, who was sitting in the front, had a smile on the corner of his mouth, shook his head helplessly, and continued writing.

Qi Heng behind Changbai, and Gu Tingye on Qi Heng's right, both turned their heads in surprise and looked at Xu Zaijing.

Rulan looked at Minglan with incomprehension and said: "Sixth sister, is what Jing Jing Biao Ge Jing said true or false?"

Minglan's tone was uncertain: "Jing Jing Biao Ge he gets up early to study with Brother Changbai every day, it should be true."

At noon,

Cui Mama brought the Sheng family servants to send lunch to the school.

As soon as she entered the school,

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who was sitting in the corner organizing his desk, Cui Mama said with a look of surprise: "Oh my, Fifth Young Master, why are you here? The kitchen did not prepare lunch for you..."

Xu Zaijing stood up and smiled: "Cui Mama, it is fine. I just happen to go to the courtyard of the Great Aunt to have a meal. Speaking of which, I have not eaten the food from the small kitchen for a long time."

Cui Mama smiled and nodded after hearing this.

Subsequently, Xu Zaijing said goodbye to Zhuang scholar and followed Cui Mama toward the inner courtyard.

Zhuang scholar looked at the food on the table in front of him, seemed to think of something, and smacked his lips with nostalgia.

On the way to Shou'an Hall,

"Cui Mama, how is the Great Aunt's health recently?"

"Old Madam's health is very good."

"I heard that Cui Mama is helping Minglan's mother manage the affairs in the courtyard?"

Cui Mama nodded with some embarrassment: "After the Kang family affair, there must be someone in charge in the family."

Xu Zaijing nodded in agreement.

As they talked,

The few soon arrived not far outside the Shou'an Hall courtyard.

"Fifth Young Master, wait a moment, I will go tell the Old Madam."

After Xu Zaijing nodded, Cui Mama walked quickly into Shou'an Hall.

When Xu Zaijing entered the courtyard,

Cui Mama was already standing at the door with a smile, lifting the curtain and waiting for him.

Entering Shou'an Hall,

Xu Zaijing walked a few steps, bowed, and cupped his hands: "Great Aunt, Great Aunt Ci'an! Greetings to the two aunts! Greetings to Jing Jing Biao Ge Shulan and Jing Jing Biao Ge Pinlan."

Shulan and Pinlan, who were sitting in the lower seat, hurriedly stood up and bowed.

After Xu Zaijing finished greeting everyone, he straightened up and nodded to Seeing Wei Shuyi, who was standing behind Wang Ruofu with an apologetic look on her face.

Seeing Wei Shuyi was in charge of the house now and did not prepare lunch for Xu Zaijing, so she felt a bit sorry.

"Jinggeer, sit!"

Old Madam said with a smile.

The Great Aunt also had a face full of smiles and nodded kindly.

Wang Ruofu looked satisfied, while Li Daniangzi squeezed out a smile with some bitterness on her face.

Watching Xu Zaijing sit down, Old Madam smiled and said: "Was it not said before that the two Li family viscounts living in the Hou Fu moved house today? Why did you come back, Jinggeer?"

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly: "Great Aunt, both were sent away! But thinking that Changbai studied for half a day more than me, I felt uncomfortable, and I missed the food in the small kitchen of Shou'an Hall, so I wanted to come and have a meal."

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, everyone in the hall laughed.

Shulan, whose face was not very good, had a smile on the corner of her mouth, but after thinking of something, the smile disappeared quickly.

Pinlan, who was not very old, looked at Xu Zaijing with curiosity: Yesterday, that Sun scholar was picked out by the noble children who were on good terms with the person in front of her.

"Suqin, let the kitchen serve the dishes."

"Yes, Old Madam."

After finishing, Old Madam stood up and said: "Old sister-in-law, let's go to the side hall for the banquet! This boy has a big appetite, let's not sit at the same table with him! Jinggeer, just tell Cui Mama whatever you want to eat."

Xu Zaijing stood up, smiled, and cupped his hands to say yes.

After Cui Mama served the food to Xu Zaijing,

After eating for a while,

Old Madam walked in, supported by Fang Mama.

After sitting opposite Xu Zaijing, who was burping, Old Madam said:

"Jinggeer, speak! What is the matter with you coming here at noon?"

Watching Xu Zaijing's hesitant expression, Old Madam continued:

"Today, neither I nor Daniangzi called Changbai and Changfeng over for a meal. You naturally know that there are things we do not want them to hear!"

"You still came at this time, there must be something."

Xu Zaijing scratched his head and said: "Great Aunt, there really is something. I heard from the Imperial City Guard's Master Zhao..."

In the evening,

Shou'an Hall,

Old Madam sat on the Luo Han chair, took a sip of tea from the tea cup,

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong sat on the chair in the lower seat, nodding in a listening manner, and said: "Mother, this is the first time I have heard about Sun scholar!"

Old Madam took a sip of tea, put down the tea cup, picked up the round fan and fanned it lightly, and said: "At that time, we were thousands of miles away in Quanzhou, and your Wei brother was busy with shop business in the capital, so he could not figure out the rights and wrongs of it."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly.

Old Madam said: "By the way! I heard you mention before, Hong'er, that Master Hong served in the East Road of Huainan after passing the examination. Perhaps you can inquire about this from him and ask clearly about the reasons."

The round fan shook lightly, and Old Madam continued: "Speaking of which, if it were not for that sentence from the Emperor in the palace, no one would think of this matter."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly:

"Mother is right!"

"Brother Wei and the aunt were also afraid of doing things too absolutely, forcing a person who became a scholar at twelve to be anxious, turning a happy event into hatred, and forcing an opponent for our family."

"If what Jinggeer said is true, the aunt and the others can also feel relieved."

Old Madam nodded lightly and glanced at Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong.

After Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong and Old Madam looked at each other, he stood up and said: "Then I will go to Brother Hong's house to consult now."

Old Madam smiled and waved the round fan: "Go."

A few days later,

On the way to outside Bianjing City,

Sun scholar leaned in the carriage with a disappointed face,

In the carriage,

On the side, Sun scholar's mother held a bundle, frowned and said: "I say son, what is wrong with us? Did the Sheng family not say to let you study in Bianjing? Why suddenly want us to go back to Youyang?"

Sun scholar leaned against the carriage wall, looking at the street outside the window in boredom, and said: "The Sheng family said that there are many learned scholars in Bianjing and the competition is fierce, it is better to go to Youyang to participate in the provincial examination."

"Oh~" Sun mother nodded and continued: "No wonder when we left, the Sheng family gave me another bag of silver! This is afraid that we will have no food to eat when we go back to Youyang! Really rich!"

"Silver?"

"Is my son doing well in the capital?"

"Replying to the Princess, the Heir's arrow wound has long since healed, though it aches somewhat when it's cloudy or rainy."

"That is good then."

"I heard from those below that the Master wishes to chant scriptures and pray for blessings for the Prince. I wonder where you will chant them? Is the Buddhist hall in the residence suitable?"

"Princess, the place for chanting scriptures should naturally be as close to the faithful as possible; the Buddhist hall in the residence is the best place."

"Then, Master, please."

As she spoke, the Princess of Yong stood up and gestured.

Subsequently, the Princess of Yong walked along the veranda with the monk toward the Buddhist hall.

Halfway there,

The monk suddenly stopped and looked at the sky above the Prince's residence with a look of surprise.

"What is wrong, Master?"

The Princess of Yong asked hurriedly.

The monk hurriedly lowered his head and said: "Princess, nothing, it was just this poor monk's eyes playing tricks on me. Let us continue."

The Princess of Yong looked at the monk, nodded, and continued walking forward.

Upon entering the Buddhist hall,

The monk looked at the Prince's residence maidservants and mamas who had followed and said: "Princess, please have these few stand a bit further away, so it is convenient for this poor monk to chant scriptures and pray for blessings."

The Princess of Yong waved her handkerchief,

And soon the others retreated far away to the wide-open doorway of the Buddhist hall.

Only the monk and the Princess of Yong remained in the Buddhist hall.

The monk sat cross-legged on the prayer mat in front of the offering table, looked at the spirit tablet enshrined behind the offering table, pressed his palms together, and said in a voice only he and the Princess of Yong could hear:

"Princess, I wonder if the ashes of the traitor that the Heir entrusted someone to bring back earlier are also here?"