Chapter 499: Two happy events and the grand ceremony is approaching [Thanks! Bow! Owe 41k]

Chen hour, third quarter (before 8:00 AM)

Quyuanjie,

Yongyi Marquis Prefecture,

"Ouch!"

"Sister-in-law! It hurts! It hurts!"

In the wooden house beside the horse racing field, Alan's painful cry came out.

"?"

In the wide fence on the side,

several spirited horses, without any reins and completely bare, moved their ears, raised their heads, and looked curiously toward the wooden house.

"A man who has even been to Bai Gao, can't even bear this bit of pain?"

A woman's voice came.

Seeing that there was no movement afterward, the horses continued to flick their tails leisurely.

In the wooden house,

the furnace fire was very vigorous, and the copper water kettle on the iron furnace was steaming.

Xunshu, who was beside it, was only wearing close-fitting clothes, bending over, and was having his head washed by Mama Xia from Xu Zaijing's courtyard.

Not far from Xunshu, Alan was sitting in front of a table with a bronze mirror, and Flower Clear, Qingyun's wife, was standing behind him, holding a comb and organizing Alan's hair.

"Cha cha."

After Mama Xia finished washing Xunshu's hair, she handed out a towel.

After Xunshu took the towel, Mama Xia walked to the side and began to repeatedly strop the razor on a leather belt.

Uncle Yin, who was sitting on the side, drank a sip of wine, walked over, and helped Xunshu wipe his hair.

Mama Xia walked to Alan's side and used the razor to tidy up Alan's taut temples and the back of his neck.

A quarter of an hour later,

Flower Clear and Mama Xia stood beside the two, and after Flower Clear helped Alan pull the wrinkles on his clothes, she smiled: "After grooming, they are also handsome youths!"

Uncle Yin looked at Alan and Xunshu, who had groomed their hair and changed into new clothes, and nodded: "Mm! Finally, they look like they have military ranks."

Hearing these words, Alan and Xunshu's cheeks turned slightly red, and they looked at themselves in the bronze mirror somewhat embarrassedly.

When they came to Great Zhou, they wore sloppy sheepskin coats and spent their days serving horses, rarely grooming themselves.

Although there had been improvements after staying in the Xu family for a few years, they had never been treated like this today, with someone specifically combing their hair and using a razor to trim their temples.

"Zhi yo~"

The wooden house door was pushed open,

and Qingcao, who was holding several silk hair ribbons in her hand, walked in: "Sister-in-law, I think this blue hair ribbon is not bad, it can just cover the... on their foreheads."

Before she finished speaking, looking at the two in the house, a smile floated on Qingcao's face, and she said: "Oh my! Who are these two handsome youths?"

A burst of laughter came from the house again.

Subsequently, Flower Clear walked out: "I will go and tell the inner courtyard, we are preparing to leave!"

Looking at the boy feeding the horses not far away, Flower Clear shouted: "Chu Zhan! Go and lead the horses over, they have changed into new shoes, don't crowd them to the stables."

"Yes, sister-in-law!"

Soon, Flower Clear accompanied Mama Dan from beside Sun Shi and walked over.

Mama Dan looked at the two who had taken on a new look and used hair ribbons to cover the scars on their foreheads, nodded at Flower Clear with satisfaction, and said: "Not bad!"

After the two got on the carriage, Alan and Xunshu rode horses in front, and the carriage followed behind, walking toward the Marquis Prefecture's main gate.

Before they even left Quyuanjie,

they bumped into a group of men in casual clothes riding tall horses.

After Alan and Xunshu saw Zhu Qinghu at the head clearly, they hurriedly bowed and saluted.

Zhu Qinghu returned the salute out of habit, his eyes somewhat surprised, and said: "Alan, you two have changed too much!"

Di Jing, Ye Fang, Feng Dabao, and others beside him, who were personal soldiers of the Marquis Prefecture, or young officers like An Woyi and Meng Xizhou who had achieved merit in the Northwest, laughed one after another.

"Seen Commander Zhu! Everyone's changes are also very big!" Alan smiled and cupped his hands.

Everyone looked at each other, all somewhat embarrassed, especially Di Jing and Ye Fang who were wearing flowers.

The banquet at the Marquis Prefecture today was because Xu Zaizhang and Zaijing had passed the provincial examination, and these officers who had achieved merit in the Western Army and received rewards sent gifts, so the Marquis Prefecture expressed its gratitude and hosted a banquet.

As for other reasons, they guessed some from Zhu Qinghu's hint to "dress up well," and naturally they all dressed up.

"Where are you going?"

Alan continued: "Madam said, let us two go to the Duke of Yan's mansion."

Zhu Qinghu waved his hand with a smile: "Go!"

Watching Flower Clear and Mama Dan lift the carriage curtain in the carriage behind, Zhu Qinghu nodded in greeting and continued to walk toward the Marquis Prefecture.

Ma Er racing field,

horses ridden by Zhu Qinghu and the others were tied to the railings nearby,

the saddles had all been removed and pressed on the railings,

the autumn wind blew,

the mane on the horses' necks fluttered in the wind,

the horses lowered their heads from time to time,

eating a few mouthfuls of fine grain in the wooden horse trough under the railings comfortably.

Xu family's front courtyard side hall,

Zhu Qinghu, who was sitting in the front, raised his teacup and nodded to Yu Huguang beside him.

An Woyi, who was sitting near the entrance, smelled the teacup and looked intoxicated: "The tea in this Marquis Prefecture is really not ordinary."

Meng Xizhou on the side had already taken a sip of tea and nodded in agreement.

At this time,

the direction of the side hall toward the backyard came the sound of talking,

when everyone looked at the door,

they saw Xu Zaijing walking in while holding Xu Xingdai's little hand.

Seeing Xu Zaijing, everyone stood up and cupped their hands, calling "Fifth Young Master" and "Jing Ge'er."

Xu Zaijing smiled, cupped his hands, nodded in return, and reached out to introduce: "Everyone, this is my big nephew, Dai Ge'er!"

Xu Xingdai on the side also cupped his hands and said without stage fright: "Seen everyone! Everyone has worked hard!"

The crowd in the hall bowed to Xu Xingdai again.

Xu Zaijing looked at Zhu Qinghu and said: "Jing Jing Biao Ge, the main hall has already been prepared, Mother asked everyone to go over and talk."

Zhu Qinghu nodded: "Good!"

As he said this, he led the crowd toward the main hall.

In the main hall,

on one side of the screen,

Sun Shi was smiling and talking to Zhu Qinghu, Di Jing, and others sitting on the chairs.

"Fifth Young Master ordered them to report to the army, so they didn't go to Xingqing Prefecture with Fifth Young Master..."

Zhu Qinghu pointed to the lower seat and said.

An Woyi and Meng Xizhou, who were sitting in the lower seat, cupped their hands with regret on their faces.

Sun Shi nodded: "That is also a good man of our Great Zhou..."

On the other side of the screen,

Li Daniangzi sat between Xie Shi and Hualan, while Wang Ruofu sat beside Hualan.

Standing behind them were the five young ladies—Shu, Mo, Pin, Ru, and Ming—along with several of their personal nannies.

Xie Shi clutched her handkerchief, leaned toward Li Daniangzi's ear, and whispered: "The one sitting below Viscount Zhu is surnamed Di; he has repeatedly performed meritorious service in the Western Army. I heard from my father-in-law that he is already favored by the Emperor."

"The one sitting further down is surnamed Feng."

"The one speaking with Jing Ge'er is the grandson of the old medical officer Yu; he and Jing Ge'er have a very good relationship."

Upon hearing this,

Wang Ruofu, whose attitude had been quite casual, glanced outside, curled her lip slightly, shook her head, and thought to herself: 'He's a bit old,' hmm, like Lan Da.

Li Daniangzi leaned forward to look at the person outside the screen, watching without turning her head, then turned slightly and whispered: "He studies medicine?"

Xie Shi smiled, exchanged a look with Hualan, and said: "Yes! His medical skills are truly exquisite."

Watching Li Daniangzi nod unconsciously, Hualan smiled, looked back at Shulan, and said: "Aunt, this person is different from the others; whether it will work out or not remains to be seen."

"Yes, yes!" Li Daniangzi replied.

Afterward, Hualan lifted her chin toward Cuichan.

Cuichan walked around, went outside the screen, and whispered a few words to Mama Zhu.

Mama Zhu then whispered to Sun Shi.

After talking for a while longer,

Zaihang and Zhu Qinghu accompanied Di Jing, Feng Dabao, and the others toward the banquet tables.

Xu Zaijing was left in the main hall.

"Jing'er, have you inquired clearly about the matter of Medical Officer Yu having no betrothal?"

While Sun Shi was speaking, Wang Ruofu and Li Daniangzi walked out, accompanied by Xie Shi and Hualan, looking at Xu Zaijing with concern.

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Mother, rest assured, I have inquired about this very clearly!"

Sun Shi nodded: "Then after the banquet ends, when he comes to bid farewell... should I have Sister Shu stand by my side? That way, the two children can see each other!"

As she spoke, Sun Shi looked inquiringly at Li Daniangzi and Wang Ruofu.

Wang Ruofu smiled, and Li Daniangzi nodded repeatedly.

Xu Zaijing smiled as he watched the several young ladies walk out from beside the screen.

"Jing'er, this matter..."

Xu Zaijing bowed: "Whether it succeeds or not, I will certainly ask clearly."

"Good!"

At the end of the Wei hour (3:00 PM).

In the front courtyard of the Marquis's residence,

The guests were enjoying themselves.

After exchanging glances, the few who had not dared to drink too much at the banquet,

Di Jing raised his cup and said: "Third Brother, Fifth Brother, Leader Zhu, the hour is getting late. Shall we finish this cup and go to bid farewell?"

Zhu Qinghu nodded: "That works! Let's go say a word after we finish."

Afterward, everyone finished their drinks, and the maids of the Marquis's residence brought out sobering tea soup; another maid went to the backyard to inform Sun Shi of this.

After everyone finished the sobering soup, they walked directly toward the main hall.

"Big Brother Yu, please stay; I have a matter I would like to consult you about."

Hearing this, Zaihang led the others out, while Yu Huguang was left at the very back.

"Fifth Brother, what is it?"

"Big Brother Yu, an elder of a relative's family—the Sheng family of Jingying Lane—is the aunt of Master Sheng Hong, who serves in the Ministry of Personnel. Now that the old lady is advanced in age, she often... whenever you have time, Big Brother Yu, I would like to invite you to check her pulse."

"A small matter."

"Come, Big Brother Yu, let's have another cup."

After finishing the wine, the two walked slowly toward the main hall.

When they arrived nearby, they saw that Zhu Qinghu and the others had already walked out.

"Brother, you take Jing Jing Biao Ge and the others ahead first; we two will follow shortly."

Xu Zaijing said.

After hearing Zaihang agree, Xu Zaijing reached out his hand: "Big Brother Yu, please."

Yu Huguang smiled, nodded, and stepped into the main hall with Xu Zaijing.

"Today, thank you, Madam, for the hospi..."

Yu Huguang stood still in the hall, bowed with his hands cupped, and as he raised his head to speak, his gaze involuntarily fell upon Sheng Shulan, who was standing beside Sun Shi wearing a young lady's hairstyle.

"... hospitality."

Yu Huguang hurriedly lowered his head and finished his sentence.

Sun Shi turned her head to look at Shulan and instructed:

"Brother Guang, you are too polite! The wind is cool this afternoon, and you have been drinking; do not ride too fast on your way back!"

"Yes, yes!"

In the afternoon sunlight,

Xu Zaijing and Yu Huguang walked through the gates and corridors in the courtyard, heading toward the horse racing track.

Yu Huguang turned his head to look at Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge'er, why do you keep looking at me?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "It's nothing."

Yu Huguang nodded and opened his mouth as if to speak, but seeing Xu Zaijing turn his head to look straight ahead, he ultimately said nothing.

Arriving at the horse racing track,

There were not many horses left near the fence.

Someone was just stepping out of a carriage that had recently stopped.

Walking closer,

Xu Zaijing said to Hua Qing and Mama Dan, who had gotten off the carriage: "How did it go?"

Mama Dan and Hua Qing smiled, bowed to Xu Zaijing, exchanged a look, and said: "Reporting to Young Master, that nanny has three sons and one daughter; one is a Captain under the Marquis of Zhongjing, and two manage large estates for the Duke's residence on the outskirts of the capital."

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Not bad!"

Mama Dan nodded and whispered: "Nanny Du's daughter has taken a fancy to... that lad Xunshu."

Xu Zaijing was startled: "No, I thought Alan was more handsome; why..."

Mama Dan looked back at Alan and shook her head: "That silly lad is too honest! After going to the Du family, he was like a gourd with its mouth sewn shut; he didn't say a word."

"That girl thought Alan had someone else in his heart, so she didn't choose him."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing nodded: "This is truly..." He glanced at Yu Huguang and continued: "Truly a pity!"

"Who's to say it isn't!"

Mama Dan patted her clothes and said regretfully.

"Then, Young Master, shall we go report to Madam?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Go ahead."

Yu Huguang, who was standing to the side, walked toward his own mount.

Xu Zaijing walked over to help him tie the saddle.

Once the saddle was tied,

Yu Huguang untied the reins from the fence and prepared to mount.

Just as Xu Zaijing could no longer hold back and was about to speak, Yu Huguang, standing on the other side of the horse, said: "Fifth Brother, the young lady standing beside Madam today, who is she...?"

Xu Zaijing couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth: "Oh! That elder sister is a relative of the Sheng family! It's the one I just mentioned, the granddaughter of the old lady whose pulse I want you to check, Big Brother Yu."

"Oh!" Yu Huguang nodded, thinking of the conversation he had just heard, and hardened his heart: "I wonder if she is betrothed?"

Seeing Xu Zaijing nod with a straight face,

Yu Huguang's eyes widened, and he said with some disappointment: "Oh..."

Yu Huguang had already left.

In the backyard of the Xu residence,

In the main hall,

"Fifth Brother is back!"

The little maid at the entrance announced.

Li Daniangzi, who was drinking tea absentmindedly, immediately turned her head to look at the entrance.

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu, who was leisurely cracking melon seeds, pursed her lips imperceptibly.

Shulan looked at her mother with some embarrassment, then looked outside with hesitation in her eyes.

Lifting the curtain,

Xu Zaijing walked in with his head lowered and bowed: "Mother, Aunt!"

Seeing Xu Zaijing's actions,

The several young ladies standing to the side, along with their personal maids and nannies, all returned the bow to Xu Zaijing.

"Jing'er, how did it go?" Sun Shi asked.

Xu Zaijing smiled, looked at Shulan, sat down on a chair, picked up his teacup, and said: "Mother, Big Brother Yu said he wants to go check the pulse of the Sheng family's Great Old Madam as soon as possible!"

After finishing, Xu Zaijing, who had spoken a bit too much, lowered his head and began to drink tea.

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, everyone in the hall looked at each other, and the hall suddenly fell silent.

Li Daniangzi clutched her handkerchief and whispered: "This is..."

Shulan lowered her head.

Feeling the silence around him, Xu Zaijing, who hadn't finished his tea, raised his head and looked around in confusion.

Minglan, who was standing to the side, rolled her eyes and, taking advantage of her familiarity with Xu Zaijing from the school, said crisply: "Jing Jing Biao Ge Jing, do you mean that the big brother is anxious and wants to see the elders?"

As soon as Minglan finished speaking, Rulan pulled her sleeve, and after Minglan looked over, she hurriedly shook her head to signal her to stop talking.

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing put down his teacup and nodded repeatedly with a smile: "Sixth Younger Sister hit the nail on the head!"

The atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

Sun Shi nodded apologetically to Wang Ruofu and Li Daniangzi, then frowned at Xu Zaijing and said: "Next time, speak more clearly and directly!"

"Yes, Mother!"

Xu Zaijing smiled, stood up, and bowed.

Sun Shi shook her head helplessly: "Sit down!"

Wang Ruofu, who was to the side, also nodded with a smile, then suddenly looked back at Mama Liu and said: "Jing Ge'er, have you told that Young Master Yu about the fact that Shulan is already betrothed?"

Once these words were spoken,

The hall fell silent again, and everyone's expressions were different.

Xu Zaijing smiled and said: "Aunt, rest assured, I have already told Big Brother Yu about this! But he still wants to go check the pulse of the Great Old Madam!"

Pinlan listened to Xu Zaijing's words and smiled as she looked at Shulan, whose face had turned red.

Two days later,

Jingying Lane,

The Sheng residence,

At the second gate,

Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei walked with smiles on their faces toward the old Medical Officer Yu, who was stepping down from his carriage.

"Old Master, please take it slow!"

Sheng Hong reached out to support the old Medical Officer Yu and said.

"Thank you, Master Sheng!" The old Medical Officer Yu smiled.

Looking at Sheng Wei to the side, the old Medical Officer Yu nodded.

After Yu Huguang, who was carrying the medicine chest, walked over, Sheng Wei gestured and smiled: "Old Master, Young Master Yu, please come inside."

"Please."

Shou'an Hall,

Inside the hall,

The Great Old Madam sat on a chair with a kind smile, her sleeve rolled up, and her arm resting on the pulse pillow on the table.

Watching Yu Huguang checking her pulse, the Great Old Madam exchanged a look of satisfaction with the Old Madam.

On the other side,

Wang Ruofu sat below Sheng Hong and smiled at the old Medical Officer Yu: "Old Master, I heard from my relatives that Young Master Yu will be entering the palace in the next few days?"

"What the Madam says is true! The Emperor's birthday is imminent, and my old bones can no longer hold up, so I can only let Guang'er go."

Hearing this from the old Medical Officer Yu,

Sheng Wei and his wife looked at Yu Huguang with even greater satisfaction.

The old Medical Officer Yu had practiced medicine for many years and was an excellent judge of character.

Therefore, after looking at the face of Shulan, who was bringing him tea, the old medical officer's smile grew even brighter.

The next day,

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye, who had come for the rehearsal, were walking in front of the main hall.

"Jing Ge'er, why do I feel that the Emperor's grand birthday ceremony this time is much more spectacular than when we were children?"

Xu Zaijing looked at the colorful pavilions around them and nodded: "Ye Ge'er, you are not mistaken! What are you performing this time?"

Gu Tingye: "Hehe, naturally it's my Gu family spear technique! Look, that's the big spear I'm going to swing!"

(End of chapter)