[{"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-50":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},2307828,4510,"Chapter 50: Scrubbing","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-50",50,"\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing’s personal attendant, Qing Yun mostly played the role of a training partner and fellow traveler who grew up alongside him, a comrade he could one day trust with his life on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing married, had children, and eventually moved out to live separately, Qing Yun would most likely become his steward or household manager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the choice Xu Zaijing faced was among actual female servants who would handle part of his clothing and sleep beside him daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was even a required subject: warming the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Xu Zaijing took a wife, she might even become his concubine or bed companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head and drove these thoughts from his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Subordinate. Subordinate.” He repeated to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept across the faces of all the future maids in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of their eyes held confusion; a few of the more perceptive ones gazed at Xu Zaijing with hopeful anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing pointed to the smallest, skinniest, darkest-skinned girl among them and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This humble maid’s name is Qingcao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How old are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This humble maid is six years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned back to Qing Yun and said: “Your name’s not so different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Yun snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Dan spoke up loudly beside them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The girls chosen by the young masters and mistresses, step forward and recognize your masters. Later, follow Sister Zhu to the side courtyard to learn the rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Xiao Dan returned to Sun Shi’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, Xu Zaijing and his two brothers continued their studies; the two sisters practiced knotting, embroidery techniques, and visited the kitchen to learn cooking from the cook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, Qing Yun whispered to his master: “Master, why didn’t you pick one of the prettier ones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing Yun, I’m no saint.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Help one if you can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What if I end up raising a girl who looks like some star from my past life? I couldn’t handle that. By the way, who did I like?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winter’s cold was unbearable; when Xu Zaijing first arrived, he thought he’d suffer through the winters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But over these years, he realized he’d been lucky in his rebirth—he suffered no hardship, no misery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Kaifeng, this supercity, used coal, not wood charcoal, almost at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing had heard Wu Da Niangzi and his own mother say that\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning’s maternal family bore the surname Chai, and the Chai family was the power behind the Zhou Dynasty’s top coal merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the Zhou Dynasty’s coal trade belonged to the Chai family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing inwardly whistled—Qi Heng was truly born into luxury; every ancestor above him was nobility, not ordinary meritocrats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning’s maternal grandparents were the bosses of coal barons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After years of observation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing had seen that even honeycomb coal had been developed by Chai family craftsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Street vendors in Kaifeng used honeycomb coal to heat soup and tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even upscale establishments like Pan Lou had honeycomb coal beneath their food boxes to keep meals warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea and broth kept ready in Sun Shi’s room were also warmed by honeycomb coal stoves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, heated beds and heated walls were already common in Kaifeng’s housing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wealthy households burned charcoal all day to heat their walls and beds, and used incense burners to warm the rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing had once visited Wu Da Niangzi’s home when she had just given birth to Liang Liu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the north wind howled and water froze on contact; inside, Wu Da Niangzi wore summer-autumn clothes and still felt too warm, the air filled with a soothing, fragrant scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient nobles truly lived no worse than modern people—but only a tiny few. The common masses still starved and froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xu household lacked the Liang family’s extravagance, yet no one ever froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Xu Zaijing’s young mind didn’t dwell on it—he simply had a blacksmith forge an iron stove for his master’s cottage and attached a chimney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even added a water tank to the stove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master said nothing, but he greatly appreciated it; when clearing snow or feeding the horses, his shoes and clothes always grew damp and cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But laid atop the water tank, they dried completely by midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cottage stayed warm and dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This comfort meant more to him than any gold or silver—it was his disciple’s filial devotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two years ago, the Liang family’s servants saw the iron stove, reported it to Wu Da Niangzi, and the Xu household gained another source of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Kaifeng, many noble and wealthy households began installing miniature versions of this iron stove in their carriages, with the water tank mounted on the carriage body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before traveling, they heated the water tank and suffered far less from cold and wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Fu\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Female Servants’ Courtyard\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future female servants chosen by the five young masters and mistresses all lived in this courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu, Sun Shi’s maid, waved her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Servants carrying charcoal lit the courtyard’s heated walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large cauldrons connected to the heated walls were filled with water; old women pulled the bellows, and the stoves roared to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An enormous bathtub was carried into the room by the old women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu wasted no time, teaching the young maids how to use the honeycomb coal stoves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also explained the daily routines of the five young masters and mistresses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, the five young maids stood respectfully in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember this: Hou Fu enforces military discipline. Without the master’s permission, climbing into a young master’s bed means immediate execution!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without the master’s permission, engaging in illicit relations with a male servant means immediate execution!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you develop affection for someone, you must report it to Lady Sun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For your own lives, remember this well, sisters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young maids, having undergone basic “onboarding training” at the slave market, bowed in unison:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, thank you, Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu nodded slightly, and several old women pulled out scissors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some trembled—among them, Qingcao, chosen by Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Extend your hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old women inspected and trimmed each girl’s fingernails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the large iron cauldron outside had boiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buckets of hot water were carried in on wooden tubs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden door was loosely sealed with long cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu looked at the girls and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re all sisters. Take off your clothes and let down your hair. The old women will check for lice—those who have any, stand aside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slave market was highly professional; the old women carefully examined the girls’ scalps and found no lice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came thorough scrubbing and washing by the old women, followed by trimming of toenails, after which the five girls, hair loose, changed into new clothes and fresh bedding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu pointed to the iron stove and water tank by the window and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the water tank—you may get close to dry your hair! But don’t get too close to the stove, or you’ll burn your hair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one is allowed to sleep until their hair is dry. If caught sleeping with wet hair, ten strikes on the palm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I find any of you sleeping with wet hair while serving the young masters or mistresses, ten lashes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this punishment, Qingcao trembled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something unpleasant seemed to be attacking her memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sleeping with wet hair causes skin boils, thinning hair, and makes you prone to colds. For your masters’ health and your own, be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingcao, tomorrow you must rise early—Jing Ge practices martial arts earlier than the others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Zhu, is there someone who will call me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There will be old women on gate duty who knock on your door—stay alert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, thank you, Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Zhu left the courtyard to report back to the main lady’s quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Sun Shi’s maids remained in the room to oversee matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girls, now in new clothes with loose hair, began chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those unfamiliar with the stove and water tank gathered curiously nearby, intuitively brushing their hair to dry it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When their hair was dry, everyone was too tired to keep their eyes open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao crawled into bed; the Yongyi Marquis House wasn’t rich enough to give servants cotton quilts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the heated wall and many people, the room was quite warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much better than the lodging at the labor agency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young girl, drowsy from fatigue, dried her hair and lay on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the bath had been too soothing; she didn’t react when someone touched her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too weary to check her itchy ears and hands, she fell asleep in the warm quilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her drowsy sleep, she felt someone pushing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao jolted awake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Qingzhi, who had come to the Marquis House with her, older than her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A maid just pushed open the door.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, thank you, sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking, Qingcao began dressing by the dim glow of the stove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other girls were still lost in dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened the door and stepped out—a chilling wind blew directly into her face, suffocating her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she braved the wind and walked to the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auntie, I’m the Third Young Master’s maid—I’m here to serve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Don’t go to the Third Young Master’s courtyard. Go to the horse racing field.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And stop by the kitchen to get him a pot of hot water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Auntie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao carried the hot water pot; the cold wind bit at her, and the places that had itched last night now ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the path outside the horse racing field, Qingcao heard a loud, rhythmic “dong-dong-dong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning light, she saw the young master—several years older than her—drawing his bow and shooting arrows; the sound came from arrows striking shields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Young Master, your water has come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you for the support of our esteemed readers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please invest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All kinds of requests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1666,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","23af3c61ccf8cce996067ffe94e46d87783a5f33142d5e5b3c8129cd43ce41b9","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-51","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-49",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]