Chapter 508: Light and Agile, Gentle and Supple [Many Thanks! Bowing Again! 45k Words Owed]

"Bravo!"

"Excellent!"

Hearing the cheers from not far away,

Sheng Hong, atop the earthen mound, leaned forward to look in the direction of the sound.

Lord Liu, invited to accompany them, made the same movement beside him.

"What is happening over there?"

Kang Kang Haifeng asked.

"Go take a look!"

"Yes."

Dong Rong, who had just rested briefly until his breathing steadied, ran down the slope once more.

This time took a bit longer;

by the time Dong Rong returned, Sheng Hong and the others were already seated in armchairs, having drunk two cups of wine.

"How is it?"

Dong Rong bowed with hands clasped, panting heavily as he said:

"My lord, it is... it is the young masters from several noble marquis and duke households in the capital selecting horses over there!"

Upon hearing this,

a certain colleague invited by Sheng Hong asked in confusion: "Do the scions of dukes and marquises still need to come here to select horses?"

Kang Kang Haifeng, holding up his wine cup to mask the slight mockery curling his lips, drained the cup in one go and said:

"Lord Yan, surely you do not think the herd of horses before these young masters is the same as the one we just saw?"

The official called Lord Yan glanced at Lord Liu in confusion: "Is it not the same?"

Lord Liu, a peer of Sheng Hong from the same examination year, shifted his eyes and turned aside: "Brother Sheng?"

Sheng Hong said: "Why don't we go over? Whether it is the same or not, we will know at a glance!"

At these words, the others all nodded in agreement.

On the path down the earthen mound,

Kang Kang Haifeng tugged Sheng Hong's sleeve,

and Sheng Hong, understanding the hint, slowed his pace.

Kang Kang Haifeng jerked his chin toward that Lord Yan and whispered: "What is this Yan fellow's background? I know he served in the Southeast, but when I asked how he was promoted to Bianjing, he would not say."

Although the Kang family had somewhat declined, it had once been at its peak; having been in Bianjing for so many years, Kang Kang Haifeng still knew quite a few officials.

He also knew that the Emperor had previously suppressed many promotions for officials from the Southeast region.

With Lord Yan being such a 'special case,' he was naturally curious.

Sheng Hong blinked, his tone casual as he said: "Before, Lord Yan Qing suppressed bandits in the south with merit, personally entering the fray to capture and kill many fierce bandits and river pirate chiefs! He rose through normal performance evaluations to his current rank!"

Hearing this, Kang Kang Haifeng looked at Lord Yan ahead and exclaimed in surprise: "He... personally entered the fray?"

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly; he vaguely remembered it even taking place in the Yan family courtyard!

At Xu Xu Zaijing's location,

hearing the applause and cheers from the surrounding crowd,

and seeing Xu Xu Zaijing, Brother Qingyun, and others giving him a thumbs-up,

A Lan, who had just tamed a fine steed, jumped down from the bare horseback somewhat embarrassed.

After clasping his hands in salute to the young masters of several families, A Lan patted the chestnut-red horse beside him.

Then,

A Lan took the reins handed to him by a horse official nearby,

and with swift, practiced movements, tied the rope into the style of a bridle before leading the horse over.

"Sixth Young Master, you have excellent taste; this Hualiu is over two years old, with powerful limbs and a sturdy frame, and its gait is light and agile—it is a promising candidate for a warhorse!"

Listening to A Lan's words, Liang Han nodded with a face full of smiles, accepting the reins A Lan offered with an expression of great affection.

After glancing at the new horse, Liang Han turned his head to stare straight at Xu Xu Zaijing and said: "Brother Jing, this fellow A Lan, can you let him come to my household?"

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head: "No!"

Liang Han: "Then would it be alright if he wants to come to my household himself?"

"Ask him yourself."

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Liang Han looked at A Lan and said: "You fellow, do you want to come to my Yongchang Hou Fu? If you can come, I will definitely secure a future for you!"

Diao Che, standing beside Liang Han, glanced uncomfortably at Xu Xu Zaijing, then at A Lan.

"Thank you for your kindness, Sixth Young Master."

A Lan bowed with hands clasped.

"No, A Lan, name your conditions!"

Gu Gu Tingye, watching A Lan bow once more before walking toward Hearing Buwei beside Qi Heng, put his arm around Liang Han's shoulders and said:

"Liang Liu Lang, what future can you secure for him? Have you not even looked at the martial rank on A Lan's person?"

Speaking thus, Gu Gu Tingye handed the Lin Qin in his other hand to Liang Han: "Quick, feed your new horse."

On the other side,

a horse official used a lasso pole to lead a horse over,

Xun Shu stepped forward, soothed the horse, examined it carefully, and then shook his head at Xu Xu Zaijing and the others.

The horse was returned to the herd,

and Xun Shu also walked to stand before Xu Xu Zaijing, where Brother Qingyun asked: "Xun Shu, what was wrong with that one?"

"Brother Brother Qingyun, that horse's eyes are somewhat cloudy, resembling fish eyes; though its build is fine, it will likely be timid and easily startled in the future."

Brother Qingyun nodded: "Mm, such a horse is indeed unsuitable for a young lad like Chu Zhan to ride."

The group continued selecting for a while longer,

and with several people proficient in judging horses, including Brother Qingyun and Alan, the party managed to pick out quite a few excellent mounts.

Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng each purchased a horse that Brother Qingyun had selected.

Maotuo Ridge already attracted many people ascending for banquets,

and the commotion caused by the group drew even more onlookers to gather and join the fun.

Several horses that Qi Heng, Gu Gu Tingye, and the others did not want were snapped up as bargains by the surrounding crowd.

Xu Xu Zaijing had been observing silently the entire time; when he boredly glanced around, he happened to spot Sheng Hong and the others approaching.

The few people standing beside Xu Xu Zaijing, seeing him step out of the crowd, all turned to look behind them.

Subsequently, the others followed Xu Xu Zaijing's lead, stepping out of the crowd to offer a collective bow and greet the newcomers as "Senior Uncle" and "Elder Uncle."

Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng bowed deeply, addressing them as "Father" and "Uncle."

Sheng Hong nodded with a smile at the corner of his mouth and said, "We are out for leisure; there is no need for such excessive courtesy from you, my dear nephews."

Lord Yan, standing nearby, also smiled and returned the bow with clasped hands, then looked at Xu Xu Zaijing and said with amusement, "It has been several years since Han Wulang and Yuan Erlang last met; you have both become even more handsome and distinguished."

Xu Xu Zaijing clasped his hands and replied, "My lord also radiates vigor and high spirits." Gu Gu Tingye also bowed with clasped hands, though he clearly remained lost in thought.

Lord Yan waved his hand laughing: "Hahaha! Han Wulang overpraises me."

Just as Sheng Hong was about to introduce everyone, he looked at the two conversing men with surprise and asked puzzledly, "Brother Yan, what is this between you and Han Wulang?"

Lord Yan smiled and said, "A few years ago in Chuzhou, Han Wulang and I crossed paths several times."

Hearing this, Gu Gu Tingye, standing nearby, rolled his eyes back and forth before adopting an expression of sudden realization.

Sheng Hong nodded with a smile: "Oh, oh! So that is how it is! Come, let me introduce you; this is Lord Liu of the Court of Judicial Review."

After another round of introductions,

Sheng Hong, looking at the fine horses selected by the sons of the various marquises and nobles, pondered briefly before speaking to Xu Xu Zaijing: "Han Wulang, are there any horses in this herd still worth purchasing?"

Hearing this, Xu Xu Zaijing looked at Brother Qingyun, who was nodding nearby, and replied, "Senior Uncle, there certainly are within! Do you wish to buy one?"

Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng, standing to the side, exchanged a glance filled with slight surprise.

Sheng Hong nodded: "Although I usually travel by carriage, it is good to have a horse kept in reserve."

Xu Xu Zaijing understood immediately and jerked his chin toward Brother Qingyun, Alan, and the others who had overheard their conversation.

Watching the three mount up and receive lasso poles from the horse officials, Xu Xu Zaijing said:

"Senior Uncle, 'For military affairs, choose the light and agile; for harmonious bells and smooth riding, select the gentle.' Although you will also be riding, wait until Brother Qingyun and the other two pick a horse to your liking, and then let them break it in and train it for you."

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly: "Good, that could not be better."

Lord Yan, standing nearby, clasped his hands and interjected with a smile: "Han Wulang, might I trouble the honorable servants of Hou Fu to select one for me as well?"

Seeing Lord Liu also clasp his hands as if to speak, Xu Xu Zaijing could only nod to him: "In that case, please wait a moment, my lords."

Watching Xu Xu Zaijing turn and leave, Lord Liu asked Sheng Hong curiously, "Brother Sheng, what made you think of buying a horse?"

"As a reserve, as a reserve!" After saying this, Sheng Hong lowered his voice to tell Lord Liu:

"During court sessions a few days ago regarding the proposal concerning the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, you surely saw Your Majesty's reaction."

"Although we cannot say much, we must at least do something."

Lord Liu nodded in agreement and whispered, "Brother Sheng sees things clearly."

Recalling recent discussions with Lady Sheng at home about affairs at court, Sheng Hong waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Where, where; you flatter me."

On the other side, Lord Yan withdrew his gaze from Sheng Changbai, walked over, and said, "Brother Sheng, I heard that your Boye'er and Fengye'er passed the provincial examinations at such a young age; impressive!"

Lord Liu nodded in agreement, with a hint of envy in his expression.

Kang Kang Haifeng secretly curled his lips in a sneer,

and Sheng Hong hurriedly waved his hands with a smile, saying, "Coincidence, mere coincidence; the two of them were just lucky."

"Regarding the marriages of the two children—"

Sheng Hong shook his head: "They are merely provincial graduates, nothing more; let us see how they fare after the metropolitan examinations in a couple of years."

Lord Yan smiled and raised his thumb in approval.

Late Si Hour (before 11:00 AM)

At the polo field,

amidst the small paths formed by chrysanthemums and other plants,

the young Miss of the Yan family, who had recently entered the capital with her parents, strolled through the flower bushes accompanied by her maids and two young ladies from scholarly official families.

"Miss, look, those are Yangfei Chrysanthemums."

Hearing the maid's words, the three young ladies looked over.

"This pink color is truly beautiful; I wonder if it could be used to dye fingernails or fabric."

The Yan family miss remarked,

and the young ladies accompanying her nodded repeatedly.

A maid from the nearby polo field, overhearing their conversation, walked over smiling, performed a formal bow, and said, "Honored guests, these are famous varieties grown in the Chengxi Breeding Garden! If you ladies like them, please inform this humble servant of your residence address, and someone will surely deliver them to you in due time."

After exchanging glances, the Yan family miss spoke up: "Very well, our family resides at..."

After the three finished speaking, they smiled and nodded at the maid, who bowed once more, before continuing forward.

The Yan family miss said with a laugh, "Sister, since they said the flowers would be delivered to our home, should we give them silver?"

The companion beside her looked at the Yan family miss and said, "Of course we must pay! We cannot let people give things for free!"

"Wu Da Da Niangzi is known throughout the capital for her warm-heartedness and integrity; many families invite her to assess unmarried men and women! It would not do to gain a reputation for stinginess."

The Yan family miss nodded repeatedly.

After the three of them walked for a while with their maids, they had already left the small path.

At this moment,

Miss Yan spotted a noble young lady looking ill at ease standing near the entrance of a tent not far away, accompanied by a young boy who was not yet grown.

Seeing the demeanor of the two at the entrance,

Miss Yan and her companions exchanged a glance, did not approach, and walked away to the side.

Watching the departing group, Lu Zezong turned his head toward the young lady from the third branch of the Lu family and said, "I'll play here by myself for a while."

The young lady from the third branch of the Lu family shook her head: "No, Mother has repeatedly instructed that you cannot be without someone by your side."

Miss Yan and her group walked a few more steps,

when they spotted, near the railing in front of the second-floor platform of a wooden building slightly ahead and to the side, a group of several noble young ladies whose temperament, bearing, clothing, and jewelry were all outstanding.

Following Miss Yan's line of sight, her companion beside her also took a look and then said:

"Yan Sujun, stop looking! Those are legitimate daughters from several ducal and marquis households in the capital; their families are too lofty and precious for us to approach."

"Do they look down on people? Or will they mock and sneer?" Miss Yan asked in confusion.

"That won't happen! But we have no kinship with them and are not familiar! Standing before them, when our clothes and jewelry are not even as good as those noble ladies' maids, would we not invite their mockery and sneers?"

Seeing the curious look in Miss Yan's eyes, another companion said:

"Yan Sujun, let me tell you: the one on the far edge is from the Chai family; next to her is from the Zhang family, the Duke of Britain; the one in the middle is from the Rong family, Lady Fu Fu Chang Hou; and the one smiling is from the Gu family, Marquis of Lady Ningyuan. Most are hereditary nobles who have been wealthy for generations."

Upon hearing the final words, 'the Gu family, Marquis of Lady Ningyuan,' Miss Yan Yan Sujun paused for a moment, thought it over, and then still walked away to the side with her companions.

On the second floor,

Gu Gu Tingyi, having noticed the gazes from below, looked down.

Watching the three approaching, Gu Gu Tingyi looked at the young lady in the middle with some confusion.

Then, Gu Gu Tingyi said, "You wait here; I have something to attend to."

Just as Chai Chai Zhengzheng and the other two nodded,

Gu Gu Tingyi turned around, walked quickly to the other side of the second-floor platform, pulled Xu Pingmei up from her seat, and said, "Sister-in-law, come take a look; that young lady downstairs looks somewhat familiar to me."

Xu Pingmei hurriedly smiled and nodded to the several Da Da Niangzi nearby, then rose and followed Gu Tingyi over.

Arriving at the railing, Xu Pingmei saw the three young ladies bowing to her and hurriedly smiled and nodded in return.

"Sister-in-law, isn't that person the one we met in Chuzhou?"

After nodding, Xu Pingmei looked down following Gu Tingyi's hand; seeing Yan Yan Sujun among the three young ladies from scholarly-official families, Xu Pingmei frowned, thought for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, she is the young lady who accompanied Little Wu onto our boat that year."

As soon as Xu Pingmei finished speaking,

the ears of the three young ladies standing by the railing suddenly perked up.

Of course, the Fifth Young Lady of the Zhang family was purely curious; as for the other two—

"Right! What a coincidence! Sister-in-law, shall we go down and take a look?"

As Gu Tingyi spoke, he pulled Xu Pingmei and walked toward the lower floor.

The three young ladies upstairs exchanged a glance,

and Fifth Young Lady, with a face full of gossip, said, "Go?"

"Go!" the other two young ladies said in unison.

"Three young ladies, please wait."

Hearing the shout from behind,

Yan Yan Sujun and her companions stopped in confusion and looked back.

Sister Qingzhi, who had hurried over, looked at Yan Yan Sujun with a smiling face and said, "Miss, this humble servant is from the Gu family of Marquis Lady Ningyuan's Hou Fu; my young lady invites you for a conversation."

Having said this, Sister Qingzhi extended her hand backward in a gesturing motion.

Seeing the surprised expressions of her two companions beside her, Yan Yan Sujun smiled and nodded, firmly squeezed her companions' hands so they could not break free, and walked toward Gu Gu Tingyi, who was behind them smiling and beckoning her.

Walking closer,

Miss Yan, looking at the three noble young ladies standing behind Gu Gu Tingyi, deeply felt that what her two companions had said earlier was quite right.

But she could only smile and bow to Xu Pingmei, saying, "I pay my respects to Da Da Niangzi!"

Having said this, she bowed again to Gu Tingyi, Chai Zhengzheng, and the other noble young ladies: "I pay my respects to the four elder sisters; may the four elder sisters be adorned in peace."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng, Rong Rong Feiyan, and the others, along with the maids behind them, hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Gu Gu Tingyi stepped forward and said, "I never expected that after our parting in Chuzhou, we would have another chance to meet again."

Yan Yan Sujun also nodded with some emotion: "That day watching the pitch-pot game in the tower feels as if it were just yesterday."

In truth, the two young ladies were not sisters with particularly deep affection.

It was merely that in Chuzhou, they had together heard a story told by a certain Da Da Niangzi, together gained inspiration, and together experienced some growth.

Afterwards, Yan Yan Sujun turned her head and said to Xu Pingmei, "Da Da Niangzi appears to be in even better spirits than back then."

Having said this, Yan Yan Sujun, feeling the three scrutinizing gazes from behind Gu Tingyi and Xu Pingmei, looked back at them with a somewhat confused smile.

Hearing these words, Xu Pingmei smiled, nodded, and said, "Come, let us go upstairs to sit and talk."

After Xu Pingmei spoke, the Fifth Young Lady of the Zhang family smiled and nodded: "Yes, let us go upstairs to speak."

Everyone then walked toward the second floor again.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng walked last, smiling,

while her personal maids, Miss Yun Mu and Ziteng, naturally waited downstairs,

and when Miss Yun Mu looked to the side, she happened to see Lu Zezong standing together with his female cousin.

"Young Lady, the young master from the Duke of Liangguo's family is over there. His expression looks somewhat..."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng took one look and said, "Go ask."

Having ascended to the second-floor platform,

A clatter of hooves echoed from outside the polo ground, and a trail of dust rose into the air.

Soon,

Xu Xu Zaijing, Gu Gu Tingyi, and a whole group of them came bustling into the riding ground.

On the second floor,

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing and the others covered in dust, Wu Da Da Niangzi shook her head in mild vexation.

Meanwhile, Gu Gu Tingyi on the second floor waved to them.

(End of this chapter)