Chapter 520

"Those are for Xiaotao?"

"I'll take a look first." Xu Zaijing said.

Zhao Meifeng pointed to the box on the side.

Xu Zaijing stood up, walked over, opened a box, and breathed a sigh of relief after looking at the things inside.

This box contained a palm-sized, adorable brown bear wood carving, and a scarf made of unknown animal fur.

Looking at Zhao Meifeng who had followed and was standing on the side, he said: "Brother Zhao, so it's these things, you should have said so earlier!"

Qingcao could complete the task of sending these things.

Zhao Meifeng smiled, opened another box, and took out something wrapped in red cloth.

Xu Zaijing's eyelids twitched, and he said: "Brother Zhao, such good ginseng is just wrapped in a piece of red cloth? And two roots! I really can't send this..."

Zhao Meifeng put the ginseng aside, and took out a large bag of pearls, a bag of deer antler, and at the very bottom was a layer of gold bars.

Xu Zaijing shook his head in pain and said: "I'd better get her out of servitude."

Looking at Xu Zaijing's appearance, Zhao Meifeng smiled: "I'm not teasing you, leave this box of things with you, Fifth Young Master."

"The Senior Brother knows that if you want to send things to that girl's hands, you'll definitely have to spend money to buy better things to cover for the Sheng family's young lady! The silver for buying things can be taken from these."

"Brother Zhao, how could it cost so much."

Zhao Meifeng looked at the things inside and said: "Fifth Young Master, you must know the origin of these things in your heart."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Hmm, from the Jin Kingdom in the north! But, Brother Zhao, the Gao family in Dengzhou has gold mines, wouldn't it be better to just ask the Gao family to melt and recast these gold bars?"

"The Pan family has also been doing business with the Jin Kingdom for a long time, they must know the goods, why send them to the capital."

Zhao Meifeng picked up a pearl and examined it, saying: "The Senior Brother has always been cautious, the quality of these things is too good, it's really hard to sell! If it's not handled well, it might be traced back to him."

Xu Zaijing looked at the things and nodded in great agreement.

These good things appeared in Bianjing, who sold them?

What is the relationship between the seller and the Imperial City Division official in charge of intelligence in the north and the Jin Kingdom in Dengzhou?

If this person can be entrusted to sell pearls, does he have any people or objects that the official cares about?

If you can find them, you can hold them.

"But you are different, Fifth Young Master! You can deal with the Yu family for things like ginseng; pearls and gold bars sent to the Li family in the Wensi Institute will be polished and melted, turning into jewelry and disappearing without a trace."

Zhao Meifeng was telling the truth. If you don't have a relationship that people trust, no one will easily take over these good things, and even if they do, they will mostly lower the price.

Xu Zaijing glanced at Zhao Meifeng who was speaking, then looked at the gold bars in the box, and hesitated: "So, the Gao family in Dengzhou can't be trusted either?"

Zhao Meifeng nodded: "You can decide for yourself whether to exchange these things for silver without a name, or use or save them, Fifth Young Master."

Xu Zaijing: "Then Brother Zhao won't ask me about the price?"

Zhao Meifeng: "Do I need to ask?"

Soon, Qingcao hugged the heavy cloak and brought the Xu family maids to send wine and food to the wooden house.

At the start of the Xu hour (after 8:00 PM),

when Zhao Meifeng, who had drunk wine, pushed open the door, the snow had already stopped.

Looking around, the Xu family horse racing track had turned white.

The snow at the gate could cover the instep with one step.

"Brother Zhao, why not stay at my house tonight."

Xu Zaijing, who followed behind, said.

Zhao Meifeng stretched, exhaled a puff of white mist under the lantern hanging at the door, and shook his head: "I have to get up early tomorrow, so I won't stay."

The two walked to the main gate step by step, leaving footprints.

In the Xu family gatehouse, there were already six or seven Imperial City Division soldiers drinking and warming up. Seeing Zhao Meifeng, they hurriedly draped on their cloaks and followed him out of the main gate.

Under the lantern at the main gate,

the snow in the corner was much thicker than elsewhere because of the wind, and some had even attached to the wall.

Qingyun and the gatehouse manager servant helped the soldiers light torches and lanterns.

Before long,

"Fifth Young Master, go back."

Zhao Meifeng, who was on horseback, waved his hand and said.

"Brother Zhao, travel slowly."

Xu Zaijing bowed and said, watching the lights disappear at the street corner, before turning back.

In the gatehouse, one could see the bowls and dishes on the table and the many wine jars under the table in the gatehouse where the curtain was lifted, it seemed they had drunk well.

Looking at the gatehouse servant following with a wine jar, Xu Zaijing said: "What is this for?"

"Young Master, there is still half a jar of wine..."

"The snow is heavy and the weather is cold, keep it for yourselves to drink."

"Yes, Young Master!" The servant responded in an excited tone.

Returning to the wooden house by the racecourse,

Qingcao had already tidied up the table, and food was still being heated on the stove with a red fire.

When Xu Zaijing was talking to his master, he looked at Qingyun who followed in after a while and said: "Why so slow?"

Qingyun smiled: "I just instructed the manager to leave the leftovers from the gatehouse for me tonight, and I'll bring them to Uncle Shu when I go over tomorrow morning."

The family had held several banquets, and Xu Zaijing had seen the 'leftovers' in Qingyun's words several times. He nodded with a smile: "Hmm, leftovers can be considered a delicacy."

When Xu Zaijing was young, the Marquis Yongyi's residence hadn't risen to power yet, and he had eaten them several times.

'Leftovers' are a hodgepodge of various dishes left over from a banquet.

Most people in modern times would dislike them, but in Great Zhou, this 'leftover' hodgepodge has oil, salt, sugar, sauce, vegetables, meat scraps, bones, etc.

Heated in an iron pot, the taste is quite tempting.

Such a good thing, after Uncle Shu boils it at the stall tomorrow morning, buying a bowl can be eaten with staple foods like steamed bread.

"Qingcao girl, your young master has drunk quite a bit, you come and have a cup with me."

Master Yin said hoarsely while pouring the heated food into a large bowl.

Qingcao, who was washing the empty bowls and dishes with hot water in a wooden basin, glanced at Xu Zaijing.

After seeing him nod, she pursed her lips with a smile, wiped her hands with a towel, and sat on the stool.

"Drink less."

Xu Zaijing, who was standing by the gift box, turned his head and said.

Hearing this, Qingcao, who wanted to use a wine bowl, changed it to a wine cup with disappointment.

Afterward,

Xu Zaijing drank a few more cups of wine with his master, Alan, and the others.

When Alan and Xunshu helped Qingyun move things, Master Yin whispered to Xu Zaijing: "Jing'er, how long has it been, why are you still sending congratulatory gifts, and I see there are quite a few things."

Xu Zaijing thought for a while and said: "That old brother has always been rigorous in his actions, perhaps he is busy with official business, or perhaps he has his own considerations."

Master Yin nodded.

When Xu Zaijing and Qingcao returned to the courtyard,

the road from the racecourse to the backyard had already been swept clean of snow by the servants.

Near the Marquis's residence,

by Quyuanjie,

"Dong dong dong."

At the gate of a courtyard that had already been swept of snow, the solid wooden door was knocked.

"Who is it?" A woman's voice sounded.

"Me!"

"The Master is back."

After a sound of walking and opening the door bolt, Seeing Hua Qing appeared at the door with a servant woman, carrying a lantern.

Looking at Qingyun pulling a small handcart, and Alan and Xunshu pushing the cart on the side, Seeing Hua Qing asked in confusion: "This..."

"Quick, Brother Alan, Brother Xunshu, hurry inside to warm up."

"Sister-in-law, it's too late, we won't go in." Alan bowed and turned to leave with Xunshu.

"Hey~" Seeing Hua Qing was about to speak.

Qingyun waved his hand to stop her and shouted: "Come to the house for a drink in a few days!"

"Hey!" Xunshu responded.

The handcart entered the door, and after closing the door and dropping the bolt.

Seeing Hua Qing looked at the things on the handcart in confusion: "Official, this is..."

Qingyun stopped and put down the shafts in his hands, saying: "Things sent by the Young Master's friend, said they are for the two children. Where are the two children?"

"Asleep! Official, this is too much."

"Move them."

The things had already entered the room,

the small handcart stopped quietly in the courtyard,

and from time to time, wind blew, dropping a few snowflakes.

The bright yellow candlelight was reflected in the windows of the main room.

Qingyun's small courtyard was not big, but it had everything needed.

There was a stove in the side room, where the hired maid lived,

and in the main room, there was a stove mouth for heating the warm kang in the outer room.

The large water pot on the stove mouth was steaming,

"Boom boom~"

This was the sound made by the stove mouth with a vigorous fire.

"These things are really good!"

Seeing Hua Qing looked at the things placed on the side table by the candlelight and sighed.

"Our Young Master's friend, how could the things sent be bad?"

Listening to Qingyun's words, Seeing Hua Qing nodded in great agreement, picked up a piece of satin, and said: "It's just this piece of brocade, it looks a bit old!"

Qingyun stood on the side and looked, saying: "Hmm! It's a bit inappropriate for you to wear, but it should be just right for Mother-in-law to wear!"

"In the Marquis's residence, that girl Qingcao also said that this piece of brocade and this rabbit fur scarf match very well."

Seeing Hua Qing looked at the scarf in Qingyun's hand and nodded with a smile.

"Uncle said, there are nourishing donkey-hide gelatin and other good things in here, send most of them to Mother-in-law early tomorrow morning."

"Hmm hmm."

"This material can be used to make a tiger-head hat for the little brother, and the rest can be used to make another set of clothes for the two children."

"Hmm, make them bigger, so they can be worn for two more years."

Outside the house,

the cold wind was biting, and the sound of the young couple discussing their daily life drifted out faintly.

A north wind blew, and another burst of snow grains flew down from the eaves.

The next day,

in the very warm bedroom,

Xu Zaijing sat on the edge of the bed and took the hot towel from Huaxiang's hand.

After wiping his face, looking at the somewhat translucent window, Xu Zaijing said:

"What time is it?"

"Mother Xia said, it sounds like it's already the end of the Yin hour (5:00 AM)."

"Hmm!"

Today, the school was off, so he got up half an hour later.

Dressed neatly, he walked out of the room with the maids.

"Young Master, such heavy snow yesterday afternoon, but there's actually a moon out this morning."

Huaxiang pointed to the early morning sky and shouted.

The early morning night sky was very clear,

the oval moon hung in the sky,

and the white snow reflected the light of the moon and stars, which was why there was that translucence on the window.

Xu Zaijing gave a grunt,

and walked toward the outside of the courtyard where there was already the sound of shoveling snow.

At the start of the Si hour (10:00 AM),

the sun was in the sky, and the sunlight was dazzling.

Jiying Lane, Sheng residence,

snow swept together was piled on the ground in the middle of the front courtyard.

Under the sunlight,

the snow covering the white eaves and the top of the corridor was melting,

and in some places, short icicles were forming,

and the sound of snow water flowing down and hitting the ground was like rain.

Returning from court, Sheng Hong, in his official robes, draped in a cloak, wearing earmuffs embroidered with Chinese roses, walked along the corridor with Dongrong.

It's colder when the snow melts than when it snows,

Sheng Hong, whose nose was frozen red, exhaled a puff of white mist and rubbed his cheeks.

His cheeks were also frozen and uncomfortable.

Walking to the entrance of the front courtyard study,

Sheng Hong looked at the maid Yanghao who was about to bring tea inside and asked: "Is Changbai in the study?"

Yanghao bowed and responded yes.

Sheng Hong nodded and entered the study.

Because Changbai was there, the study was very warm with the floor heating.

There was also snow reflecting the sunlight,

making this front courtyard study very bright.

"Father."

Changbai, holding a book, bowed to Sheng Hong, who had entered and taken off his cloak and earmuffs.

"Bo'er, what book are you reading?"

"Son is reading 'On Brushwork' by Master Liu Chengxuan of the previous dynasty."

"Oh? Has Bo'er gained some insight into calligraphy?"

"Yes." Changbai replied.

Sheng Hong nodded and said: "Master Liu's brushwork is strong and vigorous, with hidden strength, which matches Bo'er's personality very well."

Changbai bowed to thank his father for the praise.

Walking to Changbai's side and sitting down, looking at the booklet in Changbai's hand, Sheng Hong had a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

"Father, have some tea."

Changbai took the teacup brought by Yanghao and said.

"Hmm, Bo'er, sit."

After drinking a sip of hot tea, Sheng Hong took the booklet Changbai had placed on the table.

Flipping through it casually, Sheng Hong said: "Speaking of which, this 'On Brushwork' was found by your grandmother back then after entrusting many people and using a lot of face."

"That I can have such brushwork is also thanks to your grandmother's blessing."

"Half of the books in this study were bought by your grandmother specifically when I was studying."

Changbai nodded and said: "Grandmother has contributed a lot to the Sheng family."

Sheng Hong glanced at Changbai and nodded with a smile: "Bo'er, you have two more years before the metropolitan examination, work hard."

"Yes, Father! Then... son will return to his own study!"

"Hmm! Don't overwork yourself and hurt your eyes, you should also look at the goldfish in your study more."

Changbai responded yes again.

After Changbai left, Sheng Hong looked at the rows of books in the study, exhaled comfortably, stood up, found a chess manual, and began to play.

Xingguo Lane,

the streets in the lane had long been swept clean by every household,

and one could still see snowmen piled up by the roadside from time to time.

But at this time, the person riding a horse on the street had no leisure to look at the snow scenery at all.

Soon, this person walked to the main gate of the Duke Qi residence,

and the huge stone lions in front of the gate had long been wiped clean.

After dismounting, this person took out the post from his bosom and handed it to the Qi family gatekeeper.

Qi family backyard,

in the warm hall,

Princess Pingning and the Duke of Qi sat on the side,

looking at Qi Heng sitting behind the table not far away with a smile.

A middle-aged man full of scholarly air stood beside Qi Heng, nodded and said: "The Young Duke's calligraphy, one look and you can tell it's been practiced hard, very good!"

Qi Heng stood up and bowed: "Thank you for the praise, sir."

The Duke of Qi stood up: "Sir, have a cup of tea."

The middle-aged man was about to speak when the cloth curtain at the door was lifted, and a little Qi family maid walked over quickly and whispered a few words into the ear of Princess Pingning's personal maid.

Afterward, after listening to the personal maid's relay, Princess Pingning smiled at Qi Heng and the middle-aged man, then pulled the Duke of Qi to the side room.

"What's wrong?" The Duke of Qi asked curiously.

Princess Pingning said thoughtfully: "Transport Commissioner Dong of Beizhou has passed away."

The Duke of Qi was incredulous: "This, Official Dong is in his prime, how could..."

Princess Pingning had a serious expression, her eyes turned a few times, and she said with a thoughtful look:

"They say he fell into the river and died after drinking too much while riding home! Official, before, Father, did he ask you to..."

The Duke of Qi's expression also turned ugly.

(End of chapter)