Chapter 523: Slap

10:00 AM

Sheng family,

Shou'an Hall,

The weather was clear, and the bright sunlight made the hall very bright through the window paper.

In the incense burner on the small table, a few wisps of blue smoke drifted out and disappeared near the windowsill.

On the tea table to the side of the hall, the silver charcoal in the small stove burned red, and the heat released made the water kettle above bubble with steam.

The Old Madam had her hair neatly combed and was sitting cross-legged on the Arhat chair, dressed warmly, concentrating on writing. She looked at Fang Mama, who wanted to lift the kettle to the side, from the corner of her eye:

"Suqin, let it stay on top for a while longer. Burning the floor heating all night makes me feel a bit dry."

"Yes!" After Fang Mama replied, she continued: "Then tonight before you sleep, I'll have the maid mop the floor with a damp cloth."

The Old Madam nodded and was about to continue writing,

"The Master is here."

The little maid in the outer room reported.

The curtain was lifted,

Sheng Hong walked in dressed in home attire and bowed: "Mother, you were looking for me?"

The Old Madam nodded with a smile, put down her brush, raised her chin to signal Sheng Hong to sit down, and looked at Sheng Hong, who was walking toward the chair: "I heard that Jingge'er and Gu Er Lang didn't come to our family's school today?"

Sheng Hong sat on the chair, thought for a moment, looked up, and said: "That is the case. After returning home, Ming'er Xiao Niang mentioned it to me."

"Why didn't they come? Do you know, Hong'er?"

"Perhaps... there's something going on in the two Marquis Mansions? Jingge'er and Gu Er Lang have wide social circles in the capital." Sheng Hong hesitated.

The Old Madam shook her head, looking puzzled: "There are no festivals from now until the end of the year! And these two children have always been diligent in their studies and rarely miss school because of drinking and feasting."

Sheng Hong took the tea soup handed over by Fang Mama, placed it gently on the table beside the chair, and said:

"Mother, do you think there's some reason behind it?"

"Then, why don't I invite Zaizhang over and ask carefully?"

The Old Madam thought for a moment, nodded, and said: "Hmm! You should invite him. It would be fine if there's nothing going on, but I'm afraid there's something. If we don't ask, it's not easy for relatives to speak up."

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly and walked out.

This was the break time in school,

So in less than half a quarter of an hour, Dongrong stopped outside Shou'an Hall, and Zaizhang walked in by himself.

"Grand-Aunt, Father-in-law."

"Zhang Ge'er, sit!" The Old Madam reached out with a smile.

After Zaizhang sat below Sheng Hong,

Sheng Hong glanced at the Old Madam, then at Zaizhang, who had a somewhat depressed expression, and smiled: "Zhang Ge'er, why didn't Gu Er Lang and Jingge'er come to school today?"

Hearing this, Zaizhang's expression became even more uncomfortable. Sheng Hong glanced at the Old Madam again and hurriedly said: "Did something happen?"

Zaizhang nodded and looked at the hall door.

The Old Madam understood and hurriedly waved her hand at Fang Mama.

Fang Mama walked quickly toward the door.

Watching Fang Mama's back disappear behind the curtain,

Amidst the sound of Fang Mama letting the little maid leave, Zaizhang sighed, looked back at the Old Madam and Sheng Hong, and said: "Grand-Aunt, Father-in-law! Yesterday afternoon, Xiao Wu left the Xiangyang Hou Fu and entered the palace in the evening."

"When he returned home, he was sent back by the great eunuch beside His Majesty."

"Ah?" The Old Madam and Sheng Hong both looked at Zaizhang in surprise.

"What happened?"

Sheng Hong pursued the question.

Zaizhang sighed again and said: "An Assistant Prefect in the north died, and Xiao Wu entered the palace to say that this official's incident was suspicious. I don't know how, but these words angered His Majesty! His Majesty ordered Xiao Wu to go north and see for himself whether it was suspicious as he said."

"In the evening, Mother notified Eldest Sister, asking Eldest Sister to ask the Gu Marquis to write a letter, hoping that Xiao Wu could have more convenience in the north."

"Last night I also wanted to accompany Xiao Wu, but he left me at home with the reason that 'I don't know when I'll be back, and parents cannot be left without someone by their side'!"

As he spoke, Zaizhang wanted to pat the armrest of the chair in frustration.

While Zaizhang was speaking, Sheng Hong's eyes were turning around.

After Zaizhang finished speaking, Sheng Hong nodded and said: "The Ministry of Personnel received this news yesterday. It's Magistrate Dong of Beizhou! It is said..."

After listening to Sheng Hong finish the reason for that person's death, the Old Madam took a deep breath, her eyes full of thoughtful expression, and said:

"Beizhou! That is the northern granary of the world!"

"The cloth, materials, money, and grain transported by water from the major northern military prefectures and towns mostly have to pass through Beizhou for turnover and distribution."

"It's a military stronghold and a matter of great importance! For the Assistant Prefect of this place to die just like that... it doesn't make sense."

The Old Madam looked at Zaizhang, who was looking at her in surprise, and said: "When we were fighting before, your Great-Grandfather served as the Transport Commissioner of the East Hebei circuit, and he often told me about Beizhou when he returned home!"

After saying this, the Old Madam didn't know what she thought of, and her expression became serious.

"Mother, you... what did you think of?" Sheng Hong said softly.

Zaizhang also looked at the Old Madam.

The Old Madam nodded and said: "I remembered an old matter your maternal grandfather told me."

Sheng Hong's legal maternal grandfather was the Old Madam's father.

"Consort Zhang, who was once favored above all, was from Beizhou, and that Consort's ancestors had quite a connection with the Chai family."

Looking at Sheng Hong, who was listening attentively, the Old Madam continued:

"The reason is that when that Consort's ancestors were officials in Beizhou, they gave a lot of help to the Chai family's ancestor who was on an expedition there."

"Grand-Aunt, was that before the Chai family's ancestor became Emperor?"

The Old Madam nodded, looked at Zaizhang's nervous expression, and said: "Zhang Ge'er, what's wrong?"

Zaizhang couldn't help but stand up and said anxiously:

"Grand-Aunt, according to this, Zhang Shipan, who was at odds with Xiao Wu before, has had deep influence in Beizhou for many years, doesn't he have deep power?"

"The Chai family also has huge influence in Cangzhou and Hejian Prefecture! These two families have a close relationship! But Xiao Wu shot arrows and threw melons at Zhang Shipan in Bianjing. Will they retaliate?!"

The Old Madam waved her hand to signal Zaizhang to sit down and comforted him:

"Zhang Ge'er, you are just worried and confused! Don't worry first. The Zhang family was severely tossed by the former Empress Guo family before, and their power was reduced quite a bit."

"And I heard before that the Chai family has always had the intention of marrying into the Hou Fu? With this intention, how could they take action!"

Zaizhang nodded repeatedly: "Grand-Aunt is right!"

Sheng Hong also said: "Zhang Ge'er, sit down!"

Zaizhang's expression lightened, and he sat back on the chair and breathed a sigh of relief.

The Old Madam smiled and continued:

"Speaking of which, around Beizhou, there are also trusted aides of the Zhang family of the Duke of England, the Gu family of the Ningyuan Marquis, and the Zheng family of the Zhongjing Marquis!"

"Although Jingge'er was sent to Beizhou by His Majesty's oral decree this time, this is also His Majesty's golden words, and Jingge'er has a military rank! They are all under Great Zhou's rule, how dare they retaliate?"

"What's more, Gu Er Lang is also accompanying him this time! The Gu family has had a long history in the military, and Pingmei will be the future Ningyuan Marquis Lady, so there will naturally be people taking care of them!"

Listening to the Old Madam's words, Zaizhang nodded repeatedly.

After the Old Madam finished speaking, Zaizhang said: "Grand-Aunt is right. Eldest Brother's brother-in-law, Yi family of the military general in Zhending Prefecture, is actually not far from Beizhou."

The Old Madam nodded with a smile.

Sheng Hong to the side said: "With this said, Zhang Ge'er, you can set your mind at ease and study with peace of mind!"

Zaizhang stood up and replied, and returned to school with a relaxed expression.

Sheng Hong sent his son-in-law to the door, walked back, sat on the chair, and said: "This Fifth Young Master is really able to toss, not yet an official, but has already angered the Dragon Face."

As he spoke, Sheng Hong glanced at the Old Madam.

Looking at the Old Madam's expression, Sheng Hong said: "Mother, you are..."

The Old Madam pursed her lips and said worriedly: "Jingge'er has a bright future, I'm just afraid he will be retaliated against and tripped up. Even if it doesn't hurt his life, if he gets injured, it won't be easy for him to walk the path of a civil official!"

Sheng Hong pondered for a moment: "Mother, Jingge'er has been to the Northwest, he can win military merits repeatedly, he must have a plan. Since he felt something was suspicious before he went, he will naturally guard against it!"

The Old Madam nodded: "Hong'er, what you said is also not wrong."

Bianjing City,

With over a million residents, prosperous and busy,

Every day, countless materials are still transported into the city by land,

So for a long stretch of road after Xu Zaijing and his party left the city, it had already been trampled solid by passersby, and not much snow was seen.

Although it was winter, the Yellow River had entered the dry season, but the river surface had not yet frozen.

So the party had to pass through the ferry to cross the Yellow River.

After taking a boat to the opposite bank,

The scenery gradually became a bit different.

They began to see falling snow on the road and around them from time to time.

When walking on the sparsely populated official road in the wild, they could still see patches of white, snowy ground.

Gu Tingye, who rarely rode so far, was wearing winter clothes, gloves, ear muffs, a winter hat, and a scarf that only revealed his eyes. He walked around Xu Zaijing, looking at the snow scene in the distance and said: "Jingge'er, look, the snow falling in the north is much bigger than in Bianjing!"

Xu Zaijing, dressed the same as Gu Tingye, nodded, his gaze patrolling the snowy ground by the side of the road.

"What are you looking at?"

Gu Tingye said, following Xu Zaijing's gaze, but only saw a vast whiteness.

"Hmm? Jingge'er?"

Xu Zaijing withdrew his gaze and said: "Rabbit. It's a pity it's a bit far."

Gu Tingye looked into the distance again: "Where?"

After saying this, looking at He Guan beside him, he said: "Brother He, did you see it?"

He Guan nodded: "Saw a black dot moving, but didn't know it was a rabbit."

The three were talking when the Gu family's personal soldier team leader Gao Puyu in front pointed to the distance and said urgently: "Look!"

Everyone hurriedly looked over, and saw a black dot in the distance falling downward from the sky at a very fast speed. After touching the ground for a moment, it rose into the sky again.

"Is it an eagle?"

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing for help.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes! There's a rabbit in its claws, flying toward us."

Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly, looking at the black dot in the distance with a dazed expression.

The carriage and horses continued to walk forward, while Gu Tingye kept looking at the black dot: "It's really coming over!"

Saying this, Gu Tingye eagerly drew the strong bow from the horse's back, and while stringing it, kept looking at the flying goshawk.

When Gu Tingye had finished stringing the bow and pulled out a feather arrow, preparing to draw the bow.

"Screech~!"

The goshawk flying overhead let out a sharp cry.

Then, in Gu Tingye's field of vision, something fell straight down from the sky while moving.

When he wanted to draw the bow, he found that the thick gloves made it impossible for him to hold the feather arrow.

Xu Zaijing was also attracted by the eagle's cry. When he looked up, he also saw the thing falling straight down.

So, Xu Zaijing estimated the distance, and with full confidence, very naturally reached out his hand...

And then...

"Slap~"

The fat rabbit, which had fallen from the sky and had a narrow escape from the goshawk's claws, fell heavily in front of the little horse.

Xu Zaijing clenched his fist: "..."

"Neigh~"

The little horse was startled by the thing that appeared suddenly, raised its front hooves slightly, and then looked at the motionless thing with curiosity in its horse eyes.

Xu Zaijing's outstretched hand missed the rabbit by a hair's breadth, so he took the opportunity to pat the little horse's neck.

Actually, if the rabbit hadn't been struggling in the air, Xu Zaijing would have caught it, but its struggling movements just happened to make Xu Zaijing miss.

Subsequently, Xu Zaijing reached out and picked up the rabbit by its ears.

"Jingge'er, this... I feel like this rabbit is as big as my..."

Seeing Xu Zaijing's gaze toward his bow and arrow, Gu Tingye didn't continue.

"Alan~"

Xu Zaijing shouted backward, then threw the fat rabbit backward.

Alan, who was following behind, caught it, took off his gloves, and skillfully processed the prey with a dagger.

Looking up at the goshawk circling directly above the party, unwilling to leave, Gu Tingye took off his gloves and said: "Jingge'er, come on!"

Hearing this, He Guan, not far away, also confidently took off his gloves, preparing to string his strong bow.

"Watch mine first!"

Gu Tingye bit his glove, drew his bow and arrow on horseback, and the strong bow, which had considerable strength, creaked slightly as he pulled it.

When Gu Tingye was drawing his bow and aiming, Xu Zaijing and He Guan had already strung their bows with equal speed.

"Boom!"

When Gu Tingye shot an arrow, Xu Zaijing and the other had just drawn their bows.

But the goshawk in the air had already been startled by the feather arrow that shot straight up.

Between the flapping of its wings, it dodged to the side.

"Boom~"

Another bow sound,

A feather arrow passed through the tail feathers of the goshawk and shot into the sky.

"Sigh!" He Guan's tone was full of regret.

The sharp arrow tip in Xu Zaijing's hand was aimed straight at the goshawk. After hesitating for a moment, Xu Zaijing slowly loosened the bowstring and said: "Forget it, since we got its prey, let's spare it."

Xu Zaijing said as he continued to look up at the goshawk in the sky. Suddenly, Xu Zaijing's gaze froze, the strong bow in his hand opened again, and he shot it out at high speed.

"What?!" Gu Tingye hurriedly looked up.

"Ding~"

A metallic collision sound appeared in mid-air.

After a breath,

Three feather arrows spun and fell to the side of the road not far from the crowd.

Gao Puyu, who was in front of the crowd, looked at Xu Zaijing's movements in a daze and said: "I knew Fifth Young Master's archery was powerful when we were in Chuzhou before, but I didn't expect Fifth Young Master's archery to be even more refined after these few years!"

He Guan to the side shook his head with a smile, looked at Gu Tingye, and said: "Erlang, that feather arrow of yours just now fell toward our side."

While the few were talking, Qingyun beside Xu Zaijing had already ridden his horse to run to the place where the arrows fell.

A moment later,

Qingyun walked back holding three feather arrows, handed one of them to Gu Tingye's servant Zhi Que, and said: "Second Young Master's feather arrow needs to be repaired."

Zhi Que took the feather arrow, looked at the bent arrow tip, and sighed in admiration, sucking in a cold winter wind.

Subsequently, Qingyun returned the other two feather arrows to their respective owners.

Gu Tingye took the feather arrow from Zhi Que's hand, took a look, and then looked at Xu Zaijing and He Guan, who were talking in front.

In Zhi Que's eyes, his young master, who was usually very proud due to years of training in the Hou Fu, seemed to have some loss in his eyes as he looked at his own feather arrow at this time.

"Young Master, are you alright?" Zhi Que asked with concern.

Gu Tingye shook his head and took a deep breath.

Subsequently, Gu Tingye put on his gloves, used force suddenly, and broke the arrow tip of this feather arrow along with the arrow shaft.

"Young Master?"

Gu Tingye handed the broken arrow shaft to Zhi Que, while he himself prepared to put the arrow tip into the purse hanging on the belt around his waist.

"Young Master, I... understand what you're thinking, but... it's better to wrap the arrow tip with cloth, lest it hurt you."

Gu Tingye said 'Hmm'.

"Erlang, what are you doing? Let's go!"

Gu Tingye looked up, looked at Xu Zaijing and He Guan, who were smiling at him and signaling him to follow in front, and the corners of his mouth turned up: "Wait for me!"

Watching his young master, who was putting things into his purse while riding forward,

Zhi Que held the arrow shaft in his hand, thought for a moment, and put the arrow shaft into the quiver in front of his saddle.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 524 =====