[{"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-54":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},2307832,4510,"Chapter 54: Family Joy [Thank You for Your Support! Again, Thank You!]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>Sun Shi and Bai Shi hired someone to select an auspicious date.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Shi returned to the Gu household and informed her husband; after pondering it, Gu Yan Kai mounted his horse and went out to make arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu is the son of his first love, the white moonlight of his heart, his only beloved, the peerlessly talented, solitary genius, Lady Qin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial training was impossible for Gu Tingyu’s body, but literary study was feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Qin and Gu families had once been close, after this heartless incident, they had essentially severed ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yan Kai still felt grateful to Bai Shi; after learning the full story, he developed a favorable impression of the Xu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had considered finding a dependable in-law family for his legitimate eldest son, but Gu Tingyu had persuaded him otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He isn’t joining the military—having a healthy, virtuous wife from a clean family is worth more than anything else!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the rest, he would earn it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This marriage, in every respect, was excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Sun Shi spent silver to hire the fastest relay horses and sent the news to Xu Minghua in the northwest,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>along with the date for the betrothal gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Xu Minghua naturally gave his full consent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the day arrived—the eighteenth day of the twelfth month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An auspicious hour,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua had returned home well in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Gu entrusted his former superior, General Lu Lao, to deliver the betrothal gifts to the Xu household; Xu Minghua and his wife naturally opened the central gate to welcome the matchmaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subsequent rituals—asking for the bride’s name, accepting the auspicious omen, and presenting the betrothal gifts—proceeded in orderly fashion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the procedures were completed, the marriage between the Xu and Gu families was officially settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Sun Shi formally inform her family of the engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also sent invitations to the Sheng family in Yangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they had not yet married the Xie girl, the two families were now relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pregnant Lady Xie received the Xu family’s joyous letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the Zheng household,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the courtyard of the second Shu  son, Lady Xie wrote to the main branch of the Xie family in the south, informing them that she and her mother and sister-in-law had agreed on the future bridegroom for Second Miss Xie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xie family in Bianjing increased their daughter’s dowry even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the future elder sister-in-law was going to the Marquis’s household; as the future sister-in-law, it was only proper to show some gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the arrival of this year’s Spring Festival, the Xu household had arranged two joyful events; the many wedding gifts Sun Shi had distributed over the years would finally begin to yield returns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After prolonged debate in court, no decision had yet been reached on whether to fight or make peace, but the political situation in Bai Gaohebei had stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The western army’s situation had greatly eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Xu Minghua returned to Bianjing not to rejoin the western army, but to stay and celebrate the New Year, having secured his eldest daughter’s marriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remained in Bianjing for the holiday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month, Bianjing was filled with festive atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the streets, taverns and inns hung lanterns from every household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night, viewed from a height, it resembled a great metropolis from a past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade plate rose in the east and set in the west,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Morning Star still shimmered in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, before the sky had brightened, Xu Minghua opened his eyes as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The western army stood on the front line against Bai Gaohebei; though not constantly on guard, discipline was strict, and every officer was chosen for ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua had risen from deputy to commander in the western army only through the recognition of his superiors and subordinates; his daily self-disciplined patrols were among the most important reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi, awakened, opened her eyes; Xu Minghua patted her gently and said, “Go back to sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressing himself, Xu Minghua went to the riding ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, he saw a small shadow carrying a lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought hard but couldn’t recall who it was; the household had added many servants these past years, so he let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the flat ground beside the riding ground, Gao Yun was sparring with Xu Zaijing; low, angry shouts came from them, mostly from Gao Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small shadow up front spoke: “Young Master, I’ve brought hot water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, take it to that room over there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whoosh*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short spear flew out from the stable; its speed surprised even Xu Minghua, accustomed to the might of western army warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Crack!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden shaft of the spear was shattered by a blow from one of the sparring men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!” Xu Minghua’s expression changed slightly; he silently praised the display,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>though the dim morning light made it invisible to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stirred his own desire to join; he rolled up his sleeves slightly, eager to step in and test his son’s skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, only lightly—he wouldn’t hurt his son, just gauge his abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he drew closer, one of the sparring men suddenly dropped low and rolled along the ground; in the faint light, Xu Minghua saw an arrow embedded in the earth, its white feathers trembling—clearly shot with full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t even seen where it came from, standing at the edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Xu Minghua could speak, a tall figure in the arena was hurled backward by tremendous force, flying over ten paces before tumbling to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough, Young Master, have you gotten stronger again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao Yun, are you alright? I got too absorbed in training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua slowly lowered his rolled-up sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun stood, clutching his chest, and bowed: “My lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, excellent, Jing’er. Your mother says you train diligently every day—good, very good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Father. In the western army—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua waved his hand: “Continue. I’ll go speak with your master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua turned away; Xu Zaijing walked to a row of wooden posts, each embedded with deeply driven short-handled axes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing gently removed one, spun quickly, and threw the axe backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whoosh whoosh whoosh, clack!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The axe flew fifty paces and buried itself in another thick wooden post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds came in rapid succession; in moments, a dozen short-handled axes had shifted position. Xu Zaijing sprinted over and hurled them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the stable, Xu Minghua drew his bow: “Is this really effective? My archery may not be top-tier in the western army, but it’s still notable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does it compare to yours in your prime?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally inferior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whoosh*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow flew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sensed it and caught the incoming arrow midair, his expression puzzled—then he saw the two figures in the stable and realized his father was testing his martial skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted the arrow a few times, clearly proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This boy has learned your fine skills.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even in my prime, I couldn’t beat your son—how could you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad Bai Gaohebei’s politics have stabilized; otherwise, I could’ve taken him to the front to see the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I delivered your son to his tutor, he told me your three boys—Jing’er has the best memory. In a year or two, perhaps he can sit for the exams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua looked at his old friend in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When your third son studies, gains a mentor and peers, and enters the military, he’ll have allies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True. A pure martial officer is nothing but a brute in the eyes of civil officials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your daughter’s marriage is excellent. I’ve met Gu Hou’s legitimate eldest son; though not strikingly handsome, he carries quiet depth, swift intellect—he has a bright future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We struck gold. Only after returning home did I realize Tingyu is no longer the frail boy of a few years ago. Since you came to this Marquis’s household, ours has improved greatly—wouldn’t you consider—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Third son already treats Gao Yun as a brother-in-training. Wait another decade or so—when the world’s ruler is clear—then we can decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there are errors, please kindly point them out, esteemed reader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third round of recommendations is over; I feel much lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, no need to watch daily collections and recommendations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I expect to reach 5,000 collections today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you all for your support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep storing drafts—charge ahead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1407,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ab77b2f41e13106b98abc89d20f8aa3e30f01ace1c808ac9b5bbc9f8b478c441","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-55","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-53",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]