Chapter 540: Eating Porridge on Laba [Thank you! Thank you again! 44k words owed]

Xingguo Lane,

Marquis of Ningyuan's Mansion,

In the main room of the back courtyard,

Bai Shi sat by the bed, gently patting the silk quilt.

Under the quilt, Gu Shixing and his younger sister were fast asleep.

"Madam, the Da Niangzi is back."

Chang Mama said in a low voice.

Bai Shi nodded.

Before long,

Pingmei walked in, carrying a chill on her body.

"Mother, are the children asleep?"

Pingmei looked at her children, who only had their little heads exposed, and asked with a smile.

"Yes, they just fell asleep half a quarter-hour ago!"

"Pingmei, have you asked Zaijing about Second Brother's matter?"

Pingmei nodded, smiled at Chang Mama who was bringing over a stool, and said:

"Little Five said that the feather arrow might have some special significance for Second Brother! Second Brother rarely used his bow and arrow in Beizhou City, so I imagine it wouldn't be stained with any battlefield baleful energy."

Hearing this, Bai Shi nodded: "That's good! I don't know what significance that feather arrow has for Ye'er! No matter how I asked him before, he wouldn't say, insisting on hanging it up."

Chang Mama, on the side, said in a low voice: "Madam, I heard from the servant by Ye'er's side that these past two days, Ye'er has been getting up early every day, and he's been practicing his archery with increasing diligence!"

Bai Shi was thoughtful and nodded: "Zaijing's archery has been good since he was a child. Could it be that Ye'er, having witnessed the scene while following Zaijing to Beizhou, has learned to be ashamed and then brave?"

"Madam, Da Niangzi, I imagine that's mostly it! Before, didn't Ye'er start getting up early because he saw the Sheng family's Bo'er and Zaijing reading every day?"

"Seeing worthiness and thinking of equaling it! Ye'er hasn't wasted his studies!"

Time flew,

And it was already a few days later.

This morning,

At the Yin hour (four o'clock in the morning),

The sky was still dark, and the cold winter night sky was dotted with stars, but there was no moon.

Just like any other day,

A lantern lit up in the back courtyard of Marquis Yongyi's Mansion, and it headed toward the racecourse.

When Xu Zaijing finished his workout and returned to his master's wooden house, he saw his maid Yun Xiang busy picking things out of a large winnowing basket full of millet, dates, and other items.

"Swish, swish~"

The large basket was shaken by the maid, and the various items inside made sounds.

Xu Zaijing stood in the room, took a sip of warm water from his gourd, and said: "Yun Xiang, what are you doing?"

Yun Xiang stood up, used a small dustpan to start loading the items from the basket into a linen bag, and said: "Young Master, today is Laba. Sister Seeing Hua Qing said that the shop is giving out seven-treasure vegetarian porridge for free, so the three of us prepared these ingredients and asked Sister Seeing Hua Qing to help us distribute the porridge."

"You could have let Mama Xia help you, why do it yourself?"

"Young Master, doing it yourself shows sincerity!"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

After breakfast,

On his way to the Sheng family on horseback,

Although it was very early, monks from the temples in the capital were already carrying Buddha statues through the streets and alleys, knocking on doors to beg for alms.

When he arrived at the Sheng family and was about to lift the cotton curtain, he discovered that in the schoolroom, besides the candle lit on Bo'er's desk, Gu Tingye had actually arrived very early today.

"Second Brother, you're actually earlier than me today?"

In the candlelight, Gu Tingye looked up, his eyes full of pride, and said: "Bo'er has the advantage of location, not to mention that I can't keep losing to you, Zaijing!"

"Alright!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Just like any other day,

As it approached the Mao hour, Qi Heng, Zaihang, and the three Lan sisters arrived at the schoolroom one after another.

Half a quarter-hour after Scholar Zhuang arrived at the schoolroom,

Changfeng appeared at the entrance of the schoolroom, lifting the cotton curtain with hurried steps.

"Scholar!" Changfeng bowed.

As Changfeng spoke, a little maid carrying his book box also walked into the schoolroom behind him.

Scholar Zhuang, sitting behind the desk, acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to look at the schoolwork of Bo'er and the others in his hand.

Changfeng turned his head to look at his sister Mo Lan, who was frowning, then looked at the others seated in the schoolroom, and bowed deeply in shame.

The sky outside the window paper gradually brightened. When Changfeng's legs were aching from standing, Scholar Zhuang, having finished explaining the schoolwork, said to Changfeng: "Feng'er, come over!"

As he spoke, Scholar Zhuang picked up a bamboo board from the desk.

"Slap!"

Amidst the sound of the bamboo board, Scholar Zhuang said: "Having passed the provincial examination, you should be even more diligent in your studies to prepare for the metropolitan examination, but Feng'er, you have been..."

Hitting him as he spoke, after a round of admonition and the bamboo board, Changfeng was finally allowed to return to his seat to listen to the lecture.

At the beginning of the Wu hour (after eleven o'clock in the morning)

Approaching noon, when school was dismissed,

Mama Cui led the Sheng family servants and mamas, carrying several food boxes, into the schoolroom courtyard.

Lifting the cotton curtain and entering the room, Mama Cui bowed and said: "Scholar, today is the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. The mistress of the house has prepared some five-flavor meat porridge and seven-treasure vegetarian porridge for the Scholar and all the young masters and young ladies!"

Scholar Zhuang, behind the desk, smiled: "Thank you to the Da Niangzi and this mama."

"You are too polite, Scholar!"

Afterward, the various hot porridges and refreshing side dishes from the food boxes were placed on everyone's desks.

For a time, the schoolroom was filled with the aroma of porridge and side dishes.

It seemed that Xu Zaijing bringing his maid to the schoolroom had set a bad precedent; today, even Changfeng had brought a little maid.

Xu Zaijing, who was drinking porridge, leaned against the wall behind him, looking at Changfeng, who was talking to the little maid, from time to time.

"Ke'er, I can't finish this meat porridge. You can drink it yourself later."

Changfeng looked at the little maid in front of him with affection.

The little maid looked around, lowered her head shyly, and said 'mm'.

Changfeng's seat was the same as Xu Zaijing's, both at the very back, very close to the wooden platform where the maids and servants sat.

Seeing the 'interaction' between Changfeng and the little maid Ke'er, whether it was Xique by Rulan's side or Luzhong and Yunzai by Mo Lan's side, they all rolled their eyes in unison.

At this time, Qi Heng put down the porridge bowl in his hand, and Buwei on the wooden platform quickly stood up and walked to Qi Heng's side: "Young Master, would you like to drink some more? Eat well early, it's best to be full at noon."

Before Qi Heng could speak,

Xu Zaijing, to his right rear, said: "Mama Cui, please bring another large bowl!"

Looking at Mama Cui walking over with a beaming smile, Qi Heng nodded: "Mm! Change it to a bowl of meat porridge!"

Buwei agreed and hurriedly filled the bowl.

After some busyness in the schoolroom,

Buwei sat back on the wooden platform.

Luzhong, Mo Lan's personal maid on the side, looked at the gaze of her mistress in front, leaned toward Buwei, and said in a low voice: "Brother Buwei, the schoolroom is on break before the Spring Festival. Will you be free afterward?"

Buwei smiled: "Sister Luzhong, why do you ask?"

Luzhong said with a smile: "The master has been kind. Before the year ends, Yunzai, Xiaotao, and I will have quite a lot of rewards, so we discussed finding a private room in a restaurant to have a meal together."

"After all, we've been accompanying the young masters and young ladies to study for so long, and we haven't eaten together yet!"

Buwei thought for a moment, looked at Xu Zaijing's maid Yun Xiang sitting on the side, and asked: "Are you going too?"

Yun Xiang nodded slightly: "I asked the Young Master just now, and the Young Master told the three of us to do as we please."

"Then what about Brother Qingyun? Is he going?" Buwei continued to ask.

Yun Xiang shook her head: "Brother Qingyun has to look after Sister Seeing Hua Qing and the two children, so that's not certain!"

Buwei nodded: "Alright, then I'll give Sister Luzhong a definite answer this afternoon after I ask my Young Master."

Listening to the conversation of the few, Ke'er, Changfeng's little maid who was visiting the schoolroom for the first time, was drinking the meat porridge in her bowl while her eyes darted around, looking at the attire of the several maids.

This Miss Ke'er's time spent looking at people was especially long on Yun Xiang, and her gaze mostly fell on Yun Xiang's jewelry and clothes.

After finishing, and handing the porridge bowl to the servant brought by Mama Cui, Ke'er continued to look at Yun Xiang.

Suddenly,

Ke'er's line of sight was blocked by Luzhong's figure.

When Ke'er wanted to turn sideways to continue looking, Luzhong moved a small step and blocked her again.

Facing Ke'er's gaze, Luzhong slowly squatted down and said in an extremely low voice: "Sister Ke'er, don't look anymore! You can't compare to Miss Yun Xiang's jewelry and clothes!"

They were all maids of the Linqi Pavilion,

They saw each other every day,

Ke'er rolled her eyes and said in a low voice: "We are all maids by our respective young masters' sides, what is there that can't be compared?"

Hearing this, Luzhong sat on the wooden platform on her own and gave Yunzai a look.

Yunzai understood, affectionately took Ke'er's arm, leaned into her ear, and said: "Sister Ke'er, do you know whose craftsmanship Miss Yun Xiang's jewelry is?"

Ke'er thought for a moment, shook her head, and said in a low voice: "It looks exquisite and beautiful, I can't tell where it's from..."

As she spoke, Ke'er stroked a hairpin on her own bun.

"That jewelry comes from the Li family jewelry shop! Sister Zhou by the mistress's side once went to that shop to look. The same style is priced at over one hundred guan."

"One hundred..."

Ke'er, who was stroking the hairpin, paused. The thing on her head was only worth two guan...

Looking at Ke'er's shocked appearance, Luzhong and Yunzai looked at each other and sighed lightly with some melancholy and envy.

Jewelry priced at one hundred guan, even Lin Qinshuang, the owner of Linqi Pavilion, didn't have many pieces.

In the afternoon,

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and the others relaxed and engaged in activities outside the schoolroom.

Qi Heng and Buwei walked not far to the side. Listening to Buwei's question, Qi Heng slowed his pace slightly and said: "Go, come with me to change clothes first."

As he spoke, the two walked outside the courtyard.

On the way, seeing that there was no one around, Qi Heng said as he walked: "All of you little servants and maids are going? Then... is Xiaotao by Sixth Sister's side going?"

Buwei thought for a moment and said: "She should be!"

Hearing this, the corners of Qi Heng's mouth curled slightly, and he said: "Good! Buwei, you go and participate!"

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Buwei said with a smile, cupping his hands.

Qi Heng nodded: "When you go, find an opportunity! Help me ask Xiaotao what Sixth Sister... likes to eat, what she likes to play, and what colors she likes!"

"Ah?"

Qi Heng frowned slightly: "What 'ah'?"

"Young Master, you asking me to inquire about this... isn't very good~!"

"I, I'd better not go... Young Master!"

Buwei said with his head lowered.

Qi Heng looked back at Buwei, thought for a moment, and said: "Fine, you don't have to go, then don't follow me to the Sheng family tomorrow!"

As he spoke, Qi Heng walked forward a few steps.

Because he didn't hear the sound of footsteps following behind, Qi Heng stopped, turned around, and walked back to Buwei: "You..."

Buwei lowered his head and didn't speak.

"Fine! When you go, I won't force you to ask what Sixth Sister likes, but if you hear anything about her, you must tell me!"

"That's acceptable, right?"

Buwei bowed and cupped his hands: "Yes, thank you, Young Master!"

Looking at Buwei's appearance, Qi Heng shook his head and walked toward the schoolroom.

"Young Master, aren't you going to change clothes?"

Qi Heng waved his hand to indicate he wasn't, then continued: "Buwei, you've accompanied me to many poetry gatherings, banquets, flower viewing, and elegant gatherings. Have you ever seen a woman more beautiful than Sixth Sister?"

Buwei, who was following behind, looked around and said in a low voice: "Young Master, discussing noble ladies from other families here... isn't good, right?"

Qi Heng stopped and glared at Buwei: "I'm just discussing the matter as it is!"

Buwei said sheepishly: "Young Master, the little one thinks that Miss Zhengzheng from our relative the Chai family, and Miss Feiyan from the Rong family, are both... both more beautiful than Sixth Miss."

Qi Heng, walking in front, shook his head and said: "Buwei, you don't understand! It's true that Cousin Chai and Miss Feiyan are beautiful, but Sixth Sister hasn't fully blossomed yet. When she is a little older, you'll see..."

As he spoke, because he had seen a beautiful scene that no one else had discovered, a smile appeared on Qi Heng's lips involuntarily.

"But, Young Master, Sixth Miss's background..."

After Buwei finished speaking, the smile on Qi Heng's face slowly faded.

Qi Heng was not old, but having been influenced by what he had seen and heard over the past few years, he knew very clearly in his heart,

Although Hualan had married into Marquis Yongyi's Mansion and become the Second Da Niangzi,

Even if Bo'er passed the imperial examination later, the only Sheng family girl who would be qualified for his mother, Princess Pingning, to think about and discuss marriage with him would be the legitimate Rulan.

The status gap between the concubine-born Minglan and him was too large, and the chances were extremely slim.

Qi Heng took a deep breath and said: "A real man, why look at background when marrying a wife? And now that I am a provincial graduate, I can still argue with Mother about marriage!"

Buwei, on the side, pursed his lips and said in a low voice:

"Young Master, the Princess was raised by the Empress since she was a child and has a deep relationship with His Majesty and the Empress."

"And now that the Imperial Prince is healthy and strong, and you have achieved success in your studies, it is clear that in the future, our Qi family's position in the court will rise higher and higher!"

"How could the Princess allow you to marry a concubine-born daughter as your wife?"

"You!" Qi Heng stopped again, looked at Buwei, and was speechless.

His maternal grandfather was the Marquis of Xiangyang, whose lineage was no less long-standing than the Marquis of Ningyuan,

His maternal grandmother was from the incomparably wealthy Chai family,

His father was the Duke of Qi, a super first-rank official,

His mother was Princess Pingning, who was doted on by the Emperor and received her title as a child!

Qi Heng himself had studied and passed the provincial examination,

With such a background, and relying on Princess Pingning's relationship with the Emperor and Empress, Qi Heng would be a staunch noble confidant of the Imperial Prince Zhao Fang nine times out of ten!

When it came to being well-matched in social status, there were only a few legitimate daughters or granddaughters of Dukes or Grand Ministers in the Great Zhou court who could discuss marriage with Qi Heng!

What? You say Qi Heng wants to marry a concubine-born daughter of an official below the fourth rank as his legitimate wife.

No matter which family in Bianjing heard this, they would treat it as a joke and laugh their heads off.

Walking forward a few steps,

Qi Heng stopped again and said: "As long as Mother nods, everything you said, Buwei, won't count for anything!"

Buwei bowed and didn't continue speaking.

After school in the afternoon,

On the way out of the schoolroom courtyard,

Xu Zaijing looked at Qi Heng beside him and said: "Yuanruo, why do you look so worried after you came back from changing clothes this afternoon?"

Qi Heng's mouth curled into a smile: "Zaijing, do I?"

Xu Zaijing nodded heavily.

Gu Tingye, who heard their conversation, leaned over: "Yuanruo, you, you wouldn't be... urinating..."

As he spoke, Gu Tingye aimed a glance between Qi Heng's legs and raised his eyebrows with an ambiguous meaning.

Qi Heng's face turned anxious. First, he looked behind him, then said urgently: "Second Uncle, I'm not, I didn't..."

Gu Tingye patted Qi Heng: "Yuanruo, I understand, I understand... Hey, Fifth Young Master, what do you mean by looking at me like that! We're talking about Yuanruo!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 541 =====