Chapter 571

"It shouldn't be! If it were truly that serious, Madam Bai wouldn't have brought the second young master of the Gu family into the palace."

A wife with a title of honor nearby said in a low voice with a smile.

"That's true! That's good then!"

The wife of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang nodded in agreement.

After the Gu family members were seated, the other families from the capital continued to enter the hall to pay their New Year's respects.

About two quarter-hours later,

"His Majesty has arrived~"

The eunuch's cry came.

The grand morning assembly in the outer court had ended, and the Emperor and Zhao Fang led the officials and nobles to the palace where the Empress was located.

Everyone sitting in the hall stood up one after another.

When the Emperor and the officials and nobles entered the hall, their moods were visibly very good!

After entering the hall, most of the people who saw Xu Zaijing standing behind Sun Shi would smile and take an extra look, or nod with an expression full of approval.

Zhao Fang, who was following the Emperor, smiled so broadly that his teeth were exposed when he saw Xu Zaijing.

After sitting on the dragon throne, the Emperor waved his hand, and amidst the eunuch's cry, everyone in the hall sat down again.

Subsequently, after the Emperor concernedly inquired about the health of several elderly members of the imperial clan and nobility, he said, "All you ministers have stayed up for the New Year's Eve, so return home early today to rest; I will not keep you any longer."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing these words, everyone in the hall stood up, bowed, and cupped their hands in salute as they shouted.

The Emperor nodded, and the head eunuch nearby hurriedly shouted loudly, "Congratulate!"

After three shouts of mountain-shaking congratulations from everyone for the New Year, the Emperor led the Empress and others toward the inner court.

Those who had entered the palace to offer New Year's greetings left their seats and walked toward the palace hall entrance in an orderly fashion.

They entered family by family, but they left all together, so the entrance to the hall became slightly congested.

The familiar noblewomen and official wives who hadn't had a chance to talk or chat when they entered the palace took this opportunity to walk together and talk.

At the very front, the master of the Chai family and Xu Minghua were chatting together, while Madam Chai walked side-by-side with Sun Shi.

After stepping over the threshold and exiting the hall, Sun Shi beckoned to Xu Zaijing, who was at the very back holding his nephew.

After Xu Zaijing walked over, Sun Shi said, "Sister, you'll know once you see; there's nothing wrong!"

Madam Chai looked at the still-red corner of Xu Zaijing's mouth and asked with concern, "Oh my, Jing Ge'er, does it still hurt?"

Chai Zhengzheng, who was talking to Sheng Hualan and Xie Shi, also followed her mother's gaze to look at the corner of Xu Zaijing's mouth.

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "Madam, it hasn't hurt for a long time."

Dai Ge'er in Xu Zaijing's arms said: "I blew on it for Little Uncle, so Little Uncle doesn't hurt anymore."

Hearing this, the people around them all burst into laughter.

"What are you talking about? So happy?" The voice of Madam Wu came.

Seeing the Marquis of Yongchang and Madam Wu, Xie Shi, Sheng Hualan, and Chai Zhengzheng nearby all performed a curtsy.

While Madam Wu nodded with a smile to acknowledge them, the Marquis of Yongchang walked to Xu Minghua's side and cupped his hands to speak, and Liang Han also took the opportunity to stand beside Xu Zaijing.

At this time, the sun had already risen, and bright sunlight spilled onto everyone.

Everyone continued talking as they walked toward the outside of the palace.

On the way out of the palace, perhaps due to the obstruction of the palace buildings, winds from chaotic directions blew past from time to time, blowing the various scents of incense from the surroundings into Xu Zaijing's nose.

Among them was a faint, elegant fragrance that made Xu Zaijing feel exceptionally pleasant.

"Jing Ge'er, how about we go to Pan Lou to drink later? At the Flying Cloud Terrace next to Pan Lou, a new top courtesan who is excellent in both dance and music has just arrived."

Xu Zaijing looked at Liang Han and said: "Sixth Young Master, you stayed up all night for New Year's Eve, aren't you sleepy?"

Liang Han shook his head: "Not sleepy!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's scrutinizing gaze, Liang Han looked at the people in front and whispered: "I dozed off for more than two hours last night."

Xu Zaijing smiled: "No wonder."

"Little Uncle, what is a top courtesan?" Xu Xingdai asked with eyes full of confusion.

Hugging his nephew upward, Xu Zaijing said: "Adult matters, children shouldn't ask so much."

"Oh~!"

"Who else is going?"

Liang Han's eyes lit up, his breath forming white clouds, and he smiled: "If you go, Jing Ge'er, then there will be plenty of people who want to go!"

In the crowd ahead, Chai Zhengzheng, who was walking side-by-side with Sheng Hualan and Xie Shi, twitched her ears, then turned her head to give Liang Han, who was full of joy, a look of unclear meaning.

Subsequently, Liang Han darted back and forth in the crowd leaving the palace like a bee, and soon pulled together a group of noble and official youths, preparing to go to Pan Lou together.

After leaving the inner court,

Families living on the east and west sides of the imperial city prepared to turn and walk toward the Donghuamen or the West Flower Gate.

"Don't worry, Miss Zhengzheng, what we send over then will definitely be the best sugarcane!"

"Many thanks, Madam!"

Chai Zhengzheng said with a smile.

Xie Shi waved her hand: "It's just a matter of a word, it's not worth Miss Zhengzheng's thanks."

Chai Zhengzheng smiled, looked at her mother and Sun Shi who were separating in front, and said: "Then, Zhengzheng will take her leave first."

Sheng Hualan and Xie Shi nodded with a smile, and Sheng Hualan said: "Miss Zhengzheng, come to the mansion to play when you have time."

After Chai Zhengzheng bowed slightly, she nodded and signaled to Xu Zaijing, who was holding his nephew, with a smile, then walked a few quick steps to Madam Chai's side.

Behind the crowd, the family of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang, who were talking to the Dou family of the Duke of Consort Fu Guo, also parted ways with their in-laws here.

Rong Feiyan followed behind, but it was much more convenient to watch people; she didn't have to turn her head like Chai Zhengzheng.

After parting ways with the Dou family, the Chai family turned east and walked toward the Donghuamen. Just as they were about to exit the Donghuamen, a eunuch came running over and shouted:

"Marquis Rong, please stay!"

After the Rong family stopped, the little eunuch carried a wooden box and ran to them. After a bow, he said: "Marquis Rong, this is something Consort Rong ordered this servant to bring for Miss Feiyan."

"Oh! Yan'er, hurry and take it." The Marquis of Hou Fu Chang said.

"Eunuch, please thank the Consort for me." Rong Feiyan said while taking the wooden box.

"This servant understands, this servant will take his leave."

"Eunuch, walk slowly."

Watching the departing little eunuch, Rong Feiyan held the wooden box in her hands, turned around, and continued walking outside.

After exiting the palace,

"What did your sister bestow upon you?"

The wife of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang turned around and asked her daughter.

Rong Feiyan shook her head and said: "Mother, let's talk when we get home."

The wife of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang nodded: "Hmm! I reckon it's mostly precious medicine for your sister-in-law to nourish her pregnancy."

The Marquis of Hou Fu Chang on the side said: "If it were the thing you mentioned, it would have been handed to you, the mother-in-law, long ago; why would it be given to Yan'er?"

"I..." The wife of the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang was speechless.

After getting into her carriage,

Rong Feiyan handed the wooden box to Seeing Xi Bu, took the hand warmer handed over by Ningxiang, felt the warmth in her palms, and sighed comfortably.

"Open it and see what it is."

After Rong Feiyan finished speaking, Seeing Xi Bu carefully placed the wooden box on her knees, undid the buckle, and opened it.

"Young lady, looking at the characters on it, it seems to be medicinal wine for promoting blood circulation and reducing swelling."

"Let me see."

Rong Feiyan reached out and said.

After taking the exquisite porcelain bottle and looking at the handwriting on it, Rong Feiyan sighed with some worry and said: "Their family is a Marquis's mansion, they naturally have good medicine; how am I supposed to send it!"

"Yuan Erlang Young Master?"

Seeing Xi Bu whispered on the side.

Rong Feiyan pursed her lips and nodded: "Hmm, I can only rely on my brother."

From the first to the third day of the first lunar month, the Great Zhou government opened the gates for gambling for three days.

Therefore,

When Xu Zaijing reported to his parents outside the Xuande Gate and went to Pan Lou with Liang Han and the others, there were many peddlers or shop assistants and clerks on both sides of the road calling out to solicit customers.

Seeing the group of noble youths including Xu Zaijing, the shouts of the shop assistants and clerks would suddenly grow louder.

"Take a look! Come and see! Coconut containers produced in Guangnan West Circuit! They can hold water or wine!"

Hearing this shout, Xu Zaijing, who was riding on the back of his little Li horse, reined in his horse and walked over.

Looking at the precious saddle and the jade-inlaid bridle, as well as the large-bodied little Li horse, the peddler's face was full of smiles: "Young Master, would you like to take a look?"

Xu Zaijing reached out and took it, looked at the coconut shell carved into a bowl shape, and smiled: "Shopkeeper, do you have any unopened coconuts here? Books say that this coconut juice tastes very sweet."

"Replying to Young Master, when this coconut is just picked, the juice inside is sweet and delicious! But to transport it to Bianjing, the journey is three thousand li, and the juice inside has long since changed flavor; naturally, I don't have any here."

After Xu Zaijing nodded, he said to Qingyun: "Buy a few to take back as a new novelty."

"Yes!"

Saying this, Qingyun began to take out money, and while taking it out, he said: "Young Master, it's a pity that Alan didn't follow us today, otherwise..."

Xu Zaijing in front smiled slightly.

Entering the main street of Pan Lou, there were many gambling sheds set up in the middle of the street, and the commoners gambling around them were endless.

The group did not linger but went directly into Pan Lou.

Because the floor heating was burning, the temperature inside and outside Pan Lou was completely different.

On the first floor, there were musicians performing, and the pleasant sounds of string and wind instruments drifted through the building.

The group went up to the second floor and saw tables set up not far away where the Flying Cloud Terrace connected to the Rainbow Bridge, with female musicians greeting guests to gamble; the prize for gambling was a night of spring with the young ladies of the Flying Cloud Terrace.

Seeing this scene, several people in the group went over there, took out money to gamble a few times, among whom were Liang Han and the limping Gu Tingye.

Subsequently, the group entered a private room under the guidance of the tea and wine expert.

After various dried fruits and preserved fruits were served,

Xu Zaijing did not drink alcohol but drank tea and talked with the noble and official youths who came with him.

Of course, the topic everyone talked about the most was the incident where Xu Zaijing went to the Northern Liao relay station to cause a scene before the New Year.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who was calmly cracking melon seeds, Qiao Jiulang brought his tea and leaned over, saying: "Fifth Brother Xu, I've also heard about the bounty from that Wuyou Cave; aren't you afraid that there's something wrong with the food and drink?"

Zheng Xiao on the side said with a straight face: "Jiulang, what is there for Jing Ge'er to fear? The food and drink are all the same as ours! If there really were something wrong, everyone would be accompanying him!"

Qiao Jiulang's face showed surprise: "Ah?"

Hearing this, Qi Heng, who was drinking tea, paused slightly before placing the teacup in his hand on the table.

Looking at Qiao Jiulang's somewhat frightened expression, Zheng Xiao suddenly laughed and said: "Hahaha! Jiulang, I'm teasing you! If Pan Lou couldn't handle this little matter well, how could it open a shop in Bianjing?"

High officials and nobles walk everywhere in Bianjing City; let alone poisoning or not, even if someone got diarrhea after a meal, Pan Lou would be in big trouble if they weren't careful.

If Pan Lou didn't care about food safety, it wouldn't have been able to open for so long.

Everyone talked and laughed.

Official youths talked more about the imperial examinations, noble youths talked more about military affairs, and Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye could both chime in on these two aspects, making the private room very lively for a time.

Also because of Xu Zaijing's commotion at the Northern Liao relay station, the topics everyone talked about were mostly how Northern Liao would respond to this matter after the spring began.

Some said Northern Liao was furious and would station troops at the border; others said Northern Liao would act as if this matter had never happened and continue to deal with the Jin Kingdom.

"Station troops at the border? I wish Northern Liao would send more troops; then you'll see if the Jin Kingdom stabs it in the butt or not!"

As Gu Tingye spoke with a firm tone, a youth from a civil official's family walked to Xu Zaijing's side.

"Fifth Young Master Xu, I will toast you with tea instead of wine."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing stood up, raised his teacup, and clinked it with the Fourth Young Master Chen in front of him.

This Fourth Young Master Chen was the son of the Minister of Revenue, who had previously had a debate with Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye about whether to "fight or make peace" with Bai Gao.

After the two finished drinking their tea, Fourth Young Master Chen continued: "My father once told me about your affairs in Beizhou; if it weren't for you turning the tide, the lifeblood and wealth of the common people of my Great Zhou would have turned to ashes."

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "It wasn't my merit alone; the Second Young Master and many other soldiers also contributed."

Looking at Xu Zaijing, Fourth Young Master Chen said in a solemn tone: "Fifth Young Master Xu, I admire you! To have achieved such great merit and still be able to remain humble without arrogance!"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Perhaps I've seen too many things."

Fourth Young Master Chen looked at Xu Zaijing with some confusion: "What things?"

Xu Zaijing patted Fourth Young Master Chen's arm: "It's the New Year, let's not talk about those things! Are you going to take the imperial examination next time, Fourth Young Master?"

Fourth Young Master Chen looked somewhat embarrassed: "I haven't passed the provincial examination yet."

Xu Zaijing was stunned, then hurriedly smiled: "Put in more effort, Fourth Young Master; I reckon it won't be a difficult task."

Fourth Young Master Chen squeezed out a smile: "Fifth Young Master, what time do you and the Second Young Master of the Gu family start studying every day?"

"We start at the exact hour of Mao (5:00 AM)."

"No wonder, it is I who have been slack."

Subsequently, Fourth Young Master Chen also drank a cup of tea with Gu Tingye.

After drinking the tea, whether he hadn't heard Xu Zaijing and Fourth Young Master Chen talking or held some grudge in his heart, Gu Tingye asked Fourth Young Master Chen about the imperial examination again.

After the person finished answering, Gu Tingye gave another round of encouraging words similar to Xu Zaijing's.

It made Fourth Young Master Chen regret drinking tea with Gu Tingye.

After Fourth Young Master Chen left somewhat depressed, another youth from an official family came over, first toasting with tea, then saying: "Fifth Young Master, I heard that the Marquis's mansion has a few pure-blooded Haidong falcons from the heartland of the Jin Kingdom! If there are any offspring, I wonder if you could part with one?"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's somewhat difficult expression, this youth cupped his hands: "Don't worry, Fifth Young Master; if you can part with one, I naturally won't let you suffer a loss!"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "If it is fated, naturally it is possible!"

Hearing this, the youth hurriedly smiled and cupped his hands: "Many thanks, Fifth Young Master; then I will wait for the good news."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Subsequently, there were other noble youths inviting Xu Zaijing to attend banquets at their homes, and Xu Zaijing could only smile and deal with them with a few words.

Perhaps they had heard some rumors.

In the second half of the gathering, there were also youths from the families of wealthy merchants doing business in the Northwest who, under the introduction of familiar official and noble youths, came to the private room to toast and get close.

"Young Master, do you have any concubines in your room? To tell you the truth, my family has..."

Just as the youth from the wealthy merchant family opened his mouth, Xu Zaijing didn't react much, but the gazes of others around him toward him were somewhat unkind.

After a moment of thought, this person hurriedly cupped his hands: "Young Master, please forgive me; it was I who was abrupt and reckless."

A legitimate son of a Marquis's mansion, in terms of martial arts, can be said to have outstanding merits; in terms of literature, he is a young provincial graduate; as long as there are no accidents, his future is bright and his official career is vast!

Although this person's family was wealthy, talking directly to Xu Zaijing about concubines was indeed very abrupt and reckless.

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, saying nothing.

The gathering did not disperse until the end of the Wei hour (3:00 PM), with both host and guests having a good time.

After Xu Zaijing returned to the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion,

when he went to the backyard to "report" to his mother, he saw that the expressions of Sun Shi and his two sisters-in-law were somewhat strange.

After entering his own courtyard,

he saw six or seven porcelain and jade bottles of different styles placed on the table in the main hall.

"What is this?"

Xu Zaijing asked in confusion.

Qingcao and Yunxiang and Huaxiang exchanged glances, pursed their lips, and said: "Replying to Young Master, they are all... good medicine for treating injuries!"

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing touched the corner of his mouth...

(End of chapter)