Chapter 574: You Should Pay More Attention Next Time [Thanks! Bow again! Owed chapters: 43k]

"Ever since I went to school to study, A... Xiaoniang has exhorted me I don't know how many times."

Yu Yanran, to the side, nodded with some envy in her eyes and said: "The Qi family is not a match; it must be a match of the Jiang family."

Minglan looked up at the afternoon sky with pursed lips, smiled, and said: "That is exactly the principle."

Tilting her head to look at Yanran, Minglan added: "Sister Yanran, you are different."

Yu Yanran walked forward arm in arm with Minglan, lowered her head, and said: "Me? It is somewhat different! Although my grandfather holds a high position, my birth mother passed away early, and I am not someone with both parents..."

Watching Yanran frown, Minglan was about to speak,

"Hahaha! Brother Feng is right!"

The sound of youths laughing heartily came from the corridor not far away.

Minglan and Yanran looked at each other and were about to turn and leave.

"Sixth Younger Sister! Stay your steps!"

In the corridor, a man's quick-witted voice calling someone rang out.

Minglan had no choice but to stop, holding Yanran's arm, beckoned to Xiaotao, and looked toward the corridor.

At this time, Minglan saw clearly that the people who came were the young masters from several families who had come to pay New Year's respects at their home, along with their respective servants.

Minglan and Yanran stood where they were. When the two looked at each other, they both saw the awkwardness in the other's eyes.

As the group approached, Minglan and Yanran hurriedly brought their maids to bow and said: "Second Young Master Gu, Fifth Brother Xu, Third Brother, happy... happy New Year."

Yanran didn't dare to look up, lowering her eyes to look at the hems of the group's clothes near the ground, and said: "Three... three young masters, happy New Year."

Minglan had attended school with Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye for several years, so she could naturally tell that it was Gu Tingye who had called her to stop just now.

Therefore, Minglan gathered her courage, looked up at the three, and said with some panic in her heart: "Second Young Master Gu, what... what is the matter that you called me?"

While speaking, Minglan saw Xu Zaijing beside Gu Tingye, who was looking at her with a smile.

Sensing the eye contact, Xu Zaijing even nodded at her with a smile.

For some reason, after seeing Xu Zaijing, Minglan's mood calmed down instantly.

Changfeng, to the side, waved his hand with a smile and said: "Sixth Younger Sister, it's nothing."

While Changfeng was speaking, Gu Tingye walked forward quickly for a few steps, scaring Minglan and Yanran into retreating repeatedly.

Seeing this scene, Gu Tingye shook his head with a smile, stopped, and said: "Sixth Younger Sister, Brother Feng is right, I have no business, I mainly wanted to apologize to Miss Yanran."

Hearing her own name, Yanran's grip on Minglan's arm tightened. She raised her head in panic, glanced at Gu Tingye with lightning speed, then continued to lower her head, her voice trembling slightly as she said:

"A... apologize? Why do you... want to apologize?"

As she spoke, Yanran continued to lower her head, looking at Minglan for help.

"This year... no, last year during the Qingming Festival, Brother Jing and I were galloping our horses wildly along the official road east of the city, causing much disturbance to Old Madam Yu, the Old Madam, and Miss Yanran."

"Although the incident happened suddenly at the time and there were other circumstances, Brother Jing and I were forced to do so. But since I happen to run into Miss Yanran now, I must offer an apology."

As he spoke, Gu Tingye cupped his hands and bowed.

Minglan, to the side, listened to the conversation and looked at Gu Tingye and Yu Yanran with some curiosity.

Yu Yanran raised her eyes to look at Gu Tingye again and said: "You... you should... pay more attention next time."

When Gu Tingye was apologizing, Xu Zaijing and Changfeng had already led their servants to the side.

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile and said: "Miss Yanran, I think Second Brother... he doesn't want there to be a next time!"

Gu Tingye straightened his body and nodded.

Yu Yanran looked toward Xu Zaijing, who was speaking. Perhaps because she was always earning money by improving Xu Zaijing's "inventions," Yu Yanran had a special feeling for Xu Zaijing in her heart.

Of course, it wasn't the kind that crossed the bounds of propriety.

It was just that she felt a bit shy, yet also liked him, the kind where she wanted to talk to Xu Zaijing a few more times.

Yu Yanran's desire to talk a few more times wasn't to pour out her heart, but to ask if Xu Zaijing had any more "inventions" that could allow her... to have another source of income.

This frank mindset of "only seeking money" allowed Yu Yanran to have no shyness in her eyes when looking at Xu Zaijing.

Understanding the meaning in Yu Yanran's eyes, Xu Zaijing continued: "That time, we were being chased and killed."

"Chased... and killed?"

Yu Yanran's eyes were full of surprise as she tilted her head to look at Minglan. The word "chased and killed" was too far away for two young ladies in the boudoir.

Taking advantage of the moment Yu Yanran tilted her head, Gu Tingye scanned Yu Yanran's face somewhat rudely, then puffed out his chest with some self-satisfaction and said:

"Hi! That's all in the past. Compared to Beizhou, it's nothing!"

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, feeling the admiring gazes of Yu Yanran and Minglan, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.

Changfeng, beside Xu Zaijing, looked at Gu Tingye with great admiration, his eyes full of longing.

Glancing at Xu Zaijing, who was shaking his head slightly with a smile, Minglan said: "Oh! Second Young Master Gu, since you have finished apologizing! Then... Sister Yanran and I will take our leave first."

"Yes, yes, we will take our leave first."

As she spoke, Minglan and Yanran bowed and hurriedly walked quickly toward where their respective grandmothers were.

Gu Tingye watched Yu Yanran, who looked back at him after walking far away, took a deep breath with a smile, turned to Xu Zaijing, and said: "Brother Jing, what do you think..."

"Hmm, it's quite good!"

"I..."

The three talked as they continued to walk toward the courtyard for changing clothes.

In the distance,

Whether it was because they walked fast or for some other reason, Yu Yanran and Minglan were breathing somewhat rapidly.

Watching Xu Zaijing and the others turn and leave, Yu Yanran and Minglan, holding their handkerchiefs, patted their heaving chests with similar movements.

"Next time we come out for a stroll, we should let the maids walk in front!" Yu Yanran said after her breathing had calmed down a lot.

Minglan nodded repeatedly.

Yanran wrinkled her nose and said: "Minglan, I feel that Gu Yuan Erlang... he is so frivolous! He doesn't look like a hero who made great achievements in Beizhou at all!"

Minglan agreed and said: "Hmm! Second Young Master Gu is a bit... how can he just call people to stay their steps when he meets them!"

"Exactly! Too rude!" Yanran nodded in affirmation.

After finishing their "bad-mouthing" of others behind their backs, the two looked at each other and smiled, then walked slowly toward where their grandmothers were.

"By the way, Minglan, before, I heard the Fifth Daughter of the Zhang family say that the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family made great achievements in the Northwest, and even said he killed I don't know how many Bai Gao enemy soldiers. Do you think this is true?"

Minglan pondered for a moment and said: "How could such a thing be false? Sister Yanran, why would you ask this question?"

Yanran pursed her lips and said: "I... I don't think he looks fierce and evil at all!"

"Fierce and evil is toward wicked people and enemies, we are not."

"That's true!"

The two talked as they led their maids out of the courtyard.

In the afternoon,

Old Madam Yu, who came to the Sheng family to pick up her daughter-in-law to go home, arrived.

Xu Zaijing and the others went to the main hall of the front courtyard, sat in two rows in the lower seats, and with Sheng Hong accompanying them, asked Old Madam Yu for academic instruction.

When Old Madam Yu set a topic and everyone was thinking and answering,

Sheng Hong, who was always good at observing expressions, kept looking back and forth between Xu Zaijing and the others and Old Madam Yu's face.

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, he bowed and cupped his hands.

Old Master Yu narrowed his eyes and scanned Gu Tingye, saying: "Brother Ye, your ideas are not bad, but the Master says..."

Listening to Old Master Yu's words, Sheng Hong had an expression of being instructed on his face, nodding repeatedly.

After the commentary ended, Gu Tingye bowed again: "Thank you, Old Master, for your instruction."

Gu Tingye took his seat, and Changbai stood up.

A quarter of an hour later, Changbai bowed and cupped his hands: "Master, the above is this boy's answer."

Old Master Yu nodded, stroking his beard, and smiled: "Brother Bai, it is very rare for you to have such insight!"

Hearing Old Master Yu's evaluation, Sheng Hong's face was immediately full of happiness as he looked at Changbai.

Subsequently, Xu Zaijing and the others also stated their answers.

Old Master Yu gave another round of sharp-eyed commentary.

After talking for a while longer,

Everyone took their leave with Old Master Yu, preparing to leave the Sheng family.

At the main gate,

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu, the couple, came to see the guests off. Qi Heng stood beside Xu Zaijing, his eyes looking around beside Sheng Hong.

After looking for a long time, there were only Changbai and Changfeng, but he didn't see the figure he was hoping to see in his heart.

Gu Tingye walked to Xu Zaijing's side, looked at Qi Heng, and said: "Yuanruo, what are you looking at?"

Qi Heng hurriedly withdrew his gaze, shook his head, and said: "Second Uncle, I'm not looking at anything!"

Gu Tingye nodded, looked at the Yu family's carriage, and said to Xu Zaijing: "Brother Jing, in the afternoon we went to change clothes and saw Sixth Younger Sister and Miss Yanran, you said..."

Qi Heng's eyes widened: "Second Uncle, you saw Sixth Younger Sister... and the Yu family's eldest young lady this afternoon?"

"Yes! I called you to go together, didn't you not go!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye looked at Qi Heng with some confusion.

"Oh..." Qi Heng responded with some regret. After sensing Gu Tingye's gaze, Qi Heng hurriedly said: "What a coincidence."

Gu Tingye: "Hmm! It can be considered Heaven helping me!"

Listening to the conversation between the two beside him, Xu Zaijing bowed to Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu, then walked toward his own carriage.

When returning home, Xu Xingzhong did not follow, staying at the Sheng family overnight with his parents.

Leaving Jiying Lane,

Because the government opened the gambling for three days, many Bianjing commoners went out to stroll the streets and gamble, so the roads on both sides were very lively all the way.

After entering the inner city, the liveliness went up another level.

Especially near Daxiangguo Temple, when Xu Zaijing passed by, the surrounding area was already somewhat congested.

Listening to the lively and noisy sounds outside the carriage, the three maids, Qingcao, Hua, and Yun, all lifted the carriage window curtains and looked outside.

Qingyun rode his horse beside the carriage, looked at Qingcao's expression, and said: "Sister Qingcao, why don't you ask the Young Master, we can get out of the carriage and stroll along the street."

Qingcao lifted the carriage curtain with one hand, tilted her head to look at Xu Zaijing, then turned to Qingyun and said: "Brother Qingyun, Alan didn't come today, so we won't go down! Let's save the money for the Lantern Festival."

Inside the carriage, the Yunxiang sisters, who were just eager to try, immediately dismissed the idea after hearing Qingcao's words.

"That's fine too!"

Qingyun beside the carriage smiled and said.

Xu Zaijing, sitting in the middle of the carriage, didn't speak, just looked outside through the carriage window.

"Move aside!"

"Go to the side!"

Not far away, Bianjing yamen runners were clearing the way for a group of people on horseback, pushing aside those blocking the road while shouting at the passersby on the street.

Among the people on horseback, someone saw Xu Zaijing in the carriage and glared fiercely at him.

The glare made Xu Zaijing in the carriage feel somewhat baffled.

Upon seeing a stall by the roadside that had been squeezed over, Xu Zaijing's eyes lit up and he said:

"Stop the carriage."

"Whoa."

"Young Master?"

"Let's go down and stroll."

Hearing this, the three maids in the carriage looked at each other with joy.

After getting out of the carriage, the sounds of hawking, shouting, bargaining, and so on around them became even louder.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's party, the merchants hurriedly greeted them:

"Young Master, would you like to gamble a hand?"

"Da Niangzi, take a look at these pearls and emeralds!"

"Spices from the Western Regions, would you like to take a look?"

When the four were strolling forward, the commoners who saw Xu Zaijing's party's attire gave way one after another.

The yamen runners clearing the way not far away, upon seeing Xu Zaijing, hurriedly bowed and cupped their hands in greeting. There were even yamen runners who chased after the group of people on horseback in front to report a few words.

Xu Zaijing didn't show any reaction, while Qingyun, who was following, nodded and returned the greeting to the yamen runners.

When they walked to the side of the stall that had been squeezed over, which he had seen from the carriage, Xu Zaijing looked at the lifelike flowers of various colors and unique shapes displayed on the stall and said to the stall owner: "Madam has such clever hands."

The woman who was selling the lifelike flowers and was just tidying up her stall looked up at Xu Zaijing, who was full of imposing manner, and the maid beside him, who was dressed in decent and luxurious clothes with an extremely gentle face, hurriedly bowed and smiled: "This little woman thanks the Young Master for the praise! Young Master, you flatter me!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile and said: "No, no, I am not flattering you! Just now in the carriage, I took a quick look at Madam's stall and thought you were selling fresh flowers! The color matching of these flowers is truly excellent!"

Being praised by such a young and handsome youth, the woman felt somewhat embarrassed and said: "This little woman's craftsmanship is crude and does not deserve such praise from the Young Master."

While Xu Zaijing was speaking,

Qingcao, Yunxiang, and Huaxiang were already standing beside the stall, carefully observing these lifelike flowers.

"So beautiful!"

"They really look like fresh flowers!"

"Young Master is right, this color matching is truly superb!"

The three maids exclaimed while looking.

"Is this color matched by Madam yourself?"

"Replying to the Young Master, it was matched by this little woman herself."

Qingyun, to the side, said: "Listening to your accent, Madam is not from Bianjing?"

Glancing at Qingyun, the woman said: "This little woman just arrived in Bianjing not long ago, and this craft of tying lifelike flowers is also ancestral."

Xu Zaijing nodded, looked at the woman, and said: "Madam makes a living with this craft?"

"Yes."

Xu Zaijing looked at the items on the stall and smiled: "Then I want them all."

"Thank you, Young Master!"

"Hmm, hire a carriage and send half of these items to the Marquis Yongyi's residence, and the remaining half to the Duke Lian's residence."

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words, the woman setting up the stall looked surprised: "Marquis residence... Duke... Duke residence?"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Qingyun had already pulled the pouch from his waist and started to take out money.

The woman, who had set up the stall for most of the day and couldn't sell anything because the price was too high, looked at Qingyun, who was taking out money in front of her, with disbelief.

"Take one of my calling cards. After arriving at the Duke Lian's residence, please ask the Duke to take a look..."

Xu Zaijing tilted his head and glanced at the few people walking toward him in the crowd, then added: "Let the yamen runners over there also send two people to protect the carriage."

"Yes, Young Master."

After Qingyun responded, he nodded to the few people walking toward this side with a smile, then pulled one of them and walked toward the yamen runners.

While Qingyun was busy,

The person who came had already walked to Xu Zaijing, cupped his hands with a smile, and said: "I have seen the Fifth Young Master!"

Xu Zaijing smiled when he saw who it was: "Pan Chen, what are you doing here?"

This Pan Chen was one of Zhao Meifeng's subordinates. Before going to Beizhou, it was he who rode a horse with Alan to the capital to report the news of the Beizhou incident.

Looking back at Daxiangguo Temple, Pan Chen said: "Replying to the Fifth Young Master, today we are accompanying the Northern Liao envoys to offer incense at Daxiangguo Temple!"

Northern Liao revered Buddhism, and coming to Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense on the second day of the Lunar New Year was almost a convention.

"Oh, so it's them."

"Just now when the Northern Liao person glared at you, I saw it. Does the Fifth Young Master still remember who that person is?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head in confusion: "Never seen him, don't know him."

Hearing this,

The few Imperial City Division soldiers behind Pan Chen looked at each other, and one said: "Fifth Young Master, that person was beaten by you! The physician said his internal organs were shaken! He is also one of the few who is not limping and has no injuries on his face."

Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, shook his head, and said: "There were quite a few people beaten that day, I really don't remember."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 575 =====