Chapter 579: Little Brain Smoking [Thanks! Bow again! Owed chapters: 43k]

"Sister, the Lantern Festival is approaching, there are many commoners on the road, let's not take the carriage, let's ride horses!"

Rong Feiyan was stunned and said: "Oh! Then I'll go tidy up first."

"Hurry!" Rong Xian smiled.

Rong Feiyan stood up, nodded to the Hua family brother and sister, and walked toward the back courtyard.

Arriving at Huisue Courtyard,

Seeing Xi Bu took out a precious sable fur for winter protection and two veils to cover her face from the trunk with quick hands.

Ningxiang helped Rong Feiyan take off the dress she was wearing.

Soon, Rong Feiyan changed into a winter outfit convenient for riding, and the two maids, Seeing Xi Bu and Ningxiang, also put on cloaks for winter protection.

When the mistress and her two maids were walking toward the room door, Rong Feiyan stopped abruptly and tilted her head: "Seeing Xi Bu, should we take a piece of extremely soft material as a gift for the Marquis Xu's wife?"

Seeing Xi Bu and Ningxiang to the side looked at each other and shook their heads: "Da Niangzi, it's not appropriate... We are accompanying that Hua young master to the Xu family today. If we bring a gift, wouldn't it be somewhat... inappropriate?"

Rong Feiyan blinked and nodded: "That's right! Let's go."

When Rong Feiyan arrived at the second gate of her residence in a hurry, Rong Xian and the Hua family brother and sister were already waiting here.

Rong Feiyan's own mount had already been saddled, and it was being held by Rong Xian himself.

At the very back was a carriage, prepared for the two maids to sit in.

Walking to the side of the horse, Rong Feiyan stepped on the stirrup, grabbed the saddle, and with a force, mounted the horse's back. The beautiful skirt that spread out was like the wings of a butterfly.

Seeing Xi Bu, following Rong Feiyan, handed over the veil and carefully smoothed Rong Feiyan's sable fur and skirt for her, then walked toward the back.

The maid Ningxiang handed the veil to Hua Erniang and followed.

Watching his sister who was ready, Rong Xian waved his hand: "Let's go!"

Leaving Nanjiangtang Lane,

The group of people and horses walked south.

Rong Feiyan's horse had a gentle temperament and walked steadily.

As the sister of a favored consort and the legitimate daughter of a Marquis residence, Rong Feiyan's horse, whether on the saddle or the breastplate, had very exquisite gold and silver or embroidered decorations.

On the breastplate at the root of the horse's neck, there were also several exquisitely styled copper bells, which occasionally made a tinkling sound as the horse walked and bumped.

After hearing the sound of the bells, the commoners would mostly look back, and then hurriedly move to the side.

At first, Hua Erniang would occasionally look at Rong Feiyan's horse.

After arriving at the bustling Pan Lou Main Street, Hua Erniang could only look at the restaurants, brothels, and various vendors on both sides of the street while sniffing the tempting aroma of various foods in the air.

Seeing novel things, Hua Erniang would even lift the thin veil in front of her veil and take a few careful looks.

Just as they were about to leave Pan Lou Main Street, Rong Feiyan smelled a tempting aroma of food. Through the thin veil, Rong Feiyan saw Hua Erniang, who had lifted the thin veil, rolling her throat and couldn't help but swallow her saliva.

After pondering for a moment, Rong Feiyan said crisply: "Brother!"

Rong Xian, who was walking in front, looked back: "What's the matter?"

Rong Feiyan stretched her hand out from the sable fur sleeve and pointed to the side with her gloved hand: "I want to eat that!"

"Buy!"

There were two young ladies, so the Rong family servants bought two portions.

After Hua Rong and his sister thanked them, the group continued to walk forward.

After the group left Pan Lou Main Street and arrived at the Imperial Street leading directly to the Xuande Gate,

Hua Erniang originally thought Pan Lou Main Street was already lively enough,

But now, looking at the colorful sheds stretching along the street, and the various singing and dancing performances like fire-breathing, sword-swallowing, puppet shows, monkey shows, circus, and horse polo in the colorful sheds,

Hua Erniang felt somewhat overwhelmed, especially when she saw a few monkeys holding thin sticks dancing around and occasionally "fighting" each other, which directly made Hua Erniang rein in her horse to watch the monkey show!

Seeing the monkey trainer also being hit by the monkey wielding a stick and crying out in pain, Rong Feiyan, who was behind the veil, also laughed.

Among the young men watching the monkey show, when someone saw Rong Feiyan, who had lifted her veil to watch the monkey show, they were instantly attracted by Rong Feiyan's appearance and watched without blinking.

"The monkey show is not bad, reward!"

Rong Xian waved his hand after watching for a while.

Hearing this voice, the young man turned his head to look. Looking at Rong Xian, who was riding a tall horse and dressed in brocade, he lowered his head in some self-abasement.

After Rong Xian finished speaking, he said to Rong Feiyan: "Let's go! If you want to watch, you can watch when we come back! If not, invite them to perform at home."

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan nodded, and together with Hua Erniang, rode their horses forward.

After Rong Xian and the others walked far away, more than one gaze followed the backs of the Rong family.

Quyuan Lane,

Marquis Yongyi's residence,

Main hall of the front courtyard,

Xu Zaijing, who was walking along the corridor with his maids, entered the main hall.

Looking at the two people sitting there, especially the young man sitting below Rong Xian, Xu Zaijing's eyes widened!

The three words "Murong Fu" drifted through his heart.

There was no other reason; the young man sitting below Rong Xian, who should be called "Hua Rong," looked very much like the "Murong Fu" in Xu Zaijing's memory—that is, Teacher Xiu Qing.

Setting aside his actual abilities for a moment, just this handsome appearance with red lips and white teeth made Xu Zaijing feel very favorable toward him.

Immediately, Xu Zaijing smiled and cupped his hands: "Brother Xian, long time no see!"

Rong Xian smiled and nodded: "Brother Jing! I couldn't help it, brother; I've been busy!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head with some helplessness.

Afterward, Xu Zaijing looked at the young man again and said: "This must be Brother Hua, Hua Rong, whom Brother Xian mentioned, right?"

Hua Rong hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands: "Greetings, Fifth Young Master!"

After Xu Zaijing nodded and returned the salute, he reached out and smiled: "Please, have a seat!"

Seeing Xu Zaijing's gentle, approachable, and heartfelt smile, Hua Rong felt a sense of certainty, yet also a slight trace of doubt.

Everyone sat down.

Rong Xian drank a cup of hot tea to himself and said in a breezy tone: "Brother Jing, you don't know! Now that scoundrel Zhang Shipan sees me like a mouse seeing a cat; he has to dodge and walk away."

Xu Zaijing's mouth twitched as the scene of being chased and shot at flashed through his mind, and he said: "That scoundrel is no good! It's a pity he's hiding in the Imperial City and just won't come out."

Rong Xian glanced at Xu Zaijing and said: "Brother Jing, actually, on the day the Northern Liao envoy went to Great Xiangguo Temple to offer incense, that scoundrel did go out."

Xu Zaijing was stunned, then nodded: "Oh! No wonder the Imperial City Guard was protecting him on the side! Then, today, when His Majesty and the Grand Ministers went to Yingxiang Pond, did that scoundrel follow?"

Rong Xian shook his head: "That, I don't know."

Listening to the conversation, Hua Rong, sitting below, picked up his teacup and took a sip, his eyes full of thoughts.

A thought arose in Hua Rong's heart: "Looking at this young master, if he knew that Zhang whatever-Pan had left the palace, he would really dare to beat someone in front of the Emperor."

Just as Hua Rong was thinking this, Rong Xian hesitated: "Brother Jing, do you really intend to slaughter Zhang Shipan?"

Watching Xu Zaijing shake his head, for some reason, Rong Xian felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Then, Xu Zaijing said: "I won't kill anyone, but an eye for an eye; as long as Zhang Shipan can also take my six arrows, no matter what, this matter will be wiped clean."

Rong Xian: "How is this any different from certain death?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said: "He can be like me and catch the feathered arrows."

Rong Xian curled his lip and said: "Let's not talk about that buzzkill. Shall we go to the racecourse? Brother Jing, why don't you see the skills of my brother here?"

Xu Zaijing glanced at Hua Rong, stood up with a smile, and said with great interest: "Let's go!"

In the main hall of the back courtyard,

Amidst the announcement of the maid, Rong Feiyan and Hua Erniang crossed the cotton curtain together, stepped over the threshold, and walked in.

Looking at everyone in the hall, Rong Feiyan smiled and performed a curtsy: "Feiyan of the Rong family greets the Da Niangzi, the two Madams, and wishes everyone a happy Lantern Festival."

"Miss Feiyan is too polite! Please, sit!" Sun Shi smiled: "The one behind is the young lady of the Hua family, right?"

Rong Feiyan smiled, nodded, and said yes.

Xie Shi looked toward the Mama standing on the side and said: "Madam Hua, this young lady shares your surname!"

Hua Qing smiled and nodded: "I wonder where this younger sister's ancestral home is?"

Hua Erniang looked somewhat constrained at the group of women in the hall adorned with pearls and jade, pursed her lips, and said: "This little girl's ancestral home is Qingzhou Prefecture."

Glancing at the rather tall Hua Qing, Hua Erniang said: "I wonder, I wonder where elder sister's ancestral home is?"

Hua Qing smiled: "I heard from my mother that my family's ancestors moved from Daming Prefecture."

"Oh."

"Young lady, please sit down!" Hualan smiled and gestured.

After Hua Erniang nodded repeatedly, she sat down on a chair.

After Hualan glanced at her mother-in-law, Sun Shi, she said: "For tomorrow's lantern viewing, is Miss Feiyan going to the palace or staying outside?"

Rong Feiyan smiled and said: "Madam, elder sister said she wants me to go to the Xuande Gate tower to view the lanterns tomorrow."

Watching Hualan nod with a smile, Rong Feiyan continued: "Madam, I wonder what arrangements the Sheng family young ladies have for tomorrow during the day? If they are free, we could gather together!"

Hualan smiled: "They are just playing; what arrangements could they have!"

Rong Feiyan said: "That's perfect. If possible, I will send out invitations today to invite the Sheng family young ladies to play together tomorrow."

"Many thanks, Miss Feiyan." Hualan stood up and said.

Rong Feiyan also stood up, somewhat flattered, and smiled: "Madam is too polite."

After finishing, Rong Feiyan looked at Xie Shi again and smiled: "Madam, Third Da Niangzi already accepted my family's invitation; tomorrow she will be viewing lanterns and playing with the Chai family elder sister, so I won't say anything more."

Xie Shi looked at Rong Feiyan with an appreciative smile and said: "I've troubled you, Miss Feiyan."

"Madam is too polite." Rong Feiyan smiled and performed a curtsy.

Sun Shi smiled and asked how Rong Feiyan's sister-in-law and mother were doing, and chatted a few more sentences about today's weather and the Emperor and his ministers going to Yingxiang Pond.

Seeing Hua Erniang, who was sitting uneasily and looking outside from time to time, Sun Shi said: "Hualan, seeing that the Hua family young lady is concerned about her brother, why don't you and Qingyun's wife go together to accompany them to the racecourse to take a look."

Hualan smiled, stood up, and performed a curtsy: "Yes, Mother."

Rong Feiyan, thinking about the situation she might face later, rolled her eyes and also stood up, saying: "Madam, I will accompany you as well."

Sun Shi smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Madam."

Rong Feiyan smiled and performed a curtsy.

Hua Erniang also realized belatedly and performed a salute with awkward movements to express her thanks.

Afterward, the group put on their outer coats and walked out of the hall.

Inside the hall, Xie Shi and her mother-in-law, Sun Shi, exchanged a smile with an unclear meaning.

Sun Shi smiled and said softly: "She is a good young lady."

Xie Shi nodded: "She looks quite tired."

Outside the hall.

"Miss Feiyan, please this way."

Hualan, bringing her personal maid Cuichan, smiled and gestured.

"Madam, please."

Rong Feiyan replied politely.

Afterward, the group walked together along the corridor toward the racecourse.

On the way, looking at the carved beams and painted rafters of the roofs and walls, Rong Feiyan secretly glanced at Hualan and then quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Just now, seeing her seemingly at ease and generous in her conversation, in reality, her little head was spinning so fast it was about to smoke; that was the only reason she hadn't been as constrained and speechless as Hua Erniang behind her.

Seeing the civet cat yawning in the sunny spot, Hua Erniang, who was following behind Rong Feiyan and Hualan, had a slight smile appear on her face.

Hua Qing caught this and said: "Erniang likes civet cats?"

Hua Erniang thought for a moment, then nodded and shook her head.

Hua Qing: "Erniang, what does that mean?"

Hua Erniang pursed her lips and said: "I, I liked civet cats before, but today I saw the monkey show, and I think I like monkeys more."

Hearing this, whether it was Hualan or Cuichan and the others, smiles appeared on their faces one after another.

Seeing everyone's smiles, Hua Erniang lowered her head somewhat constrainedly.

Hua Qing said: "Erniang, civet cats are easy to keep, but these monkeys are not easy to keep."

"Mm." Hua Erniang lowered her head and said: "Civet cats can also catch mice, but monkeys cannot."

As they were talking,

The group passed through the corridor and gate and arrived in the passageway leading to the racecourse.

Rong Feiyan, who was not visiting the Xu family for the first time, was clearly in a very good mood, raising her head from time to time to look around, seemingly looking for something different.

When the group exited the passageway and stood beside the falcon room looking toward the racecourse, they did not see anyone in the field.

"Hmm? Where are the people?"

Hualan asked in confusion.

Cuichan said from behind: "Madam, could it be that the Fifth Young Master and the others haven't come over yet? Should this servant send someone to ask?"

Hearing this made Rong Feiyan's mood instantly feel a bit disappointed.

Hua Qing, who was quite tall and accompanying Hua Erniang, looked toward the stables and said: "Madam, those two fine horses of the Fifth Young Master that are carrying foals look like they will be giving birth in these two days; could it be that the Fifth Young Master and the others are all in the stables?"

Before the words had faded,

The group saw the door of the wooden house by the field open, and a maid holding something walked toward the stables.

"It's Sister Qingcao." Cuichan said hurriedly.

"Should we still go over to take a look?" Hualan asked, looking at Rong Feiyan.

After all, while the stables couldn't be called dirty, they weren't clean either, especially with foals being born; it might be somewhat inappropriate for young ladies like Rong Feiyan to go and watch.

After Rong Feiyan thought for a moment, she said: "Let's go take a look! I haven't seen a foal that has just been born yet."

"Alright!" Hualan nodded and said.

When the group arrived near the stables,

Before they had even entered,

They saw Xu Zaijing holding a handkerchief and wiping his hands, walking out with Rong Xian, Hua Rong, and Alan, who were following him.

Qingcao, who was by Xu Zaijing's side, was also reaching out, preparing to untie the sleeve-ties that were binding Xu Zaijing's sleeves.

Seeing the arrivals, Xu Zaijing smiled and cupped his hands: "Sister-in-law! Miss Feiyan! This is..."

Rong Xian also cupped his hands and smiled: "Greetings, Second Madam."

"Fifth Young Master, this is my younger sister."

"Oh, Hua... Erniang?"

"Yes!"

Hualan smiled, and Rong Feiyan, Hua Erniang, and the maids and Mamas all performed a curtsy toward Xu Zaijing and Rong Xian.

"Little Five, which horse gave birth to a foal?"

Hualan asked with a smile.

"Sister-in-law, it's the Li horse bestowed by the Emperor."

"Oh!"

"If you want to go in, you'll have to wait a while; it's a mess inside and is being cleaned up."

"Alright, then we'll wait." Looking at Xu Zaijing, who seemed not to know what to do, Hualan continued: "You all go about your business."

Xu Zaijing and the others nodded with a smile and walked toward the wooden house on the side.

Alan did not follow but instead walked back into the stables.

Very quickly, Alan came out, cupped his hands, and said to Hualan: "Second Madam, it has been cleaned up inside."

Hualan smiled and said: "Alright! Then, let's go in!"

Rong Feiyan nodded with a smile.

Entering the stables,

The ground of these stables was quite hard and solid, showing that they were cleaned often, but in the corners, there were inevitably scattered bits of forage.

In the stalls, horses would poke their heads out from time to time, looking at the group that had entered.

When Rong Feiyan and the others went to look at the newly born foal,

Xu Zaijing stood in the wooden house, looking at the several rows of weapon racks in the room, pointing at the swords, shields, spears, and lances on them, as well as several powerful bows with their strings loosened and cylinders of sharp arrows, and said: "Eldest Brother, pick a few weapons that feel right, and let's go to the field to play around!"

Upon entering the room, Hua Rong, whose eyes had begun to shine, heard this and smiled, cupping his hands: "Fifth Young Master, then this humble one will respectfully obey."

"Please!"

Hua Rong walked to the weapon rack; the first thing he wanted to pick up was Xu Zaijing's fine steel lance.

But as soon as Hua Rong got his hands on it, feeling the weight of the lance in his hands, he looked at Xu Zaijing with eyes that couldn't believe it.

Afterward, he turned his head to continue looking at the lance, looking at the marks on it; clearly, this was not a decorative piece, but one that Xu Zaijing used often.

"No wonder Fifth Young Master can repeatedly establish merit!"

Saying this, Hua Rong turned to other weapons, finally choosing a silver spear that Xu Zaijing had used when he was ten years old.

After trying several more powerful bows, he chose the bow that Qingyun used often.

After choosing several cylinders of feathered arrows, Hua Rong glanced at Rong Xian and then said to Xu Zaijing: "Fifth Young Master, please."

(End of chapter)