Chapter 582: With the Fifth Young Master here, my heart is at ease

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month,

The Lantern Festival,

The first quarter of the Mao hour (5:00 AM).

Quyuanjie,

Marquis Yongyi's Mansion.

"Click."

The sound of a wooden door bolt being drawn echoed.

Xu Zaijing opened the door and stepped out.

By the light of the lantern held by Qingcao behind him, Xu Zaijing looked at the mist slowly drifting before him and said, "Oh, it's started to mist!"

"Young Master, this mist is so thick!" Qingcao chimed in from behind.

"Mm, let's go."

"Mother Xia, close the door," Qingcao turned back to instruct.

"Understood."

The master and servant stepped out toward the courtyard.

Behind them, the room door was closed by Mother Xia.

Just as Qingcao had said, the mist today was extremely thick, flowing around the two of them like ink.

Although they carried a lantern, the surroundings remained pitch black; the lantern's light could only reach a very short distance, making it impossible to see what lay two steps ahead.

Watching and feeling the surrounding darkness, Qingcao knew clearly that this was the Marquis's Mansion and nothing frightening would crawl out, yet she still leaned closer to her Young Master.

On the path, one could still see the courtyard ground and the grape trellis, already dampened by the mist, with thin white frost appearing in many places.

Xu Zaijing and Qingcao walked along the paved path in the courtyard; not long after leaving the courtyard, they felt their faces grow damp.

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath; the scent of this misty day, whether here or in the past, seemed to be the same.

After exiting the corridor and walking for a while along the wooden railing by the racetrack—which was also covered in thin frost and had turned damp—

even though it had been pitch black before them just a moment ago, the lantern under the wooden eaves suddenly appeared before their eyes after a few steps.

Xu Zaijing and Qingyun practiced their martial arts and exercised their bodies as they did every day.

When they finished, both had thin white frost on their eyebrows and hair, and the armor they wore was stained with the moisture from the mist, feeling somewhat damp.

At this time, because of the mist, the sky was much darker than on ordinary days.

Beside the wooden house,

Qingyun helped Xu Zaijing remove his armor by the lantern light while looking toward the direction outside the mansion, saying, "Young Master, look, it's quite lively outside this morning."

Xu Zaijing pricked up his ears, listening to the various noisy, bustling sounds vaguely transmitted through the mist, and said, "Today is the Lantern Festival after all, and with the gambling games opened up, it's naturally lively early on."

Qingyun set aside the arm guards from Xu Zaijing's forearms and laughed, "Then today, that kid Alan is going to be the center of attention again."

Beside them, Qingcao's eyes brightened as she nodded repeatedly.

Xu Zaijing just smiled.

After breakfast, Xu Zaijing returned to his own courtyard.

The exact Chen hour (8:00 AM),

The thick morning mist, under the rays of the rising sun, had already turned into a light haze, and the sky had brightened considerably.

In the study,

Xu Zaijing stood beside the desk, grinding ink while gathering his thoughts, preparing to write another essay during the morning hours.

The paper was spread on the table, held down by a paperweight, and the brush was fully saturated with ink in the inkstone.

Xu Zaijing dabbed the brush in his hand against the edge of the inkstone, and just as he was about to write, footsteps sounded outside the study.

Sighing with some helplessness, Xu Zaijing looked toward the study door and said, "What is it?"

The study door was opened, and Mother Zhu, who was by Sun Shi's side, looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Fifth Young Master, our relatives, the Lu family, have sent a nanny over, saying that the Little Marquis Lu misses you and is crying and making a fuss, insisting on inviting you to the Lu family for a visit! We'll go into the palace together this afternoon to view the lanterns."

Xu Zaijing looked at the blank paper before him and the brush he had prepared, sighed softly, nodded, and said, "I understand, Mother Zhu, I will go over right away."

"Sigh!"

Mother Zhu smiled, bowed, and closed the study door.

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile and rinsed the brush in the brush washer.

Nanjiangtang Lane,

A prestigious carriage drove out of the lane entrance, turned south, and entered the bustling main street.

"Make way!"

A rider's shout came, causing the person in the carriage to lift the window curtain.

The maid Seeing Xi Bu looked at the person riding over from the other side, hurriedly withdrew her gaze, and looked at her Young Lady.

Rong Feiyan, sitting in the center, followed the gap lifted by the maid and also clearly saw Xu Zaijing on horseback.

"Young Lady, it's the Xu family's young master and the young brother Qingyun by his side!" Seeing Xi Bu said softly.

Rong Feiyan nodded, her gaze moving with Xu Zaijing's figure.

After Xu Zaijing's figure disappeared from the window, Rong Feiyan said, "Where is he going? Wasn't it said he was going into the palace to view the lanterns?"

"Young Lady, judging by the direction the Xu family's young master is heading, it's most likely he's going to the Lian Guo Gong Prefecture," Seeing Xi Bu said, lowering the curtain.

Rong Feiyan murmured an acknowledgment, and Ningxiang, sitting opposite Seeing Xi Bu, said, "Young Lady, what a coincidence, to actually run into the Xu family's young master here; if we had left a little earlier or later, we wouldn't have seen him."

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan's lips curled slightly upward, she gave Ningxiang an appreciative look, and began to smile.

Amidst the bustling noise outside the carriage, the Rong family carriage arrived at the teahouse on the side of Pan Lou Main Street.

Near the teahouse, a carriage had already stopped, and strong women and nannies were standing at the entrance of the teahouse's first floor.

Supported by Seeing Xi Bu, Rong Feiyan stepped off the carriage, looked around with her chin slightly raised, and then stepped toward the building.

Ascending to the second floor,

Seeing Rong Feiyan walking over, Xiaotao, Xique, and Yunzai, who were standing at the entrance of the private room, hurriedly lowered their heads and bowed.

Rong Feiyan smiled, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and entered the large private room.

Recently, while at the Feng family's, Rong Feiyan had seen the Sheng family's Fifth Young Lady, Rulan, but she hadn't seen Seeing Mo Lan and Minglan for quite some time.

Seeing Mo Lan was older, and there wasn't much change in her appearance.

Minglan was different; in Rong Feiyan's memory, that young lady with a bit of baby fat had grown much taller today, the baby fat had almost entirely disappeared, and her complexion and appearance were very eye-catching among the sisters.

Seeing Rong Feiyan enter the door, the three Lans hurriedly bowed and said in unison, "Greetings, Young Lady Feiyan."

Rong Feiyan walked over with a smile and said, "You came so early?"

Huihefang,

Near the Lian Guo Gong Prefecture,

Xu Zaijing slowed the speed of his little horse, turned his head, and said, "Qingyun, do you feel something is wrong?"

Qingyun looked around and replied, "Young Master, I keep feeling like someone is watching us."

Xu Zaijing nodded slightly and also looked around.

Soon, Xu Zaijing's gaze sharpened, and he said, "Look, soldiers from the Imperial City Division."

Qingyun looked at the passersby nodding at him on the roadside and said, "It really is! What are they doing in Huihefang?"

Xu Zaijing had a thoughtful look in his eyes and didn't speak.

Arriving at the Lu family's main gate,

Seeing Xu Zaijing, the Lu family's gatekeeper smiled and cupped his hands, "Greetings, Fifth Young Master."

Xu Zaijing nodded in acknowledgment, dismounted, and said, "Has some distinguished guest come to the house?"

The Lu family gatekeeper thought for a moment and nodded heavily.

Handing the reins to Qingyun, Xu Zaijing stepped into the Lu family courtyard.

It was fine near the main entrance,

but as Xu Zaijing got closer to the second gate, he realized the atmosphere in the Lu family was completely different from the few times he had visited before.

Along the way, he also rarely saw maids or nannies passing through the courtyard.

When Xu Zaijing entered the second gate and saw He Guan and Cao Yi standing inside, he already had certain guesses in his heart.

"Fifth Young Master."

He Guan and Cao Yi cupped their hands and called out.

Xu Zaijing returned the salute, glanced into the courtyard, and said, "Brother Cao, Brother He, is His Highness in the courtyard?"

The two looked at each other and nodded, "Yes!"

Xu Zaijing asked suspiciously, "What is His Highness trying to do?"

"This morning, His Highness begged the Empress, and today he came outside the palace to play," He Guan replied.

Cao Yi looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Fifth Young Master, you have experience with this; seeing you come, we feel a bit more at ease!"

Xu Zaijing smiled, reached out his hand, and said, "Two brothers, let's go in."

Passing through gates and corridors, the number of guards gradually increased.

Arriving outside the main hall in the backyard,

The personal nanny by the side of Li Daniangzi, who was standing outside the door, saw the three of them and hurriedly shouted, "The Xu family's Fifth Young Master is here."

Xu Zaijing lowered his head, passed through the silk cotton curtain, and entered the Lu family hall.

Looking at the people sitting in the room, Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Your Highness, Duke! Greetings, Old Madam, greetings, Daniangzi."

Lu Zezong stood up and smiled, "Sworn brother."

Zhao Fang nodded with a smile, "Jingge'er, you're here. Sit down quickly!"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing sat down beside Lu Zezong and looked at Zhao Fang, "Your Highness, how did you get out of the palace?"

Zhao Fang cupped his hands toward the Lian Guo Gong and said, "I came out this morning by taking the old Duke's carriage! Having obtained the permission of the Emperor and the Empress, today we are going to take a look on the Imperial Street."

"In the past, when I stood on the palace wall and looked out, I always felt something was missing!"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile; seeing Lu Zezong's birth mother, Li Shi, coming over with a teacup, he hurriedly stood up to take it.

After sitting down again, Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Fang's attire and said, "Your Highness, this outfit is quite suitable."

Zhao Fang smiled proudly and said, "Jingge, when we go out, I will put on ear muffs and tie a scarf to cover my face, how about that?"

"Your Highness is very thoughtful."

The Lian Guo Gong looked at Xu Zaijing and Zhao Fang talking with a smile; in a gap in the conversation, the old Duke said, "Jingge'er, although Bianjing is the most prosperous place in the world, you must pay close attention to safety when playing outside."

Xu Zaijing hurriedly bowed and replied, "Yes, Duke, this junior understands."

The Lian Guo Gong nodded with a smile, looked at his grandson Lu Zezong, and said, "Zong'er, then you accompany His Highness and your sworn brother to play. Your Highness, return early, so as not to cause worry in the hearts of the Emperor and the Empress."

Zhao Fang stood up with a smile, "The Duke is right."

Seeing Zhao Fang stand up, the others in the hall stood up one after another.

Zhao Fang cupped his hands and smiled, "Then I shall take my leave; Duke, Old Madam, Daniangzi, no need to come out to see me off."

After speaking, Zhao Fang said to Lu Zezong, "Zongge'er, let's go."

Xu Zaijing said from the side, "Your Highness, wait a moment, let's go to the side warm pavilion first."

Zhao Fang was stunned, "Ah? Jingge'er, why are we going to the warm pavilion?"

Xu Zaijing smiled, "You will understand when we get there, Your Highness."

"Oh!" Zhao Fang nodded with a smile.

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at Lu Zezong and pointed to his own clothes.

Lu Zezong understood, nodded, and walked elsewhere.

Soon,

Xu Zaijing led the Imperial Prince Zhao Fang to the warm pavilion on the side of the hall.

"Your Highness, please take off your clothes."

Hearing this, Zhao Fang was stunned.

But seeing Xu Zaijing had already begun to untie his belt, Zhao Fang also began to move.

A moment later, Zhao Fang saw what was under Xu Zaijing's clothes and understood why he had been asked to take them off.

After Xu Zaijing took off the tightly woven, exquisitely crafted vest he was wearing, he put it on Zhao Fang.

Feeling the weight on his body, Zhao Fang said, "Jingge'er, is this necessary? It's not my first time out of the palace."

Xu Zaijing shook his head, "Better safe than sorry."

Because Xu Zaijing's physique was much larger than Zhao Fang's, the vest was a bit big on Zhao Fang.

Xu Zaijing folded the excess parts of the vest and tied it with a silk ribbon so it wouldn't dangle so much.

"How does it feel, Your Highness?"

Zhao Fang twisted his body and stretched his arms, saying, "It feels a bit heavy, but it's fine. Jingge'er, what material is this?"

Xu Zaijing smiled, "Your Highness, feel it."

Zhao Fang followed his instructions and felt Xu Zaijing's vest; feeling the hardness at his fingertips, he said in surprise, "Wow! Jingge'er, is the outside compressed cotton? And iron plates inside!?"

Xu Zaijing nodded and helped Zhao Fang put his other clothes back on.

In winter, clothes were already thick, so it wasn't noticeable that Zhao Fang was wearing a vest underneath.

"Jingge'er, what about you?" Zhao Fang asked with concern.

Xu Zaijing, who was putting on his clothes, opened his outer coat and showed Zhao Fang what he was wearing, saying, "Your Highness, poke it and see."

Zhao Fang reached out and poked Xu Zaijing's clothes, asking suspiciously, "Jingge'er, are you wearing... chainmail inside?"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile, "Your Highness hit the nail on the head."

Zhao Fang nodded, "Then I can rest easy."

At this time, Lu Zezong also returned to Xu Zaijing's side.

Zhao Fang looked at Lu Zezong curiously, "Zongge'er, are you wearing a vest too?"

Lu Zezong nodded with a smile.

Xu Zaijing said, "Zongge'er's vest is too small; it wouldn't be easy for Your Highness to wear."

Zhao Fang nodded and looked at Xu Zaijing, "Jingge'er, today is much more troublesome than the time we went drinking."

Xu Zaijing reached out his hand, "Your Highness, please."

As the group walked out, Xu Zaijing said, "Your Highness, that time was in a restaurant, and they were all soldiers of our Great Zhou, so naturally it was much safer."

"Today, on the main street, there are many commoners and passersby, so it's always better to be secure."

Zhao Fang nodded with a smile, "Jingge'er, with you here, that is the greatest security."

Beside them, Lu Zezong nodded repeatedly in full agreement.

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing smiled helplessly and said, "Thank you for the praise, Your Highness and Zongge'er."

"Hehe."

"Xixi."

Zhao Fang and Lu Zezong both laughed.

As they spoke,

Xu Zaijing and the others took He Guan, Cao Yi, and the scattered Imperial City Division soldiers, some on horseback and some in carriages, toward the outside of Huihefang.

Pan Lou Main Street,

On the second floor of the teahouse at the street corner,

The three Lans sat on embroidered stools, their eyes darting around, listening to the noble young ladies in the private room talking about poetry, tea art, flower arranging, incense burning, and hanging paintings.

Poetry and flower arranging were easier to talk about, and Seeing Mo Lan could chime in a bit.

Minglan also understood incense burning and tea art, but she only listened and didn't speak.

Rulan sighed with some boredom; watching Seeing Mo Lan, who had stood up and started talking at length about poetry and calligraphy, she picked up the snacks on the table and ate them resentfully.

Not long after,

Hai Chaoyun said with appreciation in her eyes, "What the Fourth Young Lady of the Sheng family said about the way of calligraphy is very reasonable! Then, why not show us a hand?"

As she spoke,

The maids of the Rong and Hai families began to prepare the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Seeing Mo Lan looked at the others with some embarrassment; seeing the appreciative expressions in the eyes of the noble young ladies, she bowed and said, "Then Seeing Mo Lan will respectfully obey. If I make a fool of myself, I hope you all will not laugh."

Rong Feiyan raised her chin slightly and smiled, "Of course not."

Thus, Seeing Mo Lan walked to the table, gathered her thoughts, and wielded the brush.

Hai Chaoyun and the Fifth Young Lady of the Li family, standing beside Seeing Mo Lan, looked at the characters Seeing Mo Lan had written, and appreciative expressions instantly appeared in their eyes.

At this time,

The personal nanny of Xie Rui, the Third Young Lady of the Xie family—the younger sister of Xu Zaijing's eldest sister-in-law, Xie Shi—who had been invited by Rong Feiyan, walked upstairs.

The nanny stood beside Xie Rui and whispered, "Young Lady, I saw our relative, the Xu family's Fifth Young Master, walking toward this side. What do you think?"

Xie Rui stood up immediately and said, "Since I've seen him, there's no reason not to greet him. Let's go down and take a look."

Chai Zhengzheng's personal maid, Miss Yun Mu, who was standing to the side, heard the conversation and quietly walked to the side of Chai Zhengzheng, who was looking at Seeing Mo Lan's calligraphy, and whispered a few words.

Thus, Chai Zhengzheng stood up immediately, smoothed her clothes, and walked downstairs.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 583 =====