[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son":3,"chapter-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-59":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Am the Xu Family's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2307837,4510,"Chapter 59: Counterattack and Returning Home [Thank You All for Your Support, Grateful","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-59",59,"\u003Cp>As he spoke, he glanced at the crowd nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dangzi beside him rolled her eyes and said loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some families haven’t wronged their elder sister—why are you afraid of their younger brother? I say, someone’s heart is just crooked!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do people marry daughters-in-law just to persecute them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk, tsk, tsk,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No decent family would marry their daughter into such a household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Wu Dangzi shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone took it personally, furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You! What do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? What do I mean? The Xu family has an elder sister who married out—widowed, she raised her young son to become a Jinshi! She was officially recognized by the court as a virtuous, chaste woman! She received a chastity arch! And yet someone here is spouting nonsense! When trouble comes, all you do is cry and wail, you flashy, dramatic creatures! I say, that’s the mark of a family ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wu Dangzi finished, the noble ladies at the gathering all covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and laughed along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who in Bianjing didn’t know that this lady of the Han family’s eldest branch was famous for weeping—nicknamed “Tear Well,” her tears came on command?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Wu Dangzi of the Yongchang Marquis’s household was a renowned noblewoman among Bianjing’s official families, known for her warmth and kindness,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and whether noble or scholarly families, all their unmarried daughters hoped Wu Dangzi would take notice and recommend a good match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was also the sole owner of Bianjing’s premier noble social and sporting venue—the Jinming Pool Polo Club—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>so no one dared offend her; if she refused to invite you, you’d be laughed to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest daughter of the Han household clenched her teeth and fell silent, vowing never to attend this ridiculous gathering again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking of her own children waiting to be married off, she swallowed her anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fragrant robes, tangled hair, laughter and chatter filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dangzi lowered her head and sipped her tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts turned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had acted that day had been silenced—the trail had gone cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew if among these laughing noblewomen, one wasn’t the mastermind behind it all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another guest room, unmarried noblewomen were also talking about the Xu daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many who had attended the Emperor’s birthday banquet boasted about seeing Xu Zaijing draw his bow and shoot an arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with younger brothers declared they’d raise their sons to be like Xu Zaijing—the ultimate sister-protector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One noblewoman complained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no younger brother, only older brothers! Ugh, so frustrating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A close friend beside her said: “Then just find yourself a husband like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wouldn’t dare marry a sister with that kind of strength—why are you blushing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, pfft, pfft!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A close friend scolded playfully: “You little shameless thing—don’t you fear your own lady mother punishing you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unmarried noblewomen in the room burst into laughter and teasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the great capital of Bianjing, new gossip quickly became the talk of the town, and Pingmei’s affair gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the first lunar month ended, preparations for Xu Zai’s wedding were in full swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s task was to hold his brother’s black stallion by the ears, urging him to bond more closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, on the wedding day, Xu Zai would ride that fine steed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stallion, upon hearing Xu Zaijing’s voice, shook its head—annoyed by the nagging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>on the day of Xu Zai’s wedding, Gu Tingyu and Gu Tingye arrived from the Gu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several unmarried cousins from the Sun household also came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relatives from Daizhou’s ancestral home arrived as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wedding procession was adorned with red silk and brocade—so many people made it truly grand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the Xie household, red double happiness characters were pasted everywhere, servants wore red silk sashes, adding abundant joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides Xie’s own sons and daughters blocking the gate, there was also Zheng Jun’s second son—the heir of the Zhongjing Marquis’s household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, for literary skill there was Gu Tingyu; for martial prowess, Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and the Daizhou relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a contest of wit and strength at the gate, they entered the Xie household’s courtyard without trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Xie courtyard, those who had heard of the Lantern Festival incident no longer cared about drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all gathered around Xu Zaijing, scanning his face, eyes, and build, some even casually patting his arms, pinching his thighs, nodding as they touched him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Xu Zaijing not known these older brothers were all married men of upright character, his hair would have stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been a wedding day, and wrestling matches forbidden, he felt they’d strip down and fight him right then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several of these youths, who had joined the military as officers—like Zheng Jun—actively recruited Xu Zaijing, inviting him to join their ranks once he came of age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Xu Zaijing saw the sister-in-law his elder sister had spoken of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new bride appeared, and both her husband’s and her own family’s younger ones began to tease her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It diluted the sorrow of parting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She served tea, received her parents’ advice, bid them farewell, and was carried out the gate on her brother’s back, then placed into the bridal sedan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Musicians played wedding music ahead, Xu Zai rode atop the black stallion adorned with red silk flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them followed one hundred and twenty-eight chests of dowry from the Xie household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zai, riding the fine steed, was truly radiant with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand wedding procession arrived at Quyuanjie, firecrackers crackled, and the new bride entered the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, several Zheng brothers clapped Xu Zaijing on the shoulder, inviting him to visit their homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along Quyuanjie and on the Hou Fu’s riding grounds, many carriages and horses stood parked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All female servants and retainers of the Xu household wore red silk sashes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Yongyi Marquis’s residence brimming with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua and Sun Shi sat at the head, flanked by their two sons and two daughters, waiting as the newlyweds paid respects to their in-laws before being led to the bridal chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relatives and friends followed inside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>amid the noisy, lively atmosphere,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Xie bride, petite in stature, lowered her round fan; by the time she performed the wine-sharing and hair-binding rituals in the bridal chamber, her face was flushed crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Xu Zai was dragged out by his relatives and friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Sun Shi had cultivated friendships with Wu Dangzi, Bai Dangzi, and others, and the managing matrons sent to help had eased the burden on the Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Xu Zaijing, hoping to eavesdrop, was chased off by his sister-in-law’s maidservant—his plan failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the Xu household’s eldest daughter-in-law, Lady Xie, accompanied by her husband, served tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unmarried younger brothers and sisters received gifts from their new sister-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi gave her daughter-in-law a jade bracelet of exquisite quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xie was petite, with a gentle face and dewy skin; her gaze toward her husband was filled with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had indeed married up—from the second daughter of a viscount’s household to becoming the future Yongyi Marquis’s lady—many of her childhood friends were envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Sun Shi took a wooden box from behind her maidservant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a wedding gift from your aunt in Yangzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xie opened the box—it contained a precious red-gold hairpin, far from ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Minghua, Sun Shi, their eldest son, and daughter-in-law conversed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, Xu Zaijing and the others had left Sun Shi’s room and were now intently watching the animals in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with Lady Xie came a pair of tiny golden-bedded, silver-curtained cats, and a pair of hunting dogs as part of the dowry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These four animals, fluffy and adorable, were at their cutest stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following two days, Xu Anmei brought one of the cats to a noblewomen’s tea gathering in the capital, and thanks to the cat, she made many close female friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delighted, she used her private silver to craft a small golden bell, tying it to the cat’s neck with a red string.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing saw it, he removed the tiny clapper inside—the golden bell no longer rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was improper to say so, once his sister-in-law learned of this, her gaze toward Xu Zaijing was filled with gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the house beside the riding grounds, Xu Zaijing’s master had taken charge of the pair of hunting dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days after his wedding, Xu Zai brought his new wife back to her parents’ home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After paying respects to her parents, Xu Zai and the male members of her family went to the front courtyard for drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xie Er conversed with her mother and sisters-in-law on women’s matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xie, full of concern, asked her daughter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your husband is a scholar, and he seems gentle enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I’ve heard that the youngest Xu son, Fifth Young Master, is fierce and violent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He once beat up Rong Xian, that little demon of the Qi State Duke’s household—have you suffered under his cruelty in the Xu household?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xie Er shook her head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, where did you hear such nonsense? My Jing-ge is the most tender, thoughtful boy! Mother, do you know about the cat we sent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Did that wicked boy harm it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, no—it was my little sister. She made many close friends because of the cat, and she treasures it dearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used her private money to buy a golden bell and hung it around the cat’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you do that? A cat with a bell can’t catch mice! The old servants in the house always said a cat wearing a bell will go mad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second young lady’s sister-in-law exclaimed in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right, but I’ve only just married into the Xu family, and my little sister-in-law meant well—how could I refuse? It was Jing-ge who was thoughtful—he removed the clapper from the bell, so it made no sound, and only then did I feel at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That does show thoughtfulness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, there’s more—these past few days, I’ve heard our servants say that Jing-ge, though so young, rises every morning to practice martial arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? It’s rare to find such an ambitious young man in a family of military nobility. Then the rumors about your elder sister-in-law being fierce, violent, and jealous must be false?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My elder sister-in-law took after my mother-in-law—both come from military families. When men are off fighting, a woman must be strong to manage the household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie’s mother nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Then I’ll have to prepare a thank-you gift for the Liang family—for arranging this match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, I think our second daughter has forgotten her own mother now that she’s married. She keeps saying ‘my family’—oh, our Xie family has become outsiders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister-in-law, how can you say that~” The second young lady blushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your husband—how is his health?” Xie’s mother asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second young lady’s face turned so red it could boil water, yet she still whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My husband—he’s been sparring and wrestling since childhood with my mother-in-law’s nephews, and he’s never lost. He’s in excellent health.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good. Once you have a child, your mother will rest easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second young lady nodded vigorously, noticed her sister-in-law’s gaze, and gave her a hard slap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the women of the family burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Erniang, I heard your elder sister-in-law’s future husband is going to take the imperial examinations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you all for your generous support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s recommendation is up, so I’m posting early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1930,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8314fa946512a05ed0986df13ffb9567cc2005f5cd965394e70809f8255668ca","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-60","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-58",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]