Chapter 599: Shoulder to Shoulder [Many Thanks! Bowing Again! 46k Words in Debt]

The two brothers, Chai Jin and Chai Bo, sitting in their chairs, watched their mother, Lady Chai, at the head of the hall, their minds swirling with countless thoughts.

The men of the Chai family would never serve as officials in the court, and the principal wives they married were mostly from collateral branches of ducal and marquis families.

But the daughters of the Chai family married into excellent households throughout Great Zhou.

To say nothing of others, just look at the current family head's aunt; she married Marquis Xiangyang Marquis, a trusted and heavy minister of His Majesty.

Although the current family head of the Chai clan is an only child with no sisters married into families holding real power, the cousin of the Marquis Xiangyang Marquis's Gu family was titled a Commandery Princess and married the second son of the Duke of Qi, a man of unparalleled purity and nobility.

In Princess Princess Pingning's marriage, while there was certainly the reason of Marquis Marquis Xiangyang achieving merit by protecting the throne, there were also many factors attributable to the Chai family.

Now, in Chai Jin's generation, the Chai family has a daughter named Chai Chai Zhengzheng, so naturally, they must seek an extremely good marriage for her.

But,

human calculations cannot match heaven's plans;

if Xu Xu Zaijing had not accidentally stumbled into Jin-Yangshan a few years ago and rescued Chai Chai Zhengzheng,

then without much thought, the subsequent events would have involved the Wang Shizi of Yan transforming into a 'rescuer' to save her, and for the sake of her own reputation and that of the Chai family, she would most likely have been married into the Yan Wang Fu.

Whether the Chai family supported Prince Yan or not is another matter, but Chai Chai Zhengzheng's dowry would certainly have been mountains of gold and seas of silver.

Even if she did not marry over there, not only would the Chai family have a handle held by others, but how could they ever repay such a debt of gratitude in the future?

Later, relying on the Chai family's influence in Hejian Prefecture, Prince Yan's power would have been able to spread northward.

What would happen after that is very hard to say.

The Chai family's intelligence network is extremely efficient; they know that Prince Yan has been raising death warriors and private soldiers in the Jin-Yangshan Shanzhai, and has secretly stored armor and military weapons in several caves!

Prince Yan preparing these things is certainly not out of loyalty to the monarch and love for the country!

Thinking of these matters, the two brothers cast a very satisfied glance at Xu Xu Zaijing.

This Xu family's Han Wulang not only rescued their younger sister from a den of dragons and a lair of tigers, but subsequently did not even use the debt of gratitude to seek rewards.

More importantly, several years have passed since the incident at Jin-Yangshan Shanzhai, yet not a shred of news has leaked out in the entire Bianjing city!

Everyone believes that Chai Chai Zhengzheng returned to the capital accompanying the current Chai family head and his wife!

Judging only by the reflexive words of agreement spoken by the two principal wives of the Xu family, one can tell that these two ladies are also unaware of their younger sister's affairs.

Not only did he keep his mouth shut, but even Xu Xu Zaijing's personal attendants who knew about this matter could keep their lips sealed.

All these matters clearly reflect certain qualities of the Xu family.

Furthermore, Xu Xu Zaijing has not only succeeded in his studies but can also achieve merit on the battlefield, making him truly accomplished in both civil and military arts.

Xu Xu Zaijing is also noted in the Emperor's heart, favored by the Empress, shares a deep bond with Imperial Prince Zhao Fang, and the Xu family's in-laws include both civil and military figures.

As these thoughts turned in Chai Jin's mind, he glanced again at Seeing Qingcao and the other three standing in attendance at the edge of the hall, and Chai Jin added another phrase in his heart: maintaining personal integrity.

"Pfft, pfft~"

Feeling somewhat anxious, Chai Jin gently tapped the armrest of his chair a few times.

Chai Bo, sitting beside him, looked at his elder brother in confusion and whispered, "Brother, what is wrong?"

Chai Jin glanced anxiously at his mother at the head of the hall and replied, "Nothing!"

Then, Chai Jin's eyes darted, and he said, "By the way, Yuan Erlang, didn't you say you wanted to see the offspring of Jing-ge'er's dragon steed? Why don't we go now?"

Chai Bo was stunned: "Ah? I wh—"

Seeing the look in his elder brother's eyes, Chai Bo understood implicitly and changed his words: "I did say that! Is it acceptable to Jing-ge'er?"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Naturally, it is acceptable!"

Subsequently, Xu Xu Zaijing stood up, bowed with clasped hands, and prepared to go out with the Chai brothers.

Chai Jin looked at Chai Chai Zhengzheng, who was still seated, and asked, "Third Daughter, are you not going?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng: "I..." As she spoke, she glanced at Lady Chai.

Lady Chai, sitting in the Arhat chair at the head of the hall, looked at her eldest son who was speaking and nodded to her youngest daughter, saying, "Chai Zhengzheng, with your brothers accompanying you, just go along with them!"

"Yes, Mother."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng stood up to reply, bowed to Lady Sun, Lady Xie, and Sheng Hualan, then followed the footsteps of Chai Jin and the other three, accompanied by her maids.

After leaving the hall,

Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked up and saw her two brothers and Xu Xu Zaijing all standing at the door waiting for her.

"Elder Brother, Second Brother, Xu Wu Ge, let's go!"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng said with a smile.

The three—Xu Xu Zaijing and the others—hurriedly nodded, turned around, and stepped toward the Xu family's covered corridor nearby.

When about to ascend the covered corridor, Xu Xu Zaijing stopped at the doorway and extended his hand toward the Chai brothers in a gesture of invitation.

Before Chai Bo, also known as Chai Yuan Erlang, could politely decline a few times out of courtesy, Chai Jin, who was walking straight ahead, grabbed him and pulled him forward.

Seeing this scene, Xu Xu Zaijing was slightly stunned, feeling somewhat surprised and caught off guard.

In just this short moment, the two Chai brothers had already walked into the covered corridor.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng then stepped over to Xu Xu Zaijing's side.

Xu Xu Zaijing hurriedly extended his hand again with a smile: "Miss Chai Zhengzheng, please."

After bowing, Chai Chai Zhengzheng lowered her head and declined politely: "Xu Wu Ge, please go first."

Xu Xu Zaijing looked at the Chai brothers waiting in the covered corridor and smiled: "Let us not stand on ceremony; shall we walk together?"

"Good."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked up at Xu Xu Zaijing and replied.

Once the two of them stepped onto the covered corridor,

"The timber used for these corridor pillars is truly excellent!" Chai Jin, walking a few steps ahead, said while patting a pillar.

Chai Bo also stepped forward, looking up at the horizontal beams under the corridor roof, and said: "The coloring of these carved flowers shows great thoughtfulness."

The two brothers spoke as if completely oblivious to Xu Xu Zaijing and Chai Chai Zhengzheng behind them.

Xu Xu Zaijing could not simply abandon Chai Chai Zhengzheng to dash ahead, so he could only walk shoulder to shoulder with her.

Following behind Xu Xu Zaijing and Chai Chai Zhengzheng, Yun Mu glanced at the pair walking side by side ahead, then smiled at Seeing Qingcao beside him and whispered, "Seeing Qingcao, have you seen Sister Qingzhi from your village recently?"

While Yun Mu spoke with Seeing Qingcao, the two rows of female attendants and matrons following behind filed one after another into the covered corridor.

Miss Miss Fuyi watched Yun Xiang and Hua Xiang following behind Seeing Qingcao, then turned back to exchange a glance with Wisteria behind her.

Wisteria nodded gently, affirming the message in Miss Miss Fuyi's eyes: 'These two are truly beautiful.'

With her elder brother, female attendants, and matrons present, although walking shoulder to shoulder with Xu Xu Zaijing, Chai Chai Zhengzheng could not say much.

After walking for a while,

Chai Jin looked back from ahead.

Xu Xu Zaijing hurriedly said, "Brother Jin, turn right."

"Oh!"

Chai Jin nodded and said, "Yuan Yuan Erlang, I told you I remembered correctly!"

Having spoken, Chai Jin waved his hand again toward the female attendants and matrons behind Xu Xu Zaijing and Chai Chai Zhengzheng, saying, "You don't need to follow so closely."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Yun Mu and the other personal attendants stopped, bowed their heads, and replied.

Hearing this, Seeing Qingcao's mind inevitably drifted to the items belonging to her Young Master that she had seen in Chai Chai Zhengzheng's room during her previous visit to the Chai family.

Thus, after glancing at Yun Mu beside her, Seeing Qingcao also slowed her pace.

After creating a slight distance,

the conversation between Xu Xu Zaijing and Chai Chai Zhengzheng would only be audible to Seeing Qingcao, Yun Mu, and the other personal female attendants even if it carried over.

Walking beside Xu Xu Zaijing, Chai Chai Zhengzheng caught sight of the distance the female attendants and matrons kept from her as they turned a corner.

Exiting the covered corridor,

without the shelter of a roof,

the afternoon sunlight suddenly became brilliant and fierce.

Under the sunlight, Chai Chai Zhengzheng beside Xu Xu Zaijing hurriedly raised her hand to shield her eyes, squinting them shut.

Glancing sideways at Xu Xu Zaijing, who was also squinting, Chai Chai Zhengzheng pressed her lips together and stole a laugh.

Walking into the passageway leading to the horse racing track,

"It was somewhat dark previously on the Xuande Gate tower; only today have I realized that Miss Chai Zhengzheng seems to have grown taller?"

Xu Xu Zaijing, looking at the Chai brothers ahead, made conversation without any real purpose.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, glanced sideways at Xu Xu Zaijing's profile, and smiled, "Mm! What Xu Wu Ge says is true; I have grown a bit taller these past two years."

"Oh." Xu Xu Zaijing responded with a sound.

"I observe that Xu Wu Ge has also grown quite a bit taller," Chai Chai Zhengzheng continued.

Xu Xu Zaijing glanced sideways, and after being flashed by Chai Chai Zhengzheng's bright black eyes, he hurriedly turned his head away, saying, "I am precisely at the age for growing."

"So am I," Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled.

After speaking, seeing Xu Xu Zaijing did not respond, Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked around and said, "I often heard Han Wu Niang say that the cats in Hou Fu are very delightful, yet I haven't seen much of them today."

Having found a topic, Xu Xu Zaijing also looked around and said, "Mother is heavily pregnant, so the cats have been tied up by Seeing Qingcao in my courtyard."

"Right, right, right," Chai Chai Zhengzheng nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"This pair of cats is better at catching fish than mice; they often go to my courtyard to scoop up fish."

"Xu Wu Ge, is there running water in your courtyard? Or perhaps a pond?"

"Uh, there is no running water nor a pond, just a large vat."

"Oh! I thought it was like my home, with running water flowing through."

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head, saying, "Qu Yuan Street cannot compare to the area near the Imperial City."

Realizing she had misspoken, Chai Chai Zhengzheng hurriedly made amends, saying, "Xu Wu Ge... I heard Mother say that the residence bestowed by Your Majesty is in an excellent location, with the running water and ponds arranged very nicely within."

Thinking of the residence he had visited before, Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "What Miss Chai Zhengzheng says is very true."

Glancing again at Xu Xu Zaijing's profile and thinking of the armor inside her home, Chai Chai Zhengzheng spoke with some hesitation, "Xu Wu Ge, actually your..."

Hearing Chai Chai Zhengzheng's hesitant words, Xu Xu Zaijing asked in confusion, "My... what?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng pressed her lips together and said, "Nothing! Xu Wu Ge, that residence of yours is truly wonderful."

"Thank you for Miss Chai Zhengzheng's praise."

As the two conversed, they soon exited the passageway.

Looking at the spacious horse racing track and the few trees nearby sprouting tender green leaves, Chai Chai Zhengzheng's mood seemed to improve even further.

Looking at the two lush trees near the pond by the track, Chai Chai Zhengzheng said, "Xu Wu Ge, last time I came, this area was still a desolate winter scene!"

"Time only knows how to hasten old age! In the blink of an eye, the trees have turned green," Chai Chai Zhengzheng sighed with a smile.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "This line of poetry is somewhat inappropriate."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng: "Hmm?"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "At such a blooming age as Miss Chai Zhengzheng's, how can one speak the word 'old'?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng glanced at Xu Xu Zaijing and smiled, "Xu Wu Ge, is it the word 'old', or Laozi?"

Hearing these words come from the mouth of Chai Chai Zhengzheng, a noble lady from a high family, Xu Xu Zaijing was slightly stunned.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing's surprised expression, Chai Chai Zhengzheng covered her mouth and laughed.

Chai Jin, walking ahead, turned back to look at his laughing sister, feeling somewhat happy yet also somewhat depressed.

Thus, he looked at the several mounts belonging to Xu Xu Zaijing within the fence and glared at them fiercely several times!

"By the way, Xu Wu Ge, since you study at the Sheng family, do you know if any of the Sheng family young ladies are free recently? That sixth young miss of the Sheng family is quite skilled at pitch-pot; I was thinking of inviting them to play together,"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng said with a smile.

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head: "What bad luck; I heard from my classmates at the academy that tomorrow, several young misses from the Sheng family will be going to the manor outside the city."

Seeing Chai Chai Zhengzheng's puzzled expression, Xu Xu Zaijing explained: "My great-aunt is going to inspect the manor and, while she is at it, teach those few young misses how to play polo."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng's eyes lit up, and she said: "The Sixth Miss of the Sheng family knows how to play polo too?"

After pondering for a moment, Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and said: "Mm! Although my great-aunt has not been teaching them for long, they should have learned it by now!"

A smile floated onto Chai Chai Zhengzheng's face, and she said: "Then in the future, when I ask Wu Da Da Niangzi to organize a women's polo match, I can send invitations to those few young misses from the Sheng family."

"So Elder Sister Sheng Hualan knows how to play polo too?" Chai Chai Zhengzheng asked again.

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head: "I have not actually seen Second Sister-in-law play. My great-aunt only began teaching the Sheng family young misses polo after returning to the capital."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng nodded with some regret, saying: "Even if Elder Sister Sheng Hualan does not know how to play, she can still go and watch a bit."

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

When the two of them arrived near the fence, the dragon steed inside the fence trotted over with graceful steps to stand before Xu Xu Zaijing, affectionately rubbing against his palm.

Seeing the two dragon steeds rubbing against Xu Xu Zaijing's palm, Chai Jin and Chai Bo on the side hurriedly reached out their hands toward the dragon steeds, wanting to curry favor with them.

As a result,

the two dragon steeds paid them no mind; instead, they opened their large eyes and looked somewhat puzzledly at Chai Chai Zhengzheng standing beside Xu Xu Zaijing.

Looking at the two dragon steeds, which were tall and handsome with sleek, glossy fur, Chai Chai Zhengzheng laughed in a crisp voice, saying: "Do you still remember me?"

As she spoke, Chai Chai Zhengzheng also reached out her hand.

"Hee-hee~"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng laughed as the horse rubbing against her palm made her feel ticklish.

To the side, watching the two dragon steeds lean forward to rub against Chai Chai Zhengzheng's palm, Chai Jin and Chai Bo felt somewhat unbalanced in their hearts as they looked at Xu Xu Zaijing and said:

"Brother Jing, this..."

Xu Xu Zaijing spread his hands and said: "I cannot control them either! Look, this little foal seems quite nice."

As he spoke, Xu Xu Zaijing pointed to the little foal that had approached the wooden fence.

Looking at the little foal, which was very young in age but already displayed a handsome form, Chai Jin said: "Is this the little horse that is to be sent to the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu?"

"Yes."

Chai Jin looked at the little foal, then looked at Chai Chai Zhengzheng, and finally looked at Xu Xu Zaijing, who knew what thoughts were churning in his heart.

Subsequently, his eyes darted, and he reached out to stroke the horse that had approached him.

Xu Xu Zaijing, who was baffled by Chai Jin's gaze, turned his head and happened to see Chai Chai Zhengzheng on the side somewhat dazedly stroking the dragon steed's head.

Looking at the dragon steed, Chai Chai Zhengzheng recalled the scene from before when she had come to the Xu family and ridden horses here with her good friends Gu Gu Tingyi, Han Wu Niang, and Rong Rong Feiyan.

Then, for some reason, Chai Chai Zhengzheng also thought of that outfit Rong Rong Feiyan had worn two years ago at Xuande Tower, tucked inside her cape, with its very distinctive color scheme.

(End of Chapter)