[{"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-60":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},2307838,4510,"Chapter 60: The Aftermath and the Past of Qingcao [Thank You for Your Support and Tips]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-60",60,"\u003Cp>“Yes, sister-in-law. Gu Hou’s son Yu is said to have taken the county examination in our Eastern Capital this second month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about your family’s young master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My husband says he passed the county exam but has yet to pass the provincial one—he still needs to study more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s the eldest legitimate son, destined to inherit the title; it doesn’t matter much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hour of Shen\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing returned home with his wife to the Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another celebrated match was added to Wu Da Niangzi’s ledger of successful unions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the second month,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The county examination in Bianjing, Eastern Capital, commenced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the county and prefectural examinations were called the preliminary trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing calculated they were roughly equivalent to modern county and prefectural-level exams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu, whose health had improved these past years, picked up his books again to prepare for the first stage of the imperial examinations—the county exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As close friends and future brothers-in-law, Xu Zaijing and the others naturally came to see him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the weather in February was still cold, Xu Zaijing saw Gu Tingyu wearing a large cloak and fur-lined knee guards stitched by his eldest sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of Xu Zaijing and Xu Zaihang, Gu Tingyu forced a calm expression, a faint smile on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside Gu Tingyu sat Liang Dalang, the eldest illegitimate son of the Yongchang Marquis household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said this eldest illegitimate son, like Xu Zaijing, trained rigorously in martial arts and excelled in literature as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside Gu Tingyu, his eyes darted about—he was no ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Wu Da Niangzi was displeased, she still came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chatted with Gu Hou and Bai Shi nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the young men offered their good wishes, Gu Tingyu and Liang Dalang bowed deeply,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then joined the other candidates as they filed in one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was the county exam, it lasted only one day—the papers had to be submitted before dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days after the Bianjing county exam concluded, the results were posted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu ranked second; Liang Dalang came in fifth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Bai Shi came to the Xu residence to speak with Sun Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Xu Anmei’s maid’s recounting,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last night, Gu Hou drank heavily and wept until his eyes were red. He burned countless joss papers and lit many incense sticks in the Gu ancestral hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, Gu’s second son has taken his elder brother as his model—this is not bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Xu household, the future son-in-law passing the county exam brought great joy; servants and maids all received rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Dalang also passed, which left Wu Da Niangzi with a sour expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was not greatly affected, for his elder brother Xu Zaihang bore the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xu family ate dinner together in the courtyard—military noble households had fewer rigid rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Sun Shi came from a modest family in Bianjing and never demanded her eldest daughter-in-law stand in formal attendance or serve tea as some “fashionable” custom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xie Er Niang had persistently insisted on such rituals, Sun Shi had always rejected them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Sun Shi first married in, she had suffered under the rigid rules of Xu Minghua’s mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had her husband not been reasonable and her natal family not stood by her, she would have been crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she was a mother, she had been repeatedly warned by the old Lady Sun not to treat her future daughters-in-law too harshly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not break others’ umbrellas just because you’ve been rained on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they all ate at the same table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Da Lang’s wife, the eldest daughter-in-law of Elder Yu, passed away recently. Tomorrow, dress plainly—we must pay our respects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Mother-in-law. I heard Yu’s eldest daughter-in-law left behind a six-year-old orphan girl—how pitiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Poor child. Her maternal family is weak. I only hope Yu’s lord doesn’t take a sharp-tongued second wife, or else—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dropped the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, the Xu family dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing followed behind his eldest sister; his baby teeth had all been replaced, and his new ones were perfectly aligned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xu Zaijing had grown taller, he was still noticeably shorter than his elder sister, so Xu Pingmei could drape her arm over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Wu, do you still have any of that Jade Beauty Cream from your room?” Pingmei asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, there’s still plenty left from the Empress’s big box.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sisters’ eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Wu, my fingers are calloused from needlework—give me some, won’t you?” Pingmei looped her arm around her younger brother’s neck, extending her fingers in a pleading gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I’ll gladly give you some—but there’s a condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say it, say it!” Pingmei replied quickly; her little brother had never given her trouble before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing stopped walking and waved to the maids and servants trailing behind, creating some distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you haven’t gone out these past days—but before your wedding, don’t attend any of Bianjing’s tea gatherings, incense poetry meetings, or fancy social events.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Xu Zaijing’s concerned eyes, Pingmei frowned. “Huh? Didn’t the Lantern Festival incident pass already? Do we still need to be so cautious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anmei spoke up beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, your future husband passed the county exam and is now preparing for the academy and prefectural exams. With his noble title and scholarly pursuits, countless people are envious of your betrothal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing gestured for his second sister to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anmei stroked the cat in her arms. “Thanks to this little thing, I’ve made several close female friends—and that’s how I heard—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anmei glanced around the house, then, seeing the maids and servants were far away, whispered: “I heard the eldest daughter of the Jinxiang Marquis was drugged, her beauty ruined, and her marriage prospects destroyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingmei widened her eyes. “What? That happened? Was it ever found out who did it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No official confirmation, no police report—but some say the Lady of the Jinyang Marquis was sent to the Shengjie Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, our family once declined—we had no wealth or power. Aside from our title and estate, we attracted little malice. But from now on, you must tread carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingmei looked at her little brother, warmth and comfort swelling in her heart. “Alright, I promise you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Wu, I—” Anmei smiled gently, her voice soft and delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second sister, how old are you? Your hands aren’t even calloused—using this would be a waste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you marry and embroider your dowry until your fingers are raw, then I’ll give you a bottle—ha ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anmei’s face changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You! Stupid little Wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hurled the cat in her arms toward Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cat twisted midair and landed neatly in Xu Zaijing’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I was just teasing you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young maid trailing behind the Xu siblings watched them, her eyes filled with longing and nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Xu Zaijing’s maid Qingcao brought a porcelain bottle to Pingmei’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plaque above the courtyard gate read “Qiongzhi Pavilion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao had heard from the older maids that the name was chosen years ago by Pingmei from a few lines of poetry written by her three younger brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old maid still remembered the poem:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six-petaled snowflakes enter the door, we sit and watch green bamboo turn to jade branches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Pingmei was sewing the final stitches on a bellyband by candlelight when she heard the maid’s announcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, someone from Jingge’s courtyard is here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah? Let them in quickly—it must be my cream arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao was small and slender, standing quietly in the courtyard. A young maid at the gate, hearing the voice inside, called out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingcao, come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao looked up and recognized Qingzhi—her face brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingzhi sister, so you’re in Big Sister’s room now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. Go in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao handed the small porcelain bottle inside. Pingmei uncorked it, sniffed delicately, then smiled in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingzhi, reward her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao bowed low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, then I’ll take my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingzhi escorted Qingcao out of the courtyard and placed a string of twenty copper coins in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep it safe. Don’t waste it. When you’ve saved a full string, send it home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are things with Jingge? I heard you rise early every day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I wait in the room by the horse track—no cold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. Do your duties well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Xu Zaijing went from the school courtyard to Sun Shi’s courtyard for dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi and Xie Shi, the two Xu household daughters-in-law, returned home brimming with gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you for everyone's support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1429,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f3dfddb4adbab0fe81afcbdb289e5eb4bf99e93f819945c23c36119927aca658","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-61","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-59",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]