Chapter 627: What kind of talk is that from you, Brother!

"Cough! Why are you looking at your Young Master like that?"

Xu Zaijing looked at Qingcao's expression and said with a bit of "outward toughness but inward weakness."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing hid the hand holding the book behind his back, turned sideways to avoid Qingcao's gaze, and sat back in his chair to look out the window.

"Young Master! You..."

It was clearly Xu Zaijing who had used his eyes to ask her just a moment ago, and Qingcao had only spoken her true thoughts, yet her own Young Master was being unreasonable and had come at her like this right from the start!

Looking at Xu Zaijing's profile, Qingcao was just about to continue speaking when Xu Zaijing waved his hand to cover up and said, "This Young Master is thirsty; go pour some water for me to drink."

"Oh!"

Qingcao wrinkled her nose at Xu Zaijing, gave a slight bow, and turned to walk outside.

Once the sound of the door closing came from behind him, Xu Zaijing finally tilted his head toward the doorway, full of contemplation.

He stared blankly for a while.

Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly, sighed softly, and turned his head to continue looking out the window.

A moment later,

The sound of voices came from outside the study.

The sound of the door opening rang out, and Xu Zaijing, hearing that the footsteps sounded wrong, glanced at the person who had entered: "Hm? Yunxiang? Where is Qingcao?"

Yunxiang, carrying the water, smiled at Xu Zaijing: "Young Master, Sister Qingcao said her head felt a bit dizzy."

"What, this..."

Xu Zaijing nodded helplessly and quietly set the book in his hand to the side.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival,

On this day, whether they were nobles or commoners in Bianjing, everyone had the custom of hosting banquets at home or in restaurants.

At the beginning of the Si hour (after 9:00 AM),

On the banks of the broad Bianhe, in front of the famous Qingfeng Tower in the capital.

A well-dressed servant on the street stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to look at the bridge deck over the Bianhe from time to time.

Suddenly, the servant was startled and hurriedly turned his head to say: "Young Master, the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family has arrived."

Qiao Jiulang, who was sitting under the colorful wine banner in front of the door, heard this and hurriedly walked toward the street.

The maid holding a paper sun umbrella behind him also followed quickly.

When the person arrived after crossing the bridge, the servant of Qingfeng Tower stood beside the Qiao family servant and asked with a smile about the newcomer's identity.

Before long,

Xu Zaijing, who was on leave today, dismounted with a graceful motion, holding a folding fan in one hand and tossing the reins in his other hand to Qingyun behind him.

Looking at Qiao Jiulang standing on the street, Xu Zaijing asked in confusion: "Jiulang, isn't it the Sixth Young Master who is hosting the meal today? Why are you standing in front of the building?"

"Is he upstairs?" As he spoke, Xu Zaijing raised his head to look at the high part of the wooden building.

Qiao Jiulang shook his head with a smile and said: "Jing Ge'er, you go up first! I'll explain it to you in a while."

"That works too." Xu Zaijing glanced at Qiao Jiulang with a smile and said.

The Qingfeng Tower servant, who had run back to the door, smiled and lifted the bamboo curtain: "Young Master, please come in."

Xu Zaijing nodded and stepped into the building.

Just as he entered the building, two well-dressed middle-aged men with male and female attendants came toward him, talking as they walked.

The two middle-aged men had a large entourage, filling the hallway.

Qingyun hadn't caught up yet, and Xu Zaijing was all alone.

By rights, it should have been Xu Zaijing, the party with fewer people, who should have yielded the way slightly.

However,

Before the servant at the door could step forward to speak and clear the way,

One of the two middle-aged men walking toward him just glanced at Xu Zaijing, then hurriedly pulled his companion aside to yield the way.

With the two masters moving to the side, the male and female attendants naturally hurried to move out of the way as well.

This made Xu Zaijing slightly surprised, as he hadn't been to Qingfeng Tower many times.

When passing this group of people, Xu Zaijing paused his steps slightly and looked with some confusion at the middle-aged man who had been the first to yield.

This middle-aged man was extremely sharp; seeing Xu Zaijing's expression, he hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "This humble one has seen the Young Master! Before, outside Jinming Pool, I saw you playing polo with the Northern Liao people."

"Your polo skills are superb, which is why I recognize you, Young Master."

This middle-aged man had spent money to go outside the city that day just to join in the fun, and he only half-understood polo and the like.

Up in the tree outside the polo field, although he didn't know Xu Zaijing's specific identity, having seen Xu Zaijing's face clearly, he knew deeply that anyone who could play polo with the Northern Liao envoys on the field that day could not have a status that wasn't noble.

Xu Zaijing heard this and nodded with a smile: "You have a good memory, Squire."

"You flatter me, Young Master."

Xu Zaijing nodded again: "Please go ahead, Squire."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly.

Qingyun, who was following behind, smiled and cupped his hands at the two middle-aged men.

The two middle-aged men hurriedly returned the salute.

After watching Xu Zaijing and Qingyun walk into the building,

The two middle-aged men looked at the Qingfeng Tower servant at the door: "Who is this Young Master?"

The Qingfeng Tower servant smiled at the door and said a few words about the news he had just learned.

After speaking,

The middle-aged man had a look of surprise on his face and sighed: "So it was the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family in person!"

The servant looked at the broken silver tossed into his hand and hurriedly bowed: "Thank you, Squire!"

Xu Zaijing and Qingyun lifted their robes and went up to the third floor.

Entering the private room and going around the screen, he discovered that he was the first to arrive.

On the table in the center of the private room were several plates of seasonal fruit.

Xu Zaijing grabbed a few at random and walked toward the window while eating.

Opening the window,

He could hear all kinds of sounds coming from downstairs.

Looking out from the height,

Not far downstairs was the Bianhe with boats coming and going; there were many docks on the bank, and from the opposite bank came the synchronized shouting of laborers moving cargo.

Further away on the opposite bank were rows of "warehouses," which were the storage facilities of the time.

And to the right of his line of sight was the high outer city wall of Bianjing.

Following the Bianhe downstairs toward the southeast, past the outer city wall, was the East Water Gate dock where the Bai family's large ships used to dock and load/unload cargo when Xu Zaijing left the capital for Yang Zhou and returned to the capital.

Looking at the scenery of Bianjing,

Xu Zaijing spotted a bird standing on a branch not far away.

After looking at it for a moment,

Xu Zaijing weighed the fruit pit he had finished eating in his hand.

The bird seemed to sense something and flapped its wings, flying into the air.

Soon,

Gu Tingye and Qi Heng also entered the private room.

Finally, accompanied by Qiao Jiulang, two young men from the capital who played well with Liang Han and whom Xu Zaijing found somewhat familiar entered.

After the group exchanged greetings, they took their seats.

But Liang Han, who was hosting today, did not appear.

Soon, at Qiao Jiulang's signal, the servants in the building began to serve the dishes.

Gu Tingye looked at the various dishes being brought in one after another and said to Xu Zaijing with some surprise: "I say, Fifth Young Master, the Sixth Young Master seems quite determined today! This table must cost quite a bit of silver."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile, raised his chin and said: "Second Young Master, look at the wine jar the Qingfeng Tower servant is holding."

Gu Tingye looked as instructed, then his eyes widened and he said: "Fifth Young Master, Liang Han, this fellow, isn't he asking us for something? Otherwise, why would he be so willing to spend money?"

Xu Zaijing looked at the thoughtful Qi Heng and said: "Yuanruo, what do you think?"

A flash of panic crossed Qi Heng's face, and he said: "Jing Ge'er, I, I also think the Sixth Young Master might have something on his mind."

Xu Zaijing smiled.

Gu Tingye turned his head to look at Qiuniang, whom he had brought with him, and said to Xu Zaijing: "Fifth Young Master, didn't you bring a maid today?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes, they are all at home learning their crafts."

Qi Heng asked in confusion: "Jing Ge'er, I heard from the nanny at my maternal grandfather's house that those two maids by your side can be said to know quite a lot; why do they still need to learn crafts?"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Yuanruo is right, but they don't know how to dance with swords."

While speaking,

The door of the private room rang,

Everyone thought it was Liang Han, who was hosting today, entering the room, so they all looked toward the door.

To everyone's surprise, the person who appeared after going around the screen was Rong Xian, wearing fresh flowers in his hair and a thin, bright red shirt.

"Brothers, it's been a long time, hahahaha!" As soon as Rong Xian appeared, he shouted with a smile and cupped his hands.

A look of surprise appeared on Qiao Jiulang's face, but he still stood up with a smile and welcomed Rong Xian to the table.

"Brother Rong, you truly look proud and in high spirits!" one of the people beside Qiao Jiulang said with a flattering smile.

"Hehe, it's alright, it's alright!" As he spoke, Rong Xian adjusted the hairpin on his head and walked toward Xu Zaijing.

After arriving beside Gu Tingye, Rong Xian smiled and cupped his hands: "Second Young Master, do me a favor and move over; I want to sit beside Jing Ge'er."

"I say, Rong Xian, you fellow..."

Before Gu Tingye, who was frowning, could continue, Rong Xian lowered his voice and said: "Mother Ruan is having a music appreciation gathering in the next two days..."

Before he finished speaking, Rong Xian raised his eyebrows at Gu Tingye.

Gu Tingye's frowning brow immediately relaxed, and he pressed down the corner of his mouth: "What kind of talk is that, Brother! Please, sit down quickly!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye moved to one side, leaving an empty space.

Buwei, who was sharp-eyed, hurriedly moved a chair and placed it in the empty space.

After Rong Xian nodded at Buwei with a smile, he sat down and habitually smoothed his sleeves, revealing several exquisite colorful silk threads on his wrists.

After smoothing his sleeves, Rong Xian tilted his head to look at Xu Zaijing, who was sitting quietly beside him, talking to others with a smile.

Xu Zaijing's sleeves hung steadily at his wrists; Rong Xian couldn't see what was on his wrists.

Qiao Jiulang, sitting in the lower seat, looked at everyone at the table, stood up with a smile, and raised his cup: "Brother Liang has something to attend to today, so I, the younger brother, will punish myself with three cups on his behalf."

Watching Qiao Jiulang finish three cups of wine decisively, everyone at the table applauded and cheered.

Since Qiao Jiulang didn't say it explicitly, everyone at the table didn't ask why Liang Han didn't come.

When everyone began to use their chopsticks,

Gu Tingye, sitting beside Rong Xian, habitually reached out and had the maid Qiuniang roll up his sleeves.

While rolling up his sleeves, Gu Tingye looked at Rong Xian's wrists and smiled: "Brother Xian, these colorful threads on your wrists look very nice."

Rong Xian withdrew his gaze from Xu Zaijing and gave Gu Tingye a thumbs up.

Amidst Gu Tingye's somewhat confused expression, Rong Xian moved his hand toward Gu Tingye and said: "Second Young Master, these were bestowed by the palace; how could they not be nice!"

Gu Tingye said: "What a coincidence, this one of mine was also bestowed by the palace."

After Rong Xian nodded perfunctorily, he hurriedly turned his head to look at Xu Zaijing and said: "Fifth Young Master, what about you?"

Xu Zaijing shook his folding fan gently and said: "Mine is too."

Rong Xian lowered his head to look at Xu Zaijing's wrists, then raised his eyes to look at Xu Zaijing.

When making eye contact with Xu Zaijing, Rong Xian found that Xu Zaijing's expression was one of a half-smile.

Looking at his eyes made Rong Xian feel as if he had been seen through.

This made Rong Xian, who wanted to continue saying something, suppress the thoughts in his heart and say: "Fifth Young Master, what's wrong?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and glanced at the jade belt around Rong Xian's waist.

"Cough."

Rong Xian, who understood, hurriedly sat up straight, tidied his clothes, leaned toward Xu Zaijing, and whispered: "Fifth Young Master, how did you see that?"

Xu Zaijing whispered: "Brother Xian, you are also a man who has married a wife and is about to become a father; it's better to be more careful."

Rong Xian looked elsewhere with some embarrassment and said: "I... it was on the way! So I just went to take a look."

Xu Zaijing went through the map of the capital in his mind and said: "Brother Xian, you didn't go to that courtyard north of Chunming Ward, did you?"

"Cough."

Rong Xian nodded with shifting eyes and looked at Xu Zaijing with some surprise: "Fifth Young Master... you, you still remember?"

Before, when going to the Huyan family in Chunming Ward to deliver gifts,

On the way, Rong Xian had whipped a pimp from a certain brothel and later taken a fancy to a woman in a certain hidden brothel.

If he hadn't said it was on the way, Xu Zaijing really wouldn't have thought of that; he would have just thought Rong Xian had gone to a brothel first.

On the other side of the table, Qiao Jiulang was making noise and toasting with several close young masters.

Xu Zaijing didn't answer Rong Xian's question, but leaned forward to look at Gu Tingye, who was pricking up his ears on Rong Xian's other side.

Not hearing Xu Zaijing's voice, Gu Tingye turned his head to look over.

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly at Gu Tingye: "Brother Ye."

Gu Tingye: "Jing Ge'er, what's wrong?"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "If I find out you and Brother Xian are asking about some filthy business, I guarantee you won't even be able to go to Mother Ruan's gathering."

While speaking, Xu Zaijing also glanced at Qi Heng beside him.

Gu Tingye's eyes rolled around, and he waved his hand with a smile: "Fifth Young Master, my Jing Ge'er! How could I ask about any filthy business!"

Ignoring Gu Tingye's answer, Xu Zaijing continued: "And I will also write a letter to your brother-in-law. Of course, if you want to attend Mother Ruan's gathering, I will also explain it in the letter."

Hearing this,

Gu Tingye lost his playful expression and nodded: "Jing Ge'er, I understand."

"Hm."

After Xu Zaijing nodded, he looked at Qi Heng again.

But Qi Heng had already lowered his head, concentrating on eating the food that had just been picked up with public chopsticks.

Rong Xian, on the side, watched Xu Zaijing's expression with secret surprise.

Gu Tingye was older than Xu Zaijing and was also the legitimate son of a Marquis's mansion.

If it were a young master from a noble family who was on good terms with Rong Xian, and he dared to speak to him in such an admonishing tone to his face, Rong Xian would have jumped up and scolded him long ago.

But from what he saw, Xu Zaijing was telling him to his face that he would report him, yet Gu Tingye didn't say much of anything.

Moreover, Rong Xian also saw that when Xu Zaijing was speaking, he glanced at Qi Heng during the process.

Rong Xian had also passed the age of Liang Han,

If it were really the Liang family or some serious business, Qiao Jiulang would have said it straight.

Liang Han not being at the table today, Rong Xian knew as soon as he thought about it that Liang Han probably had some "private business" to deal with, and this Dragon Boat Festival banquet was just a cover.

When Xu Zaijing was speaking just now, his words were warning Gu Tingye, but looking at that glance at Qi Heng, it seemed he was also warning Qi Heng not to follow the Sixth Young Master Liang.

"Sigh!" Rong Xian sighed.

Hearing this movement,

Gu Tingye raised his wine cup and looked at Rong Xian, his eyes carrying the meaning of "I haven't even sighed, what are you sighing for?"

"Sigh!" Rong Xian sighed again and said: "If I had a close friend like the Fifth Young Master back then, I would have surely made a name for myself in the imperial examinations."

"Pfft!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Gu Tingye, who was drinking, accidentally choked.

At this time,

Qi Heng on the other side stood up, raised his wine cup, and said: "Jing Ge'er, I toast you and the Second Uncle."

Xu Zaijing was just about to stand up when Qi Heng raised his wine cup with one hand and reached toward Xu Zaijing's wrist with the other, saying: "Jing Ge'er, you sit."

Watching Qi Heng's movement, Rong Xian narrowed his eyes and thought to himself: 'Hm? Little Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi, why does your movement fit my heart so well? I, who came with a "task," was just thinking of doing this!'

Thinking of this, Rong Xian hurriedly said: "The Little Xiao Xiao Gongye is right."

As he spoke, Rong Xian reached toward Xu Zaijing's other wrist.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 628 =====