[{"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-63":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},2307841,4510,"Chapter 63: The Zheng Family and the Rare Treasure","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-63",63,"\u003Cp>“Why didn’t the patrol troops arrive even after a cup of tea?” Zheng He asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun, standing beside him, looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forgive me, my lord—I was there. Your young master brought down those five men in less than five breaths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Zheng Xiao froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were equally astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing-ge, I don’t believe it. Let’s spar, shall we?” Zheng Jiang was among the group closest in age to Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing said, “Why not you all come at once?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao smiled. “Jing-ge, we train daily. Let us beat Jiang-ge first, then we’ll talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing wanted to show off before them, so he didn’t refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took off his outer robe, revealing the fitted attire beneath, suited for combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing-ge, you came prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. Do you think I didn’t know what you were up to? Come on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Zheng Jiang also shed his clothes. Though young, his muscles were well-developed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside Xu Zaijing, Zheng Xiao, acting as referee, shouted: “Begin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jiang lay stunned on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jun, seated on a chair nearby, sat upright and called out to the training ground:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all go together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Zheng family’s young men shed their clothes and rushed onto the training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten breaths later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all the brothers lay sprawled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing reached out to help Zheng Xiao up, but Zheng Xiao grinned mischievously and pulled hard, trying to knock Xu Zaijing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao’s face filled with confusion—Xu Zaijing didn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao was lifted straight up by Xu Zaijing, powerless to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene from the Xie household replayed: several surrounded Xu Zaijing, patting, pinching, and squeezing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Da’s lady arrived at the edge of the training ground and watched the young men inside. “Jing-ge is truly formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This lady came from a scholarly family, devoted to supporting her husband and guiding her younger brothers; the old general and his wife relied heavily on their eldest daughter-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam speaks truly. Too bad we have no eligible girl in the Zheng household—otherwise, we’d have secured this match long ago. A fine alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you speaking? I heard the Xu family still has two daughters and a son unmarried! Why would you even consider the youngest fifth son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their laughter, Zheng Xiao said, “I won’t challenge you to archery—you’ve already impressed His Majesty at the imperial birthday banquet. My father praised you several times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Hai, the eldest among them, said, “How about we challenge Jing-ge to flying axes? I’m quite skilled with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao, standing nearby, watched with eager anticipation—she had seen her young master’s flying axes before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao beside her said, “With Jing-ge’s strength, do you really think he can’t handle flying axes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, Uncle’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they chatted, a servant approached Zheng Da’s lady and whispered something. She gave orders:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter. These are all noble families’ children. Let them come to the training ground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after, Xu Zaijing’s sharp eyes caught a group of three leading a long line of servants and maids walking down the corridor toward the training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, General.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for military titles at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Elder Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Sister, Zheng Xiao is on the training ground, sparring with Xu’s fifth son, Jing-ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah? The one from the Pingmei sister’s household, the one the Empress praised?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the training ground, Xu Zaijing lifted his chin slightly behind Zheng Xiao. Zheng Xiao turned and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly walked over to the three, bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao-ge, is that the Xu family’s Jing-ge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I just sparred with him and lost by a hair. Let me introduce you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao led the three onto the training ground. The other Zheng youths greeted them warmly—they were already acquainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing-ge, this is Third Son Zhang Fangsong, Fourth Son Zhang Fangling, and Fifth Daughter of the Duke household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say their names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Elder Brothers, Fifth Daughter, may you have a peaceful spring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Duke sons returned the bow; Zhang’s fifth daughter dipped slightly in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest, Zhang Fangsong, said, “What a coincidence—Jing-ge is here too. My fourth brother and I just acquired a rare item, and came to show it to the younger ones at Zheng’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What rare item is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something rare enough to impress a Duke’s son must be uncommon indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fangsong waved toward the corridor. A man stepped forward, his arm bearing a raptor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s keen eyes instantly recognized it as a bird of prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eagle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fangsong shook his head. “Not an eagle. A falcon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fangling added, “This is a fierce bird from beyond Northern Liao, presented to His Majesty by northern tribes, then gifted to my father. They call this falcon Haidongqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was astonished—he’d only seen falcons like this on screens in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the finest falcons were called Haidongqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao and the Zheng youths also looked on with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fangling, enjoying the admiration of the noble youths, continued: “But some officials familiar with Northern Liao say this Haidongqing’s feathers are mottled—not top quality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the magnificent bird, Zheng Hai said, “Goodness, this one’s already stunning. Is there something better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. This one’s mottled. There are pure white ones, like jade—those are top quality. The finest are black.” Zhang Fangsong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, the Duke household’s legitimate daughter, the Fifth Daughter, took a piece of meat from a servant’s leather pouch and handed it to the attendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magnificent Haidongqing pecked a few times and swallowed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In a few days, youths from the capital are going hunting outside the city. If Jing-ge has time, join us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing said, “Will your Haidongqing go too? I’d like to see it hunt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll go too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Once we set the date, I’ll send a formal invitation to your household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, they walked toward the corridor, watching the Haidongqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Da’s lady had already dispatched servants to prepare the meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before dinner, Xu Zaijing visited the Zheng household’s kennel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dogs here were specially fed and trained by servants; when Zheng family members joined the army, they took along handlers skilled in dog training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing felt no envy—he knew the Xu household already had a pair of dogs being raised by his Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed well cared for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before entering the main hall, everyone tidied up. Several Zheng youths changed clothes. Xu Zaijing hadn’t touched the ground—his clothes remained clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the banquet table, General Zheng Jun was seated. Hearing them speak of the Haidongqing, he said: “When you reach the northern frontiers, you’ll see plenty of Haidongqing. The skilled can even shoot one down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao: “Brother, you’ve often spoken of Northern Liao’s Haidongqing, but I’ve never heard anyone could shoot one down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Gu Hou was young, he served on our northern frontier. He once shot one down,” Zheng Jun said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was deeply surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yan Kai—the man who coughed constantly in dramas and was driven to spitting blood—was once this formidable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fangsong beside him said, “Elder Brother, the Haidongqing flies extremely fast. How did Gu Hou manage to shoot it down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jun replied, “That’s something you’ll have to figure out yourselves. I only heard the story.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, Xu Zaijing prepared to return home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Duke household’s Fifth Daughter approached Xu Zaijing, dipped slightly, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Jing, may I visit your home to meet Pingmei Sister? Mother says Pingmei Sister is a fine girl and wants me to spend more time with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing: “Of course. Whenever you’re free, just come. My sister is always at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl smiled, thanked him, and turned to find her brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Zheng Xiao watched the distant Duke Fifth Daughter, then walked up to Xu Zaijing and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing-ge, I’m coming too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there are typos, please kindly point them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(`) Sending you heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you all for your various support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1357,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2a722e837613dcaa6d152c60bba7b3e0bb0cb5fe85ab743b041dc3ce24911834","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-64","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-62",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]