[{"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-65":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},2307843,4510,"Chapter 65: Dialogue and Visitors [Thank You for Your Support! Grateful! Deeply Grateful!]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-65",65,"\u003Cp>“Yes, Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was a fast relay horse from Bianjing that alerted Yangzhou officials, saying Bai Gao brazenly launched troops and surrounded our Great Zhou’s horse-breeding grounds at Lingzhou, while the Northern Liao, with wolfish ambitions, pressed toward Suizhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, earlier you mentioned Bai Gao is ruled by an Empress Dowager? Sending troops to Lingzhou—this Empress Dowager seeks to establish authority and consolidate power within Bai Gao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother’s insight is profound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main hall, Hualan placed two teacups on the table before her grandmother and father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong continued: “The court, upon receiving the news, dispatched seasoned generals from the capital to the front lines; they should now be fully prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, merely containing the Northern Liao at Lingzhou won’t suffice—we must raise large conscripts from Hebei’s two circuits and Jingdong’s two circuits to threaten the Northern Liao’s left flank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother’s judgment is divine. The Zhongjing Marquis and Yongchang Marquis have already departed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what of the northwest front? Is the situation clear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s said the Duke of Ying and Marquis Gu have gone north; no word yet from the Western Army—Xu’s cousin is among them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the battlefield, swords and spears show no mercy—ah, I pray he achieves glory and avoids any mishap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother speaks truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Laofuren gazed at the table, stroking the lid of her teacup, then paused before speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also! Lingzhou is our Great Zhou’s most vital horse-breeding ground—the court will spare no effort to hold it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The war won’t end quickly—discuss with the Prefect and warn the Yangzhou gentry in advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This war is a gold-gobbling beast—it will devour mountains of silver! The court will surely impose and raise taxes. Have them prepare early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Mother. I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong turned to leave, but Sheng Laofuren added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, visit the Wuyi Alley side with the Prefect. If the Bai family leads by example, many matters will become easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just thinking the same. Then I’ll take my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Laofuren nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without changing clothes, Sheng Hong ordered horses and carriage ready—he would pay a visit to the Prefect’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weirui Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai was studying a map, estimating the scale of the northern conflict after hearing his elder sister’s news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though young, he already bore the weight of state affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Yangzhou’s government issued a proclamation: Bai Gao had wantonly provoked border incidents, killed border civilians, and sought to seize Lingzhou; the court had already dispatched troops north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone spreading rumors would be detained; those guilty of serious offenses would be treated as spies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yangzhou’s public opinion instantly cleared—young scholars in taverns loudly denounced Bai Gao’s wolfish ambitions, and stories about the Bai Gao Empress Dowager became popular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sheng household,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qige,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xueniang whispered to Lin Qinshuang: “Little Lady, the Master says the north has erupted into war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lin Qinshuang’s eyes widened in panic: “What? War? Is the world falling into chaos?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Master’s expression seemed normal—probably no major crisis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget his expression—go, collect all outstanding silver and interest, stockpile it. If things turn dire, we’ll flee south.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Little Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The side courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong’s concubine Wei Shuyi sat by the window, embroidering under the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window’s glow draped her in a silken veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaodie was not in the room; only a little girl, over five years old, stood nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi stretched, then picked up a peach pastry from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Tao, come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Little Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Tao chewed the pastry, her eyes closing in delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curtain at the door was pushed aside; Xiaodie hurried in, breathless:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Lady, the servants say the north has erupted into war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi paused, then said: “Drink some water first. Do you know where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say it’s the north—the Great Zhou’s horse-breeding lands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Wei Shuyi said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The north is far from us—between us lie Hebei East, Jingdong East, and Huainan East circuits. A thousand li away—it has nothing to do with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She resumed her embroidery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah? So far away? I thought the fighting was coming closer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just rumors spreading by word of mouth. How are your embroideries selling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Little Lady. Several shops are fighting over your pieces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t let anyone know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaodie smiled: “Yes, Little Lady. While visiting the embroidery shop, I heard something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi turned back to embroidering a handkerchief: “Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say your mother-in-law’s Xu family has someone honored by the Empress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi stopped her needle, listening to Xiaodie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xiaodie finished, Wei Shuyi sincerely said: “How wonderful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She resumed embroidering the handkerchief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she meant Pingmei, Xu Zaijing, the Empress’s honor, or simply having both parents alive—she didn’t say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianjing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the initial slight chaos,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>once familiar with the situation, Bianjing buzzed with activity again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Major wine houses and taverns added a new act, similar to storytellers,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but instead of novels, they recited official court bulletins printed by the Tongzheng Si.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most eagerly awaited news, naturally, was the northern war—the Grand Secretaries and senior ministers knew the people’s concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, every bulletin carried news, large or small, of the northern front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was how they controlled public opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to the bulletin’s northern war reports, southern opera troupes had already commissioned learned scholars to compose songs celebrating victories, and were rehearsing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To have a new piece ready when the war ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trend quickly spread through Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then from Bianjing to every corner of the Great Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first adapted tale was of the Duke of Ying, whose wisdom uncovered the Northern Liao’s treachery and captured a general under the Southern Court’s Grand King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military families detoured carelessness and especially detoured declaring certain victory while holding overwhelming advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, they detoured opening champagne before the match ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Zhang family had warned the southern opera troupe: wait until the outcome was settled before performing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days passed in circles,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one day after the Duke of Ying’s fifth daughter sent an invitation, the Duke’s carriage arrived at the Yongyi Marquis Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke’s carriage entered the Xu household, accompanied by the Duke’s female attendants and young servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the inner courtyard, Sun Shi welcomed them with her daughter-in-law and two daughters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First out stepped a slightly plump stewardess, who escorted the elaborately dressed, gold-and-jade-adorned Zhang family’s fifth daughter from the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl stepped down, bowed slightly to the Xu family:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister-in-law, spring greetings; elder sisters, your beauty be well; Lady, may you be blessed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stewardess behind her bowed as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your beauty be well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, Fifth Daughter, I’ve never met you before—come, let’s go inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group entered the inner courtyard’s main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Shi walked beside the stewardess and asked softly: “May I ask your surname, Madam?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old woman’s surname is Fan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, so you’re Madam Fan. Please, come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short while in the hall, Sun Shi instructed the two Meis to look after Fifth Daughter, then left with Xie Shi, letting the girls play together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Fan accompanied the three girls to Pingmei’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Anmei, I’ve heard many sisters say your little lynx is adorable—may I see it today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. That little thing is in my sister’s courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Fifth Daughter heard the lynx’s piercing cries from the courtyard—sharp and mournful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the moon gate, she saw a golden-furred lynx confined in a cage, lying on a silver bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, on a table, stood a small water basin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lynx, wailing desperately, saw the three approaching and instantly quieted—its cries softened into a high-pitched, sweet trill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xu Zaijing were here, he’d surely say: “Oh? This little thing has two faces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Zhang Fang drew near did she see that the little wild cat had a finely woven crimson ribbon around its neck, with a silent little bell hanging beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the little bell hung a small gold plaque, engraved with the character “Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, so adorable,” Zhang Fang nearly had pink hearts sparkling in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang, there are fish in that small water jar—you can feed them to it; it loves them most.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of outsiders, Pingmei still carried herself with composure; she whispered to Fan Mama: “Fan Mama, why hasn’t Duke Prefecture hired a wild cat to keep Fang company?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was one before, but it died of old age when Fang was little; she fell ill from crying, and a Daoist said not to get another wild cat—so we never did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang is a kind-hearted girl; seeing this, I’m at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Ping, I think this wild cat has been hungry since morning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was my little Wu’s idea—he feared the wild cat might run off if Fang arrived and spoil the mood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two spoke, voices came from beyond the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Xu Zaijing leading Zheng Xiao to play in his own courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you all for your support—the editor says to keep submitting for recommendations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All kinds of support welcome!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1499,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e72f6475865eb6b45989ff0fe4380f7672c548527afeae684b8500c93a7baeaf","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-66","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-64",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]