[{"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-66":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},2307844,4510,"Chapter 66: Narration and Heart-Stopping Moments [Thank You for Your Support","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>The Zhang family’s Fifth Young Lady paused her play with the cat and whispered to Pingmei and Anmei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder sisters, the sound—it sounds like Zheng Xiao’s brother is here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anmei smirked slyly: “Fifth Young Lady, how do you know it’s the Zheng family’s young master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Young Lady, not yet at the age of first love, didn’t catch Anmei’s teasing tone and replied openly: “Our families live close by; Xiao Brother often comes to my house to play with my older brothers, and he always keeps glancing at our horse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingmei tapped Anmei’s forehead with her finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nearby cat, ignored, let out a plaintive meow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweet Fifth Young Lady stroked the cat with her small hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Xu Zaijing and Zheng Xiao arrived at Xu Zaijing’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Zheng Xiao had already taken in the state of the Xu household: though somewhat worn, every courtyard, corridor, and window frame was clean where it should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s courtyard had a grape arbor; though the weather was gradually warming, the vines had not yet turned green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath the arbor stood a large fish tank, a porcelain vessel half a man’s height, its mouth as wide as a millstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its inner and outer rims were scrubbed spotless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the clear water, several beautiful goldfish swam back and forth, a pleasing sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao looked at the immaculate tank and said: “Your servants are diligent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned to glance at Qingcao, who followed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little maid’s eyes curved into crescents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Xu Zaijing’s room, Zheng Xiao’s first sight was a calligraphy scroll mounted on the wall—naturally, the one written by Grand Secretary Sheng Hong: “Law Values Naturalness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Zheng family was a military merit aristocracy, they had long employed literati and clerks, and their sons were well-cultivated in culture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing Ge’er, this calligraphy is truly excellent—its bones are open and penetrating, its brushwork brisk and as if infused with divine power. A fine character, a fine character.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at Zheng Xiao; though young, he did not speak carelessly about calligraphy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a brushwork piece from an uncle of mine, now serving in Yangzhou. The writing is truly exceptional.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I ever get the chance, I hope to personally seek his guidance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second Young Master, rest assured, the chance will come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two spoke as they walked out of Xu Zaijing’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve long heard you have a fine steed—won’t you take me to see it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at Zheng Xiao: “You, a noble son living next door to the Duke Prefecture, come to my rundown household just to look at a horse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao’s eyes flickered: “A fine steed is like a beauty—I’m just curious to see a different kind of beauty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing raised his thumb: “Well said. Shall we go take a look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun and Zheng Xiao’s young servant followed behind, soon reaching the riding ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao’s servant, named Niujiao, saw his master chatting merrily with the Xu family’s young master, but when they reached the riding ground, he studied the ground’s traces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the riding ground, several horses were sleek and glossy, neighing powerfully—clearly tended by skilled grooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the riding ground stood a spear shaft polished smooth by daily handling; though its quality couldn’t match that of a General’s residence, its appearance was similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This indicated someone practiced regularly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niujiao spotted axe marks on a solid log standing nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Xu Zaijing was strong, but seeing the deep axe cuts, he felt that even without piercing armor, a blow like this would cause internal injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To outsiders, Xu Zaijing’s master was merely an ordinary stable hand, revealing no sign of skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing approach, the spirited Li Ju galloped over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao looked at the horse and said: “Truly beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does it compare to the Duke Prefecture’s?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each has its merits. I’ve seen Zhang’s elder brother’s mount—a Hualiu (a red-bodied horse with black mane and tail)—its spirit and grace are no less than yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zheng Xiao stroked the horse’s neck; its glossy coat was a pleasure to touch. For some reason, Xu Zaijing felt a pang of jealousy, patted the horse’s head, and Li Ju, intelligent as it was, moved away, returning to gallop freely across the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xiao felt a pang of loss, then suddenly noticed a Qiji (a dark-gray steed) chasing after Li Ju—he shook his head, clearly displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Zheng Xiao whistled softly, and a peach-colored mare galloped over—he had ridden this fine steed to the Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though slightly shorter than Li Ju, it was more robust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two played for a while; since the Xu riding ground was large, they rode horses across it and swung their polo sticks a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Zheng Xiao’s steed was stronger, Xu Zaijing’s Li Ju was far more intelligent and better coordinated with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dismounting, the horses were slightly damp with sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were led aside by their respective servants for care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun hung high—it was time for lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s little maid, Qingcao, came to the riding ground to call them to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Qiongzhi Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The well-fed little cat lay dozing on the windowsill table,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>especially soothed by Fifth Young Lady’s small hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was now listening as Xu Pingmei recounted the events of the Lantern Festival night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A wicked old woman burst out of the crowd, shouting at my maid Qingxia: ‘Let go of my young lady!’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Young Lady listened, entranced,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Suddenly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl startled, eyes wide with curiosity: “What happened, Elder Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cat under Fifth Young Lady’s hand let out an indignant meow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Mama, standing nearby, was also spellbound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingmei said: “Those bandits suddenly drew gleaming knives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah? Elder Sister, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, my little Wu stepped right in front of me, and I jabbed the old woman with my hairpin. When I turned back, those bandits were already lying on the ground, knocked down by little Wu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Xiaoju, a maid beside Sun Shi, entered the courtyard, followed by four or five servants carrying bowls and dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the girls getting along well, she lightened her steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She waved to Qingzhi at the gate; when Qingzhi came over, she said: “When Big Sister finishes her story, tell her dinner is ready—just wave and they can come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Pingmei was still speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When my parents arrived, I realized my hands were trembling—I could barely stand. If not for my maid holding me up, I would have collapsed to the floor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Young Lady covered her mouth and laughed: “Elder Sister Pingmei, I thought you were like Lady Li—unfazed in danger, ready to scold the bandits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I have had the breath to scold bandits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who could be so wicked?” Fifth Young Lady asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Fan Mama noticed the maids outside and said softly: “Girls, you’ve talked long enough—have some tea and rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Qingzhi seized the chance and signaled the serving maids to enter the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fine meal was laid out in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because her mood was good, Zhang’s Fifth Young Lady ate quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little cat, fed alternately by Anmei and Fifth Young Lady, ate until its belly was full, tried to escape, but was promptly scooped up by Fifth Young Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short nap at the Xu household, the three girls played toss-pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the hour of Shen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Young Lady reluctantly waved goodbye to the Xu household at the carriage, then climbed inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, thank you for your generous hospitality,” Fan Mama said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fan Mama, you’re too kind. Fifth Young Lady visiting our home is a sign of your family’s favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, then we take our leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang’s carriage drove out past the Xu household’s second gate, and Xu Zaijing waved goodbye to Zheng Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the main gate, on the street, Zheng Xiao spurred his horse forward a few steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Lady, you came to the Xu household too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped out, he noticed a horse tied to the tethering post in front of the Xu household’s main gate—he glanced curiously at the horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the esteemed guest departed, the steward led a man to the outer gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi had not yet returned to her courtyard; she instantly saw the steward leading a man with a white cloth tied around his head—her heart leapt to her throat, her head spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you for your esteemed readers’ support! Grateful! Deeply grateful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1440,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8cfe7a402044017cc35e5682b7de3e3e83e513d93a18c554e5bb8d7902c0448e","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-67","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-65",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]