Chapter 662: Cruel Heart [Deep Gratitude! Bowing Again! 36K Chapters Owed]

"I just wonder if the Mi Fu Su Nai flowers placed below are to their liking."

"Young Master, you say, with that money, if I put in a few more silver beans, wouldn't it be better?"

Seeing Seeing Qingcao asked with slight hesitation.

Xu Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, then smiled: "If they were silver beans, I imagine that young lady from the Kang family would be reluctant to buy delicacies like Mi Fu Su Nai flowers."

"If you buy them, perhaps after others taste them, they will become a beautiful memory for them; these are things money cannot buy."

"Besides, didn't you place gold ingots there in addition to the delicacies?"

Hearing this, Seeing Seeing Qingcao smiled and nodded repeatedly.

"Once your brother's health is restored, ask him what kind of work he wishes to pursue; your Young Master still has some connections here in Bianjing."

"Mm!"

Seeing Seeing Qingcao raised her eyes to look at Xu Xu Zaijing, then nodded heavily.

In the middle of the eleventh month,

on this day,

in the morning,

the clear sky was a stretch of azure, without a single wisp of cloud.

The wind was extremely slight; sitting in the sunlit spot basking in the warmth, one felt entirely cozy.

After attending classes continuously for over ten days, Xu Xu Zaijing, who had the day off, saw Yin Bo leaning against a chair beside the wooden house, eyes closed and basking in the sun, and called out, "Master, I am going out."

Without even opening his eyes, Yin Bo waved his hand.

Brother Qingyun, following behind Xu Xu Zaijing, instructed Alan: "Keep a close watch; don't let him fall asleep."

"Rest assured, Brother Brother Qingyun."

Alan smiled and said.

Riding out of the Hou Fu,

on Quyuan Street, old acquaintances of the Hou Fu frequently smiled and clasped their fists in greeting from the roadside, to which Xu Xu Zaijing mostly responded with a nod.

There had been no snow for many days;

today the weather was sunny and warm, so the pedestrians and common folk on the streets of Bianjing were considerably more numerous than usual.

Along the road, one could frequently see pedestrians wearing ear warmers of various colors.

The ear warmers of wealthy households and local elites were mostly made of brocade and furs, while those of ordinary people were of plain cloth.

Relying on his keen eyesight, Xu Xu Zaijing could see clearly that the embroidery on the ear warmers varied greatly: women and young ladies embroidered flowers and grasses, while men and children mostly embroidered characters or tiger heads.

The hawking and peddling cries of various trades filled the air incessantly, while diverse aromas, smoke, and steam drifted through the atmosphere from time to time, creating an atmosphere of great prosperity and bustle.

Crossing streets and threading through alleys,

Xu Xu Zaijing arrived beneath the Fan Lou.

Before the towering Fan Lou stood a large festive gate adorned with colorful towers; in the gentle breeze, the wine banners hanging from the colorful towers drooped lazily, swaying occasionally.

Upon seeing Xu Xu Zaijing, the steward at the entrance widened his eyes, then hurried forward with a beaming smile to greet him.

Previously, when Xu Xu Zaijing had been at the Fan Lou together with Zheng Xiao and Gu Gu Tingye, he had thoroughly beaten the Prince of Yan and several scions of ducal and marquis families, a spectacle this Fan Lou steward had witnessed with his own eyes.

Of course,

if this Fan Lou steward knew that the Imperial Prince Zhao Fang had once visited, he would probably have been so shocked his jaw would drop.

On both sides of the Fan Lou entrance beneath the colorful towers, there were today two porcelain vases, each half the height of a grown man and thick enough for a child to embrace, into which flowers of various colors had been arranged.

Seeing Seeing Qingcao and the other three maids, having dismounted from the carriage, were immediately captivated by these two clusters of flowers.

Xu Xu Zaijing also glanced at the flower vases, then smiled and said to the Fan Lou steward beside him: "These flowers are quite nice."

"Many thanks for Han Han Wulang's praise! These flowers are all artificial blossoms; I heard they were crafted by a Da Da Niangzi from the You Lian Duke's household, whose craftsmanship is extraordinarily skilled."

Upon hearing the steward's words, Xu Xu Zaijing paused in surprise, then smiled.

Seeing Seeing Qingcao exchanged glances with Yun Xiang and Hua Xiang.

Such exquisite artificial flowers they had seen a few times before; if their guess was correct, that Da Da Niangzi was most likely the one their Young Master had recommended to the Lu family.

Passing through the cotton curtain lifted by the Fan Lou page at the entrance, the group entered the Fan Lou.

Winter was precisely the season for enjoying Bo Xia Gong; naturally, the first floor was steaming with heat and bustling with activity.

Having walked only a few steps inside the building,

Zhi Que, Gu Gu Tingye's personal attendant, came forward with a beaming smile, clasped his fists, and said: "Fifth Young Master, my young master spotted you from upstairs and sent me down to welcome you."

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled, nodded, and asked: "How many have arrived?"

Zhi Que smiled: "Replying to Fifth Young Master, please go up and see for yourself."

Looking at Zhi Que, who was being deliberately mysterious, Xu Xu Zaijing smiled, then took the lead and stepped toward the stairs going up.

Ascending to the third floor,

and proceeding along the carpeted corridor to the door of the private room,

Zhi Que hurriedly stepped forward and called out: "Young Master, Han Han Wulang has arrived!" As he spoke, he pushed the door open.

Xu Xu Zaijing stepped over the low threshold and entered the room with his maids.

After passing around the screen, Xu Xu Zaijing looked at the two people in the room with eyes full of surprise.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing enter, Yu Yu Yanran, standing beside Gu Gu Tingye, smiled and performed a formal curtsy.

"No, Yuan Yuan Erlang, how did you bring Yu—" After hesitating briefly, Xu Xu Zaijing said, "How did you bring Sister-in-Law here?"

Gu Gu Tingye smiled proudly: "Because today we specifically invited only you, Han Han Wulang!"

Yun Xiang and the other three maids following behind Xu Xu Zaijing likewise showed expressions of surprise.

Shaking his head with a look of utter bewilderment, Xu Xu Zaijing then scanned Gu Gu Tingye suspiciously: "Specifically invited me? Let me ask you, Yuan Yuan Erlang, do you have some favor to ask of me?"

"Go on, go on! If I had a favor to ask, would I need to treat you to a meal?" Gu Gu Tingye said with a laugh, waving his hand.

Xu Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow, feigning sudden realization: "Mm! That is indeed true."

Seeing this scene, Yu Yu Yanran smiled somewhat bashfully.

Back when she was still a young miss confined to her boudoir, she had never seen Xu Xu Zaijing like this.

After glancing at Yu Yu Yanran beside him, Gu Gu Tingye spoke again: "The guests have arrived; have the restaurant serve the dishes."

"Yes, Young Master," Zhi Que replied and exited the room.

While they were speaking, Xu Xu Zaijing had already walked to the table.

Watching Gu Gu Tingye extend his hand in a gesture of invitation, Xu Xu Zaijing sat down on the chair, taking the opportunity to glance at Cheng Qiuniang standing in attendance nearby, who still wore her hair in the style of a young miss.

When the tea was served,

Gu Gu Tingye, wearing a broad smile, said: "Han Wulang, these tea leaves come from the tea plantation that was part of your sister-in-law's dowry; taste them and see how they are."

Xu Xu Zaijing cast a sidelong glance at the proud Gu Gu Tingye and nodded with a smile.

Afterwards, Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye occasionally took bites of food, chatting intermittently.

"I wonder if that fellow Rong Rong Xian has reached Guangnan West Circuit by now," Gu Gu Tingye said.

Xu Xu Zaijing sniffed the aroma rising from the tea cup and said: "He should be arriving soon."

Hearing the two men mention Rong Rong Xian, Yu Yu Yanran looked thoughtfully at Xu Xu Zaijing but said nothing.

"Young Master, the restaurant steward says all the dishes have been served."

Zhi Que spoke from beside the folding screen.

Gu Gu Tingye nodded and said: "Mm, you and Brother Qingyun can order whatever you wish to eat outside."

"Yes."

After Zhi Que left, Yu Yu Yanran turned her gaze toward Gu Gu Tingye.

Noticing her gaze, Gu Gu Tingye looked back, then smiled and gave a slight nod.

Yu Yu Yanran smiled and said to the personal maid standing behind her: "Jucao, you and Cheng Qiuniang accompany Seeing Qingcao, Hearing Yunxiang, and Sister Huaxiang to go outside and rest."

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing's smile, Seeing Qingcao and the other two women smiled and performed a curtsy.

Cheng Qiuniang nearby said softly: "Wu Da Da Niangzi, if we all leave, who will be left to attend to the Master and..."

"Go! You have been standing for so long; it is just right for you to go and rest for a while," Gu Gu Tingye said with a frown.

Sensing several gazes sweeping over her, Cheng Qiuniang lowered her head: "Yes, Master."

Very soon,

only Xu Xu Zaijing, Gu Gu Tingye, and Yu Yu Yanran remained in the private room.

"Click."

The door to the private room was closed.

Yu Yu Yanran, sitting beside Gu Gu Tingye, took a deep breath, then stood up.

Under Xu Xu Zaijing's somewhat surprised gaze, Yu Yu Yanran picked up the wine pot from the table and walked toward Xu Xu Zaijing.

"Yo yo yo! Sister-in-law, this won't do! I will do it myself," Xu Xu Zaijing said, standing up quickly and waving his hands.

As he spoke, Xu Xu Zaijing shot Gu Gu Tingye a meaningful look, signaling him to say something to block this.

Seeing this, Gu Gu Tingye waved his hand and said: "Han Wulang, sit properly and let my Da Da Niangzi fill a cup of wine for you."

"No, Yuan Erlang, you..." Xu Xu Zaijing said with a frown.

Then, looking at Yu Yu Yanran, Xu Xu Zaijing said solemnly: "Sister Yu Yu Yanran, forget about pouring the wine; I can do it myself."

Yu Yu Yanran wanted to speak further, but upon hearing the words "Sister Yu Yu Yanran" and seeing the expression on Xu Xu Zaijing's face, she could only nod and say: "Very well, I will."

Seeing Yu Yu Yanran return to her seat, Xu Xu Zaijing finally sat down and filled his own wine cup.

After glancing at Gu Gu Tingye, Yu Yu Yanran stood up, raised her wine cup, looked at Xu Xu Zaijing, and said: "Xu Wu Ge, I offer this cup of wine to you. My grandmother told me about what happened when I was young; I have not had the chance to express my gratitude until now."

Glancing at Gu Gu Tingye again, Yu Yu Yanran said with a smile: "After I spoke with my husband, he decided to invite you over today."

Xu Xu Zaijing stood up, holding his wine cup: "Sister Yu Yu Yanran is too polite; anyone witnessing such a matter would most likely have acted the same."

Gu Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly from the side.

"Please," Yu Yu Yanran said, then tilted her head back and drained the cup in one gulp.

"Cough, cough, cough." Yu Yu Yanran, having drunk too hastily, began to cough.

Gu Gu Tingye hurriedly stood up and patted her back to help.

After regaining her breath, Yu Yu Yanran filled another cup of wine and said: "Xu Wu Ge, I offer this second cup to you as well. Previously, regarding the ear-protecting pillows and other things you created, the shops under my name have largely imitated them..."

"It is merely a small matter," Xu Xu Zaijing said with a smile, raising his cup.

After both drained the wine in their cups, Yu Yu Yanran filled the cups once more.

Xu Xu Zaijing laughed: "What, there is more?"

After glancing at the proud Gu Gu Tingye, Yu Yu Yanran laughed: "Mm!"

Waiting for Xu Xu Zaijing to fill his wine, Yu Yu Yanran took a deep breath, raised her cup, and said solemnly: "Xu Wu Ge, sometimes I truly dare not imagine how I would have survived these years if I had lost the hairpin my mother left me and been left without any memento."

Letting out a faint, cold laugh, Yu Yu Yanran said: "If it were not for my mother's hairpin, I would most likely have been frightened to death within the Yu family."

A trace of mockery also appeared on the corner of Gu Gu Tingye's mouth.

Looking at Yu Yu Yanran by the table, Xu Xu Zaijing raised his cup and said: "Sister Yu Yu Yanran has now seen bitterness turn to sweetness; dwelling on those unhappy matters serves no purpose."

Yu Yu Yanran smiled: "Xu Wu Ge speaks the truth. Please."

After draining their cups again, Gu Gu Tingye raised his cup: "Hehe, Han Wulang, since my Da Da Niangzi thanks you, I must also thank..."

Seeing this, Xu Xu Zaijing waved his hand: "I say, Yuan Erlang, are you two husband and wife trying to get me drunk?"

Gu Gu Tingye widened his eyes: "Han Wulang, this little wine cannot get you drunk! Come on!"

After draining another cup of wine, Xu Xu Zaijing set down his cup and nodded at Yu Yu Yanran, who had shared a drink with him.

Today's Yu Yu Yanran was different from the one in Xu Xu Zaijing's memories.

Nowadays, Yu Yu Yanran had been brought back to live with her grandfather and grandmother at a young age, sparing her much of the bitterness of neglect and bullying.

The valuable dowry left by her birth mother, Wu Wu Daniang, had not been squandered or embezzled by her stepmother and father.

Managing her business dealings required her to interact with people frequently and make her own decisions.

When spending time with the noble ladies of the capital, she also gained considerable knowledge and experience.

Previously, while still at the Yu family residence, she had thwarted certain people's schemes by brandishing a hairpin.

After such experiences, Yu Yu Yanran was long past being the Yu family's eldest Miss who could not handle affairs.

After the three of them had eaten a few bites of food, seizing a pause in the conversation, Yu Yu Yanran said, "Just now I heard my husband and Xu Wu Ge mention the Rong family; I heard news this morning..."

Glancing at Gu Gu Tingye and Xu Xu Zaijing, Yu Yu Yanran said, "I heard that the Rong family of Hou Fu Chang has recently added a child, a boy."

Gu Gu Tingye, who was using his chopsticks to pick up food, looked somewhat surprised and said, "Oh! Rong Rong Xian has a son! Da Da Niangzi, why didn't you tell me?"

Yu Yu Yanran pressed her lips together, glanced at Xu Xu Zaijing, then shook her head and said, "The child has been born, but Rong family's Yuan Erlang's concubine did not survive..."

Upon hearing these words,

Both Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye stopped the chopsticks in their hands.

Observing Yu Yu Yanran's expression, Gu Gu Tingye said hesitantly, "Da Da Niangzi, judging by your look, is there some hidden complication in this?"

Yu Yu Yanran shook her head: "I don't know if there are hidden complications, but childbirth is inherently perilous! They say she labored all night; yesterday morning, after giving birth, that Wei Wei Xiaoniang was still fine, but by afternoon she was gone."

"This morning, when Jucao went to the Dou family to fetch the fine wine my husband had ordered, she heard the Dou family servants say that the concubine's parents were weeping bitterly yesterday."

Gu Gu Tingye frowned in confusion and asked, "The person just died like that?"

Yu Yu Yanran nodded.

Xu Xu Zaijing, standing nearby, sighed, then exchanged a glance with Gu Gu Tingye.

If there were hidden complications, it was most likely a case of 'removing the mother to keep the son'.

Since that female servant had once come to Hou Fu to deliver items to Xu Xu Zaijing during Rong Rong Xian's grand wedding, Xu Xu Zaijing still retained some impression of her.

He just hadn't expected that the next time he heard news of her, the situation would be like this.

Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

Consort Rong's sleeping quarters,

Inside the hall, the floor heating was lit, making it very warm.

Consort Rong sat in her chair, listening to the report from the female official standing not far before her, her brows gradually knitting together.

"Your Ladyship, that is the situation," the female official said, bowing deeply.

Consort Rong's chest heaved; she stood up with furrowed brows, took several deep breaths to calm her emotions, then shook her head and said, "How dare they!?"

"To remove the mother to keep the son—they could have found some fault with that female servant and her family to send them away from Bianjing! Why must they stain their hands with human life!"

"Miss Rong Feiyan was so angered that she felt unwell; when she spoke to me, she was deeply worried about Your Ladyship's health and even wanted me to help cover this up," the female official said from the side.

Consort Rong habitually placed both hands before her abdomen and said, "You did the right thing; the sooner we know of such matters, the better! Otherwise, we might damage our hidden virtue without realizing it, and even implicate the one in my womb."

"And what did the Dou lady say?" Consort Rong asked.

"Replying to Your Ladyship, the Dou lady said she will naturally treat that child as her own and will also hold a grand religious ceremony for Shen Shen Congxing."

"Additionally, before I returned, I specifically instructed Miss Rong Feiyan, entrusting her to look after that young master closely."

Consort Rong nodded, saying with relief, "You did the right thing!"

Walking a few more steps across the carpet inside the hall, Consort Rong said softly, "Continuing the lineage and flourishing the family is the sign of prosperity! For the Dou lady to act so ruthlessly toward a personal female servant is perhaps too cruel."

The female official nodded gently.

As the stars shifted and time passed,

It was now the twelfth lunar month,

A heavy snow had fallen just two days prior,

On the city streets, one could frequently see exquisitely shaped snow lions; most of these were pressed using molds, saving the process of sculpting.

It was not yet time for the holidays,

Xu Xu Zaijing, as on ordinary days, sat in the warm classroom attending lessons.

In the late morning,

Scholar Zhuang was lecturing,

Suddenly,

The cotton curtain was lifted from outside,

Brother Qingyun walked in, bowing deeply with clasped fists toward Scholar Zhuang: "Scholar, this humble one disturbs you! New news has come from the north; the Imperial Army is riding through the city shouting."

Speaking thus, Brother Qingyun bowed again to the others in the classroom.

"Oh!" Scholar Zhuang put down his book, his eyes shining as he asked, "What news?"

Before Brother Qingyun could answer, Scholar Zhuang muttered to himself, "For the Imperial Army to ride and shout, it must certainly be good news!"

Brother Qingyun nodded in agreement.

Xu Xu Zaijing and the others all looked over.

Brother Qingyun clasped his fists and smiled: "Scholar, everyone, the news that arrived this morning is that seven or eight days ago, our dynasty fought a battle with Northern Liao in the north! A great victory!"

Hearing this, Gu Gu Tingye first looked incredulous, then shook his head in confusion, saying, "This... at this time of year, Northern Liao actually dares to mobilize troops?"

(End of Chapter)