Chapter 665: Xu Five is studious [Thank you! Bow again! Owe 39k]

"Little Five, Little Five?"

Zaizhang looked at his little brother's stunned appearance, called out twice suspiciously, and then tugged at Xu Zaijing's clothes.

"Ah? Brother, what's wrong?"

Xu Zaijing, who had come to his senses, hurriedly responded.

"What are you thinking about!"

Zaizhang looked at Xu Zaijing with some blame.

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "Brother, it's nothing! It's just that I discovered that these stone locks placed in the courtyard are quite heavy, but they are full of traces of use."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing glanced at Yue Fei beside his nephew again.

A good family son to the side said, "Fifth Young Master, don't doubt it; the stone locks are indeed used by this kid Yue Fei. Master Chen, who teaches him marksmanship, is from our village and has also taught us before."

"Speaking of him, his mouth is full of praise, saying directly that this kid Yue Fei is gifted and will definitely be a master in the future," another person echoed.

Xu Zaijing nodded repeatedly, "So that's how it is! In that case, you brothers are still the senior fellow apprentices of the Yue family boy."

The good family sons nodded one after another.

At this time,

A middle-aged man who was talking to the county clerk walked over.

The good family sons around the Xu brothers bowed and introduced the middle-aged man's identity; he was the village head, and his seniority was the same as Master Chen, who taught them marksmanship.

After some conversation, Xu Zaijing and his elder brother learned that the village head's son had actually joined the army with Yue He and was now also serving under Marquis Yongyi.

In this way,

Everyone's conversation became more and more enthusiastic.

Looking at Xu Zaijing's expression, the village head took advantage of a gap in the conversation and said solemnly, "Zhang Zhang Sanlang, Fifth Young Master, please rest assured. With us here in the village, the Yue family's children will not be bullied."

"Right, right! Zhang Zhang Sanlang, Fifth Young Master, rest assured. Even if there are any idlers or rascals nearby, we will drive them away," a good family son said.

Zaizhang bowed, "Bianjing is some distance from here, so we will rely on you all. In the future, when you all come to the capital, remember to find us for a drink."

Everyone nodded one after another.

Subsequently,

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang did not enter the house, but sat on the stools moved by the neighbors in the courtyard and talked with everyone.

Of course, it was Xu Zaijing who spoke more.

After all, Beizhou, which had previously experienced turmoil, was only two hundred miles away from here, about the same distance as going to Bianjing.

Previously, there were also chaotic soldiers nearby, and the good family sons and the township soldiers who protected the village spent a lot of effort to wipe them out.

The good family sons had an impression of the combat power of the chaotic soldiers, so they naturally admired Xu Zaijing, who had braved the dragon's den and tiger's lair.

They were even more curious about Xu Zaijing's experience.

Those who were familiar with the Western Army would ask a few questions about the conquest of Bai Gao.

Yue Fei, who had finished talking with Xu Xingdai and was helping his family serve tea and water, just stood to the side and listened to two sentences, but was attracted by Xu Zaijing's concise description and listened unconsciously.

"This boy, let me do it." Qingyun smiled, reached out, and took the porcelain bowl containing hot water from Yue Fei's hand.

"I'll do it, I'll do it," Yue Fei declined.

"Boy, if you do it yourself, you won't be able to listen to my Young Master tell stories," Qingyun said.

Looking at the appearance of the crowd to the side, Xu Zaijing also said a few more words about the scout experience he had accumulated in Bai Gao before.

Perhaps someone passed the message,

From morning to afternoon,

Good family sons riding horses and carrying bows and spears still came to the village to pay their respects from time to time regardless of the cold.

Knowing that Xu Zaijing and the others came because of the funeral, no one proposed to compare martial arts.

The sun slanted west,

Dozens of good family sons withdrew from the Yue family's courtyard.

Zaizhang stood beside Madam Yao and exhorted softly, "Madam, Zhu Family Fort, fifty miles away, is our family's close relative. If there are any difficulties, just go there and find them."

"The Tangyin County Magistrate is also a classmate of our eldest brother-in-law. If anything happens, you can ask him to send a fast horse to Bianjing."

Xu Zaijing, who was to the side, nodded repeatedly and said, "Madam, the children in the family still need someone to teach them, and they will have to get married when they grow up."

"Thank you, Zhang Zhang Sanlang, Fifth Young Master. This woman knows in her heart; please rest assured, both of you."

Madam Yao said with red eyes.

Glancing at her son beside her, Madam Yao said thoughtfully, "There is nothing else, it's just that Fei'er's marksmanship master said that he has nothing left to teach him."

"He also said that Fei'er has some talent in archery. Master Chen exhorted repeatedly that he must find a powerful archery master."

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at the two children who were talking, and said solemnly, "Madam, I do know a powerful archery master. The deputy general beside my eldest brother was taught by this old gentleman. After returning to the capital, I will go to the old gentleman's mansion to inquire."

Listening to the conversation in front, Yue Fei beside him whispered to Xu Xingdai, "Is that general surnamed Lu?"

Xu Xingdai nodded repeatedly, "Yes, his name is Lu Junyi, and I have to call him Uncle."

Yue Fei nodded, "Oh! Father had told me about him before when he came home! I heard that he is almost invincible in the army in both horse and foot combat."

"So, the old master who can teach such a disciple must be a powerful one," Xu Xingdai said crisply.

"Hmm."

"Thank you, Fifth Young Master! This woman has heard her husband mention this General Lu before." As she spoke, Madam Yao looked back at her son.

When visiting home before, her husband had mentioned it a few times, and she also hoped that her son could be like this.

"Madam is too polite, it's just that it might..." Xu Zaijing stopped mid-sentence.

"Is it that he has to go to Bianjing?" Madam Yao asked.

Xu Zaijing and his brother looked at each other and nodded.

Madam Yao said, "Okay, then when the one-year period expires, I will let Fei'er go to Bianjing. At that time..."

"With us here, please rest assured about everything in the capital," Zaizhang said solemnly.

Madam Yao nodded with relief and said, "Actually, this woman knew that the Marquis's Mansion would send someone, but I thought it would be a steward; I really didn't expect..."

"Commander Yue died for the country; this is what we should do," Zaizhang said.

While talking,

Xu Zaijing and his group went out the door and flipped onto their horses.

"Dai Ge'er, let's go," Xu Zaijing said on the back of the little Li horse.

"Oh! I know, Uncle."

After Xu Xingdai finished speaking, he turned around, hugged Yue Fei, who was taller than him, patted Yue Fei's waist and back, who was somewhat stunned, and turned to run toward Xu Zaijing.

Being picked up by Xu Zaijing and put on the horse's back, Xu Xingdai waved his hand again.

Subsequently,

After Xu Zaijing and the others bowed to say goodbye, they ran toward Tangyin County town in the golden sunset together with the good family sons around them.

Bianjing,

East side of the Imperial City,

In the Chai family courtyard,

At the dinner table,

"Madam, how was everything at the Gu family's heating stove party today?" Chai Jin smiled.

Chai Jin's Madam, Lu Shi, used public chopsticks to pick a piece of meat for her sister-in-law Chai Zhengzheng, and nodded, "Husband, it was naturally good! Madam Shoushan Bo was also there today, and she was chatting happily with Madam Bai and Madam Yu!"

Chai Zhengzheng, who had been picked food for, came to her senses and hurriedly smiled, "Thank you, Sister-in-law, I can do it myself."

Lu Shi smiled.

Madam Chai looked at her son and daughter-in-law, glanced at her daughter, and asked, "By the way, I heard that the two Xu family boys haven't been in the capital these two days?"

Chai Zhengzheng, who was using chopsticks to dig through the food, paused, and then returned to normal.

"Yes. There was a war in the north before, and a commander of ours died in battle. With the New Year approaching, the two Xu family boys took people to offer condolences a few days ago," Lu Shi said.

"War is fierce, especially at this time of year," Chai Jin sighed solemnly.

Everyone at the table nodded one after another.

Madam Chai sighed and said, "The New Year is approaching. In two days, send someone to send some New Year gifts to our relatives and old friends. Eldest Son's wife, Zhengzheng, you two consult with me tomorrow."

"Yes, Mother."

Three days later,

After the middle of the twelfth lunar month,

Private schools and schoolrooms in the capital were closed one after another, and the Sheng family schoolroom was no exception.

Xu Zaijing and the others had much less "winter vacation" homework, but the topics were more difficult and time-consuming.

After school,

"Jing Ge'er, tomorrow is the first day of the holiday. Sixth Brother invited us to go to Wu Tower for fun..." Qi Heng was to the side, looking at Xu Zaijing, who was shaking his head, and did not continue.

"Yuanruo, I have something to do tomorrow. I think it's better to go another day," Xu Zaijing smiled.

"That's fine, that's fine," Qi Heng nodded.

Gu Tingye on the other side turned his head and said, "Fifth Young Master, what do you have to do? Is there anything I can help with?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head.

The next day,

At the hour of Si (10:00 AM),

The weather was sunny,

Pedestrians on Pan Lou Main Street were like weaving, as lively as usual, with all kinds of noise and hawking sounds endless, and there were also those who took advantage of the twelfth lunar month to perform arts nearby, performing acrobatics such as fire-breathing and pot-balancing.

"Good!"

"Amazing!"

Amidst a burst of cheers,

A luxurious carriage guarded by mounted guards turned from the street corner onto Pan Lou Main Street.

After stopping for a moment in front of a two-story wooden building with a "Four Treasures Studio" plaque, the carriage continued to walk on the street.

Just by looking at the carriage and the guards on the side, the common people on the road gave way one after another.

In the carriage,

Miss Yun Mu looked at Chai Zhengzheng curiously and said, "Da Niangzi, I can go and send the New Year gifts for the Zhou family. Why are you..."

Chai Zhengzheng lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the lively street scene through the gap, "Zhou Niangzi taught me archery after all. I came to send it personally, and also took the opportunity to relax."

Miss Yun Mu nodded, and said with some regret in her tone, "But Da Niangzi, at this time, the boys who study are mostly finishing their homework, and have no time..."

Before she finished speaking, looking at the look her Da Niangzi gave her, Miss Yun Mu hurriedly pursed her lips and did not continue.

Soon,

The Chai family carriage stopped by the side of the road.

In the Zhou family archery shop,

Zhou Niangzi, who was entertaining guests, was stunned when she saw the carriage outside the shop, then her eyes turned, and she said to the guest, "Guest, I will lower the price of this good bow by another thirty wen, and give you two more feathers. How about that?"

After dozens of breaths, the guest left the shop with satisfaction.

The shop assistant followed Zhou Niangzi to the outside of the shop and stood on both sides of the entrance.

The Chai family carriage's curtain moved, and Chai Zhengzheng, wearing a veil hat, walked down from the carriage with her maid.

Zhou Niangzi smiled and greeted her, "Da Niangzi, why do you have time to come to my small shop today?"

Chai Zhengzheng bowed slightly and nodded, and the veil hat also moved, "Zhou Niangzi, I came to send you New Year gifts, and by the way, I came to walk around and relax."

Looking at the maid holding the gift box behind, Zhou Niangzi smiled, "Oh! Da Niangzi, you are too polite."

After finishing, Zhou Niangzi said with hesitation, "It's just..."

"Zhou Niangzi, won't you invite me into the shop?" Chai Zhengzheng smiled under the veil hat.

"Oh. Da Niangzi, please come in." Zhou Niangzi reached out to invite.

After Chai Zhengzheng took the maid into the shop, Zhou Niangzi stood on tiptoe with some worry and looked into the distance of Pan Lou Main Street a few times.

Seeing that the person she expected was not there, Zhou Niangzi turned and entered the shop.

Deep inside the shop,

Where it couldn't be seen from outside the door, Chai Zhengzheng, who had lifted the veil of her hat, looked at the things on the shelf and asked with a smile, "Is the Old Proprietor in the shop today?"

Zhou Niangzi nodded, "Father is resting today and is drinking tea in the backyard. He likes the tea sent from the mansion before very much."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile, picked up a uniquely shaped thumb ring carved with a cat pattern, and said, "This thumb ring is quite fun."

Zhou Niangzi smiled and said, "Many young ladies have come to the shop these days, so they customized some to display, and quite a few people bought them."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded and handed it to Miss Yun Mu, "I want this."

Looking at Chai Zhengzheng, Zhou Niangzi hesitated for a moment and said, "Da Niangzi, a distinguished guest has submitted a post, saying he wants to visit Father today. He might be arriving soon. Da Niangzi, you..."

Hearing this,

Miss Yun Mu and the other three maids looked at each other in surprise.

Chai Zhengzheng to the side realized, "Oh! No wonder you were hesitant just now. You have a heart. It was Zhengzheng who came suddenly; I should have submitted a post first."

Saying these words was also for the sake of Chai Zhengzheng's reputation.

Zhou Niangzi pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you, Da Niangzi, for your understanding."

"Let's go." Chai Zhengzheng smiled and put down the veil hat.

Chai Zhengzheng and the others just walked to the entrance of the shop.

"Whoa!"

Three horses stopped in front of the shop.

The leader had a red headband for cold protection tied on his forehead, wore a purple cloak, and the horse he was sitting on was particularly handsome.

Looking at the three blurry figures through the thin gauze, Chai Zhengzheng, who walked out of the door, was stunned.

Lifting the veil to reveal a gap, after seeing the person clearly, Chai Zhengzheng whispered, "Zhou Niangzi, is he the distinguished guest you mentioned?"

"Yes, Da Niangzi," Zhou Niangzi replied.

Behind Chai Zhengzheng, Miss Yun Mu whispered to Fuyi, "This is really a coincidence." Zhiteng to the side nodded repeatedly.

When they were talking,

Xu Zaijing, Qingyun, and Alan had already flipped off their horses.

Alan collected the mounts, Qingyun untied the gift box carried on the horse's back, and Xu Zaijing looked at the few people at the door somewhat puzzled.

Sweeping a glance at the young lady wearing a veil hat, and then looking at the maid following behind, Xu Zaijing then had a look of realization in his eyes.

Untying the gift box carried by the horse, Qingyun carried one in each hand and came to Xu Zaijing's side.

Looking at Xu Zaijing standing in place, Qingyun asked suspiciously, "Young Master?"

After speaking, he looked at the noble lady who came out of the shop and was walking toward this side, and said again, "It looks like the Chai family Da Niangzi."

"Hmm." Xu Zaijing nodded.

Chai Zhengzheng walked six or seven steps out of the shop door and arrived at the street side.

Before turning toward her own carriage, Chai Zhengzheng paused slightly, lifted the veil to reveal her pretty face, smiled at Xu Zaijing, and bowed. The maid following behind also bowed and squatted down.

Xu Zaijing hurriedly nodded with a smile to show his respects.

Qingyun, who was carrying things with both hands, bowed somewhat awkwardly, which made Zhiteng, the maid who saw it, cover her mouth and smile.

Watching the master and servants get into the carriage, Xu Zaijing smiled and said to Zhou Niangzi in front of him, "It seems somewhat inconvenient to come today."

Zhou Niangzi smiled and shook her head.

Chai Zhengzheng stepped on the carriage stool and got into the carriage. Zhiteng behind looked at Alan, then covered her mouth with her hand and said two words to Zhiteng.

After speaking, the two maids laughed one after another, boarded the carriage one after another, and disappeared behind the carriage curtain.

Watching the carriage and the Chai family guards leave, Xu Zaijing turned around and entered the shop with Zhou Niangzi.

In the Chai family carriage,

Miss Yun Mu lifted the carriage window curtain and asked suspiciously, "Da Niangzi, why do you think Fifth Young Master Xu came to the Zhou family today?"

Chai Zhengzheng thought for a while and said, "Perhaps he came to ask for advice on archery?"

"Then Fifth Young Master Xu is quite studious!" Fuyi praised.

"What were you two laughing at the Xu family's personal attendant just now?" Miss Yun Mu asked with a frown.

Chai Zhengzheng looked at the two personal maids with an unclear meaning in her eyes.

"Sister Miss Yun Mu, it's nothing, it's just that I heard that the personal attendant seems to be named Alan, and he is going to marry Qingzhi, who is beside Madam Xu, after the New Year."

"Is it him?" As she spoke, Miss Yun Mu lifted the carriage curtain and looked back.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 666 =====