Chapter 667: People who have been beaten [Thank you! Bow again! Owe 39k]

"I have seen Gu Hou, Gu Hou, may you be safe and healthy in the New Year."

Xu Zaijing, who was walking in front, said with a smile and a bow.

Lu Zezong to the side also called out to people in the same way.

The Marquis of Xiangyang scanned Xu Zaijing up and down with a full face of smiles, nodded with a smile, and said, "Safe and healthy, safe and healthy! Good boy, I haven't seen you for a while, you look even more handsome!"

"Uh, thank you for the compliment, Gu Hou. This boy is ashamed and dare not accept it."

"You deserve it, you deserve it." After the Marquis of Xiangyang finished speaking, he nodded to Lu Zezong, and then bowed to the Duke of Lian with a smile several times.

Looking back, the Marquis of Xiangyang stared and said, "You three, call people!"

"Jing Ge'er, may you be auspicious in the New Year," Qi Heng said with a smile and a bow.

The two sons of the Marquis of Xiangyang, who were five years old in nominal age, hurriedly looked at Qi Heng and learned from Qi Heng to bow and call people.

Hearing his eldest son also follow Qi Heng and call "Jing Ge'er," the Marquis of Xiangyang turned his head and frowned, "You boy dare to call him Jing Ge'er? Call him Little Uncle!"

"Oh! I have seen Little Uncle," the eldest son of the Marquis of Xiangyang bowed.

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Previously, the eldest son of the Marquis of Xiangyang's Mansion had been engaged to Xu Zaijing's niece, Qing Jie'er, through the discussion of the two Marquises.

After everyone finished speaking, the old Duke of Lian to the side said earnestly, "Gu Hou, love your son and teach him with righteous methods. Moreover, fullness invites loss, and humility receives benefit."

Qi Heng to the side nodded repeatedly to show agreement.

The Marquis of Xiangyang looked at the old Duke's expression, restrained his show-off appearance, looked around, cleared his throat, bowed, and nodded, "Thank you, Old Duke, for your good words."

"Hmm, you all go over first." After the old Duke bowed back, he turned south and walked toward the outer court of the Imperial Palace.

The Marquis of Xiangyang waved his hand and said, "Yuanruo, you take them two and go to the inner court with Jing Ge'er."

"Yes, Grandfather."

While talking, Xu Zaijing, Qi Heng, and the others arrived at the inner court.

After seeing Princess Pingning, Qi Heng's two little maternal uncles hurriedly walked over, calling "Sister" in their mouths.

Xu Zaijing also bid farewell to the Old Madam of the Duke of Lian's Mansion and went to his own family's side.

While waiting outside the hall,

Xie Shi and Hualan stood behind Sun Shi, looking at the situation around them from time to time.

When they saw Pingmei and Yanran, the sisters-in-law, accompanying Madam Bai and Tingyi walking over, Xie Shi and Hualan nodded with a smile.

Zaizhang was also talking to Xu Zaijing to the side in a low voice, mostly about the situation of the Xu family today.

Early on the first day of the New Year, many old friends of the Marquis's Mansion were going to Quyuan Street to pay New Year's greetings.

Xu Zaijing nodded from time to time,

"By the way, Little Five, early this morning, the son of the Zaijue family also went to our house to pay New Year's greetings."

"Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding?"

"Right."

"Oh! Then when we leave the palace and go to the Sheng family, I will take a detour and pay a New Year's greeting to the Zaijue family first," Xu Zaijing said.

"Hmm! That's fine."

Beside Xu Zaijing, Xu Xingdai raised his head, his gaze turning between the two uncles.

"Summon the Duke of Qi's Mansion to enter the hall!" The shout of the eunuch came from the front.

Following the summons, everyone kept walking forward.

Soon they arrived at Marquis Yongyi's Mansion.

Entering the hall,

After the New Year greetings and inquiries were over, when Xu Zaijing looked up, he found that the people beside the Empress this year were somewhat different from previous years.

Imperial Prince Zhao Fang was now learning beside the Emperor, and Imperial Consort Rong, who would sit to the side in previous years, was not here today because she was pregnant.

And the two sons of the Marquis of Xiangyang were sitting not far below the Empress at this time, turning their heads to look at Princess Pingning beside them from time to time.

"Jing Ge'er, did you spend the New Year at the Duke of Lian's Mansion this year?"

"Reporting to the Empress, yes."

The Empress smiled, "Oh! So that's how it is, then..."

The Empress's gaze swept through the hall, and after sweeping over several noble young ladies from high families, she continued, "Then if you marry a Madam in the future, will you still go?"

Princess Pingning, who was sitting not far from the Empress, heard this and also looked at everyone in the hall with great interest.

After laughing, Princess Pingning turned her head to look at her own handsome son, and there was a look of fantasy in her eyes.

"Uh..." Xu Zaijing smiled somewhat awkwardly, "Reporting to the Empress, I probably won't go then."

"Hmm!" The Empress nodded with a smile, beckoned, and said, "Dai Ge'er, come here and let me take a look at you."

Xu Xingdai turned his eyes, then stepped forward.

Looking at the child who walked to the near place, the Empress smiled and glanced at Xu Zaijing, "I heard that Dai Ge'er misses his father?"

"Hmm! Yes, Empress, I... I also miss my grandfather."

As soon as these words were spoken,

A burst of light laughter sounded in the hall.

"Madam Xu, it seems that the Marquis did not love him in vain," Princess Pingning looked at Sun Shi and smiled.

Sun Shi nodded with a smile.

"Good child, go," the Empress smiled.

With the entry of other noble families into the hall, the hall was soon full of people.

After the Emperor, who had finished the morning court, brought everyone into the hall, there was another burst of "Long live" to congratulate the New Year.

And Zhao Fang, who was sitting beside the Emperor and Empress, had been looking at Xu Zaijing from time to time since entering the hall.

When the Emperor was on the dragon chair, encouraging and praising the boys of several noble and official families, Zhao Fang was talking to the Empress in a low voice.

Hearing the Empress say "after marrying a Madam" and so on, Zhao Fang looked at the hall a few times with a full face of smiles.

Xu Zaijing's attention was on the Northern Liao envoys who followed the Great Zhou's important ministers and nobles into the hall, with a very kind and even humble attitude.

The Emperor said a few more words, and amidst the eunuch's shouts, everyone congratulated in unison again, and then exited the palace hall.

On the way out of the palace, Xu Zaijing walked to the side of several Dukes and Marquises, listening to the conversation of several people.

After another inquiry during the gap in the conversation, Xu Zaijing learned that the Northern Liao envoys came to the first day's morning court today and publicly stated a very sincere plan.

"All of the former Fengzhou given to our dynasty?"

Out of the palace,

Gu Tingye, who was riding beside Xu Zaijing, asked with surprise on his face.

Qi Heng to the side also had an expression of incomprehension on his face: "Jing Ge'er, Northern Liao wants to cede land to us?"

"Right!"

Looking at Qi Heng's puzzled look, Xu Zaijing said, "Yuanruo, it was Northern Liao that moved their hands against us first in the twelfth lunar month! If they don't cede land and apologize, our dynasty will fight back when the weather warms up in spring and summer!"

Gu Tingye shook his head, "Just ceding that little bit of land, how is that enough!"

Xu Zaijing smiled, "That's right! So I heard from several adults that the condition for the peace talks between our dynasty and Northern Liao is to cede the six western states of the Qin Yan Yun Sixteen States to us."

Hearing this, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng raised their eyebrows in unison.

"Tsk! Those adults are ruthless enough," Qi Heng sighed.

"It's just asking for a sky-high price; the specifics still need to be negotiated," Xu Zaijing said.

Gu Tingye exhaled a mouthful of white air and said, "With this condition stated, it seems that it is only right for Northern Liao to give us one or two states."

"Hahahaha!" Xu Zaijing and the others all laughed.

Turning a street, looking at the pedestrians on the road, Gu Tingye said with some regret, "It's a pity that Zheng Xiao didn't return to the capital, otherwise we could drink together!"

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath, felt the coolness between his nose, and smiled, "There are so many young talents in the capital; Second Brother Zheng has to seize the opportunity to perform meritorious service and get promoted, otherwise the Duke of Ying won't let go so easily."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was another burst of laughter from the crowd.

Walking and laughing to a street corner, Xu Zaijing said a few words, and then took Qingyun toward the Zaijue family.

After running the horses for a while, Xu Zaijing arrived at the Zaijue family's mansion.

The gatekeeper steward was also sharp-eyed. After just looking at Xu Zaijing, he hurriedly let the little servant enter the courtyard to announce, and he walked quickly to bow and smile, "I have seen Fifth Young Master! Why are you here today!"

Xu Zaijing nimbly flipped off his horse and smiled, "I came to see the Old Proprietor."

Xu Zaijing entered the main gate, and after walking a few steps, he saw Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding running over.

"Fifth Young Master, I failed to welcome you from afar, please forgive me, please forgive me."

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head, "Zhejue Zhongding, I just came to see the Old Proprietor on the way, what crime do you have."

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding smiled, "Fifth Young Master, please come in."

"Please," Xu Zaijing smiled.

The two walked toward the backyard. Looking at the well-arranged courtyard, Xu Zaijing said, "You have been in the capital for more than a year, and you haven't thought about finding a Madam? This courtyard looks empty."

"No hurry, no hurry," Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding smiled.

"You are not in a hurry, and the Old Proprietor is not in a hurry?" Xu Zaijing continued with a straight face, "Today I will ask someone to find Madam Wu and see if there is anyone suitable in her place."

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding nodded with a smile.

Arriving at the backyard,

"Father, Fifth Young Master Xu is here."

Following Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding's shout, Xu Zaijing lowered his head, passed through the cotton curtain, and entered the hall.

"Old Proprietor, long time no see! May you be safe and healthy in the New Year," Xu Zaijing said with a smile and a bow.

The Old Proprietor Zaijue reached out and smiled, "Hmm! A distinguished guest! Fifth Young Master is a distinguished guest, please sit!"

Xu Zaijing had already known the identity of this Old Proprietor before; he was a Jinshi of the Great Zhou decades ago.

At that time, the imperial examination was to take the palace examination, and there were also cases of being dismissed and not passing.

This Old Proprietor did not come from a high background and failed the palace examination twice. In a fit of anger, he defected to Bai Gao and became an important minister of Bai Gao by virtue of his ability and talent.

This was also the reason why the Zaijue family's houses in Xingqing Mansion were all in the Great Zhou style.

Moreover, Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding's Madam before was also a noble lady of the Li family of Bai Gao.

Being able to survive the purge of the Liang Yi family showed the wisdom and talent of this Old Proprietor.

"The Marquis of Yongyi has made new meritorious service in the Northwest. This old man is here to congratulate you."

"Thank you, Old Proprietor! My father's letter says that the infantry of the Zaijue and Liannu tribes contributed a lot to such a great victory. Zhejue Zhongding also has credit here."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing looked at Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding to the side.

"Oh? Fifth Young Master knows?" The Old Proprietor said suspiciously.

Xu Zaijing nodded, "Northern Liao can send troops, although there is an order from the Xijin Mansion of Northern Liao, the conflicts of several tribes near the border also have a catalytic effect."

The Old Proprietor nodded with a smile, "Today, the Northern Liao envoys attended the morning court and said that the condition for peace talks is to cede the remaining parts of Fengzhou to Great Zhou."

Xu Zaijing gave a thumbs up.

Subsequently, the Old Proprietor talked about the possible negotiation conditions between the two countries in the future, which made Xu Zaijing nod repeatedly.

After talking for about a quarter of an hour, Xu Zaijing stood up and bowed, "Old Proprietor, this boy still has to go to the teacher's house to pay New Year's greetings, so I will say goodbye first! Old Proprietor, please stay."

"Good! Fifth Young Master, walk slowly. I am old and weak, so I won't send you off."

On the way out of the courtyard, Xu Zaijing nodded and sighed, "The Old Proprietor is knowledgeable. Just after chatting for a few words, I have benefited a lot!"

"Fifth Young Master is too polite."

Arriving at the main entrance,

Xu Zaijing got on his horse, nodded with a smile at Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding, who was bowing to see him off, and said, "Go back."

"Fifth Young Master, walk slowly."

"Good."

After riding for a while,

Xu Zaijing's eyes narrowed, and he turned his head to look at the few tough young men on the side of the road, and said solemnly, "What are you doing here?"

One person with an angry face was about to speak, but was fiercely pulled by his companion.

"Hmm?" Xu Zaijing asked again.

"We... are here to pay New Year's greetings to the Old Proprietor," one of the young men said with a smile.

"Oh! So that's how it is." Xu Zaijing nodded.

After carefully looking at the few people with a warning look, Xu Zaijing tapped the horse's belly lightly and continued to walk forward.

Qingyun urged his horse forward and said, "Young Master, I think those few people have no good intentions in their stomachs."

"Hmm, it seems I have to say a few words to the Imperial City Division."

As he spoke, the speed of the two mounts increased, and they rushed toward Jiying Lane.

Looking at the backs of Xu Zaijing and Qingyun, the young man who had an angry face just now spat on the ground.

Several people did not continue to go to the Zaijue family, but turned and left in another direction.

Xu Zaijing knew these young men; after all, Xu Zaijing personally escorted them from Xingqing Mansion to Bianjing, and taught them a lesson in front of Jinglong Gate.

Jiying Lane,

Sheng Mansion,

Scholar Zhuang's courtyard,

Inside the house,

"Scholar, this student has come to pay you New Year's greetings!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile and a bow.

Scholar Zhuang nodded with a smile and reached out, "Come, Zaijing, sit."

"I heard from your brother that you went to the home of the Bai Gao surrenderer?"

"Yes, Scholar."

Scholar Zhuang nodded, looked at Xu Zaijing and pondered for a moment, sighed, and said, "Is that Old Proprietor surnamed Zaijue?"

Xu Zaijing nodded, "Yes, but he was a Jinshi of Great Zhou decades ago, and later defected to Bai Gao and married into the Zaijue family. I didn't ask much about what his surname was when he was in Great Zhou."

"Oh!" Scholar Zhuang nodded.

Xu Zaijing hesitated, "Scholar, looking at his age, that Old Proprietor is about the same as you, could it be..."

"Don't know him," the Scholar waved his hand.

Xu Zaijing raised his eyebrows and didn't speak.

After chatting for a while, Xu Zaijing bowed to say goodbye.

After watching Xu Zaijing leave, the cotton curtain swaying gently, Scholar Zhuang was stunned for a while, then shook his head.

Xu Zaijing walked toward the Sheng family's front hall. Passing by the schoolroom he hadn't been to for more than half a month, Xu Zaijing stopped and looked for a while, and actually felt a little touched in his heart.

After shaking his head with a smile, Xu Zaijing continued to walk forward.

Front hall,

Looking at Xu Zaijing walking over, Danju, who was standing at the door, hurriedly smiled, "Fifth Young Master is here!"

As she spoke, Danju reached out and lifted the cotton curtain at the door.

In the hall,

Minglan, who was talking to Pinlan, turned her head to look at the door immediately after hearing the shout.

Minglan's gaze toward the door happened to pass by Qi Heng. Looking at Qi Heng, who was looking straight at this side, Minglan had to try her best to focus her attention on the door.

When Qi Heng turned his head and wanted to make eye contact with Minglan, he suddenly felt another gaze looking over. Turning his eyes to look, it was the young lady beside Minglan who was looking at him with a frown.

Xu Zaijing walked into the room,

Looking at everyone in the hall, he hurriedly bowed, "I have seen all the elders..."

After a round of New Year greetings, Xu Zaijing sat beside Gu Tingye.

Wang Ruofu, who was sitting beside her sister-in-law Li Daniang, waved her hand to signal the maid to serve tea, and continued to look at Zaizhang with a grin and a full face of smiles.

The satisfaction with her son-in-law in her eyes was almost overflowing.

On the Arhat chair at the head, the two old madams of the Sheng family continued to talk.

Xu Zaijing blew lightly on the hot tea in the teacup, listening to what seemed to be Pinlan of the eldest branch, who had made some friends in the capital, all of whom were legitimate daughters of wealthy merchant families.

After taking a sip, Xu Zaijing looked to the side, but it was the seventh son of the Sheng family, Changzhen, sitting under Changfeng with a decent appearance, looking at himself with some curiosity.

After making eye contact, looking at the child who looked somewhat like Minglan but had a demeanor like Changbai, Xu Zaijing raised his eyebrows with a smile.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 668 =====

After exchanging a glance, Xu Zaijing smiled and raised an eyebrow at the child, whose face resembled Minglan's but whose demeanor was like Changbai's.

(End of chapter)