Chapter 693: The young master has no ability [Thanks! Thanks again! 36K owed]

Mid-August,

After White Dew, approaching the Mid-Autumn Festival, the heat had long since dissipated, and the previously noisy cicada chirping had also disappeared by ninety-nine percent.

There was a hint of chill in the early morning and evening.

Jingying Lane,

Sheng family,

The rotating fan placed in the schoolhouse had also been put away, and the room appeared a bit more spacious.

Approaching the end of school,

Scholar Zhuang, who had finished the lecture, put the book in his hand on the table.

Xu Zaijing and the others looked up quietly at Scholar Zhuang on the upper seat.

"Everyone, starting from tomorrow, there will be a three-day break."

As soon as this was said,

Everyone in the schoolhouse, unable to hide their joy, stood up one after another, bowed, and shouted loudly: "Thank you, Scholar, for your teachings."

Scholar Zhuang, who was disturbed by the shouting, stood up with a smile, nodded a few times, and then walked out of the schoolhouse with his hands behind his back.

It was no wonder Xu Zaijing and the others were so happy; it had been nearly thirty days since the Zhongyuan Festival last month until today without a break.

Changmei, who was not old, had to get up early every day, and had been yawning continuously during class these past two days.

Changfeng stood to the side, letting the little servant tidy up the desk, and looked at Gu Tingye with a smile: "Gu Er Brother, what arrangements do you have for these three days of break? Don't forget your younger brother."

Hearing this, Rulan, who was preparing to leave, rolled her eyes in disgust secretly.

Gu Tingye nodded with a smile: "Don't worry, Feng Ge'er!"

Then he looked at Qi Heng and Xu Zaijing, and Gu Tingye said: "Yuanruo, Fifth Brother, we have had so many days of class, I really feel like my body is rusting."

"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th, so it's not good for us to go out for drinking and feasting. The 17th is the Autumn Festival, and I have to accompany my wife back to the Yu family. Why don't we agree to go to the polo field to exercise on the 16th?"

Hearing this, Changfeng nodded repeatedly with a smile.

Gu Tingye's words also made Xu Zaijing feel a bit itchy, so he nodded with a smile: "I have no problem."

"What about you, Yuanruo?" Gu Tingye looked at Qi Heng.

Qi Heng smiled: "Second Uncle, I will go too, just in time to learn polo from everyone."

Gu Tingye looked at Zaizhang again, and Zaizhang waved his hand: "I have an appointment with a friend that day, you all go."

Xu Zaijing said: "Changbai and Seventh Brother will definitely be free that day, let's go play together!"

Looking at Changbai, who turned around and wanted to refuse, Xu Zaijing said: "Changbai, 'driving', is one of the Six Arts of a Gentleman! No matter what you do in the future, it will be useful!"

Zaizhang on the side smiled: "Changbai, Fifth Brother is right! Don't just study to death. Riding horses and exercising is beneficial to both body and mind. I think Seventh Brother hasn't had a chance to show off after learning polo!"

Changbai looked around, saw the enthusiastic eyes of the crowd, and then looked at Changmei, and smiled: "It's hard to refuse such kindness, I'll go, I'll go."

"That's the way!" Gu Tingye smiled: "That day I will prepare new wine, and let Jiulang prepare big crabs! Let's eat and play while we're at it!"

Hearing this, Changfeng smacked his lips, seemingly thinking of the deliciousness of the crabs.

At night,

Xu Zaijing, who had finished his meal, returned to his courtyard.

After descending the veranda,

Looking up, one could see the big moon.

The clear moonlight shone down, dyeing the grass and trees in the courtyard a dark silver color.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who was standing in the courtyard and staring blankly at the night sky, Huaxiang, who was carrying a food box, said softly: "Young Master, why don't I move the lounge chair out? Like before, you can lie in the courtyard and watch the stars?"

"No need." As he spoke, Xu Zaijing withdrew his gaze and continued to walk toward the main room.

The next day,

The 15th of the first month, Mid-Autumn Festival,

Xu Zaijing, who was on break, opened his eyes in bed.

His biological clock was very punctual. At this time, the shout of the night watchman "Yin hour" was vaguely transmitted into the house.

The house was dim, and a beam of moonlight shone obliquely on the ground through the window.

After squinting for a while, Xu Zaijing sat up amidst the sound of Qingcao opening the door.

After washing his face and getting dressed, Xu Zaijing took his maid out of the house.

Amidst the sound of the gatekeeper's lock, Qingcao accompanied Xu Zaijing out of the inner courtyard.

The master and servant walked on the way to the horse racing field. The big moon that was about to set hung in the western sky.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who was looking up in front, Qingcao said softly: "Young Master, what are you looking at?"

"Hmm? Nothing." Xu Zaijing said without looking back.

"Young Master..."

"Speak if you have something to say."

"Young Master, which family's girl do you... want to marry?"

"Cha" Xu Zaijing stopped, frowned at the maid beside him, and said: "What are you saying?"

Qingcao pursed her lips and said: "I have been with you for so many years, and I have never seen you look at the stars and moon so frequently, or be so sentimental. Isn't it just thinking about a wife!"

"Nonsense!" After finishing, Xu Zaijing put his hands behind his back and continued to walk forward.

Qingcao wasn't afraid either. She took a few quick steps to catch up and said softly: "Young Master, I have been out of the mansion with you so many times! If nothing else, looking at Miss Feiyan of the Rong family, she is enamored with you."

"And Miss Zhengzheng of the Chai family, she even keeps your armor in her boudoir, and Madam Chai also favors you!"

"I think as long as you say two words, achieving a good thing will be as simple as poking through a window paper."

Xu Zaijing said: "Your young master, now studies are paramount! If studies are not successful, what good things can there be?"

Qingcao pouted and said: "But Young Master, our eldest sister-in-law also took the imperial examination after marriage, didn't she still pass?"

"I don't have the outstanding talent and quick wit of my eldest brother-in-law, so naturally I have to work harder."

"Oh! Alright!" Qingcao said, took a few quick steps again, looked at Xu Zaijing, and said: "Young Master, I think both young ladies are beautiful."

"Hmm." Xu Zaijing nodded.

"It would be great if you could marry both!" Qingcao imagined.

Xu Zaijing couldn't laugh or cry, frowned and said: "Go, go, go, what nonsense are you talking about? They are all noble-born young ladies from high-ranking families. How much ability does your young master have to marry two?"

Qingcao nodded: "That's true! Miss Feiyan is still the aunt of a prince! Then... Young Master, just marry one!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head helplessly and didn't continue to pay attention to Qingcao, walking forward.

In the evening,

Not long after the sun set, the huge moon slowly rose from the east.

The entire Bianjing City was decorated with lanterns everywhere.

The bustling markets like Fan Lou and Pan Lou were even more noisy, and the private rooms on the higher floors couldn't be booked even with money.

Guests opened their windows to enjoy the moon, which also transmitted various sounds of silk and bamboo music to the street.

The moonlight was quite bright tonight, so one could see the situation on the street clearly even without lanterns. Many children played together on the street, and the sound of laughter was endless.

Quyuan Street was the same,

Several children of different ages were running and playing between the two stone lions of the Hou Fu.

Among them were Dai Ge'er, Zhong Ge'er, Qing Jie'er, and a pair of children of Qingyun.

Not far from them, at the gate of the Hou Fu, Xu Zaijing was carrying Ningmei on his neck under the lantern, looking at the playing children with great interest.

After looking back at the direction of the second gate and seeing Cuichan walking over, Xu Zaijing shouted: "Alright, Dai Ge'er, take your younger brothers and sisters back to the mansion."

"Yes, Little Uncle!"

Dai Ge'er shouted excitedly, turned around and shouted: "Line up! Return to the mansion!"

"Yes, General!"

Xu Xingzhong bowed with a look of having a model.

Subsequently, the children lined up and walked into the courtyard with neat steps.

Xu Zaijing carried Ningmei at the end of the line.

The line didn't get messy even when the group walked to the back courtyard and went up to the two-story wooden building for moon viewing.

"Yo, our little general has brought his troops back to the mansion!" Zaizhang said with a smile.

Sun Shi and the others who were talking at the table turned to look.

Looking at the appearance of the group of boys and girls, everyone burst into laughter.

"Dismiss!" Dai Ge'er waved his hand.

After the boys and girls acknowledged, they went to find their mothers to drink water and eat melon.

Xu Zaijing unloaded his little sister from his shoulder, looked at the table full of fruits like dates, pears, pomegranates, and grapes, and picked up a pear with one hand and started gnawing on it.

Seeing Sun Shi, Ningmei reached out and kicked her feet, squeaking and calling people, which made Sun Shi take her into her arms and kiss her face.

On the other side, Zaizhang had already started to test his nephew and son, reciting poetry containing the word "moon".

Listening to the recitation of the two children, that peerless Mid-Autumn poem "When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky" flashed through Xu Zaijing's mind.

There was no way, this poem was too powerful; he couldn't forget it even if he wanted to.

But, Xu Zaijing hadn't yet taken the imperial examination to become an official, his official career hadn't started, let alone any frustration, being left out in the cold, or loneliness and longing for relatives.

On the contrary, Xu Zaijing was currently favored by the Emperor, had an excellent relationship with Crown Prince Zhao Fang, and hadn't seen his father and brother for only a little over a year.

After some moon viewing and tossing, the children were still full of energy until the end of the Xu hour (after nine o'clock in the evening).

"Dai'er, stop making trouble! Your sister is sleepy."

"Zhong'er, come over and rest."

"Mother, I'm not sleepy."

"Brother isn't sleepy, I'm not sleepy either!"

Thus, Xie Shi and Hualan urged and persuaded several times, but Dai Ge'er and the others were still making trouble.

Watching Xie Shi and Hualan's eyes narrow slightly and their fists gradually clench.

Xu Zaijing smiled at his excited nephews and said: "Going to play polo outside the city requires getting up early! Whoever can't get up tomorrow, don't go!"

"Ah?" The two nephews were stunned.

"I heard Gu Shixing is also going tomorrow. If you don't sleep enough, be careful that you won't be able to beat others in riding and playing!" Xu Zaijing continued.

"Mother! Son wants to take a bath and go to sleep early!" Dai Ge'er said, pulling Xie Shi's skirt.

Xie Shi smiled, her eyes no longer narrowed, she loosened her fist and turned it into a palm to stroke Dai Ge'er's little face, and said: "Let's go."

Hualan held her son and said: "Zhong'er, we won't go outside the city tomorrow, how about following Mother to your maternal grandmother's house?"

"I don't! Mother, I want to go outside the city with Little Uncle!" Xu Xingzhong shook Hualan and shouted, shaking his head.

"You! Behave!" Hualan straightened her face.

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Sister-in-law, Changbai and the others are all going outside the city tomorrow. In the afternoon, let Zhong'er follow his uncles to the Sheng family, and you all come back together the day after tomorrow."

"Hmm, hmm!" Xu Xingzhong nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration as he looked at his little uncle.

Hualan sighed helplessly and poked her son's forehead: "Then listen to your little uncle."

"Great!"

As he spoke, Xu Xingzhong happily burrowed into Hualan's arms.

On the 16th,

In the morning,

The sun was bright and the temperature was suitable.

In the polo field west of the city, there weren't many people, so only the middle tent was opened.

"Boom, boom..."

The horses galloped in the field, chasing the polo ball, their hoofbeats like thunder.

Outside the tent in the middle of the field, under the care of the nannies and servants on the outside, more than a dozen children of different ages, from four to eleven, were watching the ball game, jumping and cheering.

The children were dressed quite properly, some wearing arm guards, some wearing headbands.

"Little Uncle! Whip the horse! Whip the horse!"

"Little Uncle! Be careful!"

"Gu Er Brother, pass the ball!"

"Liang Sixth Brother, what a handsome skill!"

"Bravo!"

"Dang!" A gong sounded beside the field, and the children's cheers became more enthusiastic.

Of course, some, like Lu Zezong, Gu Shixing, Xu Xingdai, and others who were slightly older and understood the game, were cheering with purpose.

The others who were younger were just echoing, joining in the fun.

After a while,

"Deng deng!"

"Whoa!"

A line of eight panting fine horses were reined in one after another near the tent by the riders.

Looking at the children jumping in front of the tent, Liang Han smiled: "Looking at this group of little brothers and nephews, they are even happier than us who are on the field."

"Hehe, with their cheering, playing is really energetic!" Changfeng smiled and agreed.

Qi Heng, who was wearing a headband, looked at the two little uncles who were jumping around and giggling beside the field, and shook his head helplessly.

Xu Zaijing flipped off his horse, waited for someone to take the horse, looked at the boys in front of the tent, pointed with a smile, and shouted: "Zong Ge'er, Xing Ge'er, Dai Ge'er, Mei Ge'er, it's your turn."

The four teenagers in front of the tent were all excited and walked down the steps.

Soon, their four bare mounts were also led over.

Among them, Gu Shixing's mount was one of the descendants of the stallion Little Xiao Li Ju and the Dragon Colt, with the most divine posture, and Lu Zezong's was second.

Dai Ge'er rode the Xiao Li Ju that was bestowed upon Xu Zaijing when he was young, and Changmei's was just an ordinary fine horse.

Before Changmei went to school, the Old Madam Sheng would sometimes take the four or five-year-old him to the villa outside the city to teach him how to ride and play polo.

The four of them came to the horses, but were not allowed to mount.

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and the other four each picked up a saddle and carefully tied it to the horse's back.

These four saddles were slightly different from those used by Xu Zaijing and the others; the stirrups and saddles had been modified.

The purpose of the modification was to fix the teenagers on the horse's back to prevent them from falling off accidentally.

After tying the saddles, lifting the four onto the horses, adjusting the stirrup length, and letting them run in the field for a while, they were allowed to play polo.

While playing, several horse-taming experts from the Hou Fu, such as Alan, rode horses and followed beside the field, preventing accidents at any time.

Soon,

The shouts of the teenagers and the cheers of the children rang out in the field again.

Not far from the polo field, on the third floor of the towering Wu Lou, the Marquis of Xiangyang, who was standing by the window, moved his limping leg and nodded continuously while watching the teenagers in the field.

After nodding, the Marquis of Xiangyang turned his head to look at the Duke of Lian sitting at the table and said: "Old Brother, don't you want to come over and take a look? Your precious grandson is on the field!"

"His righteous brother, Zong Ge'er, has always been steady. If you hadn't insisted on dragging me out of the city, I wouldn't have come here!" As he spoke, the Duke of Lian drank a cup of warm beverage.

The Marquis of Xiangyang pouted, turned his head to continue watching the field, and sighed: "Hiss! These horses of the Xu family are indeed divine! Old Brother, you say my eldest son is marrying into the Xu family, will the Xu family send a good horse then?"

The Duke of Lian stroked his silver-white beard, pouted, and said: "Hehe, by that time, the horses will have been bred for I don't know how many generations. If Marquis Gu were to see this scene, he would have to live a few more years!"

"You, you old... old guy, can you speak?" The Marquis of Xiangyang frowned.

The Duke of Lian smiled without any scruples and continued: "Even if you live a long time, you have to see if the Fifth Young Master Xu has any sons or daughters! Otherwise, why would he send it to you?"

"That's true! Thinking about it this way, I don't have much hope!" The Marquis of Xiangyang nodded with emotion, pondered for a moment, and said again: "With the Qi family, plus the Xu family, even if I close my eyes, I can rest assured."

The old Duke of Lian stroked his beard, shook his head, and said softly: "I don't know what's wrong, maybe it's because I've lived too long and my courage has grown small, but these days I always feel a bit awkward in my heart."

The Marquis of Xiangyang looked down at the field: "Awkward? Recently, those old immortals from the Han and Tan families haven't been jumping around. Without the barking of dogs, naturally, you feel awkward, Old Brother."

Hearing this, the old Duke of Lian pointed at the Marquis of Xiangyang helplessly.

The Marquis of Xiangyang continued: "It's not bad for them to be like this; there will always be some decency in the future."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 694 =====