Chapter 699

Seeing the giant beast raising its hooves,

everyone around couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The viewing shed of the Zhongshan Marquis Sha family also became more chaotic.

The Sha family sons who wanted to escape quickly stumbled to their feet, and inadvertently lifted a foot, accidentally knocking a burning charcoal block toward the Sha family young lady who was frightened and fell to the ground.

Today, for the sake of beauty, the Sha family young lady was also wearing a cape made of thin gauze,

and as this burning charcoal fell,

'Whoosh'

the flammable cape was ignited and instantly caught fire.

Fortunately, the maid beside the Sha family young lady reacted quickly and threw the cape aside, otherwise, it would have scorched the Sha family young lady's fur coat and hair.

This turn of events,

was also a blessing in disguise,

as in the elephant's eyes, the red-hot charcoal near the brazier and the flames instantly ignited on the cape were reflected.

This fire was something the elephant feared.

Under the combined effect of the pain and the flames, the elephant stopped going crazy, lowered its front hooves, shook its trunk, and returned to the right path, continuing to walk toward Nanxun Gate.

Although the elephant's commotion was quite large, it only lasted for the time of five or six breaths.

After the team was slightly chaotic, it became normal again,

but in the viewing sheds along the way, the people watching the ceremony all looked toward the Sha family.

The six elephants behind walked past in order, also temporarily blocking Chai Zhengzheng's line of sight.

By the time Chai Zhengzheng could see the Sha family shed again, the Sha family maid was covering her cheeks with her head lowered.

Before Chai Zhengzheng could ask why the Sha family maid was covering her cheeks, she got the answer: the Sha family young lady slapped the maid again.

The Sha family maid was now covering her cheeks with both hands.

"What is that daughter of the Zhongshan Marquis doing?" Chai Zhengzheng did not quite understand.

Amidst the music of the Junrongzhi, Zhiteng, who was to the side, leaned over and said: "Young Lady, I heard that the Sha family young lady likes that cape very much, maybe she is angry that the cape was burned."

"But, if that maid didn't help her, her hair and face could have been burned!" Fuyi frowned and said: "If her face was ruined, even the best cape and clothes would be useless!"

Hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng looked at the Sha family viewing shed, which was starting to put out the fire, and shook her head.

Under the viewing sheds of other wealthy and noble families around the road, people were also whispering to each other, looking at the Sha family viewing shed from time to time.

Not far away, Wu Daniangzi, who had watched the whole thing, held her hand warmer and shook her head, saying to her two daughters-in-law beside her: "It's understandable for a young girl to be frightened by an elephant, after all, it's human nature."

"But after that, giving two slaps to the maid who could be considered to have performed a service, that is being unreasonable, heartless, and mean."

"It looks like it might be difficult to discuss marriage in the future."

The eldest daughter-in-law by a concubine beside Wu Daniangzi smiled and said: "Mother-in-law, it is difficult, but the Sha family will likely have excuses."

Wu Daniangzi nodded and looked at the Lady of her own eldest son, Liang Xu, and said: "Is what your sister-in-law said reasonable?"

"Replying to Mother-in-law, it is reasonable. This daughter-in-law thinks the Sha family might say that the young lady was frightened and was temporarily confused, which is why she was so willful."

After Liang Xu's Lady finished speaking, Wu Daniangzi smiled with satisfaction.

Liang Han, who was sitting to the side, raised his eyebrows playfully.

Afterward, Wu Daniangzi looked toward the surroundings in the morning light and noticed at a glance Rong Feiyan, who was sitting in the Rong family viewing shed not far away, staring blankly with her head turned.

Rong family viewing shed,

Rong Feiyan's gaze followed the elephant's figure, and she was deeply shocked in her heart.

"Seeing Xi Bu, is that the kind of giant beast my brother is fighting in the South?" Rong Feiyan asked softly.

Seeing Xi Bu, who was beside her, was also watching the elephant and nodded: "Yes, Young Lady, I heard that both the Nong people and the Jiaozhi people know how to tame elephants, and our family's Second Young Master will encounter them on the battlefield."

Hearing this,

Dou Shi blinked with some worry.

In the eyes of the Lady of Hou Fu Chang Marquis, there also began to be worry.

Rong Feiyan nodded: "Mm, it truly looks quite terrifying."

"Young Lady, although this elephant has a large body, didn't the Second Young Master say in his letter that this giant beast fears fire and also fears our dynasty's powerful crossbows? You don't need to worry too much in your heart."

After Seeing Xi Bu finished speaking, the worry in the Lady of Hou Fu Chang Marquis's eyes lessened slightly.

Ningxiang, who was on the other side, leaned into Rong Feiyan's ear and said: "Young Lady, Wu Daniangzi is looking at us!"

Rong Feiyan hurriedly turned her head to look, and after making eye contact with the Liang family members, she smiled and nodded politely.

Liang Han sat beside Wu Daniangzi, looking at Rong Feiyan, who was wearing cute earmuffs not far away, with eyebrows like a painting and skin so white it was glowing. He originally wanted to compare her with Chungé in his heart.

But just thinking about it, Liang Han shook his head.

There was simply no comparison.

In the Rong family viewing shed,

the Lady of Hou Fu Chang Marquis looked toward the Zhongshan Marquis Sha family and said: "Yan'er, why do you think this elephant wanted to go to the Sha family viewing shed?"

Rong Feiyan shook her head: "Mother, this daughter is not very clear either. Perhaps it's the clothing of the Sha family sons and daughters, is there any color that attracts elephants?"

The Lady of Hou Fu Chang Marquis: "It's possible."

As they were speaking,

a burst of hoof sounds came,

and the Imperial Guard cavalry wearing exquisite armor and holding flags of various colors walked over from the South.

Behind the cavalry was the Emperor's Imperial carriage surrounded by Imperial Guard eunuchs.

When the Imperial carriage passed the viewing sheds along the way, the people in the sheds all stood up, bowed, and paid respects.

Behind the Imperial carriage were the court officials riding horses.

After the tail of the Imperial carriage passed,

the people in the viewing sheds along the way left one after another, got into their own carriages, and prepared to follow into the city.

Rong Feiyan stood beside her family's carriage, looked toward the Xu family's direction which was some distance away, and said: "Mother, sister-in-law, I won't go to see the amnesty before the Xuande Gate."

The Lady of Hou Fu Chang Marquis nodded: "That's fine, it's just pardoning some people with minor crimes, it's nothing to see."

On the way back to the capital,

young ladies and married women who were close or had relatives would often chat with smiles through the carriage windows, making appointments for tea and gatherings.

The young masters who didn't mind the cold and rode horses would make appointments to go to the bustling markets in the city to play games.

After passing the slightly congested Nanxun Gate, everyone returned to the city.

I don't know if it was psychological, but Xu Zaijing himself felt that as soon as he entered the city, the surroundings seemed to become much warmer instantly.

After chatting with Liang Han for a while, the sound of horse hooves came from behind, and Xu Zaijing looked back to see Changbai riding over.

"Changbai, why aren't you sitting in the carriage?" Xu Zaijing smiled.

Changbai touched the fine horse he was sitting on and smiled: "If I don't ride it again, it will become estranged from me."

Liang Han nodded: "Pei Erge Sheng, you stay cooped up at home all day, either reading or writing, aren't you tired?"

Changbai smiled: "Reading and writing, what is there to be tired of?"

Liang Han shook his head in disbelief: "Whenever I see the words in books, the sleepiness creeps into my heart. I get tired after reading two pages! It's still better to play polo, cuju, and chuiwan."

Hearing this, Changbai was also somewhat unable to understand.

Liang Han continued: "Pei Erge Sheng, after the first lunar month, I will ask Mother to have the polo field surrounded with felt, light charcoal stoves, and lower the goal, and we will play a small quarter-field game."

"By then, if you take your mount there a few more times, you will naturally become familiar with the horse."

"At that time, there will also be noble ladies from the capital coming to watch the game, who knows, maybe you can even achieve a marriage."

Hearing this, Changbai smiled and looked back at the Sheng family carriage in the distance behind him: "I think my third younger brother at home will definitely like it."

As the group was talking, they crossed the inner city moat, passed through the Zhu Que Gate tunnel, and entered the inner city.

Not far north of the inner city wall, there was a two-story wooden building by the street, which was the famous Tang family gold and silver jewelry shop in Bianjing.

When Xu Zaijing passed by, his gaze swept over it casually, and he saw a luxurious carriage that looked somewhat familiar parked at the entrance of the wooden building.

Looking past the carriage roof toward the second floor of the jewelry shop, Xu Zaijing saw that the window on the second floor had opened a gap about a palm wide.

A face wearing furry earmuffs was scanning the street, seemingly looking for something.

A moment later,

Xu Zaijing made eye contact with Rong Feiyan on the second floor.

Just by looking at her, Xu Zaijing saw the expressions of anticipation, surprise, astonishment, panic, and shyness in Rong Feiyan's eyes.

Upon realizing she had made eye contact with Xu Zaijing, Rong Feiyan hurriedly shifted her gaze away, but only for a moment before looking back.

Discovering that Xu Zaijing was still looking at her, she somewhat awkwardly raised the jewelry in her hand, seemingly looking at the quality of the jewelry.

By the time Rong Feiyan withdrew her gaze from the jewelry and gathered the courage to look toward the street again, she only saw the backs of Xu Zaijing and his group.

The brightness in Rong Feiyan's eyes dissipated slightly, replaced by a touch of sadness.

Seeing Xi Bu, who was beside Rong Feiyan, was about to speak when she saw one of the carriages driving below lift its curtain.

"Young Lady, look, it's the Sixth Young Lady of the Sheng family, she is waving at you."

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Rong Feiyan's face, and she hurriedly looked down. Sure enough, Minglan and Rulan were lifting the carriage curtain and waving at her.

When Minglan waved, she also pointed at the carriage in front of the jewelry shop, but didn't shout anything.

"Young Lady, it looks like the Sixth Young Lady of the Sheng family is saying she recognized our family's carriage," Ningxiang, who was on the other side, said.

Rong Feiyan smiled.

After the Sheng family carriage left, Rong Feiyan handed the jewelry in her hand to Seeing Xi Bu and said: "Take it back."

Perhaps the Emperor's sacrifice to Heaven had an effect,

the day after the Winter Solstice,

the sky became overcast,

and silver-gray clouds covered the sun completely.

Although there was no wind, it felt very cold as soon as one went out.

At noon, black clouds drifted in from the North,

and after a burst of north wind,

snow pellets began to fall with a rustling sound.

The snow pellets gradually turned into bean-sized snowflakes, and by the afternoon, they became the size of goose feathers.

The light in the Sheng family school was gray and dim, so although it was still early, candles were already lit in the room.

Whether he liked snowy days or was worried about the hardships of the people during snowy days, in short, Scholar Zhuang had been standing by the window watching the snow scene outside since it started snowing.

Suddenly,

not knowing what he thought of, Scholar Zhuang turned his head and glanced at the seat where Changmei was sitting.

Seeing Changmei stretching out his small hand to protect the flickering candle flame, Scholar Zhuang smiled and then closed the window in front of him.

Looking back at the students in the candlelight, Scholar Zhuang said with his hands behind his back: "Alright everyone! The weather is bad and it is snowing, so let's dismiss early today."

Hearing this, everyone stood up and responded.

On the way home,

the snow was still falling, but it had become much smaller.

Xu Zaijing wore a cloak and rode his horse, looking at the mottled black and white road surface.

Since the beginning of winter, there had been no heavy snow, and the ground temperature was still acceptable under the sunlight.

Seeing the ground covered by white snow, the snow at the very bottom had already melted. When people and animals stepped on it, they left black footprints.

Usually, snow water would get on the shoes, and when the cold wind blew, the feet would feel very cold.

If the snow was not cleared, the snow water on the ground would freeze overnight.

Of course, along the streets, there were also families taking advantage of the light snow to sweep it, but mostly they just swept the snow in front of their own doors.

Those who could help others sweep the ground mostly used molds to pile up snow lions.

One would also see a group of children in the capital wearing earmuffs of various materials, holding snow clips to make snowballs and have snowball fights.

By the time Xu Zaijing and his elder brother reached Quyuanjie, they saw two lifelike snow lions added to the clean entrance of the Marquis's residence.

After entering the gate and reaching the horse racing field,

Xu Zaijing looked at Yin Bo, who walked out of the wooden house, and said: "Master, where are Alan and Xunshu?"

Yin Bo said hoarsely: "The two of them took the servants to clear the snow and went to visit the courtyards of the Marquis's old acquaintances nearby. They wanted to see if there were any roofs with heavy snow accumulation and help sweep them, to avoid the houses being crushed."

"Mm! Very good! Worth rewarding with an extra month's salary."

A few days after the snow,

entering the twelfth lunar month,

because the snow was melting, the weather was even colder than before.

When Xu Zaijing put on his armor in the morning, it was more like putting on a suit of ice, and the cold seeped in through his clothes.

Sometimes when riding a horse in the morning, the places on his face not protected by a mask would be frozen until they hurt when the wind blew.

Practicing archery required being very careful to 'warm up' the powerful bow; sometimes, one careless move could easily damage it.

On this day,

in front of the wooden house by the horse racing field,

beside the lantern,

'Thud'

the heavy refined steel spear butt was struck into the frozen hard soil.

Xu Zaijing, whose armor was slightly steaming with heat, flipped off his horse, and the little chestnut horse beside him was also steaming with white air.

Yunxiang smiled and handed the warm water gourd to Xu Zaijing, while Alan and Qingyun were busy removing the saddle from the little chestnut horse and covering it with a sweat-absorbing and warm blanket.

With a gulp of warm water in his stomach, Xu Zaijing exhaled comfortably.

Yunxiang, who was to the side, looked at Xu Zaijing's hand holding the gourd and said helplessly: "Young Master, take off the gloves on your hands."

"Mm? What is it?" Xu Zaijing asked in confusion.

Yunxiang gestured and said: "They have come apart at the seams again here."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing turned his palm to look at the position of the hand blade, only to see that the rabbit fur gloves had already exposed his skin.

Skillfully taking off the gloves, Xu Zaijing threw them to Yunxiang and said: "In the future, when the three of you sew gloves, make the stitches denser. Don't keep making these finished products of questionable quality."

Yunxiang's face showed no sign of frustration after being scolded by Xu Zaijing, she just curled her lips and nodded: "Yes, Young Master."

Afterward, Yunxiang carried the gloves and said to them with a bitter face: "Sigh! You were born at the wrong time! Others use you for a whole winter; the Young Master uses you for just one day! Life is bitter!"

"Pfft!"

Alan, who was wearing gloves and removing the saddle from the little chestnut horse, laughed out loud upon hearing this.

Xu Zaijing, who was being 'teased', said helplessly: "Alright, alright, in the future, all three of you will get extra portions, consider it hard-earned money for sewing gloves in winter."

Yunxiang's bitter face turned into a smile, and she bowed to Xu Zaijing: "Thank you, Young Master, for your consideration."

Xu Zaijing shook his head helplessly and threw the gourd in his hand directly into Yunxiang's arms.

Watching Yunxiang, who was caught off guard and caught the gourd, Xu Zaijing also laughed.

Twelfth lunar month,

on the eighth day, he drank Laba porridge at the Sheng family.

By the time Xu Zaijing finished school, he could already see idle rascals dressed as women and ghosts 'beating the night fox', walking through the streets and knocking on doors to beg for reward money.

After the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month,

the Sheng family school also went on vacation as it did every year.

After exiting the school courtyard gate, Qi Heng walked beside Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye, instructing: "Brother Jing, Second Uncle, don't forget that we are coming to the Sheng family to pay New Year's calls on the second day."

(End of chapter)