[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son":3,"chapter-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-731":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Am the Xu Family's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2308509,4510,"Chapter 731: Half the Satisfaction [Thank You! Again! 38k Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-731",731,"\u003Cp>In the afternoon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quyuanjie,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongyi Marquis Prefecture,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the back courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing, returning home from Sheng Family Academy, entered his own courtyard through the moon gate accompanied by his maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing under the grape arbor, Xu Zaijing walked to the fish tank placed beneath it, picked up the porcelain dish holding fish food, and fed the fish while admiring the beautiful goldfish inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master has returned!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao, who had accompanied Xu Zaijing to the Sheng family today, called out happily from within the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the call,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunxiang and Huaxiang hurried out from inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunxiang, still holding a letter in her hand, smiled and said: “Master, a letter arrived at our courtyard—the gatekeeper’s courier said it came from the northwest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing set down the porcelain dish, patted his hands, and looked at Yunxiang approaching him: “Did it say who sent it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, Master, it did not mention a name,” Yunxiang replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I think it might be from our eldest sister’s husband!” Huaxiang, who had just joined them, chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Xu Zaijing had already opened and begun reading the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing read, Qingcao, having set down her book box, also stepped out from inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three maids noticed Xu Zaijing’s slightly surprised expression as he read, and exchanged glances with one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, what’s wrong?” Qingcao asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly with a sigh, looked at the three maids before him, then at Qingcao, and said: “It’s not from your eldest sister’s husband—it’s from Chu Zhan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chu Zhan? Why would he suddenly write to you?” Qingcao asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow: “Yunxiang, Huaxiang, go to the main kitchen and bring back tonight’s dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exchanging a glance, Yunxiang and Huaxiang responded in perfect unison: “Yes, Master,” then walked out of the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>walking along the marquis’s covered corridor,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaxiang looked at Yunxiang beside her and said: “Sister, isn’t it a bit early to go to the main kitchen now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not early—it’s perfect timing to chat with the kitchen ladies,” Yunxiang replied, gazing straight ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, is Master sending us away on purpose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master probably has something to discuss with Qingcao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? What could it be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huaxiang, I think you’ve become too comfortable living in Master’s courtyard—you’ve forgotten the lessons from the old governess at Xiangyang Marquis Prefecture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I—I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two maids continued talking as they vanished through the moon gate leading to the main kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, why did you send Yunxiang and the others away?” Qingcao asked, watching the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing took a deep breath, thought for a moment, then said: “Chu Zhan saw a family being exiled and conscripted in Jiuyuan City—they were selling their daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao’s eyes darted back and forth, her expression one of intense focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, does Chu Zhan know this family? Is he writing to ask you to help them?” Qingcao asked uncertainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head: “The family’s surname is Cao—they once served as County Magistrate in your hometown, Wushang County.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Qingcao’s expression changed: “Master—is this the family responsible for the mine disaster?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded: “Yes. Chu Zhan encountered them in Jiuyuan City—and oddly, they were claiming to be relatives of our household. He overheard and asked a few questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao frowned: “Master, I thought they were exiled to Xining Prefecture—how did they end up in Jiuyuan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our court is preparing for war along the northern border with Northern Liao—they must have been reassigned there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xu Zaijing spoke, Qingcao reached out and touched the large fish tank before her, falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, she lowered her head: “Master, what does Chu Zhan want in his letter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at the young maid who had grown up under his watch: “They’re under guard now. If you have any wishes regarding their fate, just send a letter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He also mentioned that when he lived on Quyuanjie, he received much care from you three and Huaqing—your laundry and mending. He couldn’t ignore this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Xu Zaijing, Qingcao bowed her head and whispered: “Master, I—I don’t know how to handle this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only remember—the county clerks were executed, and the magistrate’s family was exiled thousands of miles away to the frontier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no clear memory of the magistrate’s family… my heart still feels…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao did not continue, only looked up at Xu Zaijing with shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cao magistrate had embezzled and abused power, causing the deaths of many miners—leaving countless families without their pillars, forced to sell sons and daughters just to survive, irrevocably altering many lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at the bowed maid before him and said sternly: “Qingcao, do you believe your current life is possible only because of the disaster that befell your family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao rubbed the fish tank and nodded twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing took a deep breath and said slowly: “How many of your fellow villagers who were sold with you still have news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao paused, then replied: “Master, only I and Qingzhi—because we entered the marquis’s household together, we have news. One more is Xiexue—Yunmu said she has…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many left the village together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over sixty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were all still children, loved by your parents—yet you were already serving others. How many of your fellow villagers live the life you and Qingzhi have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao pursed her lips, thought, then said: “Master, I’ve lost touch with most of the girls from my village—but from what I’ve seen, few ever enter wealthy households.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even among the wealthy, few treat servants as our marquis household does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In other homes, maids are often beaten with boards, whips, or scolded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those with better looks may be taken by the master, young or old, and ruined without even a title.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded: “Correct. Did the Cao magistrate embezzle and abuse power to improve your fate, to give you a better life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing continued: “And among the sixty others who left your village, do you believe they would all end up like you and Qingzhi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao shook her head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the Cao magistrate is nothing but a wicked criminal who trampled lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You and Qingzhi are here, living this life, because of your own luck and effort—not because of that Cao man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Xu Zaijing, Qingcao’s eyes grew brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her expression, Xu Zaijing nodded: “You understand now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao nodded vigorously, lips pressed tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll reply to Chu Zhan.” Xu Zaijing rose and walked toward his study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao hurried after him: “Master, how will you handle the family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing said: “It depends on them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao said: “Master, let me brew tea for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master and maid spoke as they entered the main house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing the sword rack in the hall, one went to the study, the other to brew tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the study,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at the letter in his hand and sighed helplessly: “So much has changed—how did I still end up hearing about this family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting in the chair behind his desk, Xu Zaijing placed the letter on the table, turned his head to gaze at the autumn scenery outside the courtyard, and thought: ‘Given this, Cao Jinxiu must not yet have been given the overdose of medicine that caused infertility.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flashing this thought, he smiled and shook his head softly: “The Cao family’s ties to the Xining Prefecture’s military clerk run deep—even after being exiled fifteen hundred miles away, they still crossed paths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao entered carrying a tray, puzzled by her master’s amused shake of the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She set down the teacup, ground ink for Xu Zaijing, then withdrew from the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding a brush in his right hand, Xu Zaijing stared at the blank paper before him and murmured: “I’ll spare you suffering—but don’t return to Bianjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing slapped his forehead with his left hand, annoyed: “Without Gu Tingye, this family would never have returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with half his satisfaction gone, Xu Zaijing wrote on the paper with a gloomy expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanjiangtang Alley,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Family,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huixue Courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister! Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian’s voice echoed outside Huixue Courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then Rong Xian appeared at the moon gate, wearing a jade crown and a bright red brocade robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the maid who entered the main house to announce him, Rong Xian sneered, then strode confidently onto the courtyard’s covered walkway, hands behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surveying the autumn scenery of the courtyard, Rong Xian nodded approvingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing the path to the main house, he saw the curtain lifted by delicate fingers, and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he sat on a chair,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>glanced around, then looked at the wall decorations and said: “Sister, when did you restore this room to its original state?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan, seated behind the desk reading, glanced away and said, “Brother, what nonsense are you spouting? When did my room ever change?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you little thing! When Lady Xu Hou went to the Chai household—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Rong Feiyan’s gaze, Rong Xian promptly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, what are you doing in my courtyard? If you’ve nothing to say, go keep Lady Shen company!” Rong Feiyan finished, lowering her head to resume reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright! I, your elder brother, came to tell you some tremendous news—but since my sister’s shooing me off, I’ll go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Rong Xian rose, carefully patting down his bright red brocade robe, sighed deeply, and headed for the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian was already at the threshold, the maid there lifting the curtain for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Rong Xian was about to abandon his pretense and turn back to speak,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan behind him spoke: “Brother, what’s this great news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian spun around nimbly and waved his hand toward the maids inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The standing maids did not leave but turned their eyes to Rong Feiyan behind the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Rong Feiyan nodded did the maids curtsey and exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the delicate steps of Xi Bu and Ning Xiang close the door outside, Rong Xian rubbed his hands nervously and said, “Sister, just now, your sister sent her personal lady-in-waiting out of the palace to find me and said—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan frowned, her expression curious: “Brother, what did she say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian took a deep breath, calming his excited thoughts, then whispered, “Your sister’s personal lady-in-waiting said—she’s pregnant again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan’s eyes flew wide open; the news took a moment to sink in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, you can’t joke about this! His Majesty has—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, do you think I’m foolish? Would I joke about this? Yesterday, His Majesty summoned the retired physician, Old Master Yu, and he said—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian paused, then continued: “Old Master Yu said the pulse this time is slightly different from when she carried Princess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Different?” Rong Feiyan asked, her eyes darting back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Rong Xian nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a flutter of panic, Rong Feiyan pressed a hand to her chest: “Heavens! Brother, could it be—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian shook his head: “Sister, your sister specifically told us not to speculate! Don’t speculate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even as he spoke, his expression betrayed that his thoughts were far from calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After indulging in the possibility, Rong Xian went on: “Because of this, your sister had her lady-in-waiting tell me to seize the chance, before word spreads, to thank Jing Ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, his reputation in the capital plummeted because of our family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan steadied her racing heart, drew a deep breath, and nodded with visible guilt: “Brother, will he go to the Chrysanthemum Viewing at the Western City Horseball Ground this year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian hesitated, then shook his head: “I don’t know. I’ll ask Jing Ge when the time comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, unusually serious, Rong Xian looked straight at Rong Feiyan: “Sister, if what we’re imagining comes true—what about you and Jing Ge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan froze; her mood visibly sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the morning court had ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Great Zhou Palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>inside the hall displaying the Great Zhou map, only the Emperor, the Grand Eunuch, and one nobleman remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor stood with chest puffed and belly out, smugly clasping his waist, gazing up at the massive map on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Marquis Xiangyang beamed and raised his thumb: “Your Majesty, your vigor has not faded—you stride like a dragon, move like a tiger, aging yet stronger than ever! I am truly humbled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I once thought myself formidable, but before Your Majesty, I am utterly ashamed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor smiled and waved his hand: “Enough! Stop flattering me. What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Xiangyang: “Er—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What treasure are you trading with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Marquis Xiangyang finished, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction and whispered a few words to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Empress’s palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning sat on a embroidered stool before the Empress, speaking in a hushed voice: “Mother, what have you decided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress smiled: “The Emperor told me—we must ensure Rong Fei gives birth to the child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning looked up at the Empress, lips parting, then falling silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you worried Rong Fei will bear a prince?” the Empress asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning nodded: “Yes, Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress shook her head with a smile: “Pingning, do you know how many times Fang’er has taken medicine since he was born?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Princess Pingning could answer, the Empress chuckled: “Once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprise filled Princess Pingning’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether Rong Fei bears a boy or girl, I don’t care,” the Empress continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Fang’er gains a younger brother, I’m glad! The Rong family gains roots—but Rong’s second son’s post in the Imperial Guard must be reassigned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, your foresight is profound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2289,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","549769e1158d6abdfe0d7a3d5976449dd8578f0f9482b2bac9b3344b1d59113b","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-732","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-730",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]