[{"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-734":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},2308512,4510,"Chapter 734: Open Your Eyes [Thank You! Again! 37k Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-734",734,"\u003Cp>On the Double Ninth Festival,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sky was clear and boundless,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the morning hours,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the western quarter of the city,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at Wu Da Niangzi’s polo field,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>though the morning and evening air was crisp and cold,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the chrysanthemums bloomed brilliantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As in past years, the field and its surroundings were filled with many varieties of chrysanthemums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narrow paths wound between the chrysanthemums and various flowering trees, where many sons and daughters of prominent families in the capital strolled with their relatives and friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids and nursemaids trailing behind them often carried silk ribbons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever the young lords and ladies spotted a favored tree or blossom, they tied a silk ribbon bearing the name of their household onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tents along the field’s edge had been raised to two stories, and from above, one could see numerous wealthy households and commoners from the capital admiring the chrysanthemums outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The autumn sun was somewhat blinding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and since admiring chrysanthemums on the Double Ninth Festival in the western quarter had become customary,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the large sunshades erected on the second-floor platforms were now sometimes brought by families themselves, each differing in style and color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around these sunshades, screens were often placed, and from behind them, the scent of tea or incense occasionally drifted away on the autumn breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside and outside the field, on upper and lower levels, the ladies and young ladies chatted and laughed, filling the air with lively noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second-floor platform,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>behind an elegant screen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning, the Lady of the British Duke, Lady Chai, the Lady of the Ningyuan Marquis, and several other noblewomen sat side by side on folding chairs, laughing and conversing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a glance, none were anything but titled ladies or officials’ wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble maidens with bangs sat together just below the women, on the lower seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble maidens occasionally whispered and giggled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids and nursemaids mostly stood beside the screen, awaiting orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light breeze brushed past,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mountains are clear, the waters pure, frost arrives at night; a few trees glow deep red against pale yellow. Climbing high, the air enters the bones—how could spring’s beauty stir such wild frenzy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble maiden, gazing at the deep blue autumn sky, unconsciously recited an autumn poem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Mu, standing beside the finely crafted Chai family screen, heard the voice and peered out curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After glancing a few times at the maiden reciting the poem, Yun Mu withdrew her gaze, her eyes filled with thoughtful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Mu walked over to Chai Zhengzheng, who sat beneath the sunshade, and whispered, “Mistress, I think I saw Lady Sheng, but I’m not certain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Chai Zhengzheng looked at Yun Mu in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Mu lowered her voice: “I didn’t see Minglan or her maid Xiaotao, so I’m unsure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Gu Tingyi heard this and gave a slight nod to her maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu family maid understood, walked to the screen, glanced outside, then returned and said, “Mistress, it’s the fourth young lady of the Sheng household!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fang, beside her, said uncertainly, “The fourth young lady of the Sheng household? Is her name Rulan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhengzheng smiled but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi shook her head: “Fifth Niang, her name is Molan. Rulan is the fifth daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes! Minglan is the sixth daughter!” Fifth Niang hurried to correct herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi nodded and told her maid, “Go ask the fourth young lady if she has time. If so, invite her over for a word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu family maid bowed and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molan appeared beside the screen, accompanied by Lüzong and Yunzai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molan’s figure and appearance were always striking—otherwise, Liang Han would never have noticed her at first glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she stood beside the screen, the noblewomen seated above naturally turned their gazes toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the curious eyes of the ladies, Molan quickly bowed with proper grace, her maids following suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Lady of the British Duke and Lady Chai looked slightly puzzled, they both smiled and nodded, then resumed their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning studied Molan for a moment, faintly furrowing her brow in mild discomfort, but said nothing further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Molan finally exhaled in relief and bowed again to the noble maidens seated around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids beside the noble maidens quickly returned the bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Molan, come sit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi smiled and moved aside to make room, while Yun Mu placed a padded stool there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Tingyi Sister,” Molan said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhengzheng regarded Molan with a hint of scrutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When their eyes met, Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, “I heard from Tingyi Sister that you’re now studying at the academy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molan nodded modestly: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fang asked curiously, “Then when does your academy begin classes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molan glanced at Gu Tingyi, who was smiling, and replied, “My elder brothers must be at their lessons by Mao Hour Two Quarters. My sisters and I may come a little later—once it’s fully light.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Jia’s second daughter, Meng Jie, who sat beside Gu Tingyi, was Gu Tingyi’s future sister-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Molan’s words, Meng Jie widened her eyes: “Wow! That’s so early! My brother has to rise even earlier to train in the morning—I suppose your brothers do too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi nodded: “Yes, my second brother rises two Quarters before Mao Hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhengzheng mused: “Princess Pingning said my little cousin also rises early for morning training, but not as early as Gu Er’s brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fang sighed: “Xu Wu seems a bit more formidable than Zheng Er—I wonder how he trains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molan took a slight breath, looked around at the noble maidens seated nearby, then turned back and said, “Yunzai, you’re familiar with the maids from the Xu household at school—have they ever mentioned anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunzai lowered her eyes and bowed: “Mistress, I once overheard a few remarks—Xu’s sons begin their martial training before Yin Hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Niang’s face filled with admiration: “Heavens! To rise that early? If it were me, I’d never wake up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young ladies seated around laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, did Minglan come today?” Zhang Fang asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi also laughed, turning curiously to Molan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Molan forced a faint smile and replied politely: “The sixth sister came; she should be strolling along the flower paths with the eldest sister and the fifth sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while since I’ve seen her—I wonder if her toss-pot skills have improved,” Fifth Niang said with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Molan could respond, Gu Tingyi swept her gaze over the group and smiled: “Speaking of Minglan, I just remembered! My sister-in-law returned to the Xu household during the Autumn She Festival and saw many exquisitely embroidered items at Xu Hou Niangzi’s residence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When she inquired, she learned they were brought back by Xu’s Second Niangzi from the Sheng household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among them, the most finely embroidered pieces were made by Minglan Xiao Niang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhengzheng looked surprised: “For Tingyi Sister to praise someone so highly—that’s rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi waved her hand with a smile: “Zhengzheng, once you’ve seen them, you’ll know I’m not exaggerating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gu Tingyi finished, Zhang Fang immediately rose and walked to the railing, peering down at the flower paths: “Let me see where Minglan is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other noble maidens, having sat long enough, also rose and moved toward the railing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year’s chrysanthemum viewing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>only one tent on the first floor sold fine jewelry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down from above this year,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the first floor now had many more stalls selling other goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising her round fan to shield her eyes from the sun, Fifth Niang squinted across the flower paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people were strolling along the paths, and others knelt to admire the flowers—it was hard to distinguish anyone clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Neigh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A distant horse’s cry echoed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone on the second floor turned toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did someone’s horse get startled?” Molan asked hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Molan, judging by the direction, it’s not a startled horse. It’s the Qiji Gathering hosted by Wu Da Niangzi—someone is training a horse there,” Gu Tingyi said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Molan’s confusion, Gu Tingyi continued: “Last year, my brothers and their friends went to Maotuo Gang to pick horses—they came back covered in dust!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year, Wu Da Niangzi organized the Qiji Gathering there, selecting fine horses from the northwest and Mongolia. Any noble youth who wants a good steed can go directly there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh oh!” Molan nodded eagerly: “No wonder Second Brother and Third Brother didn’t come to admire the flowers—they went there instead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Sheng’s Changbai brother actually came out?” Gu Tingyi exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her friends’ puzzled expressions, Gu Tingyi explained: “He’s a classmate of my second brother and Xu Wu. He usually stays home studying and rarely leaves the house!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” Zhang Fang nodded, still gazing into the distance: “I wonder if they’ve tamed a fine steed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning her gaze back, Fifth Niang scanned the flower paths and the second-floor platform and said, “By the way, we’ve been here a long time—where’s Rong’s Feiyan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Molan also listened intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyi shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhengzheng whispered: “Perhaps she went to Huayang Mountain—today, His Majesty and the palace ladies are surely ascending there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhenzheng speaks wisely,” said Wu Niangzi, nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone turned to sit back down, Chai Zhenzheng paused, her gaze dropping to the floor below, then she smiled and waved down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan led Ming Lan, Ru Lan, and Pin Lan up the stairs behind the curtain to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reaching the second floor, Hua Lan’s face immediately lit with a smile as she nodded warmly at the noble daughters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, Ru Lan froze upon seeing Mo Lan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then her eyes flared with urgency—she was about to speak when she felt her sleeve tugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan turned and saw Ming Lan gently shaking her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden turn of events,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhenzheng and the others noticed clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Ru Lan tried to compose herself, her anger still showed plainly in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan led the girls behind the screen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhenzheng and the others all bowed in greeting—some called her “Second Auntie,” others “Sister Hua Lan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After smiling and returning their bows, Hua Lan walked toward Madame Chai and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another round of greetings, Madame Bai looked at the four Lans and smiled: “Hua Lan, I know your three younger sisters—this young lady, who is she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan smiled: “Auntie, she is my cousin, Pin Lan. I brought her today to broaden her horizons at Madame Wu’s gathering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pin Lan, named, could only smile and bow again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madame Chai smiled: “This girl’s eyes are bright, her movements graceful—she seems quite admirable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ladies seated around nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, don’t you owe Madame Chai thanks for her praise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pin Lan hurriedly said: “Thank you, Madame, your words are too kind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ladies chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madame Bai said: “Hua Lan, come sit with us and chat. Let your four younger sisters go play.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Auntie,” Hua Lan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, we’ll go downstairs and take a look around,” said Gu Tingyi with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madame Bai waved her hand in amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Gu Tingyi and the others vanish beyond the screen, Madame Bai turned to Hua Lan: “Why didn’t I see your mother, Lady Wang, today? Did she come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan smiled gracefully and replied: “Auntie, she did come—since entering, she’s been talking with my maternal relatives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng family relatives?” Madame Chai chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madame Bai smiled: “Are the Fengs offering a marriageable daughter? Are you looking for a match for your brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan, slightly embarrassed, nodded: “Yes, Madame! Today is just a look—my brother only reads books obsessively; our relatives may not find him worthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Lan’s polite speech, Lady Yuan of Shoushan, who had been silent, chuckled: “Hua Lan, you’re being too modest. Passing the provincial exam before twenty is rare even in the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Kaifeng, where one meets people constantly, Hua Lan felt no awkwardness with Lady Yuan and smiled: “You’re right, Madame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Hua Lan glanced slightly at Princess Pingning and added: “But there are too many outstanding young men—among those studying in my family’s private school, all have passed the provincial exam. My brother feels immense pressure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yingguo and several others followed Hua Lan’s gaze toward Princess Pingning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By age, Qi Heng was only slightly older than Chang Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant, among all students in the Sheng family’s school, Qi Heng was the second youngest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning’s eyes sparkled with amusement: “Hua Lan, you’re praising your own brother by proxy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Pingning continued: “To be fair, Yuanruo’s achievements stem largely from the Sheng family’s scholarly spirit—and from Master Zhuang’s excellent teaching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the ladies upstairs spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chai Zhenzheng and the others had descended to the first floor, walking among the curtains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Ming Lan, flanked by Gu Tingyi and Zhang Wu Niangzi, and Pin Lan laughing cheerfully beside them, Mo Lan’s eyes darkened with envy as she rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan, glaring angrily at Mo Lan, leaned close and whispered: “Fourth sister, why are you rolling your eyes at your younger sisters?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan glanced at Ru Lan but said nothing, walking on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan pressed on: “When we entered the polo field, you told Big Sister you were going to freshen up—but you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did I do?” Mo Lan turned, shielding her mouth with her fan, whispering sharply: “After I finished, you’d all walked far ahead—how was I supposed to catch up alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!” Ru Lan stared, speechless, then whispered: “Big Sister and I slowed our steps—we walked slowly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’d just tried, you’d have found us! But you didn’t even want to catch up—you only cared about climbing higher, showing off to the wives and ladies of noble houses!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan took a deep breath and whispered: “I didn’t know you slowed down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, do you think everyone gets as nervous as you do around people? The ladies upstairs all nodded approvingly when they saw me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve brought honor to the Sheng family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ru Lan was about to reply, she saw Ming Lan turn back—and with her, Gu Tingyi and Zhang Wu Niangzi and the other noble girls turned too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan instantly changed her expression, smiling brightly ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan froze, forced a smile, and when the group turned forward again, she took several deep breaths before glaring fiercely at Mo Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2417,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a424a937f8890c1aa423b17a37be91e48ae6b6c971091622f160c385aa029a3c","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-735","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-733",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]