[{"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-736":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},2308514,4510,"Chapter 736: I","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-736",736,"\u003Cp>Below the building,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>on a nearby flower-lined path,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was pulling Liang Han out of the flowerbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a noblewoman asked curiously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is that calm, composed boy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He looks strong, like a martial cultivator, yet his face is fair and handsome, with a scholarly air.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So many people on the second floor are staring at him, yet he acts as if nothing’s amiss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Chaoyun’s smile faded slightly as she glanced toward the group of noblewomen standing by the railing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the youngest son of the Yongyi Marquis! A man who’s made quite a name for himself in the capital! Several sons of high-ranking families have fought duels over him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said a middle-aged woman dressed in fine silks but with a perpetually sour expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fought duels over him? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you’ve been away too long—you don’t know! The capital was in an uproar over him last year; everyone said he set up a scam to swindle money! Some commoners even took their complaints to Kaifeng Prefecture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added another younger woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices of these women reached nearby listeners, whose expressions varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? He dares show up at the Chrysanthemum Viewing even after swindling money? Doesn’t he fear the victims coming after him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard he paid compensation and settled the matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the noblewomen added, “Looking at him, I thought he was composed and dignified—turns out he’s just shameless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hai Chaoyun opened her mouth to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could, another noblewoman said uncertainly, “Xu’s youngest son? That doesn’t sound right—I heard my husband say this young master went to Beizhou and saved a great deal of military supplies! Even His Majesty granted him a mansion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>silence fell over the crowd for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noblewomen who had been silent now turned their gazes toward the speakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the weight of their stares, the sour-faced woman stiffened her neck and said, “Even if he earned merit, that doesn’t stop him from running scams!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right!” someone beside her agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam Tan, you must not know how many rewards he received,” another voice chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I know! But that’s what everyone in the capital says!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the women speaking nearby, Hai Chaoyun turned and whispered, “Mother, is that the eldest daughter of the Anguo Duke?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai’s eldest daughter nodded slightly: “Yes. From the main branch of the Anguo Duke’s household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Jin Kingdom sent envoys to Da Zhou,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing proposed a polo match between warriors of both nations; the Tan family’s young men used underhanded tactics and were beaten senseless, carried off on litters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Anguo Duke’s dowager matriarch took the matter straight to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feud between the two families was now out in the open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing, Liang Han with his face half-covered, and Chang Feng hurried past below the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second-floor terrace, everyone returned to their seats beneath their parasols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speakers meant nothing; the listeners took it to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the earlier conversation, some slow-witted noblewomen now began to sense the truth, whispering quietly beneath their parasols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh… right! If Xu’s boy received so many rewards, how could he have set up a scam to swindle money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This rumor spread too quickly—it’s suspicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one tried to stop it. There’s something behind this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which girl was the one who agreed with Madam Tan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems to be from the Tian family of Huixian Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu frowned, glancing down at Chang Feng and muttering,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That bastard son of a concubine—he brings no honor to our family, only shame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan, standing beside Wang Ruofu, glanced around and hurriedly said, “Mother! Chang Feng is still so young—being stared at by so many noble girls, it’s natural he’s nervous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu shot her a glare: “Natural? Xu Jing isn’t much older than Chang Feng—look at how he carries himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan shook her head with a smile: “Fifth Young Master has been on the battlefield, seen real scenes—he can’t be compared to his younger brothers!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This kind of incident might leave an impression on some young lady—it’ll be a good story when arranging a marriage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, isn’t there also the one who fell into the flowers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu’s expression softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai and Chang Feng climbed to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bowing to Wang Ruofu and Hua Lan, they quickly avoided the stares and sat beneath a large parasol behind a screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third Brother, I heard horses neighing over here—what happened?” Mo Lan asked Chang Feng, whose blush had faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Neighing?” Chang Feng, still dazed from being watched, frowned, then realized: “Oh! It was Xu Wu’s personal guard who picked out a horse for me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to their exchange,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai, having taken a cup of tea, sipped it and glanced at Ru Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, Ru Lan had not interrupted or mocked Mo Lan all day—she only stared at Wang Ruofu and Hua Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ru Lan, what’s wrong with you today?” Chang Bai asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? N-nothing, Second Brother,” Ru Lan said, snapping back to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai swept his gaze over his four sisters and their maids, then nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu and Hua Lan walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan, watching Hua Lan’s expression, quickly forced a sweet smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai set down his teacup and rose: “By the way, Mother, Sister—just now at the Qiji Gathering, Xu Jing’s personal guard selected several excellent horses!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said he’d send them to our home, since he knows the young ladies are practicing polo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu looked slightly surprised: “What? That must’ve cost a fortune!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Lan, seeing Ming Lan and Pin Lan’s barely concealed delight, smiled: “Mother, it’s nothing—probably just the cost of transporting the hay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Then we’ll accept them,” Wang Ruofu nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the bustle and merriment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>by afternoon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sun slanted westward,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the guests of the Chrysanthemum Viewing began their journey back to the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the Sheng family’s carriages were four young, swift, well-built horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiyin Alley,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Sheng household,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>candles had been lit in Lin Qige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong, changed into home clothes and reeking of wine, sat on a Luohan chair and accepted the sobering soup from Lin Qin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Mother say the Hou Fu sent four fine horses to our home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Hong Lang! These four horses—they say Mo Er gets one too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lin Qin’s tearful expression, Sheng Hong said gently, “Shuang Er, what’s wrong today? Is it because of the Hou Fu’s horses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mo Er doesn’t like polo—then we won’t ride them! Why be afraid or upset?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qin shook her head, her hairpins swaying: “You’re right, Hong Lang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong sipped the soup, watching Lin Qin’s bowed head: “No—you’re not upset about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong Lang, don’t ask—it’s nothing,” Lin Qin continued staring at the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong set down the porcelain bowl and turned to Zhou Wansheng: “What’s really going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Wansheng glanced at Lin Qin, bowed, then said: “Master, after the Chrysanthemum Viewing, Fourth Young Master and Fourth Miss were severely scolded by Lady Wang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When they returned to their quarters, Fourth Miss’s eyes were red from crying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What!?” Sheng Hong sat up straight: “Why did Lady Wang scold Chang Feng and Mo Er during a festival?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qin lifted her head, tears falling at once: “Hong Lang, don’t ask—it’s all Chang Feng and Mo Er’s fault!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chang Feng is a juren! Mo Er is always the most sensible girl—what could they have done wrong at the Chrysanthemum Viewing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go, bring Mo Er here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master,” Zhou Wansheng bowed and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Er arrived with her maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daughter greets Father,” Mo Er bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mo’er, what happened at the Chrysanthemum Viewing today? Why did Lady Wang accuse you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan’s tears came instantly; she wiped them with a silk handkerchief and said, “Father, today when I went to the Chrysanthemum Viewing, I went to change my clothes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only went upstairs to look for someone, but Fifth Sister insulted me, saying I had no shame and always tried to show off before the ladies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong’s face darkened; he said sternly, “Is this all because of Ru Lan’s one-sided account?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan nodded and said, “Father, later, the girls from the Gu and Chai families insisted on dragging me to the first-floor pavilion to browse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While I was buying things, I bought a piece of jewelry half the price of Fifth Sister’s—Lady Wang called me a money pit, saying I’d ruin the Sheng family’s fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong’s chest heaved; after several deep breaths, he stood up and said, “I’m going to see Lady Wang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qin pulled him back and shook her head. “Honglang, if you go to Lady Wang, you’ll only make her angrier!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Wang is right—I have neither the embroidery skill of Sister Wei nor the ability to be a proper mistress like an ordinary household wife. I can only survive by clinging to you, Honglang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong shook his head. \"Shuang'er, what nonsense are you talking? Being my concubine is already a sacrifice!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Sheng Hong threw on a coat and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honglang!” Lin Qin called after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait for me!” Sheng Hong waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weirui Pavilion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Master has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Huan announced, slightly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu emerged from the inner chamber, leaning on Liu Mama’s arm, and looked at Sheng Hong. “Husband, weren’t you resting in Lin Qige today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong pursed his lips and waved his hand. “All servants, wait outside the courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama was about to leave, but Wang Ruofu grabbed her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Liu Mama signaled to Cai Huan, then stayed beside Wang Ruofu, standing as Wang sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong glanced at Liu Mama beside Wang Ruofu but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the maids and old women had left the room, Sheng Hong, seated, frowned. “My daughters were merely buying jewelry. Why are you, as the mistress of this household, scolding them over such a trivial matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though my official rank is low, I still have money to buy jewelry for my daughters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Wang Ruofu’s slightly smiling face instantly turned angry; she gripped her handkerchief tightly. “Of course! It was that vile Lin Qin who told you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—you, mistress of this household—how can you call someone a ‘vile woman’? Such reckless speech!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!” Wang Ruofu let out a cold snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong glanced at Wang Ruofu with surprise. Normally, his Lady Wang would be roaring and standing up in fury by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet today, she held her temper, merely snorting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Am I wrong? They’re all Sheng daughters—why can Ru’er…” Sheng Hong’s words trailed off as he saw Wang Ruofu’s chest rise and fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Wang Ruofu took a deep breath and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Ru’er have to do with this? Ru’er bought her jewelry with my money! Whose money did Mo Lan use? The Sheng family’s!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mo Lan is always trying to show off before the ladies of noble houses, climbing higher. You should scold her more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong glared. “Mo Lan explained to me—she was looking for you and Hua Lan, not climbing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you wanted to find me or Hua Lan, wait by the garden path’s exit. Why go upstairs? Do you think everyone’s a fool? Hmph!” Wang Ruofu snorted, then rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong thought for a moment and fell silent. “You! Mo’er is just a child—how can you expect her to think like you? Utterly unreasonable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu shot to her feet. “Who’s unreasonable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!” Sheng Hong spat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama stepped forward at once, soothing Wang Ruofu briefly, then bowed to Sheng Hong. “Master, Lady Wang scolded the two girls today because Big Miss specifically instructed her to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hua’er?” Sheng Hong, still angry, stared at Liu Mama in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama nodded. “Yes, Master. When the girls went out today…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief summary, she continued: “I also asked Xi Que a few questions and learned that if Pin Lan hadn’t acted quickly, Sixth Miss would have left the pavilion empty-handed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There were so many people outside the pavilion—all daughters of noble houses! What would they have said about our girls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two elder sisters only cared for themselves, yet their cousin cared more for her younger sister. Big Miss was upset about this, so she spoke more to Lady Wang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Sheng Hong’s eyes darted back and forth; his anger dissipated considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his expression, Wang Ruofu sneered. “That brat Chang Feng—today, in front of so many people at the Chrysanthemum Viewing, he shamed our family! I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Chang Feng have to do with this?” Sheng Hong glared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama glanced at Wang Ruofu, helplessly saying, “Master, it was Feng Ge and several boys from the academy who were admiring flowers together on the way—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Sheng Hong nodded, about to speak, when Wang Ruofu snapped: “If this ruins Chang Bai’s future marriage prospects or damages Ru Lan’s reputation, I’ll—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu’s words were cut short as Liu Mama tugged her sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Hong, whose expression had already turned uneasy after Liu Mama’s words, now grew even darker upon hearing Wang Ruofu’s outburst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After glancing at Wang Ruofu, Sheng Hong stood. “Hmm. I’ll speak to Chang Feng. This child—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he walked out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jinan Study,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid Qiu Jiang hurried back to the courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>entered the room, and said to Wei Shuyi: “Little Miss, the Master has returned to Lin Qige.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi nodded, then looked at Chang Zhi, whose face was full of curiosity. “Let’s continue. What’s the pronunciation of this character?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2281,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","24f4d0b44040b766c643c6e02a4b1ce2e41e4429615f39ef7b4f452bbd8474c2","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-737","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-735",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]