[{"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-738":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},2308516,4510,"Chapter 738: Do You Remember Me? [Thank You! Again! 38k Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-738",738,"\u003Cp>Shou’an Hall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>bedroom,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>candlelight flickered behind a semi-transparent screen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the old lady sat on the bed, frowning as she watched Fang Mama approaching with a bowl of medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Fang Mama stopped beside the bed, the scent of the calming decoction drifted over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady took a deep breath, as if making up her mind, then lifted the medicine bowl from the tray and brought it to her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t drink a single sip—only sniffed the aroma—then immediately frowned and pulled the bowl away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Suqin, why does today’s medicine smell so strong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama sighed helplessly. “Old Lady, better to suffer a short pain than a long one. Just swallow it all at once, and we’re done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you add too much herb when brewing? This smell—it must be terribly bitter!” the old lady said, staring at the bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Old Lady, this medicine is always brewed by Cuiwei, using the exact herbs prescribed by the physician—no extra amounts!” Fang Mama urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady placed the bowl back on Fang Mama’s tray, then leaned forward to peer beyond the screen. “Has Ru’an returned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama smiled faintly and called out: “Has Cui Mama come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had she spoken,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>than Cui Mama appeared beside the screen. After glancing at the old lady, she said: “Old Lady, I saw clearly just now—Master has returned to Lin Qige.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the old lady shook her head. “Lady Da merely scolded Changfeng and Molan—yet Lin Qige must immediately reclaim her dignity. It’s excessive. Still, today they didn’t even argue loudly—that’s unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama glanced toward Minglan’s room and said: “From what Sixth Miss said, it seems Lady Da gave her instructions on the way home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady nodded. “Hua is the Hou family’s daughter-in-law—she must always receive guests. Though her sister-in-law handles the front, if her younger sister becomes a laughingstock, that’s no good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right, Old Lady,” Cui Mama said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama glanced at the medicine bowl on the tray. “Old Lady, if you drink this cold, it’ll harm your health!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the old lady gave Fang Mama a reproachful look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama, unmoved, extended the tray toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, the old lady finally lifted the bowl and drained it in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After swallowing, her entire face twisted in bitterness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Mama quickly took the bowl from her hands, while Fang Mama handed her warm water for rinsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After rinsing and waiting a long while, the old lady’s frown finally eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Cui Mama carried everything out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama helped the old lady lie down on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That boy Jingge sent four fine horses—I wonder how many will actually be useful,” the old lady said, leaning against her pillow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixth Miss and Pinlan surely love horseball—they’ll ride them often!” Fang Mama chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady smiled and nodded, closing her eyes. “It’s getting colder by morning and night—remind Mingxiao to install the windproof and warm screens in the schoolhouse soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Old Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama replied as she tucked the quilt around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tucking her in, Fang Mama straightened up, about to speak further—only to find the old lady already snoring softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Fang Mama smiled, lowered the bed curtains, and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Double Ninth Festival in September, there were no more holidays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing returned to his routine: school between Quyuanjie and Jiying Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several days later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>during lunch break,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng sipped the warm water offered by Buwei and turned to Changfeng. “Changfeng, the three young ladies haven’t come to school for five or six days—what happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changfeng glanced at Xu Zaijing and grinned. “Hehe, Young Master, it’s because of the four horses Xu Wu sent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing look over, Changfeng continued: “Grandmother said the weather isn’t too cold yet, so she took all four young ladies to the countryside estate to enjoy the autumn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng looked puzzled. “Four young ladies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qi Heng’s expression, Changfeng quickly explained: “Plus Lady Da’s sister Pinlan—that makes four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” Qi Heng suddenly understood and nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Qi Heng hand the teacup to Buwei, Changfeng added: “Young Master, forget the four young ladies—since we got those fine horses, I’ve been itching to ride all day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng looked confused. “What are you itching for, Changfeng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To gallop wild on them! Otherwise, these horses are wasted!” Changfeng replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye, overhearing, turned his body eagerly, glanced at Xu Zaijing, and said: “Jingge, in a few days it’s Cold Clothes Festival—why not ride out of the city together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing didn’t look up. “Er Lang, on Cold Clothes Festival, most townsfolk head out to burn paper clothes for ancestors—there’ll be crowds on the roads. How can you ride freely?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh, good point!” Gu Tingye scratched his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s find time to play horseball,” Changfeng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at Changfeng. “If you want to ride freely, go to Maotuo Gang in the northwest—it’s surely wide open.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changfeng blinked, hesitating. “Xu Wu, isn’t that too far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>footsteps sounded outside the room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and everyone turned to see Liu Mama entering with a young maid, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed to them all and said: “Gentlemen, today is Frost’s Descent. The Old Lady and Lady Da specially ordered the kitchen to prepare nourishing mutton medicinal stew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing and the others immediately rose to thank her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the afternoon passed leisurely,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>whether from psychological effect or real benefit, when Xu Zaijing returned home from school, he still felt warm all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this season, sunset came much earlier than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing returned to Quyuanjie, the sun had already set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Yin Bo’s cottage, Xu Zaijing removed the saddle and bridle from his mount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While chatting with his master, he learned that Zou Da Niangzi of Quyuanjie had just received the ninth-rank Lady title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was some firecrackers on the street, and Xie Da Niangzi went over too,” Yin Bo said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Zou Da Niangzi’s husband, Shen Congxing, has been promoted?” Xu Zaijing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Bo nodded. “Yes. The Empress herself instructed it—Master Shen will now serve beside Rong’s Second Son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting a few more moments with his master, Xu Zaijing went to his mother Sun Shi’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Double Ninth Festival, a reply from General Xu Minghua had arrived home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the letter, he had settled on the name for the sixth daughter: Xu Ningmei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother Sun Shi had wanted to name her little daughter Leymei, but upon seeing Xu Hou’s letter, she was still displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Xu Zaijing had spoken well: “The ‘Ning’ in Sixth Miss’s name can combine with her elder sisters’ names to form Pingning and Anning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Sun Shi had finally smiled and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing enter the courtyard, the maid Yunjin smiled and curtsied, then hurried inside to announce him quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Sun Shi was still in confinement, thick cloth curtains hung at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing lifted the curtain and entered, passing the screen to see Zhu Mama holding the baby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Mama, is Sixth Miss well-behaved today?” Xu Zaijing asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Mama nodded. “Well-behaved—just like you were when you were little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and took the swaddling, gazing at his sleeping younger sister. “When she grows up, we’ll see how much she really resembles me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Mama chuckled. “You don’t remember your own childhood—how can you know how much she resembles you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you do,” Xu Zaijing replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhu Mama shook her head with a helpless laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was indeed the child she had watched grow up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking a few more words with his mother, Xu Zaijing returned to his own courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Xu Zaijing’s courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the three maids who had trained in sword dancing for half a year had long since graduated and stopped complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every morning after Xu Zaijing left for school, the maids remaining in the courtyard still habitually practiced sword forms for three quarters of an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention anything else—these past days, the three maids had noticeably improved in spirit and vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sun had not yet risen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a crescent moon hung in the sky, with a few stars twinkling beside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was dim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though there were pedestrians on Bianjing’s streets, it was still quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high calls of the night watchmen echoed frequently through the streets and alleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rode his horse along the street, wrapped in a long cloak, the morning breeze carrying a faint chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ssssshh… ssssshh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps winter had not yet arrived, and the cold was not yet strong enough; with his keen hearing, Xu Zaijing could still hear the faint chirping of insects by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crossed the bridge over the canal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and after walking a short while,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rhythmic sound came from ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was familiar with this sound—it came from a man carrying a shoulder pole, with heavy loads hanging from both ends, creaking as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing and his party approaching,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the man with the pole quickly stepped aside onto the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the road stood a military patrol post, its eaves still lit by a lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A patrol soldier stepped out to greet them and gently pulled the man with the pole to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing drew near the patrol post, under the lantern’s glow, he saw what the man was carrying on his pole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing pulled his horse to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the soldier slightly blocked the man and smiled, bowing: “Greetings, Fifth Young Master. What brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sat atop his horse, gazing at the bamboo baskets on either end of the pole, and asked: “Are these persimmons in the baskets?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier hurried to reply: “Yes, Fifth Young Master! Freshly picked persimmons! Thin skin, sweet flesh, not a trace of bitterness! The past two days he brought two baskets into the city and sold them all before noon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the soldier spoke, the man behind him nodded vigorously, picked up two persimmons from the top, and said: “That’s right! Young Master, try one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun dismounted beside Xu Zaijing and walked toward the bamboo baskets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Know him?” Xu Zaijing asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier bowed his head: “I don’t know him, Fifth Young Master, but I ate a few of his persimmons the past two days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, no wonder.” Xu Zaijing chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun took the persimmons from the man, pinched them, peeled off a bit of skin, tasted it, then nodded to Xu Zaijing: “Master, the flavor is excellent—not bitter at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the man under the lantern nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Qingcao, still half-asleep, poked her head out from the carriage behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much for one basket?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? One basket? I never counted.” The man hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun smiled: “Then how much did you earn yesterday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over four hundred cash—everyone knows my persimmons are sweet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, take your money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Gao Yun placed a small silver piece into the man’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the man raised his hand to examine the silver under the lantern’s light, the soldier pressed it down and whispered: “This is the Young Master of the Hou Family—he won’t shortchange you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the man could speak, the soldier continued: “If you’re truly shortchanged, I’ll make it up to you myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the man nodded repeatedly and stayed still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun lifted one basket onto the carriage with one hand; seeing this, the soldier and the man moved to help carry the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled: “No need to move this one—we can’t eat it all. Leave it for the nearby patrol posts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Fifth Young Master!” the soldier bowed quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded, lightly kicked his horse’s flanks, and rode away with his party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xu Zaijing had gone far,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the man crept closer and whispered: “Soldier, may I carry this basket and keep selling? I’ll give you seven, I’ll keep three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier looked at the basket before him, hesitated, then shook his head: “No. I don’t need your little tribute—if anyone found out I did this, I might lose my uniform!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiyin Alley,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Family,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Front Courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing dismounted, preparing to go to school with Qingcao, when Gao Yun, who had been speaking with the Sheng family’s gatekeeper, walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you distribute the persimmons?” Xu Zaijing asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun nodded: “Master, I gave them out. The gatekeeper said the old lady returned yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Xu Zaijing blinked. “Our full-moon banquet isn’t until the day after tomorrow—why did Auntie Grandmother return yesterday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps she didn’t want things rushed—this way, everything has more time to settle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile and extended his hand to Qingcao: “Take a few. Bring the rest to the back courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master,” Qingcao replied, handing Xu Zaijing her book case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xu Zaijing took it, Qingcao began unfastening her cloak, preparing to use it as a sack to carry the persimmons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head, waited until Qingcao had counted on her fingers, decided which persimmons to take, and was about to place them into her cloak,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then reached out, one hand holding the book case, the other gripping her cloak, and walked with her toward the school courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky had brightened fully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Family’s back courtyard, Jin’an Study,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi, temporarily managing the household, sat behind a table sorting accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Lady, I’m back,” came the voice of the maid Qiujiang from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama, standing beside the table, smiled: “Young Lady, where did Qiujiang go so early?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi smiled: “The old lady at Shou’an Hall sent for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the maid Qiujiang entered carrying a bamboo basket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this? Persimmons?” Liu Mama asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Liu Mama. These were just distributed by Shou’an Hall—Lady Da and Lin Qige each received some too!” Qiujiang replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t the old lady already distribute persimmons last evening? Why again?” Liu Mama asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Mama, Mama Cui said this morning’s distribution came from Xu Family’s Fifth Young Master at the school!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” Liu Mama nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi looked up and said: “Qiujiang, wash a few. Let’s taste these persimmons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Lady!” Qiujiang smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little while later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi, Liu Mama, and Qiujiang each held a persimmon in hand, eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm! These persimmons are small, but the flavor is just like the old lady’s,” Liu Mama said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi and Qiujiang nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating and washing their hands, Liu Mama smiled: “Young Lady, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go to Lady Da’s quarters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi said: “Liu Mama, wait a moment. Qiujiang, bring me the Hangluo silk embroidered with the crabapple and butterfly pattern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiujiang replied and left, soon returning with a cloth bundle three feet long and as thick as an adult’s thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama looked puzzled: “Young Lady, what is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi smiled: “I imagine Lady Da will soon visit the Yongyi Marquis’s household. This is a light silk canopy I embroidered in my spare time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama took the bundle, opened it, and gasped: “Oh! Young Lady, this is the fine fabric Miss Xiaodie sent before, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shuyi nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Lady, you’ve gone to so much trouble!” Liu Mama said sincerely. “I’ll take it to Lady Da right away for her to see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Liu Mama.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Lady, you’re too kind!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weirui Pavilion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outer Chamber,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama and Caihuan each held one end, unfolding the entire canopy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the object before her, Wang Ruofu sighed with a smile: “The crabapple and butterfly embroidery is exquisite—and the fabric is superb!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama and Caihuan nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama said: “Lady Da, Hangluo silk is hard to come by—I wonder how Miss Xiaodie got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu, one hand holding a handkerchief, the other stroking the fabric, smiled: “She has an elder sister who is Lady of a Viscount’s household, and her husband is a nephew of the Marquis’s family—what fabric can’t she get?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caihuan said: “Lady Da, now that we have this canopy, do we still need to prepare a gift?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Liu Mama slightly shook her head. Wang Ruofu turned to Caihuan: “This is Wei Xiao’s gift. Am I, as Lady Da, going to steal from a concubine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caihuan bit her lip and lowered her head: “Lady Da, I was mistaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu hummed, sat back in her chair, and continued sipping tea: “Hangluo silk is fine—but how much fabric did this canopy use? What’s its value?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caihuan quickly shook her head: “Lady Da, I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It looks like no more than forty or fifty strings of cash. What’s the point of sending this to the Marquis’s household? It’s just embarrassing.” Wang Ruofu sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Huan bowed her head: “Lady Da is right; I didn’t think it through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama said from beside: “Lady Da, there’s actually something special about Wei Xiao Niang’s embroidery on this—once you add the embroidery, its value isn’t just what it seems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu paused, looked again at the canopy, then nodded: “Mm. Liu Mama, you’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though we never intended to give it as a gift from Wei Xiao Niang, placing it among our wedding gifts is perfectly acceptable—it won’t make us look inferior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Madam Sun sees it and knows it came from our family, Hua Lan will have face too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Mama quickly smiled and replied, “Yes, ma’am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when school ended,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the academy courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing caught up with Master Zhuang and spoke a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhuang listened, then nodded: “Understood. Don’t come back too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking Qingcao out of the courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when they reached the stable area, they found an extra basket in their carriage—full of large, red, sweet persimmons, far better than the ones Xu Zaijing had bought that morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were brought back by the Old Lady from her estate outside the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate had existed for years; its persimmon trees were cared for by specialists, and because the trees were so excellent, the fruit naturally varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back to Quyuanjie,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Papap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing tapped the carriage wall with his riding whip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Young Master, what is it?” Qingcao lifted the curtain and called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These persimmons may be delicious, but eating too many isn’t good for you,” Xu Zaijing said, watching Qingcao’s lips smeared with orange-red flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao frowned, her face serious: “Young Master, rest assured—I know this well. I won’t eat too many persimmons!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sighed helplessly and nodded: “Good to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Qingcao nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lowering the curtain, the carriage grew much darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the light filtering through the window, Qingcao stared at the half-eaten persimmon in her hand, licked her lips, and whispered: “So sweet—and so much left! If I don’t eat it, isn’t that wasting food?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the moon and stars still hung in the ink-black sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the outer city of Bianjing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the Guangli Gate in the southwest,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing reined in his horse at the city gate; not far away was the canal, which merged with the Huilong River before entering the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lanterns glowed on cargo boats along the canal, slowly gliding into Bianjing to the rhythm of boatmen’s chants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Xu Zaijing, besides Yun Xiang’s carriage, another carriage followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the other carriage,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Da Niangzi, wife of Zhao Zongquan, the Commander of Yuzhou Militia, lifted her curtain and looked at Xu Zaijing nearby, whispering: “Sister-in-law, I thought we rose early enough, but this young master is even earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Da Niangzi, now holding a noble title, could also be called Madam Zou; she nodded: “This Fifth Young Master has always risen early—I’ve heard he’s done so for years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Da Niangzi nodded approvingly: “Truly rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Zou added: “When Ce Ying marries, I wonder if my husband, as her uncle, will even be able to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The round trip is too far! State affairs must come first!” Shen Da Niangzi said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. These dried fish and such—by the time they reach the south, I wonder how much will still be edible,” Madam Zou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shen Da Niangzi was about to reply, a rumble of wheels and hooves came from the gate tunnel ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two ladies quickly stepped down from their carriages and stood beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rode his horse to the roadside and dismounted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian appeared in Xu Zaijing’s sight, riding a horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he drew near,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian dismounted and looked at Xu Zaijing before him: “Jing Ge’er, I didn’t see you at the inner city gate—I thought you weren’t coming to see me off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inner city?” Xu Zaijing asked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian nodded: “The few friends I’m close to in the capital all saw me off at the Chongming Gate inside!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sighed helplessly: “Fine. I thought you meant this southwest gate. That lady there is Madam Zou of the Shen family—she has some things to send south.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian nodded: “No problem. Go, help Madam Zou load her things onto the carriage and tie them down securely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Master!” The servant guards responded and moved off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the two spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a carriage pulled up nearby,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan, wrapped in a cloak, stepped down from the carriage with her maids, using the mounting stool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching Xu Zaijing, Rong Feiyan bowed: “Greetings, Fifth Brother Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Bu and Ning Xiang followed with bows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded at Rong Feiyan: “Madam Feiyan, may your makeup be flawless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Rong Xian: “Didn’t the Marquis and Lady come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian waved his hand: “My mother was weeping bitterly at the inner city gate—I found it too noisy, so I didn’t let her come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded: “Did you bring everything I sent you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian patted his chest: “Jing Ge’er, rest assured—I’ve got it all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! Xian Ge’er, let me repeat: this discomfort is better than losing your life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. When you reach the south, give my regards to Lord Xie, Brother Xiong, and the others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I’ll deliver them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>some of Rong Xian’s men heading south, who lived in the outer city, were also chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the east turned pale with dawn, Rong Xian mounted his horse, waved to Xu Zaijing and the others, and led his sizable party southward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Rong Feiyan had stood beside Rong Xian while they spoke, when he turned his horse to look back, he saw Xu Zaijing and Rong Feiyan—though separated by a small distance—standing nearly shoulder to shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Rong Feiyan was tall, her eyebrows were level only with Xu Zaijing’s shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his sister wave, Rong Xian waved back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to face the road ahead in the morning light, Rong Xian muttered: “I hope when I return, I’ll have good news from both of you! Damn it—wonder if my next child will be boy or girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Rong Xian’s party fade into the distance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>many relatives who had come to see him off began returning to the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sky had brightened fully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the number of commoners and travelers on the road steadily increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People occasionally cast glances this way—some at the people, some at the horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan, bathed in morning light, glanced at Xu Zaijing beside her and said brightly: “Fifth Brother Xu, are you heading back to the Marquis’s mansion after this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the girl before him, Xu Zaijing smiled: “I only took the morning off—I still have to go to school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan nodded, her eyes uncertain where to rest, momentarily at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silence settled between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound came from behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan turned to look—it was Qing Yun’s young black mare snorting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Rong Feiyan turn, the young mare tossed her head up and down, as if greeting her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan glanced at Xu Zaijing, then stepped toward the young mare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Yun, standing before the mare, quickly stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching, Rong Feiyan looked at the tall, majestic horse, touched its bridle, and smiled: “You remember me, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mare’s glossy head moved forward, nudging Rong Feiyan’s palm; the soft, furry touch made her laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll take that as you remember me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4117,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8adb2e0460b46cb810f283bdd485891289d004a816030148b4e4409156f9f45d","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-739","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-737",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]