[{"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-742":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},2308520,4510,"Chapter 742: Zhong Si [Thank You! Bow Again! 36k Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-742",742,"\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing handed his teacup to Hua Xiang, smiling at Ru Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth sister, are you giving me this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan pressed her lips, glancing away, and nodded softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and reached toward the cricket cage held by Xi Que.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan caught the motion from the corner of her eye, her brows slightly furrowing, yet she still forced herself not to look at the cage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After examining the cricket cage in his palm for a moment, Xu Zaijing chuckled: “Hmm, this object is truly exquisite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye leaned over: “Oh? The cage body has double-layered sound holes! The carvings around it depict the motif of gourds and vines continuing endlessly! The silver thread outlining the lid is beautiful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine item! Fifth sister, you’re truly generous.” Gu Tingye gave a thumbs-up in praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Gu Tingye spoke, Ru Lan’s gaze had already fixed on the cricket cage in Xu Zaijing’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing the praise, Ru Lan forced out a faint smile, her eyes darting around as if wanting to say something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng and Chang Bai, seated ahead, hearing their exchange, turned to look over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai glanced at the object in Xu Zaijing’s hand, his eyes filled with surprise, then shook his head with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Feng, beside Xu Zaijing, also looked at Ru Lan with mild astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Que looked up at the tall Xu Zaijing, curtsied, and said: “Fifth Young Master, there’s something inside the cage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing lifted the lid and discovered a jade carving of a cricket inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth sister, you’ve thought of everything.” Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded at Ru Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, Ru Lan pressed her lips: “Young Master Jing, do you… like it? If you don’t…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ru Lan could finish, Xu Zaijing cut in: “I like it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This gift from fifth sister carries excellent symbolism—how could I not like it?” Xu Zaijing asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan’s eyes held confusion, and she smiled faintly, troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng gently tapped the table and said: “Fifth sister, in the Book of Songs, Zhou Nan says: ‘Zhong si yu, shen shen xi. Yi er zisun, zhen zhen xi.’ The cricket symbolizes family prosperity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan, seated at her own place, watching Ru Lan’s bewildered expression, sneered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye laughed: “Fifth sister, these lines mean: the cricket spreads its wings, flying in flocks; your descendants multiply, your family thrives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng nodded: “Below it says: ‘Zhong si yu, hong hong xi.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying just two lines, Qi Heng noticed Xu Zaijing’s glance and saw Ru Lan’s confusion again, so he stopped speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yi er zisun, sheng sheng xi,” Mo Lan murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan, who had been nodding, immediately turned her head, lips pressed tight, glaring angrily at Mo Lan for interrupting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan, meeting Qi Heng’s gaze, suppressed the urge to roll her eyes at Ru Lan and smiled at Qi Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan turned back to Xu Zaijing: “Young Master Jing, is it true? Crickets really carry such auspicious meaning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile: “True! I like it very much—thank you, fifth sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ru Lan smiled, glanced once more at the cricket cage in Xu Zaijing’s hand, then walked back to her seat with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Ru Lan left,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Lan, seated behind Ru Lan, glanced at Zhu Xuejiu, who was dozing with closed eyes ahead, then rose and walked toward Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Tao on the wooden platform quickly took a palm-sized porcelain bottle from her bamboo basket, added a folded piece of leather, and followed after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Jing, this is the ointment and deer hide I specially bought!” Ming Lan curtsied and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and took them, uncorked the bottle, sniffed it, then his eyes brightened; he took the folded leather and said: “This deer hide is excellent—perfect for wiping blades!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deer hide is easy, but this blade-cleaning ointment is hard to find. Sixth sister has truly thought of everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Lan smiled shyly: “I’m ashamed of your praise—this ointment is actually something I traded with Zhang’s fifth sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye blinked, then exclaimed: “No wonder—I thought how could a young lady like sixth sister get such a fine item?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ming Lan spoke, Qi Heng naturally looked over; seeing her smile, he couldn’t help but smile too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Ming Lan curtsied and returned to her seat, Mo Lan also walked over, presenting Xu Zaijing with a finely crafted wooden box containing a relatively precious insect-repelling incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I like fourth sister’s gift very much,” Xu Zaijing replied politely with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Feng beamed and said: “Sister, see? I told you this idea was good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Lan smiled too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xuejiu rose from his Luohan chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, everyone returned to their seats, ready to resume class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and it was now early October.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the first day, it was Han Yi Festival; all officials in the capital were granted a day off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this season, the weather had begun to turn cold, and the palace would distribute winter garments to officials in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commoners inside and outside Bianjing also often left the city today to visit graves, burning paper winter clothes, quilts, hats, and boots for their deceased elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Bai Gao Xingqing Prefecture,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dingzhou City,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>located over two thousand li from Bianjing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the courtyard behind the prefectural office,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>outside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu, heir to the Ningyuan Marquis, stood before a table, facing southeast, raising a cup of wine, bowing far into the distance, then pouring it onto the ground before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong my lord, standing beside him, performed the same gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their ritual offering,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when the servants gathered the table, cups, and other items,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu and Hong my lord were already walking back toward the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking northward, Hong my lord said with concern: “I heard it’s already snowing in Wuyuan County—wonder if the coal shipments have arrived yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu also glanced north: “They’ve likely arrived! The Chai family’s coal merchant has traveled this route many times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong my lord nodded, looking at Gu Tingyu: “By the way, I heard the Marquis’s second son is getting married this month—won’t you return?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu shook his head: “No, Bai Gao’s reclaimed territory is still new—I’d feel uneasy returning now. I must first thoroughly organize my domain so as not to betray the Emperor and the court’s trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong my lord looked at Gu Tingyu with admiration: “I noticed the Chai family sent more black coal to Bianjing this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu nodded: “Perhaps last year’s coal was well-received, so families ordered more this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True,” Hong my lord replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With your efforts gathering grain and coal for the northeastern front, Hong my lord, your evaluation this year will surely be Class A.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong my lord bowed deeply with gratitude: “This success is thanks entirely to your and the others’ strong support—without you, I could never have accomplished it so easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After a few more years of service, will you be promoted back to the capital or remain in Xingqing Prefecture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong my lord looked at Gu Tingyu, thought for a moment, then said firmly: “I will remain in Xingqing Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu’s face broke into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu’s personal guard, Qing, walked over holding a bamboo tube, bowing: “Sir, six strong men wait at the office gate; their leader holds the seal of the Yongyi Marquis, claiming to bring a letter from Bianjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu took the bamboo tube, pulled out the stopper, drew a letter, and upon seeing the envelope, smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After glancing at the letter’s contents, Gu Tingyu immediately said: “Quickly bring these men inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a group of six arrived in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their leader bowed deeply: “Servant Pan Chen, greetings to Lord Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then slightly turned aside: “Greetings to Hong my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, how do you know me?” Hong my lord glanced at Gu Tingyu, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I once saw Hong my lord in the capital,” Pan Chen smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come inside,” Gu Tingyu smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering the room and being served tea,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>after some conversation, Gu Tingyu learned that Pan Chen, serving in the Imperial Secretariat and having earned merit during the Beizhou affair, was a close subordinate of Zhao Meifeng, sent to Xingqing to expand the Secretariat’s presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time I brought many capable men, most already scattered across the region as the court’s eyes and ears—many are former Bai Gao officers who defected to our side years ago and were carefully selected,” Pan Chen said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu nodded: “Excellent! How long will you stay here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Chen smiled: “Once the network expands further, reaching seventy percent of the former Chuihuan Office’s scale, I can return to the capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more talk, Hong my lord took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing him off at the gate, Gu Tingyu and Pan Chen returned to the back courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Chen told Gu Tingyu about Xu Zaijing’s declining reputation in the capital last month, making Gu Tingyu laugh and shake his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, the junior official Zhao mentioned that you have a good relationship with the Chai family’s coal merchant?” Pan Chen added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingyu nodded: “Yes—shall I introduce you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly my intention—but under the guise of a merchant,” Pan Chen bowed and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Chen glanced at Gu Tingye, thought for a moment, then said: “My lord, high-quality black gold charcoal has appeared in the four routes of Huainan and Jiangnan, and in considerable quantity. Intelligence reports say nobles from former Bai Gao have sent emissaries back to Xingqing Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye nodded: “Didn’t you investigate in the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We did. The bureau concludes the problem originated at the black gold charcoal mines.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gu Tingye sighed after a moment’s thought: “They really won’t rest. Were the nobles from Bai Gao you deliberately let return?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Chen smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye nodded and continued: “By the way, I heard trouble broke out in Guangnan West Route. Did you hear any new news when you came from the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, the standoff continues! There’s a rumor that the second son of Marquis Rong may be heading south—but when I left, he had not yet departed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. Have you been to the Keyi Gate fortress up north?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have. I visited several noble officers inside the fortress. When they saw I carried Fifth Young Master’s letter, they treated me warmly. One commander surnamed Guo has a very good relationship with Fifth Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guo Kui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. If you ever need assistance, just say the word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, they arrived near the carriage convoy Pan Chen had brought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pointing to several of them, Pan Chen said: “When I set out, Fifth Young Master instructed me, so I bought ginger beans and several carts of winter vegetables along the way for your winter stores.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye smiled and nodded: “Too much. Keep half, take the rest with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianjing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sun had already set,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the moon hung low in the western sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature was slightly cool,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rode a horse wrapped in a cloak, accompanied by Qingyun and three maids in a carriage, traveling along the road from Quyuanjie to Pan Lou’s main street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though dusk was falling, the street remained lively and noisy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many flatbed carts loaded with goods rolled down the road, occasionally pulling aside at the shouts of their drivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When encountering carts that yielded way, Xu Zaijing and Qingyun would often nod in acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the most common cargo on these carts was seasonal vegetables emitting a plant-like scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These vegetables had just been harvested from estates and were very fresh; they were often delivered directly to courtyards and stored in underground cellars for winter use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing turned onto Pan Lou’s main street, the vegetable carts became far fewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More common now were young nobles of the capital, dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at the base of Pan Lou with ease,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the servant standing at the entrance smiled, bowed, and said: “Greetings, Fifth Young Master! Master Gu has already waited for you in the private room upstairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing dismounted, handed the reins to Qingyun, nodded with a smile to the Pan Lou servant, then glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qingcao and the other three maids step down from the carriage, he walked toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides Second Young Master and me, has anyone else arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Qi has arrived as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the building, it was still somewhat chilly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but inside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a warm wave of air greeted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smelling the food in the air, Qingcao and the sisters Yun Xianghua exchanged glances and involuntarily swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: Pan Lou had begun serving Bo Xia Gong dishes, and the three maids had tasted them many times and missed them dearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Bianjing observed the custom of warm stove gatherings, so the interior was packed to capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden stage normally used for performances on the first floor had been moved aside, and several tables for Bo Xia Gong had been set up in the cleared space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the clamor and rising steam, Xu Zaijing and the maids ascended the stairs and soon reached the third floor of Pan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Master has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Que, standing at the door, announced inside, then opened the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Master, you’ve finally come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye’s cheerful voice came from within the private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing stepped inside and said: “Second Young Master, I’m only serving as your best man for a few days. Why such enthusiasm? Why invite us here to eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Qi’s servant, Buwei, stood beside the screen at the entrance and hurriedly bowed upon seeing Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, then stepped around the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye stepped forward, draped an arm over Xu Zaijing’s shoulder, and laughed: “What nonsense, Jingge! Do you think I invited you only because of my wedding? Serving as my best man is your duty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled helplessly: “Then why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe! You’ll find out soon!” Gu Tingye laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han and the others entered the private room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>yet the door remained open,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and as everyone settled, Xu Zaijing, hungry, was about to urge the servants to serve when a commotion of voices arose outside the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ve arrived!” Gu Tingye and those around him—Young Master Qi, Liang Han—exchanged glances and called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, Jingge, let’s go see.” Saying this, Gu Tingye pulled Xu Zaijing toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few steps brought them to the third-floor corridor,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>where Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye and the others leaned over the railing and looked down,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>seeing Madam Ruan leading several girls carrying musical instruments as they prepared to ascend the first-floor hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There, Jingge—the girl behind Madam Ruan is Shishi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Master, just from her face above the veil—isn’t she beautiful? First time seeing her, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han and Gu Tingye spoke in turn, eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing: “Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2527,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9fdbf17175da49ab918f0e6eb98add9d4a2f0d18abd4e92843dab2939865798f","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-743","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-741",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]