[{"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-743":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},2308521,4510,"Chapter 743: Wisdom and Fortune [Thank You! Again! 36k Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-743",743,"\u003Cp>“He looked vaguely familiar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han kept looking down without turning his head. “Familiar? Hah! Jing Ge, whenever I see a beauty, I always feel like I’ve seen her before!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye nodded beside him, as if to say, “Me too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng said nothing, only watching Ruan Mama and the others below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they had already received word of Xu Zaijing and the others before arriving,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when Ruan Mama looked up toward the upper floor, she did not scan the crowd—she looked directly at the third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few of the veiled girls behind Ruan Mama also lifted their heads slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This motion allowed Xu Zaijing to see the face of the girl Liang Han and the others called “Shishi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the candlelight in Ruan Mama’s courtyard that day had been dim, Xu Zaijing had clearly seen the appearance of the maid standing beside Ruan Mama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this girl’s beauty was exceptionally striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even today, with her face veiled, a single upward glance was enough for Xu Zaijing to recognize her at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xu Zaijing slightly shook his head in mild confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, why did Ruan Mama bring these girls to Pan Lou today? Wasn’t it said that her courtyard was so crowded you couldn’t squeeze in?” Qi Heng asked, his gaze still fixed on the Shishi girl, without turning his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye smiled and exchanged a glance with Liang Han. “Why? Naturally, because of us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han added, “Young Master, Ruan Mama is determined to promote this Shishi girl—she fears another incident like before, where our silver donations caused trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday, Ruan Mama went to Huixian Wine House in the southeast inner city; today she’s at Pan Lou; tomorrow night she’ll be at Yang Lou; the day after, she’ll go to Fan Lou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Few people can afford to watch Ruan Mama’s girls perform in the private rooms of these top-tier establishments!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded. “It seems different from before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han said, “Of course—competition among brothels in Bianjing is fierce!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Liang Han spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Mama had already led her girls up to the second floor. Seeing the few heads leaning over the third floor, she smiled and waved her silk handkerchief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to continue upward, a young man in silver-white brocade rushed up from the first floor, bowing and calling out, “Madam, please wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Ruan Mama and her group entered Pan Lou, the noise on the first floor had steadily diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ruan Mama and the girls ascended, guests had already risen from their tables, their eyes following Ruan Mama and the girls; some didn’t even notice their rabbit meat had boiled too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When someone chased after and called out, all guests on the first and second floors fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask the name of the lady behind you? Which brothel does she belong to?” The young man’s eyes never left the Shishi girl’s powdered face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because he was closer now, his gaze held not only curiosity but also a glimmer of delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the young man asked this question,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone on the first floor shouted, “Heaven! You don’t even recognize Ruan Mama, yet you dare approach her?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another cried, “I thought you were some powerful noble when I saw you chasing after her! Turns out you’re just a clueless fool!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha! I advise you to come down—your ignorance makes asking pointless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true, brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the laughter behind him, the young man in brocade flushed with embarrassment, his eyes shrinking with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Mama stopped and turned around, smiling. “Young Master, I am Madam Ruan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man nodded rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shishi,” Ruan Mama said, tilting her chin slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shishi girl glanced at the young man in brocade and smiled. “Greetings, Young Master. I am surnamed Li, courtesy name Shishi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, her eyes, clear as autumn water, met the young man’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, she lowered her eyes modestly, blushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man seemed bewitched—he swallowed hard, nodded absentmindedly, murmuring, “Oh… oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Mama reached into her sleeve, stepped forward, and handed the young man a decorated note. “Young Master, next May, my girls will perform on stage. I hope you’ll grace us with your presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! I’ll be there!” The young man took the note, his voice firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have another appointment—we must take our leave!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a slight bow, Ruan Mama and her girls ascended the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, please go downstairs,” said Min Ge, a Pan Lou attendant, gesturing politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man nodded, clutching the note, turning back every few steps as he descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his way back to his table, he asked Min Ge, “Where is Ruan Mama going today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guest, several noble sons sit on the third floor. The famed pipa performer Wei Fang was promoted by their donations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he neared his own table, a guest from Pan Lou approached, bowing. “Young Master, might I ask… could I see that note you hold?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man shook his head like a rattle. “Not for sale!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the third floor, watching the murmuring guests below—especially the dazed young man in brocade—Liang Han smirked. “He looks like a second Jiu Lang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Liang Han turned around, a smile on his face, walking toward Mrs. Ruan and the others on the third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ruan Mama and the girls entered the private room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing grabbed Gu Tingye’s arm as he moved to enter. “Er Lang, how is this different from Ruan Mama’s earlier performances in the nearby courtyard? Why go through the trouble of touring all of Bianjing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye smiled. “Jing Ge, you don’t understand! Before, Ruan Mama’s girls were evenly matched. Now, this Shishi girl stands far above the rest. Promote her well, and she’ll become a treasure chest, a money tree that brings in gold daily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded. “No wonder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, let’s go in!” Gu Tingye pulled Xu Zaijing’s arm toward the private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the private room,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sat behind the table, watching the Shishi girl perform on the open floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen more than a few outstanding dance performances, both inside and outside the palace—after all, during the Emperor’s grand birthday banquet, his seat was not poor, and he had watched court dances up close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had to admit, this Shishi girl, promoted by Ruan Mama, was truly exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other girls Ruan Mama brought were now mere background for Shishi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike Wei Fang before, this Shishi girl was exceptionally skilled in poetry and prose—Xu Zaijing and the others, who had studied for years, were moved by her literary talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the performance ended,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shishi led the way, bringing a trail of fragrance as she poured wine for Gu Tingye and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already graceful and beautiful, her fingers, long and pale, with pink-tipped nails, held the wine jug with elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next May, I hope the Young Masters will grace us with your presence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was as soothing as spring breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, certainly!” Liang Han, who had just been mocking someone else, now stared fixedly at the girl across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she poured wine for Qi Heng, his smile never faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shishi approached, Gu Tingye looked at the courtesan and smiled. “Girl, do you remember me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu, your talent is outstanding, both in literature and martial arts—I could never forget you,” Shishi replied softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, hah! I’m not that good,” Gu Tingye laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shishi smiled, bowed, then turned toward Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, girl,” Xu Zaijing said, smiling faintly at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shishi lifted her head and met his gaze. Her sharp mind needed only one glance to realize he had recognized her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That day, I acted rashly—I beg your pardon, Young Master Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing. No need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into the courtesan’s eyes, which seemed tender even without intent, Xu Zaijing asked, “Do you have another request?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… I heard the poem I love most—‘The spring rain on the heavenly street moistens like cream’—was written by you. Today, by chance, we meet. I dare to ask you for an ink inscription.” Shishi whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled slightly and glanced at Gu Tingye beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye laughed. “Shishi, you don’t know—my friend Xu Wu Lang refused to spend a single coin when he watched the flower queen contest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flattering him won’t work!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shishi turned to Gu Tingye, smiling. “Ah? You only tell me now, after I’ve already spoken? My words… I can’t take them back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye, seeing the girl’s coy reproach, looked apologetic. “I… didn’t know you’d say that! Jing Ge, why not write her an inscription?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing gave Gu Tingye a look of mild disgust, then turned and smiled. “It’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Young Master Xu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the hour of Xu (before 8 PM),\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing and the others had already left Pan Lou, returning to their homes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an alley not far from Pan Lou,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in a small courtyard bearing a lantern with the character “Ruan,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>inside the house,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Mama looked sternly at the girl before her. “Shishi, why did you ask Young Master Xu for an ink inscription tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, I truly admire his poetry…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Shishi could finish, Ruan Mama let out a cold snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, it’s true!” Li Shishi swore earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you hear some old stories and want to replicate Fang Niang’s fortune?” asked Ruan Mama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Shishi’s gaze toward Ruan Mama showed no ripple; she shook her head in doubt. “Mother, why would I want to replicate her fortune?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be bold, if Fang Niang were on stage with me today, it would be her, not me, who would be outshone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Shishi’s pride, Ruan Mama raised an eyebrow. “Enough! I’m just warning you—Jingcheng is full of hidden tigers and dragons; don’t underestimate other girls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Mother, I’ll remember,” Li Shishi replied, lowering her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Mama gave a faint sneer, then turned and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the door clicked shut, Li Shishi lifted her head—her eyes no longer held the earlier pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the candle in the room, she walked slowly, whispering in a voice like a mosquito’s: “Who wouldn’t want to replicate Fang Niang’s fortune?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, Wei Fangzhi had been sold straight to the Chai family upon her debut; now she played the pipa in shops in Bianjing, taught young pupils, and occasionally attended court ceremonies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to force smiles or entertain guests—her life was unusually comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Chai family as her protector, she might even shed her lowly status and become a commoner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Li Shishi to follow the same path step by step, she’d have to endure years of waiting—by the time she grew old and faded, she still might not escape her lowly status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl, Ruan Mama’s most outstanding protégée, had already seen through much when Xu Zaijing recently tarnished his own reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking to the desk, Li Shishi picked up a sheet of calligraphy paper, studied the characters, and nodded. “The poem is good; the handwriting is even better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is a man of great fortune. Sister Wei grew close to him and her fate changed so dramatically. If I grow closer to him a few more times, perhaps my luck will turn too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Li Shishi placed the paper back on the desk, her fingers tracing the air as if copying Xu Zaijing’s script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young maid pushed the door open: “Shishi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow, find a skilled frame master and have this calligraphy carefully mounted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Miss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Cold Clothes Festival,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>because Xu Zaijing and the others had taken too many days off recently,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhuang had not granted them any leave until mid-October.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sky was overcast from dawn,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sun hidden behind clouds for most of the day, making the temperature drop further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, after a northerly wind in the afternoon, snowflakes began to drift from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing and the others finished class, a thin layer of white had already dusted the ground outside the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping out of the academy, where the heated floor kept it warm, Xu Zaijing sniffed the air’s snowy scent and exhaled a puff of white mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A northerly wind swept through,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>snowflakes striking Xu Zaijing’s face, cool against his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group left the academy courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>walking north toward the stables against the wind—snowflakes, whipped by the gale, now stung their faces with a faint pain beyond the chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the stables,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao, wearing fur-lined earflaps, stepped onto the horse-drawn cart and squinted against the snow. “Master, you should ride in the cart today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing, standing beside his small black steed, waved his hand. “No need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really go out of your way to suffer,” Qingcao muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Xu Zaijing turned his head, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao quickly smiled. “Master, you’re truly relentless in refining yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course!” Xu Zaijing said, then mounted his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the Sheng family courtyard, the Xu family’s carriage and riders headed toward the Hou Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>under the wind and snow, the streets had grown nearly empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke curled from chimneys of many homes, and the air carried occasional whiffs of coal fumes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun brushed snowflakes from his mount’s mane and turned to Xu Zaijing. “Master, why would the Ningyuan Marquis choose this season for Gu Er’s wedding? It’s getting colder by the day!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing pulled his face covering higher over his nose, his voice muffled: “Qingyun, look at this weather—think about why.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ssshh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snowflakes tapped against the bamboo hats on Xu Zaijing and Qingyun’s heads, a soft patter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a while,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun’s eyes lit up as he looked at Xu Zaijing. “Master, if Jingcheng is this cold, the north must be worse! If the Northern Liao want to mobilize troops, they’ll suffer greatly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled; a puff of white mist appeared briefly from his face covering before vanishing into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Only then can Gu Hou return from the north to attend the wedding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the carriage and riders faded into the snowstorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2368,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","22c19b70fb5b71fcbc4f4c2740b7ed527ed0d725b90f8a38d12ef3e4d37c0ff2","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-744","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-742",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]