[{"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-749":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},2308527,4510,"Chapter 749: Heartless [Thank You! Again! 36K Words Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-749",749,"\u003Cp>“I just wonder if they’ll like the honey-glazed almond flowers down below.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, if I spent that money on more silver beans instead, wouldn’t that be better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao asked hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, then smiled: “If it were silver beans, I imagine that little Miss Kang would never spend them on something as frivolous as honey-glazed almond flowers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you buy them, someone might taste them and carry that moment as a cherished memory—things money can’t buy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, you didn’t just put in snacks—you also slipped in gold ingots, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Qingcao nodded eagerly, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When your brother’s health improves, ask him what kind of work he’d like to do. Your young master still has some favors owed in Bianjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao looked up at Xu Zaijing, then nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mid-November,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>that day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in the morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sky was a clear, boundless blue, not a single cloud in sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind was almost nonexistent; sitting in the sunlit spot, one felt warmly enveloped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fifteen straight days of lessons, Xu Zaijing, enjoying a day off, called out to Yin Bo, who sat leaning against a chair beside the wooden hut, eyes closed, basking in the sun: “Master, I’m going out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Bo didn’t open his eyes, merely waved a hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Xu Zaijing, Qingyun turned to Alan and said: “Keep an eye on him. Don’t let him fall asleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, Qingyun Ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding out of the Hou Fu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>along Quyuanjie, passersby who were old retainers of the Hou Fu greeted him with smiles and clasped-fist salutes; Xu Zaijing mostly nodded in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no snow for days,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>today’s clear, warm weather had brought far more people onto Bianjing’s streets than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, one could often see pedestrians wearing ear muffs of various colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wealthy patrons wore ear muffs of brocade or fur; ordinary folk used plain cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to his sharp eyesight, Xu Zaijing could see the embroidery on the muffs varied widely—women and girls stitched flowers and plants, while men and children favored characters or tiger heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vendors shouted their wares incessantly; fragrances, smoke, and steam drifted through the air, creating a vibrant, bustling scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through streets and alleys,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing arrived beneath Pan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the towering Pan Lou stood a grand festive gate adorned with colorful banners; in the light breeze, the wine flags hung limply, swaying lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing, the gatekeeper’s eyes widened, and he hurried forward with a beaming smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeeper had personally witnessed how Xu Zaijing, along with Zheng Xiao and Gu Tingye, had beaten up Prince Yan and several sons of dukes and marquises at Pan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had the gatekeeper known that Imperial Prince Zhao Fang had once visited, he might have dropped his jaw in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance of Pan Lou beneath the festive gate, two porcelain vases, each half a man’s height and as thick as two children could embrace, stood today, filled with flowers of varied hues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao and the three maids who had dismounted from the carriage were immediately drawn to the two clusters of flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing glanced at the vases and smiled at the Pan Lou gatekeeper: “These flowers are quite nice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Fifth Young Master! These are artificial flowers—said to be crafted by a lady from the Lian Duke’s household, an expert in her art.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing paused, then smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingcao exchanged a glance with Yunxiang and Huaxiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had seen such fine artificial flowers before—if their guess was right, that lady was almost certainly recommended by their young master to the Lu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing through the cotton curtain lifted by Pan Lou’s servants, the group entered the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winter was the perfect season for boxia gong; the first floor was thick with steam and noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a few steps inside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Que, Gu Tingye’s personal attendant, stepped forward with a smile and bowed: “Fifth Young Master, my master saw you arrive and sent me down to greet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: “How many have arrived?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Que grinned: “You’ll see for yourself when you go up, Fifth Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zhi Que’s theatrics, Xu Zaijing chuckled and led the way upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up on the third floor,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>along a carpeted corridor to the private room’s door,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Que hurried ahead and called out: “Master, Fifth Young Master has arrived!” Then he pushed open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing stepped over the low threshold, entering with his maids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the screen, Xu Zaijing stared in surprise at the two figures inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing enter, Yu Yanran smiled and curtsied beside Gu Tingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, Second Brother—how did you bring Yu…” He hesitated, then said: “How did you bring Sister-in-Law here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye grinned triumphantly: “Because today I invited you—only you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Xu Zaijing, Yunxiang and the other three maids also looked astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head, puzzled, then eyed Gu Tingye suspiciously: “Invited me? Second Brother, you’re not asking me for some favor, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go, go, go! If I needed a favor, would I be inviting you to dinner?” Gu Tingye waved him off, laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow, feigning realization: “Huh! That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Yu Yanran smiled shyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when she was a maiden in her boudoir, she had never seen this side of Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at Yu Yanran beside him, Gu Tingye added: “The guests have arrived—have the kitchen bring out the dishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.” Zhi Que bowed and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Xu Zaijing had already walked to the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Tingye gesture for him to sit, Xu Zaijing took his seat and casually glanced at Qiu Niang, who stood nearby, still dressed in a maiden’s hairstyle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When tea was served,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye smiled and said: “Fifth Young Master, this tea comes from your sister-in-law’s dowry tea estate—try it, see how it tastes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing glanced at the smug Gu Tingye, then nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye ate a bite here and there, chatting intermittently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder if Rongxian has reached Guangnan West by now,” Gu Tingye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sniffed the tea’s fragrance and replied: “He’s probably almost there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Rongxian mentioned, Yu Yanran looked thoughtfully at Xu Zaijing but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, the manager says all dishes have been served.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhi Que said from beside the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye nodded: “Mm. You and Qingyun—order whatever you want to eat outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhi Que left, Yu Yanran turned to Gu Tingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing her gaze, Gu Tingye looked back and nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran smiled and said to her personal maid: “Jucǎo, accompany Qingcao, Yunxiang, and Huaxiang outside and rest awhile.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing’s smile, Qingcao and the others curtsied and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Niang whispered softly: “Lady, if we all leave, who will serve the Master and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go! You’ve been standing so long—you deserve a rest,” Gu Tingye said, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the several glances directed at her, Qiu Niang bowed her head: “Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>only Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and Yu Yanran remained in the private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clack.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door to the private room closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting beside Gu Tingye, Yu Yanran took a deep breath, then rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Xu Zaijing’s surprise, Yu Yanran picked up the wine jug and walked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sister-in-Law, no! I’ll pour my own!” Xu Zaijing stood up quickly, waving his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shot Gu Tingye a look, silently urging him to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye waved him off: “Fifth Young Master, sit down. Let my wife pour you a full cup.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Second Brother—” Xu Zaijing frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, looking at Yu Yanran, he said solemnly: “Yanran, don’t bother. I’ll pour my own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran opened her mouth to speak, but hearing “Yanran,” she looked up at Xu Zaijing’s expression and could only nod: “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Yu Yanran return to her seat, Xu Zaijing sat down and filled his own cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran glanced at Gu Tingye, then rose, raising her cup toward Xu Zaijing: “Fifth Brother Xu, I toast you. My grandmother told me about my childhood—until now, I never had the chance to thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced again at Gu Tingye and smiled: “After I told my husband, he arranged today’s gathering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rose, holding his wine cup: “Yanran, you’re too kind—anyone seeing something like this would likely have stepped in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye nodded vigorously beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please,” Yu Yanran said, then tilted her head and drained the cup in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough, cough.” Yu Yanran began to cough, having drunk too quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye immediately rose and patted her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After regaining her breath, Yu Yanran refilled her cup and said: “Xu Wu, I toast you again. Your ear warmers and pillow designs have been widely copied by shops under my name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a small thing,” Xu Zaijing smiled, raising his cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After both drained their cups, Yu Yanran refilled them once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing chuckled: “So, there’s more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran glanced at the smug Gu Tingye, then smiled: “Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Xu Zaijing had refilled her cup, Yu Yanran took a deep breath, raised her cup solemnly, and said: “Xu Wu, sometimes I dare not imagine what my life would have been like if I’d lost the hairpin my mother left me—had I no keepsake to hold onto.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint sneer, Yu Yanran added: “Without my mother’s hairpin, I might well have died of fear in the Yu household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of mockery lingered on Gu Tingye’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at Yu Yanran beside the table and raised his cup: “Sister Yanran, you’ve finally seen better days. Dwelling on those unhappy things serves no purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran smiled: “You’re right, Xu Wu. Cheers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking again, Gu Tingye raised his cup: “Heh, Wu Lang, my wife thanks you—I must thank you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing waved his hand: “Wu Lang, are you two trying to get me drunk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye glared: “Wu Lang, you won’t get drunk on this little wine! Come on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another round, Xu Zaijing set down his cup and nodded to Yu Yanran, who had matched him drink for drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s Yu Yanran was not the same as the one in Xu Zaijing’s memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Yu Yanran had been brought back early to her grandparents’ care, sparing her much of the neglect and bullying she once endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her biological mother Fan Da Niangzi’s valuable dowry had not been squandered by her stepmother or father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her business dealings required constant interaction with others and independent decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While socializing with noble ladies of the capital, she had gained considerable insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the Yu household, she had used the hairpin to thwart certain people’s schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through all this, Yu Yanran was no longer the helpless, sheltered eldest daughter of the Yu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating a few bites of food, Yu Yanran seized a pause in conversation: “Just now I heard your lord and Xu Wu mention the Rong family—I heard this morning…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at Gu Tingye and Xu Zaijing, Yu Yanran said: “I heard the Marquis of Fuchang’s family has welcomed a new child—a boy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye, who had been picking up food with his chopsticks, looked surprised: “Oh! Rong Xian has a son! Wife, why didn’t you tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran pursed her lips, glanced at Xu Zaijing, then shook her head: “The child was born, but Rong’s second son’s concubine did not…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>both Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye paused their chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Yu Yanran’s expression, Gu Tingye hesitated: “Wife, your face suggests there’s more to this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran shook her head: “I don’t know if there’s a hidden cause, but childbirth is always dangerous! They said she labored all night; she was fine when she finished early yesterday morning—but by afternoon, she was gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This morning, Jucao went to the Dou family to collect the wine you ordered and heard their servants say the girl’s parents wept bitterly yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye frowned, puzzled: “She just… died?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Yanran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, Xu Zaijing sighed and exchanged a glance with Gu Tingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was a hidden cause, it was almost certainly “kill the mother, spare the child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Xian had married when this maid had once delivered something to the Marquis’s household for Xu Zaijing—he still remembered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined the next time he heard of her, it would be under such circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Great Zhou imperial palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Consort’s sleeping quarters,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the floor was heated, warm and cozy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Consort sat on a chair, listening to the attendant before her, her brow slowly furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady, that is the situation,” the attendant bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Consort’s chest rose and fell; she stood, frowning, took several deep breaths to calm herself, then shook her head: “How dare they!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill the mother, spare the child—find some fault, send her and her family far from Bianjing! Why must blood be spilled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feiyan was so distressed she told me she feared for your health, and asked me to conceal it,” the attendant added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Consort instinctively placed her hands before her abdomen: “You did right. The sooner we know, the better—lest we unknowingly accumulate karmic debt and harm the child in my womb.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did Dou Shi say?” Rong Consort asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady, Dou Shi says she will treat the child as her own and hold a grand Daoist ceremony for Shen Xiao Niang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, before I returned, I specifically instructed Feiyan to watch over the boy closely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Consort nodded, pleased: “You did well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked a few steps across the carpet inside the chamber, then murmured: “Continuity of heirs and family prosperity—that is the sign of flourishing. To dispose of a personal maid so ruthlessly… Dou Shi is too cruel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant nodded gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time turned,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it was the twelfth lunar month,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a heavy snow had fallen just two days prior,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and now, along the city streets, one could often see intricately shaped snow lions—molded, not carved, saving labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not yet holiday time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sat as usual in the warm classroom, attending lessons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhuang was lecturing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the cotton curtain was pulled open from outside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun entered, bowing deeply to Master Zhuang: “Master, forgive the interruption. New news has arrived from the north—the Imperial Guards are riding through the city shouting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Qingyun bowed to the others in the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” Master Zhuang set down his book, eyes bright: “What news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Qingyun could answer, Master Zhuang muttered to himself: “Only good news would make the Imperial Guards ride and shout like this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing and the others turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun bowed and smiled: “Master, everyone—this morning’s news: seven or eight days ago, our state fought a battle against the Northern Liao in the north—and won a great victory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gu Tingye first disbelieved, then shook his head in confusion: “This time of year? The Northern Liao still dared to mobilize?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2514,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3c58e69430398666d74f14046d2ee51d65b000baffb6183f2dd2054cdb129f80","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-750","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-748",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]