Chapter 753

Behind the Zhou family’s arrow shop

Zhou Dong stroked his whitened beard and said, “Such a young boy, using such heavy stone weights for training—clearly possesses extraordinary strength and exceptional talent!”

After speaking, Zhou Dong gave Xu Zaijing a approving glance.

Xu Zaijing’s height and long limbs made his physical prowess immediately obvious to Zhou Dong.

Xu Zaijing nodded in agreement beside him.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, Zhou Dong bowed and said, “Here, I thank you, Fifth Young Master, for thinking of me.”

“But I won’t hide it from you, Fifth Young Master—I must see the boy myself before deciding whether to take him as a disciple.”

Hearing this, Zhou Niangzi cast a reproachful glance at her father from beside them.

Xu Zaijing smiled: “Of course, of course.”

Zhou Dong meant to first assess the boy’s character.

Poor character, the greater the skill, the greater the danger.

After exchanging a few more casual words, Xu Zaijing rose to take his leave.

Zhou Dong and Zhou Niangzia saw him to the shop’s entrance; watching Xu Zaijing’s retreating figure, Zhou Niangzi said, “Father, if that boy’s character is poor, you truly won’t take him as a disciple? Won’t that offend the Young Master of the Yongyi Marquis House? Take him in first, then decide whether to teach him—why say it outright?”

Zhou Dong shook his head with his hands behind his back: “Speak plainly upfront, and everything runs smoother. If he’s truly low in character, should I teach him or not? If I teach poorly, do you think others won’t notice?”

Zhou Niangzi nodded: “Yes! Father’s thinking is thorough.”

The Chai household,

Qiusheng Garden,

inside the warm room,

Yun Mu and the other three maids each attended to their duties: one took the hand warmer, one untied the cloak’s sash from Chai Zhengzheng’s chest, another fetched tea and infusion from the side table.

Fu Yi held the hand warmer in one hand, took the cloak from Yun Mu, then turned to set it aside.

Yun Mu followed Chai Zhengzheng as she stepped across the rug toward the inner chamber.

Sitting in the chair behind the table, Chai Zhengzheng said: “Bring the incense-making tools.”

“Yes, Young Mistress.”

After Yun Mu placed the items down, Zi Teng brought over the warming infusion.

Watching Chai Zhengzheng’s bowed head, Yun Mu whispered:

“Young Mistress, should we send someone to find out what Xu family’s Fifth Young Master wanted at the Zhou household today?”

Chai Zhengzheng paused her incense-making, then shook her head.

Seeing this, Yun Mu’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Looking up at the maid, Chai Zhengzheng smiled: “I’ve thought about it all the way here.”

Hearing this, Yun Mu’s lips curved into a smile as she raised an eyebrow.

“He’s the Marquis House’s legitimate son; today he came to the Zhou household with gifts—clearly he has a request.”

“Either he’s come to ask about archery skills, or—”

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng trail off, Yun Mu asked, “Young Mistress, or what?”

Chai Zhengzheng said: “Think of Zhou’s old master’s three disciples.”

Yun Mu’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding: “Oh! Of course.”

Then, as she continued making incense, Chai Zhengzheng, as if struck by a thought, smiled faintly.

Afternoon,

the sun slanted sharply westward, about to set.

Near Quyuanjie,

a small courtyard along the street,

“Dong dong qiang! Dong dong qiang!”

The sound of gongs and drums rang outside.

Yuan Feixing, puzzled, looked at Qingcao and said: “Sister, what’s going on outside?”

Qingcao, packing her bundle, smiled and shook her head: “Nothing—just some children from old Marquis House retainers’ families, performing ye hu.”

As she spoke, Qingcao pulled a string of copper coins from her sleeve and walked toward the courtyard gate.

Soon, after a chorus of thanks, Qingcao returned smiling.

Glancing at her younger brother in the courtyard, Qingcao smiled and walked in with him.

Inside the room,

Qingcao tied up her bundle and said: “Little brother, being accepted as an apprentice at Li’s jewelry shop is something many would beg for—don’t take it lightly once you go.”

“Yes! Sister, I thought I could spend the New Year with you,” Yuan Feixing said, voice dim.

Qingcao shook her head: “You’re not a child anymore—learning a trade to support yourself is what matters most! With a skill, you can find a good wife too.”

“Don’t keep your past back home weighing on you—understood?”

“Yes!” Yuan Feixing nodded firmly.

“Tap tap! Qingcao, are you ready?” Qingyun’s voice came from outside.

“Qingyun Brother, we’re ready!”

Qingcao picked up her bundle and walked toward the door.

On the holiday,

Xu Zaijing rose half an hour later than usual,

often taking the three maids to the riding grounds—he trained his martial arts, while the maids practiced sword dancing.

By day, he either read or completed his lessons in the cold study.

During this time, he heard:

the Liao envoy’s apology delegation, carrying over a dozen carts of compensation gifts, had already settled into the Guanyi inn.

On Jiao Nian—the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month,

Qingyun led Alan, Xunshu, and others to Yichun Alley to retrieve the New Year paintings, peachwood charms, and other items ordered for the Marquis House.

Later, the Lu family sent several more carts of fireworks.

Sun Shi kept one cart and distributed the rest among relatives.

Six or seven days later,

it was New Year’s Eve,

lanterns and decorations adorned every corner of Bianjing.

In the afternoon,

the people returned home,

except near a few major taverns and restaurants, the streets were nearly empty.

Before darkness fully fell,

fireworks and firecrackers began to sound sporadically.

When night came,

the sounds from within and beyond Bianjing swelled.

Huihefang,

Liang Duke Prefecture,

on the second floor of a two-story wooden building in the inner courtyard,

“Boom!”

A large, bright, thunderous firework exploded above the imperial palace, illuminating Xu Zaijing and Lu Zezong on the second floor at the instant of its burst.

This year, Xu Zaijing was not confined by the Emperor; after watching the Da Nuo ceremony with his sworn brother, he rode outside the city before coming to the Lu household.

“Wow! So beautiful!”

Lu Zezong exclaimed sincerely.

Before Xu Zaijing could speak, Lu Zezong added: “Sworn brother, if these fireworks were laid flat and fired on the battlefield, what would it look like?”

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at his sworn brother and smiled: “What do you think, Zongge?”

Lu Zezong thought a moment and said: “Hmm—hurt men, startle horses, and set fires!”

Xu Zaijing nodded approvingly: “Good.”

“Sworn brother, I heard Grandfather say our Great Zhou buys sulfur from Wa Country—is that true?”

The Liang Duke Prefecture had deep ties to the Ministry of Works and naturally understood such matters well.

Xu Zaijing paused, then smiled: “Of course it’s true!”

“Our relatives, the Pan and Bai families’ vast fleets, one-third of them are dedicated to the sea route to Wa Country.”

“Many of those large ships carry sulfur.”

“Oh!” Lu Zezong nodded: “Why buy it from Wa Country?”

Xu Zaijing smiled, about to explain that Wa Country’s sulfur was superior in purity and ideal for gunpowder and medicine, when Lu Zezong added: “Why not just conquer Wa Country? Then we wouldn’t need to buy it.”

Hearing this,

Xu Zaijing stared at his sworn brother in silence, then patted his shoulder: “Zongge, you’re still young.”

“Sworn brother, what do you mean?” Lu Zezong asked.

Xu Zaijing smiled: “Nothing.”

At this moment,

Lu family’s old maid climbed the stairs up, smiling: “Young Master, Fifth Master, the matriarch asks if you’re still going to set off the fireworks in the courtyard—if not, come inside for dinner.”

“We’re setting them off! We are!” Lu Zerong tugged at Xu Zaijing’s sleeve, shouting.

After playing for a while,

Xu Zaijing and Lu Zerong returned to the house, laughing, their clothes reeking of gunpowder and smoke.

South of Huihefang,

Nanjiangtang Alley,

Rong family,

This year, Rong Xian was not at home; without his main force to light firecrackers and fireworks, the courtyard felt quiet.

In the warm main house,

“Wu wu wu!” A crying sound came through.

“It’s the New Year—why are you crying here?!” the Marquis of Fuchang frowned angrily.

The Marquis of Fuchang’s lady wiped her tears with a handkerchief:

“My second son has been out of my womb for so many years—he’s never left my side! Now he’s thousands of miles away in the south; I don’t even know how he’s faring.”

“Is he cold? Has he gone hungry?”

Rong Feiyan forced a faint smile: “Mother, the south is warm—he won’t freeze.”

The Marquis of Fuchang’s lady stopped crying: “Feiyan, is that true?”

Rong Feiyan nodded.

“Then that’s good. Why hasn’t your sister-in-law come to eat yet?” the Marquis of Fuchang’s lady asked.

“Sister-in-law says the nephew and niece keep crying,” Rong Feiyan began, but didn’t finish.

The Marquis of Fuchang’s lady frowned: “A wet nurse is already there—why must she, a lady of rank, tend to them? Feiyan, why don’t you go check?”

Rong Feiyan pressed her lips, then nodded: “Yes, Mother.”

Wrapping herself in a warm cloak, Rong Feiyan stepped out with her maid.

The courtyard was lit with lanterns and decorations today—no need to carry a separate lantern.

“Boom.”

A distant explosion,

The Rong courtyard flashed bright,

Rong Feiyan looked up—over the rooftops, she could only glimpse the edges of fireworks from the imperial palace.

As she neared Rong Xian’s courtyard, the wailing of an infant reached Rong Feiyan’s ears.

When she walked along the corridor to the door, no maids stood outside.

“Cry, cry, cry! This brat only knows how to cry!” Dou Shi’s voice came from inside.

“Lady, maybe add another wet nurse? One nurse for two infants is truly—” a maid’s voice replied.

“Add another? Let this bastard child starve to death!”

“Lady, you can’t! If something happens, the capital will talk about you!”

Xi Bu glanced at Rong Feiyan’s shifting expression, waited a moment, then called out: “Lady!”

Rong Feiyan acted as if she hadn’t heard the exchange, a faint smile on her face, walking straight into the room.

Inside,

Dou Shi, with a grim face, forced a stiff smile at Rong Feiyan.

Rong Feiyan frowned, glancing with distaste at the wailing nephew, then said: “Sister-in-law, why is this illegitimate child crying so loudly? Don’t let him disturb my niece.”

“It’s fine,” Dou Shi smiled.

Rong Feiyan nodded: “Good. Sister-in-law, Father and Mother are asking you to join them for dinner. Let’s—”

“Oh! Yes! Call the wet nurse—have her carry the two little ones, and we’ll go eat and stay up for the New Year.”

The two sisters-in-law returned to the courtyard where the Marquis and Lady of Fuchang waited.

Inside the house,

In the outer room, Dou Shi, having taken off her cloak, led the children and maids forward to the Marquis and Lady of Fuchang.

Rong Feiyan, following behind, moved much more slowly.

Yi Xiang, watching Rong Feiyan, whispered: “Miss, seeing how cruel Lady Dou is—shouldn’t we find a wet nurse for the young master? Or even bring him to our courtyard to raise?”

Xi Bu glanced worriedly at Rong Feiyan, frowned, and lowered her voice: “Yi Xiang, what are you saying? The Marquis and Lady are right here—and Miss is still unmarried. How can you suggest bringing him to our courtyard? What will the Dou family think?”

“Oh,” Yi Xiang mumbled, embarrassed.

“Even if you can’t bear it, it’s for the Marquis and Lady to decide. Only if the Lady takes him into her care,” Xi Bu continued.

Rong Feiyan took a deep breath and nodded: “You’re right. Let’s go.”

Hearing this, Xi Bu exhaled in relief and hurried after her.

Jiying Alley,

Sheng family,

Since the main branch came to Bianjing, the Sheng household has always been lively during the New Year.

Before the main hall in the front courtyard,

The boys and girls of both branches gathered, watching Chang Wu and Chang Feng light firecrackers and fireworks in the yard.

“Sixth sister, the fireworks Lady Da sent—look how different they are from the ones we buy—”

Ru Lan hadn’t finished when Chang Feng covered his ears and sprinted toward them.

Then came a crackling burst of firecrackers.

“Third brother, let me light one! Let me light one!” Pin Lan reached out to Chang Feng.

“Here.”

Chang Feng smiled and handed her the burning incense stick.

After Dong Rong arranged the fireworks, Pin Lan eagerly stepped forward.

She hesitated several times before finally lighting the fuse.

As she ran back, bright fireworks erupted, lighting up the courtyard.

Beside them,

Sheng Changzong held Wei Shuyi’s hand, glancing at the fireworks, then at his little lady’s face.

Sensing his gaze, Wei Shuyi touched her son’s slightly cold cheek and smiled: “Pretty, isn’t it?”

Changzong looked into Wei Shuyi’s eyes, lit by the fireworks, rubbed his cheek against her warm palm, and nodded firmly: “Mm!”

Meanwhile, Minglan and Ru Lan were talking, wanting to light firecrackers too.

Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei stood beside their respective mothers.

Watching the rising fireworks, Sheng Wei raised his voice: “Mother, our son-in-law said you and Auntie are too old to breathe in this smoke—let’s go inside!”

Sheng Hong, meeting Lin Qinshuang’s gaze beside Mo Lan, turned and said: “Wei Brother is right, Mother. Health comes first—shall we go to the back courtyard?”

“Good!”

Both old ladies nodded with smiles.

Back in the inner courtyard,

The surroundings grew quieter,

The smell of gunpowder and smoke nearly vanished.

Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei chatted with the two old ladies in the back courtyard room, while maids and old nurses began setting out dishes.

After playing for a while,

Everyone returned to the inner quarters.

Seated before the large dining table,

Sheng Hong smiled and suggested the children recite a poem each.

After some reluctance, Chang Wu stood first, stumbling through a poem before sitting back down.

Sheng Hong smiled at his son: “Chang Bai, your turn!”

Wang Ruofu looked at Chang Bai with hopeful eyes; beside her, Ru Lan said: “Mother, you still have hopes for Second Brother?”

“What nonsense!” Wang Ruofu shot Ru Lan a glare.

Ru Lan pouted: “Second Brother won’t change—he’ll still—”

Before she finished, Chang Bai cleared his throat, bowed slightly to the elders at the table, and spoke clearly: “To know the year draws near, the young still have much to boast!”

As Chang Bai recited the first line, Ru Lan gave Wang Ruofu a “I told you so” look, making Wang Ruofu scowl.

Changzong, sitting at the table with only his head visible, nodded like a small adult—though no one knew if he understood.

On the first day of the New Year,

Xu Zaijing visited families near Huihefang as he had the year before,

Naturally meeting many young ladies.

As Lu family entered the palace through Donghuamen,

Lu Zerong tugged on Xu Zaijing, who was speaking with Lu the Imperial Son-in-Law: “Brother, Uncle, look!”

Xu Zaijing turned as instructed and saw the Marquis of Xiangyang standing proudly ahead, with Qi Heng trailing behind, looking miserable, each hand holding a child.

The Marquis of Xiangyang walked slowly, pausing often to bow and chat with nearby noble households.

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s group, he smiled and waved over.

(End of Chapter)