[{"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-774":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},2308552,4510,"Chapter 774: The Xu Family Has Such Great Prestige! [Thank You! Again, Thank You!]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-774",774,"\u003Cp>Late April,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The birth of the Second Prince made fireworks sales in the capital wildly popular, not to mention the Rong family’s charity of porridge and cash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their own warehouse held some fireworks sent by the Marquis of Lian during the holidays, the Xu family’s steward didn’t need to go out and buy any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May arrived,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days grew longer and nights shorter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every morning, when Xu Zaijing went to school, the sky was noticeably brighter than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to the Sheng household, he saw many commoners—some pushing wheelbarrows, others carrying shoulder poles—laden with all kinds of fruit entering the city, peaches being the most common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy was closed for holiday,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early in the morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rode Ma Er, accompanied by his personal guards, out the main gate of the Xu household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the mugwort dolls nailed to the gate in the morning light, Xu Zaijing’s eyes grew slightly distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, what’s wrong?” Qingyun asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. I just feel like the last time I saw mugwort dolls was only yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun nodded: “You’re right, time flies—before you know it, Susu and the other two will be three years old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Qingyun gave Xu Zaijing a meaningful look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you staring at me like that?” Xu Zaijing frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun pursed his lips and smiled, shaking his head: “Nothing, young master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the sounds along the street,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s party walked north along the streets of Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the streets varied—some bustling and lively, others neat and quiet—each scene different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the Si hour (after nine in the morning),\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing and his group arrived near Fan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Lou stood in the inner city, northeast of the imperial palace, not far from Huihefang and Guangfufang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion once granted to Xu Zaijing, later rented by Chai Zhengzheng, was in Guangfufang, just two streets away from Fan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the towering wooden structure of Fan Lou stood an elaborate, ornate decorative arch adorned with colorful banners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike in winter, today the arch displayed freshly picked flowers of all colors, releasing a rich fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the arch,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>beneath fluttering banners,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>luxurious carriages and horses came and went, as wealthy and noble guests disembarked and were led inside by Fan Lou attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since most guests brought servants and maids, and some even unloaded their personal belongings from their carriages, the entrance was congested with vehicles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing dismounted well before the colorful arch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuxu and Alan took the horses to the stable; Xu Zaijing and Qingyun walked straight toward Fan Lou’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the entrance, Xu Zaijing glanced around, slightly uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, what’s wrong?” Qingyun asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head: “I just feel a bit uncomfortable—as if someone’s watching us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun froze: “Do we have enemies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing scanned the surroundings; the crowd was thick, nothing suspicious stood out, and the uneasy feeling faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, then looked at the approaching Fan Lou attendant and said firmly: “Let’s go in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, it was slightly cooler than outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the massive, intricate screen, a Fan Lou attendant bowed and smiled: “Fifth Young Master, are you looking for the Gao family’s private room?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking through Fan Lou with Qingyun, Xu Zaijing passed the large screen and saw the interior—largely similar to what he’d seen years ago at Pan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing back at the maid standing by the entrance, Xu Zaijing smiled: “Your staff here are quite well-groomed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant turned and smiled: “Fifth Young Master has sharp eyes—today, with the Gao family’s heir visiting, we can’t afford to be lax or hire unvetted girls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Gao family was not the Gao family of Laizhou, but originally from Bozhou, with ancestors who were founding generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Tao’s daughter had become Crown Princess, a fact now set in stone; calling Gao family scions the top-tier young masters of the capital was no exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Past the screen, the music grew louder, accompanied by lively drumbeats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to the staircase,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Master, what’s wrong?” the attendant asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at the group of female musicians playing beside the wooden stage and smiled: “Nothing! Qingyun, let’s go greet Lady Yang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, young master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the attendant hurried to follow them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing reached the vicinity of the female musicians; the music gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Luoyou, veiled and holding a pipa, rose and bowed to Xu Zaijing: “Greetings, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Yang, long time no see. How have you been?” Xu Zaijing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to your favor, my livelihood has been quite prosperous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded, then looked at the girl standing nearby—taller than before, still holding a drum—and smiled: “Miss Yang, and you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m the same as my master,” Zhiyue bowed and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Zhiyue glanced at Qingyun behind Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun, catching her look, understood instantly and smiled: “Chu Zhan’s gone with my Marquis to the northwest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhiyue raised an eyebrow: “Ah, that explains it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xu Zaijing glanced at the increasingly beautiful Zhiyue, then at Qingyun, said nothing more, and merely smiled: “I have other matters—farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, take care,” Yang Luoyou said, bowing again with her disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Xu Zaijing depart, Yang Luoyou and Zhiyue returned to their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other female musicians whispered among themselves; after Yang and Zhiyue answered a few questions,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, so that’s the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly, hearing is not as good as seeing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun, watching Xu Zaijing’s curious expression, said: “Young master, Chu Zhan and Lady Yang haven’t even gotten to first base yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head, smiling: “That Chu Zhan has plenty of luck! Didn’t the Zou family’s younger sister also take an interest in him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Xu Zaijing climbed the stairs to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the sharp-eyed guards on the upper level, Xu Zaijing’s expression turned slightly odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards, noticing Xu Zaijing’s ascent, cast him assessing glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the attendant smiled: “Fifth Young Master, the Gao family’s private room is on the second floor—these are all the Gao family’s guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: “I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way, please,” the attendant gestured, smiling ingratiatingly at the guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard at the staircase entrance gave a dismissive wave, clearly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking down the second-floor corridor, under the unwelcoming stares of the guards, Xu Zaijing remained expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun, however, met their gazes without fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing several guards with openly provocative expressions, Qingyun smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This expression made the guards’ glares even more hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun was no hothead—he’d trained for years and faced death alongside his master, Xu Zaijing, countless times; he was highly attuned to malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Gao family guards seemed to have lost their minds—acting as if they didn’t recognize the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young master, if we didn’t know better, we’d think we owed them money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did they send us an invitation at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun said, walking beside Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing took a deep breath, waved his hand: “We’ll find out once we’re inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the private room’s entrance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the attendant standing nearby, Xu Zaijing smiled: “Is Sixth Young Master here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diaochē smiled stiffly and bowed: “Back to Fifth Young Master, the Young Lord is here too, all inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded, glanced at the guard captain by the door, then turned away, hands behind his back, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard captain swept Xu Zaijing with a look and sneered impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun glared, about to speak, but Diaochē hurried forward with a forced smile, pushing open the door: “Fifth Young Master, please come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled at Diaochē, took a deep breath, and stepped into the private room; Qingyun stayed outside with Diaochē.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing stared at the screen by the door, the door behind him was shut from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Xu Zaijing felt a flicker of doubt—there was simply too much silence in this private room today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all the gatherings he’d attended before, he’d always heard the clamor of his friends even before entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He circled the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept the room, then widened in shock; in an instant, he vaguely understood why he’d felt uneasy downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhao Fang smiling at him from the main seat, Xu Zaijing quickly bowed deeply: “Your Highness! Why are you out of the palace today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang rose with a smile and waved him over: “Jingge, come sit by me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Highness.” Xu Zaijing glanced at Qi Heng and Liang Han, both looking dazed, then walked toward the seat near Zhao Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned his gaze to the young man seated beside Zhao Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang smiled: “Jingge, let me introduce you—this is Gao Jing, from the Gao family of Bozhou, cousin of Taotao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rose and bowed: “Pleased to meet you, Brother Gao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man returned the bow without rising, his face expressionless as he glanced at Xu Zaijing: “Likewise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng and Liang Han exchanged a look, their expressions unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing said nothing, only looked at Zhao Fang and asked curiously: “Your Highness, I recall the invitation sent to my home bore the name of Gao Lin, Brother Gao. Why is it Gao Jing today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing knew Gao Lin was Taotao’s real brother; Gao Jing, as Zhao Fang said, was only a cousin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang smiled awkwardly: “Gao Lin had other matters today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded and continued: “Then why did Your Highness come to Pan Lou? Since entering, I haven’t seen a single officer from the Imperial Surveillance Bureau! The guards outside look unfamiliar to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang smiled and waved it off: “Jingge, it’s nothing, just a small thing. Please sit down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded thoughtfully and sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jing, seated at the lower seat beside Zhao Fang, smiled at Xu Zaijing and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Master, His Highness is the Crown Prince—he wishes to leave the palace for a look. Why must you say so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Xu family can accompany His Highness out—why can’t my Gao family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From your tone, does His Highness need your permission to leave the palace? Impressive, impressive—what great authority!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Liang Han nearby chuckled and explained: “Brother Gao, Jingge didn’t mean it that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng nodded with a smile: “Brother Gao, Liu Liang is right—Jingge didn’t mean it that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jing smiled: “Whether Fifth Young Master meant it or not—let him say it himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his gaze to Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang shook his head at Gao Jing, signaling him to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing saw Zhao Fang’s slightly apologetic look, he smiled: “Brother Gao, His Highness need not notify me when leaving the palace—but he must notify His Majesty, the Empress, the Imperial Surveillance Bureau, and the Palace Guard, and station at least three layers of protection centered on this room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jing laughed and waved: “Fifth Young Master, His Highness came here with my family under no one’s knowledge of his true identity! If you insist on three layers of guards, that would be drawing attention, not hiding it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing’s smile vanished; he asked solemnly: “Brother Gao, do the guards outside this room recognize me? Do they recognize Liu Liang or Yuan Ruo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Gao Jing could answer, Xu Zaijing continued: “On the second floor, the guards outside looked strong and fierce—but they’re blind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the moment we came up to the second floor, all the way to this room’s door, not a single one asked my identity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhao Fang stared at Gao Jing in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han’s eyes lit with realization; he whispered to Qi Heng: “Young Lord, no wonder those guards stared at us when we came in! They didn’t recognize us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jing glanced at Zhao Fang’s expression, panicked, and stood up, pointing at Xu Zaijing: “You—Xu Zaijing—you’re speaking nonsense! How do you know they don’t recognize you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing narrowed his eyes calmly: “The only guards who dare glare at me like that—I haven’t seen any in a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned to Zhao Fang: “Your Highness, if you insist on staying here, I think you should inform His Majesty and the Empress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked at Gao Jing: “His Highness leaving the palace was ordered by His Majesty and the Empress—Brother Gao, whose order did you follow today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jing, flustered, stammered: “I—I naturally followed His Highness’s order!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing stared at him: “You’ve placed the Crown Prince in danger—and you still claim it was His Highness’s order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Gao Jing’s silence, Xu Zaijing asked Zhao Fang: “Your Highness, how long have you been here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang pursed his lips: “About half an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you come directly from the Gao family estate? Did all your retinue and guards stay behind there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then many know you left the palace—but I hope no one is watching the Gao estate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jing said from the side: “Xu Zaijing, don’t scaremonger. I’ve been with His Highness this long—nothing’s happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing glanced at Gao Jing, then turned to Zhao Fang: “Your Highness, this place seems dangerous. Let the guards come quickly! If His Majesty and the Empress learn of this, they’ll be frantic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The guards and retinue who accompanied you will surely be punished—especially your eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang blinked, nodded with regret: “Jingge, I was careless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, don’t worry—I’ll send someone at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Zhao Fang nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned to Liang Han: “Liu Liang, tell Diaochē to go down and find A Lan and the other two—go to the Gao estate together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang interrupted: “Jingge, why not you escort me back? Quietly, no one will know—your guards and retinue might avoid punishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head, looking at Zhao Fang: “Your Highness, today I came only for the banquet—I brought nothing. If anyone learns you’re here alone, unarmed and unarmored, I cannot protect you. We must wait for the guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2379,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b4278fccfe74bfdf31d87a99ee942f2c680b042a8cf8537ebaf8ebf57c4486dd","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-775","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-773",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]