[{"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-78":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},2307856,4510,"Chapter 78: Zhao Fang","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-78",78,"\u003Cp>Taking charge of the imperial prince, Xu Zaijing, relying on his years of physical training, crouched slightly behind the prince,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one fist clenched and pressed two fingers above the prince’s navel, the other hand wrapping around the fist,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then thrusting forward with force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing dared not use full strength—even a fraction of his power was too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to his years of relentless training, his control over force was precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince had nearly fainted from suffocation, his body twitching helplessly, but he could not resist Xu Zaijing’s immense strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince’s mouth hung open, uncontrollable saliva dripping onto the floor,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but Xu Zaijing paid no heed, continuing to thrust with both hands over a dozen times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress and emperor could only tremble as they watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Papap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince spat out a foreign object from his throat—a wooden bead of sandalwood, fallen from some unknown place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough cough cough, wah!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once able to breathe again, the prince gasped desperately, then burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu wu wu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he cried, he stared at Xu Zaijing, his eyes filled with dependence—after all, it was this slightly familiar older brother who had saved him from death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang’er! Fang’er!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor suddenly found strength, disregarding all propriety, rushing to Xu Zaijing’s side to take his son from his arms, his eyes brimming with tears of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even lost composure, burying his head in the prince’s chest, inhaling the boy’s scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son,” he murmured, voice thick with relief and tenderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he had regained a lost treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress had been holding herself together, eyes filled with tears, watching Xu Zaijing perform these acts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the miracle truly occurred and she saw her son crying, she forced herself not to faint,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but the sudden shift from utter despair to overwhelming joy came too fast—she grew weak and dizzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ladies-in-waiting rushed to support the empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress extended her hand toward Xu Zaijing; he understood, bent low, and with the ladies-in-waiting, helped her rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing upright, amid the stunned expressions of all present,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the empress embraced Xu Zaijing tightly, whispering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good child! Good child! I will remember your grace—I will never forget it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sensed the empress’s subtle, elegant fragrance, yet felt no lust—only the gratitude of a mother who deeply loved her child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For her arms still trembled, clearly drained by terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress released him; Xu Zaijing said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, this was my duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress said nothing more, but her gaze toward Xu Zaijing was filled with maternal affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled faintly: “Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this scene, all the ladies-in-waiting and eunuchs in the hall exhaled in relief—then a wave of dread washed over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the prince had died, few in this hall would have lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, their gazes toward Xu Zaijing were also filled with gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing walked outside and helped up Sun Shi, who still lay on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi’s body was also weak—she had never experienced anything like this before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor, having handed Zhao Fang to the empress, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing and his mother immediately halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sun Shi, I spoke rashly just now—do not—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Shi, holding her son, heard the emperor’s words and, struck by sudden insight, cried out loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty! You are a father, and I am a mother—we all share the heart of a parent. You need not say this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Sun Shi bowed her head in respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor looked at the mother and son, and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he kicked the imperial physician, who hurried to the empress’s side and placed his fingers on the prince’s wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, the emperor’s personal eunuch waved his fly-whisk, signaling all attendants to leave the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main hall, Xu Zaijing’s keen hearing faintly caught the empress’s muffled sobs and the emperor’s sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, the imperial physician staggered out, his steps unsteady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Sun Shi and Xu Zaijing standing nearby, he bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, virtuous mother and son, for your great grace!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The physician flatters us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imperial physician stepped out of the hall, asked a junior eunuch at the door about Sun Shi’s identity, and upon hearing she was from the Yongyi Marquis House, froze—his expression darkened with some unspoken thought, then he walked away, lost in melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor’s chief eunuch emerged first, ordering seats to be provided for Sun Shi and her son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze toward them was also filled with gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an emperor and empress should never again endure the pain of losing a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one cared what became of the attendant who had overseen the matter—she was never seen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room, the prince, Zhao Fang, exhausted by the terrifying ordeal, lay curled in the empress’s arms, his small hand clutching her robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress leaned helplessly against the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor gently stroked his son’s tiny hand, murmuring with lingering fear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fortune brought Xu’s fifth son to the palace—if you hadn’t ordered the attendant to bring Fang’er over, we’d never have noticed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We would have, Your Majesty—wouldn’t you have come to see Fang’er after drinking your soup?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I would have come—but I never knew how long I’d delay. I swore not to disturb his sleep. Who knows what state Fang’er would have been in by then? By the way, how did the Xu family come to be here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empress took a deep breath, raised her luminous eyes to the floral patterns on the ceiling, and said with quiet wonder:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few days ago, Lady Wu of the Yongchang Marquis House sent word that Xu’s Anjie had caught the eye of the eleventh son of the Huyan family. Yesterday, the eleventh son’s mother, Lady Pan, went to the Xu household for a formal visit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor’s eyes held confusion, waiting for more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So yesterday, I sent palace servants to deliver several baskets of western ink-jade watermelons to the Xu household—to give them support. After all, the Pan family is a renowned wealthy clan from the east. Today, they came to thank us. Huh~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor froze—meaning, had the empress not kindly supported the Xu family, they would never have come to the palace to express gratitude—and what then would have become of his Fang’er?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the emperor silent, the empress’s thoughts turned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I acted on this impulse because of what Pingning said about Jingge when he was young—back then, it was something I could believe or ignore, merely a good omen. Now it seems…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor recalled how, long ago, the Xu family had sent white cotton fluff, and the empress had taken notice, uncovering several traitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor fell silent, lost in thought, then said: “The Xu family is still in the main hall—we must go out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the empress stirred, Zhao Fang in her arms trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated, wanting to urge the empress to let the prince rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fang’er, shall we go meet the older brother who saved you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang’s fearful, shrinking eyes brightened at these words, and he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhao Fang, the emperor’s spirits lifted; he smiled at his son: “Fang’er, shall we promote this big brother’s father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang’s voice was hoarse: “Yes, Fang’er wants to thank the big brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are the military achievements of Marquis Xu Minghua in the Western Army?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, he is valiant and resolute; his merit ranks second among all commandants in the Western Army.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The second son of the Tuoxi Marquis House, Cao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor glanced at the empress; she nodded: “Your Majesty may issue the decree—I will handle the Cao family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Promote Marquis Xu Minghua to General of Loyal Valor (Rank 4a), Commander of the Left and Right Divisions of the Tianwu Army, Upper Four Armies of Bianjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Promote Xu Minghua’s wife, Xu Sun Shi, to Third-Rank Lady of Virtuous Grace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch receiving the order knew: the Xu family had won the emperor’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Xu fifth son’s future career—sigh—the capital now had another prized asset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the emperor and empress carried Zhao Fang into the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the emperor and empress were seated, Zhao Fang, in their arms, looked at Xu Zaijing as he rose to bow—his eyes filled with warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xu Sunshi, the Hou Fu has done well to raise such a fine boy, Jing Ge'er.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank Your Majesty for the praise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress said: \"I often hear from Imperial Uncle Cao that your natal family is also on good terms; we must increase our visits in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jing Ge'er, come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress waved her hand, and Xu Zaijing came to the bedside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress extended her hand toward a nearby lady-in-waiting, who handed her a small wooden box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the imperial access token; henceforth, you may enter the palace without prior notice—simply show the token to enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank Your Majesty for this grace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress sternly said: \"Don't speak such formal thanks again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Fang straightened his back in the Empress’s arms, tugged at Xu Zaijing’s sleeve, and said: \"Thank you, Brother Xu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was about to say more, but the Empress cast him a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing said nothing, holding the box in one hand and shaking Zhao Fang’s hand with the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling Xu Zaijing’s warm, forceful grip, Zhao Fang forced his eyelids open and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor looked at his son and said: \"Go rest with your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we shall not disturb the Prince’s rest. Your servant and her son take our leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing followed Sun Shi in bowing, and they exited the grand hall under the gaze of the Emperor and Empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the palace’s side gate, Sun Shi finally exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her son, she felt both joy and lingering fear—but today’s outcome was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning home with the servants, as dusk fell and lanterns lit up Bianjing, a squad of imperial golden-armored warriors emerged from the palace, escorting dozens of palanquins filled with imperial gifts along the bustling Imperial Street toward Quyuanjie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The author’s bowl has no oil; reader support eases the sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please recommend, vote, tip, invest—anything you can give.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you, esteemed readers, for your support. If you find typos or awkward phrasing, please kindly point them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1744,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c637d69964d614e017196fd63431c8b52de11240f99101e4d85b60c8d559c13a","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-79","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-77",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]