[{"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-786":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},2308564,4510,"Chapter 786: The Spindle [Thank You! Again! 36K Chapters Owed]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-786",786,"\u003Cp>Seeing the rearing beast,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>everyone around couldn’t help but cry out in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The viewing pavilion of the Zhongshan Marquis Sha family grew even more chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Sha family youth, scrambling to flee, stumbled to his feet and accidentally kicked a glowing coal toward the Sha family girl who had collapsed in fright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, the Sha family girl had draped herself in a sheer gauze shawl for beauty,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and as the burning coal landed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“whoosh,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the flammable shawl ignited instantly, bursting into flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the girl’s maid reacted swiftly, hurling the shawl aside—otherwise, the fire might have caught her fur coat and hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden incident,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ironically, turned misfortune into fortune,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as the elephant’s eyes instantly reflected the glowing coals near the brazier and the sudden flames on the shawl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire was something the elephant feared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the combined shock of pain and flame, the elephant ceased its frenzy, lowered its front hooves, swung its trunk, and resumed its path toward Nanxun Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the elephant’s commotion was dramatic, it lasted no more than five or six breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief disruption, the procession returned to normal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>yet all the onlookers in the viewing pavilions along the route turned their gazes toward the Sha family’s pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next six elephants passed in sequence, temporarily blocking Chai Zhengzheng’s view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Chai Zhengzheng could see the Sha pavilion again, the maid was lowering her head, covering her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Chai Zhengzheng could question why the maid was covering her face, she got her answer: the Sha family girl had slapped the maid again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid now held both hands to her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the Marquis Sha’s daughter doing?” Chai Zhengzheng muttered, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the music of Junrongzhi, Zi Teng leaned over and whispered, “Miss, I heard the Sha girl loved that shawl—she’s probably furious it burned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if the maid hadn’t acted, her hair and face might have been burned!” Fu Yi frowned. “If her face is ruined, no shawl or gown will matter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng watched the Sha pavilion’s frantic efforts to extinguish the fire and shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the road, other prominent families’ viewing pavilions buzzed with murmurs, glances occasionally flicking toward the Sha pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away, Wu Dainiang, having watched the whole scene, held her hand warmer and shook her head to her two daughters-in-law: “A girl frightened by an elephant is understandable—it’s only natural.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But to slap the maid who saved her—that’s a sign of being unjust, heartless, and cruel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’ll have a hard time finding a good match from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dainiang’s eldest concubine-son’s wife smiled. “Mother, it will be difficult, but the Sha family will surely find an excuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dainiang nodded, turning to her eldest son Liang Xu’s wife. “Do you agree with your sister-in-law?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Mother. I think the Sha family will say the girl was so terrified she lost her wits and acted rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Liang Xu’s wife spoke, Wu Dainiang smiled in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han, seated nearby, raised an eyebrow with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Wu Dainiang gazed into the morning light and noticed Rong Feiyan, leaning out of her pavilion, lost in thought, not far across the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Rong family pavilion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan watched the elephant’s retreating form, deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xi Bu, is that how Brother fights in the south—with beasts like this?” Rong Feiyan asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Bu, also watching the elephant, nodded. “Yes, Miss. I’ve heard the Yi and Jiaozhi people train elephants—we’ll face them on the battlefield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Shi blinked, her eyes filled with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis of Fuchang’s wife’s gaze grew heavy with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan nodded. “Yes, it does look terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, though the elephant is huge, Second Brother wrote in his letter that it fears fire and our crossbows—you needn’t worry too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xi Bu spoke, the Marquis of Fuchang’s wife’s worry lessened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Ning Xiang leaned close to Rong Feiyan’s ear. “Miss, Wu Dainiang is watching us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan turned quickly, met the Liang family’s gaze, and bowed her head with a polite smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han, seated beside Wu Dainiang, watched Rong Feiyan—her adorable ear muffs, delicate features, and skin glowing pale—wondering if he should compare her to Chun Ge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just thinking it, he shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Rong family pavilion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Marquis of Fuchang’s wife glanced toward the Zhongshan Marquis Sha pavilion and asked, “Yan’er, why did the elephant head toward the Sha pavilion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan shook her head. “Mother, I don’t know. Perhaps the Sha siblings’ clothing had colors that attracted the beast?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis of Fuchang’s wife: “Possibly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a clatter of hooves approached,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Imperial Guard cavalry, clad in fine armor and bearing colorful banners, rode in from the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them came the Emperor’s imperial carriage, surrounded by eunuch attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Emperor’s carriage passed each viewing pavilion, everyone inside rose, clasped hands, and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the carriage followed the court officials, mounted on horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the tail of the imperial procession passed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>people from all the pavilions left their seats, climbed into their carriages, and prepared to follow the procession into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan stood beside her family’s carriage, glancing toward the distant Xu family, and said, “Mother, Sister-in-law, I won’t go to see the imperial pardon at Xuande Gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis of Fuchang’s wife nodded. “Very well—it’s only pardoning minor offenders; there’s no need to watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the return journey to the capital,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ladies and young mistresses who were close or related often smiled and chatted through their carriage windows, making tea and gathering plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young masters who didn’t mind the cold made plans to visit the bustling markets and play games of chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After passing the slightly congested Nanxun Gate, they returned to the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether from psychological effect or not, Xu Zaijing felt that as soon as they entered the city, the air suddenly grew much warmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting with Liang Han beside him, a clatter of hooves came from behind—he turned to see Chang Bai riding up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chang Bai, why aren’t you in the carriage?” Xu Zaijing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai patted the fine steed beneath him. “If I don’t ride, it’ll forget me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han nodded. “Sheng Er, you’re always cooped up at home—reading or writing. Don’t you get tired?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai smiled. “What’s tiring about reading and writing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han shook his head, baffled. “The moment I see text, drowsiness crawls into my bones—I can’t even read two pages without collapsing! Horseball, clubball, and cuju are far more lively.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai, hearing this, was equally puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Han continued: “Sheng Er, after the New Year, I’ll ask Mother to wrap the horseball court in felt, light charcoal stoves, lower the goals, and make a quarter-sized field.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you can ride over often—you’ll grow close to your horse naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And noble ladies from the capital will come to watch. Who knows? You might even find a match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Bai smiled, glancing back at the distant Sheng family carriage. “I think my third brother would love that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, they crossed the inner city moat, passed through the Zhuque Gate arch, and entered the inner city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far north of the inner city wall, beside the street, stood a two-story wooden building—the famed Tang family gold and silver jewelry shop of Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing passed, his gaze casually swept over and noticed a familiar, luxurious carriage parked at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking past the carriage roof toward the shop’s second floor, Xu Zaijing saw a narrow slit open in the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A face, wrapped in fluffy ear muffs, was scanning the street, as if searching for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing locked eyes with Rong Feiyan on the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that single glance, he saw in her eyes: anticipation, delight, surprise, panic, and shyness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing she’d met his gaze, Rong Feiyan quickly looked away—but only for an instant, then she looked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he was still watching, she nervously raised the jewelry in her hand, pretending to examine its quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally lowered her gaze from the jewelry and gathered courage to look up again, she saw only the retreating backs of Xu Zaijing’s party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brightness in Rong Feiyan’s eyes dimmed slightly, tinged with melancholy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xi Bu opened her mouth to speak, she noticed a carriage among those passing below had drawn back its curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, look—Sheng’s sixth daughter is waving at you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan’s face lit up. She turned quickly and saw Minglan and Rulan, curtains drawn back, waving at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minglan pointed at the jewelry shop’s carriage but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, it seems Sheng’s sixth daughter recognized our carriage,” Ning Xiang said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong Feiyan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Sheng family carriage moved on, Rong Feiyan handed the jewelry to Xi Bu. “Take it home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Emperor’s sacrifice had taken effect,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day after Winter Solstice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the sky turned gloomy,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>silvery-gray clouds completely obscuring the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no wind blew, stepping outside made one feel bitterly cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, dark clouds drifted in from the north,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and after a gust of northerly wind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>snow pellets began to patter down,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>gradually growing into snowflakes the size of soybeans, then by afternoon into goose-feather flakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classroom at Sheng Family Academy was dim, so though it was still early, candles had already been lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he liked snowy days or worried about the people’s hardship in winter, Master Zhuang had stood by the window since the snow began, watching the scene outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as if remembering something, Master Zhuang turned and glanced toward Chang Zhen’s seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chang Zhen stretch out his small hand to shield the flickering candle flame, Master Zhuang smiled and closed the window before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back to the students in the candlelight, Master Zhuang said with his hands behind his back: “Enough for today! The weather is poor and still snowing—dismiss early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, everyone rose and replied, “Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way home,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the snow still fell, but much lighter now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing rode Ma Er wrapped in a heavy cloak, gazing at the mottled black-and-white road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since winter began, there had been no heavy snow; the sun’s warmth kept the ground temperature tolerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the ground covered in snow, the bottom layer had already melted, leaving black footprints wherever people or animals stepped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Often, snowmelt would soak into shoes, and the cold wind made feet ache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not cleared, overnight the snowmelt on the ground would freeze solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, some households had taken advantage of the light snow to sweep in front of their own doors, mostly just clearing their own thresholds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who swept for neighbors usually did so to build snow lions using molds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could also see groups of children from the capital wearing mismatched ear muffs, wielding snow tongs to gather snowballs and play snowball fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing and his elder brother reached Quyuanjie, they saw two lifelike snow lions standing before the clean entrance of Hou Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the riding ground,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing looked at Yin Bo emerging from the wooden hut and asked: “Master, where are Lan and Xunshu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Bo rasped: “They took the servants to clear snow and visited old Hou Fu estates nearby, checking for heavy snow on rooftops and helping to clear them so the roofs wouldn’t collapse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm! Excellent! They deserve an extra month’s stipend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the days after the snow,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as the twelfth lunar month arrived,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the melting snow made the weather colder than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Zaijing donned his armor in the morning, it felt like draping himself in an ice cloak—the chill seeped straight through the fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, riding in the morning, exposed parts of his face froze painfully in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When practicing archery, one had to carefully “warm up” the powerful bows; a single misstep could easily damage them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>before the wooden hut on the riding ground,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>beside the lantern,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy steel spear butt was driven into the frozen earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing dismounted, his armor faintly steaming; beside him, the young mare Ma Er also exhaled white vapor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Xiang smiled and handed Xu Zaijing a warm water gourd; Lan and Qingyun hurried to remove the saddle and bridle from Ma Er, then draped her with a sweat-absorbing, insulating blanket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sip of warm water filled his belly, and Xu Zaijing exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Xiang, watching Xu Zaijing’s hand holding the gourd, sighed: “Young Master, take off your gloves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Why?” Xu Zaijing asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Xiang gestured: “The stitching’s come loose again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned his palm over, inspecting the blade-edge area—his rabbit-fur gloves now revealed bare skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He skillfully removed the gloves and tossed them to Yun Xiang: “Next time you three sew gloves, stitch tighter. Don’t keep making such shoddy work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Xiang showed no sign of defeat at being scolded, only shrugged and nodded: “Yes, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, holding the gloves, Yun Xiang sighed mournfully to them: “Alas! You’re born at the wrong time! Others use you for a whole winter; Young Master uses you for one day! What bad luck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan, who was still removing Ma Er’s saddle while wearing the gloves, burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing, teased, sighed: “Fine, fine—I’ll increase your stipends. Consider it winter glove-sewing compensation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Xiang’s frown turned to a smile as he bowed to Xu Zaijing: “Thank you, Young Master, for your kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head helplessly and tossed the gourd straight into Yun Xiang’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Yun Xiang catch the gourd in surprise, Xu Zaijing laughed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the twelfth lunar month,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>on the eighth day, they drank Laba porridge at Sheng Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Xu Zaijing finished class, beggars and ruffians dressed as women or demons were already wandering the streets, knocking on doors to beg for coins during “Da Ye Hu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheng Family Academy closed for winter break, as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the academy gate, Qi Heng walked beside Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye, reminding them: “Jingge, Ershu, don’t forget—we’re visiting Sheng Family on the second day of the new year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2373,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d64e38f4d2f6b6618d9bc5d84291797b47ed2d49aeffcb4f0dd64cf7a27b1e02","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-787","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-785",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]