[{"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-788":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},2308566,4510,"Chapter 788: His Name Is Shu, Not Hua {Thank You! Again! 36k Words Owed}","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-788",788,"\u003Cp>In the study,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng, seated behind the desk writing, lifted his head at the sound and glanced at Bu Wei: “Did you get the items?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Master, I got them!” Bu Wei placed the wooden box on the desk and smiled. “I bought them at Sibaozhai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng hummed in acknowledgment, continuing to write.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei went on: “The manager at Sibaozhai recognized me—he charged only over two hundred taels for six brushes. I didn’t even use up the gold ingot you gave me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Bu Wei placed the remaining gold on the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng didn’t look up: “Put the gold away. Bring me the brushes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei opened the wooden box and pulled out one brush, holding it before Qi Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng took the brush, examined it closely, touched the tip with his fingers, and smiled: “Indeed exquisite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei said: “Young Master, shall I break in this brush for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng hesitated a moment, then nodded with a smile: “Do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei took the brush from Qi Heng and called out: “Li Chong, bring a bowl of warm water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chong, the page standing at the study door, hurriedly replied: “Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei gently rubbed the brush tip between two fingers and said: “Young Master, today at the entrance of Sibaozhai, I met Miss Sheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Qi Heng snapped his head up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set the brush down on the inkstone, a flicker of regret in his eyes: “You met Miss Sheng? Did Sixth Sister go out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei shook his head: “Not Sixth Miss Sheng—Fourth Miss Sheng. She seemed to be accompanying the eldest daughter of the main Sheng household on a shopping trip.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng paused, the regret vanishing instantly; he smiled and picked up the brush: “Oh, I thought I’d missed her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei, spreading the brush tip, shook it lightly and said softly: “Young Master, you’re fond of—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, Qi Heng shot him a sharp look: “Shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei immediately clamped his lips shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the page Li Chong entered carrying a porcelain bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put it here,” Bu Wei smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Chong set the bowl down and left, Bu Wei tested the water temperature, then dipped the brush tip into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the brush so the tip didn’t touch the bowl’s bottom, Bu Wei said: “Young Master, on my way back to the mansion, I stopped by our brocade shop. The manager said the Sheng family bought fabric there too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heard we’d used blue-green brocade, so they bought several bolts to take home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Heng stopped writing, studying Bu Wei thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought crossed his mind; he smiled and said: “By the way, I recall Mother had clothes made for me in this color, didn’t she?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei thought a moment, then nodded: “Yes, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I’ll wear those outfits when school resumes next Zhengyue 15th.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bu Wei swished the brush in the bowl, lifted it out, and squeezed the water from the tip with controlled pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a second dip, he dipped the brush in ink and handed it to Qi Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late in the twelfth lunar month,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi Chun Alley, usually quiet, had become as bustling as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From morning till night,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>well-dressed servants, pages, maids, and nursemaids lined up in the alley, the queue stretching all the way to the main street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the entrance to Yi Chun Alley,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Jia’an, the nursemaid, stepped out of a carriage parked by the road, accompanied by a young maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she looked around,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she spotted a woman veiled and carrying a pipa, walking out with a girl holding a drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama glanced at the approaching pair, stepped slightly back, and avoided the girl’s drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! How are you walking? Don’t you watch where you’re going?” the young maid frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman clutching the pipa quickly halted, bowing: “My apologies, ladies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl with the drum stopped too, offering a polite smile to Xiang Mama and her maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama smiled, holding her handkerchief: “It’s fine. Please be more careful next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! Very sorry!” the veiled woman nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.” Xiang Mama waved her handkerchief and resumed scanning the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two with instruments bowed again and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they had walked a short distance,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>another maid, dressed as brightly as Xiang Mama, approached with a handkerchief in hand and trailed by pages and maids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xiang Jia’an, the maid smiled: “Oh! Xiang Mama, what are you doing here again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! It’s Sister Lei! Well, the door gods, hanging scrolls, and the donkey figurines we bought last time didn’t please the Lady, so as servants, we’ve come again. What brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me about it!” the maid called Lei Mama slapped her thigh. “My lord has young ones in the courtyard—the Lady ordered me to buy more lanterns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” Xiang Mama nodded with a smile. “Then go ahead—I’ll wait my turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright.” Lei Mama waved and walked into the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she was gone, Xiang Mama’s young maid asked: “Mama, who was that woman just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama replied: “From the southern part of Chunming Fang—the stewardess of the Li Viscount’s family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Viscount Li? The one that got married recently?” the maid asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! That was the younger brother’s wedding. This woman came with the eldest brother’s wife, Lady Zhou—Lady Zhou’s family is the Marquis Zhou household of Jiangyin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama continued: “I’ve seen her a few times at the brocade shop—we got to know each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” the young maid nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama pulled out a string of copper coins: “Go to the street and buy some snacks for the young lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” the maid smiled, taking the coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the maid’s retreating back, Xiang Mama scanned the surroundings again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama’s gaze sharpened, fixed on a group approaching on horseback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, three riders each carried a child—two boys, one girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, as the group dismounted and walked toward the alley, Xiang Mama smiled at the sturdiest young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xiang Mama, the young man turned and said: “Alan, Xunshu, take the others inside and see what’s going on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed the child he was leading to Alan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alan glanced at Xiang Mama and nodded: “Yes, Qingyun Ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Xu family entered, Xiang Mama looked at the boy Qingyun had handed off and said: “Young Master, that child is from the Yin family, isn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun shook his head: “No—he’s my brother-in-law. His surname is Shu, not Yin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.Oh.” After a moment’s thought, recalling the two children—boy and girl, with similar faces—held by men behind Qingyun, Xiang Mama said: “So those two are the Yin children! No wonder they didn’t look alike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t look like whom?” Qingyun frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama smiled awkwardly: “Young Master, why be so sharp? I was only trying to take a look at the boy and girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun pressed his lips together, then nodded: “Hmm. If you have nothing else, I’ll be going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama grabbed his sleeve: “Young Master, wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun stopped, watching as Xiang Mama gestured for him to lean down. After a moment’s hesitation, he bent forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Mama whispered only a few words—Qingyun’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afternoon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quyuanjie,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongyi Marquis Mansion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>several people stood beside the riding field,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing, standing among them, gazed upward, eyes fixed on the Sea Falcon soaring toward him, his forearm clad in a thick leather glove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flap-flap-flap—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With rapid wingbeats, the majestic Sea Falcon landed on Xu Zaijing’s leather glove, riding a gust of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow!” Qingcao and the three maids clapped and cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beautiful,” Xu Zaijing smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He meant both the falcon’s landing and its demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tossed a fresh strip of meat into the air as a reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the reward, Xu Zaijing shifted his arm—his falconer hurried forward with his own arm extended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clever Sea Falcon leapt from Xu Zaijing’s arm onto the falconer’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the majestic falcon, Xu Zaijing said, “After the New Year, send it to the northern frontlines—it might even earn some merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The falconer bowed and replied, “Yes, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, then prepared to remove his long, thick leather gloves; three maids rushed over to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a voice came from outside,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as Qingyun and the others had fetched the New Year’s items and parked the cart at the second gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Hou Fu servants began unloading goods at the second gate, Qingyun approached Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qingyun’s gaze as he dismounted, Xu Zaijing said, “Qingcao, you three stay here and play for a while. Qingyun, come here—I have something to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone bowed in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking several dozen steps, Xu Zaijing turned to Qingyun and asked, “What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun pressed his lips together and said, “Young Master, today when we went to Yichun Alley, I ran into Xiang Mama, who’s with Qin Da Niangzi—she—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Qingyun hesitate, Xu Zaijing rubbed his hands and frowned, “Why do you always run into her at just this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun shook his head. “It wasn’t by chance—it looks like she was waiting there! Maybe going to Yichun Alley at this hour is normal, or perhaps she wanted to see Su Jie and the others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing nodded. “Hmm. What did Xiang Mama say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said that after the New Year, the Prince of Yong, the Prince of Jing, and the Prince of Tan will come to the capital for the Imperial Prince’s wedding, and we must be extra careful,” Qingyun said, glancing at Xu Zaijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing paused, then nodded. “Qingyun, do you know who put that note in the pouch last time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun nodded. “Young Master, I’ve thought about it—it might be her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing said, “Yes. This Xiang Mama and whoever’s behind her never give us warnings without reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this time, Xiang Mama was too bold—speaking to you right out in the open.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his master’s question, Qingyun scratched his head and said, “Xiang Mama has a reason—Qin Da Niangzi is pregnant now. She says giving me a gift is the same as giving it to you, and it might help ensure a son is born.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Xu Zaijing’s face showed surprise as he glanced back toward his master’s cottage: “This—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun nodded helplessly and pulled a heavy pouch from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Qingyun open the pouch, Xu Zaijing glanced inside and said, “Whoa, there’s a lot of gold here! Keep it for yourself—don’t tell the master about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun nodded and tucked the pouch away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, Young Master, what should we do when the three princes come to the capital next year?” Qingyun asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing took a deep breath and smiled. “Take it easy. If they don’t bother us, we won’t bother them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingyun nodded firmly, then added, “Young Master, the other day Feixing came to see Qingcao. While I was talking to him, I heard how he makes jewelry—it gave me an idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm? Tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because of this warning, I’m thinking of making a folding shield—connected by a mechanism in the middle, iron plates on the outside, wooden panels inside, and packed cotton nailed to the inner side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xu Zaijing’s puzzled look, Qingyun didn’t wait for a question—he went on: “Normally, it hangs under the saddlecloth. You won’t notice it unless you look closely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing listened, then looked at the saddle and bridle sitting beside the stable and nodded. “Go ahead and make it. Ask Qingcao for silver—we’re better off with extra precautions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiyin Alley,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Sheng household,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>smoke from burning charcoal rose from the chimney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shou’an Hall,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the room was warm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the old lady sat on a Luohan chair, holding a hand warmer, watching Ruolan speak beside Wang Ruofu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it cost over ninety taels! That’s outright cheating! Without another word, I took Pinlan and went to buy something else!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Ruolan looked at Minglan in surprise. “Sixth sister, isn’t ninety taels too expensive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minglan nodded vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu frowned. “Did you even ask what materials it was made of before saying it was expensive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruolan described it in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ruofu listened, then nodded. “You remember well! A brush made like that—your uncle has several. Your auntie says he treasures them like gold. I doubt they’re cheating you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh,” Ruolan murmured and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Mama lifted the cotton curtain and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bowed to those inside and said, “Old Madam, a letter has been delivered to the front gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Wang Ruofu rose. “Mother, it’s nearly time. I’ll take my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady smiled and nodded. “Ruan, see her out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Old Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Mama replied and handed the letter to Fang Mama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady glanced again at Minglan, who smiled and said, “Grandmother, I’m going to embroider.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady took the letter and began reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At just the sight of the handwriting, a smile appeared on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at Fang Mama and said, “Suqin, this letter is from Xiao Kong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama smiled. “Old Madam, only you would call Madam Kong ‘Xiao Kong.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady chuckled as she opened the letter. “No matter how much she changes, she’ll always be that little sister to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right!” Fang Mama chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unfolded the letter, took a deep breath, and squinted as she read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After just a few lines, she laughed in mock scolding, shaking her head as she smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Xiao Kong—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Madam, what’s wrong?” Fang Mama asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady laughed. “Xiao Kong says her work in Xijing is nearly done, and she wants me to find something for her here in the capital. Where would I even find it? Does she really need me to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Mama smiled. “You don’t need to find anything—just spread the word that Madam Kong is returning to the capital. She’ll be swamped before she even steps off the carriage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady nodded, smiling, and pointed to another part of the letter. “And here—she’s even asking about Zhen Ge’s boy, inquiring after him among the high families of Xijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Fang Mama looked slightly surprised. “Has our Xu family’s son become known in Xijing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old lady nodded with quiet pride. “The families mentioned in the letter—they’re quite wealthy and well-connected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head again. “Never mind. I won’t add more trouble for my niece-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Fang Mama laughed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2427,"2026-06-20T10:32:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","179a1444d3e32a12fd186a95e20d9861dd9061f8dacfdc38fb75094116d50fa3","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-789","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-787",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]