[{"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-87":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},2307865,4510,"Chapter 87: Clichés, Tropes, Desires [Thank You All for Your Support! Once More, Thank You!]","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-87",87,"\u003Cp>Bai Shi has been away from the Gu household for several days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye was pulled away by his mother at the door, seeing only his father facing off against his elder brother—he didn’t know his own elder brother had fainted from rage in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Bai family’s residence in Bianjing, Bai Shi was too busy being angry to care for him, and with Gu Yan Kai no longer supervising his daily martial practice, Gu Tingye felt quite at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went out daily to indulge himself, basking in the constant flattery from the young men of the Duke household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, before he even stepped out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he heard Zhi Que say his mother’s cousin was drinking with the Hu Yan family, and he rushed off to the tavern with eager excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some families rejoice, others grieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xu household,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sat at the lower seat of the main hall in his mother’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with several of his brothers and sisters, he listened awkwardly as Chang Maomiao spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady sent me to apologize on her behalf—she failed to keep her word, and has no face to return to your household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maid, you say Yu Ge fainted from rage? How is he now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No serious harm—he suffered from anger-induced qi stagnation. The physician prescribed a formula to soothe the qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xu household still held high hopes for Gu Tingyu as a future son-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good to hear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, this old woman takes her leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Dan, see the maid out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing walked ahead, with Qing Yun and Qing Cao following behind, arriving at his own courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing sat silently on a chair inside his room, lost in thought for a long while, until he dredged up a faint name from the corner of his memory: You Lian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You Lian, You Lian—the sound is identical; both are the work of the Qin family.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, word came from the outer courtyard: Eleventh Young Master sent a note, inviting you to join him for amusement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did Mother say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Xu instructed us to bring the note straight to our courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Get ready—we’re going to the polo field.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, it’s not to Jinming Pond—it’s at Qianyun Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing was startled: “What? Mother didn’t say anything about going to Qianyun Tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Xu said you should observe the world’s splendors—but if you dare to sleep with courtesans, she’ll break your legs when you return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After changing his robes, Xu Zaijing did not ride a horse but took the Xu family’s carriage to the street outside Donghuamen in Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This area outside the eastern gate of the imperial palace was one of Bianjing’s most bustling districts,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>filled with taverns, major inns, brothels, and guesthouses, especially thriving in the southeast direction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it lies near the Jiaofang Si, where many courtesans and dancers from the bureau perform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At night, lanterns blaze all night long, and sons of nobility often linger here, loath to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, in the afternoon, the open brothel balconies mostly featured women singing poems and playing music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped down from the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing saw a five-story wooden building with large characters above the entrance: “Pan Lou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not as grand as Fan Lou’s five towering linked structures, Pan Lou connected several three-story wooden buildings with rainbow-like skybridges—Qianyun Tower was one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, the women who had just finished their makeup on the upper floors brightened their eyes—they were accustomed to noble attire, and merely by Xu Zaijing’s dress,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>especially the fabric and the gold and jade at his waist, they knew this was no ordinary gentleman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hu Yan Jiong at the entrance, Xu Zaijing walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiong Brother, what’s this about today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our family just sealed several major deals with the Bai family of Yangzhou. My mother specifically sent me and my elder brother here to celebrate with the Bai steward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Young Master, please come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Pan Lou, the women did not swarm forward; each courtesan moved with quiet dignity, like ordinary virtuous women strolling through a household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s precisely why respectable women are barred from such places—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>because these women look more virtuous than any true virtuous woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ascended to the third floor and entered a spacious room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Gu Tingye could leap out from behind the curtain to startle them, Xu Zaijing seized him and pinned him against a pillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing Ge, I’m sorry—let go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, everyone in the room laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yan Jiong said: “This brat wouldn’t let me tell you he was here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing shook his head: “How childish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu household is in chaos, yet you still have the heart to play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yan Dong, the eldest of the fifth branch of the Hu Yan family, rose quickly upon seeing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, this is Fifth Young Master. Fifth Young Master, this is my elder brother, Hu Yan Dong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dong Ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing Ge, sit. This is the Bai family steward, Wu Tan—Master Wu. I won’t introduce Tingye—you two know each other better than I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward seated beside them rose and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Young Master. I’m the ninth in my household—call me Wu Jiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing: Hmm, this name—Wu Jiu, Wu Jiu Tan—ah, an inside joke only I understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Bai family steward had a dark complexion and a sturdy, muscular build—not like a steward, more like a bandit chieftain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his gaze toward Xu Zaijing held no malice—indeed, there was a touch of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Wu, sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye had already seated himself beside Xu Zaijing and whispered: “Jing Ge, Master Wu is from my maternal side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—the Bai family patriarch built his fortune through shipping. How could a widow and orphan cast out of the family register go shipping?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s likely the patriarch married into a family of formidable strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That explains why a Bai family steward would bring Gu Tingye along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is your auntie faring outside?” Xu Zaijing whispered to Gu Tingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. Mother checks accounts daily, plays with her sister, and Father can’t make me practice martial arts anymore—I’ve been sleeping in lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did your grandfather say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course he urged Mother to accept her—said she’s just a concubine, just keep her contained and she’s no threat. Better than leaving her outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did your auntie say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think Mother’s wavering. I want to delay returning to the Marquis household—these days have been truly comfortable. Also, Jing Ge, that Lu Sanlang from the Duke household is truly a remarkable fellow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Tingye didn’t notice Xu Zaijing’s gaze shift, and continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A couple days ago, he told me he’d introduce me to the Han Duke’s Fifth Young Master—the same one who played polo with us. He says this Han Fifth knows more than even he does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jing Ge, why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing smiled faintly: “Nothing. After the feast, will you return with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already made plans with Lu Sanlang to explore Bianjing’s famous flowers,” Gu Tingye said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder—what kind of flower is this? Plant? Animal? Or person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Zaijing spoke with Gu Tingye, Wu Jiu listened intently—he had lived through much, and had already caught the implication in Xu Zaijing’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female manager of Pan Lou approached Hu Yan Dong, whispered a few words, and upon his nod, she swayed out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a woman carrying a pipa entered, accompanied by a maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind a gauze curtain, the maid placed a cushioned seat for her; the woman bowed her head in greeting, then sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly plucking the pipa, her maid softly blew a flute, the rhythm gentle and unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with their quiet singing, it suited the atmosphere perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zaijing turned to look—the two women wore flowers in their hair; a faint floral fragrance drifted over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the banquet progressed, Wu Jiu spoke of the Zhou navy’s use of the “Menghuo Gui,” a fire projector. Though its range fell far short of the fire weapons in Xu Zaijing’s memory, it was still a formidable weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, fire and water show no mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the oil used in the Menghuo Gui was a deadly asset in city defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Xu Zaijing noticed Wu Jiu’s eyes constantly drifting toward the serving girls bringing dishes. He rose politely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you both for your hospitality. The sky is darkening—I must return home, or Mother will break my legs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yan Jiong’s face flushed too. He glanced at Xu Zaijing: “Big Brother, you keep entertaining Master Wu—I’ll see Jing Ge home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. Let’s meet again soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yan Dong rose and walked with Wu Jiu to escort Xu Zaijing out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop here. You two continue your merriment—no need to see me downstairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three exchanged polite refusals at the door,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but they couldn’t match Xu Zaijing’s strength—they were shut inside the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Wu Jiu stared at his hands, thinking: “How strange—Bianjing’s wine somehow weakens my strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the room, Gu Tingye said, “Jing Ge’er, you and Jiong Da go back—I still have things to do tonight. Jing Ge’er!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need anything tonight—come back with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group descended the rainbow bridge between the wooden towers, they happened to see Han Wulang and others, dressed in luxurious robes, being escorted into Pan Lou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Wulang, Han Cheng, in this attire, still looked the elegant young nobleman, and he played polo well too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was surrounded by many noble youths, exuding considerable charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Cheng, watching the courtesans beside him who ignored him like virtuous maidens, grabbed one and pulled her into his arms, groping her roughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, cries of laughter and coquettish protests filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because he had been drinking, Gu Tingye had felt nothing as he followed Xu Zaijing downstairs earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, hearing the soft moans and plaintive cries from below, his breathing grew heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women in the tower were seasoned veterans of the pleasure quarters, masters at stirring a man’s ardor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next chapter has been flagged for review—please wait a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you all for your support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just saw—the latest chapter has been flagged for review.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be some sensitive phrases; I’ve just revised it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1734,"2026-06-20T10:32:38.675Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","307d77a0c2ccb5740161ebfa770445391cc56e1950d7ad39e87fd9243787b68c","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-88","i-am-the-xu-family-s-son-chapter-86",790,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-am-the-xu-family-s-son-cover.jpg"]