Chapter 9: Night Talk at the Xiao Xiao Gongye's Residence

Xu Zaiduan and Xu Zaizhang were discussing whose horsemanship had been more impressive at today's polo match; though they had received early education and did not need to rely on passing the imperial examinations to secure their status, holding the identity of scholars still caused people to regard them with greater respect when serving as officials in the current Great Zhou Dynasty.

The two carriages at the rear carried Xiao Zhu and other personal maids serving Sun Shi, while the very last carriage held the accompanying laborers.

After traveling about half the distance, the convoy halted; maids from the middle carriage brought warmed soup-tea to the front vehicle, while other maids carried steaming soup-tea to the rear.

The one who came to the rear was a personal maid named Xiao Dan; casting a fearful glance at the coachman, she whispered, "The Eldest Lady instructed that since the afternoon air remains somewhat cold, the brothers should drink some tea to warm their bodies."

The servants of the household naturally expressed their thanks one after another.

The coachman used his own bamboo tube to share some of the hot tea but offered no thanks; Xiao Dan's eyes inadvertently flicked to the coachman's throat, which was wrapped in a scarf, for in her memory, there lay a scar there—a scar across the throat.

No one knew what experiences this coachman had endured, yet he had somehow survived despite bearing a scar upon his throat.

Although the rules governing the Hou Fu were not described as extremely strict, matters within the household were not to be discussed casually.

Xiao Dan could only harbor a secret curiosity in her heart.

After the rest, they continued their journey home.

By the time the Xu family entered the main gate of their residence, the sky had already begun to darken.

After washing up, the family sat before the dining table, with several maids standing nearby to attend to them.

Xu Xu Zaijing, having already grown accustomed to the diet of this world, was eating like a little pig.

In ancient times, possessing a robust physique was an essential prerequisite for survival, and he had no intention of meeting his end due to a mere case of wind-cold.

His manner of eating with such relish caused his older brothers and sisters to find their own appetites greatly stimulated.

When the sky turned completely dark, a young servant from the outer courtyard arrived at the door.

"Eldest Lady, the Master has returned; he just dismounted."

"What?" Sun Shi asked in surprise, for previously her husband had always sent a letter a month in advance of his return, so why was there no news this time?

Hearing this, the children of the Xu family filled with joy, for whenever their father returned, he always brought many gifts.

Soon, Xu Minghua washed away the dust of travel, and upon seeing his family gathered in the hall, the solemn expression on his face transformed into a smile arising from the depths of his heart.

The personal steward behind him held several leather bags in his hands.

Sun Shi rose but did not ask further questions.

Xu Zaiduan and the other children, however, gazed happily at those leather bags.

The joy within the Xu family need hardly be mentioned.

Xingguo Ward.

Princess Princess Pingning returned to her residence; since the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Qi was a top-tier noble of Great Zhou with myriad affairs, the old Xiao Xiao Gongye was still alive, and the Princess's husband had already assumed an official post.

After bathing and changing clothes, the Princess went to her parents-in-law's courtyard; although her status as a Princess was noble, it would not do to neglect the proprieties expected of a daughter-in-law.

Usually, the Duchess would not insist that the Princess truly stand in attendance or perform tasks of service.

Once everyone was seated, just as a maid placed a bowl of fish soup on the table, Princess Princess Pingning's complexion suddenly changed, and she hurriedly covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

Seeing this, the female official nearby immediately walked over.

"What is wrong?" the Duchess asked hurriedly.

The Princess lowered her handkerchief and shook her head, but before she could speak, another wave of nausea surged up her throat.

The old Xiao Xiao Gongye's face showed concern, but then he glanced at the Duchess beside him, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

Turning his head to look at his son, he said, "Why do you not quickly go fetch the Imperial Physician!"

The second legitimate son of the Qi family stood stunned for a moment,

"Yes, Father."

However, the Princess, feeling somewhat unwell, had not yet realized anything.

The female official beside her said nothing more; if there truly was a pregnancy, the Imperial Physician would certainly be able to detect it, but if she were to make a rash judgment and cause the Princess empty joy, she would have plenty of bitter consequences to endure.

Just as Xu Xu Zaijing was opening his gift leather bag, a loud bang echoed through the sky above the city.

Someone outside reported that people were setting off fireworks.

Xu Minghua took a look and said,

"Which household is celebrating a happy occasion?"

His children, however, merely glanced and paid no attention, as their focus remained entirely on their gifts.

Xu Xu Zaijing's gift was a small bow, accompanied by twelve miniature feathered arrows.

His older brothers and sisters received furs and writing supplies.

Standing behind his youngest son, Xu Minghua corrected the boy's posture while drawing the bow and explained several key techniques to him.

Sun Shi, being the daughter of a military family herself, spoke from the side,

"Husband, be careful; do not let the bowstring cut Jing'er's hand."

"It is fine; the tension of this bow is not that great."

Xu Xu Zaijing, held in his arms, was carefully drawing the bow, for he discovered that although he was using only a tiny fraction of his strength, the bow seemed on the verge of breaking under his pull.

As Xu Zaijing pursed his lips while carefully exerting force, Xu Minghua mistook this for him gritting his teeth and straining.

"Snap!"

The released feathered arrow successfully struck the back of a chair not far away.

Xu Minghua laughed happily.

"Brother Jing, again, again."

After a lively gathering, the family members each returned to their respective quarters.

Since Xu Xu Zaijing was still young and did not have his own courtyard, he was coaxed to sleep and carried away by his wet nurse.

Sun Shi did not ask her husband why he had returned so suddenly this time; if there were a specific reason, he would naturally explain it clearly to her, yet sometimes matters involved secrets that could not be openly stated.

Xingguo Ward.

The Xiao Xiao Gongye of Qi's Residence,

The imperial physicians have just confirmed it: Princess Princess Pingning is with child.

The old Xiao Xiao Gongye and his wife sighed with joy, naturally informing the authorities and setting off fireworks to celebrate.

They even sent messengers to the palace to report the happy news to the Emperor and the Empress.

After dinner, everyone returned to their respective courtyards.

By the couch, just as she was preparing to retire for the night, Princess Princess Pingning suddenly recalled the events at the polo field that day.

Princess Princess Pingning looked at her own cautious husband with some amusement, a smile blooming on her face.

She took her husband's hand and said,

"Husband, something rather miraculous happened at the polo field today."

The Young Xiao Xiao Gongye looked at his Wu Da Da Niangzi with some puzzlement; his wife, born a princess, had witnessed countless events within the palace, so how could she find anything strange!

"Oh? What matter could possibly strike you as miraculous?"

Propriety is for outsiders to see; within their own chambers, the couple lived in harmony and beauty, doing whatever brought them comfort, no different from ordinary families.

Princess Princess Pingning said, "Today at the polo field, on a whim, I chatted with Wu Da Da Niangzi of Hou Fu. Her youngest son, named Jing-ge'er, drank his tea and wanted to put the cup back on the table himself. The female attendant immediately cried out, 'Slowly, slowly!' Guess what this Jing-ge'er said?"

"Hmm, 'I can do it myself'?"

"No!"

"'Why do you meddle in others' affairs'?"

"How could someone be so lacking in propriety."

Princess Princess Pingning gave her husband a cute little slap.

"'Please let Mother help me'?"

"Not that either."

"Then I truly cannot guess."

"Hahaha."

Speaking of Xu Xu Zaijing, Princess Princess Pingning felt a joy that came from the bottom of her heart.

Seeing his Da Da Niangzi laugh so happily made the Young Xiao Xiao Gongye even more curious.

"Tell me quickly, tell me quickly."

"This little Jing-ge'er said—"

The princess looked at her husband, whose eyes were wide open,

and then continued:

"That little Jing-ge'er said this: 'Mother, Nanny said to go slowly because Auntie Princess and Auntie Wu both have babies, just like each other, didn't they?'"

"Oh? There is such a strange occurrence!" The Young Xiao Xiao Gongye also showed surprise on his face.

"Thinking about it now, wasn't that cute qilin embroidered right on the blue robe Jing-ge'er was wearing?" the princess said.

"The qilin bringing sons has been an omen since ancient times; could it be that in your womb is a—"

"Hush, hush, do not jump to conclusions."

Princess Princess Pingning hurriedly said.

If she could give birth to a son, the mountainous wealth Princess Princess Pingning brought from Marquis Xiangyang Hou Fu would have an heir, and the future of Qi Guo Gong Fu would also hold hope.

What followed meant that those nurtured and supported by Hou Fu and Guo Gong Fu would have someone to continue cooperating and associating with.

"Very well, we shall not speak of it. We have indeed unintentionally received a share of their good fortune."

"Quite right, quite right; we must find an opportunity to repay them.

By the way.

In two years, it will be Your Majesty's great birthday, a round number; although Father and Mother will surely have preparations, since we are already married, we must also have our own gift."

"Rest assured, I have already begun making preparations."

Dear readers, if you feel anything is wordy, awkward, or contains typos, please point it out in time, Thanks (ω)





(End of Chapter)