Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 550 Yuan Ruo wants to confirm [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 40k]

The first quarter of the morning (after 3 a.m.)

In the early morning, the snow melted again.
It's very cold outside, the water is freezing.

If you don’t protect your cheeks with a scarf when you go out, your face will hurt from the cold.

It was so cold that the city of Bianjing, which had been bustling since yesterday evening, became very quiet at this moment.

But from time to time there were sporadic fireworks and firecrackers exploding in the city, and the sound could be heard from far away.

Quyuan Street,
In the backyard of the Yongyi Marquis's mansion,
in the hall,
Xu Zaijing and his brother Zaizhan sat opposite each other, and on the table between them was a chess set that was very similar to the chess of later generations.

"Snapped!"

"Snapped!"

The sound of chess pieces hitting the board could be heard from time to time.

"Zai Zhang, you."

Before Yongyi Hou finished speaking, Xu Zaijing shouted, "Hey! Father, a true gentleman watches chess without saying a word!"

Zai Zhang, who was sitting opposite Xu Zai Jing, looked up at his father and hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether he should make this move.

At the side, Hua Lan, who was playing mahjong, turned her head from time to time to look at her husband, her eyes full of worry.

"Hua'er, come out!"

"Oh!"

Hua Lan quickly retracted her gaze, looked at the leaf cards in her hand, pulled out a card and threw it on the table.

Sun took a look at the cards and said as she drew a card from her hand, "Don't worry, Jing'er knows his limits and won't take all your master's treasures away with him."

When Xie on the other side heard this, she covered her mouth with a card and laughed.

It is easy to feel sleepy when staying up all night to celebrate the New Year. To stay awake, playing cards, chess, etc. are fun only with chips.

After a few more claps of chess pieces, Xu Zaijing's voice rang out: "Checkmate!"

"Oh! I should have known this earlier."

Zai Zhang's annoyed voice sounded, and Hua Lan sighed helplessly.

Marquis Yongyi patted Zai Zhang on the shoulder and said, "Zhang'er, take a break. Let me meet this guy again. I really don't believe it!"

Sitting on the chair next to Xu Zaijing, Lu Zezong glanced at the square table on the side with a smile in his eyes. There were many "trophies" of his sworn brother on it.

"Qingcao, go heat up the fried hairtail on the table and bring it over."

Xu Zaijing stretched his neck and shouted.

Qingcao, whose eyelids were drooping, suddenly woke up, answered yes, and walked to the side to get busy.

Zai Zhang, who had been eating for some time, also came with a plate of snacks and stood beside Xu Minghua, eating and watching.

The candlelight in the hall shone through the window paper onto the yard outside the house.

There were lanterns hanging in several places in the yard, swaying from time to time in the cold wind.

At the gate of the Yongyi Marquis Mansion, farther away from the backyard, two large lanterns with the words 'Yongyi Marquis Mansion' lit up the street in front of the gate.

On the heavy door of the Xu family, there was only one silk bag for receiving New Year's greetings in previous years, but this year there are two.

Although it was still early, by the light of the lanterns, one could vaguely see that there were New Year's greetings in the silk bag.

"Xu~"

Not far from the gate, there was the sound of a knight reining in his horse. After a sound of footsteps, another post was put into the silk bag at the door.

After a while,
"drive!"

The sound of horses being driven was heard, and the gate of the Xu family fell into silence again.

"Boom!"

A huge firework exploded in the sky above the palace not far away.

The instantaneous flash illuminated the Chai family's courtyard, and one could vaguely see objects used for setting off fireworks scattered around the yard.

The objects were covered with traces of smoke and fire from the fireworks.

Just looking at the scale of these things, it was obvious that the Chai family set off a lot of fireworks last night.

The brightly lit hall is very warm.

Chai Zhengzheng, who was sitting at the card table, covered his mouth and yawned, then threw a card onto the table with sleepy eyes.

"Ha! I won!" Chai Jin's happy voice rang out.

Chai Zhengzheng raised the corner of his mouth with a fake smile and said, "Brother is really amazing."

After saying that, Chai Zhengzheng stood up, stretched, looked at her parents and said, "Father and mother, your daughter will take a break first! Second brother, come over and play."

"Here it comes!" Chai Bo's excited voice came.

Madam Chai looked at Chai Zhengzheng helplessly and said, "Zhengzheng, why are you so listless tonight?"

Chai Zhengzheng pursed his lips and thought for a moment, then said, "Maybe my daughter didn't sleep well at noon."

Madam Chai nodded and said, "Yunmu, go get your daughter a cup of refreshing tea."

"Yes, ma'am."

Chai Zhengzheng walked to a chair not far from the incense burner and sat down on the soft cushion. He picked up a pillow filled with cotton, hugged it in his arms, and closed his eyes to rest.

After a while,
"Girl, have some tea."

"Well!"

Chai Zhengzheng took the teacup, took a deep breath, and began to sip it.

While drinking tea, Yunmu leaned over to Chai Zhengzheng and said, "Miss, would you like me to bring a hot towel over for you to apply on your face?"

"Ah."

After saying this, Chai Zhengzheng put the teacup aside, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes again.

Soon, a soft and warm towel gently covered Chai Zhengzheng's face.

I do not know how long it has been,

Chai Zhengzheng, who had fallen asleep, woke up unknowingly.

The towel on her face was still warm. In addition to the pillow in her arms, she was also covered with a thin blanket, which made her whole body warm.

Reaching out from under the warm blanket and taking off the towel from his face, Chai Zhengzheng, full of energy, looked at Yunmu beside him and asked, "How long have I slept?"

"Girl, it'll only be three quarters of an hour."

"Well!"

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng who looked a little unhappy, Yunmu glanced in the direction of Madam Chai and said softly, "Miss, although there will be few people coming to pay New Year's greetings this morning, there will be many people after entering the palace."

Chai Zhengzheng's expression was visibly smiling, and he said, "Well! Then I'll sleep a little longer."

At 6:00 a.m.,
From early morning on, the quiet streets of Bianjing began to see more and more people coming to pay New Year's greetings.

South Lecture Hall Lane,

Rong family,

After staying up all night to celebrate the New Year, Rong Feiyan has returned to her own yard.

It was dark, but candles were still lit in the house.

Rong Feiyan's beautiful face was reflected in the exquisite bronze mirror on the dressing table.

The maid behind Rong Feiyan was carefully combing her hair with an ivory comb in her hand.

As it was still early, the area around Huixueyuan was quiet.

Rong Feiyan was sitting on the embroidery cushion, feeling a little sleepy. She stared blankly at herself in the mirror.

suddenly,

"Selling dementia, selling dementia"

I don't know who the kid is, but I could vaguely hear him shouting "Idiot for sale" on the street early in the morning.

The maids in the house who heard the shouting started laughing, and Rong Feiyan did the same.

The difference was that Rong Feiyan's face turned slightly red as she thought of something.

Although the candlelight was not very bright, Rong Feiyan had fair skin and the redness on her cheeks was quite obvious.

After taking a quick look at Rong Feiyan, he said, "Miss, why do you look a little red?"

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan reached out and touched her cheek, then straightened her chest and said, "Well, the floor heating in the room is a little too hot."

"Oh! Then I'll have someone put out the stove."

"it is good."

after awhile,

Dress up and get ready.
Rong Feiyan, with the light yellow headband still tied in her hair, put on a cloak and went to sit in the main hall in the backyard.

After talking with my sister-in-law Dou for a while in the main hall, a maid came over, bowed and said with a smile:
"Madam, young lady, two brothers from the Chai family are here to pay New Year's greetings. The master wants you two to come over."

"I understand." Rong Feiyan said, then stood up with a smile and went to the front yard with her sister-in-law to meet the guests.

The sky is getting brighter,

Most of the relatives and friends who came to the Rong family to pay New Year's greetings had already arrived. Except for the pregnant Dou, the rest of the Rong family prepared to leave and go to the palace.

When we were about to board the carriage,
Rong Xian stood beside Rong Feiyan and said, "Sister, after the New Year, a lieutenant who has come to our family will come to Beijing. He will bring his female relatives with him. You must take the time to help me entertain them."

Rong Feiyan asked in confusion: "Brother, isn't my sister-in-law here? Why are you letting me..."

Rong Xian glanced at Rong Feiyan and said, "Isn't your sister-in-law pregnant? Besides, the woman who came with you is a girl."

Rong Feiyan frowned slightly and said, "Brother, it's not that I don't want to entertain you, I'm just afraid that if this girl follows me, she will feel a little uncomfortable when meeting the girls from the rich and powerful families in Beijing."

Seeing Rong Feiyan still looking somewhat unhappy, Rong Xian said helplessly, "Sister, the lieutenant who came last year was the one that Xu Jiawulang wanted to recruit after hearing what I said."

"Besides, I just asked you to entertain her, why do you need to take her to meet your good friends who are daughters of dukes and marquises in the capital?"

Rong Feiyan's frown relaxed and she asked in confusion, "Brother, why would the Xu family boy be interested in the girl you introduced?"

Rong Xian: "Tsk, sister, don't you see what the relationship is between your brother and Jing'er?"

"it is good."

The sky is bright,

Not far from the south gate of the palace,
Xu Zaijing, dressed in new clothes, rode a small black horse and followed behind the Xu family's carriage.

The person next to Xu Zaijing was not his brother Zai Zhang, but Zhua Jue Zhongding who was wearing ear protection.

"It's great that we were able to find six! Thank you for your help!"

Xu Zaijing nodded and smiled.

While speaking, Lu Zezong, who was sitting on the saddle in front of Xu Zaijing, was looking at the man next to him.

Zhuajue Zhongding looked up at Xu Zaijing and said, "What are you talking about, Wulang! I should thank you for finding a good place for them."

Xu Zaijing smiled and waved his hand.

"Are the soldiers who went to Guangnan West Road before adapting well?"

"Reply to Wulang, they are adapting well! Some of them have already become team leaders."

"Oh? Very good!"

"It is also thanks to the care of the Xie family and the Xiong family."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, saying, "If I had known that you would come to my house to pay New Year's greetings this year, I should have gone to visit the old man."

"No, no!" Zhajue Zhongding waved his hand.

As the two were talking, they soon arrived at the palace gate.

Relying on the high back of the little black horse and the good vision, Xu Zaijing saw Zheng Xiao who was stopping his horse and talking to Qi Heng not far away.

"Well, that's the real boss."

Xu Zaijing pointed at Zheng Xiao and said.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing and Zai Zhang said something, then rode their horses and took Lu Zezong and Zhua Jue Zhongding over.

He got off his horse and said hello.

"Brother Jing, who is this?"

Zheng Xiao smiled at Zhajue Zhongding and asked.

Qi Heng also looked at Zhua Jue Zhongding with curiosity.

"This is Zhong Ding, a descendant of the former Baigao Zhaijue family. He was the one who took care of the matter you asked me to find for the Buba warriors."

"Oh? Have you found it?" Zheng Xiao asked in surprise.

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "They all have elderly parents and young children, and their family backgrounds are clean! When you return to the north, they can follow you."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiao nodded heavily, looked at Xu Zaijing and Zhajue Zhongding, and said with a cupped hand: "Jing'er, thank you for your concern. I appreciate it."

"Erlang calls me Zhongding."

"Tadada has taken a lot of trouble."

The people sent here include both old and young, so they have a sense of connection and foundation, so we can feel more at ease using them.

"Erlang, you are too kind. It is an honor for me that Wulang can entrust me with a task."

Zheng Xiao looked at Zhajue Zhongding's attitude with some doubt in his heart, then glanced at Xu Zaijing and nodded, "Oh! Haha! Let's have dinner together when we are free."

Zhua Jue Zhongding nodded repeatedly.

"Yuan Ruo, why are you here alone today? Where are the Duke and the Princess?"

Listening to Xu Zaijing's words, Qi Heng smiled and said, "Brother Jing, I'm waiting for you here. Let's change our trip to Sheng's house to tomorrow. You know that, right?"

"Yeah. I know."

Qi Heng smiled and nodded, "That's good."

After Xu Zaijing smiled back, he looked around and asked in confusion, "Why don't I see Brother Ye at this hour?"

Qi Heng and Zheng Xiao looked at each other and said, "Brother Jing, you don't know yet? Second uncle was racing with us yesterday and accidentally fell."

"Brother Ye fell? Is he injured?"

Zheng Xiao nodded: "I twisted my foot."

“That’s too careless.”

As they talked, everyone started walking towards the palace.

After walking for a while, when passing by a palace, Zheng Xiao looked at the Northern Liao officials waiting outside and said:
"Brother Jing, look! The leader of the Northern Liao delegation."

"Brother, have you beaten this guy before?" Lu Zezong, holding Xu Zaijing's hand, asked curiously.

"Yeah! Punched him in the stomach."

Lu Zezong nodded and said "oh", then glanced at the Northern Liao leader.

"Wulang, someone is catching up with us quickly."

After Zhajue Zhongding finished speaking, Xu Zaijing and the others turned around and saw Gu Tingye limping.

After a few people slowed down and waited for a while, Gu Tingye caught up.

"Brother Zheng, what did you say just now?"

After Zheng Xiao replied a few words, Gu Tingye put his arm around Qi Heng's shoulders and said, "Yuan Ruo, speaking of this, you didn't tell me when you got the news that day, so I missed such a big event!"

The sound of a group of people talking soon reached the ears of Lord Liu of Bei Liao who was waiting in front of the palace.

When Lord Liu looked back, he saw Gu Tingye pointing at him while limping!

The tall young man next to him was the culprit who disrupted the Beiliao Posthouse.

Looking at Gu Tingye's actions, it seemed like he was mocking the Northern Liao soldiers who were beaten down by Xu Zaijing.

"Wow!"

The Northern Liao leader turned around, angrily threw his sleeves, looked at the hall in front of him and whispered: "This is really too much!"

The Imperial Palace,

After Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye and others found their families as they did in previous years, they waited outside the hall.

Following the eunuch's summons, families in the capital began to enter the hall in an orderly manner.

"Announce that the relatives of Marquis Yongyi will enter the palace."

Hearing the call,

Xu Zaijing walked in with his family, and Xu Xingdai also followed him into the palace.

After the Xu family members bowed and wished the New Year, the Queen smiled and waved to Xu Xingdai, who was being held by Sun's hand, and said, "Dai, come forward and let me see you."

Listening to the queen's words, the concubines in the palace also looked at Xu Xingdai with smiles.

Especially Concubine Rong, there was a look of nostalgia in her eyes.

When the Queen first met Xu Zaijing, Xu Zaijing was about the same age.

While the Queen was speaking, Rong Feiyan, who was sitting on an embroidered cushion not far behind Concubine Rong, stared at Xu Zaijing's still red mouth not far away, with a look of distress in her eyes.

suddenly,

Rong Feiyan noticed something and raised her eyes upwards, and saw Xu Zaijing and his family bowing slightly to Rong Fei as a greeting.

Rong Feiyan was startled and quickly lowered her head, stood up and squatted for a while as a return gesture.

Beside Sun, Xie and Hua Lan looked at each other without changing their expressions.

The emperor and Zhao Fang had not arrived yet. The atmosphere in the hall was very relaxed, and voices of conversation could be heard from time to time.

"Announce that the relatives of Ningyuan Marquis enter the palace."

As Gu Tingye limped in, the voices of conversation in the hall suddenly became slightly louder.

The wife of the Marquis of Fuchang looked at Gu Tingye and said to the other wife beside her, "This, this child, won't be disabled, right?"

(End of this chapter)