Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 561: Wu Lang's arrival made me feel relieved [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 43k more]

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month,

Lantern Festival,

The first quarter of the Mao hour (5 a.m.)

Quyuan Street,
Yong Yi Hou Mansion,

"Click."

There was a sound of a wooden bolt being pulled.

Xu Zaijing opened the door and walked out.

With the lantern supported by the green grass behind him, Xu Zaijing looked at the slowly flowing mist in front of him and said, "Oh, it's foggy!"

"Young master, the fog is so thick!" Qingcao echoed from behind.

"Well, let's go."

"Mom Xia, close the door." Qingcao turned around and instructed.

"Hey."

The master and servant walked out of the courtyard.

The door behind him was closed by Mother Xia.

Just as Qingcao said, the fog was very thick today, and the mist flowed around the two of them like ink.

Although I was holding a lantern, it was still dark all around me. The light from the lantern could only reach a very short distance, and I couldn't see what was happening two steps away.

Looking at and feeling the darkness around her, Qingcao knew clearly that this was the Marquis' Mansion and that nothing scary would come out of it, but she still leaned towards her master.

On the way, you can see that the ground and grape trellises in the yard have been infected by fog, and there is a thin layer of white frost in many places.

Xu Zaijing and Qingcao walked out along the path in the yard. Not long after they left the yard, they felt their faces were wet.

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath. The smell of this foggy day seemed to be the same whether here or before.

After leaving the aisle, I walked for a while along the wooden fence at the edge of the racecourse, which was also covered with a thin layer of frost and looked damp.

It was dark in front of them just now, but a few steps later, the lantern under the eaves of the wooden house suddenly appeared in front of them.

Xu Zaijing and Qingyun practiced martial arts and exercised as usual.

At the end, there was a little white frost on both of their eyebrows and hair, and the armor they were wearing was also stained with a lot of moisture from the fog, feeling a little wet.

At this time, because of the fog, the sky was much darker than usual.

Next to the wooden house,
While helping Xu Zaijing take off his armor in the light of a lantern, Qingyun looked outside the mansion and said, "Sir, look, it's quite lively outside this morning."

Xu Zaijing twitched his ears, listening to the various noisy noises that could be heard through the mist, and said, "Today is the Lantern Festival after all, and the market is open again, so it's natural that it's getting lively early."

Qingyun put the armband on Xu Zaijing's forearm aside and said with a smile: "Then today, this kid Alan will be in the limelight again."

Qingcao on the side nodded repeatedly with bright eyes.

Xu Zaijing smiled.

After breakfast, Xu Zaijing returned to his own courtyard.

At 8:00 am,
The thick fog in the morning has turned into thin mist under the rising sun, and the sky has become much brighter.

In the study,
Xu Zaijing was standing at the desk, grinding ink and planning something, preparing to finish an article in the morning.

The paper was spread on the table and weighed down with a paperweight, and the brush was filled with ink in the inkstone.

Xu Zaijing tapped the brush in his hand on the inkstone. Just as he was about to start writing, he heard footsteps outside the study.

After sighing helplessly, Xu Zaijing looked towards the door of the study and asked, "What's wrong?"

The door of the study was opened. Mother Zhu beside Sun looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Wulang, our relatives, the Lu family, sent a nanny over to say that Young Master Lu missed you and is crying and making a fuss to invite you to the Lu family! Let's go to the palace together to enjoy the lanterns in the afternoon."

Xu Zaijing looked at the blank paper and the prepared brush in front of him, sighed softly, and nodded, "I understand, Mother Zhu, I'll be there right away."

"Ugh!"

Mother Zhu smiled, bowed, and closed the study door.

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head, then rinsed the brush in his hand into the brush washer.

South Lecture Hall Lane,

A valuable carriage drove out of the alley, turned south, and entered the busy street.

"excuse me!"

A knight's shout was heard, prompting the people in the carriage to open the curtains.

The maid walked slowly towards the man riding a horse from the other side, then quickly looked away and looked at her own girl.

Rong Feiyan, who was sitting in the middle, followed the gap opened by the maid and also saw Xu Zaijing riding a horse.

"Miss, it's the young master from the Xu family and the young man Qingyun beside him!" Xibu said softly.

Rong Feiyan nodded, her eyes following Xu Zaijing's figure.

When Xu Zaijing's figure disappeared by the window, Rong Feiyan asked, "What is he going to do? Didn't he say he was going to the palace to enjoy the lanterns?"

"Miss, look at the direction that the young master of the Xu family is going. He is most likely going to the mansion of Duke Lian." Xibu said as he lowered the curtain.

Rong Feiyan hummed, and Ningxiang, who was sitting opposite Xibu, said, "Miss, what a coincidence that we can actually meet the Xu family brother here. If we had left a little earlier or a little later, we would not have seen him."

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan's mouth corners slightly raised, she looked at Ningxiang with appreciation and laughed.

Amid the bustling noise outside, the Rong family carriage arrived at a teahouse on the main street of Panlou.

A horse-drawn carriage had been parked near the teahouse, and a strong woman was standing at the door on the first floor of the teahouse.

With the help of Xibu, Rong Feiyan got off the carriage, raised her chin slightly to look around, and then walked into the building.

Go up to the second floor.

Seeing Rong Feiyan approaching, Xiaotao, Xi Que and Yunzai, who were standing at the door of the private room, bowed their heads hurriedly.

Rong Feiyan smiled and nodded slightly in greeting, then walked into the large private room.

Recently, when Rong Feiyan was at the Feng family, she met the fifth daughter of the Sheng family, Rulan, but she hadn't seen Molan and Minglan for some time.

Molan is older, but her appearance has not changed much.

Minglan is different. The girl with some baby fat in Rong Feiyan's memory has grown a lot taller today. The baby fat has almost disappeared. Her skin color and appearance are very eye-catching among the sisters.

Seeing Rong Feiyan coming in, the three Lans bowed quickly and said in unison, "Hello Miss Feiyan."

Rong Feiyan walked over with a smile and asked, "You came so early?"

Huihefang,
Near the Lianguo Mansion,

Xu Zaijing slowed down the little horse and tilted his head to ask, "Qingyun, do you feel something is wrong?"

Qingyun looked around and replied, "Sir, I always feel like someone is watching us."

Xu Zaijing nodded slightly and looked around.

Soon, Xu Zaijing fixed his eyes and said, "Look, a pawn from the Imperial City Division."

Qing Yun looked at the passers-by nodding at him and said, "Really? What are they doing in Huihefang?"

Xu Zaijing looked thoughtful but didn't say anything.

Arriving at the gate of Lu's house,
Seeing Xu Zaijing, the Lu family's doorman smiled and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Fifth Young Master."

Xu Zaijing nodded in greeting, dismounted, and asked, "What distinguished guest has come to our house?"

The Lu family's doorman thought about it and nodded heavily.

Handing the reins to Qingyun, Xu Zaijing stepped into the Lu family yard.

It's okay near the main gate.
As Xu Zaijing got closer and closer to the second gate, he realized that the atmosphere at the Lu family was completely different from the previous times he had been there.

Along the way, he rarely saw maids passing by in the yard.

When Xu Zaijing entered the second gate and looked at He Guan and Cao Yi standing inside the second gate, he already had some guesses in his mind.

"Goro."

He Guan and Cao Yi bowed and shouted.

Xu Zaijing bowed in return, glanced toward the courtyard, and said, "Brother Cao, Brother He, is His Highness in the courtyard?"

The two looked at each other and nodded: "Yes!"

Xu Zaijing asked in confusion: "What is your highness going to do?"

"This morning, Your Highness asked the Queen Mother to allow him to play outside the palace today." He Guan replied.

Cao Yi looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Wu Lang, you have experience in this matter. Seeing you here, we feel more at ease!"

Xu Zaijing smiled, stretched out his hand and said, "Two brothers, let's go in." As they passed through the door and the corridor, more and more guards appeared inside.

Arriving outside the main hall in the backyard,
The personal nurse standing beside Madam Li outside the door saw Xu Zaijing and the other two and hurriedly called out, "Xu's Fifth Brother is here."

Xu Zaijing lowered his head, walked through the brocade cotton curtain, and entered the Lu family's hall.

Looking at the people sitting in the room, Xu Zaijing bowed and said, "Greetings to His Highness, Duke! May the old lady Ci'an be well, and may the eldest lady Zhuang'an be well."

Lu Zezong stood up and said with a smile: "Brother."

Zhao Fang smiled and nodded, "Brother Jing, you're here. Come and sit down!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Thank you, Your Highness."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing sat down next to Lu Zezong, looked at Zhao Fang and said, "Your Highness, how did you get out of the palace?"

Zhao Fang bowed to Duke Lian and said, "I came here this morning in the old Duke's carriage! With the permission of my father and mother, let's go to the Imperial Street today to take a look."

"When I used to stand on the palace and look out, I always felt that something was missing!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded. Seeing Lu Zezong's biological mother, Li, coming over with a teacup, he quickly stood up and took it.

After sitting down again, Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Fang's outfit and said, "Your Highness, this outfit is quite suitable."

Zhao Fang smiled proudly and said, "Brother Jing, when we get out, I will wear earmuffs and tie a scarf to cover my face, how about that?"

"Your Highness has thought it through."

Duke Lian smiled as he watched Xu Zaijing and Zhao Fang talking. In between the conversations, the old Duke said, "Brother Jing, although Bianjing is the best place in the world, you should also pay more attention to safety when you are out and about."

Xu Zaijing quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Duke, I saved it."

Duke Lian nodded with a smile, looked at his grandson Lu Zezong, and said, "Zong'er, then you can accompany His Highness and your brother to play. Your Highness should go early and come back early, so that His Majesty and His Majesty will not worry about you."

Zhao Fang smiled and stood up: "The Duke is right."

Seeing Zhao Fang stand up, other people in the hall stood up one after another.

Zhao Fang bowed and said with a smile, "Then I will take my leave. Duke, old lady, and eldest lady, there is no need to see me off."

After saying that, Zhao Fang and Lu Zezong said, "Brother Zong, let's go."

Xu Zaijing said from the side: "Your Highness, wait a moment, let's go to the warm room next door first."

Zhao Fang was stunned: "Ah? Brother Jing, why do we have to go to the warm room?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "You will understand when you get to His Highness."

"Oh!" Zhao Fang nodded with a smile.

Xu Zaijing turned to look at Lu Zezong again and pointed at his clothes.

Lu Zezong understood, nodded, and walked away.

quickly,

Xu Zaijing then took Prince Zhao Fang to the warm room on one side of the hall.

"Your Highness, please take off your clothes."

Hearing this, Zhao Fang was stunned.

But seeing that Xu Zaijing had already started to unbuckle his belt, Zhao Fang also began to move.

After a while, Zhao Fang saw what was under Xu Zaijing's clothes and understood why he was asked to take off his clothes.

Xu Zaijing took off his waistcoat, which was made of fine texture and exquisite material, and put it on Zhao Fang.

Feeling the weight on his body, Zhao Fang said, "Brother Jing, there's no need for this. This is not the first time I've left the palace."

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "It's better to be prepared."

Because Xu Zaijing was much taller and bigger than Zhao Fang, the waistcoat was a little big for Zhao Fang.

Xu Zaijing folded the extra space of the waistcoat and tied it with a silk ribbon so that it would not swing so much.

"How do you feel, Your Highness?"

Zhao Fang twisted his body, stretched out his hand, and said, "It feels a bit heavy, but it's okay. Jing'er, what is this made of?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Your Highness, please pinch it."

Zhao Fang followed his instructions and pinched Xu Zaijing's waistcoat. Feeling the hardness of his fingertips, he said in surprise, "Wow! Brother Jing, is this compacted cotton on the outside? And iron sheets on the inside!?"

Xu Zaijing nodded and helped Zhao Fang put on the rest of his clothes.

Clothes are thick in winter, so it is hard to tell that Zhao Fang is wearing a waistcoat underneath.

"Brother Jing, what are you going to do?" Zhao Fang asked with concern.

Xu Zaijing, who was getting dressed, opened his coat and showed the clothes he was wearing to Zhao Fang, saying, "Your Highness, try poking it."

Zhao Fang reached out and poked at Xu Zaijing's clothes, wondering, "Brother Jing, are you wearing chain mail underneath?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, saying, "Your Highness is right."

Zhao Fang nodded: "Then I feel relieved."

At this time, Lu Zezong also returned to Xu Zaijing.

Zhao Fang looked at Lu Zezong curiously and said, "Brother Zong, you are wearing a waistcoat too?"

Lu Zezong smiled and nodded.

Xu Zaijing said: "Zong'er's waistcoat is too small, it's not easy for Your Highness to wear it."

Zhao Fang nodded, looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Brother Jing, today is much more troublesome than the last time we went out for drinks."

Xu Zaijing held out his hand: "Your Highness, please."

As everyone walked out, Xu Zaijing said, "Your Highness, that time we were in a restaurant, and they were all soldiers from our Great Zhou, so it was naturally much safer."

"Today on the street, there are many people around, so it's better to be cautious."

Zhao Fang smiled and nodded: "Brother Jing, having you here is the greatest assurance."

Lu Zezong on the side nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing smiled helplessly and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, and Zong Ge'er for your compliments."

"hey-hey."

"whee."

Zhao Fang and Lu Zezong both laughed.

Talking
Xu Zaijing and others, along with He Guancao Yi and the scattered Imperial City officials, rode on horseback or in carriages and headed towards the outside of Huihefang.

Panlou Main Street,

The second floor of the teahouse at the street corner,

The three Lans sat on the embroidered cushions, looking around and listening to the noble ladies in the private rooms talking about poetry, tea art, flower arrangement, burning incense, hanging paintings and other topics.

Poetry and flower arrangement are easier to talk about, and Molan can at least add a few words.

Minglan also understood incense burning and tea art, but she only listened and did not speak.

Rulan sighed in boredom, and looked at Molan who stood up and started talking about poetry and calligraphy. She picked up the snacks on the table and started eating them angrily.

After a while

Hai Chaoyun said with admiration in his eyes: "What Fourth Miss Sheng said about calligraphy is very reasonable! Then, why don't you show us your skills?"

Talking
The maids from the Rong and Hai families had already begun preparing pens, ink, paper and inkstone.

Molan looked at the others a little embarrassedly. Seeing the admiring looks in the eyes of the noble ladies, she bowed and said, "Then Molan will respectfully obey your orders! If I make a fool of myself, please don't laugh at me."

Rong Feiyan raised her chin slightly and smiled, "Of course not."

So Molan walked to the table, thought for a while, and then started to paint.

Hai Chaoyun and Li Jiawu Niang, who were standing next to Molan, looked at the few words written by Molan, and both of them instantly had a look of appreciation in their eyes.

At this time,

The younger sister of Xu Zaijing's eldest sister-in-law Xie, and the personal mother of Xie Rui, the third daughter of the Xie family, came upstairs at the invitation of Rong Feiyan.

The mother stood beside Xie Rui and whispered, "Girl, I see our relative Xu's Wulang is walking towards this side. What do you think?"

Xie Rui stood up immediately and said, "Since you've seen me, there's no point in not saying hello. Let's go down and take a look."

Yunmu, Chai Zhengzheng's personal maid who was standing nearby, heard the conversation, then quietly walked to Chai Zhengzheng who was looking at Mo Lan's calligraphy not far away and whispered a few words to him.

So, Chai Zhengzheng immediately stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked downstairs.

(End of this chapter)