Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 630: Katydid [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 36k more]

Xu Zaijing handed the teacup in his hand to Hua Xiang, looked at Rulan and smiled:

"Fifth sister, are you going to give me this?"

Rulan pursed her lips, looked away, nodded and said "hmm".

Xu Zaijing smiled and reached out to the katydid cage held by the magpie.

Rulan caught a glimpse of this action and frowned slightly, but still controlled herself not to look at the katydid cage.

After Xu Zaijing placed the katydid cage in his palm and examined it for a while, he smiled and said, "Hiss, this item is really exquisite."

Gu Tingye came over and said, "Oh, the cage has double sound holes! The cage is surrounded by carvings of melons and melons! The silver thread on the lid is beautiful!"

"Good stuff! Fifth sister, you are willing to spend it." Gu Tingye gave a thumbs up and praised.

While Gu Tingye was describing, Rulan's eyes were already on the katydid cage in Xu Zaijing's hand.

After hearing the praise, Rulan forced a fake smile and moved her eyes around as if she wanted to say something.

Qi Heng, Chang Bai and others who were sitting in the front turned their heads and looked over after hearing the conversation between the two.

Changbai glanced at what Xu Zaijing was holding, his eyes full of surprise, and shook his head with a smile on his face.

Chang Feng, who was beside Xu Zaijing, also looked at Rulan with some surprise.

The magpie looked up at the tall Xu Zaijing, bowed and said, "Fifth Master, there is something in the cage."

"Oh?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and opened the lid of the cage, and found a jade carving of a katydid in the cage.

"Fifth sister is so thoughtful." Xu Zaijing glanced at Rulan and nodded with a smile.

After taking a deep breath, Ru Lan pursed her lips and said, "Cousin Jing, do you like it? If not..."

Before Rulan could finish her words, Xu Zaijing said directly, "I like it!"

"what?"

"This thing given by my fifth sister has a good meaning. How could I not like it?" Xu Zaijing asked with a smile.

There was some confusion in Rulan's eyes, and she smiled with some embarrassment.

Qi Heng, who was standing by, tapped the table lightly and said, "Fifth sister, there is a poem in the Book of Songs, Zhou Nan: The wings of the katydid are so beautiful. May your descendants be prosperous. This katydid symbolizes the prosperity of the family!"

Molan, sitting in her seat, looked at Rulan's confused expression and curled her lips in disgust.

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Fifth sister, what these sentences mean is that when katydids spread their wings and fly low in groups, your descendants will be numerous and your family will prosper."

Qi Heng nodded and said, "The following is the feather of the locust, humming and humming."

After saying just two sentences, Qi Heng looked at Xu Zaijing's gaze, then looked at Rulan who was confused again, and stopped talking.

"May your descendants be numerous and long-lasting." Molan on the side recited two lines softly.

Rulan, who was nodding, immediately pursed her lips when she heard these two sentences, turned around and glared at Molan who took over the conversation.

Molan looked at Qi Heng who was also looking at her, resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Rulan, and smiled at Qi Heng.

Rulan turned around and looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Cousin Jing, is it true? The katydid actually has such an auspicious meaning?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "It's true! I like it very much, thank you fifth sister."

Rulan smiled, looked at the cricket cage in Xu Zaijing's hand again, and walked back to her seat with a smile on her face.

When Rulan leaves,

Minglan, who was sitting behind Rulan, looked at Zhuang Xuejiu who was taking a nap in front of her, then stood up and walked towards Xu Zaijing.

Xiao Tao on the wooden platform also hurriedly took out a palm-sized porcelain bottle from the small bamboo basket beside her, picked up a folded piece of leather, and stood up to follow.

"Cousin Jing, this is the ointment and deerskin I bought specially!" Minglan bowed and said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing smiled and took it. He pulled out the stopper from the porcelain bottle and smelled it. Then his eyes lit up. He took the folded leather and said, "This deerskin is very good. It's suitable for wiping the blade!"

"Deerskin is easy to find, but this bottle of ointment for wiping weapons is hard to buy. Sixth sister is very thoughtful."

Minglan smiled shyly and said, "I am ashamed of the compliment from cousin Jing. The thing in this porcelain bottle was actually exchanged between me and the fifth sister of the Zhang family."

Gu Tingye on the side blinked and said in sudden realization: "No wonder, I was wondering how a girl like Sixth Sister could have such good things."

When Minglan was speaking, Qi Heng naturally looked over. Seeing Minglan's smile, Qi Heng couldn't help but smile along with her.

After Minglan bowed and sat back in her seat, Molan also came over with a smile. What she gave Xu Zaijing was a wooden box made of exquisite materials and with delicate carvings. There was also a piece of relatively precious insect repellent spice inside.

"I also like fourth sister's gift." Xu Zaijing said with a polite smile.

Hearing this,

Chang Feng said with a smile on his face: "Sister, what do you think? I thought this was a good idea, right?"

Molan also smiled.

At this time,

Zhuang Xuejiu stood up from the Luohan chair he was using.

Seeing this, everyone returned to their seats and prepared to continue the class.

time goes by,

Then it was early October.

The first day of the New Year is the Cold Clothes Festival, and all officials in the capital have a day off.

At this time of year, the weather has begun to turn cold, and the palace will reward warm winter clothes to all officials in the capital.

Many people from inside and outside of Bianjing would go out of the city to pay homage to their deceased relatives and elders today, and burn funeral clothes, quilts, hats, shoes and other items to keep them warm in front of the graves.

Originally Bai was happy to be in Qingfu,

Dingzhou City,
It is located more than 2,000 miles away from Bianjing.

In the backyard of the provincial government office,

outside the house,

Gu Tingyu, the son of Ningyuan Marquis, stood in front of a table, facing southeast, holding a glass of wine in both hands. After bowing from a distance, he poured the wine on the ground in front of him.

Lord Hong, who was standing aside, made the same move as Gu Tingyu.

The two of them paid homage.
after the end,
When the servant was personally packing up the table, wine glasses and other items, Gu Tingyu and Lord Hong were already on their way back to the house.

Looking up to the north, Lord Hong said with a worried look on his face, "I heard that it has snowed in Wuyuan County. I wonder if the coal we sent has arrived."

Gu Tingyu also glanced to the north and said, "We should be there! The Chai family's carbon shop and business have walked this road many times."

Lord Hong nodded, looked at Gu Tingyu and said, "By the way, I heard that the second son of the Marquisate is getting married this month. Isn't the prince going back?"

Gu Tingyu shook his head and said, "I'm not going back! It hasn't been long since the Baigao territory was recovered. I feel a little uneasy going back now. I have to sort out the areas under my jurisdiction so as not to disappoint His Majesty and the court."

Lord Hong looked at Gu Tingyu with admiration and said, "It seems that the Chai family sent a lot of black gold charcoal to Bianjing this year."

Gu Tingyu nodded and said, "Maybe the coal we sent last year was found useful by the families in Beijing, so they ordered more this year."

"That's right." Lord Hong replied.

"We have been collecting food and fodder to supply the Northeast Front these days. I think Mr. Hong will be rated as an A in this year's performance appraisal."

Lord Hong cupped his hands with deep emotion and said, "I would like to thank the prince and the others for their help. Otherwise, I would not have been able to accomplish this so easily."

"After a few more years of waiting, will Lord Hong be promoted and return to the capital, or will he stay in Xingqing Prefecture?"

Lord Hong glanced at Gu Tingyu, thought for a moment, and said firmly: "Of course, stay in Xingqing Mansion."

A smile appeared on Gu Tingyu's face.

At this time,

Gu Tingyu's personal attendant Youqing came over with a bamboo tube in his hand and said, "Sir, there are six strong men at the gate of the government office. The leader is holding the seal of the Yongyi Marquis's Mansion and said there is a letter from Bianjing."

Gu Tingyu took the bamboo tube, opened the stopper and took out a piece of letter. Just one glance at the cover of the letter and a smile appeared on his face.

After opening the letter and taking a quick glance, Gu Tingyu immediately said, "Please invite these warriors in."

After a while

A group of six people came to the courtyard. The leader bowed and said, "I am Pan Chen, greeting Lord Gu."

After that, he slightly turned sideways and said to the side: "Greetings, Master Hong."

"Hiss, brave man, how do you recognize me?" Lord Hong glanced at Gu Tingyu and asked Pan Chen in confusion.

"I have met Lord Hong in Beijing." Pan Chen said with a smile.

"Oh!"

"Let's go inside and talk." Gu Tingyu said with a smile.

After entering the house, tea was served.

After a conversation, Gu Tingyu learned that Pan Chen, a close subordinate of Zhao Meifeng who worked for the Imperial City Division and made contributions in the affairs of Beizhou, came to Xingqing Prefecture to further expand the power of the Imperial City Division.

"I have brought a lot of good men with me this time. Most of them are now scattered everywhere, acting as the eyes and ears of the court! Most of them are former subordinates of the former Baigao generals who defected to our dynasty a few years ago and have been selected." Pan Chen said with a smile.

Gu Tingyu nodded and said, "That's great! I wonder how long Brother Pan will stay here?"

Pan Chen smiled and said, "Once the situation has expanded a bit and reached 60% to 70% of the level of the Chuihuan Division back then, I will be able to return to the capital."

After talking for a while, Lord Hong said goodbye and left.

After Gu Tingyu and Pan Chen sent the person to the door, they turned back to the backyard.

Pan Chen also talked to Gu Tingyu about how Xu Zaijing's reputation in the capital had deteriorated last month. Gu Tingyu smiled and shook his head as he listened.

"Sir, Xiao Zhao, the manager in the company, said that you have a good relationship with the manager of the local Chai family carbon shop?" Pan Chen said again.

Gu Tingyu nodded: "Yes! Shall I introduce you to each other?"

"That's exactly what I mean! But it has to be in the name of merchants." Pan Chen bowed and smiled.

"What's the matter?"

Pan Chen glanced at Gu Tingyu who asked the question, thought for a moment and said, "Your Excellency, there is high-quality black gold carbon in the four routes of Huainan and Jiangnan, and the quantity is quite large. According to the intelligence, there are former Baigao nobles in the capital who have sent people back to Xingqing Prefecture."

Gu Tingyu nodded: "Didn't you investigate in Beijing?"

"We have checked and the department has concluded that there was a problem at the Wujin Carbon Mine."

Hearing this, Gu Tingyu thought for a moment and sighed, "They are really restless. Did you deliberately release the person sent by the noble Bai Gao?"

Pan Chen smiled.

Gu Tingyu nodded and continued, "By the way, I heard that something happened in Guangnan West Road. When you came from Beijing, did you hear any new news?"

"Your Excellency, the standoff is still going on! There is news that Erlang of the Rong family, Marquis of Fuchang, might be heading south! But when I arrived, Erlang of the Rong family had not yet set off." Pan Chen said.

"Hmm! Have you been to the Keyimen Fortress in the north?"

"I have been there! I visited several noble officers in the fortress. When they saw me holding Wu Lang's invitation, they treated me very warmly. Among them was a commander named Guo, who had a very good relationship with Wu Lang."

"Guo Kui?"

"Yes."

"That's good. If you need any help in the future, just tell me."

As the two were talking, they came to the convoy of carriages brought by Pan Chen.

Pointing at a few of them, Pan Chen said, "When we came here, Wulang gave us some instructions, so I bought some ginger and fermented black beans and a few carts of winter vegetables on the way to prepare for the winter for you, sir."

Gu Tingyu smiled and nodded, "There are too many. Leave half of them and you can take the rest."

in the afternoon,

Bianjing,

The sun has set.

The moon was also low in the western sky.

The temperature is slightly cool.
Xu Zaijing, wearing a cloak, rode on horseback, taking Qingyun and three maids in the carriage, and walked on the road from Quyuan Street to Panlou Main Street.

Although it was getting dark, the road was still bustling with activity.

There were quite a few flatbed carriages loaded with goods driving on the street, and they would occasionally pull over to make way at the driver's shouts.

When they saw a carriage giving way to them, Xu Zaijing and Qing Yunduo would nod in greeting.

Along the way, the most common cargo on these carriages was seasonal vegetables that exuded a plant-like aroma.

These vegetables are very fresh as they have just been picked from the farm, and are often delivered directly to a household and stored in a vegetable cellar for consumption in winter.

When Xu Zaijing turned onto Panlou Main Street, there were far fewer horse-drawn carriages carrying vegetables.

There are more young noblemen in Beijing like Xu Zaijing, who are dressed in fine clothes and ride horses.

I came to Pan Building with ease.
The waiter standing at the door to greet guests came over with a smile and bowed, saying, "Hello, Wulang! Gu Yanei is already waiting for you in the private room upstairs."

Xu Zaijing dismounted and handed the reins to Qingyun. He smiled and nodded with the servant of Pan Lou, then looked back.

After seeing Qingcao and the other three maids get off the carriage, he walked towards the door.

"Besides Jiro and me, are there any other people here?"

"Young Master Qi has arrived too."

"Ah."

It's still a bit cold outside the building.
Enter the building.

A warm breath came towards me.

Smelling the food in the air, Qingcao and the sisters Yun Xianghua and Xiang looked at each other and couldn't help swallowing.

The reason was simple. At that time, Pan Lou had already started to serve dishes for Bo Xia Gong, and the three maids had tasted them many times and missed them very much.

There is a custom of stove-warming parties in Bianjing today, so the building can be described as packed.

The wooden stage in the hall on the first floor that was used for performances in the past was pushed aside today, and a few tables of offerings were placed in the empty space.

Amidst the bustling noise and rising heat, Xu Zaijing led the maid up the stairs and soon arrived at the third floor of Pan Building.

"Goro is here."

Zhique, who was standing at the door, told the private room and opened the door.

"Wu Lang, you are finally here."

Gu Tingye's happy voice came from the private room.

Xu Zaijing walked in and said, "Erlang, I'm just going to be your best man in a few days. Do you have to be so enthusiastic and invite us to dinner here?"

Qi Heng, the servant, did not respond and stood beside the screen at the entrance. When he saw Xu Zaijing, he bowed hurriedly.

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, then walked around the screen.

Gu Tingye walked forward, put his arm around Xu Zaijing's shoulders and said with a smile: "Jing'er, what are you talking about! Did I invite you for my wedding? It's only natural for you to be my best man!"

Xu Zaijing smiled helplessly: "What's that for?"

"Hehe! You will know soon!" Gu Tingye said with a smile.

After a while

Liang Han and his companions also came to the private room.
The door of the private room was not closed.
Everyone was seated, and just as Xu Zaijing, who was hungry, was about to ask for the food to be served, a noisy voice was heard outside the private room.

"Here they come!" Gu Tingye and Qi Heng, Liang Han and others around him looked at each other and shouted.

"Let's go, Jing'er, let's go out and take a look." As he said that, Gu Tingye pulled Xu Zaijing and walked outside.

A few steps to the corridor at the entrance of the third floor,

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye and others leaned over the railing and looked down.
Then I saw Mother Ruan leading a few girls with musical instruments, preparing to go upstairs in the lobby on the first floor.

"Look, Brother Jing, the one behind Mother Ruan is Miss Shishi!"

"Goro, just look at the face above the veil. Is it beautiful?! Is this the first time I've seen it?"

Liang Han and Gu Tingye spoke excitedly, one after another.

Xu Zaijing: “Uh”

(End of this chapter)