Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 666: [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 36k more]

Noon (after 12 noon)
The polo field was empty, no one was riding a horse to hit the ball.

Behind the big tent on the sidelines, as the colorful steamers were opened, white steam would occasionally float into the air and dissipate.

Under the command of the housekeeping nanny, maids from several families walked into the tent one after another, carrying trays.

inside the account,

Qiao Jiulang looked at the steamed crabs served, stood up and said with a smile: "My brothers, these are the big crabs that I asked the housekeeper to carefully select. When Second Brother Gu told me about it, these big crabs had already spit out mud and sand in the clear water for two days."

"Since the Mid-Autumn Festival, we have fed these crabs some soy sauce and vinegar to drive away the cold."

"Of course, apart from being fed with soy sauce and vinegar, these crabs are no different from the ones sent to you brothers' houses."

Listening to Qiao Jiulang's words, some people in the tent swallowed their saliva.

The reason is simple, of course, he has tasted the delicious crabs, and now he is thinking about the taste of the crabs.

Gu Tingye nodded, waved to Qiao Jiulang and asked him to sit down, then said, "Jiulang is thoughtful!"

"You all know that crabs are cold in nature, so I went to the Dou family yesterday to buy a few jars of excellent rice wine! Bring it up!"

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, the servant of the Gu family brought over a jar of rice wine with water stains.

The water stains are traces of wine warmed with hot water.

Chang Feng leaned over to look at the rice wine jar, and said with some surprise in his eyes: "Second Brother Gu, the top-grade rice wine produced by Dou Jiazheng is hard to buy! My housekeeper also asked, and he said that the new wine was sold out on the day it came out."

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Changfeng, Dou's yellow wine is very popular! I got a few jars only through the help of my relatives."

"So that's it!" Chang Feng nodded.

Dai Ge'er, who was sitting next to Xu Zaijing, looked at Xu Zaijing curiously and said, "Uncle, what kind of relationship does Second Uncle Gu have with the Fuguogong family?"

Xu Zaijing leaned over and whispered, "Your second uncle Gu has an aunt who married into the Yang family, and this aunt-in-law is a lady from the Dou family."

"Oh," Dai Ge'er nodded, trying to figure out the relationship in his head.

Talking
A maid came over with a tray and placed the things wrapped in fine cloth on the tray on everyone's table one by one.

Xu Zaijing opened it casually, but it turned out to be a simplified version of a metal object used to eat crabs.

Everyone is just having a party, there is no such thing as host and guest.

After a series of clinking sounds, everyone started eating the crabs.

With his two nephews around, Xu Zaijing didn't eat much and gave most of the crab meat to them.

of course,

A group of sons of nobles and dukes eat crabs with these objects just for fun, but the main attraction is the various dishes carefully prepared by the chef behind the tent.

After dipping the crab meat in the sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar and chopped ginger, Xu Zaijing put it in Xingzhong's bowl.

Seeing Gu Tingye raising his glass, everyone in the tent raised their glasses and took a sip of rice wine.

"Tsk! What a great wine!" Qi Heng exclaimed with his eyes narrowed.

Seeing Qi Heng's appearance, the two nephews beside Xu Zaijing showed puzzled expressions in their eyes.

Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival. They tasted the rice wine that Zai Zhang gave them at home, and they felt it was not as delicious as the sugar water.

At this time,

Several waitresses brought several plates of pickled crabs and placed them on everyone's table.

Qiao Jiulang put down his wine glass and looked at the pickled crabs on the table. For some reason, he shook his head and laughed.

"Jiulang, why are you laughing?" Chang Feng asked while biting a crab leg in his mouth.

Seeing the looks from everyone, Qiao Jiulang smiled and shook his head: "Nothing much, it's just that when I saw this pickled crab, I thought of a brother from the Puzhou Li family who lives in the capital."

"The Puzhou Li family?" Changbai heard this and asked thoughtfully, "But when the late emperor was in power, was there the family of Li, the great minister who won the first place in the imperial examination?"

Qiao Jiulang gave a thumbs up and said, "Second Brother Sheng is right. It is the family of the number one scholar, Li Da Xianggong. The brother is the great-grandson of Li Da Xianggong, named Li Jie."

"I have a good relationship with this brother on weekdays. I even went to his wedding banquet before."

"If this is the kind of relationship, Jiulang, why do you laugh when you think of him?" Qi Heng asked puzzledly.

Qiao Jiulang smiled and shook his head: "It's true that this brother loves to eat pickled crabs in his life, and his wife also likes to eat them! In the seafood shop near my home, 40% to 50% of these big crabs are bought by his family."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing and others looked at each other.

"Hiss! Now that you mention it, this couple really loves to eat!" Chang Feng sighed.

"And then. Hahahaha."

Before he finished speaking, Qiao Jiulang shook his head and laughed again.

Liang Han frowned and said, "Tsk! Jiulang, what happened to you today? You were just talking halfway when you started grinning like a fool?"

Qiao Jiulang waved his hand: "Liulang, listen to me! It was this brother who asked me to make a half-man-high urn two years ago."

Qiao Jiulang gestured to show how big the jar was and continued, "It is said that it is specially used to pickle fermented crabs. I heard from the steward that hundreds of crabs were brought into my house and put in it. After it was pickled, this brother and his wife ate a few every day."

Xu Zaijing and others did not interrupt, just looked at Qiao Jiulang and waited for what to say next.

"But they loved to eat so much that after eating hundreds of crabs, only one was left!"

"Before the eldest lady of the Li family returned to her parents' home last year, she made an agreement with this brother that they would share the crabs equally when she returned home!"

"When the Li family's eldest lady returned home, she found that the urn was empty! When she asked the brother, he said."

Qiao Jiulang laughed and said, "He said that he wanted to fish out the remaining crab and put it on a plate, but he didn't expect that, haha."

Qiao Jiulang couldn't help but burst out laughing: "I didn't expect that the crab that had been pickled for many days would jump out of the plate when he wasn't paying attention, and it ran out of the house with a swish sound, and disappeared in the yard in the blink of an eye."

"Crack!"

"Ha ha!"

Inside the big tent, Xu Zaijing and others also started laughing.

Even Changbai, who was usually serious, had a smile on his face.

"Hahaha, no wonder Jiulang couldn't help it!" Liang Han said with a smile: "Look, it should be that brother Li himself who couldn't resist the temptation of delicious food and ate it all by himself."

Qiao Jiulang smiled and nodded.

Xu Zaijing also smiled, raised his glass and said, "Come on, let's drink to Jiulang's interesting story!"

"Come on!" Everyone echoed and raised their glasses.

After drinking,
Xu Zaijing put down his wine glass, looked at Qiao Jiulang who was eating and said, "Jiulang, this is also something that happened in the backyard. How did you know about it?"

Qiao Jiulang put down his chopsticks and opened his mouth to speak, but Liang Han waved his hand and said, "Jiulang, don't say anything yet. Let me guess! Is it the news leaked by the maid at home?"

After swallowing the food in his mouth, Qiao Jiulang shook his head and said with a smile: "No, no, yes."

Qiao Jiulang pursed his lips to hold back his smile and said, "Mrs. Li is not stupid, so she naturally doesn't believe what Brother Li said and is sure that Brother Li cheated on her!"

"But Brother Li refused to admit it, saying that he had heard about pickled crabs and that they ran away after sobering up."

"The couple dragged on until they found my seafood shop. Brother Li insisted that my manager testify that this happened, and that's when..."

"There were quite a few customers in the shop that day, but a joke happened."

Everyone laughed softly upon hearing this.

At this time, footsteps sounded.

Several maids came in with trays and served food.

Qi Heng, who was originally talking to Liang Han, casually looked at the maid who entered the tent.

suddenly,

Qi Heng's gaze, which was about to sweep across, suddenly stopped.

"Young Master, I've tried this dish in Wu Lou before, and it tastes very good!" Liang Han said with a smile.

After a moment of silence, Qi Heng came to his senses.

"Oh! Liu Lang said so, then I have to try it." As he said that, Qi Heng glanced at the female servants who were leaving.

Liang Han noticed Qi Heng's strangeness and didn't say much, but just looked at the maid.

After dinner,
After drinking some drinks to help digestion, they repaired the room for a quarter of an hour and then rode their horses for a stroll on the polo field.

During this time, several children like Xingzhong, who were too young to ride horses, circled the field several times under the supervision of everyone.

Wait till the sun sets,

Everyone, along with their personal servants, rode on horseback towards the entrance of the polo field.

Out of the polo field,
Come to the city gate.
Before we part,
Xu Zaijing looked at Xingzhong who was sitting in front of the long cypress saddle and said, "Zhong brother, you must listen to your uncle on the road!"

"Uncle, Zhong'er knows."

"I've always heard that Zhong Ge'er is sensible!" Chang Feng on the side praised with a smile.

Qi Heng, who was stationed nearby, smiled.

Xu Zaijing nodded and looked back at the Xu family carriage following Changbai. In the carriage sat Hualan's personal mother Cuichan and the Xu family's maid.

"Cui Chan, you and Yun Jin keep an eye on him. If Zhong Ge'er gets sleepy on the road, carry him into the car." "Yes, Fifth Master, it's saved by me." Cui Chan nodded to Yun Jin.

When Qi Heng was about to take another look at Yun Jin, Bu Wei beside him said, "Young Master, I see that the two young masters are also sleepy."

Qi Heng looked back and found that his two uncles were yawning in the carriage with the curtains opened.

Subsequently,

Everyone bowed and said goodbye, and Changbai and his group walked towards the south.

After walking for half a quarter of an hour,
Xingzhong was already a little tired after having fun for most of the day, and the horse was bouncing up and down as it walked. Soon, Zhongge'er, who was sitting in front of Changbai, started to have eyelids drooping from the shaking.

Changbai stopped the carriage and handed Zhongger to Cuichan who was in the carriage.

Yun Jin, who was riding in the car with him, quickly lent a hand to help.

After Cuichan entered the carriage, Changqiu, who was riding with her, glanced at Yunjin's face and continued to ride forward holding the reins.

walk for a while,

"Qillang, what are you thinking about?" Changbai said with a smile.

Chang Jian was young but his eyes were calm. He looked at Chang Bai and said, "Second brother, I was thinking about the young masters who went to the stadium today."

Changbai was stunned.

Chang Feng at the side said with a smile: "Qi Lang, you are young, but you think a lot. That's right! Today we get to know these gentlemen. When we pass the imperial examination and enter the government, they will be rare and precious connections!"

"Qillang, do you think so too?" Changbai asked with a smile.

Chang Jian nodded and shook his head: "Second brother, I thought of more than what Third brother said. I was thinking, if there was no famous teacher like Zhuang Xuejiu, would we brothers be able to get to know those classmates."

Changbai smiled and said, "Qi Lang, my eldest brother-in-law and Wu Lang are relatives of our family, so it's natural for us to get to know them! But for the two young masters and the others, there may not be much chance for us to get to know them."

Nagatake nodded.

"Those are all legitimate sons of dukes and marquises, and will inherit the title in the future!" Chang Feng echoed from the side, his eyes full of fantasy as he spoke.

"But, even if you get to know each other, whether the relationship can last for a long time still depends on you, your father, and your family!" Changbai looked at his two younger brothers and advised.

"What you said is right, second brother. I will keep it in mind." Nagatake nodded.

Chang Feng pursed his lips and said, "Second brother, when friends are good friends, sometimes family background is not important, right? Take Fifth Brother Xu for example, didn't he introduce many people to the army? I heard that they were all promoted step by step!"

Changbai seemed to have anticipated Changfeng's words and said calmly, "Now, are you willing to befriend Kang's cousin?"

"Kang Jin?" Chang Feng curled his lips and shook his head: "Forget it, Uncle Kang is not ambitious. Kang Jin is not young anymore and he has not passed the imperial examination. Sometimes when I talk to him, I feel..."

Having said that, Chang Feng shut up awkwardly.

"Sanlang, our family and the Kang family are relatives. Isn't that more important than the friendship you mentioned? If you despise this, what about others?"

After listening to Changbai, Changfeng nodded.

"What about Brother Jing you just mentioned? He introduced many people to the army, but in the army, you have to risk your life to get a good career. Didn't you hear what your brother-in-law told you about those soldiers who died in the war?"

"If you don't have a good family background and you're not good at studying, even if someone recommends you a job, how do you know that you're not just a stepping stone?"

"If someone sincerely wants to help you find a future, but you are unable to get promoted and end up in trouble, then you have let down their good intentions."

After Changbai finished speaking, he looked straight at Changfeng.

Chang Feng lowered his head and said, "Second brother is right. I was thinking the wrong way. No matter what the relationship is, you must have the ability first."

"Well."

The sound of cars rumbles.

The group entered the city gate and headed towards Jiying Lane.

Arriving at Sheng’s house,

After getting off the carriage, Yun Jin followed Cui Chan and walked towards Shou'an Hall.

Because there will be an Autumn Festival tomorrow, Hualan and Zai Zhang come to Jiying Lane in advance so that they can stay at Xu's house tomorrow and entertain Pingmei and Anmei who are back to their mother's home.

So, I plan to stay at Sheng’s house today and return to Quyuan Street tomorrow morning.

Shouantang,
Wang Ruofu frowned and looked at Zai Zhang, saying, "Son-in-law, you should also pay attention to your health when you are having a banquet with friends. How can you drink so much?"

Hua Lan, who was sitting in front of the old lady's lap, also glared at Zai Zhang with some anger.

Zai Zhang, who was drinking hangover soup, smiled and said, "Mother-in-law, I will remember this."

Looking at the "interaction" between Zai Zhang and Hua Lan, Wei Shuyi, who was standing beside them with Mother Liu, also laughed.

Wang Ruofu nodded, looked outside the house, and said, "Why haven't Bai'er and the others come back yet?"

Rulan, who was standing by, curled her lips and said, "Mother, I think you are not thinking about my second brother in a fake way, but you are thinking about Zhong'er in a real way, right?"

Hearing this, Wang Ruofu turned around and glared at Rulan. After tapping Rulan's forehead, he scolded her, "You're the only one who talks too much!"

Minglan, who was sitting outside Hualan, also covered her mouth and smiled.

"Second brother and third brother are back." Outside the house, the little girl announced through the messenger.

Everyone in the room looked towards the door.

After a while,
The three Changbai brothers and Cuichan, who was holding the child, entered the house together.

"Grandma, mother, I'm back." Changbai and the other two bowed.

Wang Ruofu nodded, stood up and walked to Cuichan, looked at Xingzhong in Cuichan's arms, and whispered, "What, did you fall asleep on the way?"

Cuichan smiled and nodded.

"I'm tired after carrying you all the way. Let me do it."

"Yes, madam." Cui Chan, whose arms were a little sore, smiled and handed Xing Zhong to Wang Ruofu.

"Oh, Zhong'er, my little darling!" Wang Ruofu called happily while hugging her grandson.

Looking at the sleepy Xingzhong in her arms, Wang Ruofu grinned: "Zhong'er, are you awake? See where you are? If you are sleepy, go back to sleep. Grandma is here."

"Grandma." Xingzhong called out in a daze, then continued to sleep with his eyes closed.

Holding her grandson and sitting on the chair, Wang Ruofu's mother Liu and Wei Shuyi, who were standing behind her, both leaned over to take a look and smiled. After seeing the look, they also laughed.

Mother Liu didn't need to say much. Hua Lan had always been very good to Wei Shuyi since she entered the Sheng family. Naturally, she hoped that Hua Lan would be happy.

Seeing Wang Ruofu's appearance, everyone lowered their voices.

Changfeng introduced everyone at the polo field today, and Changqiu, at Hualan's question, told Hualan about the three brothers playing polo.

When Minglan heard the word polo, her eyes lit up and she looked at Changzhang.

The old lady's eyes would occasionally look at Yunjin who was standing with Cuichan.

Noticing her grandmother's gaze, Hua Lan took advantage of the moment and said with a smile, "Yun Jin, come here."

After Yunjin walked to the middle, he bowed to everyone.

Hua Lan asked, "Grandmother, who does this maid in the Marquis's mansion look like?"

"Like Sixth Sister." Rulan said with a smile.

Yun Jin lowered her head quickly and said, "I am not good-looking. I am ashamed. How can my appearance compare with that of the Sixth Miss?"

"Appearance is given by our parents. If there are some similarities, it is fate." Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

Everyone in the hall nodded.

The old lady smiled and said, "Madam, what you said makes sense."

Hua Lan smiled and said, "Grandma, mother, the twin lotus flowers that Xiao Wu gave me before were mostly found by Yun Jin's brother!"

"Yo!"

"Oh?"

The old lady and Wang Ruofu exclaimed.

The two Lans, Changbai and the other two also looked at Yunjin in surprise.

Wei Shuyi's eyes were filled with disbelief. He had raised many lotus flowers in Jin'an Zhai, but he didn't expect that it was related to the maid in front of him.

"To have such abilities, it seems that the virtuous brothers and sisters are blessed people! We are also blessed." The old lady nodded with a smile.

Yun Jin hurriedly said, "Old Madam, you are too kind. My brother and I are able to do this thanks to the Marquis's Mansion. Now my brother has a long-term job in the navy, and I can't thank the Fifth Young Master enough."

Hualan spoke a few words carefully beside the old lady.

"He is also a good child who comes from a poor background and knows how to share the burden with his parents!" the old lady said in a deep voice.

"Thank you for your kind words, old lady." Yun Jin bowed and said again.

Xiao Tao, who was listening to the conversation, looked at her daughter and then at Yun Jin. She was a little surprised and whispered to Dan Ju who was standing beside her: "Sister Dan Ju, this guy's eyes are so similar to the daughter's."

Danju nodded: "But only the eyes are like his. The rest of the body is different. Besides, he is not as tall as our girl, and his skin color is a bit dark."

Xiaotao nodded repeatedly.

(End of this chapter)