Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 683: Kindly Feeding the Dog [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 37k]

The night sky is like ink,

Starry sky,

The big moon on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month hung high in the night sky, casting a cool light.

The branches of the trees on the street, the shop signs and wine flags, etc. all cast dark shadows on the street.

West side of the inner city,

Liangmenli Street. Looking west from this street, you can see Xishuimen in the distance.

There were lanterns lit up in advance by wealthy families on the side of Liangmenli Street, which together with the moonlight made the street quite bright. The sparse soldiers and civilians on the street could walk without carrying lanterns.

suddenly,

“Woof—woof!”

A dog started barking in the yard of a house on the street.

The passers-by didn't take it seriously and continued walking on the night road.

"It's urgent! Make way!" The coachman shouted towards the front while driving the carriage.

Hearing the noise behind them, passers-by all looked back and then moved to the side of the road.

Listening to the rumbling sounds of cars and horse hooves fading away, fellow travelers would whisper a few words.

In front of the gate with a lantern with the word "Zhu" hanging on it.

"Shut up!"

The driver stopped the carriage and said to the inside, "Madam, we're here."

Soon, a woman stepped down from the carriage by stepping on a stool.

After half a quarter of an hour,
The main house's front yard hall,

Because the heating was not turned on at night, the house was extremely cold.

The Viscount's wife, Ni Qi Qiu, walked in with her maid, wearing a simple bun and a thick cloak. It was obvious that she had been pulled up from the bed.

Looking at the woman who stood up in the hall, Ni Qiqiu hurriedly asked, "Sister Jin, what happened?"

The sister Jin mentioned by Ni Qi Qiu is the eldest lady of Zhu Qinghu's life and death comrade-in-arms. Unlike Zhu Qinghu who is still fighting on the front line, those few have been serving in Beijing in recent years.

"I'm really sorry to disturb you at this hour," Mrs. Jin said apologetically.

"Sister, what are you talking about? Please take a seat!" As she said that, Ni Qi Qiu stepped forward and helped the person to her seat.

Before he could start talking, a maid with a sleepy look on her face brought him a cup of hot water.

"Sister, drink some water to warm yourself up." Ni Qi Qiu said.

Mrs. Jin picked up the teacup, thinking that the water was too hot to drink, but when she got closer she found that it was just the right temperature to drink.

After drinking some warm water and calming down, Mrs. Jin looked at Ni Qiqiu and said carefully, "Sister."

"I came here today to ask for something."

Ni Qiqiu nodded calmly, looked at Madam Jin and said, "Sister, that's what you said. As long as my family can help, we will definitely do our best."

Madam Jin sighed and said, "I think my sister knows that there is a cousin in my mother's family who married into the aristocratic Kang family and became a concubine."

Ni Qi Qiu nodded.

"Over the past decade or so, my parents and brothers from my mother's side have asked this cousin to do a lot of things for me, and I have owed her a lot of favors that are hard to repay."

"Tonight, my brother from my mother's family knocked on my door and said."

After a pause, Madam Jin continued, "It is said that Madam Wang, the mistress of the Kang family, is planning to marry off my cousin's biological daughter!"

Ni Qiqiu's eyes turned, and he frowned and asked, "Is the problem with the person you're going to marry?"

Madam Jin nodded and said, "Yes! My cousin is quite favored in the Kang family and has several trusted people under her. One of them accidentally found out that Madam Wang was busy preparing the dowry, and that's why she noticed it."

"My cousin has asked many people to inquire over the past two days and spent a lot of money, so she has some guesses."

"But after searching for a long time, no one could speak to the Kang family, so they came to my house. After thinking about it, I thought that only my sister might have a way out."

Ni Qiqiu nodded and said, "Sister, although my family has some titles and the Kang family seems to be in decline, the mistress is the daughter of the Wang family after all! I, your sister, may not be able to show up. What do you think I can do to help?"

Madam Jin breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Sister, I know all this! I also know that Madam Xu is the aunt of Viscount Zhu and the mother-in-law of the eldest daughter of the Sheng family. Can you please ask for mercy and ask Madam Wang of the Sheng family to speak a word?"

"Don't worry, sister. My family will never let Madam Xu Hou and Madam Sheng work in vain."

Ni Qiqiu thought for a moment, frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, if I want my aunt to speak up, I first need to know which family the Kang family girl is going to marry into."

Madam Jin pursed her lips and said, "I guess it might be Prince Kang's Mansion."

"Old Prince Kang Kang? How old is this prince from the royal family?" Ni Qi Qiu asked in confusion.
"My cousin spent five taels of gold to ask, and found out that a maid had ridden in the Kang family's carriage to the vicinity of Prince Kang's Mansion! And there were indeed rumors that Prince Kang's Mansion was looking for a concubine, so this is almost certain!" said Madam Jin.

"My cousin's daughter is so young. If she marries into Prince Kang's mansion and waits until the old prince is buried, that would be a waste of her whole life! This is really like a knife in my heart!"

"Have you ever tried to talk to the Master of the Kang family?" Ni Qi Qiu asked.

"I have said that, but the Lord of the Kang Family wanted to pursue his career..."

After listening to this, Ni Qiqiu took a deep breath and said slowly, "Sister, if your sister encounters this situation, I will definitely do my best to help her with the official's words."

"But, this identity is your cousin's daughter, and both mother and father agree, so I..."

Hearing this, Mrs. Jin sighed and nodded: "Sister, I understand, I understand!"

Ni Qiqiu continued, "Mrs. Kang sent her concubine to the palace. I know her purpose, too."

Madam Jin nodded: "Yes, but I am attracted by the power of the prince of the royal family."

"Well! If you want Madam Kang to give up her idea, you may have to exchange it with equal benefits! It's not easy to ask for this favor."

After Ni Qiqiu finished speaking, Mrs. Jin nodded and said, "Sister, you are right. I am also doing my best."

After he finished speaking, the room fell into silence.

The hall without any heating seemed to become even colder.

Looking at Ni Qi Qiu who had a troubled look on his face and was full of thought, Mrs. Jin wanted to get up and say goodbye.

Ni Qiqiu said, "Sister, I did my best. I just tried to mention it in front of my aunt. I can't guarantee the effect."

Hearing this, Madam Jin held Ni Qiqiu's hand tightly and said, "Sister, if you can say something, it will be a great help."

After sending Madam Jin to the second gate and looking at the lanterns going away in the distance, Ni Qi Qiu let out a sigh.

Lantern Festival,

Chenshizhengshi (after 8:00 a.m.)
The sun is rising,

The sky and earth were filled with a green and cold atmosphere.

As the sun rose higher, Xu Zaijing's study gradually became brighter.

At first glance, the study looked different from what it had been a few days before. There was a sand table the size of a table in the middle. Anyone who knew the place would know at a glance that it was near the border between Fengzhou of Great Zhou and Northern Liao.

"Wow."

In the fish tank by the window, some fish were flicking their tails and making some noises.

Xu Zaijing, who was standing next to the sand table, took a quick look and continued looking at the map in his hand, pinching somewhere on the sand table from time to time.

Before I knew it, more than half an hour had passed.

"squeak."

The door of the study was opened, and Qingcao said at the door: "Sir, Madam Ni from the Zhu family is here."

"Ah? Why is my cousin's wife here? Did my mother ask me to come over?"

Qingcao pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Go and listen to see if there is anything wrong."

"Yes, son."

In less than half an hour,

Qingcao returned to the study.
After listening to Qingcao's retelling, Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "My cousin's wife is quite well-informed. I didn't expect that Miss Jin actually has such connections in Beijing."

Qingcao said with some emotion: "I remember that I met Miss Ni'er at some elegant banquets in the capital before!"

Xu Zaijing placed the map on the sand table: "Second sister-in-law didn't say anything?"

Qingcao shook her head: "When the second lady heard about it, her face looked unhappy, but she didn't say much." "Young master, how old is the daughter of the Kang family? Is she really going to marry into Prince Kang's palace?" Qingcao asked.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Her father and stepmother agree, so she will most likely go!"

"But." Looking at Xu Zaijing who was halfway through his sentence, Qingcao asked, "Sir, but what?"

"But if that Miss Jin really doesn't want the girl to enter the palace, she can just find someone to take her girl away while watching the lanterns today."

Qingcao looked at Xu Zaijing in surprise and said, "Sir, Madam Xie also said this in a joking tone just now!"

"Oh?" Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Then there might be something exciting tonight!"

"Go, ask Qingyun to take my invitation to the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion and tell him that I'm going to play with Liu Lang this afternoon."

"Yes, son."

sunset,

Evening comes,

Without the sunshine, the temperature seemed to drop suddenly.

Xingguofang,
Near the Yongchang Marquis Mansion, Liang Han and Xu Zaijing rode side by side on the street.

Liang Han exhaled a breath of white air and said, "Brother Jing, why did you think of playing with Kang Jin today?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "I'm just asking casually. After all, it's more lively with more people, and among our group of friends, there are fewer and fewer unmarried people."

"Brother Jing is right." Liang Han said with a smile.

At this time, a servant of the Liang family rode up on horseback, bowed to Liang Han, and said, "Sixth Master, the brother of the Kang family said that he has to wait a while before he can set off."

"If you can't wait, just go and look around first, tell him a place, and he'll come find you."

Hearing this, Liang Han nodded, waved his hand, looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Brother Jing, let's go then?"

"Okay, that's Yuan Ruo in front, right?" Xu Zaijing said, pointing at the street.

"Yes!" Liang Han responded, stood up on the stirrups and waved to Qi Heng.

As he walked towards Qi Heng, Xu Zaijing said with a smile, "Sixth Brother, it seems that not many noble sons and daughters went to the Xuande Gate Tower to watch the lanterns this year."

Liang Han chuckled and said, "This year, the Gao family, the Li family, the Yao family and other families all have noble ladies who want to go upstairs. It would be a little inappropriate for us to go."

These noble ladies are the future concubines of Prince Zhao Fang.

Xu Zaijing nodded.

"I guess we won't see many noble ladies from top families on the street today, as they have gone to Xuan De Tower to keep company." Liang Han continued.

Talking
After meeting up with Qi Heng, everyone rode horses and carriages towards the palace.

Xiguozi Lane, where the aristocratic Kang family lived, was not far from Xingguofang. Xu Zaijing and others only waited outside Xingguofang for quarters of an hour before Kang Jin rushed over with his family.

Seeing Xu Zaijing, Qi Heng and others, Kang Jin hurriedly smiled and bowed: "Hello, brothers."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

While Qi Heng, Liang Han and Kang Jin were talking, Xu Zaijing glanced at the Kang family carriage and asked, "Does Brother Jin have any plans later?"

Kang Jin smiled and said, "Brother Xu Wu, I have to go find some cousins ​​from the Sheng family later."

"Oh! Sheng family?" Qi Heng instantly became interested.

Kang Jin nodded: "Cousin Changbai sent a message that Brother Changwu and the others from the first house are all together today!"

Qi Heng smiled and nodded repeatedly: "There are many people here today, do you have an agreement on where to meet?"

"some!"

"Okay, let's go then?" Qi Heng said with a smile and raised his eyebrows.

When they arrived near the bustling Imperial Street, everyone dismounted from their horses and carriages.

Xu Zaijing glanced back, shifting his gaze away from the muscular figures, and asked in confusion: "Is there anyone else in the carriage? Why does it seem like the number of people is not right?"

"Ah?" Qi Heng also looked back and nodded, "Brother Jin, how many women do you have in your family?"

Kang Jin turned around and counted, then looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Brother Xu Wu, the number is correct! One of my sisters didn't come out today."

"Oh! What's wrong? Are you ill?" Liang Han asked with a smile.

Kang Jin nodded: "Yes, that sister's wife said that she felt a little uncomfortable in her head."

Looking at Kang Zhaoer, who was wearing an old cloak under the dim light, Xu Zaijing nodded thoughtfully.

They walked for a while.

Soon we arrived at a wooden building.

Looking at the Sheng family members in the light under the wooden building, Xu Zaijing smiled and bowed: "Uncle, aunt, happy Lantern Festival. My sisters, happy Lantern Festival."

When Liang Han bowed, Kang Jin also smiled and said, "Uncle, Aunt"

Qi Heng couldn't hide the joy in his eyes, and he looked at Minglan again and again.

He waited until Liang Han and Kang Jin finished their greetings before he walked over to speak.

After a round of greetings, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu walked at the back with their personal nanny to watch over the crowd, while Xu Zaijing and others walked in front to admire the lanterns and guess riddles.

Xu Zaijing glanced around from time to time and found that the several sturdy figures who had followed them just now were no longer around, and no one knew where they had gone.

I don’t know what stimulated him, but Qi Heng was particularly good tonight. Standing in front of a stall for guessing riddles, he guessed several riddles in a row as if he was assisted by God.

Qi Heng gave four or five lanterns to several Lans one by one according to their age.

When the most exquisite one was given to Minglan, Wang Ruofu smiled and said, "Ming girl, since the young master has given it to you, just keep it."

Minglan heard this, glanced at Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu who were smiling and nodding, then pursed her lips and looked at the exquisite lanterns in front of her.
"Sixth sister, take it. You are the only one who has none!" Pinlan advised with a smile.

Molan was somewhat dissatisfied that her lantern was not as pretty as Minglan's, and said, "Sixth sister, your lantern is a bit big? It looks a bit heavy, why not change it to my smaller one?"

Rulan raised her chin and said crisply, "Fourth sister, what can we exchange for? Just take whatever Brother Yuanruo gives you!"

Minglan looked up at Qi Heng, then looked behind Qi Heng at Xu Zaijing and Chang Bai who were holding Chang Bai's shoulders.

"Sixth sister, it's hard to refuse the young master's kindness, so just take it." Changbai said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing, who was standing by, looked at Minglan, whose skin was glowing under the light and whose eyes had an unclear look, and nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, young master! But seeing that Fifth Sister's lantern has the word 'Ming' on it, why don't I exchange with Fifth Sister?" Minglan said as she took the lantern.

"Ah? Is this okay?" As she spoke, Rulan had already taken the large lantern that Minglan handed over.

Qi Heng's smile froze for a moment, and he continued to smile, "Sixth sister, you're too polite."

Subsequently,

The crowd strolled around for a while.

When we arrived at Xuande Gate,
Changbai, who was walking side by side with Xu Zaijing, glanced at Wang Ruofu behind him. Seeing his mother's 'pleading' eyes, Changbai said helplessly: "Wulang, we still have to go to the Da'ao Mountain lanterns to pray for blessings later."

As he spoke, Changbai pulled Changfeng, who was talking to Liang Han, over and said, "We have to make a way together!"

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Let's go!"

After going through great pains, Xu Zaijing was sweating slightly when he finally arrived in front of the lanterns on Da'ao Mountain.

Now that I'm in a crowded place, I don't feel cold at all, but rather a bit hot and uncomfortable.

Everyone prayed for blessings, and Madam Wang was particularly sincere. Xu Zaijing, relying on his good hearing, vaguely heard the phrase "children in the school", and the words "son-in-law" and "Zai Zhang" were repeated more frequently.

After the prayer, everyone took a lot of effort to leave the Da'ao Mountain Lanterns.

Because they had to go to school and court the next day, everyone didn't play for too long and started their return journey.

A few days after school started,

After Xu Zaijing returned home, he heard his mother and two sisters-in-law chatting, and only then did he know that Zhu's cousin's wife had been there.

In fact, on the Lantern Festival, Xu Zaijing had planned to follow the Kang family, so that he might be able to help the little girl.

As a result, we found out today that the Jin family had made preparations at that time, but Kang Nier was persuaded by Madam Hu of the Kang family, and Jin Niang also changed her mind temporarily.

"I think they must be thinking that entering the palace and becoming a concubine is better than hiding their identities and being the mistress of a small family." Xie said helplessly.

Xu Zaijing sighed somewhat self-deprecatingly.

(End of this chapter)