Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 723 Second Brother Zheng, You and Fifth Sister Zhang Have Made a Secret Affair [Thank you! Bow again! 34k words owed]

"But ordinary scholars, wealthy merchants, and other commoners can still find that girl."

"After all, that's where the Kang family's foundation lies!"

After Madam Lu finished speaking, the other noble ladies nodded in agreement.

At this time,

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

Some distance away from the crowd, shouts of gratitude could be heard in unison.

Hearing the commotion, Chai Zhengzheng and the others all looked out the window.

Huang Qingmeng, who was standing to the side, said with some regret, "Actually, at first, I wanted to go with my sister-in-law to Xuande Gate to watch the 'amnesty' ceremony!"

"But Mother just won't agree!"

Rong Feiyan looked at Huang Qingmeng and said, "Second Aunt, it's right that the Lady of Shoushan didn't want you to go."

Huang Qingmeng: "Huh? Is there any explanation for this?"

Rong Feiyan nodded: "I heard from my second brother that most of the prisoners pardoned at Xuande Gate today were Nong people who were sent from the south."

"Ninety-nine percent of them have been on the battlefield, and they may have the aura of battle on them."

"Sister Tingyi gave birth not long ago, and your little nephew is also quite far along in his pregnancy. It's always better for us girls to be careful than to go."

Huang Qingmeng agreed, saying, "Okay!"

Gu Tingyi glanced gratefully at Rong Feiyan and said with a smile, "By the way, the Zheng family is going to the Duke of Ying's mansion to present betrothal gifts tomorrow. I wonder when the wedding date will be set?"

Since it concerned their friend, the fifth daughter of the Zhang family, everyone laughed and looked at Madam Lu in unison.

The old lady of the Duke of Lianguo and the lady of the Duke of Yingguo had a very good relationship, and as their granddaughter, Madam Lu might know something about it.

After exchanging glances with the others, Madam Lu said, "I heard it's in the twelfth lunar month."

Rong Feiyan and the other noble ladies and wives were all taken aback upon hearing this.

Xuande Gate
Inside the tall palace gate tower,
The emperor's bright yellow robes were faintly visible.

On the palace walls,
Many tables and chairs were laid out from the palace gate tower, along the connecting corridor, and arranged towards the side towers.

Those who were closest to the emperor were high-ranking officials and nobles of the court.

Because Zai Duan was the eldest son of the legitimate wife, representing the Xu family and Xu Minghua, his position was naturally very close.

Those seated in the connecting corridor, such as Xu Zaijing and other sons of nobles, were positioned a little further away.

at this time,

Xu Zaijing, standing by the table by the window in the corridor, turned his gaze away from the Nong people prisoners who were shouting their gratitude downstairs.

Turning his head in surprise to look at Zheng Xiao, Xu Zaijing said, "Second Brother Zheng, the auspicious day is coming so soon? The wedding is in two months?"

Gu Tingye, who was standing to the side, looked at Zheng Xiao in surprise upon hearing this.

"cough."

Zheng Xiao cleared his throat somewhat embarrassedly and nodded.

Avoiding the gazes of his friends, Zheng Xiao glanced in the direction of the Duke of England and said, "My sister-in-law said it was the Duke and Duchess of England's idea."

Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye exchanged a glance, then said to Zheng Xiao, "Isn't this a bit too hasty? Aren't we going to wait until next year's Jinmingchi Championship?"

Zheng Xiao shook his head.

"hiss--"

Xu Zaijing gasped, looked at Zheng Xiao, and asked in a low voice, "Hey, Zheng Erlang, you didn't do anything wrong with the fifth sister of the Zhang family, did you?"

Zheng Xiao was taken aback by what he heard, then punched Xu Zaijing hard and said, "Jing-ge'er, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Gu Tingye, who hadn't heard the conversation, looked at Zheng Xiao, who had suddenly made a move, with some confusion.

Zheng Xiao continued, "If I dare to lay a finger on Fifth Sister before the marriage, my brother and sister-in-law will skin me alive, even without the Duke of England's intervention."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingye understood and guessed what Xu Zaijing had said.

Xu Zaijing nodded in agreement: "That's right, General Zheng and Madam Zheng would do that."

Immediately, Xu Zaijing frowned, looking thoughtfully at Zheng Xiao.

Zheng Xiao was looking out the window at the Kaifeng Prefecture constables and yamen runners standing solemnly below the palace gate, dressed in their new official robes, neat and adorned with flowers.

“Brother Ye, Brother Jing, look at that constable downstairs, he looks kind of familiar to me,” Zheng Xiao said, pointing downstairs.

Xu Zaijing glanced down and said, "It's no wonder he looks familiar. That constable's surname is Li, and his name is Mu Bai. He was there every time we fought with others before."

"In the past two years, I have also had several dealings with the Marquis's residence."

Zheng Xiao smiled and nodded: "Oh! I remember now."

After saying this with a smile, Zheng Xiao turned to look at Gu Tingye, who hadn't spoken.

Gu Tingye smiled at Zheng Xiao.

Amidst the music from the Junrongzhi (military band) downstairs, Zheng Xiao asked in confusion, "Brother Ye, what are you thinking about? You look so serious."

Gu Tingye licked his lips slightly, carefully choosing his words, and said, "It's nothing, I just have some thoughts on my mind."

Xu Zaijing glanced at Gu Tingye and asked thoughtfully, "Second Brother, what have you thought of?"

Gu Tingye nodded slowly, then glanced at Zheng Xiao.

Zheng Xiao frowned and said, "Brother Ye, why are you staring at me like that? Just say what you want to say."

Xu Zaijing, observing Gu Tingye's expression, said in a voice only the three of them could hear, "Second Brother, you wouldn't be guessing from Zheng Erge and Wu Niang's happy occasion that there will be something in the north next year?"

Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly with a smile: "Jing-ge'er, you really understand me!"

Zheng Xiao blinked, looked at the two people in front of him, and whispered, "Seriously, is studying really that effective? You two actually guessed that?"

Xu Zaijing smiled, looked around, and then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Actually, it's not entirely based on guesswork. My older brother also gave me a few hints."

“My older brother is too,” Gu Tingye said with a smile.

Zheng Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good! Otherwise, I would really regret not studying harder."

Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye smiled upon hearing this.

With his smile fading slightly, Xu Zaijing said, "Second Brother Zheng, Second Brother, the Duke of Yingguo must know more than we do. There might really be something big happening next year."

Gu Tingye and Zheng Xiao nodded solemnly.

Xu Zaijing suppressed a smile in his eyes and said in a low voice, "Second Brother Zheng, if you and Fifth Sister get married early, you'll have a few months to have a baby."

"Screw you!"

Zheng Xiao was stunned for a moment, then punched Xu Zaijing hard.

"Ouch! That really hurts!" Xu Zaijing grimaced and made a face.

At this time,

The music from beneath the palace gate tower faded away.

Imperial guards, clad in armor and wielding shields and swords, marched out in formation.

"what!"

After everyone exhaled and spoke, they began to fight under the palace gate.

Listening to the clanging and banging below, and seeing the sparks occasionally flying from the iron edges of the shields and the blades of the long-handled oars, Gu Tingye exclaimed, "Wow! They're actually using the real thing!"

Meanwhile, onlookers in the distance would occasionally erupt in cheers when they saw something exciting.

The performance ended.

Xu Zaijing, Zheng Xiao, and others took their seats.

Just sat down,
From the direction of the palace gate came the voice of the chief eunuch: "Bestow tea and wine!"

Everyone bowed and clasped their hands in thanks towards the palace gate, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

At noon,

Xu Zaijing and the others sat down at the table and ate their meal.

Subsequently,

The civil and military officials were given a half-hour break so that everyone could change their clothes.

The first quarter of Wei Shi (after 1 p.m.)

The emperor and his officials returned to their positions.
On the wide square in front of Xuande Gate, infantrymen passed by in fairly neat rows. The soldiers who could enter the Imperial Guard were mostly tall and strong men. At this moment, they were wearing gleaming armor and carrying flags as they marched past, looking quite impressive, although there were rather few of them.

Turning his gaze away from downstairs, Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing, whose eyes remained expressionless, and said, "Fifth Brother, why do you seem to have such a low opinion of this infantry formation?"

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly and remained silent.

Having witnessed military parades in his past life, Xu Zaijing found that there were truly no formations that caught his eye at this moment.
Xu Zaijing glanced at the cavalry waiting in the distance and asked, "By the way, Brother Zheng, how does this Imperial Guard cavalry compare to your newly established cavalry?"

“No comparison!” Zheng Xiao shook his head and said, “Those who can ride past His Majesty on horseback are all elites from the Imperial Guards and Cavalry near Bianjing.”

"The newly established cavalry in the north has been in service for less than a year. How can they compare to them?"

Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye nodded.

Zheng Xiao glanced at the two of them, smiled slightly, and said, "Do you think any of the Zhang family members who have clashed with you two are among the cavalry below?"

Gu Tingye pursed his lips.

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "They all have their faces covered with masks, so we can't see clearly. They shouldn't be among them."

finished,

Xu Zaijing continued to look at the wide square and streets in front of Xuande Gate, his mind wandering: What should I do if I were to hold a military parade here in the future?
Shen Shi (after 3 PM)

The cavalry and infantry in front of Xuande Gate left in an orderly fashion under the command of their generals.

The emperor and his officials, who were on the palace gate tower, also came down from the palace wall.

They either left the palace to return home, or went to the palace with the emperor and princes.

As Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and the others descended the stone steps of the palace wall beside the Duolou,
The eunuch Qingyun approached, bowed to the group, and said, "Fifth Master, please wait."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiao and the others smiled, cupped their hands in greeting to Xu Zaijing and the young eunuch, and said, "Then we'll be leaving now."

Xu Zaijing nodded, then followed Qingyun into the palace.

After walking for a while,

Xu Zaijing then realized that he had not gone in the direction where the emperor and empress were, but had gone straight to the north of the palace.

Standing in front of a palace gate, the eunuch Qingyun stood to one side and gestured, "Fifth Brother, please come in."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, then stepped inside.

Seeing Qingyun follow, Xu Zaijing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After walking a few more steps,
After going around a rockery,

Xu Zaijing then noticed that Prince Zhao Fang was sitting in a pavilion not far away.

Near Zhao Fang, there were several women with their hair styled like women's hairstyles, some sitting and some standing.

As they approached,

Xu Zaijing bowed and clasped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Your Highness, the Crown Princess, and the two Consorts."

"You're too kind, Brother Jing. Come and sit down," Zhao Fang said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing bowed in agreement. When he raised his head, the two concubines from the Li and Yao families, who were standing behind the Crown Princess, smiled and gave Xu Zaijing a curtsy.

The former Fifth Sister of the Li family still squinted at Xu Zaijing, while the former Miss Yao was dressed neatly and looked very heroic.

With a slight lift of his robe, Xu Zaijing sat down below Zhao Fang and the Crown Princess.

Standing to the side, Yao Liangdi smiled and took the teacup from the female official beside her, took a few steps and then handed it to Xu Zaijing.

See here,

Xu Zaijing quickly stood up and accepted it, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Lady Liangdi."

After returning the greeting, Yao Liangdi stood back behind the Crown Princess.

After sitting down, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded as he watched Zhao Fang hold up his teacup, then lowered his head and took a sip.

Seeing Xu Zaijing enjoying himself with his eyes closed, Zhao Fang's smile deepened.

"Good tea," Xu Zaijing exclaimed, opening his eyes.

Zhao Fang smiled and nodded: "If Jing-ge likes it, I'll take a few boxes back with me."

Xu Zaijing held the teacup with both hands, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. I will respectfully accept your offer."

When Xu Zaijing spoke, he noticed that the Crown Princess sitting next to Zhao Fang was not sitting on a stone stool, but on a wooden armchair.

Zhao Fang smiled and said, "When Xu Dalang came to the palace before, he said that the sand table he used to explain the situation in the Northwest to the Emperor and me was made by Jing Ge'er?"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile: "Yes, Your Highness. I was bored at home during the winter, so I used my brother-in-law's map to make a larger sand table."

"Before bringing it to the palace, my elder brother also made many changes."

Zhao Fang nodded repeatedly: "That's right, Jing-ge'er, the fifth daughter of the Zhang family."

When the two were talking,
Crown Princess Gao Taotao looked at the two of them with a smile.

His gaze toward Xu Zaijing was full of smiles and friendliness.

The Empress was Gao Taotao's aunt, and after marrying Zhao Fang, she became his daughter-in-law.

During this time, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law often chatted idly, and Gao Taotao naturally learned many things she didn't know before.

For example, someone had previously plotted against the royal offspring, and the fact that the empress was able to become pregnant and give birth to Zhao Fang more than a decade ago was related to the young master in front of us.

For example, when Zhao Fang was a child, he almost suffocated. The imperial physicians were helpless, but Xu Zaijing came to his rescue.

For example, when Xu Zaijing caused trouble and was punished, Zhao Fang would bring his own cushion and sit next to Xu Zaijing.

Furthermore, his own husband, Zhao Fang, was physically strong and had a habit of exercising early in the morning, which was also influenced by Xu Zaijing.

suddenly,

Gao Taotao smiled at Xu Zaijing.

The reason was nothing more than recalling the Empress's exhilarating reaction when she recounted how Xu Zaijing had brutally beaten the Prince of Yan's heir and then caused a ruckus in the Prince of Yan's fiefdom.

Gao Taotao still finds it amusing to think back on that refreshed and exhilarating feeling.

But then she thought, if she hadn't had any children of her own for more than ten years and her husband still didn't help her, Gao Taotao didn't know what would happen to her.

"The fifth sister of the Zhang family has loved cats since she was a child. When she was young, she often came to my house and played with the cats with my fourth sister."

Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Zhao Fang nodded: "No wonder she always clung to the cat that was with the Empress Dowager whenever she accompanied the Duchess of Yingguo into the palace."

Gao Taotao, however, seemed to have thought of something, and a smile appeared on her lips.

Zhao Fang and Gao Taotao were a young couple, deeply in love, and he naturally cared deeply for his wife.

Seeing Gao Taotao's smiling face, Zhao Fang asked with a smile, "What funny thing have you thought of that makes you laugh so happily?"

Gao Taotao glanced at Xu Zaijing and smiled, "Your Highness, I just thought of something that happened at the polo field outside the city before."

"The polo field at Madam Wu's house?" Zhao Fang asked thoughtfully. "What interesting things happen at the polo field?"

Upon hearing just one sentence from the Crown Princess, Xu Zaijing took a somewhat embarrassed sip of tea.

"It was the year before last, when Jing-ge, Gu-jia Erlang, Liang-jia Liulang, and Lu-jia Zong-ge scared Cao-jia Zhi's cousin together!"

As she spoke, Gao Taotao even moved her hands and made a twisting ear motion.

"I remember now," Zhao Fang laughed. "It was that time you accompanied your cousin on the archery and hunting trip! The arrow shot over the wall and even took away the fish that Jing-ge had worked so hard to catch!"

Gao Taotao smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Yes! It's the one Your Highness was talking about!"

"Especially Lu Jiazong, who originally wanted to say that Jingge hadn't taught him to be naughty, but after being asked by the Empress Dowager, he changed it to 'he taught him a lot.' He changed his tune so quickly!"

"Hahahaha!" Zhao Fang laughed heartily.

The two ladies standing nearby also smiled.

"Now that I think about it, it was actually the year before last," Li Jialiangdi exclaimed, squinting her eyes.

Everyone nodded.

Then, Zhao Fang stood up and said, "Let's go for a walk."

The Crown Princess nodded and stood up.

Seeing the Crown Princess's habitual action of protecting her lower abdomen, and thinking about the wooden armchair she was sitting on, Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Fang with great surprise.

Crown Prince Zhao Fang nodded with a smile, then raised an eyebrow at Xu Zaijing, his eyes full of smugness.

(End of this chapter)