Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 725 A Sudden Panic [Thank you! Thank you again! 36K words owed]

The next day,

The weather was sunny in the morning.

The backyard of the Marquis of Yongyi's residence

In front of the courtyard with the plaque "Private Treasury Three" hanging on it,
Two well-dressed housekeepers, each holding a bunch of keys, stood at the door with their servants.

One of the old women was carrying a tray with writing brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

The other old woman had a bucket next to her, from which steam was faintly rising.

"It's so nice to sunbathe in this windless spot."

“Sister Cui is right.”

The two mothers had just finished speaking,

Then they saw Hua Xiang walking over, carrying two exquisite pine boxes in her hands. Cui Mama, one of the boxes, smiled and said, "Oh, Miss Hua Xiang has arrived."

As she approached, Hua smiled and curtsied, saying, "Thank you both, Aunt Cui and Aunt Zhu."

Xu Zaijing's wet nurse, Cui Mama, waved her hand with a smile: "What are you saying, Miss Hua Xiang?"

Mother Bamboo smiled and nodded.

Then, the two stewardesses each took out a key and unlocked the two brass locks on the courtyard gate.

Stepping over the threshold

Upon entering the courtyard,

To the right of the group, in the corridor, there was a table with drawers, and behind the table was a chair.

The old woman carrying the bucket wet a towel and carefully wiped the dust off the table and chairs before sitting down with the brush and ink in her hand.

After taking an account book out of the drawer, the old woman nodded to Cui, Zhu, and Hua Xiang.

Hua Xiang placed the wooden box on the table and gestured, "Please, both of you, madams."

The two mothers smiled and nodded, and then Mrs. Cui gently opened the wooden box.

In the center of the wooden box and silk satin were two rows of porcelain bottles, with another small porcelain bottle placed in the corner.

Seeing this, Mrs. Cui smiled and nodded, "The person giving this gift is someone who knows what they're doing."

As he spoke, he took out a small porcelain bottle from the corner of the wooden box, uncorked it, and poured some of the contents out.

First look, then feel, then taste. After finishing, Mother Cui nodded repeatedly and said, "Top-grade Poria cocos powder, two boxes totaling twelve large bottles, and two small bottles."

"Check that about half a spoonful has been used."

Seeing Cui's mother reach out her hand, Zhu's mother did the same, nodding and repeating the same sentence.

The old woman sitting behind the table quickly bent down and began writing in the booklet.

After writing a few words, the old woman looked up and asked, "Miss Huaxiang, what is this gift?"

Hua hurriedly replied, "It's a thank-you gift from the He family of Baishitan."

The old woman nodded repeatedly: "To the He family of Baishitan, a token of our gratitude: two boxes of top-grade Poria cocos powder."

After recording the information, the two stewardesses took out their keys, opened a room in the yard, and put the two wooden boxes inside.

Looking at the wooden shelves filled with gift boxes inside, Mrs. Cui shook her head with a smile: "This storeroom won't last much longer."

Bamboo Mother and Flower Thought both smiled and nodded.

Although the wooden box delivered today looks rather shabby compared to the other wooden boxes in the house.

But the three of them didn't say much.

They locked the door again and walked towards the courtyard gate.

“This morning, the Fifth Young Master went to Madam’s courtyard for breakfast. I noticed that Qingcao’s complexion wasn’t very good. What’s wrong?” Madam Zhu asked with concern.

Hua shook her head.

Seeing this, the two stewardesses did not ask any further questions.

"If you need any help, just tell Qingcao and let her ask directly," said Mrs. Cui.

"I know! On behalf of Sister Qingcao, Hua Xiang thanks both mothers." Hua Xiang bowed.

The two supervising mothers quickly shook their heads.

Mother Bamboo said, "Hua Xiang and Qing Cao are people around the Fifth Young Master, and they don't go out often, so they don't know many things."

“Sometimes, when we housekeepers go out to shop, the shopkeepers become even more enthusiastic when they hear that we are from the Marquis of Yongyi’s mansion.”

Hua Xiang nodded with a smile: "It's mainly because the Marquis and the Heir Apparent fought bravely on the battlefield and rendered meritorious service to the country, that's why..."

"Hua Xiang, you're right, but the Fifth Young Master's reputation also plays a part."

As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the door.

After reviewing the records in the ledger, the three of them pressed their fingerprints on the ledger.

After another flurry of activity, the yard was locked again.

Standing outside the courtyard, Cui Mama looked at the paper in Hua Xiang's hand and instructed, "Hua Xiang, you must write down the account book in the young master's room according to the instructions in it."

"At the end of the month, Madam will personally inspect the items. If there are any flaws, the three of you will most likely be punished with a slap on the hand."

"Don't worry, Aunt Cui!" Hua Xiang nodded with a smile.

They returned to Xu Zaijing's courtyard.
Hua opened the rather thick booklet and began to write carefully.

Along the moat of the palace,

Chai Family Mansion

Backyard, Autumn Sound Garden

The main room, heated by an underfloor heating system, was warm and bright, with a refreshing fragrance wafting through the air.

The kettle on the charcoal stove gurgled and steamed.

As a maid approached the charcoal stove and was about to lift the kettle, a woman's voice rang out: "Let it run for a while, so the room can be a little more humid."

"Yes, Sister Yunmu."

"Ah."

After nodding, Yunmu, carrying the dried fruit, stepped onto the thick carpet, passed through a beaded curtain, and arrived at the side room.

Inside the side room,

The first thing Yunmu noticed was the tall wooden puppet on the side of the table.

My daughter was sitting behind a table, head down, doing something intently.

"Young lady, you've been busy all morning, why don't you take a break and have some dried fruit?" Yunmu said with a smile.

"Okay. Put it on the table, I'll eat it later," Chai Zhengzheng said without looking up.

"Yes!"

After working for a while, Chai Zhengzheng looked up and said, "Yunmu, give me a new piece of cloth."

"Oh!" Yunmu smiled and handed over the piece of cloth from the table.

Watching Chai Zhengzheng carefully polish the armor plates, Yunmu smiled and said, "Miss, I think if that young master saw this armor, he probably wouldn't even recognize it as his own."

Busy as he was, Chai Zhengzheng glanced at the brand-new armor beside him and smiled, pursing his lips: "That's even better!"

Don't be fooled by what Yunmu says now.

Actually, after this suit of armor had been placed in Chai Zhengzheng's bedroom for a while, it gradually started to rust.

After all, Xu Zaijing had been using this armor every day for several years, and it was covered with wear marks and scratches from the friction between the armor plates.

Previously, thanks to the routine 'maintenance' by Uncle Yin and Qingyun, rust and such rarely appeared.

But later, it was placed in the Chai family's possession.

Chai Zhengzheng, a girl raised in seclusion, and her maids, having never learned these things, naturally wouldn't understand.

Sometimes, the diligent maids would even take a damp cloth and carefully wipe the armor.

As a result, the armor naturally changed its appearance.

When Chai Zhengzheng discovered this situation, she was distressed for quite some time.

She sought help from Madam Zhou, who taught her archery, and that's how she found a solution.

It seems to be a punishment for not paying attention to these things.
Chai Zhengzheng didn't let anyone interfere. He personally learned how to make armor plates, and then personally disassembled the plates, polished off the rust piece by piece, and reassembled them.

It took a lot of effort back then, and I even developed calluses on several of my fingertips.

later,

Inspired by his own soft bow, Chai Zhengzheng wanted to buy raw lacquer for making lacquerware and apply it to the armor plates.

unfortunately,

When Madam Chai found out, she strictly forbade it.

The reason is...
At first, Chai Zhengzheng didn't understand why. After listening to Madam Chai's explanation, she realized that applying raw lacquer was not a job that just anyone could do.

If a girl like Chai Zhengzheng were to come into contact with this stuff, she would probably suffer from 'lacquer poisoning,' developing rashes all over her body and experiencing unbearable itching.

In the end, it was Mrs. Chai who hired a lacquerer to finish the job.

Now, Xu Zaijing's armor is painted with lacquer on each plate, giving it a subtle sheen and making it look very elegant and noble.

Several areas with cowhide were also coated with grease, making them look brand new.

After wiping the armor, Chai Zhengzheng stood up from the chair, stretched, and then fixed the arm guards to the puppet.

Looking at the armor, Chai Zhengzheng nodded in satisfaction.

At this time,

The maidservant brushed her robes and walked through the beaded curtain into the room.

"girl!"

"Hmm?" Chai Zhengzheng turned her head to look.

"Miss, when I went out today, I heard that yesterday at the Li family's jewelry shop, a maid from a wealthy household knelt in front of the shop, crying and shouting!"

"Huh? Why is that?" Chai Zhengzheng asked in confusion.

"They say it's because one of the shop's apprentices has some kind of entanglement with this woman. If we don't help her redeem herself, she won't give up and will make a scene!" Fu Yi said.

"Could she be an apprentice in a jewelry shop who seduced and then abandoned you?" Yunmu asked from the side.

Fu Yi shook his head: "It seems that's not the case. The woman eloped with someone, but was sold off by her lover."

“Girl, look at me, I haven’t even mentioned the most important thing yet. The apprentice that woman was causing trouble for is none other than Qingcao’s younger brother.”

"What!" Chai Zhengzheng frowned immediately: "Qingcao's younger brother?"

"Yes, yes! I asked specifically!"

"Did that woman go to the Li family's jewelry shop today?" Chai Zhengzheng asked.

Fu Yi shook her head: "This servant deliberately took a detour to the Li family's jewelry shop, but I didn't see anyone at the door."

"Do you know which family that woman who caused trouble belongs to?"

Seeing Fu Yi's demeanor, Chai Zhengzheng said calmly, "Quickly find out the details."

"Yes, miss!" Fuyi quickly turned and left.

Yunmu looked at Chai Zhengzheng, whose eyes were twitching constantly, and said, "Miss, even if Fuyi finds out the truth, it's not appropriate for you to take action directly."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded: "I know!"

"Madam is here."

Fuyi, who had just walked outside, called out.

Chai Zhengzheng hurriedly walked towards the outer room.

"Mother, what brings you here?" Chai Zhengzheng asked with a smile.

Madam Chai waved her hand.

The other maids in Chai Zhengzheng's room all walked out.

Madam Chai then took her daughter's hand and walked into the inner room, saying, "Of course, I'm afraid you'll do something foolish."

Chai Zhengzheng forced a smile and said, "How could my daughter do something foolish!"

"I know everything about Brother Green Grass, how could you not know?"

"She's from the same village as Qingxue, and also a maidservant to Xu Wulang. Would you just sit idly by?"

Chai Zhengzheng: "Me"

Madam Chai patted Chai Zhengzheng's hand and said, "Zhengzheng, don't worry. My maid went to that family and asked. The woman has already been sent out of the capital."

"So fast?" Chai Zhengzheng was very surprised.

Madam Chai smiled and said, "Xu Wulang is, after all, the legitimate son of a marquis's family. He is favored by the emperor, and his father and brothers are also in positions of power. What is this little matter?"

"Your sister-in-law told me about this this morning!"

Chai Zhengzheng breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly: "That's good, that's good!"

finished,

Chai Zhengzheng turned her head to look at the smiling Madam Chai and asked in confusion, "Mother, what are you smiling about?"

Madam Chai pointed to the armored puppet not far away and smiled, "I think it's quite beautiful."

“Mother, you’ve looked at it so many times, it can’t be because of that!” Chai Zhengzheng shook her head with a smile.

Madam Chai looked at Chai Zhengzheng helplessly and said, "Or should I tell the truth?"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

Madam Chai laughed and said, "Then I'll tell you, don't be shy."

“My daughter isn’t shy!” Chai Zhengzheng said seriously.

Madam Chai said, "The imperial examination will begin in February after the New Year. After it ends, I think I should go to the Xu family with your father."

"Huh?" Chai Zhengzheng didn't know where to look, and asked, "What are you and Mother doing at the Xu family's place?"

"Naturally, it's your life's most important matter!" Madam Chai said, "Regardless of the outcome of the Xu family's son's imperial examination, hmm?"

Mrs. Chai, whose mouth was covered by Chai Zhengzheng's hand, looked helplessly at her daughter.

Chai Zhengzheng: "Mother, please don't talk nonsense! You need to watch what you eat!"

Madam Chai pushed her daughter's hand away from her mouth: "She has studied hard for many years and has real skills. How could she get into trouble because of what I said?"

Chai Zhengzheng pursed her lips and said, "Well, then we should also be careful."

Madam Chai shook her head helplessly: "Alright then."

After speaking, Madam Chai gave Chai Zhengzheng a meaningful look.

“Mother, why are you looking at your daughter like that?” Chai Zhengzheng asked.

Madam Chai: "Zhengzheng, in a few days, the fifth daughter of the Duke of Ying will also be getting married."

"My daughter knows!" Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile and said, "It's Zheng Erlang, who grew up with Zhang's fifth sister."

"You've met Madam Zheng a few times. Although she's serious and doesn't smile much, I've heard she's extremely upright and reasonable. If Fifth Sister Zhang marries into her family, her life shouldn't be too bad."

Madam Chai nodded in agreement: "That's right! Zheng Erlang also has military merits. Judging from the situation in the court, he should have a bright future."

"Mother, what's the situation in the court?" Chai Zhengzheng asked, looking puzzled.

Madam Chai touched Chai Zhengzheng's cheek and said, "You're still young and won't understand. You'll understand in a year or two."

"Alright!" Chai Zhengzheng nodded, thinking that she would find time to ask her two older brothers.

“Zhengzheng, among the girls who are about your age, some have entered the palace, and some have gotten married,” Madam Chai continued.

"But there was one who didn't even hear a whisper of his arrival."

Chai Zhengzheng was taken aback upon hearing this, her eyes darting around before she smiled and asked, "Mother, are you referring to the youngest daughter of the Duke of Fuguo, Dou, or the daughter of the Marquis of Zhongshan?"

Madam Chai pursed her lips and said bluntly, "Your mother is referring to Rong Feiyan, the daughter of the Rong family."

"..." Chai Zhengzheng was speechless for a moment, then said, "Oh! You mean Sister Feiyan!"

"Alas!" Madam Chai sighed softly and nodded, "Back then, I should have just agreed to what Madam Xu said!"

"Now that things are settled, I don't have to keep worrying about it anymore."

Chai Zhengzheng looked up at Madam Chai and said, "Why are you so worried? Your daughter isn't worried at all!"

"Hmph!" Madam Chai chuckled and snorted, "How could I not worry?"

"Before His Highness the Crown Prince's wedding, that boy Jing'er didn't even leave the capital, yet he still made a great contribution! Countless wealthy families inside and outside Bianjing are eyeing him!"

"Nowadays, some families would be happy to let their daughters become concubines!"

Madam Chai said wistfully.

"Huh? Mother, really?" Chai Zhengzheng asked uncertainly.

"Why not?" Madam Chai retorted.

Seeing her somewhat guilty daughter, Madam Chai continued:

"You're still standing there, not worried at all! Forget about concubines, let's not talk about anything else!"

"Take the family of Hai Da, a family with five members who have become Hanlin scholars, for example. Their youngest daughter is still being raised in seclusion!"

"Master Hai is also the mentor of Brother Jing's eldest sister's husband! When Marquis Xu was in the Northwest, it was Master Hai who was stationed in Taiyuan Prefecture!"

"The connection between these two families is much deeper than that between our family and the Xu family."

"Besides, Jing-ge'er also owes a debt of gratitude to the youngest daughter of the Hai family."

After hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng felt slightly flustered and looked at Madam Chai: "Mother."

(End of this chapter)