Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 732 What the heck is snow? [Thank you! Thank you again! 36k words owed]

The exact moment of Xu Shi (after 8 PM)
The snowflakes are falling softly, and they're still falling.

The north wind blows, and snowflakes flutter down.

Quyuan Street,
At the main gate of the Marquis's mansion,
Two large, lit lanterns swayed gently in the wind.

The stone lions on both sides of the main entrance were covered with snowflakes.

The shadows of stone lions were visible on the snow, shifting and changing with the movement of the lanterns.

With her gaze drawn away from the main gate of the Marquis's mansion not far away, Qingyun, wearing earmuffs, extended her gloved hand and knocked forcefully on the wooden door.

"Hmph!"

There was a knock on the door.

A moment later, someone behind the door asked, "Who is it?"

"I!"

"coming!"

Soon, the sound of a door latch being pulled out rang out.

The wooden door was opened from the inside.

The woman behind the door bowed and said, "My lord, you've returned."

Seeing the woman open the door, Qingyun hummed in agreement and stepped into the courtyard.

On the way to the main house,

Qingyun noticed that the snow under his feet wasn't very thick, indicating that someone had already swept it.

The woman closed the courtyard gate and hurriedly followed.

"The lord is back!"

The woman walked up to Qingyun, lifting the cotton curtain as she called out.

Before entering the house,
Qingyun stomped her feet at the doorway, shaking off the snow clinging to her shoes.

After entering the house and feeling the warmth, Qingyun exhaled a breath of cold air and laughed as he looked at Hua Qing who came out.

Hua Qing stepped forward, sweeping the snow off her cloak with a broom, and asked, "My lord, has the young master returned to the manor?"

Qingyun nodded: "Hmm! They're probably drinking hangover soup right now. Where are the children?"

"She's asleep!" Hua Qing said with a smile.

"Oh! I'm hungry. Is there any food at home? I only ate a little bit this afternoon when I went back to the Marquis's residence to deliver a message."

Qingyun gestured with his thumb and forefinger as he spoke.

"Yes! The Marquis's residence sent over some food and wine this evening," Hua Qing said with a smile.

"Sa!"

As she spoke, Hua Qing put down the broom, took the cloak, shook it vigorously, and said, "It feels a bit damp; I'll have to dry it in a bit."

"Hmm!" Qingyun hummed in response and then walked towards the inner bedroom.

inside the house,

By candlelight, looking at his two children sleeping soundly on the heated kang, Qingyun couldn't help but smile.

Whether it was the chill or the smell, the little girl rolled her eyes and then opened them blankly.

Looking at the man beside her, the little girl smiled sleepily and said, "Daddy."

Qingyun quickly patted the blanket gently and whispered, "Go back to sleep."

After coaxing her for a while, the little girl fell asleep again.

Hua Qing walked in carrying a tray of wine and dishes.

After placing the food and wine on the table, Hua Qing glanced at Qingyun beside the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed), smiled, and whispered, "My lord, these have been kept warm in the stove steamer. Eat up."

After glancing at the child again, Qingyun walked over.

"Wife, take a wine cup too. It's no fun drinking by myself," Qingyun said in a low voice.

"it is good."

After a few bites of warm wine and hot food, Qingyun shuddered comfortably.

After picking up some food with his chopsticks, Qingyun asked, "Susu and Zhenzhi, were you well-behaved at home today?"

Hua Qing filled Qingyun's wine cup and said helplessly, "Zhenzhi is alright, but Susu is not like a girl at all. She is not only bold, but also more mischievous than Zhenzhi."

"Being a little naughty is good!"

"Your daughter is good at everything, she's never bad at anything," Hua Qing said, pursing her lips.

Qingyun smiled, raised his wine glass, and clinked it against Huaqing's.

After finishing his drink, Hua Qing said, "If only Zhenzhi and Susu could switch personalities! Zhenzhi is so honest, how will he learn martial arts and join the army in the future?"

"If he won't learn martial arts and join the army, then let him study!" Qingyun smiled.

"Besides, Zhenzhi is not that great. It's too early for us to talk about these things now."

Hua Qing nodded gently: "What you say is true, my lord."

After saying that, Hua Qing stared straight at Qing Yun.

Qingyun didn't take it to heart and shook his head with a smile, saying, "My lady, don't look at me like that! The young master's marriage is a matter for the Marquis and his wife to decide."

"Even if I know some things, I can't just tell you."

Hua Qing nodded helplessly: "Alright! I was thinking of finding out which noble family she is beforehand so that we can have better dealings after the young master gets married."

Qingyun smiled and said, "My lady, don't worry about this! The Marquis and his wife wouldn't agree to a noble lady who's difficult to deal with."

“That’s true!” Hua Qing said with a smile.

Qingyun glanced at his sleeping children and shook his head with a smile.

"My lord, what are you laughing at?"

Qingyun raised an eyebrow and said, "Susu is bold, she probably takes after you."

"Ouch!"

It seemed someone had been beaten; cries of pain echoed from inside the room, bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, to the outside.

Outside, the cold wind howled and snowflakes fell.

after awhile,

The candles inside the room were blown out.

The courtyard was plunged into darkness.

The snow stopped at midnight.

The dark clouds were blown away by the north wind.

In the early morning, if you look up at the sky, you can see the stars twinkling.

Candlelight was lit inside the room.

Voices could be heard:

"My lord, why are you up so early?"

"It's okay, you can go back to sleep."

After a while,
A dark figure walked out of the house.

Looking at the snow-covered yard, the dark figure began to get busy.

By the starlight and the reflection of the snow, one could vaguely see the dark figure occasionally exhaling a puff of white breath.

When Xu Zaijing had been reading at the Sheng family's house for an hour...

As the sun rose in the east and the sky brightened, Qingyun's son and daughter, dressed neatly, came out of the house.

Seeing the snowman built in the yard, the two children cheered happily.

There are no holidays in November.
Whenever it snows, it becomes a time for people in the capital to visit each other, gather for parties and banquets.

Sheng Family School

The sunlight reflected off the snow outside, making the interior very bright.

Morning 'break'
Xu Zaijing held a cup of hot tea in his hand, looked at Gu Tingye in front of him, and nodded, saying, "Yes, it's embezzlement of military funds!"

"Hiss! According to military law, the Gan family should be executed! Sending them back is only because of General Gan's influence?!"

Xu Zaijing continued to nod.

Changfeng, who was standing to the side, said, "Brothers, the canal dredging work should be stopped today, right?"

Gu Tingye smiled and shook his head: "When I came here, I passed by the canal and didn't see the soldiers and laborers idle. They were all clearing the snow and preparing to continue digging."

"They said that if the snow melts and then freezes hard again, the work will be even more difficult."

Changfeng nodded.

Gu Tingye said, "Fifth Brother, we have a day off tomorrow. How about we find a restaurant and get together?"

Xu Zaijing pondered for a moment and nodded, saying, "Okay! But let's make it clear beforehand, we can eat, but no drinking. The imperial examinations are coming up after the New Year, so it's best if we abstain from alcohol."

“Then, what about the day of Brother Zheng’s wedding? We can’t possibly not drink.” Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing's expression froze: "That's an exception."

Gu Tingye smiled upon hearing this and looked at Qi Heng beside him, saying, "Yuanruo, are you going to the Zheng family that day?"

"Huh?" Qi Heng, who was holding a teacup and looking at the door, turned his head: "Second Uncle, what did you say?"

Gu Tingye repeated it.

Qi Heng smiled and shook his head: "Second Uncle, I was going to the Duke of Ying's Zhang family with Father and Mother that day."

"Oh, does that mean we'll be rivals on the wedding day?" Gu Tingye laughed.

At this time,

Buwei, who had just served Qi Heng hot tea and then left, lifted the cotton curtain and came in.

Seeing Qi Heng's questioning gaze, Buwei nodded at him.

It was noon soon.

Qi Heng, using an excuse, took Buwei out of the school. Outside,

It was during the snowmelt season, and the temperature was very low.

Even at noon, one could still see one's breath.

"Why did Li Chong come this morning?" Qi Heng asked in a low voice.

Buwei glanced around and whispered, "Young Master, Li Chong came to the school because he overheard the Sheng family's coachman saying..."

He hesitated for a moment and did not continue speaking.

"What? Speak quickly!" Qi Heng frowned and urged.

Buwei pursed her lips, glanced at Qi Heng, and said, "Li Chong heard from the Sheng family's coachman that the Sheng family will need a carriage for Jin'anzhai tomorrow."

"Jin An Zhai? Is that the name of the courtyard where Sixth Sister's birth mother lives?"

"Yes, young master. I suspect that the Sixth Miss's birth mother, Wei Xiaoniang, is leaving the manor, most likely to go to the Wei family."

Upon hearing this, Qi Heng frowned and said, "Most likely? Where else could we go besides the Wei family?"

“Young master, there is still a possibility. It is possible that Wei Xiaoniang is going to find Xiaodie, who is married into the Ni family,” Buwei said.

Ignoring the cold, Qi Heng exhaled a puff of white breath, his eyes filled with contemplation as he looked at the scenery in the courtyard.

"No matter where we go, we have to meet again," Qi Heng said in a low voice.

"Young master, isn't this inappropriate?"

Qi Heng shook his head: "These days, with Qi Lang around, we simply can't have a chance to speak alone with Sixth Sister at the Sheng family home."

Buwei glanced at Qi Heng and said, "Young master, I think that when we come to the Sheng family to pay New Year's respects, there will be some opportunities that day."

Qi Heng waved his hand firmly and said, "No, there were too many people that day! If we miss this opportunity, we won't be able to see each other again after the New Year, and we don't know when we'll be able to."

"Tomorrow. Although the marriage of Sixth Sister is to be decided by the Old Madam, and Wei Xiaoniang is only a concubine, she is Sixth Sister's birth mother. It would be good to see her!"

"My identity is something I can present to others."

Looking at Qi Heng, Buwei advised, "Young Master, why do you say that? What do you mean by 'presentable'? You are the only son of the Duke's mansion, and there are few people in the entire capital with a better status than you."

"That's right, your status is too good! Sixth Miss is just a concubine's daughter, and the two families are not of equal social standing. What if the Princess finds out?"

Qi Heng inhaled the winter chill and frowned, saying, "Although our family backgrounds are different, they're not that far apart! Even if my mother finds out, I'll have something to say!"

"Sixth Sister grew up under the care of Old Madam Sheng, and now the Xu family of Marquis Yongyi is in power again! Eldest Sister Hualan is still the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis's mansion."

"Several brothers in the Sheng family have a good chance of passing the imperial examinations, and her younger brother, Qilang Changzhen, has already passed the county examination at a young age, so his future is bright."

After thinking for a moment, Buwei nodded slightly: "What you say is true, young master."

After school in the afternoon,

Before leaving the Sheng family,
Gu Tingye looked at Qi Heng in surprise: "Yuan Ruo, you're not going to the gathering tomorrow?"

Qi Heng shook his head and smiled, "Second Uncle, I have something to do tomorrow."

"Alright then." Gu Tingye smiled.

Subsequently,

Qi Heng climbed into the carriage, and Gu Tingye mounted his horse.

Looking back at the Xu brothers, who hadn't gone far, Gu Tingye turned his horse around and spurred it to catch up.

"Third Brother, Fifth Brother, Yuan Ruo just told me that she won't be attending tomorrow's gathering! Then, why don't we just go to my house tomorrow?" Gu Tingye asked, his breath steaming in the air.

Xu Zaijing and his brother exchanged a glance and nodded, saying, "Alright! We'll invite Changbai and the others tomorrow, so we can ask my brother-in-law for some advice."

"Alright! It's settled then!" Gu Tingye said with a smile.

After saying that, Gu Tingye waved his hand and said, "See you tomorrow."

"it is good!"

Watching Gu Tingye leave, Xu Zaijing looked at Zaizhang beside him and said, "Brother, it's so cold, why didn't you take a carriage and instead rode a horse?"

Zai Zhang smiled and said, "It's really boring to always ride in a carriage. Riding a horse can also temper your will."

As he spoke, Zai Zhang pulled the windproof and cold-proof mask up to his nose.

The next day, around 9 a.m. (the last quarter of the Chen hour)

Xingguofang
The Duke's Mansion of Qi.

There was no incense burner in the warm study.
Only the scent of ink lingered in the air.

The Duke of Qi, who was writing behind the table, glanced at Princess Pingning, who was standing by the table in a daze and had stopped grinding ink, with some puzzlement: "My lady, what's wrong?"

"Ah?" Princess Pingning, having come to her senses, looked at Duke Qi and said, "It's nothing! I was just a little curious. Heng'er always gets up late when he's on leave!"

"You left home so early this morning."

Duke Qi dipped his brush in ink and continued writing, saying with a smile, "Didn't you say you had friends inviting you out to play? Although Yuanruo is sensible, he's still at an age where he loves to play. Don't worry, let him relax!"

Princess Pingning continued grinding ink, frowning as she said, "But Heng'er still has more than two months until the provincial examination, and he's still playing around."

“Yuan Ruo has a certain status! We’ll protect him from the wind and rain, why make him always be so tense? That wouldn’t be good,” the Duke of Qi said with a smile.

Princess Pingning nodded.

at the same time,

At the main gate of the Duke of Qi's mansion,
Near the entrance, besides two stone lions, there are also two snow lions sculpted from molds.

The weather was very cold, and the snow lion showed no signs of melting.

Xu Zaijing and his elder brother rode on horseback with their entourage, followed by a carriage, and passed right in front of the Qi family's house.

Upon seeing the group, the Qi family's gatekeeper, who was sweeping the doorway while wearing earmuffs, quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Third Young Master, Fifth Young Master."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded in return.

"Are you two going to the Ningyuan Marquis's residence?" the servant asked with a smile.

Zai Zhang nodded: "Yes."

Inside the carriage, Qingcao, Huaxiang, and Yunxiang, who had overheard the conversation, lifted the curtain and looked out.

"The two snow lions are well sculpted!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

"Hehe, this is all thanks to Goro's mold," the servant said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing smiled and waved his hand.

Arriving at the main gate of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence,
The gatekeeper, wearing earmuffs and with his hands tucked in, saw the Xu family's carriage and, after instructing his servant to announce their arrival, hurriedly went to greet them with a smile.

On the way to the second gate,

The three maids, Qingcao and the others, wore brocade cloaks and deerskin gloves, and carried gift boxes unloaded from the carriage.

Zai Zhang smiled and asked, "Has my brother-in-law returned home from court yet?"

The gatekeeper nodded with a smile: "We're back at the manor. I just escorted the young master to the second gate! If the two young masters had arrived a few dozen breaths earlier, we would have met."

The two brothers smiled and nodded.

We haven't even reached the second gate yet.
Xu Zaijing saw his brother-in-law and Gu Tingye come out to greet them, followed by Changbai and Changfeng.

Zai Zhang looked surprised: "Changbai, why are you here so early?"

Gu Tingye laughed and said, "Third Brother, Changbai and the others haven't even warmed their seats yet."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingyu glanced helplessly at his younger brother and said with a smile, "It's so cold, let's not stand here, let's go inside and talk."

The crowd responded and headed towards the backyard in a large group.

Backyard main hall

"The young masters have arrived."

Yu Yanran's personal maid, Jucao, stood at the door and called out with a smile.

Only after everyone had come close did they lift the brocade curtain outside the door.

There were two cotton curtains at the entrance, one inside and one outside, and a maidservant inside lifted them.

Upon entering the house,

A moist, fragrant steam wafted towards me.

Bypass the large, heavy, windproof screen.

Xu Zaijing looked at everyone in the room, smiled, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "May you be well, Auntie, Eldest Sister, Sister-in-law, and Sister Tingyi."

Bai Shi and Ping Mei sat calmly with smiles on their faces, while Yan Ran and Ting Yi, who had returned to her parents' home, stood up and gave a curtsy with smiles.

Zai Zhang: "May my aunt be well, eldest sister, younger sister-in-law, and third younger sister be well."

Yanran and Tingyi, who had not yet sat down, returned the greeting.

"Sit down, everyone, sit down," Madam Bai said with a smile.

Gu Shixing and his younger sister Yan'er happily called out "Second Uncle" and "Little Uncle" as they ran towards Xu Zaijing.

Looking at the three maids, Qingcao and the others, who followed her into the house, Madam Bai frowned and said, "You two children, why did you bring gifts?"

Zai Zhang looked helplessly at his nephew and niece who had rushed into his younger brother's arms, and shook his head, saying, "Auntie, this is for the children."

The voice just fell,

Gu Shixing, nestled in Xu Zaijing's arms, looked smugly at his aunt and said with a hint of fearlessness, "Uncle, do you think my aunt has gotten a little fatter after giving birth to my cousin?"

the people heard,

Pingmei's eyes widened, while the Gu brothers shook their heads in unison.

"Good nephew!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile, then took a few steps and placed Gu Shixing next to Tingyi.

Under Gu Shixing's shocked gaze, Xu Zaijing said, "Tingyi, it was him who said it, it has nothing to do with me!"

Seeing Gu Shixing being hugged and tickled by Gu Tingyi, struggling and begging for mercy while laughing, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Near the residence of the e-man,

There was still a lot of snow on the rooftops and roadsides. In front of different houses, there were snowmen, snow lions, snow dogs, and other strangely shaped snow things that were hard to identify.

roadside,

Inside a carriage, watching the Sheng family carriage approach from afar, Qi Heng glanced at Buwei, who was holding a gift box, and took a deep breath, feeling slightly nervous.

(End of this chapter)