Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 741 What will happen to Jing-ge if he leaves me?! [Thank you! Thank you again! 33k words owed]

On the third day of the first lunar month,

it's clear,

noon,

The Rong family's backyard, the Xueyuan courtyard.

A maidservant, wearing a cloak for warmth and carrying a food box, walked through the moon gate and entered.

Upon arriving at the main room, the maid lifted the cotton curtain and went inside.

Upon entering the house,

Before the maid could even remove her cloak, she smiled and said, "Miss, I've brought the dishes you ordered."

"Oh, I see."

Rong Feiyan's voice came from inside.

As the maid slightly adjusted the position of a white porcelain plate on the table, Rong Feiyan lifted the beaded curtain and walked out from the inner room.

Sitting at the table, looking at today's meal, Rong Feiyan nodded with a hint of satisfaction.

Eating in one's own courtyard, there was no rule about not speaking while eating or sleeping.

As Rong Feiyan took the bowl of porridge from Xibu, she looked up and asked, "Are people still talking about Young Master Qi outside the manor?"

Ningxiang, who was helping out, nodded repeatedly and said, "Miss, they're talking about it! When I went to Yanglou to buy vegetables, I heard a lot of people outside the carriage talking about it."

"I foresee that the enthusiasm for discussing this matter among the common people will not subside before the end of the first month of the lunar calendar."

"Oh?" Rong Feiyan sipped her porridge and glanced at Ningxiang. "Would the discussion last this long?"

Ningxiang quickly replied, "Yes, Miss, just think about it! How lively the palace was on the first day of the month!"

"Those who witnessed this were not only dukes and nobles, but also high-ranking officials, sons and daughters of various families!"

"The one who caused this commotion was none other than the young master of the Qi State Duke's mansion, who is not yet engaged and has a good reputation."

"The days after the New Year are all good for visiting relatives. Which family doesn't talk about this?"

Rong Feiyan nodded: "What about after the first month of the lunar calendar?"

“Miss, after the first month, it’s February, right? There’s something to do with the imperial examinations!” Ningxiang glanced at her mistress and said.

"I imagine everyone would be discussing the imperial examinations back then."

Rong Feiyan paused in her scooping of porridge, then smiled and said, "That makes sense. Ningxiang seems to be getting smarter and smarter."

"Miss! What do you mean by 'seemingly becoming smarter'? I've always been very clever!"

"Since you're so quick-witted, have you found out why your brother and sister-in-law argued yesterday?" Rong Feiyan asked with a smile.

Ningxiang smiled and nodded: "Miss, you've come to the right person! I didn't know anything about this when you asked me this morning!"

"Oh?" Rong Feiyan was slightly surprised.

Ningxiang said smugly, "When I returned to the manor just now, I heard the servant at the gate say that Erlang and Madam had a quarrel yesterday, apparently because Erlang wanted to go to the city for a horse race."

"The eldest daughter-in-law's constant obstruction angered Erlang."

Xi Bu, standing to the side, used serving chopsticks to pick up food for Rong Feiyan, saying, "I see. Speaking of which, more and more good horses are being transported from the north and west, and the prices have become much cheaper!"

"Yesterday was the second day of the Lunar New Year, and the horse races outside the city were more crowded than ever before. Erlang has quite a few good horses, so he'll definitely be there to join in the fun!"

Ningxiang nodded in agreement and continued, "By the way, Miss, when I got the dishes and boarded the carriage, I also saw the carriage of the Duke of Lian, Lu's family."

"Perhaps they're visiting relatives," Rong Feiyan said, picking up a piece of food.

Ningxiang nodded: "Then, Miss, some people outside are saying that Young Master Qi is asking for a marriage decree on your behalf. Should we think of a way to dispel the rumors?"

Rong Feiyan pursed her lips: "I only see Qi Heng a few times a year, why would he ask for a marriage decree for me?"

"Besides, all the prominent families in the capital know that a long-established noble like Princess Pingning wouldn't even look at our family!"

She carefully placed a small meat bun in front of Rong Feiyan and said, "Miss, what are you saying! Now that the Imperial Concubine has a prince, our family is not the same as before!"

"Hmm." Rong Feiyan nodded listlessly. "It's different now."

"Miss, do you think His Majesty would grant a marriage decree if that young master also asked the Emperor for one?" Ningxiang asked Rong Feiyan.

Xi Bu glared at Ning Xiang reproachfully.

Rong Feiyan waved her hand, holding her chopsticks, indicating that it was alright. Then, with a flick of her beautiful eyes and a smile, she said, "His Majesty should grant his request."

Ningxiang gave Xibu a fawning smile, then looked at Rong Feiyan and asked, "Why?"

“Hmm,” Rong Feiyan thought for a moment and smiled, “He has always been reliable in his work and has made many meritorious contributions. He is also favored by the Emperor. As long as he asks, His Majesty will agree.”

"That's what the girl said."

Xi Bu smiled, placed another piece of smoked fish on Rong Feiyan's plate, and continued:

“That man is different from Young Master Qi; he is not an only son. He doesn’t have as much responsibility on his shoulders, so it should be easier to arrange his marriage.”

Rong Feiyan raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.

In fact, there were some things that no one else in the Rong family knew, except for Rong Feiyan and her sister, Consort Rong.

She carefully put down her chopsticks and said softly, "Miss, there's nothing to do after the New Year. I imagine that in a couple of days, the noble ladies in the capital will begin to gather to enjoy tea and burn incense."

"Do you think the Sheng family girls will come out then?"

Rong Feiyan pondered for a moment and nodded, saying, "Qi Heng did not mention his name in the hall. The Sheng family has a clear conscience, so the young ladies will naturally come out."

"I'd rather stay home than see anyone."

Rong Feiyan shook her head.

Even though she stayed at the Rong family's house and didn't go out, the gossip about her didn't stop.

After that, she went out frequently, attended banquets and parties, and made friends with several noble ladies, and the gossip actually decreased.

After eating some more rice, Rong Feiyan put down her chopsticks and said, "I'm full."

Standing up, Rong Feiyan rinsed her mouth.

While the maids were tidying up the table, Rong Feiyan had already stepped into the inner room.

The beaded curtain was lifted, and the strung pearls collided with each other, making a 'crackling' sound.

Rong Feiyan sat down on the armchair by the window and picked up a purse to continue embroidering.

Not far behind Rong Feiyan, on a long table against the wall, there are now incense burners and offerings.

The incense burner contained many bamboo sticks from burnt-out incense sticks, indicating that it was frequently used for incense offerings.

Above the table, on the wall, hung three paintings, which appeared to depict star officials, immortals, and sages who protected students and helped them succeed in the imperial examinations.

Having just finished eating, Rong Feiyan was feeling a bit sleepy. After doing some needlework by the window for a while, she couldn't help but yawn.

After a while,

After finishing her meal, she walked slowly into the inner room.
Seeing Rong Feiyan struggling to open her eyes, he carefully looked around the room, found a large cushion, and went over to her.

He tucked a cushion behind Rong Feiyan's back and said softly, "Miss, why don't you take a nap?"

Rong Feiyan, who still wanted to persevere, felt the soft cushion behind her, handed over the needle and thread in her hands, and closed her eyes while resting her head on the cushion.

He gently helped Rong Feiyan take off her shoes and then lifted her legs up.

When Xibu covered Rong Feiyan with the blanket, Rong Feiyan was already snoring softly.

In a trance,
Rong Feiyan found herself standing in the main hall of the palace, surrounded by jewels and jade, in a noisy environment filled with the sounds of people talking in hushed tones.

Rong Feiyan had no doubts or curiosity about her situation, because she knew that she was paying New Year's greetings to the Emperor and Empress.

I don't know when,

The emperor, empress, and their entourage were already seated near the dragon throne.
A tall figure stepped out from the crowd, gracefully lifted his robe, and knelt down in front of the emperor and empress.

Rong Feiyan was taken aback, then carefully examined the man.

"Brother Xu Wu! What is he going to do by stepping out from the crowd?" A curious and excited voice rang in my mind.

While he was thinking about these things, the figure, Xu Zaijing, had already kowtowed to the Emperor and Empress and said with his hands clasped, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, your humble servant Xu Zaijing humbly requests Your Majesty to grant us marriage!"

Upon hearing this, Rong Feiyan was startled: "A bestowed marriage? For whom is Fifth Brother Xu asking for a bestowed marriage?"

"Hehehe." The emperor on the dragon throne chuckled softly, then asked, "Young man, which noble lady are you pleading for?"

"Yes, Wulang, which noble lady do you wish to marry?" the Empress's voice rang out.

Rong Feiyan felt nervous and scared, and couldn't help but glance at her sister not far away.

Her elder sister, Consort Rong, smiled and nodded at her. Rong Feiyan quickly turned to look at Xu Zaijing.

"Brother Jing, speak," Zhao Fang, who was beside the Emperor and Empress, asked.

"Your humble servant."

Xu Zaijing spoke with his hands clasped in front of him, but his gaze was fixed on Rong Feiyan.

"hey-hey."

Hearing laughter behind him, Xibu quickly turned around to look.

The words "The girl is awake" were already on the tip of his tongue.

But looking at Rong Feiyan, who was asleep with her eyes closed but still grinning foolishly, she and Ningxiang exchanged a glance.

"What sweet dreams are you having, young lady?" Ningxiang whispered.

She shook her head slightly: "How would I know?"

Ningxiang thought for a moment and said, "I could guess that."

Seeing Xibu's furrowed brows, Ningxiang pointed at the purse and hurriedly said, "Sister Xibu, do you think it's useful for the young lady to embroider this? It can't be delivered to that young master."

She gently touched the purse embroidered by Rong Feiyan and said, "You didn't go out with the young lady yesterday, so you didn't know."

"Huh?" Ningxiang was taken aback.

Xi Bu said, "Yesterday, when you went to your maternal grandparents' house, you ran into the older sister of Miss Hai Chaoyun from the Hai family, and you stopped the car to talk for a while."

"Has she been married for many years?" Ningxiang asked.

Xi Bu nodded: "Yes! I only learned when we were talking that because of the previous kindness, Miss Chaoyun was preparing to embroider something for Young Master Xu, to pray that he would have a successful imperial examination."

Ningxiang's eyes lit up and she quickly said, "I see! Our young lady was also saved by the Xu family's son back at the Feng family! Many people know that."

Xi Bu said, "Therefore, it is reasonable for the young lady to finish embroidering the purse and ask Erlang to deliver it to the Xu family."

Ningxiang nodded, then looked down at her purse and said softly with a hint of melancholy, "Miss, you burn incense and pray every day, hoping that the Xu family's son will succeed in the imperial examinations, but he can't see your feelings at all."

As she spoke, Ningxiang raised her head and looked at the painting hanging above the table: "If even a tenth of the girl's good intentions were given to some noble young master, that young master would surely have come to propose marriage long ago."

"Stop talking." Xi Bu frowned and said in a low voice, "We are all servants, and we can't say anything about the young lady's life-long affairs."

"No matter what, young lady, you have Consort Rong in the palace to rely on! Without her approval, you wouldn't do this."

Upon hearing this, Ningxiang quickly patted her mouth and whispered, "Sister is right, I was really confused!"

"Hey."

Rong Feiyan turned over in the Luohan chair, let out a long sigh, and continued to sleep.

The next day,

morning,

The sun can still peek out from the gaps in the clouds a few times.

By the time of Chenshi (after 9 a.m.), the clouds thickened, completely obscuring the sun, and not a single ray of sunlight could be seen.

Without the sunlight, it felt instantly much colder.

noon,

In the inner city, near Lijing Gate, is the Huang family of Shoushanbo.

The hall was very warm from the underfloor heating.

Madam Yuan, the Earl of Shoushan, sat on a chair by the window, looking at her drowsy grandson in her arms with a doting expression.

As the grandmother, Madam Yuan could never get enough of her son's bloodline.

Seeing her grandson's long eyelashes flutter, the wife of the Earl of Shoushan quickly shook him gently a few times, and the child continued to sleep soundly.

suddenly,

There were footsteps.
When Madam Yuan looked up, she saw Lord Huang, the Earl of Shoushan, smiling and reaching out to greet his grandson.

"puff!"

Madam Yuan frowned, glared at Uncle Huang, and then slapped his arm hard.

"hiss!"

Uncle Shoushan gasped in pain, but seeing Madam Yuan's formidable appearance, Uncle Huang had no choice but to give up.

Not far from the hall,
Gu Tingyi and Huang Qingmeng, who were sitting and talking, exchanged a knowing smile upon seeing this scene.

Seeing his sister-in-law getting up to go see her nephew, Gu Tingyi reached out and pulled her back, saying, "Alright, don't go looking for a beating!"

Seeing his sister-in-law's reluctant expression, Gu Tingyi laughed and said, "These two shops will be part of your dowry! If you don't understand the ins and outs, be careful not to get fooled!"

"Oh!" Huang Qingmeng sat back down in her chair.

Gu Tingyi was about to continue speaking,
suddenly,

"Bang! Bang bang!"

The sound of firecrackers came from outside the courtyard.

Lady Shoushan quickly covered her grandson's ears and whispered, "Guan-ge'er, good boy, go to sleep, go to sleep."

Perhaps he was really sleepy, because the child didn't open his eyes and continued to sleep.

Uncle Shoushan, who had stood up, sat down again with some regret.

"Who's setting off firecrackers?" Huang Qingmeng asked softly.

Looking at her sleeping grandson, Madam Yuan said, "The Fang family not far away, I think. The gatekeeper said this morning that quite a few relatives from the Fang family came today."

Uncle Shoushan ate chestnuts and nodded, saying, "Yes! It seems to be the three sons of the Xu family, along with their children. Judging by the time, the feast should have started."

The Fang family was the aunt's family of Xu Zaijing and others.

Huang Qingmeng looked at Gu Tingyi and whispered, "Sister-in-law, it's fortunate that Fifth Brother Xu didn't get married, otherwise so many children would have come to our house to wish us a Happy New Year!"

Gu Tingyi laughed and said, "Last year, only Third Brother Xu and Fifth Brother Xu came to pay their respects. There weren't as many as you're saying."

Huang Qingmeng shook her head and said, "Sister-in-law, that's because last year, all the young men and women from the Xu family went to the Huyan family."

The voice has not fallen,

Lady Shoushan waved to the old woman standing beside her, and when she came over, she whispered, "Go and get seven or eight more purses to prepare!"

Huang Qingmeng looked at Gu Tingyi with a "see?" look in her eyes.

Before 2:30 PM (before Wei Shi), in the front yard.

main hall,

The Huang family members were drinking their beverages.

An old woman hurried into the house, curtsied, and said, "My lord, my lady, a message has come from the front gate that the Xu family's relatives have gone out."

"it is good!"

After Uncle Shoushan nodded, his wife looked back at the purses, candied fruits, and dried fruits prepared in the basket.

quickly,

A voice announced from outside the hall: "Distinguished guests have arrived to offer New Year's greetings."

The Huang family members quickly got up.

"Uncle, Aunt, your nephew has come to wish you a Happy New Year."

Zai Duan's cheerful voice also drifted in.

The Huang family members hurriedly went out to greet them.

After going out,
Seeing Zai Duan and Zai Zhang enter the courtyard and lift their robes as if to kneel, Uncle Huang quickly took a few steps forward and helped them up, one in each hand: "Eldest brother, third brother, we are all relatives, no need for such formalities!"

Xu Zaijing, who had also lifted his robe, looked at the overwhelmed Lord Huang and the somewhat distant Lady Shoushan, and could only kneel down on the ground: "This humble one wishes to pay New Year's greetings to the two elders."

A large group of seven or eight children followed behind. Seeing Xu Zaijing's actions, they quickly knelt down and chattered, asking him to wish them a Happy New Year.

Seeing Xu Zaijing kneeling in embarrassment, Gu Tingyi and Huang Qingmeng both stepped aside and covered their mouths to laugh.

"Hey! Wulang, you child, you've come all this way to wish us a Happy New Year, get up quickly!" Uncle Huang hurriedly let go of Zai Zhang and pulled Xu Zai Jing's hand, saying.

"Let's go into the house."

After Xu Zaijing stood up, Gu Tingyi and his sister-in-law bowed to everyone.

"Third Aunt, Second Aunt, hehe." Gu Shixing smiled at Gu Tingyi and Huang Qingmeng from among the children.

Seeing someone take the lead, the other children from the Xu, Gu, and Huyan families followed suit and called for help.

"Auntie," Ning Mei called out, her short legs shuffling along.

"Oh dear, Ning-jie, you can't call me aunt!" Gu Tingyi laughed and picked Ning Mei up in his arms. "You have to call me sister."

"Sister!" Ning Mei called out softly.

"So good!" Gu Tingyi said, pressing his hand against Ning Mei's cheek. "No wonder the Empress likes you so much."

Holding Ning Mei in his arms, Gu Tingyi looked at his niece and Qing Jie'er walking hand in hand and called out, "Yan Jie'er, Qing Jie'er, slow down."

"I know, Auntie."

A group of people entered the main hall.

After everyone was seated, the maidservant hurriedly served the prepared hot soup.

Huang Qingmeng was busy distributing gifts to the children, occasionally exchanging a few words with the precocious Gu Shixing and Xu Xingdai.

Shoushan Bo's eldest son, Huang Qingyue, was leading troops in the north, while Zai Duan was a general under Yongyi Hou. The two had a lot to talk about.

While discussing the situation in the north, he would occasionally comment on a few captains or rising stars in the army.

Gu Tingyi's son had already woken up and was brought out by the nanny for a brief appearance.

This young man from the Huang family is the grandson of Lady Bai, the wife of Marquis Gu. Lady Bai naturally dotes on him and sends him nice things every few days.

In previous years, the Xu family and the Shoushan family were not close, and their New Year's visits were mostly just reciprocal exchanges of gifts.

However, since Gu Tingyi married into the Huang family, they had relatives, so their relationship was naturally not ordinary.

So they talked for more than 15 minutes.

When the Xu family left, the children walked in front, while Xu Zaijing and his eldest brother walked behind.

"Hey! That Qi family boy is really impulsive and rash. How can he ask for a marriage decree before the emperor without telling his parents?" Lord Huang said, shaking his head.

“Yuan Ruo is too young!” Zai Duan exclaimed.

Arriving at the gate of the Huang family,
Qingyun, Alan, and other Xu family members came out from the gatehouse where they were drinking hot tea to look after Xu Xingdai and the other children.

Before parting, Madam Yuan, the Earl of Shoushan, smiled at Zai Zhang, and then said to Xu Zai Jing, "Fifth Brother, you are the sworn brother of the young master of the Lu family. Do you know why the old lady of the Duke of Lian went to the Cao family?"

Seeing Xu Zaijing's puzzled look, Madam Yuan said, "Yesterday, when I was visiting relatives, I passed by the gate of the Marquis of Tuoxi's mansion and saw Madam Cao seeing off Old Madam Lu."

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "Madam, I am not very clear about this matter."

Madam Yuan nodded.

After everyone said their goodbyes, Madam Yuan sighed softly as she looked at Zhong Ge'er following behind Xu Xingdai.

Madam Yuan's maternal family, formerly the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion, now has only one daughter, and it seems they are about to die out.

If it weren't for those unpleasant things, the Sheng family girl would have been able to marry into the Yuan family, and her children would probably be around this age by now.

"Mother-in-law, let's go back too," Gu Tingyi said softly.

"it is good."

in the afternoon,

Leaving my aunt's house,

Xu Zaijing did not return to Quyuan Street with his elder brother. Instead, he rode his little horse and accompanied his nephew Huyan Bi, who was riding a fine horse, towards the Huyan family home.

The foal that was sent to Huyan's family back then is now over three years old.

Although the Huyan family did not hold a noble title, the Pan family was a well-known wealthy household, so they naturally received plenty of high-quality feed.

Therefore, the horse that Huyan Bi rode was only slightly shorter than Xiao Liju.

Two exceptionally fine horses were walking down the street, attracting the attention of passersby.

Hu Yanbi was Xu Zaijing's nephew, and they did look somewhat alike.

Therefore, many passersby mistakenly thought the uncle and nephew were father and son.

Arriving at the Huyan family residence in Chunmingfang,

Having been informed in advance, Hu Yanjiong stood at the door with a smile on his face.

As he walked toward the hall, Huyan Jiong shook his head with a smile and said, "Fifth Brother, to be honest, sometimes I also want to ride this fine steed."

Xu Zaijing laughed and said, "Brother-in-law, you can buy a few more good horses to breed the family. You'll need plenty of good horses."

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Huyan Jiong said with a smile.

After entering the house,
With her hands behind her back and a slightly protruding belly, Anmei walked over with her personal mother.

Upon seeing this, Hu Yanjiong quickly went to An Mei's side to protect her.

"Sis, don't go out next month, okay? Your little brother has already received your blessings," Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Anmei patted her waist and shook her head, saying, "My belly isn't that big, I know what I'm doing. If I don't go, I don't know what my mother will say about me."

Hu Yanbi followed him into the room, smiled, and walked to An Mei's side, placing his head on An Mei's stomach.

Anmei touched her son's cold little face and asked, "Were you cold on the way?"

"It's not cold!" Hu Yanbi looked up at An Mei and said with a smile.

Subsequently,

Xu Zaijing took his leave.

On the way out, Xu Zaijing looked back at the main house and said, "Brother-in-law, now that we have a second child, you'll have to pay more attention to my nephew's mood."

“I understand,” Hu Yanjiong said with a smile.

On the way back,
Seeing that it was still early, Xu Zaijing turned and headed to the residence of the Zhua Jue family.

After speaking with Elder Zhaijue for a while, Zhaijue Zhongding finally escorted Xu Zaijing out.

Looking at the clean streets, Xu Zaijing said softly, "These days, have those Bai Gao surrendered officials' sons come to bother us?"

Zhua Juezhong shook his head: "He didn't come!"

"That's good! Just tell me if anything comes up."

"Don't worry, Wulang."

"gone."

Xu Zaijing smiled and waved his hand before walking outside, mounting his horse, and leaving.

Without the sun,

It got dark very quickly.

When Xu Zaijing returned to Quyuan Street, the gatekeeper had already begun preparing to light the lanterns.

Xu family backyard,

"Goro is back."

With the maid's announcement, Xu Zaijing stepped into the warm room, brightly lit by candles.

The women who were talking in the room all stopped talking.

"Mother, sister-in-law."

After smiling and bowing respectfully, Xu Zaijing, whose face was still somewhat cool, sat down in a chair, accepted the hot soup offered by Dan's mother, and asked in confusion, "Mother, sister-in-law, what are you saying?"

Madam Sun smiled and said, "Jing'er, did the Lady of Shoushan ask you about the old lady of the Duke of Lian's family today?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes, Mother."

"Then do you know why the old lady of the Lu family went to the Cao family?" Madam Sun asked with a smile.

Xu Zaijing took a breath, looked at his two elder brothers and sister-in-law, and after thinking for a moment, said uncertainly, "Mother, did the old lady go to propose marriage to Zong-ge'er?"

"No, Xiao Wu, how could you guess something like this?" Zai Zhang looked at Xu Zai Jing with incomprehension.

The carrier was also quite surprised.

"Huh? Really?" Xu Zaijing was also quite surprised. After looking around at everyone, he exclaimed in astonishment, "The old lady of the Lu family really went to the Cao family to propose marriage?"

Mrs. Sun nodded repeatedly: "It's true!"

Xu Zaijing: "The Cao family agreed?"

Madam Sun: "I agree! But... Jing'er, how did you guess?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Mother, on the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, I asked Zong-ge'er out of the blue, and he let it slip."

The Xu family members suddenly realized what was going on.

Xu Zaijing then said, "Mother, Zong-ge is only twelve years old this year. Isn't Cao Jiazhi older than him?"

Madam Sun nodded gently: "Zong-ge'er's mother, Madam Li, came to our house in person to tell us about this. She said that Zong-ge'er knelt before the Duke and his wife and begged them."

Xu Zaijing looked bewildered: "But Mother, no matter how much Zong-ge pleads, he's still so old. Why is the old Duke in such a hurry?"

With this remark,
The atmosphere in the hall froze.
Under Xu Zaijing's questioning gaze, Madam Sun waved away all irrelevant people in the room.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's darting eyes and horrified expression, Madam Sun, who knew her son intimately, frowned and said, "Jing'er, what are you thinking? Those two children haven't even exchanged a few words!"

"Oh, oh!" Xu Zaijing patted his chest, saying with lingering fear, "That's good, I thought it was just the two of us."

Mrs. Sun shook her head: "You child!"

Then, Madam Sun sighed and said with emotion, "Lady Li overheard her mother-in-law, the old lady of the Duke of Lian, chatting and learned that the Cao family of the Marquis of Tuoxi and the Qi family were interested in forming a marriage alliance."

Xu Zaijing was quite surprised: "Sister Cao Jiazhi is three or four years younger than Yuan Ruo! However, if they get together, it will be a good match, and the Qi family's wealth will definitely rise to another level."

The Cao family was not only a powerful marquisate, but also the maternal family of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess!

Now, the Great Zhou is strengthening its military and amassing troops. Anyone with eyes can see that it will be dealing with the Northern Liao in the next few years.

With such a supportive family in his wife's family, Qi Heng's future is undoubtedly limitless.

Madam Sun nodded and continued, "Just now, Jing'er, you said that Zong-ge'er was in a bad mood on the first day of the lunar new year, and that's actually because of this matter!"

"Zong-ge overheard the old lady of the Duke of Lian and Madam Li chatting and learned that the marriage of his beloved Zhi-jie is about to be arranged!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "Small in stature but very shrewd, quite decisive indeed!"

Xie and Hualan nodded in agreement.

Madam Xie said, "I heard that on the afternoon of the first day of the month, Zong-ge'er knelt down and begged the old man."

"That afternoon, the old master and the old lady sent another invitation and brought Zong-ge'er to the palace to request an audience with His Majesty, the Empress, and the Crown Princess."

"After receiving the consent, the old lady went to the Cao family and said that she had asked the Duchess of England to be the matchmaker, and only then did the matter come to fruition."

Hua Lan shook her head with a sigh.

Mrs. Sun said with great emotion:
"No wonder the Cao family agreed so readily."

"The Cao family agreed to the marriage even before Qi Heng's imperial examination results came out, mainly because of Princess Pingning's influence and the prestige of the Qi family's Duke's mansion."

"Qi Heng's antics on the first day of the lunar new year were so outrageous that he practically tore off the faces of the Empress, the Cao family, and the Gao family, and then stomped on them."

Zai Zhang, who was standing nearby, said, "Mother, I think that Zong Ge'er is no ordinary boy!"

Dalang Zaidan nodded gently and sighed, "Sanlang, speaking of which, five or six years ago, when Zongge was at the Taoist temple, he first experienced betrayal and murder by the people he regarded as his father and brother, and then faced the great fear of death under Qianshan Mountain. Later, he was rescued by Xiaowu."

“After going through all this, how could he be an ordinary child?”

Sun, Xie, and Hualan, among others, nodded in agreement, feeling a pang of sympathy.

Lu Zezong had spent several Spring Festivals at the Xu family's home, and they had naturally witnessed his maturity beyond his years, as well as his sensible and obedient nature.

“It’s good that Zong-ge’er is like this,” Xu Zaijing said.

royal palace,

The Eastern Palace, Zhao Fang's sleeping quarters.

In the palace,

A dozen or so bright candles were lit on the candle holder.

Crown Princess Gao Taotao looked at Zhao Fang, who was sitting behind the table, shaking his head with a smile, and said softly, "My lord, what makes you so happy?"

Zhao Fang stood up with a smile and said, "Today, Lady Li, the wife of Duke Lian, went to the residence of Marquis Yongyi."

"Oh? Are you going to talk about my cousin and Zong-ge'er?" Gao Taotao asked.

Zhao Fang nodded: "Yes, there's nothing else."

"What are you laughing at, my lord, about this?"

"Think about it, Zong-ge'er is already engaged at such a young age, while Jing-ge, at his age, doesn't even have a potential partner. What will Jing-ge do without me!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Taotao smiled and shook her head: "My lord, let's wait until Xu Wulang has passed the imperial examination before you say this!"

Zhao Fang was taken aback, but smiled confidently and said, "That will also depend on me to devise a plan for him."

(End of this chapter)