Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 751 Liang Han, that little beast! [Thank you! Thank you again! 32k words owed]

"He made me so angry that I forgot what I was supposed to tell him."

"Mother Jin, send someone to chase after them and tell Liu Lang! Be sure to give me an answer this afternoon."

“Yes, Madam,” Madam Jin replied with a bow.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Wu waved to her daughter-in-law, who had been patting her back to soothe her, and said, "Sit down and rest."

"My daughter-in-law isn't tired."

Madam Wu smiled and shook her head: "I've already gotten over this. Please sit down."

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family then sat back down in the chair at the lower end.

"Are you a little curious about what I need to see Liu Lang for?" Madam Wu asked with a smile.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family nodded: "Yes, Mother."

"To be honest, it's because of the girl in your sister-in-law's courtyard," said Madam Wu.

"Miss Wan Chunge? Could it be that we're looking for a husband for her?"

Madam Wu nodded: "Yes! Your sister-in-law came to pay her respects a couple of mornings ago and told me about it. Your father also mentioned it last night."

"My sister-in-law's family has a daughter, yet her husband's family has to help her find a husband," Liang's eldest daughter-in-law said with a sneer.

Madam Wu smiled and said, "We're all relatives, so we'll help each other out if we can!"

"When a woman finds a husband, it's like she's been reborn. If the Wan family's daughter marries well, she might be able to help you sisters-in-law in the future."

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family looked at Madam Wu and said, "Mother, look at her, even if she married well, she'll thank her sister-in-law, not us!"

"So, you're looking for Liu Lang because you already have someone in mind?"

"Yes, Xu Jia Dalang has more than a dozen promising captains under his command, which would be a good match for that girl."

"I was thinking of sending Liu Lang to the Xu family to find out what kind of people those children were, but this rebellious son..."

“The children of the Gu and Xu families are taking the exam, and this unfilial son is going to the casino! What will become of him in the future?” Madam Wu said helplessly.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family smiled and said, "Don't worry, with Father's influence and his brothers' support, and his excellent relationship with the young men in the capital, Liu Lang will surely have a smooth and successful future."

After listening, Madam Wu smiled and looked at her daughter-in-law, saying, "That's true. I hope he can marry a girl from a scholarly family so that she can urge him to study."

"Mother is right!"

in the afternoon,

On the banks of the palace moat, the Chai family's Qiusheng Garden.

Chai Zhengzheng was taking a walk in the courtyard with her maid.

“Miss, we’ve been to the Qi family several times, but this is the first time we’ve seen Young Master Qi eat so ravenously,” Zi Teng said with a smile.

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, "Didn't my cousin say that he didn't eat his fill for the next two days at the examination hall, except for the first day?"

"With the delicacies laid out on the table in the Duke's mansion, how could he resist?"

As she spoke, Chai Zhengzheng looked up at the sky and smiled, "The sunshine is really nice today."

“What you say is true, young lady,” Yunmu said with a smile.

At this time,

A young maidservant arrived at the courtyard gate and called out to the people in the courtyard, "Miss, Madam Zhou has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng and the others all looked towards the moon gate at the entrance.

Then, Lady Zhou, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and carrying a quiver of arrows, strode over.

Upon approaching, Yunmu and the other maids all bowed to Madam Zhou.

After smiling and nodding in return, Madam Zhou looked at Chai Zhengzheng in front of her and said with a smile, "I heard that you ran out of arrows, and I wanted to come over a few days ago, but the gatekeeper said you were not in the mansion."

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, "I went out of the city to pray for blessings a few days ago."

"I see!" Madam Zhou nodded with a smile and continued, "Would you like to try the newly made fine arrows, young lady?"

"it is good!"

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and nodded, then shook her head slightly at Yun Mu, who was trying to persuade her (Chai Zhengzheng had an injured finger).

While walking and stretching his arms, Chai Zhengzheng arrived at the garden next to Qiusheng Garden.

Soon, the servants set up tables and chairs in the garden, and a target was erected in the distance.

Madam Zhou opened the quiver and placed the carefully crafted thin arrows on the table.

Chai Zhengzheng was no longer the noble lady who knew nothing about bows and arrows a few years ago. She picked up a feathered arrow casually and laughed, "Oh, it's actually a eagle feather?"

"Young lady, you have a good eye."

"These arrowheads look quite sharp."

As Chai Zhengzheng spoke, she put on the thumb ring (carved with a fox pattern) that Yunmu handed her.

After receiving the delicate soft bow and thin arrows, Chai Zhengzheng took a deep breath and drew back the bow.

"collapse."

“Duo”.

Looking at the slender arrow that hit the bullseye, Chai Zhengzheng smiled and nodded: "This arrow is useful!"

As he spoke, Chai Zhengzheng continued to draw his bow and shoot arrows.

After three arrows hit the bullseye in a row, the maids, including Yunmu, clapped and laughed. Chai Zhengzheng also happily exclaimed, "Ha, I'm a sharpshooter now!"

Looking back at Madam Zhou, Chai Zhengzheng asked, "These thin arrows are better. How much more expensive are they than the previous ones?"

Madam Zhou shook her head and smiled, "Miss, it's just a change in the thickness of the arrow shaft at the front and back; the price remains the same."

Chai Zhengzheng stroked the arrow with obvious affection and said, "It should be more expensive."

After speaking, Chai Zhengzheng glanced at Madam Zhou, who seemed hesitant to speak, and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something you want to say?"

Madam Zhou smiled sheepishly: "Miss, you are perceptive. I do indeed have a favor to ask of you."

"You say."

Madam Zhou organized her thoughts: "Father took on a disciple last year. He returned home in the twelfth lunar month and was supposed to return to the capital after the first lunar month, but there's been no news since. Father is worried."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded, and said thoughtfully, "So, you want my family's charcoal business to help you find out a thing or two?"

Madam Zhou said, "Yes, miss! I originally sent my junior brothers to inquire, but they were on military orders and left the capital at the beginning of the month, so..."

After Zhou Niangzi finished speaking, Yunmu leaned close to Chai Zhengzheng's ear and said, "Miss, it sounds like the young master who lives in the Yongyi Marquis's mansion."

"Oh?" Chai Zhengzheng frowned slightly and said, "Madam Zhou, is that young man surnamed Yue?"

“Yes, young lady,” said Madam Zhou.

“Okay! Tell Yunmu the address, and I’ll send someone to inquire right away,” Chai Zhengzheng said.

"Thank you girl."

The sun had not yet set.

North of Bianjing City

"what!"

The knight with the carbon-fueled chariot spurred his whip with all his might, galloping northwards with no restraint.

Quyuan Street,
The Marquis of Yongyi's Residence

In the racecourse,

Xu Zaijing held a horse comb in his hand and carefully groomed the dark brown dragon horse's coat.

Perhaps because the combing felt comfortable, Longju rubbed its head against Xu Zaijing's cheek.

"Go! Go! Go."

Xu Zaijing pushed the horse's head aside and continued grooming.

Alan stood behind Longju with a smile, braiding Longju's ponytail.

Beside the two, a small horse with high shoulders and long legs was running around from time to time.

As Alan braided her ponytail, a doorman accompanied her as they walked towards the racetrack.

Qingyun, who was trimming his horse's hooves, looked up and quickly reminded him, "Young Master, Brother Zhao is here." "Oh?"

Xu Zaijing glanced back, tossed the comb to Alan, and strode towards Zhaomei Peak.

Upon approaching, Xu Zaijing waved to his servant and then cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Brother Zhao."

"Fifth Brother." Zhao Meifeng smiled and bowed respectfully.

Seeing Xu Zaijing extend his hand, Zhao Meifeng also extended his hand in invitation: "Let's talk as we walk."

After walking around the racecourse fence for a dozen steps and making sure no one was around, Zhao Meifeng said, "Wulang, I've got some information about what you asked me before you went into the examination hall!"

"That kid went to jail and looks like he'll have to serve a year of hard labor."

Xu Zaijing frowned and said in surprise, "Ah!? Brother Zhao, Yue'er is still a child, how did he end up in prison? What happened?"

Zhao Meifeng sighed and said, "That kid is a child by age, but his skills are not those of a child."

"A soldier from the sergeant's office sent word that the boy had tried to kill his own uncle with a knife during the New Year."

"I was reported to the yamen by my own uncle and have been detained for several dozen days."

"Huh?" Xu Zaijing looked surprised and puzzled. "Why is that?"

"You've been drinking," Zhao Meifeng said.

"Drinking?" Xu Zaijing shook his head in disbelief and said, "Brother Zhao, Fei-ge'er has lived in my house for almost a year, and I don't think he's the kind of person who's disobedient or unfilial! How could he kill someone after drinking?"

"Sigh!" Zhao Meifeng looked at Xu Zaijing and sighed, saying, "The soldiers in the department asked carefully and said that Yue's uncle has always coveted Yue's silver and land. He goes to that boy's mother from time to time to cry poor and ask for money."

Xu Zaijing nodded as he listened: "Now that the lady has lost her husband and her son is far away in Bianjing, she only has her brothers to support her. So she will naturally agree to ask for money."

“What Wu Lang said is correct!” Zhao Meifeng said, “When Yue’s son came home for the New Year, he learned from his mother that most of the pension money sent by the court to his family had been lost.”

"Most of the farmland was transferred to his uncle's name under the pretext of finding a wife for his son!"

"According to the boy's mother, when they were having a New Year's feast together, his uncle wanted the remaining land. The boy disagreed and was scolded by his uncle."

"That scoundrel is really going too far!" Xu Zaijing couldn't help but curse.

Zhao Meifeng nodded in agreement and continued, "Young people are naturally hot-tempered, and he has also learned some impressive martial arts skills! If his mother hadn't been holding him tightly around the waist and stopping him, his uncle would probably have been hacked to pieces long ago."

"After escaping, his uncle went to the yamen to file a complaint!"

"After sobering up, that kid also confessed his crime! The result was: for attempting to beat a junior elder, according to the law of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was sentenced to one year of penal servitude."

"Heh." Xu Zaijing laughed angrily: "How can there be such relatives? It is clearly the elders who are disrespectful and morally corrupt, but in the end it is Yue Fei's fault."

Zhao Meifeng nodded: "This kid probably felt ashamed to return to the capital, so he didn't mention your family's name even in prison. If he had just mentioned it, you, Wulang, would have known by the end of the first month."

"Phew!" Xu Zaijing exhaled. "Yue Fei knows I'm taking the imperial examination this month."

Zhao Meifeng was taken aback upon hearing this, then reached out and patted Xu Zaijing on the shoulder.

"Brother Zhao, let's pay the ransom." Xu Zaijing said calmly.

“Disobeying one’s elders is not easy to redeem,” Zhao Meifeng said, looking at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing raised his chin, suppressing his anger, and said, "His father died in battle for the country, and he was the only son in the family. Moreover, his elders are disrespectful and are trying to seize the family property! If the officials still refuse, I will appeal to His Majesty."

Zhao Meifeng said, "I thought you, Wulang, would go to Tangyin to cause trouble for the officials who made the judgment."

Xu Zaijing sneered: "I'm not going. Getting hurt will only cause trouble. I'd rather go to His Majesty and complain! Even if that incompetent man gets his job, he can forget about promotions in the future."

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Zhao Meifeng chuckled and said, "I reckon Yue's son has been reunited with his mother for a day or two by now."

Seeing Xu Zaijing's bewildered expression, Zhao Meifeng continued, "Fifth Prince, His Majesty has just learned the brief details of this matter, and his impression of Yue Fei is not good. He thinks he is just an incompetent drunkard."

Xu Zaijing knew that all matters concerning the Imperial City Guard, no matter how small, would be reported to the current emperor and the crown prince, so he wasn't surprised by this.

"It was only after His Highness learned the inside story and explained it to His Majesty that Yue Fei was released without charge."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "It's alright! It's alright! When that boy returns to the capital, he should thank Your Highness for speaking frankly."

Zhao Meifeng smiled and changed the subject: "Wulang, how did you feel about the imperial examination?"

"Not bad," Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Zhao Meifeng nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "After you pass the imperial examination, things may be a little different from before."

Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Meifeng: "Because of what happened in the north?"

"That's right! I heard from my senior brother that most of the big events will happen in the second half of the year," Zhao Meifeng said with some emotion.

Xu Zaijing looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh: "Come on!"

Zhao Meifeng was saying that the Great Zhou would begin to reclaim Yanyun in the second half of the year.

Unlike the Bai Gao, the Northern Liao was vast and populous; once the two countries went to war, it was uncertain when it would end.

Subsequently,

The two did not continue their conversation, and simply walked quietly around the Xu family's racecourse.

Xu Zaijing didn't rest well on the last day of the examination hall, so he went to bed early that night and slept soundly until the next day.

After exercising and having breakfast, Xu Zaijing was reading in his study as usual during a school break when Qingcao stepped in and said, "Young Master, the sixth young master of the Liang family has arrived."

"Liu Lang? What's he doing here?"

With that, Xu Zaijing put down the book in his hand and walked out of the study.

Before even leaving the courtyard, Xu Zaijing saw Liang Han listlessly step onto the veranda.

"Liulang, what's wrong with you?"

"Sigh!" Liang Han shook his head and sighed, "Brother Jing, you have to save your little brother!"

"Come in and talk," Xu Zaijing beckoned.

After entering the main house in the courtyard, Qingcao served tea and, after noticing Xu Zaijing's gaze, led Yunxiang and Huaxiang to the side.

"Speak, what's wrong?"

Liang Han: "Brother Jing, you know..."

After hearing Liang Han's words, Xu Zaijing stood up, slightly annoyed, and said, "What?!"

"Liu Lang, are you saying that you defiled her body?"

Liang Han glanced guiltily at Xu Zaijing and said, "Brother Jing, I know you warned your little brother a few times before, saying that touching hands and kissing lips is nothing."

"Then why are you still doing this?" Xu Zaijing asked, frowning.

Liang Han said awkwardly, "I... I just couldn't resist men for a moment."

Xu Zaijing glanced at Liang Han and said, "Sixth Brother, is it hard to guess what your eldest sister-in-law's purpose is in keeping such a beautiful young lady by her side?"

Liang Han: "It's not hard to guess."

Xu Zaijing: "Do you know how embarrassing it will be for Madam by doing this?"

Liang Han scratched his head: "It's because I was thinking that my elder brother, who was born of the blood, had rendered meritorious service under Marquis Xu, while my half-brother hasn't accomplished anything in the army, and his title..."

"So, it's all because of my family now?" Xu Zaijing said coldly, his face stern.

"No, no, my brother didn't mean that," Liang Han waved his hand.

"Tell me, how can I help you?" Xu Zaijing said helplessly.

"Brother Jing, I know you're familiar with some of the outstanding captains under Brother Xu. When my mother asks you about it, just don't let it slip," Liang Han said urgently.

"So you've thought it all through?" Xu Zaijing's anger subsided considerably, and he asked thoughtfully.

"Hehe, of course! Brother Jing, once I marry a lady, I'll bring her into the house as your concubine." Liang Han laughed.

As she spoke, Liang Han pondered, "Brother Jing, do you think Miss Hai Chaoyun is suitable for me?"

Seeing Xu Zaijing's gaze sweeping over him, Liang Han said, "Brother Jing, why are you looking at your little brother like he's an idiot? Do I look like I have dementia?"

Xu Zaijing sighed: "Sixth Brother, putting aside whether you are worthy or not, you should know the Hai family's rules, right?"

Liang Han: Uh

Xu Zaijing added, "Also, you should ask a doctor to examine Chun Ge's pulse."

"what?"

(End of this chapter)