Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 753 My Girl Is Really Good at Talking [Thank you! Thank you again! 32k words owed]

Looking into Li Shishi's eyes, Wei Fang said sincerely, "Sister, you must be a smart person to have such a great reputation today, so I won't say any more."

“Sister, what are you saying! I can tell whether it’s from the bottom of my heart or not,” Li Shishi said with a smile.

Seeing Wei Fangzhi nod, Li Shishi smiled.

The two walked quietly back to where they had left. Li Shishi curtsied and said with a smile, "Sister Wei, I still have guests to entertain over there, so I'll take my leave now."

"Take care, little sister," Wei Fang said directly.

After a dozen or so breaths.

"Ugh."

Looking at Li Shishi waving at her from afar, signaling her to go back, Wei Fang sighed softly.

"Miss, the place is ready. Would you like to go in?" asked the maid who was following nearby.

"it is good."

Wei Fang turned and walked towards the fenced-off open space.

A moment later, the beautiful sound of the pipa rang out, attracting many people around to listen attentively.

Wu Lou has three floors.

"Squeak."

Hearing the door open behind me,

The servant standing at the door quickly turned around to look.

"Son."

"Sir."

"It's alright, let's go change," Gu Tingyu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Qingyun and Youqing nodded and followed.

Xu Zaijing walked beside Gu Tingyu and asked softly, "Brother-in-law, I haven't seen Fourth Brother-in-law these days. Do you know where he's been?"

Gu Tingyu was taken aback upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he first glanced at the two attendants behind him, and then whispered to Xu Zaijing, "I know."

As he spoke, Gu Tingyu waved to Youqing.

Youqing understood and casually pulled Qingyun, making the two of them slow down a few steps and fall behind their respective young masters.

"It's alright to tell you, Jiong-ge'er has gone to Dengzhou, and he should be back in the capital in a few days."

"Dengzhou?"

Gu Tingyu nodded: "Yes! Jiong-ge'er went to see the people. Previously, the Dengzhou navy recruited many literate young men from good families."

Xu Zaijing's eyes darted around, and he asked in a low voice with a hint of surprise, "Is this to expand the Dengzhou navy?"

Gu Tingyu shook his head.

Before Xu Zaijing could ask a question, Gu Tingyu said, "It's not that we're 'going to expand,' but that we've already expanded. In recent years, every spring and summer, warships from the Mingzhou Shipyard have been sent to Dengzhou."

Xu Zaijing was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "No wonder Second Brother Zheng left the capital so early."

Gu Tingyu smiled slightly and looked at Xu Zaijing approvingly: "Xiao Wu, you are quite clear-headed."

“Sometimes when I’m tired from studying, I’ll look at the sand table in my room to relax,” Xu Zaijing said.

As they spoke, the two, along with their entourage, disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

In the private room,
Qiao Jiulang raised his wine cup and whispered to Gu Tingye, "Second Brother Gu, why didn't you invite Young Master Qi over today?"

Gu Tingye clinked glasses with Qiao Jiulang: "I've accepted the invitation, but Yuanruo said he still needs to review his lessons."

After Qiao Jiulang nodded and finished his drink, he said, "Second Brother Gu, my parents have been trying to get me to join the army these past few days. What do you think?"

Gu Tingye, whose eyes were still slightly glazed with drunkenness, suddenly cleared his gaze: "Jiulang, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"Truth!"

Gu Tingye: "Join the army! Your parents are doing this for your own good. As long as you are willing to endure hardship, you will surely achieve great things in the future."

Qiao Jiulang nodded: "Second Brother Gu, do you also think that our dynasty is about to recover Yan and Yun?"

Gu Tingye nodded: "Ninth Brother, the future of our noble families will likely depend on the next few years."

After saying that, Gu Tingye looked at Qiao Jiulang and asked, "What, Jiulang, do you want to join the Guangrui Army?"

"Yes! Second Brother Gu, is that alright?"

Gu Tingye: "That's no problem! But, Jiulang, let me make this clear from the start: even though I'm putting in a good word for you in the army, my father won't treat you well. On the contrary, he might train you even more rigorously."

“If you try to cheat or cheat, military law is not just for show; you will be punished with caning or beheading at any time.”

"Gulp." Qiao Jiulang couldn't help but swallow. "Then let's forget about it."

Gu Tingye patted Qiao Jiulang on the shoulder: "It's a good thing to have self-awareness."

At this moment, Xu Zaijing accompanied his brother-in-law back to the private room.

Seeing Xu Zaijing smiling, Qiao Jiulang filled his wine glass and leaned closer.

at the same time,

East of Bianjing City,

Near Dongyuyuan,
Near the Hulong River, there is a famous scenic spot in Bianjing: willows along the riverbank.

The Hulong River is wide, with willows swaying along its banks, and the grass beneath the trees is lush and green from afar but barely visible up close.

Many aristocratic families living near the eastern part of the city choose to come to this area for spring outings.

Outside the Xincao Gate, beside the bridge across the Hulong River, several knights stood at attention.

The men were riding fine steeds, and the knights looked sharp and capable.

Looking at the tourists outside the city, some playing football, some taking a walk, some having a picnic, and some flying kites, the young man at the head of the group smirked.

"Tap tap tap tap".

The sound of horses' hooves hitting the bridge reached them, and the young man's sneer vanished instantly.

His eyes also showed a longing for the scenery outside the city.

After a dozen or so breaths,

"Uu——"

The young man in the lead turned to look.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Young Master Zhang," said the knight who rode across the bridge, bowing to the young man at the head of the group.

"No, no!" The leading youth returned the greeting with clasped hands, saying, "I have really troubled Lord He because of me."

The newly arrived knight glanced at the young man in the lead and said, "Just now, I saw Young Master Zhang seemingly gazing at the scenery outside the city. I wonder what he was thinking about."

The young man in the lead gave a self-deprecating laugh, a look of regret on his face, and said, "It was just that I was thinking about how I was young and reckless and caused all sorts of trouble around here."

"Thinking back on it today, I find it rather laughable."

The young man who spoke was Zhang Shipan, who had previously chased after Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye.

The knight who crossed the bridge was He Guan, who often stayed in the palace.

As a comrade-in-arms who had fought alongside Xu Zaijing through thick and thin, He Guan had always disliked Zhang Shipan.

However, he had no choice but to obey the emperor's orders.

“Young Master Zhang’s ability to admit his mistakes and correct them is truly commendable,” He Guan said.

“What Lord He says makes perfect sense,” Zhang Shipan nodded with a smile.

"Before we arrived, the Imperial City Guard had already sent word that Xu Wulang was currently having a banquet with friends in the west of the city, while Young Master Zhang was in the east. You can relax and enjoy yourselves."

Zhang Shipan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and bowed from his horse, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord He."

He Guan gave a perfunctory bow, said nothing more, and turned his horse around to ride into the city.

Among the men riding behind Zhang Shipan, one of them was about to spit at He Guan's back when, just as the saliva was about to reach his mouth, he saw He Guan turn around as if he had foreseen it.

The person who was about to spit quickly stopped, smiling and nodding repeatedly.

"Cough cough cough."

He then choked on his own saliva and started coughing.

Ignoring his subordinates, Zhang Shipan gave the reins a sharp tug: "Giddy up!"

The horses trotted along the road outside the city, and tourists' eyes frequently swept over them. Soon, the group approached a large, flat open space.

The group followed behind Zhang Shipan, letting the horses walk slowly.

Zhang Shipan's gaze swept over the tourists in the open space.

Before Zhang Shipan could even see the person he was looking for, he heard a loud shout coming from the open space by the roadside: "Pass the ball!"

Along with the shouts came a loud "bang".

It seemed as if a powerful kick had landed on the football.

"Be careful, son!"

The guards following behind Zhang Shipan shouted.

Zhang Shipan looked back in confusion.

"Snapped!"

The leather football struck Zhang Shipan squarely in the face.

Seeing Zhang Shipan covering his face, his attendant hurriedly asked, "Young Master! Are you alright?"

Zhang Shipan covered his cheek, looked near where the football had come from, and asked in a cold voice, "Which bastard kicked it?"

"Hey! You guys, someone come down here and kick the football over to me!" someone shouted from not far away.

"Damn it!" A guard dismounted and was about to draw his sword to strike Cuju.

"Stop," Zhang Shipan said coldly.

Twitching his eye, Zhang Shipan dismounted, picked up the exquisite cuju ball, and walked towards the person who had spoken.

As he approached, Zhang Shipan's eyes involuntarily glanced to the side.

Over there sat a noblewoman of exceptional beauty, her skin glowing white in the sunlight, drinking tea.

Seemingly noticing his gaze, the noblewoman glanced over, curled her lips, and lowered the veil covering her face.

Zhang Shipan suddenly felt a sense of loss.

Rong Xian, dressed in a football uniform, stood with his hands on his hips and looked at Zhang Shipan as he approached: "Oh! I didn't expect it to be you!"

"How dare you speak like that?" Zhang Shipan's guards questioned.

Rong Xian glanced at the guard but ignored him.

"What a coincidence! I never expected to run into Brother Rongxian while traveling outside the city."

As he spoke, Zhang Shipan handed the football to Rong Xian.

As he spoke, Shen Congxing, Xiao Duan, and others behind Rong Xian had already gathered around.

"Yes, it's quite a coincidence," Rong Xian replied with a forced smile.

Zhang Shipan nodded to the Lady of Fuchang Marquis, Rong Feiyan, and Lady Dou.

Lady Fuchang looked puzzled.

Rong Feiyan remained seated in her chair, her veiled hat unmoved.

Lady Dou smiled and curtsied.

Looking at Xibu standing not far away beside Rong Feiyan, and the bow and arrows Xibu was holding, Zhang Shipan said, "Is Miss Feiyan studying bows and arrows? I also have some insights into the art of bows and arrows."

Upon hearing this, Madam Dou nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "Feiyan, did you hear that? Young Master Zhang also knows archery; perhaps he can give you some pointers."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Rong Xian frowned, turned around, looked at Dou Shi, and scolded her.

After reprimanding Dou, Rongxian glanced at his sister who had stood up.

Then, Rong Xian looked at Zhang Shipan and laughed, "What, you know that Xu Wulang is having a banquet in the west of the city today, so you're having fun in the east of the city, Young Master Zhang?"

Zhang Shipan's gaze sharpened: "Brother Rongxian, what are you saying?"

"Hmph." Old Geng, standing behind Rong Xian, couldn't help but chuckle.

The rather muscular Duan quickly chimed in, "Brother Geng, what are you laughing at?"

Old Geng asked, "What do you mean by 'running around freely'?"

Xiao Duan thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, "A dog? A donkey? Ordinary beast?"

After the two finished speaking, Shen Congxing glared at them and scolded them in a low voice, "Alright, stop spouting nonsense and saying such profound truths."

Rong Xian looked at the guards around Zhang Shipan, who were clenching their fists, and sneered twice: "Alright, stop with the fake politeness. There's only enmity between us, no friendship."

"That kick of the ball just now was a reward from me because I was annoyed by you loitering around nearby."

Standing behind Rong Xian, Shen Congxing, who had been observing Zhang Shipan, whispered again, "Your Highness, the people behind this man are no pushovers. If a fight breaks out, we'll at most fight to a draw."

“A draw is fine! If he has guts, he can kill me, a member of the royal family, and maybe that will establish his authority in the capital.”

When Xiao Duan was speaking,
Rong Feiyan, sitting in the folding chair, had already strung her soft bow and put on her thumb ring.

While Rong Xian and Zhang Shipan were getting tense, Rong Feiyan had already warmed up her hands and feet, lifted the veil of her hat, and drawn her soft bow.

A straight, smooth arrow was nocked on the soft bow, the arrowhead gleaming sharply in the sunlight.

“Duo”.

Eight or nine steps away, a thin arrow was deeply embedded in the Rong family's carriage.

Hearing the noise, Dou turned her head to look.

“Duo”.

Dou shuddered upon hearing this.

The second arrow also embedded itself in the carriage, right next to the first, and it looked even deeper.

Subsequently,

Rong Feiyan nocked the third thin arrow, turned her body slightly, and aimed the arrow at Zhang Shipan and the others.

"Gudong."

One of the guards behind Zhang Shipan couldn't help but swallow hard.

They went out of the city for a stroll today, and they weren't wearing any armor.

Judging from the depth to which the thin arrow had penetrated the wood, if it were really aimed at them, someone might actually die.

Shen Congxing and the others had been in the army for a long time, and judging from the direction of Rong Feiyan's arrow, it was clear that it was aimed at Zhang Shipan's head.

Rong Xian was also startled by his younger sister's actions, glaring at Zhang Shipan and saying, "Hurry up and leave! If you scare her, she might accidentally release the bowstring."

At most, their fights would result in bruises and welts, but if they were hit in a vital spot by such an arrow, it could really kill them.

Zhang Shipan glanced at Rong Feiyan's slightly hostile gaze beside the arrow, pondered for a moment, and then said while backing away, "Let's go."

After Zhang Shipan left, Dou Shi hurried to the carriage, looked up at the two feathered arrows nailed to the carriage, and said with heartache, "This, this is the carriage that was part of my dowry."

Lady Fuchang then walked to Rong Feiyan's side.

Feeling the gazes from all around, Lady Fuchang snatched the soft bow from Rong Feiyan's hand and glared at her, saying, "What are you doing! With so many people watching, do you even care about your reputation?"

Rong Feiyan looked indifferent, glanced at Dou Shi, and said, "If brother really fights with them, in the chaos, if someone runs to my side and tackles me to the ground, my reputation will be truly ruined."

"At that time, it won't just be my daughter's reputation that will be ruined; it's possible that her innocence will also be lost."

"You!" Lady Fuchang was speechless, and could only tap Rong Feiyan's head angrily: "You talk too much!"

"Tell me, is it possible?" Rong Feiyan asked, looking like she was in the right.

Upon hearing this, Rong Xian, who had come closer, glanced back at Zhang Shipan, who was about to disappear, then at Rong Feiyan, repeating this process twice before finally saying with lingering fear, "That filthy beast probably didn't really mean it that way."

Lady of Fuchang: "Huh? No way! They're all from prominent families in the capital."

"Hmph!" Rongxian scoffed, "Mother, we really didn't know before my sister entered the palace!"

"But over the years, my son has heard quite a lot! He's also come to understand that when these high-ranking families in the capital really get shameless, they each have their own unique tricks!"

The maids Xibu and Ningxiang listened to Rongxian's words and looked at their young mistress with a sense of lingering fear and worry.

To their surprise, their daughter Rong Feiyan showed no signs of fear; she simply smiled as she examined the thin arrow in her hand.

Noticing the gazes of her personal maids, Rong Feiyan looked up and met their eyes.

As two maids who had practically grown up with Rong Feiyan, they immediately understood the meaning in their mistress's eyes: 'See, I like him, isn't that right!'

Ningxiang looked up at the sky helplessly and said in a very low voice, "Sister Xibu, you can even bring that person into this matter."

(End of this chapter)