Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 762 That Year on the Lantern Festival [Thank you! Thank you again! 27k words owed]

"Has the Imperial Concubine persuaded His Majesty and the Empress to grant you a marriage?"

Standing to the side, Xi Bu was still puzzled by Xu Zaijing's marriage.

Upon hearing Ningxiang's words, Xibu immediately looked at Rong Feiyan with delight.

As Rong Feiyan's personal maid, Xibu knew all too well the weight that Marquis's eldest son held in her young mistress's heart.

Looking at Rong Feiyan, whose beautiful eyes did not deny it, Ningxiang exclaimed with admiration, "The Imperial Concubine is truly amazing! She managed to persuade His Majesty and the Empress to do this; she truly cherishes the young lady!"

As she spoke, Ningxiang exchanged a glance with Xibu, who was smiling.

“Actually… um—” Rong Feiyan said hesitantly, only uttering half a sentence.

Seeing Rong Feiyan's expression, the two maids' smiles faded slightly, and they asked curiously in a low voice, "Miss, actually what?"

Rong Feiyan pondered for a moment: "Actually, His Majesty and the Empress have not yet bestowed a marriage upon me!"

"Huh?" The two maids were stunned for a moment, and asked in confusion, "Then, young lady, what brings you here today?"

Rong Feiyan cupped her cheeks in her hands and looked out the window at the scenery: "Her Majesty the Empress only asked me a couple of questions in a vague way."

"What did they ask you?" Ningxiang asked hurriedly.

Rong Feiyan said, "Her Majesty the Empress asked me how many times I have admired the lanterns at Xuande Gate Tower during the Lantern Festival since my sister entered the palace."

“The seating arrangement on the Xuande Gate Tower has been different over the years, and the Empress asked me which year I thought the seating arrangement was the best.”

Upon hearing this, the two maids exchanged a puzzled look.

Ningxiang looked puzzled: "Miss, what does your admiring the lanterns on Xuande Gate have to do with what we're talking about?"

"Besides, weren't the seats on the Xuande Gate Tower arranged by the officials of the Ministry of Rites?"

"Her Majesty the Empress asked you which year you thought was the best. If you answer directly, will you offend someone?"

Xi Bu, standing to the side, glared at Ning Xiang and said, "Don't talk nonsense! If the question Her Majesty the Empress asked our young lady gets out, who knows how many people in the palace will be flogged!"

Ningxiang was stunned for a moment, then quickly covered her mouth: "Sister is right! I shouldn't have said that!"

Xi Bu nodded, then turned to Rong Feiyan and asked, "Miss, I'm also curious about what you said!"

"Furthermore, what is the connection between what Her Majesty the Empress asked and what we are talking about?"

Rong Feiyan smiled, gazing absently out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

"Miss?" Xi Bu asked softly.

"It's related." Rong Feiyan stared straight out the window.

Rong Feiyan saw the scenery outside the window, but the scene in her mind was the one she had seen three years ago when she went up to Xuande Tower to admire the lanterns and was led to her seat by an official.

At that moment, a young nobleman with flowers in his hair and a headband, who was sitting next to her and had a robust build but looked a little uneasy, smiled and said to her, "Miss Feiyan, may you have a peaceful Lantern Festival."

Seeing Rong Feiyan lost in thought with a smile on her lips, Ningxiang asked helplessly, "Miss? Miss? What are you thinking about?"

"Huh? What?" Rong Feiyan, who had just come to her senses, was still holding her cheeks and looking at Ningxiang with her head turned to the side.

"I wanted to ask you why you are so happy," Ningxiang said.

"I was just thinking about some happy things," Rong Feiyan said with a smile.

"Oh." Ningxiang and Xibu exchanged a helpless glance.

She continued, "Then, young lady, what exactly did you say to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Rong Feiyan took a deep breath, looking somewhat troubled: "I didn't say much! Moreover, after Her Majesty the Empress asked me about this matter, she immediately asked other noble ladies as well."

"A noble lady from another family?" Xi Bu asked in surprise. "Miss, which family's noble lady is she?"

Rong Feiyan: "Hmm—from the Chai family."

"Miss Zhengzheng!?" Xibu and Ningxiang exchanged a glance: "So, how did this young lady answer?"

Rong Feiyan's smile gradually faded, and she said with a hint of regret, "Sister Zhengzheng said frankly that her favorite time was the seating arrangement during the Lantern Festival three years ago."

“Three years ago, wasn’t it the second year after we recaptured Bai Gao?” Ningxiang asked uncertainly.

Xi Bu nodded in agreement: "Ningxiang, you're right! It was that year, it seems like the sixth daughter of the Xu family was born that year!"

Ningxiang: "Oh, right! But was there anything special about the seating arrangement at Xuande Tower during the Lantern Festival that year?"

Rong Feiyan smiled and said, "It is somewhat special."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Ningxiang's eyes were filled with curiosity. Just as she was about to ask more questions, Xibu, who was frowning, tugged at her sleeve.

Seeing the look in Xi Bu's eyes that seemed to say, "I already told you," Ning Xiang reluctantly kept the question to herself.

Xi Bu then asked, "Miss, that's how the Chai family girl answered. What about you? What did you say?"

Upon hearing this, Rong Feiyan looked slightly uncomfortable.

Rong Feiyan moved her hands, which were holding her cheeks, to the front of her face, covered her cheeks, and said in a muffled voice, "I said, like Sister Zhengzheng, I also feel that the arrangement three years ago was the best."

Of course, Rong Feiyan's statement was somewhat brief.

Actually, after Chai Zhengzheng bluntly stated that the seating arrangement three years ago was the best, she hurriedly added, "I think so too."

Thinking back to the way the Empress and her sister looked at her back then, Rong Feiyan felt her cheeks burning.

"Oh!" The two maids nodded repeatedly.

Seeing Rong Feiyan covering her face, Ningxiang immediately advised, "Miss, it's just that you gave your answer a little later than the Chai family's daughter! It's nothing!"

"Mmm!" Rong Feiyan, still covering her face, nodded in a muffled voice, then continued, "Alright, you guys go ahead and get busy! I'll enjoy the scenery for a while longer."

"Yes, girl."

After listening to the footsteps of her personal maid leave, Rong Feiyan finally removed her hands from her face after a dozen or so breaths.

"Phew—" Rong Feiyan exhaled.

"Why are you even more resolute than I am? You answered so quickly! Didn't you even need time to think? It's just that I saved you by the Dragon Protector River."

"That's true. Madam Chai was fond of him from the beginning. Back then, he saved both you and Madam Chai."

Looking at the scenery outside the window, Rong Feiyan muttered to herself.

outside the window,

A gentle breeze blows by,

The flowers and trees in the yard swayed gently.

"Will he like me?"

The barely audible sound drifted away slowly in the wind.

The Chai family residence stands on the banks of the palace moat.

Autumn Sound Garden in the backyard
Madam Chai entered through the moon gate, accompanied by her maids and servants, all with smiles on their faces.

Seeing the young maid carrying water out of the room, Madam Chai smiled and asked, "Where's Zhengzheng? Is he inside?"

The maidservant curtsied and said, "Madam, the young lady is inside and has just finished her work."

After nodding, Madam Chai led her servants toward the main house.

The maidservant quickly called out, "The lady has arrived!"

At the entrance of the main house, Madam Chai waved her hand, and all the other servants, except for her personal maid, remained outside.

The wisteria in the room lifted the bamboo curtain: "This servant greets Madam."

Madam Chai nodded with a smile and stepped into the house. After everyone had entered, Zi Teng lowered the bamboo curtain and followed with a smile.

Before entering the inner room, Madam Chai said, "You all wait at the door."

"Yes, ma'am."

In the inner room, Chai Zhengzheng, who was sitting behind the table, stood up and looked at Madam Chai: "Mother."

Madam Chai smiled and nodded. She first glanced at the bright black armor, then carefully observed Chai Zhengzheng's expression before beckoning to her.

The mother and daughter then sat down together at the table.

Seeing Madam Chai pick up a teacup from the table, Chai Zhengzheng quickly picked up the exquisite porcelain teapot and poured a cup of water for Madam Chai.

"I know everything," Madam Chai said with a smile after taking a sip of water.

Chai Zhengzheng glanced at Madam Chai and then nodded gently.

"That brat from the Xu family is really lucky!" Madam Chai exclaimed with a smile.

Chai Zhengzheng lowered his head and mumbled, "Mm."

Looking at her daughter, Madam Chai said, "Zhengzheng, why are you always looking down?"

"Mother, I didn't do anything."

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" Madam Chai asked softly.

Chai Zhengzheng lowered her head and shook her head a few times: "Mother, no."

After a moment's thought, Madam Chai said in a serious tone, "Zhengzheng, although it was Her Majesty the Empress who asked, she only mentioned it vaguely! If you are not happy, I will go to the palace right now and talk to Her Majesty. We will refuse this marriage."

Chai Zhengzheng suddenly raised her head and said urgently, "Mother, please don't!"

Before he could finish speaking, Chai Zhengzheng saw the smile in Madam Chai's eyes.

Judging from her serious tone just now, it was Madam Chai teasing her.

"Mother, you!" Chai Zhengzheng was instantly embarrassed and annoyed.

"What's wrong with me?" Madam Chai asked with a smile.

Chai Zhengzheng turned her head to the side without saying a word.

"Zhengzheng, do you think the Rong family's daughter is willing?" Madam Chai asked slowly.

"Sister Feiyan?" Chai Zhengzheng pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said, "Mother, I don't know, but..."

"But when she heard her daughter say that she liked the arrangements made three years ago the most, her tone became somewhat anxious."

Madam Chai nodded: "Xu Wulang is a talented young man who excels in both literature and martial arts and is also very handsome! His position in the hearts of His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince is not something that ordinary noble sons can compare to."

"Not only that, you must also know about some of the extraordinary abilities he possesses."

Chai Zhengzheng: "Yes! It is somewhat amazing."

Madam Chai continued with a touch of emotion, "Consort Rong is now a Noble Consort, with a prince at her side! With this prince, the Rong family is now a true member of the imperial family, no longer the impoverished family that others speak of!"

“There are few women in Bianjing whose status is as noble as Rong Feiyan’s! Even if she were to marry the eldest son of a duke, it would be quite fitting.”

“Mother is right,” Chai Zhengzheng said.

Madam Chai: "Zhengzheng, Her Majesty the Empress asked you two in front of Consort Rong. It seems you two had discussed it beforehand. Why do you think Consort Rong didn't object to this?"

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng deep in thought, Madam Chai did not disturb him.

The room fell silent, with only the sound of Madam Chai drinking water.

After a while, Chai Zhengzheng shook her head and said, "Mother, I also don't quite understand."

Madam Chai smiled slightly: "It's alright, your mother will tell you."

Chai Zhengzheng looked at Madam Chai in surprise: "Mother, how...how did you know?"

"The Empress sent someone to tell me this." Madam Chai smiled and said with some emotion, "Zhengzheng, you must have heard about the situation of the concubines in the late Emperor's harem."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

Madam Chai asked, "Which one do you feel is the best?"

Chai Zhengzheng looked at Madam Chai: "Mother, of course we have given birth to princes! When the princes come of age and establish their own residences, although the concubines cannot leave the palace to live separately, the princes can often come to the palace to visit and take care of them!"

"It's much better than being forced to retreat to a royal Taoist temple or monastery for ascetic practice if you can't have children, or to live in seclusion in a cold palace guarding the imperial tombs!"

After the emperor's death, the concubines who entered the palace would be fine if their fathers, brothers, sons, and nephews were successful and were valued by the new emperor, and if the new emperor also valued them. Naturally, others would not dare to bully them easily.

However, if their families lose power or their relatives do not care about or value them, and they have nowhere to turn for help, they will be subjected to mistreatment nine times out of ten.

"Indeed!" Madam Chai nodded and said, "Consort Rong comes from humble origins; her ancestors weren't even officials, just bricklayers! For a woman like that to become the Emperor's favored concubine, she is naturally no ordinary person!"

Chai Zhengzheng agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Mother is right! It seems that Consort Rong is a very decisive person who never regrets her decisions!"

In truth, Consort Rong's background was far inferior to Chai Zhengzheng's.

To receive such honor and favor is something that ordinary people cannot achieve.

Madam Chai continued, "Her Majesty the Empress said that when Consort Rong was showing, she did not know whether the baby was a boy or a girl! So she made a solemn vow in her heart."

"A solemn oath?" Chai Zhengzheng asked in surprise.

Madam Chai nodded solemnly: "Yes! It is a solemn vow to give birth to a prince!"

"And what's the price? Could it be... Sister Feiyan?" Chai Zhengzheng asked, frowning.

"Exactly."

"This Consort Rong is far too heartless!" Chai Zhengzheng said in disbelief.

Madam Chai looked at Chai Zhengzheng and shook her head with emotion, saying, "Zhengzheng, Consort Rong is not heartless at all!"

"Huh?" Chai Zhengzheng was taken aback.

Madam Chai: "Your Majesty, Consort Rong told me that when Xu Wulang publicly subdued Bai Gao and the young nobleman from Bei Liao, Miss Feiyan secretly fell in love with him."

“At that time, Consort Rong had no children and was competing with the Empress, so naturally she would not agree.”

"Later," Madam Chai shook her head, "Zhengzheng, you probably know why you were saved and why Xu Wulang went to Yanzhou."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded and said, "Yes! It was the Prince of Yan and his companions who beat up Rong Xian and threatened Sister Xu, which angered Fifth Brother Xu!"

"I was chatting with the fifth sister of the Zhang family before, and she heard her husband, Zheng Erlang, mention it! Back then, those guys beat Rong Xian so badly that they were trying to ruin Feiyan's reputation."

Madam Chai said, "Yes! His Majesty is still alive, yet those nobles and imperial relatives dare to bully the Rong family like this. Why? It's because Consort Rong has no princes! If things were like that then, what will happen to His Majesty in the future?"

“The second son of the Rong family is a man! But Miss Feiyan will be marrying and entering the inner quarters of the household! Can a princess who is not very old and will also be married protect the Rong family or Miss Feiyan?”

Chai Zhengzheng pondered for a moment: "Mother, that depends on the relationship between the princess and His Highness the Crown Prince. But..."

But Crown Prince Zhao Fang has a younger sister.

Now things are different. With a prince by her side, no one dares to bully the Rong family like they used to.

"Zhengzheng, the Rong family's future precarious situation has been transformed into what it is today thanks to Consort Rong's schemes."

"Speaking of which, Miss Feiyan has also been sacrificing for her family! She has given up a lot of things! Our family has also been very kind to Xu Wulang!"

After Madam Chai finished speaking, she quietly looked at her daughter.

"Mother, I understand!" Chai Zhengzheng said, looking at the armored figure not far away, her voice firm. "Being able to stay by his side is enough for me!"

"Oh!" Madam Chai touched Chai Zhengzheng's cheek: "Silly girl."

(End of this chapter)