Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 791 "A Flash of Golden Light!" [Thank you! Thank you again! 10k words owed]

Bianjing,

Xinzheng Gate of the Outer City
There were imperial guards officers and their subordinates standing on the city gate tower.

Looking down at the bustling crowds of pedestrians and carriages below the city gate, and then glancing up at the rows of buildings, the Imperial Guard captain sighed with emotion.

At this time,

The subordinate next to him squinted at the distance and hurriedly said, "Captain, look over there, those horses are truly magnificent!"

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, the officer quickly looked over.

After a while.

"Let's go! Let's get down here quickly!"

As he spoke, the officer, supporting his waist sword, strode quickly toward the city gate.

After standing by the city gate for a while, a group of knights riding tall horses came over.

Looking at Xu Zaijing in the middle of the knights,

"Snapped!"

The officer clasped his hands together forcefully, making a sound as he clasped his fists together, and said, "This humble officer greets Fifth Brother!"

The subordinates who followed the captain down the gate tower also bowed and clasped their hands, echoing, "Greetings, Fifth Brother!"

"Greetings, everyone!"

Xu Zaijing, riding on horseback, smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

The civilians and passersby entering and exiting the city gates watched the Imperial Guards saluting with curiosity, as they rarely saw these soldiers being so courteous.

Upon hearing the name 'Wulang,' passersby who knew a thing or two looked at Xu Zaijing with surprise as he walked by.

The common people, who didn't care much, merely glanced at Xu Zaijing before continuing with their own affairs.

Liang Han, walking alongside Xu Zaijing, nodded with pride and then winked at the fishing cart.

After Xu Zaijing and the others passed by, the fisherman behind him took out a small silver ingot and handed it to the officer: "Brothers, have a drink after you finish your shift."

Xu Zaijing rode his horse out of the city gate, crossed the bridge over the moat, and after a while arrived near the south gate of Jinming Pond.

Since the dramatic changes that occurred in the pond last month, Jinming Pond has been closed.

All the officials in Chiyuan Police Station were either dismissed or convicted, and the entire staff was replaced.

The newly appointed officials were tasked with cleaning up the pond and garden, and also with towing the capsized dragon boat back to the Okuya for repairs.

Looking at the towering Baojin Tower as if from another world, Xu Zaijing recalled the day of the upheaval when he was carrying a heavy bronze incense burner and crashed into the water from the large dragon ship.

After taking a breath, Xu Zaijing finally cleared his mind of the images.

Seeing that Xu Zaijing had come to his senses, Liang Han said, "Brother Jing, do you know? There are already stories about Jinming Pond in the theaters of the city."

"A storybook?" Xu Zaijing looked at Liang Han with some surprise.

"Yes! I've seen a few of them, little brother! Although I was in the pond that day, I have to say that the storybook was well written."

Looking at Xu Zaijing's expression, Liang Han laughed and said, "The storybook says that those traitors summoned five powerful water monsters, and that day they took the opportunity to ram into the tall building and ship."

"A powerful aquatic monster?" Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile.

Liang Han nodded: "That's how it's written! The storybook also says that in a critical moment, the embroidery on His Majesty and His Highness's robes will transform into real dragons and protect everyone."

"His Majesty pointed at you again, Jing-ge, and a golden light flashed down from the sky, and the golden-armored heavenly general landed on you."

"After the celestial general possessed you, Brother Jing, you went into the water to fight and protect him. After a fierce battle of dozens of rounds, you finally defeated the demon."

"Hahahaha!" Xu Zaijing laughed upon hearing this.

Liang Han added, "Brother Jing, this isn't over yet!"

"Oh? It's not over yet?" Xu Zaijing smiled at Liang Han, waiting for him to continue.

Liang Han nodded: "When my brother went to read this storybook, guess what the other readers said?"

Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, then frowned and shook his head: "It's hard to guess."

"Hehe." Liang Han looked at his equally curious attendants and said, "After hearing the story, some readers confidently told others that on the night the incident happened in the palace, they saw a golden light flash in the palace, illuminating half the sky!"

"It wasn't until these last few days that the onlookers realized that it was you, Brother Jing, who had stayed in the palace that day."

"As soon as he said this, quite a few people agreed with him."

“Brother Jing, as you know, although it was early morning that day, the commotion was so great that many ordinary people and wealthy households in Bianjing saw what was happening in the palace.”

"Thus, these words made the storybook even more lively!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head helplessly: "The 'golden flash' that the onlooker mentioned was most likely the armory in the palace that was set on fire."

Liang Han nodded: "There weren't many people who could enter Jinming Pond that day, and even fewer who could enter the palace afterward. Even if we tell the truth, not many people will believe us."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

As they talked, the group arrived at a place not far from Wu Lou.

At this time, many horse-drawn carriages decorated with various flowers were parked by the roadside.

Seeing Liang Han raise an eyebrow at him, Xu Zaijing frowned and asked, "Sixth Brother, what's wrong with you? Are your eyebrows itchy?"

Liang Han smiled and said, "Hehe, Brother Jing, of course I don't have a younger brother! It's just that the three floors of my Wu family's building have already been booked out for today."

Looking into Xu Zaijing's eyes, Liang Han laughed and said, "Hehe, it's exactly what you're thinking, Brother Jing."

Although Xu Zaijing had met the noble ladies of the Chai and Rong families more than once before, he had no relationship with them at that time.

But things are different now!

After Xu Zaijing was betrothed, it was as if they were engaged, and he and the two noble ladies could not meet before the wedding.

"Brother Jing, no need to look, they definitely haven't arrived yet," Liang Han said with a smile.

The voice just fell,

From a horse-drawn carriage decorated with fresh flowers and with its doors and windows open by the roadside, the melodious sound of a pipa could be heard.

Although the carriage had its doors and windows open, a thin veil hung inside, so from the outside, only a blurry figure could be seen playing the pipa inside.

"Oh! Whose leader is this?" Liang Han looked at the carriage with great interest.

Xu Zaijing closed his eyes slightly, then shook his head with a smile: "Listen, there's still a gap between him and Chief Wei."

"Brother Jing is right!"

Liang Han nodded in agreement.

Then, from the carriages by the roadside, the sounds of zither, flute, and pipe could be heard again, but Xu Zaijing didn't even glance at them and went straight to the polo field.

Once Xu Zaijing and the others entered the polo field, the music from the roadside gradually stopped.

The polo field was very quiet in the morning light, and no one was playing polo there.

I waited at the door for a while.
After the maids, including Qingcao, disembarked from the carriage with their belongings, Xu Zaijing rode his horse toward his tent.

Liang Han pointed around and talked to Xu Zaijing about future plans.

In summary, the polo field will be expanded in the future, and tall stone and wooden platforms will be built around it to watch the polo matches.

As they talked, the two rode their horses toward the tents at the edge of the field.

at the same time,

Many of the maids and servants standing at the entrance of their own tents hurriedly informed the tents of Xu Zaijing's presence upon seeing him.

quickly,

The area around the tents was filled with the families of officials and noblewomen who had arrived early.

When Xu Zaijing passed by, nine out of ten of the officials' wives, noble ladies, and noblemen standing at the entrance of the tent bowed and greeted him.

The reason was mostly because Xu Zaijing had helped their lords and officials. Those who had not received help from Xu Zaijing greeted him with respect because they were speculating about Xu Zaijing's future rewards.

Seeing Madam Wu greeting guests in the center, Xu Zaijing smiled and walked over to greet her, while Liang Han was left behind by her mother.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Zaijing entered the tent and took a seat, and Qingcaohua and the maidservants busied themselves with preparations.

Some people set off after leaving their tents to boil water and make tea, while others plated the various snacks and fruits they had brought.

About fifteen minutes later, people began to come to visit and talk to the Xu family in their tent.

Most of the visitors were Xu Zaijing's age, and while expressing their gratitude once again, they also hoped to become acquainted with Xu Zaijing.

After the visitors took their seats, they would discuss academic issues or the situation in the north with Xu Zaijing.

period,

Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and Lu Zezong also arrived at the Xu family's tent.

As everyone greeted Qi Heng and Lu Zezong, Xu Zaijing asked Gu Tingye, "Has the Yu family's younger sister arrived today?"

Looking at Gu Tingye, who remained silent and only stared at him with pursed lips, Xu Zaijing asked helplessly, "Did my sister-in-law come today?"

Gu Tingye beamed with joy: "They've arrived. They're currently in my tent with the child, saying they have an appointment with Sister Sheng Liu."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Qi Heng, who was standing to the other side, immediately perked up his ears.

Seeing Gu Tingye's hesitant expression, Xu Zaijing asked in confusion, "Second Brother, what's wrong?"

Gu Tingye said, "Yanran said that her younger siblings will also be coming today."

Xu Zaijing frowned and blinked in confusion.

Gu Tingye then raised his chin towards Qi Heng.

Xu Zaijing then suddenly realized and whispered, "Before Yanran entered the Gu family, her stepmother bullied her so much. How come she's helping her now?"

Gu Tingye sighed helplessly: "Yanran's birth mother's memorial tablet is still in the Yu family, and she is buried in the Yu family's ancestral graveyard! My sister-in-law said that she shouldn't be seen as unfilial."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

At this time,

Someone was walking towards the door from not far away from the tent.

Xu Zaijing glanced at it and quickly got up to greet him: "Brother Herui."

Seeing Xu Zaijing walk up to him, Shen Herui immediately hugged him.

Taken aback, Xu Zaijing felt the pats on his back and laughed as he returned the favor a few times.

"Cough cough."

In an instant, Shen Herui felt as if his back had been hit a few times by a drumstick, and he couldn't help but cough a few times.

Seeing this, Gu Tingye and the others laughed and walked to the side to greet him with clasped hands.

Releasing Xu Zaijing, Shen Herui returned the greeting with a warm smile: "Fifth Master, Second Master, Young Master."

When Shen Herui saw Qi Heng, his smile faded slightly, and his eyes showed a more scrutinizing look.

Qi Heng, however, was completely unaware. He smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and after taking his seat, focused his attention on the outside of the tent.

Shen Herui glanced at Qi Heng again and asked, "Fifth Brother, do you and Second Brother have any new news about the war in the north?"

“Most of it is written in the official gazette.” Gu Tingye had only said two sentences when another figure appeared at the entrance of the Xu family’s tent.

"Young Master Rong has arrived," Zhi Que announced.

Everyone looked towards the entrance and saw Rong Xian dressed in a bright red brocade robe, looking aggressive and displeased.

When the menacing Rong Xian met Xu Zaijing's eyes, several images flashed through Rong Xian's mind, one of which was a pile of corpses in front of a palace gate.

Rong Xian, clutching his folding fan, swallowed hard, barely able to contain himself: "I...I want to play polo!"

Those in the tent couldn't help but think: 'You were all so aggressive, was that all you wanted to say?'

"."

Inside and outside the Xu family's tent, there was an awkward silence.

Gu Tingye glanced at Rong Xian, then at Xu Zaijing, and was about to stand up: "If Xian-ge'er wants to play polo, that's fine."

"Erlang, please sit down. Erlang, please come in," Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Gu Tingye sat back down in his chair.

After Rong Xian said "oh," he bowed to the people in the tent and then sat down next to Gu Tingye.

After sitting down, Rong Xian glanced at Xu Zaijing, then crossed his arms, turned to the side, and ignored Xu Zaijing.

The tent fell silent again.

Gu Tingye quickly broke the silence, smiling as he said, "It was reported in the official gazette."

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, Lu Zezong said, "Brothers, we clearly won several battles, so why did His Majesty accept the Northern Liao's pleas for peace? Wouldn't this give the Northern Liao a chance to catch their breath?"

Shen Herui also looked somewhat puzzled.

Seeing that Xu Zaijing was ignoring him, Rong Xian said, "Brother Zong, although we have won a few battles, the horses of the northern cavalry have not yet recovered from their winter weakness."

"They can't run fast or far! And their provisions have been used up all winter and haven't been replenished yet."

"In the coming months, it will be rainy season in the north, and the muddy roads will not be suitable for cavalry attacks."

After listening to Rong Xian's explanation, Lu Zezong and the others nodded in agreement.

“Erlang is absolutely right! Another point is that horses prefer cooler temperatures, and the sweltering heat of summer is not suitable for them to run and charge,” Xu Zaijing said.

Rong Xian glanced at Xu Zaijing, then turned and nodded to Qingcao, who was serving him tea.

At this time,

The stone standing at the entrance of the tent called out in a rough voice, "Young master, the Yu family relatives have arrived."

The words just fell,

Yu Erlang then appeared at the entrance of the tent with Yu Yanhong.

After exchanging greetings, Shen Herui, sitting in his chair, looked at Yu Yanhong, who had a shy expression, with some puzzlement.

Following Yu Yanhong's gaze, Shen Herui glanced at Qi Heng again. After a moment of thought, a look of realization appeared in Shen Herui's eyes.

Immediately, Shen Herui's expression mirrored Rong Xian's.

Yu Erlang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brothers, there's no one on the field right now, why don't we go down and play a few rounds?"

After speaking, Yu Erlang smiled and looked at everyone in the tent, lingering on Gu Tingye's face for a moment.

"Alright, my hands are itching for a match!" Gu Tingye stood up, looked at Rong Xian, and said, "Second Brother, shall we go up and have a go?"

Rong Xian had not yet spoken.

At the entrance, Liang Han waved to Shi Tou before entering the tent and saying, "Brothers, what are you chatting about? My sister-in-law has a noble lady who wants to play polo. Anyone want to join?"

Yu Yanhong smiled and nodded, then glanced at Qi Heng and asked, "Sixth Brother Liang, you've come at just the right time. May I ask which family's daughter you are?"

Under Xu Zaijing's curious gaze, Liang Han said, "She's from my sister-in-law's family, a girl surnamed Wan."

"The Wan family?" Yu Yanhong looked at Yu Erlang with a puzzled expression and asked in a low voice, "Brother, are there any prominent families with the surname Wan in the capital?"

On the third floor of Wu Lou next to the polo field, Rong Feiyan and Chai Zhengzheng were enjoying tea together, each with an exquisitely designed wooden box of the same size beside them.

Yunmu, who was standing by the window, turned her gaze away from the polo field downstairs and said, "Miss, I see someone has gone onto the field!"

"Oh?" Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan exchanged a smile and then simultaneously opened the wooden boxes beside them and took out a cylinder from the boxes.

Seeing the two noble ladies leaning towards the window and holding the cylindrical tube in front of one eye, Ningxiang, who was standing to the side, looked at her mistress curiously and whispered to Xibu, "Sister Xibu, what exactly was that thing that Young Master Xu sent yesterday?"

(End of this chapter)