Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 792 That Year, That Year [Thank you! Bow again! 10k words owed]

The third floor of Wu Lou

By the window,
Ningxiang held up the cylinder that her daughter had taken out of the wooden box and looked towards the racetrack.

"Wow! How amazing! Everything inside has gotten bigger!"

Hearing Ningxiang's sigh, Xibu, who had obviously already seen everything, was talking to the maid of the Chai family.

"Yunmu, do you know where this thing came from?"

Yunmu nodded, glanced at Chai Zhengzheng who was drinking tea at the table, and then nodded again:
"When Qingcao came to deliver the gifts, she said that it was made by a master craftsman from the Ministry of Works, who had invited the Fifth Young Master Xu, who used more than a dozen pieces of valuable, high-quality crystal."

"Superior quality crystal? More than a dozen pieces?" Ningxiang stopped looking out the window and looked down at the cylinder in her hand with great surprise.

The price of a dozen or so pieces of top-quality crystal far exceeds Ningxiang's own net worth.

Yunmu smiled and said, "Yes! The crystal mirror that the Ministry of Works presented to His Majesty a few days ago, which can magnify the text on paper, is made of the same material as the one in this cylinder."

Upon hearing this, Ningxiang instantly felt as if the thing in her hand was incredibly heavy.

Looking at Ningxiang's appearance, Xibu reached out and took the simple telescope from her hand, saying, "It seems that His Majesty has bestowed this item upon several of the Grand Masters."

“Yes!” Yunmu laughed.

beside,

Fuyi was holding the cylinder up and looking down.

Zi Teng looked at the unused cylinder in Xi Bu's hand, and a hint of something appeared in her eyes.

Xi Bu glanced at it only once before smiling and handing the cylinder in her hand to Zi Teng: "Sister Zi Teng, take a look."

Zi Teng pursed her lips, glanced at Yun Mu who nodded, said thank you, and excitedly took the cylinder, holding it up to look down.

"Hey!" After looking for a while, Zi Teng pointed down and said, "That looks like the Sheng family's carriages and horses."

Upon hearing this, Fuyi, who was standing to the side, shifted the direction of the cylinder in her hand and looked in the direction that the wisteria was pointing.

"Oh?" Chai Zhengzheng, who had just gone to the table to drink tea because Xu Zaijing hadn't played, stood up with a smile: "Let me see."

Following the direction Fuyi pointed, Chai Zhengzheng raised the cylinder.

In Yuanyuan's fairly clear vision, Madam Wang was stepping off the carriage, holding onto a mother's hand as she used a stool.

"It's the Sheng family. Look, all the young ladies have arrived."

As Chai Zhengzheng spoke, Rong Feiyan, who had stood up and walked over with him, took the cylinder from Zi Teng and also looked in that direction.

At this time,

"Goal!"

The cheers of women could be faintly heard coming from the polo field.

Rong Feiyan moved the cylinder toward the polo field and saw Yu Yanhong holding a polo mallet, cheering and laughing on horseback.

Then, Rong Feiyan moved the cylinder in her hand toward the door of a certain family's tent.

“Sister Feiyan, look over there, isn’t that the Hua family’s carriage?” Chai Zhengzheng’s voice came from over there.

Rong Feiyan quickly put down the cylinder, and after seeing the direction Chai Zhengzheng was pointing, she picked it up again.

After glancing at them twice, he nodded and said, "Yes! Look, the two eldest daughters of the Hua family, Kaiying and Kailuo, have arrived."

"My sister-in-law told me that my sister Kaiying's marriage is basically settled, and the wedding ceremony will be held in a few days."

"It's settled? Which company?" Chai Zhengzheng asked with great interest as he put down the cylinder.

Rong Feiyan smiled and gestured with her chin toward the polo field: "It might be the third son of the Sheng family."

"Huh?" Chai Zhengzheng was taken aback, and immediately raised the cylinder to look downstairs: "Sheng Sanlang has come today! Could it be that the two families want to take a look at each other?"

"If only we could be on the field, we could at least watch the excitement up close."

After watching for a while, Chai Zhengzheng put down the cylinder and handed it to Yunmu, then walked back to the table.

Rong Feiyan glanced at the entrance of the Xu family's tent again, handed the cylindrical container to the maid, and sat down next to Chai Zhengzheng: "Sister Zhengzheng, Her Majesty said that Yuqing Temple has always been efficacious. When we return to the city this afternoon, should we stop by?"

"Okay!" Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile.

In the morning light,
Polo field
The south wind made the colorful flags in the field sway slightly.

Not far from the entrance,
Rulan, with a smile on her face, nestled close to Wang Ruofu and walked at the front.

Mo Lan and Ming Lan, along with their respective maids, followed behind Wang Ruofu, along with Cai Huan and Granny Liu.

Changfeng rode his horse at the very back, looking around for acquaintances.

After glancing at the situation on the court, Changfeng laughed and cheered, "Brother Gu, great shot!"

Hearing Changfeng's cheers, the women of the Sheng family all looked towards the stadium.

"Miss, look, the young master is playing ball too!" Mo Lan, a woman of a hundred years, said with a smile.

Holding a round fan, Mo Lan felt Qi Heng's gaze and immediately began to fan herself shyly.

Minglan, standing in the crowd, seemed oblivious, her head bowed as she looked at the bundle that Danju was carrying beside her.

Rulan also heard Lu Zhong's voice and turned her head to look at the field: "Huh? Who is Miss Yu's opponent? They look a bit unfamiliar."

"Do you know Aunt Liu?"

Hearing Rulan's question, Liu Mama turned her head to look at her, thought for a moment, and then shook her head and said, "Miss, I don't recognize her."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu squinted and looked at her: "Doesn't she look like the girl who was with the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family before? Her surname is Wan?"

Mrs. Liu's eyes lit up: "Madam, you're amazing! It looks like the one you were talking about!"

At this time,

Not far away, a noblewoman and her maid were walking and waving at the Sheng family, calling out, "Rulan! Rulan! Come here quickly!"

The Sheng family members turned to look at the sound.

After Rulan recognized the person who called her, she also stood on tiptoe and waved in greeting.

"Who is that?" Mo Lan covered her mouth with her fan and asked Yun Zai in a low voice.

Yunzai and Luzhong looked somewhat confused.

Lu Zhong quickly tugged at Magpie's clothes, who was holding a golf club, and asked with a smile, "Magpie, who is that noble lady?"

The magpie chuckled and said, "That is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Shoushan, and the sister-in-law of Madam Gu."

Mo Lan and the others nodded in realization.

"Mother, Meng'er called me, so I'll go over there first." Rulan said with a smile, "I made an appointment with Meng'er to play Chuiwan together later."

Wang Ruofu pursed her lips and smiled, "Go ahead."

"Yuanruo! Watch the game!" Gu Tingye's shout came from the polo field.

"Huh? Giddy up!" Qi Heng replied.

A moment later, Gu Tingye called out again, "Yuan Ruo, stop daydreaming!"

Qi Heng withdrew his gaze from the Sheng family and replied, "Understood, Second Uncle!"

After Rulan left
Minglan moved closer to Wang Ruofu and said, "Mother, I want to go to the Gu family's tent. I made an appointment with Sister Yanran before I came."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu smiled kindly and said, "I know you and Yanran have been close since childhood. You've finally managed to get out here, so have some fun."

"Yes, Madam!"

"By the way! Those are the Marquis's tents, so be careful what you say and do!"

"My daughter understands."

"Go!"

Watching Minglan leave, Wang Ruofu smiled and then led Molan toward the tent.

Gu's family tent.

Qingzhi, who was watching the polo match at the door, immediately turned around and went back into her tent when she saw Minglan approaching.

After a while,
Yanran then came out with her personal mother.

Now, Lady Bai, the wife of Marquis Gu, is a grandmother, and all her children are married.

At polo matches like today, unless specifically invited, it's usually the two daughters-in-law, Pingmei and Yanran, who participate.

"Minglan! Why are you only arriving now?" Yanran walked up to Minglan and asked with a smile.

Minglan smiled and said, "Sister Yanran, I have to stay with Mother and my sisters." After saying that, Minglan looked at Pingmei who came out, smiled and curtsied, "Greetings, Madam."

"Hmm!?" Pingmei glared at Minglan, feigning displeasure. "Is that right?"

Minglan pursed her lips, gave another curtsy, and said, "Greetings, Sister Pingmei."

"That's more like it." Pingmei nodded with a smile, then looked at her two children beside her and said, "Say hello to them."

"aunt."

Xing Ge'er and Yan Jie'er quickly bowed and greeted the people.

Minglan nodded with a smile.

Everyone returned to their tents and took their seats. Pingmei smiled and said, "Minglan, have your two brothers arrived?"

"Sister, Second Brother has something to do, Third Brother is here."

Pingmei nodded.

Yanran smiled as she looked at Danju, who was carrying a bundle.

Seeing this, Minglan could only beckon to Danju.

After taking the bundle, she opened it and took out a set of clothes, saying, "Sister Yanran, this is a set of clothes that I made in my spare time."

Yanran walked over happily, took the clothes, and excitedly prepared to hold them up to herself: "Minglan, your handiwork has always been excellent."

But when she saw the tiny clothes, Yanran's expression froze instantly.

“Yanran, Minglan made this for my nephew, not for you,” Pingmei said with a smile.

Yanran smiled at Pingmei and continued looking at the clothes in her hand, noticing that the clothes were embroidered with shoulder straps.

"Is this a polo outfit?" Yanran asked Minglan with a smile.

Minglan nodded with a smile.

"Let me see," Pingmei said with a smile, reaching out her hand.

After taking the clothes and examining them for a moment, Pingmei nodded and said, "Minglan, your craftsmanship is really good! Although it's still a bit inferior to your mother's."

Minglan nodded: "Sister Pingmei is right, my mother's skills are really too good."

"drive!"

"what!"

"Rumble--"

Outside the tent, the sound of knights galloping at full speed could be heard.

Pingmei smiled and said, "Minglan, did you bring your mount today?"

Minglan nodded.

Pingmei continued, "Great! I've always known that you've inherited your great-aunt's polo skills, but I haven't had a chance to see it. Let's go up and swing a few balls later."

"Qingxia!"

"The servant is here."

"Go ask if any of the older ladies are going to play ball later."

"Yes."

"nice shot!"

Outside the tent, spectators watching the polo match exclaimed in admiration.

When the people inside the Gu family's tent looked out, they saw the Wan family's daughter happily holding up her polo mallet.

The Xu family's tent.

Xu Zaijing sat at the head of the table, looking at Changfeng, who was all smiles and bowing to everyone in the tent.

After Gu Tingye left, Rong Xian, who was sitting not far from Xu Zaijing, sidled up to him and glanced at Xu Zaijing. He said, "Fifth Brother, I'm going to play polo later."

Looking at Changfeng, Xu Zaijing, who was thinking about his sister-in-law Hualan's instructions before he left, immediately nodded upon hearing this: "Okay!"

Rong Xian was taken aback.

Xu Zaijing continued, "Later, Erlang can go to the arena and have a match with Changfeng."

Upon hearing this, Changfeng, who was sitting down nearby, quickly nodded with a smile: "Of course! Of course! It's been a while since I've touched a polo mallet, and I'm getting a little itchy!"

Rong Xian forced a smile at Chang Feng.

As everyone watched the situation unfold outside the tent, Rong Xian leaned closer to Xu Zaijing, frowning as he asked, "Fifth Brother, don't you have anything to say to me?"

Xu Zaijing pursed his lips: "What does Erlang want to hear me say?"

Rongxian: "I...I don't know either! But my sister is such a good girl, I've watched her grow up since she was little, Wulang, you..."

Looking at Xu Zaijing's indifferent eyes.

Rong Xian lowered his head: "Zhengzheng is a very good girl! Before, I, Wulang,..."

Seeing Yun Xiang step forward to serve tea, Rong Xian turned his head away angrily: "Fine, I have nothing to say to you."

Shen Herui sat not far away and glanced back at Rong Xian, who was talking to Xu Zaijing.

Previously, Shen Herui had always looked down on playboys like Rongxian, but today, for some reason, Shen Herui actually felt a sense of sympathy for Rongxian.

Thinking about the reasons, Shen Herui glanced at Qi Heng on the court again.

At Madam Wu's place.

"When I asked Sister Wu, she said, 'Sister Wang, the child in your family is very good!'"

"It's all for the sake of the children! Some things you have to look at in the long term and plan ahead."

Hearing what Madam Hua said, Wang Ruofu was unhappy, but still nodded with a smile: "Madam is right! These children are of marriageable age."

"By the way, Madam Wang, did your eldest daughter come today?" Madam Hua asked.

Wang Ruofu's smile instantly turned into one of extreme joy. She flicked her handkerchief and said haughtily, "Oh dear! Neither she nor her sister-in-law came! Today, my cousin, who is a top scholar, is at the stadium. Most of the sons of high-ranking families are going to the Xu family's tent, so she won't come and cause any trouble."

"What you say is true, madam!"

Beside her, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family, who was very humble, looked at Wang Ruofu with genuine envy in her eyes.

The ladies and young women sitting on the other side were mostly related to the Dou family, the family of Duke Dou.

Rongxian has been married for over four years!

At that time, the girls who were encouraged by their older cousins ​​to go see Xu Zaijing and other attendants at the Dou family home were mostly approaching their prime.

The cousins ​​and older sisters who instigated and misled them, some of whom are already married.

The Rong family's best man they visited is now the top scholar in the imperial examination and a hero who saved the emperor's life.

The expressions they gave Wang Ruofu were mostly similar to those of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family, filled with envy and admiration.

Despite feeling somewhat stifled in the Sheng family courtyard, Wang Ruofu's status was still quite impressive and presentable in front of the officials' wives and noble ladies today!

after all,

The woman in front of them, Madam Wang,
Not only was her father honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and her mother a titled lady, but her father-in-law was a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations, and her mother-in-law was the daughter of a marquis!

The daughter was the eldest daughter-in-law of a marquis's family, and the son was a successful scholar, ranking third in the imperial examination. It can be said that they were a family of officials and scholars for generations!

When others mentioned Hua Lan, Wang Ruofu's mood improved considerably. Looking at Madam Hua, she smiled and said, "Although Changfeng didn't pass the exam this time, he has been studying diligently at home, preparing for the next one!"

Madam Hua smiled and nodded, then glanced at her daughter beside her and said, "I wonder if you still remember the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Party held here a few years ago?"

Wang Ruofu was taken aback: "Huh?"

“Your child has been studying hard at home, and I don’t remember him very well.”

As Madam Hua spoke, she turned to look at Madam Wu and said, "It was Sister Wu who mentioned it that reminded me of it."

Wang Ruofu frowned and nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite: "Oh—, I wonder what you said, Madam Wu?"

Madam Wu, who was standing to the side, smiled and said to Wang Ruofu, "Madam, I only mentioned 'that child who walked with the wrong steps in the flower path that year, under everyone's gaze.'"

Upon hearing this, the women around him burst into laughter.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu pondered for a moment, and then a look of realization appeared on his face.

(End of this chapter)