Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 799 The Prince's Mansion Courtyard is Quite Large [Thank you! Thank you again! 7k words owed]

Si Shi (9-11 AM)

The sun was shining brightly.

Quyuan Street,

The road was blocked by ceremonial guards, and the flags fluttered erratically in the wind.

Although the Crown Prince has already entered the residence of the Marquis of Yongyi,

But the ceremonial guards on the street remained quiet, standing solemnly.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, two faint shouts of gratitude for the Emperor's grace could be heard from inside the Marquis of Yongyi's residence.

Subsequently,

The eunuch Huai Bao then came out together with Zai Zhang and Xu Xingdai.
They were followed by Qingyun, Yue Fei, and others.

Looking at the entourage at the Xu family's gate, the eunuch Huai Bao flicked his whisk and said, "His Highness will be staying at the Xu family's residence for a few hours. You may all rest for a while!"

The head constables, female officials, and palace officials accompanying the procession responded in unison.

After Huaibao finished speaking, Zaizhang smiled and waved his hand behind him.

The Xu family had made thorough preparations, and more than a dozen maids, servants, and young servants filed out of the main gate.

The maids carried large buckets or jugs filled with warm water, or fruits, snacks, or dried meat, or stacks of clean porcelain bowls.

The servants ran towards Qingyun and Alan's courtyard, pushed out the flatbed carts with long benches by hand, and placed them one by one next to the ceremonial procession.

The attendants walking in the procession were dressed in fresh and bright clothes, and sitting on clean long benches made one feel comfortable and relaxed.

Upon hearing this, the accompanying cavalrymen dismounted to allow themselves and their mounts to rest.

After the maids who brought water and snacks passed by the cavalry, servants carrying bamboo baskets came up to them.

The cavalry in the Crown Prince's entourage naturally couldn't leave horse excrement behind as they marched, so there were bags under the horses' rumps.

The bamboo baskets lined with oilcloth were used to collect the contents of these bags.

Many of the cavalrymen in the ceremonial guard were sons of military officers and nobles from the capital.

Some of them knew Zai Zhang, Qing Yun, or Yue Fei, and since it was a break, they naturally chatted and laughed for a while.

at the same time,

Inside the Xu family courtyard,

In the front hall, on the incense table, in front of the sandalwood incense burner, two imperial edicts were quietly placed on the shelf.

Dan's mother and several other capable maids stood solemnly by, watching over them.

Backyard main hall

Zhao Fang sat relaxed in the chair at the head of the table.
After glancing around the room, he looked at Madam Sun and said with a smile, "Madam, you've watched me grow up, so I won't put on airs at home. If I'm impolite, please forgive me, Duke and Madam."

Xu Minghua and Madam Sun quickly stood up: "Your Highness, what are you saying! It is our honor to be in our home."

Zhao Fang smiled and shook his head: "The Duke has made great contributions, and you, Madam, are Jing's birth mother. Since you two keep getting up, it's not appropriate for me to just sit here."

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand!" Xu Minghua gave Sun a wink, but still sat with half his buttocks on the chair.

Seeing this, Zhao Fang didn't take it to heart. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I only saw Dai-ge'er today. Where are the other children?"

Madam Sun smiled and said, "Your Highness, the other children are still too young, and we were afraid they would be impolite, so we didn't let them come."

Zhao Fang smiled and nodded: "Madam, now that the imperial decree has been proclaimed and the important matters are settled, why don't we..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Sun quickly nodded, "Yes, Your Highness!"

As she spoke, Madam Sun quickly stood up and gave Hua Lan a wink.

Hua Lan understood, stood up, curtsied, and left the main hall in the backyard.

Zhao Fang then looked at Xu Minghua beside him: "Duke, what do you think of the strength of the Northern Liao army that is invading the border?"

Xu Minghua pondered for a moment: "Your Highness, the strength of the Northern Liao army needs to be assessed in two parts."

"The soldiers under the command of the Han Chinese military commander of the Northern Liao can barely be considered elite."

"The cavalry and infantry under the command of the Northern Liao royal family and nobles are not worth mentioning if they do not have the assistance of the Mongol cavalry."

Zhao Fang nodded upon hearing this, glanced at Xu Zaijing, and said, "In that case, it makes a lot of sense that Brother Jing said a few years ago that we should pay more attention to the attitude of the Han people in Yan towards our dynasty."

Xu Minghua looked at his youngest son with curiosity and a hint of doubt in his eyes.

At this time,

Footsteps could be heard coming from behind the screen leading to the backyard.

The three children, Xu Ningmei, Xu Xingzhong, and Xu Qingyi, walked around the screen behind Hua Lan.

Hua Lan had clearly given them instructions on the way.
Seeing the young man sitting next to his grandfather/father

"Greetings, Your Highness! May Your Highness be well!"

Xu Ningmei, who was four years old (by Chinese reckoning), was in front, followed by Xing Zhong and Qing Yi. The three of them knelt down neatly, kowtowed, and greeted each other in crisp voices.

"Get up quickly!"

Zhao Fang left his seat with a smile and reached out to help Ning Mei and the other two children up.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The three children got up.

Zhao Fang looked closely at Xing Zhong, then turned his head and said, "Brother Jing, I think Xing Zhong does look somewhat like the second son of the Sheng family."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile: "Your Highness is right. There is a saying that a nephew is like his uncle."

“Hahahaha—” Zhao Fang nodded.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness! I hope he will be as studious and diligent as Changbai," said Madam Sun with a smile.

Zhao Fang nodded with a smile.

Xingzhong bowed somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Your Highness, I... I will try my best!"

Hua Lan looked at her son with joy in her eyes. To be able to show his face in front of the Crown Prince, especially on this occasion, showed that her son's future was promising!

Zhao Fang then looked at Xu Qingyi, who was about six years old, and smiled at Madam Sun and Madam Xie, saying, "That boy from the Marquis of Xiangyang's family is quite lucky."

Previously, the Marquis of Xiangyang had arranged a marriage for his heir, Qingyi.

It's unclear whether the saying that the young master is so lucky refers to Qingyi's outstanding appearance or the fact that the young master of Xiangyang will have a good in-law family in the future.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I am unworthy of such praise," Qingyi replied with a graceful curtsy, behaving like a little adult.

Zhao Fang nodded: "Hahaha, you can go to the palace when you have time and play with my two younger sisters more often!"

finished,

Zhao Fang, disregarding etiquette, lowered himself by placing his hands on his knees and looked at four-year-old Ning Mei with great interest.
After glancing at it a few times, Zhao Fang turned to Xu Zaijing with delight in his eyes and said, "Brother Jing, I've always wanted to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Zaijing said with a smile, "Your Highness, be careful what you say! If the Crown Princess finds out what you're about to say, she'll fight you to the death."

"Uh—" Zhao Fang was taken aback, quickly covered his mouth with one hand, and mumbled, "Brother Jing is right!"

Upon seeing this, the adults chuckled softly.

The children didn't understand and could only stare blankly at the elders around them.

After Zhao Fang removed his hand from Ning Mei's mouth, he picked her up in his arms.

Seeing Ning Mei, who was as delicate as a porcelain doll, not crying or making a fuss, Zhao Fang hugged her and sat back down in his chair with a smile.

Then, Zhao Fang casually took off the fine jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Ning Mei, saying, "Ning Mei, take this and play with it."

Upon seeing this, everyone in the room looked surprised.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhao Fang smiled and waved his hand, "Please, everyone, don't say anything more."

Although Ning Mei, nestled in Zhao Fang's arms, looked at him with obvious delight, she didn't take the package. She glanced at her parents, then looked at the smiling Xu Zaijing, and said in a clear voice, "Brother."

Zhao Fang was taken aback upon hearing this, but looked at Xu Zaijing with an even greater smile in his eyes.

"Your Highness is so kind, Ning'er, please accept it and remember to thank him."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking,
Ning Mei then smiled and accepted it, before trying to get down from Zhao Fang's arms.

Looking at the tiny cricket-like creature in his arms, Zhao Fang seemed to feel a surge of affection, his heart melting: "Alright, alright, Sister Ning, we don't need those formalities."

The palace eunuchs standing in the hall couldn't help but smile as they looked at Zhao Fang.

After exchanging a few more words in the hall, Ning Mei returned to her wet nurse's side and left the hall with Xing Zhong and Qing Yi.

Zhao Fang then stood up.

Everyone thought Zhao Fang was about to leave, but then they heard him say, "Duke, Madam, ladies, I have some private matters to discuss with Jing-ge, so you don't need to follow me."

"If I were to leave, I would inform you all in advance." "Yes, Your Highness." Xu Minghua did not ask any further questions and simply bowed in agreement.

The others in the room quickly bowed in response.

"Brother Jing, come on! Accompany me for a walk in the courtyard."

"Yes."

Xu Zaijing bowed and clasped his hands in agreement. After bowing to his parents, he followed Zhao Fang half a step behind and walked behind the screen.

Only after the eunuchs, guards, and female officials who had accompanied the Crown Prince disappeared behind the screen did the Xu family members in the hall breathe a sigh of relief.

After the Xu family members slowly took their seats, Madam Sun looked at Xu Minghua and said, "My lord, didn't you say before that Jing'er would at most be granted the title of Duke? Why is that today?"

Xie and Hualan, who were standing to the side, nodded in agreement.

“Madam, I had expected His Majesty to reward merit, but I never imagined His Majesty would be so magnanimous. A prince of a different surname.” Xu Minghua shook his head slightly: “Such an honor is truly beyond my expectations.”

"But now that I think about it, it makes sense."

Seeing the puzzled looks on Madam Sun, Madam Xie, and Hua Lan's faces, Xu Minghua said, "Jing'er truly made outstanding contributions last month at Jinming Pond and in the palace. Not only did he save His Majesty's family twice, but he also saved the chief ministers in the central government twice!"

"My connection with Your Highness goes without saying."

"But now that I think about it, the root cause of the chaos in Bai Gao was that Jing'er accidentally caused the death of the prince of the Li family in Bai Gao."

"The Li family and the Liang family are fighting like dogs in Bai Gao Kingdom, which is why Bai Gao has become a disorganized mess and its national strength has been greatly reduced! The imperial court is well aware of these things, but has not offered any rewards!"

"Furthermore, Jing'er single-handedly held off an army in the Northwest and turned the tide in Beizhou. I think that if it weren't for what happened last month, His Majesty would have waited for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne before having His Highness bestow a marquisate upon Jing'er."

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xie glanced behind the screen and asked in a low voice with great doubt, "Father, Mother, when did Xiao Wu protect His Highness five times? Including what happened last month, that's only three times."

Now that the imperial edict has been proclaimed to the world, Lady Sun no longer needs to hide it. She quietly explained the story of Zhao Fang accidentally swallowing a pearl when he was a child.

“That’s only four times.” After saying that, Madam Sun looked at Xu Minghua.

Xu Minghua shook his head: "Madam, don't look at me. I know just as much as you do."

"Then we'll have to ask Jing'er," Madam Sun said curiously.

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

Under the covered walkway leading to Xu Zaijing's courtyard,
Zhao Fang, with his hands behind his back, turned around and looked around again, saying, "Brother Jing, has the courtyard been newly renovated?"

"Your Highness, only a few places were repaired. The rest were simply cleaned and then repainted," Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Zhao Fang nodded.

After walking a few steps, Zhao Fang looked at the few calico cats rolling and stretching lazily in the sunlight in the yard and said with a smile, "These tortoiseshell cats are quite something."

Before Zhao Fang could finish speaking, several cats seemed to have smelled something. They leaped into the air, more than half a person's height, and then quickly fled, disappearing in a few breaths.

"This..." Zhao Fang asked blankly, "Brother Jing, is the tortoiseshell maid in the palace close to me? How come..."

The female official standing nearby noticed Zhao Fang's expression and immediately remembered it, planning to tell it to the Crown Princess as a joke when she returned to the palace.

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "They were born to the raccoon that came with my sister-in-law's dowry, and they learned from the mother cat that gave birth to them! They didn't learn anything good, they just learned this fussing and making a fuss."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fang glanced at Xu Zaijing from head to toe and gave a noncommittal "oh".

As they spoke, the group continued walking toward Xu Zaijing's courtyard.

On the way, Zhao Fang said again, "Brother Jing, your martial arts are so amazing, you must have chased dogs and cats a lot when you were a kid."

Xu Zaijing: "Uh—"

Zhao Fang laughed and said, "The raccoon is extremely fast; few animals can keep up with its dodging speed. But I think you can keep up, Jing-ge."

“In the eyes of the cat, Jing-ge, you are a ‘beast’ with the same reaction as the cat itself, extremely fast, yet incredibly tall and strong.”

"When the cat was little, you often 'chased' it. It climbed trees, walls, and rooftops. It was impossible for the cat to escape you, Brother Jing. It would be strange if the cat wasn't afraid of you."

Hearing Zhao Fang's words, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Your Highness is right."

"Your Highness, we've arrived!" Xu Zaijing pointed to a moon gate.

The group entered the courtyard.

Looking at the thriving grapes in the yard, Zhao Fang asked, "Brother Jing, are these grapes sweet?"

"It's very sweet!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Zhao Fang smiled and nodded as he walked under the grape trellis.

Looking at the large fish tank under the grape trellis, Zhao Fang laughed and said, "Hmm, this fish tank is really clean!"

As he spoke, Zhao Fang glanced at the lively fish in the fish tank.

“The maids in my household are always diligent,” Xu Zaijing said with a smile as he turned around.

Zhao Fang also turned around and saw Qingcao standing in front of Yun Xiang and Hua Xiang. He quickly curtsied.

Leaving the grape trellis, Zhao Fang stepped into the main room.

Upon entering the room, the first thing you see is rows of sword racks.

"Wow! Brother Jing, you still have so many good swords left?" Zhao Fang said as he walked to the sword rack, picked up a sword, examined it for a few moments, and then forcefully pulled it out.

"This sword is well maintained!" Zhao Fang said, looking at Yun Xianghua. "I suppose it's also thanks to the maidservant by your side, Brother Jing."

"Your Highness is quite right."

Zhao Fang did not go to Xu Zaijing's bedroom, but went to the study instead.

Looking at the miniature sand table and the books filling two walls of bookshelves in the spacious study, Zhao Fang raised an eyebrow slightly.

After looking at the sand table, Zhao Fang smiled and looked up, waving to the female official who was holding the tray.

"The rest of you go outside," Zhao Fang said calmly.

"Yes."

Xu Zaijing looked at the female official who hadn't left, and then looked at Zhao Fang with great confusion in his eyes.

Looking at the tray on the table, Zhao Fang said helplessly, "Brother Jing, the collar of your prince's ceremonial robe was embroidered by Tao Tao herself."

As he spoke, Zhao Fang gestured again and said, "Brother Jing, your Prince's Mansion was also chosen for you by Tao Tao. It's very close to your previous residence in Guangfu Lane. It's even larger than the Marquis of Yongyi's Mansion."

Before the stunned Xu Zaijing could recover from his shock, Zhao Fang pointed to the gold belt and said, "Taotao also took a hammer and hit this thing several times. With her due date approaching, I can see that Taotao is getting more and more nervous."

With eyes full of emotion, Xu Zaijing said, "Your Highness, rest assured, the Crown Princess is blessed with great fortune and will surely grant her wish!"

Upon hearing this, the female official beside him nodded repeatedly at Xu Zaijing, as if she wanted to remember Xu Zaijing's appearance so that she could tell the Crown Princess in detail when she returned to the palace.

after that,

Zhao Fang and Xu Zaijing then led a group of men to the racecourse.

Although Zhao Fang tried his best to ride a horse, Xu Zaijing refused him firmly, giving only one excuse: it was not safe.

Left with no other choice, Zhao Fang had to give up.

Subsequently, the eunuch serving Zhao Fang went outside the mansion to announce Zhao Fang's departure.

Before leaving the Xu family,
Duke Xu Minghua of Dai, along with his family, respectfully saw the Crown Prince off at the gate.

noon,

Jiying Lane,
The Sheng family,

Shouantang,
"My lord."

Before the maid could finish calling out, Sheng Hong scurried into the room.

Wang Ruofu, who was talking to the old lady, quickly stood up: "My lord, what's wrong?"

The old lady frowned and looked over: "Hong'er, why are you so out of control?"

Sheng Hong walked breathlessly to the center of the room and looked at the old lady, saying, "Mother, news just came from the Xu family that my cousin has been promoted to Duke of Dai!"

"!!!!" Wang Ruofu's eyes lit up with joy: from now on, her daughter would be the daughter-in-law of the Duke's mansion!!!
Fang's mother and Cui's mother exchanged a delighted glance.

"Where is Jing'er?" the old lady continued to ask.

Wang Ruofu looked at Sheng Hong with great interest and urged, "My lord, please tell me quickly!"

Sheng Hong looked at the old lady and said, "That child, Wu Lang, is said to have been granted the title of Prince."

"Prince Jun? Good heavens—" Wang Ruofu's brain seemed unable to process this news, and he could only look blankly at the shocked Liu Mama.

The old lady shook her head: "The Prince?"

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly: "I heard that in addition to one princess, there are also two concubine positions!"

—Blink—! Wang Ruofu's eyes lit up instantly: "Two concubine positions?"

(End of this chapter)