Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 807 Struck by Lightning [Thank you! Thank you again! 6k words owed]

"Sixth Miss Sheng, this way please."

The female official standing at the palace gate bowed slightly and gestured for Minglan to enter as she approached.

"Thank you."

Minglan thanked her softly.

"You're welcome."

The female official smiled.

As they spoke, Minglan followed the lady-in-waiting cautiously as they walked outside.

After walking for less than ten breaths, Minglan said softly, "Lady, there is a question I am not sure if I should ask."

"Please feel free to ask."

"Oh! Are the routes to enter and leave the palace different?"

Upon hearing this question, the female official leading the way glanced at Minglan, then looked around at the surrounding scenery, and smiled, "Sixth Miss has a really good memory."

Minglan quickly replied, "You flatter me."

The lady-in-waiting said apologetically, "It was my oversight that I forgot to tell you. Before you entered the palace, Her Majesty the Empress specifically instructed that since she had ordered you to enter the palace in such a hurry this afternoon, you should take something back with you when you leave."

"Her Majesty is going to the main hall for a banquet, and the gifts haven't been delivered yet, so we have no choice but to go and greet her."

"Oh!" Minglan quickly nodded with a smile, "Thank you for clearing up my doubts, sir."

The female official responded with a smile.

Just as he was about to continue walking forward, a voice came from behind: "Wait!"

When Minglan and the other woman turned around, they saw a woman dressed much more luxuriously than the female official, with a woman's hairstyle, leading a group of people walking quickly towards them.

"I have met you, Lady Liangdi."

Minglan and the lady-in-waiting quickly turned around and bowed.

Li Jialiang smiled and nodded in greeting, then squinted at Minglan and said, "Sixth Sister."

This concubine, surnamed Li, came from the Li family, a high-ranking official family in the Ministry of Personnel. Her grandfather and Old Madam Wang were cousins, and she had met Minglan many times before entering the palace.

Consort Li then looked at the female official and smiled, "Just now, the Crown Princess begged Her Majesty the Empress to give Sixth Sister some gifts as well. Her Majesty the Empress agreed."

"But the Crown Princess didn't wear much jewelry today, so she ordered me to fetch a few from the palace."

Upon hearing this, Minglan looked at Li Jialiangdi with great surprise.

Li Jialiang smiled at Minglan.

"I see." The lady-in-waiting nodded. "Please, Lady Consort."

"please."

As they talked, the group continued walking.

On the way,

The faint sound of music could be heard coming from the main hall not far away; it was very pleasant to listen to.

After walking for a while,
Then a group of female officials and palace maids walked towards them.

After glancing at it twice, the lady-in-waiting accompanying Minglan called out, "Come this way! There's no need to go any further."

Li Jialiangdi smiled at Minglan and said, "Sixth Sister, please wait a moment. I'll be right back."

While waiting,
The female official standing to the side looked at Minglan with curiosity.

Seeing this, Minglan wondered if there was something wrong with her clothes, so she could only look herself up and down.

Seeing that she was alright, Minglan said in a low voice, "My lord, why do you look at me like that? Is there something I did wrong?"

The female official smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, Sixth Miss, it's just that I've noticed that since you entered the palace, your etiquette has been impeccable. Your bowing movements are even more precise than those of many other palace ladies."

"It must be due to your family's scholarly tradition! Was it the matriarch of the Sheng family who taught you?"

Upon hearing this, Minglan quickly waved her hand, saying, "You flatter me, sir."

“My grandmother did not teach me! It was Granny Kong who came to my house before and taught my sisters and me.”

"Granny Kong? The Granny Kong who became famous after leaving the palace?" The female official looked surprised: "When I first entered the palace, it was Granny Kong who taught us manners."

Upon hearing this, Minglan's expression became much more lively.

If we were to force a connection, this female official in front of her could be considered Minglan's 'senior sister'.

"I never expected such a coincidence," Minglan said with a smile.

The lady-in-waiting nodded: "I still remember clearly the reason why Granny Kong hit my hand with the ruler and the burning sensation in my palm."

“Yes, me too!” Minglan echoed, deeply agreeing.

Once this barrier was broken, the two felt much closer.

"After Granny Kong left the palace, we rarely heard from her. The latest news is that Granny Kong has returned to her hometown."

"She spent half her life in the palace. I wonder if anyone will take care of her when she returns to her hometown."

Hearing the lady-in-waiting's words, Minglan smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. Granny Kong has a nephew back in her hometown who married a woman surnamed Luan."

"Granny Kong wrote to my grandmother about these things."

The female official smiled and nodded upon hearing this: "That's good!"

In less than fifteen minutes,

Consort Li returned with a small wooden box of gifts, handed it to Minglan, and then the group headed back the way they came, preparing to send Minglan out of the palace.

After walking for a short while,

Near the main hall where the imperial banquet was being held, shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" could be heard.

Seeing Minglan's curious gaze, the female official beside her smiled and explained, "It seems the imperial banquet has ended."

Li Jialiangdi smiled and nodded in agreement.

A few people continued walking.

When approaching the main hall,
suddenly,

The lady-in-waiting beside Minglan and Consort Li stopped in their tracks.

Looking up, Minglan saw a large procession approaching from the front.

Only the current Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty could have such a grand display in the palace.

Li Jialiangdi and others quickly stood by the roadside, respectfully waiting for the procession to pass first.

"end!"

As the chief eunuch called out, the ceremonial procession slowly came to a stop in front of Minglan and the others.

Li Jialiangdi quickly bowed and greeted Minglan.

"Have you received everything?" came the Empress's kind voice.

"Your Majesty, we have received them all," the female official replied, bowing her head.

"it is good!"

"Sheng family child, look up and let me see you," the emperor said gently.

Upon hearing this, Minglan quickly lowered her eyelids, raised her head, and curtsied, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."

After a while.

"Hehe." The emperor chuckled twice. "No wonder that lad took a liking to this child."

Minglan continued to look at the ground, feeling somewhat lost.

"Your Majesty is right," the Empress said with a smile.

Feeling the gazes around her, Minglan nervously clenched her hands inside her sleeves.

"Fang'er, if you have something to say, just say it. You don't need to look at me," the emperor said again.

"Yes, Father. My dear sister, I heard from Jing-ge that you're quite good at polo?" Zhao Fang's voice came from behind.

Minglan was shocked by Zhao Fang's way of addressing Xu Zaijing. She quickly bowed again and said, "Your Highness, I can only say that my polo skills are passable, not excellent."

"Haha, that's quite modest!" Zhao Fang said, and the surroundings fell silent for a moment.

The emperor said kindly, "When you get home, please give my regards to your grandmother."

"Ah?" Minglan looked up at the emperor in surprise upon hearing this.

The first thing Minglan saw was the emperor, whose cheeks were slightly flushed from drinking.

Beside the emperor were the smiling empress, the crown prince, and the crown princess.

Minglan's action was somewhat impolite, but the chief eunuch beside her acted as if he hadn't noticed and didn't scold her. Instead, he smiled and looked at Minglan's surprised face.

Looking at Minglan, the Emperor smiled and said, "Your grandmother was the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi, and she served by my mother's side for several years. Is it strange that I know her?"

Minglan quickly shook her head.

"Haha! Don't forget me."

After giving the instructions, the emperor smiled and waved his hand, and the chief eunuch laughed and shouted, "Alright!"

"Your Majesty's decree will not be forgotten, and I will certainly convey it to you," Minglan hurriedly replied.

The emperor's entourage resumed its movements.

After the chief eunuch finished speaking, he smiled and nodded at Minglan.

After the emperor and his entourage left, Minglan still stared blankly at their departing figures. "Sixth Sister, let's go," said Consort Li with a smile.

Inside the palace,
On the way out of the palace,
The officials who had attended the banquet walked out in twos and threes.

With a forced smile, Gu Tingye cupped his hands to Lord Yu beside him and said, "The Gu family carriage is outside Donghua Gate. Please, Father-in-law, go ahead! I will certainly convey your greetings to Yanran."

"Very well!" Lord Yu nodded with a beaming smile, then cupped his hands to Sheng Hong: "Lord Sheng, I'll be leaving now."

"Please take care, Lord Yu."

Sheng Hong smiled sincerely and cupped his hands in greeting.

“Father-in-law, let’s go too,” Zai Zhang said from the side.

“Let’s go!” Sheng Hong nodded with a smile, then took Zai Zhang’s arm and continued walking.

As a junior, Gu Tingye followed behind Sheng Hong, standing shoulder to shoulder with Changbai as they looked at the group of high-ranking officials in purple robes ahead.

Among these high-ranking officials in purple robes was Xu Zaijing, who was wearing a blue python robe.

"Changbai, after the banquet, I noticed that Wulang's gaze towards you was a little different than usual."

"Hmm." Changbai nodded: "It's as if he's done something wrong."

"Yes, yes, yes." Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly: "That's strange. Could it be that Fifth Prince spoke ill of you to His Majesty?"

“He’s not that bored,” Changbai said.

At this time,

A junior eunuch quickly caught up with the group, saying, "Young master, please wait."

Changbai was still looking at Xu Zaijing when Gu Tingye, who had just realized what was happening, grabbed Changbai and said, "Second Brother, an official is calling you from behind."

"Huh?" Changbai turned around to look.

The eunuch approached and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has sent me to inform you that a female member of the Sheng family has entered the palace. You and Lord Sheng may have to wait a moment outside the Donghua Gate."

"Understood, thank you for your trouble, Your Excellency," Changbai replied.

"You are too kind, Scholar Tanhua. Farewell."

Turning back to continue walking out of the palace, Gu Tingye asked in confusion, "Female relatives? Is it Madam Wang who has entered the palace?"

Changbai frowned slightly and continued looking ahead.

Coincidentally, Xu Zaijing, who was walking in front, took the opportunity to turn around and look.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's slightly apologetic and ingratiating smile, Changbai took a deep breath.

Looking at Changbai, who remained silent, Gu Tingye said, "Changbai, I'm asking you a question. Who entered the palace?"

Changbai's eyes were full of thought: "Erlang, don't ask! We'll find out when the time comes."

"Oh," Gu Tingye said, glancing back at what was behind him.

After glancing at it a few times and finding nothing, Gu Tingye shook his head in confusion: "What are you two talking about?"

East Gate of the Imperial City

Donghua Gate
The moat outside the gate flows with clear blue water.

The western bank was shrouded in the shadow of the towering city walls.

The eastern shoreline, however, was brightly lit by the setting sun.

The outer side of the bridge over the river,

Many nobles stood there talking.

Every now and then, servants and attendants would lead carriages from various households toward this place.

As the nobles and officials walked out of the palace gates, they chatted while waiting for their own carriages.

"My family is having a thank-you banquet, and my eldest son must come."

"Rest assured, Duke."

"Oh, my carriage is here!"

"Farewell."

"Walk slowly."

See you tomorrow.

Upon seeing their own carriages, the nobles and officials exchanged farewells with bows before turning around, boarding their carriages, and departing.

Wearing a blue python robe, Xu Zaijing took the opportunity to speak to his father before turning around and walking towards Sheng Hong and the others who were crossing the bridge.

Standing next to Xu Minghua, Gu Yankai looked at Xu Zaijing's back with great envy.

"Lord Gu?"

Hearing someone speak, Gu Yankai quickly turned around with a smile.

Sheng Hong's place,
Looking at Xu Zaijing, who was dressed in a blue python robe, Changbai and Gu Tingye straightened their clothes with a displeased expression.

"Prince".

Seeing Sheng Hong about to bow, Xu Zaijing quickly stepped forward and reached out to support him, saying, "Uncle, please don't do that!"

"Yes! It has to be this way!" Sheng Hong said, giving a forced bow.

While the two were talking, Changbai and Gu Tingye had already finished their greetings.

Changbai glanced at Xu Zaijing, whose expression was somewhat unnatural, and said calmly, "Father, the palace eunuch just said that a female member of our family has entered the palace, so we have to wait a while."

"Women?" Sheng Hong was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "Could it be that Mother has entered the palace? Or..."

As soon as Sheng Hong finished speaking, he said urgently, "Hey, Your Highness, you mustn't, you mustn't."

However, it was Xu Zaijing, who was standing in front of Sheng Hong, who was bowing and cupping his hands in a salute to Sheng Hong.

Gu Tingye reacted quickly and dodged to the side, while Changbai gave Xu Zaijing a disapproving look and also turned to the side.

Zai Zhang asked, somewhat puzzled, "Xiao Wu, what's going on?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly, indicating that his elder brother didn't need to worry about it.

In the time it takes to say two sentences, Sheng Hong has already walked up to Xu Zaijing and is trying to help him up with both hands.

But how could Sheng Hong's strength possibly lift Xu Zaijing up?

After Xu Zaijing bowed deeply and presented a proper greeting, he glanced at Sheng Hong, then at Chang Bai, and extended his hand, saying, "Uncle, Chang Bai, may I speak to you in private? In private, please remain the same as before."

"Okay! Okay!" Sheng Hong nodded, then bowed slightly and followed Xu Zaijing, walking seven or eight steps toward the bridge with Chang Bai, who stood up straight.

Once everyone was alone, and under the curious gaze of Gu Tingye in the distance, Xu Zaijing whispered, "Uncle, Changbai, at the imperial banquet just now, His Majesty said he wanted to bestow a marriage upon me."

Changbai frowned, while Shenghong paused for a moment before asking, "A bestowed marriage? Is it another concubine position by your side?"

Xu Zaijing glanced at Changbai and nodded: "Yes! His Majesty asked me if I had anyone in mind, but over the years, I have rarely met any noble ladies in the capital."

“In the past, I could have simply asked my father and mother about similar matters, but now that I have been granted the title of Prince of the County…”

Sheng Hong nodded: "Yes, yes, nephew, your marriage is subject to the approval of His Majesty and the Empress."

Before he could finish speaking, Sheng Hong, now completely sober, stared wide-eyed: "Could it be..."

As he spoke, Sheng Hong glanced at Chang Bai, then looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Could it be that you mentioned my Sheng family's daughter to His Majesty, my dear nephew?"

Xu Zaijing nodded emphatically.

Sheng Hong forced a smile, his face showing difficulty: "But... my eldest daughter, Rulan, is already slated to marry into the Wang family."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing quickly shook his head: "It's not Rulan."

Seeing Xu Zaijing shake his head and hearing these words, Sheng Hong knew that he didn't need to regret the marriage agreement with Ru Lan, and he felt relieved: "Oh! That's good!"

To be honest, the Wang family has been quite supportive of Sheng Hong, so he would feel a little embarrassed to break the contract.

Changbai glanced at Xu Zaijing, his eyes already full of understanding.

Sheng Hong glanced at Xu Zaijing, then his eyes suddenly shone with unparalleled brilliance. His voice trembled slightly as he said, "Speaking of which, Mo Lan is the oldest, and her appearance is acceptable!"

"Moreover, she has been obedient and sensible since childhood, and I imagine my nephew has seen this clearly all these years in school."

Changbai remained expressionless and turned to look at Donghua Gate across the river.

From Changbai's perspective, a young woman was leading a group of female officials and eunuchs towards the bridge beneath the palace gate.

“Mo Lan is like her birth mother, gentle and weak in nature,” Sheng Hong continued.

Xu Zaijing said in a deep voice, "It is not Mo Lan either."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong was struck dumb, the light in his eyes gradually fading like fireworks. After a long while, he finally said, "Oh—no, it's not Mo Lan."

"Yes. The nephew was referring to his great-aunt's sixth sister, Minglan. She always doted on her like the apple of her eye!"

"In the afternoon, the Sixth Sister was invited into the palace by the Empress."

"After the Empress met Sixth Sister, she returned to the main hall and told His Majesty that I had excellent taste."

"Ah!" Sheng Hong nodded blankly.

"I expect an official will deliver the decree by tomorrow at the latest. I apologize for not consulting you beforehand, Uncle." Xu Zaijing bowed and clasped his hands in a salute.

"No! No!" Sheng Hong waved his hands repeatedly: "It would be wonderful if Ming'er could grow up by his mother's side and have such a good match."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he bowed to Changbai again.

Changbai reluctantly returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Fifth Brother, since His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon me, I have nothing to say! I only hope that you will treat your sixth sister well in the future and not hurt your grandmother's feelings."

(End of this chapter)