Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 822 Long-Awaited Covetousness [Thank you! Thank you again! 8k words owed]

in the afternoon,

The sun is setting in the west.

The main street outside Donghuamen, running north-south, was bustling with traffic and pedestrians, filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares—as lively and prosperous as ever.
East side of the street

In front of a wooden building with a plaque that reads "Yu Family Incense and Herbs Shop" hanging above the door, there were many carriages parked, and servants and maids were constantly going in and out.

The five large characters on the plaque are beautifully written.
Although the person who wrote the inscription did not leave a signature, those who know their stuff can immediately tell that it is the work of a master calligrapher.

The blinding sunlight shone from the west, and the maids and servants coming out of the incense and medicine shop would often raise their hands to shield their eyes from the sun.

At the entrance inside the building,

Rong Feiyan's personal maid, Ningxiang, carrying a wooden box and accompanied by her companions, came out of the building, along with the shop manager.

"Miss Ningxiang, when you return to your residence, please convey my congratulations to the noble lady of the Rong family."

"Mom, you're so thoughtful! I'll definitely bring it."

"Thank you very much, Miss Ningxiang! If the Rong family's daughter still needs incense after she enters the Prince's mansion, just send us a message! Our shop will send someone immediately. We guarantee it will be the newest and best incense."

"Okay." Ningxiang nodded with a smile.

As they were talking, the group had already arrived outside the door.

The blinding sunlight shone down, and Ningxiang raised her hand to her eyebrows to shield her eyes from the sun.

Ningxiang glanced at her mother, the shop manager, and smiled, "The shop is busy, Mom, you should go home!"

Seeing Ningxiang walking towards the Rong family's carriage, the head maid hurriedly said, "Oh! Miss Ningxiang, please take your time."

The maidservant beside Ningxiang smiled and nodded in return.

The two women boarded the carriage. The young maid lifted the curtain and glanced at the shop manager, who was still standing at the door smiling and waving at them, and sighed, "This madam is so attentive."

Ningxiang nodded and said to the coachman, "Let's go, back to the manor!"

"Yes."

A moment later, the carriage started moving.

We had only walked for a short while when

"Shut up!"

The carriage was stopped.

"What's wrong?" asked the maidservant beside Ningxiang, frowning.

As the coachman jumped down from the carriage to take the reins of the horses, he turned back and said, "A distinguished entourage is passing by; we'll have to wait."

Ningxiang and the maidservant exchanged a glance before lifting the curtain.

Looking around, sure enough, not far from the carriage, four cavalrymen on tall horses were walking towards them.

Behind the four cavalrymen were servants carrying flags, ceremonial plaques, and ritual implements.

Behind the servants, a magnificent, dark-colored, tall carriage could be vaguely seen.

The cavalry at the front frequently looked around, very alert.

As their gaze swept across the area, one of the cavalrymen spotted Ningxiang lifting the carriage curtain.

After careful observation, the cavalryman seemed to recognize Ningxiang and nodded to her in greeting.

Ningxiang quickly returned the greeting.

“It should be the carriage of the Prince of Wei,” Ningxiang said. “Today, the Prince and Princess are returning to their parents’ home.”

"Huh? Sister Ningxiang, how did you know?"

"Tap tap tap tap".

As the two were talking, the sound of horses' hooves and footsteps passed by in front, and the young maid then saw a ceremonial plaque with the four large characters 'Prince of Wei' written on it.

"Oh! It really is the carriage of the Prince of Wei!" the maid exclaimed in surprise. "How did you know, sister?!"

Ningxiang glanced at Qingyun, who was riding at the front, but did not say anything.

"Sister Ningxiang, this carriage is truly magnificent!" exclaimed the maid inside the carriage.

As they were talking, a tall, luxurious carriage passed by not far from them.

The two men also saw clearly the two imposing guards following them.

"Good heavens!" the maid asked again, "Sister, can our young lady use this carriage when she returns to her parents' home?"

Ningxiang lowered the carriage curtain: "Hmm! It should be fine."

After the procession passed, the Rong family's carriage resumed its journey.

Inside the tall, luxurious carriage, the sides of the carriage were lined with cushions made of the finest materials.

At this moment, Chai Zhengzheng sat in the corner of the carriage, leaning against a soft cushion, looking helplessly at her husband who was resting his head on her lap.

"call--"

Xu Zaijing, who was on Chai Zhengzheng's lap, let out a long breath. The aroma of wine mixed with the scent of incense wafted towards Chai Zhengzheng.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, whose face was a little red, Chai Zhengzheng said, "My lord, why did you drink so much today?"

"Hmm!" Xu Zaijing moved his head on Chai Zhengzheng's thigh, turning it so that it faced Chai Zhengzheng's lower abdomen and said, "I'm happy today."

"call!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing let out another long sigh because he had been drinking.

The warm breath flowed into Chai Zhengzheng's lower abdomen, making her feel a warm sensation there.

This made Chai Zhengzheng, who was ticklish, laugh.

"When we left, my mother-in-law seemed to be in a very good mood!" Xu Zaijing asked in a muffled voice.

Chai Zhengzheng pursed his lips, gave a soft "hmm," and said, "I'm going home. I'll have the maid make some hangover soup."

"it is good."

The carriage was quiet for a moment, with only the rumbling of the train and the noise from outside.

When Chai Zhengzheng felt the rhythmic breathing near her lower abdomen and thought Xu Zaijing was asleep,
Xu Zaijing spoke up again: "I didn't expect Yuan Ruo to come too."

Chai Zhengzheng touched Xu Zaijing's ear and said teasingly, "Oh! So you're so happy because of Yuan Ruo, my lord?"

"oops."

Feeling Xu Zaijing suddenly hug her tightly, Chai Zhengzheng exclaimed in surprise.

“Yuan Ruo didn’t smile much during the banquet, so why should I, your husband, be happy?”

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, the carriage fell silent for a moment.

Feeling the soft thigh beside his cheek, Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at Chai Zhengzheng's delicate chin above him and said, "What are you thinking about?"

Chai Zhengzheng looked down at Xu Zaijing in her arms and said, "My lord, do you think Princess Pingning would have agreed to marry the sixth sister of the Sheng family if Yuan Ruo hadn't publicly asked for a marriage decree in the palace?"

Xu Zaijing pondered for a moment: "No, it won't happen."

"Why?" Chai Zhengzheng asked, looking into Xu Zaijing's eyes.

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath: "From the moment Yuan Ruo sent that inkstone away, Princess Pingning would never agree to this marriage."

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng's puzzled look, Xu Zaijing closed his eyes and continued, "Yuanruo has been carefully nurtured by Princess Pingning for more than ten years. She has always been obedient, sensible, and polite. In Princess Pingning's eyes, Yuanruo is the best child."

“Noble ladies from ordinary families are not worthy of Princess Pingning’s attention.”

"Moreover, even before Yuan Ruo has been engaged, Princess Pingning has clearly felt that the woman in Yuan Ruo's heart is more important than Princess Pingning herself."

"If Sixth Sister really marries into the Qi family, how could Yuan Ruo possibly listen to Princess Pingning?"

“Princess Pingning is very strict with her sons. If Yuanru makes a mistake, she will be punished or even retaliated against. How could Princess Pingning possibly agree to this marriage?”

"Hmm." Chai Zhengzheng nodded slowly: "In your mother-in-law's eyes, you must be the same way, right?"

"Hmm—maybe! My mother has worried a lot about me over the years."

After pursing her lips, Chai Zhengzheng said softly, "Then, my lord, what do you think will make Yuan Ruo's wish come true?"

Xu Zaijing opened his eyes, looked at Chai Zhengzheng whose eyes were full of curiosity, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Perhaps, if Yuan Ruo passes the imperial examination first, like my brother-in-law, he might get what he wants."

"Will it?" Chai Zhengzheng asked softly.

Xu Zaijing snuggled into Chai Zhengzheng's arms and said with certainty, "Passing the imperial examination means that Yuanruo doesn't need to rely on his father; he can make a name for himself."

“Yuanruo is no longer a child. If we discuss her future career prospects with Princess Pingning, the outcome will naturally be different.”

Chai Zhengzheng nodded slightly: "Then..."

After uttering one word, Chai Zhengzheng did not continue.

With his eyes closed, Xu Zaijing asked directly, "My wife, are you wondering if I would have allowed Minglan to enter the Prince's mansion if it weren't for Yuan Ruo's affair?"

"Not really."

Hearing Chai Zhengzheng's answer, Xu Zaijing opened his eyes in surprise: "That is...?"

Chai Zhengzheng smiled: "My lord, I just want to know, what were your thoughts on me before?"

"I've been coveting it for a long time," Xu Zaijing said frankly.

Chai Zhengzheng was taken aback upon hearing this, then looked at Xu Zaijing shyly.

Before she could react, she saw Xu Zaijing quickly approach her in her arms, and her lips felt warm.

After a moment of tenderness, Chai Zhengzheng pursed her lips and looked at Xu Zaijing seriously, saying, "We're welcoming the Rong family's younger sister into the family the day after tomorrow, so my lord, you should be more restrained these next few days." "Alright!"

Chai Zhengzheng was taken aback when she saw Xu Zaijing's quick and decisive answer.

After Xu Zaijing raised his head, he leaned close to Chai Zhengzheng's ear and whispered a few words.

Chai Zhengzheng's cheeks immediately flushed red again.

The Rong family, at Huixue Courtyard.

Side room inside the house

A magnificent wedding dress hung on a clothes rack, gleaming in the setting sun.

"The Prince's carriage?"

Rong Feiyan, standing by the table, turned her head to look at Ningxiang, who was speaking.

"Yes, girl."

Rong Feiyan said with certainty, "It is Sister Chai who is returning to her parents' home today."

After saying that, Rong Feiyan shook her head with a wry smile.

Xi Bu, who was walking over from the side, happened to see this scene and frowned as he looked at Ning Xiang, saying, "What did you say again?"

Ningxiang: "Me"

Rong Feiyan waved her hand and said, "It has nothing to do with Ningxiang."

"Girl, what's wrong?" Xi Bu looked at Rong Feiyan with some concern.

Rong Feiyan said, "I was just thinking about the dowry that Sister Chai gave a few days ago."

She gently advised, "Young lady, there are very few families like the Chai family in the entire Great Zhou."

"Yes." Rong Feiyan nodded upon hearing this.

"By the way, have you packed everything I asked you to pack?" Rong Feiyan asked Xibu.

"Miss, everything is set out! Please wait a moment." With that, she walked slowly towards the outer room.

quickly,

She walked in with small steps, carrying a large silk bag, a kite, and a wooden box.

Seeing that Xibu was having trouble carrying it, Ningxiang quickly went over to help.

After placing the items on the table, Rong Feiyan stepped forward, opened the silk bag, and revealed the bow arm inside.

Inside the silk bag was a leather quiver containing several feathered arrows with arrowheads wrapped around them.

Inside the wooden box was a multicolored dart that showed signs of repair.

Why are there signs of repair? It's probably because a girl touched it too frequently.

The other was a cape with a color scheme that resembled men's clothing.

Looking at the paper kites on the table, she asked in a low voice, "Miss, are you taking all of these with you?"

“Yes, take them all,” Rong Feiyan said.

Rong Feiyan put the silk bag back on the table and said with a smile, "Alright, you can all go out and get busy. Let me have some time by myself."

Xi Bu and Ning Xiang exchanged a glance and then agreed in unison.

After the two left the room.

"Ningxiang, you have to go to the Xu family to make the bed tomorrow, so you should rest early. I'll stay here with you for a while."

The maids' conversation could be faintly heard.

After dark, after dinner

With meticulous care, Rong Feiyan lay down on the embroidered bed.

"Miss, I'll take my leave now. Please get some rest."

"it is good."

The embroidered bed curtains were slowly lowered with delicate steps.

"call."

The candles in the room were blown out, and the area inside the bed curtains suddenly became dark.

The night market in Bianjing was bustling.

In the quiet boudoir, Rong Feiyan lay on the couch with her eyes open, and could vaguely hear the faint noises coming from outside.

Gradually, Rong Feiyan's eyes grew accustomed to the darkness after the candles were extinguished.

A rustling sound of clothes and blankets came from the couch, and Rong Feiyan changed from lying flat to lying on her side.

Then, Rong Feiyan reached out and touched a wooden box beside her pillow.
After touching the wooden box a few times, Rong Feiyan said softly, "It'll be better to see you every day from now on than it is now, right?"

There was a moment of silence inside the bed curtains.

"Even if I can't see you, I'm still happy, because I have them."

"call--"

The sound of deep breathing could be heard.

I do not know how long it has been,

The bright moon rises high and then sets in the west.
The breathing inside the bed curtains then became calm and rhythmic.

In a trance,
Rong Feiyan found herself standing in the imperial palace.
The surroundings were noisy, and the people around her were all very tall, blocking her view. From places she couldn't see, cheers and shouts could be heard from time to time.

"The winner is Xu Jiawulang! Xu Jiawulang chooses his opponent!"

The eunuch's shouts came from not far away.

Upon hearing this, Rong Feiyan felt inexplicably flustered, yet also somewhat expectant and curious.

To get a better view of what was ahead, Rong Feiyan walked forward, trying to push through the crowd in front of her.

But when she reached out, she realized that her hand had become much smaller.

Before Rong Feiyan could figure out what was happening, she saw the person in front of her turn around.

Rong Feiyan looked up and suddenly realized that the tall figure in front of her was actually Chai Zhengzheng, dressed in a wedding gown.

For some reason, Chai Zhengzheng was wearing the wedding dress that Rong Feiyan had placed in the room.

"Sister Feiyan".

The tall Chai Zhengzheng called out with a smile.

Rong Feiyan glanced at her little hands again, then looked up and forced a smile: "Sister Zhengzheng, what happened? What happened up ahead?"

Chai Zhengzheng didn't speak, but looked down at Rong Feiyan's clothes with a smile in her eyes.

"Sister Zhengzheng, why are you looking at me like that?"

After Rong Feiyan asked her question, her voice seemed a bit loud, and the other people around her all looked at her.

Someone glanced at her, then looked towards the field ahead, and then looked surprised, as if they had seen something extraordinary.

"Oh no!" A voice exploded in Rong Feiyan's mind.

Rong Feiyan immediately looked down and, sure enough, she was wearing a men's color-blocked outfit.

An unprecedented sense of panic welled up in Rong Feiyan's heart, as if her greatest secret had been exposed.

"The color scheme of this outfit."

Hearing the surrounding chatter and feeling the gazes around her, Rong Feiyan only wanted to run away as quickly as possible.

Before she could move, she found that Chai Zhengzheng had grabbed her wrist, and at the same time, the tall Chai Zhengzheng moved his body away.

In this way, Rong Feiyan could see what was happening in the field ahead: a tall horse wearing clothes in the same color as her was galloping and knocking a person away.

Before Rong Feiyan could even process what was happening, she saw Xu Zaijing, not far from the horse, suddenly turn to the side and grab a sharp golden arrow.

Subsequently.

The horse, dressed in clothes, spoke in a human voice: "Girl! Girl?"

Only then did Rong Feiyan realize that she was dreaming.

"Well--"

Rong Feiyan opened her eyes, and a bright light greeted her.

The girl beside the bed was lifting the bed curtains, her eyes full of concern as she looked at him.

"Young lady, are you dreaming?"

"Hmm." After recalling the events of her dream, Rong Feiyan nodded with a smile.

Seeing Rong Feiyan's smiling face, Xi Bu finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:

"The palace ladies-in-waiting are coming to the Marquis's residence today. This afternoon, you and Xiu-ge'er will go to the Xu family to make the bed. Seeing you smile like this, the Imperial Concubine will be at ease."

"Ah."

As she spoke, Rong Feiyan reached out and let Xibu pull her up.

(End of this chapter)