Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 824 Years of Longing Reflected in My Heart [Thank you! Thank you again! 8k words owed]

In the afternoon,

The Rong family's front and back yards were adorned with red decorations and colorful flowers, creating a joyous and festive atmosphere.

Inside the second gate of the Rong family.

Under the red silk-draped covered walkways, female guests, guided by servants, would occasionally walk into the various courtyards.

The place the female guests had to go was the back hall where Consort Rong resided.

at this time,

The doors and windows of the back hall were wide open, and Consort Rong sat in the seat of honor in the center of the hall, smiling as she looked at the bustling and joyful courtyard.

Having been in the palace for many years, Consort Rong's status as a Noble Consort and her years of court life have given her an indescribable air of nobility.

Just sitting there, his imposing presence made people hesitant to look him in the eye.

On the chairs to the left and right of Consort Rong sat female relatives and friends.

Although the women were seated together, their clothing, demeanor, and overall presence clearly distinguished them into three distinct groups.

One group of women were dressed in a low-key yet luxurious manner, their jewelry was not eye-catching but of excellent quality, and their every smile and gesture was quite proper.

Another group of women were dressed in bright and flamboyant clothes. Although the fabrics of their clothes were not suitable, they were the most fashionable and expensive in the capital at the time. Their conversation had a lively, bustling atmosphere.

The last group of women was far less respectful than the first two groups; they were more formal and reserved, and their eyes were filled with awe as they looked at Consort Rong.

Turning her gaze away from the outside, Consort Rong looked at the elegantly dressed eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Fuguo and said with a smile, "The reason our house is so lively today is all thanks to Erlang for marrying such a wonderful wife."

Upon hearing this, Madam Dou quickly bowed and smiled, saying, "Your Highness is too kind! It is only because the Rong family is so prosperous that it is so lively! My good-for-nothing daughter has had incredible luck to marry into the Rong family."

As she spoke, Madam Dou glanced at her daughter sitting opposite her.

Consort Rong smiled and waved her hand: "Oh! You're exaggerating! Erlang and his wife have a long life ahead of them."

Listening to the conversation, the guests in the hall smiled and nodded.

A woman dressed flamboyantly, about the same age as Consort Rong's birth mother, said loudly, "Your Highness, you are right! Duchess, please don't overthink it. Our Second Master and his wife are not that old!"

"In the capital, the wives of the Zhang family, the Duke of Yingguo, and the Xu family, the Duke of Yongdai, are both that old; they can't continue."

Before the woman could finish speaking, she felt her sleeve being tugged several times.

Then, seeing the forced smiles of the Dou family relatives around her, the woman who had spoken suddenly realized that her words might have been somewhat...
After all, both duchesses were born late in life and were daughters.

But once these words were spoken, the woman, who was not particularly quick-witted, wanted to argue, but feared that the Dou family relatives might not think the same way, and that her explanations would only make things worse.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the hall was about to turn awkward, Consort Rong smiled calmly.

Just as Consort Rong was about to speak, a dignified lady among the most reserved women in the hall smiled and said, "What you say makes sense!"

Upon hearing this, all the women in the hall turned to look at the woman.

Beside the woman who spoke, the two older women with her looked somewhat anxious, not understanding why their friend had suddenly interrupted.

"Both duchesses have both sons and daughters, and two or three sons, each of whom is accomplished in both literature and martial arts!"

"Perhaps the eldest daughter-in-law will also have a daughter late in life, just like the two duchesses. I wonder how much the second young master will dote on her then!"

After the two sentences were finished, the Rong family relative who had spoken earlier quickly nodded and loudly echoed, "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I meant!"

The atmosphere in the hall quickly eased, and the Dou family's gaze towards the woman who had spoken became much more friendly and amiable.

As Consort Rong smiled and nodded, a female official beside her whispered a few words in her ear.

"Madam, is your husband Commander Shen Congxing?" Consort Rong asked with a smile.

Madam Zou quickly stood up: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Looking at Madam Zou's demeanor, Consort Rong smiled and said, "Commander Shen is truly blessed."

"Your Majesty flatters me," said Madam Zou, somewhat embarrassed.

"No flattery! If we're talking about it, you're also a relative of the royal family."

"This humble woman dares not accept such praise!"

Seeing the puzzled looks on the Dou family relatives' faces, Consort Rong smiled and explained, "This lady Zou's husband is the brother-in-law of the military commissioner of Yuzhou."

"Oh--"

The relatives of the Duke Dou, the Assistant Duke, all smiled and nodded.

"There are guests!"

As the maid announced the arrival, a woman dressed formally with her hair styled in a traditional Chinese updo entered.

This young woman was not very old, and her demeanor was somewhat similar to that of Madam Zou and the others.

Upon entering the hall and feeling the gazes of everyone present, the young woman immediately became somewhat nervous.

"Yes, I've met you, I've met my cousin!"

Upon hearing this, all the relatives in the hall looked surprised.

"You child, how can you greet people like that! Hurry up!" said a relative of the Rong family in a loud voice.

Consort Rong waved her hand at the female official who was about to reprimand her, then gestured for the Rong family relative who hadn't finished speaking to sit down, and said softly with a smile, "You look a little unfamiliar. May I ask which family you belong to?"

"Your Majesty, she is..." a relative of the Rong family tried to explain.

"Let her say it herself." Consort Rong's tone was gentle but left no room for refusal.

"Yes."

Glancing at the elegant and poised Consort Rong, the young woman quickly said, "Your Majesty, my name is Hua Yan, my brother's name is Hua Rong, and my husband is..."

Hearing the woman's somewhat 'vulgar' words, the Dou family relatives exchanged ambiguous glances.

After only two sentences of explanation, Consort Rong's eyes showed a look of sudden realization.

This young lady, Hua Yan, married a cousin from the maternal grandfather's family of Consort Rong.

This cousin had previously apprenticed with the Li family's craftsmen team. When the Li family's craftsmen team was repairing the Xu family's courtyard, this cousin often came and went from the Xu family's residence.

Rong Feiyan first learned about the layout of the Xu family's residence from this cousin.

This cousin became a widower two years ago and remarried this year to a girl from the Hua family.

Looking at Hua Yan, Consort Rong smiled and said, "Your movements are quite skillful, so you must be skilled in martial arts?"

Seeing the smile on Consort Rong's face, Hua Yan felt much more relaxed and nodded with a smile, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Sit down," Consort Rong said with a smile.

Just as Consort Rong was about to continue speaking, a maid from the Rong family walked in with a smile.

After curtsying, the maidservant smiled and said, "Your Highness, the Xu family's wedding procession has arrived at the street corner."

At the entrance of the Rong family's residence,
The Rong family maid peered out from the crowd, observing the situation.

"Hey Erlang, are you going to make it harder? You're making things a bit difficult for us!"

"It was said by the bridesmaid who wore a flower in her hair."

“Yes!” the groomsmen chimed in.

"Second Brother, when you went to the Dou family that day, Fifth Brother helped a lot. Why are you doing this to me today?"

After glancing at the checkpoint setup in front of the gate, the maid quickly turned and ran into the courtyard.

Upon arriving at the hall where Consort Rong was, Lady Fuchang asked the maid who entered, "What's the scene at the main gate?"

The maid curtsied, glanced at Consort Rong, and hurriedly said, "Reporting to Madam, the Second Young Master has suspended his ring in front of the target with a thin rope."

"The groom or best man must shoot the ring that keeps swinging in front of the target to pass the test!"

"Huh?" The crowd gasped.

Consort Rong shook her head helplessly upon hearing this: "This, Erlang is taking it too seriously!"

The words have not yet fallen.

"it is good--!"

A thunderous cheer came from the direction of the Rong family's main gate.

The sound was quite loud, causing the matriarchs and other ladies in the hall to look outside.

Consort Rong looked outside, her eyes filled with certainty, and said, "It's a positive result."

Just finished,
"Bravo!" A thunderous cheer erupted once again.

The sound continued.

"it is good--!"

Another sound.

This unexpected turn of events aroused even more curiosity among the relatives in the hall, who began to whisper among themselves.

A moment later, a maid came running in, panting.

"No need for formalities, speak quickly!" Consort Rong said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, the groom shot the ring with one arrow, the second arrow struck the string that held the ring, and the third arrow secured the ring firmly to the target."

After glancing at Consort Rong, the maid continued, "The three arrows were very close together and penetrated deeply; the Second Young Master's ring can't even be removed."

Consort Rong said helplessly, "Second Prince brought this upon himself."

As they were talking, another maid came running over.

"Did the groom compose a poem to urge the bride to get ready?" Consort Rong asked.

"Hui Niang, yes."

Returning to Snow Courtyard
The young maid who had entered the hall last was now standing beside Rong Feiyan.

Rong Feiyan, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her wedding dress, looked brightly at the young maid and asked with a hint of nervousness, "How did he compose the poem urging the bride to get married?"

The young maid and the curious girl exchanged a glance and smiled, "Miss, the first line of the poem urging you to get ready is..."

"I once played the golden zither on the Cloud Terrace, and first met you in the Moon Palace when you were in your prime."

"Meishan Mountain does not paint the scenery of spring mountains, but the eyes are like ripples in the water."

As Rong Feiyan listened to the maid reciting the poem urging her to get ready, the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.

"Years of longing have lingered in my heart; today, we are united by a red ribbon."

"."

"Don't wait until the sun sets to finish your makeup; open the mirror early to admire your beautiful face."

"Good! Quickly reward them!" Rong Feiyan said with a smile.

"Thank you girl!"

After my daughter left the house,

Rong Feiyan looked at Xibu beside her and smiled, "I didn't expect him to still remember what happened in the palace before."

Xi Bu smiled and nodded: "Miss, the Prince made quite a splash that year! Speaking of which, wasn't that your first time meeting His Highness the Prince?"

Rong Feiyan smiled and shook her head: "I heard from my sister that it should have been even earlier. When he was a child, he performed archery in the palace during His Majesty's birthday celebration! But I don't remember much about it."

"Miss, I was by your side when His Highness the Prince was showing off. Don't you think he was interested in you then?"

"how can that be possible?"

"Young lady, how could it be impossible? When I first came to the Rong family and saw you, I thought I had met a fairy!"

"Nonsense!" Rong Feiyan said shyly.

Then, looking at Rong Feiyan's extremely beautiful face after makeup, he gently lifted the phoenix crown and said, "Miss, please wear it."

"Ah."

In the hall,
Consort Rong sat on one side of the table, while two female officials stood beside her, each holding a young prince and princess.

The Marquis of Fuchang and his wife sat on the other side, with Rongxian and Lady Dou standing behind them, and a servant holding Rongxiu and the other two children standing to the side.

"Toast tea!"

At the call of the Lady of Blessing, a maid from the Rong family placed a cup of fragrant tea in front of Xu Zaijing, carrying a tray.

Consort Rong represented the royal family and had given birth to a prince. Xu Zaijing held a large red silk ribbon and presented the first cup of tea to Consort Rong.

"Your Highness, please have some tea."

Looking at the handsome Xu Zaijing, Consort Rong smiled, took the drink, sipped it lightly, and placed it on the table.

Then, Rong Feiyan served tea in the same manner.

After taking a sip, Consort Rong put down her teacup and beckoned to the side.

The accompanying lady-in-waiting then came over carrying a gift box.

"It wouldn't be right for me to accept your tea without permission; this is just a token of my appreciation as your older sister."

Xu Zaijing and Rong Feiyan bowed in unison as a gesture of thanks.

"Respect your parents!"

After serving the tea, the Marquis of Fuchang and his wife each gave a few words of advice.

As Xu Zaijing nodded in response to the instructions, he noticed that Rongxiu, who was being held by someone, had tears in her eyes and was pursing her lips tightly.

Rongxiu's gaze towards Rong Feiyan was filled with affection.

Looking at his youngest daughter, Marquis Fuchang said with emotion, "Alright! You may go!"

"The bride and groom are leaving the house."

Seeing Rong Feiyan holding a red ribbon with Xu Zaijing in one hand and a round fan in the other, preparing to turn and leave, Rong Xiu, in the servant's arms, leaned forward.

Upon noticing Rongxiu's movement, Xu Zaijing slowed down his movements slightly and did not turn around again.

This made Rong Feiyan, who had noticed Xu Zaijing's actions, pause for a moment and see Rong Xiu's pitiful little face.

When Rong Xiu noticed that Rong Feiyan was looking at her, she quickly forced an awkward smile.

Rong Feiyan looked at her nephew with heartache, gave him a reassuring smile, and then looked at Xu Zaijing with gratitude.

As Xu Zaijing and Rong Feiyan turned and walked away, Rong Xiu moved her lips and silently called out, "Auntie."

Consort Rong, sitting in her chair, had a clear view of Xu Zaijing's actions and what was happening around her.

Consort Rong's smile became even more gratified, and she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

After seeing the newlyweds to the door, Consort Rong said to her personal maid, "Have Xiu-ge'er come to see me later."

"Yes, ma'am."

Outside the alley of South Lecture Hall, a large number of people gathered on both sides of the street to watch the spectacle.

The wedding procession has already passed, and the last load of dowry is following the procession toward Quyuan Street.

A passerby remarked, "The Rong family's dowry is less than half of the Chai family's!"

Someone nearby said, "That's only right! Although both marriages are bestowed by imperial decree, the noblewoman from the Chai family is the principal wife, while the girl from the Rong family is a concubine!"

"I've often heard that the Rong family's daughters are exceptionally beautiful, but unfortunately, we can't see much of that through the wedding car," lamented a thin young man dressed in tattered clothes.

"Outstanding appearance? I've never heard of that before."

"Hmph!" The thin young man in plain clothes sneered, "You don't even know that? Back then, no matter what kind of gathering the Rong family's noble ladies attended, their invitations were immediately worth a fortune!"

"Brother, judging by your attire, how could you possibly know about the affairs of these high-ranking families?"

"Me! Back when my Chi family was still in decline, I dealt with the sons of nobles and officials!" the thin young man emphasized.

"Speaking of those days, it reminds me of today's groom! His marksmanship in the bedroom is exceptional!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding people immediately became interested: "Oh?"

"Back then, I wanted to offer half of my fortune as payment to learn from this man, but alas..."

Quyuan Street,
Although the two happy events were close together, the street decorations were completely different.

The red silk inside and outside the Duke's mansion has all been replaced with new ones.

The number of guests attending today's wedding at the Xu family's home was much smaller than when Chai Zhengzheng entered.

When Rong Feiyan went to the main hall of the Xu family with the help of Quanfu Niangzi, Xu Zaijing felt that the gazes around him were much more intense than when he married Zhengzheng.

"Miss Feiyan is already very beautiful without makeup, but today she is so lovely with makeup on."

Hearing the praises from the ladies of the officials and noblewomen around her, Rong Feiyan, holding a round fan, shyly glanced at Xu Zaijing beside her.

(End of this chapter)