Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 836 Zhengzheng, didn't you see your husband come in? [Thank you! Bow again! 6k chapters owed]

Shouantang,
Beside the Luohan chair,

Minglan sat on the embroidered stool, fanning the old lady who was taking a nap with a round fan.

Today, Minglan returned to her parents' home, and the old lady's afternoon nap was a few quarters of an hour later than usual.

Seeing the old lady's calm breathing, Minglan couldn't help but smile.

At this time,

Fang's mother tiptoed over from outside.

After squatting down next to Minglan, Mama Fang whispered in her ear, "Sixth Miss, give me the fan."

As she spoke, Madam Fang reached out and took the round fan that Minglan handed her, then whispered, "The eldest young lady is outside the door. She asked if the old lady is asleep."

Seeing Minglan's puzzled look, Madam Fang continued, "What the eldest young lady means is that while the old lady is asleep, the young master will go back to the Xu family with you."

"You know what she looked like when the eldest daughter returned home for her wedding!"

When the eldest sister, Hua Lan, returned to her parents' home that year and left in the afternoon, Wang Ruofu and the old lady shed many tears.

Upon hearing this, Minglan nodded, stood up quietly, and carefully walked outside.

Seeing Hualan standing at the door, Minglan smiled and took Hualan's arm, preparing to leave Shou'an Hall together.

Just as they reached the courtyard gate, they saw Sheng Hong leading Dong Rong towards them.

"Father."

The two Lan girls, accompanied by their maids, smiled and curtsied.

Sheng Hong smiled and said softly, "Is your grandmother asleep?"

Hua Lan and Ming Lan exchanged a glance, then released their hands and smiled, "Yes, Father."

Sheng Hong nodded: "That's perfect, you can go straight back to your residence."

With that, Sheng Hong turned around and, with a smile on his face and in a good mood, led his two daughters toward Wei Rui Xuan.

In the afternoon, the sun shone brightly.

At the entrance of the Sheng family's main gate,
The honor guard is lined up and ready to depart.

Seeing Minglan standing by the carriage bowing to him, Sheng Hong smiled and nodded repeatedly, while quickly returning the bow to Xu Zaijing, who was bowing to him.

Xu Zaijing and his wife boarded the carriage.

Minglan lifted the carriage curtain and bid farewell to the Sheng family members bathed in sunlight. Sheng Hong and the others waved and nodded in response.

A moment after Minglan lowered the carriage curtain, various sounds such as hooves and footsteps arose, and the entire procession slowly began to move.

Sheng Hong looked at the procession and exclaimed, "Wow! It's truly magnificent!"

Wang Ruofu watched the procession leave with envy in her eyes. After glancing at Rulan, who was shielding her eyes from the sun, Wang Ruofu sighed.

Only after the guards at the end of the procession had disappeared into the distance did the members of the Sheng family turn around and walk into the courtyard.

The group parted ways at the second gate.

Wang Ruofu, supporting Liu Mama's arm, walked towards Weirui Pavilion, sighing as they went, "Tell me, if I had hardened my heart back then and made such a grand and magnificent affair, wouldn't I be Ru'er's now?"

"What you say is true, madam!"

After pondering for a while, Wang Ruofu waved his hand and sighed, "Alas! It's too late to say anything now! Has my husband gone to that fox den in Linxi Pavilion again?"

“My lord meant to go to the study,” Caihuan replied from the side.

Wang Ruofu curled her lip: "Hmph! So we'll go to Linxi Pavilion tonight!"

The bustling streets of Bianjing.

Even on a hot afternoon, the streets were still bustling with traffic and pedestrians.

Under the shade of trees by the roadside.

"Steamed buns—freshly steamed large white flour steamed buns!"

There was a short, stocky man with a rough, dark complexion. He had a towel draped around his neck, and a thick piece of cloth was sewn onto the shoulder next to the towel.

The man stood beside a large carrying pole, energetically hawking his wares.

"Mutton buns! Big, juicy mutton buns!"

Not to be outdone, the stall owner next to him shouted out his wares and then gave the short, stocky man a hostile look.

There were also vendors selling various fruits and flowers around, usually shouting and hawking their wares.

"Jelly jelly! Soaked in well water, it's tangy and refreshing!"

Hearing the shouts of the cold noodles vendor, the short, stocky man licked his lips with a slight craving and glanced at the cold noodles stall next to him.

After thinking for a moment, the man ultimately said nothing.

After wiping his sweat with a towel around his neck, the short, stocky man was about to continue shouting when he noticed that the surrounding noise had become much quieter.

Looking into the distance, one could hear shouts coming from there.

Immediately, the crowd on the street in the distance parted to both sides, and several knights riding fine steeds and carrying banners appeared in the man's field of vision.

Many soldiers who were hiding in the shade on the street saw this scene and went out to maintain order and make people move aside.

The instruments in the procession were not played, but the impressive procession quickly passed through the street in the eyes of passersby.

The streets have been restored to their original state.

"Whose grand carriage is this? It's so luxurious and impressive!" exclaimed the vendor selling cold noodles.

Several passersby on the side nodded in agreement.

The stall owner selling mutton buns feigned surprise and said, "Pshaw! You don't even recognize this carriage?"

"Do you know him?" the cold noodle vendor asked.

The mutton and steamed bun vendor said proudly, "Of course!"

Seeing the surprised looks on the faces of the short, stocky man, the cold noodle vendor, and others, the mutton and steamed bun vendor said, "This is the carriage of the Prince of Wei! When the concubine entered the palace before, this was the main street they used to escort her home! It looks like the concubine is returning home today."

The cold jelly vendor suddenly realized, "It's the top scholar!"

"Not bad!" The mutton bun vendor nodded.

"Is the Prince of Wei surnamed Xu?" the short, stocky man asked.

"Yes!"

The short, stocky man peeked at the back of the entourage again and said with a smile, "My brother even knows the Prince!"

The mutton and steamed bun vendor looked helpless: "Your brother knows His Highness the Prince? Well, I know His Highness the Prince too!"

Seeing the surprised looks on everyone's faces, the mutton and steamed bun vendor laughed and said, "But His Highness doesn't recognize me! Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, the people around him also burst into laughter.

The short, stocky man chuckled and said, "My younger brother is now a minor officer in the Northwest Army, serving under the heir of the Duke of Dai. He told me he knows him."

"I'm new here, so I'm not lying or making things up."

Upon hearing this, the smiles of the people around him froze.

The mutton bun vendor blinked and looked at the short, stocky man in front of him: "Brother, may I ask your surname?"

"My surname is Wu and my given name is Wu Da. My younger brother is Wu Song. Several families of warriors from the Western Army in the capital know my younger brother."

Looking at the expressions of the people around him, Wu Da continued, "I'll be making a living around here from now on, so I wouldn't dare to ruin my reputation by spouting nonsense."

The mutton and steamed bun vendor quickly bowed, saying, "Oh! Oh! My apologies for not recognizing you!"

Wu Da bowed in return.

Many of the onlookers who were listening to the conversation sighed inwardly, thinking that it seemed like everyone in Bianjing had powerful and influential relatives behind them.

Inside the carriage
The cool air emanating from the ice chest was fanned by Xu Zaijing's fan and carried to Minglan.

Feeling the cool air rushing towards her, Minglan opened her eyes blankly after waking up.

The scents of incense and wine were right in front of Minglan's nose, with a hint of alluring masculine aroma.

The noise outside the carriage finally reached Minglan's ears.

Minglan quickly sat up straight.

At that moment, a handkerchief was handed to Minglan's lips.

"woke up?"

While Xu Zaijing was talking, he was also preparing to wipe the drool from Minglan's mouth.

Belatedly realizing what was happening, Minglan quickly took the handkerchief and said, "I can do it myself."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile.

Seeing Minglan's somewhat embarrassed expression, Xu Zaijing smiled and asked, "Did you speak with your mother this afternoon?"

"I already said that!" Minglan glanced shyly at Xu Zaijing.

"Hmm! I saw you coming out with your father-in-law earlier, did he mention our entourage for this trip?"

Minglan shook her head: "Father didn't say anything."

Xu Zaijing smiled and raised an eyebrow.

Minglan asked in confusion, "My lord, why do you ask this?"

“My father-in-law has always been a man of integrity in the court. With such a grand procession, I thought he would say that I didn’t know how to advise me to be humble and modest.”

Minglan nodded: "What you say is true, my husband! Father probably noticed that the ceremonial procession was downgraded."

As she spoke, Minglan quickly grabbed Xu Zaijing's hand that was wandering around her waist: "My lord, Grandmother said that we are going to the palace to express our gratitude tomorrow! Why don't you go to Sister Zhengzheng's room tonight? So that I can rest."

"Alright!"

After returning to the Xu family,
When getting off the carriage,

Minglan pursed her lips, which were slightly numb from Xu Zaijing's kisses.

evening.

The backyard of the Sheng family, Linxi Pavilion.

In the candlelight, Lin Qinshuang smiled and poured Sheng Hong a glass of wine.

"You fill your own cup too," Sheng Hong said with a smile.

"Yes, Hiroshi."

Then, Lin Qinshuang raised her wine cup: "This cup is a toast to Honglang! If it weren't for you, Honglang, how could Mo'er have so many high-ranking families asking about her? How could the three of us, mother and son, live so comfortably and happily?" Sheng Hong was extremely pleased to hear this, and shook his head with a smile, saying: "Shuang'er, what are you saying! You have devoted yourself to me for so many years, how could I possibly mistreat you!"

Lin Qinshuang clinked glasses with Sheng Hong, looking deeply moved.

After finishing her drink, Lin Qinshuang poured wine for Sheng Hong and said, "I wonder what the scene will be like when our Mo'er gets married. When she returns to her parents' home, will the procession be as extravagant as that of the sixth son-in-law?"

"Not to mention the Wei family's younger sister, even I feel proud!"

Sheng Hong smiled and ate his food without saying a word.

Lin Qinshuang continued, "My maid Xueniang is ignorant. After taking a look at the procession, she told the concubine that the Sixth Son-in-Law's procession was even more magnificent than that of a Prince!"

Seeing Sheng Hong's expression, Lin Qinshuang said, "Xue Niang also said that if the censors and imperial censors saw this, she wondered if it would affect your reputation, Hong Lang. But in this way, Sister Wei will definitely like it!"

"Hmph!" Sheng Hong sneered, "What does Zhou Xueniang, a mere servant, know? Tomorrow's husband is a Prince of the First Rank! So what if he's a bit more illustrious!"

"You have no idea what will happen tomorrow when my husband is crowned a king."

Before he could finish speaking, Sheng Hong waved his hand and said, "With my husband Ming'er here, the future will be bright for both the Sheng family and Mo'er and Feng'er."

Lin Qinshuang showed no sign of surprise at her disappointment, and simply nodded repeatedly: "Yes! Honglang, I was even thinking of setting up a longevity tablet for the Prince."

"That's fine! He's a junior, after all. How can you treat him like this?"

"Yes. Honglang is right!" Lin Qinshuang said, picking up two pieces of food for Sheng Hong with her chopsticks.

Seeing Sheng Hong's expression, Lin Qinshuang asked with a smile, "I heard that the Pei family, the Duke of Xin, has also sent an invitation to our family?"

“Yes! They’re also asking about our Mo’er! I heard from Madam that the Pei family’s child was born into a concubine’s family and is a good one,” Sheng Hong said with a smile.

Lin Qinshuang's smile faded slightly: "But, but I've heard that the sons of the Pei family, the Duke of Xin, all join the army and few study for the imperial examinations."

Sheng Hong frowned, holding his chopsticks: "Hmm? What, you look down on the Pei family now?"

Lin Qinshuang quickly said, "No! No, Honglang, Mo'er is just like you, proficient in poetry and calligraphy. If we were to find a martial artist who doesn't understand refinement, wouldn't that be like casting pearls before swine?"

"It would be better to find a son of a noble family who is studying for the imperial examinations!"

Sheng Hong pursed his lips and frowned, saying, "You're confined to the inner quarters, so there are many things you don't know! The court is plotting to reclaim Yan and Yun, and it's precisely because many of the Pei family's sons are in the military that I've taken a liking to the Pei family!"

"Besides, are it so easy to find sons of noble families who can study for the imperial examinations? What will happen if you don't make the list? In the end, it might really be better to join the army!"

Lin Qinshuang: "Honglang, the husbands of the eldest and sixth young ladies are both such pillars of society, not to mention the Wang family. But how can Mo'er go looking for a martial arts man? What if something happens to her on the battlefield?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong lost all interest: "What are you saying! It's as if I don't care about Mo'er's marriage."

"Snapped."

Sheng Hong slammed his chopsticks on the table.

"Honglang, that's not what I meant," Lin Qinshuang quickly said. "The Qi family hasn't..."

"Alright!" Sheng Hong interrupted Lin Qinshuang, stood up and said, "You can rest now!"

With that, Sheng Hong strode out.

Lin Qinshuang: "Honglang."

outside the house.

Dong Rong, who had mosquito-repelling incense burning beside her, looked at Sheng Hong, who had just come out of the room, with a surprised expression: "Master?"

"Send someone to tell them that I'll be going to Jin'anzhai later."

"Yes, my lord."

Quyuan Street, Xu Zaijing's courtyard.

In the main house,
After taking a bath, Xu Zaijing, wearing a snow-white undershirt, lifted the beaded curtain and entered the bedroom.

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng sitting on the edge of the bed in a daze, unaware that he had entered the room, Xu Zaijing smiled in surprise and said, "Zhengzheng, didn't you see your husband come in?"

"Ah? Oh!"

Chai Zhengzheng, who had loosened her hair and was letting it hang loose, woke up and got up with a smile, walking towards Xu Zaijing.

As soon as Chai Zhengzheng reached Xu Zaijing, Xu Zaijing picked her up in one go.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's eager eyes, Chai Zhengzheng immediately blocked Xu Zaijing's lips from kissing her.

"Mmm? Mmm?" Xu Zaijing asked, while also kissing Chai Zhengzheng's palm.

Chai Zhengzheng bit her lip, enduring the itch, and stared intently at Xu Zaijing: "My lord, stop fooling around, I have something to tell you!"

“Mmm mmm mmm mmm!” Xu Zaijing retorted.

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng's expression, Xu Zaijing stopped joking and nodded seriously.

Seeing Xu Zaijing nod, Chai Zhengzheng finally let go of his little hand.

"Put me down," Chai Zhengzheng said.

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "You can talk even when you're in my arms."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing sat down on the bed, his hands wandering restlessly over Chai Zhengzheng's thighs.

Chai Zhengzheng glared at Xu Zaijing with some helplessness, then whispered, "My lord, I... I haven't had my period this month."

"Huh!?" Xu Zaijing froze.

Chai Zhengzheng said in a low voice, "Before, the latest it was was the 25th of each month! But as of today, my period hasn't come yet."

Xu Zaijing blinked: "Zhengzheng, is there anything else unusual about you?"

Chai Zhengzheng pursed her lips and nodded: "Yes."

As she spoke, Chai Zhengzheng moved her hand toward her chest: "It doesn't feel right here, and I haven't been feeling very energetic these past couple of days."

"My God!" Xu Zaijing exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be..."

Chai Zhengzheng lowered her head shyly: "I asked the physician to come and take a look. She said there is an 80% or 90% chance."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing was momentarily at a loss for words.

"It's just a chance, maybe my period will come in a couple of days, mmm mmm mmm." Seeing that her mouth was being covered, Chai Zhengzheng stopped talking.

Moving Xu Zaijing's large hand away, Chai Zhengzheng said, "My lord, to be on the safe side, you should go to Sister Feiyan or Sister Minglan's place."

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "I'm not going anywhere."

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng's expression, Xu Zaijing quickly added, "Your husband has always been a good sleeper since he was a child, and I promise I won't do anything tonight!"

Chai Zhengzheng looked down at the hand that was waving around her thigh again: "My lord, if you want to do something, do you think I can stop you?"

"I trust you, my lord, is that alright?" Xu Zaijing asked seriously.

Looking into Xu Zaijing's eyes, Chai Zhengzheng pondered for a moment and then nodded: "Yes! My lord, this matter is not yet confirmed, so please don't go around telling everyone!"

"know."

After speaking,
Chai Zhengzheng was carried to the bed by Xu Zaijing.

"Yunmu, take the candle away."

"Yes."

A moment later, the room was plunged into darkness.

At midnight,

Chai Zhengzheng, who had fallen asleep at some point, woke up.

The surroundings were extremely quiet.

The chirping of unknown insects outside drifted in through the thin curtains of the window.

Feeling Xu Zaijing behind her, Chai Zhengzheng turned over so that she was facing Xu Zaijing's chest.

Listening to Xu Zaijing's calm breathing and strong heartbeat, Chai Zhengzheng closed her eyes comfortably.

I do not know how long it has been.

It was still dark, but the faint sound of birdsong could be heard.

Chai Zhengzheng woke up and, feeling her lips being kissed, pushed Xu Zaijing away in annoyance: "My lord!"

"Leave now!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing took another sip and then quickly rolled off the bed.

morning,

On the way to the imperial city,
Inside the large carriage in the ceremonial procession,
Xu Zaijing and Chai Zhengzheng sat in the middle of the carriage, while Rong Feiyan and Minglan sat on either side.

All four were dressed in formal attire.

Rong Feiyan would glance at Chai Zhengzheng from time to time, then at Xu Zaijing, and then exchange an ambiguous look with Minglan.

Xu Zaijing appeared to be in the same state as usual, showing no signs of anything amiss.

Before Minglan entered the family, Rong Feiyan had seen Chai Zhengzheng several times after he had slept with Xu Zaijing.

Rong Feiyan had never seen Chai Zhengzheng so energetic and spirited before, and today Chai Zhengzheng was not even wearing a high-necked shirt.

Minglan, however, was completely bewildered. She looked at Rong Feiyan and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Looking at Xu Zaijing smiling and Chai Zhengzheng looking over, Rong Feiyan shook her head with a smile: "It's nothing."

The car fell silent again.

"Young master, we have arrived at Donghua Gate."

Qingyun's voice came from outside the car.

"Okay." Xu Zaijing said, looking at the three girls, "Let's go."

After getting off the carriage,

After straightening their clothes, the group entered Donghua Gate together.

Xu Zaijing was led by an imperial eunuch to the location of the emperor and the crown prince.

Chai Zhengzheng then led Rong Feiyan and Minglan toward the Empress's Palace.

Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan are easy to talk to; they've been to the palace countless times.

Minglan rarely entered the palace. Walking behind Chai Zhengzheng, she would occasionally glance at the palaces in the imperial city.

The three arrived outside the Queen's palace and were invited into the hall by a female official without waiting for a moment.

Upon entering the hall, Minglan felt a sudden surge of nervousness upon seeing the Empress, Consort Rong, the heavily pregnant Crown Princess, and the two princesses.

(End of this chapter)