Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 843 Thank you, Madam! [Thank you! Bows again! 6k words owed]

It started raining in the early morning.
It stopped in the morning.
The sky was overcast for most of the day.
The sun never peeked out.

at dusk,

It drizzled for a while longer.

After dark, the city lights begin to come on.

Xingguofang
In the ponds and ditches near the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, frogs were still croaking.

Gu Erlang, Gu Tingye's courtyard,

Rainwater flowed down the roof and dripped onto the ground under the eaves.

The ground and lush leaves in the courtyard were damp, reflecting the bright yellow candlelight shining from inside the main house.

"Chrysanthemum, let them out." Yu Yanran's voice came from inside the house.

“Yes, Madam,” someone replied.

Soon, several maids withdrew from the room and closed the door.

inside the house,

Gu Tingye sat in a chair, dressed in light and cool clothes.

Yanran stood behind him, gently pressing the acupoints on Gu Tingye's head to help him relax.

By candlelight, Yanran looked at Gu Tingye, who had his eyes closed and brows furrowed, and said softly, "My lord, today the Crown Prince has an heir, which is a joyous occasion for our dynasty. You cannot be frowning like this outside."

After a moment of hesitation, Gu Tingye nodded and said in a low voice, "Yes, my wife is right."

"Then what's wrong with you today, my lord?" Yanran said, smoothing out Gu Tingye's furrowed brows.

Gu Tingye opened his eyes and reached out to pull Yanran to sit down on the embroidered stool next to him.

Seeing Yanran waiting for him to continue, Gu Tingye pondered for a moment and then said, "It's nothing, it's just that I feel that my elder brother's demeanor and temperament have changed quite a bit these days."

"A change in expression? Did you?" Yanran looked at Gu Tingye with a puzzled expression.

“Yes!” Gu Tingye affirmed, “These days, my elder brother’s gaze towards me has become increasingly profound. Before, I could still discern some emotional fluctuations in his eyes.”

“Recently,” Gu Tingye shook his head, “I not only can’t see it, but sometimes I’m even afraid to look into my elder brother’s eyes.”

Yanran shook her head: "My lord, I didn't see it! Perhaps, my elder brother only acts that way towards you?"

Seeing Gu Tingye's speechless expression, Yanran couldn't help but smile and said, "By the way, I heard from Mother that my eldest brother went to Fifth Brother Xu's residence today?"

"Correct!"

"Is there something important?" Yanran asked, puzzled.

Gu Tingye nodded and said, "Of course, but my brother didn't tell me the specifics."

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, he looked in the direction of his mother's courtyard outside the house and said, "I wonder if my elder brother and sister-in-law have returned to their own courtyard yet."

Lady Bai's courtyard, the wife of Marquis Gu.

In the main house,
The elegant scent of mosquito-repellent incense wafted slowly through the room.

Under the candlelight, only Bai Shi, Ping Mei, Gu Tingyu, and Granny Chang, who were seated, were present.

"My brother has only recently established his own household, and my mother-in-law and the others are not with him."

“In the Prince’s mansion, whatever he said and gave orders, his younger brother and sister-in-law never argued and just did as he was told.”

“They are not very old to begin with, and they may have some oversights. Since our son is going, we should at least offer some words of advice.”

After Gu Tingyu finished speaking, he picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.

Looking at Pingmei nodding and smiling beside him, Gu Tingyu also smiled.

Sitting at the head of the table, Madam Bai looked at Gu Tingyu and said gently, "Although Fifth Prince is a prince, you are his brother-in-law, so it is only right that you say a few words."

“But, Yu’er, I know you’ve taken on a new job these days. Although you’ve taken good care of yourself over the years, you still need to be careful and not overwork yourself.”

Pingmei and Granny Chang nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

Gu Tingyu smiled slightly: "Mother, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Madam Bai took a deep breath: "Yu'er, you have been smart since you were a child, and your abilities are far greater than your father's!"

“Mother, how can a son compare to a father?” Gu Tingyu shook his head.

"You are indeed more capable than your father! But..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingyu did not continue speaking, but instead looked at Bai Shi.

“Over the years, apart from the matter of that woman, your father has never brought his emotions from officialdom or the battlefield into the backyard.”

"Mother, son"

As Gu Tingyu spoke, he looked at everyone in the room.

Looking at Pingmei nodding, Gu Tingyu couldn't help but recall the way his son Gu Shixing had looked at him earlier that day.

Gu Tingyu took a deep breath and nodded, saying, "Mother, I understand. I will pay more attention in the future."

"Yes! Yu'er, it's good that you understand. Go ahead."

Gu Tingyu stood up and agreed.

After saying goodbye, Gu Tingyu led Pingmei out of the house and headed towards his Fuyou Courtyard.

Along the way, under the lantern-lit covered walkway, Gu Tingyu stopped.

Pingmei followed her husband's gaze and saw that he was watching the moths fluttering around the lantern.

Pingmei didn't say anything, she just stayed by Gu Tingyu's side and watched.

After a while,
Gu Tingyu said in a low voice, "My wife, have I really changed that much lately?"

Pingmei: "Yes, some! Xing'er is just like you, sir. He's smart and sensible from a young age, and he's good at reading people, so he's naturally noticed quite a bit."

"Then I might change even more in the future, to the point that I'll have less time to take care of and teach him."

Looking into Gu Tingyu's eyes, Pingmei smiled and said, "My lord, no matter how you change, I will always be by your side to teach and take care of Xing'er. I'm here for you."

Gu Tingyu nodded with a pursed mouth, patted Pingmei's hand behind her back, and the two continued walking towards Fuyou Courtyard.

Prince's Mansion
Princess's Courtyard

Candlelight was lit in the bedroom.

The maid Yunmu stood outside the screen and shook her head at Zifeng, who was carrying a tray in. Zifeng understood and immediately slowed her pace.

"What time is it?" Xu Zaijing's voice came.

"It's just past 8 PM, my lord. You've only slept for an hour. Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

I can't sleep for now.

As they spoke, Zi Teng placed the water bottle and fruit from the tray onto the table.

After arranging everything, Zi Teng looked at her daughter. Seeing Chai Zhengzheng nodding, Zi Teng smiled and then turned and left behind the screen.

Once outside the screen, Zi Teng smiled and glanced back into the room.

Yunmu curiously peeked over and saw his master lying on Chai Zhengzheng's lap.

After reading it, Yunmu quickly smiled and turned back, waving at Zi Teng at the same time.

The two of them left the screen together and stood outside the beaded curtain, which was further away.

On the bed,
Chai Zhengzheng smiled as she looked at Xu Zaijing, who was lying on her lap with his eyes closed.

The room was very quiet.

Sometimes Chai Zhengzheng would reach out and rub Xu Zaijing's earlobe, sometimes she would rub the stubble under Xu Zaijing's chin with her fingertips, and sometimes she would touch Xu Zaijing's straight nose.

It took great effort for Chai Zhengzheng to not pinch Xu Zaijing's nostrils too hard as she reached down from the tip of his nose.

Below her nose were Xu Zaijing's lips. When Chai Zhengzheng touched them, Xu Zaijing opened his eyes.

After staring at Chai Zhengzheng for a moment, Xu Zaijing's gaze shifted to Chai Zhengzheng's chest. "Don't look," Chai Zhengzheng said, covering Xu Zaijing's eyes with her hand.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's smiling lips, Chai Zhengzheng, embarrassed and annoyed, let go of Xu Zaijing's eyes and instead pinched Xu Zaijing's cheeks with her hands.

Xu Zaijing then embraced Chai Zhengzheng's slender waist.

Feeling the hot breath Xu Zaijing was exhaling from between her waist and abdomen, Chai Zhengzheng mischievously curled up her legs.

After commotion for a while, looking at Xu Zaijing who was yawning, Chai Zhengzheng said, "My lord, I didn't expect that besides my father and mother, there would be anyone in the capital who could enter your study to scold you."

"You mean your brother-in-law?" Xu Zaijing asked, looking at the top of the bed curtains.

"Ah."

"He wasn't scolding me; he was just explaining the pros and cons to your husband."

"Is it?"

"Yes!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing glanced at Chai Zhengzheng and asked, "What, you don't believe me?"

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and shook her head: "I'm just a little curious, how did my brother-in-law know about Qingcao this morning?"

“If what you told your brother-in-law is true, then your brother-in-law shouldn’t have come to our house later.”

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "My brother-in-law is a trusted official close to the Crown Prince, and there were such big mistakes made in some government offices at Jinming Pond before."

“Hmm.” Chai Zhengzheng nodded, signaling Xu Zaijing to continue.

"So, starting two months ago, my brother-in-law began to hold positions in both the Imperial City Guard and the Military Affairs Bureau."

"Huh?" Chai Zhengzheng looked surprised: "Then what about Steward Zhao, who was on good terms with you before, sir?"

"My brother-in-law is just doing this part-time. He usually checks the various official documents of the government office. It's Brother Zhao and his team who are in charge."

"Oh!" Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

"The Crown Princess gave birth to a grandson of the Emperor. My brother-in-law only started checking official documents after entering the palace this morning, and that's when he saw our family's affairs."

"Perhaps it's because the official documents I've seen in the past two months have been too cruel and heartless."

“There are all sorts of insidious and vicious examples out there. My brother-in-law has seen too many of them. He is worried about our family’s safety and always comes to scold and remind me.”

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng smiled slightly and said seriously, "After my brother-in-law entered our family, I felt that the way he looked at me had a hint of reproach."

"Brother-in-law is right to blame me. I was a bit inconsiderate and didn't think much about how important Qingcao is to your safety, my lord."

Xu Zaijing shook his head as he listened to Chai Zhengzheng's words and said, "It has nothing to do with you. I was the one who made all the decisions."

“If I were merely the eldest son of a marquis’s family and a newly appointed scholar, it would take me more than a decade to reach the central government. Qingcao, on the other hand, could leave the mansion and choose her own husband!”

"But now her son is a confidant of the emperor's crown prince, a prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty whom the empress regards as her nephew, and he walks around the central government of the capital every day!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing pictured Zhao Taifeng and Xiao Tao, along with their relationship.

"I thought that as long as our Prince's Mansion remained standing, no one would dare to mess with Qingcao. I only thought about giving her a happy and joyful life in the future, but I overlooked the emotional changes she has experienced over the years while she was by my side."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing sighed with self-reproach.

“My lord, I understand,” Chai Zhengzheng said, continuing to stroke Xu Zaijing’s earlobe.

Suddenly, Chai Zhengzheng chuckled softly.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's puzzled look, Chai Zhengzheng said, "My lord, I regret moving now. If we were living with my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, we could just inform my mother-in-law and have them discuss it with us. It would definitely be better than us acting recklessly."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "What you say is true, my wife. Once the mansion is repaired, we will invite Mother to stay for a couple more days."

"Hmm." Chai Zhengzheng responded, "Qingcao is really good at enduring. Her period was delayed because of excessive worry, but she can still hold on like this."

Xu Zaijing said helplessly, "If we don't postpone it, she won't dare to eat so much cold food."

“I remember once, because of a letter from home, this girl took out the down from the cotton-padded coat that the mansion had given her and sold it. It was such a cold winter morning, and she still wanted to accompany me to exercise.”

Chai Zhengzheng, who had grown up in luxury, shook her head in bewilderment.

Although her maid Qingxue and Qingcao were from the same village, Qingxue did not live like Qingcao did during those years.

Looking at Chai Zhengzheng, Xu Zaijing remarked with emotion, "Children who have suffered hardship in their families always mature early."

"Mm." Chai Zhengzheng responded softly, and smiled with relief as she looked at Xu Zaijing, whose eyes were vacant as he reminisced about the past.

"My lord, if Qingcao fainted and didn't utter those words of affection for you, what would you do?"

Hearing Chai Zhengzheng's question, Xu Zaijing was silent for a moment before saying, "Then, Qingcao will probably have to stay in the manor! And then..."

After pondering for a moment, Xu Zaijing said, "Then find a son-in-law for Qingcao!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile: "That's one way!"

The couple talked, but tacitly avoided discussing why news from the Prince's Mansion would be in front of Gu Tingyu.

“Zhengzheng, the army is now at full strength, and I may stay overnight in the barracks.”

"Yes, I understand, my lord. Tomorrow, my two sisters and I will prepare bedding for you. We'll choose another day, the day after tomorrow, to go back to Quyuan Street to see our mother, sister-in-law, and nephews and nieces."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing looked at Chai Zhengzheng. Although he didn't say anything, Chai Zhengzheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, my lord. If Mother doesn't mention the grass, neither will my two sisters and I."

"Thank you, Madam," Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and pursed her lips: "You're too kind, sir."

The biological clock that had been cultivated over the years made Qingcao wake up at the exact moment of Yin Shi (after 4 a.m.).

The room was very dark, but there was already a hint of dark blue light outside the window.

It must be because the weather is sunny today that the morning stars can be vaguely seen through the window screen.

Thinking about what had happened since last night, Qingcao felt like she hadn't recovered yet.

Qingcao's body hadn't recovered, but she felt extremely at ease, no longer experiencing the emptiness and sense of helplessness she had felt before.

suddenly,

A lantern light flickered past the window.

Just as Qingcao was feeling curious, she heard the door outside being pushed open.

With a quick thought, Qingcao guessed what was going on and hurriedly squinted at the screen.

As the lantern light drew closer, Qingcao quickly closed her eyes. After a moment's thought, she even pretended to snore softly.

A moment later, "Duo".

The sound of the embroidered stool being moved and then put down on the table brought a sense of peace and tranquility to Qingcao's heart.

"call--"

The sound of the person breathing beside the bed reached my ears.

"In all the years you've been in this household, you never snore unless you're drunk and sleeping."

Xu Zaijing's calm voice came through.

Qingcao, who had been pretending to be asleep, opened her eyes and looked at Xu Zaijing, who had his back to the candlelight, and said awkwardly, "Young Master."

"Get some rest, and stay by my side from now on."

Xu Zaijing stood up as he spoke, and after twitching his wrist, he ultimately did not touch Qingcao's head: "Sleep a little longer."

"Yes, son."

Green Grass obediently closed its eyes with a smile on its face.

Perhaps feeling at ease, Qingcao unknowingly fell asleep.

When Qingcao woke up again, she heard the beautiful sound of a pipa coming from outside the house.

The pipa's rhythm is soothing and pleasant to listen to.

(End of this chapter)