Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 504: The Snow Queen [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 45k more]

"Are those for Xiao Tao?"

"Let me take a look first." Xu Zaijing said.

Zhao Meifeng pointed to the box beside him.

Xu Zaijing stood up and walked over. After opening a box, he looked at the things inside and breathed a sigh of relief.

The box contained a cute wooden sculpture of a brown bear the size of half a palm, and a scarf made of the fur of some unknown animal.

Looking at Zhao Meifeng who was standing beside him, he said, "Brother Zhao, it turned out to be these things, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Once these things are delivered, the green grass will be completed.

Zhao Meifeng smiled, opened another box, and took out something wrapped in red cloth.

Xu Zaijing's eyes twitched and he said, "Brother Zhao, such good ginseng is wrapped in a piece of red cloth? And two of them! I really can't give this away."

Zhao Meifeng put the ginseng aside, and took out a bag of big Dongzhu, a bag of deer antlers, and a layer of gold bars at the bottom.

Xu Zaijing shook his head painfully and said, "I'd better remove her citizenship."

Looking at Xu Zaijing's expression, Zhao Meifeng smiled and said, "I won't tease you anymore. I'll leave this box with you, Wulang."

"Big Brother, you know that if you want to send the things to that girl, you must spend money to buy something better to cover up for the girl from the Sheng family! The money for buying things can be taken from these."

"Brother Zhao, there is no need for so much."

Zhao Meifeng looked at the things inside and said, "Wulang, I think you know where these things came from."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes, the Jin Kingdom in the north! But, Brother Zhao, the Gao family in Dengzhou has a gold mine. Wouldn't it be better to ask the Gao family to melt these gold bars and recast them?"

"The Pan family and the Jin family have been doing business for a long time. They must know the goods. So we should send them to Beijing."

Zhao Meifeng picked up the Dongzhu and examined it carefully, saying, "Big Brother has always been cautious. These things are too good to be sold! If you don't handle them well, someone might find out who is behind them."

Xu Zaijing looked at the things and nodded in approval.

These good things appeared in Bian Jing, who sold them?

What is the relationship between the person selling things and the head of the Imperial City Division who is in charge of espionage affairs for the Northern Liao and Jin Kingdoms in Dengzhou?
Since this person can be entrusted to sell Dongzhu, is there anyone or anything that this person in charge cares about?

If you can find it, you can grasp it.

"But you are different, Wulang! You can deal with the Yu family for things like ginseng; when you send Dongzhu and gold bars to the Li family in Wensiyuan, they will be polished and melted, and turned into jewelry that disappears without a trace."

Zhao Meifeng was telling the truth. If you don’t have trustworthy relationships, no one would easily take over these good things. Even if they did, they would most likely lower the price.

Xu Zaijing glanced at Zhao Meifeng who was speaking, then looked at the gold bars in the box, and said hesitantly: "So, the Gao family in Dengzhou can't be trusted either?"

Zhao Meifeng nodded: "These things can be exchanged for silver of unknown value. You can use it or save it. It's up to Wulang to decide."

Xu Zaijing: "Then Brother Zhao, why don't you ask me the price?"

Zhao Meifeng: "Do you need to ask?"

Soon, Qingcao, holding the cloak, and the maid of the Xu family brought wine and food to the wooden house.

Xu time (after 8pm)

When Zhao Meifeng, who was drunk, opened the door, the snow had stopped.

Looking around, the Xu family racecourse has turned white.

The snow at the door is so thick that it covers your instep.

"Brother Zhao, if you want to stay at my house tonight, please do so."

Xu Zaijing, who was following behind, said.

Zhao Meifeng stretched himself, exhaled a breath of white air under the lantern hanging at the door, and shook his head: "I have to get up early tomorrow, so I won't stay."

The two of them walked to the gate step by step while talking.

There were already six or seven more officials from the Imperial City Administration in the Xu family's gatehouse. After drinking some wine to warm themselves up, they saw Zhao Meifeng and hurriedly put on their cloaks and followed him out the door.

Under the lantern at the gate,

The snow in the corner was much thicker than elsewhere because of the wind, and some of it was even attached to the wall.

Qingyun and the gatekeeper helped the soldiers light the torches and lanterns.

After a while,
"Goro, go back."

Zhao Meifeng, who was riding on a horse, waved his hand.

"Brother Zhao, please drive slowly."

Xu Zaijing bowed and said this, then he watched the lights disappear at the street corner before turning back.

Through the doorway, one can see a concierge with a curtain drawn on one side. There are quite a few dishes on the table and jars of wine under the table, and it looks like they are drinking well.

Looking at the doorman who was following with a jar of wine in his arms, Xu Zaijing asked, "What's this for?"

"Sir, there is still half a jar of wine."

"It's snowing and cold, keep it for yourselves."

"Yes, sir!" the servant responded excitedly.

Back to the cabin by the horse ranch,
Qingcao had already cleared the table, and there was some food heating up on the red-hot stove.

While Xu Zaijing was talking to his master, he looked at Qingyun who came in after a while and asked, "Why are you so slow?"

Qingyun smiled and said, "I just told the steward to keep the basket in the gatehouse for me tonight. I will bring it to Shu Bo when I go there tomorrow morning."

The family had held several banquets, and Xu Zaijing had seen the "Zheluo" mentioned by Qingyun several times. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Well, Zheluo is a delicacy."

When Xu Zaijing was a child, the Yongyi Marquis Mansion had not yet become powerful, so he had eaten there several times.

'Zheluo' is a hodgepodge of various dishes left over from a banquet.

Most people in modern times would dislike it, but in the Zhou Dynasty, this hodgepodge of "Zheluo" contained oil, salt, sugar, sauce, vegetables, meat scraps, bones, etc.

When heated in an iron pan, the taste is quite tempting.

This is such a good stuff. Shu Bo will boil it at the stall tomorrow morning. You can buy a bowl and have it with pancakes or other staple foods.

"Qingcao girl, your master drinks a lot, come and have a drink with me."

Yin Bo said hoarsely as he poured the heated dishes into the large bowl.

Qingcao, who was washing the empty bowls and dishes with hot water in a wooden basin, glanced at Xu Zaijing.

Seeing the nod, she smiled, pursed her lips, wiped her hands with a towel and sat on the stool.

"Drink less."

Xu Zaijing, who was standing next to the gift box, turned around and said.

After hearing this, Qingcao, who wanted to use the wine bowl, exchanged it for the wine cup in disappointment.

Subsequently,

Xu Zaijing drank a few more glasses of wine with his master, Alan and others.

When Alan was looking for books and helping Qingyun move things, Yin Bo and Xu Zaijing whispered, "Jing'er, it's been so long, why are you still sending gifts? I see there are quite a lot of things."

Xu Zaijing thought for a moment and said, "That elder brother has always been very strict in his actions. Maybe he is busy with official duties, or maybe he has his own considerations."

Yin Bo nodded.

When Xu Zaijing and Qingcao returned to the courtyard,
A path had been cleared by the servants on the way from the racecourse to the backyard by sweeping the snow.

Near the Hou Mansion,

Quyuan Street,

"Dong dong dong."

At the entrance of a yard that had already been cleared of snow, someone knocked on the thick wooden door.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice sounded.

"I!"

"The Lord is back."

After some footsteps and the sound of a door being unlocked, Hua Qing appeared at the door accompanied by a maid and carrying a lantern.

Looking at Qingyun pulling the cart, and Alan and Xunshu pushing the cart beside him, Hua Qing asked in confusion: "What is this?"

"Come on, Brother Alan, Brother Xunshu, come into the house and warm up."

"Sister-in-law, it's too late. We won't go in." Alan bowed and turned to leave with Xunshu.

"Hey~" Hua Qing was about to speak.

Qingyun waved his hand to stop him and shouted, "Come to my house for a drink in a few days!"

"Hey!" Xunshu responded.

The rickshaw entered the door, closed it and bolted it.

Hua Qing looked at the things on the cart and asked in confusion: "Sir, what is this..."

Qingyun stopped the cart and put down the shaft in his hands, saying, "My dear, your friend sent me these things, saying they are for the two children. Where are the two children?"

"Sleep! Sir, this is too much."

"Let's move."

The things have been brought into the house, and the cart is parked quietly in the yard.
The wind blew from time to time, and some snowflakes fell.

Bright yellow candlelight was reflected in the windows of the main house.

Qingyun Courtyard is not big, but it has everything.

There was a stove in one of the side rooms, where the maid who was hired to do the housework lived.
In the main house, there is a stove in the outer room for heating the kang.

The big kettle on the stove was steaming.

"Boom~"

This is the sound coming from the stove with a burning fire.

“These things are really good!”

Hua Qing looked at the things on the table in the candlelight and sighed.

"It's not bad to send gifts to our young master's friends."

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Listening to Qingyun's words, Hua Qing nodded in approval, holding up a piece of satin and said, "It's this piece of brocade, the color looks a bit old!"

Qingyun stood aside and took a look, and said, "Well! Your clothes are a little inappropriate, but mother-in-law's clothes should be just right!"

"In the Marquis's Mansion, Qingcao said that this piece of brocade matches this rabbit fur scarf very well."

Hua Qing looked at the scarf in Qingyun's hand, smiled and nodded.

"My uncle said that there are other good things in it, such as nourishing donkey-hide gelatin. I will give most of it to my mother-in-law tomorrow morning."

"Uh-huh."

"This material can be used to make a tiger-head hat for my little brother, and the rest can be used to make clothes for the other two children."

"Well, if I make it bigger, I can wear it for two more years."

outside the house,

The wind was cold and the voices of a young couple discussing their daily life could be faintly heard.

A gust of north wind blew, and another gust of snow fell from the eaves.

the next day,
In a very warm bedroom,

Xu Zaijing sat on the edge of the bed and took the hot towel from Hua Xiang's hand.

After wiping his face, Xu Zaijing looked at the bright white window and said:

"What time is it?"

"Mother Xia said that it sounded like it was already the end of Yinshi (five o'clock in the morning)."

"Ok!"

The school is closed today and we will get up half an hour later.

He dressed neatly and walked out of the house with his maid.

"Sir, it snowed so heavily yesterday afternoon, but there was a moon in the morning."

Hua Xiang pointed at the morning sky and shouted.

The night sky in the early morning is very clear.

The elliptical moon hangs in the sky.
The white snow reflects the light of the moon and stars, which makes the windows look white.

Xu Zaijing hummed.

Walking towards the outside of the yard where the sound of snow shoveling could be heard.

It's time (ten o'clock in the morning)
The sun is high in the sky, shining brightly.

The prosperous family in Jiying Lane,
There was a pile of swept snow in the middle of the front yard.

Under the sunlight,
The snow on the white eaves and corridors covered with snow is melting.
In some places, there are short icicles.
The snow water flowed down and the sound of hitting the ground was like rain.

After returning from court, Sheng Hong, dressed in an official robe, a cloak, and earmuffs embroidered with roses, walked in the corridor with Dong Rong.

It is not cold when it snows, but when it melts, it is cold.
Sheng Hong, whose nose was red from the cold, exhaled a breath of white air and rubbed his cheeks.

His cheeks were also a little uncomfortable from the cold.

Walk to the front yard study door,

Sheng Hong looked at the maid Yang Hao who was about to bring in tea at the door and asked, "Is Changbai in the study?"

Yang Hao bowed and responded.

Sheng Hong nodded and went into the study.

Because Changbai was there, the study was very warm with the floor heating.

Snow refracts sunlight.
Make the study room in the front yard very bright.

"Father."

Changbai, holding a book in his hand, bowed to Sheng Hong who had taken off his cloak and earmuffs when he came in.

"Bai Er, what book are you reading?"

"My son is reading Theory of Using the Brush by Liu Chengxuan, a master of the previous dynasty."

"Oh? Bai'er has gained some insights into calligraphy?"

"Yes." Changbai replied.

Sheng Hong nodded and said, "Liu Gong's brushwork is vigorous and powerful, and it is strong inside. It matches your personality very well, Bai'er."

Changbai bowed and thanked his father for his praise.

He walked over to Changbai and sat down, looking at the book in Changbai's hand, with a look of nostalgia in his eyes.

"Dad, have some tea."

Changbai took the teacup handed to him by Yanghao and said.

"Well, Bai'er, please sit down."

After drinking a sip of hot tea, Sheng Hong took the booklet that Changbai had placed on the table.

Flipping through it casually, Sheng Hong said, "Speaking of which, this book on the use of the brush was found by your grandmother after asking many people for help and selling her face."

"It is thanks to your grandmother that your father can write like this."

"Half of the books in this study were bought by your grandmother when your father was studying."

Changbai nodded and said, "Grandmother has done a lot for the Sheng family."

Sheng Hong glanced at Changbai, smiled and nodded: "Bai'er, you still have more than two years before the next imperial examination, work hard."

"Yes, father! Then, I will go back to my study!"

"Well! Don't study too hard and hurt your eyes. You should also take a closer look at the goldfish in your study."

Changbai agreed again.

After Changbai left, Sheng Hong looked at the rows of books in the study. He breathed a sigh of relief, then stood up, found a chess manual and started playing.

Xingguofang,
The streets in the neighborhood had already been cleaned by every household.

Snowmen can be seen on the roadside from time to time.

But at this moment, a man riding a horse on the street had no leisure to look at the snow scene.

Soon, the man arrived at the gate of Duke Qi's mansion.

The huge stone lion in front of the door had already been wiped clean.

After getting off the horse, the man took out the letter from his arms and handed it to the doorman of the Qi family.

Qi's backyard,

In the warm hall,

Princess Pingning and Duke Qi were sitting on the side.
With a smile on his face, he looked at Qi Heng who was sitting behind the table not far away.

A middle-aged man with a literary air stood beside Qi Heng and nodded, "Young Master's handwriting is obviously hard-working and practiced. It's very good!"

Qi Heng stood up and bowed, "Thank you for the compliment, sir."

Duke Qi stood up and said, "Sir, please have a cup of tea."

The middle-aged man was about to speak when the curtain at the door was lifted. The maid of the Qi family walked over quickly and whispered a few words in the ear of Princess Pingning's personal nanny.

Afterwards, after listening to what her personal nanny said, Princess Pingning smiled at Qi Heng and the middle-aged man, then pulled Duke Qi to the side room.

"What's going on?" Duke Qi asked curiously.

Princess Pingning said thoughtfully, "Mr. Dong, the magistrate of Beizhou, has passed away."

Duke Qi looked incredulous: "How could this be possible when Lord Dong is in his prime?"

Princess Pingning looked serious, her eyes rolled around, and she said thoughtfully:

"It is said that he drank too much and fell into the river and died while riding home! Sir, did my father let you..."

The Duke of Qi also looked unhappy.

(End of this chapter)