Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 507 "Pa~" [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you 47k more]

It's time (ten o'clock in the morning)
Sheng family,

Shouantang,
The weather was fine, and the bright sunshine filtered through the window paper, making the hall very bright.

A few wisps of green smoke floated out of the incense burner on the small table, dissipated near the windowsill and disappeared.

On the tea table next to the hall, the silver bone charcoal in the small stove was burning red, and the heat released made the kettle above bubbling with steam.

The old lady had her hair in a neat bun and was sitting cross-legged on a chair in thick clothes. She was concentrating on writing. She looked at Fang Mama who was trying to pick up the pot and said,
"Suqin, leave it there for a while longer. It feels a bit dry after burning the earthenware faucet all night long."

"Hey!" After Fang's mother finished her response, she continued, "Then before you go to bed tonight, I'll have my daughter mop the floor with a wet cloth."

The old lady nodded and was about to continue writing.

"The Lord is here."

The little girl outside was a messenger who preached.

The door curtain was lifted.

Sheng Hong walked in dressed in homely clothes and bowed, "Mother, are you looking for me?"

The old lady smiled and nodded, putting down the brush. She raised her chin to signal Sheng Hong to sit down, and then looked at Sheng Hong who was walking towards the chair and said, "I heard that Jing'er and Gu's Erlang didn't come to our school today?"

Sheng Hong sat on the chair, thought for a moment, then looked up and said, "Yes, I will mention this to my mother and son tomorrow when we get home."

"Why didn't you come, Hong'er, do you know?"

"Maybe something happened in the two marquisates. Jing'er and Gu's second son have a wide range of friends in Beijing." Sheng Hong said hesitantly.

The old lady shook her head and said in confusion, "There are no festivals from today to the end of the year! Besides, these two children have always been diligent in their studies and rarely miss school because of banquets."

Sheng Hong took the tea handed over by Fang Mama, gently placed it on the table next to the chair, and said:

"Mother, do you think there is a reason for this?"

"Then why don't you invite Zai Zhang over and ask him in detail?"

The old lady thought for a moment and nodded, "Yes! We should invite them. If there is nothing wrong, it's fine. But if there is something wrong, we won't ask and relatives won't be able to speak up."

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly, then stood up and walked out.

It was break time in the school.
So in less than half a minute, Dong Rong stopped outside Shou'an Hall and Zai Zhang walked in by himself.

"Grand aunt, father-in-law."

"Brother Zhang, sit down!" the old lady said with a smile and stretched out her hand.

When Zai Zhang sat down below Sheng Hong,
Sheng Hong glanced at the old lady, then at Zai Zhang who looked a little depressed, and said with a smile: "Zhang'er, Gu's Erlang and Jing'er, why didn't you come to school today?"

Hearing this, Zai Zhang's expression became even more uncomfortable. Sheng Hong glanced at the old lady again and hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

Zai Zhang nodded and glanced at the entrance of the hall.

The old lady understood and quickly waved to Fang Mama.

Mother Fang walked quickly to the door.

Watching Fang's mother's back disappear behind the curtain,
As Madam Fang told the maid to leave, Zai Zhang sighed, turned around to look at the old lady and Sheng Hong and said, "Grandma, father-in-law! Yesterday afternoon, Xiao Wu left the Xiangyang Marquis's Mansion and entered the palace in the evening."

"When I returned home, I was sent back by the eunuchs around His Majesty."

"Ah?" The old lady and Sheng Hong both looked at Zai Zhang in surprise.

"what happened?"

Sheng Hong asked.

Zai Zhang sighed again and said, "A Tongpan in the north died. Wu Lang went to the palace and said that this gentleman had an accident and there was something strange. Somehow, this angered His Majesty! His Majesty ordered Wu Lang to go to the north to see if there was anything strange."

"In the evening, my mother informed my eldest sister and asked her to ask Marquis Gu to write a letter, hoping that Xiaowu would be able to move more easily in the north."

"I wanted to go with Xiaowu last night, but he kept me at home with the excuse that 'I don't know when I'll be back and I need to be alone when my parents are gone.'"

As he said this, Zai Zhang wanted to slap the handle of the chair in frustration.

While Zai Zhang was talking, Sheng Hong's eyes turned away.

After Zai Zhang finished speaking, Sheng Hong nodded and said, "The Ministry of Personnel received this news yesterday. It was from Lord Dong of Beizhou! He said that..."

After listening to Sheng Hong's explanation of the cause of the man's death, the old lady took a deep breath and said with a thoughtful look in her eyes:

"Beizhou! That's the northern warehouse of the world!"

"The cloth, materials, money and grain transported by water from the major military states and towns in the north mostly have to pass through Beizhou for circulation and distribution."

"This is a military stronghold, and the matter is of great importance! It is hard to understand why the judge here died just like that."

The old lady looked at Zai Zhang who was looking at her in surprise and said, "During the previous war, your great-grandfather served as the Transport Commissioner of Hebei East Road. When he came home, he told me a lot about Beizhou!"

After saying this, the old lady seemed to be thinking of something and her face became serious.

"Mother, have you thought of something?" Sheng Hong said softly.

Zai Zhang also looked at the old lady.

The old lady nodded and said, "I remembered an old story your grandfather told me."

Sheng Hong's maternal grandfather according to legal terms is the old lady's father.

"The previously favored Concubine Zhang was born in Beizhou, and the ancestors of that Concubine had a close relationship with the Chai family."

Looking at Sheng Hong who seemed to be listening attentively, the old lady continued:

"The reason is that when the imperial concubine's ancestor was an official in Beizhou, he provided a lot of financial and food assistance to the Chai family who was on the expedition here."

"Grandma, was it before the Chai family became emperor?"

The old lady nodded, looked at Zai Zhang's nervous expression, and said, "Zhang Ge'er, what's wrong?"

Zai Zhang couldn't help but stand up and said anxiously:

"Grandma, if that's the case, then Zhang Shipan, who was at odds with Xiaowu before, and his family have been operating in Beizhou for many years. Isn't that a powerful force?"

"The Chai family has a huge influence in Hejian Prefecture, Cangzhou! The two families have a close relationship! But Xiaowu shot arrows and smashed melons at Zhang Shipan in Bianjing. Will they retaliate?!"

The old lady waved her hand to signal Zai Zhang to sit down, and said soothingly:
"Zhang Ge, you are too concerned! Don't worry. The Zhang family was severely tormented by the former queen Guo's family before, and their power was greatly reduced."

"And I heard that Madam Chai has always wanted to marry into the Marquis's Mansion? If she has this intention, why would she make a move?"

Zai Zhang nodded repeatedly: "Grandma is right!"

Sheng Hong also said: "Zhang Ge'er, sit down!"

Zai Zhang's expression lightened a little, and he sat back in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief.

The old lady smiled and continued:

"Speaking of which, around Beizhou, there are also close associates of the Yingguo Duke Zhang family, Ningyuan Marquis Gu family, and Zhongjing Marquis Zheng family!"

"Although Jing'er was ordered by His Majesty to go to Beizhou this time, this is also His Majesty's golden words, and Jing'er has a martial rank! We are all under the rule of the Great Zhou, how dare they retaliate?"

"What's more, we are also traveling with the second son of the Gu family this time! The Gu family has a long history in the military over the years, and Pingmei is the future wife of the Ningyuan Marquis, so there will be someone to take good care of her!"

Listening to the old lady's words, Zai Zhang nodded continuously.

After the old lady finished speaking, Zai Zhang said, "My great-aunt is right. My eldest brother's brother-in-law, the Yi family of Zhending Prefecture, is actually not far from Beizhou."

The old lady smiled and nodded.

Sheng Hong on the side said: "If that's the case, Zai Zhang, you can put your mind at ease and just study with peace of mind!"

Zai Zhang stood up and answered, then said goodbye with a relaxed look and returned to the school.

Sheng Hong escorted his son-in-law to the door, then turned back and sat on a chair, saying, "This Wu Lang is really troublesome. He has already angered the emperor before he even became an official."

As he spoke, Sheng Hong glanced at the old lady.

Looking at the old lady's expression, Sheng Hong said, "Mother, what are you doing?"

The old lady pursed her lips and said with some worry: "Brother Jing has a bright future. I am afraid that he will be retaliated against. Even if his life is not in danger, it will be difficult for him to pursue a career as a civil servant if he is injured!"

Sheng Hong thought for a moment: "Mother, Jing Ge'er has been to the northwest. He must have had some ulterior motives to have made many military achievements. Since he felt something was fishy before he left, he must have been on guard!"

The old lady nodded: "Hong'er, what you said is not wrong."

Bianjing City,
With millions of residents, it is bustling and busy.

Countless supplies are still transported into the city by land every day.
Therefore, after Xu Zaijing and his companions left the city, a long distance on the road had been trampled hard by passers-by, and there was little snow.

Although it was winter and the Yellow River had entered its dry season, the river had not frozen yet. So the group had to cross the Yellow River via a ferry.

We took a boat to the other side.

The scenery gradually became somewhat different.

They began to see occasional snowfall on the road and around them.
When walking on a sparsely populated official road in the wild, you can still see vast expanses of white snow.

Gu Tingye, who rarely rode such a long distance on horseback, was wearing a winter coat, gloves, earmuffs, a winter hat, and a scarf that only left his eyes exposed. He walked around Xu Zaijing and looked at the snow in the distance and said, "Brother Jing, the snow in the north is much heavier than in Bianjing!"

Xu Zaijing, who was dressed like Gu Tingye, nodded and looked around at the snow beside the road.

"What are you looking at?"

As Gu Tingye spoke, he followed Xu Zaijing's line of sight, but he only saw a vast expanse of white.

"Hmm? Jing-ge?"

Xu Zaijing retracted his gaze and said, "Rabbit. Unfortunately, it's a bit far away."

Read more latest popular novels at 6.9*shuba!

Gu Tingye glanced at the distance again: "Where is it?"

After saying that, he looked at He Guan beside him and said, "Brother He, did you see it?"

He Guan nodded: "I saw a moving black dot, but I didn't know it was a rabbit."

As the three of them were talking, the Gu family guards in front pointed Gao Puyu in the distance and said urgently, "Look!"

Everyone looked hurriedly and saw a black dot in the distance falling from the sky at a very fast speed. A moment after touching the ground, it rose into the air again.

"Is it an eagle?"

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing for help.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes! There is a rabbit on its claws, flying towards us."

Gu Tingye on the side nodded repeatedly, looking at the black spot in the distance with a blank look.

The group of carriages and horses continued to move forward, and Gu Tingye kept looking at the black spot over there: "It's really coming!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye eagerly drew out the strong bow on his horse's back, and while stringing it, he continued to watch the flying hawk.

When Gu Tingye strung the bowstring, drew out the arrow and prepared to draw the bow.

"Hey~!"

The goshawk flying high in the sky let out a sharp scream.

Then, in Gu Tingye's sight, something moved and fell straight down from the sky.

When he wanted to draw the bow, he found that the thick gloves made it difficult for him to hold the arrow.

Xu Zaijing was also attracted by the eagle's cry. When he looked up, he also saw something falling straight down.

So, Xu Zaijing estimated the distance and confidently stretched out his hand.
then
"Crack~"

The fat rabbit fell from the sky, escaping death from the claws of a goshawk, and landed heavily in front of the little black colt.

Xu Zaijing clenched his fist: “.”

"唏伦~"

The little black colt was frightened by the sudden appearance of something. It raised its front hoof slightly, and then looked at the motionless thing in front of it with curiosity in its eyes.

Xu Zaijing's outstretched hand was just a hair's breadth away from the rabbit, so he took the opportunity to pat the little black colt's neck.

In fact, if the rabbit hadn't been moving around in the air, Xu Zaijing would have been able to catch it, but its struggling movement made it impossible for Xu Zaijing to catch it.

Then, Xu Zaijing leaned over and picked up the rabbit by its ears.

"Brother Jing, I think this rabbit has me."

Seeing Xu Zaijing looking at his bow and arrow, Gu Tingye hesitated and didn't continue speaking.

"Alan~"

Xu Zaijing shouted back and threw the fat rabbit back.

Alan, who was following behind, caught it, took off his gloves, and skillfully dealt with the prey with a dagger.

Looking up at the goshawk that was circling above the group of people and was reluctant to leave, Gu Tingye took off his gloves and said, "Brother Jing, come on!"

Hearing this, He Guan, who was not far away, took off his gloves with full confidence and prepared to string the bow.

"Look at mine first!"

Gu Tingye bit his glove with his mouth and drew his bow and arrow on horseback. The strong bow made a slight sound when he pulled it.

While Gu Tingye was drawing his bow and aiming, Xu Zaijing and He Guan had already strung their bowstrings at roughly the same speed.

"collapse!"

When Gu Tingye shot the arrow, Xu Zaijing and the other man just drew their bows.

But the goshawk in the sky was already frightened by the feather arrow that was flying straight up.

While flapping its wings vigorously, it dodged to the side.

"Collapse~"

Another bow sounded.
A feather arrow passed through the hawk's tail feathers and soared into the sky.

"Alas!" He Guan's tone was full of regret.

The sharp arrow in Xu Zaijing's hand was aimed directly at the goshawk. After hesitating for a moment, Xu Zaijing slowly released the bowstring and said, "Forget it. Now that I've got its prey, I'll let it go."

As Xu Zaijing spoke, he continued to look up at the goshawk in the sky. Suddenly, Xu Zaijing's eyes focused, and he opened the strong bow in his hand again and shot it out at a high speed.

"What?!" Gu Tingye quickly looked up.

"Ding~"

There was a sound of metal collision in mid-air.

After one breath,

Three feather arrows spun from the air and fell to the roadside not far from the crowd.

Gao Puyu, who was standing in front of the crowd, stared at Xu Zaijing's actions in amazement and said, "I knew Wu Lang's archery skills were great when I was in Chuzhou before, but I didn't expect that Wu Lang's archery skills have improved even more in the past few years!"

He Guan on the side smiled and shook his head, looking at Gu Tingye and said: "Erlang, your feather arrow just fell towards us."

While they were talking, Qingyun, who was beside Xu Zaijing, had already ridden his horse towards the place where the arrow fell.

After a while,
Qingyun came back holding three feather arrows, handed one to Gu Tingye's servant Zhique, and said, "Second Master, this feather arrow needs to be repaired."

Zhique took the feather arrow, looked at the crooked arrowhead, and took a breath of the cold winter wind in amazement.

Afterwards, Qingyun returned the other two feather arrows to their respective owners.

Gu Tingye took the feather arrow from Zhique's hand, took a look at it, and then looked at Xu Zaijing and He Guan who were talking in front of him.

In Zhique's eyes, his own young master, who was very proud of himself after years of training in the Marquis' Mansion, now looked at his own feather arrow with a look of loss in his eyes.

"Young Master, are you okay?" Zhique asked with concern.

Gu Tingye shook his head and took a deep breath.

Then Gu Tingye put on gloves and exerted force suddenly, breaking off the front part of the arrow along with the arrow shaft.

"Sir?"

Gu Tingye handed the broken arrow shaft to Zhique, and prepared to put the arrowhead into the purse hanging on the belt around his waist.

"Sir, I understand what you are thinking, but please wrap the arrow with cloth to avoid hurting you."

Gu Tingye hummed.

"Ji Lang, what are you doing? Let's go!"

Gu Tingye raised his head and looked at Xu Zaijing and He Guan who were smiling at him and waving at him to follow. He raised the corners of his mouth and said, "Wait for me!"

Watching his son putting things into his purse while riding his horse forward,

Zhique held the arrow shaft in his hand, thought for a moment, and then put the arrow shaft into the quiver in front of his saddle.

(End of this chapter)