My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 69

Chapter 69: The Xiao Family Banquet

After they had finished their meal that night, Xu Zhici saw them to the door and then returned home.

At night, he held a book and read for a long time. Seeing Xie Huaichuan, he said softly, “Husband, I want to go to a teahouse to learn a skill.”

Xie Huaichuan thought for a moment, his gaze softening. “If you want to, then go.”

Xu Zhici’s heart softened.

Elsewhere, Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou had left the Xie residence. Both of them were full from the feast. A rare breeze blew in the capital at night, soft and gentle. One by one, the lanterns were lit, casting a soft glow in the darkness. The shopkeepers in the shops were calling for their assistants to light the lamps.

In the dim night, pedestrians opened their doors and walked out, chatting as they went. The night was just beginning, and the candles had just been lit.

Song Changxu had drunk with Xie Huaichuan, and Xu Zhizhou had also had two or three cups. Now he was a little tipsy, his cheeks red as he looked at the lanterns.

He missed a step and was about to fall. Song Changxu quickly held his waist and caught him.

Xu Zhizhou’s long hair came loose for a moment. He broke free from Song Changxu’s grasp and ran forward unsteadily.

Afraid that something would happen to him, Song Changxu, who had not drunk too much and was still clear-headed, hurried after him.

Xu Zhizhou went to a pastry shop. The shopkeeper’s wife asked him, “Young master, what kind of pastry would you like?”

Xu Zhizhou shook his head without speaking, looked at the pastries, and then looked up at the lanterns.

The shopkeeper’s wife’s eyes grew suspicious, and she kept sizing him up.

Song Changxu strode over. “Zhizhou, we should go back.”

Xu Zhizhou pulled on Song Changxu’s hand and pointed to the lantern on the sign. “Husband, I want that lantern. It’s so pretty.”

Song Changxu coaxed him in a low voice, “Alright, I’ll take you to buy a lantern.”

The shopkeeper’s wife watched as the beautiful couple went to a lantern shop and bought a lantern with a picture of a beauty. They asked for a candle and lit it. In an instant, the lantern lit up, and the picture of the beauty seemed to come to life. The candlelight illuminated Xu Zhizhou’s features, and the stunning beauty of that moment made one’s heart warm.

Xu Zhizhou, drunk and being coaxed, carried the lantern and was happily escorted home by Song Changxu.

Today, besides going to the Xie residence for dinner, Song Changxu also had an appointment with Cheng Maoxue to go to his residence for a drink.

After he had sent Xu Zhizhou to his room, Song Changxu saw him wash up and lie obediently in the quilt. Only then did he leave.

He went to the Cheng residence. Cheng Maoxue’s house was a courtyard house, which his elders had bought for him. When he arrived, Xie Feng was already there. There were four jars of wine at Cheng Maoxue’s feet, and many appetizers on the stone table. The candlelight shining on their faces made them look handsome.

Xie Feng called out, “Brother Song, come and sit. Brother Cheng is very sincere this time. I think these appetizers are to my liking.”

Cheng Maoxue smiled brightly. “We still have to wait for Brother Luo.”

After Song Changxu had taken his seat, he first ate a grape. The four stone stools were neatly arranged. He rarely felt so relaxed and at ease.

Luo Shuang arrived. He had also brought some braised meat from outside. He smiled and said, “I happened to see it and bought it.”

Cheng Maoxue raised his eyebrows. “With so many appetizers now, I’m afraid the four of us won’t be able to finish them.”

Xie Feng laughed heartily. “I’ve saved my stomach. I’m just waiting to fill it with wine tonight.”

Song Changxu, on the other hand, was thinking of drinking less later. He had eaten enough at night and couldn’t eat much more now.

Cheng Maoxue opened a jar and poured the wine. The four of them clinked their wine cups together.

It had been a long time since they had gathered. Song Changxu smiled, and the friendship from Jinhe County also surfaced in his heart.

Cheng Maoxue ate some fried peanuts and then some braised meat.

Xie Feng composed poems after a few sips of wine.

Song Changxu had eaten too much tonight and didn’t have the stomach for too much wine. Luo Shuang was naturally not a drinker. He just took a sip and put down his wine cup, demurely eating some grapes.

“Brother Song, you’re the new top scorer now and a person of some standing in the Hanlin Academy. We’re still studying in the Shuchang Hall. We’re a little behind you,” Cheng Maoxue said with a sigh.

Song Changxu smiled. “A hero is not judged by his origin.”

Cheng Maoxue was just saying. He longed for power in his heart and drank the wine with a smile.

Cheng Maoxue’s marriage was settled. He smiled and said, “It was arranged by the elders in the clan. I also like her, so I agreed.”

The ge’er he was going to marry was not the son of a high-ranking official, but the son of a merchant. This merchant was not an ordinary one, but the richest in Jiangzhou. The richest man had three sons and only one ge’er, who was naturally doted on.

The Cheng family had a relationship with the richest man in Jiangzhou. This time, the Yue family of Jiangzhou knew that Cheng Maoxue was young, handsome, and a gentle gentleman.

They could not take the imperial examination for three generations. At the moment, their two sons could not take it. It was not bad to rely on their son-in-law, especially since they were old friends.

When it came to marriage, while you were choosing others, others were also choosing you. If the conditions were met and the personalities were suitable, you could meet.

The Yue family wanted to bet on Cheng Maoxue’s promising future. The Cheng family wanted the Yue family’s wealth to pave the way. Each had their own thoughts.

After the four of them had finished drinking, it was a holiday tomorrow. Xie Feng and Luo Shuang planned to have a good sleep at the Cheng family’s.

Song Changxu, on the other hand, smiled and cupped his hands. “I have to go back. My husband is still waiting for me at home.”

Seeing that Song Changxu was so frank and gentle, Cheng Maoxue couldn’t help but feel a little envious.

It’s so good. Brother Song has found someone he truly likes. After so long, his status has changed, he’s become the top scorer, and he’s an official, but he’s still so devoted.

Cheng Maoxue couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing.

“Then I’ll have an attendant send you back, Brother Song.”

Song Changxu agreed readily and left.

Cheng Maoxue vaguely thought, I also want to meet a good husband in the future, to think of him like honey. I also want to be a good husband.

The gloom, the unwillingness, and the resentment of being forced to marry into the Yue family had actually dissipated today.

Only the anticipation for marriage and the longing for the future remained. Cheng Maoxue took the wine jar and drank another bowl. “I should be a good husband…”

He would also look forward to mutual love and support.

Song Changxu did not know of Cheng Maoxue’s thoughts. He was sent to the gate of the residence. When he returned to the courtyard, he washed up, took off his outer robe, and got into bed.

Xu Zhizhou was already fast asleep. He seemed to have smelled the alcohol on Song Changxu and turned his back to him.

Song Changxu laughed, still held him, and fell into a sweet sleep.

.

The summer heat had already emerged, and the cicadas were chirping non-stop. When Xu Zhizhou woke up, there was a ball of heat behind him. He pushed Song Changxu and got up to drink some water.

He sat on a chair, unable to remember what had happened last night. He only remembered drinking at the Xie family’s and then going out.

“I forgot to talk about the shop,” Xu Zhizhou said with regret.

Seeing that Song Changxu was still sleeping, Xu Zhizhou went to buy breakfast first. When he came back, Song Changxu was already tidy.

“Husband, I’ve taken a liking to two shops. One is in the lane next to the Imperial College and costs eight hundred taels. I see that it’s fully equipped, and there’s also a small partitioned room for sleeping.”

“The other one is on Chang’an Street, next to a restaurant. It’s a bit small, but it also has a small partitioned room, and the decorations are not bad. This one costs nine hundred taels of silver.”

Song Changxu: “Let’s go and have a look together.”

After looking at them, Song Changxu thought for a moment and still recommended the one on Chang’an Street.

“If it’s in the small lane near the Imperial College, I’ve seen it. It can only do the business of the students. On Chang’an Street, it can do business from all sides. The restaurant next to it is just right. Bobo Chicken is a snack and can’t compare to the big fish and meat of a restaurant, but it’s enough as a snack.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded. “I was hesitating because the two places are about the same. The one on Chang’an Street costs an extra hundred taels of silver.”

“It’s fine if it’s a little more. We’ll earn it back sooner or later,” Xu Zhizhou said through gritted teeth.

Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou went to look at the shop together. The owner was a middle-aged man. They used to have a breakfast stall. It was hard work, getting up early and staying up late, and the competition was fierce.

They had saved some money over the years, and their children were in the county. He wanted to sell the shop and go to his children’s to buy a residence and retire, and not work so hard anymore.

Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou bargained, and the middle-aged man only relented a little, coming down by thirty taels.

“You can leave the tables and chairs for us. We can go to the yamen to transfer the deed for eight hundred and seventy taels.”

Hearing this, the middle-aged man, although a little reluctant, had still wanted to sell the tables and chairs separately. Now, seeing that Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou really wanted them, he did not hesitate.

“Alright, the tables and chairs are for you. If I don’t give them to you, I’ll just sell them. They’re all old things. I won’t be taking them with me when I go back.”

After they had agreed, they went to the county yamen to have the land deed transferred. They also had to deposit a copy of the contract with the government, which cost three taels of silver.

Song Changxu paid the three taels readily. The middle-aged man’s evaluation of them was that they were two straightforward people.

Xu Zhizhou held the land deed, and a stone was lifted from his heart.

“Please give me two days to clear out the shop, Young Master Song,” the middle-aged man said.

Song Changxu smiled. “I have to go to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow. This shop belongs to my husband. You can hand it over to him in two days.”

The land deed for the shop was in Xu Zhizhou’s name.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man was filled with awe. He hadn’t expected him to be a minor official. “Alright, I’ll discuss it with your husband.”

After they had settled it, Xu Zhizhou rolled up the land deed and put it in his sleeve. “You really wrote my name?”

“You said you wanted a shop. You’ve been working so hard in Jinhe County. It’s appropriate to write your name.”

Xu Zhizhou almost jumped up. “I’ll have my own shop in the future.”

“Boss Xu will have to find people to work. You can be a hands-off boss in the future.”

Xu Zhizhou: “Two people is enough. The Bobo Chicken is a small shop. I can’t rest yet. I have to make sugar.”

Xu Zhizhou had the mind of a boss. “I’ll take care of the people myself.”

Song Changxu agreed.

Although they had spent a lot of money this time, they had at least accomplished the first thing they had wanted to do.

Xu Zhizhou went back to his room and hid the land deed, holding the box with the gold bars reluctantly.

“Husband, it would be great if you could win His Majesty’s favor again,” Xu Zhizhou said with a hint.

Song Changxu: “…”

Song Changxu went to his room to make sugar. Xu Zhizhou went to change his clothes, putting on his silver hairpin and silver bracelet.

Seeing this, Song Changxu smiled. “Another day, I’ll have to get you a good set of clothes and a jade pendant to wear.”

Xu Zhizhou rolled his eyes at him. “You’re still only wearing a jade pendant yourself, and you’re already thinking of buying a jade pendant. You’re dreaming. A person who wants to achieve great things has to endure first. I think someone might just give me a jade pendant.”

Song Changxu teased, “You’re still saying I’m dreaming. I think you’re the one who’s not clear-headed.”

Xu Zhizhou hummed and glared at Song Changxu.

He ignored him and took his silver to go and find someone. He went to find a broker and asked what kind of people he had.

The broker looked at Xu Zhizhou’s youth and beauty and had a guess. “What kind of person do you need, young master?”

Xu Zhizhou: “My husband goes to the palace for work. I’m running a small shop. I want an accountant and someone who can cook.”

The broker was very sensitive to the words “work in the palace.” His expression immediately changed, and he was a little more respectful to Xu Zhizhou.

He found six men, three ge’ers, and three women.

“Furen, we don’t have any young accountants here. Young people wouldn’t come here. There are only three or four middle-aged gentlemen. There are six ge’ers and women who can cook. You can choose.”

In the end, Xu Zhizhou chose a middle-aged man named Xiang Shu, who was about forty years old. He didn’t know why he had ended up in the hands of a broker.

Xiang Shu knelt and begged Xu Zhizhou, “Please choose my ge’er, Furen. He’s been diligent since he was a child and can cook and chop firewood.”

Xu Zhizhou was moved to pity. He nodded. “Then let’s have this young Xiang.”

Xiang Shu’s price was high, ten taels of silver. Xiang Lan’s was also high. After all, she was young, just twenty, and had not yet married. Although she was not good-looking, she was very plain.

He asked for eight taels of silver.

“You can come back with me. Our house is not big. Besides me and my husband, there’s only one storage room. You two will have to share.”

Xiang Shu’s eyes were filled with gratitude. “It’s already very good, Furen. I’m very lucky that you’ve taken a liking to this old body of mine. My son is diligent.”

Xu Zhizhou: “Where are you from? You should be a scholar since you can do the accounts. How did you end up like this?”

He should inquire carefully about the people he was going to have in his house. But he didn’t know if what they said was true. The broker had already told him their identities in private. It depended on whether they were honest or not.

Xiang Shu told him his background. They were refugees and had no choice but to sell themselves to a broker to get by. In these times, accountants were all trusted people. Who would go outside to find someone?

He could read and write. There were many people in the capital, and there were also familiar people who could read and write. It was better to trust someone you knew than a stranger.

Not to mention the high-ranking households. They all had servants who had been trained by the family.

Back at home, Song Changxu saw two more people.

“Master,” Xiang Shu called out.

Song Changxu shuddered. He was a little unaccustomed to it. He was only twenty-three and was being called “master.”

“You can just call me ‘sir’. Don’t call me ‘master’. I’m a junior sixth-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy. My husband has bought you to open a shop. You can just listen to him in the future.”

Xiang Shu had not expected that the master he had found this time was an official. He was quite happy.

Xu Zhizhou had them go to the storage room to tidy up first. Their courtyard was still too small.

There was also a small partitioned room in the shop, where Xiang Shu could sleep. Then Xiang Lan could be with them, and Xiang Shu could sleep in the shop.

With that, it was decided. When they had earned more money, they would buy a courtyard house, and the house would be bigger.

In the evening, Xiang Lan cooked. Xu Zhizhou wanted to test his cooking skills. The taste was not bad.

He was in a good mood. “You’re about the same size as me. I have a few sets of clothes I don’t wear anymore. You can have them. Also, buy some quilts and other things you’re used to.”

Xu Zhizhou gave him one tael of silver, which was enough to tidy up the two of them.

Xiang Lan’s eyes were filled with hot tears. “Thank you, master’s husband.”

After Xiang Zhi had left, Xu Zhizhou scratched his face with embarrassment. This was the first time someone had called him “master’s husband.”

He turned his head and met Song Changxu’s smiling face. He looked very composed.

Xu Zhizhou: “What are you looking at me for?”

Song Changxu: “I was just thinking that you have such an air about you, like the master of the house. I’ll have to be a little afraid of you in the future.”

“You’d better be. I’m an amazing person,” Xu Zhizhou said, his chin up, very proud.

A little praise and he would be over the moon.

After dinner, he put the sugar bags in the kitchen. It seemed that the matter of the sugar workshop also had to be put on the agenda.

With the Bobo Chicken and the sugar workshop, they could live a prosperous life with these two things in the long run.

Xu Zhizhou was so excited tonight that he couldn’t sleep.

On the other side, the storage room had already been tidied up. Xiang Shu made a bed on the floor and let his son sleep on the bed. This time, they didn’t have to squeeze into a room with others, and they couldn’t even keep out the cold with a ragged cloth.

There were also some ill-intentioned people at the broker’s. He was old and had nothing to lose, but Xiang Lan was still young. It was not good for him to be at the broker’s all the time. This time, it was fortunate that they had met Xu Zhizhou. Otherwise, where would they find such a good master?

Seeing that the master and his husband were learned people, the father and son’s luck had finally turned for the better.

Xiang Lan said, “Father, the master’s husband said that he will teach me how to make Bobo Chicken tomorrow. The quilts here are soft. Only after I came out from there did I feel that this is a bit like living.”

In the morning, Song Changxu went to work. The breakfast was already on the table, with steamed buns and meat buns, as well as a bowl of mung bean soup.

Xiang Lan said, “Sir, I thought you were going to work, and there’s flour, pork, and mung beans in the kitchen, so I made a table of food.”

Song Changxu: “Alright.”

He had breakfast at home and then went out. When Song Changxu reached the Hanlin Academy, he went to the National History Academy with Shen Liang. Shen Liang was distracted today.

“Is something wrong, Brother Shen?”

Shen Liang said, “It’s not a big deal. It’ll probably spread today anyway. His Majesty has caught a member of the imperial family and is talking about the mines. He’s so angry that he’s afraid he’ll have to levy taxes.”

This news naturally came from his father-in-law. Every family had mines. If they had to pay taxes on them, they would naturally be unwilling.

His Majesty is so fast.

Song Changxu: “It’s understandable that His Majesty is angry. The national treasury is empty, while others are rich. He’s naturally a bit ruthless.”

Shen Liang: “But it’s been like this since the founding of the Ningxing Dynasty.”

Song Changxu said, “Brother Shen, tradition is not necessarily right. It may just not have been corrected.”

Shen Liang was stunned. He was lost in thought.

On General Xiao’s sixtieth birthday, the situation in the court had eased. They all went to wish him a happy birthday, and it was harmonious and happy.

Xu Zhizhou had already taken over the shop, and Xiang Shu was also resting there. After General Xiao’s birthday, they could open the shop.

There were too many people today. Xu Zhizhou held Song Changxu’s arm and presented the invitation to enter.

Xu Zhizhou was almost dazzled. The military general’s courtyard was not rough, but rather gentle and elegant, with countless covered corridors, many rockeries and ponds, a winding stream, and flowers and plants on the eaves.

An elegant style, with weeping willows.

Some of them were here at the Xiao residence for the first time and were amazed by the courtyard. Xu Zhizhou let go of Song Changxu’s arm and went to find Xu Zhici to talk.

Xie Huaichuan nodded to Song Changxu.

“I didn’t expect the scenery at the Xiao residence to be so good. I thought it would be inlaid with gold and silver, but it’s so elegant.”

A civil official commented on the courtyard.

When Empress Dowager Xiao was in power, the Xiao family was at the height of its power. Who knew how many benefits they had gotten for the family?

The male and female guests were seated on opposite sides. Madam Xiao received the women and ge’ers, while Xiao Ding and Xiao Bang received the male guests.

Xie Huaichuan was with the military officers. Song Changxu also found his own friends. Pei Shengrong was in high spirits today and was looking around.

Shen Liang smiled. “He hasn’t been to a banquet in a long time. Now he’s full of energy. He used to love to attend all sorts of literary gatherings. Now that he’s an official, he has less time.”

“Brother Cheng also likes literary gatherings. Maybe they know each other and have something to talk about.”

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. There were only so many people in the whole court. Xie Feng and the others came over.

They greeted each other again.

As the saying goes, a friend of a friend is a friend. Pei Shengrong and they had compatible personalities, and they soon started to talk about everything.

Shen Liang was the prime minister’s son-in-law. He took his friends to get to know some of the officials in the court. He couldn’t get close to the high-ranking officials now, but it was still possible with the fifth and sixth-rank ones.

The fifth and sixth-rank officials were the directors of the various ministries and had real power. Besides, they had not yet gone to the six ministries to observe. They didn’t know which ministry they would be assigned to yet. It wouldn’t hurt to build a good relationship with them.

Song Changxu also saw the chief examiner from the provincial examination, the Vice Minister of Personnel, Jian Xi. His peach blossom eyes were smiling. He seemed to have noticed his appearance and nodded to Song Changxu in a friendly manner.

Besides Bie Yu, he was a young man who had been promoted quickly. He was only thirty this year. Bie Yu was also thirty this year and was a governor.

“What is Sir Jian looking at?” a colleague asked.

Jian Xi: “I saw an old friend.”

Song Changxu and the others were still talking. A moment later, General Xiao arrived. This time, he had been reprimanded by His Majesty in the court. His arrogant air had subsided, and he seemed gentle.

“Thank you all for coming to wish me a happy sixtieth birthday. Please, take your seats,” General Xiao said concisely.

Xiao Ding clapped his hands, and the singing and dancing began. The banquet was a scene of clinking glasses.

General Xiao was followed by Xiao Ding and Xiao Bang. He was talking to Liu Wangsheng. At this moment, a sharp voice was heard—

“His Majesty and the Phoenix Lord have arrived!”

Everyone immediately knelt down. Xu Zhizhou lowered his head. It was his first time seeing such a scene. This time, it was Xie Cang who had pressed him down to kneel.

“Rise. The empress and I have come to wish Minister Xiao a happy sixtieth birthday. In a blink of an eye, you are already sixty. I can’t help but think of the days when I was a child and was practicing martial arts at the Xiao residence. It really makes me nostalgic.”

After everyone had risen, they had different thoughts when they heard Emperor Pingjing’s words.

General Xiao’s face showed a hint of reminiscence. “Your Majesty still remembers those past events. I am truly ashamed. I have done something worse than a dog.”

“Don’t say that, Minister. Today is your happy day. It’s unlucky to say such things.”

With the emperor and empress coming to the Xiao residence to wish General Xiao a happy birthday, the Xiao family’s status was still stable. With a phoenix lord by His Majesty’s side, the Xiao family had another protective talisman.

The Xiao family had three protective talismans: one was Empress Dowager Xiao, one was the Phoenix Lord, and the other was their own military power.

Xiao Yurong had a drink with his father. General Xiao said he was not worthy, but he was proud in his heart.

He had come today not only to wish his father a happy birthday, but also for the matter of levying taxes on the mines.

The male guests were received by the Xiao brothers. Xiao Yurong was the highest-ranking here. He came to see the ladies and husbands.

Xiao Yurong: “Please, sit down. Today is my father’s birthday. I shouldn’t be saying these things, but I’m annoyed if I don’t.”

Xu Zhizhou and Xu Zhici sat together, with Xie Cang on the side. The table was full of delicacies. Xu Zhizhou listened to Xiao Yurong’s words, his eyes glowing green as he ate.

Someone answered, “If Your Highness has any worries, I can share them for you.”

Xiao Yurong smiled, stunningly beautiful.

“His Majesty is worried about setting up a mining tax. I also want to share his worries. His Majesty said that if the court ministers object, he will use thunderous means. I think it’s just a mining tax. There’s no need to have the Minister of Justice investigate the court ministers and cause a bloodbath.”

“I’ve taken on this matter. We’re all from aristocratic families. I also know that everyone is reluctant to part with this little money, so I’ll have the Xiao family contribute half of our mines to the national treasury, and pay taxes on the other half. This can be considered my and the Xiao family’s sincerity to the world.”

Those who were attached to the Xiao family all echoed him.

Some of the husbands were still hesitating. He smiled. “Your Highness, the money in the family is all managed by my husband. I have no right to manage it. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”

Xiao Yurong raised his eyebrows. “Of course I forgive you. Xiping, write down the name of the Marquis of Yun’s husband. In the future, when I go to the Marquis of Yun’s residence, I’ll have to ask him. As the main wife, he can’t manage the family’s money. The marquis’s residence’s fine clothes and good food are all bestowed by His Majesty. Now that His Majesty wants to do something, he has to look at the faces of his ministers. He’s really forgotten his roots.”

The Marquis of Yun’s husband trembled.

“Since I’ve taken on this matter with His Majesty, if you make me lose face in front of him, then I’ll have to make your family lose face.”

Hearing these harsh words, the pastry in Xu Zhizhou’s mouth fell to the ground.

How can he lose face? Will he be beheaded?

***

Author’s Note:

Little Xu: I’m scared. [Heartbroken]

Little Song: Go home, child, go home. [Milk tea]