The Duke House's Ideal Daughter-in-law
Chapter 131
Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang’s branches had barely left when the Fifth Month arrived, and the various academies began their field holidays.
Zhao Huanxi returned home from the academy, looking like a dog let out of its cage, running around excitedly.
Xu Nian’an was dragged around by him, strolling through the mountains and the courtyard. Exhausted, she asked, “Isn’t Yanmei Xiansheng organizing classes at Jiyuan Garden this time?”
Zhao Huanxi proudly replied, “He’s not organizing them. He’s gone out of the capital to visit friends.” After saying this, he hugged Xu Nian’an and, dissatisfied, bit her ear. “You actually think I’m a nuisance at home and want to drive me away!”
Xu Nian’an felt both itchy and sore. She laughed while pushing his face, saying, “What I mean is, now that you’re on holiday, Shang Xiansheng and Qu Gong all know you’re on break. Yet you stay at home every day, fooling around with me, without even visiting them. Is that appropriate?”
“You’re just making excuses. You simply find me annoying.”
“Yes, yes, I do find you annoying. Is that enough?”
“No, it’s not!”
The young couple chased and played under the pure white magnolia tree. Xu Nian’an’s waist swayed, and the smooth white peony flower jade pendant at her side flashed subtly between the folds of her purple skirt as she ran elegantly.
After a round of chasing, Xu Nian’an was tired. She plucked a magnolia flower and held it in her hand, saying to Zhao Huanxi, “I can’t walk anymore. Carry me back.”
Zhao Huanxi, naturally eager to fulfill her request, crouched down and allowed Xu Nian’an to climb onto his back. However, as he stood up, he suddenly had a mischievous thought. He intentionally staggered forward, pretending to trip and almost fall.
Xu Niannan was so startled that she tightened her grip around his neck.
“Ah! Cough, cough, I can’t breathe! Dong *Jiejie?, you’re going to strangle me!” he pretended, calling out dramatically as he steadied himself.
Xu Nian’an then realised he was deliberately teasing her. She angrily hit his shoulder a couple of times and stuck the magnolia flower under his hairpin.
Zhao Huanxi laughed as he carried her, walking briskly down the hill. When they came across stones or grass along the way, he even managed to jump over them.
“Slow down, walk carefully,” Xu Nian’an said, one hand gripping his shoulder while the other tugged at his ear.
Zhao Huanxi responded, “Didn’t they say couples should share both joy and hardship? Right now, we’re walking steadily, which counts as sharing joy. If we fall, that’ll be sharing hardship. Could it be that Dong Jiejie can only share joy with me but not hardship?”
“Exactly, I can’t share hardship with you…” Xu Nian’an didn’t finish her sentence before he stumbled again, then burst out laughing.
Xu Nian’an was so angry that she twisted on his back and said, “I don’t want you to carry me anymore. Let me down.”
“I won’t, I won’t. I’ll carry you properly,” Zhao Huanxi replied.
He carried her down from Mount Zhi, passed by Lan Lake, and as they walked past the Shenshou Courtyard, he glanced at the locked gate.
Xu Nian’an followed his gaze to the large lock. Seeing that he didn’t say anything, she asked, “20th day of the 5th Month is your birthday. What gift do you want?”
“As long as it’s from you, I’ll like it,” Zhao Huanxi said, looking ahead. “I suddenly remembered why my father disliked me when I was little. He said I was born in an evil month, that I was born unlucky.”
“How can you say such a thing? His Majesty the Emperor was also born in the Fifth Month. He might only dare say that to you, but does he dare say it outside?” Xu Nian’an said.
Zhao Huanxi’s tone carried a touch of melancholy as he asked, “Dong Jiejie, what do you think it feels like to be cherished by a father?”
Xu Niannan fell silent.
She didn’t know either. In her memory, her father was traditional and rigid, following the philosophy of cherishing grandsons rather than sons. He would patiently guide her brother’s studies, speak kindly to her and her sisters, but that was all.
“When we have children in the future, and when our child can speak, you can ask them,” Xu Nian’an said, resting her chin on Zhao Huanxi’s shoulder.
Zhao Huanxi turned his face slightly, a faint blush on his cheeks, and asked, “Dong Jiejie, would you prefer a son or a daughter?”
Without hesitation, Xu Nian’an replied, “A son”. This world demanded too much of women, binding them with countless restrictions, making their lives too difficult. While life wasn’t easy for men either, it was still easier than for women.
“I want a daughter, a clever and well-behaved one just like you,” Zhao Huanxi said shyly.
“Maybe she’ll be a daughter like Xuan Jie’er instead?” Xu Nian’an teased him.
Zhao Huanxi’s back stiffened abruptly, but after a moment of thought, he relaxed again. “As long as Xuan Jie’er doesn’t cling and challenge me to swordsmanship duels, she’s fine. Anyway, as long as she’s your child, I’ll love her. I’ll make sure to cherish her and never let her suffer the grievances I went through as a child.”
Xu Nian’an’s cheeks grew warm, and so did her heart. She rested lightly against his shoulder and softly murmured an acknowledgment.
The next morning, Zhao Huanxi was preparing to go out. While at the academy, he had painted two pieces and wanted to take them to Master Shang for guidance.
Xu Nian’an helped him tidy his attire. As he looked down at the peony jade pendant at her waist, he quietly resolved to use his holiday to sketch a few more jade pendant designs. He planned to take them to the same jade craftsman as last time to have them carved, so Dong Jiejie could have more to choose from and wear.
“Dong Jiejie, what are you doing today?” Zhao Huanxi asked her.
“Today, I’m going back to the Xu Residence to visit my mother and younger sister. I’ll also take my sister to the silk shop to pick out some fabric. She’s getting married this winter, so it’s time to start preparing some things,” Xu Nian’an replied.
Zhao Huanxi said, “Then I’ll pick you up at the Xu Residence after I’m done with Shang Xiansheng.”
Xu Nian’an smiled and asked, “Are you coming to pick me up, or to see Ah Xiu?”
Zhao Huanxi frowned and said, “Why would I want to see him? He and Lu Feng, relying on their academic prowess, assign me so much coursework every day that I don’t even have time to think about you. It’s like forcefully pulling up seedlings to help them grow. Hmph!”
Seeing his indignant expression, Xu Nian’an found it funny. She pretended to be angry and said, “How dare he team up with Lu Feng to bully you! Just wait, when I get back, I’ll scold him for you! Later, you should also go to San Jie and complain about Lu Feng and let her deal with him!”
Zhao Huanxi panicked upon hearing that and quickly said, “No! They mean well, don’t scold them. Besides, if I let you two women stand up for me after being wronged by them, what kind of man would I be?”
Xu Nian’an asked, “If we don’t scold them, what will you do when the holiday ends and they continue to ‘pull up the seedlings to help them grow’?”
Zhao Huanxi let out a long sigh and said gloomily, “What else can I do? One’s my Jiefu, and the other’s my Xiao Jiuzi. Which one of them can I afford to offend?”
Xu Nian’an wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him, saying, “That’s just because you’re kind-hearted and don’t want to provoke them. If you did, who couldn’t you handle? Do you think San Jie and I would side with them instead of you?”
Zhao Huanxi lowered his gaze to Xu Nian’an’s ’s flawless face, radiant in the morning light. Her bright eyes sparkled, and her lips were as delicate as flowers. For a moment, he no longer felt like going out.
Holding her by the waist, he said, “Dong Jiejie, I want to kiss you and not have to write lines as punishment for it.”
Xu Niannan’s face stiffened. “No.”
“Dong Jiejie~”
Just as Zhao Huanxi was halfway through whining, Xu Nian’an cupped his face, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. She smiled and said, “You’re so silly. If you ask me to kiss you, then you won’t have to write lines.”
Zhao Huanxi beamed with joy. “Dong Jiejie, you’re so clever. I want more!”
Just as Xu Nian’an was about to kiss him again, Songyun called from outside the door, “San Yé, Yin Shaoyé and Fu Shaoyé are here to see you.”
Zhao Huanxi grumbled, “I’m starting to think Biao Ge was born just to jinx me. He always shows up at moments like this!”
Xu Nian’an couldn’t stop laughing and pushed him away. “Go on.”
Zhao Huanxi held her close and said, “You’ll have to make up for the unfinished kisses tonight.”
Xu Nian’an replied, “Make up for them then, if you dare.”
Zhao Huanxi felt both embarrassed and annoyed, his cheeks flushed red. “What’s there that I’d be afraid of?”
“Alright, alright, go and see what they want with you,” Xu Nian’an said with a smile, pushing him out the door.
When Zhao Huanxi stepped outside the courtyard, he saw Fu Yunjin holding a box in his arms while Yin Luochen was speaking to him about something.
When Zhao Huanxi appeared, Yin Luochen immediately asked, “Huanxi, do you know of any skilled jade carvers in the city?”
Zhao Huanxi glanced at the box in Fu Yunjin’s arms and asked, “What are you planning to make?”
Fu Yunjin replied, “Well, San Biao Jie is getting married this Ninth Month. We just so happen to have a piece of jade, and we want to make a set of boxes for rouge and powder to give her as a wedding present.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Huanxi introduced the jade carver who had made the jade pendant for Dong Jiejie to the two of them.
Xuan Jie’er, as usual, followed Zhao Jiazhen out, telling Yin Furen that she was going to the jewellery shop to learn business. In reality, she parted ways with Zhao Jiazhen once they reached the street and went to play with Nie Guocheng.
“Where shall we go to uphold justice today?” Xuan Jie’er asked Nie Guocheng when they ran into each other at the Zhou Bridge.
“Today, my mother is taking me to my eldest sister’s house for lunch, so in the morning we can uphold justice in the inner city. In the afternoon, I’ll take you uphold justice at the outer city,” Nie Guocheng replied.
“Alright,” Xuan Jie’er said, and the two of them set off on horseback to patrol the streets.
On Linglong Street, Yin Luochen and Fu Yunjin walked while looking at the names of the shops on both sides.
“Mo Yu’er, Mo Yu’er… What a strange name! Why would a jade master choose such a peculiar shop name?” Yin Luochen mumbled halfway, then raised his eyebrows and said, “Found it.”
Fu Yunjin also saw the jade shop and frowned slightly. “It’s not open yet.”
Yin Luochen looked around the shop and snorted. “As expected of the shop Zhao Huanxi recommended. It’s just like him, unreliable. All the other shops are open, and this one isn’t.”
Fu Yunjin walked up to the shop, took a look and asked, “What should we do? Are the shops next door reliable?” Just then, the sound of a chair being overturned came from inside the shop.
Yin Luochen also heard it and walked over to knock on the door.
“Help—” a loud cry came from inside. Before Yin Luochen and Fu Yunjin could react, the door suddenly opened from the inside. A big man holding a knife charged out and saw the two blocking the doorway. He swung the knife, forcing them to step aside.
Fu Yunjin, who was holding a box, couldn’t dodge in time and cried out as the knife cut across his arm.
Yin Luochen tried to catch the big man, but the man was fierce, wildly swinging the knife, preventing anyone from getting close. Just as it seemed the man was about to escape, Nie Guocheng and Xuan Jie’er, riding on horses, casually approached.
Nie Guocheng glanced up and saw the situation near Yin Luochen. He was about to call out to him when Xuan Jie’er, standing nearby, already shouted, “Biao Jiu (uncle of Biao line), what happened?”
Nie Guocheng then realized he couldn’t call him “Yin Gongzi” anymore, but Biao Jiu….
Yin Luochen pointed at the big man, who was running wildly toward the other end of the street, and said, “Catch him quickly! He’s injured someone! Be careful, he has a knife!”
Hearing this, the two of them instantly got excited. They spurred their horses and gave chase. As they got closer, Nie Guocheng dismounted first, and the big man, holding the knife, engaged in a fight with him.
Xuan Jie’er, coming up from behind, delivered a powerful kick to the big man’s knee, causing him to lose control and fall to his knees. Then, Xuan Jie’er performed a graceful spinning kick, knocking him to the ground.
Nie Guocheng twisted the big man’s arms behind his back and knelt down on one knee, pinning him down. Xuan Jie’er dismounted and skillfully untied the rope from the saddle, then bound the man tightly. Once she finished, she looked up and saw Nie Guocheng staring at her with intense eyes.
She asked, “Why are you looking at me?”
“You kicked him so beautifully,” Nie Guocheng complimented.
Xuan Jie’er blushed, placed her hands on her hips, and ordered, “Pick him up and take him to the Shuntian Prefecture.”
“Obeying command!” Nie Guocheng replied loudly, smiling as he picked up the big man. The two of them went to greet Yin Luochen and Fu Yunjin before taking the man to the government office, leaving the matter of his capture aside.
Zhao Huanxi, in a good mood, left the Shang Residence with his two servants, Zhiyi and Zhi’er, heading toward Liuli Street. He wanted to see if there were any new and interesting items since he hadn’t been there for a while.
While strolling, he absentmindedly glanced up and noticed a stranger nearby holding a smooth, snow-white peony jade pendant. The man was examining it as he walked briskly toward an alley.
Zhao Huanxi stood frozen for a moment before suddenly breaking into a run, chasing after the man.
The peony flower he had painted, the design of the jade pendant he had crafted, and his instructions to the jade artisan not to make another like it for anyone—this pendant should be unique in the world. How could it be in the hands of this stranger, when it was supposed to be with Dong Jieji?
When he reached the alley, he saw the man ahead and shouted, “Stop!”
The man turned around, saw the three of them, and immediately turned and ran.
Zhao Huanxi widened his eyes in disbelief and quickly gave chase. After nearly a year of training in martial arts, his physical abilities had greatly improved, and within moments, he caught up to the man. Grabbing him by the collar, he slammed him against the wall and snatched the jade pendant from his hand.
“What are you doing? What do you want from me?” the man shouted in panic.
Ignoring him, Zhao Huanxi examined the jade pendant carefully. The peony flower design was unmistakably his, and the inscription on the back, “Ping An Xi Le” (the same as the one he made for Nian’an), was written in his own handwriting. The cord tied to the pendant was identical to the one that Dong Jiejie had.
It was clear now—this was the jade pendant he had given to Dong Jiejie, the same one he had seen her wearing on her belt this morning before leaving home!
As soon as Zhao Huanxi realized this, he grew anxious. He pressed the man against the wall and demanded, “Where did you get this jade pendant?”
The man’s eyes darted nervously. “I bought it,” he replied.
“Stop lying! Do you think I won’t hit you?” Zhao Huanxi threatened, raising his fist.
The man immediately cowered and confessed, “I found it, I found it. I picked it up outside a house.”
“Outside which house?”
“The one in the northern part of the city, in a narrow alley. I happened to pass by and saw seven or eight bodyguards dragging two girls into the alley, gagging their mouths. This thing… it fell off one of the girls. I swear, it’s not my fault—I just picked up this jade pendant.” The man said in a flurry, clearly panicking.
Zhao Huanxi felt uneasy, his mind racing. He urgently asked, “What did the girls look like?”
“Two girls,” the man replied, “One looked about eighteen or nineteen, the other a bit younger, around fourteen or fifteen…”
Before the man could finish speaking, Zhao Huanxi turned and instructed Zhiyi, “Hurry to the Xu Residence and check if San Nainai and Wu Mei are there. If they’re not, report it to the authorities.” He then addressed the man, “Take me to that alley you mentioned!”
Immediately, the three split into two groups. Zhiyi rode off toward the Xu Residence, while Zhao Huanxi and Zhi’er dragged the man toward the northern part of the city.
Zhiyi galloped all the way to the Xu Residence, only to be told that Xu Nian’an and Xu Hui’an were not home. After learning that they had gone to the Xu Family’s silk shop, Zhiyi then made his way to the street where the shop was located.
Xu Nian’an and Xu Hui’an were inside the silk shop, discussing stock with the shopkeeper when they saw Zhiyi running in, breathless. They quickly had a servant bring him a cup of water, and Xu Nian’an asked, “What’s going on? Why are you in such a hurry?”
Zhiyi didn’t have time to drink the water and replied, “San Nainai, it’s bad. San Yé saw a man outside holding a jade pendant identical to the one you wear on your waist. He thought something had happened to you, so he sent me to check if you were here. He and Zhi’er are following the man toward the northern part of the city.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Nian’an’s expression changed instantly. She asked, “Do you know where in the northern part of the city they’re going?”
Zhiyi shook his head. “The man didn’t mention a specific location, just that it was a secluded alley.”
Xu Nian’an grew anxious. She instructed Zhiyi, “Go to Xiangfeng Tower immediately and tell San Gu Nainai about this. Ask her to return to the residence.” Then, turning to the shopkeeper, she said, “Send two of your servants to escort Hui’an back. I have to leave now.”
Xu Hui’an anxiously asked, “Jiejie, has something happened to Da Jiefu? Should we report it to the authorities?”
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” Xu Nian’an left those words behind as she hurried out, climbing into her carriage and instructing the driver to head towards Yugenqiao.
In the northern part of the city, outside a secluded and messy alley, the man said to Zhao Huanxi, “Here, the person has been taken into that house inside. I picked up the jade pendant right at the entrance of this alley.”
Zhao Huanxi was looking into the alley when the man took advantage of his distraction, shoved his arm, and turned to run.
“San Yé, the man ran away!” Zhi’er shouted loudly. “Should we catch him?”
At this moment, how can Zhao Huanxi have the mind to care about him? His eyes were fixed on the door just a few zhang away (1 zhang ≈ 3.33 metres).
He didn’t hesitate much. The ages of the two girls mentioned by the man matched Dong Jiejie and Wu Mei exactly, and there was also the jade pendant. Although it seemed a bit of a coincidence that he happened to see it, in matters like this, he would rather believe it to be true than dismiss it as false.
What if it’s true? Even if it’s a mistake, at worst, he’ll just apologise.
“You stay outside. If I don’t come out in a quarter of an hour, or if anything unexpected happens, go back to the residence and call for help,” Zhao Huanxi instructed Zhi’er.
Zhi’er became anxious upon hearing this and said, “San Yé, how about Xiaode go in instead? If San Nainai is inside, I’ll come back out to call you. If Xiaode don’t come out or if something else happens, you can return to the residence to summon help.”
“You don’t know martial arts. If San Nainai is inside, wouldn’t your appearance alert them?”
“Then, how about Xiaode go find some others nearby?”
“No, that won’t work. Stay here and wait. I’ll go in and take a look.” Zhao Huanxi thought to himself, if Dong Jiejie really has been taken inside, bringing others along would only harm her reputation. No matter what happens, I can’t let her become the subject of gossip!
Zhi’er stood nervously at the entrance of the alley, watching Zhao Huanxi walk up to the house. He reached out and knocked on the door. When no one answered, he knocked harder, and the door creaked open a crack.
He pushed the door open and entered the house.
It appeared to be an abandoned property that had been desolate for a long time. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and the walls and roof tiles were heavily damaged and peeling in many places.
The doors of the side rooms were closed, covered in cobwebs like curtains, while only the door to the main hall was open. It was eerily quiet, with not a sound to be heard.
Zhao Huanxi approached the main hall cautiously. When he reached the doorway and looked inside, he saw a man lying face-down on the ground in the central hall. His hands were tied behind his back, his clothes were dishevelled, and he was covered in bloodstains. From the looks of it, he had clearly endured severe torment.
Startled, he hurried over and turned the man over, wanting to see if he was still alive.
Only then did he realise the man was Zhu Zhifu. He felt for a pulse on his neck but found none, though the skin was still warm. He then leaned down to listen to his chest. There was no heartbeat. He was dead.
Zhao Huanxi froze in place, stunned.
When he first heard the man mention that Dong Jiejie and Wu Mei had been abducted, Zhao Huanxi’s initial thought was that Zhu Zhifu had done such a despicable thing to take revenge on him. But how could Zhu Zhifu himself end up dead here?
Had Dong Jiejie and Wu Mei really fallen into danger?
He was about to turn around and leave to report to the authorities when he heard heavy footsteps coming from the alley outside, accompanied by a man’s voice: “Here, this is the place. Just yesterday, I saw the young master from the wanted notice posted by the authorities run out of here, only to be captured and brought back in.”
The constables drew their waist knives and charged into the courtyard, where they saw Zhao Huanxi standing in the main hall and Zhu Zhifu lying on the ground.
The moment Zhao Huanxi saw this scene, he instantly understood. This setup wasn’t aimed at anyone else—it was targeting him. Moreover, it must have been orchestrated by someone from Jing Guogong Residence. How else would outsiders know the exact appearance of the jade pendant and knot on Dong Jiejie? How would they know she was returning to the Xu Residence today?
Realising this, Zhao Huanxi didn’t bother to argue or resist. These people were merely constables, explaining anything to them would be futile.
A crowd of onlookers had gathered nearby, curious to see what was happening as the constables approached the house. Among them was Zhi’er, who followed the onlookers to the courtyard entrance, only to witness the constables apprehending Zhao Huanxi.
Panicked, Zhi’er wanted to rush forward but quickly reconsidered. Charging in wouldn’t help and might even result in him being detained alongside San Yé, leaving no one to report the matter.
Reporting back was the priority. With urgency written on his face, he cast a glance at the restrained Zhao Huanxi before turning and sprinting out of the alley.
At Xiangfeng Tower, Zhao Jiazhen had just finalised a hair ornament order with two customers upstairs. After escorting them downstairs, she noticed Lu Feng standing in front of the counter displaying decorative hairpins. When he saw her come down, he greeted her with a bright, refreshing smile.
After seeing the customers off, Zhao Jiazhen turned back to him and asked, “What brings you here?”
Lu Feng’s eyes sparkled with warmth as he replied, “I’d like to pick out a decorative hairpin to gift to my fiancée. Would Zhanggui have any suitable recommendations?”
Zhao Jiazhen’s bright eyes flashed with playful annoyance. “You came all the way to my shop to choose one. Is it because you don’t want to spend money?”
Lu Feng laughed, just about to respond, when the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from outside. The horse stopped abruptly in front of the tower.
Zhiyi almost tumbled off the horse as he rushed into the building. Upon seeing Zhao Jiazhen, he hurried over, catching his breath while saluting, and said, “San Gu Nainai, something has happened to San Yé. San Nainai asks you to hurry back to the residence.”
Zhao Jiazhen immediately wiped the smile off her face, her expression turning serious as she asked, “What happened?”
Zhiyi quickly explained the situation to her. As soon as she understood, Zhao Jiazhen’s face darkened with a mix of urgency and worry. She turned to Lu Feng and said, “I have to go back.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll first head to the north of the city to inquire, then come to your residence and find you,” Lu Feng reassured her.
Zhao Jiazhen nodded and immediately headed back to Jing Guogong Residence with Zhiyi.
Lu Feng rode off towards the northern part of the city.
Xu Nian’an arrived at Yugeqiao, but Qiao Nian wasn’t there. She asked Xu Qi’an, who replied that he had gone out to collect payments.
“Quickly send someone to find him and bring him back. Tell him that everything he has learned up until today must be organised and delivered to the Jing Guogong Residence. There must be no mistakes or omissions.” With that, she hurried off.
Xu Qi’an, holding a teapot, called out anxiously, “Da Jie, at least have a cup of tea before you go!”
As Xu Nian’an walked out, she called back, “There’s something urgent right now. We’ll have tea next time.”
After leaving Yugeqiao, Xu Nian’an instructed the coachman to head to the northern part of the city. On the way, they encountered a group of constables escorting Zhao Huanxi.
She quickly ordered the carriage to pull over and got down from it.
Zhao Huanxi, with his head lowered, walked at a slow pace among the constables. It seemed that due to his status, no one pushed him around.
“Sanlang!” Xu Nian’an called out anxiously.
Upon hearing her voice, Zhao Huanxi abruptly looked up, scanning the surroundings. When he saw her standing calmly beside their carriage, unharmed, his tense shoulders relaxed. He flashed her a grin, showing his teeth in a smile.
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