Chapter 42: Returning Home in Glory Together

It had been just a few decades since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, and over a decade since the Jingnan Campaign. Moreover, Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, had always valued military officers over civil officials. As such, there were many who strove to make a name for themselves through military achievements. Zhang You, the second son of the Zhang family, had once followed Duke Zhang Fu on four campaigns to Jiaozhi. After Zhang Fu returned to the capital, Zhang You remained in Jiaozhi as a local commander. During Zhang Fu’s fourth campaign, Zhang You once again earned merits but had not returned for nearly ten years. Though his achievements were not yet enough to grant him a noble title, his rank was already close to that of Zhang Xin.

“A fourth-rank General of Guangwei, along with actual command as a deputy general—Madam, with Father returning like this, it’s truly remarkable!”

“Isn’t it? I’ve endured so many hard years at home just hoping he would return in glory. They say wealth comes from taking risks; if I hadn’t let him go to fight, wouldn’t our family live in fear like the third branch?”

Faced with Linglong’s flattery, Lady Dongfang couldn’t hide her pride. After all, her husband wasn’t born of her mother-in-law’s womb. No matter how well she flattered her mother-in-law, it couldn’t compare to the eldest branch of the family—this truth she had understood four years ago. Everything else was false; only when the husband was honored could the wife be proud. Just like those who once sided with the eldest branch like chaff in the wind, they now rushed to curry favor again.

Zhang Chao and his brother Zhang Qi, standing nearby, grew impatient with such chatter. They exchanged a glance and silently found an excuse to leave. Once outside, they found a quiet place and began talking excitedly.

“Elder brother, do you still remember what Father looked like?”

“Of course I do! Father had a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and then… and then…”

After a long pause, Zhang Chao finally showed a bitter expression and helplessly shrugged, “I was less than seven years old when Father led troops to Jiaozhi. In these ten years, all I’ve received have been letters from home. I really can’t remember much. Besides, what Mother and Linglong said makes no sense—here in this family, who would ever dare to look down on us?”

“Yes, it sounds uncomfortable, that’s why I didn’t want to listen.”

The two brothers secretly smirked on one side, while Mrs. Sun, with her large belly, struggled to walk in the courtyard of the western wing. She was quite old now, and to ensure a smooth delivery, even walking made her feel unsteady, yet she still forced herself to walk around the courtyard for fifteen minutes each day with the help of two maids. Although the weather was quite cold, her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and her breathing had become somewhat rapid.

As soon as Zhang Yue stepped into the courtyard, he saw this scene and felt a pang in his heart. Though he also hoped his mother would give him a younger brother or sister, the thought that childbirth was almost as dangerous as facing death made his joy fade. Seeing his mother’s unsteady steps, he rushed over, waved away one maid, and took hold of Mrs. Sun’s right arm.

“Mother, it’s terribly cold outside. It’s enough for you to walk around a little. How can you let the cold wind blow on your sweat? If you really want to walk, why not have someone move my room over? It’s warmer there. If you want to walk, just do it there—it’s better than forcing yourself like this.”

“Nonsense! If I move your room, where will you live?”

“Mother, I’m grown up now. It’s fine to set up a room in the left wing, right? We’re all in the same courtyard. Do you really think I’ll stop being filial if I move away?”

Seeing his son’s thoughtfulness, Mrs. Sun felt somewhat comforted, but she was still hesitant. At that moment, the older maid, Zhenzhu, noticed Zhang Yue’s glance and smiled, adding, “Madam, the young master is thinking of your well-being. You’re pregnant now, and everyone is worried about you walking outside in such cold weather. If we move his room over, we can keep a heated bed inside—it’s warm and comfortable, and it won’t be affected by wind or rain. It’s also convenient for the young master to stay in the east wing.”

Before Mrs. Sun could respond, Zhang Yue pulled her back into the house. After entering, he settled his mother on the heated bed in the middle, then ordered a maid to bring a basin of hot water. He personally wrung out a towel to wipe the sweat from his mother’s forehead and neck, and also had someone prepare a bowl of osmanthus lotus root powder—something that, though produced in some places in the north, couldn’t compare to what was available in the south. This was brought here by his uncle Zhang Xin from Hangzhou. Gu Shi, thinking of her third daughter-in-law being pregnant, gave almost all of it to the third household.

Seeing his mother drink nearly half a bowl in one go and look much better in spirit and complexion, Zhang Yue finally breathed a sigh of relief. He took the opportunity to finalize the plan to move the house. Although Mrs. Sun scolded him a bit over trivial matters, he paid it no mind and instead said with a smile, “Father is busy handling many affairs outside and doesn’t have time to accompany Mother every day. As his son, I naturally have to take on that responsibility as well.”
“You… A real man should focus on important matters, not be so fussy!”
As the mother and son chatted casually, suddenly a call came from outside. Zhenzhu glanced at her masters, lifted the curtain to go and ask, and returned shortly after.
“Madam, young master, the second master has returned, along with dozens of attendants. He’s now going to the main house to pay respects to the old lady!”
“How fast! Didn’t the letter say it would be another three or four days?” Mrs. Sun was puzzled and quickly ordered, “Yue, help me get up quickly. Your second uncle hasn’t been back in over a decade; I need to go to the main house to take care of things.”
“Mother, you’re already eight months pregnant. It’s cold out—let Zhenzhu go and get a sedan chair.” When Mrs. Sun tried to object again, he gave Zhenzhu a glance. After she hurriedly left to fetch the maids, he brought Huobo Qiuhen from his own room and said, “I’ll go to the main house now. Everyone knows about your condition, so the old lady won’t blame you, and I doubt your second uncle will care either. Qiuhen and Huobo, take good care of Mother. I’m off now.”
Seeing Zhang Yue dash out of the house, Mrs. Sun sighed helplessly, “This child has exactly the same temper as his father…”
With the return of brothers Zhang Xin and Zhang You, the Zhang family’s courtyard was once again decorated. The whitewashed walls on both sides of the path were clean and tidy, the tiles on the corridors had been replaced with new ones, and even the screen walls featured auspicious patterns, adding to the festive atmosphere. As soon as Zhang Yue entered the courtyard, he heard continuous laughter and voices inside, along with a deep, resonant voice of a strange man.
“The third young master has arrived!”
Bending down to enter through the door curtain lifted by a maid, Zhang Yue heard Lingxi’s familiar voice. He quickly glanced around the room and immediately spotted a face that bore no resemblance to his father, Zhang Zhuo. That dark face was covered with thick beard, and his black pupils exuded an air of authority without even raising his voice—more so than his eldest uncle, Zhang Xin.
“Grandmother, I hope you are well.”

Mr. Gu smiled and nodded at Zhang Yue, not even asking why Mrs. Sun hadn’t come along. He simply pointed aside and said, “Go and see your second uncle quickly; it’s been years since you last saw him.”

Zhang Yue got up and obediently went to pay his respects. But as soon as he bent down, a pair of hands pulled him up. Those hands were rough and calloused, even a bit rough to the touch, yet their strength was irresistible. Although he knew his uncle was known as the greatest military general in the Ming Dynasty, he had never met him before. Now, seeing Zhang You, he truly understood what a military general was like. Just the strength in those hands was beyond what a half-baked fighter like him could match.

“Good boy, so promising! Passing the imperial exams at just thirteen—won’t the Zhang family produce a top scholar soon?” Zhang You cheerfully patted Zhang Yue’s shoulder. Seeing that Zhang Yue only swayed slightly before standing firmly, his smile grew even wider. “When I left, you were still a weakling. Who would have thought you’d become so strong now!”

Just as Zhang Yue was about to respond, a maid with a joyful expression bent in and bowed before saying with a smile, “Madam, the second master and the wives—Lord Zhang’s sedan chair has entered Kaifeng City!”

Previously, Zhang Xin and Zhang You had separate itineraries, and none of them expected them to meet at this time. So, after a moment of shock, the room was filled with laughter. Madam Feng, along with Zhang Jiu, hurriedly went out to welcome them.

As everyone wore smiles, Zhang Yue suddenly wondered—was this a reunion of brothers filled with joy, or the beginning of conflict?