Chapter 45: A Mess of Troubles

Zhang Yue saw several opportunities to speak alone with his father, but every time he was about to speak, he somehow changed the subject. Although it was Du Zhen who had warned him, he hadn’t explicitly said that the Zhang family was in trouble and needed to act quickly—just giving a hint. If Zhang Yue spoke rashly and his father believed it and reported it to Lady Gu, chaos would ensue, and in the end, nothing would happen. Not only would he lose face, but others might also think Du Zhen was a hysterical troublemaker.

So he kept the matter to himself. With his two uncles returning and his mother, Lady Sun, about to give birth, he had no choice but to ask for leave from the academy. Considering the Zhang family’s reputation and his own first-place score in the previous exams, Instructor Liu at the academy consulted Professor Guo, who finally allowed him to attend classes the next day, as long as he didn’t miss the monthly exams.

Other students were extremely envious, but they were all several years older than Zhang Yue. They had to let a young boy take their first-place spot—how could they accept that? As a result, an enthusiasm for studying and asking questions spread quickly through the academy, much to the delight of the professor and four instructors.

Yet Zhang Yue, who didn’t have to attend classes, was even busier. This time, it was his elder brother, Zhang Chao, who troubled him. It was strange to see someone who had initially been so unwilling about the marriage now sighing heavily, because Zhang Chao claimed his mother regretted the arranged marriage.

“Mom used to be obsessed with that family, but now that Dad might get promoted to some high-ranking position, she disdains the Jin family as nouveau riche. She says their daughter is ungenerous and improper. I don’t know who praised them so highly before. Third brother, where in the world is there such logic? If she didn’t like them, why did she let them propose and exchange marriage contracts? Isn’t that ruining their reputation?”

Although Zhang Yue hadn’t heard anything about this, Zhang Chao spoke with such indignation that it seemed unlikely to be nonsense, so he gradually began to believe it. Though the matter had long passed, he still had some resentment toward his second aunt, Lady Dongfang. Learning that she was about to do such a despicable thing made him furious.

“Does my second uncle know about this marriage?”

“Dad has been busy visiting relatives these past few days. Even Grandma has forgotten about it for now, and Mom hasn’t mentioned it at all… Ah, you’re right. I should go talk to Dad. If Dad finds out, surely he won’t let Mom act recklessly.”

Seeing Zhang Chao’s delighted expression, he quickly ran away. Zhang Yue shook his head. He suddenly remembered that it had been this guy who had come to him eagerly, hoping to marry the younger of the twin sisters. He had been very disappointed when his plans failed, yet now he had turned into a gentleman who kept his promises. With his peculiar thoughts, he went back and told his parents, which sparked a lot of discussion.

“Although Brother Chao is reckless and careless, he has a sincere heart. If he’s rejected, how can that innocent girl live on? Sister-in-law, you’ve gone too far!”

“Maybe he just misunderstood?” Zhang Zhuo muttered, but thinking of the character of the Dongfang family, he ended up believing it to be true. He sighed, “Sister-in-law is too scheming. How can she keep demanding more after already getting what she wanted? Even if Second Brother wants to get promoted, it’s not yet certain. Does she think the governor of Kaifeng is an easy target?”

Sun Shi, with her large belly, saw Zhang Yue sitting silently aside and decided to urge him, “Yue, you’ve already given Brother Chao some advice. Don’t worry about the rest. Your second aunt can’t decide everything on her own. Even the old lady won’t allow her to break the promise. Besides, your first aunt surely won’t just watch her break her word.”

The Dongfang family was always full of schemes, and now they were indeed displeased with the marriage they had tried so hard to arrange. That governor wasn’t even considered a high-ranking official. If her husband were promoted to the capital, the new bride would become even less prominent in their family. Moreover, marrying the daughter of Feng Shi’s illegitimate sister would mean she couldn’t hold her head high in the Zhang family.

As the Zhang family gradually became indifferent, Feng Lan grew anxious. She visited repeatedly, making repeated attempts, but never received any confirmation. Just as she was so frustrated that blisters appeared on her lips, Zhang You, the second master of the Zhang family, visited the Jin family and officially approved the marriage.

This unexpected visit delighted Feng Lan and angered the Dongfang family. The Dongfang woman had intended to keep it a secret from her husband, thinking she could find an excuse to cancel the marriage once they moved to the capital. But instead, her husband went to the Jin family without telling her. She questioned almost all the maids and wives but eventually found out that it was her own son who had leaked the news, leaving her furious. But now, with nothing left to do but call Zhang Chao over and scold him, there was no way to reverse the situation.

Although this was the second branch’s affair, it is said that in large families, disputes are inevitable. Even though the third branch, who knew the whole story, consisted of a family of three who were not prone to gossip, the news still spread. When Lady Gu found out, she immediately called Dongfang Shi over and gave her a stern reprimand. Later, she sighed to Lingxi, saying that Dongfang Shi was too shrewd but lacked foresight. If it weren’t for the second son, Zhang You, who kept his word, who knew how things would have ended.

Lingxi was a man who kept secrets tight, so no one knew what she had swallowed. As for Dongfang Shi, who could express her bitterness but couldn’t speak, she lost all desire to take control after this incident and stayed at home pretending to be ill for several days, ignoring everything. Feng Shi, who used to compete with Dongfang Shi for power, was preoccupied with winning her husband’s heart back from his two concubines and, with her return to the capital approaching, had no mind to manage the household. As for Sun Shi, with her large belly, there was no way she could do anything even if she wanted to.

In the end, Lady Gu had no choice but to ask Lingxi to take temporary charge for a few days, and only then did the whole family finally calm down. Yet, there simply weren’t enough days to arrange Zhang Chao’s marriage before Zhang Xin and Zhang You left for the capital.

Dongfang Shi was already unenthusiastic about the marriage, and the thought that her husband wouldn’t even be there on her son’s wedding day made her even more dissatisfied. In the end, she had no choice but to beg Feng Shi. Thinking it was her niece’s marriage, Feng Shi reluctantly agreed to help. The two sisters-in-law persuaded their mother, Lady Gu, to write to the Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Fu, asking him to arrange a short leave.

“Women don’t understand reason. The Duke of Yingguo has just returned from four campaigns in Jiaozhi—how can we ask him to worry over such a trivial matter? My husband is already short-sighted; why doesn’t your sister-in-law advise her?” This was the first thing Zhang You said when he went to the third branch to complain.

“How could Mother listen to their scheming? If the emperor finds out, he’ll surely think that my brother and I mix up personal and official matters because of the Zhang family’s favor! It’s one thing if your sister-in-law is easily influenced, but how can your younger sister-in-law be so foolish?” This was Zhang Xin’s reaction when he “strolled” by the western courtyard of the third branch.

Father Zhang Zhuo was often away, so Zhang Yue, who would stay at home all day the next day, had to deal with his two uncles coming in turn and was often dragged to the main house to entertain various guests. Thus, his smile became more and more perfect, but the anger in his heart grew louder—had he known it would be like this, he would have preferred to face those old scholars at the academy every day!

While the Zhang family waited anxiously for a reply from the capital and hurriedly prepared for the marriage, a group of uninvited guests visited their mansion.