Chapter 78: Endless Invitations

Although they were traveling on their own large ship, the Zhang family from Xiangfu did not send many people to Nanjing. There were three young masters along with their maids, making a total of nine people, plus two housekeeper’s wives, six servants, four guards, and the household manager Gao Quan. After moving into the Duke of Ying’s residence, compared to the three brothers Zhang Chao, Zhang Yue, and Zhang Jiu, Gao Quan, who should have taken care of most of the affairs, became almost invisible—hard to spot even when present, and if seen, he was always in a hurry.

It was tolerable for him to be so elusive most of the time, but that day, when the three brothers returned from the Zhang family’s residence in Taipingli, each felt as if a heavy stone weighed on their hearts. So when they saw Gao Quan heading out at the entrance of the Duke of Ying’s residence, Zhang Chao was filled with anger and immediately blocked his path.

“Ah… it’s the three young masters back!” Gao Quan was startled before recognizing them. He quickly stepped back, bowed, and then smiled, saying, “I was just about to go out to handle some matters and might return late.”

“Why would the great household manager need to report to us?” Zhang Yue was initially surprised by Zhang Chao’s behavior and then grew angry too. Glancing at Gao Quan coldly, he sneered, “Grandma asked you to accompany us three to the capital, saying you were familiar with Nanjing and could help us. But you’re nowhere to be seen all the time. We don’t even know what you’re busy with—what kind of help is that? Now that our uncle has been released, what are you still busy with?”

Only then did Gao Quan notice that not only was Zhang Chao in a bad mood, but Zhang Yue also spoke mockingly, while the youngest, Zhang Jiu, glared at him with extreme anger. Even though he was usually skillful and capable, he was now at a loss. If he told the truth, it would go against Grandma’s instructions; if he kept lying, these three would become the masters of the family in the future, and he might face trouble. After much deliberation, he forced a smile and said, “Young masters, it’s not that I’m not trying. Grandma gave me special instructions before we left, which is why I’ve been running around outside these days…”

Since his father was taken away by the Jinyiwei, Zhang Jiu had fallen from grace and suffered further mental setbacks. With nowhere else to vent his frustration, faced with Gao Quan’s evasiveness, he could no longer hold back and snapped, “What could be more important than my father’s situation?”

“This…” Gao Quan hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to bluff by bringing up a great deity. “Please forgive me, young masters. The Duke of Ying also knows about this matter, and it’s closely related to the affairs of the eldest master…” As he racked his brains to find the safest way to phrase it, suddenly he heard a voice behind him.
“Stop troubling him!”
“Uncle Zhang?”
Zhang Yue and the other two were shocked to see it was Zhang Fu. Zhang Fu simply nodded slightly and then gave orders in an unambiguous tone, “Gao Quan, go handle your matters. I’ll take care of this here.”
Even after hearing that, Gao Quan still glanced at the expressions of the three brothers. Seeing their annoyance turn into surprise, he hurriedly rushed down the steps, took the reins handed to him by a servant, mounted his horse, and rode off at full speed.
Faced with this situation, not only were Zhang Chao and Zhang Jiu confused, but even Zhang Yue was utterly puzzled. He couldn’t figure out what could be more important than his uncle Zhang Xin. He had thought Zhang Fu would explain everything, but the Duke of Ying happened to be going to visit someone and left only with the words to come to the main house in the evening before leaving.
The three brothers exchanged glances for a while. Zhang Chao, the most impatient, slammed his fist against his forehead, muttered a few words, and then left without further thought. Zhang Jiu, being more cautious, noticed Zhang Yue deep in thought. He wanted to ask for his opinion but felt too embarrassed. After standing there for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and went inside, thinking he could ask his father later if he found an opportunity.
Zhang Yue, the last to leave, returned to his room in Fangheng Courtyard in a daze. As soon as he lifted the curtain and entered, he saw Qiu Hen and Hu Bo, each holding an embroidery frame, whispering to each other, completely unaware of his return. Although they were still some distance away, he could faintly see the bright colors on the frames but couldn’t tell what kind of embroidery it was. Intrigued, he didn’t approach right away but instead went into the inner room.
This time, the sound of the curtain moving finally alerted Hu Bo and Qiu Hen. Both looked up at the still-moving curtain, and Hu Bo raised her eyebrows in surprise, “Could it be the young master has returned?”

Qiuhen hurriedly snatched the embroidery stand from Amber’s hands and shoved it carelessly behind the stone pillow nearby. Then she waved at Amber and said softly, “If the young master asks later, just make up an excuse. Under no circumstances let him know ahead of time—otherwise all our efforts will be in vain! By the way, where did Yueluo and Liusu go? If they had stayed outside normally, we wouldn’t have missed them when the young master came in!”
“Amber, Qiuhen, when were these invitations delivered?”
Just as Amber was about to answer, she suddenly heard Zhang Yue’s voice from inside and quickly pulled Qiuhen to get inside. Seeing two invitations in Zhang Yue’s hands, she smiled and said, “They were delivered to the inner courtyard this afternoon by someone at the gate, and then Yueluo brought them in, specifying that they were for the young master alone. Coincidentally, Madam sent Sister Biluo over, and upon hearing about the deliveries, she took a look. By now, Madam should also be aware.”
In these days, even in large mansions, there really are no secrets!
Zhang Yue sighed bitterly. Even if it weren’t for Biluo’s curiosity, the gatekeeper would surely take a peek while delivering the invitations, so now probably the whole family already knew. The first invitation was sent by Yang Shiqi, asking him to go to his home a few days later so he could introduce him to some friends. The second invitation was even more absurd—signed by the Dade Silk Shop in Nanjing. He couldn’t figure out how he could possibly be connected to a silk shop.
Just then, someone rushed in, pushing aside the curtain. After bending slightly to bow, they stepped forward and said with a smile, “Young Master Yue, more invitations have arrived! This time they’re from the second master’s family. They say they’re organizing a hunting trip outside the city tomorrow with many noble youths, and they want all three of our young masters to go too!”
Zhang Yue was momentarily stunned before remembering that the second master wasn’t Zhang You but Zhang Fu. Thinking about the hunting trip made him even more troubled—hunting outside in the dead of winter? What kind of thing was that? Besides, although he had practiced martial arts and archery with Peng Shisan, his skills weren’t comparable to those of the noble youths in the capital. If he encountered those people from his brother-in-law Meng Jun’s family, it might be tolerable, but if he ran into those arrogant noble youths who thought they were better than everyone else, it would be nothing but humiliation.
Yet the phrase “our family” stirred something in his heart. The three of them had been living here for nearly a month, and they truly felt like part of Lady Zhang Fu’s family.