Chapter 108: The Theft of the PurpleThe translation is: fur. Fur Robe

It was then that Xi Yu led two maids out from inside the door. Seeing that it was Zhang Yue who had brought people, she immediately realized they were Zhang Zhuo and the others from Kaifeng. At that moment, she couldn’t care about the woman who had been taken away; she hurried over, bowed, and said with a smile, “Madam heard that Young Master Yue had returned, and she said Uncle would come as well. Sure enough, it’s true. She heard that Cousin Young Master would be coming too, so she had the room where Young Master Jiu used to stay cleaned up specially.”

As she spoke, she personally pulled back the curtain to invite the three of them in. Noticing Zhang Yue standing behind, lost in thought, she felt a hint of annoyance. After they entered, she stepped down a few stairs and pointed at the maids in the courtyard, scolding softly, “I saw Young Master Yue bringing Uncle and Cousin Young Master here earlier—how could you not send word back?”

Inside the main room, Zhang Yue recalled the strange scene earlier. He vaguely remembered seeing that woman before, likely Chen, one of Zhang Fu’s concubines. At that time, Zhang Fu’s wife was there, so he hadn’t paid much attention. Now, seeing Madam Wang still looking angry, he was even more surprised. He quickly composed himself and led his father and Gu Bin forward to greet her.

Madam Wang finally calmed down. After Zhang Zhuo bowed, she returned the gesture. Seeing Gu Bin kneel and kowtow, she quickly ordered the maids to help him up. After observing him closely, she was surprised by his honest and upright demeanor, and a slight look of bewilderment appeared on her face—though it vanished in an instant. After asking about their journey, she studied Zhang Zhuo and smiled again.

“Brother Zhuo still looks the same as when he went to the Imperial Academy. If I weren’t so forgetful, I might think you’re still the same age as back in the capital. Father told us before he left that we should treat you as family here, without any formalities. We’re all one family. I’m looking forward to hearing good news about your success in the exams someday—it’ll liven things up! The same goes for Xiao Qi. If there are any lazy or careless maids or servants, just let me know!”

Zhang Zhuo naturally spoke humbly, while Gu Bin, noticing that all the maids in the house were neatly dressed yet cautious, simply thanked her and didn’t dare say more, fearing ridicule. After chatting for a while, Zhang Yue saw that Madam Wang seemed displeased, realizing she must be preoccupied. He took the opportunity to leave. But just as he pulled back the curtain to see Zhang Zhuo and Gu Bin off, Madam Wang called him back. He exchanged a glance with his father and turned back.

“Biluo, go see to it that Uncle and Cousin Young Master return to their rooms!”

Seeing Lady Wang send Bi Luo away, Zhang Yue immediately realized she had something to say. Sure enough, not long after, Lady Wang sent away the other maids in the room as well. She stood up, walked back and forth with an uneasy expression, trying to speak several times but staying silent until she finally made up her mind.

“Your eldest uncle has been fighting abroad for the past few years, often away for a year or two at a time. That’s why I’ve always kept strict control over the household. Previously, there were rumors among the maids, along with some immoral incidents. So, while tidying up your father’s room, I had a few reliable women search each room and dismissed a few maids. This is usually just routine, but…”

As if finding it hard to speak, she paused for a long time before forcing a bitter smile. “I never expected that just one maid could lead to such a big problem. Um… take a look at this.”

Seeing Lady Wang pick up an object from the side and hand it to her, Zhang Yue was stunned before reaching out to take it. With just one glance, she was shocked. It was clearly a sable fur coat—if she wasn’t mistaken, it was the one bestowed upon her in the name of Empress Zhang of the palace. But what was once intact was now full of holes, pierced by countless small stab wounds.

“Madam, this…”

“That maid said she was initially instructed by Concubine Chen to sneak into your room under pretenses and steal the sable fur coat given by the palace!” Lady Wang could no longer hide her fury. She slammed her hand hard on the table. “Xi Yu found this item in her room. I brought that wench here for questioning and used a bamboo rod as punishment. Only then did she confess that she was instructed by your second uncle. He promised her a secret recipe to conceive a son, who would surely inherit the title of Duke of Yingguo. He only asked her to steal it, but she ruined it like this… I think she’s completely insane!”

At that moment, Zhang Yue finally connected all the pieces. He had met those two cousins at Qixia Temple, and after a confrontation, those two must have exaggerated the story when they returned. Zhang Cui coveted the title of Duke of Yingguo, so he couldn’t tolerate Zhang Yue and Zhang Chao, which was why he tried to stir up trouble against Zhang Jiu on the road. Thus, Zhang Ke suddenly challenged him to a poetry duel—not to win his sable fur coat and embarrass him, but because someone knew he wouldn’t be able to produce anything in return.

And even if they could trace back to this Concubine Chen at that time, she could still brush off all responsibility. In the end, Duke Zhang Fu and Lady Wang would at the very least be accused of failing to manage their household properly. Fortunately, he won; otherwise, if they had held such a weakness over him, his life would have been ruined forever.
Even though Zhang Yue was usually easy-tempered, he couldn’t help but explode with anger this time, holding the sable fur coat with eyes that seemed to sprout flames. He thought to himself that the Zhang family’s prosperity largely came from Prince Zhang Yu of Hejian and Duke Zhang Fu, both great heroes of their time. How could Zhang Fu be such a despicable and unscrupulous person!
“Your eldest uncle is currently on an imperial tour; it’s too late to inform him even if we tried,” Lady Wang said, both angry and frustrated. If the matter hadn’t been so difficult to conceal and she had no solution, she would have covered up this scandal long ago. Seeing Zhang Yue clenching his fists in fury, she gently coughed. “The emperor won’t return from his northern inspection for some time. Luckily, you didn’t go with him, so there won’t be any problems in the short term. If your second uncle didn’t know about the destruction of this item, it would be fine, but if he does…”
After a long while, Zhang Yue finally raised his head calmly. “Aunt, is there another piece of this sable fur coat?”
Surprised that Zhang Yue had quickly recovered from his anger, Lady Wang felt genuine admiration. After a brief thought, she shook her head. “If this really was a gift from your eldest aunt, another piece would have been given to your eldest uncle. But since there wasn’t one, it’s clear the emperor gave it to you on a whim. Even if there were another, it would have been given to some other duke or marquis—finding another one isn’t easy.”
“Then I understand.”
Zhang Yue handed the sable fur coat back and said seriously, “As long as Aunt can keep this matter secret and prevent my second uncle from finding out, we’ll be safe for now. Since there’s still some time, we can surely think of a solution. Speaking of which, if I hadn’t been living here and given others reason to suspect me, maybe my second uncle wouldn’t have resorted to such a despicable tactic.”
Lady Wang already felt guilty toward Zhang Yue. Hearing his words, she sneered. “That’s just how my younger son is. Your eldest uncle scolded him many times before. This time, he’s probably acting out of anger, bringing up old grievances as well! Anyway, keep this in mind. I’ll hold this item for you for now, and if I get the chance, I’ll keep an eye out. You’ve taken the blame for someone else, and as a junior, you’ve never failed him—his behavior is truly unacceptable!”

Zhang Yue said nothing more and silently left the main room. Looking at the still-blue sky, he no longer felt the joy of reuniting with his father, Zhang Zhuo, after a long separation; even the feeling of an empty stomach had vanished. It would have been fine if he had been outwitted by a smart person, but to be so cruelly deceived by his foolish second uncle was something he truly couldn’t swallow.

When they were interrogating Concubine Chen earlier, Bi Luo and Xi Yu were by his side. Seeing Zhang Yue leave in such a state, they both understood immediately. Xi Yu hurriedly scolded and warned the maids before giving Bi Luo a glance, who had no choice but to approach reluctantly.

“Young Master Yue, the items were found in Concubine Chen’s room. According to her, she first sent two maids to distract Qiu Hen and the other three, while another sneaked in to steal things. The Fangheng Courtyard probably doesn’t know yet, as it’s not something worn in spring. Although the lady hasn’t made any decisions yet, she got angry when she was in the room just now. Eventually, she will surely replace the maids in the Fangheng Courtyard.”

She could have stopped there, but after thinking for a moment, Bi Luo couldn’t bear to leave it unsaid and added, “Qiu Hen and Hu Bo were brought here by Young Master Yue from Kaifeng. The lady has always seemed to like them, so they probably won’t suffer much. But Yue Luo and Liu Su are born into the Duke of Yingguo’s family. If they are dismissed, their lives will likely become difficult. If Young Master Yue thinks they have been diligent these past days, he might as well find an excuse to plead for them to the lady; perhaps she will show mercy.”

It was the first time Zhang Yue had heard Bi Luo speak so much, and he was quite surprised. Nodding, he took a few steps forward before suddenly turning back to look at her face. He suddenly realized that her temperament and character were extremely similar to Hu Bo’s, and even her appearance was somewhat alike. Doubtful, he wanted to ask a few questions, but saw that Bi Luo had already stepped behind Xi Yu and whispered something to her. He put his doubts aside for now and turned to walk out.

According to Qiu Hen, Hu Bo had mostly been in the Fangheng Courtyard since arriving at the Duke of Yingguo’s residence and didn’t seem to interact with the other maids. If she really had a close relationship with Bi Luo, she wouldn’t be so indifferent. Could it have been his illusion just now?

Not long after Zhang Yue left, Lady Wang called Xi Yu and Bi Luo into the room. Once the two trusted maids entered, she ordered coldly, “It’s a huge joke that a thief has appeared in our prestigious Duke of Ying’s household! Gather all the maids and servants in the inner courtyard. Beat to death the maid who stole the things, give each of the other maids forty lashes, and then send them to the laundry room to do menial work! As for that wretched woman who colluded with outsiders, once the uproar subsides, just report her death as a sudden accident!” Bi Luo and Xi Yu hurriedly bowed in agreement, but both knew that Lady Wang was truly enraged this time, and the entire household would likely be shaken to its core.