Chapter 291: Jewelry and Gifts

The Du family had lived in the rural areas of eastern Zhejiang for generations, with most of their relatives residing in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. Although they were part of a scholarly and prominent family in the area, Du Zhen’s decade-long absence abroad led to many relatives turning against him rather than helping him, which was quite disheartening. Thus, as soon as Qiu’s family learned of Du Zhen’s situation, they sold their land at a low price to those eager relatives and moved to Beijing with their daughter and all family members. Initially, when they were in Nanjing, some relatives came to take advantage of them, but due to the long distance to Beijing and Du Zhen’s several months in prison, their home became quiet. It wasn’t until they arranged the wedding that things became lively again.

After receiving the betrothal gifts and invitation for the wedding date from the Zhang family and selecting an auspicious day, Du Zhen personally sent out wedding invitations to various places. He even sent invitations to his relatives back in eastern Zhejiang as per tradition. Though he had survived a difficult time, his colleagues in Beijing did not shy away from him. After receiving the invitations, they agreed to come together to offer their congratulations, each bringing their own women.

“We were just talking about when Miss Wan would get married, and who would have thought it would happen so soon!”

During the Hongwu era, when the Shen family faced difficulties, the Du family had offered significant help. Du Zhen was even somewhat like a mentor to Shen Can. Now, as the Shen brothers were discussing matters in the study, Lady Liu and Lady Zhou came specially to contribute gifts for Du Wan. Although the Shen family was also wealthy, their wealth mainly came from land, and they did not lead a extravagant lifestyle. This gift was simply to express their goodwill. Together, the two families presented a thirteen-compartment lacquered box adorned with intricate patterns, a set of official kiln tea sets, and a mother-of-pearl inlaid chest.

Qiu’s family, aware of the financial constraints of both families, repeatedly expressed their gratitude. Lady Zheng, who came with Lady Liu and Lady Zhou, gave a pair of embroidered mandarin duck pillows and a large rosewood lacquered box. Curious, she opened it and was shocked to see many shiny jewels inside. She quickly tried to decline the gifts.

Noticing that the Shen sisters were also staring at the box, Lady Zheng quickly explained, “My husband is an honest official, and his meager salary certainly doesn’t allow him to afford such things. To be honest, this was delivered to our home from Nanjing a few days ago. It seems someone asked the Duke to bring it, explicitly stating it was for Miss Wan. Please accept it, sister-in-law. After all, we can’t compare to those noble families with great wealth. The first two husbands of the Zhang family were both from wealthy families. It wouldn’t be good if Miss Wan lacked dowry and was looked down upon upon marriage.”

Learning that it had been sent from Nanjing, Lady Qiu was greatly surprised. Though she reluctantly accepted it, she still felt uneasy. Just then, she heard a voice outside and hurriedly apologized before going out to find out what was going on. She was stunned upon hearing the news.

Not long after the invitation cards were sent, relatives from her hometown had traveled all the way over, bringing large pieces of furniture to furnish Du Wan’s home. Those same people had almost made it impossible for her and her daughter to stay in the countryside—how could they be so kind now?

Before long, on the third day of the eighth month, Zhang Qi’s wedding arrived as scheduled. Since Zhang You had a promising career, countless relatives and friends came to offer their congratulations. The wedding banquets lasted five days straight, and the gifts piled up like small mountains.

On the first day after marriage, the newlyweds appeared somewhat awkward when meeting their in-laws. Since it was a festive day, no one paid much attention to this minor issue. Subsequent events, such as the bride returning to her parents’ home, were also carried out in a lively and proper manner. Lord Anyuan Liu Sheng helped a great deal by filling the bride’s dowry chest with 64 loads of items, including valuable furnishings and gold jewelry—even more generous than Li Yun’s dowry before. Lady Dongfang was naturally very satisfied.

Although they had just finished dealing with the wedding, no one in the Zhang family had time to rest; they were all focused on preparing for the next event. The small courtyard next to the northern courtyard had already been repaired and decorated, waiting for the bride’s dowry to fill it with furniture. Lady Gu had added some goldware during the engagement ceremony and no longer interfered, letting Lady Sun take care of everything. Yet she still sent Bai Fang to check regularly, not only to ensure everything followed proper procedures but also because she sensed something odd.

Previously, when the first, second, and third branches of the family pooled money to go to Nanjing, Zhang Zhuo had contributed 3,000 taels of silver. Now, with Zhang Yue getting married, Zhang Zhuo contributed an equal amount from his personal funds. He had only been an official for a year, and although he seemed to have accumulated some land and shops outside, she had never inquired about them. It seemed he couldn’t have that much money.

Still, since Lady Gu was currently supporting the third branch, she didn’t delve too deep into it. She simply stayed at home, giving Lady Sun advice on any overlooked details, and left the rest to take their course.

Before long, the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th arrived. The palace bestowed gifts on its officials: military officials received cakes, pastries, and fruits, while civil officials got newly compiled books by the emperor. For the Zhang family, however, Lu Feng brought special gifts. He ordered a few eunuchs to carry them over. Seeing that it was Zhang Yue who came to receive them today, he said with a bright smile, “The honeydews and cakes here are gifts for Commander Zhang. But in that box over there are four new books recently submitted to the emperor by the Hanlin Academy. There are also four top-quality wolf-hair brushes from the east, along with a scroll inscribed by the emperor himself, which is meant for you, Young Master Zhang.”

Zhang Yue had originally thought it was just the usual gifts, but upon hearing Lu Feng’s words, he was quite surprised. Such extraordinary gifts should theoretically require the whole family to set up an altar and kneel to express their gratitude, which certainly did not conform to ritual norms. Just as he was about to ask questions, Lu Feng suddenly stepped closer.

“The emperor also has a message for Young Master Zhang,” he said, coughing softly before lowering his voice further. “The emperor said, ‘Since you couldn’t figure out the meaning of the words ‘military’ and ‘civil’ back then, I’m giving them to you now. Hang them in your house and study their deeper meaning every day! Although you copied The Analects before, merely copying and memorizing isn’t enough—you must understand its meaning! If you gain any insights, write them down and present them to me!’”

After saying this, Lu Feng stepped back two steps, then bowed deeply to the ground. Only after straightening up did he explain earnestly, “What just happened was official business, but this bow is to repay you, Young Master Zhang, for saving my life. I don’t have much to offer in return, so I can only convey these messages. The characters the emperor wrote were ‘military’ and ‘civil,’ and after writing them, he murmured, ‘Military and civil powers should complement each other.’ Scholar Yang from the Cabinet once suggested restoring you and Lord Du to your positions, but the emperor remained silent, only muttering later that if Lord Du wasn’t demoted, then all high-ranking officials would follow suit. He didn’t mention you at all.”

All this was enough for Zhang Yue to infer many things. He quickly thanked Lu Feng and personally saw him and his entourage to the door, as was customary. After having done a favor and been thanked, Lu Feng sat in the carriage, holding the small pouch in his hand, feeling that his trip hadn’t been in vain—every little thing could be useful, and moreover, he had delivered the favor in a very natural manner.

Zhang You returned from the Left Army Commander’s residence in the evening and was surprised to find that among the rewards delivered that day was also a share meant for Zhang Yue. When he went to pay his respects to Lady Gu in the main room of the northern courtyard that night, he asked several concerned questions. Upon learning that it contained an inscription written by Emperor Zhu Di himself, his face immediately showed an unmistakable expression of shock.

“The emperor usually bestows brocade robes and weapons on military officials, while on civil officials, he gives new books and the four treasures of the study. Inscriptions are rarely seen—you’re truly very fortunate!” As Lady Gu asked questions, he had to explain who else Emperor Zhu Di had given inscriptions to before saying, “Since the inscription was given to you alone by the emperor and he explicitly said no need to express gratitude, I hung it in the main room of the western courtyard for worship, making sure to clean it regularly. It’s strange, though—your marriage is approaching. Why didn’t the emperor write anything else but the words ‘military’ and ‘civil’?”

The emperor meant for him to ponder carefully. Zhang Yue had spent the entire afternoon thinking and already had some ideas. Hearing this now, and seeing Zhang You frowning in concern, he quickly said, “Anyway, my new official duties haven’t been assigned yet, and I’ll be free until next month. It’s a good time to think things through thoroughly.”

As a military officer, Zhang You wasn’t lacking in cunning, but he didn’t like to complicate things. So, after Zhang Yue said that, he naturally attributed it to his nephew’s unique fate. Yet, thinking of the gold brocades last time, the wolf-hair brushes, new books, and the emperor’s inscription this time, he couldn’t help but look at his sister-in-law and sigh at Zhang Zhuo’s good luck.

To have such a worry-free good son—his third brother was truly lucky!

In the past, when serving her mother-in-law, Sun Shi had always been the neglected daughter-in-law. Though it wasn’t the first time she was gazed at with envy, she still felt a great sense of satisfaction. So, even after bidding Lady Gu good night and leaving the room with everyone else, she paid no attention to Dong Fang Shi muttering some dissatisfied words nearby.

On the way back, Sun Shi suddenly remembered that her elder brother and cousin had mentioned they would definitely attend Zhang Yue’s wedding, which left her in a dilemma. Although one was her brother who had once ignored family ties, and the other was her cousin who had caused her husband so much trouble, they were still part of the Sun family—she couldn’t turn them away. Considering it would be inconvenient with so many people in the room after returning, she simply stopped Zhang Yue on the road, told the maids to step back, and explained that the Sun family would be attending the wedding, adding many kind words.

Although Zhang Yue had little memory of his two uncles, let alone distant cousins he had never even heard of, since his mother had said so, he couldn’t possibly show a cold face. He smiled and said, “It’s only natural for my uncles to come. Mother can just talk to the old lady about it; after all, we still need to arrange lodging and other things.”

Madam Sun felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart. She immediately smiled brightly and said, “I knew you’d understand the bigger picture. After all, relatives also represent dignity. Right now, I don’t think about anything but hoping my future daughter-in-law will come to the family soon. In the past, it was your parents who helped you, but from now on, it will depend on your wife.”

At the same time, in one of the most notorious dangerous places in the capital, Yuan Fangzheng, dressed in a bright red satin robe, stared blankly at the wedding invitation in his hands. Although logically, presenting a gift along with the invitation would allow him to attend the wedding openly, going there would likely draw everyone’s attention and criticism. Still, the fact that the child had remembered to send him an invitation meant his efforts hadn’t been in vain.

He read over the auspicious dates and the clear ink on the invitation again and again. Finally, he could only sigh deeply, bring the invitation close to the oil lamp, and watch as it turned into ashes and scattered to the ground.

He was a man who couldn’t be seen in the light—there was no need to ruin the child’s bright future!