Chapter 385: A Worthy Wife at Home, Good Friends Abroad

Since almost everyone in the mansion was in mourning, and it was already late, only the west corner gate of the Zhang household remained open, with a dim paper lantern hanging above it. The two gatekeepers were yawning, but they would still peek outside at any sound, only to whisper to each other afterward. As the snow grew heavier and the wind stronger, they stamped their feet to keep warm. Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, they slipped into a nearby hut to warm up.

However, after taking a short break, a voice suddenly came from outside: “Where are everyone? Where have they gone?”

Hearing this, the older and younger gatekeepers jumped in fright and rushed out of the warm house in two strides. Their bodies, which had just warmed up, were hit by the bitter cold wind, and seeing the stern expression of the man before them, they shuddered simultaneously before bowing and calling, “Master.”

Since both the eldest brother Zhang Xin and the third brother Zhang Zhuo were absent, and Zhang You had been granted the title of earl, everyone in the household tacitly omitted the word “second,” referring to his wife directly as “Madam.” Yet, as she had been in charge of household affairs all these years, Zhang You rarely interfered. Seeing this master, who never came to the front yard when he returned, appear here now, the two gatekeepers were both fearful and curious.

“Since the gates aren’t yet closed, be more vigilant. Can you afford to suffer if thieves get in?”

Zhang You snapped at them with a stern face, then turned his back on the submissive pair and stood in the snow with his hands behind his back. One of his trusted attendants held an umbrella high over him, but he was puzzled. Usually, Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi often returned late, yet the master had never been so concerned. Why was he so irritable today, as if a different person? Besides, the third young master had already sent someone back with news—was it really necessary for the master to wait here personally?

After standing for a full fifteen minutes, Zhang You finally turned around, ready to give the two trembling gatekeepers more instructions. Suddenly, he heard the sound of hurried horse hooves outside. Presuming it was Zhang Yue returning, he quickly turned and went to the gate, just in time to see six or seven people dismounting. At the head was indeed Zhang Yue. Seeing Zhang Yue approaching quickly after spotting him, Zhang You nodded, waved him over, and walked inside together.

“Have you seen the emperor?”

“Previously, an imperial messenger came to convey the emperor’s order for me to go to the Qianqing Palace early tomorrow to meet him… Second uncle, I heard the emperor has ordered the court to be suspended for three days?”
“It’s always been the case that only when an imperial consort, prince, or princess passes away is the news reported. This time, rather than being out of grief, the emperor seems more enraged. If it were just the death of the Prince of Zhao’s heir, it would be one thing, but who would have thought the Prince of Han’s heir would also fall ill at this time? Yet, what troubles the emperor the most is probably the crown prince. Although the crown prince said the crown prince has caught a slight cold and needs to delay his journey temporarily, the Imperial Observatory claims the celestial signs are unfavorable for him. It would be strange if the emperor could stay calm.”
Although Zhang You was merely a deputy commander in the Left Army Command, since Marquis Meng Ying of Baoding was now semi-retired, he effectively held half of the authority. Although military deployments were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, it was still these nobles who actually led the troops. Coupled with their various connections to the imperial court, they were twice as well-informed as the civil officials. He explained to Zhang Yue the reactions of the meritorious nobles after the news spread today. After entering the second gate and walking a short distance along the corridor, he stopped.
“The old lady has just gone to rest. She’s old now, so you don’t need to go over tonight. Tomorrow is your second aunt’s 27th death anniversary, and you’re too busy to go. I’ve discussed it with the old lady—given the cold weather and your wife’s poor health, there’s no need for you to go either. Your second uncle is currently in a state of fear and won’t pick on you now. As for your elder brother’s matter, I need to thank you.”
“I really can’t accept your thanks, second uncle. I should have reported this to you and grandmother earlier.”
“I not only thank you but also your wife. Thanks to her persuasion, your elder sister-in-law was unusually virtuous—her few words after returning left that scoundrel utterly ashamed. Now, at least the relationship between the couple isn’t anymore cold and indifferent; there might be some hope.”
Thinking of this, Zhang You felt quite satisfied. Although the Marquis of Xiangcheng was stationed in Nanjing, and Li Yun wasn’t the type to drag her family into arguments, it was still not good for the family to be unstable. By now, he had long forgotten about that so-called concubine of Zhang Chao, not even bothering to think about her background. The conversation then turned to the imperial order Zhang Yue had received. After asking a few questions about the arrangements, and learning that Liu Sheng had already given advice, he nodded in satisfaction.
“This isn’t a war—carefulness is paramount. I was worried you might make mistakes in your haste. It’s Marquis Anyuan who’s been thorough.”

After parting with Zhang You, Zhang Yue headed straight back to his western courtyard. As soon as he entered the main house, a wave of heat hit him, making his nose itch and causing him to sneeze several times. The noise woke Qiu Hen, who was asleep on a chair wrapped in a sapphire-blue cloak. Seeing it was Zhang Yue, she quickly got up, tossed the cloak aside, and swiftly untied his robe. Noticing there were two layers, she was momentarily stunned.

“The outer layer should be taken out tomorrow to be properly washed. I’ll return it to Mr. Minze in person once I have time.”

At that moment, Du Wan also came out, supported by Hu Bo. Hearing Zhang Yue’s instructions, she smiled and said, “I thought you didn’t have this coat when you left this morning. It turns out it was Master Da Shen’s kindness. Seeing the snow falling and the weather getting colder, and hearing that someone sent it back for you, the old lady was worried you wouldn’t return for a while. She originally planned to send someone with clothes and snacks for you, but I persuaded her against it. I told the old lady that since you’re already drawing attention with this mission and have so many people watching you, any mistake could attract scrutiny. If you don’t return tonight, we can quietly send it over early tomorrow morning.”

“You were right not to send anyone. Among the crowd of officials leaving through Chang’an’s Left Gate, at least nine out of ten were staring at me. Even if it were Mr. Minze who asked Ning Qing to give me the coat, it would still lead to gossip.”

After saying that, Zhang Yue took the warm towel handed to him by Qiu Hen and wiped his face thoroughly. After setting down the towel, he noticed Du Wan’s belly becoming more prominent and quickly stepped forward to support her other arm. He asked, “It’s already late. Why not go to bed earlier? If I don’t return tonight, will you wait all night?”

“Who’s waiting for you? I’m waiting for Xiao Wu!” Seeing Zhang Yue’s confused expression, Du Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “I already told Hu Bo that I’d wait for you until the third hour of the night, and if you still didn’t return, I’d go to bed. I was originally sewing inside with Qiu Hen, but she insisted on waiting outside for you. Before long, she fell asleep, and it was Hu Bo who came out and covered her with a cloak.”

“I just dozed off because I was tired…”
Qiu Hen blushed slightly and replied awkwardly before stealing a glance at Du Wan. Seeing her smiling at her, she quickly took the basin of leftover water and rushed out to pour it away, not returning for a long time. So, Hu Bo helped Du Wan sit inside and found an excuse to leave as well, leaving only the couple in the room.

“Although the princess lives in the palace, all communications are handled from her residence. Someone came there this afternoon, saying the princess’s wet nurse, Mother Ying, was ill. So Xiao Wu went there that afternoon and returned with news—the emperor issued an order early this morning, summoning the King of Zhou to the capital next February. Xiao Wu went to the Duke of Ying’s residence again that night and probably won’t be back. I couldn’t sleep either, so I waited for you.”
“I knew my virtuous wife was indeed waiting for me.” Zhang Yue smiled, then focused on the earlier part of her speech. “Was it the emperor who personally told the princess about summoning the King of Zhou, or did she find out on her own? Did he mention it was because someone had accused the King of Zhou of rebellion?”
“It was the emperor who personally told her. Now that the order has been officially issued, there’s no need to hide it from her anymore. The emperor also mentioned the accusation. The princess also reminded me that the situation is very tense these days, so I should be cautious about everything.” Seeing Zhang Yue’s uneasy expression, Du Wan quickly asked, “What? Did you get any other news?”
At that moment, Zhang Yue suddenly stood up. “I kept feeling uneasy—so that’s what it was! The princess is very cautious. Why would she rashly send a eunuch to convey a message and ask to meet me secretly in the palace? With my virtuous wife by my side and good friends outside, I should have figured out her character earlier…”
In the main room outside, Qiu Hen had just sneaked in and was peeking through the gap in the curtain. Seeing Zhang Yue suddenly stand up, fearing she might be discovered, she quickly turned to leave, only to face an angry face. Startled, she quickly pulled Amber with her. It wasn’t until they reached the west wing room that she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good luck no one saw us. Otherwise, we’d be in trouble! Amber, did you have to scare me like that?”
Seeing Qiu Hen’s displeased expression, Amber reminded her, “If you really wanted to know what the young master and young mistress were talking about, you could just speak up and go in. Even if they’re discussing serious matters, they usually don’t avoid us.”
“Who wants to listen to their serious talks?” Qiu Hen sat down, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes. “Sister Lingxi had the old lady call her back. Who knows when it will be our turn…” Suddenly, she raised her head and looked at Amber seriously. “Amber, do you think once Miss Meng finishes her three-year mourning period, the young master will marry her too? And since the young master and young mistress often talk about the princess, could it be…”
“Sister Qiu Hen!” Amber was both annoyed and amused and quickly cut her off. “You’re overthinking things!”

“I’m not overthinking things at all!” Qiuhen stood up defiantly, but she stared intently at Hupo and said word by word, “A few days ago, Linglong came to see me and mentioned that many suitors from outside are interested in the older maids in our family. Hupo, ask yourself—do you really want to marry those vulgar men? Linglong also said that some people have asked her father-in-law, that is, the head steward, about how to ransom people from our household, and some even claim to be your relatives.”
Knowing that although Qiuhen was straightforward, she wouldn’t deliberately hurt her on such matters, Hupo’s expression gradually changed. After reflecting on her actions over the past few days and confirming that she hadn’t even stepped out of the second gate, she lost all interest in Qiuhen’s angry words. She pushed aside the curtain and rushed out in a hurry.