Chapter 407: Between Rise and Fall, Life Is Like Meeting for the First Time

It was another New Year’s Eve. Although the Zhang family had moved from Kaifeng to the capital, the ancestral hall had not followed. Yet, worshipping the ancestors on New Year’s Eve remained an old tradition. With almost everyone in the family observing the five-month filial piety period, there were no decorations or formalities this year. That afternoon, portraits of the ancestors were hung high in the back hall of Ruiqing Hall. Lady Gu offered incense in prayer, and all the descendants knelt down to worship together. Only after the ceremony did they turn to pay respects to Lady Gu. There were relatives on one side and servants on the other; just the lucky money and rewards distributed a considerable amount. By the time a feast was prepared, everyone barely touched their food before moving to Lady Gu’s main residence in the north courtyard.

Though Lady Gu valued traditions, she didn’t want the festive season to be overly strict and devoid of joy. So, aside from allowing her two granddaughters-in-law, Li Yun and Zhao Fen, to serve her, she instructed everyone else to sit on the carved lacquered chairs along the sides. When the maid brought tea, she took a sip and then said with deep emotion, “They say that without a solid foundation, a family’s fortunes will decline. At first, I was uneasy when I moved here, but now it seems I made the right choice. Kaifeng is indeed the root of our Zhang family and should not be abandoned, but staying there without moving forward wouldn’t have led to what we have now. Over the past few years, some of us have established families, some have had children, some have risen to prominence, and some have won the emperor’s favor. Even our ancestors must be pleased to see this. As an old woman like me who has now become the wife of the eldest uncle, I don’t expect much—only that you all keep unity in mind.”

This was her lesson. Zhang You stood up first, and the whole family knelt down in unison to receive her words. Lady Gu didn’t go on lecturing on these principles but joked around a bit before getting up to change clothes inside. Everyone dispersed—some busy preparing for the night watch, some preparing for the New Year’s ceremony the next day, and others tending to the incense offerings in the temple. Only Zhang Yue and Du Wan, who had been instructed in advance, took off their ceremonial clothes in a side room and changed into casual attire before entering the warm pavilion.

Madam Gu was after all nearly seventy years old. Though it had only been an afternoon and evening, she already looked exhausted. She was sitting on the kang, with Bai Fang massaging her legs. When she saw Zhang Yue and Du Wan enter, she instructed them to sit on the chairs on her side. Waving her hand to send Bai Fang away, she examined Du Wan’s face before smiling and saying, “There are few people there now. I still brought Ling Xi back. Fortunately, the others took good care of things. You’ve done well in taking care of yourself, Wan. Now that your mother-in-law has brought people back, I can stay with Ling Xi for a few more months more comfortably.”

Zhang Yue naturally understood what it meant when Ling Xi was assigned to him back then, and he didn’t think Madam Gu had changed her mind by bringing her back—although his grandmother was kind and gentle, she was the one who made the final decisions at home. If she hadn’t changed her mind despite everyone’s opposition before, she certainly wouldn’t do so now just because he hadn’t expressed any objections. That’s why he was truly surprised to hear that she wanted to keep Ling Xi for a few more months.

“I’m already half buried in the ground. Thanks to your second uncle, my status has risen a bit, so the things I prepared before are no longer useful. I naturally need to prepare new ones. Although there’s the butler Gao Quan outside, who is extremely meticulous, Ling Xi has been with me for so many years, and I trust her to handle these matters the most.”

Though her words weren’t explicit, both Zhang Yue and Du Wan understood the implication. Yet, no matter how smart they were, they didn’t know what to say at that moment. After all, since the old lady was so sensible, they certainly couldn’t say things like “live a long life” as if comforting a child, let alone agree with her. When they saw Madam Gu waving, the couple immediately stood up and stepped forward.

Looking at her grandson and granddaughter, who were like a pair of beautiful treasures, Madam Gu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. She took each of their hands, feeling their warmth for a while before finally letting go. “I’ve said everything that needed to be said in the past. I don’t want to be verbose today. Among all my descendants, you two are the best. So you must raise a smart and sensible great-grandson for the Zhang family! Yue, you must always remember how you married Wan!”
“Don’t worry, Grandma. I understand.”

The couple stepped out of the main house in the northern courtyard and naturally took each other’s hands, feeling deeply moved. Zhang Yue knew that his grandmother grew more astute with age—either she truly had premonitions about the future or she was filled with sorrow over the Meng family’s situation. Du Wan felt Zhang Yue’s hand slightly cold and recalled how she had written back, using a document obtained from the head of the Du family to discreetly warn those relatives who worked in the capital, causing her to sigh.

No flower blooms for a hundred days; it seemed there were no outstanding members in the Du family’s next generation. For the Zhang family to thrive, it truly depended on the fourth generation. She told everyone she didn’t care whether the child in her womb was a boy or a girl, but whenever she thought of her mother’s regret and her father’s guilt, and remembered how she had longed for a brother since childhood, she naturally hoped it would be a boy.

“Third young master, Eunuch Zhang from the imperial palace has arrived. He says he wants to see you!”

As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, Zhang Yue saw someone rushing toward him. After stopping and bowing, the person spoke those words. Knowing that an envoy from the palace at this time surely brought good news, Zhang Yue instructed Hu Bo, Qiu Hen, and the two wives who had followed them to provide proper support, and also gave Du Wan some instructions before hurrying over.

Although excessive decorations were not allowed, many lanterns in soft colors were hung throughout the Zhang family’s courtyard. Even though it was night, the entire estate was brightly lit. In front of Ruiqing Hall, two official lanterns with gold characters on a black background were hung—gifts from the emperor to dukes and marquises during festivals, exuding both festivity and elegance. As soon as Zhang Yue entered, he saw Zhang Qian dressed in a brand-new qilin-themed robe and hurried over to greet him.

“In the blink of an eye, you’ve been in the capital for three years. Your achievements in these three years are probably comparable to those of others over ten or twenty years!”

At that moment, Zhang Qian couldn’t help but recall the death of Concubine Zhang. He paused for a moment before pushing those thoughts aside and signaled Zhang Yue to dismiss the servants. Only when no one else was in the large Ruiqing Hall did he take out an item and solemnly hand it to Zhang Yue with both hands: “This was ordered by the emperor for me to deliver. The emperor instructed that you need not bow.”

Zhang Yue had thought Zhang Qian would be cautious and not leave the palace casually on New Year’s Eve, but since this was an item delivered on the emperor’s behalf, he didn’t dare neglect it and quickly took it with both hands. Upon seeing the words on it, even though he had guessed somewhat earlier, he was still greatly surprised. He looked up at Zhang Qian and asked in confusion, “Eunuch Zhang, what is this…”

“You’ve offended many people this time, but your loyalty must be rewarded. So after consultation among the emperor, the six ministries, and the cabinet ministers, it was decided to promote you to Deputy Minister of War. This will be announced after the festival; I’m just informing you in advance. But this…” Zhang Qian paused briefly, then a smile appeared on his lips. “You surely haven’t forgotten the qilin robe the emperor bestowed upon you before, have you?”
Zhang Yue certainly hadn’t forgotten—back then, both the imperial sword and the sable fur robe had run into problems. Fortunately, no one had laid eyes on that robe. Upon further reflection, he suddenly had an epiphany and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Robes for dukes, marquises, and earls, embroidered with qilins and Bai Ze!”
“That’s right!”
Zhang Qian was pleased with Zhang Yue’s quick wits and explained with a smile, “It’s rare in history for one family to have two titles. Plus, since you’re young, the emperor naturally won’t let you become a target for everyone’s wrath. Your second uncle already has his imperial decree and iron guarantee. Keep yours well safe. The emperor said that once you achieve a great feat that earns the respect of all officials, you’ll surely receive your iron guarantee! Future Lord Ancheng, I must congratulate you!”
After seeing Zhang Qian off, Zhang Yue held the thin piece of paper and took a deep breath. Though it was slightly better than empty promises, it was still just a promise on paper—yet it was still a sign. Still, to issue an iron guarantee without consulting the officials first really suited Emperor Zhu Di’s character…
On the same New Year’s Eve, the Meng family’s residence in Fengsheng Hutong was filled with sorrow. Meng Xian wasn’t even allowed to spend his last New Year’s Eve at home; he was taken to Jiaozhi, and his family members weren’t even permitted to see him off. After he left, several members of the family resigned one after another, and two even left without saying goodbye. Meng Min gathered up the remaining money from the household accounts and had Meng Tao and Meng Fan take a few loyal family members to live in the east and west wing rooms of her own courtyard, which somehow prevented some ulterior-motived people from taking action rashly. It wasn’t until the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month that the Bao Ding Marquis’s household sent the usual New Year’s gifts, finally calming the restless emotions in the family.
The people sent by the Zhao and Anyang princely households had almost all scattered, and the only remaining one, Cui Mo, had left early that day as well. Yet in the evening, when she returned, she was disheveled and stumbled into the courtyard, unable to steady herself before collapsing to the ground. At that moment, her dry throat couldn’t produce any cries; she could only let tears fill her eyes. Shortly after, Meng Min happened to come out of Meng Tao’s east wing room and was shocked by the scene.

“Cui Mo, what’s wrong with you? Weren’t you going to the Anyang Prince’s mansion to find your parents?”
Cui Mo shook her head frantically. When Meng Min stepped forward and crouched down, she couldn’t help but hug Meng Min’s neck and burst into tears. Meng Min had been holding on all these days; hearing her cry, her nose stung, but she forced herself to stay calm before helping her up. She pulled her inside, sat her down on the kang, and poured a cup of hot tea, coaxing Cui Mo to drink most of it. Seeing her seem somewhat calmer, she asked again, “What exactly happened?”
“I’ve lost everything… I have nothing left…”
She had held back hard before entering the courtyard, almost crying herself breathless. Though she felt much better now, it still took great effort for Cui Mo to utter those words. After a long while, she dug her nails into her palms before finally telling what had happened. It turned out that although the Prince Zhao’s affairs hadn’t affected the Prince of Anyang, the Anyang Prince’s mansion had remained closed to visitors these days. She had spent all the silver she had saved over two years. Liu Ma, a relative of theirs, had slipped out through the back door and bluntly told her that Lady Kang had passed away two months earlier. Kang Lao San had been sent out on a mission on the very chaotic night in the capital and never returned—likely in grave danger. She was advised to leave immediately if she wanted to stay alive.
“I even saw my father that evening, but he didn’t say anything, didn’t tell me anything… I’m the stupidest, weakest girl in the world. I should have known—he never came to see me because he was afraid of trouble. Why was that evening different… Something must have happened to him… Miss, I have no parents left… nothing…”
Watching Cui Mo weep uncontrollably, Meng Min felt distraught. She couldn’t persuade her father, nor could she suppress those people’s ambitions. It was no one else’s fault that her family had ended up like this. Helping Lady Kang at the back door was out of kindness, after all—you reap what you sow. Why did it have to end in such misery and despair?
“Maybe if I had ignored your mother back then, your family would still be fine…”

Though crying bitterly, Cui Mo still jolted awake upon hearing those words. She hadn’t followed Meng Min since childhood like Hong Xiu, but due to the duty of repaying kindness, their bond over the past year had become extraordinary. She didn’t understand those grand principles; at that moment, she didn’t even think about the reasons behind everything. Instinctively, she felt she had once again touched someone’s raw wounds, so she quickly shook her head vigorously.
“If you don’t help, our family of three won’t be able to survive back then. Moreover, my mother had placed all her hopes on Aunt Liu and would surely go to the prince’s mansion… It’s just that our family has bad luck—how can we blame others! Miss, I no longer have any relatives. If you reject me too, I’ll have nowhere to go!”
Although she told herself a thousand times that crying wouldn’t help, Meng Min could no longer control herself at that moment, and the master and servant burst into tears together. It was unknown how long passed before Meng Tao and Meng Fan entered and saw the scene. They rushed over immediately. Once they understood what had happened, they were stunned speechless.
They remembered eating beef noodles with Zhang Yue in that simple restaurant, riding through the streets together, smilingly introducing Zhang Yue to their sister, and that woman in tattered clothes still thinking of her kindness as she got off the carriage to bow… All of this had become an irreparable past. Even though the two brothers had tried to hold back these days, they gradually lost control. Meng Fan even slammed his fist hard against the doorframe.
At that moment, a servant woman’s joyful voice came from outside.
“Fourth Miss, Third Young Master, Fifth Young Master, and Fifth Young Lady have come from the princess and the Zhang and Du families to bring holiday gifts!”
Yet the four people in the room seemed not to hear at all, sitting or standing in daze, their faces filled with endless sorrow.
If only life could remain as it was at first sight… But when they looked back, the world had already changed.
Volume 10: The Prairie Fire
What was burned down in the thunder and lightning wasn’t just the three magnificent halls—it was also the emperor’s raging fury.