Chapter 424: Sneaking Out, Borrowing Clothes

Upon arriving at the Right Gate of Chang’an, Zhang Yue encountered the people sent by Zhu Ning to wait there. Learning that Du Wan had been waiting outside all morning until the heavy rain forced her to seek shelter, he rushed over immediately out of concern. Although there were skilled doctors like Feng Yuanming and the future renowned female physician Xiao Wu, pregnant women were still considered high-risk groups, especially at such times. Finally relieved to find that Du Wan hadn’t gotten wet and was unharmed, he sighed in relief once more.
“If it weren’t for someone stepping in at a critical moment today, I might have stayed in the rain until dark without any result… Ahchoo!”
Hearing this loud sneeze, Zhu Ning couldn’t help but laugh, then shook her head. “Look at you—almost turned into a muddy monkey. Where’s the dignity of an official? Ask Du Wan about her well-being, but don’t rush to explain what’s going on at the Meridian Gate right now! If you catch a cold, Du Wan will surely hold me accountable… There’s no time to go to the clothing shop now. I remember my fourth brother and others often borrowed clothes from my cart for outings; there seem to be several sets of casual clothes in it. Xiao Wu, go check the cart—bring them over if you find them.”
By then, the rain had eased. The guards from the royal family had just borrowed dry clothes from the shop’s owner. Du Wan had originally planned to let Zhang Yue change into something else as well, but following Zhu Ning’s instructions, she agreed. Xiao Wu hurried outside under her oil-paper umbrella and soon returned with a water-colored silk bundle. Zhu Ning nodded at one of the guards, signaling him to accompany Zhang Yue inside to find a room to change into dry clothes.
Unable to refuse Zhu Ning’s kindness, Zhang Yue went in, dried himself off, and changed into dry clothes. Fortunately, they were ordinary scholar’s clothes—a sky-blue silk robe that fit him well. Though he wasn’t afraid of a little rain now, having spent three to four hours in the palace without eating or drinking, he felt hungry. As soon as he sat down next to Du Wan, his stomach growled loudly. At that moment, Xiao Wu cheerfully handed him a tray.
“Sis knew brother-in-law would be stuck in the palace for a long time today, so I had the kitchen prepare this when we left.”
“It’s good that you thought of everything. I’m so hungry I could eat an entire cow!”

Indeed hungry, Zhang Yue naturally wouldn’t disappoint such kindness. Lifting the lid of the box, he saw that all four compartments contained his favorite snacks, so he devoured them eagerly. After finally filling his stomach halfway, Xiao Wu brought him a cup of hot tea, which he drank in one gulp. He then wiped his hands with the snow-white handkerchief handed to him by Du Wan and let out a long sigh before detailing the intense debate that had taken place in the rain that day.

Although Zhu Ning and Du Wan hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, from Zhang Yue’s account, they could still imagine the fierce exchange of words with no one willing to back down. When Zhang Yue mentioned that he had spoken as prepared, yet the emperor remained unmoved—even the crown prince’s pleas were useless—Zhu Ning glanced at Du Wan sheepishly before quickly asking, “So who finally resolved the situation?”

“It was Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue.”

Recalling how the crown prince and grand crown prince escorted Zhu Di back to the palace while those officials left in frustration, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but admire this veteran minister who had held the position for over a decade. Seeing Zhu Ning and Du Wan both paying close attention, he continued, “Afterward, aside from Yang Shiqi and Minister Jian Yi, the other ministers complained that Minister Xia shouldn’t have conceded at that moment. But Minister Xia said that since these ministers were highly trusted by the emperor, even if they admitted to mistakes, the emperor wouldn’t punish them given their contributions and hard work. With one official from the Ministry of Rites already dead and more censors facing severe punishment, it would cause great harm to the country and the court. It was because of his words that those who had glared at me after the emperor left finally calmed down.”

“The censors wanted to use the fire in the three main halls to get the emperor to accept their views, while the ministers took advantage of the censors’ anger toward the emperor to eliminate rivals. A simple fire turned into a political dispute, and then into a tool for eliminating opponents—how utterly pointless! If one really saw through the true nature of those high-ranking officials, I, a humble learner, would surely be utterly disappointed!”

Although Zhu Ning was cautious in the palace, when outside among her closest friends, she spoke straightforwardly. Having knocked over quite a few people with her stick, she stood up and said, “Enough, enough. It’s stopped raining now. With all that happened today, I doubt many in the yamen can focus on their work. Zhang Yue, why don’t you take leave from the Ministry of War and spend some time at home with Wan’er? It’s surely more pleasant to be with her than those detestable people. I’ll take Wan’er home myself. Hurry back—this rare moment of leisure shouldn’t be wasted!”

Faced with such a suggestion that perfectly matched his wishes, Zhang Yue naturally had no objections. However, when he arrived at the Ministry of War in his sky-blue robe, he was told that the Minister Fang Bin had caught a cold from the rain and had already taken leave to go home. So he used the same excuse to ask the Left Vice Minister for leave, then went back to his office to settle his duties before leaving under the envious gazes of his subordinates. As soon as he left the ministry compound, several officials carrying documents began whispering among themselves.

“Who doesn’t know that those censors are good at talking big? But this time they ended up looking utterly embarrassed.”
“The emperor has long favored one side—so that’s one thing. But Zheng Weihuan was completely defeated by Zhang Yuanjie, turning pale with shame. In the end, it was those censors who begged the emperor not to punish them. This time, the Censorate really lost everything, both in appearance and substance!”
“To speak out for the country’s interests, I feel no shame… No wonder Minister Xia stepped forward to defend Zhang Yuanjie. I’ve long heard that Minister Xia of the Ministry of Revenue and Minister Lü of the Ministry of Rites both asked the emperor for someone, but in the end, that person ended up in our Ministry of War. With the Zhang family’s numerous military officials, Minister Fang must be quite troubled by such a subordinate.”

Spring rain is as precious as oil. While it left the officials in a sorry state, it nourished the flowers and plants along the muddy roads, making them bloom vividly. Zhang Yue, however, had no time to admire these wildflowers thriving with just a little sunlight and rain. He rushed through the muddy paths and quickly entered Wuanhou Hutong. At the west gate, he dismounted and hurried inside, only to run into the butler Gao Quan.

“Has the third young master returned? Princess Chenliu just brought the young mistress back. I ordered someone to use a sliding pole to carry her to the main house in the north courtyard. Early this morning, Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu and Lady Wang came to visit the old lady, so they stayed for lunch. Right now, everyone is in the main house in the north courtyard, chatting with her. Incidentally, May 15th is the old lady’s 69th birthday, and everyone is discussing how to make it a grand occasion for her 70th birthday!”

“I understand. I’ll be there in a moment. You can stop sending people for now.”
Zhang Yue naturally knew that next month was his grandmother’s birthday, and he had already discussed with Du Wan what gift to give, so he simply smiled at this moment. However, although Lady Wang often visited, Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo only came by on holidays since his return from Xuanfu. Since today was neither a holiday nor an important day for anyone in the family, why would they suddenly come with such enthusiasm as a couple? Looking at the mud spots on the hem of his clothes, he realized it would be impolite to go straight there, so he quickly returned to his own courtyard.
Pulling back the curtain and entering the main room, he was about to call for someone when he saw the curtain by the side move. Lingxi, dressed in dark green armor, came out carrying a bundle. Since she had been sent back by Lady Gu and usually didn’t come here when there was nothing to do, he was somewhat surprised. Lingxi, after a moment of hesitation, quickly set down the bundle and stepped forward to greet him.
After exchanging greetings, Lingxi glanced at Zhang Yue and understood what was going on. She quickly pulled back the curtain to let him into the inner room, then swiftly searched through the wardrobe. Soon, she came out with two pieces of clothing and said with a smile, “Hupo and Qiuhen have been taken to the main house in the north courtyard by the Third Madam. The maids are probably playing in the back garden with the Third Miss and the Fifth Young Master, which is why there’s no one here. These clothes don’t seem to be those the young master wore this morning. Could they be the ones borrowed by the princess?”
Hearing this, Zhang Yue knew that Zhu Ning must have come in to see people after sending Du Wan back, so he nodded with a smile. After changing into clean clothes both inside and outside, and having his hair combed again by Lingxi, he left with her for the north courtyard. Lingxi, holding the bundle, noticed Zhang Yue looking at it and immediately explained, “The old lady just ordered that no grand celebration be held for this birthday. She asked each household to pick out any clothes they no longer wear and donate them to Daqing Shousi Temple to accumulate merits. The young mistress happened to say she had already sorted them out in the west room, so she sent me to get them.”
Knowing his grandmother’s temperament, Zhang Yue didn’t say much more. When they entered the north courtyard, he saw a maid lift the curtain of the main house high, and several people came out, with Duke Zhang Fu at the head. Seeing that it seemed like a farewell scene, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, only to be helped up by Zhang Fu himself.

Zhang Fu did not attend court today, but as a highly meritorious official, he had already heard about what happened at the Meridian Gate earlier in the day. Although he had originally planned to leave, since Zhang Yue happened to return at that moment, he changed his mind. Nodding with a smile, he said, “I now only attend court on the new and full moons. You’re busy too, so it’s been quite some time since I last saw you there. Coincidentally, I have something to discuss with you. Um, auntie, my brother Yue’s wife, may I ask if I could borrow her for a while?” This remark naturally sparked laughter among those around them. Lady Gu glanced at Du Wan and then said irritably, “He’s already a duke, yet he still teases children. Since it’s rare for you two to come by, why not stay for dinner first? Brother Yue, you can borrow her for as long as you want—your wife can stay and talk with me!”