Chapter 584: Returning to Old Places, Remembering the Past; Listening to Disputes at Daxiangguo Temple

The day Gu’s coffin was buried was February 27th. The Zhang family’s ancestral tomb was located on Wulipo, west of Kaifeng—a site chosen for its favorable feng shui. Naturally, Gu was buried there alongside her late husband. From the rituals to honor the ancestral site to those for the tomb itself, all procedures were completed, and by the time the coffin was finally buried, the sun had set. Each family member added soil to the coffin, and as layer after layer of soil covered it, everyone felt a mix of emotions. A few days after the burial, the Three Yu Sacrifices took place, bringing more tears and prayers.

Under the early Ming dynasty system, noble officials could build family temples to worship their ancestors for four generations, while commoners could only worship their ancestors for two generations. In Kaifeng, aside from the imperial family, most prominent families were of official descent, so there were many family temples. The Zhang family was a renowned family in Kaifeng, with its population growing over generations—numbering at least several hundred. However, due to the chaos during the Yuan dynasty, the direct line of succession was broken. After discussion, they decided to elect a capable person as clan leader to manage family affairs.

The current clan leader was Zhang Xin’s uncle, now gray-haired. Since the family was only moderately wealthy and his son had only achieved the status of xiucai after years of studying, Gu had usually taken charge of family affairs. In other words, if not for Zhang Xin’s constant service outside, given the family’s reputation and wealth, he would never have become the clan leader. Thus, he worked hard during Gu’s burial and again visited Zhang Xin afterward to discuss matters.

Yet such clan affairs had nothing to do with Zhang Yue. Having been away from Kaifeng for six years, he was deeply moved upon returning and revisiting old places. The Zhang family’s school from his past still stood there, renovated and looking brand new with its blue bricks and red tiles. Even outside the gate, the sound of students reading aloud greeted him. Learning that Gu had specifically sent money in advance to oversee the renovation, he felt even more grateful for his grandmother’s foresight.

Since Zhang Yu’s family moved to Beiping, contact with their Kaifeng relatives had diminished. With his grandmother following the advice of Duke Zhang Fu to move north, the Zhang family in Kaifeng became even more sparse, and some might even be dissatisfied. Since they could only send people back every year for the grand temple rituals, renovating the school was a tremendous act of kindness. After all, having more talented individuals in Kaifeng would benefit the entire clan.

Seeing Du Wan beside him lifting the carriage curtain to look at the school, he pointed to a small room nearby and explained softly, “That’s where the teacher used to take his lunch break. Back then, there were many mischievous kids in the school, but he would just go on teaching as usual, never caring what was happening below. Yet the exam papers for the monthly tests were always the hardest ones he set, and I don’t know how many students hated him so much they wanted to prank him, only to hit a wall right in front of this room. They never imagined that when it came to trickery, I was far more skilled than them! By the way, the place where the teacher used to live is right ahead. Do you want to go take a look?”
Du Wan had always been concerned about her father’s decade-long travels abroad. Hearing Zhang Yue talk about these things, she found it both interesting and strangely melancholic, so she nodded almost without thinking. She had never been to Kaifeng before, and as Zhang Yue led her along the way, telling her countless stories from the past, she gradually came to understand more about her father, who seemed so cold and distant.
After about fifteen minutes of walking, the carriage stopped. Du Wan lifted the curtain and was stunned. Before her lay a neatly arranged courtyard with a black-painted gate and a wall as tall as a person. Looking up, she could see large tiled houses with upturned eaves in the courtyard, with green trees hiding behind them—seemingly uninhabited. Seeing Zhang Yue jump out of the carriage first to open the gate, then turn around to help her out, she asked curiously, “Has this house been empty all this time?”
“The house here was specially repaired by our family for the teacher. Although he moved away in the end, grandmother said it should be kept as a reminder, so she assigned someone to take care of and clean it.
During the great flood in Kaifeng, I rashly rushed out, thinking I was being helpful by coming here, kicking open the gate and forcing the teacher to flee with me. As a result, he gave me a stern scolding. Indeed, along the way, there were many who took advantage of the chaos. If it weren’t for the teacher’s wisdom in having Old Peng take us to Daxiangguo Temple, where the terrain was higher and we could take shelter for over ten days, things would have turned into a complete mess. All of us brothers are impulsive—my eldest brother, second brother, and fourth brother even sneaked off the ship and somehow made it to Daxiangguo Temple to reunite with us…”

Recalling the past, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but smile bitterly at his recklessness back then. He had acted purely on instinct without taking things carefully into consideration. Looking back now, if it weren’t for his concern that made Du Zhen make an extra trip, he might have clashed with those mobs and would no longer be alive, with Zhang Qing and Zhang Yi also suffering as a result. Perhaps it was from that time that the sense of truly being a family began. And it was also from then that he truly came to respect Du Zhen as his mentor.

Eleven years passed in the blink of an eye. Everything around had changed, yet memories remained unchanged.

The bookshelves in the house were spotless, but there were no books. All the furniture was made of tung wood and coated with lacquer, and due to frequent cleaning, it still shone brightly. Du Wan followed Zhang Yue as he inspected each room, seeing him completely immersed in his memories, occasionally flashing a childlike smile. Suddenly, she remembered the expression on her father’s face when he talked about old times in Kaifeng.

No wonder Zhang Yue still often couldn’t help using the term “sir” casually. It must have been quite interesting when the two of them were teacher and student back then.

They didn’t go out shopping today but to the Daxiangguo Temple. As a couple, they couldn’t stay here too long, so after wandering around for half an hour, they got into a carriage. Before leaving, Zhang Yue ordered Liansheng to give two strings of money to the old servant who would stay behind to take care of the house, instructing him to continue maintaining it well. Only then did he pull down the carriage curtain to signal they were leaving.

The Daxiangguo Temple was the most famous temple in Kaifeng. It happened to be the first day of the lunar month, and there should have been many pilgrims coming and going. But when the carriage turned onto Xiangguo Street, Zhang Yue found that there were guards every five steps and every ten steps, all dressed in blue jackets—guards from the royal family. After asking around, they learned that the King of Zhou would be personally attending a 49-day water and land ritual at the temple, so both officials and commoners were asked to stay away. This put Zhang Yue in a dilemma.

They had only gone to the temple to offer a thousand bushels of white rice on behalf of the Gu family to fulfill the old man’s last wish. Although they were somewhat familiar with the King of Zhou, it didn’t seem appropriate to enter now. Would they have to come another day? The problem was, there was a ancestral ceremony the next day, and they had to return to the capital the day after that—there wasn’t much time left in Kaifeng.

After discussing a few words with Du Wan, Zhang Yue jumped out of the carriage and found a guard from the Prince Zhou’s mansion to explain his situation. The guard was also sharp-witted; after pondering for a moment, he hurried off to report. Soon, Zhang Yue met the old steward he had encountered several times at the Prince Zhou’s residence in the capital. In just over a year, the once robust old man now appeared very aged. Though he seemed pleased to see Zhang Yue, he quickly went to the front of the carriage to greet Du Wan, then personally led the couple into the temple.

“The news of your late wife’s passing has reached the mansion. Since the princess is currently observing mourning duties and must also mediate between the crown prince and the Prince of Runan, it’s not appropriate for her to visit your household. Even Prince Zhou is exhausted, so he only sent an envoy with condolences. I hope Mr. Zhang and Madam Du can stay a little longer. Prince Zhou and the princess haven’t seen you in a long time and are very concerned. By the way, I heard that Mr. Du has returned to serve in the Wenyan Pavilion. Is everything well with him now?”

Since the other party had asked them to stay, Zhang Yue and Du Wan naturally refused. When asked about Du Zhen, the couple exchanged a glance before Zhang Yue nodded and said, “My father-in-law has been resting at home for over half a year and is now in good health. Thank you, Prince Zhou and the princess, for your concern.” After he said this, Du Wan also asked about Prince Zhou, Zhu Zhu. Learning that he often appeared dazed and unwell, she couldn’t help but worry about Zhu Ning.

After passing through the Tianwang Hall with its five rooms and three gates, they came across a large garden filled with blooming flowers, exuding a vibrant spring atmosphere. Yet, whether it was the rows of monks standing with clasped hands and bowed heads along the walls or the melodious chanting coming from the altar deep in the temple, everything added to the solemnity and dignity of the Buddhist place. Beyond the Moon Gate ahead was the main hall, the Mahavira Hall, where monks in saffron robes could be seen everywhere. Zhang Yue and Du Wan followed the old steward along a secluded path paved with bluestone. Before long, they saw the bamboo hut where they had once lived. At that moment, a loud voice came from afar.

“At this point in time, you’re still being picky! How old are you already? Don’t think just because you have someone to rely on—your father is quite old now, not to mention the emperor. He has several daughters; will he still remember you, his niece, in a few years? Take advantage of the fact that there are still those who want to marry you. Don’t always help your elder brother. Remember, I’m your legitimate fifth brother—I won’t harm you!”

“My elder brother is the crown prince—kind, gentle, and filial. He is my legitimate elder brother, just like you. As for my marriage, of course, it will be decided by our father. If he cannot decide, the royal secretary will arrange a marriage. There’s no need for you to worry, Fifth Brother. Hierarchy and respect for elders are unchanging rules everywhere.”

“What are these rules about hierarchy? As long as one has the means, no rule can stop them. Have you forgotten how the emperor came to power? Compared to my elder brother’s weakness, my second brother is far better—much smarter than the King of Han… Refusing to drink when offered wine means facing punishment. If you don’t listen to me now, things might get tough for you if circumstances change!”

Hearing this, the old steward hurriedly warned Zhang Yue and Du Wan to hide deep in the bamboo grove nearby. Just as they concealed themselves, a man in his early thirties appeared at the end of the path and rushed past in a fit of anger. Only after he disappeared from sight did the old steward sigh in relief and turn to say, “Fortunately, the Prince of Xin’an didn’t see us. Sir Zhang, Madam Du, the princess is inside. Let’s go!”

Zhang Yue agreed verbally, but his heart was filled with caution. Zhu Di came to power unjustly, and now, aside from the King of Han and the King of Zhao, even the lower-ranking members of the royal family were plotting to seize the throne. It seemed the Zhou royal family would never have peace.