Chapter 759: Both Have Sons

It was the annual Dragon Boat Festival, and Guangzhou Prefecture, as usual, held a dragon boat race on the Pearl River opposite Haizhu Island. Although last year’s race had turned into a farce with assassins and people falling into the water, this year’s event was still grand in scale, with the number of participating boats increasing significantly to twenty. The wide expanse of the Pearl River meant that so many boats could gather there without feeling crowded. For this grand occasion, officials at all levels took a day off, leaving the usually busy government offices much quieter.

Yet, on such a festive day, the people in the Zhang family’s official residence had no time to go to Haizhu Island to watch the festivities. At that moment, Zhang Zhuo and his son Zhang Yue sat and stood in silence, with the two maids in the room also standing motionless. Outside, voices and noises were clearly audible, adding to the already sweltering heat.

“It’s been so long—why does it have to be such a hassle every time…”

A sharp cry of a newborn abruptly cut off Zhang Yue’s complaints. Almost instantly, Zhang Zhuo also stood up, his expression brightening. In a moment, someone rushed in, pushing aside the curtain with a joyful smile, saying, “Congratulations, young master, on having a son! Congratulations, sir, on gaining another grandson! Mother and child are safe, and the madam and young madam will bring the baby over soon!”

Although they had already heard the baby’s loud cries, hearing that both mother and child were safe finally relieved the father and son. Yet Zhang Yue did not sit down right away. Instead, he said to the maid who brought the news, “Go ask in the other courtyard how things are with Peng’s wife. We’ve already sent word here—why hasn’t there been any news from there?”

After the maid nodded and rushed off, Zhang Yue remained by the door. Zhang Zhuo comforted him, “Don’t worry. The midwives have been prepared in advance, and there are plenty of helpers. Good news should come soon. Sending people to ask like this must be stressing Peng even more. You know his personality well.”

Thinking about how two women who became pregnant one after another gave birth almost on the same day, with the whole family tense from early morning until now, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. Wiping his hand casually, he found it damp with sweat. Finally, several familiar voices came from outside, followed by the loud lifting of the bamboo curtain ahead.

At the front, Madam Sun was holding Du Wan’s hand, her face full of smiles. Seeing that the father and son in the room were looking at her, she quickly stepped forward the wet nurse carrying the baby behind her. When Zhang Yue took the baby and examined it closely, she said with a smile, “It’s because Qiu Hen’s pregnancy was stable from the start, and everything at home has been smooth ever since. She also took good care of her health, so the baby was strong and healthy as soon as it was born. That crying just now could have scared anyone to death. You two, father and son, take a good look and come up with a nickname that can bring peace.”

Hearing the words “bring peace” and seeing Du Wan looking at him with a half-smile, Zhang Yue felt somewhat guilty. He had initially joked with Du Wan about whether it would be a son or a daughter, only to be teased by her, saying that if it were a girl, it would be convenient according to his thoughts—just call her Si Si. Since he had already had such an idea, he couldn’t argue. Now that it wasn’t a daughter, his lazy plan no longer worked, so his brows furrowed tightly.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t come up with a nice name. After all, with his father around to choose the formal name, it wouldn’t be right for him to overstep his bounds. Moreover, his skill at coming up with nicknames had been clearly shown with both his son and daughter, and it was often used as a joke. The same was true this time—while waiting here earlier, the dozen or so nicknames he had prepared had been thoroughly criticized by Zhang Zhuo. Where could he find names now?

“Just call him Duanwu.”

Having run out of tricks after scolding his son harshly, Zhang Zhuo simply took over the matter: “Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, a time when pests are active. This name has a similar sound that can ward them off. Besides, looking at how strong he is, it fits the character for ‘martial.’ As for the formal name, I’ll carefully consult some ancient books to find a good character. After all, I didn’t expect him to be born right on the Dragon Boat Festival, so those characters might not be suitable…”

“Reporting to Master and Mistress, as well as Young Master and Young Mistress!”

Hearing this loud voice outside, Zhang Yue quickly signaled someone to lift the curtain. There, a young wife knelt on the steps outside, smiling and saying, “Brother Peng asks me to convey that thanks to Master and Mistress, as well as Young Master and Young Mistress, they now have a precious son, and both mother and child are safe.”

“Amitabha!”

Du Wan didn’t pay attention to Mrs. Sun praying behind her. She quickly said to Mother Cui beside her, “Hurry and have someone prepare something to go there and offer congratulations. Check if anything is missing; if so, send someone right away to get it or purchase it.” After seeing Mother Cui nod and about to leave, she suddenly called out again and added, “Since there’s nothing to do these days, please ask Master Peng to stay at home and keep an eye on the wives—no need to worry about outside matters!”

Although Peng Shisan didn’t care much about having children, now that Lingxi had given birth to a healthy baby boy, he was naturally overjoyed. Hearing he didn’t need to help further, he was even more relieved. After getting everything ready, he prepared two heavy gift envelopes for the midwife. He was also quite surprised that his son was born on the same day as Zhang Yue’s son. Lingxi was born a few days later, while Qiuhen was born a few days earlier—so their birthdays coincided during the Dragon Boat Festival.

So, after the officials in the government office held a banquet to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival that evening, Zhang Yue came to drink with him again. The two sat under the big tree in the courtyard, looking at the crescent moon in the sky, and unconsciously started talking about the past.

“Old Peng, do you still remember how we first met?”

“How could I forget!”

Drinking not only provided company but also lifted one’s spirits. Now that Peng Shisan had both, he became more and more enthusiastic, gradually getting drunk. At that moment, he made a gesture and said with a smile, “Back then, you were only this tall, as thin as dry wood, seemingly ready to be blown over by the wind. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to you, but later, during the flood, you stubbornly pulled me to find Mr. Du. That’s when I realized you had some merit. But I really didn’t expect that over a decade later, things would turn out like this!”

“If it weren’t for the solid foundation I built in both martial arts and studies back then, there would be no me today. Logically, I should call you master… Come, let me toast you!”

Saying he would toast, Zhang Yue immediately raised the wine pot. Peng Shisan, eyes shining, promptly grabbed a small wine jar nearby and boldly clanged it against Zhang Yue’s pot, then tilted his head back and drank greedily. Seeing him drink so heartily, Zhang Yue was speechless. He opened the pot lid and took a big gulp, but he simply couldn’t learn to drink so freely as Peng Shisan. When he saw Peng Shisan stagger, put down the jar, and then collapse onto the stone table, unconscious, he was even more at a loss for words. But by now, he was also feeling dizzy, so he had to call for help.

The two fathers who had just had sons were helped back to their rooms and slept soundly that night. But since the Dragon Boat Festival had passed, Zhang Yue had no time to relax. Early in the morning the next day, he got up to handle official duties at the front office. After an hour of morning meetings, he finally returned, yawning. First, he went to the main house to see his parents, but instead of having breakfast there, he went straight back to his own courtyard. Entering the main room, he saw breakfast being served. He sat down next to Du Wan. On the table were various colored dishes, fish slice porridge, as well as Beijing-style pastries like pea yellow, which made him smile.

“Since Jiu Niang is helping in the kitchen, Sister Li keeps coming up with new dishes every day.”

“I’m not worried about anything now, except that everyone’s taste buds might get too spoiled. We might not be able to adapt when we return to the capital.” Seeing Zhang Yue say this, Du Wan was actually very happy and teased him, “I really don’t know where you get all these ideas—fish slice porridge one moment, seafood porridge the next, always ordering soups and stews. It’s amazing that Jiu Niang, though young, is so inventive and skilled. Even Sister Li finds it hard to keep up with you. Why weren’t you so picky in the capital before?”

Zhang Yue wasn’t bothered at all and said smilingly, “In life, it’s all about eating and drinking. When I leave Guangdong, aside from tens of thousands of acres of rice fields and the prosperous Huangpu Town, if I can also leave behind countless delicious dishes, wouldn’t that make a great story?”

After years of marriage, Du Wan had noticed that since the previous issues were resolved and there were no more obstacles in Guangdong province, Zhang Yue’s mood had become increasingly good. Though he was composed and steady in his official duties, at home he became more playful and teasing. At that moment, she gave him an annoyed look, but heard some noise outside and decided to hold back her sarcastic remarks.

The bamboo curtain was lifted, and several maids and servants led people in—Zhang Fu in front, Jing Guan and San San behind. The three stepped forward, with Zhang Fu bowing respectfully first, followed by Jing Guan and San San. Observing Zhang Fu’s growing strength, Zhang Yue asked him a few questions about his studies in both literature and martial arts and praised him highly. Then he told him to sit aside and called Jing Guan over.

“What have you learned from Mr. Xiao Fang these past few days?”

Hearing the name “Mr. Xiao Fang,” the mothers and maids in the room covered their mouths and giggled secretly, even Du Wan smiled. It was simply because Fang Jing’s youthful appearance as a teacher was quite amusing. Occasionally, when someone was sent by Du Wan to peek into the study, they would see him teaching in an orderly manner. Jing Guan, on the other hand, had a good impression of this young and familiar tutor and quickly replied, “Father, the teacher is teaching me the Analects.”

Although Zhang Yue had heard of it before, he was still surprised by the progress. He tested his son with a few questions, then suddenly smiled and asked how to interpret the phrase “One can use a commoner for tasks but not for knowledge,” which had originally led to his acquaintance with Du Zhen. Jing Guan answered thoroughly and correctly, adding at the end, “Mr. Xiao Fang said Father interpreted it in the same way.”

“I only mentioned it to him once, yet he has taught you everything!”

After laughing, Zhang Yue didn’t ask any more questions and had breakfast with his wife, children, and younger brother. Once everyone had finished eating, he signaled Zhang Fu to come out of the room. The two brothers walked a short distance down the corridor, after which Zhang Yue asked without looking back, “Your master Peng said you can now lift a 30-jin stone lock and that you have a natural talent for martial arts. He praised you as a real promising talent who is willing to endure hardship. Now I want to ask you—do you really want to pursue this path?”

Having grown up under Hong Luan, Zhang Fu had only heard about Zhang Yue’s countless achievements from others, so he naturally felt more fear than closeness toward his elder brother. Now that his father had entrusted him to Zhang Yue’s guidance, he feared his brother even more than a strict father. When he saw Zhang Yue suddenly turn to look at him, he quickly stopped in his tracks and after a while replied with his head bowed, “Third brother, I’m not afraid of hardship. When I study, I feel sleepy. The teacher repeats the same lesson many times, and Jing Guan remembers it, but I still can’t. I really want to learn martial arts.”

A seven-year-old child might still play bare-bottomed in the countryside, or at most help elders with chores in urban households, but in wealthy families, they are often taught to be sensible from an early age. Hearing Zhang Fu’s organized answer, Zhang Yue nodded and asked, “Very well. Then let me ask you again—what do you want to do in the future?”

“Auntie said I should do whatever Father and Third Brother want me to do,” Zhang Fu replied without hesitation.

Hearing this, Zhang Yue immediately frowned. Hong Luan had always been cautious and careful, not a proud person, so he naturally understood that it was somewhat questionable to train a child in such a manner. After pondering for a moment, he stepped forward, gently stroked his younger brother’s head a few times, and said, “As long as you want to and have the determination, there’s nothing you can’t do. Father saw your preference for martial arts over literature, so he had you take this path. But even within the martial arts field, there are different paths. Go back and think carefully—what do you plan to do with your martial skills?”
Seeing Zhang Fu standing there in a daze, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but smile slightly before turning and walking away at a brisk pace. Once he passed through the three halls and reached the front office, a messenger rushed over with Cao Jixiang. Upon seeing him, the messenger quickly left, while Cao Jixiang stepped forward in a few strides, bowed respectfully, and then approached.
“Lord Zhang, Lord Zhang received a letter from the capital early this morning and sent me to inform you right away. There have been some changes in the capital. Huang Huai, the Grand Secretary of the Military Academy and Protector of the Crown Prince, has stepped down from the cabinet and returned to his hometown to recover. Also, Lu Zhen, the Protector of the Crown Prince and Minister of Rites, passed away last April.”
Neither Huang Huai nor Lu Zhen was someone Zhang Yue was familiar with or close to, but such sudden changes in the court still surprised him. He stood there in silence for a while. Seeing that Cao Jixiang remained by his side, he nodded at him and said, “It’s still early for the midday meeting. Come with me to the study, and we’ll discuss what’s going on in detail.”
Cao Jixiang had been waiting for this moment from Zhang Yue, so he quickly bowed in agreement. He was well aware of Zhang Yue’s intentions—likely, even if Zhang Yue returned, he wouldn’t go back himself. But he was still young; no matter how many years he stayed in Guangzhou, he wouldn’t achieve anything. If he didn’t curry favor with Zhang Yue, how could he return to the capital?