Chapter 815: The Whole Family Works Together

Compared to the rest days during the Han and Sui dynasties, or the ten-day holidays in the Tang and Song dynasties, the Ming Dynasty initially had very few holidays. During the Hongwu era, aside from Spring Festival, Winter Solstice, Lantern Festival, or holidays granted by the emperor on his birthday, there were no other breaks. By the Yongle period, the Lantern Festival holiday was longer than the five-day Spring Festival break, lasting ten days starting from the 11th day of the first lunar month. By the early Xuande era, things had become much more relaxed. In just three years, Emperor Zhu Zhanji granted additional holidays to civil and military officials twice, so conditions improved somewhat compared to the hard work under the Hongwu era.

However, the Mid-Autumn Festival was still not considered an official holiday. On the 15th day of the eighth month, there was a grand court assembly, and all civil and military officials had to appear in their formal attire. But if there were no urgent matters at the office in the afternoon, they could leave early. In addition, Empress Dowager Zhang met with several visiting noblewomen in the inner palace and bestowed various foods such as mooncakes and pastries. The dukes, marquises, and their wives also gave extra gifts. Du Wan, invited by the Queen Consort of Ying, went to the palace and naturally received some as well. As soon as she returned home, she delivered them personally to Lady Sun.

The mooncakes and pastries were made using silver molds from the Imperial Workshop, mostly in the patterns of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. The fillings included rose paste, red bean paste, mung bean paste, and others. Each one was bright and cute, but only about the size of a small wine cup. The outer and inner surfaces were made from specially supplied fabrics from the Jiangnan Textile and Dyeing Bureau—one was a bright red silk brocade with golden peony patterns, and the other was jade-colored crepe, one vivid and the other delicate. After taking a look, Lady Sun held it up against Du Wan’s body and laughed, saying, “It would be perfect for making clothes for you.”

“The color is too bright for me to wear. Besides, I’m just benefiting from my aunt’s generosity. How dare I wear something so eye-catching outside? Also, from what the Empress Dowager said, it seems she wants to meet the children like Tianci and Jing in a few days. I think I should first use that bright red fabric to make a dress for Jing, and use the jade-colored crepe to make clothes for the others.”

Zhang Jing didn’t care much about clothes and jewelry. She had been dazzled by the bright red color and was thinking about how beautiful it would look on her sister-in-law. When she heard it was meant for her, she was stunned. What puzzled her even more was that her mother, after a brief pause, looked at her from head to toe and then seemed to hesitate thoughtfully.

“Sister-in-law, even if you don’t like this color, save it for Jingguan and Sannan. Each of them can have a dress made. I really don’t need it!”

“Girl, how could you not need it? This is exactly the age when you should use it!” Lady Sun snapped out of her daze, waved for Zhang Jing to come over, hugged her for a while, and then looked up at Du Wan and said, “It’s time for you to take her and teach her more about household affairs. As for needlework, learn as much as you can—it’s better than trying to catch up at the last minute. As for studies and literature, it’s not that important; as long as you’re not illiterate, that’s fine. Throughout history, talented women often suffer tragic fates…”

Seeing Zhang Jing’s eyes widen as she listened, Du Wan quickly coughed to interrupt Lady Sun’s words. Noticing Lady Sun’s melancholic expression, she promptly pushed Jing Guan and San San behind her, took Zhang Jing outside, called Mother Cui to fetch someone from the sewing room, and then led her to the adjacent room.

“Sister-in-law, what did Mother mean?”

“Haven’t you studied The Book of Songs? ‘A graceful and virtuous woman is a fine match for a gentleman.’ What do you think that means?”

Although they had been apart for two years, they used to be very close, so Du Wan didn’t beat around the bush in front of her. Sure enough, upon hearing this, the once cheerful and straightforward girl froze for a moment before scowling and saying, “I’m still young. Mother is too hasty. Besides, once Meng Ang showed us those plays and novels, and the teacher scolded us. The teacher said that even in noble families or scholarly households, girls are expected to be proper. As long as the parents aren’t opportunistic, they will choose the most suitable partner for their children after careful consideration. Sister-in-law, could you help me pick one when the time comes?”

The earlier words sounded reasonable, but Du Wan wasn’t expecting such a statement at the end. She couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing Zhang Jing looking at her earnestly, clearly understanding her intention, she smiled and tapped her smooth forehead with her finger.

“You don’t need me. That day, your brother was still telling me that to marry our Jing, she first has to pass his test. He knows all the literati and military officers in the capital, and he’ll definitely choose someone whose appearance and character surpass his own.”

“Brother is really cunning. It might be possible to surpass him in appearance, and maybe in character as well, but as for the rest… besides the noble families, are there any younger high-ranking officials in the capital?”

The sister-in-law and daughter-in-law were whispering in the side room when voices came from outside. It turned out that Mother Cui had arrived with the maid in charge of the sewing room. Du Wan tapped Zhang Jing and stopped talking. After the measurements were taken and everyone left, she noticed a slight blush on Zhang Jing’s face, realizing she had understood things early on. Though she acted stubbornly, she might still be thinking about it. So Du Wan changed the subject and led her out. As soon as they stepped down the stairs, she saw someone rushing in excitedly, who immediately bowed upon seeing her.

“Young mistress, third young lady, the young master is back!”

Upon hearing Zhang Yue’s voice, Zhang Jing suddenly remembered Du Wan’s teasing and her face turned red. She stamped her foot and rushed back into the main house. Zhang Yue, who had just entered the courtyard, happened to see his sister’s blue figure and was stunned. When Du Wan approached, he couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong with Jing?”

“She was teased by me a bit. I’m embarrassed,” Du Wan said. Knowing that Zhang Yue loved his only full-blooded sister dearly, she smiled and softly mentioned what had happened earlier. Only after ensuring that the maids and servants were far away did she continue, “There’s something I didn’t tell our mother. It seems the emperor once saw Sister Jing in Hyde Park, so the empress dowager specifically inquired about her. Then she mentioned how suitable bright red clothes are for children, which is why I said what I said in front of our mother. After all, the emperor is still young. Even if the empress dowager doesn’t have such intentions, we still need to be cautious of others. After all, aside from nobles, no other civil officials have become imperial in-laws, and our family certainly doesn’t desire an imperial concubine.”

“You’re right. This is indeed something we must be wary of. Although it’s still early, I really need to search carefully and arrange the marriage as soon as possible, so as not to fall victim to hidden schemes without realizing it. If her nature leads her to be schemed into the palace, it will be a lifetime of suffering.”

Zhang Yue suddenly thought of the late Concubine Zhang, who died at a young age. Although Zhu Di treated her kindly out of respect for the Zhang Yu and Zhang Fu generations, there was always intrigue among the concubines in the harem. Moreover, it was extremely difficult to even see one’s loved ones, so how could she live long? At that moment, he made up his mind—no matter what, he must prevent Zhu Zhanji from seeing his sister again. With Concubine Sun already by the emperor’s side, all the other concubines, including the empress, were neglected. What more of others?

The couple stood on the outer veranda, whispering to each other. Mrs. Sun, who had just heard the news inside, could no longer hold back and sent a maid out to ask. It wasn’t until Zhang Yue and Du Wan both entered that she said reproachfully, “It really is true that a short separation makes love grow stronger—already whispering outside the door. Can’t you let me hear?”
“Mother, you said a short separation makes love grow stronger, yet you still tease me!”
Seeing that Mrs. Sun was in a good mood and there were no outsiders in the room, Zhang Yue stepped forward and stood beside her, playfully squeezing her shoulders a few times. It wasn’t until Mrs. Sun angrily shook his hands off and pulled him away that he sat down next to the couch, smiling and saying, “I thought it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I rushed back right after leaving office early. Where’s Father?”
“Don’t mention your father. He’s always running around outside, leaving early and returning late—even busier than you, who’re an official. Not to mention him, even I and Wan’er are always thinking about the capital. But once we return, we’re constantly busy here and there. Aside from the day we came back and today during the Mid-Autumn Festival, we’ve hardly had a chance to sit at home properly. This morning, Wan’er and your eldest aunt went to the palace, and I went to keep your second aunt company. It’s really pitiful—once such a sharp and capable person, now her hair has turned white from stress, and she’s much thinner than before. She held my hand and said I’m lucky. Your eldest and second brothers aren’t too mischievous, but without your second uncle around, it’s really hard for her as a woman in the capital…”
Hearing about his second aunt, Dong Fangshi, Zhang Yue initially felt some sympathy, but suddenly recalling the case of Fang Shuixin, his pity faded a bit. Every family has its own troubles, and outsiders like them couldn’t judge right from wrong in such matters. So Zhang Yue changed the subject, saying, “In the capital, one can’t stand on their own without support. I previously ignored those social obligations out of stubbornness. Now that Mother and Sister Wan have returned, I can only rely on you two to help me. Even though Father is always outside, he’s ultimately busy with important matters. Can’t Mother not trust him?”
“Who wouldn’t trust him? Your father is far more honest than you!”
Just as she finished speaking, the curtain at the door was lifted, and Zhang Zhuo came in. Hearing those words, he laughed immediately, “What rumors have you spread about me while I was away? Yue, have you offended your mother again?”
“How could I dare!” Zhang Yue quickly stepped forward, helped Zhang Zhuo take off his sky-blue robe, handed it to a maid, and guided him to sit on the east side of the couch. Only then did he briefly explain the situation, showing just how much his mother trusted him.

Having been married for thirty years, upon hearing these words, Zhang Zhuo couldn’t help but glance at Lady Sun. She happened to be looking his way as well, and their eyes met—seemingly able to see deep into each other’s souls. Zhang Zhuo thought of meeting Yuan Fang secretly during the day, seeing him alone, and advising him to remarry while still in his prime. Remembering his wry smile, he felt even more sorrowful.

Whether Yuan Fang agreed or not, he had once been a commander of the Jinyiwei. Even if he remarryed, it would likely draw the attention of the authorities—after all, his name had not yet been completely forgotten.

That Mid-Autumn night was clear with few stars. After dinner, the family went to the small garden behind the house to worship the moon, then strolled around to enjoy the view and aid digestion. When they left the garden, exhausted from the day, Zhang Yue and Du Wan sent their parents back to their rooms early. On their way back to their own courtyard, Du Wan asked about the farmlands in the south. Zhang Yue stopped in his tracks.

“Academician Shen is quite old. He was promoted to Hanlin Academician just before the New Year and given the title of Fengzheng Daifu. He was allowed to receive a salary without having to handle official duties, waiting only for summons to the palace. After you mentioned it to me, I went to his house during my lunch break. Sure enough, he was unaware of anything. He thought all his relatives were sensible and wouldn’t deceive him, so he hadn’t reported it in time. When he found out, he was both shocked and afraid. I had to reassure him, telling him to submit a report, and I would try to explain things for him, which finally calmed him down.”

It was only after Du Wan brought this up to Zhang Yue that she learned about the turmoil in the court those days. She also learned that it was Zhang Yue who hinted to the emperor that the Fish-Scale Register was still the old version from the 26th year of the Hongwu era. Although it had been updated over the years, it had never been fully rechecked. The Shen family, though a prominent clan from Zhangyan, had always valued scholarship over wealth, owning few farmlands. The brothers hadn’t divided the family property—just 200 mu of paddy fields and over a dozen houses. Now, another 800 mu had been added. And this was still the honest Shen brothers—what about others?

“Do you think it’s possible to clarify things now? Can it even be done?”

“If it can’t be done now, it will be even harder a hundred years from now. I’ve already recommended someone to the emperor to oversee the investigation in Suzhou and Songjiang.”

Zhang Yue understood that by the time Zhang Juzheng took power during the Wanli era, he had carried out the Single Whip Policy, swiftly measuring all the farmlands in the country—a move that caused a great stir. But it was abandoned after Zhang Juzheng’s death and loss of his title. Since the founding of the dynasty wasn’t so long ago, there were fewer obstacles to investigating the farmlands. If there was no courage now, the mess would only be passed down from generation to generation.

Moreover, matters related to the farmlands are just the beginning. “So, whether it’s our family, our uncles’ families, or even the Duke of Britain, they’ve all already conducted their own inspections. Our farmlands aren’t that extensive, and even if we don’t collect any taxes from them, we still need to guard against fraud or tax evasion. I’ve sent Gao Quan with people to inspect the farmlands down there; so far, no problems have been found. But most of the Zhang family’s farmlands are under the control of the eldest branch, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens there. Most of the people in my uncles’ family have been replaced; although people have been sent there, it’s hard to say what the results will be.” Du Wan didn’t say anything to Zhang Yue to warn him, assuming that the brothers were very close and he wouldn’t fail to mention such things. But then she thought about how vast the world was, with so many people—just in Songjiang Prefecture alone, there were intricate relationships, let alone in other places? “Before you all returned, my eldest uncle just went to Sichuan to take up his post. Due to the long distance, although my aunt was worried about her son, she could only go with him. Now, only my fourth brother is left at home. He’s new to the Hanlin Academy and isn’t in charge of such matters. My fourth sister-in-law comes from a noble family and may not understand anything about farmlands. She got along fairly well with you back then; you should visit her in your free time—to keep her company and offer some guidance. It’s true that the emperor executed Wang Jie, but this incident still angered him greatly. Right now, he’s too busy establishing a crown prince, but once the Ministry of Revenue gets things under control, the formal proceedings will begin.”