Chapter 227: Marriage – Speed Determines Success

Although Zhang Jue had many concubines and wives, he only had one legitimate son, Zhang Jin, whom he doted on since childhood. Since he himself disliked studying, he was rather permissive regarding his son’s studies, but he did assign several bodyguards to supervise his martial training. This time, on a business trip to Shandong, thinking it wouldn’t take long, he decided to bring his son along to broaden his experiences. However, during the few days Zhang Jue was in Le’an handling affairs, with no one to supervise him, Zhang Jin spent his days wandering around the well-known brothels in Qingzhou Prefecture.

Life was indeed enjoyable, and Zhang Jin hoped his father would stay outside for a few more days. But the news he heard when he got up that afternoon shocked him. Although his father had only sent a message saying he would stay in Le’an a few more days, according to the agreement they had made before Zhang Jue left, if everything were fine he would have added a few words, and if there were problems as well. Clearly, this message wasn’t from his father!

Panicked, he immediately went to look for Liu Zhong, only to find that Liu Zhong had gone to inspect the military post. After thinking hard and finding no one else to turn to, he took some silver from the accounting office and boldly went to see Zhang Yue. After kneeling and pleading, Zhang Yue didn’t get angry, but his expression seemed strangely odd.

Even if he disliked these father-son pair who always caused trouble, family ties were inseparable these days, so Zhang Yue couldn’t ignore them completely. He asked calmly, “What exactly happened?”

“Dad has been in Le’an for four days already. He said he would be back in two days, but all we got was this message. And…” Zhang Jin, having heard of the Han King’s notorious brutality these days, was naturally terrified. “Also, Dad and I had agreed on a signal before he left. This message doesn’t seem to have been sent by Dad’s people. Third Brother Yue, it’s the emperor who wants to reduce the Han King’s guards—it’s not Dad’s idea. If the Han King takes it out on my dad, that would be unjust! I heard you’re highly regarded by the Han King and his heir. Could you please go to Le’an and intercede on Dad’s behalf?”

Zhang Yue finally couldn’t hold back and snapped, “Stop it! Who told you I’m highly regarded by the Han King and his heir?”

“The officials in the military office all say so!” Seeing hope, Zhang Jin pressed on, “Those commissioners and deputy officials all said the Han King gave you a huge gift during the New Year—enough to fill a whole cart—and even recommended you for the position of prefect. What else could that mean but appreciation?”

No matter how good-natured he was, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but become extremely angry at that moment, yet even with gritted teeth, he couldn’t vent his anger. Just then, as if sensing the situation wasn’t intense enough, Zhang Jin added fuel to the fire by saying, “A clerk from the military office also said that the Han King now has a princess of marriageable age, and they’re currently selecting a suitor. It seems the Han King has his eye on…”
“Enough! It’s all nonsense and misinformation—complete nonsense!”
In a fit of anger, he stood up. Seeing Zhang Jin still kneeling there with one knee bent, Zhang Yue grew even angrier and gently kicked him with his toe to make him get up. Thinking of Zhang Jie “voluntarily offering” to come to Le’an to serve as the Han King’s guard, he felt his third uncle must be crazy—taking on a task everyone tried to avoid. Even if he wanted to side with someone for personal gain, he should have chosen a safer, less extreme method. Why would he recklessly throw eggs at rocks?
“I can only send someone to investigate the situation in Le’an; I can’t do much else for you.” Seeing Zhang Jin’s disappointed expression, Zhang Yue added indifferently, “As for me, your father is after all acting under imperial orders. The Han King is probably just trying to buy time—he certainly won’t harm your father. As for you, avoid certain places. There are scholars in Qingzhou Prefecture. If I’m not mistaken, you’ll be entering the Imperial Academy soon—don’t ruin your reputation.”
If not for what happened with Zhang Bin earlier, Zhang Jin would never have paid attention to Zhang Yue’s mild warning. But now, surprised, he hurriedly promised to follow his advice. As he left, thinking that his father was an imperial envoy after all, and that his grandfather Zhang Yu and uncle Zhang Fu had been comrades of the Han King, he couldn’t possibly be harmed just because of that. He immediately regretted it. Why had he given away 200 taels of silver and listened to a scolding?
Having received 200 taels of silver, and with two hours of free time between the morning and evening sessions, Zhang Yue personally delivered it to the Meng family. The Meng family had finally seen some joy these days—Feng Yuanming, whom they had hired at great expense, had brought them a huge surprise. After acupuncture and medication, Lady Meng gradually regained consciousness and could now stay awake for two or three hours each day. Although this was still a long way from full recovery—Feng Yuanming only guaranteed it for a year—it still lifted the spirits of the whole family.
After talking briefly with the accountant and Lingxi Hongxiu, as he left, he saw that strange Feng Yuanming practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard. Remembering his previous secret conversation with Shi Quan, he decided to walk over slowly.

Compared to a few days ago, Feng Yuanming had changed dramatically in appearance. His messy hair was now neatly combed, he wore a soft-brimmed hat, and the impractical brown cotton coat he had on had been replaced with a well-fitting sky-blue silk round-neck shirt. He also wore black cloud-patterned shoes, giving him a neat and tidy appearance, almost resembling that of a renowned doctor. Remembering that Ling Xi had brought back a set of clothes for him to try on a few days ago, he immediately realized they must have been sewn by Meng Min.
What good fortune this old fellow has!
After finishing his series of punches, Feng Yuanming saw Zhang Yue standing by and watching him, so he snorted coldly. After turning around and taking a few steps, he suddenly realized what Zhang Yue had been watching, and his anger vanished instantly.
Years of hardships had shaped his peculiar temperament, and he despised the powerful and wealthy even more, which was why he had initially demanded six hundred taels of silver. However, since he successfully relieved Lady Wu’s illness, everyone in the household treated him like a Buddha, providing him with fine food and drink. Even when he deliberately made things difficult by refusing to provide proper clothes and shoes, the young lady would personally bring them to him—there was nothing they could do to neglect him.
Zhang Yue had originally intended to ask Feng Yuanming who had made the medicinal pill that Consort Wei had given the Prince of Han, but thinking of the old man’s strange temperament, he swallowed his question. Unexpectedly, Feng Yuanming stopped in his tracks.
“When I was in Beijing, I saw countless high-ranking officials, but I rarely encountered someone as kind-hearted as Miss Meng. Young man, you have good taste—choosing such a wonderful girl! If you’re smart, hurry and propose to her and marry her. Otherwise, the royal family always chooses the best for their queens and concubines; if you lose her, you’ll regret it forever! Marriage is a race against time!”
At these words, Zhang Yue was stunned speechless. He had been wary that the old man might say something unpleasant, but instead, he gave him advice as if he were an experienced person. It wasn’t until the man entered the house that Zhang Yue regained his composure and began to think. But as soon as he turned around, he froze—just three or five steps away stood two people. The one in the jade-colored gauze shirt was Meng Min, and the one in the honey-colored Hangzhou silk shirt wasn’t Du Wan?

All three heard what Feng Yuanming had just said. At that moment, we exchanged glances, and the atmosphere gradually became awkward. Eventually, Du Wan cleared her throat gently and said with a smile, “Dr. Feng is indeed right. There’s probably no girl in the world better than Sister Min. Her kindness can’t be matched by her skills, and her skills can’t be matched by her kindness. From her clothes to her hat and shoes and socks, everything Dr. Feng wears was originally tailored by Sister Min and then personally modified. All I could do was act as a go-between; I couldn’t help with anything else. Which night in recent days didn’t she stay up until the third watch before going to bed?”

Disturbed by this, Zhang Yue finally snapped out of his daze and glanced again at Meng Min’s hands. Seeing this glance, Du Wan immediately understood what was going on. She blinked and said, “Although she’s skilled with needlework, she hasn’t had proper rest these days. Her hands must be covered in needle pricks. She’s also worried because someone’s birthday is approaching, so she’s managed to squeeze in time to make two more sets of clothes, shoes, and socks. I can’t help much else; I could only assist by sketching a few embroidery designs for her.”

“Sister Du!” Meng Min never expected Du Wan to bring this up suddenly. Her face turned red instantly. Seeing Zhang Yue looking over, she quickly said, “I was about to go to the accounting office to discuss something with Sister Lingxi. Brother Yue, you talk to Sister Du. I’ll be leaving first!”

Du Wan didn’t expect Meng Min to be so easily flustered by a joke. She felt a bit regretful. They had originally been ordinary friends who met by chance and got along well, but through mutual support these days, she, though the one helping, had gradually benefited greatly. She had once resented her father for abandoning her and her mother for over a decade, but seeing Meng Xian’s obsession with wealth ruining their once-prosperous family, seeing Meng Min shouldering the burden of running the household despite her frailness, and seeing her working diligently by dim light, she naturally came to regard her with growing affection and respect.

“Dr. Feng is indeed right. Sister Min is truly the most exemplary lady I’ve ever met.”

Hearing Du Wan suddenly say this, Zhang Yue was stunned. He couldn’t help but take another deep look at her retreating figure, his lips curling slightly. Quickly regaining his composure, he shifted the topic to talk about Zhang Jin coming to ask for his help that day and explained the whole situation along with his response.

Du Wan was also quite surprised at first, but soon nodded and said in a low voice, “I agree with you. The King of Han must just be delaying things out of frustration. You should remember that the Emperor once defeated countless men like Geng Bingwen, Sheng Yong, Tie Xuan, and many others. His fame from three campaigns against the Mongols spread far and wide. As long as the King of Han isn’t… he definitely doesn’t really have any rebellious intentions. By the way, when I first arrived, Father gave me an extra instruction—to think carefully when things were calm. Please help me consider it. He said…” Before she could express her doubts, voices suddenly came from outside, and soon after, she saw Hu Bo leading someone in. The moment she saw that gaunt figure dressed in all white, she was shocked. “Xiao Wu, why have you come? Why are you dressed like this? Could it be…” Xiao Wu was wearing a plain white silk shirt and a skirt made of white silk thread. Her eyes were red and swollen. Upon hearing Du Wan’s question, she started sobbing again. It took her some time before she could speak clearly: “The old monk… the old monk passed away in Qingshou Temple! He said I wasn’t his descendant and told me not to stay in Beijing, but to come here to find Miss! He… he also left a letter for me to deliver!”