Chapter 262: Marriage Is Not a Personal Matter
Entering Meng Family’s main gate led to Baohui Hall, the central hall of the mansion. Built according to Meng Xian’s standards as a third-rank official’s residence, it consisted of seven rooms and nine beams, exuding grandeur and splendor without doubt. Lady Wu was now seriously ill, and at her request, Meng Min had to move her to her own private warm pavilion for easier care. The western courtyard next to Baohui Hall was empty. Zhang Qing followed Meng Tao through the corridor beside Baohui Hall; the servants she saw along the way all appeared panicked and distressed, which filled her heart with heaviness.
Back when her father, Zhang Xin, was imprisoned, the mansion had been almost completely searched. Though it had escaped destruction this time, who knew if the imperial guards might strike again at any moment?
Meng Min’s courtyard was located at the far north end of the Meng Mansion, facing a balanced mix of light and shade—a spot specially chosen by Lady Wu. From afar, as Zhang Qing approached the courtyard gate, she saw a woman in a peach-colored dress leading a little boy over the threshold. The woman stamped her foot angrily and spat on the ground—it was Concubine Zhong. Seeing this, Zhang Qing’s expression changed, and she quickened her pace to catch up.
“What are you doing, Concubine?”
Concubine Zhong had brought her son here hoping to make a good impression since nobles had arrived, but she had encountered resistance. Frustrated, she turned around irritably at the sound of Zhang Qing’s voice. Upon seeing Zhang Qing’s upset expression, she was startled and quickly apologized, claiming she had forgotten herself due to a dry throat. After leading her son forward to pay respects, she hurried away. Meng Tao joined them from behind, glancing disdainfully at her retreating figure before guiding Zhang Qing inside.
A young maid pulled back the curtain under the eaves. Zhang Qing stepped over the threshold and saw Princess Zhu Ning of Chenliu sitting on the kang facing the main door. The princess wore a dark blue robe, a skirt with pine-flower patterns and green trims, a phoenix hairpin slanted on her head, and a belt adorned with gold and jade—looking both elegant and refined. On the kang on the west side, Meng Min wore simple clothes, while Zhang Yue sat on the first chair on the east side. As Zhang Qing stepped forward to bow, a maid beside Zhu Ning quickly helped her up.
“Sister Zhang, this isn’t the outside world; formalities can be dropped. Otherwise, I’d just leave right away.” Zhu Ning was straightforward and said bluntly, “I’ve wanted to come for a long time, but I was afraid that a poor trip might trouble Minmin, so I only came after I got definite news. When you go back, you might as well tell Marquis Baoding that the Emperor’s anger has subsided. In less than ten days or half a month, Lord Meng will be able to come out. Being sent as an official on a temporary assignment is certain, but as long as he gets through this, it’ll be fine.”
Although she had heard these words before, hearing them again, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but look up, and her gaze met Meng Min’s. Seeing her face flushed with joy, he couldn’t help but recall yesterday’s audience with the Emperor—since even the charge of Meng Xian secretly plotting against the prince could be easily dropped, what kind of offense could Du Zhen possibly have?
“Amitabha! Thank goodness!” Zhang Qing let out a sigh of relief, clasped her hands in prayer, then stood up and bowed to Zhu Ning. “The princess has brought such good news! Now I can sleep soundly when I go back! My fourth sister has worried so much for days, and my great-aunt even fell seriously ill because of it. Finally, things have improved—shouldn’t this be called ‘clear skies after the storm’?”
Zhu Ning gave Zhang Yue a meaningful look and smiled, saying, “Sister Zhang, you’ve omitted one person. Besides the three of you, I think the third young master can also let go of a worry. It’s a pity that Lord Du’s situation isn’t settled yet, so I dare not rashly reassure you. The Emperor has this temperament—lenient toward military officials but strict with civil officials. Lord Du will likely have to endure more hardship for now. I’ve sent people to Du’s family every day to inquire, but Wan’er and Lady Du still haven’t returned. Even if I wanted to comfort them, I can’t find them.”
“Has Lord Du’s matter not been decided yet?”
Zhang Yue was quite surprised. Seeing that everyone present was trustworthy, he simply recounted what had happened during yesterday’s audience, his brows furrowed in concern. “I thought the Emperor’s words meant he believed Lord Du wasn’t seriously at fault. Now it seems the Emperor might have other intentions in asking me to stay out of his affairs.”
“That’s hard to say. After all, Liang Qian was also a civil official repeatedly praised by the Emperor. But back then, if it weren’t for Lord Du interceding, he would have almost died along with Zhou Mian. Moreover, even when interceding, it needs to be done wisely. Over the years, too many people have ended up sacrificing themselves just because their pleas weren’t heeded.”
Zhu Ning gently shook her head and said, “Even as the crown prince’s heir, I didn’t dare intervene in Lord Liang’s matter last time, let alone others. All I can do this time is to gather some information. If I rashly step in without proper assessment and end up harming instead of helping, wouldn’t that be my fault?” Her words left everyone in the room silent. To liven up the atmosphere, Zhang Qing tried to change the topic by talking about interesting anecdotes from various families, and after a while, more laughter filled the room. After chatting and laughing for a while, she teased Meng Min about organizing another poetry gathering to bring the women of various families together. Zhu Ning, who always liked crowded gatherings, quickly agreed. Just as things were getting lively, voices came from outside, and Meng Min ordered Hong Xiu to go and see what was going on.
Hong Xiu left and returned shortly afterward, her face showing a strange expression, followed by Meng Fan. As soon as this noisy young master of the Meng family stepped inside, he exclaimed, “I just passed by the Imperial Clan’s residence and heard that the emperor wants to choose a consort for Princess Chenliu. There are also rumors that she might be promoted to princess… Ah, Princess Chenliu, you’re here…”
This sudden news stunned everyone in the room. After a long while, Princess Chenliu, Zhu Ning, finally gave a wry smile. “I knew this day would come sooner or later. Among the princesses of the imperial clan, those younger than me have all already married. It’s just choosing someone from among meritorious officials or talented men—doesn’t matter who it is, right?”
“That’s not how it works. If the princess really has someone she likes, she could quietly ask the emperor, and who knows, he might agree,” Zhang Qing urged, seeing Zhu Ning’s lack of enthusiasm. “After all, it’s a lifetime decision—she mustn’t be careless.”
“Stop talking about this; it’s boring!” Zhu Ning waved her hands repeatedly. Seeing Meng Fan standing there awkwardly, she laughed and said, “I, who’m about to choose a consort, have nothing to be embarrassed about. Why should you blush? If you two brothers weren’t so young, I might have suggested choosing one of you to the emperor. With a sister like Minmin and a sensible mother-in-law like my aunt, I’d be overjoyed. Well, I’ve been here for so long today; it’s time for me to go. I’ll leave the space for you all to talk!”
Although Meng Tao and Meng Fan were young, this woman was no novice when it came to men. It was the first time she had been teased by a woman, so they were somewhat flustered, while Zhang Qing and Meng Min laughed heartily. Zhang Yue, who was standing by, knew Zhu Ning was very decisive. Seeing her about to leave, he stood up along with the others. To everyone’s surprise, Zhu Ning didn’t want the Meng family to see her off—instead, she pointed at him.
“Zhang Yue, why don’t you give me a ride?”
Though surprised, seeing Meng Min nodting smilingly and Zhang Qing giving him a wink, Zhang Yue couldn’t refuse. He lifted the curtain to let Zhu Ning go first, then followed closely behind. Walking along the western flower wall for a short distance led to a passage; to the west were several quiet courtyards, while to the east were the living quarters for the servants. The servant leading the way walked ahead, but Zhu Ning turned back after a few steps and snapped, “Zhang Yue, why are you hiding behind? Am I going to eat you?”
Taking advantage of Zhang Yue’s distraction, she stopped in her tracks. When he caught up and walked beside her, she smiled slyly and said, “Meng Min is kind and gentle, and Wan’er is clever and capable—both would make excellent wives for a man. The only thing I have over them is my title as a princess. But then again, which one do you really prefer? I heard someone mention your marriage to the emperor last time. Even if I don’t ask, who knows when the emperor might bring it up.”
Although he already knew Zhu Ning was the type to say whatever came to mind, Zhang Yue was still caught off guard by this sudden question. He tried to stammer an excuse, but Zhu Ning watched him closely, so he decided to speak frankly. “As you said, both Meng Min and Wan’er are great. Either one would make an excellent wife, and it would be a great fortune for any man to marry either of them. But even a princess should know that I don’t have the final say in this matter. Though I’m not the kind to insist on family status or background, these days families decide marriages based on such things. I’m just worried I might act against my will.”
“You’re right,” Zhu Ning said, her previously cheerful expression turning gloomy. “The Zhang family is a prominent family. You have parents above you, and your parents have their own ancestors. Just as I have my king and emperor above me, I can’t act on my own whims. If Lord Meng is sent away as an official this time, your ancestors will surely be hesitant about the marriage. If Lord Du is detained in the Jinyiwei prison and not released for a long time, or if he’s demoted, then there’s no point even thinking about you and Wan’er. Sigh!”
She shook her head in frustration and walked a few steps alongside Zhang Yue before stopping again. She stared intently at his face for a while. “I can tell the emperor still has some protection for you. Though there’s no precedent, if you ask him about the marriage, who knows—he might agree. But after all, this goes against your family’s elders. You’d better talk to your ancestors first, so they won’t say you disrespect them later.”
At that moment, Zhang Yue’s mind suddenly cleared. Thinking it was best to resolve the matter promptly, as delaying the marriage any longer could lead to unpredictable complications, he nodded and said, “Thank you for your advice, Princess. Once I return from Qingzhou, I will go and plead with the Emperor.”
The midday sun in midsummer was scorching, shrinking everyone’s shadows on the ground to mere blobs. The Meng family’s path was extremely long, with nothing to shield them on either side, so Zhu Ning’s face turned red from the sun in no time. It wasn’t until they entered the corridors on either side of Baohui Hall that the redness on her face lessened somewhat. Zhang Yue’s response relieved her greatly, but thinking of her uncertain future, she felt a heavy weight in her heart. It wasn’t until Zhang Yue escorted her from the Inner Court Gate to the Inner Flower-Pendant Gate that she finally came to her senses.
“Zhang Yue, be extremely careful on your way to Qingzhou. I heard from a young eunuch in the Cooling Hall that the imperial court has made a decision—this execution is no trivial matter; at least hundreds of heads will be cut. From now on, you will surely be seen as a thorn in the side of the White Lotus Sect, and even the people of Qingzhou will fear you like a tiger. But since this task was assigned to you by the Emperor, his favor is more important than reputation—under no circumstances should you show mercy.”