Chapter 39: Father and Son Understanding Each Other’s Hearts

The room, which had been filled with laughter just moments ago, fell dead silent. Madam Feng could hardly hide her shock; her hand, which was reaching for chopsticks to serve the food, froze mid-air. Madam Dongfang was stunned for a moment before adopting a thoughtful expression. The younger generation at the table was equally astonished and confused. Feng Lan was even more shocked; it took her a while before she cleared her throat to ease the awkwardness, after which she began to laugh.

“Grandma, that’s just joking. Leaving aside the British Duke in the capital, who doesn’t consider the Zhang family of Xiangfu to be among the most prestigious families? Miss Qing married a high-ranking young marquis. In my opinion, if these four young men want to get married, they should surely choose daughters from noble families—like marquises, dukes, or earls. As for my two daughters… hehe, if I agreed, others might laugh at me for aiming too high.”

Madam Gu had said this casually, under the influence of alcohol, and immediately regretted it. First, such matters should not be discussed in a casual setting like a banquet; careful consideration was needed. Second, the Jin family was of humble origins, and although they had produced a fourth-rank official, they still couldn’t compare to the Zhang family, with its century-long tradition of serving in government. So, she smiled slightly and changed the subject, as if such a matter had never been mentioned.

Zhang Yue watched as his brothers Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi stared foolishly at the twin sisters, finding it amusing. Zhang Chao was about to turn seventeen, and Madam Dongfang was extremely worried about finding him a suitable match, which explained why Madam Gu suddenly brought up the idea of marriage. As for Zhang Qi, he was already fifteen and approaching marriage age.

Not to mention them, even his own parents often talked about these matters these days, to the point where his ears were almost calloused from hearing them.

After the meal, Feng Lan took Jin Heng and Jin Su to say goodbye. Before leaving, she promised to let her daughters stay at the Zhang family for a while. Madam Dongfang personally escorted them to the entrance, holding Feng Lan’s hand and talking to her for a long time before ordering a sedan to send them off—she was even more enthusiastic than Feng Lan, who was the elder sister.

In the western courtyard, Madam Sun pondered Feng Lan’s two daughters while smiling at her son, her eyes filled with affection and approval. “Yue, your father just passed the imperial examination and is waiting for assignment by the Ministry of Personnel. If you also pass the provincial examination next year, the whole family will have a wonderful story to tell. But you’re far more accomplished than your father!”

“Ying Ru, are you trying to slander me in front of my son again?”

With that sound, Zhang Zhuo entered the door with a smile. When people are happy, they feel refreshed. In recent years, his status in the family had greatly improved. Though he still couldn’t compare to his two elder brothers, Zhang Xin and Zhang You, the servants no longer dared to look down on him. It was he who stepped in to resolve the troubles and disputes over the two Zhang family farms, handling them neatly and winning the favor of his stepmother, Lady Gu.

“My son started studying at the age of thirteen; who knows, by fifteen he might even pass the imperial examinations and become a juren. Isn’t that more capable than the master?” Lady Sun glanced at Zhang Zhuo sideways, then gently stroked her rounded belly, her face filled with utter satisfaction. “I don’t expect you to become a high-ranking official. I just hope our family can live in peace. Master, I really hope this child will be a daughter!”

“Alright, if you want a daughter, then it will be a daughter!”

Zhang Zhuo was speechless with laughter. Seeing his son standing aside, watching them bicker with interest, his smile froze on his face. Though he wanted to scold him in a fatherly manner, he couldn’t think of anything to reproach him, so he could only sigh and give up the idea, feeling somewhat frustrated.

His son was too sensible and capable, leaving the father feeling constrained.

Since his wife was pregnant and needed rest, Zhang Zhuo spoke briefly before ordering the maid to help Lady Sun rest in the inner room. He then sat down in the main seat. He had intended to praise his son for his excellent academic performance, but remembering how many times Lady Gu had already praised him, he retracted his words.

“I heard Mr. Du is going to the capital?”

Speaking of this, Zhang Yue was full of complaints. He had studied under Du Zhen for four years, not only learning how to write elegant eight-part essays but also much more. Although Du Zhen had a peculiar temper and was somewhat cold, he had shared all his knowledge with him. Such a teacher was hard to find even with a lantern. Yet, a sudden letter a few days ago disrupted his plans—letter from some Scholar Shen, stating that the emperor wanted to summon Du Zhen to serve in the court. “Scholar Shen said someone will come to pick up Mr. Du soon, and it’s said to be an important position that suits Mr. Du’s character.”

“Mr. Du is your mentor; you should be happy that he’s making a comeback. Why do you look so worried?” Seeing Zhang Yue’s troubled expression, Zhang Zhuo seized the opportunity to give him some advice. “Although the Duke of Britain has great military achievements, he doesn’t deal with politics after all. You’re pursuing a career as a civil servant. Mr. Du will still be able to support you in the future. What’s the big deal about a temporary separation?”
“Father’s words are wise; I’ll keep them in mind.”
Though he said this, Zhang Yue was thinking that the emperors of the Ming Dynasty were often capricious, especially the current Emperor Yongle. The saying ‘to serve an emperor is like serving a tiger’ wasn’t just an exaggeration—he was truly worried that Du Zhen might become isolated in the capital and cause some unforeseen crisis. At that moment, he completely forgot how many times over the years he had witnessed Du Zhen’s sharp insight, and even forgot that Du Zhen had once been a scholar in the Hanlin Academy and even managed to escape unharmed during the Jianwen era.
“Don’t worry too much about Mr. Du. Spend more time on your studies instead of being like me…” Zhang Zhuo stopped mid-sentence, annoyed at using himself as an example again. After clearing his throat, he continued, “In short, don’t become arrogant just because you’re successful at a young age. In terms of talent, Jiu Ge is stronger than you, but he’s not as meticulous in writing. The reason lies in the fact that you have a good teacher.”
Zhang Yue nodded and then smiled. “Father, if I become complacent over such a small achievement, wouldn’t that mean I’m too shallow?”
Looking at his son’s calm smile, Zhang Zhuo felt an indescribable sense of pride. His own life was already at an end, with no other expectations left. But if he could nurture an outstanding son, then he would have fulfilled his duty to himself, his wife, and even his late mother. More than his academic skills, what pleased him most was his son’s character.
“By the way, Father, how’s the matter with your waiting for a position?”
In other families, it’s the father who cares about his son’s future, but in their family, it was the other way around. So, even though Zhang Zhuo knew it was his son’s sincere concern, he couldn’t help but show a mix of annoyance and amusement.
“I’ve only been waiting for two years, while others wait for ten or eight years. There’s no way it’ll be that fast.”
“It’s fine that you don’t want to be an official. At least having the title of a juren gives you an advantage—far better than being a low-ranking official who has to bow and fawn at everyone he meets!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhuo became furious and immediately scolded her with a stern face. Just then, a maid came in, lifting the curtain, and said that the second madam had something to discuss with the third master. He then left his son behind and went straight away.
In the evening, Zhang Yue finally understood what his second aunt, Lady Dongfang, was asking him to investigate—his shrewd and calculating second aunt actually intended to form a marital alliance with the Jin family, the governor of Kaifeng. In other words, she had asked Zhang Zhuo to gather information about the Jin family.