Chapter 451: Parents
As the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were busy allocating and transporting military funds recently, the Armory Department was tasked with providing weapons for the troops dispatched to various regions, ensuring they had what they needed for deployment, and establishing a schedule for the elite troops from different areas to arrive in the capital. It also coordinated with other departments to arrange camp locations, among other duties. As a result, Zhang Yue returned home at the first moment of the evening hour. As soon as he entered the West Corner Gate, he heard the bad news that Lady Gu had fallen ill. Shocked, he didn’t have time to ask more and rushed to the main house in the northern courtyard. Upon entering, he saw someone coming out.
“Fortunately, Xiao Wu arrived in time, and the condition was relieved promptly. From now on, we’ll use the prescription I left to gradually restore her health. The old lady is quite advanced in age, and she often struggles with changes in weather. When the illness flares up, she experiences shortness of breath, coughing, and palpitations, and she needs acupuncture daily. But to be honest, it’s one thing if a younger person has this disease, but since the old lady is nearly seventy, it’s unlikely to be completely cured—only the symptoms can be alleviated.”
Zhang Yue happened to hear Feng Yuanming giving these instructions to Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi beside him. His heart tightened immediately, and he hurried over. Seeing him arrive, Feng Yuanming nodded briefly before giving more instructions to Xiao Wu about what to pay attention to and avoid during acupuncture. Although Zhang Yue was anxious, he didn’t dare interrupt rashly. Eventually, Zhang Chao pulled him aside and briefly recounted the events of the afternoon before sighing.
“Dr. Feng says this illness must have been there before, but it probably wasn’t severe at first, so Grandmother didn’t take it seriously. This time, she was very upset, so when it flared up, it was quite intense. It’s not your or your third sister-in-law’s fault, so don’t worry too much.”
After thinking it over, Zhang Yue couldn’t believe that the cause of this matter was actually related to him. His expression grew troubled. Since Zhang Chao wasn’t there at the time and his explanation was rather disorganized, he remained puzzled. Seeing Feng Yuanming still giving instructions to Xiao Wu, he simply asked Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi to accompany him outside later and stepped inside by pulling back the curtain. In the eastern room, he saw half of a green curtain laid on the large bed against the wall, and Ling Xi sitting by the bed. He quietly stepped forward.
Mrs. Gu was sitting upright on the bed, drinking water. Seeing someone suddenly appear behind Lingxi, she was momentarily stunned before smiling and saying, “When did Brother Yue start to learn from Lingxi? He can move around without making a sound at all. Don’t keep such a serious expression. I specifically instructed that no one go to the Ministry of War to disturb you. It’s just a minor illness. I often suffer from headaches and fevers; it’s nothing serious. Besides, Xiao Wu arrived in time, and after a few acupuncture sessions, you’ve recovered a lot.”
“I was really shocked just now. Thankfully, you still look fine. Doctor Feng has said to have Xiao Wu come to give you acupuncture and check your pulse every day. It’s just a tiny illness. You’ve always been in good health, so nothing serious will happen.”
Humans aren’t plants. Although he initially only felt respect for Mrs. Gu and little affection, over the years, Zhang Yue had come to realize that this matriarch of the family was different from those old-fashioned people. Whether it was scolding people in an authoritative manner, having heart-to-heart talks, quietly resolving household matters, distributing land titles during marriages among family members to ensure they wouldn’t have worries while holding official positions, or persuading people with both emotion and reason… Although Mrs. Gu wasn’t completely free of personal preferences, those preferences weren’t hateful—they were rather endearing. At this moment, as he held the old lady’s hand, his mind was occupied by Feng Yuanming’s words.
He had long been accustomed to having this grandmother at the head of the household. If one day she were to pass away… perhaps the whole family wouldn’t become as distant and cold as the Zhang Fu, Zhang Xuan, and Zhang Jie brothers, but it would be hard to maintain the closeness they had now.
Seeing Zhang Yue’s troubled expression, Mrs. Gu mistook it for self-reproach over what had happened earlier and said, “It’s not your wife’s fault, nor is it yours. There are many noblemen in the court, each with their own favorites. Someone like your second uncle is just one of the lowest-ranked. Otherwise, why would he go to Jiaozhi even after being granted a count title? Your eldest and second brothers may seem to have promising careers in the military, but they still can’t compare to you, who have caught the emperor’s attention. That’s why I’m especially concerned about you. After all, among the younger generation of the Zhang family, you’re the most sensible. Even if those titles become hereditary in the future and your eldest brother can inherit them smoothly, your siblings will still need your support. I never expected those two, who are already elders, to have such ridiculous thoughts. If I were to pass away, I’m afraid the whole family would fall apart…”
“Grandmother!”
Gu Shi felt the hand holding hers suddenly grow heavier, and she stopped speaking. Smiling, she said, “Your wife spoke very truthfully—father is one, husband is also one; neither can be easily given up, nor should one be sacrificed for the other. Though I respect Lord Du’s character, I certainly don’t want you to fall into danger because of him. A teacher remains a father for life; it’s right to do your best to save him, but be careful not to get yourself badly hurt. Given Lord Du’s temperament, he surely wouldn’t want to see you make mistakes over his matter.”
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I understand all this.”
After nodding, Gu Shi took Zhang Yue aside and gave him a few more instructions before sending him back to his room. Only after he left did she show a hint of concern. She knew well about her own health—this palpitation had been a chronic issue for years, usually causing only minor discomfort, but now… She gently pressed on her chest. Seeing Lingxi lift the curtain and enter, she calmed herself down.
With Gu Shi ill, everyone was now having dinner in their own courtyards, including the western courtyard. During this dinner, due to the sudden events of the day, Sun Shi was in a bad mood and silent, Du Wan was preoccupied and silent too, and Zhang Yue, with both work and personal matters swirling in his mind, remained silent as well. It would have been fine if they just stayed silent, but everyone had a gloomy expression—so, faced with the array of dishes on the table, the usually lively Xiao Zhang Jing couldn’t hold back any longer. She suddenly pushed aside her utensils and jumped off her chair.
“Even though Grandmother is sick, why does everyone have to act like this?” she shouted. Seeing her mother, brother, and sister-in-law looking at her, the little girl grew even angrier. “It’s suffocating! I have no appetite. I’m going back to my room!”
Sun Shi was already uneasy leaving her daughter in this large mansion while she returned to Nanjing alone. Now that her son-in-law had been imprisoned and her daughter-in-law had been questioned by the emperor, she was filled with frustration. Hearing this, she couldn’t hold back any longer and suddenly stood up. “This isn’t a place for you to speak! Leaving halfway through dinner—what kind of rule is that? Is this how I taught you?”
Zhang Yue was snapped out of his thoughts by Zhang Jing’s outburst. Seeing tears welling in the little girl’s eyes, he stood up, took her hand, and led her outside. After handing her over to the nanny who had followed, he bent down to the girl and said, “Go back to your room without worry. Your brother is here. I’ll make sure to give you your usual mother and sister-in-law again.”
Seeing Zhang Yue’s reassuring smile, Zhang Jing couldn’t help but nod, then took the wet nurse’s hand and left with a smile replacing her tears. Zhang Yue returned to the room and saw that Lady Sun still looked upset. He coughed lightly and said, “Mother, it was just caused by my second sister’s chatter today. There was no real issue at all—just the emperor casually asking Wanmei a question. Then my aunt and second aunt made a fuss for no reason, even making our grandmother ill. Why are you upset too?”
“I’m worried, that’s all!” Lady Sun glanced at him and snapped, “I have only you as a son. Now that the emperor is targeting even the high officials, locking them up and confiscating their homes, I’m terrified just watching from the capital. How can I leave calmly? Besides, you’ve always been someone who values loyalty and righteousness. If you did something outrageous, what would happen to me and your father? And Jing is so young—even with Wan’s help, what if something goes wrong here… In short, four words: I’m not at ease!”
At that moment, even Du Wan, who had felt disheartened earlier, was moved by Lady Sun’s words. Today’s incident was completely unexpected; she hadn’t expected it to cause such a big problem, and now she didn’t know what to say. Just then, she felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder and heard Zhang Yue’s voice.
“Scholar Xiao Yang once said, ‘There’s a proper way to serve one’s ruler and a proper way to offer advice. I won’t seek trouble by being too blunt.’ Mother, you still don’t know my nature. Acting recklessly is not only useless but also harmful. Am I that foolish? Wanmei already explained my father’s character to the emperor today. If I really got hurt trying to free him, I’m afraid the first thing he’d do upon release would be to scold me harshly. Please go in peace. Jing will be taken care of by Wanmei and me.”
After hearing this, Lady Sun’s expression finally softened. Zhang Yue then continued to coax and persuade her until she left. When he turned back into the room, he smiled at Du Wan and said, “Sometimes coaxing mother is just like coaxing a child. If she gave you a cold look before, Wanmei, don’t take it to heart. Mother never means it badly.”
“I’m not that petty!” Du Wan felt warm inside despite Zhang Yue mentioning it, her face turning slightly red. She quickly asked, “I understand my father’s temper, and I understand yours too, that’s why I could say those things to the emperor. But are you really sure the emperor just asked out of curiosity?”
Zhang Yue originally wanted to brush it off casually, but Du Wan stared at him intently. After much deliberation, he finally shrugged and said, “I really don’t know either. After all, there’s no news yet. I’m just a physician in the armory department. Do you expect me to lead troops into battle and earn military merits just to get my father-in-law released? That’s unreasonable. The emperor wouldn’t be so foolish or capricious in such an important matter. Anyway, just be at ease!”