Chapter 511: The Determined Duke of Yingguo

Ever since the northern expedition was finalized, Duke Zhang Fu ceased his leisurely days of merely attending court on schedule and became increasingly busy. He discussed the transportation of military provisions, the routes for troop deployment, the positioning of various armies around the capital camp, and strategies to deal with different Mongol tribes besides the Tatars… In short, he once again truly acted as the foremost warrior, rather than a duke who spent his time idly at home. His wives, concubines, and servants saw that though he was busy, he seemed much more energetic, so they focused on other matters.

That evening, Zhang Fu didn’t return home until the third hour of the evening. Seeing his face red from the cold, Lady Wang felt concerned. Taking advantage of the maids’ absence, she quietly grasped his hand and found it utterly cold, causing her to frown. “My lord, this winter is especially harsh. Riding in and out of the palace every day is too strenuous for you. Didn’t the emperor already grant you a sedan chair carried by eight people? If you don’t want to draw attention usually, it’s not a big deal to use it in such weather.”

Zhang Fu rubbed his hands gently but waved them off, asking the maids to take away the hand warmer. Then he said seriously, “Although the capital is cold, it’s still much better than the north. If I can’t even tolerate this much cold now, what will happen when we go beyond the Great Wall? Besides, I’m leading the left wing in this expedition. If people see me coming and going in a sedan chair in the capital, they’ll surely laugh at me for still not being able to ride a horse despite not being old. That wouldn’t be pleasant at all. I know you mean well, but it’s just an old rheumatism issue—it’s almost completely cured now!”

Having been married to Zhang Fu for so many years, Lady Wang understood that while he was fine in every other regard, his tendency to be stubborn was a common trait among warriors. She could only sigh inwardly and decide to have Feng Yuanming check him again and prepare some medicine for use in the army. Soon, the two wives brought in a table, and Bi Luo, along with the maids, served the food. The couple ate in silence. It wasn’t until they reached for tea that Zhang Fu spoke up. “I heard you took Yue Ge’s wife to see the Crown Princess today?”

“With no ruler in the six palaces, the Crown Princess handles matters related to rewarding women. She previously gave her a golden necklace and a longevity lock, along with some trinkets. Since Yue Ge’s wife also received rewards, although they thanked her when they received the orders at home, it’s still necessary for her to visit the palace.”

Lady Wang gave Bi Luo a subtle signal. After she and the maids left, she continued, “I saw how hard she’s working at home, so I took her out to change her mood.”

“Did she go to the palace to relax?”
Seeing his wife’s unnatural smile, Zhang Fu knew all too well what she meant. He couldn’t help but shake his head. “Today, I happened to be reporting the marching route and other matters to the emperor. Just then, someone came in to report about matters in the Eastern Palace. Since the emperor didn’t ask me to leave, I overheard everything. He asked detailed questions about everything, and I was nervous just listening. Fortunately, that eunuch didn’t exaggerate anything. You didn’t say much, and Your Sister-in-law Yue is also smart. Otherwise, given the emperor’s unpredictable mood these days, things might have turned out badly.”
“Really? Aren’t all those rumors about Lord Du just nonsense?”
“Rumors? As the saying goes, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ Rumors can even kill people!”
He snapped this dismissively. Noticing Lady Wang’s worried expression, Zhang Fu gently patted her hand. “But there’s no need to be too anxious. It seems the emperor isn’t as uncontrollable as he was last time when provoked by Fang Binwu and the others. Things with Scholar Du should be fine. After all, since Scholar Du was in Kaifeng Prefecture without any official position, even if he had some connection with Prince Zhou, it’s not a big deal. Don’t try to do good but end up causing harm.”
As for external affairs, Lady Wang naturally followed Zhang Fu’s advice. Seeing him get up to head to the study, she suddenly remembered something else and quickly stood up, saying with a half-smile, “Hasn’t Master noticed? Xi Yu didn’t come today?”
“She…” Zhang Fu glanced around and remembered that Bi Luo had taken all the casual servants away. He helplessly shook his head. “I’ve been so busy these days that I haven’t had time to pay attention to those around me. Doesn’t she usually serve here? Why isn’t she here today? Is she unwell, or has something happened to her?”
“Look at you, always thinking the worst! When she came to pay respects this morning, her complexion seemed off. I sent someone to call a doctor and then rushed off with Your Sister-in-law Yue to the palace. It wasn’t until we returned that we learned the doctor diagnosed her as being pregnant.”
Since none of the concubines and maids in her household had had any children over the years, when she socialized with other noblewomen, people would sometimes quietly ask her what methods she used. Now that someone in her household had good news, she was naturally very happy at the prospect of a growing family. Seeing Zhang Fu still standing there, looking incredulous, Lady Wang felt a sting in her eyes. After much effort, she managed to force a smile. “Tianci only has one sister now. Having a brother or sister would make things more lively. Over the years, I’ve always envied those families with many descendants. Now, at last, our family also has both sons and daughters.”

In his youth, he fought abroad year after year. After finally being granted a hereditary title, he was sent on military campaigns again and again. Zhang Fu naturally understood why he had always struggled to have descendants. Seeing his wife’s eyes turn red, he forgot that they were now old spouses. He reached out to pull her closer and comforted her a few words. Noticing her face turn slightly red, just like on their wedding night, he even forgot the good news he had just heard. As a rare tenderness filled the air between the couple, a disruptive voice suddenly came from outside.
“Master, Young Master Yue from Xuanfu sent Lord Thirteen to deliver a message.”
This voice immediately woke the couple who had shared weal and woe for over twenty years. Zhang Fu awkwardly released her. Since Peng Thirteen couldn’t enter the inner courtyard, he gave a few instructions to Lady Wang before hurrying out. When he arrived at the study and saw Peng Thirteen’s dusty appearance, he examined him from head to toe before nodding in approval.
“You also made significant contributions in the Battle of Xinghe. Although Zhang Yue submitted a report and Zheng Pingyuan reported truthfully, once this northern expedition is over, the emperor will surely honor you. Don’t try to decline this time—otherwise, the emperor might think I’m hiding brave warriors in my mansion and keeping them from seeing the light! By the way, Marquis Wu’an sent word that everything for this mission has been planned. Lu Feng is almost certain to defeat Wang Guan—now it’s just a matter of getting rid of this pest. Since it’s at such a critical moment, why have you returned?”
“That’s right, everything is done according to Master’s arrangements. As for me, it was Young Master Yue who insisted I return at all costs.”
Peng Thirteen ignored Zhang Fu’s earlier remarks about rewards and unrolled the bundle from his back. Inside, he took out an oil-paper wrapped package and handed it over. Zhang Fu raised his eyebrows, thinking it was excessive for Zhang Yue to send a message requiring Peng Thirteen’s involvement and to wrap it so carefully in oil paper. After removing the outer layer of oil paper, he found two letters inside, which puzzled him even more. He first read the one addressed to him.
It would have been better if he hadn’t read it. From start to finish, his originally relaxed mood turned extremely bad, and his face even started twitching. During his time training in Xuanfu, Wang Guan had kept a low profile. Although he knew the eunuch had been corrupt, it was difficult to find evidence, so he chose to turn a blind eye. It wasn’t until he returned to the capital and received frequent letters from Xu Heng that he realized how detestable this eunuch really was. But if corruption could still be tolerated, colluding with the Tartars was absolutely unacceptable!

Glancing at the letter on the other envelope without a sender’s address, realizing it was the memorial meant to be presented to the emperor, Zhang Fu hesitated. With his status, it would be easy for him to submit such a document, but what Zhang Yue had written in the letter was of great significance. It wasn’t hard to overthrow a eunuch, but in official circles, the priority was to protect oneself rather than attack enemies. If the emperor thought Zhang Yue had overstepped his authority or formed any other negative impression, it would be counterproductive. With this in mind, he immediately picked up the letter, quickly broke open the seal, and carefully read the memorial.

After reading it through, Zhang Fu understood what Zhang Yue meant by mentioning it in his own letter and felt relieved. In this world, there were elders who protected their younger ones, and younger ones who protected their elders—it wasn’t a big deal for a young man to act impulsively. Anyway, it was clear that the censor was in the right. Even if Zhang Yue endured this time, there might be another censor who would accuse him of staying idle while his superior was in danger. Not to mention others—how many times had he, the Duke of Yingguo, been accused?

“That kid has always been steady, but this time he sent something so forceful. No wonder he asked me to help deliver it! I won’t let you take the letter. Set off back tomorrow morning and tell him I’ll submit it at the right time. As for the crown matter, I know he can handle it well. Even if it needs to be exposed, it shouldn’t go through his hands.”

After sending Peng Shisan back to rest, Zhang Fu threw Zhang Yue’s letter into the charcoal brazier and watched as the paper turned to ashes. He stirred it several times with a stick to ensure it was completely burned before opening a lacquered box on the empty bookshelf. After thinking for a moment, he placed the memorial inside, turned the key several times, then turned around, feeling uncertain.

The crown was just a minor issue—solving it wasn’t troublesome. But the problem was that Zhang Yue had clearly stated that it might involve the Prince of Shouguang. Although he had already tried to curry favor with the Eastern Palace, the letters sent by the Prince of Han to the Duke of Yingguo never stopped, and there would likely be more gifts during the New Year. If other nobles accepted them, he couldn’t possibly refuse.

It was obvious to everyone that Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu was determined to become the second to Zhu Di. The question is, even when Zhu Di was still the Prince of Yan, if he had any ulterior motives, would he have shown them so clearly? Moreover, Prince Han actually sent his son Zhu Zhanqi to the capital without giving any thought to the estrangement between father and son in the past. If he wasn’t mistaken, if it were really Zhu Zhanqi who instigated Wang Guan to leak secrets, it was more likely he was seeking personal revenge rather than serving his father’s cause!
Zhu Gaoxu, at least, had courage though lack strategy, but that imperial grandson had neither courage nor strategy! If that was the case, since Zhu Di had once called him a brave and strategic general, he ought to live up to the emperor’s praise!