Chapter 529: It’s Most Difficult to Repay Family’s Kindness

The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is known as the Minor New Year, and the custom of worshipping the Kitchen God has existed since the Tang and Song dynasties. Although Xuanfu was a strategic border town and could not close down and go on holiday as early as other government offices, the military headquarters also did not start work early on this day. From Qiuhen, Zhang Yue learned that Zheng Heng’s concubine, Aunt Zhang, had just arrived that day as well. He was even more certain that the vigorous Marquis of Wu’an would likely be delayed in leaving to handle affairs on this Minor New Year as well. Since he had nothing to do, he had the rare chance to take a day off.

The kang had already been warmed, and Qiuhen had laid new bedding on it. The satin fabric embroidered with gold thread in pine-flower patterns and koi fish shone brightly under the flickering light, adding a touch of elegance to the simple room. Sitting cross-legged on the kang, Zhang Yue watched as Qiuhen magically took out many items from the chest and couldn’t help but sigh while resting his chin in his hand.

“Since you’re coming, why bring so many household items? Where can we find such delicacies when we’re away from home?”

“The young mistress will arrive later, so everything must be prepared properly. It’s truly a great grace from the emperor!” Remembering Zhang Yue’s earlier impatient scolding of her as a silly girl, Qiuhen felt light-hearted and smiled as she took out a few items from the chest, presenting them to Zhang Yue as if offering treasures. “This is a letter from the young mistress. These are pouches made personally by Lingxi and Hupo. One contains a talisman obtained from Lingji Palace, and the other is a prayer bead from Daqing Shousi Temple. This is high-quality gold ointment sent by the master, and this is a longevity lock specially asked by the lady, and this is from the old lady…”

Seeing so many items in his hands at once, Zhang Yue found it amusing but also realized they were all expressions of his family’s kindness. He set them aside on the kang table and, while asking about home, opened the letter. Unfolding the stack of letters, he saw the familiar words at the beginning and couldn’t help but smile.

Du Wan didn’t use any fancy or complicated language in the letter; she wrote in her usual casual tone, casually mentioning various household matters. From his grandmother Gu’s gradual recovery to his mother Sun’s nighttime coughing, even to Xiao Jingguan gradually becoming more prone to crying, and Zhang Jing often teasing this nephew—everything was vividly described. Even without seeing it, he could imagine the warm and joyful scenes. However, when he reached the fourth page, his expression turned hesitant.

“Since my father-in-law returned to Beijing to care for his illness, I spent most of the day attending to my mother-in-law. Only in the afternoon, after noon, would he often go out and return very late. My mother-in-law, being sick, was often suspicious and impatient. When I asked, my father-in-law claimed he was visiting guests. It was not until later that I asked the servants outside and found out that he always took two attendants from Nanjing with him whenever he went out. To avoid worrying my mother-in-law, I didn’t mention this. But something was indeed strange about it. I didn’t want to worry you, but to be safe, I had to bring it up.”

Did my father often leave secretly? Zhang Yue was naturally very concerned about this last point mentioned by Du Wan. Although others said Zhang Zhuo’s success was due to his son, he never saw it that way. His achievements were due not only to opportunities and his own efforts but also to his family’s support—especially his father’s silent contributions in terms of money and people, as well as Yuan Fang’s help in getting him through many difficult times. All these factors couldn’t be ignored.

If there was something that made Zhang Zhuo act so secretly, there was only one reason he could think of: it must be to see Yuan Fang. If that was the case, another question arose—what could possibly require his father to risk going out to see Yuan Fang repeatedly? Had something else happened?

With only this clue, no matter how hard Zhang Yue tried to figure it out, he couldn’t come to a conclusion and had to drop the matter. He folded the other three letters and put them back in the envelope. Then he got up from the bed and threw the last piece of paper into the charcoal brazier, watching it turn to ashes. As he turned to leave, he saw Qiu Hen holding several sets of clothes.

“These were made for you, young master, when we had nothing to do at home,” Qiu Hen said, unrolling each set as if presenting treasures, her smile growing brighter. “The young mistress also wanted to help us, but unfortunately, right after finishing the clothes for Jingguan, she had to stop temporarily because the second madam took over household chores. Lingxi had to assist the young mistress, so in the end, I and Hupo each made two sets. The other two sets were made by the madam herself. She heard that your clothes were in tatters while you were trapped in Xinghe, so she specifically instructed that these new clothes must be brought to you so you’d look presentable during the New Year!”

“Mom is still the same—she treats me like a child even though I’m already so grown up!”

Recalling that since he was ten years old, every New Year, Aunt Sun would always sew him a new set of clothes in addition to those prepared at home, Zhang Yue felt emotional, but his heart was still occupied with his mother. Having saved expenses when they were young, both Zhang Zhuo and Zhang Yue’s clothes were custom-made by Aunt Sun herself. Thus, these two sets in shades of blue and indigo were exquisitely stitched, no less fine than those made by Hu Bo and Qiu Hen, and the fabric was delicate and soft, clearly of top quality from Suzhou and Songjiang.

“By the way, who started the nonsense about my clothes being tattered?” Thinking of how even the emperor had mentioned it during his last reward ceremony, Zhang Yue found it utterly bizarre. “I was trapped in Xinghe at that time—so few people saw what happened. How could such rumors spread everywhere?”

Qiu Hen didn’t know about these things, but she still couldn’t help feeling uneasy. “Young master, when we heard the news back then, the eldest young master and the others kept it secret from the old lady and the rest of the family; not even the young mistress was aware. It was Princess Chenliu who often came by. I only found out after the good news of victory arrived, and I was terrified. Later, I went to Daqing Shousi Temple to pray to the Buddha. As for the rumor that your clothes were tattered, it suddenly spread throughout the capital after Xuanfu reported victory. It said you personally devised strategies, commanded the troops under arrowfire, shot down the Tartar flag with an arrow, set their camps ablaze, and led the soldiers to shout ‘Long live the emperor!’ I heard the emperor even praised you during the morning court session, though I don’t know what he said.”

Du Wan couldn’t possibly not know… How could she not! Princess Chenliu always got news faster than anyone else, and she was straightforward. Once she learned such significant news, she would definitely tell Du Wan. It was remarkable that she had kept it hidden so well, not even letting someone as close as Qiu Hen suspect anything.

Zhang Yue listened and pondered, and it wasn’t until he heard the last sentence that a hint of confusion appeared on his previously stunned face. Immediately, two words came to mind—fabrication. Moreover, the level of this fabrication was such that it targeted Zhu Di’s psychology precisely. The rumors spread certainly wouldn’t anger the emperor. Only Yuan Fang could have grasped the situation so accurately.

On the evening of the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month, every household in the capital was also preparing for the altar sacrifice the following year. It was already curfew time, yet music and songs could still be heard from many nobles’ residences. As it was the end of the year and also Princess Zhu Ning of Chenliu Commandery’s birthday, the Prince of Zhou’s mansion set up a theater stage after the birthday banquet and invited several close royal relatives and nobles to watch a play.

Men sat downstairs while women were upstairs; the actors on stage were dressed in splendid costumes, performing a variety play titled “The Eight Immortals Celebrate Birthday in the Jade Pool.” Even more rare was that the entire troupe came from the imperial music department. Emperor Zhu Di bestowed countless gifts on Zhu Ning for her birthday—the long list of gifts at the beginning of the ceremony made everyone envious.

“The Prince of Zhou is skilled in medicine, while His Royal Highness is adept at music and opera; truly, a son follows in his father’s footsteps!”

“I heard the music department just performed this play for the emperor recently. The emperor praised its beautiful music and grand spectacle, and even said he wanted to reward His Royal Highness!”

“Oh, Princess, how can you not be interested in such a splendid performance? If it weren’t for your birthday today, the music department wouldn’t have come all the way here, let alone the fact that this play was specially created for you by His Royal Highness!”

Surrounded by noblewomen who praised her endlessly, Zhu Ning felt quite uncomfortable. She naturally knew that her elder brother Zhu Youdun had gone to such lengths to write this play not just to celebrate her birthday, but also to mark the 20th anniversary of the emperor’s ascension. Yet, she couldn’t say such things in front of others. Seizing an opportunity, she left the party.

Outside the garden, remembering that Du Wan couldn’t visit personally and had only sent her a box of homemade preserved fruits and a embroidered handkerchief through Xiao Wu, she grew thoughtful. Although the emperor had given her many gifts, she hadn’t invited many guests, fearing people might gossip about her showing off. Her father had returned at the beginning of the year, and she wanted to go back with him by any means necessary. By then, all connections in the capital would be severed. Of course, Kaifeng wasn’t far from the capital, so they could still correspond, and Xiao Wu could visit her often… Wait, Du Wan had mentioned before that someone seemed interested in Xiao Wu?

“That lucky girl… No, no—which lucky man could be worthy of her?”

Muttering to herself, Zhu Ning suddenly heard some noise in the path ahead, which puzzled her. Stepping forward quietly, she recognized her father Zhu Zhu as the one talking with someone at the moon gate, but the person across from him seemed quite unfamiliar.

“Gather information quickly and act swiftly afterward. Last time’s publicity efforts were excellent—this fief has indeed chosen the right person! Pass on the message: everyone’s share for this New Year should be doubled!”
“Thank you, King Zhou!”
Seeing that man kneel and kowtow before leaving respectfully, Zhu Ning’s heart skipped a beat. She naturally understood what was meant by “publicity efforts,” but who was the target of these efforts? The more she thought about it, the less clear it became. Unconsciously, she took two steps back, only to accidentally kick a small stone. The slight noise immediately attracted attention.
“Aning?” Zhu Zhu rushed over and saw two guards from the royal palace surrounding Zhu Ning. Annoyed, he waved his hand to send them away. Seeing his daughter glare at him, he stepped closer and affectionately put a wind cap on her. “Silly girl, I’m doing this to help that fool Zhang Yue. He’s made such great contributions—if the emperor still refuses to spare his father-in-law, it would be disheartening for a meritorious official. Stop overthinking it. After all, I and Old Du are friends!”