Chapter 535: Such a Son-in-Law—What a Blessing for Me

“Achoo… My health has always been strong, but this time it just won’t cooperate. Now, those who don’t know might think the Zhang family has been cursed—both the second and third wives are too sick to even leave the house. Wan’er, don’t worry. Your father-in-law promised that your father will surely be released before the New Year. Once you’re reunited, I’ll immediately arrange for someone to send you to Xuanfu… Achoo, achoo… By the way, have you seen the eldest master? How is he doing? The eldest wife happened to return home due to family matters and missed this joyous occasion…”

Having just left the main house in the northern courtyard, Du Wan returned inside to have lunch with Lady Sun. Hearing her mother-in-law talking nonstop while sneezing, a faint smile appeared on her lips. At that moment, Hu Bo brought over two cups of red date and longan tea. She handed one cup to Lady Sun and was about to speak when the door curtain outside was suddenly flung open. Seeing Ling Xi, who was usually so steady and reliable, she was greatly surprised.

“Madam, young madam, we just received news—Lord Du has been released!”
“Lord Du has been released? Good heavens, this is the best news before the end of the year!” Lady Sun reacted instantly, nearly spilling the red date and longan tea on the kang. In a hurry, she placed the cup on the table and pressed Ling Xi for more details. Realizing that Ling Xi only knew that the news had arrived and rushed to report it, with no other information, she pushed the stunned Du Wan hard. “It’s fine here. You must go home right away. Although Yue is not there, if he were, he would surely rush over. Ling Xi, hurry and arrange a carriage… It’s been a chaotic year, but finally, we’ve made it to the end!”

After long waits and hopes, good news had finally arrived. Though pushed hard by her mother-in-law, Du Wan had to pinch her palm hard with her nails to confirm that she wasn’t dreaming. Waking up, she quickly wiped her slightly reddened eyes, got off the kang, and bowed solemnly. Lady Sun, too busy to help her up, could only sternly frown.

“What are you doing?”

Du Wan raised her head and saw Lady Sun glaring at her. She then composed herself and said, “My husband is my father’s student and his son-in-law. He is now working hard outside to achieve success, with only the goal of returning to be with my father. There’s not even a word of thanks between husband and wife, but for your understanding and my father-in-law’s support, I truly don’t know how to repay you. As soon as you arrived in the capital, you fell ill. In your delirious state, you kept calling his name and even complained about me a bit, but once you recovered, you didn’t say anything harsh to me…”

Lady Sun’s face turned slightly red. Though she wasn’t a petty woman, she understood that Zhang Yue was by no means someone determined to climb the ladder aggressively. Learning that her son was risking his life in Xuanfu naturally made her feel heartache. She had been upset in secret and even complained to her husband. She remembered that without Du Zhen, Zhang Yue wouldn’t know what to do now. Zhang Zhuo had tried his best to comfort him, and since the most critical moment had passed, she had managed not to show any displeasure in front of Du Wan. She never expected that she would still reveal her true feelings even while ill.

“You child, since when have you become so indecisive? You were chosen as Yue’s wife by him himself. If I really showed you disfavor, he might not say anything, but he would surely resent me in his heart! Enough talk about not knowing how to repay. Just have more children! Go home quickly. If you can’t return by night, send someone to let me know. Hurry up, or I might change my mind!”

It wasn’t until Du Wan bowed deeply and left the room that Lady Sun began to regret her actions. When she first entered the family, her mother-in-law had been extremely strict, and with her husband being the way he was, she had to be extremely careful in every word and deed. After finally becoming a mother-in-law, with her husband and son both performing well, she had thought about being a good mother-in-law for her son’s sake. But when trouble arose, her heart still leaned entirely toward her son. Of course, aside from her husband, son, and daughter, her daughter-in-law came first—even her own brother had to take a backseat.

Using the excuse of needing a nap, she sent everyone away and lay there, gradually drifting into thought. Why had the old lady sent Qiu Hen instead of Lingxi Hupo when sending someone to Xuanfu? That girl had served Zhang Yue since she was young; she was trustworthy with no other flaws, but she was stubborn, focusing solely on Zhang Yue in her service and lacking the sense of propriety compared to the other two… By age, those three should have been sent away from Zhang Yue’s side, but first, the old lady had made it clear, second, she still liked them, and third, Zhang Yue was indeed kind to them all, so she kept delaying things until now.

But what on earth was the daughter-in-law thinking?

Her head ached from overthinking, so Sun Shi simply pulled the blanket over herself and turned over, thinking of her own affairs. She had originally planned for Zhang Zhuo to take this opportunity to return and serve Lady Gu, while staying in the capital to seek an official position. But now that Zhang Xin had returned, it made no sense for the whole family to stay in the capital. It seemed they would have to return to Nanjing after all. In that case, she would just leave Hongluan behind—there was even a ready-made excuse.

After all, Zhang Fu was still a grandson of the Zhang family. Though he was young, he should stay at the ancestral home to receive proper education. Therefore, it was only natural to leave Hongluan to take care of him. People would even praise her as a generous matriarch, and even the old lady couldn’t find fault with her!

Du Wan didn’t know about Sun Shi’s schemes, but sitting in the carriage and recalling Sun Shi’s slightly flushed face at that time, she couldn’t help but smile. She knew those words shouldn’t have been said, but she couldn’t help herself back then because, after all these upheavals, she truly treated her mother-in-law like her own mother. She wasn’t an emotionless person—surface-level kindness and genuine sincerity were completely different things.

“Without a teacher, there would be no me, so I am willing to do whatever I do now.”

Unconsciously, she opened the family letter that Zhang Yue had just brought back, read that last sentence once again, and then pressed the letter against her heart. She wasn’t an iron-willed person who couldn’t feel pain, sorrow, or despair. She was able to endure these difficult times not only because she already had a son but also because she had an unshakable belief in her heart.

“Young mistress, we’ve arrived!”

A voice outside the carriage abruptly interrupted Du Wan’s thoughts. Cui Mama, who had been dozing off against the carriage wall, woke up instantly, quickly jumped down from the carriage, and reached out to help her. She stepped down steadily and then hurried up the steps. Just then, Yue Shan from the front gate came out. When their eyes met, she saw his surprised and delighted expression.

“Miss, you’ve returned so quickly! Master just arrived not long ago!”

“Has Father already returned?”

Du Wan originally thought there would be some time between the emperor’s order and the release of her father. Hearing that he had already returned home, she was overjoyed and immediately set aside all rules and etiquette, lifting her skirt and rushing in like the wind. Mother Cui, who was following behind, had never seen the usually composed young mistress run in like this. She was stunned for a moment before hurrying after her, also feeling very happy. Seeing the two enter one after another, Yue Shan quickly stepped forward to greet the Zhang family’s servants and attendants, eager to show all his joy on his face.

The 27th and 28th days of the 12th lunar month were traditionally times for people to bathe and get rid of bad luck. So, when Lady Qiu finally saw her husband return, she immediately ordered people to heat water for a bath. Since their marriage, she and Du Zhen had spent little time together. Now, though her husband seemed in good spirits, his pale and thin face filled her with distress. Only when she saw Xiao Wu happily holding his hand did she suppress her worry and quietly turn away to wipe her eyes. Just then, she suddenly heard a commotion outside. In surprise, she saw the curtain lift high, and it was her daughter standing there.

“Dad!”

Du Zhen, who was comforting Xiao Wu, raised his head at this voice. Seeing Du Wan rush in, both surprised and delighted, she threw herself into his arms, leaving him momentarily stunned.

He was cold-hearted in front of outsiders, and though not strict with his family, he rarely showed strong emotions. His daughter Du Wan was exactly like him in this regard. Even when they reunited after being separated for over a decade, or even when he came out of the Jinyiwei prison, Du Wan had always held back her emotions in front of him. But this time, with her head resting on his shoulder, he could clearly hear her soft sobs.

“You’ve suffered so much—having to worry about me, your father, and also Zhang Yue!”

Du Zhen gently patted his daughter’s back and then smiled softly. “I was previously transferred to the eunuch supervision office. This time I came out through Wumen, and many people saw me. They must be envying me. Even the eunuch who brought me out couldn’t help but say that I, Du Zhen, am lucky—to have such a good disciple, and even to turn that disciple into a great son-in-law! I usually don’t talk much to eunuchs, but this time I made an exception and told him that my son-in-law truly deserves to be called ‘standout.’ The best thing I’ve done in my life was not misjudging him!”

Although Lady Qiu often heard Du Zhen speak of Zhang Yue, this kind of unreserved praise was the first time she had heard it. Having been married to Du Zhen for many years, she knew his words came from the heart, which made her even happier. At that moment, Xiao Wu nodded vigorously and said, “Yes, yes! My brother-in-law is truly amazing! He went to such extremes just to get our father out!”
“I am extremely fortunate to have such a son-in-law!”
Seeing that Xiao Wu also clung to her side and wouldn’t leave, Du Zhen simply wrapped her and Du Wan in his arms with his left hand, while his thoughts were on Zhang Yue, who was far away in Xuanfu. He had taught Zhang Yue classics and history, but more than that, he had taught him to understand principles. He didn’t want a student who would rush to the palace gates to plead for him upon hearing of his imprisonment, nor one who would try to rely on others to free him; instead, he wanted a disciple who was skilled in strategy and practical action.
Zhang Yue, you are good! Every steady step you take is of great help to your future!
Volume 12: The River of Yin and Yang
With flames blazing and flowers in full bloom, even immense wealth cannot bridge the chasm between yin and yang. Faced with a family in turmoil and a court filled with suspicion, should one face challenges head-on or retreat bravely?