Chapter 582: The Golden Boy and the Jade Girl

Since they had only met briefly before, Zhang Yue naturally examined the young man before him carefully upon seeing Shi Heng again. However, having already dealt with the famous Yu Qian and even faced his accusations, he wasn’t interested in determining whether this Shi Heng was really the same person. What interested him was the boy’s exceptionally robust build, his age of less than twenty, and the bravery mentioned by Wang Yu.

After observing for a while and seeing that the robust young man was also staring at him boldly, he smiled slightly, then turned to Wang Yu and said, “Don’t worry about the military rations. For officers like you, the worst punishment would be a reduction in salary or a record of misconduct—nothing too severe. The emperor is still angry now, but things will improve once this storm passes. As for Shi Heng, if it’s indeed a new regulation set by the Military Selection Department, I’m afraid I can do nothing. But if he truly has outstanding martial skills, I can recommend him to the Front Guard of the Imperial Army.”

The Front Guard of the Imperial Army?

At first, hearing Zhang Yue say he was powerless, Shi Heng was greatly disappointed. But upon hearing the last sentence, he immediately perked up and rushed to say, “Of course I’m willing! Lord Zhang, that’s not some new regulation from the Military Selection Department—it’s clearly someone trying to make things difficult for me! When I went to the Rear Army Command that day, I happened to meet one of my father’s former colleagues. He said there are too many people inheriting military positions now, and the Military Selection Department assigns them based on personal relationships. The written exams are just to deal with those who have no connections…”

As he spoke enthusiastically, Wang Yu frowned deeply. Noticing Zhang Yue’s growing displeasure, he quickly stopped him and then said awkwardly, “Children really don’t understand anything—they’re just spoiled. If you want to make things difficult for him, fine. After all, his father had a good reputation in the army. As long as he has colleagues to vouch for him, even if he can’t inherit the position officially when he reaches adulthood, he’ll still get a salary.”

“Who wants a useless salary!” Despite having been taught a lesson before and being stopped just now, hearing that he would still get a salary made Shi Heng feel a sharp pain in his heart. Ignoring everything else, he growled, “Our Shi family has served in the army for generations. Although my father passed away early, I still remember what he told me! If I can’t earn a general’s rank through military achievements, how can I live up to him?”

“Aspiration knows no age, but even the young should know their limits! Your cousin-in-law isn’t looking down on you—he’s trying to teach you the ways of conduct. Every year, eighty or so people inherit military positions, and the regulations for such appointments are all set by imperial decree. Spreading rumors without basis is a grave offense. You’re no longer young; you should understand this. If you still don’t grasp the truth that words can bring disaster, then no matter how skilled you are in martial arts, you’re nothing but a brute!”

Seeing Shi Heng’s red eyes and clenched fists after he spoke, Zhang Yue simply stood up and spoke curtly. After saying that, as someone called out outside, he ignored the stunned young man, nodded briefly at Wang Yu as a greeting, and left the room. After taking a few steps down the corridor, before he could even ask Lian Hu what the matter was, he heard hurried footsteps behind him, so he turned around.

“You needn’t say more. You’re coming to me not for your own sake but for someone else’s. Logically, I shouldn’t refuse you. But such an impulsive boy, if he can’t temper his nature, will cause trouble even in the military. No matter what grievances he has, he shouldn’t be so eager upon first meeting. You’ve been in the military for years; you should know the rules. Although the Ministry of War allows young people to inherit positions, it’s usually by special imperial order. So even though he’s only sixteen or seventeen, if he can’t inherit a military position, it’s not as if anyone is deliberately making things hard for him. Take him back. If he can control his temper, bring him back next year, and I’ll find a way then.”

Since Zhang Yue had spoken so clearly, Wang Yu naturally had nothing to say. Though he was a gentle and mild person, he understood reason and knew his place. Feeling ashamed for failing to properly guide Shi Heng despite his mother-in-law’s trust, he thanked Zhang Yue, bowed deeply, and turned back to the garden hall, leaving with his men shortly after.

After he left, Zhang Yue learned from Lian Hu that his second sister, Zhang Yi, had arrived. Concerned about the matter in Fangling, he went to see her again, but failed to get any answers and could only worry inwardly.

It was said to be ordered to read aloud for the crown prince, but since no specific tasks were assigned and there was no way to assess the civil officials, Zhang Yue would simply bring along the maps of the north he had collected over the past two years from the Ministry of War whenever he went to the crown prince’s palace every two days. There, he would discuss border defense and military matters with Zhu Zhanji, who had been trained by Zhu Di since childhood, and in their free time, they would also engage in philosophical conversations. Although he visited the front guards of the imperial army frequently, he merely gathered information without interfering much, and over time, the officers below the command level also got used to this.

For Zhu Zhanji, whose days were always packed, these one and a half hours every two days were a time of leisure; for Zhang Yue, who used to be kept constantly busy, this extra time allowed him to attend more to his grandmother’s funeral, so he had no objections. Lady Sun also arrived in Beijing before the fifth and seventh days of mourning. Aside from Zhang You, who was still stationed elsewhere, almost the entire Zhang family was present, and the subsequent fifth, seventh, sixth, and seventh days were properly handled.

After completing the seventh day of mourning, the next step was to prepare for the hundred-day period, marking the end of the initial phase of the funeral rites. Since Lady Gu had previously expressed her wish to return to her ancestral graves in Kaifeng to be buried with her late husband, the auspicious date determined according to ancient rituals was set for the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Aside from Zhang Xin and Zhang Zhuo, who were in mourning, all the younger nephews and grandnephews planned their leave from their respective offices. Since it was the emperor’s prerogative to grant leave for officials to return home to bury their elders, Zhu Di approved each request, and the Zhang family began making preparations. However, just a few days after the seventh day of mourning, good news arrived at home.

On the fifth day of the eleventh lunar month, Du Wan gave birth to a daughter safely. Although her pregnancy had been full of complications, the delivery went smoothly. When Zhang Yue left home early in the morning, there were no signs of anything unusual, but when he returned from the office in the evening, he was shocked to learn that he now had a daughter. Gently taking the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, he couldn’t help but touch her cheek lightly, still feeling as if it wasn’t real.

“Sansan.”

Gently calling his childhood nickname that he had prepared but never used, Zhang Yue felt immense joy. The sadness that had weighed heavily on his heart these days was also greatly alleviated. Although the little one had a tiny face and was already asleep with eyes closed, making it impossible to see or hear her, he still couldn’t help but spin around excitedly in the room holding her, until he heard noise behind him. Only then did he stop and turn to see Zhang Jing. Unable to resist his sister’s persistent pleading, he bent down but firmly refused her request to hold the niece, allowing her only to watch.

What a joke! What strength could a little girl over six years old have? If she got hurt, wouldn’t he regret it for life?

Although disappointed at not being able to hold the niece, Zhang Jing still stared intently at her face for a long time before lifting her head. “Is her nickname San San?” When Zhang Yue nodded, she pouted even more unhappily. “Everyone else has a third name—why don’t I? I refuse! Also, everyone says we won’t see Grandma anymore, and no one will call me Little Third Girl anymore. Uuuuuhhh…”

At first, Zhang Yue thought Zhang Jing was just being capricious, but he was stunned by her last words. Seeing her face ruined from crying, he gently stroked her head with one hand and said softly, “Even if Grandma isn’t here, you’ll always be everyone’s Little Third Girl. And Grandma is just in a place you can’t see—she’ll keep watching you grow up. Jing’er is already an aunt now. Look, how many nieces and nephews do you have now?”

Hearing this, Zhang Jing couldn’t help but count on her fingers. Realizing she indeed had several nieces and nephews as an elder, she puffed out her chest, quickly wiped her face, and said seriously, “Third Brother, I get it! I’ll definitely take good care of Little Jingguan and San San, and be the best aunt. Grandma will definitely see!”

With the clear cries of the baby in the house, the Zhang household, which had been shrouded in sorrow, drumming, and chanting for over a month after the previous wedding, became a bit more lively. With the auspicious date for the funeral and other preparations already set, men and women gathered to see this little one whose cries were especially loud.

Zhang Yue was overjoyed to have a daughter, and so was Zhu Zhanji. On the day Zhang Yue welcomed his beloved daughter, the Eastern Palace was celebrating the first moon celebration for his first daughter. Although both Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi were disappointed it wasn’t a boy, he didn’t care, as it was after all a child born to his beloved woman.

However, palace rules were different from those outside. No matter how happy he was, he couldn’t even hold the child, so he had to go to great lengths to organize the moon celebration. But since it was a daughter, Zhu Di ordered his ministers not to offer congratulations. As a result, the gifts were either from Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and the Zhang family or from his brothers, with the only exception being a painting by Zhang Yue.

It was a charming depiction of a dragon girl. Though not a masterpiece of art, it was highly appropriate for the occasion. Upon receiving it, Zhu Zhanji immediately ordered it hung up. That evening, upon learning that Zhang Yue also had a daughter, he came up with an idea and painted another picture, ordering Huang Run to have it framed overnight at the Imperial Secretariat. When Zhang Yue arrived the next day, he smiled and asked his personal attendant Chen Wu to unroll the painting. The brushwork was much better than Zhang Yue’s, depicting a perfect pair of a golden boy and a jade girl.

“You’re luckier than me. Now you have both a golden boy and a jade girl. Even if your grandmother were watching from heaven, she would be overjoyed! Since you’re still in mourning, I won’t give you trivial gifts like gold or jade. Keep this painting as a memento for your child! If fate allows, maybe one day we could even become family through marriage!”