Chapter 586: It’s Your Turn to Carry the Burden of This Family
The old Zhang family residence in Kaifeng had only been inhabited by a few family members in recent years. Even the most loyal servants couldn’t maintain everything in top condition without a master, so the place had gradually fallen into disrepair. The once splendid courtyards with their carved beams and painted rafters had lost their luster, and the tile decorations on the rooftops were covered in dust. Although damaged tiles, doors, and windows were repaired from time to time, the abandoned courtyards still exuded a gloomy atmosphere, with green weeds growing even in the cracks of the bluestone paths.
However, with the passing of Lady Gu, this long-empty mansion finally welcomed its masters back. Along with brothers Zhang Xin and Zhang Zhuo, over a dozen family members and servants returned. When the Zhang Chao, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Yue families also rushed back before the burial, the first, second, and third branches each took up their usual courtyards, leaving it difficult to allocate enough space.
Fortunately, this crowded situation didn’t last long, as everyone’s leave was limited. After the ancestral ceremony in the ancestral hall, Zhang Yue and the others began preparing to set off the next day. Zhang Fu and Lady Wang also planned to leave soon. Lingxi and Peng Shisan returned with Zhang Fu to attend the burial. Peng Shisan went to the yamen to retrieve official documents, while Lingxi was called to the western courtyard by Lady Sun. As soon as she lifted the curtain and entered, she saw a bundle wrapped in jade-colored silk on the pearwood table.
“Madam, young mistress!”
Seeing Lingxi bowing, Lady Sun nodded to tell her to stand up, then pointed at the bundle and said, “I couldn’t make it back in time for your wedding. Though these gifts are late, they come from the bottom of my heart. I heard from the Duchess of Yingguo that she plans to lend your family’s daughter to Yue. I really don’t know how to thank them enough. Yue seems to have a bright future, but he’s faced so many dangers over the years. I’m extremely worried. With your family’s daughter by his side, I’ll feel more at ease. I hope you won’t mind taking on this extra burden.”
Lingxi had already heard about this. She had hoped to contribute to the family even after marriage. Since the Duchess of Yingguo had spoken so highly of it and Peng Shisan agreed, she saw no reason to object. Though she was now married to him, she had no intention of changing his bold and stubborn nature—after all, that was one of his greatest strengths beyond his generosity. Seeing Lady Sun clearly feeling guilty, she quickly reassured her.
Du Wan was helping Amber Qiuhen sort through boxes nearby, and soon they brought out quite a few items. Although Mr. and Mrs. Zhang had to wear mourning clothes for three years, there were always different garments for cold and hot weather. Her sewing skills had improved greatly over the past two years; she had already made several sets of clothes for her in-laws and brought them along this time. Fortunately, thinking of durability, the clothes were in plain colors, mostly made of fine cotton cloth from Songjiang, which was very comfortable to wear. Amber Qiuhen, on the other hand, prepared a total of eight pairs of layered green cloth shoes. With all these clothes and shoes sorted out, not much was left for the luggage on the return trip.
Lingxi helped organize everything nearby. Seeing Mrs. Sun’s happy yet sighful expression, she knew well that this third wife, who always doted on her son the most, was upset because of another year-long separation. But this was just the nature of mother and son; she couldn’t offer much advice. Instead, she remembered the last days spent with Mrs. Gu. Watching the old lady calmly calculate every detail of her remaining days, she had also felt both sad and moved at that time.
Mrs. Sun praised Du Wan for the delicate stitching of the clothes and said that the shoes were simple but suitable for wearing during mourning. But as she looked, she suddenly glanced outside the window, frowned, and said, “The eldest master has called Zhang Yue over for over half an hour already. What could possibly take so long? We’re leaving tomorrow, yet he won’t even let us mother and daughter talk more. The master too—after the ancestral ceremony in the ancestral hall, he disappeared, and now that he’s back, he’s talking with the eldest master ahead instead of giving us a few words of instruction!”
As soon as she spoke, Mrs. Sun noticed everyone’s gaze on her face. She immediately felt uneasy, coughed twice, and tried to change the subject. Fortunately, both Du Wan and Lingxi, Amber Qiuhen understood her personality and didn’t mind. Everyone knew that even when she was seventy or eighty years old, this wife would never be as meticulous as the old lady before; she would likely be an extremely chatterbox old woman.
It wasn’t just Zhang Yue who was called by Zhang Xin—Zhang Chao, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Jiu were also called. In the study, the four brothers of similar age stood in a row in front of the desk, each puzzled. Zhang Xin, sitting behind the desk, stared intently at the boxwood pen holder on the desk before finally lifting his head. Standing beside him, Zhang Zhuo remained silent, his expression somewhat strange.
“I’ve asked you all to come here today because there are some things I need to tell you. As agreed earlier, my third brother and I will stay in Kaifeng to observe mourning for the old lady, while you four return to the capital. Although you’re all adults now, in the past you always had elders around to look after you. This time is different—even your eldest uncle doesn’t have the time to take care of you. Just now, Peng Shisan brought back the official gazette from the yamen. Arutai in the north is stirring up trouble again. As soon as Ying Guo returns to the capital, he must lead the three guards of Danning to the old city of Danning. So once you return, you’ll have to handle everything on your own. Even if you cause trouble, don’t expect anyone to help you!”
Zhang Xin said all this in one breath before taking in the four people before him. Zhang Yue frowned deeply, Zhang Jiu was shocked, while Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi couldn’t tell what was going on. He exchanged a glance with Zhang Zhuo beside him and nodded.
“I don’t have much to say. All four of you—three of you have been in official service for many years, and even Jiu has studied at the Imperial Academy for so long. You’re no longer children. Just one thing: don’t tarnish the family’s reputation, don’t disappoint the old lady’s hopes, and don’t indulge yourselves.”
Although the Gu family had often given them lessons in the past, they had never directly told them that they would have to take charge from now on. Neither Zhang Chao nor Zhang Qi, nor Zhang Jiu, had thought about taking responsibility for the family, as they still believed there were elders above them. Zhang Jiu glanced at Zhang Yue and stepped forward, saying, “Father, third uncle, as the eldest grandson of the eldest branch, I should stay and observe mourning too…”
“Don’t forget—you still have to take the provincial exams in Shuntian Prefecture this year!” Zhang Xin said coldly. Seeing the surprise on his son’s face, he softened his tone and added, “Observing mourning at the highest level isn’t the same as at the lowest level. The imperial exams aren’t prohibited, let alone the fact that your grandmother clearly stated in her will that you should fulfill your duty of mourning without being overly concerned with trivial matters. You must fulfill her wish!”
Hearing this, Zhang Jiu left dejectedly. Seeing this, Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi didn’t dare say anything. But since they remained silent, Zhang Xin spoke up, “Chao and Qi, listen too. This time, your mother will stay in Kaifeng to observe mourning together, thus completing your father’s part of the duty. Although your father was stationed outside and couldn’t observe mourning properly, he already paid his respects in the army. The military campaign in Jiaozhi is going well, but it will likely take another two years to completely quell the rebellion. By then, the title of Marquis of Yangwu should become hereditary. Remember the lessons from the past and don’t disappoint your father’s achievements earned through hard battles!”
While Zhang Xin was giving him lessons one by one, Zhang Yue was pondering over that message from earlier. He simply couldn’t understand—was Arutai of the Tatars insane? Despite repeated defeats, he still refused to give up and kept provoking the Ming Dynasty. Didn’t he fear that the Oirats would take advantage of the situation? Originally, Arutai could be considered a great hero of his time, using the title of Khan of the Golden Family to expand his power. What was the point of such unwise actions? Could it be that there were too many who opposed him within the Tatar tribe, and he wanted to regain his prestige by attacking the Ming Dynasty?
If that were the case, it would be like seeking death by drinking poison!
“Brother Yue!”
Zhang Yue, still deep in thought, snapped out of it at the call. He saw Zhang Xin staring at him and quickly stepped forward half a pace. He had assumed Zhang Xin would have some other instructions, but instead, after a long silence, the latter pointed at Zhang Chao, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Jiu and said slowly, “If there’s something of great importance that requires immediate decision-making, you shall make the call. Although there’s a hierarchy among us, the three of them combined still don’t have as much experience as you do. I’m sure even your second uncle would agree to this, not to mention if our grandmother were still alive.”
“Elder brother, although Yue does have some insight, for truly major matters, it’s still better if they all discuss it together!”
Seeing Zhang Zhuo interject, Zhang Yue knew exactly what his father had in mind. His father had expressed various expectations and trusts behind his back—not because he didn’t want him to take on too much responsibility, but rather to prevent the three brothers from forming their own opinions. After pondering for a moment, just as he was about to speak, Zhang Chao spoke up first.
“Elder uncle, rest assured. If something serious comes up, I’ll definitely follow my third brother’s lead!”
“I’ll definitely do the same…” Zhang Qi quickly added, then hurriedly added, “Since we’re still in mourning for our grandmother, if we act carelessly, it would be disrespectful to her and to our father out there. Please be at ease. We’ve learned from our mistakes, and we’ll be extra cautious in everything we do.”
Zhang Jiu glanced at Zhang Yue and lowered his head as well. “Father, rest assured. I’ll study hard and stay out of external affairs. Let my third brother make all the decisions.”
Unexpecting all three brothers to agree so quickly, Zhang Yue was a bit caught off guard. At this moment, he didn’t want to say anything to delay things anymore. He stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Since my elder uncle trusts me so much, and my elder brother, second brother, and fourth brother have also spoken their minds, I’ll take on this responsibility. The four of us will work together to face whatever comes our way on this trip back to the capital!”
“Good, excellent answer!” Zhang Xin poured out all the pens from the boxwood pen holder and casually handed it to Zhang Yue. “Take this pen holder back as a memento. It was once used in front of the emperors of the Yuan Dynasty. Now, all the gilding and jade inlays are gone, leaving only this bare piece of wood. So remember, the glory and wealth bestowed upon you by your clan won’t last forever; you must rely on yourselves! In the future, it will be your generation’s world, your family’s world—starting today, it’s your turn to take responsibility!”