Chapter 785: Reflecting on the Past, Thinking of Family Ties, Seeking Aid

It was also the New Year, but the annex of the Mu Family’s mansion in Cuihai lacked any festive atmosphere. Firstly, Mu Sheng, the Duke of Qian, was leading troops abroad and had not returned yet; he might advance on Jiaozhi at any time, although it was said the battles there were nearly over. Secondly, Zhang You, the Marquis of Yangwu, and his entourage had just arrived, and everyone was busy not only serving them but also arranging for the others accompanying them. As for the third reason, it was a secret known only to a few of Lady Cheng’s most trusted people.

Zhang You never expected that the first news he received upon returning to his old place would be the death of Fang Shuixin. He had been stationed in Jiaozhi for years without returning to the capital. Occasionally, messages from the Dong family would arrive, written by his brothers Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi, detailing matters in the capital and the status of their children. At most, they would occasionally mention his son born to Fang Shuixin. He had once admired her brightness and cheerfulness, but after spending more time with her, he realized her temperament did not fit well into the grand family setting. Coupled with her frequent disruptions, he gradually grew tired of her. Though he thought of her from afar, he never saw reason to write to her specifically. In his mind, achieving success and making contributions far outweighed personal feelings. Moreover, as he reflected later, he understood the deeper meaning behind Mu Sheng arranging the marriage.

Yet, she had run away from home, taking her own life upon hearing that he was critically injured and beyond saving!
“Father…”
“Why didn’t you tell me before? Why didn’t you mention anything about our mother and your death and the funeral arrangements?”

Zhang Chao had grown up under his grandmother and mother, with little time spent with his father. He remembered Zhang You sometimes acting stern and authoritative, but most of the time he was cheerful. It was the first time he had seen him look so fierce, with veins bulging on his forehead. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Although he wanted to say he had kept it secret to let his father focus on recovering, he knew it wasn’t really the case. Over the funeral, he and his brothers Zhang Qi had had a fierce argument with their mother, but her angry words silenced them.

“She ran away again and again. If this keeps up, how can we continue living as a family? What about the dignity of our Zhang family? We’ve searched for her for a month with no results, and there’s no major news like last time either. Just consider her dead! At first, I was angry that your father brought back such a troublemaker, but after she ran away that once, the old lady instructed me before she passed away to provide for her as usual every month—ensuring she had enough food and clothing, and allowing her to use the maids at will, without demanding she follow any rules. Yet she still decided to leave. Who can stop her?”
After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Chao, filled with resentment, finally repeated his mother’s words word for word. Hearing this, Zhang You, who had been furious moments earlier, suddenly sat down, speechless for a long time. Even when he warned Zhang Yue, he already knew this marriage had been arranged hastily. But back then, he thought Mu Sheng would be helpful for his career, and Fang Shuixin was indeed a likable woman. If he had known it would turn out this way, would he still have married her? Even now, he still remembered those eyes in the peach blossom forest, bright as clear springs.
“Go outside. Let me be alone for a while.”
Hearing the obvious fatigue and helplessness in his father’s voice, Zhang Chao quietly stepped back. He wandered outside for a while, feeling oppressed. Gritting his teeth, he went to the next courtyard. He sent a maid to announce his arrival, and only after hearing Zhang Zhuo call him did he enter. In the room on the west side, he saw Zhang Zhuo put down his pen and stand up from the desk. He called out “Third Uncle” and then sat down on the chair next to him, covering his face and staying silent.
Zhang Zhuo knew what kind of discord existed between the father and son in the second branch of the family and sighed inwardly. He also understood that the most troublesome person right now was none other than that child. So, after choosing his words carefully to comfort Zhang Chao a bit, he asked, “Your father is now in a state of chaos and probably doesn’t have the mind to think about anything else. The funeral for the Mu family was handled according to the procedures for distant relatives, but after all, the child is still alive—he’s your father’s legitimate heir. With the funeral done in the capital, you need to help your father figure out what to do with this child.”

“What more is there to say? He’s my own younger brother; of course I have to take him home…” Zhang Chao struggled to lift his head. Seeing Zhang Zhuo sigh, he whispered again, “Mother has her troubles, father has his difficulties. Aunt Fang… I went to see him. He’s still too young to understand anything. I consoled him for a while, and he seemed quite affectionate toward me. How about telling people that it was Father who, while in the Muwang Mansion, decided to adopt him as a foster son? What do you think, Third Uncle? Lady Cheng apologized several times, saying that if there’s no other way, she’ll treat the child as her own, but how can the family bloodline be lost outside?”
Although he thought Zhang Chao’s idea of adopting a foster son wasn’t very good, after much consideration, Zhang Zhuo couldn’t think of a more reliable solution, so he nodded. He said he would talk to Zhang You when his condition improved. As the uncle and nephew were talking, a maid’s voice came from outside, saying she had been sent by the lady to bring wild pheasant hot pot.
Soon, two maids carried in a small square table, on which was a steaming hot pot. After setting it down, the maid in front bowed and said, “The lady said that since it’s the New Year’s Eve and the previous meal was rather sparse, fresh game has just arrived. She asked me to bring it for the eldest master and Young Master Chao to try as an evening snack. The lady also asked me to convey good news: there’s a message from Jiaozhi, saying that the last province in the south has been taken, Jiaozhi is almost fully recovered, and a triumphant return is imminent. There’s also a messenger from the capital, saying the court plans to summon Lord Zhang back to the capital as soon as possible.”
Although the aroma of the hot pot filled the room in no time and Zhang Zhuo hadn’t eaten much during that New Year’s Eve meal, he wasn’t hostile at all. Instead, the two pieces of news mentioned by the maid caught his attention even more. After thinking for a moment, he spoke up, “This is a matter of great importance. As a father, I’m a bit worried. Is the lady free right now?”
The maid had already received instructions from Lady Cheng before coming. Hearing this, she immediately smiled and said, “The lady is in Young Master Bin’s room. If the eldest master wishes to see her, please follow me.”

Hearing this, Zhang Zhuo instructed Zhang Chao to use it in the room, while he himself got up and followed outside. The Cuihai Retreat was extremely large; their group occupied the western courtyard. After exiting through the north gate, they headed east along the path before turning south. The eastern area was filled with servants’ quarters, all still lit up due to the New Year. Following the maid carrying a lantern, they entered the east gate of the rear corridor, which led to Lady Cheng’s backyard. When he was guided inside, Mu Bin, Mu Sheng’s eldest son, was also there. Mu Bin quickly paid his respects as the younger one.

“It’s so late, and we still disturb the lady—we truly feel sorry. But upon hearing the news suddenly, I couldn’t help but think of my son.”

“All parents love their children equally. If my son Bin were in such a chaotic place, I’m afraid I’d be even more distressed than Your Younger Brother.”

Lady Cheng smiled and turned to look at Mu Bin beside her, her face full of affection. She instructed the maid beside her to show Zhang Zhuo both letters. Then she sighed, “I’d heard before that your family had a talented young man, but only now that he’s back in the south have I truly realized that the rumors weren’t exaggerated—they were actually understated. The news from Jiaozhi is definite, as for the news from the court… Bin, go and explain it to your uncle.”

Mu Bin was nearly thirty yet still lived with his parents. He naturally felt curious about Zhang Yue, who was younger but highly renowned. But since his mother asked about matters in the capital, he cleared his throat and began talking about the disputes among the government departments in the capital. He added, “According to news from the capital, the emperor has shown signs of deciding on an heir, and the ministers have their own opinions. Meanwhile, Scholar Yang of the Cabinet is striving to oversee the imperial examinations. Everyone knows the emperor and Your Younger Brother have a special relationship as lord and subject, so it’s only natural to want him to return soon so there’s someone more to offer advice.”

“Stop talking nonsense! How dare you guess the emperor’s intentions?”

Lady Cheng scolded Mu Bin sternly before turning to Zhang Zhuo with a smile, “He’s young and naive. Just ignore what he said. These matters can’t be solved by worrying. It’s the New Year now, and among your group, there are only two young girls around twelve or thirteen, unaware of the cold or heat. Although I sent a few girls over, after observing them these past few days, they all seem rather clumsy. Lord Yangwu is currently in a sad state, so I can’t bring in more people. But it wouldn’t hurt to add a clever and capable person to take care of Your Younger Brother and Brother Chao. After all, his recovery will likely take three to five months, so we don’t want others to say the Mu family can’t spare even one person…”

Although Zhang Zhuo was mediocre in his official duties, he was quite shrewd in handling people and matters. After Lady Cheng spoke just a little, he immediately grasped the gist and, before she could finish, shook his head and said, “It’s not that I want to turn down your kindness, Madam. I already feel terrible for troubling you this time, let alone adding more people. Brother Zhang Chao once suffered a setback because of a woman, which even put his chances of inheriting the title at risk. When the old lady was still alive, she strictly ordered that no one else should be allowed around him to avoid further trouble.”

He used the late Lady Gu as a shield and even subtly mentioned Zhang Chao’s past misadventure. Without waiting for Lady Cheng to say anything else, he sighed and added, “As for me, there’s no need to mention it. Husband and wife should stay together through life. We’re both quite old now, not young anymore. Our desires have long faded; there’s no reason to delay others. Besides, I often go out; it’s just daily life. Even without servants, I can manage on my own.”

Lady Cheng had vaguely heard that Zhang Chao might have been demoted by Zhu Di because of an extramarital affair, so she naturally didn’t say more. After all, the Yangwu Marquis family would likely remain quiet for a while. As for Zhang Zhuo, Mu Sheng had jokingly mentioned that he was afraid of his wife, but she had taken it as a joke. Now she realized it was true and couldn’t help but feel jealous of Lady Sun.

Mu Sheng had also said that husband and wife should stay together through life, but his subordinates and tribesmen constantly brought beautiful girls to the mansion. Throughout the year, he would take in two or three maids and give even more to other generals. Yet those concubines came and went like cats and dogs—how many had changed over time? What was there to worry about? As the wife of a duke, she couldn’t let her husband have a reputation for being afraid of his wife like Lady Sun!

Mu Bin couldn’t help but look at Zhang Zhuo curiously, thinking that if his son was so capable, Zhang Zhuo seemed to have achieved nothing in his official career—was it because of his fear of his wife? Seeing Lady Cheng give him a look, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Uncle, there are news from the capital. After the New Year, I need to go to the capital to pay my respects to the emperor and then study at the Imperial Academy. My fourth uncle is in Nanjing, and my third uncle has to help our father with military affairs. There’s no one in the capital. I’m still young and need guidance in many areas. Once I’m in the capital, I hope your family can offer me some protection.”

Spoken in a humble and tactful manner, these words nearly made Zhang Zhuo’s eyes bulge out. If the person sitting there were Duke Zhang Fu of the British title, he would surely have agreed easily. But since he had only reached the second-rank official position thanks to his son and had no noble title, while the other party was the heir to a duke, why should he beg for his favor? At that moment, he quickly stood up.

“I dare not accept such protection. But considering the many years of dealings between Brother Mu Shi and me, even if you refuse, I still ought to take better care of you. If you encounter any difficulties in the capital, as long as it’s within my ability, I certainly won’t refuse.”

Seeing that Zhang Zhuo had agreed but only emphasized what was within his power while carefully distancing himself from Zhang Yue, Lady Cheng felt somewhat displeased. Yet, if possible, she didn’t want her own son to leave her side. Thinking of the news she had received earlier and the message sent by Mu Sheng, she half-jokingly lamented that her son’s move to the capital seemed to be the will of the emperor. Only after Zhang Zhuo took his leave did she lean back tiredly and look up at Mu Bin again.

“The Mu family guards Yunnan. Your father is a duke with control over the province’s military forces, and your third uncle oversees the military administration. All matters related to the provincial government and inspection departments must first be reported to our Mu family. Though this was established by Emperor Taizu, it still easily arouses envy. Initially, only family members stayed in the capital, and now though they’re all in Yunnan, it seems likely that in the future, each generation will go to the capital to study at the Imperial Academy and then reside there—this might become a rule… The Mu family is indeed powerful in Yunnan, but the capital is full of complexities. I’m really worried about you. Your father said that Duke Zhang Fu is already at the top, and in the court, he’s probably more of a figurehead who can’t fully help you. But Zhang Yue is still young and has endless potential for advancement.”

“Mother, rest assured. I know all this. As long as I don’t act recklessly, even if those civil officials dislike me, they can’t do much to me.” Mu Bin, more determined than his father, smiled slightly before lowering his voice. “Besides, among so many nobles, there are many talented people. Why should we always listen to those civil officials? If more people like Zhang Yuanjie emerged among our noble descendants, we wouldn’t be left behind in the future!”