No matter what Zhang Yiyi had done, she was, after all, Yang Xu's mother, the one who had given birth to him after ten months of pregnancy and a journey through the gates of hell.
"Minister Zhang, there are no unfilial parents in the world. I hope Minister Zhang will speak and act with caution. Otherwise, Xu'er will surely avenge his mother in the future." Yang Shoucheng's voice was low and firm, his gaze stern as he looked at the shocked Zhang Minxian. This was advice, but more importantly, a warning.
"Thank you for the tea, Minister Zhang. I shall take my leave," Yang Shoucheng said, standing up. The reason he had come was to prevent the Zhang family from doing anything they shouldn't.
He did not care about the matter between Madam Zhang and the Marquis of Zhenbian as much as the outside world thought. Moreover, since she had given birth to Xu'er, Yang Shoucheng preferred her to be alive, to live well.
It was only after the door to the private room closed that Zhang Minxian recovered his senses. His gaunt face was exceptionally grim. He had originally intended to use this opportunity to mend relations with the Yang family, but it seemed that path was now closed.
In the main hall.
"Uncle Yang." A flicker of surprise crossed Zhan Feiyu's eyes. The conversation had ended in less than fifteen minutes, indicating that Uncle Yang had no intention of associating with the Zhang family.
He Nuan stood up, "I'll have the shopkeeper send another pot of tea."
The teapot contained a sweet wolfberry tea that replenished blood and qi, which was indeed unsuitable for the taciturn General Yang Shoucheng.
" Do you know the Zhang family's intentions?" Yang Shoucheng asked in a deep voice, intending to test Zhan Feiyu. He was aware of the young girl's intelligence, and by comparison, Xu'er seemed as dense as a block of wood.
Zhang Minxian himself had come to the door to welcome Uncle Yang, and his attitude had been extremely respectful. Recalling the previous investigation into Zhang Yiyi, Zhan Feiyu smiled, "Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune is human nature. The Zhang family has come to apologize, and secondly, to resolve your worries, Uncle Yang."
Zhang Yiyi was imprisoned in the Xiangwu County jail. Various forces in Longyou Circuit were watching. The Marquis of Zhenbian's mansion remained silent, and the Yang family was also silent. The calm before the storm created a tense and dangerous atmosphere.
Yang Shoucheng showed a look of admiration. No wonder Uncle Qiu wanted to compete with Scholar Gu for a disciple. Such an intelligent and quick-witted young girl was indeed lovable.
He Nuan returned with another pot of tea and then stood a short distance away, not disturbing Zhan Feiyu and Yang Shoucheng's conversation.
If it weren't for Yang Xu, Yang Shoucheng wouldn't have had to think so much. According to the laws of Daqing, Zhang Shi would have faced whatever fate the law dictated. Now, it was as if he had hit a mouse and damaged a jade vase, creating a dilemma.
Putting down his teacup, Yang Shoucheng asked, "Xiao Yu, you and Xu'er are of similar age. What do you think should be done with Zhang Shi?"
Killing her was out of the question, but releasing her was also impossible. Not to mention that Zhang Shi was still responsible for eight lives, Yang Shoucheng also worried that Zhang Shi would pester Yang Xu once she was free. She was a woman who was clever, resourceful, yet jealous, selfish, and greedy.
It might not be in one or two years, but what about three or five years? One day, Zhang Shi would resolve Xu'er's inner turmoil. Once she became Xu'er's rightful mother, it would undoubtedly lead to endless trouble.
The sweetness of the wolfberry tea spread in her mouth. On such a cold day, a cup of it warmed the entire body. Since Zhan Feiyu had presented the Jinlong Guard token and ordered Commander Dou to arrest Zhang Yiyi, she had also considered the follow-up issues with Madam Zhang.
After drinking two more sips of tea, Zhan Feiyu, finally satisfied, sat up straight. Her fair and tender little face looked serious with concentration. "In my humble opinion, use Uncle Yang's and Old General Yang's future merits to exchange for Zhang Shi's life. While her death penalty can be waived, she cannot escape punishment. Send Zhang Shi back to the Zhang family. Whether she is confined in the ancestral temple or within the Zhang mansion is acceptable, but she must never step out again in her life. The Zhang family is incapable of raising their daughter, so they will be responsible for her custody."
Why did His Majesty indulge his enemies in framing the Yang family for colluding with the enemy and treason? It was for military power, and also because he feared the Yang family's growing influence. Old General Yang was already at the first rank. If he were to achieve further military exploits, His Majesty would have no further titles to bestow.
Zhan Feiyu suggested that Yang Shoucheng and Old General Yang petition His Majesty, exchanging their future merits for Zhang Shi's life. This was equivalent to them bearing a stain. As the moon waxes, it wanes; as water fills, it overflows. Taking a step back would be better for the Yang family, who had just been reinstated.
Yang Shoucheng and Old General Yang were not people who coveted fame or fortune. A blemish on their reputation was insignificant to them.
However, His Majesty would then lower his guard. After all, Yang Xu was still young. By the time he grew up and reached the prestige of Old General Yang and the others, it would take at least twenty years. During this long period, His Majesty would have enough time to regain control of the military power in Longyou Circuit.
After a long silence, Yang Shoucheng could not help but sigh, "The younger generation is truly formidable!" If Xiao Yu were a man, she would undoubtedly achieve a high position in the future, serving below one person and above ten thousand.
"Xiao Yu." Yang Shoucheng's expression remained unchanged as he said, "If the Yang family encounters any changes in the future, please look after Xu'er. As long as it does not harm the common people, the Yang family will not flinch from death!"
When Scholar Gu sent Zhan Feiyu to Xiangwu County, it was also to provide her with a safeguard, a powerful backer. And at this moment, Yang Shoucheng finally made a promise.
Startled, Zhan Feiyu quickly put down her cup and stood up. Her little face was stern as she replied solemnly, "Uncle Yang, you are too kind. Within the scope of my abilities, I will certainly protect Yang Xu."
Having also made a promise, Zhan Feiyu suddenly smiled, her clear voice carrying a hint of teasing. "Actually, in at most twenty years, Yang Xu will become a great general guarding one side. I think I will be the one needing Yang Xu's help."
Once in possession of military power, even the new emperor would not dare to lay a hand on Yang Xu.
Compared to the pleasant conversation between Zhan Feiyu and Yang Shoucheng in the main hall, on the second floor, through the gap in the window, Zhang Minhua looked down with a solemn expression. "Eldest Brother, what is that young girl's identity? General Yang is actually treating her with such kindness."
Zhan Feiyu was young and a girl, so Yang Shoucheng's attitude was too strange. Zhang Minhua recalled the day Zhang Yiyi got married. Even when facing the Zhang family and his future wife, Yang Shoucheng had a stern face, showing no hint of joy, his expression as indifferent as if he were not the groom.
Such a stern and formidable general, yet he was so amiable towards a young girl, even personally pouring her tea. Moreover, they were conversing so happily.
Zhang Minhua remembered that on Zhang Yiyi's return visit to her maiden home, besides following the rules and addressing everyone, Yang Shoucheng had stayed at the Zhang residence for several hours and had spoken fewer than ten sentences.
"Could she be an illegitimate daughter?" Zhang Minxian suddenly spoke up. Recalling Zhan Feiyu's appearance, she bore no resemblance to Yang Shoucheng.
Zhang Minhua's mouth twitched. Her brother's guess was truly exasperating. "It's impossible for them to be father and daughter. That young girl's expression shows no filial affection, and Yang Shoucheng's attitude towards her is more like treating her as an equal."
This was what surprised Zhang Minhua the most. Perhaps because the young girl's background was extraordinary, Yang Shoucheng was so polite to her. Otherwise, why would a dignified and mighty general be so courteous to a young girl?
"I will send someone to investigate." Zhang Minxian, having come to Xiangwu County, naturally did not want to return empty-handed.
However, thinking of Yang Shoucheng's indifferent attitude, Zhang Minxian rubbed his temples, a deep, unresolvable solemnity in his eyes. The Zhang family was considered a prominent official family in Linzhou Prefecture, with many relatives and acquaintances in official circles.
But once the Yang family was reinstated, everyone knew that the Zhang family was Zhang Yiyi's maternal family. When the Yang family had fallen, the Zhang family had also played a part. Now, even if the Yang family did not retaliate, the political winds had shifted. Those people, in order to curry favor with the General's mansion, would surely target the Zhang family. The Zhang family would definitely face great difficulties in official circles in the future. This was the "general trend."
"So, General Yang really intends to let Zhang Yiyi off?" Zhang Minhua's expression was extremely complex. To forgive the woman who had betrayed him for the sake of his son, General Yang's magnanimity was admirable. Such an upright and honorable man, yet Zhang Yiyi was blind.
But thinking of Yang Shoucheng's unwillingness to associate with the Zhang family, Zhang Minhua could not help but worry about her family's situation. Prosperity and decline were shared; it could even affect the Zhou family.
After a long silence, Zhang Minxian angrily slammed his fist on the table with such force that the teapot and teacups were shaken. "Mother shouldn't have let this scourge grow up!"
Zhang Yiyi had married into the General's mansion with a high status, but the Zhang family gained no benefit. Instead, they were suppressed by Zhang Yiyi using the General's mansion's name. After the Yang family fell, Zhang Yiyi defected to the Marquis of Zhenbian's mansion, and she simply left.
However, as the Yang family's in-laws, the Zhang family was almost dragged into the vortex of colluding with the enemy and treason. Although the Zhang family later extricated themselves, they had lived in fear for the past few years, and the Zhang family members lived cautiously.
Now that the General's mansion was about to be reinstated, the Zhang family was in a dilemma, fearing retaliation from the Yang family and also fearing that political opponents, in order to please the Yang family, would target the Zhang family.
Thinking of this, Zhang Minxian wished he could turn back time thirty years. He would have definitely strangled Zhang Yiyi to death in her swaddling clothes, lest she bring disaster to the Zhang family in the future.
...
This time, Zhan Feiyu did not write a letter back to the capital. However, concerning the military power of Longyou Circuit, not only had various families and princes in the palace sent spies to Longyou Circuit and Xiangwu County, but His Majesty had also dispatched Jinlong Guard secret agents, and even secretly mobilized the Anlong Guard.
News from Xiangwu County was continuously sent back to the palace. At this moment, under the bright candlelight, His Majesty waved his hand, signaling Eunuch Liu to step aside, and then personally opened the secret letter sent by the Anlong Guard.
Several days had passed in Xiangwu County since Madam Zhang was arrested and imprisoned. At this moment, touching the thickness of the letter, His Majesty knew that something must have happened. Upon unfolding the letter, he saw.
After a while, His Majesty could not help but smile. No wonder Qiu Zongxi had come to claim his life-saving favor. This little girl was indeed likable.
Eunuch Liu glanced discreetly at His Majesty on the dragon throne. To outsiders, Eunuch Liu, who waited in the corner, was like a stone pillar, his eyes not even blinking.
His Majesty brought the letter closer to the candlelight and ignited it. "Pass down my oral decree for Scholar Gu to come to the palace."
"Yes." Eunuch Liu replied. The palace gates were already closed at this hour, so it was likely that something significant had happened in Longyou Circuit, and it was good news.
Although the capital was not as cold as Longyou Circuit, the ice had formed after nightfall. However, with His Majesty's oral decree, let alone the bitter cold, even if it were hailing ice knives outside, Scholar Gu would have to rush to the palace immediately.
A little over half an hour later, in the Imperial Study.
The oral decree was delivered by an imperial eunuch, who was also Eunuch Liu's personal apprentice. Therefore, before Scholar Gu could speak, the little eunuch had already revealed a hint of the matter.