Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 179: Only corrupt officials can be seen, but not the sky

The moon is in the middle of the sky, and the night is as cool as water.

The bright moonlight fell from the dome like a veil, scattered in every corner of the Zhang family's courtyard, and a faint silver frost appeared. Fireflies appeared and disappeared among the flowers.

The noisy croaking of frogs and the chirping of cicadas blend into one.

The night is deep.

Zhang Yunxiu lay in front of the bedroom window, supporting his cheeks with his hands, quietly enjoying the music and singing outside the window.

It had been a long time since he had the leisure and mood to stop and appreciate something like today.

He has had a lot of good news recently.

First, Zhang Juzheng's condition gradually improved. From initially speaking sporadically to now being able to speak complete sentences.

Secondly, Qi Jiguang's war in Japan was also very successful. He first defeated the Mori family in one fell swoop, and then repelled the coalition forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The two sides are now in a state of standoff.

However, Qi Jiguang also knew that it was not realistic to swallow Japan in one bite.

So he sent people to discuss with Zhang Yunxiu, preparing to use the territory of the Mori family as the boundary. From then on, Kyushu Island would belong to the jurisdiction of the Otomo family, the Shimazu family, and the Ming Dynasty.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was not allowed to interfere.

Zhang Yunxiu also agreed with this and decided to support Qi Jiguang's suggestion without thinking twice.

A cool breeze blew on his face, and Zhang Yunxiu suddenly felt sober.

Looking back, I saw Zheng Xier behind me, wearing a cream-colored pajamas, sitting at the table, concentrating on handling affairs with the help of the light from the palace lanterns.

The breeze gently lifted the tips of her hair, and it danced in the wind like catkins, adding a bit of fairy spirit to her.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled, walked to Zheng Xier's side, lowered his head to glance at the account in her hand, leaned close to her shoulder and said, "Go to bed, it's already so late."

Zheng Xier raised her neck and smiled at her husband, muttering, "There have been too many things going on lately, husband, go to sleep first."

"There's no end to work." Zhang Yunxiu closed the account book.

Zheng Xier was anxious and subconsciously wanted to reach out and open it again, but Zhang Yunxiu could not let her do that. He hooked Zheng Xier's waist and lifted her up into the air.

Feeling like she was falling, Zheng Xier had no choice but to hook her hands around her husband's neck and wrap her legs tightly around his thick waist.

The two came to the green gauze tent, and Zhang Yunxiu slowly put Zheng Xier down.

Staring at Zheng Xier's cheek, Zhang Yunxiu saw that her oval face became round and plump, white and plump, like a little bun.

I couldn't help feeling guilty.

He still remembers the first time he met Zheng Xier.

This girl was still a slim and pretty girl, but now after giving birth to a child, her figure has become much fuller than before.

The most obvious one is this face.

Zheng Xier noticed her husband's gaze.

She thought she had become ugly and her husband had no feelings for her, so she timidly called out, "Husband."

"Huh? What's wrong?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

"Xier, Xier has become so fat now. Does your husband not like Xier anymore?" Zheng Xier asked this question with tears in her eyes.

But she had no choice, she refused to let the wet nurse feed her.

For my daughter, I eat more every day. Nowadays, I have a lot of things to do, I move less and eat more, so it is not difficult not to gain weight.

She also clearly felt the changes in her body.

It’s a pity that there is no opportunity and time to change it now.

Zhang Yunxiu couldn't help laughing when he heard that.

Zheng Xier was even more nervous now. Her fair face was full of helplessness, and her legs were tense and trembling uncontrollably.

"It seems that I haven't dealt with you for too long, causing you to have all kinds of random thoughts in your mind all day long." Zhang Yunxiu suddenly frowned and leaned over to kiss Zheng Xier's cherry lips. She was 1.63 meters tall and weighed only about 120 pounds.

Not only is she not fat, but she is just the right amount of plump.

Zheng Xier was aroused by this teasing, and her suppressed sexual desire was aroused, and she responded wildly.

After a round of lovemaking, Zheng Xier's eyes were seductive, sweat was dripping, and her whole body looked as if it had rolled in water.

Zhang Yunxiu lay on his back and gently hugged the beauty.

Every breath I take brings an indescribable sense of relief.

The breaths of the two intertwined and filled the air. The two did not speak, but just leaned against each other quietly.

In an instant, everything in the world seemed to freeze.

After a long silence, Zheng Xier moved her head and kissed Zhang Yunxiu's chest, then she said softly, "My husband, time flies. Xier has been serving you for almost three years."

“But I feel like it’s just yesterday.”

Zhang Yunxiu nodded and replied with a smile: "Yes, Zhang Fu's daughter is getting married. I still remember that when we were in Jiangling, this girl was still a little girl like a bean sprout. I didn't expect that she has grown up to be so graceful now."

Time goes too fast.

Four years have passed in a flash.

He also changed from a young boy to someone else's husband and father.

For a moment, he felt a heavy responsibility pressing on his shoulders.

When Zheng Xier heard Zhang Yunxiu mention Zhang Fu's daughter, she immediately became interested. Zhang Fu had a good relationship with her, and it was he who arranged for her to sleep with Zhang Yunxiu.

Later, when he took over the business, Zhang Fu also helped a lot.

When his daughter gets married, she naturally cannot be stingy, otherwise people will think she is heartless.

After thinking it over, Zheng Xier's eyes sparkled, and she smiled and suggested to Zhang Yunxiu: "Husband, Zhang Fu's daughter is getting married, so we should send some gifts to her."

"It's time to give it to her." Zhang Yunxiu nodded. "Then I'll pick two shops for her as a dowry. If her husband's family bullies her in the future, she'll have a place to stay, right?" Zheng Xier talked about business and once again shed her timidity, becoming the shrewd Zheng lady.

"You are in charge of the shop. You can give whatever you want."

Hearing this, Zheng Xier felt as if she had eaten candied fruit. She pursed her lips and smiled, "Husband, this shop is not mine. How dare I give it away without your consent?"

"Okay, go to bed. I'm tired."

"Ah."

Silent all night.

Early the next morning, the two of them were dressed neatly and sitting in the hall.

Zhang Fuming walked in with a tall, oval-faced girl of average appearance.

That was Zhang Fu’s eldest daughter, Zhang Lan.

As soon as he saw Zhang Yunxiu and his wife sitting in the main seat, Zhang Fu pushed his daughter and urged, "Lan'er, quickly pay your respects to the young master and the second lady."

"Lan'er greets the young master and the young madam." Zhang Lan blinked and called respectfully.

"Okay, okay," Zheng Xier stood up first, pulled Zhang Lan over, touched her white chin, looked at her big eyes, and couldn't help but smiled and praised, "She's so pretty. If you get married, won't she charm your husband to death?"

Zhang Lan’s little face was red.

Zhang Fu on the other side shook his head repeatedly and said modestly: "She is just a country girl. Compared with Madam, there is a huge gap between us."

Zheng Xier was about to speak when Zhang Yunxiu asked, "Where is Lan'er's husband from?"

"He is from Xiangyang and comes from a scholarly family. The young man is 24 years old this year. He is a juren and has extraordinary talent. He will take part in the imperial examination next year. What I want is to get married this year to avoid delays next year." Zhang Fu explained patiently.

Such a young scholar?
Zhang Yunxiu was shocked. A 24-year-old scholar had a promising future. Why did he marry Zhang Fu, the daughter of a servant?

Although Zhang Lan was good-looking, she was ultimately just above average in appearance.

Soon, Zhang Yunxiu vaguely guessed something.

This person is coming for the Prime Minister's house.

Because Zhang Lan was there, Zhang Yunxiu couldn't point it out, so he just asked Zhang Lan, "Have you seen that person?"

Zhang Lan shook her head and whispered, "No, I haven't seen it, but Dad has seen it, so I think it should be pretty good."

Zheng Xier and Zhang Fu observed Zhang Yunxiu's expression and found that his face and tone were not right.

Knowing that something was not right, the two looked at each other, and Zheng Xier smiled and shouted, "Come with me, Lan'er. We are getting married soon. I will take you to pick out two decent clothes and jewelry."

"Thank you, ma'am." The two of them quickly left the hall.

As soon as he left, Zhang Yunxiu suddenly smiled coldly and said sarcastically: "Uncle Fu, you are really amazing. You can seduce such a young scholar to be your son-in-law. My sister will be blessed in the future."

Zhang Fu's knees went weak and he fell to the ground with a plop: "Sir, I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong."

"Oh, tell me, what mistake did you make?" Zhang Yunxiu stared at Zhang Fu with sidelong glances, took a sip of tea, and then asked.

Zhang Fu was sweating profusely and kept shouting, "I shouldn't be out here, beating you, using the title of Prime Minister to cheat people. That person wants to get close to the rich and powerful, so he sent someone to ask to marry our girl."

"What did you promise?" Zhang Yunxiu asked coldly.

"Promise him. Promise him that he will pass the imperial examination next spring." Zhang Fu's voice was already unclear.

"What?" Zhang Yunxiu didn't hear clearly.

"I passed the imperial examination in spring." Zhang Fu repeated it again.

Now Zhang Yunxiu heard it clearly.

He was so angry that he almost turned his back. He stepped forward, kicked Zhang Fu and cursed him viciously: "You are getting more and more daring now. You dare to agree to something as risky as this?"

"Do you think that the examination was held by your family?!"

Zhang Fu struggled to get up, saying "I admit my guilt" repeatedly.

He also feels aggrieved. When you took the imperial examination, didn't you have a smooth journey?

Besides, he passed the imperial examination together with Zhang Yunxiu at the age of 21 three years ago, so his talent and learning must be extraordinary.

He just wanted to say hello, there is not much risk or concern here.

Seeing Zhang Fu crying and blood marks on his forehead, Zhang Yunxiu felt pity for him.

But for Zhang Fu's sake, he could only scold with a stern face: "Zhang Fu, how did you accept this marriage? Why are you canceling it?"

"Then go down and receive your sixty strokes of the cane, and I will punish you by not letting you go out for a month."

Zhang Fu felt regretful, but he could only grit his teeth and swallow the bitter fruit: "Zhang Fu obeys your command."

"Go down."

"Yes."

Zhang Fu ran out of the hall in a daze.

At this time, Han San came in excitedly with a paper scroll in his hand. The two met at the door, and Han San was shocked to see Zhang Fu's embarrassed face.

"what happened?"

Zhang Fu shook his head and walked forward.

Han San swallowed and walked in.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu, Han San bowed as usual and handed over the scroll: "Sir, this is a gift from Song Ming."

Zhang Yunxiu stood up, took it, and unfolded it to take a look.

"It is said that the common people have a hard time.

Just because all officials are greedy.

Now you look at Chang'an Road,
I only see corrupt officials and not the sky.”

(End of this chapter)