Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 22: Madam is no different from a beast
Zhang Jun was not so shameless as to remain silent after receiving the benefits. Shortly after taking the courtesans away, he asked his servants to bring some writing materials, as well as an "Inscription to Encourage Learning" written by himself, to show his concern and supervision for his son's studies. For a moment, it seemed like a father's love and filial piety.

Zhang Luo read the inscription and found it to be quite good. He was not surprised by this, because his father was not a useless second-generation dandy. He had a high level of education and was a Jinshi in the fourth year of Kaiyuan.

At that time, his grandfather Zhang Shuo was excluded from the court by Yao Chong and had to fish by the Yangtze River. His power was not as great as it is now. Therefore, Zhang Jun became a Jinshi mainly based on his own ability.

After reading the "Inscription to Encourage Learning," Zhang Luo casually tossed it aside, not intending to take this opportunity to mend the relationship between father and son. Because his father's biggest problem wasn't disloyalty or treason, but stupidity and a very low level of political wisdom.

If it were simply a lack of moral integrity, honestly, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, when the An-Shi Rebellion broke out, even Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Suzong fled, and the choices made by others were all forced by their livelihoods and were understandable. But the brothers Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi chose to stay and become traitors when they could have escaped, which is a huge problem.

Because the successor Emperor Suzong of Tang had deep ties to the Zhang family, his father, Li Longji, faced a dire political situation when his mother was pregnant. Fearing accusations of being a womanizer from Princess Taiping, Li Longji even considered aborting his son. It was thanks to Zhang Shuo's advice that Li Heng was born.

Later, Zhang Shuo's son Zhang Yi married Li Heng's sister, Princess Ningqin, making Li Heng's brother-in-law. When Li Heng faced repeated political setbacks and was besieged on all sides, he was largely protected by the brothers Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi. It could be said that if they had only waited until Li Heng succeeded to the throne, they would have reaped rich rewards.

However, these two smart people had been working on this matter for so many years, and in the end they actually thought that An Lushan, the Emperor of Great Yan, had the potential to rule the world. At the most critical moment, they chose to join An Lushan. It can only be said that these two people were really blinded by greed.

Even his student Fang Guan chose to follow Emperor Xuanzong and flee to Shuzhong, where he later became prime minister, which led to that barbecue. Fang Guan was certainly a worthless person, and the Zhang brothers were even worse than Fang Guan.

This was also the important reason why Zhang Luo insisted on not being optimistic about the Zhang family. His grandfather Zhang Shuo had taught by words and deeds for half his life, but he had not been able to make much progress in Zhang Jun, this funny guy. Zhang Luo did not expect him, as a junior, to be able to lead such a useless person. Staying away from stupid teammates was his first priority. It was impossible for them to sit together happily and make dumplings again.

Despite this, Zhang Shuo's appreciation brought about a significant change in Zhang Luo's situation within the Zhang family. Not only did he move from his former residence in the abandoned garden to the heart of the mansion, but the Zhang family members and servants also became more welcoming and attentive to him. Some even went all the way to the Jicui Building just to greet him in person with the cordial greeting "Liu Lang."

In the evening, Zhang Shuo's wife, Yuan, sent a servant to summon Zhang Luo to the back hall for dinner. Since Jicuilou was a library, no fires were allowed except for lighting and heating. Zhang Luo simply took Yingniang and her daughter to the back house for a meal.

When they, the master and their servants, arrived at the back hall, there were already more than 30 members of the Zhang family, both men and women, gathered there, including Zhang Jun and his wife, who were sitting next to the old lady.

Although Zhang Luo had never seen his mistress Zheng after coming to this world, he knew what the woman looked like from the memory of the young Zhang Luonu and recognized her at a glance. After Zheng took a look at him, her expression became a little unnatural.

"My child greets Grandmother, Father, and Madam..."

No matter what he felt in his heart, Zhang Luo did not dare to be rude in front of everyone. He went forward and greeted his relatives one by one.

Lady Yuan, the wife of the State of Yan, was in her fifties and looked graceful and amiable. Upon hearing Zhang Luo address his stepmother, Lady Zheng, her brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't say much. She simply pointed at Zhang Luo and spoke to the Zhang clan members present, "They say a young man is like bamboo shoots after the rain; he blossoms into a mature adult in just a few days. That's exactly the case with my son. A few days ago, he was a mere child, but now he has taken on quite a bit of his grandfather's and father's demeanor!"

After hearing this, all the Zhang family members laughed and agreed, and praised Zhang Luo a lot. However, Zheng, who was sitting on the side, had a dull expression, as if she was a pottery figurine.

"Go sit with your brother. You're growing up and already understanding others. In the future, you must help your loved ones!"

Yuan was pleased with her grandson's handsome appearance and outstanding figure, so she pointed to the empty seat next to her grandson Zhang Zheng and asked Zhang Luo to sit there.

At this moment, Zheng, who had been expressionless, suddenly looked stern and was about to speak.

Before she could utter a word, Yuan looked at her and said, "Although this child is not your own, he is also one of your flesh and blood. The fact that he can now meet outsiders is due to your upbringing. Last night, your Excellency praised the family tradition, and I was very pleased!"

After hearing this, Zheng's face turned pale again. Her frown trembled a few times before she relaxed with great effort. Her fingernails, hidden within her sleeves, dug into her palms tightly. She bowed to Yuan and said, "We are of the same blood and have been steeped in family traditions. Your son will surely make progress. How dare I take credit for it?"

By this time, Zhang Luo had already sat down next to his half-brother, Zhang Cheng. He was already annoyed by the sight of the boy staring at Ah Ying behind him. But when he heard the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and Zheng's voice, which was so suppressed it was almost distorted, he suddenly felt a surge of joy, as if he had found a way to disgust Zhang Jun and his wife. While these two could certainly use their ties to bully him, they weren't orphaned bastards; there was always someone who could control them.

With this thought in mind, he spoke again, "Although my son and I are not related by blood, my deep admiration for you is beyond words. Although I know your words are self-deprecating, I still cannot help but refute them. Without manners, a person is no different from an animal. How could you, just to uphold one person's humility, make such a beastly statement that negates the merits of good manners?"

"you……"

When Zheng heard this, she became so angry that her face turned ashen.

Zhang Luo didn't wait for her to start scolding him, and quickly waved his hand again, "Pah, pah, I spoke out of turn, out of turn... I was just grateful for Madam's upbringing. I'm eager to argue, so why not ask my brother? You are the legitimate son of the family, Madam's biological son. You have both given birth and education, and you have enjoyed both graces. In your opinion, which one is more important?"

"Ah I……"

When Zhang Zheng heard the topic was about him, he quickly looked away, but he was still a little confused. He hadn't listened carefully to Zhang Luo's question and didn't know how to answer. He just saw that his mother looked a little unfriendly, and remembered the lesson he had just received in the afternoon, and he suddenly became uneasy again.

Yuan Shi was also an old woman with a keen eye. She could not help but hear the subtle wit in the young man's words. She immediately felt a little unhappy and her face darkened slightly. She looked at Zhang Luo and said, "Since you are grateful for your mother's upbringing, you should thank her at the table and be respectful. Don't just talk nonsense."

After hearing this, Zhang Luo pinched his thigh hard behind the table, then slowly stood up despite the pain, and came to Zheng's seat. Before he could bow down, he covered his face and burst into tears.

"Why did you go crazy and lose your compliments after just a few words from Mr. Fang? Why don't you just shut up!"

Zhang Junxin got the benefit, and felt that having such a son also brought him a lot of glory, so his mentality changed slightly. However, when he saw the boy's impolite words and rude expressions, he immediately became displeased and slammed the table and growled.

Zhang Luocai didn't take this fellow seriously. After crying for a few times, he turned around and knelt before Yuanshi's table, tears streaming down his face as he said, "I asked you before which of the two favors was greater. Now I remember that I still have the one who taught me, but I no longer have the one who gave me life. I can't help but feel grief. I beg Grandmother to forgive this incompetence. The one who gave birth gave me life, the one who taught me gave me life again. Without life, how could I give birth again? I have endured the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, and even if I cut my flesh to repay you, it would still not be enough!"
I went to the cemetery to pay my respects to my deceased mother. Seeing the simple grave and the crude tombstone, I was heartbroken. In my youth, I was ignorant of beauty and ugliness, but now I have a basic understanding of filial piety. I beg my grandmother and my father-in-law to allow me to build a tombstone for my deceased mother, in return for the grace of giving her life! Madam, for your kindness in raising me, I will remain in my heart forever in gratitude. Now that my mother's body has been buried in the sand and her soul has passed away, this is my only way to repay her..."

His tearful performance was truly moving. Especially Yuan Shi, who was standing right before him, a sentimental woman herself and a mother herself, felt Zhang Luo's grief and filial piety, and with tears welling in her eyes, she rose from her seat, took the prostrate young man in her arms, and repeatedly patted his back to comfort him.

Yuan Shi looked back at her son Zhang Jun and said, "No matter what you think, I have granted this child's request! His mother is blessed to have given birth to such a filial child. Isn't this also a blessing for you? Although the deceased can no longer enjoy the blessings of the living, the living should not hinder her afterlife. To harm others is to harm yourself!"

"Whatever my mother says, that's what I'll do!"

After hearing this, Zhang Jun nodded quickly. Firstly, he did not dare to disobey his mother, and secondly, the son's crying reminded him of Wu's voice and appearance, and he felt a little sad.

Zheng, who was standing by, had regained her expression of indifference, but the nails in her sleeves had scratched her palms, and even a trickle of blood was oozing from the sides of her clenched fists.

Zhang Luo's performance made Yuanshi see him as a devoted and filial grandson, and her previous dissatisfaction vanished. When she recounted Zhang Luo's growth over the years and learned that Yingniang, her old servant, had been caring for him, Yuanshi sent for two bolts of colorful silk brocade, which moved Yingniang to tears again.

After finishing their meal, Yingniang returned to her new residence in Jicui Tower. She carefully put away the two pieces of silk and said with joy, "Thanks to the old lady's generous gift, our family is no longer completely destitute. Alang has received the care and love of both Ling Gong and the old lady. We finally have someone to rely on in this house. No one dares to harm Alang again, so there's no need to plan an escape."

When Ah Ying heard her mother say this, she chuckled. Just two pieces of colorful silk made her mother so excited. If she knew how much money Ah Lang had saved up for the family, she would be so surprised!
Zhang Luoze wasn't as optimistic as Yingniang, but at least he felt relieved. He wanted to erect a new tombstone for his mother, but he worried that after he left the Zhang family, the tombstone might be vandalized by the Zhang family. But with Lady Yan's words, he thought he could avoid that.

(End of this chapter)