Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 26 The Orphan of Zhang
When they returned to Jicui Tower, Yingniang, who was still working hard at spinning, couldn't help but complain when she saw that they didn't return until late at night.

She couldn't reprimand Alang directly, so her daughter Aying became the scapegoat. Yingniang stood up, glared at the young woman and said, "Alang has just been appreciated by the Lord, and the Master has been diligently studying lately. And you, this wicked servant, are encouraging the Master to play outside all day and not come home. If this leads to Alang's academic progress, I'll punish you!"

Ah Ying felt a little aggrieved when she heard this, but Zhang Luo stepped forward and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Auntie. I know the importance of things. I didn't go out for fun, I have serious business to attend to."

Hearing Alang say this, Yingniang was so angry that she had no place to vent, so she glared at her daughter again, and then went out to get dinner from the public kitchen in the mansion.

"Ah Lang, do you want to tell Mother about this? She's already suspicious and blames us for not telling her. She might even take her anger out on me."

Ah Ying felt a little uncomfortable with her mother's glare, so she moved closer to Zhang Luo and whispered.

Zhang Luo nodded upon hearing this. He hadn't kept it a secret from Ying Niang because he didn't distrust this loyal servant, who was like his adoptive mother, but simply because he didn't want to put too much pressure on her. Now that everything was about to be prepared, there was no need to hide it any further.

Yingniang quickly retrieved her dinner and saw Ah Ying fiddling with some painted pottery figurines and brightly colored feather ornaments on the table. Immediately, her face lit up with dissatisfaction: "Just a few days after things got better, you're already taking Ah Lang out with money and silk to the market to buy these flashy, useless things! Do you think accumulating money is easy? Ah Lang will have many more expenses in the future, so how can he afford to waste them like this!"

When Ying returned home, her mother scolded her repeatedly. Her lips pursed and she was about to cry. Seeing this, Zhang Luo stood up and told Yingniang to calm down. He closed the doors and windows first, then returned and said to Yingniang, "Auntie, don't be angry. These toys are not worth much..."

"Whether it's worth money or not, don't we have any other uses for it? When Alang learns his trade and starts a family, everything will cost money. How can we allow this woman to squander our wealth?"

Yingniang's face remained furious. Beside her, Ah Ying's eyes were filled with tears as she covered her face and sobbed, "Yes, I'm a wicked woman who's been spoiled by my favor and ruined my master's fortune! Mother, please kill me. There's no point in keeping me alive!"

"You still think you're right? You've been covering up what you've done with Ah Lang these past few days, and you won't tell me when asked. If it's a good thing, why are you afraid of people knowing?"

Yingniang became angry again after hearing this. She could feel that the couple was hiding something from her during this period. When she asked her daughter, she just hesitated and refused to answer. Naturally, she had many doubts and guesses in her heart. Today, when she saw them quietly taking back such a valuable item, the suspicion in her heart turned into anger.

Zhang Luo saw the mother and daughter quarreling, and for a moment he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. He raised his hand to signal them both to be silent, and then he bowed to Yingniang and said, "Auntie, don't blame Ying. It was me who asked her to keep it a secret from you for now. What we did recently wasn't a bad thing."

As he spoke, he took out the book deposit slip and handed it to Yingniang.

Although Yingniang was just a slave, she was born into a wealthy family and received a certain amount of education with her mother since childhood. She was the one who taught the young Zhang Luonu and Aying how to read and write.

Seeing the handwriting on the contract, she couldn't help but gasp. She immediately raised her hand to cover her mouth tightly, then read the handwriting carefully several times with wide eyes. After making sure she wouldn't scream, she stretched out her trembling hands and carefully took the contract in her palms. She turned to stare at Zhang Luo and A Ying, and whispered in a low voice, "Where did you get so much money?"

Ah Ying was still sobbing, but seeing her mother's shocked, almost demented look, she couldn't help laughing out loud, and then she whispered, "Even when mother was spinning day and night, Ah Lang and I were not idle either. We will be rewarded for our work!"

Yingniang felt ashamed when she heard this. She worked hard all day and could only spin a few ounces of yarn. It was simply a pipe dream to want to save thousands of strings of cash. This little woman was clearly making fun of her futile efforts.

She rolled her eyes at her daughter, then turned to stare at Zhang Luo and said urgently, "What kind of work pays so well? Ah Lang has a bright future ahead of him, but don't do anything wrong just for the sake of a short-term profit!"

Zhang Luo knew that what he had done was no simple wrongdoing, but to reassure Yingniang, he said calmly, "Don't worry, Auntie. I have my own judgment on the severity of the matter. How could I risk breaking the law for a mere sum of money? Didn't we discuss leaving the Zhang family a few days ago? This money is for future use."

"Do you still want to leave the Zhang family? But Alang is now deeply appreciated by the Lord Ling, and the old lady also has great favor. Why bother to make the same plan again?"

Yingniang had agreed to leave the Zhang family before because she was worried that they were alone and weak and might be harmed by the mistress Zheng and unable to protect themselves. But now with the love of Zhang Shuo and his wife, their circumstances have changed greatly. In Yingniang's view, this is the best situation, so she naturally gave up her previous idea, but she didn't expect Alang to still insist.

Zhang Luo was actually a bit conflicted about this question. He'd been doing things quite smoothly lately, thanks to his ability to utilize his accumulated knowledge, but his status as Zhang Luo's grandson also added to his fortunes. If he abandoned this status, things would become much more difficult, perhaps even impossible.

However, he also knew that whether it was the impending political crisis or the future self-degradation of the Zhang family, resolving them would be extremely difficult, at least not something he could reverse or save at the moment. While he enjoyed the conveniences of this status, he also had to bear the corresponding risks and concerns.

"Although the Lord and the old lady treat me kindly, my parents are my closest relatives after all. They don't like me, and if I continue to stay here, I will inevitably face difficulties. Although I am staying in Jicui Tower, I heard that Qilang will be attending the Hongwen Academy after the spring. The old lady only hopes that I can use my knowledge to help their heirs. How can this kid be easy to get along with?"

Zhang Shuo letting him study in Jicui Building was certainly a kind of appreciation, but it was only limited to within the family. However, his grandson Zhang Chan was about to study in the National Academy of Chinese Studies, which was the continuation of political resources.

Zhang Luo did not expect to be treated as a legitimate grandson, but if he continued to stay in the Zhang family, he would certainly receive certain care. However, the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children would still inevitably cause him great trouble.

Especially since his stepmother already harbored great ill will towards him, he would certainly face more difficulties if he stayed in the Zhang family. Perhaps his life would not be as miserable as that of Wu Zetian and Tang Xuanzong's sons, but it would not be comfortable at all.

Even though the Zhang family's political allies had Zhang Jun and his son, legitimate descendants of the Yan family, to socialize with, they wouldn't place too much importance on a young woman like me. And if I wanted to make any progress, I would still be influenced and restricted by Zhang Jun and his son.

"There's one more thing, Auntie, you might not know. The Zhang family may seem powerful right now, but in reality, they're already entangled in danger. Although your Excellency is busy with official duties, he won't be away from home for many days. He's been staying in the province for several days now to deal with the danger, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to properly resolve it."

Zhang Luo spoke again in a deep voice. He was not trying to scare Ying Niang, but he himself had similar suspicions.

Since the banquet that night, Zhang Shuo has not returned home for several days. It is possible that he has sensed signs of danger and wants to try his best to resolve the matter within the Secretariat.

Today, Zhang Jun returned home with a heavy heart, and gathered with several colleagues and guests in the hall for a long time. However, he did not want to feast, play, and enjoy music and beauty as usual. It was obvious that they were discussing a very serious topic.

This also confirms Zhang Luo's guess. Although the crisis has not yet broken out, the Zhang father and son should have noticed it and are trying their best to delay and try to save the situation.

"This, this... Is what Alang said true? Your Majesty's power is so great..."

Yingniang was shocked again when she heard this, but Zhang Luo extinguished her lucky thoughts with just one sentence: "Could it be more powerful than Empress Dowager Wu's?"

Before Yingniang had time to appreciate the surprise of Alang making a lot of money, she was frightened out of her wits by the political crisis he described. She had personally witnessed the overthrow of the Wu Zhou regime and the decline of the Wu family. When she heard that the Zhang family might also suffer a severe blow, she immediately fell into great fear.

Although from a historical perspective, the Zhang family faced a considerable crisis this time, they managed to survive without any danger, and were later promoted to become royal relatives.

However, any slight setback in this high-end game could be a disaster for ordinary people. Standing too close is not a good thing after all.

In other words, if Zhang Luo were to be implicated, he would have no reason to believe that Zhang Shuo would necessarily protect him. Zhang Shuo's disciples, such as Zhang Jiuling and Wang Han, were exiled, and some were even executed for their association with Zhang Shuo.

Zhang Luo did not dare to stay in the Zhang family and wait for the storm to pass just based on a few records in history books, especially since he now had enough ability to leave the Zhang family. Even if he did not jump off the boat completely, there was no need to stay in the Zhang family as if nothing had happened when the storm was about to come.

Although it is a bit disloyal to do so, even if he stays in the Zhang family to stick together, he will not be able to make any contribution. It is better to make a backup plan like a cunning rabbit with three burrows.

He had previously told Lady Yan that he wanted to rebuild a monument for his deceased mother. He then used this as an excuse to temporarily move out of the Zhang family and live outside the city. This way he could avoid being involved in the matter right away, observe how the situation developed, and then make a more appropriate choice.

If by chance the opponent's attack is too fierce and the Zhang family is wiped out, at least his bloodline can be preserved. He, the orphan of the Zhang family, can escape and develop quietly, waiting for the opportunity to take revenge and restore his family!
(End of this chapter)