Chapter 31 Chapter 31 The root of the problem lies with the third girl...

Postmen were not even officials, but a kind of "corvee labor" and were often regarded as "menial labor."

This is not called demotion, it can be called an insult.

When Zhang Wen woke up and learned about this, he almost fainted again.

He was a Jinshi who had passed the imperial examinations twice, had drafted imperial edicts, and served as a court official. How could he bear such a great humiliation?

Panting, he struggled to his feet and said, "I don't accept it, I don't accept it! I'm going to file a complaint with the emperor. Chen Shao is using public power to take revenge on his own."

Aunt Sun quickly put down the medicine in her hand, wiping away her tears as she advised, "Not to mention Master, even we would be furious if we heard this. But this isn't something that can be resolved by acting on impulse. We are a small family, how can we possibly stand up to the Chen family?"

Zhang Wen thought about it and realized it made sense. "Find Liu Jinshu for me. He promised to help me."

Aunt Sun: "Master, you still don't understand? As soon as the engagement jade pendant arrived, Master started to belittle you again and again. And look at the wound on your head. What kind of girl would dare to hit me? Is she relying on the mistress?"

Zhang Wen was stunned and felt a splitting headache.

She dared to harm her old father before she even married into the Liu family. Once she really became the mistress of the Liu family, wouldn't she grind his bones into ashes?

"Cancel the engagement!"

"Master, you are just saying this in anger. Young Master Liu will definitely not agree."

"Then kill that little bitch and make sure she can't get married!"

Aunt Sun was completely speechless. She patiently advised, "How could Master Liu let this go after such a sudden death? Master, please don't be impulsive."

Zhang Wen said angrily, "This is not allowed, that is not allowed, and you are always opposing me."

"I remember now. It was you who suggested that little bitch marry Liu Jinshu. You slut, it turns out you've been planning to harm me since the beginning!"

He raised his hand to hit.

Perhaps he had used too much force in lifting it, which pulled the wound and caused it to throb with pain, as if someone was kicking him in the head repeatedly.

He covered his head and cried out "ouch, ouch".

A hint of coldness flashed across Aunt Sun's face, but it was immediately followed by just the right amount of panic and anxiety.

She picked up the medicine and said, "Master, calm down. I never thought that Master Liu would go back on his word. We will not suffer such humiliation and live a carefree life with our vast wealth."

Zhang Wen said bitterly, "I'm not willing to accept this."

Aunt Yao held the spoon to his lips and said, "There are many days ahead. No one is always successful, and no one is always unlucky. Lay low for a while and wait for the right opportunity. Master, you have achieved great success. Are you afraid that you won't be able to rise again in the future?"

Zhang Wen swallowed the medicine, pondered it carefully for a moment, and then ordered, "Give me three months of sick leave, and have Mrs. Jiang give me money to make up for the recent shortfall in the public treasury. Also, lock that little bitch up in the ancestral hall and don't give her any food or drink."

Aunt Sun agreed to all of them, but she didn't agree in her heart.

The messenger threw down the document and left without saying another word. He refused to accept the red envelope and even refused to drink a sip of water.

Seeing the look of fear that he would be tainted by bad luck, Aunt Sun suddenly understood clearly.

The master will never be able to recover in this lifetime.

Fortunately, Zhang Xiaoman’s disturbance will mean that the audit will come to nothing.

If she continues to investigate, let the master sue her for disobedience!

This was a heinous crime, punishable by flogging or imprisonment at the very least, or even hanging at the worst. Even with Liu Jinshu's protection, she couldn't escape unscathed.

After resolving her worries, Aunt Sun felt refreshed.

The next question is how to deal with Zhang Xiaoman. She cannot be allowed to die, nor can she be allowed to go unpunished.

Locking him up is the best option.

But we can't let her starve as the master said. Not only do we have to provide her with food, but we also have to provide her with delicious fish and meat.

In a moment, Aunt Sun had already arranged everything that would happen next in her mind.

She instructed the steward, "Bring a few strong maids with you and ask the third young lady to go to the ancestral hall to meditate. If the mistress doesn't allow it, tell her that it's the master's order. If you have anything to say, just tell him."

The steward went out in response and came back soon, sweating profusely: "Oh no! The wife wants a divorce!"

-

Divorce!

Leave the Zhang family, leave Zhang Wen!

This thought came to my mind like a wildly growing weed that could no longer be suppressed.

Mrs. Jiang walked around the room excitedly, sometimes shedding tears and cursing her own blindness, and sometimes she laughed out loud at something she didn't know what she was thinking about.

Xiaoman thought she couldn't stand the stimulation, and was so scared that she held her tightly and didn't dare to let go.

"I'm fine," Mrs. Jiang said. "He's just that kind of person. I know it in my heart, but I just don't want to face it."

At first, I didn’t want my parents to worry, but later I comforted myself and decided to endure it for the sake of my two children.

Later, the child left, but she continued to play the role of the mistress of the Zhang family conscientiously and spared no effort to maintain the dignity of the Zhang family.

After all, it's all for my own pitiful face.

She didn't want to be laughed at or criticized: Look, this is the result of her insistence on having her own way and marrying a poor man even if it meant paying for her money.

Laugh, laugh, let them laugh.

She will never do anything that would make her suffer for the sake of face again!

Mrs. Jiang let out a long sigh.

For a long time, the endless distress and depression that had been weighing on my heart and could not be relieved disappeared with this sigh.

Let’s go, let’s go today.

She couldn't stay in this house for a moment.

She immediately urged Xiaoman to pack up and go with her.

Xiaoman smiled with a hint of bitterness and helplessness, but Mrs. Jiang was excited and did not notice her abnormality.

"No need to pack," she said. "Leave the Zhang family first. Don't wait for them to do something to stop Mother from leaving."

I packed up my valuables when I went to Tangshan, and there was nothing else I wanted to keep.

Mrs. Jiang took Xiaoman away.

But he was blocked in front of the second gate.

Aunt Sun and several servants knelt on the ground.

Mother Fang shouted, "Get out of the way! You ignorant of respect and inferiority! How dare you block my way!"

The maids and servants in Mrs. Jiang's courtyard came forward one after another, rolled up their sleeves and glared, as if they were ready to start fighting at the slightest disagreement.

Maybe it was because the shock was too great, but Aunt Sun’s lips turned pale.

"I, a humble concubine, dare not speak rashly of the feud between Madam and Master. But Master is in great distress. I will at least wait until he has overcome this, and then raise other questions. This will preserve the bond between husband and wife and silence the mouths of those who gossip."

Mrs. Jiang said coldly, "I have made up my mind. There is no point in saying more."

Aunt Sun kowtowed heavily, "Master is seriously injured and cannot afford to return home. There is no elder in charge at home. Please understand my difficulties. I will stay for a day. When the old lady comes back tomorrow, I will discuss all matters with her."

Xiaoman sneered, "Why don't you understand your wife's difficulties?"

Aunt Sun raised her head and said, "So, Madam is leaving today no matter what?"

Mrs. Jiang nodded slightly.

Aunt Sun took a deep breath and got up from the ground. "Madam is determined to leave, and I can't stop her, but the third young lady can't leave!"

Mrs. Jiang was surprised. "Why?"

"She is the daughter of the Zhang family. There is no reason for her to go with you. As long as the master does not give the order, she cannot set foot outside the Zhang family. If the madam takes her away by force, I can only report it to the authorities."

Aunt Sun made way and said, "Madam, please make yourself at your leisure."

Mrs. Jiang hesitated.

Xiaoman pushed her out.

Mrs. Jiang turned around in surprise, and suddenly understood what she meant by "no need to clean up".

Xiaoman shouted, "Mother Fang, let's go!"

Mother Fang gritted her teeth and dragged Mrs. Jiang away.

The maids and servants from the main courtyard followed closely behind, and the slightly crowded second gate became deserted.

Aunt Sun glanced at Xiaoman and said, "It seems that in Madam's eyes, you are nothing more than this."

Xiaoman: "Strange, your wife is gone, but you don't seem very disappointed."

"The girl is still too young." Aunt Sun smiled and winked at the steward.

The steward understood and stepped forward, saying, "The master has ordered that the third young lady be imprisoned in the ancestral hall for being unfilial and unbrotherly. She will be deprived of water and food until she admits her fault."

Xiaoman smiled indifferently and followed the manager without making any noise.

Aunt Sun was very surprised. She thought it would take a lot of effort, but she didn't expect her to be so obedient.

It's a waste to bring so many people.

Another unnecessary expense of money!

After being busy for a while, Aunt Sun no longer had the energy to serve Zhang Wen, so she added some tranquilizer and sleep-inducing pills to the medicine, told the maid to keep a good watch over her, and went back to her room to rest.

Zhang Anyi got on the bed and lay down next to her. "Auntie, I was hiding at the gate and saw Madam's carriage heading towards the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion."

"She has no family background, so she can only discuss it with her sister. However, divorce is not a glorious thing, and the Marquis' Mansion may not be willing to let Xiao Jiangshi take the lead."

"Then the wife can't get a divorce?"

"She doesn't even care about the third daughter she loves the most. I think she is determined to leave. Just wait and see. There will be more drama when the old lady comes back."

Zhang Anyi was silent for a moment, then asked, "Master, you don't really want Third Sister to die, do you?"

Aunt Sun laughed, "He wants to, but he doesn't dare. Don't sit idle either. Go to the Hanlin Academy outside the left gate of Chang'an early tomorrow morning and make sure to see Liu Jinshu. Whether your third sister can survive this ordeal depends on you."

Zhang Anyi got scared when he heard about outsiders. "Can't someone else go? ...Jinxiu, yes, Jinxiu is Third Sister's maid, so she's the most suitable one to go."

When she mentioned Jinxiu, Aunt Sun realized that she hadn't seen the maid for several days and felt something was wrong.

But asking someone to inquire and investigate would cost another fortune. Thinking about the accounts that only went out but not in, Aunt Sun couldn't help but feel pained.

Forget it, the master has been defeated, what trouble can the maid make?

"How can a maid compare to the importance of the Zhang family girl? You are grown up now, you can't always be timid, you should also practice how to treat people."

"But I don't know what to say when I see him."

"Auntie will teach you."

Aunt Sun taught her word by word, explaining to her how the other party would react, how she should reply, and what expression should be on her face. She gave her detailed instructions and asked Zhang Anyi to repeat it until there were no more mistakes. Only then did she nod slightly.

The next day, at daybreak, Zhang Anyi was waiting at the gate of the Hanlin Academy, yawning.

After a while, his head drooped and he began to snore.

It was the old woman who followed the carriage who woke her up.

It was already bright outside, and she had missed the time when Liu Jinshu would go to the yamen!

Zhang Anyi had no other choice but to bite the bullet and look for the gatekeeper. "My last name is Zhang, and I have something to ask Liu Jinshu..."

The bailiff glanced at her without saying anything.

Zhang Anyi stood there in a daze. Her aunt hadn't mentioned this situation, so she didn't know what to do.

The woman following the car gently reminded, "Give it to Hongfeng."

Zhang Anyi suddenly realized, but she didn't bring any money with her, so she had to take off the silver bracelet on her hand and hand it over.

The bailiff then helped to run errands.

Soon, Liu Jinshu came hurriedly over.

Zhang Anyi mustered up the courage to wave at him, "Master Liu."

"You?" Liu Jinshu was stunned, his face showing undisguised disappointment.

He still remembers himself, so he doesn't need to introduce himself!

Zhang Anyi secretly felt lucky that he could say less.

The old woman stabbed her from behind.

Zhang Anyi came back to his senses and said hurriedly, "Third sister has been imprisoned in the ancestral hall!"

Liu Jinshu's face changed immediately. He ordered someone to lead the horse, and then he jumped on the horse in his official uniform. In a flash, he disappeared at the end of the long street.

He didn't even ask whether the matter was true or not.

Not a single word of the long words my aunt taught me was used!

While I breathed a sigh of relief, I also felt envious.

She couldn't tell what she was envious of.

-

The ancestral hall is deep and dark, with no sunlight shining in. It is as dark during the day as it is at dusk.

When Xiaoman woke up, she was in a daze for a long time before she realized that she had spent the night in the ancestral hall.

There was a black lacquer tray on the ground, with tea and some snacks on it.

The tea was still warm, with snow-white jasmine flowers floating on the fresh and clear tea soup. It was her favorite jasmine tea.

Who sent it?

The door couldn't be opened and the window was closed.

Maybe someone left behind by her mother was secretly taking care of her.

Xiaoman sneezed.

There is a strange smell here. Although it is cleaned very well, Xiaoman can always smell the smell of mold.

Just like the rotten straw piled in the corner of a damp house.

Precious old sandalwood incense was burning on the altar, and its mellow fragrance could not suppress the strange smell.

Xiaoman looked at the tablet behind the altar.

The light was dim and she had to strain to see the words on the tablet.

The Zhang family's ancestral home is in northern Jiangsu, and the ancestral hall is also in northern Jiangsu. Only the Zhang Wen branch is enshrined here.

There were only a few tablets, but she searched for a long time and couldn't find the tablet of her biological mother, Hui.

Concubines are not allowed to enter the ancestral hall.

Xiaoman lowered her eyes and slowly sat down on the futon.

But then I heard a sound of footsteps coming closer and closer, and then the door opened with a bang.

The dark ancestral hall was torn apart by the unexpected sunlight.

Xiaoman couldn't adapt to the glaring light and raised her hands to block her eyes.

In the blurred vision, the tall figure of the man gradually approached.

"Third Miss..."

Liu Jin's book!

Xiaoman was stunned and didn't move, as if she had been struck by lightning.

"Surprised?" Liu Jinshu couldn't help but smile.

When he smiled, his tense face became like a clear sky after snow, which made Xiaoman stunned again.

He is indeed the most handsome man in the capital.

Xiaoman nodded honestly, giving full affirmation and recognition.

"Your fifth sister sent me a letter." Liu Jinshu looked her up and down. "Are you injured? Why were you suddenly locked up?"

He obviously didn't understand what she meant by nodding.

Xiaoman raised her eyebrows slightly, and her smile was a bit proud and cunning, "I hit my dad's face."

Liu Jinshu was completely stunned. After a while, he rubbed his brows and said, "This is really a bit troublesome..."

Xiaoman waited quietly for his next words.

"First, we need to get you out of here," Liu Jinshu pondered. "We also need to shut up Mr. Zhang and suppress this matter before it gets out of hand. I'm going to talk to him right away without delay."

This time it was Xiaoman's turn to be stunned, "You want to help me?"

"What else?"

"I hit my own father. I'm disobedient and unfilial. I have low character and will bring disaster to your reputation. And you still want to help me?"

Liu Jinshu laughed, "You must have been forced to do this. I know what kind of person Mr. Zhang is. I'm sorry to trouble you."

It’s hard for you...

These four simple words caused ripples in her heart, and she couldn't calm down.

Liu Jinshu lowered his head slightly and looked at her, "Have you finally discovered my good side?"

Xiaoman smiled sheepishly, but said, "Thank you for thinking of me, but please don't interfere. I can handle this. If I can't handle it, you can help me."

Liu Jinshu disagreed, "If you could solve it, you wouldn't be imprisoned in the ancestral hall."

"The more you worry about me, the more he'll ask for an exorbitant price. It's better to leave it alone. He won't do anything to me—he's planning to sell me for a good price!"

Xiaoman didn't want to continue the topic and said, "My mother wants a divorce. Her situation is even more difficult than mine. If possible, please take care of her a little more and don't let others bully her."

This news is even more shocking!

At this moment, Liu Jinshu couldn't say a word and could only smile bitterly.

Xiaoman said, "Let's forget about our marriage."

Liu Jinshu was silent for a moment, then asked, "You don't believe in my sincerity?"

"Of course not."

"So you're still thinking about him?"

Her heart skipped a beat and Xiaoman wanted to deny it, but before she could open her mouth, her eyes turned red.

Seeing her like this, Liu Jinshu had nothing to understand.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Can you... try to like me?"

The room was silent for a moment, with only the hot and humid breeze blowing through, playfully ruffling the loose hair that fell on her cheeks.

Xiaoman tucked the strand of hair behind her ear, put her hand down, and then picked up the teacup as if she didn't know where to put it.

The pure white jasmine flowers floated slowly on the tea, gently touched her lips, and then trembled and floated away.

Xiaoman pursed her lips, not knowing how to answer him.

"I understand." Liu Jinshu said suddenly.

Xiaoman asked: "What do you understand?"

Liu Jinshu smiled happily and said, "This is a good start."

Xiaoman was confused, but no matter how she asked, Liu Jinshu just smiled and refused to explain.

"Third sister." Zhang Anyi came over with a lunch box, "You haven't eaten all day, hurry up and eat..."

She saw the tea and snacks beside the futon, then looked at Liu Jinshu, and stopped talking with a little embarrassment.

Faced with her sister's timely help, Xiaoman responded coldly, "No need, please take it back."

Zhang Anyi bravely recited her aunt's instructions, "Sister, if you're still angry, you can hit me or scold me, but don't harm yourself. Although our time together as sisters is short, I am very close to you."

Xiaoman couldn't help but laugh, "Why don't you persuade your aunt to return the dowry that she swallowed up, so that I can still appreciate your kindness."

Zhang Anyi's face suddenly turned red to her ears, and when she suddenly met Liu Jinshu's thoughtful gaze, her face immediately turned pale.

It makes you feel guilty.

She picked up the lunch box and ran out of the door in a panic.

Zhang Anyi was so focused on running with his head down that he almost bumped into Old Lady Bian who had just entered the courtyard.

Aunt Sun, who was supporting the old lady, suddenly changed her expression and asked before the old lady could speak: "Why are you here? Where is your third sister?"

According to the plan, she should be accompanying Zhang Xiaoman in the ancestral hall at this time, and protect him at all costs when the old lady punishes Zhang Xiaoman.

Zhang Anyi stammered, "In, in the ancestral hall."

Aunt Sun asked again, "Did you secretly bring her food?"

"Um……"

"She scolded you back?"

Zhang Anyi nodded aggrievedly.

Aunt Sun sighed and said helplessly to Old Lady Bian, "The Third Miss is still holding a grudge against us. This child has a bad temper and will make you angry again. Come visit her another day."

Old lady Bian had a stern face, and the wrinkles at the corners of her mouth deepened a little.

This was a sign that Grandmother was going to be furious! Zhang Anyi couldn't help but hide behind Aunt Sun.

But he saw Liu Jinshu walking towards him, followed by Zhang Xiaoman who was swaggering behind him.

Old Mrs. Bian was startled and looked at Zhang Anyi inquiringly.

But Zhang Anyi kept his head down and didn't notice her gaze at all.

A hint of annoyance flashed in Old Lady Bian's eyes, but she didn't say anything. She just stood there waiting for the person opposite to greet her.

Liu Jinshu was not as polite as before. "The Third Miss and I are getting married soon. She is half a wife of the Liu family. If the Zhang family wants to punish me, they must first ask the Liu family for their opinion."

Although he was young, he became famous very early and was a close minister to the emperor. Compared with Zhang Wen, who had only a name but no power, he still had some official dignity.

Once the smile faded from his face, the unquestionable pressure of a superior who was approachable and difficult to offend came with it.

Everyone present was used to his gentle and humble appearance, and was stunned when they suddenly saw his cold face.

Old Mrs. Bian, who was full of anger, immediately lost her temper, and Zhang Anyi, who was hiding behind Aunt Sun, didn't even dare to look up.

Liu Jinshu turned around and said softly, "I'll take you back to the yard."

Xiaoman nodded, and couldn't help laughing as soon as she left the hospital. "So you can scare people too!"

Liu Jinshu smiled lightly, his elegance hinting at his willfulness, "I do have a bit of a temper."

Xiaoman pretended to be frightened: "Ah, then I have to be more careful next time. If I piss you off, wouldn't that be very bad?"

"How could I possibly scare you? I'm truly honored!" Liu Jinshu bowed, "I only ask that you allow me to prepare a few more walking sticks, just in case."

Xiaoman blushed unconsciously, "Bah, who is your wife, and who is the Hedong Lion? So what if she is the Hedong Lion? I will not allow my husband to take concubines or maids, nor will I allow him to flirt with other women, no matter how angry he is."

Liu Jinshu said softly, "If you're jealous, I'm more than happy."

"You're such a smooth talker." Xiaoman said that and ran away - it actually seemed like he was escaping in a panic!

Liu Jinshu chased after him with a smile.

There was no wind, but the lush branches of the sycamore trees shook violently, a few leaves fluttered down, and the layers of treetops gradually fell silent.

-

Wu Yong discovered that his superiors were not in a good state these past two days. On the surface, they looked normal, and their official duties were handled in an orderly manner. Even their handwriting was unprecedentedly standard, as if it was copied from a copybook.

But he hasn't cursed anyone for three days.

When I handed him the official documents this morning, he actually said "thank you".

Wu Yong was almost scared to death!

He didn't understand, and he didn't dare ask. He chatted with a few friends for a while, then went to the signing room with the news he had just received to test the waters. "Sir, shocking news! Mrs. Jiang wants a divorce!"

Chen Lingan said "hmm".

The reaction was so cold, did he know it a long time ago?

Wu Yong sighed: "Once Mrs. Jiang left, the third lady's situation became even more difficult."

Chen Ling'an's eyes moved. "She's fine. No one needs to worry about her. If you have nothing to do, just sweep the street in front of your door."

Oh, now you know how to mock him, this is Chen Lingan!

Sure enough, the root of the problem lies with the third girl.

Wu Yong's spirits lifted. "The old lady of the Zhang family went to the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion to ask for someone. The Marquis' Mansion has close ties with the Chen and Liu families. Should we take this opportunity to get involved?"

Chen Ling'an looked over and smiled. "Very good. How do you plan to get involved?"

"Of course, it's to ruin the relationship..." Wu Yong was about to offer a suggestion, but when he met his cold gaze, he was suddenly awakened. "Of course, it's to protect Mrs. Jiang and prevent her from suffering any loss."

"No need, I have a good girl..."

Chen Ling'an's voice lowered.

Wu Yong waited for a while but received no further news, so he quietly left.

As I walked, I pondered: What's a good girl? A good girl? The third girl, a clay Buddha crossing the river, it must not be her.

The other members of the Zhang family were not close to Mrs. Jiang, and there was no news that Mrs. Jiang had any aunts or anything.

What the hell is this?