Chapter 205 Humble Zhang Ting, who can't she be with...

"This old woman has fallen so low, yet I never imagined I could become related to the prefect by marriage." Chen Jue said with a complex expression and a self-deprecating smile, then sighed, "It's a blessing that Xiao Yi can marry you; his parents should be able to rest in peace if they know this in the afterlife."

"It is my great fortune to have met such a wonderful partner."

Zhang Ting bowed to her, her expression calm, neither giving the impression of being treated coldly nor failing to convey her aloofness.

Chen Yannian had initially thought that he now had a powerful backer and felt a sense of closeness, but seeing the other party's attitude, he dared not approach at all. He stood there holding the pestle and mortar, without uttering a sound.

Chen Jue glanced at her daughter's helpless state, her eyes filled with sorrow. Time flies like water; in the past nine years, she had lost several children intermittently. Now, only her two children remained in the world. Her illegitimate daughter, Chen Yannian, had suffered countless humiliations over the past nine years, which had worn her down into this cowardly and timid state. As for her son, his once proud spirit had been completely destroyed, and he was afraid of everyone he met…

His gaze shifted to Zhang Ting, whose posture was as sturdy as a pine tree, calm and composed. Even her resilience seemed to be ingrained in her very being. Chen Jue thought of how she had also been suppressed by Emperor Cheng Tai, yet she had ultimately achieved great success. The humiliation of the past had not only failed to condemn her to shame, but had instead become a springboard and stepping stone for her further advancement. He wished her soaring success and the attainment of fame and fortune.

Over the years, Chen Jue felt that she had been quite resilient, but compared to Zhang Ting, she still felt inferior.

Chen Jue greatly admired her temperament and liked her very much.

He invited Zhang Ting to sit down, even pulling out a chair for her himself, and said in a gentle tone, "Please, sir." He then called to his daughter, "Yannian, hurry up and pour tea for the sir."

"I didn't know you were coming, sir, and I didn't even prepare enough food. I'm so sorry." She was warm, friendly, and approachable, like an old woman from the countryside, exuding a simple and unpretentious charm.

Zhang Ting was momentarily stunned. Who could have imagined that the person in front of him was once the dignified and noble crown prince of a dynasty who looked down upon the world?

"You don't need to call me sir. I've come here today to accompany my husband on his visit to his relatives."

Chen Jue laughed self-deprecatingly, "I am but a commoner, and I have committed a serious crime. If I were to claim kinship with you, sir, I would only be harming you."

"It is my great fortune that you have come to visit me today."

Zhang Ting: "Why do you say that? Xiao Yi's closest relatives are my relatives too." He thought to himself, "This person is quite nice, unlike that scheming old woman, Emperor Cheng Tai."

"Did Xiaoyi come with you?"

"Yes. I'm currently catching up with my great-father-in-law. Should I call him over?"

Chen Jue shook her head. "My life has been full of twists and turns. I've been either honored or fallen to the bottom. I'm already old and frail. I only ask to live out my remaining days in peace. I don't care about relatives and friends, or grudges and disputes anymore." Looking at her, she said sincerely, "The most important thing is that you and Xiaoyi can live a harmonious life and that you can achieve great success."

"I am already well-known, so I will not be a burden to you any longer."

Zhang Ting was moved by this man's righteousness and integrity. Suddenly, she remembered that when Tun Tun was seriously ill, it was Chen Jue who invited a Taoist priest to come and see her, and that was when Tun Tun recovered. She had never believed in such things before.

Chen Jue didn't take it to heart, her brows softening into a gentle and kind expression. "Your nickname is Tun Tun? How adorable! This old woman is just doing her part as an elder. Don't overthink it. May Tun Tun live up to her name and grow up carefree."

Zhang Ting laughed after hearing this. "Eat your fill and sleep, sleep your fill and eat, isn't that what it means to be carefree?"

Chen Yannian brought over two bowls of water. The bowls were broken and chipped at one corner, and the water was cooled boiled water.

Chen Jue held up the most broken bowl of water and said with shame, "My family is poor, so I can only offer water instead of wine to you, sir!"

“It is a blessing for the younger generation.” Zhang Ting picked up another bowl and drank with her.

After finishing the drink, she put down the broken bowl and found it amusing that she had managed to derive such heroic spirit from a mere bowl of water.

“Peace is a blessing,” Chen Jue sighed, then said to Zhang Ting, “The situation in the court changes in an instant, and it is not easy to be an official. One should be cautious.”

"Thank you for your guidance."

"Although I have been away from the court for a long time, I still have some experience and knowledge. If you encounter any problems, sir, I may have some humble suggestions..." She stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence, "Enough, why say all this? When you go back today, sir, do not associate with me anymore, lest you be implicated by me."

Hearing Chen Jue say this, Zhang Ting felt a pang of shame. She had actually judged him with such petty suspicions; her very first comment had made her think he was trying to curry favor with her?

Furthermore, as Emperor Chengtai's only legitimate daughter, Chen Jue rose from a noblewoman to the Crown Princess, studying under renowned scholars and ministers. Her knowledge was beyond question, and she could even overpower her sisters. Her strategic thinking, decisiveness, and overall perspective were also quite impressive.

At this critical juncture, her words could very well be the key to victory.

They actually couldn't wait to get away; they really don't know what's good for them.

He immediately promised: "Needless to say, if you have any difficulties, please send someone to the government office to find me. I will do my best to help you in any way I can."

Chen Jue shook her head and then nodded, looking at her with an incredibly loving gaze. She was humble and had a strong conscience. She liked her so much that she only regretted that this was not her own daughter.

It's getting late; Zong Suyi has probably finished catching up with his old friends.

Zhang Ting took his leave, vaguely saying, "I will visit again in the future." Given the sensitive nature of the other party's identity, it was clear from the outset that they would never meet again.

"Go ahead," Chen Jue nodded, not minding at all.

After Zhang Ting bowed to her, he turned and drifted away. As he passed the corner, he suddenly heard a loud "thump" as something heavy fell to the ground. He turned back and looked.

A woman clutched her waist and got up, coughing, "It was an emergency, that's why I lost my composure..." She patted the dust off her clothes, raised her head, and said, "Your Highness..." She paused.

The courtyard was deathly silent.

Zhang Ting recognized her, her face showing shock. Realizing something was wrong, she turned her back and ran away.

Chen Jue sighed helplessly, "My lord, please wait."

Zhang Ting wanted to cry but had no tears and dared not stop. She only hated herself for being so idle and wandering around aimlessly, causing trouble for herself for no reason.

Chen Jue didn't move, but his voice turned colder, "Lord Zhang, please wait."

Zhang Ting stopped, turned around stiffly, and gave an awkward smile: "Xiao Yi is probably waiting for me, so I'll take my leave now and return another day?"

Chen Jue sat back down and pointed to the seat opposite her. "There are some things I didn't want to say so soon, but fate has brought us together, and now I have no choice but to say them." Nine years of trials have smoothed out her rough edges, but there is one thing she can never change—what she wants, she will get no matter what.

Zhang Ting walked over with a long face, thinking to herself: You've already called yourself "I," what else is there to say?

She sat down obediently, her expression numb, like a dead fish.

Chen Jue introduced her, "This is Liu Wang, the richest man in Yingzhou Prefecture." He paused, then added, "Judging from your expression, sir, you must have already met her."

Zhang Ting numbly hugged her arms, feeling a chill run through her body. "No, no, I'm just a lowly official. You can just call me Little Zhang." Like mother, like daughter; those surnamed Chen are all cunning old hags!

Chen Jue smiled with amusement and turned to look at Liu Wang, "In recent months, I have been busy training troops and have neglected external affairs."

"Everything outside is generally as usual. Since another spy has infiltrated the manor, I didn't dare to disturb you." Liu Wang glanced at Zhang Ting, then guiltily touched his nose. "It's about Lord Zhang... cough cough, outsmarting corrupt officials and eliminating parasites that harm the people, you are truly a pillar of our dynasty!"

Zhang Ting chuckled inwardly. No wonder a mere small merchant dared to take the tribute wine at will. What treason? She was actually planning a rebellion!

Later, Chen Jue openly discussed the grand plan of rebellion with Liu Wang, talking about supplies, troops, and military equipment... Zhang Ting wished she were deaf and stupid, how could she have listened to so much unclean stuff? Besides, was it really appropriate to talk about these things in front of an outsider like her?

Zhang Ting hates all people who lack a sense of boundaries.

Liu Wang exclaimed, "With Your Highness in charge of training the troops, the great cause will surely be accomplished!" Then, if no one else was around, he would praise the Crown Princess so rudely and disgustingly that Zhang Ting had never heard of such a thing in his entire life, whether he was looking through history books or reflecting on his past and present lives.

That guy is a complete treacherous and wicked minister!

If that bastard hadn't climbed over the wall and shown his face today, she would have been home safe and sound long ago! Ugh.

"You've listened for so long, sir, is there anything you'd like to say?" Chen Jue asked gently, a smile hidden in the wrinkles around his eyes.

"I've been suffering from an ear ailment lately, and I didn't hear anything clearly just now," Zhang Ting stammered, trying to cover it up. "I still have food cooking at home, shouldn't I...shouldn't I go back now?" He then tiptoed, preparing to slip away.

Chen Jue stroked her chin thoughtfully, "This old woman is poor and truly cannot entertain you, sir." She sighed, "One hundred thousand soldiers are ultimately too few."

Zhang Tingcai silently withdrew his foot after taking a step, sat up straight, and said, "I can eat any day. My stomach is full, I'm not hungry at all!" As the old saying goes, a wise man knows when to yield.

Chen Jue's smile deepened as he propped his chin on one hand. "Does Your Excellency consider me a traitorous rebel?"

"You are of noble status and unparalleled bravery, how could this be?" Zhang Ting curled up into a ball and rambled on for a long time. Instead of feeling neglected or perfunctory, she felt comforted and like she had met a kindred spirit, but she didn't answer a single question!

Chen Jue felt pleased to hear this and winked at Liu Wang, the meaning of which was clear—you should learn more from him.

Liu Wang awkwardly wiped his sweat, knowing full well that he was far inferior to her in flattery, and was also very puzzled: Wasn't Zhang Ting supposed to be the most upright and honest official? How come he seemed like a treacherous villain reincarnated?

Time couldn't be wasted any longer. Chen Jue stopped smiling. When you encounter someone who pretends to be deaf and dumb and is good at playing dumb, the only way is to break the window.

"Are you willing to work with me to achieve great things?" Her expression remained gentle, but her eyes were tinged with danger. Her fingers moved silently, and a dazzling cold light suddenly appeared from the shadows.

The choice facing Zhang Ting seems to be a matter of willingness or unwillingness, but in reality it's a matter of going out vertically or horizontally.

Zhang Ting stared at her surroundings with her mouth slightly agape. She staggered to her feet and took two steps back. She was the top scholar in the imperial examinations, a promising and important minister of the state with a great reputation. How could she possibly collude with you to harm the court? The silver light of the blade turned into a chill, creeping up her body inch by inch. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. Was she going to die here today?

She knelt down with a thud, and said with righteous indignation, "Your Highness, I, Zhang Ting, am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty and courage, and to go through fire and water for the great cause!" But then again, as a woman with a strong sense of responsibility, she could not let such a handsome young man become a widow!

The Chen family's empire is on both sides, and she's just a lowly wage earner no matter which side she chooses.