Chapter 233 A Strange Intuition, A Generous Reward

The new emperor ascended the throne and hosted a banquet for his court officials.

A palace attendant led the couple to a seat at the lower end of the table before the emperor. Opposite them sat Crown Princess Chen Yannian. This was extremely contrary to etiquette, but Emperor Chengjing had specially arranged a table there to demonstrate the status of his beloved minister in his heart. Zong Suyi benefited from his wife's status and sat on equal footing with his aunt.

Zhang Ting remained unperturbed by the new emperor's lavish treatment, her gaze calm and composed as she sat upright at the table. Looking at the few dishes before her, a sense of unease settled in her heart. Serving cold food in the dead of winter—how poor they were!

When the Queen saw that the two of them hadn't brought Tun Tun, her eyes dimmed. What a clever little child; she hadn't seen her for quite some time.

After the officials took their places, Emperor Chengjing, accompanied by Empress Yuan, descended the steps and raised his wine cup to begin the banquet.

"I am deeply pleased that all of you have come to this banquet. However, the people are suffering and the national treasury is empty. The whole country must be diligent and frugal, rest and recuperate, and wait for the spring flowers to bloom next year. As the sovereign of the country, I am the successor of Heaven and Earth and the people below. I should set an example by being diligent and frugal. I apologize for the trouble you all have to bear with me."

The ministers rose and knelt in worship, shouting that the new emperor was wise and that the nation would be blessed for ten thousand years.

Zhang Ting mingled in the crowd and followed suit with proper bowing. Zong Suyi nudged her with his elbow and winked at her.

Zhang Ting said silently, "What are you doing?"

Zong Suyi grinned foolishly at her and said a string of words.

Zhang Ting suddenly realized, nodded in agreement, and added another sentence.

Zong Suyi excitedly stretched out two fingers and pinched her sleeve.

This was the first time the two of them had attended a banquet together. He felt a strange sense of excitement, like someone who had gone to study at an academy only to find that their classmate was actually his wife.

After paying his respects to the emperor, he rose and returned to his seat. Zhang Ting pinched him, telling him to be dignified and respectful, and not to make any more small moves. He told him to go back and talk to him if he had anything to say.

But when Zhang Tingfu glared at her as a warning, her heart instantly turned ice-cold. No wonder, her husband's eyes were sparkling with excitement after being pinched, and he even asked her: "Are we having an affair?"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhang Ting didn't know what to say to him; his head was filled with nothing but lewd nonsense.

After his repeated attempts to harass her failed, Zong Suyi turned his head and let out a heavy snort.

After Emperor Chengjing finished his founding speech, he felt completely relaxed and was about to say something when he was interrupted by a voice.

"Your Majesty, please do justice for my husband!" The man knelt down with a thud.

Emperor Chengjing frowned, feeling quite displeased. He suppressed his temper and asked, "What do you have to report?" He turned to look at his husband.

The Queen whispered in her ear, "This is Qin, the son of the Duke of Zheng."

Qin prostrated herself on the ground, wailing and crying, "My husband's legitimate son was on a pleasant outing with friends when he was bullied by a corrupt official. After returning home, he refused to leave the house and starved himself to death, losing three pounds. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for my son!"

Emperor Chengjing grew increasingly confused, almost thinking he had misheard. The Empress also asked hesitantly, "How was the young master bullied? Does he have any chronic illness now?"

Madam Qin felt heartbroken for him. "You cruel husband, you humiliated the boy with your words, and he's already reached his limit of depression. If he develops another illness, I won't live any longer..."

The Queen was speechless. Did they really need to uphold justice for such a trivial matter?

Emperor Chengjing was even more displeased, and his face turned dark.

Duke Zheng quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "It shouldn't have troubled Your Majesty and Your Highness, but this old woman and her wife came to reason with you, only to be turned away. Having no other recourse, we have come to ask you two to uphold justice!"

Emperor Chengjing found his words quite intriguing. Who dared to chase away a Duke of such high rank?

Qin gritted her teeth and pointed straight ahead, "That's the Zhang Ting couple who are so powerful today!" Her eyes were filled with hatred, as if she wanted to devour them alive.

Emperor Chengjing and Empress Jun exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with disbelief. Zhang Tingqian was a man of integrity and upright character, utterly incapable of such a thing.

The assembled officials below were astonished, their shock no less than that of the Emperor and Empress. Lord Zhang was gentle and refined, courteous and principled; he would never act so arrogantly.

Zhang Ting's eyes were vacant. Her son was scolded so badly that he lost three pounds. How could she dare to use such words as an excuse? Was someone instigating or instigating her behind the scenes, or was someone determined to make things difficult for her?

She would see it through no matter what.

Zhang Ting stood up, then was pushed back down. She blinked in a daze, only to see Zong Suyi standing tall in front of her, like a general about to go to war, leaving without looking back.

“I was the one who scolded your son, so what? Even if he were standing right here, I would still scold him!” Zong Suyi said with her hands on her hips. “Not only will I scold him, I will also scold you! What a disgrace to your family, what kind of child have you raised.”

Madam Qin was so angry she almost collapsed. "You! So what if you're a Duke? Don't bully others with your power!"

Duke Zheng: "How dare you be so arrogant in front of His Majesty and His Highness? Is there no law anymore?" She looked at Emperor Chengjing with grief, "I beg Your Majesty to do justice for this old minister!"

Emperor Chengjing looked relieved. It was Consort Xiaoyi. That makes sense. He even dared to curse me; what is your son compared to him?

I didn't say anything after being scolded, yet you all want me to punish him severely? Her expression was strange. Did these people want to climb over me?

The Empress Dowager's lips curled into a cold smile. She knew her grandson; he would never curse someone without reason.

He regained his composure and said, "I will take charge for you. Summon your son to the palace for questioning."

Emperor Chengjing was bewildered. He tugged at his wife's sleeve, his eyes clearly conveying the message: it's one thing for others to be scolded, but I can't be scolded along with them.

Before the Empress could respond, Zong Suyi also came over and said, "Summon your son to the palace to confront her."

Having suffered such humiliation, Qin Shi dared not summon her son to the palace. She glared fiercely at Zong Suyi, saying, "Don't be so arrogant. So what if you're of noble birth? Is there no law in the world?" She then burst into tears, looking utterly pitiful.

The arrogant and domineering son of the Zong family was renowned throughout the capital, known to almost everyone. The court officials, seeing this, simply assumed he hadn't changed his ways and was reverting to his old ways. Poor Lord Zhang, so full of honor and fame, had been taken advantage of by this wicked man!

With such a domineering and unreasonable tyrant in the house, it's a wonder that Master Zhang, being gentle, polite, and of excellent temperament, has been tormented and bullied!

Zong Suyi scoffed and walked over. "If you won't tell, I'll tell you for you. I felt so embarrassed that day!"

Madam Qin's face turned pale. "Don't spout nonsense!"

Zong Suyi pulled the fur coat over his shoulders tighter and gave him a cold glance. "I'm sure everyone is curious about what exactly happened that day, right?"

"Shut up—" Qin rushed over in a fluster.

He quickly dodged, his mouth still running: "He's some fine young master raised by a duke's family, talking at length in the plum grove about becoming a concubine in the 'Zhang family,' and even knelt before me begging for mercy to let him into the manor. I dare ask, shouldn't such a philandering scoundrel who offers himself up for bed be cursed?"

Upon hearing this, the court officials were immediately in an uproar.

The crowd was in an uproar, with phrases like "disgracing the family," "unfaithful husband," and "like a prostitute" frequently heard. Duke Zheng wished he could disappear into nowhere.

Madam Qin hardened her heart and refused to admit it, "What evidence do you have that you dare to slander my son in front of His Majesty!"

Zong Suyi was confident of victory: "Call your son here. Do you dare or not?"

Qin choked, utterly defeated. She turned to the emperor, weeping pitifully, "Your Majesty, please do justice for my husband!"

Everyone wants her to make the decisions, but who is making decisions for her?

Emperor Chengjing grew impatient and reprimanded the Duke of Zheng for failing to properly educate his husband, ordering the two to reflect on their mistakes and repent.

In the name of upholding the integrity of men, the Empress sent several palace servants to the Duke's mansion to instruct Fang Yazheng.

With the matter concluded, Zong Suyi returned to camp as if he had won a battle, his hair gleaming with pride.

Many people who saw it exclaimed: "Although Lord Zhang is not a strong leader, his attire is quite flamboyant."

The others continued drinking and making merry, but Zhang Ting's brows furrowed with a strange expression. She felt that everything that had happened today was shrouded in a thin mist; the actions of the Duke and Duchess of Zheng, and the reasons they gave, were all inconsistent.

It was said that he was reporting her, but in reality... it was more like a test?

Zhang Ting's thoughts continued to delve deeper, tracing back to the source, but she was forcibly pulled back to the human world.

Emperor Chengjing continued, "Besides hosting a banquet for my ministers today, I have another matter to announce to the world. Where is Zhang Ting—"

Caught off guard by being called out, the person, who was lost in his own world, was woken up by his husband and stepped forward to pay his respects, saying, "Your subject is here."

Emperor Chengjing smiled with satisfaction. “I have heard that rewarding merit is a common practice in the country. Zhang Ting is virtuous and talented, and his wisdom and courage are unparalleled. His knowledge is profound, making him a teacher for the world; his strategies are far-reaching, capable of laying the foundation for the nation; he has made great contributions to the country’s stability and has been kind to me by enlightening and educating me. Such outstanding achievements should be recognized for his virtue.”

"Today, I hereby proclaim to the world: First, Zhang Ting is hereby conferred the title of Duke of Dingguo, a hereditary title, enjoying the honors of a duke, permitted to establish his own residence and government office, and his descendants to benefit from it. Second, Zhang Ting is hereby specially promoted to Grand Tutor, ranking among the Three Dukes. He will serve as my teacher, assisting me in governing the country and correcting its mistakes. All students in the land should respect him with the utmost reverence. Third, he is granted a fief of ten thousand households, and all taxes from his fief will belong to the Duke of Dingguo. He is also granted a thousand bolts of brocade and two imperial estates for his household expenses..."

The ministers suddenly realized that they had been wondering why His Majesty had bestowed honors upon others but had overlooked Minister Zhang. It turned out that they had been waiting here all along.

A duke represents supreme power, a grand tutor signifies a renowned reputation, a fiefdom of ten thousand households represents immeasurable wealth, and hereditary succession ensures endless riches and honor for generations to come.

Such an honor is rare to be seen throughout history.

A beauty is paired with a hero, and flowers are presented to a sage. If others were to receive such honor, they might feel resentful, but Lord Zhang is undoubtedly the greatest of all time, and truly deserving of the title.

Emperor Chengjing took Zhang Ting's hand, his eyes overflowing with admiration and praise. "Minister Zhang has assisted me in my campaigns across the north and south, and his contributions are immeasurable." He entrusted her with his wholehearted trust. "The selection of officials for the realm is entirely up to you. Shall we, as ruler and subject, work together to create an everlasting era of peace?"

Zhang Ting slowly bowed, but was immediately helped up by the king. "Hey, my dear minister, there's no need for such formalities now."

This was a truly auspicious day, the pinnacle of one's life, a height that many would fall short of, a height that could never be reached even in several lifetimes. Zhang Ting, at such a young age, had already won this honor, so of course she was overjoyed. She moved her lips, intending to simply accept the imperial decree and express her gratitude, but somehow the words that came to her lips became—

"I have been striving for many years, and while it is important to enjoy wealth, honor, and power over the world and to protect my descendants, there are three other things that I desire even more."

The entire court was in uproar. Was there anything more important in the world than power, fame, and money?

Emperor Chengjing was also completely baffled, saying, "Please speak freely, my dear minister."

She closed her eyes, struggled internally for a moment, and finally spoke.

"Firstly, we request the abolition of the old system of 'hereditary privilege,' so that the sons and grandsons of officials will also need to pass the imperial examinations to enter officialdom."

"Secondly, we should reform education so that all poor students in the world can have access to books."

"Thirdly, I request a thorough inventory of all land and population in the land, and the poll tax be incorporated into the land tax."

With each word she spoke, the faces of the senior officials in the court grew paler. These three points were tantamount to undermining the foundations of the powerful and aristocratic families. Zhang Ting had already escaped poverty and become one of them—was she trying to dig her own grave?

Emperor Chengjing stared intently at her, his gaze burning.

After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Granted."

Emperor Chengjing took the sword from his waist and placed it in Zhang Ting's hand, saying, "I hereby bestow upon you the sword of the Son of Heaven to slay the disloyal."

He was granted the special privilege of not being called by name when being praised, not having to hasten his steps when entering the court, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace.

The voice resounded throughout the hall: "Together with you, I will usher in an era of lasting peace."