43 So this is true love
"I knew he must be interested in marrying us, I have to go find him!" Zhang Hanyue was still chattering, fantasizing about a beautiful future.
Zhang Shengmin stared at his daughter in front of him numbly, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped her with all his strength.
“Bang!”
"ah!!!"
"Father?! Why did you hit me?" Zhang Hanyue's face suddenly turned red and swollen, and she cried and shouted loudly.
"Get out!!! Get back to the yard and don't mention Xu Huaili again!" Zhang Shengmin's face was ferocious and he was furious. He yelled at Zhang Hanyue.
Madam Zhang rushed over and saw her husband beating her daughter. She knew she was too late and scolded, "Hanyue! Go back to your yard! Don't come out without my order!"
"Mother, why do you treat me like this?" Zhang Hanyue felt aggrieved. Why?
"Don't say anything more, just listen to me and go back quickly." Madam Zhang had a headache. She really spoiled her daughter. She had a simple mind and didn't think about any problems at all.
It was clear that the matter of Minister Xiao and Xu Huaili raising donations together had caused a lot of controversy in the court.
Xu Huaili came today, clearly to ask for money, how could he be here to propose marriage? Besides, who would propose marriage so late at night?
My husband is so angry, I’m afraid this matter is not that simple.
Zhang Hanyue covered her face and ran out with tears in her eyes.
Zhang Shengmin was still angry. He stared coldly at Madam Zhang without saying a word and left.
Mrs. Zhang felt cold all over when she was stared at. She knew that her husband was completely fed up with her and her daughter this time.
He stood there in a daze for a long while without moving.
In the study, Zhang Chongshan dismissed all the servants and sat quietly on the armchair alone.
A lamp illuminated the figure, which was dim. His originally straight back gradually shrank and became depressed, and his gray hair and beard looked silver under the lamp.
Zhang Chongshan slowly took out a small box and opened it.
Inside is a small old jade stone.
Looking at it, Zhang Chongshan moved his mouth again and again, and his drooping eyes opened a little.
"Master, why do people read these books?"
"Because reading makes people understand reason, and learning helps them understand things."
"Master, which chapter are you going to teach today?"
"Today, let's learn from the Book of Rites that the highest virtue is like water."
"The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without contending. It stays where people hate, so it is close to the Tao."
"This sentence means that the highest moral character should be like water, which nourishes all things without competing for fame or gain, and does not compete with others for a moment's advantage. It should be gentle yet able to accommodate all things."
"Master, I understand." The child said in a clear voice.
"The prince really understands?"
"In the future, I should be like water, embracing the world."
"That's right, but Your Majesty should also remember that the combination of firmness and flexibility is the true strategy for governing a country."
The child said with great anticipation, "Master, this piece of jade is for you! I polished it myself and gave it to you as a birthday present."
…
After a while, a sobbing sound came from the study...
Zhang Chongshan did not sleep all night, and the housekeeper was worried but did not disturb him.
The study door was not opened until dawn.
The butler was horrified, "Master! What's wrong with you?!"
Zhang Chongshan's hair, which was originally gray, was almost completely white. He took out a letter and handed it to the butler. He said in a low and weak voice, "Present it to His Majesty for me."
After saying this, he fainted.
"master!!!"
…
Yanhua Palace.
Pei Yuning was reviewing memorials when Zhang Quanfu handed in a letter, "Your Majesty, this is a letter sent by Grand Tutor Zhang."
Pei Yuning paused while marking the memorial and asked, "Has Minister Xiao been to the Grand Tutor's Mansion?"
"Yes, I heard that General Xu also went there, and he was carrying several boxes when he came out."
"How much did you donate?" Pei Yuning started writing again, without looking up, continuing to work at his desk.
"Fifty thousand taels."
Pei Yuning paused again, and this time, he didn't put down the pen for a long time.
After a long while, he asked, "Where's the letter?"
Zhang Quanfu presented it.
Pei Yuning opened it and found only a piece of paper in the thin envelope.
There was nothing on the paper except one sentence, "I am old now, please allow me to retire and return home!"
There is a mark of a tear on it.
Pei Yuning was stunned and gently touched the tear marks with his hand.
The sharp edges that hit the paper were like sharp swords piercing into people's hearts again and again.
Is this true love?
Too bad... not for him...
On the first day, the Taifu Mansion donated 50,000 taels.
The Grand Tutor retired and returned to his hometown.
On the second day, Xiao Huanshan and Xu Huaili went to Duke Xu's Mansion and the Xiao family.
The person who represented the Xu family was Xu Huasong. Facing his grandson, Xu Jinsong asked his servants to take out the silver, which was also 50,000 taels.
The person who came forward from the Xiao family was Xiao Qu. Xiao Qu waved his hand and asked the housekeeper to take out 40,000 taels of silver.
On the third day, at the Mansion of Marquis Rongyang and the Mansion of Duke Jingguo.
The Mansion of Duke Jingguo donated 40,000 taels, and the Mansion of Marquis Rongyang donated 40,000 taels.
On the afternoon of the third day, officials from the court sent people to the Ministry of Revenue to deliver silver.
On the fourth day, all the major business groups were notified and they donated money voluntarily.
As of the fourth day, the total amount of donations accumulated was 600,000 taels.
During the morning court session, Pei Yuning said, "These donations are the result of everyone's concerted efforts. I believe that Zhuzhou will be able to overcome this difficulty safely. Today, I plan to donate another 200,000 taels from my private treasury to prepare for the subsequent construction of the river embankment!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" all the officials said in unison.
"Now that the funds have been raised, send them to Zhuzhou immediately!" Pei Yuning ordered Xu Huaili to set off immediately without any mistakes.
"I obey your order!"
After the court session, Aunt Zhang from the Empress Dowager's palace came to invite him, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager wants you to go to Yongshou Palace."
Pei Yuning asked, "What's the matter?"
"The Queen Mother didn't say."
"I understand." Pei Yuning replied in a calm voice and went towards the Yongshou Palace.
Nanny Zhang hurried to follow.
After entering Yongshou Palace, Pei Yuning half-knelt and saluted, "Greetings to the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother slowly opened her eyes, which had been closed for rest, and said softly, "Get up."
"Thank you, mother." Pei Yuning had an indifferent expression and sat on the seat on the right.
"I wonder why my mother asked me to come here?"
The empress dowager was nearly fifty years old, but she was still energetic, liked Buddhist scriptures, and often placed a statue of Bodhisattva in her bedroom for year-round worship.
"I heard that Master Zhang has retired and returned to his hometown?"
Pei Yuning replied, "The Grand Tutor said that he was old, so I agreed."
The Queen Mother looked at her son, sighed, and said nothing more, "Let's forget about Master Zhang's matter, but it's true that you should enter the harem and reproduce more offspring for the royal family."
"There are already two princes in the harem. We don't need too many offspring." Pei Yuning explained to his biological mother calmly and distantly.
"You know they...!" The Queen Mother interrupted him abruptly, suppressing her bitterness and advising him earnestly, "Even if you don't like Concubine Shu and the others, I will choose a young lady from a minister's family for you. There must be one you like, right?!"
Pei Yuning continued to fiddle with the Buddhist beads on his wrist and did not respond.
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