However, Zhang Dingqian did not care about the empty reputation. He knew that Hao Qingzhi's mother Jiang Shu was the most beloved sister of the Yongding Marquis.
With this connection, as long as the position of the Yongding Marquisate is stable, his future career will be smooth sailing.
In contrast, his father was too old-fashioned, clinging to his so-called noble reputation and not being flexible. As a result, he failed to get promoted in the Censorate for many years and was unable to lead the Zhang family to a higher class.
"Alas, what your mother said were just trivial matters. Now, the Yongding Marquis's Mansion has encountered an unexpected event. If we don't make a quick decision, I'm afraid the Zhang family will also be affected."
Censor Zhang sighed deeply and told Zhang Dingqian all the details of what happened in the court today.
Zhang Dingqian was shocked. "The Emperor actually ordered the Imperial Guards to surround the Yongding Marquis's residence? What's the reason?"
Although Censor Zhang didn't fully grasp the specifics of the situation, he could still hear whispers on the long journey home, which made him wonder, "What's the purpose of such a large-scale action? Throughout history, how many powerful officials who controlled military power have achieved a peaceful end unless they rebelled?"
Zhang Dingqian hurriedly reminded him, "Father, you need to be careful with your words and actions."
This statement implies a satire on the monarch's strategy of "killing the dog after the rabbit is dead".
Censor Zhang waved his hand, appearing nonchalant. "Everyone's attention is focused on the Yongding Marquis' Mansion right now. Who would pay attention to our words and actions?"
"Whether the Yongding Marquisate will encounter misfortune remains unknown, and the current situation remains unclear. If our Zhang family proposes to cancel the engagement at this critical juncture, it would undoubtedly be adding insult to injury and would undoubtedly damage our reputation."
Zhang Dingqian calmly analyzed the situation, "Several of the Hao family's daughters are already engaged. Of the Yongding Marquis's sons, except for the second son, whose engagement to Princess Ziyan has fallen through, the other two also have engagements. Why should our Zhang family risk being the first to draw attention? It's better to wait and see."
After hearing this, Censor Zhang nodded slightly in agreement, "My son is indeed very thoughtful."
Zhang Dingqian smiled gently, "Father was overly worried, which led to a misjudgment."
As the two men were talking, they had already entered the main courtyard. Madam Zhang, who had already heard the conversation clearly from inside the house, suddenly pulled aside the bamboo curtain and appeared in front of the father and son with a stern look on her face.
"Absolutely not! This marriage must be cancelled!" She said in a firm tone, leaving no room for doubt.
Zhang Dingqian frowned, his voice filled with helplessness: "Mother."
Censor Zhang sat down on the chair next to him. He always maintained some respect and indulgence towards his strong wife at home.
Madam Zhang cast a sharp glance at her son, whom she had high hopes for. Her tone was filled with seriousness and concern. "I've heard everything you just said. Dingqian, have you ever considered that among all these relatives, your marriage to Miss Hao is imminent? While Young Master Jiang and Miss Sang are getting married soon, Miss Sang is still in mourning and has excuses for postponing. However, you can't delay. Others might be able to wait, but you can't. Are you really planning to marry the daughter of a traitor?"
Madam Zhang's words became increasingly heated, and the resentment she had been accumulating towards Jiang Shu for days burst out. "I have to say, Jiang Shu is truly ungrateful! She's been childless for years, and she's been so overbearing and tyrannical. Rumors about the Duke of the Protectorate's mansion are commonplace. The Duke of the Protectorate has done his utmost by not divorcing her for childlessness."
She couldn't keep her child, couldn't intimidate the concubines in the palace, couldn't keep her husband's heart, all of this was due to her lack of ability. She actually dared to risk the wrath of the world, relying on the favor of the Marquis of Yongding, and asking the emperor to grant her a divorce. This behavior was truly absurd!
Whenever I think of the old saying, "Like mother, like daughter," I can't help but feel uneasy. I don't want to see the Zhang family cause any hilarious divorce scandals in the future!
After Mrs. Zhang finished speaking, she immediately ordered the maid to get the token of engagement with the Hao family, and pulled Zhang Dingqian tightly, and together they got on the carriage and headed straight for the Duke of Huguo's Mansion.
Censor Zhang was unable to stop his wife from acting decisively and could only sigh in vain behind him.
…
The Duke of Protectorate's Mansion.
Ever since Jiang Dinglian sent people to break into the Duke's Mansion and caused extensive damage, the mansion was in ruins everywhere, and even the servants in the mansion were reduced by more than half.
Liao Qianqian was forcefully taken into the Duke's Mansion by Xia Zhiyu, and under his coercion, she signed the document of taking a concubine. She was positioned as a lowly concubine and placed in the most desolate and deserted corner of the Duke's Mansion.
Xia Zhiyu kept saying that it was to make it easier for her to heal, but in fact he never hired a doctor for her. The reason was also very legitimate: the Duke's Mansion was in financial difficulty and even the palace doctor had resigned.
As for Hao Ren, ever since he witnessed Liao Qianqian's filthy and smelly appearance, he never set foot in her residence again. After all, such a scene had no appeal at all and was even disgusting.
Liao Lingxi was so obsessed with exposing and retaliating against the Yongding Marquisate that he completely forgot about his biological mother, Liao Qianqian, in order to show off his power in front of the emperor by stepping on the shoulders of the Marquisate.
Hao Ren was currently unemployed at home and unable to attend the morning court session. When he learned that the Yongding Marquis's Mansion was under siege, he was still deep in sleep, hugging his newly taken-in maid.
After hearing the servant's report, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Hahaha! Jiang Dinglian, this day has come for you too! Jiang Shu, you're reaping what you sow!"
He wanted to go out and witness the excitement himself, but at this moment, another report reached his ears -
"The wife of the Imperial Censor Zhang family requests an audience with the Duke."
"The Censor Zhang family?"
Hao Ren pondered for a long time before he remembered that this was the family his son Hao Qingzhi was engaged to.
Humph, those unfilial women who are in cahoots with Jiang Shu!
They had previously refused to go home with him, causing him to lose face in the capital. Now that the Yongding Marquis's Mansion was in trouble, he would definitely make them regret it!
"Let them in."
In the beautifully decorated living room.
Xia Zhiyu, now the mistress of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion, is already here to receive Madam Zhang.
Madam Zhang took a sip of the tea the maid handed her and almost vomited. In the past, when she visited the Duke of Huguo's mansion, Jiang Shu always treated her with the highest quality tribute tea. How could she use such inferior tea?
In addition, when she set foot in the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion this time, she saw a mess. Even the gorgeous gold and jade on the outside could not hide the decay inside. Only rotten rags were left on the ground.
Looking at Xia Zhiyu, who was originally just a beautiful girl, she was now promoted to the mistress, which made Madam Zhang feel disgusted no matter what.
Xia Zhiyu was not unaware of Madam Zhang's disdain for her, so she tried to lower her posture and said humbly, "Madam Zhang, what brings you here today? I am in charge of all matters in the Duke's Mansion's inner chambers. Why not tell me a few things first?"
Madam Zhang glanced at her coldly, her tone tinged with sarcasm: "Do you have the final say in Miss Hao's marriage?"
Xia Zhiyu paused slightly. She really had no say in this matter.
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