How can we know if it's completely thorough?
Beating her up and locking her up for life doesn't count, because she might secretly escape. Expelling her from the family genealogy doesn't count either, because she did inherit his bloodline.
Only when a person stops breathing and is buried in the earth can they be considered to have no connection with this world anymore. And only then can they be completely prevented from causing trouble again.
Although she didn't plan to get out alive, choosing to die herself is different from being judged to die by others. She thought she had long since given up on them, but her heart still ached. Sure enough, she was abandoned once again!
Thinking about all this, Zhang Qing felt a chill in his heart as he stepped into the ancestral hall for the first time in more than ten years. After offering incense, he knelt down and kowtowed three times to his grandfather. He could never repay the kindness of his grandfather's education. He could only kowtow three times in his lifetime. He would deal with the rest after he was gone.
However, after she kowtowed, she waited for a long time but did not receive a dagger, poison, or a length of white silk from the person next to her. Just as she was about to turn her head to see if the other person was asleep, he spoke, "Tomorrow I will go to the palace to resign. You are doing a good job as the head of the Ministry of Revenue, so go back and do your job well."
In the past few days, he reviewed the old policies and documents and found that the consequences of the policy loopholes that Zhang Qing mentioned when she was young were almost identical to those in the documents. Afterwards, he went to see the tasks she handled when she worked in the Ministry of Revenue. Every task was well-organized and systematic. He had to admit that Zhang Qing was a pillar of the state, even one that he could not compare to.
However, Zhang Qing looked at him in shock. Was he out of his mind and didn't know what he was saying?
"I am very clear-headed and know what I am saying."
Zhang Hui seemed to know what Zhang Qing was thinking, and then said, "That girls' school will most likely fail without you, and you don't want to see that result, do you?"
Zhang Qing didn't want to see the girls' school, which she had worked so hard to establish, disband, but she couldn't understand why her father, who had always opposed her doing these things, suddenly supported her.
"I'm tired, I'm going home now."
Zhang Hui's frail body now makes it difficult for him to even get up. However, Zhang Qing, who was standing to the side, did not offer any help. Instead, he watched with confusion and bewilderment as the figure that had suddenly aged considerably left.
Something must have happened that she didn't know about. Zhang Qing thought to herself, but she had never doubted that she had angered her grandfather to death. She racked her brains but couldn't figure out what had caused that stubborn old man's attitude towards her to change so drastically.
Madam Zhang was hiding outside the door. She had heard the conversation between the two of them. When Zhang Hui came out, she went up to help him back. However, when she turned back to look at her youngest daughter and met her confused and doubtful gaze, she gave her a gentle smile to comfort her.
Back in the bedroom, Madam Zhang tried to help Zhang Hui lie down, but Zhang Hui waved his hand and told his wife to help him to the desk instead.
Seeing how much older her husband had aged, Madam Zhang felt a pang of heartache. "Why did you do this?" she asked.
Wouldn't it be better for both father and daughter to serve as officials in the same court? Why insist on resigning? Besides, with her husband around, he can help her out.
Zhang Hui gave a bitter smile. Although he had disliked this daughter for so many years, he still understood her well. She was a strong-willed person and certainly did not want to become an official under his protection.
Moreover, although he acknowledged that Zhang Qing was excellent and had unique ideas on many issues, he knew that if they served in the same court, they would definitely have many disagreements. He had already missed one opportunity and did not want to stifle Zhang Qing's development again because of his prejudice and stubbornness.
Now that the child is grown up, let her face the consequences herself, whether it's a blessing or a curse.
"This is what I owe her."
Zhang Hui's hand trembled slightly as he held the pen, but his resolve remained firm. He considered this resignation letter a small compensation to her.
The next day, Zhang Hui tidied himself up and entered the palace. The emperor was startled when he saw the prime minister's aged appearance, and was even more startled when he learned that he had come to resign.
Why did you have to go back to your hometown when you were doing so well?
Chuanwen, who was standing to the side, was also very puzzled, wondering what Grandpa Zhang was up to!
After digging around, he still couldn't find the truth that the old man actually died of anger, which made him even more puzzled.
While she was wondering about this, the emperor, who had heard her thoughts, was also surprised that there was such a twist in the events of that year. Looking at the old minister who had fought alongside him for many years, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for him.
Zhang Hui had made up his mind. The emperor tried to persuade him several times to no avail, and it was too late to persuade him any further. So he had no choice but to agree and reinstate Zhang Qing to his official position.
After returning home exhausted, Zhang Hui went to bed to recuperate. He planned to set off for his hometown of Beiyang after the New Year.
That evening, Madam Zhang came to visit Zhang Qing. She held her hand and was reluctant to let go. Looking at her daughter's face in the candlelight, she felt both happy and tender.
She had imagined this scene countless times, and she didn't know how her daughter, who was afraid of the dark, got through those dark nights.
That stubborn little girl has grown into a young woman. She must have suffered a lot over the years.
"Qing'er, come with me to a place tomorrow, and I'll introduce you to a few people."
Madam Zhang spoke mysteriously, which made Zhang Qing even more suspicious. The next day, after following her in a carriage to a house two streets away, he became even more puzzled.
The living room was filled with men and women dressed in various styles; the twenty-odd people, some sitting and some standing, made the not-so-small living room seem a bit cramped.
"Mistress".
Mrs. Zhang entered with her daughter, and the group stood up to greet her. A three- or four-year-old toddler ran over and jumped onto her legs, asking for a hug.
Mrs. Zhang smiled and picked up the little guy, pinching his chubby little face. "Has Little Niu Niu been good these past few days?"
"Mother, you're hitting my hand!"
The little boy pouted and complained, making everyone in the room laugh. A pretty woman walked over and patted the little guy on the head, saying, "Who told you to be naughty!"
The little boy snorted and ignored the woman, turning to look at Zhang Qing and asking curiously, "Auntie, is she Third Sister?"
Yesterday, Mrs. Zhang sent them a letter saying that everyone should get together today and that she would also like to introduce her youngest daughter, who has finally returned home, to everyone.
From the moment Zhang Qing entered, everyone was secretly observing her. Now they were even more enthusiastic, and the talkative ones had already pulled Zhang Qing aside to introduce themselves.
“I am Aunt Chun, you can just call me Aunt Chun. Here, this is a gift for you.”
“I am Aunt He, you can call me Aunt He, and here is my gift.”
"I am......"
After all eight concubines were introduced, Zhang Qing received a pile of gifts, completely bewildered.
She remembered that when she left home as a child, there wasn't a single aunt in the family.
After the concubines finished introducing themselves, they started introducing their husbands and sons. This confused Zhang Qing even more. If they were concubines in the family, how could they also have their own families? Weren't they his concubines?
And they don't live at home, but in a house outside. No, it can't be what she's thinking, right?
Zhang Qing's mind was racing. After her mother confirmed it, she felt like the whole world had become a fantasy. All eight concubines had affairs, and none of the eight sons they had were her father's!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
