Madam Zhang gave a cold laugh, her hands continuing their embroidery without even glancing at Zhang Hui, and calmly said, "Go ahead and divorce me."
She couldn't be happier; she got the divorce papers from the Zhang family today, and tomorrow she'd hitch up a carriage and head to Lanzhou.
Zhang Hui gasped for breath, muttering, "Only petty men and women are difficult to deal with. Don't get angry, don't get angry..."
However, he was still furious the next second. He snatched the embroidery from the lady and threw it on the ground, stomping on it repeatedly. While stomping, he shouted angrily, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to! You just want to go find San'er, right? I'm telling you, it's impossible! Unless I die, that rebellious brat will never come back!"
Madam Zhang's eyes also reddened. As long as her youngest daughter wasn't mentioned, she was easy to talk to. But if it was mentioned, especially when Zhang Hui brought it up, she would definitely make a scene.
Pointing to the door, Madam Zhang said firmly, "Get out."
He wasn't angry, and his tone was calm, but tears were already welling up in his eyes and almost falling. Zhang Hui immediately regretted it; had he gone too far?
"Madam, I..."
Zhang tried to explain, but when he met his wife's firm eyes, all his arrogance vanished, and his straight back bent. San'er would always be an irreconcilable conflict between him and his wife.
Zhang Hui strode away, glancing at the embroidery on the ground, which was covered in his footprints, before leaving. The embroidery was exquisite, a style he had never seen before.
Zhang wanted to help his wife pick it up, but she was in a fit of anger and wouldn't allow him to touch any of her things, so he could only sigh deeply and leave.
Zhang Hui was kicked out of his home and wandered aimlessly through the streets. The more he thought about it, the more pathetic he felt. First, he discovered that his concubine was having an affair. Then, he discovered that the eight sons he had raised for so many years were not his own. After that, he was ridiculed by Zhang Qing. Now, he was kicked out of his home by his wife.
Sigh, what dynasty's prime minister could be like him!
Just as I was feeling sorry for myself, I saw a familiar figure sneaking into an alley.
Zhang Hui stood there for a moment and thought, "Isn't that Lord Zhao, the Assistant Director of the Department of Revenue?"
Zhang Hui immediately lowered his body and quietly followed. He saw Zhao Dajia secretly trading something with someone. He vaguely heard the two bargaining. Zhang Hui squinted and saw that it was a bright green jade thumb ring.
Zhang Hui hid in the corner until Zhao Dajia was far away before daring to show his face. As soon as he did, he quickly caught up with the man who had just traded with Zhao Dajia, called him over, and bought the jade thumb ring with his money.
Under the sunlight, the jade thumb ring is smooth and warm, clearly made of high-quality jade!
Zhang Hui couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Zhao Dajia always said he was very honest and upright, creating an image of an upright official for them, but it turned out he was also a corrupt official! Otherwise, where would a poor official get such a fine jade thumb ring!
Hahahaha!
Zhang Huizhen wanted to roar to the heavens; he had found a new goal in life!
Zhang Hui went to the palace without stopping. At that time, the emperor was discussing political affairs with several ministers. Next to him sat Chuanwen, whom he felt heartbroken at the sight of him. Chuanwen was holding a baby in his arms.
What's going on?
Zhang Hui, who hadn't attended court today, glanced at Chuanwen a couple of times. Chuanwen pretended not to notice, inwardly scoffing: [Haha, is it possible that Old Master Zhang, kicked out of his home, has nowhere else to go and has come to the Emperor for lodging?]
Zhang Hui's face hardened, and his steps became somewhat hesitant. Should he come back later, when the girl wasn't around?
But the emperor had already called out to him, "My dear minister, what brings you here?"
Oh dear, oh dear, why are you leaving? Prime Minister, what's bothering you? Let the little girl tell us so we can have a good laugh.
Meeting the gazes of the emperor and his colleagues, Zhang Hui felt a cold sweat break out on his back. He had come too hastily, too hastily.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Zhang Hui quickly spoke up, trying to divert the messenger's attention by mentioning Zhao Dajia. "I have evidence that Zhao Dajia, the Assistant Director of the Department of Revenue, has embezzled and accepted bribes."
Zhang Hui presented a jade thumb ring. The emperor frowned. "That can't be right. If he's embezzling and taking bribes, how come he doesn't even have money to buy toilet paper?"
However, upon further reflection, it's not impossible. Perhaps Zhao Dajia simply hid all the money and was reluctant to spend it.
Zhang Hui recounted how he had seen Zhao Dajia furtively selling the thumb ring. The emperor and several ministers nodded in agreement. It was definitely corruption and bribery. Bah! He always pretended to be so upright, but he was actually up to no good!
[He earned what he deserved through his own merit; why accuse him of embezzlement and bribery!]
Chuanwen disagreed, and his opinion of Grandpa Zhang deepened. The emperor and the others were stunned. "Found it?"
People work from dawn till dusk, scavenging through garbage heaps without complaining about the dirt or the hard work. Sometimes, when there are too many people, they have to fight with others, and if they're unlucky, they might even get punched. Sir, we don't allow slander!
Zhang Hui: I still think I don't believe it. Who would have a jade thumb ring in their trash heap? Such a high-quality jade, and they wouldn't even throw it away!
The Emperor: Anyway, I'm a bit disgusted. Can't my ministers have any normal hobbies? Some like to smell farts, some like to fall into the latrine, and now there's this guy who likes to rummage through the trash.
Huang Wang, the secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, frowned repeatedly, wondering why the thumb ring looked so familiar.
Here we go again, Brother Dajia is on another day of treasure hunting in the garbage dump, hahaha!
Treasure hunting...a day trip?
Huang Wang and his colleagues kept their mouths tightly shut to stop themselves from laughing, but someone let out a soft "poof," not from their mouth, but from their lower body.
The messenger was stunned. [The Emperor is right here! Can't you show some respect? Can't you just say what you need to say? Why are you using your backside to do it for us?]
The emperor, feeling disrespected, didn't want to investigate who had farted; he just wanted to escape this place as quickly as possible, lest he burst out laughing.
The emperor thought this and did it: "If you want to know whether Zhao Dajia has embezzled or accepted bribes, my dear ministers, come with me and you will find out."
Before leaving, he didn't forget to hold the little princess in his arms and asked her to write a message.
Chuanwen thought to himself, "I'm a study companion, not a nanny. Why do I have to go with her everywhere?"
*Splat!* Chuan Hai, one of the ministers, tripped and fell flat on his face. Chuan Wen quickly went to help him up. [How could he fall on flat ground? Sigh, thank goodness I'm here. I've really been working myself to the bone for this family.]
Chuan Hai, who was truly worried sick, was met with sympathetic glances from his colleagues. If they were Chuan Hai, they don't know how long they could hold on before being scared to death.
Chuan Hai sighed silently; it was all bitter tears.
Chuanwen didn't see the commotion in the faces of the others. Despite his inner complaints, he helped his uncle up and happily followed the emperor. It was much more fun to go out and see his brother Dajia than to stay cooped up in his room listening to boring political affairs.
However, Chuanwen also wondered, "Does the Emperor know where Brother Dajia is now?"
Whether you know it or not, you're right here. The emperor wasn't worried at all about not being able to find Zhao Dajia, and strode out.
Most of the residents on Hibiscus Street in the capital were officials. Among them, there was a mansion that occupied the largest area. Although it looked ordinary on the outside, the flowers, trees, and furnishings inside were all precious, exquisite, and rare.
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