Chapter 37 The Prince's Failed Rebellion
When Zhang Xiaojia slowly woke up, He Fei had already returned from the fields, carrying several baskets of freshly picked winter melon.
Zhang Xiaojia rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked in confusion, "He Fei, why are you picking so many winter mallows?"
He Fei smiled and said, "Of course I'm sending you a gift. At this time of year, where else can I find green leafy vegetables besides mine? I was wondering if anyone would be willing to buy them by the pound or two?"
Zhang Xiaojia looked down at the basket of emerald green winter mallow and frowned, "In the spring, winter mallow is not rare at all. But in the winter, it is rare and expensive.
By the way, I have to go back to the Zhang family today. My second sister is getting married, and I have to go to do her makeup. To be honest, I really don’t want to go.
When I got married, she gave me a hairpin made of huanghuali wood, which was so shabby. She said in words and deeds that I had everything in the palace, with a jealous look on her face. I really didn't have any sisterly feelings for her. On the contrary, I had some sisterly feelings for my concubine sister. After all, my concubine sister gave me sachets, embroidered handkerchiefs and shoes on my birthday every year.
Every year when I go back home for the New Year, I hate both the old lady and my father because they don’t give me red envelopes. I wouldn’t be angry if they didn’t give me any of them, but they just didn’t give me any.
Only my second uncle and second aunt would give me red envelopes, and my cousins would also give me candy.
And my brother gave me the four treasures of the study."
He Fei said to Zhang Xiaojia with a serious expression, "Jiajia, you have to be mentally prepared when you return to the Zhang family this time. I heard that your stepbrother is interested in seeking a position in the Imperial Guards."
Zhang Xiaojia heard this and showed disdain on her face. "He's going to take the exam on his own, what good things does he have in mind? I won't ask my eldest cousin for help on their behalf. Besides, with the little dowry they prepared for me, fifth-rank officials usually give more to their daughters. My eldest cousin delivered the dowry to me the next day, and Mother was so angry that she scolded me for three days."
He Fei shook his head helplessly and advised, "You are not allowed to hit people yourself. If you really can't stand it, tell me and I will do it. Do you understand? If you hit them, there will be no peace. The censor will report you for being unfilial."
After hearing this, Zhang Xiaojia smiled and said, "I'm not a brainless person." Then she stood up and walked towards the bathroom.
He Fei was afraid of being beaten, and muttered to himself, "You inherited the original owner's violent temper, you will hit people."
In the bathroom, apart from brushing your teeth, which you need to do yourself, other things are handled by a dedicated person. While Zhang Xiaojia enjoyed the feeling of being served, he secretly sighed in his heart: This ancient aristocratic life is really luxurious, and warned himself not to degenerate.
Zhang Xiaojia asked the guards to deliver the dishes to the capital according to the list.
She drove her horse to Zhang's house. Thanks to the newly paved cement road, the sound of horse hooves could be heard as she galloped all the way and soon arrived at her destination.
Before arriving at the Zhang family's house, Zhang Xiaojia decided to go to Jinguilou to find out what the Zhang family had been up to recently. After entering the building, she walked straight to the shopkeeper and asked directly, "Shopkeeper, is there any news about the Zhang family recently?"
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper lowered his voice and replied mysteriously, "My Lord, I heard that the Zhang family intends to send a daughter to participate in the selection. The woman imitated your dress and appearance."
Zhang Xiaojia was stunned when he heard this, and an inexplicable anger surged in his heart.
She has been as close to the emperor as a sister since childhood, and the emperor treats her like a jewel in his palm. However, the Zhang family dared to send their daughter to the palace with the intention of becoming the emperor's concubine. Isn't this a slap in her face?
Why does it seem like there is no queen in the palace? Do you want to compete for the position of queen?
Zhang Xiaojia's face instantly darkened. She would never sit idly by and watch the Zhang family challenge her dignity and her brother-sister relationship with the emperor.
Zhang Xiaojia returned to the Zhang family, surrounded by a group of guards and secret guards, showing her noble status, but she did not bring a single maid with her. The purpose of her trip was to intimidate the Zhang family.
However, the gatekeeper actually asked to inform the owner of the house, which made Zhang Xiaojia unhappy, but she still suppressed her anger.
The stepmother's personal nanny came out when she heard the noise. She should have welcomed her warmly, but she made a request that was difficult for Zhang Xiaojia to accept, asking her to go through a side door.
This request instantly ignited the anger in Zhang Xiaojia's heart, and her face instantly turned gloomy.
Zhang Xiaojia mounted her horse without hesitation, raised her voice, and spoke in a firm and authoritative tone, "It might be understandable for a married woman to return home through an unconventional means, but as the Princess of the County, and moreover the Princess of Prince Jing, I represent the dignity of the royal family. If my stepmother asks me to take an unconventional means, isn't that a disrespect for the royal dignity? Where is the royal dignity?"
Upon hearing this, the stepmother's personal nanny's face suddenly changed. She had obviously not expected Zhang Xiaojia to refute her so directly and forcefully. The servants around her were also silent, not daring to breathe. The entire front door of the Zhang family was dead silent, with only Zhang Xiaojia's firm and powerful voice echoing in the air.
The nanny was speechless for a moment. She looked at Zhang Xiaojia with a mixture of astonishment and fear. After a moment's silence, she finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly, "Please calm down, County Lady. I was only... just following the family rules. I have no other intentions."
Zhang Xiaojia snorted coldly, his eyes burning with fire. "House rules? How can house rules override the imperial power? I returned home today because my second sister is getting married soon, and I came to add to the dowry and reunite with my family, but I didn't expect to be treated like this. If my stepmother truly loved me, she wouldn't let such an ignorant servant humiliate me."
After saying this, she gently waved her whip, signaling the imperial guards and secret guards behind her to prepare for departure. Although her tone was cold, her eyes revealed happiness. This departure meant a complete break with the Zhang family.
At this moment, the head of the Zhang family hurried over. He had obviously learned what had happened in front of the door.
The head of the family quickly walked up to Zhang Xiaojia's horse, his tone pleading: "Jiajia, these servants are ignorant. How could they dare to offend you, the county lady? For the sake of family affection, please forgive them this time."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaojia curled up the corner of his mouth in a sneer, which contained both sarcasm and relief.
She knew that her father's words were only meant to maintain the family's reputation and harmony, not out of genuine concern for her.
But she also understood that the Great Zhou ruled the world with filial piety. As a child, no matter how dissatisfied and angry she felt, she could not openly violate filial piety.
She dismounted slowly, a subtle hint of determination in her movements. She bowed respectfully to the head of the household, her voice calm and resolute, "Father, I hope you are well. I returned home with a sincere heart, but I never expected such a tragedy. But since you have spoken, I will follow the family motto and forgive them this time. I just hope this farce won't happen again." Her implication was that if it happened again, she wouldn't give anyone face.
Zhang Xiaojia, surrounded by guards, followed the head of the family into the Zhang family's main gate. This time, no one dared to block her path, and the Zhang family's main gate opened wide for her.
When they arrived at the inner courtyard, Zhang Xiaojia's guards were stopped again.
Zhang Xiaojia said, "This is the guard the prince gave me. The prince ordered the guards to protect me at all times. Father, I'm not even qualified to enter through the main gate. I'm afraid the Zhang family's rules are more important than the palace's!"
When they arrived at the inner courtyard, Zhang Xiaojia's guards were stopped again. This scene made Zhang Xiaojia frown slightly.
She turned to look at the head of the family, her tone filled with helplessness and sarcasm. "Father, these are the guards assigned to me by the prince himself. Their duty is to protect my safety at all times. The prince has ordered that the guards must wait outside to ensure my safety. But now, I am not even qualified to enter the main gate of the Zhang family. Are the rules of the Zhang family more important than those of the imperial palace? Do they not even respect the prince's orders?"
The head of the family's face changed when he heard this. He knew very well Zhang Xiaojia's current identity and status, and he understood what the "Prince" she mentioned meant.
He hurried forward a few steps and shouted at the servants who were blocking his way: "You bastards, how dare you stop the county lady's guards? Get out of here!"
The servants were so frightened when they heard this that they quickly retreated and dared not to stop him. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaojia's guards immediately restored their formation and stood guard beside Zhang Xiaojia.
When he arrived at the inner courtyard, Zhang Xiaojia met his grandmother and stepmother, and he bowed to them directly①.
The Zhang family's grandmother simply snorted, her tone filled with dissatisfaction and reproach: "It's been so long since I last saw you. Why are you just bowing? Why don't you kneel down and kowtow?"
Zhang Xiaojia said respectfully, "Taizu once asked Zhao Pu why men kneel when bowing, but women do not. Pu asked the ritual official, but he could not answer. Yisun said, 'An ancient poem says, 'I kneel long to greet my ex-husband,' which means women also kneel. The Empress Dowager of Tang bowed to women instead of kneeling." Pu asked the reason, and the answer was, 'During the Dahe period, Zhang Jianzhang, an official in Youzhou, wrote 'A Record of the Bohai Kingdom,' which details this matter. This has been a royal rule throughout the dynasties.'"
After hearing this, Zhang's grandmother's face instantly turned gloomy.
After what had just happened, Zhang Xiaojia didn't defend any family ties. She took out the gift box and handed it over, smiling and saying to her second sister, "Second sister, the prince was fined his salary, and coupled with the sudden cold disaster some time ago, he donated all this year's harvest to the court. This is a gift for you."
After saying this, Zhang Xiaojia bowed solemnly once more, her tone filled with a certain degree of determination: "Grandmother, father, stepmother, second sister, I am still being punished, and the journey is long. This princess must now hurry back to the imperial manor, so I will take my leave now."
Upon hearing this, Patriarch Zhang couldn't help but sigh softly.
Zhang's grandmother's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and she was extremely dissatisfied with Zhang Xiaojia's departure.
Zhang Xiaojia ignored all this. Some maids stepped forward to stop her, but were pushed away by the guards. She turned around and left with firm steps.
When she reached the main gate, she saw that it was still open, and she saw her brother.
When Zhang Yuncheng saw Zhang Xiaojia, a hint of request flashed in his eyes: "I have prepared a carriage for you. Can I give you a ride?"
Zhang Xiaojia saw the request in his eyes and nodded.
Zhang Xiaojia is so angry about her own personality that she won't refuse anyone as long as they are nice to her.
Zhang Xiaojia sat quietly in the carriage, the scenery outside the window quickly passing by. The brother and sister sat opposite each other, but both were silent, and the atmosphere seemed a little depressing. Finally, it was Zhang Yuncheng who couldn't help but break the silence.
"Are you... okay?" There was a subtle hint of concern in his voice.
Zhang Xiaojia smiled gently and replied, "Well, the prince loves me very much, my aunt also dotes on me, and the emperor is a good brother. I am living a good life."
Zhang Yuncheng's heart ached upon hearing this. He was her biological brother, yet she had never called him "brother," only "brother." If she hadn't been worried about the possibility of impeachment from the court, she probably wouldn't even be willing to call him "brother." Thinking of this, his heart grew even heavier.
He took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to ask, "If you hadn't been taken into the palace by your aunt, would the bond between us siblings have become so distant?"
Zhang Xiaojia's eyes grew deep. She shook her head gently and said, "Perhaps, but things are unpredictable, who can say for sure? But I will definitely be bullied to death in the backyard. However, I did remember one thing. How much taels of silver was my second sister's dowry? When I got married, the Zhang family gave me a thousand taels, and my second sister's dowry was just a pearwood hairpin."
Zhang Yuncheng was shocked when he heard this. He could hardly believe his ears. He clearly remembered that in order to buy a generous dowry for his second sister, the Zhang family prepared 200,000 taels of silver!
His eyes widened, and he asked in disbelief, "What? You said it was only one thousand taels? You clearly said it was two hundred thousand taels!"
Zhang Xiaojia's lips curled up into a sarcastic smile, his eyes revealing a hint of disdain. "Ha~, are you saying that Eunuch Fu embezzled money? Eunuch Fu is a close associate of the Emperor and is deeply trusted by him. At that time, my aunt wanted to prepare my dowry, but the palace was short-handed. All the dowry I received passed through Eunuch Fu's hands."
Zhang Yuncheng tried to calm himself down and said with a firm look, "I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter and will never let anyone bully you."
Zhang Xiaojia shook her head slightly, her tone filled with indifference and rejection. "No need. I'm not short of money right now. The days when I was most short of money are over."
Zhang Xiaojia's biggest lack of money was when she was seven years old. When she was in school, her classmates would bring all sorts of limited-edition food from Beijing, but she, being short of money, could only watch helplessly. She didn't tell her aunt about it. She remembered that the original owner was crying in the rockery and was seen by He Fei. It was He Fei who bought food and money for the original owner, and it was He Fei who told her aunt about it.
In fact, my aunt really didn’t know, because she had never given any money to my cousin and He Fei.
Zhang Yuncheng frowned and said, "I thought you were living well in the palace?"
Zhang Xiaojia smiled softly, her face filled with satisfaction and happiness. "I'm doing very well! My aunt really loves me like my lifeblood. Not only does she pamper me in life, but she also sets strict standards for my studies."
① In the Zhouli Zhengyi, there is this description: "Kneel down and slightly bend your head, and lower your hands. Although your head is bent, it does not reach your hands; although your hands are lowered, they do not touch the ground."
During the Tang Dynasty, when Wu Zetian ascended to the throne, she changed the traditional bowing posture for women to one where they stood upright, with their hands in front of their chests, their heads bowed slightly, their hands raised slightly, and their knees bent slightly. This bowing posture was known as the "Women's Bow" and continued into the Qing Dynasty, also known as the Wanfu Ceremony.
② This incident is recorded in books like "Yun Gu Miscellaneous Notes" and "Shi Lin Yan Yu," both written by Song Dynasty writers. Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, once asked Zhao Pu, a Grand Secretary in the Jixian Hall, a question: "Men are said to be superior to women, but why do men kneel during ceremonies, while women don't?" Despite his position as Grand Secretary, Zhao Pu couldn't answer the question at the time. Zhao Pu later questioned all the court officials, but none could explain the origin of this ritual between men and women. Finally, Wang Yisun, the son of Duke of Qi, Wang Pu, provided the answer. He explained that before Wu Zetian ascended the throne, women and men performed the same rituals, kneeling. It was during Wu Zetian's reign that women were allowed to "bow without kneeling," a practice that continued throughout subsequent dynasties.
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