Chapter 39 The Prince's Failed Rebellion
Zhang Yuncheng returned to the Zhang family and went to his father's study.
Pushing open the half-open door, he saw his father sitting upright on the armchair behind the desk, staring out the window with empty eyes.
"Cheng'er, you're back." His father's voice, with a barely perceptible tremor, broke the silence in the room. "Did you send Jiajia back home?"
An indescribable emotion welled up in Zhang Yuncheng's heart: "Father, how much dowry did you give Jiajia when she got married?"
My father was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "One thousand taels."
"Why did you lie to me?" There was a hint of confusion and complexity in Zhang Yuncheng's voice.
My father sighed, his eyes darkening. "Because the Zhang family ignored Jiajia, leaving her isolated and helpless in the palace, this will only arouse the sympathy and protection of the Concubine Dowager and the Emperor."
Zhang Yuncheng asked again: "Why don't you hide it from me now?"
His father's eyes grew firm and deep. "Because I want you to break up with the Zhang family right now for Jiajia's dowry. I also want you to sell all your assets and give them to Jiajia so that we can restore your brotherly love. I am the head of the Zhang family, and you are the next head. The interests of the family are above all else. I hope you understand this."
Zhang Yuncheng rushed to the table excitedly, grabbed the inkstone on the table, and smashed it against the wall without hesitation. There was a loud "bang", and the inkstone shattered and ink splashed everywhere.
His eyes burned with anger, and his voice was slightly hoarse with excitement. "So, every year you find excuses to send me away, making me miss the time with Jiajia. And you, however, watched helplessly as little Jiajia, during those short five days of Chinese New Year, watched with tears in your eyes as you gave red envelopes to other children, watched her longingly watch her brothers and sisters enjoy delicious snacks, and watched the servants ignore and treat her unfairly!
It was you who severed the brother-sister relationship between Jiajia and me!
Now, you are trying to use these despicable schemes to restore our brotherly love!
Father, I must tell you that not everything will go according to your plan! We are living people with our own emotions and choices, not animals at your mercy! "
After Zhang Yuncheng finished speaking, he left the study without looking back and returned to his own yard.
My father was indeed very well-prepared, meticulously planning every step. He knew that his existence and my mother's death had caused my aunt to resent the Zhang family. So, he deliberately spread rumors to make my aunt feel sorry for Jia Jia, and eventually brought Jia Jia into the palace to raise her.
My father also knew that once Jia Jia entered the palace, her relationship with the Zhang family would never be repaired.
He once again used his strategy, attempting to use the dowry as bait to repair the already fragile brother-sister bond between Zhang Yuncheng and Jiajia.
However, Zhang Yuncheng's heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness.
He understood that although Jia Jia looked flamboyant, she was the most soft-hearted person. As long as she knew that he had fallen out with his family and sold his assets to give to her as a dowry, their brotherly relationship would definitely ease.
But, has Father forgotten that in the past eighteen years, they haven't really participated in Jiajia's life? Why is he trying to re-enter Jiajia's world now with such a calculating attitude?
Zhang Yuncheng sat in front of the window, looking at the moonlight outside, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.
The interests and honor of the family are certainly important, but is the brotherly relationship between Jia Jia and me just to consolidate the family's interests?
A sleepless night.
Zhang Yuncheng sent all the dowry left by his mother to the palace.
Afterwards, he entered the palace and became the Shaoqing of Dali. He was able to hold this position at his age because of his mother, because Concubine Chen was his aunt and the emperor was his cousin.
Chuigong Hall,
Zhang Yuncheng bowed respectfully, his voice steady and powerful: "Your Majesty, I, Zhang Yuncheng, pay my respects to you."
The emperor smiled, his eyes revealing a bit of kindness and concern: "Yuncheng, you haven't visited your mother for a long time. She always misses you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuncheng lowered his head slightly, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but he remained silent.
Seeing this, the emperor couldn't help but laugh and said, "You kid, you always look so dead. You clearly care about Jiajia more than anyone else, but you always hide it and refuse to say it. Okay, you're already grown up, don't tell me anything more. Tell me, what do you want from me?"
Zhang Yuncheng took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Your Majesty, I would like to request to serve as a pacification envoy to Huan, Qing, Rong, Lu, etc."
The Emperor's smile widened upon hearing this. "You, little brat, actually asked for a promotion. There is indeed a shortage of pacification envoys there, but you know that the conditions there are harsh and there's always the risk of war. Do you really want to go?"
Zhang Yuncheng replied firmly, "I have made up my mind. Please grant my wish, Your Majesty."
The emperor nodded slightly and pondered for a moment: "Since you are so determined, then I will grant your wish. However, the New Year is approaching, and I will issue an order after the New Year. You should go to the harem to see your mother first."
"Yes, I will obey your order and go to meet my aunt first." Zhang Yuncheng bowed and turned to leave.
The emperor watched him leave, then said to the eunuch beside him, "Little Mai, go and pass on the order. Have the envoy of Wude come to see me."
Zhang Yuncheng walked through the winding palace corridors and arrived at the residence of Concubine Chen in the harem. In the courtyard, Concubine Chen was leisurely brewing tea, and the aroma of tea filled the air.
Seeing Zhang Yuncheng coming, Concubine Chen gently put down the tea set in her hand and snorted coldly: "It's really hard for you to still think of me, your aunt. I thought you had grown up and forgotten about me."
Zhang Yuncheng was very pleased to see his aunt was healthy, but his face was expressionless.
He respectfully knelt before his aunt in the manner of a younger generation, his voice steady and respectful: "Aunt, good morning."
Seeing this, Concubine Chen quickly stood up from her chair and said anxiously, "What's going on? Come sit next to your aunt, don't kneel."
Zhang Yuncheng stood up as he was told and walked to sit next to his aunt. He picked up the teapot, skillfully poured a cup of tea for his aunt, and then gently placed it on the small table in front of her.
Concubine Chen gently stroked the edge of the teacup and looked at Zhang Yuncheng tenderly: "You are already twenty-one years old this year. Do you have a girl in mind? If you find one you like, tell your aunt and she will act as a matchmaker for you."
Zhang Yuncheng shook his head slightly, his expression firm: "Aunt, I want to establish my career first. There is no need to rush into marriage."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Chen sighed softly and said earnestly, "Yuncheng, you are already the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple. This position is not low, and you have established yourself. But what your aunt wants to tell you is that matters of the heart also need to be managed. Jiajia is a stubborn child, you have to coax her slowly, don't be impatient."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuncheng felt a warm feeling in his heart, but he also felt helpless: "Aunt, I..." He had a lot to say, but he didn't know where to start.
Concubine Chen patted the back of his hand, her eyes full of love: "Good boy, auntie knows your heart"
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