Chapter 161 The New Year is approaching, and I'm about to go home...
Time flies, and the year has passed in the blink of an eye.
In Fengxian, every household was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, filled with joy and laughter, and passersby wore smiles on their faces.
Although Fengxian suffered from floods a few months ago, a virtuous woman came and did an excellent job of post-disaster recovery. She also built new brick houses for them, paved blue brick roads covering the entire county, made well water affordable for everyone, and ensured that every child in the county could afford to go to school.
Hopefully, this year will be a smooth and happy one.
I heard that the brick kiln is going to be expanded. After they finish their work in the fields, they will go to participate in the recruitment. They will save the money from selling fruit and the money from working to buy a few piglets and chicks for their families, so that they will not lack meat in the future.
Life is getting better and better.
Zong Suyi, however, was extremely unhappy. He woke up with a long face, having counted on his fingers that Zhang Ting had been gone for over four months, one hundred and thirty days, and six hours. Today, the first day of the new year, the couple couldn't even be together…
It's even more tragic than the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
He leaned sullenly against the chaise longue, while two servants knelt on the ground to massage his legs. He needed someone to massage them often so that he wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night with cramps.
Outside, a servant brought in bird's nest, scooped it up with a spoon, and brought it to his lips.
Zong Suyi frowned and pushed the food away, "I have no appetite. Take it away." What's the point of living a life of luxury with a multitude of servants? It's not as good as when he and his wife lived happily in the Black Bear Cave. When they ran out of rice, they would dig up wild vegetables and occasionally roast some mountain delicacies. When their blankets weren't warm enough, they would huddle together tightly. Although their lives were poor, they were warm and happy.
With the other person not around, he felt a huge void in his heart, an emptiness that made him lose all motivation to do anything.
The servant held the bowl without moving: "Before the master left, he specifically instructed that the young master should consume a bowl of bird's nest every other day."
Zong Suyi pursed her lips, "They even sent someone to keep an eye on him, they know how to guard against him!" But the corners of her mouth inadvertently turned up, "Alright, I know, give it to me."
He stirred the soup, held the bowl, and ate it in small bites. His cheeks were bulging with bird's nest, like a squirrel munching on dried fruit. His eyes were narrowed into crescent moons, and he looked satisfied and happy.
So this damned bastard still remembers his father and his wife, huh.
I wonder how things are in the prefectural city; why haven't you sent a letter yet?
"Bang—" The bowl and dishes were slammed heavily onto the table. Zong Suyi was full after finishing the bird's nest soup, and her heart was also full of anger. That damned man just didn't care about her and her father at all; he hadn't written to inquire about them for so long, and he probably wouldn't even be able to make it back in time for their baby to be born…
The thought of facing childbirth alone filled Zong Suyi with dread. What if he couldn't make it through such a dangerous and terrifying ordeal? His little one would be fatherless right after birth; that heartless Zhang Ting would surely forget he married someone else…
His eyes welled up with tears, his eyes reddened, and he pulled out a handkerchief to carefully wipe the corners of his eyes.
He's so pitiful.
The servants, used to their master's melancholy, bowed their heads and stepped aside. They eagerly awaited his return, for their master's melancholy would soon be cured.
"Reporting to my lord, someone is requesting an audience outside. It is..." The maid rushed in from outside and reported hurriedly.
Before she could finish speaking, Zong Suyi jumped up, his eyes shining, "Hurry up and invite them in!" It must be the mistress's messenger who has arrived.
The maid paused, her expression somewhat strange, but out of respect for the master's usual authority, she quickly withdrew to fetch someone.
Before long, a disheveled old woman was led into the courtyard.
Zong Suyi stood at the door, holding her belly, craning her neck to look, and that's when she saw this person.
He glared angrily, "How could it be you!" He waved his hand to dismiss those around him.
Seeing that everyone had disappeared without a trace, Xu Qiushui bowed with a happy face and said, "This old minister wishes Your Highness a happy new year and endless joy!" It must be said that the Zhang family mansion is really grand, low-key and reserved yet with a profound heritage. Looking at the Duke's attire and the manner with which he commands his servants, it is no less impressive than the Crown Princess before her downfall.
Xu Qiushui felt that he had some luck on his side; otherwise, he wouldn't have happened to run into Zhang Ting when he was down on his luck. Speaking of Zhang Ting, it was really necessary to win him over. Someone with such a top-notch reputation, talent, and ability could become a key force in their efforts to purge the court of corrupt officials in the future.
After sending money last time, Zong Suyi never saw her again. Now, seeing her brazenly walk in through the main gate to visit, alarm bells went off in his head.
He scanned his surroundings repeatedly, then lowered his voice and gritted his teeth, saying, "What are you doing here? Do you know you're a convicted criminal exiled from the countryside!"
Xu Qiushui: "Your Highness need not worry. Before I came, I investigated and found that the people of Fengxian are united and guarded by Lord Zhang like an iron gate. There is no way anyone would inform on us or have any ill intentions."
"And since we interact openly, it won't arouse suspicion."
"Who wants to associate with you!" Zong Suyi coldly rebuked. He had finally realized that Xu Qiushui was just a clingy pest who would stick to him as soon as he started living a good life, all with the aim of helping the Crown Princess rise in rank.
Is it true that Xu Qiushui's work in the prison camp is very light? Is it true that the soldiers are not doing a good job in guarding the officials?
Zong Suyi lowered his eyelids, a flash of gloom passing through his eyes. He would never allow anyone to destroy his warm and happy family, nor would he allow anyone to hinder Zhang Ting's career!
In the blink of an eye, he had already figured out how the other party would disappear silently.
In contrast, Xu Qiushui bowed and scraped, apologizing to him after his scolding, saying, "Your Highness is right, it's all my fault." She was completely unaware of the danger that was approaching.
Seeing Zong Suyi's anger, he didn't dare to reveal his intentions and instead started making small talk, "Her Highness the Crown Princess was heartbroken when she received the money you sent. She scolded this old minister not to come to you again, saying that you are also in a difficult situation and that she can get by even if she has to eat coarse food. Why should you be troubled?"
Zong Suyi gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, so tightly it seemed she wanted to drill a hole through them.
Xu Qiushui sighed inwardly and continued to convey the master's thoughts, "Your Highness also said that she regrets her willful actions that have implicated her mentor's entire family. Whenever she recalls the tragic situation at that time, she hates herself and often questions why she wasn't the one who died. If she had known the ending would be like this, she would rather be torn to pieces, go through fire and water, than drag the clan down in the slightest."
Zong Suyi turned her head away and pursed her lips, her eyes brimming with suppressed tears, her heart aching.
"Your Highness also said that she would spend her whole life trying to avenge the Zong family, even if she had to crawl back to the capital, to clear the Zong family's name and return everything that the Zong family had suffered to their enemies."
Xu Qiushui hung her head, "The spies who delivered the message said that His Highness suffered a terrible accident and has been bedridden all day long. He looks very old and frail, just like a seventy-year-old woman..." Her voice was filled with grief and choked with sobs.
Rain began to fall from the sky, her tattered, gray clothes fluttered in the wind, and her messy silver hair covered her head. She looked like a former high-ranking official who had become the lowest-ranking prisoner, standing there helplessly like a child who had made a mistake.
Tears streamed down Zong Suyi's face as he bit his lip in anguish, feeling as if a piece of his heart had been torn apart.
He remembered how kind his maternal grandmother was. When he was little, she would lift him high above her head to play, never sparing him gold, silver, jewels, or the finest delicacies; she doted on him most among her grandchildren, even going beyond the eldest grandson's wishes and enduring pressure to petition for him, her grandson by marriage, to be granted the title of Duke; she would meticulously teach him to read from the *Elementary Learning Manual*, word by word, never getting angry even when he was perfunctory or mischievous…
However, Zong Suyi would never allow anyone to hinder Zhang Ting's future.
With tears streaming down his face, he turned around and said stiffly, "I don't want to know anything about her anymore. Lord Xu, I'll pretend you were never here today, and don't come here again."
Watching the distraught Xu Qiushui leave, Zong Suyi wiped away her tears and returned to the main room.
Just as they were resting for a while, another maid came to report that someone had come to visit.
Zong Suyi slumped listlessly on the chaise longue, his eyes misty and bloodshot.
He said weakly, "I won't see you."
The maidservant added, forcing herself to speak, "I heard that they brought letters from the prefectural city."
He was in low spirits and simply replied, "Then bring the letter in."
The maid then withdrew.
Soon, the letter was presented to Zong Suyi.
The words on the cover were blurred by the rain, making them illegible. He slowly tore open the envelope, took out the letter, and unfolded it. The handwriting was Zhang Ting's.
He suddenly felt a surge of strength and sat up, supporting himself on the couch and clutching his heavy belly.
After reading it carefully, word by word, his gloomy heart regained its light.
The wife will be back this month.
The fear that had been hovering above his head quietly dissipated. His wife was there to accompany him as he awaited the birth of their little darling. He should have been immersed in joy as usual, but this time he stared blankly at the letter, his hand unconsciously stroking his round belly. He didn't even notice when the baby in his womb kicked him gently.
He forced a smile, a deep, indescribable sorrow welling up inside him.
His hand drooped down, and five copper coins suddenly fell out of the envelope. Several "clinking" sounds were heard as the coins scattered on the ground.
His lips unconsciously curved into a smile again, and the dark clouds in his heart completely dissipated.
Is this his New Year's money?
...
The city also celebrates the New Year by pasting red charms, and even the government office is no exception. There is laughter and joy, and it is very lively.
"May Lord Zhang have a happy new year and all his wishes come true!"
Today marks the tenth subordinate to wish her a Happy New Year. Zhang Ting smiled and handed the person a red envelope, saying, "May you also have good fortune."
She strode into her office, sat down immediately, and quickly began reading through the official documents. A few days earlier, she had sent a letter to Fengxian, along with five copper coins—five being her lucky number, a meaningful New Year's red envelope for her son.
With her baby due soon and the disaster relief efforts in Zhangzhou Prefecture nearing completion, she knew she would be able to return home soon.
It's always best for a family to stay together.
I wonder how Zong Suyi is doing? With his loud and boisterous nature, I wonder if he's gotten into any trouble? Or is someone making things difficult for him?
Although they often kept in touch, Zhang Ting, who was far away in the prefectural city, felt that he was still out of touch with the locals. He inevitably felt the same way as others who missed their families and homes, worrying and anxious.
She will be able to go home very soon, and she only hopes that everything is well at home and that Zong Suyi and Zai Zai are healthy.
She flipped through the pages faster, putting more effort into them.
Suddenly, a minor official came to report: "Lord Zhang, Prefect He has arrived."
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