Chapter 195 Harmony between Ruler and Subject, Paying Respects to the Teacher…
The morning light shone brightly through the window, illuminating the room.
In the empty room, a deep crimson official robe, gleaming brightly, hung horizontally, its heavy, dazzling color almost blinding. A slender, fair hand moved from the edge of the collar to the insignia on the chest, where exquisite wild geese shone vividly against the red background, as if they could break free from their restraints and soar through the heavens at any moment.
"Help me change my clothes."
Several servants escorted her inside, standing by her side to adjust her official robes.
Zhang Ting spread his arms wide, allowing the servants to attend to him.
The last time she wore red was on the day she was the top scholar in the imperial examination and rode through the streets on horseback. From now on, she can wear this scarlet official robe every day, enjoying the envious, admiring, or jealous gazes of the world, enjoying boundless glory.
Although she had previously suppressed Prefect He in Zhangzhou Prefecture, she was merely a figurehead, relying on someone else's power and ultimately not truly in control. Only when she ascended to the prefect's throne and fully grasped power did she become a true regional governor, the benefactor of millions of people, influencing or even controlling the fate of everyone in the prefecture.
But the prefecture position would never be the end of her destiny. What she wanted was the position of being second only to the emperor, and for all officials to submit to her without daring to disobey!
Her eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if they could pierce through doors, fixed on the dignified and ancient head seat of the cabinet.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again. The burning desire within her had completely dissipated, and her eyes were clear as always.
Dozens of servants knelt on both sides with their heads bowed, respectfully seeing their master off at the door, crowding the courtyard so much that it was almost impossible to accommodate them all.
Zhang Ting looked up and around the courtyard. It was the same courtyard she had bought from Zhang Sheng when she first arrived in Kyoto eight years ago. At the time, she felt it was warm and cozy, but now it seemed cramped.
It's time to move to a larger house in the north of the city.
She paused for only a moment before continuing on her way.
Today I must go to the palace to meet Emperor Chengtai and express my gratitude.
Along the way, she encountered many officials who all stopped, cupped their hands in congratulations, flattered her, and fawned over her.
"Lord Zhang is indeed a young talent. He is already a fourth-rank official at such a young age. We old women are ashamed to be inferior to him."
"Oh, what's so strange about that? Even His Majesty said that Lord Zhang is a minister specially sent down by Heaven to assist our Great Yong Dynasty, ensuring its lasting prosperity!"
"In my opinion, both of you are absolutely right. However, we should not block Lord Zhang's way, as he still needs to go to the palace to express his gratitude!"
"Please, Lord Zhang."
"Lord Zhang, would you have the time to compose poetry and paint with us? Ke Ying Lou has a new banquet menu, the food is exquisite, let's go back..." The person next to her elbowed her and frantically winked. The speaker's face turned pale instantly, and she stammered a flustered explanation.
Who in the court and among the people doesn't know? Four years ago, Zhang Ting was disliked by His Majesty and banished to a remote border region because she was involved in the Ke Ying Lou business and her marriage to a member of the Zong family. This is something Zhang Ting has offended!
Zhang Ting, however, didn't seem to care. She smiled and said goodbye to everyone as usual, her gaze sweeping over each face before she finally turned and left. Among them were people who had once kicked her when she was down, ridiculed and mocked her, and even spread rumors about her when she was at her lowest point. Now that she had turned her life around, they had all become sycophants and flatterers.
But Zhang Ting had no intention of arguing with them. Power was an intoxicating wine; she would rise higher and higher, trampling all these people underfoot, leaving them unable to rise again and forever dependent on her.
Why would a dragon or a phoenix care about the likes or dislikes of ants?
The rules of the world are set by the strong, and she will forever look down upon the world.
She followed the palace servants into the palace, passing through the long red walls. When she encountered palace maids and attendants, they all stopped and bowed their heads respectfully to give way.
When they reached the vicinity of the Zichen Palace, they bumped into Chen Liu, who was hurrying out of it. The incomparably noble Fifth Princess had a bright handprint on her head and looked depressed.
Upon seeing Zhang Ting in his crimson official robes, he twitched his face and said mockingly, "Lord Zhang, your official career is truly extraordinary. You've been promoted three ranks in a row, and then three more. Throughout history, and perhaps even in the future, you're the first person to achieve this."
Zhang Ting bowed, his gaze falling on her left cheek. "Your Highness is too kind. What I have achieved today is entirely thanks to His Majesty and you."
Chen Liu glared at her fiercely and sneered, "Shouldn't I be thanking Lord Zhang for showing mercy and not killing me too?"
"I dare not. Your Highness is the sovereign, and it is against the natural order for a subject to overstep his bounds." Zhang Ting lowered his eyes, adopting the demeanor of a respectful and virtuous minister, and obediently said, "Your Highness's left cheek is sore; you should go back and treat your injury first."
"Who gave you permission to look?" Chen Liu, rubbing his swollen face, felt humiliated, his teeth almost grinding to powder. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said, "Zhang Ting, you've only been promoted, a mere fourth-rank official. In my eyes, you're nothing! You better wash your neck clean and wait, one day I'll make you pay!"
After saying that, she chuckled softly, her tone chilling: "Considering your 'great contributions,' I'll spare your life when the time comes."
Zhang Ting showed no panic or anger. Looking at Chen Liu's smug expression, he simply said something unrelated: "On behalf of the millions of people in Yinzhou Prefecture, I thank Your Highness for the 100,000 taels of silver that came to our aid. If it weren't for your righteous intervention, who knows how much more bloodshed would have ensued!"
Chen Liu's smug smile froze instantly. Her whole body stiffened, and she almost turned into a statue. Zhang Ting had clearly swindled that 100,000 taels from her, and now this was meant to humiliate and slap her in the face, indicating that she wouldn't be so accommodating to Zhang Ting in the future!
She had completely lost face, and she squeezed out through gritted teeth, "Zhang Ting! You're very good." Then she turned and left, her back view revealing her burning anger.
Zhang Ting turned his gaze slightly to the palace servants who were trembling with fear at the sudden turn of events. "Please lead the way, eunuch."
The palace maid swallowed hard, finally snapping out of her fear. "Yes, yes, yes." Lord Zhang is too amazing! Facing a noblewoman like the imperial princess, he remained calm and even managed to launch a counterattack!
There was no one blocking the way, and the journey proceeded smoothly to the Zichen Palace.
Standing outside the imposing and solemn hall, she waited for the palace servants to announce her arrival. Her gaze suddenly fell on a certain floor tile—four years ago, she had knelt there in a disheveled and humiliating manner under the scorching sun, and everyone avoided her like the plague.
And now?
Chief Eunuch Xu Qiu personally came out to greet her, his eyes crinkling with a smile: "Lord Zhang, His Majesty requests your presence—"
Zhang Ting met her gaze and gave a vague thank you: "Thank you for your trouble." What they were truly thanking her for remained unspoken.
Xu Qiu paused for a moment, then nodded in response, "Please come with me."
Inside the hall, curtains hung low, blocking the scorching sunlight from the main hall and giving off a heavy, gloomy atmosphere.
Xu Qiu whispered to her, "The wind picked up last night, and His Majesty woke up this morning with a splitting headache." After saying that, she added, "A sorcerer examined him, and he took some pills and is feeling better now. He's changing clothes inside."
A splitting headache and yet she calls a sorcerer for treatment? Whether it's absurd or not, Zhang Ting won't comment. But since the emperor's health has been mentioned, from the perspective of a loyal subject, she can't help but ask a few words of concern.
Xu Qiu said, "Your Majesty is burdened with state affairs and... it is inevitable that your health will suffer. However, after taking the medicine, your spirits will be much better." What she didn't say was that Emperor Chengtai was already old, and with the frequent disasters in recent years, she was deeply questioned both inside and outside the court, and was filled with anxiety day and night. Her body was already too weak to continue.
"Cough cough—" came from the inner room. Then the curtain was drawn back, and two palace servants carefully helped an elderly woman with gray hair out. She was pale, her brows were tightly furrowed, and her imposing manner was faintly visible.
Emperor Chengtai sat down on the throne.
Zhang Ting bowed to her and greeted her with dignified manners.
Emperor Chengtai: "Get up." His gaze was filled with undisguised admiration. "This crimson dress suits you very well, even better than the red robe you wore at the Qionglin Banquet a few years ago."
Zhang Ting said that his achievements, promotions, and all the glory in his life came from Her Majesty, and he was willing to govern the people, defend the borders, educate the masses, and repay her kindness.
Emperor Chengtai, still seriously ill, happily said "good" three times, coughed a few times, and his eyes were almost overflowing with affection. "With you here, the officials and people of my territory are in harmony, the world is at peace, and the taxes under my rule can be increased several times over. Yingzhou Prefecture is the location of the ancestral temple and the backbone of the country. I am very confident in entrusting it to you. I hope you will cherish it and not disappoint me."
"Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed," she replied, her eyes lowered.
Zhang Ting had mixed feelings about Emperor Chengtai. Sometimes he resented her for being incompetent, appointing treacherous officials, relying on sorcerers, and building palaces on a massive scale, which led to widespread suffering and starvation. He also felt that her pettiness caused him to be demoted. At other times, he was grateful for her appreciation, which served as a stepping stone for him to achieve great success.
Emperor Chengtai expressed his approval of her, and after discussing state affairs, he inquired about her family background.
"I heard you have a daughter?"
Zhang Ting's expression hardened, and alarm bells rang. "Your Majesty, I do have a child."
Emperor Chengtai said, "Very good, you can be considered to have an heir." His gaze was slightly pity-filled. Although she was over seventy years old, her husband had given birth to a little princess for her this year, while her beloved minister was so young but only had one heir.
Alas, how tragic! How lamentable!
Zhang Ting frowned slightly. She was completely confused by what he said. What did he mean by "she has a successor"? It was as if he was the one who was in such a miserable state.
Since learning of her failing health and inability to have children, Emperor Chengtai became even more lenient towards Zhang Ting. In addition, although the Zong family had given birth to his eldest daughter over the years, she had always been nothing more than a lowly servant. She saw Zhang Ting's loyalty, and being older, she no longer had the energy to hold grudges like she did when she was young.
Let's just turn a blind eye.
Moreover, if Zhang Ting truly succumbs to power and money and abandons the Zong family's son, she will look down on her instead.
If someone can abandon even the husband who has stood by you through thick and thin, how can they be considered loyal? They might betray their lord with a smile.
Emperor Chengtai walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder. His hand was firm and strong, steady and reliable, exuding the powerful energy of youth.
She smiled and promised, "Raise your daughter well, and I will wait for you both to serve me."
Zhang Ting paused slightly. Of course, she knew what these words meant: that her future career would no longer be fraught with difficulties due to her connection with the Zong family.
She bowed deeply and replied, "Your Majesty, I will certainly work day and night to cultivate talents for Your Majesty and the country. However, my son is unruly and dull-witted, and I fear he will disappoint Your Majesty."
Emperor Chengtai waved his hand dismissively. With such an outstanding mother as Zhang Ting, the daughters of the Zhang family couldn't be too bad.
When Zhang Ting came out of the Zichen Palace, it was almost dusk, and colorful clouds drifted across the sky, like cheers for her.
Her heart was pounding, her fingers trembled with excitement, and she headed straight out of the palace without any obstruction.
She wanted to see her teacher before dark.
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