Chapter 44: Copying the Contract, Today We Pledge Our Love
Zhang Ting returned before dusk. As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Cui Yagong sneaking around in the corner, peering into the doorway.
She straightened her sleeves, walked over, and asked, "Master Cui, what are you doing here?"
Cui Ya was lost in thought when the sudden noise startled him so much that he jumped up and covered his chest with his hand.
He rubbed his frightened heart and glared at Zhang Ting, "Master Zhang, you scared him."
Zhang Ting's lips twitched. Unable to stand him like this, she cut to the chase and asked, "Master Ya, have you come here to see me?"
Knowing when to stop, Cui Yagong said, "It's the same guy I sold to you earlier. His family came to our door and insisted that I lead the way."
Carefully observing Zhang Ting's expression, fearing she might be displeased, he quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "I warned that person not to bother me, but she's stubborn. I was really pestered and had no choice but to bring her here."
"However, I didn't have a pleasant conversation with your partner and was just kicked out."
There are still some members of the main family who have escaped the net?
Zhang Ting raised an eyebrow, rubbed her chin, and felt something was off.
"It's nothing." Then he asked him again, "Do you know where this person came from?"
Cui Yagong, clutching his handkerchief, honestly replied, "I only saw that she looked like a stranger, claiming to be that person's cousin, but I know nothing else about her."
cousin?
Zong Suyi's legitimate cousin is still imprisoned in the Eastern Palace. Zhang Ting knew what was going on; this person was probably a distant cousin, which explained why she hadn't been purged.
Having cleared up the doubts, Zhang Ting warmly invited Cui Yagong in for a cup of tea. However, Cui Yagong, knowing the situation, quickly waved his hand, saying that he had prepared a meal at home and it was getting late, so he had to go back.
Seeing this, Zhang Ting walked a few more steps to see him off.
Upon entering the house, he summoned Lin Xiuzhen to report back. After learning that she was indeed Zong Suyi's cousin, he didn't take it to heart.
For several days afterward, Han Bingyue invited Zhang Ting to his residence to play games, and would occasionally test her knowledge, always managing to find Zhang Ting's weaknesses.
To avoid making a fool of herself, Zhang Ting has been locking herself in her study these days, except for necessary activities, to cram for books. She even declined Luo Zijun's invitation to go out for a spring outing and completely forgot about the matter.
Five days later, when she came out of Han Bingyue’s residence, her carriage was stopped.
The person who stopped the car claimed to be Zong Suyi's cousin and asked Zhang Ting to get out of the car and talk to her on the side.
After returning to the inn, Lin Xin pondered for several days. He felt that since his cousin's indenture was in someone else's hands, how could he have any say in his own life? So he decided to start with the Zhang family man mentioned by Cui Yagong.
The more he thought about it, the more ingenious he felt this method was, but it was fraught with difficulties in practice. As soon as Zhang Ting got into the carriage, he would disappear without a trace, and as soon as Lin Xin approached the Zhang residence, Zong Suyi would have Lin Xiuzhen beat her up.
Today, Lin Xin chased after the carriage with all her might and arrived at the Han residence. She waited nearby for three hours before finally stopping Zhang Ting.
Zhang Ting slowly got out of the car and saw that Lin Xin looked haggard, embarrassed, and had a rumbling stomach. He specially invited her to have some tea and snacks at the teahouse next door.
Lin Xin was penniless and had suffered countless neglects along the way. She thought she would be treated coldly by Zhang Ting today as well, but she was surprised to receive her warm welcome. She immediately felt a sense of goodwill towards her.
Zhang Ting booked a quiet private room, and after the waiter served tea and snacks, he deliberately pushed the snacks towards Lin Xin.
She smiled gently and said, "Please, Your Majesty."
Lin Xin had only eaten a steamed bun that day and was already starving. Without being polite to Zhang Ting, she wolfed down all the tea and snacks on the plate.
Seeing that she was eating quickly, Zhang Ting poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.
Lin Xin was choking, so he hurriedly took it and gulped it down.
She solemnly cupped her hands to Zhang Ting, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, Master Zhang."
Zhang Ting smiled and said there was no need to be so polite. She asked Lin Xin why she was near the Han residence today. In a few words, she and Lin Xin addressed each other as sisters and learned all about Lin Xin's background.
Zhang Ting lowered his eyes and pondered. It turned out to be the Lin family of Taizhou Prefecture, another scion of a prominent clan.
"To be honest, Sister Zhang, I ran away this time because of my cousin. My family was furious and even cut off my money. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in such a sorry state."
"Speaking of this, I am truly ashamed. Sister Zhang, could you please consider my sincere intention in traveling all the way to the capital and release my cousin so that we can reunite?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ting subconsciously sized up Lin Xin's dignified face, thinking: What a big face! I spent over four thousand taels, and you think you can get something for nothing?
However, she realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Zhang Ting stood up, his back to Lin Xin, lost in thought, his face cold and stern, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
However, when she turned around again a moment later, her face was gentle and her eyes were full of smiles. She only told Lin Xin, "This matter is of great importance. I will give you an answer tomorrow."
Lin Xin was already pleasantly surprised to receive such a promise, and she laughed heartily, "Of course, of course."
Zhang Ting bowed to her in farewell and then slowly departed.
Lin Xin watched her departing figure and sighed in admiration: What a graceful and elegant woman!
......
Just as Zhang Ting reached the courtyard, Lin Xiuzhen chased after her through the hanging flower gate and handed her a letter. "Miss, you're finally back! Just now, a maid from Lord Han's residence came to deliver a message to you. Seeing that you hadn't returned for a long time, she left this letter and went back to report."
Zhang Ting took the letter, quickly opened it, glanced at it, and understood immediately.
"I understand, you may leave."
Seeing her solemn expression, Lin Xiuzhen didn't dare to ask and nodded as she left the inner courtyard.
Zhang Ting didn't even eat; she went straight to the study.
She casually placed the letter on the desk, paced back and forth, repeatedly calculating the probability of the plan's success in her mind, and only stopped when she reached a satisfactory level of success.
She missed a golden opportunity last time because she was too soft-hearted. This time, it's a golden opportunity delivered to her doorstep. If she misses it, who knows when she'll get another chance? Will she still have a place in Kyoto then?
Zhang Ting's cold gaze fell on the letter. She needed to stay in the capital to prepare for the imperial examination, which required both renowned teachers and connections within her school to pave the way for her. Having connections in the court made it easier to become an official, and this was not just a casual saying.
These days, Zhang Ting and Han Bingyue have been getting along well. Through Han Bingyue's probing, Zhang Ting has vaguely grasped her intentions. Upon receiving this letter today, he felt much more at ease. The letter asks him to come to the mansion for a chat the day after tomorrow.
Zhang Ting understood that Han Bingyue was openly accepting him as a disciple.
Han Bingyue is a Hanlin Academy Reader and is deeply favored by the emperor. If one can become her disciple, one will surely gain even more favor from the emperor. Furthermore, if one clarifies one's stance and severes ties with Zong Suyi, it will only be a matter of time before one is granted an official position and title.
Thinking this, she slowly exhaled, took out Zong Suyi's indenture, strode to the table and sat down, carefully observing and copying it. This task was easy for her, after all, she had done it on her fourth day after arriving.
After the replica was completed, she carefully put away the real contract.
As dusk fell, the room descended into darkness, concealing her in the shadows.
......
The next morning, Zhang Ting, unusually, did not practice martial arts and sat quietly on the stone bench in the courtyard.
Zong Suyi had deliberately chosen a different time to leave home, avoiding meeting Zhang Ting, but when she opened the door, she was surprised to find Zhang Ting sitting straight to the side, which puzzled her greatly.
Hearing the noise, Zhang Ting slowly stood up, a gentle smile playing on her lips: "Xiao Yi, come here."
Zong Suyi was stunned for a moment, as she had never seen her show such a kind and gentle attitude towards her.
As if lured, he unconsciously walked towards her.
Zhang Ting smiled and picked up the indenture from the table, handing it to him.
Zong Suyi was captivated by her tenderness and felt overjoyed. He couldn't help but smile and curiously accepted the contract.
Zhang Ting said softly, "Yesterday your cousin came to me and asked me to let you go back to your hometown with her. I thought it was better to stay with my family than to live under someone else's roof."
"Therefore, I will give you the contract today and let you go home."
This is Zhang Ting's true feeling. After all, being able to reunite with her family without paying a ransom is a wonderful thing, so why would anyone not want it?
But as soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Ting's wrist was firmly gripped by a hand, so strong that she couldn't break free for a moment.
She looked at him in astonishment, only to see that his face was frighteningly pale, as if all life had been drained from him. He stared fixedly into her eyes, his eyes brimming with tears, and asked in a trembling voice, "You...you don't want me anymore?"
His eyes were filled with unease and pleading, like a dying man grasping at a last straw, sobbing as he asked, "Zhang Ting, you won't abandon me, will you?"
Zhang Ting was stunned, and murmured, "Why don't you want to..." How could she not want to?
When Zong Suyi heard that she did not deny it, his emotions collapsed like a tsunami, swallowing up all his strength and rationality. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Zhang Ting, I don't want anyone else."
His proud, upright shoulders slumped, his eyes lost their former brilliance, and he pleaded with her again and again, "Don't send me away, please, Zhang Ting, please."
"You're all I have left, please don't abandon me..."
Zhang Ting moved her lips as if to say something, but then stopped, remaining silent for a moment.
She had always known Zong Suyi's feelings for her, but she never expected that he would be so deeply in love that he would rather abandon his family than not choose her.
Zhang Ting raised her hand, then lowered it again.
She lowered her eyelashes, her gaze falling on the hand he was holding tightly, the strength of his fingers gripping her so tightly it hurt. She looked up and saw his pale, fragile face, and a tremor rose in her heart.
Zhang Ting suddenly chuckled softly.
Last time, because Zong Suyi was all alone, I felt sorry for him and hesitated, so I dropped the blade.
This time, however, he couldn't bring himself to do it because of his deep affection.
Zhang Ting's expression returned to indifference. She gently pulled apart Zong Suyi's tightly clenched fingers one by one, and amidst his deathly expression, she cupped his face and leaned down to kiss him.
The boy was young and naive, full of passionate feelings. She deliberately distanced herself from him, but it's undeniable that she liked him too.
Since we can't bring ourselves to eradicate it completely, we might as well go all in, withdraw from Kyoto, and wait for another opportunity!
With just that one light kiss, Zhang Ting pulled away, her hand caressing his cheek gently.
Her eyes were dark, and she said in a low voice, "Since you are unwilling, then stay by my side from now on."
Zong Suyi's eyes widened, becoming moist and red. A blush belatedly rose on her cheeks. Her fingers clenched and unclenched. She nodded obediently upon hearing this, but her gaze lingered on her like silk threads.
My heart was pounding like a drum, and I felt the air itself trembling.
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Author's note: It's finally born! [laughing]
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