Chapter 77: Overcoming the Predicament, Matters in the Capital...
The prefecture of Zhangzhou was beset by natural disasters and by corrupt officials. The officials there were addicted to corruption, with layers of exploitation, leaving the granaries empty shells, and they were probably just waiting for the imperial court to allocate disaster relief grain to fill their stomachs.
Zhang Shu knew his beloved student meant well, but even though she was a prodigy, she was still young and inexperienced in officialdom. She didn't realize that the corruption of the entire bureaucracy couldn't be eradicated in a short time.
But looking at his beloved student's focused and determined eyes, Zhang Shu couldn't bring himself to deny it, and only asked, "What brilliant idea does Xiao Ting have?"
Zhang Ting's eyes were like a calm, still spring, yet also like a sharp sword capable of piercing bone and discerning every thought in a person's heart. She simply said, "This disciple understands Master's concerns. The deep-seated problems of officialdom cannot be changed overnight, but," she paused, a faint smile playing on her lips, staring at her teacher with unwavering determination, "since the conflict cannot be resolved in a short time, why not escalate it?"
This short sentence, however, is like a wisp of cloud, clearing away the fog and making one suddenly understand.
Zhang Shu stared at her in astonishment, mouth agape, as if meeting his disciple for the first time. She was clearly dressed in a simple silk robe, yet she seemed to be draped in a myriad of colorful clouds, radiating dazzling brilliance.
Was this how Xiaoting resolved the trouble with Midorita back then? Zhang Shu chuckled to himself, shaking his head and mockingly remarking, "Truly, she surpassed her teacher."
Zhang Shu initially took Xiao Ting as his disciple out of a reluctance to let a pearl be tarnished. But at this moment, Zhang Shu realized that even if tarnished, a pearl is still a pearl. Whether she is there or not, she will eventually reach a wider world and amaze the world.
The worry on Zhang Shu's face dissipated, and her cloudy eyes stared at her beloved disciple with admiration, remaining motionless as if she couldn't get enough of looking at him.
Her gaze was filled with admiration and a hint of curiosity, and she inwardly marveled.
This monster is actually my disciple?
Zhang Shu asked softly, "How do you intend to escalate the conflict?"
Zhang Ting lowered his eyelids, not mentioning how to proceed, but calmly asked, "Teacher, what do you think the court fears most? What does His Majesty fear most?"
"And what is the most noteworthy aspect of Zhangzhou Prefecture?"
Zhangzhou Prefecture is located on the border of the country, remote and impoverished with a sparse population. It is rich in fruit, but little is known to the world. The most noteworthy event was the turmoil eight years ago. The new emperor had only been on the throne for a year when war broke out, a tragedy that still aches deeply for His Majesty.
When the people are starving and unable to survive, war breaks out. Zhang Shu smiled knowingly, then suddenly his face froze, and he said, "Xiao Ting, I remember you were originally from Zhangzhou Prefecture?"
"Yes, Master. Both my parents perished in that war."
Zhang Shu felt a dull pain in her heart, and her eyes stung. She stood up and patted her beloved disciple's shoulder reassuringly, "It's all in the past, Xiao Ting." Her pale eyebrows furrowed tightly, then relaxed in an instant, and she smiled as she grasped her disciple's strong arm, "Now that you have achieved so much, your parents in the afterlife must be very proud." Her wrinkled eyes reddened slightly.
Zhang Ting felt no sadness whatsoever. She was a transmigrator and had no connection with the original owner's parents. Instead, she comforted her teacher, saying, "Eight years have passed since spring turned to autumn. My heart is already numb; please do not grieve for me any longer, Teacher."
Hearing the word "numbness," Zhang Shu felt even more distressed. He touched her seemingly calm and serene eyebrows and eyes, wondering how Xiao Ting had managed all these years. Looking at the girl who was even more striking than himself, he felt nothing but love and tenderness, and resolved to treat Xiao Ting even better in the future.
The end result was that when Zhang Ting came out, her hands were stuffed with a pile of things, from writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to rare calligraphy and paintings, and even the half-box of peaches. The teacher's love was too heavy, and there were too many things to carry, but she was not allowed to refuse, so she had to call Zheng Er and Li Ruilian over to share the burden.
Zhang Ting, relaxed, carried the box and took out a peach from it. It was shriveled and red, only about half the size of a fist.
Zhang Ting held the peach, pulled a letter from her sleeve and stuffed it into Zheng Er's arms, instructing, "Send this to Magistrate Lu of Taizhou Prefecture later." As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief to wipe the peach, took a bite and chewed it.
"Yes. I will go shortly."
The next moment, Zhang Ting quickly spat out the peach from her mouth. It was dry and bitter; it hardly resembled fruit.
She casually placed the box of peaches on Zheng Ershou's lap, pursing her lips, "Send this box of peaches over as well." Seeing is believing. It would also be good to show the emperor, who sits comfortably on his throne, thinking his empire is secure, whether her realm is truly at peace.
It all depends on how Senior Sister Lu handles it. Hmm... that's all for now. Senior Sister might even be transferred back to the capital.
"Yes, I understand."
Zheng Er felt beads of sweat on her forehead. She quickly covered the calligraphy, paintings, and wooden boxes with her sleeve, afraid that her sweat would soil her master's valuables. Suddenly, she remembered something. "By the way, master, when the lychees in the estate ripened, didn't we send some to the ladies in the capital? We received a reply today. I'll have Lin Xiuzhen give them to you later."
Yes, that's true. Even the closest relatives will grow distant if they don't keep in touch, let alone friends. That's why Zhang Ting would send some local gifts to the capital during festivals to maintain some social connections.
“Okay.” Zhang Ting thought of something, her eyes filled with a smile, she raised her eyebrows, and turned to take out the best-looking peach from the box. She would take it to tease Zong Suyi later. She also pursed her lips and instructed Zheng Er: “When you leave the inner courtyard, please call Xiao Rong to me.”
Upon arriving at the study, Zheng and Li tidied up their belongings and left. Shortly after, a reply arrived from the capital, and Xiao Rong nervously entered the room as well.
"Miss, what brings you here?"
Zhang Ting seemed not to have heard his words or even seen him. She silently opened the letter and slowly read through it, word by word. Qiu Yuan said the lychees were sweet and delicious, even better than those sold in the capital. She stroked her chin, thinking that if the estate's yield increased in the future, she could discuss with Zong Suyi selling them in the capital for several times the price.
Xiao Rong felt terrified. The young lady was completely different from usual, and quite frightening. Her indifferent attitude was like a cold hunter holding an arrow, aiming at his heart, ready to fire. She hadn't done anything, yet it was as if she had done everything, filling him with immense fear.
Zhang Ting opened Fang Ting's letter, saying that she had recently fallen ill again and that she must take good care of herself. At the end, she also said that she looked forward to participating in the Spring Examination with Fang Ting.
The sound of the paper turning over was like a death knell, repeatedly tormenting Xiao Rong's soul, reminding him of the rumored methods of torturing slaves, making him tremble with fear, his whole body soaked in sweat.
Zhang Ting lifted his eyelids and glanced at her indifferently. Feeling that the time was about right, he said in a low voice, "Xiao Rong, do you know your crime!" His voice was like a sword being drawn from its sheath, crisp yet carrying a chilling intent that sent shivers down one's spine.
Xiao Rong was so terrified that her face turned deathly pale, her knees went weak, and she kept kowtowing to her master, crying out in a trembling voice, "Miss, spare me! Miss, spare me!"
"Tsk, this can't be kept secret anymore. How boring." Zhang Shu yawned boredly, picked up the last letter, opened it, and said indifferently, "Why don't you tell the truth?"
In the letter, her younger sister Ziju was urging her to return to the capital again, inviting her to enjoy fine wine and discuss poetry and policy. This was the sixth letter in the past two months. Zhang Ting put down the letter and tossed peaches into the air to pass the time.
Xiao Rong stopped sobbing and truthfully reported the matter to her master.
After hearing this, Zhang Ting tightened her grip on Tao's hand and frowned slightly. "You said that my husband has been taking fertility drugs all this time and has been keeping it from me?"
Xiao Rong trembled as she replied, "Yes."
Zhang Ting seemed to understand something. So Zong Suyi was eager to have a child; no wonder she was so proactive last night. But medicine is always poisonous, and besides, he was still very healthy and didn't need it at all.
"Pretend I never saw you today, and don't let my husband know."
"Young master is quick-witted, but he is still young. If he does something wrong in the future, please advise him and prevent him from accidentally ingesting harmful substances that could damage his health."
When Xiao Rong heard that her master didn't blame her, she looked up in surprise and saw Zhang Ting smiling, which made her feel like she was basking in a spring breeze.
"Yes, Miss," Xiao Rong replied, her face streaked with tears, her head bowed.
Zhang Ting sat behind the desk and said gently, "I'm sorry to have troubled you today. I was only doing this because I was worried about my husband. I will have the accountant allocate you three extra months' salary as compensation this month."
Xiao Rong was just panicked, but now that Zhang Ting has returned to his usual gentleness and is even trying to make amends to him, he is immediately captivated and feels flattered. He kneels down to express his gratitude and bows as he retreats.
But much later, when he thought about it again, he would suddenly shudder with fear.
......
Meanwhile, in Kyoto...
In a secluded pavilion in the Han residence, a mother and daughter were playing chess.
Suddenly, Han Bingyue threw down the white piece in his hand and sighed deeply.
Han Yunying also retrieved her black pieces and put them into the chess box.
"Has Mother thought about that again?"
Han Bingyue pounded her thigh with her fist and said angrily, "My disciple, who was almost in my grasp, has flown away. How can I not be angry?!"
Over the past three years, Han Bingyue has become increasingly angry. She had already completed the examination of this person and was just waiting to find an auspicious day to formally accept him as her disciple, but at the last minute, he ran away!
She even went all the way to Tongzhou Prefecture, which really infuriated her!
Han Yunying wondered who could possibly cause her mother such heartache and regret. Her mother was a lecturer to the Emperor, a woman of exceptional talent and vast learning. A figure flashed through her mind, but she immediately shook her head. That person was merely an unknown scholar; how could he possibly make her mother bow down?
Han Yunying comforted her mother: "You said this person is a student. The imperial examination is approaching, so we will probably see her again soon. It would be a good thing to take her as a disciple then."
Han Bingyue sighed and nodded helplessly.
This time, she must seize the opportunity to bring Meiyu under her wing!
Looking at the Xu residence again, it was a complete mess.
Since Zhang Ting left Beijing, Xu Lan has been released by Xu Shan.
Upon learning that Zhang Ting had left, he flew into a rage and began to inquire about her address back home. He was scolded and reprimanded by his mother, but he still did not restrain himself and pestered his cousin, determined to get her to reveal the truth.
Although Xu You's relationship with Zhang Ting had cooled in recent years, she still loved her friend and refused to accept it no matter what.
How could Xu Lan give up? She tried every trick in the book to instigate Xu You: "Cousin, that Zhang guy ran away cleanly, leaving you all to deal with the Gao family alone, while he still gets a fixed share every month. He's shameless! You're also a coward, how can you still put up with it?"
Xu You was already troubled by the greed of the Gao family, which he couldn't handle. Hearing this, he agreed wholeheartedly, but still said, "This was agreed upon with Sister Zhang, I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xu Lan interrupted her again: "This agreement is just to bully you. How can she run away after only half a year, leaving you with a mess to clean up, and then you still have to give her a share of the money? Cousin, you've been fooled by a villain!"
That's what they say, but Xu You said, "Sister Zhang has already been good enough. The division was originally set for three years, but she only took two and a half years."
Xu Lan's eyes flashed with disdain as he sneered, "She's not doing this for you. Even if your cousin is stupid, she should use her brain!"
"You don't know? This year's top scholar in Tongzhou Prefecture is named Zhang Ting! Tsk tsk, he's doing this to participate in the imperial examinations, not for your benefit!"
Xu You's eyes widened in shock, his heart filled with disbelief. The top scholar… how could he have become the top scholar so easily?
Seeing Xu You's expression, a sinister glint flashed in Xu Lan's eyes, and she continued to press her advantage: "You didn't expect this, did you? Now, one of you is a worthless commoner, and the other is a high-ranking scholar. How dare you call yourselves sisters! I'm ashamed!"
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