Chapter 98: Sisterly Love, Gentle Husband
Within half a day, the news that the newly arrived sixth-rank compiler had been assigned to work as an assistant to Granny Li spread like wildfire. The old men in the Hanlin Academy knew perfectly well that this man had probably offended the head of the academy, and they were all looking forward to seeing him make a fool of himself.
“Newcomers are like newborn calves, unafraid of tigers. They’ve only just arrived and they already dare to go against their superiors?” Liu Bing shook his head as he sorted through the books on the table.
“I wonder how that old hag Li is going to make things difficult for her,” her colleague Lin Ru joked. “We can just watch the show.”
"Haha, absolutely! If she comes begging for help, Sister Lin, you mustn't be soft-hearted and help her."
"Sister Liu, don't be soft-hearted! I want to see a good show."
The other editors and reviewers in the Hanlin Academy, though not as malicious as Liu and Lin, were secretly observing the aftermath of the matter to see how capable this newcomer was.
Zhang Ting had no idea what was going on outside; for her, the day was even peaceful and leisurely.
When she finished her shift at Shenshi (3-5 PM), she went outside to meet up with her two sisters, Fang and Luo.
The three mingled among their colleagues, and as they looked out, the waters converged into a vast expanse of blue before gradually branching out.
Looking at the sun high in the sky, Zhang Ting felt a warmth spread through his heart. He worked from Chenshi (7-9 AM) to Shenshi (3-5 PM), with a one-hour lunch break in between. He only needed to spend three hours a day at the Hanlin Academy before he could go home. Ancient civil servants lived such comfortable lives; no wonder they were so admired.
Seeing that her sister had remained silent the whole way, Fang Ting guessed that she was upset because the headmaster had made things difficult for her, and comforted her, saying, "In the past, Han Changli was a Doctor of the Imperial Academy and was harassed by some people, but he eventually became a literary master. My mother was once framed by a villain and demoted to the position of magistrate in Zhangzhou Prefecture. However, five years later, that person was dismissed from office, and my mother was exonerated and promoted to the position of judge. When a gentleman encounters a minor setback, good fortune will surely come."
That being said, being harassed by superiors on the very first day is not a good omen.
Luo Zijun was very worried about her sister and cursed the headmaster in her heart for being blind and ignorant. "How could he make things difficult for my sister for no reason?! I really don't know how such a person could become the headmaster!" Her round almond eyes narrowed, and a coldness flashed in them.
With only the three of them around, she couldn't be more at ease. Luo Zijun suddenly turned her head and said seriously, "How about we find an opportunity to put the headmaster in a sack and beat her so badly that she can't attend to her duties, making things difficult for Sister!" Isn't it often said that the simplest and most straightforward method is the most effective?
Zhang Ting was about to say that he was doing well, but upon hearing Ziju's astonishing statement, he almost spat out his saliva. He looked at his sister with a puzzled expression, as if he were meeting her for the first time.
She couldn't even tell that her adorable little dog was actually a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Feeling guilty under her sister's gaze, Luo Zijun gave an awkward laugh, pouted, and lowered her head.
However, she didn't think she had said anything wrong. It was that old madwoman headmaster who was brainless and dared to make things difficult for her sister!
She was already plump and cute, and this appearance made Zhang Ting even more fond of her. She put her arm around Ziju's shoulder and said, "There's no need to beat her up. I can handle the current situation, so don't be sad or upset. I have a miscellaneous book at home that should be the type you like. I'll send someone to deliver it to you later."
Fang Ting glanced at Luo Zijun and smiled. It was the first time she had seen the mature Zijun speak so frankly. Back in the Imperial Academy, she and Qiu Yuan called her Sister Fang and Sister Qiu. But when she got to Zhang Ting, she called her Sister without any prefix. At first, she thought it was just a coincidence, but today she felt that Zijun probably regarded Ting as her own sister.
"Both of you are my closest friends and comrades-in-arms. I am deeply moved by your kindness and will never let you down. Although the three of us are as insignificant as mayflies, we will support each other and surely make a name for ourselves!"
Luo Zijun blinked, smiled shyly, and said bashfully, "It is my good fortune to be able to enter the Hanlin Academy with you, sister. I hope you don't mind my dullness." She leaned against Zhang Ting involuntarily, hugged her arm, and rested her head on her.
It's wonderful to be able to go in and out with my sister every day and work at the Hanlin Academy! I don't have to go to the Zhang residence to see that wicked husband's face all the time.
Fang Ting turned her gaze to Zhang Ting. She was gentle and composed, giving people a sense of security and strength, just like the warm sun overhead. She was truly a gentleman whom students all over the world should emulate!
If I were a man, I'm afraid I would have fallen head over heels for her.
"It is my honor to have such a deep friendship with Tingmei. Although my family and clan are far away in Zhangzhou Prefecture, please feel free to ask me for help in the future, and I will never refuse!"
Zhang Ting smiled and waved, inviting the two to a restaurant for drinks to strengthen their bond and exchange information.
...
On the other side, at the Zhang residence.
Although the day the results were announced and officials were appointed had passed, the Zhang residence was still bustling with excitement.
Zhang Shu was in high spirits today, having seen off many of her old dogs who had rushed over upon hearing the news that "her beloved disciple had achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, was deeply favored by His Majesty, and whose virtuous reputation had spread far and wide." Recalling their gritting teeth, she felt a surge of satisfaction. "Such a good disciple! You old codgers can only be envious and jealous, hahaha!"
She sipped her tea with her legs crossed, looking completely content, and let out a deep sigh of delight. Now that she's reached retirement age, she still has people coming to her door to entertain her every day; she's living a truly wonderful life.
Zhang Shu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and then put down her teacup and stroked her chin. "Let me see which old fogies haven't come yet?" she said, pulling out a roster from behind her and checking it off one by one.
“This show-off is so arrogant…this one with sores on her ass, and this Nafdie who’s a mistress.”
After summarizing, she closed the roster with ill intent, chuckling lewdly, "I'll make you all come knocking on my door." This person's getting old; she knows too many secrets without me noticing. It's really embarrassing.
Just as Zhang Shu finished writing the letter, the gatekeeper came to report: "Old Zhang, the matchmaker has come to see you again."
Upon hearing this, she sighed deeply, "Another matchmaking attempt for Xiaoting?" In the past few days, the official matchmakers have practically worn down the threshold of the house. Those high-ranking officials and nobles, upon hearing that the newly appointed top scholar's wife was not yet married, are fighting over Xiaoting like they're snatching a freshly roasted duck!
The doorman replied, "That's right. He also brought quite a few portraits."
Zhang Shu knew this all along; the young couple were getting along very well, so why would they need outsiders to interfere?
Clearly, among her four disciples, the one who most needs to settle down is her eldest disciple! This person is handsome and upright, has outstanding character, and has even passed the imperial examination with top honors. How come everyone passes by him but no one pays him any attention?
Zhang Shu felt something was wrong; it was very eerie! She had to ask her eldest disciple to go to the Guoan Temple to see a master during his day off, just in case he had inadvertently offended something and been betrothed to a male ghost.
Getting back to the point, no matter how troubled she was, she still had to meet the matchmaker, lest she offend the powerful family or high-ranking official behind her.
Zhang Shu changed into a dignified robe and adopted the solemn demeanor he had displayed as an official decades ago when he went out to meet his guests.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye. At that time, Zhang Ting and her two sisters returned to the mansion. As soon as they stepped into the inner courtyard, they saw their teacher lying pale and tired on a chair, as if his body had been hollowed out by something.
She hurried over, wondering if the old woman had gotten sick again from secretly drinking.
The sun is setting in the east, and a chill is creeping in. "Teacher, why don't you go inside and rest?" Don't catch a cold.
Zhang Shu was exhausted today from dealing with the official matchmakers. They insisted that she look at each of the portraits one by one, which was really tiring for her.
As soon as she came over, Zhang Shu twitched his nose and sniffed deeply. "It's top-quality Qionghua wine," he sighed in ecstasy, then suddenly narrowed his eyes, pointed at her incredulously, and said with a hurt expression, "Well, you unfilial disciple, you actually went out drinking behind your master's back!" His voice was so loud that the entire mansion could hear it.
Zhang Ting had only gone to exchange information with someone by borrowing a raft and had just had a few drinks, but seeing her teacher's reaction, she couldn't help but avoid eye contact, feeling a little guilty, and said awkwardly, "Teacher, you must have smelled something wrong." As she spoke, she took two steps back and turned around.
"Well... Xiaoyi is waiting for me. See you later, teacher."
An angry curse came from behind, and Zhang Ting grinned, quickening his pace.
That was close!
Next time, I must remember to wash up before coming over.
As she emerged from the bathhouse, slightly damp, Zong Suyi entered from the outer room, carrying account books, his face gloomy and displeased.
Zhang Ting asked him what was wrong.
Zong Suyi glared at her resentfully. This flirtatious fellow, the official matchmaker is here again today!
The thought of how other men coveted his wife and how they coveted her so much that they dreamt of marrying her filled him with rage!
Zong Suyi slammed the account book down on the table, his lips pressed low. He walked up to Zhang Ting, angrily pinched her cheek, and squeezed it. The touch was soft and smooth, like touching a piece of fine silk.
He frowned, looking very worried. "Why aren't you uglier? Why isn't your face rougher?" He released Zhang Ting's cheek, walked around her, pinched her strong arms, squeezed her straight legs, and finally grasped her slender yet powerful waist. "Why aren't you fatter? Why aren't you shorter?"
Not only is she incredibly beautiful, but her literary talent and moral character are also top-notch. Just by standing there, she can attract men like moths to a flame, with one generation after another rising up.
Zhang Ting chuckled as he touched her, her chest trembling slightly. "What? You want an ugly wife?"
"I would like to." He rolled his eyes and mimicked her sweet words, "Even if my wife is ugly and short, I would still be willing to marry you and have children for you and manage your family business without any regrets."
"It would be my greatest honor to marry you, sir." Zhang Ting stroked his temple and gently kissed him.
Zong Suyi's lips curled up when she was kissed, but the next moment she realized that she didn't care, so she put on a mournful face and hugged Zhang Ting tightly around the waist.
Suddenly, another idea came to him, and he tried to coax her: "Our family is wealthy. Those young men outside, those of low status, are inevitably short-sighted and covet the money in your pocket." He became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, feeling that he made perfect sense. "And those of higher status, who have been pampered by their families since childhood, are short-tempered, unreasonable, and spend money extravagantly without restraint."
Zhang Ting raised an eyebrow, finding it rather amusing. Was Zong Suyi really not talking about himself in the latter half?
Zong Suyi lowered his head as if oblivious, his appearance gentle and virtuous, considerately smoothing out the wrinkles on her inner garment. "Although our family has some surplus wealth, we can't afford to be trifled with, don't you think, my wife?" He, on the other hand, was virtuous, beautiful, gentle, and understanding...
He was annoyed when the crease flattened and then popped up again. He became extremely irritated and pressed the crease down firmly so that it would never pop up again!
Zhang Ting smiled helplessly, her eyes crinkling.
The family's money supported him, how could they afford to support others?
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