Chapter 131: News
Her?
Which her?
Zhang Jingwan was stunned. She raised her eyes to look at the excited Emperor Jian’an: “The one who came to plead for me is a woman with a knife scar on her face. She calls herself Gu Lian and is from Pei Family Village. Does Cousin know her?”
A trace of disappointment flashed in Emperor Jian’an’s eyes. His handsome and noble face had already regained calmness. Instead of answering, he asked: “Where is Gu Lian now?”
Zhang Jingwan had always been perceptive. She did not press Emperor Jian’an on what he did not wish to say. She softly replied: “Their group is all staying at the inn. They submitted a calling card, waiting for Cousin to summon them.”
Emperor Jian’an nodded slightly and changed the topic.
Emperor Jian’an, this young Son of Heaven, though a wooden puppet, was very busy every day. Soon officials came seeking an audience. Zhang Jingwan bid farewell and left. On the carriage ride back, she was restless.
Who exactly was the “her” that Cousin mentioned?
Why was Cousin so agitated when mentioning her?
A young girl’s intuition can sometimes be astonishingly sharp. After returning to Zhang Mansion, Zhang Jingwan went to find her brother Zhang Yun and quietly told him about today’s events.
Zhang Yun laughed casually: “Such a small matter is not worth keeping in mind. No matter how many women there are, none threaten your position as Empress.”
“The Emperor must observe mourning. You just wait patiently. Once the Emperor’s mourning period ends, you will enter the palace as Empress.”
Some men with capability often have women on both sides. Now that Emperor Jian’an is the Son of Heaven, how could the Imperial Harem be empty? Romantic affairs are all superficial. The honor and glory of the principal Empress is what truly matters most.
Zhang Jingwan’s pure heart was entirely on Emperor Jian’an. She could not bear to hear such words, and her eyes immediately reddened.
Zhang Yun was helpless and had to say: “Don’t cry. I will go inquire right now about who exactly is in Pei Family that the Emperor keeps in his heart.”
“Right, the Meng Brothers of the Beiping Army have all dealt with Pei Family. I will go find the Meng Brothers and ask now.”
A year ago, the Beiping Army and Bohai Navy went to the Capital City together under the banner of removing the treacherous officials from the king’s side and executing the wicked ministers. General Meng was unlucky and was killed by a stray arrow in fierce battle. The Beiping Army’s morale collapsed, and they suffered a great defeat. Meng Family’s second and fifth sons both died in battle, and Eldest Young Master Meng was also seriously injured.
In the subsequent major battles, the Beiping Army’s troop strength kept being consumed, with over half dead or wounded. Meng Liulang timely led troops to arrive, and the Beiping Army finally avoided having their banner extinguished.
The Bohai Navy rescued Prince Zhangwu from the Eastern Palace and swiftly withdrew back to Jizhou. The Beiping Army’s defeated remnants also followed and fled together to Bohai Commandery.
The Zhang Family supported the Commandery Prince as the new Emperor, making them the greatest contributors. Next were the Beiping Army. The Meng Brothers are now notable figures in the new Imperial Court.
It is a pity that General Meng has already died in battle. Eldest Young Master Meng’s leg is injured, so he can no longer mount a horse to fight. Meng Liulang is still too young. Bohai Commandery is territory operated by the Zhang Family for decades. The current Beiping Army is far from comparable to the Bohai Navy.
Even just inside and outside the Prefectural Governor’s Mansion, it is guarded by the Bohai Navy. Bohai Commandery’s public security and defense are also all in the hands of the Zhang Family people.
The Beiping Army’s more than one thousand men are stationed in the barracks outside the city. The Meng Brothers live in the city, with only dozens of guards by their sides.
Zhang Yun personally came to visit. Eldest Young Master Meng immediately said: “Sixth Brother, help me up so we can go welcome Young Master Zhang together.”
Eldest Young Master Meng’s injury was to his right leg. When walking, his right leg limped along, making movement slow and laborious.
The once handsome and upright Eldest Young Master Meng had become half a cripple.
Meng Liulang’s mood was gloomy and heavy. He said in a low voice: “I will go welcome him. Big Brother, you don’t need to go.”
Eldest Young Master Meng said: “Young Master Zhang personally comes to visit. How can we neglect him? Come quickly and help me go together.”
Meng Liulang could not help but snort, muttering angrily in a low voice: “That day Father was the first to go to the Capital City to rescue the Crown Prince. In battles, it was always the Beiping Army charging in front. What was the result? Father died in battle, Second Brother and the others also died on the battlefield, and the Beiping Army suffered heavy casualties. Five thousand elite soldiers, now only one thousand three hundred plus remain.”
“The Bohai Navy followed and picked up the bargain, gaining the great merit of founding the dynasty. Now everyone says the Zhang Clan supported Emperor Jian’an. Who remembers our Meng Family?”
Eldest Young Master Meng frowned and glared at Meng Liulang: “What use is saying these words? That day Father had you stay to guard the barracks and even left a letter for you to go to Pei Family Village. You did not follow Father’s arrangements and insisted on bringing out the last five hundred elite soldiers.”
“Now Beiping Commandery cannot be returned to. These one thousand plus men are all in Bohai Commandery, on the Zhang Family’s territory. Food and drink all rely on the Zhang Clan. Under someone else’s roof, how can one not bow their head!”
Meng Liulang had a stubborn temper and immediately retorted: “What would I do staying in Pei Family Village? Become Sixth Sister Pei’s son-in-law?”
“I, Meng Ling, am an upright eight-foot man. How could I humbly serve a woman?”
Eldest Young Master Meng glanced at Meng Liulang: “If you are this stubborn, don’t regret it later.”
Meng Liulang straightened his back: “I absolutely will not regret it.”
They had already reached this point; more words were useless.
The brothers had quarreled over this matter many times. Eldest Young Master Meng was too lazy to say more. He had Meng Liulang help him go welcome Zhang Yun, repeatedly instructing Meng Liulang to watch his words and actions and not cause trouble.
Meng Liulang sullenly agreed.
After the meeting, Eldest Young Master Meng and Zhang Yun exchanged pleasantries back and forth. Meng Liulang stayed silent at the side. Eldest Young Master Meng sighed repeatedly in his heart but had no choice.
Meng Liulang had been this temperamental since he was young. When Father was alive, he could suppress it. Now, as this elder brother, he was powerless to discipline his young brother.
Zhang Yun had gotten along with Meng Liulang for months and did not mind Meng Liulang’s rude behavior of pulling a long face and ignoring people. A reckless martial man without schemes or cunning was easier to control. In a few years, the Zhang Family could thoroughly annex the Beiping Army.
It was just a pity about this handsome face and mighty physique, unfortunately born on Meng Liulang.
Zhang Yun did not beat around the bush and soon stated his purpose.
“Eldest Young Master wants to inquire about Pei Family Village?” Eldest Young Master Meng was somewhat surprised.
Meng Liulang finally lowered his raised head slightly and looked at Zhang Yun: “Why is Eldest Young Master suddenly asking about these things?”
Zhang Yun smiled: “Pei Family people sought out the Zhang Family, wanting to quickly have an audience with the Son of Heaven. I was curious, so I came to ask you brothers. All the adult males of Pei Family have been beheaded. Who is now managing affairs for the Pei Clan?”
Pei Qinghe rising to fame in Youzhou was no secret.
Eldest Young Master Meng lightly described how Sixth Sister Pei had become clan leader.
Zhang Yun was somewhat surprised: “A woman actually managed to lead the clan to establish a foothold under the Yan Mountains. She does have some capability.”
Hearing this frivolous tone, Meng Liulang inexplicably felt displeased.
No matter how arrogant Meng Liulang was, he knew clearly that he was no match for Pei Qinghe.
This Zhang Yun, if not relying on the Zhang Clan, what was he? What qualification did he have to comment on Sixth Sister Pei?
Eldest Young Master Meng coughed once and stopped Meng Liulang’s outburst with a look: “We acted on orders from the Eastern Palace that day and took good care of the Pei Clan, so we had some dealings.”
Zhang Yun was no fool and glanced at Meng Liulang: “Is Liulang familiar with Sixth Sister Pei?”
