Chapter 48: Crisis at the Cheng Residence
Minister Zhang heard these words without surprise or outrage. He calmly smoothed his robes and adjusted the black gauze cap on his head.
The Mid-Autumn Festival moon, golden and full.
On this day of family reunion, his own son, Feng Gao, had surrounded his manor with a large contingent of men.
The moonlight shone on his long beard, making it appear exceptionally bleak.
He waved his hand and instructed the servants, “Relay my message: everyone in the household, stay inside and do not come out. I will go to greet our guests.”
“Yes,” the servants replied, scurrying away with trembling legs.
The gates of the Zhang Manor opened—
Director Feng, holding a whisk, stood outside the gate. A faint smile played on his lips as he said leisurely, “Prime Minister Zhang, I apologize for the intrusion.”
Minister Zhang looked at him, his gaze holding a mixture of helplessness and affection. Feng Gao did not understand such a look.
“Director Feng, what brings you here so late at night?”
Feng Gao pursed his lips and waved his whisk. “His Majesty received a secret report tonight about problems with taxation. Someone has fabricated various pretexts, causing the people of two counties in Jiangnan to pay ten percent more in taxes. To meet the quotas, the local populace, driven to desperation, sold their children. Some, driven to suicide by the harsh taxes, threw themselves into the river. The people’s resentment is boiling. Currently, the magistrates of those two counties have confessed that this action was instigated by a high-ranking official in the imperial court. Furthermore, the excess taxes collected were not deposited into the national treasury but were used to create false accounts by the Vice Minister of Revenue, flowing into private coffers. All evidence, both testimonial and material, is present—”
He paused, cupped his hands towards the heavens, and continued, “Upon hearing the report, His Majesty burst into tears and knelt before the late Emperor’s spirit. He has not risen since. For anyone else, an imperial decree would have been issued immediately, and a full execution of the family would not have been excessive. His Majesty said that your esteemed household is unlike any other, and Prime Minister Zhang is unlike anyone else. As the ancients said, heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teacher. Prime Minister Zhang is His Majesty’s teacher, having instructed him in the Books of Sages for over ten years. The teacher’s grace is boundless. His Majesty told everyone, ‘Ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated, and do not let my teacher be wronged.’ Therefore, he has ordered me to inform Prime Minister Zhang that from now on, you will not need to leave your residence or attend court. This will continue until the case is cleared.”
Minister Zhang chuckled. “Does His Majesty mean to place me under house arrest?”
Minister Zhang commanded great respect in the imperial court. With a single call to action, he had many followers.
If Minister Zhang were to contact his disciples and former colleagues, the imperial court would undoubtedly be thrown into turmoil.
Confining Minister Zhang to his manor was, in effect, severing his contact with the outside world.
Feng Gao waved his whisk. “Hmph, what are you saying, Prime Minister? His Majesty cherishes his relationship with you and intends to protect you.”
He seemed to be waiting for Minister Zhang to utter some words of refutation, observing him while concealing his right hand behind his back, pointing at the group of Eastern Depot experts.
The moment his hand moved, those men would pounce.
At this moment, Minister Zhang softly asked, “Did you eat any mooncakes tonight?”
Feng Gao was taken aback, unsure of his intentions.
“…No, I did not.”
Minister Zhang said gently, “You should. Mooncakes symbolize reunion. A good omen. Do you prefer bean paste or fruit filling?”
I, listening from behind the door, immediately burst into tears upon hearing this.
Feng Gao coughed twice. “I do not care for mooncakes.”
“In Huguang Jingzhou, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, elders give children glutinous rice cakes. Do you know what glutinous rice cakes are? Steam glutinous rice, place it in a stone trough, and pound it into a paste with bamboo…”
As he spoke with deep emotion, Feng Gao interrupted him, “Prime Minister, I am from the north and do not eat such southern delicacies.”
“Northerner…” Minister Zhang came back to his senses. “You should still try some; there won’t be many more opportunities. My household’s chef makes them very well. I’ll have someone bring you a bowl…”
“Prime Minister, there’s no need!” Feng Gao interrupted, a look of embarrassment on his face.
When had the formidable Zhang Taiyue ever tried to appease the Eastern Depot like this? He was trying to “bribe” the Director with a bowl of glutinous rice cakes?
“Prime Minister, you should comply with His Majesty’s oral decree.”
Hearing that he refused to eat the glutinous rice cakes, Minister Zhang’s face was filled with disappointment.
“Oh, the oral decree… I will comply. Tell His Majesty that if there is guilt, I alone will bear it. Do not implicate the Vice Minister of Revenue. He is young and ignorant, merely following my orders,” Minister Zhang said.
Feng Gao clearly had not expected this task to go so smoothly.
Shouldn’t the loyal and upright Prime Minister Zhang have put up some resistance?
He had made thorough preparations, yet it turned out like this.
He looked at Minister Zhang.
Minister Zhang had already turned back into the manor. Gazing at the silver glow between heaven and earth, he murmured, “The courtyard is white, birds perch on trees, cold dew silently wets the osmanthus flowers. Tonight, the moon is bright, and everyone gazes; I wonder whose autumn thoughts fall where…”
Feng Gao turned around.
I wanted to step forward and call him, to fulfill Minister Zhang’s wish and go into the manor to eat a bowl of glutinous rice cakes.
However, Minister Zhang held me back tightly.
His grip was strong and firm.
He shook his head at me.
I remained silent.
Watching from behind the door as Feng Gao mounted his horse.
The Eastern Depot experts did not leave. Stationed three paces apart, they formed a tight cordon, completely surrounding the Zhang Manor.
He returned to the backyard. Instead of going to the study, he sat on the stone steps and ordered the steward to bring him glutinous rice cakes.
“Sang Yu, have a piece.”
He sighed under the moon, “Before the late Emperor passed away, he held my hand and said, ‘I had intended to plan state affairs with you, but unfortunately, I must depart midway. I trouble you to deliver this decree to the Crown Prince, telling him not to take it lightly, and to seek your counsel in all matters! You are a great talent of this era, and the Crown Prince is young. I hope you will raise him well and not disappoint the world’s expectations.’ For many years, I have not dared to neglect my duties or betray my loyalty, even unto death! I have spilled my blood and guts to repay the late Emperor’s favor! Oh, late Emperor…”
I sat beside him, picked up a piece of glutinous rice cake, took a bite, and began to cry.
He gently patted me like a loving father and said, “Sang Yu, don’t be afraid. I personally raised His Majesty, so he will show some consideration. I have a Ruyi knot bestowed by the late Emperor. Take it back to Huaishi and tell him to keep it close to him. If absolutely necessary, I hope the Ruyi knot can save his life!”
“Sir—” I leaned on his shoulder.
“I am old and riddled with illness. I will die sooner or later. Huaishi is still young. I led him down the path of the New Policies. He truly should not die… Feng Gao is my child, and I have a way to ensure his safety. Huaishi cannot be harmed either. You younger generation must all live well, and then this old bone of mine can rest in peace in the coffin…”
“Sir, please don’t say that… You won’t die. His Majesty is merely holding you under house arrest; there is still room for maneuver…”
He smiled and waved his hand.
“Sang Yu, don’t cry. More than twenty years ago, your father and I were colleagues in the same court. Your father was a man of unyielding integrity! A rare and magnanimous man in this world. Our friendship was that of gentlemen, yet it was as heavy as Mount Tai! To see his child in this life brings me great comfort. Disaster has arrived; you must be strong. To stand firm against the wind is to be your father’s good daughter.”
“Yes,” I nodded heavily.
He wrote a few lines on a piece of paper and entrusted me to deliver it to Madam Qin.
The Eastern Depot guards were at the gate. Since I was not a member of the Zhang household, and the guards had seen Feng Gao treat me kindly, they did not make things difficult for me and even helped me onto the horse carriage.
Upon returning to the Cheng Residence, I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to ask Minister Zhang what method he had to ensure Feng Gao’s safety.
Madam Qin was waiting for me under the eaves. I handed her Minister Zhang’s reply.
She read it, paced back and forth a few times, and then, without a word, retired to the west wing to rest.
Xiao Yin brought warm water. As I was washing, the Eldest Young Mistress entered.
She seemed like a different person, with her head bowed and a look of reverence on her face. She said to me with guilt, “Sang Yu, at that time, Eldest Sister was overcome with grief, and my phlegm blocked my mind, causing me to speak nonsense. Please don’t take it to heart. Eldest Sister was wrong. Eldest Sister apologizes to you.”
I removed the hairpins from my head.
She approached me and said, “Sang Yu, Shu Er is gone. From now on, Eldest Sister will treat your child as her own. You and Second Master are the pillars of the Cheng Family. This entire family, young and old, depends on you…”
As she spoke, she covered her face with a handkerchief.
I said, “Eldest Sister, please go back and rest. The Cheng Family is in trouble. As the eldest daughter-in-law, you should be more concerned about Old Madam and not let her worry.”
“Sang Yu, you are right. From now on, Eldest Sister will listen to you. You should sleep. Eldest Sister will not disturb you. Take good care of yourself during your pregnancy.”
She bowed and left. Before departing, she affectionately held Xiao Yin’s hand and said, “Take good care of Second Young Mistress.”
Xiao Yin felt a surge of pride. She was happy that I had gained the upper hand and overshadowed the Eldest Young Mistress.
However, I was puzzled.
At that time, her eyes were filled with hatred. How could she have changed so quickly?
It was already midnight, and Cheng Huaishi had not returned.
The room was empty.
Only the large full moon outside the window remained.
The same moon shone over all the lands. I wondered where Cheng Huaishi was under its light.
In the past, even if he returned late, he would send He Ming back to inform me.
But tonight, neither he nor He Ming had returned.
I stroked my abdomen and laboriously turned over.
The next morning.
Xiao Yin helped me wash my face and rinse my mouth. As usual, she brought a bowl of carp soup.
Since I became pregnant, Old Madam had instructed the kitchen to stew a bowl of carp soup for me every morning.
I took the carp soup and drank it. Xiao Yin said, “I just saw Eldest Young Mistress in the kitchen. She said she was making egg custard for Old Madam herself. She’s never been this diligent; it seems she has truly reformed.”
I frowned.
A servant boy rushed in from outside to report, “Second Young Mistress, some people have arrived from outside, saying they were entrusted by Second Master to deliver a message to you.”
I quickly went out.
Those people were all dressed in black.
“Where has Second Master gone?” I asked.
The man in the lead politely said, “Madam Cheng, may I have a word in private—”
I followed them a few steps outside and suddenly felt something was wrong.
They grabbed me and forced me into a horse carriage lined with thick, soft satin. I tried to shout.
The man said, “Madam Cheng, please do not panic! We are under orders from Director Feng to escort you back to Dongchang Prefecture.”
“Let me down! I want to go home!”
The man knelt before me. “Madam Cheng, Director Feng said that His Majesty will surely issue a decree to confiscate the Cheng family today! We absolutely cannot let you be implicated! Director Feng is thinking of you with all his heart!”
“I’ll say it again! Let me down!” I said sternly.
However, a strange pain suddenly struck my lower abdomen.
Cold sweat beaded on my forehead.
Blood.
Blood seeped onto my undergarment.
Those people were terrified.
The horse carriage stopped.
“Director Feng instructed that Madam Cheng must not be harmed in the slightest…”
They looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
I struggled and got out of the carriage, walking back.
Walking all the way.
Blood flowing all the way.
Huaishi, where are you?
