From her position, Zhang Zhiyan could see a shaded path and a small section of covered walkway behind Madam Guo. She had originally intended to shake off Madam Guo’s hand and say something harsh, but unexpectedly, a group of elegantly dressed ladies approached from a distance—wives and young ladies from other households.
“Mother, please calm down.” Zhang Zhiyan put on a pitiful expression. “How could the heir have such influence that he could make the Jiancha-si release one and detain another? I don’t know much about what happened inside. Why don’t you ask Aunt and Uncle to inquire? After all, they are the ones in charge of Jing’an Houfu and have more connections than our second branch.”
Madam Guo also heard the footsteps drawing closer behind her. She released Zhang Zhiyan’s hand and adjusted her sleeves and collar.
“Oh, isn’t this the second wife of Jing’an Houfu? Having a private chat with your daughter?” The one approaching was Madam Xiao, wife of Zhongqin Bo.
“Greetings, Madam. I was just discussing with my mother the matter of taking a concubine for my husband.” Zhang Zhiyan smiled and bowed to Madam Xiao.
Everyone exchanged greetings, chatting and laughing, with many in the crowd praising Zhang Zhiyan for her virtue and magnanimity.
“Any family that marries a daughter-in-law like you is truly blessed.”
“Indeed. The Zhang family is also fortunate to have such a sensible and well-mannered daughter.”
“Why didn’t Madam Huguo-gong come today?” someone in the crowd asked.
“My mother-in-law has caught a slight chill.” Zhang Zhiyan naturally linked arms with Madam Xiao, and they all walked toward the flower hall together.
Madam Guo walked among the crowd, occasionally exchanging a few pleasantries, but her steps grew slower until she fell to the back. She had no heart for laughter or amusement, and the smile on her face was forced. Today, she hadn’t wanted to come, but with her legitimate son’s life at stake, she had to seek out Zhang Zhiyan for answers.
The main branch of Jing’an Houfu had also mentioned to Madam Guo that Liao Chuan’s Dianqian Si had a strained relationship with the Jiancha-si, so it was unlikely that Liao Chuan had the influence to pull strings and secure Zhang Chengxiao’s release.
Yet, Zhang Chengxiao had returned, with a physician even visiting to treat his injuries and prescribe medicine. In contrast, Chengye, also a young master of the second branch, remained unable to return home. Madam Guo found it suspicious, but she was powerless to do anything.
Zhang Zhiyan wasn’t surprised that Madam Guo had come to her for information, but she was determined not to help this third brother, Zhang Chengye, who had often caused trouble for his younger brother, Chengxiao.
The midday banquet was a flowing feast. Zhang Zhiyan sat toward the middle and back of the table, with the wife of Poyang Hou’s heir to her right and an empty seat to her left.
Dishes were served in succession. Madam Wen Guo Gong, seated at the head of the table, smiled and invited everyone to begin eating, while maids occasionally stepped forward to pour wine.
Just as the atmosphere was lively, an elderly servant hurried in and whispered a few words into Madam Wen Guo Gong’s ear. The Madam’s smile faded, and she asked her daughter-in-law to take over hosting the female guests. With a smile, she said, “There’s a matter up front. I’ll go take a look and return shortly. Please make yourselves at home.”
As the mistress of the household was always busy, no one minded. They politely urged her to attend to her duties.
Zhang Zhiyan was in high spirits today. Since her rebirth, she had eliminated the greatest threat to her life in her husband’s family. Madam Xia and Liao Mingzhu could no longer harm her.
“Yan’er, why aren’t you sitting with your mother and me?” The speaker was Madam Zhu, wife of Jing’an Hou and Zhang Zhiyan’s aunt.
“Please take a seat, Aunt.” Zhang Zhiyan smiled and greeted her. “Mother is in low spirits today, so I didn’t want to disturb her.”
Madam Zhu sighed, her hand resting on Zhang Zhiyan's shoulder. "It's not her fault. Your second branch of the family is indeed in trouble, and our main branch can't help either. These young scholars, I don't know how they managed it, but they ended up selling exam questions and taking money to write answers for others."
Zhang Zhiyan understood clearly—Madam Zhu was here to fish for information. She frowned and said, "I don't understand either. I asked my husband earlier, but he ignored me, always saying he was too busy with official matters. Later, I heard Chengxiao had been released. At the time, I thought Third Brother had also been let go. Only today did I learn that Third Brother hasn't returned home yet."
Madam Zhu looked Zhang Zhiyan up and down, believing she wasn't lying. She had always thought this second-branch concubine-born daughter was weak and easy to manipulate, but now it seemed she was also rather foolish. With her own brother in trouble, she didn't even know how to go out and inquire or pull strings, instead relying solely on rumors from outsiders. Well, that was just as well—it saved a lot of trouble.
"Aunt, did you come to see me about something?" Zhang Zhiyan noticed Madam Zhu seemed hesitant.
"What I mentioned in my last letter—you must act on it as soon as possible. The sooner it's done, the sooner you can rest easy. This concerns your standing in your husband's family," Madam Zhu lowered her voice, reminding her once again.
"Don't worry, Aunt. I haven't found the right opportunity yet, but I will definitely take action." Zhang Zhiyan inwardly sneered. Madam Zhu wouldn't do it herself but instead pushed her to do it. If the truth came out, Madam Zhu could easily shift the blame.
Madam Zhu let out a heavy breath, smiled with satisfaction, and settled comfortably in her seat.
Voices and the sound of hurried footsteps came from the entrance of the flower hall. These footsteps were not the usual shuffling of maids—they were heavy, uniform, and loud, the steps of well-trained guards.
Everyone stood up to look outside. A group of guards in black armor, armed with swords, suddenly stopped and surrounded the moon gate and walls of the flower hall. Another row of guards had already swiftly moved beneath the corridor, their swords drawn, each exuding an aura of solemnity and menace.
The maids panicked and scattered in all directions, only to be loudly reprimanded by a Wu De Si thousand-man commander, who ordered them to stand in line and remain silent.
"How dare you! How dare you Wu De Si people barge into the inner courtyard?" The wife of the heir to Wen Guo Gong had already stepped into the courtyard and stood there.
The other women gathered in small groups under the corridor, whispering and discussing among themselves.
The leading guard was Thousand-man Commander Wei, under Liu Lang's command. He wore the unified black brocade robe of the Tan Shi Jian Cha Si, with shoulder insignia and chest embroidery of a majestic and fierce white tiger outlined in silver thread.
"Madam, this official has come to search the rear courtyard. Please take the women and step aside for a moment," Thousand-man Commander Wei said with a smile.
"How dare you! How can you search the inner courtyard of a ducal residence at will? Where is the imperial edict?" The wife of the heir to Wen Guo Gong was already sweating profusely behind her back. Her mother-in-law had gone to the front courtyard but hadn't returned for a long time, and the situation felt more like a raid on the household.
The women from other households whispered among themselves, sensing something amiss. They gathered toward the main gate of the courtyard, and some even tried to leave, not daring to stay any longer.
"There is no imperial edict, but there is an oral decree from His Majesty," a deep, resonant, and unquestionable voice came from the east side of the flower hall courtyard.
The speaker was none other than Liu Lang. He stood tall and straight beneath a rose tree in full bloom, a few scattered pink and white petals drifting onto his shoulders. A curtained hat concealed his imposing eyes and brows, revealing only his high-bridged nose and thin lips.
Zhang Zhiyan could not clearly discern his expression, focusing her gaze as his tall figure slowly walked into the courtyard, her eyes following him.
Liu Lang merely made a gesture, and under the command of Thousand-man Commander Wei, all the guards of the Tan Shi Jian Cha Si rushed inside. Everyone heard a cacophony of clattering and clanging.
Liu Lang swiftly scanned everyone in the courtyard, his gaze pausing for a moment when it reached Zhang Zhiyan before shifting elsewhere. With a stern expression, he declared, "All women who are not from Wenguo-gong-fu may leave on their own."
As soon as the words fell, the noblewomen from other households who had come to attend the banquet hurriedly exited through the moon gate of the flower hall, their steps rushed and somewhat disheveled. Zhang Zhiyan also quickly joined the fleeing crowd. In the chaos, she noticed that Lüyin beside her had been pushed ahead by the throng.
As she passed by Liu Lang, Zhang Zhiyan suddenly felt a chill in her hand. Looking down, she saw that the handkerchief she had been clutching was snatched away by Liu Lang. In an instant, he tucked her handkerchief into his own sleeve. A teasing glint flickered in his eyes, the corners of his lips curling slightly as he offered Zhang Zhiyan an almost imperceptible smile.
Zhang Zhiyan dared not make a sound, nor did she dare meet his gaze, fearing that others might notice.