Chapter 116: The Dust Settles

On the day of the Duke of Ying’s funeral, many civil and military officials were also laid to rest. Perhaps in sympathy for the tragic fate of these officials, even the heavens could not help but weep, letting fall a fine, misty rain by midday.

When the Embroidered Uniform Guard returned to the capital with Zhang Zhong, the funeral processions from various manors had already begun to return. Despite wearing a straw rain cape, Zhang Zhong had been chilled to the bone by the dense, driving rain during the high-speed journey. Upon reaching the outskirts of the capital, the guards pulled their reins and steered their horses toward the east, bypassing the city gates.

"Officer Xu... why are we not entering the city? Where are we going?"

It was late autumn, and the temperature was low. Soaked through by the rain, Zhang Zhong felt frozen to the core, unable to sense any warmth, his voice trembling as he spoke.

Officer Xu, galloping ahead, wiped the rain from his face and shouted back, "Young Duke, His Majesty has decreed that we are to escort you directly to the Duke’s grave to pay your respects. We are heading there now."

Zhang Zhong had been traveling through the night, his clothes caked in dust. Now, dampened by the rain, he looked as though he had been rolling in mud, appearing utterly wretched.

"How can I present myself before my father in this state? It would be better to take me home first so I can change my attire."

Whether out of a guilty conscience or a lingering shred of awe for Zhang Fu, Zhang Zhong did not wish to pay his respects in such a disheveled state, so he attempted to negotiate politely with Officer Xu.

However, the officer shook his head. "That is absolutely impossible. This is the Emperor’s direct order. To take you home would be to defy an imperial decree, a transgression no one here could bear."

"Then... very well."

On the road, Zhang Zhong had already told Officer Xu about being kidnapped by his servants, but whether the Emperor believed him was another matter. Unaware of the new monarch’s attitude toward him, Zhang Zhong dared not rely on his status to defy the order. He could only endure the biting cold as they continued eastward.

Zhang Fu’s tomb was located near the Lugou Bridge, about twenty <i>li</i> from the capital, in an area roughly corresponding to modern-day Lücun, Changxindian Town, in Beijing’s Fengtai District. The man who had selected this burial site was "Blind Chen," a former instructor at the Drum Tower. It was said to be a place of excellent <i>feng shui</i>, where the wind gathered and the energy accumulated. Once the site was chosen, Lady Wu had ordered the construction of the tomb in accordance with the regulations for a Duke.

When Zhang Zhong arrived, several people were already waiting before the spirit path stele. These were the caretakers attached to the Duke of Ying’s estate, responsible for guarding the tomb and performing sweeping and sacrificial duties. After delivering his charge, Officer Xu did not bid farewell to Zhang Zhong; he simply turned his horse around and galloped away.

Zhang Fu’s tomb was grand and imposing. The path leading to the burial mound was flanked by tall stone horses, stone sheep, and stone tigers, looking extremely majestic. The caretakers did not recognize Zhang Zhong. They hesitated for a long time before stepping forward to ask in a hushed voice, "Are you the eldest son of the Duke’s household?"

It was no wonder they did not recognize him; Zhang Zhong’s current appearance made it impossible for them to associate him with the pampered Young Duke who had lived in luxury.

"I am Zhang Zhong. I have come to pay my respects to my father. Lead the way."

Though Zhang Zhong was shivering violently, he forced himself to endure the hunger and cold to play the part of a filial son, letting the caretakers guide him to the grave.

"Father! Your son is unfilial, I have come a step too late..."

Standing before the tomb, Zhang Zhong, having already prepared his emotions, ignored the puddles of water and knelt down with a heavy thud, wailing loudly. To an outsider, his performance would have made him appear truly filial.

The caretakers were simple, honest folk. Seeing him cry so miserably, they did not dare to interrupt his display of piety and waited quietly to the side.

*(Internal thought: Damn it, are these people logs? Can't they come and console me?)*

After faking his grief for a long time, Zhang Zhong’s throat grew hoarse. With no one coming to comfort him, he was at a loss as to how to end the scene.

"Father, rest assured, your son will surely slay the enemy barbarians to avenge you! However, with no one to hold the fort at the manor, I must return to take charge of the situation. I shall come to visit you again when time permits!"

Losing patience at last, Zhang Zhong seized upon this excuse to stand up. He looked at the caretakers and commanded, "Quick, prepare a carriage! I have urgent matters to attend to at the manor!"

"Eldest Young Master, we have no carriage, only an ox cart..." the eldest among them said, looking troubled.

"You don't even have a horse carriage?" Zhang Zhong’s face darkened, but after a long moment, he sighed. "Fine, if there is no carriage, an ox cart will do. Just get me back as soon as possible."

After jolting along for more than an hour in the open-top ox cart, Zhang Zhong finally returned to the capital.

*Clang, clang, clang—*

Seeing the familiar gates of the Duke of Ying’s manor, Zhang Zhong nearly burst into tears. He took a deep breath and knocked on the main gate. A moment later, the side door opened and a head poked out. Seeing Zhang Zhong covered in mud, the man waved his hand as if shooing away a fly. "Where did this beggar come from? Get lost! This is not a place for the likes of you!"

"You scoundrel! You don't even recognize your own young master? You must have blinded your dog... Cao Si?"

Being treated like a beggar made Zhang Zhong’s blood boil. He was about to explode when he realized the gatekeeper looked familiar. Looking closer, he realized the man was none other than Cao Si, the servant who had made off with his silver!

"You dog! You actually dare to come back!"

When enemies meet, their eyes turn red with rage. Zhang Zhong clenched his fists and lunged forward to strike. Cao Si, startled, scrambled to close the gate, but Zhang Zhong kicked it open, sending Cao Si tumbling backward. Despite Zhang Zhong’s debauched appearance, he still held a significant advantage over the middle-aged Cao Si. He pounced on him, raining blows down until the man was howling for mercy.

The commotion at the entrance drew a crowd of people from within the manor, all rushing to see what was happening. Seeing that it was the long-missing Zhang Zhong, and that he was busy beating Cao Si, the servants hurried to report to Lady Wu.

Soon, Lady Wu arrived, followed by Lin Qingyun, a former centurion under the Duke of Ying, and several guards.

"Stop!" Lady Wu commanded upon seeing Cao Si’s bloodied face.

Zhang Zhong stood up slowly and looked at his stepmother, who still possessed a graceful charm. She was dressed in mourning clothes, which only added a touch of sorrowful beauty to her appearance—a sight so rare that Zhang Zhong was momentarily dazed.

"Greetings, Mother." Swallowing hard, Zhang Zhong stood straight and bowed to her.

He had returned to seize power. Having already been branded as unfilial, he desperately needed to cleanse his reputation. Since Lady Wu was his stepmother, if he were to turn hostile now, his reputation as an unfilial son would be sealed. He had no choice but to bide his time.

Lady Wu’s face darkened. "Why did you beat Cao Si?"

Zhang Zhong was puzzled as to why Cao Si was in the manor, but Lady Wu’s attitude made it clear that his return had much to do with her. He countered, "Mother, pray listen. This Cao Si is a treacherous servant who betrayed his master and committed theft. I was merely disciplining him, not beating him without cause!"

"Then tell me, what exactly did he steal from you?" Lady Wu asked, her face expressionless.

Zhang Zhong knew what she wanted him to say. He was not about to fall for such a low-level trap. "Before I went to retrieve my father’s coffin, I took some travel funds from the treasury. This treacherous slave was overcome by greed; he kidnapped me and held me in Tianjin for a month, and finally embezzled the money and fled. Now that this thief has snuck back into the manor, he surely has ulterior motives. How could I sit idly by?"

He had expected his words to elicit sympathy, but looking around, he saw everyone staring at him with strange expressions, which made him panic for no reason.

Lady Wu looked at Cao Si. "Repeat what you said earlier. Confront the Young Master and let us see who is lying."

Having just taken a beating and lost two teeth, Cao Si covered his swollen cheek and wept, "A month ago, the Young Master said he was going to Xuanfu to bring the Master’s coffin back. I believed him and intended to go with him. Before we left, the Young Master said the journey from the capital to Xuanfu was long and that we lacked provisions. I suggested we ask for the Lady’s permission to withdraw funds for our travel expenses, but the Young Master refused. While the Lady was out, he forced us to break the lock on the treasury and take tens of thousands of taels of silver. I thought he had a great plan for the money, but instead, he forced us to go to Tianjin. Once there, the Young Master spent the entire month in brothels, indulging in pleasure. I repeatedly urged him to go to Xuanfu, but he was indifferent. I, having received great kindness from the Duke, could not bear to see his hard-earned money squandered, so we secretly brought the stolen silver back to the capital and handed it to the Lady..."

"You—you are talking nonsense!"

Cao Si’s response left Zhang Zhong shocked and furious. With Lady Wu’s backing, Cao Si’s testimony was seamless; no one could find a flaw in it.

Lady Wu sneered, "Zhang Zhong, to earn a legacy for you, your father fought on the battlefield at the age of seventy-four, ultimately sacrificing his life for the country. As the eldest son, not only do you fail to seek vengeance, but you also flee to Tianjin to indulge in debauchery. Such unbridled profligacy is no better than that of a beast! You have brought shame upon the Duke of Ying’s household. According to the rules your father established, I am placing you under house arrest. Do you have any complaints?"

"On what grounds!" Zhang Zhong’s face flushed red, and he roared, "This manor was left to me by my father! You are but a lowly woman who stole my mother’s position! Do you think you run this house?"

"I have already reported your conduct to the Imperial Court and await His Majesty’s verdict. As to when you shall be released, that depends on the Emperor’s decree."

By now, this was no longer just a private family matter; it was a massive scandal exposed within the context of the Ming Dynasty’s emphasis on filial piety. The impact in the capital was immense. Zhu Qiyu, having just ascended the throne, would certainly punish him severely to correct such social ills.

Consequently, the punishment awaiting Zhang Zhong would be grave. Thinking of the consequences, Zhang Zhong felt a shiver of terror.

Suddenly, he seemed to realize something. His gaze snapped toward Lady Wu, and he shouted like a madman, "Ah, I finally understand! This was a trap you set for me, you bitch! How hateful that I only realize it now! You whore, just you wait—"

Before he could finish, Lin Qingyun and the others behind Lady Wu rushed forward, crudely stuffing a rag into Zhang Zhong’s mouth and subduing him.

Lady Wu’s face was grim. "General Lin, take the Young Master to the side courtyard and keep him under guard. Without my orders, no one is to let him out!"

"Yes, Madam!"

Lin Qingyun, a trusted subordinate of Zhang Fu, had long despised Zhang Zhong’s profligate ways. Now certain that Zhang Zhong had no chance of inheriting the title, he carried out the order without hesitation, dragging Zhang Zhong away to the side courtyard.

"Phew—"

After waving away the curious servants, Lady Wu finally wore an expression of relief. The plan she had been orchestrating for over a month had finally been completed!

...

Xue Rui had not participated in the drama at the Duke’s manor, but he was well-informed about the developments. Since the news broke that Zhang Zhong had likely fled to avoid the conflict, public opinion in the capital had turned instantly, condemning him as a coward who feared battle and was unworthy of being a Duke’s son.

As one of the few who knew the truth, Xue Rui was tempted to reveal the big secret: that Zhang Zhong had stolen tens of thousands of taels of silver from the treasury before leaving. Unfortunately, there was no internet, and the channels for whistleblowing were scarce. He could easily be traced, so he had to suppress his impulse and wait for the truth to emerge on its own.

As Zhang Zhong was being escorted back to the capital by the guards, the Imperial Observatory became quite lively due to someone’s arrival. Since the Tumu Crisis, the Observatory had suffered from a severe shortage of officials. It was only after Zhu Qiyu ascended the throne that they managed to scrape together enough staff to fill the vacancies in the Northern Observatory.

The man who arrived today was Guo Gui, who had been transferred from the Southern Observatory to serve as a <i>Lingtai Lang</i> (Astronomical Officer) in the Northern Observatory. Though it was a lateral transfer, no one in the office dared to slight him. Even high-ranking officials like Xu Dun had set aside their duties to welcome him outside the office upon hearing of his arrival.

As the idlest of the astronomy students, Xue Rui was also summoned by Xu Dun to make up the numbers. According to his father, Guo Gui was a descendant of the legendary Guo Shoujing from Xingtai, Shunde. By generation, he was Guo Shoujing’s great-grandson. It was said that Guo Gui had been clever since childhood and possessed secret ancestral techniques, deeply versed in astronomy and precise in observing celestial phenomena. He could operate the instruments at the Southern Observatory with his eyes closed.

Now that Guo Gui had been transferred to the Northern Observatory, closer to the center of power, his professional standards and reputation made his promotion highly likely. Xue Rui naturally held a famous contemporary astronomer in high regard, especially since Guo Gui would be the direct supervisor of the observatory. He had to show enough respect to pave the way for his own future observations.

Before long, an official sedan chair stopped in front of the Observatory. Since sedan chairs required four bearers, they were labor-intensive; most officials in the office usually took economical horse-drawn carriages. Currently, the only person entitled to a sedan chair was Xu Dun, the newly promoted Chief of the Observatory.

A man stepped out from the sedan chair. He wore a green official robe—this was the newly arrived <i>Lingtai Lang</i>, Guo Gui.

Xu Dun forced a smile and led the group forward. "Master Guo, we have been waiting for some time."

Perhaps not recognizing the officials of the Northern Observatory, Guo Gui let his gaze sweep over them before cupping his hands in greeting. "Guo Gui greets the Chief and all my colleagues."

Xu Dun stepped forward, took Guo Gui’s hand, and said warmly, "Come, come, let me introduce you to the others. This is Deputy Chief Gao, and this is..."

After the introductions, Guo Gui did not use his status to put on airs and exchanged pleasantries with everyone. As a lowly astronomy student, Xue Rui was naturally not entitled to an introduction and simply stood quietly to the side, listening to the others fawn over Guo Gui.

He had assumed he would be invisible, but to his surprise, Guo Gui’s gaze fell upon him. "And who is this young friend?"

"Student Xue Rui greets Master Guo." Xue Rui stepped forward and performed a salute.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing his name, Guo Gui’s smile vanished. He stared at him with a hostile gaze. "So, you are Xue Rui!"