APSIL -Chapter 5 Wasn’t the Engagement Supposed to Be Canceled?

Zhang Shou was finally taken aback.

Judging from his mother Madam Wu’s earlier reaction, it was obvious that she had known about the engagement all along and had deliberately kept it from him—the groom.

But the bride herself hadn’t known anything either.

That alone proved what an absurd arrangement this engagement was.

Parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s word might have been the custom, but couldn’t they at least have informed their children a little earlier?

He let out a long sigh and lay back on the pile of straw, folding his hands beneath his head.

“I’ve known only my mother since childhood. I don’t even know who my father is. I thought I’d finally learn something about my background today.”

“Who would’ve thought it’d all come to nothing again…”

He sighed once more.

Meanwhile, Zhu Ying was inwardly blaming herself for speaking so bluntly.

Although today was her first meeting with Zhang Shou, whether it was their chance encounter in the fields, their meeting at his home, or the unusual lunch they had just shared, she found that he was nothing like the crude country fiancé she had imagined.

Nor was he like the noble youths she usually encountered in the capital.

Those people were either peacocks forever showing off…

Or shallow geese with empty heads.

If she had to describe Zhang Shou…

He was like a clear mountain spring flowing quietly through the forest.

And besides…

Among all the sons of noble families in the capital, not a single one was more handsome than he was.

Seeing his dejected expression, she spoke almost instinctively.

“Don’t worry.”

“I know quite a few famous people in the capital with the surname Zhang.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Zhang Shou immediately sat upright.

“Miss Zhu, could you tell me who they are?”

His sincere eagerness to learn immediately delighted Zhu Ying.

She raised her eyebrows proudly.

“You’ve asked exactly the right person!”

She completely forgot that she had originally taken Zhang Shou away so they could privately discuss the mysterious engagement.

Instead, she seriously organized her thoughts, trying to explain everything as clearly as possible.

“The most famous official in the capital is Duke of Chu, Zhang Rui. He’s as renowned as my father.”

“His second younger brother is Earl Xiangyang, Zhang Qiong.”

“His third brother is Marquis Wuling, Zhang Mao.”

“They’re all famous generals with outstanding military achievements.”

“Like my father, they all earned their honors while following Emperor Ruizong in founding the dynasty.”

“Duke of Chu is nearly seventy years old now and is currently stationed at Xuanfu.”

“Marquis Wuling is serving on rotation as one of the imperial guards.”

She paused before adding,

“But Father and Duke of Chu have never gotten along.”

Mentioning her father, whose recent military defeat had drawn criticism from all directions, a trace of sadness appeared on Zhu Ying’s beautiful face.

“They’ve never associated with one another.”

“But I’ve met Duke of Chu by chance before.”

“He’s actually a very kind person.”

“I just don’t know why he and Father can’t get along.”

While Zhu Ying spoke casually, Zhang Shou’s imagination immediately began racing.

What if their supposed hostility is only an act?

Perhaps they’re actually close friends who deliberately pretend to be enemies.

Could Duke of Chu, afraid of his wife’s jealousy, have entrusted his concubine and illegitimate son to someone else…?

Completely unaware that Zhang Shou was weaving elaborate theories in his head, Zhu Ying continued.

“Then there’s Duke of Qin, Zhang Chuan.”

“His father, Zhang Yun, served as Emperor Ruizong’s chief strategist.”

“They say he possessed extraordinary wisdom and judgment.”

“The Emperor never held a war council without him.”

“Duke Zhang is the second generation.”

“His military ability is average.”

“So is his intelligence.”

“He’s much more interested in compiling books than serving as an official.”

“He was the chief editor of the Veritable Records of Emperor Ruizong.”

Strategists usually prepare escape routes…

Maybe three secret hideouts…?

Zhang Shou continued speculating wildly.

“Then there are the two brothers, Marquis Huaiqing Zhang Jingzhou and Marquis Nanyang Zhang Hanzhou.”

“My father and the two Dukes already held high military positions early on.”

“But those brothers rose from ordinary soldiers after Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne.”

“They fought against the northern nomads.”

“They suppressed the southern rebellions.”

“They defeated the Japanese pirates.”

“Only afterward were they granted noble titles.”

“One of them loves money.”

“The other loves women.”

“My father used to be their superior.”

“Whenever he mentions them, he always says they disappoint him.”

She suddenly grinned.

“I once overheard Father scolding them.”

Then, imitating her father’s tone perfectly, she repeated his exact words.

“‘Do you fools know that those censors are just like flies? The moment meat starts to rot, they’ll swarm over it. And the two of you are already rotten meat! Emperor Ruizong is gone now. Do you think things are still the same as before? If you want women, go to a brothel. If you want money, buy a ship and make it yourself overseas! Keep this up, and I’ll castrate you, Zhang the Elder, and beat you to death, Zhang the Younger!'”

As Zhu Ying became more immersed in reenacting her father’s lecture, she faithfully reproduced every single word.

Including…

The part about castration.

At her age, she obviously couldn’t imitate her father’s imposing presence.

Watching such a gorgeous young lady solemnly utter those words…

Zhang Shou nearly laughed until his stomach hurt.

He endured it only with tremendous effort so she could continue talking uninterrupted.

Finally managing to suppress his laughter, he praised,

“The Duke of Zhao truly is a wise and farsighted man.”

Having casually placed another metaphorical laurel upon the Duke’s head, Zhang Shou noticed Zhu Ying suddenly becoming distracted.

Living far from political affairs as he did now, he nevertheless couldn’t help making a guess.

The way she reacts every time she mentions her father…

Could something serious have happened to the Duke of Zhao?

This time, however, he forgot to speculate whether any of the Zhang family might actually be related to him.

Before long, Zhu Ying collected herself and resumed listing the notable members of the Zhang family.

“There’s also Earl Dingtao, Zhang Qian.”

“In the early years of Emperor Ruizong’s reign, he was captured while serving as an envoy to Mongolia.”

“He later escaped after Emperor Ruizong won a major victory and even brought back many civilians who had been taken captive.”

“To encourage such loyalty, the Emperor granted him the title of Earl.”

“Then there’s Earl Linfen, Zhang Wuxi.”

“He’s responsible for flood control along the Yellow River and oversees water conservancy projects throughout the empire.”

“He had a little military merit at first.”

“Emperor Ruizong was very generous and rewarded him with an earldom.”

“The entire court argued about it for ages.”

“And Earl Weinan, Zhang Kang.”

“Even that name was bestowed by Emperor Ruizong.”

“He originally surrendered from one of the southern tribes.”

“No one even remembers his original name anymore.”

“He fought bravely.”

“Always charged at the front.”

“He was severely wounded several times while saving Emperor Ruizong.”

“There’s also Commander Zhang Xinling…”

“And among the civil officials there are plenty as well.”

“Grand Secretary Zhang Yu…”

“A newly promoted Hanlin Academician surnamed Zhang… though I can’t remember his name right now…”

“Hmm…”

“And the Minister of Revenue…”

Even with Zhang Shou’s astonishing memory, the ever-growing list soon left his scalp tingling.

Remembering the names wasn’t difficult.

The problem was…

With so many influential people named Zhang…

How was he supposed to determine which family he truly belonged to?

Then again…

The surname Zhang was one of the most common surnames under heaven.

Only after finishing her lengthy explanation did Zhu Ying realize that she had unconsciously introduced nearly every prominent official named Zhang in the empire.

Coming back to her senses, she felt rather annoyed.

I wanted to learn more about him…

How did I end up talking nonstop instead?

Seeing the young lady suddenly fall silent, Zhang Shou pondered for a moment.

Without saying a word, he stood and walked away.

Watching him leave, Zhu Ying couldn’t help feeling aggrieved.

So after getting the information he wanted, he’s just abandoning me?

How heartless!

A short while later, however, Zhang Shou returned carrying two large leaves.

He washed them carefully beside the pond.

Then rinsed them again with spring water.

Skillfully folding the fresh green leaves into two delicate little cups, he poured clear spring water into them from the clay jar.

Only then did he hand one to Zhu Ying.

“You must be thirsty.”

“Have some spring water to soothe your throat.”

“And…”

“Thank you.”

“Hearing everything you just told me has been more valuable than reading ten years’ worth of books.”

Back in the capital, Zhu Ying lived surrounded by servants.

She rarely even needed to speak before someone anticipated her every need.

Yet here, in the countryside…

After sharing such an unusual meal…

And now receiving a cup of cool spring water at just the right moment…

She accepted it blankly.

Her mood immediately brightened.

So I’d misunderstood him.

That’s right…

People in the capital are full of schemes.

Those in the countryside are naturally much more sincere.

As he drank from his own leaf cup, Zhang Shou secretly congratulated himself.

Going along with the fake kidnapping…

Bringing Zhu Ying here…

Resolving the awkwardness surrounding their engagement over a picnic…

And learning so much useful information…

It had all been an excellent decision.

Now that everything had been made clear…

The next step would simply be to cancel the engagement.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, he suddenly felt something unusual.

Looking up…

He found Zhu Ying quietly sipping spring water from her little green leaf cup with all the elegance expected of a noble lady…

While openly studying his face.

Even after he caught her staring, she merely smiled at him naturally.

Without the slightest trace of embarrassment.

Unable to help finding her gaze amusing, Zhang Shou suddenly heard her crisp voice ask,

“Oh, by the way.”

“When is your birthday?”

Madam Wu often mentioned the date, so Zhang Shou answered casually.

“The fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.”

“In the tenth year of Yongchen.”

“What?”

Zhu Ying exclaimed in delight.

“We were born on the very same day!”

“Both on the Mid-Autumn Festival!”

Zhang Shou stared at her.

After they looked at one another for several moments, he had to admit…

Two children born on exactly the same day…

Having their parents arrange an engagement before birth…

That was entirely believable in ancient times.

However…

The body might belong to this era.

The soul inside it belonged to him.

He had absolutely no intention of honoring an arranged marriage.

Chuckling softly, he said, “What a coincidence.”

“In any case…”

“If you’re worried about the engagement…”

“I’ll think of a way.”

“If Mother really has a copy of the marriage contract hidden somewhere…”

“I’ll secretly steal it.”

“And burn it.”

“As for your family’s copy…”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way after you return.”

Burn the marriage contract?

Absolutely not!

I still haven’t uncovered the truth!

Besides…

Grandmother would never stubbornly insist on Father’s strange engagement for no reason.

There has to be something hidden behind all this.

I need to investigate it myself!

At this moment, Zhu Ying had completely forgotten that before coming here, her original goal had been to determine whether the engagement was genuine and, if possible, negotiate its cancellation.

She refused to marry Minister Lu’s son.

But that didn’t mean she intended to blindly honor her father’s mysterious arrangement either.

“That won’t do!”

“A person cannot live without keeping their word.”

“If we burned the contract like that…”

“Wouldn’t my family become people who break their promises?”

Zhang Shou hadn’t expected that when he willingly suggested canceling the engagement…

She would object instead.

He couldn’t help feeling surprised.

He was merely a country youth.

Yes, he had a handsome face.

But beyond that…

He possessed neither wealth nor status.

Surely Zhu Ying couldn’t actually have fallen for him already?

“If you’re worried people will accuse your family of abandoning a poor match for a rich one…”

“I’ll be the one to break off the engagement.”

“That way your family won’t bear the blame.”

This is bad!

Bad, bad, bad!

I’ve talked myself into a corner!

Zhu Ying grew increasingly flustered.

Just when she felt completely trapped…

An idea suddenly flashed through her mind.

“How about this!”

“Grandmother keeps the marriage contract hidden away.”

“She never even let me read it.”

“If your mother also has a copy…”

“I’ll stay here and help you look for it.”

“I want to see what it actually says.”

“Once we find it…”

“We can burn it together.”

Zhang Shou had never expected the conversation to take such an astonishing turn.

He stared at her in complete disbelief.

“You?”

“You want to stay at my house?”

“Isn’t that… rather inappropriate?”

Seeing Zhang Shou look genuinely flustered for the first time, Zhu Ying beamed with delight.

“This may be your home…”

“But it’s also mine.”

“Don’t forget what Zhu Gongquan said.”

“These lands and this house all belong to my father.”

“That makes me half the owner too.”

“So I already have the perfect excuse.”

“I’ll simply say I’m inspecting my father’s estate on his behalf.”

Watching the beautiful young lady—who had seemed so reasonable until now—suddenly begin arguing with utterly shameless logic…

Zhang Shou was rendered speechless.

Wasn’t this supposed to end with canceling the engagement?

How did it turn into you insisting on moving into my house?

Even if I can’t object…

Would that Zhu Gongquan ever agree to such a thing?