APSIL -Chapter 54 Azure Lotus Silk Robes, Shared Glory

It turned out that only Zhang Shou’s bad luck seemed to come true.

Even though Zhu Ying and Old Yang had repeatedly wished for another band of rebels to appear so they could have another exciting fight, the rest of the night passed peacefully. Had it not been for the dozen bloodstained prisoners hanging from the large trees in the village, even Zhang Shou might have believed the previous night’s events had all been a dream.

Early the next morning, the young nobles staying at Cuiyun Retreat finally woke up.

Completely unaware that they had all been drugged unconscious by Miss Zhu, they listened as their attendants embellished the dangers of the previous night. Most of them were skeptical, and before long, many headed into the village to see the captured rebels for themselves.

The prisoners hung from the trees with ropes binding them tightly, half-dead and listless, paying no attention to the crowd. The young aristocrats quickly grew irritated. If not for Hua Qi sitting nearby with his saber resting casually across his knees—and A-Liu standing beside him with a short bow, his icy expression radiating killing intent—they would have rushed over to give the helpless rebels a thorough beating.

Of course, not everyone was interested in kicking men who were already down.

Zhang Wu wandered anxiously around the village. Everywhere he looked, villagers were shouting and bustling about as if preparing for some grand occasion. Having come without attendants, he tried stopping people to ask what was happening, but everyone was too busy to answer. Finally, spotting Zhang Shou in the distance, he hurried over.

“Little Teacher!”

The moment Zhang Shou saw Zhang Wu’s conflicted expression, he knew exactly what was bothering him.

Smiling, he explained, “Many hands make light work—but only if they can work together. Otherwise, more people just create more trouble. Yingying hates trouble most of all, so she simply cut the Gordian knot and put everyone to sleep together. As for Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang, they stayed behind because the rebels would consider them valuable hostages.”

“So… Miss Zhu only did it…” Zhang Wu stared blankly before finally forcing out the last three words. “…for convenience?”

When Zhang Shou nodded, Zhang Wu’s shoulders slumped.

“If she’d only told me, I could’ve ordered all my attendants and guards to obey her.”

“Everything happened too quickly. There wasn’t time for all that.”

A voice interrupted from behind.

“I’d rather act first and apologize afterward!”

Startled, Zhang Wu turned around.

Seeing Zhu Ying, every complaint he had instantly vanished.

But what she said next completely swept away his remaining grievances.

“Today is A-Shou’s birthday and mine. We’re holding a grand village feast at noon. I was just about to go back to Cuiyun Retreat to invite everyone. Since you’re here, perfect—you can help spread the word.”

“Instead of standing around gawking at those rebels hanging there like dried fish, come help. If you can’t help personally, surely the servants and guards you brought can set tables and carry dishes.”

“Oh, and A-Shou just told me that everyone will receive a share of the credit for capturing the rebels last night. So stop worrying about such trivial matters and hurry along!”

She added with a grin,

“Remember—keep it secret. Don’t mention the credit yet.”

Zhang Shou watched as Zhang Wu froze, then suddenly spun around like a top that had just been whipped and sprinted away.

Laughing, he said, “You’re amazing. One sentence and he’s instantly motivated.”

Lifting her chin proudly, Zhu Ying replied, “That’s just because he’s used to my authority.”

Then she smiled.

“But honestly, your promise to share the credit was what really mattered.”

Zhang Shou blinked.

“Where are we going?”

“We’re the birthday celebrants!”

Zhu Ying answered as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Birthday celebrants need birthday clothes!”

Seeing him still standing there in confusion, she walked over and gave him an unceremonious shove between the shoulders.

“Every year Grandmother gives me a brand-new outfit for my birthday. This year she had one made for you too! Aunt Wu sent me to bring you home and change. Hurry!”

The Old Madam of the Zhao Estate is almost absurdly considerate…

Zhang Shou sighed inwardly as he headed home.

He silently prayed that the clothes wouldn’t be bright scarlet or gaudy green.

Unlike Miss Zhu, who looked perfectly natural in brilliant red, he simply couldn’t carry off such flamboyant colors.

Yes, he admitted he had developed feelings for Zhu Ying.

But if anyone expected him to dress like a groom, absolutely not.

Although everything had been arranged at the last minute, Rongshui Village had no shortage of manpower.

The young nobles had all brought personal cooks, while their attendants threw themselves wholeheartedly into the preparations.

Before noon, long rows of banquet tables lined the streets. Some consisted of nothing more than wooden planks balanced atop stacks of bricks…

At least this time no one was using coffin lids as tabletops.

Feeling he had made tremendous contributions the previous night, Lu Sanlang dragged Zhang Chen to the entrance of the Zhang residence, proudly declaring they had come to welcome the birthday stars.

Though Zhang Chen still felt somewhat awkward, Zhang Shou’s fierce rebuke of Ding Hai the previous night had fundamentally changed his opinion of him.

Only one lingering concern remained.

“Oh, they’re coming out!”

At Lu Sanlang’s shout, Zhang Chen instinctively looked up.

The two emerged side by side from the main hall.

Zhu Ying wore a cherry-red jacket over a pomegranate-red skirt trimmed with multicolored borders. A light blush colored her cheeks, making her as radiant as the rosy dawn itself. Even the ruby earrings seemed unable to outshine her beauty.

Beside her, Zhang Shou wore an azure-lotus cross-collared scholar’s robe.

Compared with Zhu Ying’s vivid attire, it appeared much more understated.

Yet the fine azure silk was woven with subtle longevity patterns throughout, while cranes were embroidered along the hem.

The moment Zhang Chen saw the fabric, he froze.

He recognized it immediately.

Zhang Shou naturally noticed Zhang Chen’s complicated expression.

When he had first seen the robe, he’d been relieved it wasn’t bright red, emerald green, sapphire blue, or rose purple.

But then he’d realized that azure lotus silk was almost as eye-catching as imperial purple.

He had no official rank.

No noble title.

No government position.

Was he really supposed to wear a scholar’s robe made from material so close to imperial purple?

Still…

The garment fit perfectly, clearly tailored to his exact measurements.

And when he emerged wearing it, his mother Madam Wu’s face had been filled with pride and joy.

Over the past three years, he’d already done countless unconventional things without asking permission first, yet she’d rarely objected.

Today was a happy occasion.

He wasn’t about to spoil it.

So he pretended not to notice Zhang Chen’s peculiar reaction.

The moment he stepped outside, he was drowned in a chorus of birthday wishes.

Some people even shouted blessings like:

“May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea!”

“May your life be as long as the Southern Mountains!”

Zhang Shou forced a stiff smile while silently reminding himself:

I’m turning sixteen… not sixty.

Zhu Ying, meanwhile, took all the congratulations in stride.

Long accustomed to being surrounded by crowds, she greeted everyone warmly, never neglecting a single guest.

Lu Sanlang squeezed forward to offer his birthday wishes, then shamelessly shoved Zhang Chen aside and planted himself next to Zhang Shou, looking every bit the devoted student helping his teacher receive guests.

Finding a brief opportunity, he lowered his voice.

“Back on the Third Day of the Third Month, Miss Zhu beat Princess Yongping in a game of pitch-pot and won a bolt of Azure Lotus Silk from the Empress Dowager.”

“They say Princess Yongping later complained behind her back that Miss Zhu was arrogant.”

“I didn’t witness it myself… but I’m willing to bet the robe you’re wearing is made from that very bolt.”

He nodded toward Zhang Chen.

“He was there personally. That’s why he recognized it.”

So wearing this means that princess probably won’t be very happy…

Zhang Shou immediately understood the hidden meaning.

Chuckling, he said, “The Old Madam really is generous. She didn’t even ask her granddaughter before having it made into clothes for me.”

“Exactly!”

Lu Sanlang nodded vigorously, lowering his voice even further.

“Miss Zhu certainly thinks you’re the one who suits the color best, so she’ll only be happy.”

“But whether certain other people will seize the chance to stir up trouble…”

He shook his head gravely.

“…that’s another matter.”

Then, with righteous determination, he declared, “Zhang Chen is too proud to tattle behind anyone’s back.”

“But Cuiyun Retreat is full of people, and not everyone shares the same loyalties.”

“Don’t worry, Little Teacher.”

“I’ll personally warn everyone.”

Zhang Shou suddenly felt that Lu Sanlang had all the makings of a class monitor.

The thought vanished as quickly as it came.

Laughing awkwardly, he changed the subject.

Soon, he and Zhu Ying made their way to the head table at the village entrance.

Clapping his hands to draw everyone’s attention, Zhang Shou offered a few brief remarks before inviting the villagers, the young nobles, and all their attendants to take their seats.

The crowd settled amid lively chatter.

Picking up a wine pot, Zhang Shou filled his own cup.

He raised it high.

“The first cup…”

“…to Heaven and Earth.”

“May they continue blessing our village with favorable weather and abundant harvests.”

He drained it in one gulp.

Pouring another cup, he lifted it again.

“The second cup…”

“…to our fellow villagers.”

“Without everyone’s hard work throughout the year, we wouldn’t have enjoyed this year’s harvest.”

“And without everyone’s unity last night, we couldn’t have captured those rebel soldiers with so little loss.”

He emptied the second cup.

Thunderous applause erupted as everyone raised their own drinks.

Smiling, Zhang Shou poured a third.

“As for this final cup…”

“…it is for Yingying, who shares today’s birthday with me…”

“…and for everyone fortunate enough to have gathered here in Rongshui Village.”

“If we can share hardship together…”

“…then naturally we should also share blessings together.”

“We all bore last night’s danger together.”

“So the credit belongs to all of us.”

Since Zhang Wu had faithfully kept the secret, the young nobles had all believed they’d slept through everything and missed the excitement entirely.

Now, hearing Zhang Shou publicly declare that the credit would be shared, they exploded with excitement.

Especially after seeing that Zhu Ying showed not the slightest objection.

One after another, they leapt to their feet.

Like Lu Sanlang, many had already guessed the origin of Zhang Shou’s robe.

With the Zhao Estate supporting him and Grand Tutor Ge Yong accepting him as his final disciple…

How could they possibly compete with him for Zhu Ying?

If Zhang Shou was willing to share the honors, they would gladly accept.

As for those who felt dissatisfied…

This certainly wasn’t the time to show it.

Standing with the Zhao Estate was unquestionably the right choice.

Just as Zhang Shou finished his three ceremonial toasts and everyone settled into eating and drinking amid cheerful noise…

He suddenly heard the rapid thunder of approaching hoofbeats.

The next instant…

A hand rested gently upon his shoulder.