Zhang Laotou was nearly ready to rush to the prison to confront his youngest son about why he had turned out this way. However, upon remembering that his son was already imprisoned, he realized that if he didn’t take action, his son’s life would be ruined forever! Whether his son could ever get out was a question, let alone achieve success in his exams!
After investing so many years and so much effort into his son, Zhang Laotou felt astrong attachment to him, even after learning the truth. No matter what, he had to get his son out of prison before dealing with anything else.
Having clarified his thoughts, Zhang Laotou expressionlessly told his wife, “For now, let him stay in the cell while we quickly gather money. I will visit him often and bring some good wine for the guard, so he won’t make things difficult for Si Lang.”
Zhang Laotai, lacking her own opinions, quickly nodded in agreement with her husband’s plan.
Zhang Laotou glanced out of the window; at this hour, the laborers in the Zhang family would definitely not be idle at home but out working. They were either in the mountains collecting firewood, looking for food, or harvesting rotten grains from Liu Yuanwai’s fields. He spoke in a low voice, “The two daughters-in-law from Er Lang’s family and San Lang’s daughter are all sold now. Let them eat a bit more in these days.”
Zhang Laotai had no objections; they were not her daughters but her daughter-in-law’s daughters. As long as it could save her favorite youngest son, she was willing to sell even the granddaughters of her other sons!
In Zhang Laotai’s heart, she looked forward to her youngest son’s future children the most! He was their pride! With his intelligence, his children would surely be outstanding too! Si Lang’s line was the best offspring of the old Zhang family!
That night, Zhang Laotou didn’t sleep well. The next day, he got up looking haggard, and during breakfast, his three sons and their wives noticed his bad mood.
Zhang Dalang, Zhang Erlang, and Zhang Sanlang exchanged glances, and finally, it was Zhang Dalang who asked, “Father, did you see Si Di in the city yesterday?”
The wives were staring intently at Zhang Laotou, as they had all heard about his argument with Niujie yesterday. The argument was related to Zhang Silang, and although Zhang Laotou had said that Si Lang was invited by the county magistrate as a guest, special attention was drawn to him. The family knew their circumstances best; when anyone asked about Zhang Silang, the three wives wouldn’t dare speak the truth. If the truth got to Zhang Laotou and Zhang Laotai’s ears, they would surely be in trouble!
Mentioning Zhang Silang, Zhang Laotou’s expression instantly turned sour. He slammed his chopsticks down on the table and replied coldly, “I did! The villagers have started gossiping about Si Lang; was it you who spread the word?”
Hearing this, the three brothers and their wives became anxious and shook their heads in unison.
Zhang Dalang’s wife, Wu Shi, immediately said, “Father said we must not speak of Si Lang’s matters, of course we wouldn’t dare!”
“Exactly! This is family shame; telling others would be tarnishing the Zhang family’s reputation!” Liu Shi, the wife of Zhang Erlang, nodded in agreement.
Wang Shi, the wife of Zhang Sanlang, added, “Could it be that someone in the city knows about this?”
After all, there were several people from the village who frequently went to the city to sell goods; they might have heard about Si Lang’s troubles while selling. Zhang Silang causing a ruckus at the brothel had indeed caught the attention of many in a small place like Dou County, becoming a topic of gossip.
Concerning her youngest son’s reputation, Zhang Laotai didn’t feel happy either. With a stern face, she warned her three sons and their wives, “Si Lang is a scholar; he values his reputation above all. If his reputation is ruined, how will he take the examinations in the future? Keep your mouths shut! If I find out who spread rumors about Si Lang, you can leave this household!”
The three Zhang brothers immediately expressed their agreement, appearing obedient and compliant. Their wives naturally mirrored this response.
Zhang Laotou, with a stoic expression, instructed, “We need to unite as a family to have a good life. Once Si Lang succeeds, who won’t look up to our Zhang family in the village?”
“You are right, Father!” Zhang Dalang readily affirmed.
Zhang Laotou scrutinized the other two sons and their wives. He noticed Liu Shi rolling her eyes, thinking she was unnoticed, but Zhang Laotou had seen everything.
“Dalang, you will come with me to the city today.”
Zhang Erlang and Zhang Sanlang curiously asked, “Father, are we going to bring Si Lang back?”
Liu Shi, the wife of Zhang Erlang, interjected, “Didn’t you say we need to pay twenty taels of silver to get Si Lang out of jail?”
Liu Shi wondered if the Zhang family had quietly gathered the twenty taels. After all, three of their married sisters had recently come home for a visit; even though there had been arguments, they didn’t know how much the three married sisters had given to the elderly couple. Even if they weren’t wealthy families, they would have contributed something, right?
Glancing coldly at his second daughter-in-law, Zhang Laotou picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
Zhang Laotai shot a glare at Liu Shi.
Liu Shi looked puzzled; she had only wanted to know if they had gathered enough money.
Zhang Erlang signaled to his wife with his eyes, telling her to stop speaking.
After finishing breakfast, Zhang Laotou took thirty wen and set off with Zhang Dalang.
The father and son traveled more than ten miles before reaching the city.
On the way, Zhang Dalang asked Zhang Laotou if they were going to pick up Zhang Silang from jail. Zhang Laotou didn’t answer. Seeing that his father was in a bad mood, Zhang Dalang fell silent.
Once they arrived at the academy, Zhang Laotou instructed Zhang Dalang to wait outside while he went in to knock on the door.
The gatekeeper at the academy, upon seeing him, displayed a sympathetic gaze and said, “Your son has been jailed for causing a disturbance outside, and his behavior has affected the reputation of the academy. The academy no longer wants him. His belongings have already been packed; come in and retrieve them with me.”
Zhang Laotou’s expression instantly crumpled; he anxiously pleaded, “My Si Lang was just momentarily foolish! He loves studying! Please, do not expel him from the academy! If you send him away, how will he continue his studies? How will he take the examinations in the future?”