After coming to a realization, Zhang Erlang stood up and returned to the house, talking loudly to Zhang Fang, “Fourth Brother, go ahead and do whatever you want! We’ll support you at home!”
Zhang Sanlang also rushed into the room, patting his chest to support Zhang Fang.
Zhang Dalang quietly walked into the room and nodded at Zhang Fang.
With a pale face that broke into a brilliant smile, Zhang Fang waved at them. As Zhang Dalang and the others approached, the four brothers stacked their hands together, representing the strength of their unity.
Old Zhang stood outside the window, watching this scene, and straightened his hunched body in an instant.
With such sons, one would feel greatly honored!
That evening, the five of them enjoyed a joyful dinner together.
Days later, the results of the provincial and imperial exams were announced. Zhang Fang’s name ranked high, and everyone was delighted for him. Lin Zheng sent someone to congratulate Zhang Fang.
Old Zhang smiled from ear to ear, but his eyes were moist.
He wanted Zhang Fang to stay at home for a while, yet Zhang Fang insisted on setting off for the capital.
On the eve of his departure, Old Zhang got drunk and held Zhang Fang’s hand, crying and laughing as he said, “Fourth Lang! I always knew you were the most promising child! Just don’t do anything bad—go ahead and do what you want! If you’re tired, just come home. I’ll ask your mother to prepare your blankets and hot meals.”
Zhang Dalang and the others were also crying; they were clearly holding dishes and wine cups, yet using their other hand to wipe away tears.
“Fourth Lang, you are the pride of the Zhang family!” Old Zhang exclaimed as he put down his wine cup and embraced Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang maintained a smile, but his eyes were glistening with tears; he felt both happy and guilty. He was glad that his family understood and supported him, but guilty that he had made them worry.
The next day, as Zhang Fang stepped out of the inn, he found the streets packed with people on both sides.
The crowd held flowers and raised plaques, gazing at Zhang Fang with respect.
Lin Zheng had woken up early to prepare for the day, and when he saw Zhang Fang coming out, he specifically got off the carriage and ran to him, smiling broadly as he boasted, “I heard that Scholar Zhang is heading to the capital, and the people of the prefecture specially came to send you off!”
Of course, this was not organized by Lin Zheng, but after hearing the news, he arranged for people to clear the way and maintain order. Rounded up, it was equivalent to Lin Zheng throwing a farewell party for Zhang Fang!
Zhang Fang gently nodded and shouted to the crowd, “Thank you all for coming to send me off!”
The crowd responded excitedly, shouting back at Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang boarded the carriage with his family, knowing that these people had come specifically to see him. Many had come just for a glimpse of him. He did not sit inside the carriage but chose to sit outside so that everyone could see him.
As the carriage moved through the streets, flowers fell like rain. Lin Zheng rode behind the carriage, marveling at Zhang Fang’s influence and recalling his own ambitious dreams when he first arrived in Jiangzhou. Had he always remained an honest official, never stepping into darkness, could he have also garnered the love of the people like Zhang Fang?
A wave of regret washed over Lin Zheng, filling his eyes with disappointment. Unfortunately, life does not offer the chance for a do-over…
After a brief moment of regret, the thought of wielding power soon and quietly amassing wealth lifted his spirits again! With the crown prince as his ally and a secret friendship with Zhang Fang, Lin Zheng felt that his future was destined to soar even higher!
“A bunch of useless fools! Can’t even handle a simple task!”
Upon hearing that Zhang Fang was heading to the capital again, the third prince smashed several teacups in anger. He had been trying to win Zhang Fang over recently, using both soft and hard tactics, but Zhang Fang simply wouldn’t relent! Even when he sent gifts to the Zhang family, those country bumpkins refused to accept them!
“Your Highness, since we cannot win Zhang Fang over, why not remove him with the Emperor’s help?”
An advisor suggested to the third prince. Now, due to Zhang Fang, the third prince’s reputation had plummeted. While he could not act against Zhang Fang directly, he could use the Emperor to have Zhang Fang eliminated.
However, the third prince smashed another teacup and cursed angrily, “Do you think I haven’t thought of that? Zhang Fang cannot be touched right now!”
Last time, when Zhang Fang was poisoned in the Eastern Palace, the Emperor was furious and warned the third prince that Zhang Fang was not to be harmed. Even if the third prince deliberately spread rumors that Zhang Fang had sided with the crown prince, causing the Emperor to be suspicious, the Emperor would still not move against Zhang Fang. After all, Zhang Fang’s influence was too significant!
The advisor stood at the third prince’s feet surrounded by shattered teacups, awkwardly keeping his head down, racking his brains for a moment before suddenly expressing excitement, “Your Highness, why not use the beauty trap? Zhang Fang is at an age full of vigor. Previously, he fought over a woman in a brothel. What if we send over the woman he fancies?”
Mentioning this made the third prince angry, for the crown prince had already acted to buy the woman’s freedom. It was strange why the crown prince had not yet sent the woman to Zhang Fang. The third prince had tried to send other beauties to Zhang Fang but to no avail!
The advisor observed the third prince’s expression, stiffened his face, and kept thinking until he proposed another idea, “Your Highness, how about having the Emperor bestow a marriage upon Zhang Fang?”
If Zhang Fang were to marry the third prince’s cousin, then Zhang Fang would have to resolve matters with the third prince.
The third prince pondered deeply; this was indeed feasible. The Emperor seemed uninterested in allowing the crown prince to bask in glory all the time. Now that his reputation had plummeted, only by resolving grievances with Zhang Fang could he restore his reputation. To balance the crown prince, the Emperor would likely agree to this marriage proposal for Zhang Fang!
Thus, the third prince rushed to find the Emperor, requesting that the Emperor bestow a marriage for Zhang Fang, allowing him to marry a woman from the Lu family.
The Emperor gazed deeply at the third prince, showing no intention of agreeing to this marriage. His body was not yet aged to the point of being unable to move. The Emperor allowed the third prince and the crown prince to vie for power only to maintain a balance of forces within the court. This did not mean he intended to pass the throne to the third prince. If the third prince could truly win Zhang Fang over through marriage, gaining such an ally would undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to the crown prince. The Emperor did not want his chosen crown prince to fall so soon.
“Just wait and see how the news affects the outside world.”
The Emperor’s response was intriguing, causing the third prince to be momentarily stunned as he carefully speculated on its meaning. After thinking it over, the third prince concluded that the Emperor did not intend to agree to the marriage. He just didn’t know whether the Emperor opposed the marriage proposal for Zhang Fang out of consideration for the third prince or simply because he did not want the third prince to succeed.
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