Chapter 633: A Man Doesn't Need to Keep His Chastity

In the capital, at Zhang Yu's home.

As a minor official in the capital, owning a property in the capital was extremely, extremely difficult. But for Zhang Yu, this was nothing hard.

His family had always been wealthy, his father-in-law was no ordinary man, and on top of that, the Emperor valued him—he had known his share of glory in the past.

This house was not large, just a two-courtyard compound. But for many people, this was already something incredibly rare. Especially given its location—only four streets away from the imperial palace.

At this moment, standing at the door, pacing back and forth from time to time, Zhang Yu's heart was somewhat uneasy.

Compared to the radiant sunshine and eager impatience he felt on his daily returns, today was truly hard to bear.

He stood at the door mulling things over for a long while, yet still didn't dare lift his foot to step inside.

"Husband, if you keep pacing, the ground in front of the door is going to cave in."

A gentle, soft voice came over, carrying a hint of teasing.

Zhang Yu turned around and saw his wife standing in the doorway at a glance.

Madam Zhang was very young, and the silk garments she wore made her look quite elegant and noble; her face was fair, and her large eyes seemed to speak as they blinked and sparkled.

Letting out a bitter laugh, Zhang Yu stepped up onto the stairs and came before his wife.

Without the slightest hesitation, he reached out and took his wife's slightly cold hand, saying with concern: "Why did you come out? The wind is strong at the door—hurry back inside, it's cold out here."

Hearing Zhang Yu's words, his wife burst out with a chuckle, looking at him with a slightly mocking tone and saying: "If I hadn't come out, when was my husband planning to go in? Were you going to keep pacing here forever?"

Zhang Yu looked at his wife somewhat awkwardly and said: "I'll go in in a moment—let me pace a little more."

"Enough, come inside." Madam Zhang pulled Zhang Yu's hand in return and led him inward.

Zhang Yu didn't refuse, letting his wife pull him along, stepping over the blue stone slabs all the way into the inner hall.

Madam Zhang attended to Zhang Yu as she always did, carefully removing his official robe and hanging it on the rack, smoothing it out meticulously, then changing him into casual clothes and washing his face.

Warm tea had also been prepared, brought up by a servant, along with some fruits and pastries.

Once Zhang Yu sat down, Madam Zhang sat down as well and said: "Before my husband arrived, I had just seen my mother off. The matchmaker came along with my mother."

Zhang Yu was taken aback—this was something he hadn't expected.

"You're not angry?" Zhang Yu said somewhat hesitantly.

Although this was the Great Ming Dynasty and taking a concubine was a very common matter, that didn't mean the family at home would be happy about it. Wife and concubine were different, but the jealousy that ought to exist was no less.

"I believe my husband has his reasons." Madam Zhang stared at Zhang Yu, smiling as she spoke.

"Then I thank my wife." Zhang Yu said helplessly: "Although I very much want to explain everything clearly to you, I can't say it right now. This matter may only be spoken of much later—I hope my wife will not hold it against me."

"Actually, after my mother came, I began to understand somewhat." Madam Zhang said: "Though I don't understand what it's all about, I know this is what men who do great things ought to do. I heard this woman is to be taken by you to Joseon—that's fine too, having someone by your side to attend to you."

Zhang Yu fell silent at once.

The true situation in Joseon he could not speak of—even to his own wife he could not say it. If he did, it would only harm her.

"Alright, you get yourself ready. I'll go see why dinner isn't done yet." Madam Zhang stood up and walked out.

Hearing these words, Zhang Yu's heart ached, and he reached out to pull her back.

Looking up at his wife, Zhang Yu said: "Rest assured, my wife—I will surely keep my chastity for you."

Hearing this, Madam Zhang shot him a glare and said with exasperation: "What man ever keeps his chastity? Besides, no matter the reason, once she's entered this household, you must treat her well. You keep your chastity, but what about her? Is she to live as a widow for the rest of her life? We're all women—as long as she doesn't act improperly and behaves herself, that's better than anything. If she can take care of my husband for me in Joseon, I'll remember that kindness too."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu directly pulled his wife into his embrace and said: "She knows as well—there will be no marital relations between us. Don't worry, once this matter is over, you'll understand."

"I understand." Madam Zhang drawled out the words: "Let's go eat first."

With that, she pulled Zhang Yu toward the outside, but still spoke up: "The two of you in Joseon—if you do have marital relations, it doesn't matter."

Zhang Yu glanced at his wife and didn't argue.

He wasn't quite sure, and wanted to leave himself some leeway.

If something really did happen once he reached Joseon, looking back at what he'd told his wife, this would be no small matter. If he talked big now and something actually happened later, it would be extremely awkward.

They ate dinner together, and the couple spent a harmonious and wonderful evening.

The next morning, Zhang Yu rose rather early.

Rubbing his waist as he went, he left the yamen and headed toward the Ministry of Revenue.

What he had to do today was very simple—recruit people. The Ministry of Revenue's affairs basically no longer required his involvement; what he needed to do now was find people.

The Ministry of Revenue did have a suitable candidate here, since he couldn't very well recruit from among his classmates. There was one person who interested Zhang Yu greatly, and that person was Liao Daoyan.

When Zhang Yu arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he encountered many people who all came up smiling to greet him, their mouths full of congratulatory words.

Zhang Yu knew that the formal documents and edicts had not yet been issued, but the news had already spread—everyone knew he had been promoted and was to be sent as an envoy to Joseon. The court had already conferred the official posts: Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, concurrently Junior Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.

Under such circumstances, many people wanted to curry favor with him. After all, everyone knew this was not the end for Zhang Yu—before this, he had been an official highly regarded by all, and a few years ago he had even been quite the rising star.

Though Zhang Yu had declined in recent times, everyone knew this was what they called storing up strength for a sudden burst.

Now that the accumulation was complete, it was naturally time to erupt.

This could only be a beginning—starting off as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites was a hefty post, and it would surely grow even heftier in the future. Everyone came up to flatter him, thinking of gaining his patronage later.

Zhang Yu bore no particular ill will toward these people—this was how officialdom worked. He smiled and responded agreeably, his manner kind and approachable.

This sort of thing, Zhang Yu could do with practiced ease; having muddled through officialdom for so long, he was very familiar with this routine.

All smiles and pleasant words, affable and amiable—but when it actually came to business, it was a different story.

Zhang Yu did this as he walked inward, which slowed his pace considerably. A path that wasn't very long to begin with took him quite a while to traverse.

Zhang Yu soon arrived outside Liao Daoyan's door.

No one had expected that Zhang Yu had come to see Liao Daoyan.

Compared to Zhang Yu, Liao Daoyan could be considered quite famous—because he was ugly. There was also another saying, that this Liao Daoyan was somewhat peculiar.

Everyone was paying attention to Zhang Yu and Liao Daoyan. The two of them seemed to have had no connection before—why had he suddenly come now?

Many people didn't understand and couldn't help but watch this side.

Pushing the door open and walking in, Zhang Yu saw Liao Daoyan at a glance.

Liao Daoyan also heard the commotion, raised his head, and saw Zhang Yu at a glance.

Liao Daoyan was startled, never expecting to see Zhang Yu here.

After all, news of Zhang Yu's promotion had already spread throughout the entire Ministry of Revenue—under such circumstances, why would he come back to the Ministry?

Liao Daoyan couldn't understand it. At a time like this, when the sea is wide and the fish may leap, and the sky is high and the birds may fly, why return to this shabby place?

Still, he smiled and rose to his feet, saying, "Lord Zhang."

"Lord Liao." Zhang Yu returned the greeting promptly, smiling as he asked, "I wonder if Lord Liao might have a moment to talk?"

"Please forgive me, Lord Zhang." Liao Daoyan said, "I still have some work on my hands that isn't finished, so I'm afraid I can't keep Lord Zhang company in conversation. If Lord Zhang has any business, please do give your orders; if not, I need to get back to my work."

This attitude left everyone stunned—no one had expected Liao Daoyan to speak this way.

Zhang Yu hadn't expected it either, but he paid it no mind. Looking at Liao Daoyan, he said, "Then I'll say it right here."

"I want you to come with me to Joseon."

The moment these words left his mouth, the room fell silent once again.

This was yet another thing no one had anticipated.

Zhang Yu wanted to select Liao Daoyan to accompany him to Joseon—everyone knew this was an opportunity to earn merit, and crucially, there was no real danger involved.

Joseon had always been thoroughly respectful toward the Great Ming. Under such circumstances, going to Joseon would surely bring plenty of benefits, and there was nothing major to deal with—just going through the motions. And there was merit to be gained; upon returning, one would soar to prominence.

Why would Zhang Yu let Liao Daoyan go?

Had their relationship become that close?

Liao Daoyan also hadn't expected Zhang Yu to make such a request. He furrowed his brow, raised his head to look at Zhang Yu, and said hesitantly, "May this subordinate decline?"

This was yet another answer no one had anticipated.

One truly dared to invite; the other truly dared not to go.

"Why?" Zhang Yu looked at Liao Daoyan, asking with some curiosity. "This is an opportunity."

Liao Daoyan nodded, his face showing difficulty as he said, "I know this is an opportunity, and Lord Zhang is trying to advance my career. But I don't want to leave the capital, and I don't want to leave the Ministry of Revenue. My mother is advanced in years—while one's parents live, one does not travel far. I wish to remain in the capital to care for my mother. I beg Lord Zhang to understand."

This reasoning was unbeatable.

Filial piety!

The crowd looked at Zhang Yu, wanting to see how he would react.

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "In that case, I won't press the matter. Sorry for the interruption."

With that, Zhang Yu turned and walked out.

Liao Daoyan stood in place, quietly watching Zhang Yu leave.

The matter was somewhat complicated, but in the end, he did not speak.

After leaving the Ministry of Revenue compound, Zhang Yu turned a corner and saw a very familiar carriage parked not far ahead.

He hesitated slightly, then still walked over. Standing about ten yards from the carriage, he asked warily, "Why are you following me?"