Chapter 182: The Emperor's Worries

After parting with Song Ming, Zhang Yunxiu felt some regret.

He cursed himself silently for being impulsive, having agreed to this matter so rashly.

The Kong Family held positions of the highest authority and were revered by scholars throughout the world; if one were to move against them, it would likely be even more difficult than investigating those corrupt officials.

This was not a crusty pile of dung.

It was a hornet's nest that made one's heart tremble with fear.

However, he had never been the type to fear wolves in front and tigers behind, or to be indecisive and overly cautious. Since he had already agreed, the regret remained in his heart for only a moment before vanishing like smoke.

He looked at Han San and instructed, "Do this: first, send a few clever brothers to Qufu to scout for information. Remember, absolutely do not alert the Kong Family; this matter must be handled slowly."

"Yes." Han San responded respectfully, accepted the order, and left.

Zhang Yunxiu, feeling restless, also left the living room and headed straight for his own small bedroom.

Inside, there was a small baby crib with railings around it, and a chubby, fair-skinned baby with tiny hands and feet was lying within.

Seeing her husband enter, Zheng Xi'er slowly fastened the buttons of her blouse.

Zhang Yunxiu stepped forward quickly, and Zheng Xi'er held a jade finger to her nose, shushing him to signal for her husband to be quiet.

With a smiling nod, Zhang Yunxiu tiptoed forward, moving as stealthily as a thief.

He walked up to the crib. Looking down, he saw his daughter lying inside, curled up with a calm expression.

Seeing the innocent look of his daughter sleeping, Zhang Yunxiu's eyes held both tenderness and pride and joy.

From the wrinkled appearance she had when she was just born, to her current fair, chubby, and rosy look.

Zhang Yunxiu knew this was all thanks to Zheng Xi'er, so he gently hooked his arm around Zheng Xi'er's waist, rested his head on her shoulder, and said softly, "Xi'er, you've worked hard."

"Why say such things? We've been a married couple for years," Zheng Xi'er said, her nose tingling, pretending not to care.

"I just want to say it."

"Fine, fine, fine, say it if you want." Zheng Xi'er brushed him off and slapped away her husband's wandering hand.

Zhang Yunxiu gave an awkward laugh, released his beautiful wife, turned to look at his daughter in the crib, and reached inside.

"Sigh, don't. This little ancestor just fell asleep; if she wakes up, I'll be the one to suffer," Zheng Xi'er knit her brows and hurriedly whispered to her husband.

"It's fine, I'm just going to hold her." Zhang Yunxiu tilted his head and smiled at his wife to reassure her, but his hand didn't stop, and in the blink of an eye, he gently scooped up the little one inside.

The little one was very light, still carrying the scent of her bath and a faint fragrance of breast milk.

"Iya."

Zhang Xuan suddenly babbled, which terrified Zheng Xi'er at the side. This little ancestor had a huge temper; if she were woken up right after falling asleep, she would cry and fuss, and there would be no more rest for her.

Sure enough, Zhang Xuan's eyelashes flickered, and she slowly opened her big, watery eyes.

Zheng Xi'er slapped her forehead, thinking to herself that it was all over.

But soon, the scene before her left her stunned: she saw the father and daughter face to face, foreheads touching foreheads, nose tips touching nose tips. Zhang Xuan grinned and reached out her chubby little hand to tug at Zhang Yunxiu's ear.

She even mumbled, "Daddy."

"Yes." Zhang Yunxiu responded with a smile, picked up Zhang Xuan, brought her to the large bed, and placed her on it. Zhang Xuan, like a tiger returning to the mountains or a dragon to the sea, began to crawl around using her hands and feet.

Zhang Yunxiu rested his chin on his palms, watching all of this quietly.

Zheng Xi'er, on the side, was full of jealousy; she walked up and muttered, "What a heartless little brat. I've fed her for so long and never heard her call me, but as soon as you come, she's like this."

"Are you jealous of your daughter again?" Zhang Yunxiu teased her.

"I am, I am."

Zheng Xi'er puffed out her cheeks, suddenly showing the expression of a young woman.

Zhang Yunxiu laughed heartily. After this moment of relaxation, his restless mood dissipated significantly. The family of three was happy and harmonious; soon, Zhang Xuan grew tired from crawling, returned to her mother's arms, and closed her eyes while yawning.

"You two get some rest; I have some things to attend to outside."

"Oh, then come back early."

After leaving the small courtyard, Zhang Yunxiu headed straight for the Qianqing Palace. Upon arriving at the East Warm Pavilion, he saw the Emperor sitting in the main seat, with Wei Qing standing quietly behind the Emperor's side, looking respectful.

"Subject Zhang Yunxiu pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise."

After the formalities, the Wanli Emperor waved his hand and said impatiently, "Yunxiu, these days, the west of the city, Songjiang Prefecture, and those Silver Dollars have all earned a great deal of money; your contribution is undeniable."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty." Zhang Yunxiu gave a humble smile, then took a scroll from his bosom and presented it with both hands: "This is a precious treasure I obtained, and I have come specifically to offer it to Your Majesty."

"Oh? Then I must take a look." The Wanli Emperor waved his hand, signaling Wei Qing to take it.

Wei Qing smiled, took it from Zhang Yunxiu's hands, and returned.

The Wanli Emperor rubbed his hands together, looking at the scroll with anticipation; judging by the mounting, it should be a painting or calligraphy by a famous master.

He took it and slowly unfurled it.

Inside, he saw a line of poetry written in vigorous and powerful small regular script.

"Do not say it is hard for the common people to make a living,

It is only because all the officials are surnamed 'Greed'.

Now, look at the road to Chang'an, you see only greedy officials and no Heaven."

The Wanli Emperor read from top to bottom, so angry that his face turned livid and his features twisted.

Wei Qing, standing to the side, was also as pale as a sheet, secretly shocked, wondering why Zhang Yunxiu would present such a "filthy thing."

Wasn't this like slapping one's own face with the sole of a shoe? Taking several deep breaths, the Wanli Emperor squinted at Zhang Yunxiu and asked, "This is your treasure?"

Zhang Yunxiu nodded slightly and recounted the matters described by Song Ming one by one.

At the same time, he added fuel to the fire: "This Kong Family boasts of being descendants of the Sage, and most of the land in Qufu belongs to them; that Qufu County Magistrate has been a member of the Kong Family since the Zhao Song dynasty."

"In my opinion, this Kong Family has already become a state within a state."

The Wanli Emperor did not like the scholar-officials either; these scholar-officials spent all day thinking about being the Emperor's teachers. They seized upon his every minor mistake, and he, an Emperor, felt as if he were walking on thin ice.

However, he also deeply understood the weight of the Kong Family's status.

Unless absolutely unavoidable, you must never act rashly.

"Regarding this matter, I will dispatch officials to investigate."

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Yunxiu's cheeks flushed, and he shouted with wide, staring eyes.

"That is enough, you should rest first; you have been tired these past few days." The Wanli Emperor waved his hand impatiently, looked at Wei Qing, and said, "Go to the Inner Treasury and pick some more things to send to Director Zhang."

"Yes."

Wei Qing let out a long sigh, secretly feeling fortunate for the Emperor's protection of Zhang Yunxiu.

Next spring, Zhang Yunxiu would be graduating from the academy.

At that time, according to custom, he would be promoted to Imperial Study Attendant to the Emperor. After grinding for a few more years, serving as a Chief Examiner for one session of the Autumn Examination, he would then be able to secure another position within the Hanlin Academy.

And then continue to grind for a few more years.

Before he turned forty, it was not impossible for him to enter the Grand Secretariat.

With such a brilliant future, how could it be thrown away for the sake of a few commoners? Without waiting for Zhang Yunxiu to continue his reply, Wei Qing pushed Zhang Yunxiu and walked him outside.

(End of this chapter)