Chapter 9: Sudden Change

By the time Zhang Fu hurried back to the Zhang residence, it was already the Hour of the Dog.

Zhang Yunxiu was feeling sleepy and was just about to pick up his stool to return to his room to rest when he saw Zhang Fu approaching in a rush, so he hurriedly asked, "Has everything been taken care of?"

"It—it's a disaster!" Zhang Fu panted out two puffs of white mist and said anxiously, "That Zheng Guotai you asked me to find offended someone from the Eastern Depot and has been dragged away!"

"Ah?!" Zhang Yunxiu was startled; he lifted his robes and ran outside.

Zhang Fu, following behind, immediately gave chase, shouting as he ran, "Fifth Young Master, Fifth Young Master, slow down, slow down. Even if you run to the Eastern Depot, they might not necessarily release him."

Zhang Yunxiu stopped in his tracks, and Zhang Fu stumbled, nearly colliding head-on with him.

"Then tell me, who should we look for?"

"Look for You Qi. He and Eunuch Feng's steward, Xu Jue, are brothers who share the same pair of trousers. When it comes to matters of the Eastern Depot, as long as Eunuch Feng speaks up, nothing is a problem," Zhang Fu said with a serious expression.

"Right, right, right, look for You Qi." Zhang Yunxiu suddenly realized.

After the two spoke, they rushed together toward You Qi's small courtyard.

You Qi had originally been dallying with his newly wedded concubine and was naturally unhappy to be disturbed, but as soon as he heard it was Zhang Yunxiu, his expression changed immediately.

"I ask the Fifth Young Master to wait in the parlor; I shall come at once."

A quarter of an hour later.

You Qi finished dressing and came from the bedroom to the parlor.

He appeared to be about forty-five or forty-six years old, of medium build, with a fair complexion, refined features, and a few wisps of beard, looking quite like a scholar.

If one were to speak of their relationship, this man was actually a cousin of Zhang Juzheng, and Zhang Yunxiu had to address him as Uncle.

Seeing You Qi come out, Zhang Yunxiu hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Uncle, your nephew has a major matter and must beg for your help."

"Young Master, you flatter me." Upon hearing the word "Uncle," You Qi was humble in speech but felt very gratified inside. He looked at Zhang Yunxiu and asked directly, "Young Master, whatever the matter is, just speak it out."

As Zhang Juzheng's steward, You Qi could summon wind and rain throughout the capital's officialdom.

Not to mention fourth-rank officials, even those Vice Ministers had to be polite when they saw him and call out, "Steward You."

"I have a friend named Zheng Guotai who was taken away by people from the Eastern Depot."

"Oh, what offense did he commit?" You Qi asked with a frown.

Zhang Fu, standing to the side, interjected, "He just has a loose mouth. I don't know what kind of madness took him, but he offended a gambling den owner. The gambling den owner has someone backing him, so he got him thrown in."

"Heh, I thought it was something serious." You Qi grinned and added, "For such a small matter, why would you need to be anxious, Young Master? As long as we declare our household's name, would the Eastern Depot dare not release him?"

"Young Master, you can rest easy. At the latest, by tomorrow morning, the person will definitely be sent back to you."

Hearing You Qi say this, Zhang Yunxiu let out a long sigh of relief, then said a few pleasantries before turning to leave.

Having walked only a few steps, he turned back to remind him, "This person has a significant background; make sure those fellows at the Eastern Depot don't cause any trouble."

You Qi nodded in agreement, feeling disdain in his heart: No matter how big his background is, can it be bigger than your father's?

After seeing Zhang Yunxiu off, You Qi did not return to continue his previous activities, but instead headed toward Zhang Juzheng's residence.

The two stood according to the etiquette of master and servant. You Qi stood with his hands hanging down and said respectfully, "Master, the Fifth Young Master just came to find me, saying he wants to go to the Eastern Depot to save a friend named Zheng Guotai."

"What does he do?" Zhang Juzheng asked with a frown.

"I don't know. In any case, I have never heard of this name; he shouldn't be anyone of importance," You Qi replied hurriedly.

In the capital, You Qi was clear about every person of status. Yet he had never heard of any noble person named Zheng Guotai, and it was strange that the Fifth Young Master valued him so highly.

After listening, Zhang Juzheng waved his hand: "Do not pay any attention to that brat. Oh, right, go notify Xu Jue; if that brat comes begging at his door, there is no need to pay him any mind either."

"Ah?!"

"Ah what!" Zhang Juzheng stood up, eyes wide, and looked at You Qi, saying, "This rebellious son has just arrived in the capital and is already associating with such disreputable friends. If he is not disciplined, what will become of him?"

"Then, how should I answer the Young Master?"

"Answer what? If he has any questions, let him come find me himself."

You Qi understood now; the Master wanted to dampen the young son's arrogance so he wouldn't be so ignorant of the heights of the world.

It was all well and good, but as a steward caught in the middle, he was the one suffering from both sides.

"Yes." You Qi agreed, but his feet did not move. "Go on, what are you still standing there for?" Zhang Juzheng urged.

"Master, something has happened at my home, and I may need to leave the capital for a period of time." You Qi gave a sheepish smile and bowed, "I hope the Master will allow me to return to handle family matters."

How could Zhang Juzheng not know the mind of this slippery fellow? He furrowed his brows, glared at You Qi, and waved his hand: "Go, go. Handle your family affairs, then return."

"Many thanks, Master." You Qi cupped his hands in thanks, stepped out, and did not forget to close the door for Zhang Juzheng.

With a "clack," Zhang Juzheng sat back in his original seat, narrowing his eyes and focusing his mind, his expression somber, as if pondering something.

As the morning light first appeared, the sleepless Zhang Yunxiu dragged his weary body up from the bed. Looking outside, today's sunlight was exceptionally brilliant, and the breeze was gentle.

He suddenly felt in a great mood, and after tidying his clothes, he stepped out of his room.

According to his routine, Zhang Yunxiu should have eaten breakfast first, then started his morning studies and calligraphy practice. But today he truly had no heart for food and headed straight for You Qi's residence.

Just as he arrived, a beautiful young woman stepped forward and bowed, saying sweetly, "Our master had some matters at home and had to return to Jiangling. As for the matter the Young Master asked him to handle, I fear it cannot be done."

Oh, this!

Zhang Yunxiu felt as if he were falling apart.

He soon calmed down and mused: How could it be such a coincidence? Everything was fine last night, and today he tells me there is trouble at home?

Indeed, just as You Qi said, wasn't this just a matter of lifting a finger? Would he risk offending himself over this? After some calculation, Zhang Yunxiu understood in an instant.

Old Zhang!

This must be Old Zhang playing tricks behind the scenes.

Aside from him, there was no one else who could make You Qi so obedient.

Thinking of this, a sense of frustration rose in Zhang Yunxiu's heart.

He had no power or influence of his own; everything he relied on was Zhang Juzheng's influence. As long as he refused to lend that influence to him, he was nothing but a good-for-nothing.

After bowing his head in silence for a few seconds, Zhang Yunxiu looked up, bowed to the beautiful young woman, and stepped back to leave the courtyard.

Turning to the dining hall, Zhang Juzheng was sitting, leaning against a young woman.

The woman was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a pair of phoenix eyes with triangular corners, two willow-leaf eyebrows slanted upwards, vermilion lips and pearly teeth, and skin as fair as jade and ice, looking delicate and moving.

She was none other than Zhang Juzheng's fifth concubine, Yuqin.

Zhang Yunxiu's biological mother, Zhang Juzheng's legal wife Wang Shi, passed away in the seventh year of Wanli, and Zhang Juzheng had never remarried, though he had taken quite a few concubines.

"Father." Zhang Yunxiu stepped inside and immediately bowed to both of them, "Auntie."

The woman stood up to return the greeting, while Zhang Juzheng sat upright and motionless, pointing to the seat beside him with his finger.

Zhang Yunxiu took the seat, a maid brought over a bowl and chopsticks, and Zhang Yunxiu took them and buried his head to eat.

During the meal, Zhang Yunxiu looked up and stole a glance at his father from the corner of his eye.

Seeing his complexion appeared slightly ruddy, he felt a wave of relief in his heart, but upon seeing this delicate and flower-like concubine, his heart sank to the bottom again.

The doctor had already said to abstain from sexual activity; it had only been ten days, could he not hold back?

And there was also old Qi, who often sent his father things like "thousand-gold beauties" and "Haigou Pill"; who could withstand this stuff?

"Father, your complexion looks much better." Zhang Yunxiu looked at the two of them, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, and could not help but speak up.

"That's right, Master, your complexion has indeed improved a lot." Yuqin blinked her apricot eyes and chimed in.

Zhang Juzheng did not answer, but stared straight at his son and snorted: "What kind of fox friends and dog companions, rascals and scoundrels, and street hoodlums are you associating with?

Starting tomorrow, you will study diligently for me; if you do not pass this Autumn Examination, see how I deal with you!"

Zhang Yunxiu gave an "oh" and helplessly agreed.

After finishing breakfast, Zhang Yunxiu went to the study to review his books.

After reading for an hour, he saw Zhang Juzheng leave the house, so he immediately called for Zhang Fu and headed straight for the residence of his fourth brother, Zhang Jianxiu.

(End of this chapter)