Chapter 364 – Almost Choked with Anger

Chapter 364 - Almost Choked with Anger

Yun Li returned in high spirits, nearly causing the Empress Dowager to have a fit of anger.

However, after Yun Li's outburst, the Empress Dowager became more lucid.

Yes, she wasn't Zhang Tong's real grandmother in the public eye.

So, indeed, there were some matters she couldn't intervene in too strictly.

The marriage of the Zhang family was an imperial edict. Unless Zhang Zizhi died, even if the Yang family didn't work out, there would be other options.

But if Zhang Zizhi were to die at this crucial moment, the emperor wouldn't pretend ignorance.

Why bother? Hua Ying's passing was already a fact, and in the end, the Empress Dowager hadn't done anything further.

The Zhang family, fearing that things might change over time, hurriedly arranged for the betrothal, wedding, and all the chaos within three months after receiving the imperial decree.

The Yang family had no complaints either. Their daughter was indeed of marriageable age and couldn't be delayed any longer.

All the dowry had been accumulated and prepared years ago.

Now, with an imperial edict granting the marriage, it could be considered a prestigious match. There was little room for the second wife to complain.

The one suffering the most was Zhang Tong. After being sent back to the manor, she had expected her grandmother to summon her to the palace within a few days.

Thus, she had humbled herself for a few days, anticipating that the time was near.

Unexpectedly, day after day passed without her grandmother's summons. Instead, a governess arrived to teach her lessons.

She was to receive a thorough education.

And then came the news of her father remarrying.

Each passing day was torturous for her; how could she endure it? Naturally, she began to protest.

But Niu was no pushover; if you caused a scene, you didn't eat.

You could only continue your tantrum as long as your empty stomach allowed it.

Enough with the jests; she was to be treated with the finest delicacies and instructed in proper conduct and modesty.

It didn't take a month for Zhang Tong to submit. She had no choice – it was too much to bear.

Although the Empress Dowager undoubtedly cherished her now, there might still be a tinge of resentment hidden in her heart.

Especially after being questioned by Yun Li, her anger shifted towards Zhang Tong.

If not for her daughter's insubordination, her aged dignity wouldn't have been trampled upon.

Unable to bear his sister's suffering, Zhang Yong left the palace to retrieve her from the Zhang residence.

The old Marquis sat, staring at his grandson, "What did you say? You came to demand someone?"

"Indeed! My sister wishes to return to the palace, so why do you hinder her? Return to the palace? This is where she belongs."

Madam Niu's gaze was cold, "Your sister has erred, and the Emperor has punished her by confining her to the family residence for reflection. You come to summon her back? Back to the palace? This is her true home."

"Grandmother hasn't uttered a word. Why do you concern yourselves so much? Who knows the real circumstances?" Zhang Yong argued.

"Why? Because you all bear the Zhang name. You're descendants of the Zhang family. The Empress Dowager has always shown favor to your elder sister, so she cares for you. Does that mean you can deny your ancestors?" the old marquis demanded angrily.

"Grandfather and Grandmother, don't pretend ignorance. You know very well why," Zhang Yong huffed.

He had long known that Hua Ying was actually the Empress Dowager's biological child, but he couldn't say it out loud.

"What do you know? What should we know?" Lady Niu looked at him coldly. "Are you here today to sever ties with the Zhang family?"

Just then, Zhang Zizhi rushed in, followed by his younger brothers.

Zhang Yong felt nervous but still said, "I'm not, but even if I were to establish my own household, my sister would live with me."

"Throughout history, elders have expelled their juniors from the family. Since you've said this, go beg the Emperor to grant you a manor and sever ties with the Zhang family. We'll erase both your names from the family registry. From then on, we'll have nothing to do with each other." Lady Niu spoke coldly.

Her words carried weight, a significant matter in ancient times. She was deliberately intimidating Zhang Yong.

Sure enough, Zhang Yong didn't dare agree.

"I didn't mean that," he said.

"In the presence of elders, you address me so casually. When your father arrives, you don't even bow to greet him. Your uncles stand before you, and you don't extend a simple greeting. The Emperor granted you and your sister titles out of pity for you losing your birth mother at such a young age. Yet, you use these titles to confront your own family. You're oblivious to the distinction between inside and outside. Today, either sever your ties with the Zhang family, and we won't crave your wealth. Or, properly apologize, or even if you don't submit a petition, we will. The Zhang family doesn't need descendants who forget their roots," Niú said angrily.

Zhāng Yǒng fell silent for a moment, realizing that some words were better left unsaid.

If he truly severed ties with the Zhangs, the world would only condemn him for his lack of filial piety.

So, he knelt again, "It was my fault. Forgive me, Father, and my uncles. Grandfather and Grandmother, please forgive me too. But I must see my sister today."

Zhāng Zǐzhì felt a chill in his heart, remaining silent throughout the entire exchange.

When Huá Yīng was alive, he genuinely doted on his children. After her passing, they seldom appeared in the estate.

He still cared, reminisced, and thought about them often.

However, as they grew older, their time in the palace lengthened, and their visits home became rarer.

Upon returning, they carried an air of arrogance, no longer able to maintain harmonious relationships with their cousins.

He had always believed that they were still young and would mature with age.

Now, he didn't even know if the two children would ever grow to be sensible.

Zhang Zizhi cherished his children, even amidst his heartache.

But Niu and Old Master already understood Zhang Yong's siblings' character.

As grandparents, they had more than just these two grandchildren.

There were numerous other grandchildren, so could they really neglect the others because of these two?

"No need for a meeting. When the Emperor returns to the capital, we'll have a plan. You can either stay or enter the palace." Niu didn't need to return to the palace herself.

It was as if she had never left in the first place.

Of course, staying was out of the question. Zhang Yong reluctantly bid farewell, holding his nose.

While outsiders might not know the details, they could still grasp the general situation.

Especially those within the palace who had been paying attention.

The Empress Dowager was furious and refused to see Lady Zhang. At this moment, her emotions were truly entangled.

Her love for her children was undeniable, but these two children were indeed a source of worry.

Yun Li, with a smile on her face, enjoyed her grapes. "How admirable, the Zhang family indeed has backbone."

They refused to seek refuge under the Empress Dowager's protection.

On the 15th of August, the palace received news from His Majesty. They planned to set off on the 19th and estimated that they would return to the capital in about half a month.

This meant that they would be back by early September.

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in the palace was held in the Imperial Garden. The Empress Dowager cited an illness and did not attend.

With her absence, the Empress didn't bother much to invite her either; if she didn't come, then she didn't come.

Oddly enough, because she didn't attend, the imperial consorts also abstained from coming. There was nothing they could do about it.

Most of the imperial consorts still had to rely on the Empress Dowager's favor to navigate their days.

However, all the imperial relatives who remained in the capital had joined the celebration.

This Mid-Autumn family banquet was rather lively.

That being said, Princess Zhang and the Second Prince, as mother and son, were absent. There was no need to mention Princess Zhang; she was confined.

The Second Prince only mentioned that he was still unwell, likely too ashamed to attend.

Regardless of whether they came or not, those present were all in good spirits.

Yun Li raised her cup, smiling warmly. "Empress, this concubine offers you a toast. Another Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived, how time flies."

"Squeak, squeak, squeak, it's late, it's late."