Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 304 Secluded in the Western Hills, spending my remaining years

The day after Zhang Jun returned home, Zhang instructed his family to invite Zheng's father and brothers to his home. Such matters especially needed to be resolved quickly and decisively; dragging things out would only create more complications.

"I have truly failed you, my in-laws, regarding what happened to Qilang the other day. If it weren't for other matters keeping me occupied, I would have already planned to personally apologize. Now that I have been summoned by Lord Yan, I dare not refuse. I and my sons will respectfully receive any admonitions you may have, Lord Yan."

Zheng Ai was about the same age as Zhang Shuo, but looked older. She said that Zhang Shuo had come to investigate the matter of causing Zhang Yi's injury, and apologized repeatedly after arriving.

When he saw Zhang Dai, he smiled and said, "This must be Liu Lang! Indeed, you have a remarkable demeanor. No wonder you are famous throughout the capital. I heard that Liu Lang has passed the imperial examinations with flying colors and has already been appointed to an official post. He will surely become famous in the imperial court in the future!"

Zheng's brothers were all all smiles. They first greeted Zhang and apologized, then showered Zhang Dai with compliments. As for their brother-in-law Zhang Jun, whose face was gloomy, they simply ignored him.

They probably still felt that they had ruined Zhang Jun's legitimate son, and Zhang Jun hated them intensely, so naturally he wouldn't give them a friendly look, and they didn't bother to go looking for trouble.

Zhang did not respond to them much. After they arrived, he immediately led them to a relatively secluded courtyard in the mansion, without entertaining them in the main hall.

"Lord Yan, Lord Yan, there was a reason for what happened that day; it wasn't something the family did on purpose..."

When the Zheng family father and son saw that they could no longer even get a seat in the guest hall, they were naturally very flustered. In particular, after hearing that Zhang Dai had recently broken the leg of Wang Chongjun of the North Gate, they couldn't help but secretly suspect that the Zhang family grandfather and grandson might be planning to take revenge on them at home.
"Shut up! I summoned you and your son here because I have something to tell you. I don't want the outsiders to know too much, so as to save face for your Zheng family!"

Zhang was in a bad mood, and upon hearing the father and son's hurried explanations, he immediately roared.

After the father and sons were led into the courtyard, Zhang dismissed the others, leaving only some trusted servants, and then told the Zheng father and son what had happened: "Your daughter has done such a thing, actually using witchcraft in my house and intending to harm people!"

Why does the Duke of Yan say this?

"How can this be……"

Upon hearing this, the Zheng father and son reacted much like Zhang Jun had the day before, both looking incredulous before shaking their heads and waving their hands in denial.

"Bring them the evidence!"

Zhang Shuo was too lazy to waste any more words with them, so he immediately beckoned his servants to bring up the evidence that had been prepared in advance. What was presented to the Zheng family members were naturally other amulets related to matters between men and women.

Zhang Jun, who had been silent all along, grew increasingly grim upon seeing the props. But he quickly noticed his father's cold, piercing gaze, and hastily channeled his emotions, jumping up and down and shouting, "Outrageous! The Zheng family, a prestigious clan, has unexpectedly raised such a jealous and vicious woman..."

"This, this... Lord Yan, please calm your anger. Where is my daughter? I would like to inquire in person. How dare I..."

Zheng Ai was still trying to confront Zheng Shi face to face, while Zhang Shuo glared and roared, "You old man, you have not taught your daughter well. Do you think I am trying to frame you? If you don't believe my family's words, then let your family members speak for themselves!"

As he spoke, he ordered Su Qiniang and several other women who had accompanied Zheng to the dowry to be brought up, and then ordered them to give an explanation to Zheng and his son.

These women had, of course, been prepared beforehand. If they were willing to cooperate and confess, their families could be spared, and their lives could be spared.

This was undoubtedly a very worthwhile deal for them. After all, using witchcraft to murder a concubine's son or a husband was a very serious matter. These servants were suspected of instigating it, and if they were investigated, they would probably not survive.

Now, the Zhang family only wants to clear Zhang Dai's name so that they can greatly reduce their punishment. Of course, they are happy to change their testimonies. Therefore, they all say in unison that Zheng Shi used witchcraft to murder Zhang Jun and the woman he was betrothed to.

"Lord Yan, please forgive us! Please forgive us! We knew absolutely nothing about this matter, we really knew nothing. If we had heard even the slightest bit, we would have strongly advised against it and would never have dared to let it go unpunished..."

Seeing that there were witnesses and physical evidence, Zheng and his son panicked and knelt down in front of Zhang, begging for mercy while trying to distance themselves from the situation.

"Enough with the nonsense! After what has happened, my family can no longer tolerate this woman! My original intention was to hand her over to the authorities, but considering that your Zheng family still has some social standing and reputation, I have summoned you and your son to discuss divorcing her. Do you have any objections?"

Zhang looked at the father and his sons and asked in a deep voice, "No, no, thank you for your magnanimity, Lord Yan!"

The Zheng family members dared not utter another word of objection. If this matter were brought to the authorities, their family's reputation would likely be ruined. At that point, not only would they be unable to extort huge sums of money from others as dowry, but it would also be uncertain whether their children could even get married.

The divorce papers had already been prepared. One was a formal divorce agreement stating things like "incompatibility," while the other was a very blunt one, clearly stating that Zheng had committed the crime of witchcraft and sorcery, and including the confessions and signatures of the witnesses.

The Zheng father and son each picked up a pen and signed their names on the divorce agreement, but when they looked at the letter of separation again, they hesitated and were unwilling to sign their names.

Zhang Shuo naturally wouldn't let them evade the main issue. Seeing this, he simply snorted coldly and said, "If you and your son don't need this face, then speak your mind. Hand the matter over to the authorities right now, and let them make a clear judgment and punish those who deserve it!"

"No need, no need. If we take this to the authorities, not only will my family be in a difficult situation, but the Yan family will also be in trouble... It's best to handle this now so that we can maintain harmony."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Ai hurriedly said that, fearing Zhang might change his mind, she quickly picked up a pen and signed her name, and then ordered her sons to also sign their names to settle the matter quickly.

"You old hag, you still have the nerve to be so polite! Your woman has harmed me like this, how can you still have the nerve to..."

Zhang Jun was getting a little carried away with his role at this moment, pointing at his father-in-law and cursing loudly: "I worked diligently and tirelessly in another state, hoping only for a harmonious family, a virtuous wife, and filial children, but I never expected that my wife would use curses to harm me, and my children would be burdened by evil relatives. I have a grudge against this old man for generations, yet he would try to harm me like this!"

Upon hearing this, the Zheng family members felt even more ashamed, and each lowered their heads and remained silent, letting Zhang Jun jump up and down and curse them.

"From now on, the feud between the two families is settled and there is no further connection between them. You may leave now, woman."

Zhang said that he had the two divorce papers put away, with two copies of the divorce agreement and the other copy given to the Zheng family.

He suddenly frowned and said, "Although we have no further connection, I still need to ask you and your son how you intend to settle this woman after bringing her back. No matter how you try to smooth things over, if I hear any rumors slandering my son, I will not let you off easily! Not only will I expose the truth of this matter to the public, but I will also investigate your family's crime of slandering a minister. If your family has any peace, it will be because I have broken my promise!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jun was secretly moved; his father still cared about him after all. But when he thought about how he was taking the blame for his son, he felt bitter and started cursing at the Zheng family father and son again.

"No, no... It's just that this matter happened so suddenly, and my family was really unprepared. Bringing this woman home will inevitably cause gossip. This, this really is not something we intended to leak or slander..."

Upon hearing this, the Zheng father and son looked troubled again. If this matter were to be leaked, it would undoubtedly cause the most damage to their family. Naturally, they dared not take the initiative to discuss the leak. However, the sudden divorce and return home of a woman who had been married for many years was undoubtedly suspicious, and their relatives would surely interrogate them endlessly.

"Alright then, settle this woman in my villa outside the city. After you and your son return, make the arrangements as soon as possible. Once everything is settled, bring her back. Be sure to keep this shameful woman and her scandalous affair hidden in the house and do not let outsiders know about it!"

Zhang said in a deep voice, and as expected, the Zheng family father and son immediately nodded in agreement after hearing this compromise. They really couldn't think of a proper way to deal with this hot potato, and they were naturally very happy that the Zhang family was willing to take them in temporarily.

When Zhang asked them again if they wanted to see Zheng, Zheng Ai seemed tempted. He remembered that his daughter had helped a lot with the family affairs after marrying into the Zhang family. However, his sons shook their heads and waved their hands, dragging their father away, afraid that if they stayed any longer, they would not be able to get rid of this trouble.

After sending the Zheng family father and son away, Zhang Shuo breathed a sigh of relief and raised his hand to order, "Burn all the evil things. Send that Zheng woman and the several culpable servants to Xishan Temple for safekeeping. Do not let them go out and see anyone. We will deal with them after a period of time."

Zheng was also imprisoned in the small courtyard attic. She saw everything clearly from inside the building when Zhang said he was negotiating with his father and brothers. She thought that her father and brothers' visit would surely bring about a change in the situation, but in the end, she found that her father and brothers not only did not help her, but also abandoned her here like trash, and did not even want to see her. This made her even more heartbroken.

Previously, a servant woman had restrained her from crying out, but now, as she was dragged out of the attic, she wailed loudly, "Grandfather, Grandfather, spare me! Husband, husband, don't you care about our two children? How can you bear to let them lose their mother? Sixth Brother, I was wrong! Please, please, please, please forgive me! From now on, I will treat you as my own daughter, and I will find you a beautiful woman from a noble family to be your wife. My family, my family still has..."

Having experienced the ups and downs of officialdom, Zhang Shuo could be described as having a heart of stone; upon hearing the pleas for mercy, he simply turned a deaf ear. Zhang Dai, as the main victim of the plot, was even less likely to do anything foolish like repaying evil with kindness.

Only Zhang Jun, upon hearing Zheng's cries, immediately showed a sorrowful expression, but said nothing. Only after Zheng had been dragged away did he cover his face, weep, and sigh deeply, saying, "How could this be? How could this be! In middle age, I wandered the world, leaving my father and mother with no hope of returning. Now, my wife and children are gone, and I've become a widower. I haven't achieved fame, and my family is ruined..."

(End of this chapter)