Chapter 5389 The Zhang Family of Mei Niang

Chapter 5389 Mei Niang Returns Home
Fang Jun was perfectly aware of Xu Jingzong's purpose in visiting today. The fact that he was willing to come and clear up the "misunderstanding" and "reconcile" despite His Majesty's suspicions was truly remarkable. He could only praise Xu Jingzong's thick skin and low moral standards, which were rare throughout history.

Even though he didn't suppress Xu Jingzong as thoroughly as he did Li Yifu, it doesn't mean he was a pushover who could be tolerant and magnanimous when betrayed.

Therefore, he bluntly stated: "There are countless paths in the world, and choosing which one to take is a matter of personal interest, which is perfectly understandable. However, once a path is chosen, one should walk straight ahead. Turning back halfway will only lead to going astray, which is something a wise person would not do."

Since you have chosen His Majesty, then follow him closely and bear all the hardships along the way. Even if you are used as cannon fodder, don't complain.

Xu Jingzong sighed as he drank his tea. The fragrant tea tasted bitter as it went down his throat, and he was filled with regret.

The reason he pledged allegiance to His Majesty and betrayed Fang Jun was twofold: firstly, he couldn't resist the allure of the position of Grand Secretary, and what was wrong with wanting to advance his career? Secondly, he believed that as long as he served as Grand Secretary and assisted His Majesty, he would surely be able to revitalize imperial power and curb the power of the Crown Prince.

But now all his efforts have failed. Not only did he fail to secure the position of Grand Secretary, he almost lost his post as Minister of Rites. Ma Zhou, who was promoted to Grand Secretary, was known for his impartiality and selflessness, while Pei Huaijie, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, was an incompetent fool...

How can this team compete with the Eastern Palace team led by Fang Jun?
If one day a coup occurs in the Taiji Palace and His Majesty issues an edict to abdicate and flee to the Daming Palace to "become the Retired Emperor," he wouldn't be surprised...

Fang Jun's attitude was already very clear. Not holding a grudge against him or seeking revenge was already extremely magnanimous. There was absolutely no possibility of "reconciliation" or "returning to the right path".

Xu Jingzong couldn't help but complain: "Grand Commandant should know that when I was in the academy, I was very diligent and self-disciplined. Those so-called misappropriation of public funds and embezzlement of money and silk were nothing but fabrications. Even if there were occasional oversights that caused discrepancies in the accounts, I never embezzled a single penny."

The evidence presented by the Censorate to impeach him must be a mixture of truth and falsehood, with more falsehoods than truths. But as an official, who can guarantee that the amount of money and silk he handles is crystal clear and meticulous? To seize upon any mistake and launch an attack would be a loss of composure.

He wasn't dissatisfied, he was just frustrated. If things were to be turned upside down like this, how many people would be left in the court?

Fang Jun slowly sipped his tea, and upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Impeaching Minister Xu on charges of embezzlement is indeed unethical, but I ask Minister Xu to believe that this will cause you the least harm. If we had used another method, the consequences would have been beyond my control... You don't think we can't find any other dirt on you, do you?"

Xu Jingzong: "..."

He's the smartest person; he remembers every single thing he's done that he shouldn't have done.

As Fang Jun said, he regarded the academy as a stepping stone when he was in school, so he worked hard and was strict with himself. Even if he made a mistake or two and was impeached, it would only hinder his progress and would not damage his fundamentals.

But if all his words and deeds over the years were gathered together and impeached, then things would be in serious trouble, and even His Majesty might not be able to protect him...

He then smiled wryly and said, "In that case, I should thank the Grand Commandant for showing mercy."

Fang Jun waved his hand: "There's no need for that. I just think that although you are morally corrupt and have bad character, you are truly outstanding in ability. The court needs people like you to do some dirty and hard work... such as measuring fields, which would offend all the powerful families in the country. I can't possibly do it myself, can I?"

Xu Jingzong: "..."

No matter which side I'm on, I can only be a "lackey," right?

While that is indeed the case, such blunt words are truly hurtful to one's self-esteem...

He could no longer sit still, so he stood up and bowed: "I am sorry for my presumptuous visit today, Grand Commandant. I only ask that you believe that I have not forgotten your kindness in helping me. If you ever need my help in the future, I will go through fire and water for you, even at the cost of my life."

Fang Jun didn't take it seriously: "Take those words to appease His Majesty; there's no need to tell me."

Xu Jingzong said no more and could only bid farewell and leave with a heavy heart.

Fang Jun didn't act arrogantly. He had someone bring a box of black tea as a return gift and personally escorted him to the door. Just then, a caravan of carriages sped by through the wind and snow and stopped outside the gate. Dozens of cavalrymen dismounted and opened the side gate to drive the carriages into the mansion. In the middle of the caravan, a four-wheeled carriage opened its door, and Wu Meiniang, dressed in a sable fur coat and embroidered with colorful patterns, stepped off the carriage on a stool. Beside her, a maid held up an umbrella to shield her from the falling snow.

As the beauty turned her head, she saw that her beloved had come to the door to greet her. Her heart warmed instantly, and she smiled.

A glance and a smile make her look charming.

But upon seeing Xu Jingzong beside her husband, she realized that her husband was seeing off a guest...

As she walked to the door with her skirts fluttering, she curtsied and said, "So it is Minister Xu who has come to visit. I am here to greet you."

Faced with this stunningly beautiful woman, Xu Jingzong, despite being a minister of six ministries and a third-rank official, dared not be arrogant in the slightest.

She turned slightly to the side, refusing to accept the full greeting, and then returned the greeting with clasped hands: "So it is Lady Wu returning to the mansion. Lady Wu is in charge of the business in Luoyang. She has single-handedly made the scale of the maritime trade increase year after year, and her reputation resounds throughout the world. She is a woman who is not inferior to men. I admire her greatly."

Although this woman is only a concubine of the Fang family, since she can manage many of the Fang family's businesses and sit in Luoyang to run the business, and it is said that Fang Xuanling can also listen to her opinions, who can regard her as a concubine?
Moreover, Xu Jingzong was not a moral gentleman and had no fastidiousness about morality, so he did not find it inappropriate for a concubine to return the courtesy.

Even though she was a concubine, she was still Fang Jun's favored concubine...

Wu Meiniang smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling and her teeth white, her charm flowing: "I dare not accept Minister Xu's praise. Minister Xu is loyal and chaste, a pillar of the empire, and a model for all people."

Xu Jingzong: "..."

He was speechless, but he wasn't sure if the words were sarcastic. After all, Wu Meiniang had just returned from Luoyang and might not know that he had betrayed Fang Jun... But these words were barbed, so it was best not to dwell on them.

He turned back and bowed to Fang Jun again: "I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Fang Jun smiled and nodded without saying a word. He simply waved for a servant to hand over the box of black tea, and watched Xu Jingzong walk out the door, board the carriage, and disappear into the snow-covered streets.

Wu Meiniang stepped forward and took her husband's arm, smiling brightly: "Has this fellow come to apologize with a bundle of thorns on his back?"

Although he was in Luoyang, the two places were easily accessible and frequented by merchants, so he naturally knew about Xu Jingzong's betrayal and therefore showed no respect in his words.

Fang Jun shook his head: "If he were to apologize with a bundle of thorns on his back, where would that leave His Majesty? He's just trying to go back to his old flame."

"Ah!"

Wu Meiniang gave a coquettish snort: "Spilled water cannot be gathered up again, and a broken mirror cannot be mended. How could he not know this principle? He is nothing but shameless and shameless. His frank visit is just to make his husband feel embarrassed to retaliate against him."

Fang Jun was unwilling to discuss this topic, and asked with a smile, "Was the journey peaceful?"

Wu Meiniang's radiant face held a hint of arrogance: "The caravan bears our family crest. Of the 360 ​​provinces of the empire, which one is not at peace?"

The couple stood in front of the door, holding hands. Wu Meiniang held an umbrella with her bare hand as snowflakes fell, her fur coat elegant and dignified. Fang Jun wore a round-necked casual suit and a turban, but his back was straight and he looked heroic, undaunted by the wind and snow.

After exchanging a few words, they walked back to the mansion together.

The family already knew that Wu Meiniang had returned home, and many servants and maids stood by the roadside to greet her and pay their respects. No one in the entire family dared to underestimate Wu Meiniang, and they all treated her with the utmost respect.

Wu Meiniang followed her husband with a smile and said to the servants, "During the New Year, I brought back some gifts from Luoyang to be distributed later. Everyone will receive a share and share in the joy."

"Thank you, madam."

The servants were overjoyed and thanked them loudly.

This lady has always been magnanimous and capable, and she is especially generous with her rewards...

Fang Jun led Wu Meiniang to the main hall in the front courtyard to pay their respects to Fang Xuanling and his wife.

After exchanging greetings, Madam Lu took Wu Meiniang's hand and sat her down beside her. She looked her up and down and saw that she hadn't lost weight and was looking radiant, so she was relieved. But she couldn't help but complain, "Why should a woman like you go out into the world to do business in Luoyang? It's not that I don't approve of you doing these things, but living apart like this all the time isn't a long-term solution. You're both still young, and you should be a harmonious couple with many children and grandchildren."

She did not approve of Wu Meiniang leaving home for Luoyang, but Fang Xuanling specifically instructed her that Wu Meiniang was different from others and should not be treated as a concubine. She would definitely become Erlang's virtuous helpmate, and told her to mind her own business...

Wu Meiniang smiled gently, held Lu Shi's hand, and said softly, "Mother, don't worry. The empire is now expanding its territory overseas, and the scale of maritime trade is growing day by day. There is an urgent need for someone to be stationed in Luoyang to plan and command the whole situation. However, once this wave of events has stabilized and the people below have been trained to take charge of the overall situation, I will honestly go home to serve my parents."

Fang Xuanling, who was talking to Fang Jun about Xu Jingzong, put down his teacup and said to Wu Meiniang, "Why do we need you to serve us? As long as you two are of one mind and work together, we, as your parents, will only be gratified. Besides, I have always thought highly of you and believe that you have the spirit of a heroine, so you don't need to be bound by those formalities. Do whatever you want, and I will support you."

Wu Zetian was deeply moved. How fortunate she was to have such enlightened parents-in-law!
Madam Lu sighed again: "My younger sister is getting married after the New Year. Da Lang's family wrote that they have already set off from Japan. I don't know if they will be able to get home before the New Year."

She was extremely dissatisfied with her eldest son's family going to Japan.

In her view, since Erlang already had a title, her husband's title would naturally be inherited by Dalang. The crisis of siblings turning against each other in other families over the inheritance of titles no longer existed in the Fang family. So she could just stay at home and wait to inherit the title. Why bother going across the ocean to teach in Japan?

Those Japanese are short, despicable, and unworthy of reading the books of Chinese sages.