Chapter 23: Coming to the Door with a Bitter Gourd to Beg for Punishment?

  Zhang Ning's attitude made Zhang Xuan even more displeased.

  Don't look at Zhang Ning being nominally six or seven years older than Zhang Xuan, but in reality as a traverser, compared to Zhang Xuan's psychological age, Zhang Ning is just a young whippersnapper. In terms of official career, he is only a minor official, and it is even more incomparable with the former life of Zhang Xuan, who was a prominent deputy department-level cadre.

  The two girls' affairs were like smoke and jade in the past, but Zhang Ning's ruthless attitude towards Zhang Xuan had long since disappeared.

  Fearlessly staring at Zhang Ning who was almost furious, Zhang Xuan said coldly, "Second brother's words, please forgive me for not daring to accept. When did I ever go out to have fun? Today at the poetry and wine party, I also publicly asked Madame Guo and all the adults to help my eldest brother get rid of his crime... It was witnessed by everyone, just call Zhang Li over and ask him."

  "It's said that I insulted Li Linfu, this is even more absurd talk. I was just discussing the matter at hand, when did I ever mention the name Li Linfu? Throughout history and in our own dynasty, treacherous and corrupt officials have emerged one after another, must we really be so naive as to think that with Li Linfu being a high-ranking official, he would still be so foolishly sensitive?"

  "If this is a pit of fire, then I'll jump into it myself. Please rest assured, second brother, one person does things and one person takes responsibility, I absolutely won't implicate you or affect your bright future."

  Zhang Xuan's words had become extremely cold by the end.

  Although his words were directed at Zhang Ning, they also had the implication of "rebuking" Zhang Jiuyang and Zhang Jiu'gao, two elder brothers.

  Zhang Xuan had enough confidence to ensure his own safety and would not implicate his family. This accurate judgment of the situation came from his foresight into historical processes and related information, as well as his seasoned tactics. However, it was difficult for him to explain this to his family members, so he could only do so much.

  "Sly words! The most shameless one!" Zhang Ning burst into anger, "You keep saying that the treacherous minister deceived the country and manipulated the prime minister... Doesn't everyone in Chang'an know that you are hinting at Prime Minister Li? Do you think Prime Minister Li is as foolish as you? Are all people in this world as foolish as you?"

  Zhang Xuan heard this and thought to himself, "Actually you are the most foolish..."

  He coldly smiled and didn't directly respond to Zhang Ning's words, instead turning his head away.

  "What qualifications do you have to act alone and take responsibility alone? You've done such a thing, bringing disaster to the whole family, and yet you still speak with confidence and refuse to repent, truly a scourge! A star of misfortune!" Zhang Ning's words became more and more agitated, and as he spoke, he somewhat lost his composure.

  If Zhang Jiuyang and Zhang Jiugao, the two elders, had said such a thing, it would have been all right, but since Zhang Ning was only an elder brother, saying such a thing made him seem excessive.

  Liu's face suddenly turned red with rage, glaring at Zhang Ning and scolding, "You're talking about peace? You're too out of line! Xuan'er is your brother, how can you insult him like that?... In the Zhang family, it's not your turn to shout and speak nonsense!"

  Zhang Ning didn't dare to talk back to Liu Shi, so she took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in her chest, then turned around and sat down with a huff.

  Zhang Jiugao turned his head to look at Zhang Jiuming, hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Second brother, as for now, it seems that we can only take this little scoundrel to the Li family to apologize... I think that since Li Linfu is also a prime minister of the same generation, he should not be too petty to deal with a junior like him..."

  Zhang Jiurong nodded solemnly, "Third brother's words are reasonable. At this critical juncture, there is no other way but to resort to this unorthodox method. If we cannot appease Li Xiang's anger, Zhang Huan and even our entire Zhang family will be doomed..."

  Should I be tied up and taken to Li Linfu to apologize? Zhang Xuan listened to Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiugao's conversation, his face unchanged, but in his heart he secretly sneered: Do you think Li Linfu is Lin Xiangru? Li Linfu has no gentlemanly demeanor, if he really wants to take action against the Zhang family, not to mention apologizing with a humble attitude, even if the entire Zhang family kneels at their door, he won't bother.

  It can be seen that although Jiǔ Míng and Zhāng Jiǔ Gāo are siblings with Zhāng Jiǔ Lǐng, they differ greatly in political wisdom. If it were Zhāng Jiǔ Lǐng, he would not have made such a decision. Since he has already scolded, he might as well take a tougher stance, which would be more likely to gain an advantage.

  However, Zhang Xuan did not confront Zhang Jiuyi because he knew that Liu would definitely strongly oppose it if she heard about it. Since his mother Liu was "in charge", he didn't need to directly conflict with the two elders over this matter.

  As expected, Liu's eyebrows stood upright and her face turned red as she loudly exclaimed, "Uncles, this is absolutely impermissible! Xuan'er has just offended Li Linfu, and if you hand Xuan'er over to the Li family like this, Xuan'er will suffer greatly!"

  "Although Xuaner did something wrong, we can't push him into a tiger's den either!"

  "Sister, this is also a helpless move. He publicly insulted Prime Minister Li in front of everyone and stirred up big trouble... If we don't take remedial action, our whole family will be implicated in this matter." Zhang Jiuyi forced a smile and turned to explain to Liu Shi.

  "That's not going to happen, absolutely not. As long as I'm still alive, you can't take away Xun'er and harm a single hair on his head! Whoever dares to touch him, I won't agree! He is my son, the third young master of the Zhang family. Since Master Zhang is no longer in this world, what I say goes." Madame Liu said with a dark face and a low voice, suddenly standing up and giving Xun'er a signal with her eyes, "Xun'er, come, follow Mother back to our room!"

  Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, but didn't say anything else. He bowed deeply to Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiu'ao, "Uncles, I'll take my leave for now!"

  Seeing the Liu family being so unreasonable, at this time they still want to protect and dote on this good-for-nothing, Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiu'ge's faces suddenly became very unsightly.

  Bang! Watching the back of the Liu sisters leaving hand in hand, Zhang Jiuyi's anger burned fiercely as he slammed his hand on the table and stormed out.

  "Whatever, let's just accept our fate. If my brother is aware of this in the afterlife, he should know that our entire family was ruined by a single good-for-nothing...” Zhang Jiugao sighed helplessly and stood up to leave in frustration.

  The Zhang family dispersed in discontent, and the atmosphere in the mansion was tense with a sense of oppression and depression.

  In the Chang'an Cui family, which was just a street away from Zhang's residence, the Cui Xuanwei branch of the Qinghe Cui clan, Boling County Duke Cui Xuanwei's son, Shiyushi Cui Ju, and his wife and children were also holding an emergency family meeting, with the topic surprisingly related to Zhang Huan.

  Cui Ju was not very successful in his official career, but relying on the prestige of the Qinghe Cui clan, he also had a certain influence in Chang'an City and belonged to one of the upper-class nobles in Chang'an.

  Chui Ju has two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Chui Jin, is a bastard child born to concubine Zhang Shi, aged 27. The second son, Chui Huan, and the eldest daughter, Chui Ying, were born to his wife, Madame Zheng. The youngest daughter, Chui Lian, was born to servant girl Xiang Lan, who is only ten years old now.

  Cui Ju hesitated for a moment, glanced at his eldest son Cui Jin, and then turned his gaze to his legitimate son Cui Huan, saying lightly, "Huan'er, you were present at the Qujiangchi poetry and wine party today. Tell me in detail about the situation, don't leave out a single detail!"

  "Yes, Father." Choi Hwan's expression was complex as he slowly recounted in detail Zhang Xuan's stunning performance at today's poetry and wine party.

  When it comes to Zhang Huan's extraordinary talent, Cui Huan can't help but feel a little disappointed. The title of the number one talented young man in Chang'an has been taken away by Zhang Huan from now on, and he will never have a chance again; And when it comes to Zhang Huan's courage in publicly scolding Li Linfu, he can't help but feel some regret.

  After hearing Cui Huan's words, Cui Ju's face changed color for a moment. After a long time, he turned his head and looked at his wife Zheng Shi, "Madam, what do you think?"

  "Alas," sighed Zheng, "but if Master insists..."

  Cui Ju looked at Cui Jin and said in a low voice, "Jin'er, what do you think?"

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