Chapter 20: A Stone Stirs Up Three Layers of Waves

  Cough! Cough!

  Yang Kai caught the gaze of Madame Guo, and lightly cleared his throat twice. With a bitter smile, he looked at Zhang Xuan's slightly flushed face and sighed, "The young master of the Zhang family is indeed not to be underestimated. However, today is a poetry and wine banquet, let's not discuss national affairs. Hehe, little brother should first take a seat and drink some wine to have fun - come on, let the music begin!"

  Wang Wei and Qiu Wei also hastily chimed in, waving their hands to signal Zhang Xuan to quickly come down.

  In the hearts of both men, Zhang Huan was still young and vigorous, momentarily confused and excessively indignant, saying some excessive words. If it had ended there, without malicious people exaggerating and spreading them, it wouldn't have caused such a big stir - surely Li Linfu wouldn't take action against a young member of the Zhang family with no official title or background?

  The musicians in the mansion of Madame Guo played a magnificent tune, and more than ten beautiful dancing girls with slender figures appeared on stage, their colorful sleeves fluttering as they danced. The atmosphere of embarrassment and dullness was quickly dispelled by the beauty of the dance and music.

  Zhang Xuan's goal has been achieved, so it is natural to stop while one is ahead and step down in an orderly manner.

  He sat down calmly and quietly as usual.

  "All right, I'll remember that. I'll make a trip to the palace when I have time and plead your case to His Majesty. The innocent are self-clearing, you just set your mind at ease." Madame Guo glanced at Zhang Xuan and suddenly leaned over to whisper softly.

  "Thank you, Mrs." Zhang Xuan secretly rejoiced in his heart.

  He, who was well-versed in history, knew the position of this beautiful woman in the heart of the current emperor. Because Li Longji had favored Yang Guifei too much, he also took care of the three sisters of the Yang family out of love for her. Among the three sisters of the Yang family, Princess Guo was the most favored one.

  If Lady Guo would really enter the palace to speak personally for Zhang Huan, Li Longji might give her this face. It's possible that he would pardon Zhang Huan, although it's impossible for him to continue as an official, at least his life would be spared. Later events proved that Zhang Huan had made a correct bet.

  Of course, this is not the key to the problem. The key to the problem is that Li Longji must have known that Zhang Huan's case was a frame-up orchestrated by Li Linfu to trap Crown Prince Li Xian, and Zhang Huan was just a scapegoat.

  Li Longji may have used thunderous means to wrongly kill Zhang Huan, not giving Li Linfu's party time to make waves; but at the same time, it is also possible that he spared Zhang Huan and used his authority to suppress this unjust case, letting it fade away.

  It is a sensitive moment now. Li Linfu is seriously ill, others do not know, but Li Longji must have a number in his heart. Therefore, the influence of Li Linfu on the emperor's mind is much worse, at this time, as long as Consort Guo enters the palace to plead for Zhang Huan, Li Longji will lift his hand and Zhang Huan will also get a chance to survive.

  Madam Guo let out a soft sigh, the charming smile on her face suddenly disappeared, and she spoke in a gentle but serious tone, "You little brother, you're indeed bold and reckless, daring to provoke Li Linfu's wrath... Li's influence is vast, even I have to yield to him sometimes, let alone someone like you?"

  "Alright, I'll take care of it for you since we hit it off. After the banquet today, just go home and if anything happens...I'll take care of it myself..."

  When Madame Guo said these words, the concern in her eyes was extremely sincere. As a mature and experienced transmigrating soul, Zhang Xuan naturally could feel that she had no ulterior motives for her concern, which made Zhang Xuan somewhat surprised.

  It was just a chance encounter, and it must have been fate that brought them together. Of course, his poetic talent and elegant demeanor played a crucial role in capturing the attention of Madame Guo.

  "Thank you, madam," Zhang Xuan said with a sincere bow, "I am deeply grateful."

  "No need for courtesy. For some reason, I'm particularly fond of you, Zhang Xuan. Ah... if my own son, Pei Hui, were like you - talented and with a bit of courage - I would be content." Lady Guo waved her hand, indicating that Zhang Xuan didn't need to be overly polite, but her eyes betrayed a hint of unintentional sadness as she mentioned her own son.

  Before Yang's family rose to prominence, she lived in Shu and married a man with the surname Pei.

  Later, Pei's early death coincided with Yang Yuhuan's entry into the palace and her imperial favor. She then came to Chang'an with her two other sisters, living a life of luxury. Unfortunately, her only son, Pei Hui, was timid and weak-willed, unwilling to interact with others. At 14 or 15 years old, he spent his days shut away in the mansion reading books, causing her extreme distress.

  Rumors about the private life of Madame Guo are greatly exaggerated, and most of them are just rumors. She does have a fondness for luxury and extravagance, which is consistent with the customs of the prosperous Tang Dynasty; it's impossible to say that she remained chaste as a widow for the sake of the Pei family; but saying that she had countless lovers and was promiscuous is simply nonsense.

  Among the three Yang sisters, she is a relatively self-respecting person who rarely does anything improper, due to her distrust of men. She would rather hold on to this life's wealth and her son Pei Hui, otherwise, she would have remarried long ago.

  This son is so timid and weak, how can he be relied upon for the rest of his life? The wealth and honor that have been passed down to him will likely be taken away by Pei Hui, who may not even be able to hold on to it. This is a hidden pain in Madame Guo's heart that she cannot shake off or speak of to others.

  Guo Guofu mentioned Pei Hui, who was slightly younger than himself, with a melancholy expression. Zhang Xuan didn't know what to say and could only remain silent.

  "Alright, no more talking, let's enjoy the music and dance. Come on, Xuan Ge'er, have a drink!" The lady of Guo quickly adjusted her mood, and her face immediately regained its charming smile. She waved her hand and loudly said to everyone, "Today, I will drink with all of you until we are drunk, no leaving until then!"

  "Ladies first!"

  ……

  ……

  A stone causes a thousand ripples.

  Zhang Huan's performance at the Qujiang Pool poetry and wine party quickly spread throughout Chang'an City, almost shocking the entire imperial court.

  The once-famous silk boy unexpectedly transformed into a world-renowned genius, making the three heroes of Chang'an look dull in comparison. The titles "Three Poems and Three Heroes" and "Two Poems Ashamed of Xiao Shi" left people speechless.

  At the poetry and wine party, there were many scholars and officials present as witnesses, so it was impossible to fake. Moreover, Zhang Xuan's five poems that overwhelmed the crowd at the banquet had been widely circulated and became a masterpiece of the literary circle.

  The fish jumping over the dragon gate is also acceptable, although it's hard to accept but also can't be accepted.

  Zhang Jun suddenly "scolded" Li Linfu in public, calling him a treacherous minister, a hypocrite, and a jester, among other insults. His audacity was probably unmatched even by his father Zhang Jiuling in his heyday.

  It's not a good thing to be arrogant, in the context of Zhang Huan being imprisoned and punished, Zhang Xuan again publicly scolded Li Linfu. What good fruit can Zhang Jia still eat? Who is Li Linfu? He must report his anger, facing an open provocation from a younger generation, how could he not take any action?

  Onlookers were eagerly waiting to see the commotion, while some scholar-officials who had a good relationship with the Zhang family couldn't help but secretly sigh: Alas, the great family business accumulated by Zhang Jiuling over decades, a famous Tang Dynasty family, was ruined at the hands of a child.

  A talented person is about to be ruined as soon as he shows his head. This is how many people evaluate Zhang Xuan.

  ……

  ……

  Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiao's visit to the Li family did not go smoothly. They did not get to see Li Linfu, and although Li Xiao accepted their gifts on behalf of Li Linfu and promised to show favor to the Zhangs, they ultimately failed to obtain any formal or informal commitment from Li Linfu, leaving them still uncertain.

  On their way back from Li's house, Zhang and Jiuyin unexpectedly received this astonishing news.

  First delighted by Zhang Huan's transformation into a talented scholar, and then immediately felt a chill run down his spine and cold sweat dripping as he witnessed Zhang Huan's subsequent reckless behavior and public scolding of Li Linfu.

  Not to mention at this critical juncture, even in ordinary times, anyone who dared to offend Li Linfu's authority would also be worried about the consequences. Moreover, it is easy to implicate the whole family and clan. Li Linfu was ruthless and cruel, and his usual method of dealing with political enemies was to strike with lightning speed and never show mercy. Once Li Linfu... Zhang Jiuling and Zhang Jiaguo didn't dare to think any further.

  Hurriedly returning to the Zhang residence, Liu brought along Zhang Huan's wife Song and Zhang Ning's wife Jiao, together welcoming at one side of the gate, while Zhang Ning stood with two family servants outside the gate to greet them.

  Welcoming Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiu'ao, they saw the two men with gloomy faces. Liu Shi thought that Li Linfu was unwilling to lend a hand, and his heart cooled down. At this time, he heard Zhang Jiuyi angrily waving his hand and saying, "Has that little beast Zhang Xuan returned?"

  Liu was taken aback and forced a smile, saying, "Not yet, I've already sent someone to look for him."

  Zhang Jiugao glanced at Liu's family with a look of annoyance, and without thinking much about it, he shouted in anger, "Sister-in-law, it's all because you've spoiled and indulged this scoundrel... Today, he has finally brought about a great disaster!"

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