Volume 1: Wind and Clouds of Chang'an Chapter 002: Born into a Noble Family (2)

  The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict looked like he was of a high rank, but he was very young.

  Besides the Imperial Guards and the officials from the Dali Temple, there were also a group of attendants who followed to read out the imperial edict, which can be seen from the severity of Zhang Huan's case.

  Zhang Jiuling had three sons and two daughters, the eldest son being Zhang Huan. At 35 years old, relying on his father's reputation and influence, plus he also had some talent, he was able to serve as an official smoothly, taking up the position of Left Zan Shan Daifu of the Crown Prince, a fifth-grade senior official, and a supporting minister beside Crown Prince Li Heng.

  His second son, Zhang Ning, was a Langzhong of the eighth rank, although he was not a prominent official, but at least had an official appearance and did not lose face for Zhang Jiuling.

  Only the young son Zhang Xuan, was not good at literature or martial arts, every day he would wander around the streets and alleys, indulging in romantic affairs, and was proficient in all sorts of vices such as drinking, whoring and gambling. When it came to handling proper business, he was completely useless, bringing shame to the Zhang family.

  Zhang Huan and Zhang Ning were born to Meng Shi, the first wife of Zhang Jiuling. The two daughters were born to concubines and had already married earlier, so they are not mentioned.

  Meng's early death, Zhang Jiuling married Liu in the 20th year of Kaiyuan and gave birth to Zhang Xun in the 22nd year. When Zhang Jiuling passed away in the 28th year of Kaiyuan, Zhang Xun was only 6 years old, fearing that he would also lose his strict father's discipline and his loving mother's indulgence.

  Although Liu was a second wife, she was also a legitimate wife rather than a concubine, and her status was there.

  After Zhang Jiuling's death, Liu was the rightful and proper matriarch of the Zhang family. As a result, although Zhang Huan and Zhang Ning looked down on their younger brother Zhang Xuan, they had to tolerate him somewhat for the sake of Liu and their late father.

  ……

  ……

  "It's a miscarriage of justice, Your Majesty..." Zhang Huan, dressed in official robes with a pale face, fell to the ground facing the imperial palace and wept uncontrollably. Behind him, Liu Shi, Zhang Ning and others knelt on the ground, their faces deathly pale, their lips trembling as they couldn't utter a word.

  "Is there a grievance? Then go to the public hall to appeal...... Go, take him away! Our family still needs to return to the palace to deliver the edict." The little eunuch glanced at Zhang Huan with disdain, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

  Just then several fierce bailiffs rushed up and carried Zhang Huan away.

  Behind the backyard and the front yard, a arched garden gate separated them. Zhang Xuan stood quietly on one side of the courtyard wall, staring at the astonishing scene in the front yard where "chickens were flying and dogs were jumping", his expression becoming more and more solemn.

  Currently, the Zhang family is dominated by Madame Liu internally and externally represented by eldest son Zhang Huan. The sudden arrest of the eldest son by imperial decree and his imprisonment was like a devastating blow to the Zhang family, as if half the sky had collapsed, how could they not be thrown into chaos?

  That's not all.

  "Falsely claiming to have received a divine mandate, and recklessly insulting the imperial carriage", roughly meaning to falsely use divination words to attack and insult the emperor, with suspicion of intending to rebel. In the era of imperial power, this was an extremely serious crime, serious enough that it could lead to the downfall of not only Zhang's household but also the entire Zhang clan.

  "He's falsely claiming to have received a divine mandate, and he's criticizing the emperor's carriage... What a big and vicious hat he's wearing! He's saying that Zhang Huan is going to rebel!" Zhang Xuan felt anxious and flustered, his head heavy as he leaned against the wall, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead.

  If Zhang Huan is convicted of treason, can the entire Zhang family avoid being implicated?

  He never dreamed that this would happen, but in less than a day and night after crossing into the prosperous Tang Dynasty's Chang'an, disaster struck the renowned Zhang family.

  He didn't have much feelings for Zhang Huan, nor did he have a sense of belonging to the Zhang family, but... in this way, how can there be intact eggs under a destroyed nest? If the Zhang family fell, what good days could he still have?

  "Zhang Huan... himself..." Zhang Xuan calmed down and his mind flashed with thoughts.

  Quietly combing through the memories left behind by the original owner of this flesh and the historical information grasped in his past life, Zhang Huan roughly had a clear judgment in his heart, connecting the official position he held and the infamous Tang history's ill-fated prince, the current crown prince, and future Emperor Suzong of Tang, Li Hen.

  Li Heng's tragedy lies in having an overly powerful and wise emperor father, Li Longji. After being appointed as the crown prince in the 26th year of the Kaiyuan era, he was constantly worried about being deposed, as the tragic fate of his predecessor, Crown Prince Li Ying, was still fresh in his mind.

  Li Heng's tragedy lies in the "siege" and exclusion by the powerful officials of the court. First, there was Li Linfu, and later Yang Guozhong.

  So Li Heng's days were not easy.

  In the fifth year of Tianbao, in the first month, because of a private meeting with Huáng Fǔ Wěi Míng and Wei Jian, they were caught by Li Linfu, who made a big deal out of it. As a result, Li Linfu impeached Huáng Fǔ Wěi Míng and Wei Jian, saying that the two had colluded to privately establish a crown prince. Huáng Fǔ Wěi Míng and Wei Jian were subsequently demoted and died in exile, ending their lives in despair.

  Li Hen, in a state of shock and fear, submitted a memorial to clear his name and defend himself. He also requested a divorce from his wife, Princess Wei, citing their "incompatible relationship" as the reason, in order to demonstrate that he would not "abandon the law for personal reasons". Emperor Li Longji agreed, and Princess Wei became a nun, after which she and Li Hen became estranged.

  By the end of this year, another conspiracy involved Li Hen. Li Linfu instructed his confidant to impeach him, and it seemed that he would not stop until Li Hen was dismissed. Under extreme duress, Li Hen once again abandoned his wife Du Liangui and divorced her for a second time.

  Just a few years after the stability, another incident emerged with Zhang Huan, the Crown Prince's Left Zan Shan Daifu "falsely claiming to be a divine revelation and pointing at the imperial carriage"... Zhang Xuan hesitated, understanding in his heart that it was probably Li Linfu's party causing trouble again, and Zhang Huan was likely just a scapegoat being used.

  The one who was caught was Zhang Huan, and the one who was dealt with was Li Heng.

  ……

  ……

  Zhang Xuan's mother, the widow of Zhang Jiuling, and the mistress of the Zhang household, Liu Shi, was only in her forties, with a plump figure and a beautiful face, still retaining her elegance.

  She was born into an official family, and her father Liu Yi had also served as the governor of Yongzhou. At the critical moment when the family's life and death were at stake, this gentle woman also showed a few points of calmness in crisis.

  She looked at Zhang Ning, the second son of the Zhang family who was not her own biological child, and said in a soft but firm voice, "Yihe (Zhang Ning's courtesy name), Licheng (Zhang Huan's courtesy name) is in trouble and has been accused of a crime... The matter cannot be delayed, you must immediately go to the residences of your two uncles and ask them to come over to discuss the matter."

  Zhang Ning suppressed her flustered heart and bowed, "Yes. I'll go to the two uncles' residences to deliver the message now and ask the two elders to come over and make a decision."

  Zhang Ning turned around and was about to get on the carriage, but then heard Liu Shi say, "Also, Yihe, you go to Chen Xiang's mansion on your way and ask to see Chen Xiang... beg Chen Xiang to mediate a bit."

  The Chen Xiang that Liu mentioned was none other than the Left Prime Minister Chen Xili, who had served in the same court as Zhang Jiuling for many years and had a decent private relationship with him. It was normal for Liu to think of Chen Xili when something happened to the Zhang family.

  Only Zhang Ning heard these words, her body slightly paused for a moment, but the corners of her mouth curled up in a helpless bitter smile.

  Chen Xili is no longer the Chen Xili of the past. The current Left Prime Minister Chen Xili follows Li Linfu's ass, singing and harmonizing, with power soaring to the sky. That little bit of affection from back then has long since disappeared without a trace.

  At first, Zhang Ning wanted to be an official outside, and he had met Chen Xili once. Chen Xili didn't even see him and blocked the door.

  But Zhang Ning didn't say anything to Liu Shi, instead he nodded and continued on his way out of the mansion.

  Looking at Zhang Ning's hastily departing thin back, and then glancing around at the male and female servants who were standing far away in the courtyard, Liu sighed quietly, raised her head to gaze at the sky where the sun was shining brightly, and suddenly felt a wave of dizziness.

  New book new starting point, sincerely request readers to click and recommend more. Thank you.