Chapter 61: The News of the Grand Wedding

  The news of Sun Shangxiang's grand wedding was officially announced by the Wu King's palace, and the wedding date was set for a month later on Mid-Autumn Festival.

  In Zhang Zhao's mansion. A gloomy atmosphere prevails, the servants tread carefully, and those who can avoid speaking do so, fearing to provoke the master's anger.

  Zhang Zhao said to his son with a worried face: "Cheng'er, the King of Wu is warning us now. The high-profile announcement of Zhuge's relationship with the royal family is precisely to prevent us from plotting against him again."

  Tears streaming down his face, he said: "Wei Er died in my arms, I will never forget the look on his face at that time. No matter what, Wei Er's death was all because of him. Every time I think of Wei Er lying in the cold earth, this bastard is still so glorious, it makes me indignant."

  Zhang Zhao felt uncomfortable in his heart and couldn't speak for a long time. The two of them remained silent for a while, until Zhang Zhao finally spoke up: "Cheng Er, your father knows you're feeling uncomfortable, but my heart is no better than yours. However, considering the bigger picture, our family has been loyal ministers for generations, we can't do anything that would harm the king of Wu. And as for personal matters, this affair really isn't Zhuge Jun's fault, it's just that your brother has gotten himself into a difficult situation. We really can't bring ourselves to take action against him."

  Zhang Cheng said, "I understand the reason, but I only have one son, and he died so young. I just can't accept it. I'm not unreasonable, I just want to ask him for the two servants who killed Wei'er, kill them to avenge Wei'er's death, and that's it. But this bastard won't even agree to that, how am I supposed to swallow this?"

  Zhang Zhao said: "If not, I'll swallow my pride and go ask the King of Wu for someone, and take the opportunity to test his attitude."

  Cao Jing, who had been keeping an eye on Zhuge Jun's movements, soon heard the news and felt distressed. She hid in her room for a whole day without coming out. Her mother, Lady Liu, seeing her like this, was very worried and hastily sent someone to report to Cao Cao.

  Cao Cao hurried to her door upon hearing the news. He knocked on the door, and before he could speak, a voice came from inside: "Didn't I tell you not to disturb me?"

  Cao Cao said: "Qing'er, it's me."

  After a while, Cao Jing came out, sobbing and calling "Father", then rushed into Cao Cao's arms, bursting into tears.

  Cao Cao didn't say a word, he just gently patted her back and slowly walked into her room.

  The two fell silent for a while, neither of them speaking. Cao Jing finally spoke up, saying: "Father, I want to go to Wu Prefecture."

  Cao Cao nodded kindly and said: "Go ahead, do whatever you want to do, don't hold back yourself."

  Cao Jing looked at her father with excitement and said: "I'm leaving tomorrow, you should pay attention to your rest and don't get too tired."

  "Don't worry about your father, just take care of yourself. No matter what, you must come back to your father's side, I need you."

  She silently pulled over his big hand and stuck her face on it.

  Returning to his office, Cao Cao sent someone to summon Xu Chu and ordered him to carefully select a group of guards to escort Cao Jing to Eastern Wu.

  Liu Bei received Sun Shangxiang's wedding invitation and called Zhuge Liang to discuss sending someone to attend the wedding.

  "Recently, my sister got married and I didn't attend. This time I must go, otherwise I would be a very unqualified brother."

  Liu Bei worriedly said: "Last time Zhou Yu had a mind to harm you, how can your safety be guaranteed this time?"

  He said, "My lord need not worry, this time is different from that time. At that time our strength was too small, now it's different. He has to consider the consequences. Besides, my brothers are all in Eastern Wu, he dare not act rashly. This time can be used as an opportunity to discuss with Sun Quan about strengthening the alliance. One stone, two birds."

  Liu Bei nodded and said: "The military advisor has considered it, so let's decide on that. For safety, let Zilong (Zhao Yun) escort you there."

  He nodded and said: "After I leave, the lord should instruct Generals Guan and Zhang to closely monitor Cao's army movements. If there is any unusual activity, send someone to inform me immediately."

  Liu Bei ordered Jian Yong to prepare gifts for Zhuge Liang's trip to Eastern Wu, and Zhuge Liang expressed his gratitude.

  Liu Zhang received the invitation and said to Liu Xun: "You are more familiar with Zhuge Liang, why don't you go?"

  Liu Xun is currently holding a idle position and unlike his elder brother, he is not being heavily utilized by Liu Zhang. He has nothing to do at the moment, so he agreed to run this errand.

  Other forces also received invitations and began preparing to attend Sun Shangxiang's wedding.

  Zhang Zhao paced back and forth in front of the palace gate for a long time, repeatedly considering various consequences, and finally made up his mind to enter the palace and ask to see Sun Quan.

  When Zhang Zhao saw Sun Quan, he knelt on the ground with tears streaming down his face and said: "The old minister has no way to teach his son, so that he repeatedly harmed Zhuge Xiao's friend. The old minister is extremely ashamed. Now that he has died unjustly, it is also a crime that deserves punishment. However, Wei'er is after all the old minister's eldest grandson, and Cheng'er only has this one son. Seeing him die in his own arms, how can he bear it?"

  Zhang Zhao said, and burst into tears again.

  Sun Quan looked at this loyal and dedicated old minister who had been worrying about Eastern Wu for decades, now with white temples. He couldn't help but feel sympathetic, went forward to support him, and called for a seat.

  He said to Zhang Zhao: "The matter has already happened, so please mourn for yourself." In his heart, he thought: "This is all because of your own son Sun, no one else can do anything about it."

  Zhang Zhao said, "This matter has nothing to do with Zhuge's young friend, and I don't blame him for it. However, Sunzi died unjustly, and my family cannot accept this. Please, Your Excellency, consider the loyalty with which my family has served you, and grant me a favor."