Chapter 65: Friends

The night had completely fallen, and Meinang, with an apologetic expression, said to Zhang Jing Yun:

“I’m sorry to delay your departure from the city. I really wanted this tavern. If there’s nothing urgent at the manor, why not stay here and not return tonight? Traveling at night isn’t safe.”

Zhang Jing Yun glanced at her and said, “I have an imperial medal that allows me to open the city gates at any time, and I can also call upon the city guards. A swift ride will get me back to the manor in just an hour, so there’s no need to worry about me. But as for you… Your actions are quite unexpected. Brother Cen actually believed you and recognized you as a family member. He handed over the tavern to you. Do you plan to manage it yourself, or will you leave it to Lord Qin? Isn’t he supposed to be studying for the exams?”

Meinang smiled and said, “Do you believe me? I really am from the Cen family, and I haven’t lied to him. It’s a long story, and I’d rather not talk about it. But please, don’t mention that I took over the tavern from Xian Ke Lai to anyone. You absolutely cannot tell Xu Jun Ying.”

Zhang Jing Yun quietly walked ahead, stopping after a moment. He said, “This might be a bit problematic. He will likely blame me for it in the future. If you hand the tavern over to Lord Qin to manage, there won’t be any issues.”

Meinang shook her head. “That can’t be done at the moment. My brother needs to rest, and my sister in law is pregnant and weak. I’ll have to handle it personally. Mr. Zhang, don’t worry too much about me. Let me be clear: I want this tavern for myself. I won’t stay at the Qin Manor forever…”

Zhang Jing Yun froze. “What do you mean?”

Meinang looked around. The quiet, empty streets only had the two of them, and with a soft sigh, she explained, “You’ve seen my maternal family situation. It’s a far cry from the Qin Manor. Xu Jun Ying may not care about my family background, but his elders have been resentful since he married a woman from a humble family. Before he went off to war, my family didn’t treat my mother and me well. When he finally returned, they stopped looking down on us. But after being apart for so long, the feelings between us have cooled. Everyone in the manor knows that the old lady intends to find him a new wife from a prominent family, someone who is gentle, virtuous, and even his childhood sweetheart. Living at the Qin Manor, I will inevitably be ostracized. I have to make plans for myself, just in case I am cast off one day. If that happens, I’ll be able to live peacefully with my son, without relying on the manor.”

Zhang Jing Yun stared at her, shocked. “What… What do you mean by this? Everyone in the capital says that you and your husband are deeply in love. You could only survive because Xu Jun Ying was there for you, guarding you day and night… He’s a man of strong will. How could he possibly listen to the old lady and marry someone else?”

Meinang smiled faintly. “Rumors can’t be trusted. Maybe we had feelings before, but now… and in the future, it will gradually fade. You’re his closest friend, and I consider you a friend as well, so I’m willing to speak honestly with you. Just listen and don’t say anything to anyone. Right now, nothing will happen, but once the new year passes, everything that is meant to happen will come.”

Zhang Jing Yun sighed softly. “Even if Xu Jun Ying agrees to his elders’ wishes, but you are the lady of the manor. How can you easily leave? And you’ve borne him a son, who will one day inherit the title.”

Meinang sighed quietly. “If it weren’t for Heng Ge’er, I wouldn’t have been able to tolerate the situation at the manor for so long.”

Zhang Jing Yun stared at her silently, a faint heat rising in his chest. He thought of his own mother. How similar was Meinang’s situation to his own? The difference was, Xu Jun Ying only remarried after two years, whereas his own father, Duke Zhang Wu Yang, had taken a concubine less than ten days after marrying his wife. This concubine, who was also his childhood friend, couldn’t be made a formal wife, but was instead given the title of concubine, while his new wife, Song, was completely isolated from the love nest. Zhang Jing Yun and his half-brother, Zhang Qi Xiao, were born in the same month. Afterward, his mother insisted on living in a separate wing, raising Zhang Jing Yun alone, refusing to meet his father or his concubine. When Zhang Jing Yun was six, his mother passed away, holding his hand tightly, tears in her eyes as she said, “I’m sorry, my child. I couldn’t fight for your rightful place as heir… My son, your life is what matters now. We must leave this place. Go ask your maternal grandfather to take you in.”

At six years old, Zhang Jing Yun waited for his mother’s funeral before asking his uncle to take him out of the Duke’s mansion. Duke Zhang Wu Yang refused to let him go, and his uncle couldn’t take him away. In his anger, Zhang Jing Yun pointed at his father and cried out, “You don’t deserve to be my father. Why won’t you let me go?”

Furious, his father tried to imprison him, but Zhang Jing Yun bit him and ran out of the mansion. He didn’t catch up with his uncle, but at the city gate, he met the famous physician, Liu Cheng. It was fate, and he decided to follow him. Liu Cheng accepted him as a disciple.

As an adult, Zhang Jing Yun visited the capital several times to see his maternal grandparents and uncles, and to treat the ailing emperor. Because he resembled his father so much, people soon realized that the young disciple who was always with the crown prince was the eldest son of the Duke of Zhang. Upon hearing the news, his father, Zhang Wu yang, grew uneasy and came to demand that he return to the family. Zhang Jing Yun did go back, but instead of kneeling to honor his ancestors, he found his mother’s former servants, paid them off, and had them leave. He burned down the courtyard where his mother had lived and took her memorial tablet with him, leaving the Duke’s mansion behind forever. This left the Duke enraged.

As a child, Zhang Jing Yun had witnessed his father and his concubine enjoying life while his mother sat alone, stitching or reading, gazing out at the falling leaves. As he grew older, he began to understand the profound loneliness his mother had suffered. He mourned her, his heartache never healing. What he hadn’t expected was that many years later, the same tragedy would befall Qin Meinang.

Meinang, like his mother, was proud and unwilling to submit, yet unlike her, she was more courageous and strong. She faced reality head-on, preparing herself for the worst.

Zhang Jing Yun tried to convince Meinang, “When Xu Jun Ying married you, I heard he went through a lot of trouble. He liked you so much, how could he possibly break your bond? Even if he marries another woman, it won’t be a betrayal. If the two wives live in harmony, it should work out.”

Meinang stamped her feet in the snow. “It’s so cold. Shouldn’t we hurry up? My mother will scold me when I get back. Anyway, that’s enough about that. I can’t remember if he was ever good to me. If he wants to marry someone else, I’m not upset. But I won’t share a husband with anyone. If he doesn’t abandon me, I must leave. But for now, I need to use his influence to secure some benefits first.”

She jumped ahead, moving quickly like a rabbit, and Zhang Jing Yun, walking behind her, marveled at her strength, not realizing that she had been training herself. He thought she was just playing like a child and smiled quietly, saying, “You think of me as a friend, so how could I betray you?”

After collecting the medicine from Qian Cao Tang, Zhang Jing Yun had the shopkeeper prepare a carriage and send Mei Niang back to Qin Manor. Meinang asked for some tea, took off her mask in the carriage, and put it away. Zhang Jing Yun then instructed her on how to prepare the medicinal brew. Meinang said, “I know a little about acupressure. Once the medicine is ready, I’ll soak my mother’s feet and massage them. Should be fine, right?”

Zhang Jing Yun nodded. “That works, just be gentle.”

The carriage ride was much faster than walking, and soon they arrived at Qin Manor. Wang Mama and Cui Xi were waiting with lanterns, anxiously waiting at the door. Meinang said a few words of caution to Zhang Jing Yun, then got out of the carriage and handed the herbs to Wang Mama. As they entered the house, she began weaving a story to deceive Qin Fu Ren.

But this time, Qin Fu Ren wasn’t so easily fooled. She trembled, pointing at Meinang, her face covered with a handkerchief as she cried. Meinang, helpless, glanced at Cui Xi, who quickly brought a cushion and placed it in front of her. Meinang had no choice but to sit down and continue her explanations.

Zhang Jing Yun knew that this was not an easy task and left without further delay. He had promised Meinang that he would help her get the medicine, but how she dealt with the Qin Manor was something he couldn’t interfere in.

Once the door closed, Qin Fu Ren’s sobs only became louder.

As Meinang massaged her mother’s feet, she grew silent. What else could she do now?

“Dear, you were always like this…”