Although Zhang Changzong was simple-minded and impulsive, he had been in the palace for a few years. Even if he had only heard or seen some things, his intelligence had been raised. Yang Fan's words had woken him up, and he knew what to do.
When it comes to rumors of love affairs between men and women, most of the people involved will fall into such an awkward situation. If you think that you are innocent and disregard it, others will think that you are guilty. If you try to refute it, others will still think that you are guilty. In the end, this was because most people had a dark side in their hearts.
If you didn't defend yourself, it would only get worse. How could you confess? However, this was a great opportunity. Du Wentian had a grudge against him, so he could lock the rumor maker onto Du Wentian. Once the rumor was exposed, Zhang Changzong would have a chance to clear his name and reverse the situation.
Xinchang Restaurant was a famous restaurant in Chang 'an. There were many customers coming and going, so the news spread quickly. When Du Jingting, who was far away in Fan Chuan in the south of the city, received the news and hurried to Xinchang Restaurant, he found that the restaurant was full of people, both inside and outside, and even the building across the street.
Du Wentian knelt in front of Zhang Changzong, his cheeks swollen from the slaps. He was still slapping himself. Zhang Changzong stared at him coldly. If Zhang Changzong didn't tell him to stop, he wouldn't dare to stop. He didn't even dare to hold back. His face and courage disappeared without a trace in front of Zhang Changzong's dominance.
In the beginning, he still cared about his dignity and was afraid of being ridiculed. But in the face of Zhang Changzong's torture and beatings, and the serious consequences of Zhang Changzong's investigation, he had no choice but to yield. When he lowered his head and apologized to Zhang Changzong, admitting that he was the one who spread the rumors and maliciously slandered Zhang Changzong, he no longer had the courage to resist.
His only thought now was to hope that Zhang Changzong would calm down and let him escape. There were always people in this world who overestimated themselves and thought they could handle the world alone. But when they provoked someone they shouldn't provoke, they realized they were nothing.
Wu Zetian favored Zhang Changzong far more than Xue Huaiyi. In the past, Xue Huairen had been domineering. Princes and dukes would lead horses and fall stirrups for him, beat high officials at will, whipped imperial censors on the street, and punched the prime minister in the army. Second Zhang had never behaved so arrogantly, not because he couldn't, but because he wasn't a nouveau riche like Xue Huaiyi.
Second Zhang had never behaved so arrogantly, not because he couldn't, but because he wasn't a nouveau riche like Xue Huaiyi. Although the Du Family of Fan Chuan was not as powerful as it was in the past, it was only relative to its past glory. It was still a political family with great potential power. However, Zhang Changzong did not care. He was a strong dragon and was not afraid of this local snake.
When Du Jingting hurriedly walked into Xinchang Restaurant, he immediately saw his son kneeling in front of Zhang Changzong, his cheeks already red and swollen. Du Wentian was in a daze and didn't even see his father walk in. He was still slapping himself, and each slap felt like a slap to Du Jingting's face.
The crime of slander had been officially established in the Qin Dynasty. Later, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty issued decrees to abolish the crime, but it was repeated until Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty decreed that the crime of slander should never be heard of again. Later on, the criminal laws of the Tang and Song Dynasties didn't include the crime of slander.
But just because there was no crime of slander in the law didn't mean you could speak as you pleased. This was a society ruled by men, where power was greater than law. Even if the crime was clearly written in the law, whether or not to pursue it depended on the person. Now that there was no legal basis, the consequences depended on the person.
The people Du Wentian had slandered were Zhang Changzong and Shangguan Wan 'er, the two closest people to the emperor. Under Zhang Changzong's coercion, Du Wentian had already admitted that he had said everything. He had even written a confession and signed it, putting his life and death in Zhang Changzong's hands.
Du Jingting was ashamed. He raised his hands to Zhang Changzong and said, "Zhang Fengchen, it is all this old man's fault for not teaching my son well. This unfilial son dared to slander the reputation of Zhang Fengchen and Shangguan Daizhi. This old man is ashamed. This old man wishes to take this unfilial son back and discipline him strictly. I hope that Zhang Fengchen will be merciful. "
When had Du Jingting ever called himself this old man in front of others? He had lowered his status so much because he was under someone else's roof and had to lower his head. In front of Zhang Changzong, he could not display his status as the leader of a major Guanzhong family. He could only beg Zhang Changzong humbly.
Zhang Changzong smiled coldly and said, "How you want to discipline your son is none of my business. But your son slandered an official, that has something to do with me. I am a man and can ignore these rumors, but Shangguan Daizhi is a woman who values her reputation more than her life. I and Shangguan Daizhi have had their reputations tarnished because of the rumors your son spread. What do you say about this? "
Du Jingting was so ashamed he could not show his face. He raised his hands and said, "This old man knows his wrongs. This old man is willing to take this unfilial son to Long Qing Square and solemnly apologize to Zhang Fengchen and Shangguan Daizhi!"
Zhang Changzong said coldly, "This old man does not deserve it. When you go to Long Qing Square, how will others know what happened? Who knows what ugly rumors will spread then. "
Du Jingting knew that Zhang Changzong wanted the Du family to publicly apologize. Now that his old face had been completely lost by this unfilial son, if he took his son to publicly apologize, it could be imagined the damage to the Du family's reputation. But what could he do? A great mistake had been made. No matter how disappointing his son was, he was still his flesh and blood. He could not abandon him.
Du Jingting could only swallow his anger and say, "This old man is willing to invite the nobles of Chang 'an and the nobles to come out and be witnesses to correct the name of Zhang Fengchen and Shangguan Daizhi."
Zhang Changzong laughed at the sky and said, "Fine, this old man is not an unforgiving person. But the island in the center of the lake cannot accommodate so many of you. If another fire happens, this old man has no money to compensate the Liu family magistrate. How about this, doesn't your Du family have a large residence in Anyi Square? Let's choose that place! "
Du Jingting was shocked. That residence had already been lent to Prince Consort Wu, and this matter had been mentioned at the banquet a few days ago. Zhang Changzong was there at the time, so he knew very well. Why did he want to hold a feast there to apologize? After a moment's thought, Du Jingting understood. He had offended this Zhang Fengchen long ago and was now using this as a pretext to make a fuss.
The relationship between the Second Zhang and Wu and Li was like fire and water. The Du family was trying to curry favor with the Wu family. Wasn't this clearly going against Zhang Changzong? For a moment, Du Jingting was filled with regret and hatred.
Actually, his choice was not wrong. Those with foresight could see that while the Second Zhang was insufferably powerful now, the future of the world could only be decided by the Wu family or the Li family. Currying favor with Wu Chongxun was equivalent to boarding the Wu family's ship and tying the Li family's ship. It could be said to be a clever move.
However, although his calculations were good, he had missed one point. The Second Zhang, who was bound to fall in the future, was still more powerful than the Wu and Li families. He had chosen too early. It wasn't that his choice was wrong, but that he hadn't grasped the timing well. He shouldn't have made his position clear so early.
If time could be reversed, Du Jingting definitely wouldn't have made such a clear choice so early. However, it was too late for him to say anything now. If he did as Zhang Changzong instructed, he would have to kick Prince Consort Wu and his wife out of the house. This would definitely offend Prince Consort Wu. If he didn't do this, Prince Consort Wu would be the current owner of that residence. What was the point of holding a banquet there to apologize? He would still offend Prince Consort Wu. Du Jingting was so worried that he didn't know how to answer.
However, Zhang Changzong didn't give him much room to choose. He stood up and arrogantly walked to Du Wentian's side. Suddenly, he kicked Du Wentian to the ground and coldly said, "This Zhang's patience isn't that good. Three days! I'll give you three days. After three days, if you can't hold a banquet to clear this Zhang's name, I'll let you understand what it means to say that disaster comes from the mouth! "
Zhang Changzong swung his sleeves and left.
Du Wentian crawled up and called out while trembling with fear, "Father!"
Du Jingting was furious and raised his leg to kick him away. Du Wentian was so scared that he shrunk back. Du Jingting wanted to cry but had no tears. He could only let out a long sigh and dejectedly walk down the stairs.
… …
Wan'er gently pulled open her clothes, revealing a tender, snow-white breast. The little girl, who had been lying lazily in her arms with her eyes closed, smelled the scent of the milk. She suddenly stretched her slender neck forward and accurately sucked on Wan'er's tender, red nipple. She sucked on it forcefully.
Wan 'er looked at her daughter's adorable appearance and couldn't help but giggle. She caressed her little face and softly said, "This little girl is really greedy."
Yang Daier sucked very hard, gulping down the sweet milk in big mouthfuls. She simply had no time to pay attention to her mother's teasing. Yang Fan also stopped talking and looked at his daughter with a smile.
Wan 'er raised her arm a little higher to make it more convenient for her daughter to eat. She raised her head and said to Yang Fan, "I reckon that those rumors really were spread by him. With Zhang Changzong's temperament, he won't easily forgive him. Now it's just the right time to seize this matter and make it clear to him. He, ah, was used by An Le, but An Le may not necessarily protect him at this time. "
Yang Fan sighed softly. Wan 'er stared at him and asked, "What is it?"
Yang Fan was silent for a moment and said, "It's true that An Le used him, but he also used An Le. Although this idiot has no schemes and no courage, he is arrogant and thinks himself infallible. In fact, the person that An Le really wanted to deal with was me. It was Du Wentian who burned the fire onto Zhang Changzong. "
Wan 'er raised her eyebrows in surprise. Yang Fan didn't wait for her to ask and repeated what An Le said that day when he brought people to the island. He added, "An Le wanted to use him to deal with me. He held a grudge against Zhang Changzong and also wanted to use An Le to deal with Zhang Changzong. That's why he changed the words that An Le told him. If it wasn't like this, Zhang Changzong wouldn't have stood up today. Then the person who put on airs at Xinchang Restaurant could only be you. Your husband doesn't have the ability to make the Du family of Fan Chuan submit to me. "
Wan 'er said angrily, "Langjun did more than just save An Le's family. An Le's family can have today's riches and honor is all thanks to Langjun's plan that risked his life and death. Unexpectedly, An Le would seek revenge for the smallest grievance and treat Langjun like this!"
Yang Fan smiled and said, "Beautiful mushrooms are usually poisonous. The brighter the color of the snake, the more poisonous it is. An Le has an outstanding appearance, but her heart isn't as beautiful as her appearance. She has the heart of a snake and a scorpion. "
Wan 'er frowned and said, "However, her identity is special. Langjun can just mention her, but you shouldn't do anything against her."
Yang Fan said, "If she wants to deal with me, I can tolerate it. But if she wants to hurt my family, I can't not fight back. She and that Du Wentian, I have already given them a chance. It was they who didn't know what was good for them. "
Wan 'er said worriedly, "Langjun, what do you plan to do?"
Yang Fan didn't answer. He just lowered his head and pressed his daughter's pink cheeks. He smiled and said, "Little darling, are you still not full? Why don't you accompany daddy for a chat? You are so naughty!"
Yang Daier let out a hiccup, and her little head froze for a moment. She impatiently shook off her father's fingers and threw herself onto her mother's breasts.
Yang Fan and Wan 'er both laughed. Wan' er glared at him coquettishly and said, "It's fine if you don't want to say it, but you have to be extra careful. You don't just have yourself. You still have me, the child, and this family. No matter what you do, you have to consider your own safety first. You can't act impulsively."
Yang Fan smiled and said, "I understand. Don't worry, if I want to fight back, I don't necessarily have to be at the front."
Early in the morning, the vice minister of the Ministry of Works, Xiao Zhichen, appeared at the construction site of Princess An Le's residence with a few officials. The residence of the Prince of Xiang's Fifth Son hadn't started yet, but Princess An Le's residence was already in full swing.
Currently, the Wu family was more powerful than the Li family. Although most of the Chang 'an officials favored the Li family, they didn't dare to make it too obvious. Now that the Wu and Li families were building residences here, they naturally had to take care of the Wu family first. Moreover, Prince Consort Wu had to come to the construction site every day. Who would dare to be perfunctory?
But early this morning, Xiao Zhichen had just arrived at the construction site when something happened. Someone dug out a box from the construction site. On it were five large words: "For Prince Consort Wu!"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
