Toll sections (12 points)

  (Seeking pink votes)

  "Shut up!" Hearing Zhang Xuan's excuse, Zhang Xiao was furious. She slammed her palm heavily on the table. But this movement was too intense, and her body couldn't take it. So after one slap, she hunched over and started coughing nonstop again.

  Several maidservants rushed forward, hastily feeding her water and patting her back. After a while, Zhang Xiao's wife finally caught her breath.

  After catching her breath, she stared at Zhang Xuan with a pair of dull eyes and said, "Speak, continue speaking."

  "Mother, what's going on?" Zhang Xuan asked in a low voice.

  "Talking about that little hoof, I don't believe she's doing well." Zhang Xiao's wife trembled and stood up, shouting in a shrill voice: "A private-born daughter who is inferior to me, the legitimate daughter of the Zhang family, how can she be better off than my own daughter? You say it, tell everything you know."

  After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Xuan said: "I've heard that Ah Gui didn't get along with the Princess of Lanling when she was in Qi..."

  Just as he said this, Zhang Xiao's expression turned cold and she sneered, saying: "It should be so."

  Zhang Xuan glanced at his mother and said in a low voice, "But they also say that the King of Lanling has never touched his wife. He would give up his life for Ah Gui."

  "Ghost talk——" Zhang Xiao coldly smiled and said: "Which man brings a wife back home without her making any moves? This is unbelievable." In the blink of an eye, she again said: "A real man always treats women like clothes, which one would give up his life for a woman, unless she's a demon. All this ghost talk is just nonsense."

  "Yes, mother is right."

  "Go on."

  "Some people also say that Ah Qi was once an imperial concubine of the Emperor of Zhou."

  "It's impossible," Zhang Xiao said resolutely, "If she became the imperial concubine, how could she run around with other men? Besides, being a concubine, being the emperor's concubine is much better than being a prince's concubine. That little vixen Zhang Gui isn't stupid either. This is purely a rumor."

  Zhang Xuan nodded in agreement: "Mother is indeed wise."

  Anything else?

  Everyone in Jiankang City was talking about how, the year before, Ah Gui and his group had stayed in Jingzhou, where the governor of Jingzhou had taken a liking to Ah Gui. Lanling Wang was furious, and somehow managed to make it so that whenever the emperor and his officials discussed Gao Changgong and Zhang Shi, they would back off by three parts.

  Zhang Xiao thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "A husband who can't even protect his own woman will be ridiculed by others. But he is just a humble Duke of Qi, how could he have such great abilities? He's just bragging."

  After continuous criticism for so long, Zhang Xiao obviously felt tired too. She fell back onto the couch, her expression becoming listless. Seeing this, Zhang Xuan hastily asked to withdraw. Zhang Xiao waved her hand, indicating that he should leave.

  Zhang Xuan had just retreated to the door when Zhang Xiao suddenly called out to him, "Right, go see Ah Kui and let her come back for a visit. Although she's a married-out daughter, returning to her hometown, how can she not pay respects to her stepmother and father? Go, have her come over immediately. Right, also call Ah Jin back for a visit. After all these years, she's been thinking about this little hoof, it's time to let her dissipate some fire."

  Upon hearing his mother's words, Zhang Xuan was stunned and thought to himself: Mother has really grown old and senile. I've said so much, but she still thinks of Ah Qi as that little orphan girl from back then who could be summoned at will, beaten or killed at whim.

  Zhang Xuan was still staring blankly, and hadn't thought of a way to explain things clearly to Zhang Xiao Shi. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiao Shi's eyes were getting drowsy, and she was on the verge of falling asleep again.

  He nodded and bid farewell. As soon as Zhang Xuan left, Zhang Shuo, who had been drowsy, opened her eyes again. She ordered: "Go, call the housekeeper to bring back Zhang Shi Aqie for me to see." After that, she closed her eyes again.

  "Yes."

  As soon as Cao Changlong entered Jiankang, he was carefully and solemnly settled in the embassy by Emperor Chen. Meanwhile, Emperor Chen would host a banquet at the imperial palace that evening, where Prince Langya would be the guest of honor.

  This is the second time that Lanling King has appeared in Jiankang. Compared to the first time, Emperor Chen's treatment of him is vastly different. The first time, even an ordinary noble of the Chen state dared to go against his wishes. This time, even Emperor Chen treats him with utmost respect and courtesy.

  Even if we don't mention the Chen state, both Qi and Zhou were established by military generals. A general with outstanding talent can completely rely on his military power and prestige built over many years to overthrow a dynasty. Therefore, the potential shown by the King of Lanling now makes even the Emperor of Chen, as the ruler of a country, not dare to underestimate him.

  Back in her hometown, Zhang Qi was still in a daze of joy until she entered the embassy.

  Just now on the road, she had carefully selected a gift for Zhang Xuan but didn't get to give it to him. Now, Zhang Qi was squatting amidst the spoils of war from Langling Wang, tilting her head in thought, seemingly thinking that one item was suitable, and another wasn't bad either.

  The King of Lanling entered the room and saw Zhang Gui lost in thought. He walked slowly behind her.

  Zhang Qi picked it up for a while, but then couldn't bear to part with it. She felt that except for Zhang Xuan, no one else was worthy of her taking out these treasures worth a city... You know, each item selected by the Turkic leader was a masterpiece collected by the wealthy families in Wuwei City. If it weren't for the chaotic times, these precious objects wouldn't be so valuable. Otherwise, any one of them would be worth a city.

  She bit her lip and pondered for a moment, then carefully put away the rest of the things one by one. Only that ivory fan frame with the famous calligraphy and painting was placed to one side, in an exquisite jade box.

  As she carefully put away the spoils of war, a low voice came from behind Zhang Gui, "Why not pick out a few more?" He approached her, lowering his head to gaze at her picturesque eyebrows and eyes, feeling the faint scent lingering around his nostrils.

  Upon hearing his voice, Zhang Qi's mood greatly improved and she smiled as she turned around, her eyes curved in a smile, saying: "These are too precious, they didn't treat me well before, it's not worth giving them something so good..."

  "Don't be stingy." The King of Lanling pulled out a dozen wooden boxes and tossed them to her, saying lightly: "They're not worth much, but the person giving gifts is you, your status is noble, and being too frugal doesn't conform to etiquette. I've selected these for you, take them."

  Having said that, the King of Lanling gazed deeply at Zhang Yi for a moment before turning around and leaving. Even after he had walked far away, Zhang Yi was still in a daze.

  He said that the person who gave gifts was of noble status... Was he talking about her? She never thought that the four words "noble status" could also be used to describe herself.

  In a daze, Zhang Qi casually picked up a wooden box.

  The wooden box is made of precious nanmu wood, carved by skilled craftsmen. The carving has a rough and mysterious Buddhist flavor, with intricate patterns that are vivid and lifelike. Just this wooden box alone is invaluable, and what's even more rare is that this style is seldom seen in the southern region of Chen State.

  Upon opening the wooden box, a jade pendant was found inside. Seeing this jade pendant, Zhang Gui took a deep breath and hastily opened another dozen or so wooden boxes.

  These wooden boxes hold golden hairpins and jade pendants, among other things. Each item is a treasured relic from the imperial palace of yore, crafted with the finest materials by skilled artisans. The three wooden boxes containing jade pendants are all ancient artifacts from the Han Dynasty, and were even renowned for their precious jade in the imperial court at that time.

  These things, each one is not worth less than the ivory fan Zhang Qi herself picked. Letting Zhang Qi see them was actually a bit heart-wrenching, she had been poor since childhood and was used to being frugal, wanting to give these away was really quite reluctant.

  Ke Zhang also knew that Lang Ling Wang was right, the gifts she sent out actually represented her own status. To calm down those aristocratic families, to make them look at her with new eyes from now on, and treat her with respect instead of being polite on the surface but mocking her behind her back. Otherwise, they would accept the gifts in person, but who knows, they might throw away what she sent as soon as they turned around.

  This is also the difference between a noble family and a poor family. The poor family is cautious everywhere, and in their words and deeds, they can't help but reveal a few points of thriftiness and caution. The noble family throws money around, but also naturally has a kind of momentum (even if it's just using money to oppress people, it's still momentum). Moreover, this momentum often makes the poor family lose their spirit in an instant, leaving them with no confidence, only able to nod and agree, unable to stand up straight.

  This is an unavoidable fact, this kind of nobility, wealth, confidence from the bones, and every person around them, every time they pay their respects, jointly creating a rich and luxurious atmosphere, which is not something that a poor family's child can imagine. Many children from poor families may think to themselves before meeting these people, "I have poetry and books in my belly, I am elegant and refined", but when actually interacting with these people, unless you are truly a saint of poetry and books, it is easy to be overwhelmed by their aura.

  Gritting her teeth, Zhang Qi could only pick out the most precious jade pendant from among them and prepare to give it to Zhang Xuan along with the fan.

  As expected, after she had these gifts ready, a servant outside said respectfully: "Madam, there is someone from the Zhang household who wishes to see you."

  Zhang Qi nodded and before she could speak, a guard intervened, "What is the purpose of your visit?" The voice was that of the same garrulous guard who often lectured the Prince of Lanling.

  "It's said that the husband's mother wants to meet her."

  "Who is it that requests an audience?"

  "Cheng Huwei said with a sneer, 'You go and inform the person who came that Madam Zhang's status is noble and honorable. In our country of Qi, even the empress would show her courtesy. And yet, a mere miscellaneous servant from the twelfth house dares to invite the madam away? Is this the attitude of the Zhang household?'"

  "Yes."

  As the servant walked away, Cheng's guard came in. He bowed to Zhang Gui, who was still dazed and had a complex expression, and said respectfully: "Madam, Lang Jun has gone out on business. He has instructed that Madam be treated according to the rules of the Wangfei for all matters in Jiankang. Lang Jun also said that no matter where Madam goes, we fifty guards must follow."

  Zhang Qi's eyes widened even more. Bring along fifty guards who walked out of the knife mountain and fire sea? Is this going to war or attending a banquet?

  Seeing her confusion, the guard with the surname Cheng smiled and said: "Madam doesn't need to worry, we are either from a noble family or from an official's clan. Walking around Madam, we guarantee not to lose face for Madam."

  Zhang Qi nodded and saw him retreat, suddenly asking: "What did he say about treating her according to the princess's standard?"

  Yes

  "Get out."

  "Yes."

  Less than half a time, the guard with the surname of Cheng reported from outside: "Madam, the steward of the Zhang family has arrived. He wants to invite you back to the Zhang residence for a visit."

  "Just a moment."

  "Yes."

  Zhang Yi had already dressed up and, with the help of her maid, changed into a golden robe with light yellow trim before setting off.

  ##

  There are only two days left this month, and if you don't throw your votes now, they'll really go to waste. Alas, although I know the hope is slim, I still want to ask for pink tickets, to see if I can squeeze into sixth place on the pink ticket chart. (If you like this work, welcome to subscribe, reward, and support me on Qidian Mobile Web . Your support is my greatest motivation.)