Not close at all

Li Ya mustered his courage and continued, "Your Majesty, even so, for someone who has never had any administrative experience to be directly appointed as the Censor-in-Chief is hardly suitable. I beseech Your Majesty to reconsider."

The ruler of Chenliu instantly rejected the plea, declaring, "No more needs to be said. As of today, Zhang Ling is appointed as the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate."

Zhang Ling cast a triumphant look at Li Ya, mocking the fact that his efforts ultimately could not outweigh a single word from the sovereign, the prime minister, and the empress.

With a cold and rigid expression, Li Ya had nothing more to say and returned to his rank.

Shedding his stern demeanor, the ruler of Chenliu turned his gaze toward the civil officials and said with an amiable smile, "Minister Zhang, come take a look. As you can see, I have brought your grandson here for you."

An elderly official stepped out from the ranks, looking at Zhang Ling with a gaze filled with paternal warmth as his voice trembled slightly, "Ling'er!"

Zhang Ling showed utter disdain. The cold expression he wore before the grand hall shifted instantly to one of obsequious flattery the moment he turned to face Zhang Hongshan, the Minister of Works. Bowing, he greeted, "Minister Zhang."

That single address—"Minister Zhang"—chilled a large part of the old man's heart. Yet, Zhang Hongshan did not display any displeasure. Instead, he faced the ruler of Chenliu and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for finding my grandson and bringing him back."

The ruler of Chenliu waved a hand and said, "Very well. Whatever family matters you have to discuss, save them for when you return home. If my lords have no other business today, the court is dismissed."

The gathered officials kowtowed in salute. The ruler of Chenliu departed accompanied by the elderly chief eunuch and the imperial tutor from behind the curtains. Most officials left in groups, chatting and laughing merrily as they made plans for drinks elsewhere. Only a few rigid, unyielding bureaucrats ignored the overtures of their colleagues, arriving alone and departing alone. Overall, compared to the gloomy atmosphere at the start of the audience, a palpable sense of vitality was rising.

Just as Zhang Ling set off, Zhang Hongshan hurried over. The joy of a long-awaited family reunion suddenly left the old man at a loss, unsure of what to say. Zhang Ling turned his body slightly and asked, "Minister Zhang, is there something else?"

That cold and formal pleasantry once again washed away the tears welling up in the old man's eyes. Full of self-reproach, Zhang Hongshan said, "Ling'er, your grandfather knows there is resentment in your heart, undoubtedly because of what happened to your grandmother back then. Mingze also carried that lingering grievance to the end. How could your grandfather not feel regret? But what is done is done, and I will not try to defend myself. Come home. As long as you are willing to return, I will do whatever you ask."

A sudden thought occurred to Zhang Ling. "There is indeed one matter I would like to trouble Lord Minister with," he said. "It concerns the Mohists. I hope Your Lordship can loosen your stance and avoid making things too difficult for them. Of course, consider this a personal favor I am asking of you; I shall certainly owe you one."

"Do not presume upon your grandfather's affection to push your luck! How can affairs of state be subjected to personal favors?"

Zhang Ling glanced over his shoulder. The speaker was a middle-aged official clad in a qilin robe. Judging by court ritual and the words he had just uttered, he was undoubtedly Zhang Qizhou, the Junior Vice Minister of War. By lineage, he was Zhang Mingze's younger brother and Zhang Ling's second uncle. Yet in terms of status, Zhang Qizhou was a son of the primary wife, whereas Zhang Mingze was born to a concubine.

Logically, since a son should succeed his father, the two brothers ought to have served in the same ministry. In reality, however, Zhang Hongshan was the Minister of Works, while Zhang Qizhou served in the Ministry of War. Zhang Ling had previously looked into this: when General Zhang Mingze rose to fame and enjoyed the zenith of his prestige within the military, his younger brother, who had been competitive since childhood and sought to rival his older brother in everything, secretly left the capital at the age of eighteen to join the army. Relying on decent martial arts skills and his scholarly foundation, he quickly stood out in the ranks. When Zhang Hongshan discovered that both his sons were in the military, he could only sigh, ultimately allowing Zhang Qizhou to pursue his obsession with his older brother. Relying entirely on his own efforts, Zhang Qizhou rose to the rank of captain in three years and climbed steadily higher, yet he could never catch up to his brother's footsteps—neither in military achievements nor in martial prowess. Zhang Mingze broke through to the first rank at age twenty-four, whereas Zhang Qizhou, now forty, remained stuck in the second rank. Unwilling to resign himself to defeat, Zhang Qizhou always led the charge as a general in every battle, his valor second only to Zong Chentian. His battlefield renown earned the family the glowing praise of "Two Generals from One Household." Tragically, right at the peak of that glorious era when his drive was strongest, news of Zhang Mingze's death arrived. The entire State of Chen was plunged into grief, and Zhang Qizhou lost his fighting spirit. Afterward, because both nations suffered heavy losses in that campaign, hostilities were temporarily suspended, and Zhang Qizhou assumed the post of Junior Vice Minister of War, remaining stationed in the capital with a depressed state of mind. This was the core reason he had long failed to enter the profound realm; in his eyes, once the peak he chased was gone, advancing his martial path lost all meaning.

Seeing that icy expression, Zhang Ling could not help but think of Zong Chentian, who was equally impossible to reason with. Both men shared the same unyielding aloofness.

Zhang Hongshan chided, "Qizhou, we are all family. Why speak with such alienation? Zhang Ling, as for the matter you mentioned, your grandfather will try his best to help the Mohists. However, since this is a public affair, I cannot bend the rules too much for your sake."

Zhang Ling cupped his hands and said, "Then I thank Your Lordship in advance. When I have time, I shall certainly pay a formal visit."

Zhang Ling quickened his pace. Seeing that the family drama had concluded, a crowd of officials hurriedly swarmed around him with loud pleasantries, nearly blocking the wide doorway of the palace pavilion. Zhang Ling feared hidden daggers more than open spears; if any of these people tripped him up, someone might literally crash to their death. Yet he truly had no desire to exchange idle chatter with them. Spotting a familiar figure ahead, he pushed through the throng and called out, "Minister Xie, wait a moment!"

The person called away by Zhang Ling was none other than Xie Danche, the Minister of Rites. In the prime of his life and possessing an air of heroic vigor, a pair of phoenix eyes instantly gave an impression of aloof arrogance. Always upright and incorruptible, Xie Danche concerned himself strictly with public duty rather than leisure and entertainment, naturally causing him to remain distant from others at court. As the dignified Minister of Rites, he left the palace alone after court sessions and never joined others for brothel outings and musical performances. For decades as an official, he maintained the exact same routine, returning straight to his study after court and interacting only with a handful of trusted confidants. Even toward his only daughter, he maintained a detached warmth; their domestic relationship could at best be described as peaceful. Consequently, Xie Xiefei resembled him—having grown up without female companions of her own age, she devoted herself to learning calligraphy and painting. Because of her rare beauty and exceptional talent, though she rarely stepped outside, her reputation was well-known, and suitors seeking her hand in marriage were endless. Yet Xie Danche cherished his daughter, naturally refusing any suitor she disdained—until she met the brilliant young man who made his mark by Brocade Bright Lake.

Xie Danche offered a bow and said, "Zhang Ling—no! I should call you Censor-in-Chief Zhang. Congratulations! To hold such a high position at so young an age."

Zhang Ling returned the bow. "Minister Xie flatters me too much. I merely ride on the coattails of my father's legacy. I came here today to discuss matters concerning your beloved daughter and Ren Ping生."

Xie Danche replied calmly, "I have only heard that the young man is quite capable, though I have yet to meet him. However, Xie has never placed much stock in matching social status; as long as my daughter likes him, I have no objections."

Zhang Ling looked left and right, then smiled apologetically. "That is truly a happy resolution. Afterward, I will certainly have him pay a formal visit so Your Lordship can properly inspect him. I believe Your Lordship will not be disappointed."

Xie Danche chuckled lightly. "The bond between Zhang Ling and Ren Ping生 is truly deep!"

Zhang Ling responded calmly, "Ping生 and I are like sworn brothers. He lost his parents at a young age, so I naturally must take more care of his marriage."

Xie Danche praised, "Then you are truly an elder brother acting like a father!"

Zhang Ling replied, "Your Lordship's words are entirely correct."

Xie Danche: "..."