coobybook Chapter 193 Zhang Ji begins to dredge up old grievances to evade responsibility.
Chapter 193 Zhang Ji begins to dredge up old grievances to evade responsibility.
Springtime in Luoyang was a riot of color, a testament to the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. In the residence of Chancellor Zhang Yue, Zhang Ji was practicing his swordplay in the courtyard. His movements were agile and graceful, his sword flashing, each move exuding extraordinary elegance.
"Ji'er, what excellent swordsmanship!" Zhang's voice came from behind.
Zhang Ji sheathed his sword, turned around, and respectfully bowed: "Father."
Zhang looked at his second son with eyes full of satisfaction: "You have been intelligent since childhood, and your swordsmanship has also improved. You will surely bring glory to our family in the future."
Zhang Ji nodded slightly, secretly hoping for the best. As the son of a prime minister, he had received the best education since childhood, not only being well-versed in poetry and literature but also having a deep understanding of swordsmanship and military strategy. He longed to make a name for himself in this peaceful and prosperous era through his own talents.
Just as he was pondering, Zhang Ji's good friend Lin Fu burst into the mansion. Upon seeing Zhang Ji, she exclaimed, "Zhang Ji, a new seafood restaurant has opened in the east of the city. I've heard that the proprietress is young but has managed to run the business so successfully. She's quite capable. Let's go and see for ourselves."
Zhang Ji already admired capable people, and since he had recently become quite interested in seafood cooking, he readily agreed.
Stepping into the seafood shop, the store is neatly arranged, with a dazzling array of fresh goods on display.
Amidst the busy figures of the shop assistants, a graceful and charming woman was negotiating business with a customer; she was Zhen Xiaosi.
She was quick-witted and eloquent, closing a deal in just a few words, her eyes revealing shrewdness and decisiveness.
Looking at Zhen Xiaosi, Zhang Ji couldn't help but feel admiration.
Zhen Xiaosi also noticed Zhang Ji's gaze, smiled politely, and thus began their destined connection.
After that, Zhang Ji often came to the seafood shop under the pretext of buying seafood and talked with Zhen Xiaosi.
Zhen Xiaosi told him about the origins of seafood and fishing techniques, while Zhang Ji shared interesting stories about the imperial court and cultural anecdotes with her.
As they spent more time together, they gradually became familiar with each other, and feelings for each other blossomed unintentionally. They soon fell deeply in love, and Zhang Ji only wanted to marry Xiao Si.
Life was like a calm lake, but a chance encounter shattered that sweetness.
Song Jing approached Zhen Xiaosi to investigate a thorny case of commercial bribery.
It turns out that some of the goods transactions involved in the case were related to the market area where the seafood market was located, and Zhen Xiaosi had extensive connections and was well-informed in this area.
Out of a sense of justice and respect for Song Jing, Zhen Xiaosi agreed to help without hesitation.
She travels between various docks and merchants every day, collecting clues, often working until late at night.
Zhang Ji initially didn't pay much attention, assuming she was just busy with business.
At the beginning of Zhang Ji and Zhen Xiaosi's relationship, their days were filled with passionate love and endless sweetness.
But as time went by, Zhang Ji noticed that Zhen Xiaosi didn't seem like a proper young lady, nor was she very gentle and obedient...
Whenever asked about her whereabouts, Zhen Xiaosi always gave vague answers.
After this happened several times, Zhen Xiaosi, a straightforward girl from Northeast China, became impatient and started speaking without thinking.
By chance, Zhang Ji overheard people talking about how Zhen Xiaosi was helping Song Jing investigate a case that seemed to involve powerful figures in the imperial court. Zhang Ji's heart tightened instantly; coming from a family of prime ministers, he knew all too well the cruelty of court struggles.
When he questioned Zhen Xiaosi, the two had their first heated argument. "Do you know how dangerous this is? It could even implicate my family!" Zhang Ji's face was full of anxiety and worry.
Zhen Xiaosi looked puzzled: "I'm just doing what I think is right, why are you reacting so strongly, and why are you always bringing up old grievances?"
The two refused to give in to each other, and their repeated arguments were like a pebble breaking the surface of a calm lake, foreshadowing the crisis in their relationship.
The good times didn't last long. When Zhang learned that his son was in love with a seafood merchant, he flew into a rage.
In his view, Zhang Ji, as the son of the prime minister, had a bright future in his official career and should marry a lady from a prestigious family of equal social standing. How could he be with a commoner? Zhang Shuo forced Zhang Ji to break off his relationship with Zhen Xiaosi and even began arranging blind dates for him.
Zhang Ji was caught in a dilemma. He tried to persuade his father, but was reprimanded even more harshly.
Seeing Zhang Ji in pain, Zhen Xiaosi felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. She didn't want to be a burden to Zhang Ji, but she couldn't let go of their feelings.
But gradually, Zhen Xiaosi also grew disheartened. She found that Zhang Ji was always picking fights, and their interactions were filled with hostility.
No matter how much she tried to please him, Zhang Ji ignored her kindness and kept dwelling on the past.
In fact, Zhang Ji was also in great pain. On one side was Zhen Xiaosi, whom he deeply loved, and on the other side were the expectations of his family and the authority of his father. He was so busy that he was overwhelmed. He could only try to convince himself to give up by bringing up old grievances, occupying the moral high ground, and labeling Xiaosi as "emotionally unstable".
Under pressure from his family, Zhang Ji began to distance himself from Zhen Xiaosi.
In the seafood shop, Zhen Xiaosi was checking the goods alone, her movements skilled but tinged with loneliness.
When Zhang Ji went on blind dates, he had no interest in daughters of prominent families; his heart was still set on Zhen Xiaosi.
The two are so close, yet an insurmountable chasm separates them. Crisis is imminent, and the dam of their relationship is about to crumble at the slightest sign of trouble...