Chapter 3 Spring Snow (2)

Zhang Xi inherited a family tradition of Confucianism, while also studying metaphysics. He was never without his feather duster and was skilled in the art of elegant conversation. Whenever he hosted a salon for refined discussions at his residence, renowned scholars from Luoyang would flock to it eagerly. In contrast, his eldest son, Zhang Duo, was criticized in the political arena of the time as a tyrannical official

He paid no attention to her dullness, adjusting the rolled-up sleeves of his clothing, as if his words carried a hint of regret

Speaking, without waiting for her to regain her senses, he had already placed the jade bottle on the ground in front of her, straightened up, lowered his head to bite his sleeve, leaned sideways against the table, and exposed his bloodied and mangled back entirely before her. He mumbled a word: "Come."

In the second year of the Xingqing era, Chen Wang, who was then the Director of the Central Secretariat, was appointed to the position of Yuanzhi. He privately amassed a group of followers and, after being imprisoned, was interrogated by Zhang Duo, who uncovered the serious crime of conspiracy to rebel.

She sat on the ground in a daze, not daring to reach out.

After waiting for a long time, a familiar and excruciating pain finally surged through his back, accompanied by a chilling sensation akin to being cut by a snow knife, forcing cold sweat to bead on his forehead, neck, and lower back. Despite his utmost efforts to maintain control, he could not suppress the trembling of his joints and the quaking of his flesh.

No ... ...

Good person? Ha ... ...

Xi ... ... Yin

He waved his hand and glanced at her lower body, "This is for you, you can pick it up as you see fit"

If you can recognize the characters, tonight you can truly end my life. " After saying this, he expressionlessly twisted his sleeves into a bundle and handed her another jade green bottle.

Young Master ... ... is the Minister of the Central Secretariat, who ... ... who can impose severe punishment on Young Master.

Why ... ... would be subjected to such severe flogging

She originally did not expect Zhang Duo to respond, yet to her surprise, he casually mentioned the Privy Council.

She was talking to herself, her voice very soft. Initially, she thought he couldn't hear her, but unexpectedly, when she suddenly looked up, she was met with his question.

Xi Yin looked at his fingers, which were turning white from gripping the table, knowing that he was in extreme pain at that moment. For a time, he held the jade bottle, feeling utterly lost.

She leaned towards a basin of charcoal fire, glanced at him, and seeing that he had not opened his eyes, she dared to extend her hand.

Finally, in the city of Luoyang, Zhang Xi prepared a coffin for him, and then personally brought Zhang Duo to kneel before the spirit of Wang Chen. He wept bitterly in front of the coffin, harshly rebuking Zhang Duo for his "cruelty and lack of restraint." He punished him with heavy blows from a thorny stick, beating him until he vomited blood before the spirit.

Did you not hear?

He ambiguously uttered an "mm" and spat out the sleeve from his mouth. He then sat up straight with his legs crossed again

Ah ... ... in ... ... in ... ...

I do not know about my parents, nor do I know if they have passed away

Elder brother... has an eye ailment. Although he cannot see clearly, he is able to play "Guangling San" and can also perform "Po Zhen." He taught me to play the "Fifty Strings" and sing "Yuefu." He really wanted to teach me to write, but his eyesight has deteriorated increasingly, and he can no longer read or hold a pen to write. Nevertheless, he has always spoken to me gently. He is truly a very, very good person. The way I am today... is not what he wishes to see.

No

Heh

What are you saying

He turned his neck to glance at the wound on his shoulder that had already been treated, a hint of self-mockery playing at the corners of his mouth: "It is nothing more than the relationship between sovereign and subject, father and son; this is not punishment, but family discipline"

On the young and fragile skin, fine beads of sweat gradually emerged

Ah... I dare not think of anything.

What are you thinking

It is much better

After she finished speaking, she knelt down and said: "My lord, without the care of a servant, my brother cannot survive alone. I beseech you to allow me to return; I am willing to serve as a maid in your household in the future to repay your kindness today"

You must understand that today I am not saving you; I simply do not want anyone to see me in my current state. The whip marks on my back will take ten days to heal, right, Xiyin? I will allow you to live for ten days, and after that, I will conclude your fate. As for your elder brother... good people do not deserve to live in Luoyang; life and death follow a principle, so do not insist.

Although she had never met the renowned Minister of the Secretariat, she had heard her elder brother speak of him. The Zhang family originated from Hanoi, and their ancestor was a distinguished minister of the Eastern Han dynasty, with a deep-rooted foundation and a profound family tradition. Besides Zhang Duo, her father, Zhang Xi, held the position of Sima and had presided over state affairs for many years. During the reign of Xingqing, the court was almost entirely under the control of these two men. However, their characters and integrity were entirely different.

deceased

It is very easy; wherever the skin is cut, that is where the salt should be sprinkled

In Luoyang City, I have not seen a good person for ten years. What is your brother's name

Yet he personally bestowed the title of "cruel official" upon his own son. Such actions do not resemble those of a loving father

She sat down in front of him, clutching the bottle, while the Snow Dragon Sand behind her stood on guard, revealing its fearsome fangs to her

A fleeting trace of hostility flashed across his face, only to be quickly reined in.

He treats you well, yet you end up being stripped of your clothes and pursued by the internal military! You have to rely on climbing into a man's car to save your life

She was instantly filled with shame, her face turning bright red as she hurriedly buried her head in the drawer, searching frantically.

She had no choice, hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously lay down beside him, trying to control her breath, gently exhaling towards his wound.

However, my elder brother treats me very well

Xi Yin was taken aback

The people in the vortex, to some extent, are endowed with certain secrets. My elder brother mentioned it fleetingly, like a swan skimming over the water. Xi Yin listened, but did not fully understand or believe every word.

He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly mocked, "It's also something picked up."

Fearing that I might take the wrong item again, I hesitated and turned to him while opening the drawer, asking: "Which one ... ... "

Only when he was covered in wounds, drenched in blood, and sitting in front of her in a tragic manner, was she able to confront those rumors that had originally seemed so distant from her.

Does it hurt

Go over to that drawer and bring back a shirt

However, I only intend to give you a period of ten days

She swallowed hard behind him

The slave does not know who their parents are. The slave was picked up by the elder brother in the music scale.

There are one hundred ways to make someone tell the truth here

In his lifetime, Xi Yin had seen many noble families and aristocrats indulge in drunken debauchery, exposing their bodies without restraint, yet he had never encountered such a tragic and unyielding tibia, one that rejected all absurd desires.

The bare skin unexpectedly pressed against each other, and he frowned but did not utter a word

She seemed eager to defend her brother, whom she mentioned, and spoke several words in one breath, to the point that her neck even turned red in the end

He does not know

This major case lasted for a year, under the tug-of-war between the forces of Dongjun and Henei. It was examined by the court for over half a year, and ultimately, in the following year, the entire Chen clan of Dongjun was exterminated, with three hundred members of the clan perishing at the hands of Zhang Duo. It is rumored that when Chen Wang was executed by dismemberment, his legs were broken, and his tongue was charred black from being burned. In his final moments, he could not utter a sound, only glaring at Zhang Duo, the executioner, with deep resentment. Even when his body was severed in two, his eyes remained wide open, refusing to close in death.

The dog in the corner barked, startling her into grabbing the jade bottle and scrambling to her feet, instinctively seeking refuge beside him

He opened his eyes and looked at her

With a swift motion, he tore off the tattered Zen robe from his back, pulling it away from his arms and exposing his chest. Aside from the fresh whip marks that were clearly visible, numerous old scars could also be faintly seen on his body

After Chen Wang's death, all the members of his clan were also killed, leaving no one to collect the bodies

She was rendered speechless upon hearing this

He suddenly raised his voice, startling Xi Yin, who quickly withdrew her hand. Unable to comprehend the reason behind his abruptly ignited fury, she could only stare at him blankly and softly said

He did not speak, only shook his head

Caught in a dilemma, she was compelled to look up at Zhang Duo

It is no wonder that there are rumors circulating that Zhang Duo is not the biological son of Zhang Xiqin, but rather the child of Zhang Xiqin's concubine Xu Wan and her former husband. Due to being labeled as having a "fateful conflict with his father" in his childhood, he was abandoned by Xu Wan at a marketplace. It was not until he was ten years old that he was taken back by the Zhang family, who publicly claimed him to be the long-lost eldest son of the Zhang family.

A sudden sound brought Xi Yin's thoughts back.

Cen Zhao

After Zhang Duo gradually calmed down, his voice returned to its icy tone, causing her shoulders to tremble, and she quickly stood up to attend to her tasks

The man's robe was quite loose, and casually picking one would be enough to wrap her body tightly. She carefully tightened the belt around her waist and shoulders, and upon turning around, she saw him with his eyes closed, regulating his breath. She did not dare to make a sound, so she wrapped herself in the wide robe and shrank into the corner opposite the snow dragon sand dog, sitting quietly with her knees hugged, nervously staring at the fangs that appeared and disappeared on the dog's mouth

This reprimand, this scolding, flawlessly contributed to his reputation as a "good minister"

He smiled with his eyes closed and asked, "Do you have parents?"

He seems to have casually asked a question in order to divert his mind