The princess regretted it.

Chapter 367 Zhang Hengrui Returns to the Grand Tutor's Mansion

Chapter 367 Zhang Hengrui Returns to the Grand Tutor's Mansion

At dusk, in the Grand Tutor's Mansion in the capital, Zhang Hengrui's wife, Tian, paced restlessly around the house. Her husband had quietly left early in the morning and hadn't returned yet.

Lately, her husband seemed to be avoiding her, and she knew the reason—the Zhang family had been having a tough time lately. The Emperor had temporarily suspended her husband due to Concubine Zhang's repeated missteps and the fire in the palace. The situation at court was unpredictable, and the Zhang family faced numerous crises, making their affairs of state less smooth than before.

She knew her husband's anxiety, the feeling of a thorn in his side, a lump in his throat. She felt it too, her own anguish burning with worry. Her father and brother from her mother's family had sent word today, saying they'd heard the Emperor might want to remove her husband from the Imperial Guard. But the news wasn't confirmed. Upon receiving this news, she was terribly anxious, thinking of telling her husband immediately so he could consult with his father-in-law and grandfather.

It turned out that her husband had been sent out early by her father-in-law. In desperation, she decided to have someone guard the front yard, hoping to invite him inside if he returned. She waited until now, the sun setting, the already gloomy sky growing darker, but he still hadn't returned.

The longer she waited, the more uneasy she became. A wave of unease spread like a vine, entwining her and making her feel restless. At this moment, her maid, Dongxue, walked in carrying a bowl of bird's nest soup.

"Madam, this bird's nest soup is freshly cooked. Please have some while it's hot," Dongxue said softly. She gently placed the bowl of bird's nest soup on the table. The steaming soup exuded a faint fragrance, bringing a touch of warm comfort to the gradually dimming room.

Tian looked at the bowl of bird's nest soup, but she had no appetite at all. She frowned slightly and waved her hand, "Dongxue, I can't eat it. You can leave it for now. Is there any news from the front yard that the master has returned?" There was a hint of fatigue and anxiety in her voice, and her eyes were still looking towards the door.

Dongxue bowed slightly, her eyes full of worry, and replied softly: "Madam, no one has replied from the front yard, so it must be that the master has not come back yet. Don't worry too much. The master is steady and must have been delayed by something important. He will be fine." She tried to soothe Tian's anxious heart with gentle words, but the anxiety on Tian's face did not ease at all.

Tian sat down distractedly, tugging at her handkerchief, which deformed slightly as she pulled. Although she had never interfered with the affairs of the men in the Zhang family, she always felt that her husband's family must be doing something behind the scenes that should not be known to others.

When everything was going smoothly before, she didn't think it was a big deal. But for such a big family to stand forever, in this complicated court and officialdom, some shady means seemed inevitable.

But now that the Zhang family was in such a predicament, with the Emperor's reprimand and suspension, and the news that her husband might be transferred out of the Imperial Guard, she wondered if the Emperor had learned of the Zhang family's secret. Thinking of this, she felt a surge of fear.

At the city gate, Zhang Hengrui finally made it in before the gate closed, though he looked rather disheveled. His clothes were wrinkled and dusty, as if he had been on a long journey. His hair was a bit disheveled, with strands fluttering in the wind. The band that had been holding it in place had come undone at some point, and his face was filled with fatigue.

He had walked all the way back, hoping to find a horse or carriage along the way so he could buy one. But for some reason, the carriages and horses that were usually everywhere seemed to have disappeared today, not even a trace of them could be found. He was exhausted and angry, but he didn't dare to pause. He could only grit his teeth and drag his exhausted body towards the city gate.

The bone-chilling cold, the biting wind slashed his cheeks like a knife, yet his clothes were soaked with sweat from the long walk back. Fine beads of sweat continuously seeped from his forehead, soaking the hair at his temples. His back was also already soaked with sweat, sticking to his body and feeling chilled. Every time the cold wind blew, he couldn't help but shiver.

Fortunately, he hurried and didn't miss the time. Once he entered the city, he was too tired to walk any further. So, he rented a carriage on the roadside and returned to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

The carriage moved slowly forward, and Zhang Hengrui leaned against the wall. The shaking of the carriage made his fatigue even more obvious. On the way back from the city, he cursed the person who stole his horse countless times in his heart. Now, the soreness in his legs made him rage again, and he cursed silently through gritted teeth.

Soon, the coachman sighed softly, and the carriage stopped. "Sir, we have arrived at the Grand Tutor's Mansion." The coachman's voice rang out from outside the carriage.

Zhang Hengrui raised his hand to lift the carriage curtain and saw that the coachman had already put the bridge bench in place. He took out a piece of silver from his pocket and threw it to the coachman before getting off the carriage. The coachman took the silver, thanked him, and turned the carriage around and left.

Zhang Hengrui slowly ascended the steps. The doorman, who had never seen his uncle in such a state of disgrace, was genuinely startled. He hurried forward to support Zhang Hengrui, nearly tripping over himself in his frantic pace. Normally, Zhang Hengrui would never have asked for help; after all, as the eldest of the Zhang family, he always valued his dignity and respectability. But now, he didn't refuse. He simply nodded slightly, allowing the doorman to support him.

The news that the doorman had escorted Zhang Hengrui back to the mansion quickly spread throughout the courtyards. The maid that Tian had sent to wait for Zhang Hengrui was also shocked to see him in such a state. It was difficult for her to speak to him, so she allowed Zhang Hengrui to return to his own quarters to wash and freshen up while she returned to report to Tian.

When Tian heard the news from the nanny, her already anxious heart instantly rose to her throat. In a panic, Dongxue supported her as she walked to Zhang Hengrui's courtyard. Her steps were hurried and frantic, and if Dongxue hadn't supported her along the way, she would probably have fallen.

When Tian arrived at Zhang Hengrui's courtyard, he had just finished washing in the tub and was being wiped by a servant. He was still damp, his hair clinging to his cheeks, and he looked haggard. Tian entered the inner chamber alone and saw this scene. Her heart ached, and her eyes welled up.

"Husband, what's wrong with you? Did something happen?" Tian walked quickly to Zhang Hengrui and asked anxiously.