Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 89

Just as the banquet reaches its midpoint, an exquisitely decorated carriage arrives outside.

The first thing to emerge from the carriage is an embroidered shoe—a woman’s foot, delicate and refined. The sight surprises everyone. Who would expect a woman to come alone to drink at this banquet?

All eyes follow as the owner of the foot slowly steps out. She is a slim and graceful girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with striking beauty.

After her, another person steps down—a wealthy local merchant with a round belly, the signs of indulgence evident in his face, which is marked by wine, pleasure, and greed. He has the air of a habitual drunkard, yet the occasional glint in his eyes hints at cunning that should not be underestimated.

“Congratulations, Scholar Zhang,” the rich man says, signaling his servant, who immediately steps forward with a package. Bowing slightly, he continues, “They say that when a man passes the imperial examination, he should also enjoy the pleasures of life. You have now become a juren, a scholar of merit—this is a cause for celebration. And after success, what could be more fitting than the embrace of a beautiful concubine?”

At first, people think the young woman is simply a guest, but at these words, they immediately understand—she is being gifted as a concubine.

Instinctively, everyone turns to look at Zhang Yun. Her face goes deathly pale. What should be a joyful occasion—her husband’s academic success—is now tainted by the sudden arrival of another woman to share her home and marriage.

Everyone waits for Scholar Zhang’s reaction. If he refuses, there will be nothing more to say. But how can he refuse? He already envisions the days ahead, basking in beauty’s warmth and tenderness. The thought of having such a stunning woman at his side fills him with more joy than even his scholarly title.

Smiling, he says, “Brother Li, you are too generous, offering me such a fine gift.”

The rich man chuckles. “Since ancient times, talented men and beautiful women have always belonged together. This girl is my goddaughter. She has been raised in my household and has even learned to read. Upon hearing of your achievements, she greatly admired you and asked me to bring her here. If you are willing to accept her, you would be fulfilling her wish.”

His words cleverly emphasize the girl’s virtue—she is literate, pure, and holds admiration for Scholar Zhang.

A shy expression crosses the young woman’s face, making Scholar Zhang feel even more flattered.

“Then I shall gratefully accept,” Scholar Zhang says, bowing politely. He then turns to Zhang Yun, who stands frozen in place. “Madam Yun, please escort this young lady inside, see that she is well taken care of, and bring her some fine dishes.”

Zhang Yun stares at him blankly. For the first time, she does not immediately follow his instructions.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and welcome her in!” Scholar Zhang’s face darkens. The wife who always obeys him without question is now defying him in front of everyone. His fury flares.

“You arrogant fool!” a sudden voice thunders. Grandpa Zhang shoots to his feet, his elderly frame trembling with rage as he strides forward and grabs Zhang Yun’s hand. “Ah’yun, come home with me! He has humiliated you like this—we will not stay here a moment longer!”

No matter what mistakes Zhang Yun has made in the past, she is still his daughter. As long as he is alive, he will never let others trample on her dignity.

He once believed that while Zhang wenjie looked down on them, he still held some sense of propriety and duty. He also thought that there are true feelings between Zhang Wenjie and his daughter—otherwise, why would Zhang Yun devote herself so fully to him?

But today, in front of everyone, Zhang Wenjie takes a concubine without a second thought. Worse, he demands that Zhang Yun personally welcome and serve her. This is beyond cruel.

No one had expected Grandpa Zhang, usually so reserved, to stand up so fiercely to the newly promoted scholar. A wave of shock swept through the crowd.

Grandma Zhang and Zhang Shu quickly move to Grandpa Zhang’s side in silent support. Zhang An, Zhang Yun’s younger brother, rushes forward as well.

However, the first thing out of his mouth is, “Brother-in-law, don’t be angry. My father is old and confused—please don’t take offense.” Then he turns to his father, his voice filled with reproach. “Father, how can you speak to a scholar like that? Do you not understand that even a single strand of his hair holds more value than our entire existence? You shouldn’t have said such things!”

The moment the words leave his mouth, a resounding slap echoes through the courtyard.

Grandpa Zhang strikes Zhang An across the face, the impact leaving the younger man momentarily stunned.

Sensing the situation spiraling out of control, the Zhang family’s relatives rush to disperse the onlookers, ushering them away to keep the family’s disgrace from becoming a public spectacle. Those who linger to watch the drama unfold hesitate, then reluctantly leave.

Zhang An clutches his reddened cheek, his eyes filled with resentment. His wife and children also glare at Grandpa Zhang in dissatisfaction.

“You are not worthy to call yourself a brother,” Grandpa Zhang spits. “Your sister suffers humiliation, and instead of standing up for her, you defend the man who wronged her? Have you forgotten what your eldest brother did for you back then? You heartless wretch! I truly regret ever having you as a son!”

Zhang An’s chest heaves with anger. “So there it is! You’ve never truly seen me as your son! You’ve always wished I had died that day instead of them!” His voice cracks as he continues, “My eldest brother was a good man. The moment he saw me fall, he panicked and jumped into the water to save me. He pushed me to shore. It was winter, and his face turned pale from the cold.” His words tremble with emotion. “My sister-in-law saw that he had no strength left, so she lay down to pull him up. But then a wave came—” His voice breaks. “And both of them were taken by the current. I was trembling all over, too weak to do anything. I could only watch them drift further and further away… their bodies were never even found. And after I came back home, do you know how many nights I woke up screaming? But you? You were only thinking about them. You looked at me with suspicion, as if I had stolen their lives. Don’t think I didn’t notice!”

Zhang Shu listens in silence as his uncle recounts the circumstances of his parents’ deaths. The very brother his father saves at the cost of his own life has turned out to be such a person. Would his father have regretted exchanging his life for his?

What a cruel irony—repaying kindness with betrayal.

Grandpa Zhang raises his hand to slap Zhang An again, but this time, Zhang An blocks him. “To ensure you had someone to take care of you in your old age, I moved back with my wife and children and served you both wholeheartedly. Yet, you cast us out for the sake of that little bastard Zhang Shu. I always knew that in your heart, only my eldest brother mattered, and naturally, his son is more valuable than me!”

Grandpa Zhang’s breathing grows heavy. He doesn’t expect his words to bring so many buried resentments to the surface. “You… you…”

“What? Scholar Zhang has passed the imperial examination—he’s no longer the same as us ordinary people. I did this for your own good. If you can’t appreciate it, just pretend you never gave birth to me!” Zhang An throws down Grandpa Zhang’s hand and storms out with his family.

Grandpa Zhang sways and nearly collapses, but Zhang Shu quickly catches him.

Grandma Zhang, hearing all this, breaks into tears. Heaven is truly unfair! Their good son is taken away, leaving behind only these heartless creatures to torment them. What sins has she committed in her past life to deserve such suffering?

Scholar Zhang, who remains silent until now, finally speaks with a sneer. “Father-in-law, settle your own household matters first before meddling in mine. You should know that once a woman is married, she must obey her husband. Yunniang is my wife, and if she does something wrong, it is my right to discipline her. You need not concern yourself with it.”

Grandpa Zhang takes a deep breath and ignores him. Instead, he turns to Zhang Yun. “Ah’yun, think carefully. You’ve toiled for this heartless man for over ten years—what have you gotten in return? Come home with me. As long as we’re alive, you will never be left with nothing.”

Zhang Yun glances awkwardly between her father and her husband, then silently moves to stand beside Scholar Zhang. She was upset earlier, but after thinking it over, she still believes she should obey her husband—wasn’t that the foundation of a good woman’s life?

What is so wrong about him taking a concubine? After all, she is still the main wife, and no matter what, that won’t change.

“Aunt, have you really thought this through? Even after he took in a concubine the moment he returned and treated you like a servant, you’re still willing to endure this with my two cousins?” Zhang Shu can’t bear to see his grandparents’ disappointment. Though he doesn’t particularly like his aunt, he still wants to give her a chance.

Perhaps Zhang Yun is the only one who remains trapped in the illusion Scholar Zhang crafts for her. Everyone else can see clearly that she holds no place in his heart—he merely sees her as an unpaid servant.

If she had thought about it seriously, she would have realized that in the past two years, they haven’t even shared a bed. That alone should have told her what Scholar Zhang truly thinks of her, rather than believing his nonsense about “gentlemen’s abstinence.”

“You young people! They say it’s better to tear down ten temples than to break up a marriage. Yet, as a nephew, you’re persuading your aunt to divorce? Do you want to drive her to her death? Do you think life will be easy for a woman cast out as a widow?” Old Lady Zhang grabs Zhang Yun’s hand, her expression warm and kind, as if she is truly a loving mother-in-law and the Zhang family elders are the villains.

Zhang Yun looks at Old Lady Zhang gratefully. It is rare for her mother-in-law to be so gentle toward her—surely, she must not want her to leave.

Old Lady Zhang continues, “I’ve always treated Yunniang like my own daughter. Even if we take in a concubine, no one can surpass her. In fact, having another woman in the household will only help lighten her workload. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Zhang Yun nods eagerly. If she had been clearer in her thoughts earlier, none of this trouble would have happened. Now, she has even ruined her husband’s celebratory banquet—how will he punish her for this?

She glances at Scholar Zhang and sees him smiling at her. Her heart settles, and she gathers her courage to say to Grandpa Zhang, “Father, please don’t stir up trouble or try to force me. I have already married my husband—I am his in life and in death. If I am not worthy to be his wife, then I would rather die.”

Grandpa Zhang and Grandma Zhang expect this, but hearing her say it still fills them with sorrow. It seems all their kindness has been for nothing.

Zhang Shu notices how the two elders suddenly seem to have aged overnight—their backs hunched, their hair grayer than before.

“Forget it,” Grandpa Zhang finally says, his voice heavy with disappointment. “Consider me an old fool. Live your life as you wish. From today onward, we are no longer father and daughter. Unless it’s for a funeral, do not come home.”

With that, he turns and staggers toward the door. Grandma Zhang and the others quickly follow.

Before leaving, Grandma Zhang glances back and says softly, “Take care of yourself.”

Zhang Shu adds, “You’ll regret this someday.”

Zhang Yun watches her family leave, feeling wronged. Why do they act like she is the one at fault? All women live like this—why can’t her family understand?

Zhang Shu, watching his grandparents sever ties with two children in a single day, feels a sorrow he can’t put into words. He wants to say something but can only mutter, “From now on, you still have me, Mujin, and the child in his belly.”

…

Hearing Zhang Shu’s words, Li Mujin doesn’t know how to react. What is there to say? He can’t help but feel that their entire way of thinking is completely absurd!