Chapter Three: Divorce

Upon hearing that Zhang Xu might go to the capital to seek refuge with Chen Xiang, all of Zhao the Registrar’s earlier bluster instantly vanished. He had thought his plot flawless, but once Zhang Xu entered the capital, with his talent and Chen Xiang’s recommendation, it would not be difficult for him to pass the imperial examination. If he truly offended the Zhang family now, he would one day have to contend with the vengeance of an official. Moreover, knowing his would-be son-in-law as he did, this was not someone to provoke lightly.

Zhang Shi lowered his head and said, "Registrar, my third brother and I truly had no knowledge of this, but if there is any fault, it lies with our Zhang family. We brothers admit our mistake not to beg your mercy or to ask you to spare us, but sincerely to apologize for our fault."

Zhao the Registrar's expression relaxed slightly at these words, forced by circumstance to relent. He now needed a way to back down, especially before Zhang Xu was apprehended; he could not afford to sever ties with the Zhangs.

Zhang Yue also nodded. Indeed, his elder brother was a man of experience—his words were dignified yet humble.

Beside them, Cao the Bailiff, who had been silent all along, suddenly felt his spirits lift when he saw how Zhang Yue's words had turned the situation around. He had not dared to mediate before, but now things were different. When it came to smoothing things over, he was an expert.

Cao the Bailiff said with a genial smile, "Isn’t it all just a misunderstanding? Registrar, I think Second Young Master Zhang is simply a bit headstrong, temporarily confused, but he’ll surely understand in the end."

"Registrar Zhao, consider: this marriage was arranged by the elders of both families. How could it be undone by a mere word from the younger generation? Marriage is a matter of parental command and matchmaker’s word. As the Bailiff, I'll act for the Zhangs: as long as Second Young Master Zhang returns home in glory, the engagement stands. When the time comes, you’ll be spared the trouble of seeking a son-in-law at the examination lists..."

Zhao the Registrar interrupted, "Thank you for your good intentions, Bailiff, but if your Second Young Master returns in glory, should I, Zhao, shamelessly beg him to take my daughter back? The ties between the Zhangs and Zhaos were severed the moment he fled the marriage. Today, all I want is the three hundred strings of dowry silver repaid, and our accounts settled."

"Then how are you going to settle the matter of burning down our family shop?" Zhang Yue demanded.

At this, Zhao the Registrar sneered, "Burned it is, so what? Out of consideration for our families’ past friendship, I’ve given you a chance to speak. Did you think me so easy to deal with?"

Sensing the atmosphere souring again, Cao the Bailiff quickly intervened, "Registrar, please quell your anger. As of now, the engagement between the Zhangs and the Zhaos has not been annulled. If the engagement stands, are we not still one family? Since we’re one family, can’t we sit down and talk?"

Zhao the Registrar retorted, "Second Young Master Zhang was the first to betray us—how can we still be called one family?"

Cao the Bailiff said with a forced smile, "Registrar, even if we’re not one family, it's just that the Zhangs aren’t destined for such a fine match. The lady can remarry, as is common. Surely you’ll find a better son-in-law. Even the Empress Dowager of our dynasty remarried—she became empress regnant after marrying Emperor Zhenzong."

He referred to Empress Dowager Liu E, often ranked with Empress Lu and Empress Wu in later generations. Liu E came from humble origins and had been married before becoming Emperor Zhenzong’s consort, yet she rose to become the all-powerful empress dowager. Some ministers even urged her to follow Empress Wu’s example and usurp the throne from the young Emperor Renzong, but she famously flung a book to the ground, declaring, "I would never betray my ancestors so!"

By today’s standards, her life was truly inspirational—no tale of female empowerment could be written so boldly.

Cao the Bailiff, having cited her as an example, continued, "If the dispute continues, it will only harm both families’ reputations. Registrar Zhao, if you could show some magnanimity now, everyone would praise your virtue. It would also benefit your daughter’s future prospects in remarriage."

Zhang Yue nodded in agreement. To paraphrase Cao the Bailiff: these days, if you haven’t had your engagement broken and remarried once or twice, how can you call yourself a protagonist? The issue is not the broken engagement, but rather, "Do not look down on a youth who is poor!" In the end, your daughter will marry better, and perhaps come back to thank—or shame—the one who did not marry her.

The onlookers outside, watching the drama unfold, thought, "That’s right. If you treat your former in-laws like this, even if they were at fault, the next potential in-laws will surely have misgivings."

But Zhao the Registrar sneered, "Well, Bailiff Cao, by your reasoning, the Zhangs breaking off the engagement could be considered a blessing for the Zhaos?"

"Registrar, I would never dare say such a thing!" Cao the Bailiff protested immediately.

Zhang Shi said, "If our Zhang family is at fault, we accept whatever punishment is due. We would never leave you unable to account for yourself."

Zhao the Registrar sneered, "So with just a word from Bailiff Cao, the matter of breaking the engagement ends here? If you kill a man, must you not pay with your life? Is it enough just to apologize and pay some money?"

The situation had come to a standstill.

Zhang Yue deliberately asked Cao the Bailiff, "Bailiff, there’s something I don’t understand and wish to ask you."

Cao the Bailiff nodded, "Speak, Third Young Master."

Zhang Yue asked, "My sister-in-law is still legally our family’s daughter-in-law. With my second brother absent from Pucheng, how can she remarry?"

Cao the Bailiff replied, "A petition can be made to the magistrate for a judgment of severance. If the husband abandons his wife, that is considered unrighteous; the marital bond is thus dissolved."

Zhang Yue pressed further, "But Bailiff, among the seven grave offenses for absolute severance under the law, which one is 'abandoning one’s wife'? There’s never been a rule that a husband cannot abandon his wife, only that a wife may not abandon her husband. Why not let both families sit down and jointly petition the magistrate for a divorce by mutual consent? While it cannot erase the regret, it would at least sound better for both families’ reputations."

"Yes," Cao the Bailiff’s eyes lit up.

In ancient times, the dissolution of a marriage was usually initiated by the husband—called "repudiation." "Absolute severance" occurred only when the husband was at fault, but the wife could not repudiate her husband and needed an official judgment. The law favored men: the courts rarely granted severance for abandonment by the husband, but would allow it for the wife. If the Zhangs dug in their heels and dragged the case out, Zhao the Registrar’s hands would be tied. A divorce by mutual consent, however, was different.

Both parties could amicably negotiate the divorce: if the husband was at fault, but not for one of the seven grave offenses, and the wife was not at fault either, then it would be a no-fault divorce.

Cao the Bailiff said, "Indeed, Second Young Master Zhang’s flight has brought great humiliation to both families. No amount of money can restore what’s lost. At this point, Registrar, consider your daughter’s future. A divorce by mutual consent would sound better and benefit her in seeking a new match."

Zhao the Registrar looked at Zhang Yue and sneered, "Clever child—you’re bargaining with me through Bailiff Cao?"

Zhang Yue replied, "I wouldn’t dare. My brother and I have nowhere to go. Registrar, please let us stay here a while longer, or at least give us time to sell the house ourselves. As for the money we owe, you will get every penny."

Zhang Shi added, "In the future, we will personally host a banquet for the respected elders of the city and apologize to Registrar Zhao face to face."

Zhao the Registrar considered for a moment and said, "First, write a letter of divorce on behalf of your second brother, and return the betrothal documents as well."

"Very well, very well," Cao the Bailiff said happily, agreeing on the Zhang brothers’ behalf.

Cao the Bailiff drafted the divorce letter:

"Since the bond of marriage is deep and the affection profound, we have shared the joy of the nuptial cup and the warmth of the shared quilt. Husband and wife are fated by three lives past, to be joined in this present life...

May you, my lady, after our parting, comb your hair and adorn your brows anew, display your grace and beauty, choose a worthy husband, let fair shadows play in the courtyard, and harmonize as lyre and lute. Let all resentments dissolve, let there be no hatred; may we part in kindness and each find happiness."

May you live long and prosper.

Signed by Zhang Shi on behalf of Zhang Xu,
Duly written on the sixteenth day of the fifth month, third year of the Zhihe era.

Seeing the phrase "Part in kindness, each find happiness," Zhang Yue felt a weight lift from his heart. So this is where the saying originated. Even the ancients parted with such poetry, wishing their former wives happiness in their new lives. Only, the lines about "shared quilt and nuptial cup" felt rather formulaic, since his brother and the bride had done nothing of the sort.

As the eldest, Zhang Shi now presided over the family. He signed on Zhang Xu’s behalf.

Zhao the Registrar took the divorce letter in hand, his eyes growing moist. At this moment, he was no longer the fearsome Registrar Zhao, but simply a father.

"My poor daughter—what difference is there between this and being a widow at the threshold?" he sobbed, clutching the paper.

"Bachelor after bachelor will come," comforted Cao the Bailiff.

Zhang Shi said, "Registrar, my brother and I still need a place to stay in Pucheng. We hope you will show us some mercy."

The neighbors all chimed in, "Yes, Registrar, be generous. Let bygones be bygones!"

"Let it end here, part ways with goodwill!"

Zhao the Registrar turned away to wipe his tears with his sleeve, then said, "Let it end here? If only it were so easy. The fault lies not with you brothers, but with Second Young Master Zhang. I’ll settle accounts with him. For now, you may stay in this house. The rest of the debt must be repaid within a month. Do not think that having a scholar in your family gives you license to oppress others—thirty years east of the river, thirty years west!"

At this, Zhang Shi was almost moved to tears, "Thank you for your mercy, Registrar!"

Zhang Yue, seeing his brother so trusting, thought to himself: If Registrar Zhao found out that his second brother hadn’t gone to the capital, who knows if he would go back on his word.

Zhao’s henchmen, torches in hand, cast flickering shadows on his face as he commanded, "Move!"

Everyone began to haul away anything of value from the Zhang home. Two men who looked like clerks itemized as they went: "One broken bedstead... One battered stool... One torn canopy..."

Zhang Yue darted upstairs, took a book from his brother’s shelf, and tucked it into his robe. He remembered the old saying: A family may lose all its wealth, but as long as its sons study, there is hope. In those days, books were the most precious possessions—never to be sold.

After hiding the book, he grabbed a mosquito net. Zhao the Registrar glanced at him but said nothing, which made Zhang Yue regret not taking more books. He watched in distress as the others carried off an entire bookcase. They kept at it until midnight, taking even the beds and chairs.

At least, what could not be carried away was not smashed, sparing the family some dignity.

"Registrar, take care! Someone, light the way for the Registrar!"

Cao the Bailiff, as attentive as ever, saw the Registrar out, accompanied by the neighbors.

When he returned, Cao the Bailiff cursed, "Those lackeys, not even a stool left behind!"

Only when the others were gone did he dare say this, truly a man of rare courage.

He said to Zhang Shi, "Let it go, Elder Brother. We won’t stoop to their level. In a few days, we’ll hold a peace banquet and invite the Registrar—then it’ll all be behind us."

Zhang Shi thanked him, "We are grateful, Bailiff, and to all our neighbors for your kindness!"

The neighbors replied, "Kindness will be repaid, Elder Brother Zhang. We’ve been neighbors for years—no need to be so formal."

"Yes, who hasn’t had a run of bad luck?"

Cao the Bailiff turned to the crowd, "Neighbors, the Zhang house is empty tonight. Let’s all lend a hand, gather some household goods so these brothers have a place to stay."

"Let’s do it," the neighbors agreed.

He said to the brothers, "You two come stay with me tonight. We’ll sort out the rest tomorrow."

Zhang Shi sighed, "We must trouble you, Bailiff."

The Bailiff led the brothers to his home. As Zhang Shi reached for the lock out of habit, he paused, seeing the battered door and empty rooms.

"No need to lock it."

That night, the Bailiff’s wife even prepared hot soup for Zhang Yue.

The two brothers slept foot to foot.

Zhang Yue pulled out his book and by the lamp read the chapters "King Hui of Liang" and "Gongsun Chou."

Zhang Shi watched with quiet satisfaction: His brother, who had always been playful and avoided study, had become so sensible after the family’s troubles. Their parents’ spirits must be watching over them—unnoticed, his brother had grown up.

Thinking this, Zhang Shi felt comforted, and tears slipped from his eyes.

"Brother, I’ll read a while longer before sleeping," Zhang Yue said.

Suddenly, Zhang Shi spoke, "Read on. I remember our father once said that though you were mischievous as a child, you would one day bring honor to our family."

"I used to think it was just something Father said, but today..."

"Today I see you chose Mencius to read. Of all the books on our second brother’s shelf, only this one was left by Father."

Zhang Yue could think of nothing to say. After reading for a while, he lay down and immediately fell asleep.

Strangely, as soon as he slept, he found himself once more in the place where he had met the old man the day before.

It was dark all around, with only a river of stars hanging in the heavens.

A profound sense of loneliness welled up in him. He did not know when this moment began or when it would end, where he was, or what he should do.

Suddenly, the texts he had read before sleeping—"King Hui of Liang" and "Gongsun Chou"—appeared vividly before his eyes, as if painted in the air.

The words shimmered in the darkness. Zhang Yue reached out, and as his fingers brushed them, they rippled like water and dissolved away.

Scenes from earlier that night replayed before him—Zhao the Registrar’s manner, every detail and word, echoing in his ears.

He watched as Zhao the Registrar said coldly, "So what if your shop was burned?" In his mind, Zhang Yue watched and rewatched the moment, catching the flash of surprise and anger in Zhao’s expression.

He swiped his hand across the scene; it disappeared. Then the Mencius passages returned, suspended before him.

So these two chapters were now inscribed here!

Zhang Yue stared in awe: Was this not a marvel, a gift of fate?

He steadied his excitement, sat cross-legged in the grass, and began to recite.

The night was long and the stars distant.

Here, there was nothing but himself; heaven and earth were one with him.

An hour passed, then another; he did not feel the least fatigue.

How long had it been since he had truly studied? Since graduating? Since university?

Why had he always failed to persevere, always the first to slack off? He had resolved so many times to change, to study hard, but it was always three days of diligence and two days of idleness.

Why had he given up?

If Heaven granted him another chance... well, idling was rather enjoyable! At least the guilty pleasure of procrastination was something the model students would never understand!

He recited the two chapters several times, and suddenly, everything before him dissolved into points of light.

It was as if he had fallen from midair back to earth, feeling his own body again. Forcing his eyes open, he saw his brother Zhang Shi tossing and turning, still awake.

He had spent what seemed like a whole day reading, yet in reality only a few moments had passed!

A wave of exhaustion swept over him, the price of his earlier exertion. His mind fogged, and he fell asleep at last.

The night breeze was cool, the Nanpu Stream murmured on, and the lonely hill stood by the water.

The next morning, Zhang Yue was amazed to find he could nearly recite the two chapters of Mencius he had read the night before.

He felt no fatigue at all; instead, he woke refreshed and clear-headed. It was like going to bed with too much homework and waking to find someone had done it for him.

The feeling was... truly indescribable.

Zhang Yue was nearly moved to tears. After two lifetimes, for the first time he understood what it meant when they said, "Knowledge is power; learning brings joy."

He looked up and murmured, "I always thought reading put me to sleep. I never imagined I’d one day sleep and let reading happen to me!"

At that moment, as he spoke to the ceiling, Zhang Shi entered and saw his brother leaping about with excitement, talking to himself.

Cao the Bailiff also came to the door and exchanged glances with Zhang Shi.

"Could he have... lost his wits?"

"After losing everything overnight, it’s no wonder. Sorrow has turned to joy, perhaps."

Zhang Shi coughed softly, and the two quietly withdrew from the room.