Familiar Symptoms

Zhang Xuezhou's background could hardly be called pitiable.

He had parents who were skilled hunters, as well as relatives in Hibiscus City.

There were millions upon millions of people like him in the world, and millions more who were far worse off.

Even Zhang Cigong from his village had led a life of hardship and displacement after the village fell into ruin and his cultivation came to nothing. Then there was Zhufu Yan, who had been so poor that he ate gophers to get through the winter.

Comparing himself with those below him, Zhang Xuezhou felt that he had at least lived better than eighty percent of people.

But today, he was recounting his life story in the Palace of Peace and Happiness.

Though intrigue and infighting were rife in the imperial palace, there had never been a shortage of food or clothing, nor had anyone met the bizarre ends that so many people from Zhang Household Village had suffered.

As a result, Zhang Xuezhou's life story prompted even the ailing Grand Empress Dowager to interject.

"You really have suffered!"

Anyone who had weathered years of fierce struggles in the palace had a heart of stone, but Grand Princess Dou felt that the fellow before her had suffered a bit too much, and she could not help feeling a measure of sympathy.

His clansmen had disappeared, his parents were nowhere to be found, and he had come to Chang'an City to struggle. He had failed twice in succession before becoming a gate guard on his third attempt, only to have his skull cracked open a dozen or so days after taking up the post.

Grand Princess Dou felt that Zhang Xuezhou had not enjoyed a single good day. A life that gave him a little hope only to strike him