Zhang Yanling's nephew married the daughter of the concubine of the Prince Consort's house. How much face can the Zhang family earn?

Zhou Xian nodded and agreed to the marriage, watching with cold eyes as the aunt rushed towards and beat Zhou Mao like crazy. Zhou Mao dodged in a panic. After being scratched on the face, he cruelly kicked his aunt down, and even made some innuendoes.

The aunt was angry and resentful, was kicked again, and soon fell ill and died.

The concubine had no sense of keeping her filial piety for her aunt. Less than two months after her aunt's death, Zhou Xian married the concubine hastily according to the specifications of the 300 taels of silver given by Zhang Yanling's brother-in-law and the same 300 taels of dowry.

Zhou Xian just watched with cold eyes as Zhou Mao fawned over the Zhang brothers, wanting to see what kind of "help" Zhou Mao could get from the hateful concubine.

Later, Zhou Xian couldn't help but regret it. If he had known that Zhou Mao would have a deadly feud with Jiuqing's family in the future, he should have dealt with this idiot long ago!

But no one is born with front and back eyesight.

Seeing Shen Rui, Zhou Xian couldn't help but think of Shen Luo, and that day Zhou Mao knelt down in front of him in fear for the first time, begging to save his life.

On the Double Ninth Festival of that year, many young people from Beijing met up to enjoy the scenery and have wine. Zhang Yanling also set up a banquet at Xishan Restaurant, but he got up late and went out late. A singer he often ordered was preceded by a group of scholars in the private room next door.

Click away.

Zhou Maohu was used to pretending to be a tiger, so he volunteered and ran over to kill people, hoping to show off his power.

In that box were Shen Luo and his classmates, half of whom were newly promoted candidates. They were high-spirited and looked down upon the relatives of nobles the most. In addition, Zhou Mao's words were sharp and sharp, making Zhou Mao unable to reply.

Shen Luo also scolded Zhou Mao, but at least he was still polite. He also brought several cousins ​​from the Qiao family, among whom Qiao Yongde was the most harsh and mean-spirited, which made Zhou Mao so angry that he almost wanted to call a slave servant to beat him. One game.

In the end, the store owner came forward, put in all his good words, and replaced the two girls with the scholars. Some of the scholars were mature and prudent, and did not want to cause trouble, so they persuaded their classmates to replace the singers.

Zhou Mao couldn't bear to swallow this tone, and went back to talk to Zhang Yanling in a more acrimonious manner.

Although the singer transferred over, Zhang Yanling did not lose any face, but he had always been rampant and was extremely unhappy after hearing Zhou Mao's words. Qiao Yongde's words also sounded like insinuations about him.

He secretly ordered people to feed croton to all the scholars' horses, especially Qiao Yongde's horse, intending to teach him a lesson.

If everyone is riding back, there are many people on the road and the horse speed is not fast. The horse will lose its front foot halfway and knock the person off. Others will be embarrassed, and Qiao Yongde will have a broken leg at most.

Unexpectedly, the scholars met to go horse racing in Zhuangzi for fun, and Shen Luo and the Qiao brothers also went there. Qiao Yongde was mediocre in riding and shooting, and he wanted to get a lucky draw. He was greedy for Shen Luo's horse, Shenjun, and secretly asked him to trade horses with him.

Because Shen Luo was a single man, he had been polishing his body and bones since he was a child. He could not be said to be good at both civil and military skills, but he was also skilled in riding and shooting. He did not care about the quality of the horses, and he had always been close to the Qiao family, so he agreed to Qiao Yongde's offer.

The horse racing was so fast that all the horses were having fits one after another, but Shen Luo's horse suffered from diarrhea first and most violently, whining quickly and collapsing. Shen Luo fell off the horse without any precautions, breaking his neck bone, and died immediately.

At that time, Shen Cang was already a minister in the official residence, and Shen Luo was the only one among the three brothers of the Shen family. Shen Luo's death would mean that the bloodline of the palace was cut off.

No matter how domineering Zhang Yanling was, he was not afraid of "minor officials" like the minister. The important matter of cutting off a person's bloodline could not be ignored. If it really came to the imperial court, even Emperor Hongzhi would not be willing to defend Zhang Yanling. So he didn't even think about it, and directly Zhou Mao pushed it out to jack up the cylinder.

When Zhou Mao and a group of scholars were fighting for prostitutes in a restaurant, there were many bystanders, so he could not escape the suspicion. However, due to Zhang Yanling's power, Zhou Mao had no choice but to admit the crime.

The matter involved relatives of the emperor and the disgraceful matter of fighting for prostitutes. The Shen family did not make any public announcement. They only announced that he died after falling from a horse and handled the matter in a low-key manner.

However, Zhou Xian investigated everything thoroughly.

Although he knew the truth, it was a foregone conclusion that Zhou Mao would plead guilty, and it would be impossible to reverse the case if he contradicted him. Faced with the Zhang family, which was dominated by two feudal lords, and the Shen family, which had only one minister, Zhou Xian chose to side with him without hesitation. On the Zhang family's side, they personally visited the Shen family to apologize, and quickly dealt with Zhou Mao with thunderous means to provide a good cover for the Zhang family.

But this time, that time.

The late emperor has made great achievements, and the new emperor has ascended the throne. Judging from the current situation, the young emperor is not so friendly to the Zhang family, and Shen Rui now has the favor of the young emperor.

"Today I saw the heir..." Zhou Xian did not say the second half of the sentence.

Zhou Xian could tell from Shen Rui's attitude towards him today that Shen Rui took the hatred between Shen and Zhou's families into heart.

This relative of his family is completely rootless now. If someone continues to speak in the emperor's ears, it will be destroyed and the bones will be destroyed, and it will eventually become a disaster.

The housekeeper smacked his lips and said: "I must say something wrong. If nothing happened to the young master, this heir would be just a country boy now. How could he have a father who is a minister, and how could he get such a good marriage from the Yang family."

Zhou Xian glanced at the housekeeper coldly and said: "With the eyesight of the Minister of Punishment, if he has such thoughts, he will not be able to become an heir."

The housekeeper was embarrassed and didn't dare to say anything more.

The staff member said: "Master, what you want is to divert misfortune to the east? I heard that Shen Zhou resigned from his official position and the Qiao family also pushed him. Well, Mr. Qiao was seriously ill, and Shen Zhou paid for his wife and took a concubine instead of marrying him. This is the Shen family. It’s unreasonable, but if the Shen family learns that the only bloodline was lost because of the Qiao family’s son..."

There was a deep sarcasm on his face.

The housekeeper looked at Zhou Xian's face and said cautiously: "Is this slave going to tell someone to tell the heir?"

Zhou Xian's face changed from dark to bright, and after a while he said coolly: "No, wait a minute. When Shen Zhou returns to Beijing, let the uncle and nephew know."

*

British Government Palace, East Road Main Courtyard

Now the whole Zhang family lives in one place. Even though the British government house occupies a large area, not every descendant can have an independent yard.

As the eldest grandson of Zhang Lun, he was invited to be granted the title of grandson, so the Zhang family vacated the East Road courtyard. After Zhang Lun got married, he lived in the main courtyard of East Road.

And Zhang Hui also got a small independent courtyard with two entrances on East Road, which was already the envy of all his cousins.

Zhang Huicai turned across the hall and entered the east road. The boy beside Zhang Lun was already waiting there. He came up to him with a smile and saluted: "Second Master, please come to the study to have dinner with me."

Zhang Hui said with a smile: "Brother is back from the camp? But what delicious food did my sister-in-law cook?" As he spoke, he casually pulled off his purse and threw it to the boy as a reward.

The waiter hurriedly caught it, flattered Zhang Hui with a smile, and spoke out a list of dish names in a very smooth tongue.

Zhang Hui laughed loudly and followed him to the study.

Opening the door, warm air carried the aroma of meat and came towards him. Zhang Hui lifted his nose and smelled it. He couldn't help but move his index finger. He smiled and sat down at the table. He picked up the bowl and chopsticks and waited for Zhang Lun to move the chopsticks for the first time. However, it is a rule of the Zhang family that the elders or the senior members of the same generation cannot move their chopsticks, and the younger ones are not allowed to do so.

Zhang Lun sneered, picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks and put it on the plate. Zhang Hui was already eating it happily.

After the boy warmed up the wine and poured it out, the two brothers exchanged cups, not paying attention to the rule of not saying anything after eating. Zhang Lun said bluntly: "Are you going out with young Eunuch Liu and Shen Rui today? It's up to you, Your Majesty. Errands?"

Zhang Hui held a piece of bone in his mouth and said vaguely: "Little Eunuch Liu is now quite respected, and he has an old relationship with Shen Rui. The emperor has entrusted him with the work-for-relief work in Xiyuan."

Zhang Lun said: "If he doesn't have the ability, it won't be his turn to come before the Holy Master. How come Shen Rui is so old with him?"

Zhang Hui then told about the origin of Shen Rui and Liu Zhong. Zhang Lun was silent for a moment and said: "So you ordered Du Laoba to help the Shen family?"

Zhang Hui said hurriedly: "No, it was Du Laoba who was approached by one of Shen Rui's clan uncles. That day the emperor got up and left the palace to go to Zhuangzi outside the city of Shen Rui's family. We happened to meet them."

Zhang Lun snorted and put down his chopsticks, "Didn't you tell Du Laoba to take care of you carefully? Lao Du is a cunning person who can be sent by the Shen family who has lost power to investigate the house of a minister who is prosperous in officialdom. ?”

Zhang Hui's brows twitched, and then he put on a sly smile, "Brother, I'm sorry, you know that Lao Du only listens to you, so I can't do anything... Hey, dear brother, dear brother..."

Zhang Lun had already clasped Zhang Hui's wrist with one hand. He had been practicing martial arts since he was a child and had been training in the military camp for many years. His hand strength was beyond the strength of the young master Zhang Hui. Zhang Hui immediately retreated and begged for mercy.

"Brother, you also know that the emperor values ​​him. At this moment, his family needs someone to help him. It's just a casual good relationship..." Zhang Hui had used all his strength to resist his brother's offensive. Sweating gradually.

Zhang Lun had no intention of letting go and said seriously: "Did the Emperor hint that you helped him?"

"...It was never me..." Zhang Hui gritted his teeth.

Zhang Lun suddenly stopped his strength. Zhang Hui didn't react for a moment and couldn't help but swayed. Fortunately, he also had a good foundation in kung fu and quickly stabilized himself.

Zhang Lun glared at him, pointed at him and said: "You are in Jinyiwei, so it's not like you don't know what case his family is involved in. Now Shen Zhou has been kidnapped by the He family again, so you got involved recklessly. You think you are ensuring that he will win the favor of the emperor, but how do you know that you will not get into trouble and offend others?"

Zhang Hui lowered his head and listened obediently.

The two brothers grew up together, and Zhang Lun knew his brother's temperament best. He seemed to have a very good temper, and would not get angry or refute when he was scolded, but he was stubborn in his bones - he accepted it humbly and never changed.

Zhang Lun sighed and said: "Second brother, I know all your thoughts, but our family of military commanders relies on solid military achievements. Don't imitate those civil servants who play tricks, just do your job down-to-earth and complete the tasks assigned to you by the emperor. Don't get involved in other things. It's taboo to make your own decisions."

Zhang Hui responded in a muffled voice, sighing in his heart. The eldest brother was so famous that he only spoke with military prowess, but in this world, strength is not recognized in everything.

The second uncle keeps making little moves, why?

Since the Ming Dynasty, there have been a lot of incidents involving brother and brother in the inheritance of titles.

The eldest brother is a descendant, but whether he can truly inherit the title a hundred years from his grandfather is still a matter of words from the royal family.

He must maintain one heart with the emperor. He must support what the emperor likes, and step on what the emperor dislikes. Only when the emperor is happy can he be of one heart with him on what he wants.

Zhang Lun looked at him for a while, shook his head slightly, picked up his chopsticks and said, "Eat."

Zhang Hui also picked up his bowl and started eating.

The joyful atmosphere of the brothers' gathering just now was swept away, leaving only the slight sound of clinking dishes, which seemed increasingly empty.

Zhang Lun looked at his younger brother, but thought that in two years when his younger brother got married, he would bring him to the army. Working in the palace was decent, but the Zhang family was not a family of jesters, and they did not rely on coaxing the emperor to be happy. The title earned.

Military exploits are the basis for the British government to stand firm.

He did not want his younger brother to take the road of Zhenfusi in the future. The enemies he would face on that road were no less than those on the battlefield, and the dangers he faced would be no less than those on the battlefield.

Zhang Lun ate very quickly. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and rinsed his mouth. He looked at his younger brother who was still picking up the rice and said, "I didn't ask Du Laoba to help either."

Seeing Zhang Hui immediately raised his head and stared at him with wide eyes, Zhang Lun couldn't help but smile, and then said seriously: "But Du Laoba has a vicious way of doing things. People from the Shen family's scholarly family may not be used to it. You Maybe you will have to complain after doing something good. This time is just a lesson. Before you do anything in the future, you must first take care of yourself!"

Zhang Hui chuckled and said, "Brother, don't worry, I know it well. Besides, Shen Rui is not the kind of nerd you think."

Zhang Lun smiled and said nothing. How could he be a nerd and favor such an eccentric person as the emperor?

However, the Shen family has fallen into a state of collapse, and they don't know how long it will take for them to recover.

I hope my second brother didn't make a mistake.

*

As time goes by, everyone's speculations about the Shen family gradually fade away.

When no one paid attention, Shen Zhou returned to Beijing alone and sadly.
Chapter completed!