The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 442 Three families compete for son-in-law
Shi Kuangwei rushed to the Hou's mansion angrily, just as Zhu Xiu came out of the bedroom in the back house.

Without saying a word, Lao Shi rushed forward, grabbed Zhu Xiu by the collar, and began to curse him. However, he suddenly noticed that Zhu Xiu's expression was gloomy, her eyes were hollow and bloodshot, as if she had cried.

Shi Kuang was startled. In his impression, Zhu Xiu was not a person who was sad about spring and autumn. Even if he was sad, he always had a smile on his face and pretended to be fine.

He was as dejected as he was today, but it rarely happened to him.

"You don't pretend to be pitiful, kid! I don't like this!" Skuangwei's first reaction was that Zhu Xiu was playing tricks again, trying to win his sympathy and not care about the Feng family and the Fu family with him.

Zhu Xiu said bitterly: "The elder doctor said that my mother's oil has run out and her lamp has dried up, and there is no way to save her."

"What!!" Shi Kuangwei's eyes widened in shock, and he hurriedly let go of him, "What's going on? Your mother is only one year older than me, how did she get to this point? Could it be that the senator was blind and misdiagnosed? "

Zhu Xiu raised her eyelids and looked at him, then shook her head with a wry smile.

Shi Kuangwei frowned with his thick reptilian eyebrows and rubbed his weedy beard on his chin, with a look of suspicion on his face.

Could it be Zhu Xiaozi's excuse again?
He thought that if he said this, I would spare him?
But then I thought about it, Zhu Xiaozi was cunning, he was not evil-minded, and he would never make fun of his mother's life.

Shi Kuangwei's face became solemn and he said in a deep voice: "Don't panic, there are countless famous doctors in Kaifeng, please ask other doctors to take a look! If you need anything, just talk."

Zhu Xiugong cupped his hands and forced a smile: "Thank you."

Shi Kuangwei was silent for a while, then raised his eyebrows and shouted: "I'm still saying the same thing, if you dare to betray Yan'er's affection, don't blame me for turning your back on him! Regarding the Feng family and the Fu family, I will talk about it later. Let me settle the score with you!"

Zhu Xiu had a headache and said helplessly: "I really don't know about this matter. I will give you an explanation when I find out."

"Hmph~ This is not far off!" Skuangwei groaned, "By the way, the three of you have not yet settled down in Kaifeng, and have been living in the building provided by the Ministry of Rites for the officials who came to Beijing to report their duties.

I saw this Marquis Mansion and thought it was good. I would like to live here temporarily. Do you have any opinions? "

Zhu Xiu cupped his hands and said, "It is a great honor for our Zhu family to come to our humble residence, General Shi!"

"Humph~" Shi Kuangwei glanced at him sideways, stroking his beard and muttered, "You're a smart kid!"

Lao Shi asked Shi Xiangwen to stay and ran to the library to pick up Shi Lingyan.

Zhu Xiu called Zhu Wu and Yang Qiaolian, sat around and discussed, "Mother's illness, the old imperial physician has told you all?"

Zhu Wu sighed: "I told you, I didn't believe it at first. My mother has always been in good health. How can I just say no if I am a good person? But seeing what my mother looks like now, I feel uncomfortable~"

Zhu Wu's eyes were red, his broad shoulders could not help shaking, and his fists were tightly clenched.

Yang Qiaolian wiped her tears and choked up: "Actually, my mother has been suffering from cough for many years, and it often relapses in autumn and winter. I even saw her coughing up blood a few times! My mother was afraid that you would worry, so she kept it secret.
I haven't had hemoptysis in the past two years. I guess I've been taking herbal medicine for a few years, and I think it's getting better, but I never thought."

Zhu Wu complained in a low voice: "You shouldn't have hid this from me! If you take your mother to see a doctor early, you won't lose most of your life after falling into the water!"

Yang Qiaolian clenched the corner of her skirt, sobbing: "Mother and I are all thinking about your hard work at the dock, thinking about minor illnesses and disasters, let's just let it go
Our family didn't even have a registration number in the Banqiao store, so we lived in fear all day long. One day the government would conduct an investigation, we would be sent to the frontier as refugees!
You have to work hard to earn some hard-earned money, and you have to manage it everywhere, and no one dares to offend."

"Alas! Alas! It's all my fault that my whole family has suffered!"

Zhu Wu punched his leg several times, blaming himself.

Zhu Xiu shook his head and said: "Brother, please don't blame yourself! It's the bad world that forces kind and poor people to find no way to survive!
It is not easy for the elder brother to carry a family of old and young on his shoulders, so that they can have clothes and food to prevent them from becoming beggars. "

Yang Qiaolian wiped away her tears: "There are so many shops in Banqiao without conscience, they leave their wives, children and parents to become water bandits, and they live a happy life, but make their parents and children prisoners.

Mom was just afraid that you would go astray, so she asked me to hide it from you."

Zhu Wu sighed bitterly: "A man, even if he falls into the wrong hands and becomes a bandit, he must first make sure that his family has enough food and clothing. What kind of man can he be if he abandons his wife and children and doesn't even care about his parents? I, Zhu Wu, look down on those heartless thieves the most." Bandits, how can you associate with them?"

Zhu Xiu looked at him, suddenly filled with admiration.

Although this eldest brother, who was born to the same mother as him, had never read much and could not speak any great truths. He had been making a living by farming and doing hard work for the first half of his life, but his words revealed the precious brilliance of humanity in this troubled world. .

Zhu Xiu was silent for a while and said softly: "My mother knows her physical condition, so we don't need to worry about her. In the next few days, let my mother live happily and don't let her leave any regrets."

Zhu Wu and Yang Qiaolian nodded silently.

Zhu Wu patted Zhu Xiu on the shoulder: "My mother is worried about you the most. She used to look forward to being reunited with you, but now she looks forward to you getting married and having children as soon as possible."

Zhu Xiu smiled wryly, he had promised to get married as soon as possible in front of Wu Youdi, but it was difficult to actually put it into practice.

At the very least, the person you want to marry must be determined!

Yang Qiaolian counted the numbers on her fingers: "Mrs. Zhou, Mrs. Feng, Mrs. Shi, and Mrs. Fu, whom I have never met before. Brother Xiu, which one do you prefer? My sister-in-law thinks that Mrs. Zhou is the best. She knows everything and follows her. We fled from Jiangning all the way, and we have the deepest feelings."

Zhu Wu glared at her: "Our brothers' status is not ordinary, how can we take such a big thing as marriage casually? Madam Feng, Madam Shi, and Madam Fu, their natal families are all important ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Yang Qiaolian was unconvinced and said: "Ms. Zhou is still the daughter of the Tang Dynasty's Tutor!"

"That was in the Tang Dynasty! This is Zhou Dynasty, can it be the same?" Zhu Wu choked back.

"Anyway, I like Mrs. Zhou the most!" Yang Qiaolian glared at her husband.

"As a woman, long hair means short knowledge!" Zhu Wu reprimanded.

Zhu Xiu stood up and said, "Let me think about this matter! It's getting late, and I have to go to the palace to see the officials."

Just as he was talking, a crisp and cheerful voice like an oriole came from the arch of the courtyard wall:
"Zhu Xiu! You really are back! I miss you so much!"

Zhu Xiu looked in surprise, and saw a tall girl running towards him like a gust of wind, she threw herself into his arms with outstretched arms, tightly wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her head in his chest.

"Goose!"

Zhu Xiu hugged the beautiful woman and couldn't help but hugged her tightly. She smelled the unique smell of Shi Lingyan in her nose, with a bit of wind and sand in the northwest wilderness, like a rose-red desert rose, with a fiery and wild fragrance when in full bloom. .

Shi Kuangwei leaned against the arch and looked from a distance, with a look of delight on his face, mixed with a hint of his father's happy smile.

It's been a long time since I saw Shi Lingyan. She is as tall as Zhu Xiu, with jet-black braids hanging down her waist, her tight skin is a healthy wheat color, her dark brown eyes are shining brightly, her high nose and deep-eyed facial features have completely revealed that she is different from the Han family. Women's exotic style.

This Shatuo girl has reached her most beautiful age.

Yang Qiaolian's eyes widened. She had never seen such a bold woman. She hugged her lover as if no one else was there as soon as they met.

Shi Lingyan sucked Zhu Xiu's cheek hard, giggled cheerfully, and pouted, "Zhu Xiu, when will you marry me? I'm almost 21 years old. If you don't marry me, you'll be an old girl." !~"

Zhu Xiu blinked, smiled bitterly and didn't know how to answer, and cast a helpless look at Shi Kuangwei, who was snickering not far away.

Yang Qiaolian's jaw dropped. Even Zhu Wu felt quite embarrassed and consciously dragged his mother-in-law away.

Suddenly, an inappropriate voice came from behind Shi Kuangwei: "Haha, General Shi is still used to living in Kaifeng recently?"

Shi Kuangwei looked back, his eyes widened, the person coming turned out to be Feng Dao!Feng Dao did not come alone. He was accompanied by his granddaughter Feng Qingchan, followed by two women with extraordinary temperament, sisters Fu Jinzhan and Fu Jinhuan.

Shi Kuangwei's face trembled, but he stood up straight, holding his fists and biting his back molars, and said word by word: "Master Feng is not recuperating in the mansion, why are you here?"

Feng Dao stroked his white beard and said hey, "Why, General Shi can come to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, but I can't?"

The two looked at each other, showing some hostility.

Shi Kuangwei snorted coldly: "I forgot to tell Mrs. Feng that my general and his family of three have already moved into the Hou Mansion, and they are considered half of the masters. Master Feng is here as a guest. Please, I will personally serve you tea!" "

Feng Dao sneered and said to himself: "It's really shabby for the dignified prince, Taibao, and General Zuowei to live under someone else's roof! The Feng family does have several outhouses. If the general doesn't mind, feel free to live there. "

Shi Kuangwei clenched his old fist and said, "It was Zhu Xiu who begged and cried to ask my family to stay. Besides, my Shi family and his are one and the same, they are indistinguishable from each other!"

"Hey, General Shi said this, did he ask for the permission of Lord Zhu? Don't be too sentimental and think too much!" Feng Dao taunted in a weird voice.

Shi Kuangwei was furious and raised his voice: "Zhu Xiu! Come here for me! Tell the old master clearly! What is the relationship between my historian and you!"

When Zhu Xiu saw Feng Dao and Feng Qingchan leaving and returning, and saw the Fu family sisters coming hand in hand, he suddenly felt that one was bigger than the other.

Ma Qing hurried over, leaned closer and said with a wry smile: "Master Marquis, the old master and the others have to come, I don't dare to stop them."

Zhu Xiu waved his hand: "That's all, please step back."

Ma Qing responded and dismissed all irrelevant people in the open courtyard of the back house.

This time, the deserted Hou Mansion suddenly became lively.

"Old Master, ladies, who are you?" Zhu Xiu hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

Feng Dao stroked his beard and said slowly: "I heard that Marquis Dingyuan returned to Kaifeng and I had nothing to do, so I came over to visit him."

Feng Qingchan stood aside, lowered her head and said nothing, her cheeks were a little unnatural.

She didn't want to come, but when Feng Dao heard that Shi Kuangwei and his daughter were moving directly into the Hou Mansion, he suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis. In addition, he heard that the Fu sisters would also come to visit today, so he strongly asked her to come.

"You silly girl, several girls are surrounding Mr. Zhu. If you don't join in the fun and show your face now, it will be too late if you want to in the future!"

These were the exact words Feng Dao taught his granddaughter on the road.

Fu Jinhuan was calm and composed, with no strange expression on his face.

Fu Jinzhan looked at Feng Qingchan and Shi Lingyan, and smiled meaningfully: "We know that you are going back home today, so we came here specially to meet you. Zhu Xiu, you don't blame my sister for coming at the wrong time, do you?"

Zhu Xiu bowed hurriedly and said: "What did the eldest lady say? The two ladies are here, and my house is really shining! It's just that the eldest lady is about to get married to the prince, shouldn't she stay in the house to wait for her marriage?"

Fu Jinzhan didn't take it seriously: "It's not the first time we're married, there aren't so many taboos, you can live your life as you want, the Lord won't care, and I won't!"

Zhu Xiu was speechless, cupped his hands and said, "Young Lady is upright and forthright, Zhu Xiu admires it!"

Fu Jinzhan waved his hand and signaled his entourage to come forward: "Knowing that my aunt is in bed to recuperate, Huan'er specially selected two old wild ginseng plants from the warehouse to replenish her energy and refresh her. The Fu family still has some stock of these things. When you use them up, just tell Huan Son."

Zhu Xiu glanced at the brocade box held by the entourage. There were two ginseng plants inside the box, which was cushioned with yellow thick material. Judging from the appearance, it was obvious that it was quite old. It was of the highest quality and was worth a lot of money.

"Thank you for your generous gift!" Zhu Xiu bowed gratefully.

"You're welcome." Fu Jinzhan said casually, "Huan'er, please deliver it to Aunt Wu personally and have a nice chat with her. I'll be here soon."

Fu Jinhuan responded, took the brocade box containing wild ginseng and held it in his arms. He glanced at Zhu Xiu and walked past him, bringing with him a gust of fragrant wind.

Shi Kuangwei suddenly shouted: "Yan'er! You haven't seen Aunt Wu for a few days, why don't you go and see her! If you need to dress and serve the soup, please hurry up! Aunt Wu likes you the most, don't forget to accompany her She said conversation.”

Shi Lingyan didn't know why, he was stunned for a moment and said with a sweet smile: "Okay! I miss Aunt Wu too! Zhu Xiu, wait for me, I have a lot to say to you later!"

Shi Lingyan flicked his long ponytail and ran happily towards the bedroom of the big house.

Feng Dao's eyes widened, and he tapped his cane on the floor tiles: "Chan'er, you go too!"

Feng Qingchan was so ashamed that she said coyly: "Master Weng."

"Go quickly!" Feng Dao glared at her, "You are Yuan Jingrun's apprentice. You are proficient in medical skills. Please stay by your Aunt Wu's side. Don't be like other girls who only join in the fun and cause trouble when they can't help you!"

Feng Qingchan glanced at Zhu Xiu, nodded gently, bowed and headed towards the bedroom in the big house.

Feng Dao and Shi Kuangwei glared at each other, Fu Jinzhan smiled, and neither of them spoke. The scene was a bit awkward for a while.

Zhu Xiu coughed dryly, cupped his hands and said, "I have to go to the palace to meet the saint, please forgive me for not being well received."

After saying that, Zhu Xiu stepped over sideways and prepared to slip away.

You three families can do whatever you want, I won’t get involved!

At this time, Ma Qing hurried over again, followed by a young eunuch from the inner palace.

"The official said that Zhu Xiu had a hard journey back to the capital. There is no need to enter the palace today. He can just attend the court meeting in three days!"

Zhu Xiu knelt down to receive the order, smiling bitterly.

Uncle Guo, Uncle Guo, I want to enter the palace to see you! ~
After offering the young eunuch a hundred coins, Zhu Xiu cupped his hand and said, "May I ask the eunuch, can the Duke of Taiyuan enter the palace?"

The young eunuch was a smart man, and he said with a deep smile: "The officials summoned the prince in the Zhaoyi Pavilion of the harem. They retreated to the left and right, and no one was allowed to come within thirty steps! When the slaves left the palace, the gate of Zhaoyi Pavilion was already closed. Closed!"

A strange color flashed across Zhu Xiu's eyes, and she calmly cupped her hands and said, "Thank you so much, eunuch, for informing me! Ma Qing, take the eunuch out of the house for me!"

The little eunuch said goodbye and left. Zhu Xiu looked back in the direction of the palace and secretly clenched his fists.

Guo Wei summoned Chai Rong in Zhaoyi Pavilion with deep intentions!
This is a temptation and a test. I hope Chai Rong can understand Guo Wei's intention!

Feng Dao stepped forward and said with a smile: "Now, you are no longer in control of the matter, so it's better to let nature take its course! Zhu Xiu, let's talk about your marriage to Chan'er~"

Shi Kuangwei waved his hand and shouted: "First come, first served! I, the general, should talk to Zhu Xiaozi first! Besides, my Yan'er is also the first to get acquainted with Zhu Xiu!"

Fu Jinzhan smiled and said: "This kind of thing depends on the word fate. If we talk about first come, first served, wouldn't it be rash? My second sister and Zhu Xiu have a deep fate and they are in love with each other. Naturally, I will speak first!"

The three of them glared at each other and looked at Zhu Xiu.

Zhu Xiu stroked his forehead and looked up to the sky with a sigh.

It turns out that being too rare is also a pain.
(End of this chapter)