After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 325 Shield

Two days later, Haitang learned from Zhou Yijun's letter that Mrs. Tang finally met Mrs. Ma, whom she had longed for.

Although Mrs. Tang has been scolded by her husband and parents-in-law, and may lose her power as a mediator when things change in the future, she may have to temporarily cultivate her moral character and "claim to be sick" for a few years, but her biggest wish has still been fulfilled. With the coordination of Mrs. Zhen Guogong, Mrs. Tuesday and Mrs. Thursday accompanied Mrs. Tang into the west courtyard of the third room of the Zhou family, and the latter met with Mrs. Ma alone.

Mrs. Ma had actually heard the news that Mrs. Tang wanted to see her several times but was rejected. Now that she saw her, she didn't feel strange at all. She just thought that she had finally convinced Zhou Ma.

Faced with Mrs. Tang's question, she answered very calmly: She didn't know much about the two nuns. She only knew that they were old palace servants who came from the palace of Concubine Zhang Gong. In their early years, they had served in the palace of the late emperor Zhang De. The servant was transferred to his niece Zhang Gongfei by Concubine Zhang De. However, their status in Concubine Zhang Gong's palace was mediocre and they were not very important. Because they were old and weak, they could no longer serve their master, so they were sent out of the palace as gifts.

They had no relatives in the capital, and originally wanted to go to the Zhang family to take care of themselves. However, the Zhang family had three generations of concubines in succession, and the nurturing mothers hired by the family were all sixth-grade retired palace ladies, and they looked down upon these two low-grade concubines at all. Only the old palace people would think of making a living outside the capital.

At that time, Zhou Shuyi was trying to find a reliable nanny for her daughter. These two people came to recommend themselves, but they were not chosen - Zhou Shuyi had already found a more suitable candidate. It's just that these two nuns came from Concubine Zhang Gong's palace. To refuse directly would be too disrespectful to the Zhang family. It happened that the Tang family wanted to invite people, so Zhou Shuyi recommended them to her mother and asked her mother, Mrs. Ma, to accept the Tang family's favor.

Mrs. Ma confidently stated that she didn't know what kind of spies were not spies. How could the Zhang family place spies in the generals' family in Chang'an City? Then it's not the Sun family's fault. Prince An, the son of Concubine Zhang De, is still there today and is still one of the royal princes that the emperor fears most. Maybe he wants to gain military power in the northwest?

She suggested that Mrs. Tang should report this matter to the court immediately and let the court issue an order to punish King An and the Zhang family.

Mrs. Tang was so angry that her face turned red and she couldn't say a word.

She knew she was being used!

The elder grandson of the Zhang family, Prince An, is now a powerless prince of the clan. His presence in the capital is not as strong as that of Prince Ji, who has adopted a prince as his heir. What kind of military power can he expect? ! Concubine Zhang De is still living in the harem watching the face of Empress Dowager Zhou. How can the Zhang family dare to cause trouble in Chang'an City, the territory of the Zhou family? ! It's just a shield the Sun family is looking for.

Even if those two nuns really came from Concubine Zhang Gong's palace, it doesn't mean that they are members of the Zhang family. Even though Concubine Zhang Gong gave birth to two princesses, she had been out of favor for many years and could only obey Concubine Sun's orders in the palace. She did not dare to refuse the Sun family's two retired old palace servants who could not be reused. Besides, these two nuns are so proficient in gathering information, maybe they are originally from the Sun family! Otherwise, why did the palace servant that Concubine Zhang De transferred to her niece not even reach the ninth rank under Concubine Zhang Gong? Even after he retired and left the palace, the Zhang family refused to accept him? This is enough to show that they are not welcomed by Concubine Zhang Gong and her natal family.

If the Tang family really believed Mrs. Ma's words and sued Prince An and the Zhang family, in the end it would only be Prince An and the Zhang family who would suffer. It would not hinder the Sun family and the Crown Prince Ji who the Sun family currently supports. Perhaps because he had wronged someone, he had offended the royal family and created new hatred between the Empress Dowager Zhou and the Zhou family. It was not conducive for the emperor to appoint the eighth prince, who was born by the former maid of the Empress Dowager Zhou, as his heir apparent.

After all, although the Tang family is also a famous general family, in the minds of the powerful people in the capital, they exist as "in-laws of the Zhou family". If the Tang family offends someone, they will naturally turn their anger on the Zhou family. Can they recognize who the Tang family is? Mrs. Tang left the west courtyard angrily. Mrs. Tuesday and Mrs. Thursday, who had been staying outside the house to listen, followed her and understood her depression, so they had to try their best to explain to her: "The third uncle and grandma are just recommenders. They may not really know the details of those two nuns. It's better to go." Xin Jingcheng, please ask Aunt Shuyi?"

Mrs. Tang gritted her teeth: "Zhou Shuyi herself has been deceived by the Sun family, so what does she know?! It's just the Sun family's demons who are one foot taller and plotted against our Tang family! This time we were not careful and fell into his family's trap. Plan, but don’t think that this little trick can defeat us. When the Tang family was fighting wits and courage with the barbarians on the battlefield, the Sun family didn’t know which country they were farming in!"

She threw away her sleeves and left. Mrs. Thursday wanted to catch up and try to persuade her, but she was held back by Mrs. Tuesday: "Forget it, she has been frightened a lot these days, let her vent her anger. No matter who it is, she is being held back by someone. After playing like a fool for several years, it's impossible not to be angry." Mrs. Tuesday's face was sullen, and she was also very angry in her heart, "If my brother really gets a job in Beijing, he will definitely not spare the Sun family lightly!"

Mrs. Thursday's expression was a little strange, and she hesitated to speak. Mrs. Tuesday didn't pay attention, she just turned around and glared at Mrs. Ma in the room, then took her sister-in-law and left.

Even though Mrs. Ma was once an elder she respected, she has now completely become a traitor to the hatred of the Zhou and Tang families. Even if Zhou Shigong and Zhou Ma were to be dutiful sons and virtuous wives, she couldn't tolerate it anymore.

So Zhou Ma received a hint from Changfangtang's nephew-in-law, saying that she did not need to be so kind to the "sick" Mrs. Ma, and the daily supply was actually maintained at the latter's living standard before she was imprisoned. Where do patients need so many good things? She just needs to stay in bed to recuperate, and all those good things are cheap for the cunning slave next to her! These unscrupulous slaves are not good at serving patients. After such a long time, Mrs. Ma's condition has not improved, so it is obvious that they are all useless! How can waste deserve good food and drink? It is only right to expel the people to Zhuangzi as soon as possible and leave truly loyal and reliable servants to take care of Mrs. Ma.

Zhou Ma looked strange. After discussing it with her granddaughter Zhou Yijun in private, she went to find her husband Zhou Shigong. The couple didn't know what to do. Did Mrs. Changfang Tuesday’s hint have the permission of Zhen Guogong and his wife? Will they listen or not?

Anyway, within two days, rumors came out from both the Zhenguo Palace and the Tang family. It was said that Mrs. Ma was old and her energy was not as good as before. She was reprimanded for building a private workshop. I feel uneasy and feel guilty, so I don’t even think about food and drink. The fake illness has become a real illness, and now I am bedridden. Relatives and friends are worried that she will not survive this year, and are currently sending her supplements. They are also comforting Zhou Shigong, telling him not to be too sad, and asking him if he should recall his brother Zhou Shicheng to Chang'an, just in case.

Zhou Shigong received the comfort and gifts from his tribe, but felt confused. He also went to the west courtyard to meet with Mrs. Ma to confirm that she was not bedridden. So what was the rumor coming from the eldest house and the Tang family? Now, even the old lady in the fourteenth room no longer curses across the courtyard wall. Instead, she sends the steward to ask him if he wants to prepare the coffin and daily necessities in advance to avoid being in a hurry when doing things. After all, Mrs. Ma’s funeral was definitely a major event for their third family!

Zhou Yijun wrote to Haitang again, secretly guessing in the letter that the Zhenguo Palace and the Tang family wanted to send Madam Ma off directly, right? Over the years, she has not only caused harm to the third family of the Zhou family, but also to the eldest brother's in-laws, the Tang family. No wonder people hate her!

It's just that Zhou Shigong and Zhou Ma's couple are still struggling. They are not people who can be cruel to begin with. Faced with the hints from their relatives, they don't know what to do...

(End of this chapter)