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

Chapter 691 Good Brother

Haijiao was already doing the final check of his luggage before taking it out. After hearing what his younger sister said, he seemed to be thinking, "The Wu family's marriage is not bad. As for Wu Ke's idea...even if he wants to do something, he may not be able to do it."

Haijiao had often gone to Xie Wenzai to ask the three elders for advice in recent years, and had frequent contact with Wu Ke. Although his relationship was not as good as that with Jin Jiashu, he was more familiar with Wu Ke than others. He saw all of Wu Ke's weakness and stubbornness, but he didn't think it was a problem.

With the intelligence of my younger sister Haitang, she can definitely control Wu Ke as long as she wants. As for his desire to make a name for himself and revive the Wu family... I can only say that the idea is very good and there will be many people who support it, but whether Wu Ke can do it is another matter.

After all, the Wu family’s glory days are over.

When the Wu family was in trouble, the emperor was indifferent, and the Sun family was powerful. Apart from the old students of the Wu family, how many people were willing to stand up for the Wu family? It was true that Lord Wu Wen'an once had a high prestige, but his inaction when his students were implicated and exiled, as well as his inconsistent attitude on the issue of the new policy, had long caused countless dissatisfaction. It was just that he had a daughter who was the queen and a grandson who was the legitimate prince. People thought that their family would sooner or later suppress the Sun family and win the final victory, so they could tolerate him. Queen Wu and the third prince died, and the Wu family was left with a widow and two children. The bright future no longer existed. People could not stand the tyranny of the Sun family, and there were some who sympathized with the Wu family, but there were really few people who were willing to stand up for the Wu family.

As for the former Wu family members, they had all truly suffered from being demoted and exiled for many years, and their lives were much more miserable than those of the Wu family survivors trapped in the Cining Palace. They were finally pardoned and returned to the court. Those who wanted to return to officialdom were all people who really wanted to do something practical. Those who were disheartened would never stand out and would all retire in idleness. And those who really wanted to do something practical, how could they fight for Wu Ke just because the orphan of the Wu family wanted to take power? As long as the Sun family could get the end they deserved, Wu Wen'an could be rehabilitated and posthumously honored, Wu Ke could receive a good education, successfully marry and have children, and live a good, decent, and stable life, everyone would feel very satisfied.

The old students of Wumen hate the Sun family because they are in power by virtue of their status as relatives of the emperor, and they also appoint private individuals, use all means to exclude dissidents, and frame loyal people. If Wu Ke had relied on his own real ability to enter the imperial examination, it would have been fine, and everyone would have been willing to help him. But if he did not have the title of Jinshi, his own talents were insufficient, and he was given a title as a relative of the imperial clan, and he wanted to enter the court to fight for power and profit, the old students of Wumen might not be willing to slap themselves in the face. They call themselves pure gentlemen, so they naturally have to follow the code of conduct of pure gentlemen.

Hai Jiao was not optimistic about Wu Ke's pursuit of fame, wealth and power: "Emperor Deguang would not think that he was wrong, and his disgust for the Wu family has never changed. He would posthumously confer the title of Duke Wu Wen'an, just to suppress Lord Sun. Now that the old people of the Wu family are willing to work for him, he is also happy to give Duke Wu Wen'an some dignity after his death. However, the Wu brothers and sisters cannot even return to Kyoto, which shows that this dignity is also limited. When he is in power, he will not give any grace to the Wu family. After the new monarch ascends the throne, conferring a title on the Wu family and returning the Wu family's property and mansions will be a great grace, enough to make people all over the world think that the new monarch is kind and reasonable.

"If we really want to promote the Wu family again, there will inevitably be some people who are not sober-minded and think that the legitimate son of the Seventh Prince is the right one. No matter how harmonious the new emperor and the Seventh Prince are, they will not seek trouble for themselves. Therefore, it would be fine if the Wu family is quiet in the future. If they want to make trouble, the royal family will never tolerate it. Maybe even the Seventh Prince will think they are meddling. Wu Ke has no helpers in the capital. The Zhou family and the old people of the Wu family will not agree with his making trouble. What can he achieve? If the people above want to embarrass him, there are many ways to make it difficult for people to find fault. He can't bear it at all."

Therefore, no matter how much Wu Ke was obsessed with, he could not fight against the general trend. He was also a weak person, and he gave up when he saw that things could not be violated. He might cry a few times at home and curse at people, but he would not have the courage to do anything big.

Living with such a person, as long as you can control him, is not a big deal. But the Wu family's future wealth and honor are real. The royal family will at least maintain the surface of respectability and will not do anything to embarrass the Wu family, unless Wu Ke loses his mind and commits an unforgivable crime. Therefore, Haijiao advised Haitang to think about it again: "With my little sister's ability, this marriage is not bad for you."

Haitang was very determined: "I don't want to get married. Not only because I have no interest in Wu Ke, but also because I don't want to marry into a wealthy family. The life of a noble lady sounds glamorous, but there are too many troubles. I would rather live a life like ours in a small family, with dignity, not lack of money, and a powerful backer to support us. We don't have to worry about any troubles. There are a few reliable servants at home. I only need to worry about the trivial matters of firewood, rice, oil and salt on weekdays. In my spare time, I can read books, cook some delicious food, and occasionally go out to chat with friends and play. I don't have to worry about anything and can do whatever I want. Why should I get myself involved in the power struggles in the court and the palace? And marry a man who is not smart enough, who may cause trouble for me at any time, and who I need to find a way to control?"

Haijiao smiled when he heard this: "Okay. Since I have made up my mind, I will naturally put your feelings first."

Although the Wu family's marriage was good, their status was indeed a bit high. Fortunately, the Wu family in Chang'an was only supported by the Zhenguo Mansion. Even if Wu Ke moved out and set up her own business, she was not a wealthy family. There were not so many rules. She had to respect Xie Wenzai, the teacher, and show some courtesy to his relatives. When the Wu family returned to the capital, they got the title and property, and the high-class family's airs were put up again. The Hai family had no say in front of them. If Wu Ke bullied Haitang one day, the Hai family would not be able to support their daughter.

Haijiao felt that if his brother was promising enough, had power in his hands, and had a say in the capital, then even if his younger sister could not marry into a wealthy family, she could still live the life she wanted. No matter how rich and prominent her future brother-in-law's family was, it was not as important as her own happiness.

As soon as Haijiao expressed his feelings, Haitang was immediately moved. She hugged her brother's arm and choked up, "Good brother, I know you love me the most!"

Haijiao smiled and patted her forehead: "Okay, stop pretending to be so weird. Don't grandpa and grandma love you?" Then he said, "I will go to discuss it with Xiaojin later. I think grandma doesn't care much about this marriage. Grandpa and you have persuaded her a few times, and she has already shown signs of relenting. It's just that Ma Shangyi said that the Wu family is good, so grandma felt it was a pity to give up. Xiaojin and I will try to persuade Ma Shangyi. I don't know what's going on with this nanny. Why does she love to matchmake for you? Last time she said Tu Jinbao was good, and then Tu Jinbao caused trouble and almost lost his life; this time she said Wu Ke was good, and she insisted that you would have to bear a blood feud as soon as you marry into the family. Does she like you or not?"

Haijiao was about to stand up, and Haitang hurriedly reminded him, "Since you are going to the Jin family, remember to ask if Guard Lin has returned. He has been in Yunyang Prefecture for several days, and there has been no news. I don't know if there has been any change in Jinwu's place."

(End of this chapter)