Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 315: Kang Wangshi came to the loyal and brave mansion to make friends
Except for the emperor, no one or any powerful family needs to care about that network of relationships.

Even someone like Wang Anshi, who wanted to become a famous official throughout history, sometimes had to maintain good relations with other families.

Therefore, a phenomenon can often be seen in the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Privately, everyone is a very good brother, but once they encounter political disputes, it becomes a life-and-death war.

It may even happen that after I destroy you, I will raise your children.

Now, Wang Anshi's wife Wu Qiong was cutting some fresh flowers with Zhang Guifen in the Marquis' Mansion.

March and April are the seasons when flowers and plants grow most luxuriantly. In recent days, the noble families in the capital have been getting a lot of flowers of various shapes and sizes and carefully trimming and cultivating them.

When they are fully grown, they are made into hairpins and given as gifts to each other or as decorations at home.

Zhang Guifen saw that Wu Qiong was very good at trimming the extra branches and leaves of the flowers, and said with a smile: "I heard that Sister Wu is from Jiangnan West Road?"

Jiangnan West Road refers to the area of ​​present-day Jiangxi.

Wu Qiong nodded and said, "My hometown is indeed on Jiangnan West Road."

Zhang Guifen put down the scissors in her hand and asked curiously, "Sister Wu's hometown, is there also a custom of cutting flowers in this season?"

Wu Qiong shook his head and said, "This is something I learned after coming to Beijing."

Learning now?
Zhang Guifen said with envy: "I have been learning to cut flowers from my mother since I was young, but my hands are very clumsy and I can never learn it."

When Wu Qiong saw her put down the scissors, he handed the scissors in his hand to the maid standing beside him, then walked up to Zhang Guifen, took her hand and said with a smile:
"You are the daughter of a general, and you have been learning swordsmanship since you were young. The pronunciations of sword and scissors are different. I can't learn it, and I guess you don't want to learn it."

"But if you ask me to learn swordsmanship, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it even if I want to."

Zhang Guifen frowned slightly and said, "When the ladies in the capital learned that I had been secretly learning swordsmanship since I was a child, they all laughed at me. Could it be that Sister Wu also meant this?"

Wu Qiong quickly shook her head and said, "Sister, you misunderstood. How could I laugh at you? I really envy you for learning martial arts and being able to live your life as you wish."

As she spoke, she pulled Zhang Guifen to sit in a pavilion nearby.

Zhang Guifen was puzzled and said, "Now that Lord Wang is a minister of the court, and Sister Wu is increasingly respected in this huge capital, why do you feel like other women can't live their lives according to their own wishes?"

Wu Qiong did not explain too much, but simply said something that made her think deeply.
"Good sister, when you have a chance, you might as well ask those girls, how many of them wanted to learn needlework since they were young? They were just forced by their parents."

Zhang Guifen nodded and decided not to do any further research on this topic.

She also believes that she is happier than most women in the world.

Being loved by parents since childhood and being able to marry the person she wants when she grows up, isn't this a kind of happiness for a woman at this time?
"Last night, the emperor urgently summoned my husband to the palace to discuss matters. I heard that the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery has reached Xiangzhou?"

Wu Qiong asked curiously.

This is not a topic that cannot be discussed for them.

It’s just that few women discuss these things involving fighting and killing.

However, Wu Qiong is different from other women.

She followed Wang Anshi from a very early age, and under the influence of him, she gradually became concerned about the country and the people.

Therefore, she liked to listen to what was happening in the court and in the country.

Zhang Guifen shook her head and said, "Since my husband left for the war, I have no idea about the war ahead."

Wu Qiong said: "I also heard from my husband that the Marquis of Wei personally planned this unprecedented battle, and it seems that he wants to fight a decisive battle with the Liao army."

decisive battle?

Hearing these two words, Zhang Guifen couldn't help but become deeply worried.

A decisive battle means deciding the winner.

Seeing this, Wu Qiong hurriedly said: "But don't worry, the Marquis of Wei will definitely return victorious."

At this time, Hai Chaoyun followed Minglan and walked over here.

When Zhang Guifen saw this, she waved at them.

"I haven't seen you for a few days. I thought you had forgotten about me, your aunt."

Minglan walked over quickly and said, "You can forget anyone but not your aunt."

She saw Wu Qiong sitting next to her and quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam Wu."

Hai Chaoyun followed closely behind and saluted Wu Qiong.

Wu Qiong stood up slowly and said with a smile: "Gui Fen, I happen to have something to do at home. I will come to see you another day, or when I am free, I can ask Minglan and Chaoyun to come to my house and have a visit."

Minglan pouted and said, "Madam Wu, you are leaving right after we arrived. But because of my and Chaoyun's arrival, have we disturbed your conversation with my aunt?"

Wu Qiong smiled and covered her mouth, "I should have said goodbye. I was busy cutting flowers for your aunt today. I still have a few pots of roses at home that have not been cut yet. They will bloom soon. I was thinking of making two hairpins for you and Chaoyun."

Ever since Wu Qiong said a few words on Zhang Guifen's behalf at the Empress Dowager's banquet, the relationship between the two has been heating up.

Moreover, in the eyes of the public, Wei Yuan and Wang Anshi were part of a political alliance.

Therefore, it is reasonable that the two of them have a good relationship.

As Wu Qiong often came to the Marquis' Mansion, she gradually became familiar with Minglan and Chaoyun.

"The hairpins made by Madam Wu must be excellent. Let's make a deal. We will give each other hairpins."

Minglan said with a smile.

Zhang Guifen rolled her eyes at her and said, "As for your hairpin skills, you're not as good as mine."

Minglan said dissatisfiedly: "Aunt, how can you embarrass your niece like this?"

Everyone chatted for a while before Wu Qiong formally said goodbye and left.

Later, Zhang Guifen looked at Hai Chaoyun and said, "I heard that your marriage with Bo Ge'er has been postponed to next year?"

Hai Chaoyun nodded, "According to the rules, during the period of the late emperor's death, the ministers need to mourn for the late emperor, and Brother Changbai is a Jinshi in the Jiayou period."

"But now, His Majesty has said that all funeral ceremonies for emperors are costly and laborious, and the late emperor had already issued an order that funerals should be kept simple. Therefore, His Majesty has said that the ceremonies can be performed three months after the late emperor's mourning period is over."

"But Brother Changbai still feels that three months is too close, so he decided to schedule it for next year."

Minglan said, "Today, sister Chaoyun and I came to see my aunt, firstly to talk about this matter, and secondly, I have discussed with my mother and decided to postpone my coming-of-age ceremony to next year and celebrate it together with Muge'er's birthday."

Zhang Guifen frowned and said, "We can postpone the wedding, but who would postpone the coming-of-age ceremony throughout history? Even if we can't have a grand ceremony, we can just have some fun together as a family. How can we postpone the date?"

Minglan lowered her head and couldn't hide her disappointment. "If my uncle can't come to my coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow, then what's the point of this ceremony?"

Zhang Guifen sighed, "Even if you postpone your coming-of-age ceremony until next year, your uncle may not be able to end the war."

what?
Minglan was surprised and blurted out, "Does it take that long?"

Zhang Guifen glared at her and said, "What do you think? The Liao army has already reached the city of Bianjing. If it weren't for your uncle, I'm afraid we would all be dead."

"This is a national war, not the minor fights of the past."

At this point, she looked at Minglan seriously and asked, "How is your mother's health?"

Minglan said, "The weather has warmed up in recent days, and my mother is feeling much better. She doesn't cough anymore, but she looks a little pale."

Zhang Guifen nodded and said, "I'll go to your house to see your mother in a few days."

Even though the Mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery is quite far from the Sheng family, after all, they are in the same capital and can meet each other anytime they want.

In the final analysis, Zhang Guifen didn't like the atmosphere of the Sheng family. When they talked about this, Baozhu suddenly came to report that someone who claimed to be Aunt Minglan came to visit.

Zhang Guifen stood up immediately, "Is it Sister Ruyi who is here? Why do you need to inform her? How can you do anything? I will go to greet her myself."

After saying that, Baozhu quickly shook her head and said, "Madam, you have wronged me. The person who came was not Aunt Wei. I have met Aunt Wei before. How could I let Aunt Wei stay in the front hall when she came to our house?"

Zhang Guifen asked puzzledly: "Who is that?"

Baozhu said: "She said that her sister is Wang Ruofu, the eldest lady of the Sheng family."

Wang Ruofu’s sister Wang Ruoyu?
The eldest lady of the Kang family?
The small Kang family also wants to follow the example of those powerful people and get close to the Wei family?
Ridiculous!
Zhang Guifen sat back in her original seat. "I know who it is, just say I'm busy and don't have time to meet you."

Hearing this, Minglan said bitterly, "Aunt, according to the mind of the Kang Wangshi, I'm afraid she would not come to the palace for no reason. If you say so, it will not be easy to drive her away. I will go and drive her away."

After saying that, he got up and went to the front hall.

After walking just two steps, Zhang Guifen stopped him and said, "It's not appropriate for you to go."

"From the perspective of etiquette, she is indeed your aunt. Now your coming-of-age ceremony is approaching. After the ceremony, I will tell you about her."

"If she ruins my reputation because of this, it won't be worth it."

"I go."

Are you going?

Before Minglan could say anything, Hai Chaoyun stood up and said, "Madam, given your status, how can you meet her? It would be better to just leave her alone. When she gets tired of sitting, she can leave."

Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "It's okay. I just happened to take this opportunity to punish those who took advantage of our Wei family's decline to add insult to injury, and now see that our Wei family is in power and come to curry favor with them."

"Wait here for a while. I'm going to change my clothes first."

After saying that, he went to his room.

About half an incense stick of time had passed, but Zhang Guifen was already wearing military uniform.

Minglan and Hai Chaoyun were both stunned.

The red robe and red armor were extremely bright in color. When worn by Zhang Guifen, they seemed to cover up the spring scenery in the garden.

“Women are as good as men.”

"The most beautiful thing in the world"

"."

These two sentences suddenly popped up in the minds of both of them.

Not only were they stunned, even the maids standing around the pavilion were stunned.

If we say that Zhang Guifen in her daily clothes is like the forsythia blooming in the garden, simple and elegant, making people nostalgic for her.

Well, when she was in full make-up, her face was as rosy as a peach, making people obsessed; and Zhang Guifen in military uniform was like a gorgeous rose that had already bloomed, and when I bloom, all other flowers will die.

At this time, Baozhu handed over a sword.

Zhang Guifen drew out her sword, stood with it in hand, looked at Minglan and Hai Chaoyun, and said with a smile:

"What? You don't recognize me?"

Minglan quickly stepped forward and took Zhang Guifen's arm, "Aunt, you are so beautiful."

Zhang Guifen said angrily: "What are you saying? When am I not beautiful?"

Hai Chaoyun covered his mouth and smiled.

Zhang Guifen said, "This armor was made by your uncle and given to me. It is very light, but can protect me from swords and knives. I don't usually have the chance to wear it, so today is a good opportunity for me to let Lady Kang see it for myself."

Seeing her dressed like this, Minglan began to worry about Princess Kang.

When Zhang Guifen went to the front yard, Hai Chaoyun stood beside Minglan, looking at Zhang Guifen's back. For some reason, he suddenly felt jealous.
"If your aunt had not been married, if I were a man."

At this point, she seemed to realize that what she said was against etiquette, and hurriedly said, "Sixth sister, please forgive me for making a fool of myself."

Minglan shook her head and said, "It's okay. When I first met my aunt, she was playing polo. At that time, I had the same idea as you. I felt that if I were a man, I would definitely be attracted to a woman like my aunt."

Hai Chaoyun asked curiously, "Is polo fun?"

Minglan said, "It's fun. I'll take you there some other day?"

Hai Chaoyun nodded slightly, "Let's talk about it after the war is over. Now the country is in crisis, and as children of a scholarly family, we should worry about the country and the people, and should not indulge in fun anymore."

Minglan nodded, and the two of them said nothing more.

In the front hall.

Zhang Guifen, dressed in military uniform, came over with a sword in hand. Seeing Kang Wangshi drinking tea, he glanced directly at her, sat in the main seat, placed the sword in his hand on the table, and said in a deep voice:

"Kang Wangshi? What are you doing in my mansion?"

At first, when Wang Kang saw Zhang Guifen coming, she had already stood up and was about to show her courtesy, but when she saw that the other party was holding a sharp sword, her heart trembled and she couldn't utter the flattering words that were on her lips.

After a while, she saw Zhang Guifen in military uniform and asked curiously, "What are you wearing?"

In the entire capital city, the only woman wearing military uniform is probably Zhang Guifen.

"I'm asking you a question. Why are you coming to my mansion?!"

Zhang Guifen's aura changed, and at this moment he seemed like a real soldier who had been on the battlefield.

Seeing this, Aunt Kang forced a smile and said, "Our two families are relatives. I didn't expect that I haven't visited you to ask if you are well since you gave birth."

"Today happens to be free, and it's your death anniversary, so I took the liberty of coming to visit you."

Zhang Guifen snorted coldly, "Our two families are not related at all."

"It is indeed presumptuous of you to come here today."

"Otherwise, I'm afraid others will think that anyone can enter my mansion."

Aunt Kang suddenly looked embarrassed, but she still had a smile on her face.

"Ma'am, you are too kind."

"Who in the capital doesn't know that you and the Sixth Miss of the Sheng family are uncle and nephew?"

"Sixth Miss Sheng has to call me aunt, right? Given this relationship, how can we not be considered relatives?"

Zhang Guifen probably understood why she came.

It turned out that he wanted to use Minglan's relationship to become a relative.

But, can you just get close to my Wei family’s relatives whenever you want?
Zhang Guifen's face suddenly changed again, his eyes turned cold, he stood with his sword in hand, and said:

"At first, you made things difficult for my good sister in the Sheng family, so my husband had some unpleasantness with your Kang family and Wang family."

"My Wei family is a newly promoted military family, and my mother's family has been favored by the emperor for generations. Whether it is your Wang family or Kang family, they have nothing to do with my two families."

"How dare you have the audacity to step into the doorstep of my Wei family? Go back to where you came from. We have no relatives like you in our Wei family."

After saying that, she threw out the three-foot-long sword.

Using the strength of his wrist, he actually thrust the sword directly into the red-painted pillar next to King Kang.

(End of this chapter)