Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 377 Intention (asking for monthly ticket)

Zhang Luan settled the people in the backyard of the new house.

As it was getting dark, he was already getting restless.

But he still forced himself to suppress the excitement in his heart and waited for someone to come before discussing the follow-up... No matter what, he had to listen to his son's opinion on the matter and understand the pros and cons, otherwise he really wouldn't dare to go beyond the line.

Finally, the lights came on and Zhang Yanling arrived late.

"My son, please come in quickly. Your father has something to tell you."

Zhang Luan excitedly pulled his son into the inner hall, and then, with a bit of apology and shame, told his son exactly what had happened in Qingning Palace today.

After listening to this, Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes at his old father and asked, "Why are you asking me about this? You can't refuse the Queen Mother at all...

"Besides, you've already brought the person back. What's the matter? Do you still want me to bless you so that you can find me a bunch of concubines in the future?"

Zhang Luan said angrily, "You little bastard, if I had known you were going to make fun of me, I wouldn't have told you... Do you think those two women were spies sent by the Queen Mother to stay by my side so that they could find out my true intentions?"

Zhang Yanling pouted and asked, "Dad, do you have any secrets to explore?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan was a little depressed for a moment.

"Even if they are really spies sent by the Queen Mother, what can you do? The maids given to you have been carefully selected before entering the palace. I'm afraid they are too picky and may not like you. Maybe they think from the bottom of their hearts that you are just an ordinary person and not worthy of them..."

"Stop, stop, stop. You kid, do you look down on your father so much?" Zhang Luan couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted his son's sarcastic words once again.

Zhang Yanling laughed and teased, "Dad, I don't know what you're thinking. Why are you looking around in the palace? Are you trying to make the Queen Mother misunderstand me? I'm going to find something for you to do."

Zhang Luan asked, "When did I look around? Also, what did the Queen Mother find for me to do? Oh, you gave me two palace maids, just to give me something to do? Don't pretend to know something and deliberately scare your father, okay?"

Zhang Yanling said, "Hey, you really treat me as an ordinary child? If you think about it carefully, you will know what the Queen Mother means... The main purpose of her rewarding you with a palace maid is not to find out your true feelings, but more to win you over... Not only to let you help His Majesty treat his illness, but also to pave the way for maintaining a harmonious relationship between grandparents and grandchildren in the future."

"Ah? What do you mean?"

Zhang Luan was a little confused for a moment.

Zhang Yanling asked, "Have you been drinking?"

"No, no, where can I go to drink? Li Zisheng has been inviting me to his house for banquets recently, but I always declined on the grounds that I was busy."

After Zhang Luan finished explaining, he added, "You mean, the Queen Mother is also ready..."

In the past, there was no one else in the mansion, only a few servants and maids sent by Li Zisheng, and he dared to talk directly to others about matters in the palace.

They even often said things like "the emperor is about to die" and "something big is happening".

But now there were two more palace maids in the house. Even though he knew it was impossible for the two of them to eavesdrop outside, he still restrained himself.

Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "You are right. In fact, the Queen Mother has already made the worst-case scenario plan and laid out plans for the future! If the Queen Mother can establish a good relationship with you, the father of the Crown Princess, and the Crown Prince is filial, then in the future... won't the palace be much more harmonious?"

"The Queen Mother's status and respect will be the same as today, or even higher. What do you think?"

"what?"

Zhang Luan was stunned for a moment and asked, "Does this old lady really think that far?"

"Of course!"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Dad, my mother and my grandmother are fundamentally different in terms of seniority."

"But the problem is that the prince has no mother."

Zhang Luan asked doubtfully, "Didn't Madam Ji already..."

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "A legitimate mother is also a mother. Moreover, Queen Wang has raised the prince and has always been very kind to him. What do you think a grandmother would think? In the future, will the prince respect his grandmother more or believe in his legitimate mother?"

Zhang Luan suddenly understood and nodded: "Hey, after hearing what you said, it's true... Think about ordinary families. If the biological mother dies, the stepmother in the family must be filial to her, especially when she has raised her and treated her like her own child. If she behaves in an unfilial way, she will be criticized."

"Yes, ordinary people are like this. Do you think the prince would deviate from this matter, father?" Zhang Yanling asked with a smile.

Zhang Luan suddenly grinned, very happily.

Zhang Yanling asked, "Dad, what bad ideas do you have?"

Zhang Luan waved his hand, sat down and said, "My boy, you have extraordinary knowledge and are more thoughtful. After hearing what you said, I feel that I can finally rest assured... Hehe, that's it."

"Which one?"

Zhang Yanling asked with a mischievous look in his eyes.

"I mean, your father can take her in without worry, and get closer to the Queen Mother... my new 'eldest aunt'. If I have the chance to meet your sister in the future, I will also tell her to get along more with the Queen Mother, so that the Queen Mother will think that she is a filial granddaughter-in-law, yes. That's it."

Zhang Luan is also a knowledgeable and interesting person.

If his newly recognized "eldest aunt" gives him a woman, he must reciprocate the favor and let his daughter be filial to her.

In this way, it's good for you, for me, and for everyone.

As for Queen Wang...

I am not familiar with her and have never even met her. Even though her two younger brothers have visited me and were quite respectful to me, why should I make plans for her?

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Then Dad, should I leave immediately so as not to disturb your good things that are coming?"

Zhang Luan quickly pulled his son aside and said, "Don't tease me, kid... This kind of thing doesn't happen overnight, so it's good for me to observe for two days. You can't do that right after you get it, right? Stay tonight and have dinner with me. I have something to tell you."

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "Forget it. I seem to be very idle recently, but I am actually very busy. I am writing books, making soap and glass, and there are things waiting for me in the laboratory. I even have to take care of the Crown Prince. It's really exhausting!
"Although I have only met the Crown Prince twice in the past few days, I have met Qin Ji many times. Maybe my sister has talked to the Crown Prince a lot, and the Crown Prince now relies on me a lot and asks for my opinion on everything. It's tiring!"

Zhang Luan asked curiously, "Hey, why doesn't he come to see me?"

Zhang Yanling asked, "Dad, do you want to see him now? You are treating His Majesty and making plans for the Crown Prince at the same time? Do you have the time to do that?"

Zhang Luan said unhappily, "Are you asking me if I have the ability? You little brat, your father knows that you have the ability, so this should be enough, right?
"You have brought all this glory to your father... I was originally thinking of picking a younger palace maid and raising her for you first..."

"Haha. Is that so? Dad, you were still thinking about me, your son, at that time? I am so grateful to you as such a kind father." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "Alas! Unfortunately, I thought again at that time that this person was given to me by the Queen Mother. If I choose someone younger than your sister, what will happen? Besides, you may not like being forced, so I can only accept it reluctantly.

"Well, the woman I chose this time is not a young girl. I just want to reassure the Queen Mother and let her feel that I have no intention of bringing back that naive girl to avoid her surveillance... There are no secrets from her on my side!"

Zhang Yanling was surprised and said, "Dad, you're right, you've thought it through very carefully."

"is it?"

Hearing his son's praise, Zhang Luan smiled happily and said, "At that time, I was thinking that the Queen Mother wanted to place two spies around me. Don't you think I would be going against her if I chose the young one who is inexperienced in the ways of the world?

"Choose two older ones who are smart. I won't mind if they pass on information to the Queen Mother from time to time. Anyway, if they are not allowed to contact you in the future, they will know nothing. Doesn't this mean... it won't affect anything?"

Zhang Yanling rolled his eyes at his old father.

You clearly just picked two vases to put back and found him two stepmothers, but you still speak so righteously?

But Zhang Yanling knew very well that Zhang Luan was not a man with great ambitions, and historically, Zhang Luan had no achievements to speak of in the Ming Dynasty.

The little bit of success Zhang Luan has achieved now is all the result of his son's behind-the-scenes support.

All Zhang Luan pursued was a life of sensual pleasures and a few days of peace and tranquility.

Thinking about the fact that this old father would die a few years later in history... and not knowing what disease Zhang Luan died of, he didn't want to bother with him anymore.

It's rare that his old father listens to his opinions on many things and lets him, as his son, be the one in charge of the family. What more can he ask for?

……

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Zhang Yuan, the director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, personally took the emperor's pulse, with Wei Tai standing next to him.

The emperor closed his eyes and asked a few questions from time to time.

"Has the Crown Prince been to Sun Ren's residence to pay his respects?" Zhu Jianshen opened his eyes and asked with yellow light in his eyes.

Wei Tai answered carefully, "Yes, I just went there, but I didn't stay in the Sun Mansion for too long. I left the house. The Sun family saw him out personally, and several guests who came to pay their respects also went out to see him off."

Zhu Jianshen asked, "Then... who accompanied the prince? Li Min?"

Wei Tai said: "Minister Li did not go, only the Crown Prince and Tan Ji and others went."

"Oh."

Zhu Jianshen nodded with satisfaction and said, "The Crown Prince is very kind. Not only did he not care about the mistakes his minister made when he died, but he also went to pay his respects. He knew that he had problems, but he still responded in this way. It seems that he is really cunning."

……

……

Lizi provincial government residence.

Zhang Luan sat opposite Li Zisheng and told him the truth about his visit to Qingning Palace and how he was rewarded.

Li Zisheng laughed loudly after hearing this and said, "Laizhan, you are so lucky to be rewarded generously by the Empress Dowager... But do you think you are the only one who got the reward and not me? To be honest, I also have palace maids rewarded by the Empress Dowager in my house."

"Uh?"

Zhang Luan was originally feeling very pleased with himself, but upon hearing this, he could not help but look up at Li Zisheng, who was beaming with joy, and was somewhat speechless.

Pang Qing laughed and said, "This is enough to show how much the Queen Mother values ​​you two."

"You can't say that."

Li Zisheng waved his hand and said, "No matter who it is, if your heart is held in the hands of others, you will be nervous.

"Laizhan, you treated the emperor's illness, and your mother gave you a few palace maids as a reward to let you do your job well. What's so surprising about this?

"If it were you, Lai Zhan, I'm afraid you would be the same. If I asked you to give up all the wealth in your home in exchange for your son's health, I think you would be willing, right?"

When Zhang Luan heard this, he suddenly felt that what Li Zisheng said made sense.

If it was his own son... of course his youngest son who was sick and his life was in the hands of others, he would definitely do his best.

For Queen Mother Zhou, sending away two palace maids was simply a trivial matter not worth mentioning.

Zhang Luan thought to himself, why is Li Zisheng's starting point different from what my son Yanling said?

Li Zisheng said, "Laizhan, what do you think about this matter? I want to hear your opinion, such as the Queen Mother's intention in doing this."

Zhang Luan said, "I... I don't have any opinion. It's roughly the same as yours, Minister Li."

"is it?"

Li Zisheng personally poured a glass of wine for Zhang Luan and asked with a smile, "Your opinion is the same as mine? Don't you think the Queen Mother has other intentions?"

Zhang Luan immediately thought of what his son said, that Empress Dowager Zhou was paving the way for the future, but he didn't dare to say such things casually in front of a close minister of the emperor.

I even thought that you, Li Zisheng, have never acted without principles. Once the emperor forces you into a corner, you will definitely betray me.

"The Queen Mother trusts and respects me so much, I will definitely not let her down and will treat Your Majesty with all my heart." Zhang Luan said the trick.

"can."

Li Zisheng nodded in approval, then added, "But I think you should be prepared."

"what to prepare?"

Zhang Luan asked curiously.

Li Zisheng sighed, "Of course, I am prepared for the Queen Mother to have other intentions. What if the Queen Mother intends to use these two people to find out your true intentions and everything around you? You must be prepared to deal with it!"

Zhang Luan pretended to be surprised and asked, "No way? After the two girls entered my house, would they casually contact the outside world? How do they communicate with the inside and outside of the house?"

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Laizhan, you really don't have such an idea?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan thought to himself, of course I thought so, and I had already thought about it before I took in these two palace maids.

It was after I returned home that my son told me that I didn't need to worry about it at all, and only then did I let go of my obsession.

Li Zisheng nodded and said, "You are quite far-sighted. The Queen Mother is the kind of strong woman who seems to want to control everything, but in fact she is very lazy and doesn't like to meddle in other people's affairs. After all, she is a Buddhist who values ​​tranquility and inaction."

"Oh."

Zhang Luan nodded with relief.

Li Zisheng said: “You are indeed capable. You have only known the Queen Mother for a few days, but you are so respectful to this elder, and you don’t even have the most basic doubts. This is really extraordinary.

"It seems that there is indeed a connection between you and our Queen Mother. How enviable!"

Zhang Luan said: "No, no, I am...that..."

Zhang Luan wanted to be humble, but he didn't know what to say.

But I was thinking in my heart, I was on guard against that old lady, I was not as heartless as you said.

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Do you know what His Majesty said when he learned about this?"

"what!?"

Zhang Luan was shocked and asked quickly, "Has His Majesty known about this?"

Li Zisheng smiled and nodded: "It was His Majesty who didn't let me tell you in advance, but I didn't mean to hide it from you."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, as expected, you old fox, you have no principles. For the sake of your so-called loyalty, you like to sell out your allies for no reason. Fortunately, my son gave me a good warning and did not let me fall into the trap you set.

"When His Majesty heard about this, he commented, why did you accept the female official gifted by the Queen Mother for no reason? Perhaps His Majesty was not very happy with your rash behavior." Li Zisheng said.

Zhang Luan smiled bitterly and nodded: "I did offend you a little, and I firmly refused, but I couldn't resist the Queen Mother's kindness, so I couldn't refuse!"

Li Zisheng said: "That's what I said, and that made your Majesty feel relieved. In fact, your Majesty also understands the Queen Mother's character. As a child, how can you not know what kind of character your mother has?"

"Correct."

Zhang Luan said with shame.

He was thinking again.

Your Majesty feels sorry for those two palace maids, right?
Do you think the reward the Queen Mother gave me is too extraordinary?

But it was obviously the Empress Dowager who gave you such a generous reward because I cured the emperor. In the end, you got the benefit. Why would you be so stingy?

This emperor is a bit stingy.

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Your Majesty knows that the Queen Mother has recognized you as her nephew, so he wants me to test your filial piety towards her and whether you have any grudges against her. Later, I can tell your Majesty clearly that you are a sincere person and you never treat the Queen Mother as an outsider. You treat others with sincerity."

Zhang Luan said helplessly: "Minister Li, it's not nice to say that. I'm just a minister. How dare I really try to be related to the Queen Mother?"

Li Zisheng rolled his eyes at him and said, "Laizhan, now it's not you who is trying to establish a relationship with the Queen Mother, it's the Queen Mother who is taking the initiative to get close to you, and His Majesty is aware of this.

"Do you think anyone can just recognize the Queen Mother as their 'eldest aunt'? This matter has spread widely among the inner circle. Many people are amazed and say that you are so lucky. Not only does His Majesty trust you, but even the Queen Mother looks at you differently."

"I……"

Zhang Luan felt even more embarrassed and wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

I am just a barefoot doctor who is just filling in the gaps. I have no skills at all and I don’t know how to be an official.

In order not to show my weakness, I even didn't dare to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to discuss things with the imperial doctors, for fear that they would expose me.

Even so, you still think of me as a capable person?

Why am I so frustrated?
If I had gotten to this position through my own abilities, I would have been extremely proud and would have been able to hold my head high wherever I went, but the problem is that now I am really just... a fake, and I just feel awkward all over. I wish I had never left Xingji and continued to be a small landlord who only eats and waits for death.

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(End of this chapter)