Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 470: Trapped Crow

Zhang Luan suddenly felt that Li Zisheng was a somewhat unfathomable person.

He thought to himself, my son is right. I must not underestimate Li Zisheng. His method of winning people's hearts is incredible.

It arranged everything for me very clearly!

"Sir, should we call someone over first to take a look at it for you?"

Qi Niang asked in a questioning tone.

Zhang Luan laughed and said, "Don't worry, let's arrange the banquet first... I've been too busy these past two days and haven't had a good meal. I have to satisfy my appetite today, otherwise I won't have the energy to do anything later."

Qi Niang smiled and replied, "Yes, let them offer a glass of wine to the master at the banquet. Although they will be wandering around in the future, the master is the benefactor who has granted them a stable life in the coming period. They should come and offer tea and wine to show their gratitude."

Zhang Luan waved his hand: "I'm not really a benefactor. I'm just a lecher. I don't think I'm exaggerating... You go and make the arrangements first."

"Master, please follow me. Let's go to the backyard first... After I meet the servants here, I will have someone start preparing."

Afterwards, Qi Niang led Zhang Luan from the back door of the small flower hall straight into the central courtyard, and then through the nine-turn corridor to the backyard. Four or five maids followed them on the way. Each of them was very respectful, with admiration on their faces, as if they treated Zhang Luan, the new master, like an emperor.

……

……

The house was built in a very grand and majestic manner, with carved beams and painted buildings all along the way, which was magnificent. Although it was night, it was brightly lit everywhere, which dazzled Zhang Luan.

The maids, old women and managers were all waiting in the yard. When they saw Zhang Luan, they all came forward to greet him.

Zhang Luan nodded modestly, then walked into the main hall. After he sat down, he was quickly served tea, and not long after, the wine and food were served.

Zhang Luan sat there, looking at the delicious food and wine in front of him, and suddenly felt emotional.

He thought to himself, if this had happened a year ago, I would never have imagined a scene like this today, even in my dreams.

It’s all thanks to my son’s amazing foresight. God has opened his eyes and blessed our Zhang family.

My son is my true benefactor.

"Master, the first person has arrived."

Qi Niang came over and said softly.

Zhang Luan asked curiously, "Aren't there many courtyards? Why is there only one person coming at once?"

Qi Niang explained with a smile: "This person's identity is extremely special. She doesn't live in those courtyards... and because she can't stay with the master in the future, it's better to meet her alone."

"Who?"

Zhang Luan couldn't help but frown.

A woman who needs special arrangements?

Could it be that he bribed Qi Niang?
Qi Niang said: "It's the old lady of Peng Mansion."

Zhang Luan almost vomited blood when he heard this, and asked hurriedly: "Could it be Peng Hua's mother?"

"No, it's his wife Liu." Qi Niang replied.

"Oh, I got so scared. I thought it was... well..."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "Since her status is somewhat special, then arrange for her to meet you alone... I also want to see with my own eyes what the grand old lady looks like."

"Yes."

Qi Niang went out immediately, and when she came back in a short while later, she was followed by a woman who was about fifty years old, looked old, but still had a little charm.

Zhang Luan took a look and thought, she doesn’t look that disgusting, at least she is much better than my aunt.

Apparently Zhang Luan had suffered a serious psychological trauma from Queen Mother Zhou recently.

Queen Mother Zhou held his hand and tried to get close to him, which made Zhang Luan feel that his reputation was in jeopardy, and he developed an inexplicable fear of old women.

Fortunately, the woman in front of him seemed very dignified. She bowed as soon as she entered the room and showed great respect for him, so he did not have much resistance.

"Master, Mrs. Peng and Mrs. Liu are here."

Qi Niang bowed and said.

"Ah."

Zhang Luan's eyes kept wandering over Mrs. Peng's face.

Mrs. Peng Liu felt the burning gaze and did not dare to meet Zhang Luan's eyes, but she still walked to the table respectfully and bowed to Zhang Luan again.

Seeing Zhang Luan's anxious look, Qi Niang smiled and said, "Madam, it's time to toast the master."

After saying that, he poured a glass of wine himself and handed it to Liu.

Liu took the wine glass, walked to Zhang Luan, and raised the glass to offer it to him. Zhang Luan was sizing her up, so he didn't have time to reach out to take it.

When Zhang Luan came to his senses, he quickly stood up. After taking the wine glass, he remembered that the person in front of him was not an elder and he needed to stand when drinking. He shook his head in self-mockery, then sat down and drank the wine in one gulp.

Qi Niang thought Zhang Luan was very satisfied with Liu, and said with a smile: "Although Madam is already quite old, she has taken good care of herself and has never been exposed to the sun or the wind. Her skin is delicate and fair. I think she was a great beauty in her early years.

"More importantly, her temperament as a lady from a wealthy family is incomparable to ordinary people, and is not comparable to those young girls who are ignorant of the world."

When Liu heard this, she felt wronged, ashamed and angry.

People clearly treated her like a commodity and did not give her enough respect.

But it depends on the occasion and what you say. If you think about it carefully, you and your family are suffering, and you are at the mercy of others. It seems that there is nothing wrong with people saying this.

Zhang Luan quickly shook his head: "You can't say that... Madam, please don't be offended, I didn't mean that."

When Liu heard this, she naturally felt that Zhang Luan was just being hypocritical.

But in fact, Zhang Luan is not like that.

It is impossible to say that I have no thoughts at all, but it is also too exaggerated to say that the desire is very strong and I can't wait to take it for myself...

Firstly, there is an age gap between them. No matter how well Liu takes care of herself, her complexion has faded after all, and she can't compare with a young girl.

Besides, Zhang Luan and Peng Hua were once colleagues, so it is inevitable that they would feel sad for the other party.

He pondered that such a noble woman would end up in such a situation when her family fell into poverty. It seemed that the court was really dangerous.

My son also said that in his later years, Peng Hua always avoided the fact that he was from the same hometown as Li Zisheng, and kept a low profile, even claiming to be sick and not going out. As a result, this avoidance strategy was completely useless.

When disaster strikes you, you can't escape it!

When Qi Niang saw Zhang Luan’s subsequent reaction, she didn’t understand again.

But she still asked seriously, "Then... Master, do you want to write this person down?"

"Write it down?"

Zhang Luan was a little confused for a moment.

Qi Niang smiled and said, "Master, have you forgotten your previous instructions?"

"Oh, yes, yes..."

At this moment, Zhang Luan was like a novice who had just entered the entertainment industry. He was completely stunned by Liu's aura. Only then did he remember that to remember someone meant to meet them once, make a subjective judgment on whether they were good or not, and then record it and decide when to meet them next time.

And the one who makes the best impression can be called to accompany drinking and sleep with you that night.

"Wait a minute."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "How about we wait and see what others say?"

Qi Niang nodded.

I just saw the first one, and it seems that there is really no need to be so anxious.

She was born into a prostitute family, so of course she knew that when choosing a person, the first one is never chosen, and the next one is always thought to be better.

"it is good."

Qi Niang said, "Then please take your leave first, Madam Peng, and have a good rest when you go back... I estimate that you will be sent to where you should be in three days."

Liu became visibly nervous when she heard this, but it was Zhang Luan who spoke first.

Zhang Luan asked in surprise: "Leaving in three days?"

"Yes."

Qi Niang said seriously, "It will not be more than five days at the latest. This is a special order from above, so the master must be prepared. Some people cannot be delayed."

"I have a favor to ask of you."

When Liu heard that she didn't have much time left in this courtyard and might not see Zhang Luan again within three days, she spoke directly.

Qi Niang said with a stern face, "I respect you and call you Madam, but the status of Madam is just your capital to stay here. Without this halo of Madam, you would have been sent to do hard labor or lived in darkness long ago. Don't think you are qualified to negotiate with the master."

Liu immediately knelt down with a plop and kowtowed, saying, "Please, sir, give me a chance to speak."

"you!"

Qi Niang acted very angry.

She claimed that she could discipline people well, but the first person she met on the stage gave her a warning, which showed that her training work was not done well.

If you offend Qi Niang, there will be no good consequences.

Moreover, Qi Niang had already informed Zhang Luan that they needed one person to play the villain and the other to play the hero, and Zhang Luan only needed to maintain his generosity and magnanimity as the owner of the courtyard, and leave the task of punishment and discipline to her...

Zhang Luan was startled and quickly stood up to help her: "Madam, if you have anything to say, just say it... Oops."

After he put his hand on Liu's shoulder, Zhang Luan realized that his action seemed too rude, and he immediately withdrew his hand. Then he realized that there was no need for him to be polite!
Zhang Luan wondered in his heart, why do I become so conflicted after seeing this woman?
I have seen many criminals before, but never like today.

Is it because I didn’t get enough sleep that I feel groggy?

However, Liu did not show much aversion to Zhang Luan's behavior, and did not even try to avoid it. Obviously, she knew that if she continued to act like a grand lady and annoy Zhang Luan, she would probably lose the chance of having a face-to-face dialogue with him.

After all, at her age, it would not be easy for her to see Zhang Luan for the second time. If she expected other women in the family to talk to her... she could not count on them at all, not to mention that even if those people wanted to speak, they could not express themselves clearly, and their words would carry far less weight than hers.

Liu continued to kneel there, begging desperately: "Sir, please speak for my husband in the court and ask the court to pardon the crimes of my Peng family."

Qi Niang said in a cold tone: "Didn't you hear the master's order to let you stand up and talk? If you don't obey the master's order here, it's not as simple as being punished, but you will be tortured!"

“This… ah!”

Zhang Luan was somewhat helpless and said, "Madam, please stand up and talk."

Liu then stood up tremblingly, but still kept her head down, not daring to straighten her body.

Zhang Luan asked, "Madam, do you know who I am?"

Liu said, "Although no one has told me, with my limited knowledge, I know that the master is a person respected by Li Shangshu of Lizi Province. I think he should be Zhang Guozhang of the current dynasty."

"Damn it!"

Qi Niang turned pale with fear and said hurriedly, "Master, no one here dares to disclose this news. Otherwise...send the person away tonight?"

Zhang Luan stretched out his hand to interrupt Qi Niang's words, and sat down again, his attitude becoming much more serious. "It doesn't matter if you know my identity. I have made it clear that your Peng family's case has been settled. Elder Peng has been sentenced to death for crimes such as communicating with eunuchs, making friends with local feudal lords, accepting bribes, controlling the government, and persecuting loyal officials. He will be executed soon... It is absolutely not something that I can change."

As he spoke, Zhang Luan was still thinking.

What if I'm stupid?

I finally managed to wipe out Peng Hua's entire family, and you want me to plead for Peng Hua?
How will Peng Hua look at me then?

Idiot?

This woman is desperate, but she comes to me to plead for mercy. Isn't that all in vain?

Liu begged bitterly: "Now, apart from the master, I am afraid no one can turn the tide. I will definitely repay you with my own death, as long as the master is willing to help..."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, damn.

You asked me for help, but you said you would repay me with your own death?
Why does it sound so creepy?
"You mean to repay me with your own life?"

Qi Niang said in a mocking tone, "No matter what, you have already entered this courtyard. It is your good fortune to be favored by the master. You are not qualified to negotiate with the master at all."

"Let her speak..."

Zhang Luan calmed himself down and gestured to Qi Niang to go aside first.

Qi Niang glared at Liu with a vicious look, as if to warn her, if you act without purpose today and want to rely on our master to protect you, then when he leaves, you will definitely suffer the consequences.

You have to think carefully about what you say, don’t make the mistake!
Liu cried and complained, "My husband is loyal to the emperor and the country. He has worked in the court for many years and has never complained. Even though I have never seen it with my own eyes, I know how hard it is for my husband. But just because of some rumors, the court has convicted my family and even sentenced my husband to death. It is really unfair."

Zhang Luan said, "How can there be any fairness in the court? If that's all you're saying, please stop talking."

Liu cried and complained, "Please give me a chance to talk alone. I don't ask for a long time, just a cup of tea will do."

"In private...?"

Zhang Luan glanced at Qi Niang.

Qi Niang looked apologetic: "Master, please forgive me for not being able to discipline them. It was also because of the rush of time... Just release them and I will discipline them well in the next two days and stop them from talking nonsense."

"Well... after all, she was once the wife of the Grand Councilor, so we should at least show some respect to her."

Zhang Luan pointed to the seat next to him and said, "Then Madam, please sit down and have a drink with me... Only then will I listen to what you have to say."

Zhang Luan is also scheming.

He thought that since this woman was used to a life of luxury, she would not stay to drink with a strange man and do something inappropriate, right?

If she refused, I would have a reason to kick her out.

There is nothing to regret. I can't even be considered a middle-aged woman, but I am already an old lady. The worst that can happen is that I won't see her for the next few days.

No matter what, you can't make yourself unhappy, right?

However, Liu took the initiative to come over, and in front of Zhang Luan's surprised gaze, she sat down next to Zhang Luan, picked up the wine pot, poured wine for Zhang Luan, and then handed the wine glass back to Zhang Luan.

Because of the change in social distance, the toast this time was also different from the previous toast in terms of etiquette.

Zhang Luan took the wine glass and drank it all, then waved his hand, signaling Qi Niang to go out and take shelter for a while.

(End of this chapter)