Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 682 Sister and Brother Gossip
Forbidden City, inside the Kunning Palace.

After Huai En took his people back, only Qin Ji was allowed to serve on the side. Later, he was specially allowed to sit at the table, but he could only eat in a corner of the table.

Zhu Youtang was usually quite friendly to others, and having Qin Ji eat at the same table with him was already the greatest courtesy he had given to Qin Ji. Even Zhu Youtang didn't seem to intend to make Qin Ji his equal.

Regardless of his background, Zhu Youtang maintained the appropriate social distance from the people who served him.

After hearing the news of the victory in the Northwest, Zhang Yu did not look very happy. He just complained: "What's the point of fighting and killing all day long?"

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Sister, this victory on the northwest front is of great significance. It is the first foreign war victory since my brother-in-law ascended the throne. It also lays a solid foundation for stabilizing the morale of the northwest soldiers. In other words, after this battle, my brother-in-law has won the hearts of the northwest soldiers."

"Yes, Yu'er, I am very happy that the soldiers on the front line can win the battle."

Zhu Youtang seemed to be playing a double act with his brother-in-law, telling women things they didn't want to hear, "After this battle, there may be a long period of stability in the northwest."

Zhang Yu just said "oh" softly, still unable to cheer up.

Zhang Yanling carefully observed Zhang Yu's expression and roughly knew that it was the few days that women experience every month.

Zhu Youtang, the husband, did not notice anything unusual about his wife's body. He just kept talking about what he liked, like a child.

Zhang Yanling looked at her brother-in-law who had a very enthusiastic face and couldn't stop talking, and wondered in his heart, what kind of autism is this?
This is probably why the emperor has always been so attached to me and why we can stay together forever.

It's really the right way.

……

……

After lunch, Huai'en came to Zhu Youtang again to report the matter.

This time Zhang Yanling did not go with them, but stayed to chat with Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu said bluntly: "What does the war have to do with us? Why do we have to be talked about? Don't think I don't know, because this time my father was involved in the Northwest incident, many people have secretly impeached him, and he has attracted so many complaints for doing things for the court, just to keep you idle."

When Zhang Yanling heard this, he couldn't help but ponder for a moment.

My sister's stance seems to have changed?

Is she now siding with her natal family or her husband's family?
Zhang Yanling asked, "Sister, isn't it good to let father get military merit?"

Zhang Yu said, "You have become the father-in-law of the emperor, but you still need to rely on military merit to advance?"

This sentence made Zhang Yanling, the younger brother, understand that his sister's original intention of protecting her family had not changed.

However, what Zhang Yu hoped was that she would be the leader of the Zhang family and protect the Zhang family as the queen, instead of relying on the Zhang father and son to run around and work hard, and then be criticized by others in the end.

To be the queen's family member, one has to be domineering and unreasonable, and then rely on the queen's nepotism to maintain the family status.

As for the other side...

In the Queen's view, those were all "unorthodox practices".

Zhang Yanling said, "Sister, if father can make achievements in military and political affairs, it means that he is no longer a vase... the kind that looks fragile and will break at the slightest touch."

Zhang Yu couldn't help but smile when he heard this: "How can you compare your father like that? It's really disrespectful."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Sister, you must have figured it out. Dad is just a vase, right?"

"Pooh."

Zhang Yu spat and said, "Even if my father is just a vase, he was manipulated by you... If he had been a teacher, he wouldn't have to suffer so much as he does now."

Zhang Yanling said with emotion: "Sister, you don't know that Dad is enjoying this now... He likes being an official very much, he is used to the feeling of power and authority, and enjoys all the benefits that power brings. Now he is obsessed with wine, women, money and power, and he won't go back even if you ask him to."

"With all the wealth and glory to enjoy, why would he want to go back to live in poverty?"

Zhang Yu shook her head and said, "Before I married into the palace, I was also worried that I would be like a bird in a cage, but after I really came in, I didn't feel anything."

Zhang Yanling thought, that's because your husband fully respects you.

Throughout history, let alone emperors, even if it is a rich or powerful man, who would stay with his wife forever?
Zhang Yanling asked, "Sister, do you still not support Dad in making achievements in military and political affairs?"

"I don't think there's anything good about it."

Zhang Yu shook his head.

Zhang Yanling laughed: "Dad has made some achievements in military and political affairs, which can indirectly help sister and make her position in the harem more stable. There is nothing wrong with that."

"Can?"

Zhang Yu's complexion improved a little at this time.

Zhang Yanling said, "I still say that. You don't want Dad to continue to be his vase in the court, right?"

Zhang Yu couldn't help but smile when he heard the word "vase" again, and pointed to the big vase beside him: "You keep saying vase, vase, are you interested in the vase ornaments here? Take it back if you like it."

"We don't lack this stuff at home, so I don't want it. It would be bad if people said I moved things from the palace to my home and that I don't know the rules," said Zhang Yanling.

"So you, the second son of the Zhang family, also care about your face?"

Zhang Yu said in a joking tone.

“Who is shameless?”

Zhang Yanling pretended to be aggrieved.

Zhang Yu pouted and said, "You are so young and yet you are already showing off. Even your brother-in-law said that you are at the right age to study, but you are not studying seriously. I am afraid that you will go astray in the future."

Zhang Yanling leaned over and whispered, "Sister, let me tell you a secret. I am a deity from heaven who has come down to earth. I don't need to learn anything. There is a lot of knowledge stored in my brain. It is enough to benefit me for the rest of my life."

"You're just bragging." Zhang Yu laughed so hard upon hearing that he fell backwards. Even the little palace maid serving beside him couldn't help but look over here a few more times.

Normally, Zhang Yu behaved well in the palace, and he had never been so willful.

Why is it that as soon as the young prince-in-law comes, he seems to be having a blast?
As expected, siblings have a good relationship and are more likely to express their true feelings.

"Besides, I have to go back early."

Zhang Yanling said, "I have to tell Dad the good news from the border. He is still recuperating at home."

"Is he still not well? What is his illness?"

Zhang Yu asked with a frown.

Zhang Yanling pointed to his chest and said, "This is the disease."

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "As expected, it's strange that an official wouldn't feel uncomfortable when he is attacked by the public."

"No, I mean he always thinks he's sick, but in fact he just caught a cold and has some old age problems." Zhang Yanling said, "Recently he has been recuperating at home during the day and has been missing at night."

"Going out tonight? Going out for drinks and socializing?"

Zhang Yu asked in surprise.

Zhang Yanling said, "Forget it. I'd better not tell you too much. I'm afraid it will affect his image in your mind."

Zhang Yu laughed and said, "You mean, your true evaluation of him is worse than a vase? If you dare to say he is a vase, what else can't you say?"

Zhang Yanling sighed, "When my mother came to visit me recently, didn't she say anything to you?"

"She won't tell me when I ask her. I have to guess what's going on at home."

Zhang Yu said, "Mom, there are so many rules to follow when you come here. You don't even dare to say a few words. You just told me to take care of myself and give birth to a son soon. In the end, it's just those few things. I feel like you are the one who has changed the least in the family... Even when Dad comes, he looks weird."

Zhang Yanling said: "They have the psychological burden of being maternal relatives and cannot let it go for the time being."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Yu asked.

"To put it bluntly, they just look up to you as the Queen and dare not talk to you too much. I don't take it seriously. After all, I am young and my words are not restrained. But they are different."

Zhang Yanling explained.

Zhang Yu said: "I don't feel any difference... I always felt that the atmosphere at home was okay before, but now... I always feel a layer of alienation."

Zhang Yanling reminded her: "Sister, your last name is no longer Zhang now. You have to adapt to the change in your identity."

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes at his brother and said, "I feel more alienated from the Zhu family."

Zhang Yanling smiled.

I thought to myself, you don't have any conflicts with the mother-in-law, and it's a good thing that your husband has a very strange personality. No one cared about him before, but now everyone in the palace is trying hard to curry favor with him, for fear that he will take revenge for his mother's past.

Since everyone is trying their best to please your husband, they will naturally be lenient to you as the queen.

otherwise……

Just because of your nominal mother, you will never have a good life!

Now you have your father backing you up in the court, and even his aunt, your husband's grandmother, is very polite to you. Who dares to find fault with you?

You must be very lucky in your previous life!

"Sister, I'm leaving now. I'll come back in two days."

Zhang Yanling stood up and said goodbye.

Zhang Yu greeted him, "Why don't you sit for a while? Your brother-in-law may be back soon."

Zhang Yanling said, "I don't want to be a light bulb for you two. I feel embarrassed every time I come to disturb you... As a brother-in-law, I still have to be aware of this. After all, this is not our own home."

"Light bulb? Oh, that thing you mentioned before, the one that can illuminate in the dark? Humph, your brother-in-law is not that kind of person."

Zhang Yu said, "Your brother-in-law often mentioned you in front of me, and said that he planned to find a teacher for you and train you well... It was not me who took the initiative to bring it up. He thought you were a talent that could be cultivated, and it might be because Dad often praised you in front of him that he had this idea."

Zhang Yanling sighed, "There's nothing I can do. People are afraid of being famous, just like pigs are afraid of being fat. I feel like I'm riding a tiger and it's hard to get off. Should I study? Or should I continue to help Daming? Maybe I'll have to let my brother-in-law make the choice then... Oh, by the way, I'm going to install heating for your place later."

"What is heating?"

Zhang Yu asked.

"It's a good thing that can make the room warm in winter and feel like spring all year round." Zhang Yanling said, "My brother-in-law asked me to install it here first. In fact, I have already installed it in my studio outside and at home. The technology is ready, and it only takes a few days to transform this place. Sister, do you feel cold these days?"

Zhang Yu said, "I'm fine. I come from a humble family and I'm resistant to cold. But your brother-in-law... Alas! He can't stand the wind at all. He will catch a cold if he's not careful... Let's not talk about it."

A wife naturally knows her husband's physical condition best.

Zhang Yanling knew from Zhang Yu's expression how weak his brother-in-law Zhu Youtang was.

"Then next time I come, I will propose the construction measures and specific construction plans."

Zhang Yanling said, "It doesn't cost much. In addition to your place, you can also equip some places in the palace with it... This may help you gain a good reputation among the masters of the palaces."

Zhang Yu said: "I am the queen, the master of the six palaces, I don't need any reputation."

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "Sister, what you need to do is to make the people in the palace respect you, not fear you. It's best to use both kindness and force... Sister, you have only been in the palace for a short time. Are you sure you can defeat all those old hands in the palace? As your younger brother, I will reluctantly help you manage the six palaces."

(End of this chapter)