Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 821 There is a future
The father-in-law and son-in-law went to have lunch.

Zhang Luan didn't seem to care much. Although his daughter's childbirth was related to the rise and fall of the Zhang family, he seemed indifferent, with a lazy smile always on his face. On the contrary, because he was busy going to the palace in the morning and didn't have time to eat, he ate two extra bowls at the table.

Even after I finished eating, I was still thinking, "The dishes in the palace look simple, but they taste really good!"

"Your Majesty, please eat more."

Zhang Luan greeted them.

Zhu Youcheng ate a few bites quickly, his face full of worry, and occasionally a hint of grievance appeared: "I suddenly miss my mother... She left without enjoying a single day of happiness..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan immediately dared not act rashly and comforted her, saying, "The past is past. If the Empress can give birth to the child smoothly, it can be considered a kind of inheritance. If Empress Dowager Ji is alive in heaven, she will surely be gratified by this."

Zhu Youcheng raised his head, his face heavy: "It feels like not much time has passed. I can still vaguely remember things from my childhood."

"Ah."

Zhang Luan casually agreed, but in his heart he was thinking, "Weren't you only five or six years old then?"

Do you really remember that clearly?
However, on the other hand, your mother's death was very suspicious, and no one has dared to investigate it to this day. It seems that you yourself do not want to investigate either. After becoming emperor, you have not made any move at all. It is not necessarily that you are really filial.

Even when your subordinates suggested you investigate thoroughly, you turned a blind eye. Did you know that your mother died of natural causes, or that she took her own life to help you avoid trouble, and that you knew there was no need to investigate?

Had lunch.

The father-in-law and son-in-law encouraged each other again, and then returned together to the Hall of Union to await news.

The female official was quite dutiful, constantly reporting Zhang Yu's latest situation to her.

"The Empress... must be having a very hard time, right?"

Zhu Youcheng was always the first to stand up and inquire about his wife's situation from the female officials who came to report. Each time, Zhang Luan would pull Zhu Youcheng back to sit down, even showing a lack of consideration for the difference between ruler and subject.

In Zhang Luan's view, what emperor who rules the world? Right now, he's just my son-in-law. He's worried too much and will cause all sorts of trouble. Fortunately, my daughter is wise and knows that her husband is unreliable, so she didn't make me, her son-in-law, wait outside Kunning Palace and cause trouble.

If he heard his wife screaming in pain inside, wouldn't he be frantic with worry?

It was probably still a bit hot in the September afternoon, the sun was shining warmly on people, and Zhang Luan hadn't slept well the night before, so he leaned back in his chair and fell asleep.

Hearing the snoring, Zhu Youcheng was somewhat puzzled. "You, as a father, have a really big heart. Or is this what it means to be a person who does great things?"

On the contrary, our side seems petty...

But something still feels off!
The sun was setting behind the western mountains, not yet gone, when a female official rushed over, calling out from afar, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty... Good news, good news! The Empress has given birth! It's a prince."

"Ok?"

Zhang Luan was jolted awake from his sleep. He stood up abruptly, straightened his back, and was still in a daze, not even knowing where he was.

Zhu Youcheng rushed over, grabbed his father-in-law's hand, and exclaimed excitedly, "Father-in-law, did you hear that? I'm a father! It's a prince! I have a crown prince!"

"gave birth?"

A look of joy immediately appeared on Zhang Luan's face. He said, "Oh, yes, yes. I knew it was nothing... Your Majesty, I congratulate you... Ah, wait, he's not the Crown Prince yet, just a prince! Your Majesty, congratulations!"

As he spoke, Zhang Luan couldn't help but pull his hand away and subconsciously rub his eyes.

It was like a fleeting dream, and I hadn't even woken up from my dream. I looked around for a long time, but I still didn't quite figure out where I was.

At this moment, Qin Chang and the others also rushed over, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, congratulations! A prince has been born! The Ming Dynasty royal family has an heir!"

"Okay, okay!"

Zhu Youcheng was very pleased. "Everyone who worked today will be rewarded. Qin Daban, you make the arrangements! I... I need to go see the Empress... she's worked so hard!"

……

……

Zhu Youcheng has a son.

Mother and child are safe!

He was so excited that he was practically dancing with joy, completely lost in his excitement, and beaming at everyone he met.

Zhang Luan felt like a clown, and began to ponder: "You had a son while still in mourning, what will the world think when they find out? But you're the emperor, no one in the world can control you anymore, so it seems like there aren't so many taboos..."

In ordinary households, once matters such as mourning are involved, even weddings and other important events must be suspended.

However, emperors like Zhu Youcheng could have children directly, which was probably a privilege reserved for them.

Even in the homes of ordinary princes and nobles, if a child was born during the mourning period, the family would be impeached.

"Grand Secretary Zhang, aren't you going to Kunning Palace to receive the joyous occasion?" Qin Chang asked, seeing that Zhu Youcheng had already left while Zhang Luan was still sitting there in a daze.

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "I expected this long ago, what's the surprise? Besides, I am, after all, a subject, it would probably be inconvenient for me to go."

Qin Chang nodded with a smile: "That's true. After all, this is a matter between His Majesty and the Empress. By the way, Qingning Palace has sent people to inquire about this several times. Why don't you go and inform them? The Empress Dowager will be very happy to hear about this. Now the royal family can be considered to have four generations under one roof."

"Well... okay, I'll go take a look."

Zhang Luan stood up.

Qin Chang asked, "Aren't you going to inform His Majesty?"

Zhang Luan shook his head: "His Majesty didn't take me there... Besides, Qingning Palace isn't far from here. If there's anything important, he could just let me know. Why make it so complicated?"

"Yes, we're family, no need to stand on ceremony."

As Qin Chang spoke of this, he felt a pang of envy for the Zhang family.

Throughout history, no emperor has ever been seen to stay somewhere with his father-in-law, chatting and waiting for the birth of his child.

No emperor in history has ever married only one empress.

Zhang Jiazhen managed to be so close to the emperor, a feat that all the imperial relatives of the Ming Dynasty envied.

……

……

Qingning Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhou had actually known about having a great-grandson long before.

However, when Zhang Luan personally brought the news, she still received him politely, and even pretended that she had just learned about it herself, as if she was enjoying the joy of having good news shared with others.

"Lai Zhan, you've really had a tough time. Your daughter has only been in the palace for a little over a year or two, and you've already become a grandfather! And your son will soon be the crown prince!"

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed and said, "This child can be said to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Even if my grandson has many more princes in the future, they will not be able to compare."

The eldest son born to the Empress, born after the Emperor ascended the throne, and with the Emperor having only married one Empress, plus his maternal grandfather being a Grand Secretary who enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust... all these accolades made this eldest son seem like the chosen one.

Zhang Luan said, "Speaking of which, this child is not easy to raise."

"Laizhan, I have to say something about you here." Empress Dowager Zhou rolled her eyes at her eldest nephew and said, "At this joyous moment, do you have to say such discordant things? Even so, aren't we still here with your superb medical skills? If your son-in-law knew, wouldn't he complain about you?"

Zhang Luan shook his head: "Oh dear, I don't know why, but I just feel like what I'm seeing isn't quite real."

"Haha."

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed heartily and said, "You're a grandfather now, why are you talking about whether it's true or not? Are you envious of the Emperor? If you're so capable, go and get your child married early and give birth to one for you! Then the Zhang family will have an heir, won't it?"

"My two kids... are too noisy, I just feel... sigh!"

Zhang Luan was in a dilemma at this moment.

While she was happy that her daughter had given birth to the crown prince, she also felt that everything had come too easily, like a dream, and she was afraid that when she woke up she would return to her original mediocre and unproductive state.

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "I have heard that your second son, Yanling, has accomplished a great deal in the south. He has not only rectified the officialdom in Nanjing and boosted the local economy, but also generated revenue for the court. However, he has also been attacked by many people because of this... It is said that there are more memorials impeaching him than impeaching you." Zhang Luan said, "Alas, I don't know exactly what he did to attract so much slander."

"Why should I care so much about my reputation when I'm working for the imperial court?"

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and said, "I think this child is honest and willing to do anything for the interests of the court. I even spoke to the emperor and asked him to take good care of him."

"Actually, the Emperor thinks highly of Yanling. This trip to the south affected the interests of many people and aroused their jealousy. Don't take it too hard."

Zhang Luan hurriedly said, "How could that be? He's still my own child."

Empress Dowager Zhou nodded: "As a father, you should protect your children from the wind and rain. If you can't even do that, what right do you have to teach your descendants and take you as an example?"

"Yes."

Although Zhang Luan nodded obsequiously, he was thinking to himself, "I dare not let that kid take me as an example."

That kid is too extraordinary. His style of doing things is cunning and unpredictable, full of schemes. No one in the world can match him. I'm just following him around and having a drink of soup.

"Laizhan, are you going to the Qianqing Palace for a banquet tonight?" Empress Dowager Zhou asked. "I would very much like to go and see him. To be honest, I am overjoyed to have a great-grandson."

Zhang Luan said, "I won't go. I've been waiting there for half a day, and it's not easy to wait for the baby to come out. His Majesty and the Empress must be overjoyed and busy enjoying their time together. If I go, I will definitely disturb them. Of course... if my aunt goes, they will definitely welcome her wholeheartedly."

Empress Dowager Zhou rolled her eyes at Zhang Luan and said with a smile, "Look at what you're saying, it's as if you're pointing the finger at me. If you don't go, I'll naturally feel embarrassed to go. You'll see me later."

"Yep."

Zhang Luan nodded repeatedly.

"However, it seems unlikely that we will see the Empress coming to pay her respects for some time," said Empress Dowager Zhou. "She will need to rest and recuperate for a while."

Zhang Luan said, "Then I will pay my respects to the Empress Dowager on behalf of my daughter."

"Do you need to come and invite me?"

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Judging from your tired appearance, you must have had a long and tiring time with His Majesty. Alright, I won't keep you any longer. Go back and rest early! But don't forget, the Zhou family's sons are eager to make their mark."

"Yes."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, "You've put so much effort into arranging for your Zhou family's sons to join the army and earn some military merits."

But the Zhou family might not think that way.

Look at your nephews and nieces, which one of them who went to the army didn't complain? It's as if my Zhang family is making things difficult for them and taking revenge. Who appreciates that?
……

……

Zhang Luan left Qingning Palace and went straight out of the palace.

This time, he planned to go straight home to tell his wife and family the good news.

Just outside the left gate of Chang'an, I saw many palace officials rushing about in various places.

Zhang Luan glanced around and caught sight of Li Rong, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, hurrying towards the palace from the East Gate of the Palace.

"Eunuch Li? What's wrong?"

Zhang Luan looked around and asked, "Has something major happened in the capital?"

Li Rong hurried over to Zhang Luan and said with a smile, "Mr. Zhang, what could be more important than the Empress giving birth to the Crown Prince? This good news must be communicated to all the government offices in the capital as soon as possible so that the world knows about it. That's why I just returned from the Six Ministries, the Court of State Ceremonies, the Imperial Observatory, the Imperial Medical Academy, and the Imperial Clan Court..."

"Oh!"

Zhang Luan suddenly realized, shrugged, and said, "So that's what it was about."

Seeing that Zhang Luan wasn't very excited, Li Rong asked curiously, "Father-in-law, why are you still a little disappointed? Are you perhaps expecting something?"

The gist is, do you expect your child to be crowned prince on the day he is born?
Isn't this too hasty?
"Alas! Eunuch Li, please don't misunderstand. I was just thinking that it would be best if everything were peaceful and uneventful... But I'm so tired every day, and I don't even know what I'm doing. What is the meaning of my life?"

Zhang Luan started acting like a subservient grandson in front of Li Rong again, behaving in a delusional manner.

Li Rong looked embarrassed after hearing this.

No one in the world is as pessimistic as this Zhang Guodafu, who tells everyone he meets how hard and tiring things are.

And it doesn't seem like he's faking it...

If it's an act, how skilled would one have to be to convincingly portray themselves as such a pathetic figure?

But the problem is, you, Elder Zhang, are absent from court assemblies every day, and you're never seen at the government offices. What exactly are you busy with every day? I truly don't understand!

"Mr. Zhang, I must return to the palace to report back."

Li Rong kindly offered this reminder.

"Farewell, farewell."

Zhang Luan quickly bowed.

……

……

Just as Zhang Luan arrived at his doorstep, before he could even dismount from the carriage, Chang Shun, who was driving the carriage ahead, called out: "Someone is blocking the way ahead."

"Who?"

Zhang Luan retorted angrily, "Could it be that someone dares to commit violence in front of my mansion?"

At this moment, Zhang Luan was fearless. As the emperor's father-in-law and the future crown prince's maternal grandfather, and with dozens of fully armed Jinyiwei guards protecting him, how could he possibly suffer a loss in the capital?
When he got off the carriage, he realized that the person blocking the road was Wang Yue.

"Your humble servant Wang Shichang greets Lord Zhang."

As soon as Wang Yue arrived, he knelt down on the ground, his forehead hitting the ground with a "bang".

This series of movements was so fluid and seamless that it completely caught Zhang Luan off guard.

He quickly stepped forward and helped Wang Yue up, saying, "Minister Wang, what are you doing? We are equals, why such a grand gesture?"

Wang Yue didn't insist on kneeling there. After being helped up by Zhang Luan, he hurriedly said, "You are the Marquis of Shouning and a cabinet minister. You have helped His Majesty accomplish so many important tasks and participated in the confidential affairs of the court. Now that the Crown Prince has been born, as the father of the Empress Dowager, you have made even greater contributions! This little bit of courtesy from me is too light."

Zhang Luan quickly waved his hand: "Don't talk nonsense. What do you mean by 'the crown prince' or 'not a prince'? It's just that my empress daughter just gave birth to a boy."

Wang Yue sighed, "The Empress's son, and also the eldest son of the Emperor, how could he not be the Crown Prince? It's only a matter of time."

"Your Highness, please don't do this."

Zhang Luan originally did not want to receive Wang Yue.

But now that they've come to him of their own accord, precisely at the exact time he leaves the palace to return home, and with so many courtesies, he has no way to refuse.

"Shall we go inside and talk?"

Zhang Luan was just being polite, but for Wang Yue, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to curry favor.

Wang Yue quickly seized the opportunity and said happily, "It is truly a great fortune in my life to have a heart-to-heart talk with you, Lord Zhang. I hope you can give me more guidance, which would be of immense benefit to me."

"you……"

This made Zhang Luan feel very embarrassed.

How famous are you, Wang Weining?
In the Ming Dynasty, I have only risen to power in the last year or two. Although I have accomplished some things, compared to you, I am like a firefly vying for the moon's brilliance.

Yet you treat me with such deference?
"please."

Zhang Luan was at a loss and could only lead Wang Yue toward the gate of the Marquis's mansion.

(End of this chapter)