Huangxiu

Chapter 56 Zong Zheng
Chu Zhiyao was in high spirits and high spirits. He went down seven steps and came close to the four people.

He kept clasping his fists, smiling: "My nephew is sorry for not coming to meet you in person. Please forgive me, Uncle and Aunt. My father is talking to Uncle Nine and is being scolded by Uncle Nine."

"Uncle Jiu, the old man..." Chu Minghou smiled and shook his head, looking at Chu Zhiyao: "Yao'er, you have grown up, and you are as heroic as your father. You are really good, not bad."

When he saw Chu Zhiyao in front of him, it was as if he had seen the young King Xuan. He felt a sudden sense of familiarity, a closeness that came from their blood.

"Uncle, thank you for the compliment. Please come in quickly." Chu Zhiyao said with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Third brother, today has been hard enough."

"Hey, it's nothing compared to the border. The ninth and tenth brothers have all arrived, and Uncle Eighteen is here too." Chu Zhiyao said.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "We are the closest, but we arrived the latest."

As they walked in, they crossed the tall threshold of the main entrance, turned around the screen wall with the inscription "Fu Shou Yan Nian", and saw a grove of lush pine trees before them.

Welcoming Pine, Beauty Pine, Ten Thousand-Leaf Pine... various species of pine trees stand proudly under the lights, lush and green.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head secretly.

Planting pine trees in the front hall, this fourth uncle, Prince Xuan, is really unique.

The pines were all nicely trimmed and clearly well cared for.

There are two exquisite pavilions with octagonal eaves, carved beams and painted buildings among the pine trees.

The carved lanterns illuminated the pavilion with a bright and soft glow. The fire inside the pavilion was burning red, and the heat was blocked by the curtains around it so that it could not dissipate.

Even so, it was a winter night after all, and it was not appropriate for civil officials to be here. Those who stayed in the pavilion were all people with profound cultivation.

The two small pavilions were already full of people, with laughter and chattering everywhere, making the place very lively.

Chu Zhiyuan and the other three followed Chu Zhiyao to the front hall.

There was a thick white felt curtain in the front hall, hiding what was happening inside.

From what Chu Zhiyuan could see, the front hall was deserted, with only two people talking.

One is a middle-aged man with a body as strong as a lion, and the other is a strong and skinny old man.

The skinny old man paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, talking to himself, while the middle-aged man, as strong as a lion, lowered his head and nodded, obeying obediently.

"Look at you, can't you do something useful all day? You have to make such a fuss just for your birthday. You haven't done this in previous years!"

"..."

"Because of Yao'er? Yao'er has become successful, and you think you have become capable, so you can't wait to show off?"

“Uncle Nine——!”

"There are so many officials. I didn't realize that you have made friends with so many ministers without realizing it. You are so good at networking. I am really impressed by you!"

"Uncle Jiu misunderstood," the middle-aged man, who was as strong as a lion, waved his hands hurriedly, "I was just trying to post, but I didn't expect that you would come."

"You are so shameless!" The skinny old man sneered, "Once the post is sent out, all officials above the third rank will come to give you gifts. Don't you think this is too shameful?!"

"Uncle Jiu misunderstood. I won't accept their gifts."

"Who knows if you accept gifts?"

“I will never accept it!”

"You can return the gift and win back some people's hearts. You are really smart. Old Four, I didn't realize you had this skill. I admire you!"

"Uncle Jiu, please stop talking bad about me."

"I'm insulting you? You're the one insulting me!" The skinny old man snorted coldly: "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have made this unnecessary trip and shouldn't have come here at all!"

"Uncle Jiu, you really misunderstood me. I just wanted to show them that I, the fourth brother, am not a person who just eats and waits for death. I have also made contributions to the court!"

"What merit? Oh, Yao'er, you think you have raised a good son, so you have made a great contribution!"

"Uncle Jiu, isn't it?"

"...Okay, okay, it's a pity that Yao'er doesn't follow you, but follows the emperor brother!"

"This is also my ability. I have a son who looks like his father." There was an indescribable sense of pride in his tone.

Chu Zhiyao stopped and turned to look at Chu Minghou awkwardly.

Chu Minghou shook his head and smiled bitterly, then raised his voice and said, "Uncle Jiu."

Chu Zhiyuan saw that the two people behind the thick felt curtain turned their heads to look at him.

Chu Zhiyao stepped forward, pulled aside the curtain, and stepped aside to invite them into the house.

Chu Minghou walked in front, stepped into the hall, clasped his fists and bowed deeply: "Nephew Minghou greets Uncle Jiu!"

"Third brother!" The skinny old man hurriedly took two steps forward, helped Chu Minghou up, looked at him, and when he saw the white hair on his temples, his eyes suddenly became red.

"Third brother, third sister-in-law." The middle-aged man, as majestic as a lion, clasped his fists and smiled: "Third sister-in-law is still as charming as ever."

Bai Ningshuang pursed her lips and chuckled: "Fourth brother, congratulations."

The skinny old man Chu Qingyan held Chu Minghou's hand, his eyes red, his lips nagging: "Minghou, you have aged a lot."

"Uncle Jiu is still as strong as before, he hasn't changed at all." Chu Minghou held his hand and said with a smile: "He is still so energetic when scolding people."

“Humph, shouldn’t the Fourth Master be scolded?” Chu Qingyan retracted the moisture from his eyes. The excitement just now seemed like an illusion. He squinted at Chu Mingqiang and said, “He looks like a villain who has become arrogant because of success. He is bringing shame to our Chu family!”

"Ning Shuang greets Uncle Jiu." Bai Ning Shuang bowed.

"Greetings, Uncle Nine." Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Yi also bowed.

"Alas..." Chu Qingyan nodded to Bai Ningshuang, looked at Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Yi with emotion, and sighed: "In the blink of an eye, you, Bai girl, have become a mother, and you are still the naughty one in front of me... Yuan'er is a promising child, and the third child is indeed lucky."

Bai Ningshuang chuckled: "Uncle Jiu, you are the first one to say that the prince is lucky."

Chu Qingyan laughed and said, "The Third Brother married a good wife like you, and also has such a well-behaved daughter and such a promising son. Are you still not satisfied?"

"Hehe..." Bai Ningshuang smiled like a flower: "Uncle Jiu, you are really good at praising people." Chu Minghou smiled and said: "Uncle Jiu, today is Fourth Brother's birthday. It's not too late to scold him after today. Don't ruin everyone's mood."

"Okay." Chu Qingyan nodded with a smile. When he turned around, his face darkened and he glared at King Xuan Chu Mingqiang: "Use your brains!"

"Uncle Jiu is still so partial to Third Brother." Chu Mingqiang grumbled a few words and said hurriedly: "Uncle Jiu, Third Brother, come on, have a seat at the back, Third Sister-in-law, you women are in the other yard, Yao'er, Yao'er!"

Chu Zhiyao stepped forward: "Father."

"Take your third aunt and the others to find your mother."

"Yes."

Chu Mingqiang took Chu Qingyan, Chu Minghou and Chu Zhiyuan directly to the east side yard and soon arrived at the back yard.

……

The east backyard is spacious, paved with blue bricks and has several plum trees.

There are eight main rooms, eight east and eight west wing rooms, and the front rooms are all open at this time, and every room is very lively.

Chu Minghou and Chu Qingyan went to the eastern room in the center of the main house, while Chu Zhiyuan went to the western room in the center of the main house.

As soon as I entered, I saw Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhiting, Chu Zhichuan and others.

Seeing him coming, the thirty or so young men gathered around the table stood up and saluted.

Chu Zhiyuan returned the greeting with a fist, and came to Chu Mingxuan, who was sitting in the main guest seat, and said with a smile: "Uncle Eighteen, why don't you go to the room next door?"

"It's too uncomfortable over there, we can't chat together." Chu Mingxuan waved his hand: "It's so lively here, you know I like to join in the fun the most."

Chu Zhiting agreed: "That's right, Uncle Eighteen should be here, it's lively! If I go over there and listen to them talking, I'll fall asleep, it's too boring!"

Chu Mingxuan pulled Chu Zhiyuan to sit next to him and said, "Did you meet Uncle Nine?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Chu Mingxuan looked frightened and patted his chest: "Fortunately I came early and escaped the disaster."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Uncle Eighteen, that's not the case, right?"

"Every time you see me, you keep talking about me for a long time. It makes my head explode." Chu Mingxuan looked back at the past with an unbearable look: "I came here early just because I was afraid that I would run into you if I came late."

Others also agreed with the same feeling, all with a lingering fear on their faces.

Chu Zhiyuan then realized that they came so early just to avoid the Grand Master Chu Qingyan.

As the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan, equivalent to the Chief of the Imperial Clan Affairs Bureau, he is the most powerful and respected person in the Dajing clan.

Chu Qingyan has always been earnest in his advice to these younger generations, fearing that they would not follow the right path and work hard. Whenever he sees them, he would give them a lecture and nag them.

All the young people present were from Mingwu Hall, and Chu Zhiyao specially arranged for them to sit at one table, so the atmosphere was the most lively and enthusiastic.

Chu Mingxuan came over and chuckled, "Old Four, are you curious? How can men and women meet if they sit separately?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It's not surprising that we're separated."

The atmosphere in Dajing Dynasty is open, but it is not to the extent that men and women sit at the same table. The basic rule is that men sit at one table and women sit at another.

Chu Mingxuan said, "After dinner, we will listen to operas, watch acrobatics and martial arts. Then we won't be sitting separately. We can see the princesses, county ladies and the daughters of various families."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, but didn't pay much attention.

-

The wine and food were served quickly. There were no outsiders here. Chu Mingxuan had the highest seniority, so Chu Zhiyao came over and sat with him.

With Chu Mingxuan here, he is very good at creating a good atmosphere, so there is no need to worry about the banquet being deserted, and people will soon be drunk and excited.

While Chu Zhiyao was eating, he said with a smile: "Some guys will come over to toast later, Lao Si, you better be careful."

Chu Zhiyuan was puzzled.

Chu Zhiyao said, "I don't know who told me that you are going to marry Miss Xiao of the Duke of Anguo, the most beautiful woman in Yujing. I wonder how many guys are eyeing Miss Xiao."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and said, "There is no shadow."

"Since it's out, it shouldn't be bad." Chu Zhiyao said with a smile: "There will always be trouble without smoke."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and didn't refute.

The Duke of Anguo's Mansion was indeed interested in marrying Xiao Ruoling to him. All that was missing was my nod. As long as I nodded, the marriage would be almost done.

As the hereditary Duke of the Dukedom, this generation of An Guogong is mediocre, lacks talent, and acts in a safe and conservative manner.

Although the Prince Qing's Mansion was in decline, his status as a prince was still there. Moreover, Prince Qing had a good reputation and was a kind and affectionate person.

The daughter of the Duke of Anguo married the prince's son, which was considered a match made in heaven.

Chu Zhiyuan kept dragging his feet and not letting in because he had never seen it with his own eyes and didn't know exactly what kind of person Xiao Ruoling was.

It is inevitable for a real man to have an unvirtuous wife and unfilial children. He does not want to get involved in his children's private affairs. He just wants to focus on cultivation and become a grandmaster as soon as possible.

Therefore, you need a stable backyard where you can practice with peace of mind.

But if a person has bad character, then no matter how beautiful she is, you should never marry her. If her character is good enough, it is okay to marry her.

He had been hesitating because there were benefits to marrying into the Anguo Mansion.

Although the Duke of Anguo's Mansion is not strong in this generation, it is a hereditary Duke's Mansion after all. If they really want to form a marriage alliance, it can also become a support for the Prince Qing's Mansion and make the Prince Qing's Mansion more powerful.

So he remained vague.

I have been looking for an opportunity to see the files of the Supervisory Office on the Anguo Mansion, so as to have a thorough understanding of the Anguo Mansion.

But the opportunity never came.

(End of this chapter)