The perfect brother-in-law reborn

The Empress Dowager is naturally one of the most dignified people in Daliang, but this time she came to the Chu family with ease, the guards and maids were left outside the courtyard, only the delicate Seventh Princess came in holding the Empress Dowager's arm.

Chu Yuan leaned slightly to lead the way, and answered the Queen Mother's question in a soft voice. The Chu family followed Chu Yuan, followed by Chu Kuang and the Chu An brothers, who couldn't hide their excitement, Looking forward to being able to enter the Chu family collateral line of the Empress Dowager.

However, everyone went to meet outside the gate of the Chu Mansion, but Chu Nan, Yang Mei, and Chu Yue stayed by the old lady's side. At this time, they naturally seized the most favorable formation, which made some members of the Chu family secretly frown and dissatisfied Fortunately, on such a solemn occasion, no one would be shallow enough to bring these contradictions to the table.

The old lady was extremely respected by Emperor Liang, and she was dressed in the super-grade royal attire bestowed by the emperor, she looked noble and domineering, and she didn't intend to get up and kneel down, she just stood up slowly and looked at the queen mother with a complicated expression.

Since the Empress Dowager came to the Chu family in the name of "visiting relatives", she naturally didn't care too much about these etiquettes, and stood at the door with a gentle smile on her face.

The atmosphere was a bit strange. Those of the Chu family who knew something inside did not dare to speak, and naturally they did not dare to speak if they did not know the situation.

The old lady is getting older and older, but Emperor Liang's protection of rights is getting more and more serious. However, every time Emperor Liang visits the old lady, he will not let the old lady salute. The etiquette of the juniors, this honor, made countless Daliang people sigh.

Others did not dare to breathe, even Chu Yuan was silent, Li Qingyao rolled his black eyes, let go of the Queen Mother's arm, jumped in front of the old lady, and said crisply: "Qing'er has seen the old ancestor... ..."

The old lady dared to confront the queen mother with the advantages of her home court and her grievances, but she would not show embarrassment to a handsome but noble junior like Li Qingnian, and hurriedly reached out to help her. Arm said: "Zhe Sha is getting old... Her Royal Highness, don't do this..."

Li Qingyong didn't force her, she carefully supported the old lady's hand and said: "Father has repeatedly told me to treat you like serving the queen mother..."

The old lady naturally felt grateful to Emperor Liang again.

However, Li Qingyun's salute broke the stagnant atmosphere just now, and also downplayed the obvious disrespect of the old lady just now.

The Empress Dowager stepped forward with a chuckle, and said with a chuckle, "It's been decades, and finally you've found a chance to make fun of me... I'm not afraid of the jokes of the juniors..."

The old lady also smiled slightly, patted Li Qingyong's arm lightly and did not speak.

The queen mother casually found a seat and sat down, looked at the aging and vicissitudes of life of the old lady of the Chu family, and then silently greyed her gray hair, sighed and smiled and said: "The people are half buried, and they won't see each other often, say Maybe one day I will go to see the first emperor... I can't let you go to the ground with this resentment..."

It was a bit of a sign of weakness.

The others could only stand in embarrassment, not even daring to say that the old lady did not return to the main seat, and sat down where the queen mother took the lead, and said with emotion: "I can't remember the people and events back then. Now, where is there any resentment..."

Seeing that the atmosphere had finally calmed down, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The tea and snacks were brought up like flowing water, and the Chu family also said a few words of flattery, relying on the identity of the mistress of the Chu family, although the queen mother basically did not respond, it also made the atmosphere look more normal on the surface.

Li Qingyong was standing in the back, but he was the busiest person, serving tea and water to the two old people from time to time, and even delicately holding snacks for the queen mother and the old lady to eat.

Since the Empress Dowager lowered her posture from the very beginning, the old madam is not a ignorant person, even if she really had resentment, she hid it and walked down the steps.

The two old men recalled what happened back then like no one else was around.

The Empress Dowager looked at Li Qingyong gently, held half a snack in her hand and said: "Back then, when you and I entered the palace, we were about Qing'er's age..."

The old lady nodded, "Maybe even smaller..."

Back then when Daliang had just established the country, the former emperor of Daliang lived his entire life as a soldier, and several wives, concubines and children were also separated or died in the tragic war. After ascending the throne as the emperor, it was inevitable to choose a concubine so that the royal family could flourish.

The two old people do not shy away from mentioning this experience before their juniors. Of course, depending on the current status of the two old people, everyone can only listen to it as an anecdote, and they dare not slander, let alone spread it outside.

The Empress Dowager looked at Li Qingyong, and said with a smile: "At that time, you and I were not as lucky as Qing'er... In the palace, we were often bullied by those palace maids and eunuchs... Hehe, I was also timid at that time, and I didn't even dare to resist. I usually walk against the wall with trepidation..."

Everyone pricked up their ears and listened. Although they didn't dare to say the specific content in front of others, just mentioning this matter is also a good capital to show off.

The old lady was stunned, as if she was recalling something, and said softly: "I still remember that you and I are exactly the same age, and our birthdays are only seven days apart, and we happen to be assigned together, it seems that we are serving flowers and plants in the imperial garden... If it wasn't for the constant bullying... at that time it would have been considered a very good job..."

Li Qingyong was a little puzzled, and boldly asked in a low voice: "How could someone dare to bully you......"

The queen mother laughed, but she did not shy away from bringing up the past in front of the juniors. She looked at Li Qingyun lovingly, and explained with a chuckle: "At that time, both of us came from poor backgrounds, and we were not as versatile as those beautiful girls from rich and noble backgrounds. The money was dotted up and down...and the painter in charge of drawing in the palace was offended, our portraits were tampered with...and then...after only three days in the palace, we were ordered to do odd jobs in the Imperial Garden... Haha, I said it was doing odd jobs, but actually She is the lowest court lady, and she has no background, so how could she not be bullied..."

The atmosphere is becoming more and more gentle, more and more like an old farm woman who can't get around her lively granddaughter, patiently telling stories about her youth.

Li Qingyong became angry, clenched her fists and said, "It's really disgusting... Then did your old man ask them to settle the score?"

Even if she made a vicious and angry look, she couldn't hide the girl's innocence and delicacy.

The two old men laughed and said nothing, depending on their current status and the methods they used in the past, some people will end up badly, but these things are really not suitable to be mentioned in front of the younger generation.

The Empress Dowager sighed, wiped the corners of her eyes and said with a smile: "Bringing up these old things in front of you juniors should never have happened. Stop it, it's really ridiculous..."

The old lady also had a sentimental face, and said with a gentle smile: "It's okay, at this age, Huang Tu is going to bury his head too much, what else can't be ignored..."

These words seem to be comforting the queen mother, but also seem to be talking to himself.

If the topic continues, it is inevitable to mention the grievances and grievances between the two of them and the matter related to the late emperor. The two old people tacitly stopped this topic, and the grievances and grievances of the past have almost been revealed along with this reminiscence.

The queen mother smiled and waved, and an old eunuch on Hou Zai's side bowed her head and went out.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said to everyone: "Today I said I was visiting relatives, but in fact it was just to see the sisters from back then, and to settle a matter. Although I know that you have everything, the Ai family can't come empty-handed...... There is a reward..."

Behind the old eunuch came up a string of court ladies, each holding some precious items in their hands.

The women's homes are full of bracelets, hairpins, and brocade handkerchiefs, while the men's homes are mostly ancient books, famous inkstones and the like. Chu Yuan also got a radiant white jade paperweight.

The rewards from the Chuyuan family were given by the queen mother herself. Chuyuan and his wife skipped mentioning them. First of all, the relatively inconspicuous Chu Ping and Chu Qing were rare ancient books and famous inkstones from the previous dynasty. After correcting a few words, they also gave a few words of praise and suggestions, which made both of them excited.

The queen mother put a long brocade box next to her hand. The queen mother stroked it, looked at Chu Kuang and said: "Things like pen, ink, paper and inkstone are not suitable for you. This is a sword chosen by the Ai family. open to take a look…………"

Chu Kuang took it as he said, opened it under the envious eyes of others, held the sword in his hand, and when he pulled it out, it was shining with cold light, not ordinary.

Everyone looked at it carefully, but they were all a little stunned, the sword hadn't struck yet.

The queen mother smiled, and said lightly: "Soldiers are a major event for the country. The so-called heavy sword has no edge, great skill does not work, and the benevolent is invincible. You are a general, and you should understand this truth. This is the sword of murder, and it is also the sword of the benevolent." The sword is the sword of responsibility, you are still young, you must remember that if you use swords and soldiers to fight, you can only fight for the common people and the community. Remember not to fight for your own selfishness, let alone to show off your martial arts... ..."

Chu Kuang's face was heavy, holding the sword in his hand, thinking carefully about the empress dowager's seemingly meaningful lecture.

Others naturally couldn't hear other meanings, but they could feel the empress dowager's esteem and optimism for Chu Kuang under the sternness, and the eyes that looked at Chu Kuang were probably a little jealous.

It's a pity that I can't envy these things, and I can't envy Chu Kuang's glory and meritorious deeds even more. How many people are willing to live and die in a bitter cold place when they are used to the life of luxury and money in the capital?

Next is Chu An, a book sent by the Queen Mother.

The queen mother chuckled and said: "Reading history can be wise. This is the solitary "Historical Records" written by a great Confucianist in the previous dynasty. You performed well in the Ministry of Finance, and your Majesty mentioned it many times, but this is not enough. You are different from your elder brother. He As a general, you must not lose your ferocity no matter what, but you must not have the idea of ​​arrogance and domineering. If you can take charge of the center in the future, the formulation and delivery of laws and decrees will be in your hands. One carelessness is worse than losing a few battles. serious…………"

Then he pointed to the book and said softly: "On the title page, there are four words written by His Majesty, you must keep it in your heart."

The queen mother's words are simply implying that Chu'an has a bright future. If it is an isolated history book, it is nothing, but with Emperor Liang's handwriting, the value has increased by more than ten times!

Mrs. Chu also laughed from ear to ear, and looked sideways, and there were four large characters "like walking on thin ice" written on the title page between them. She was shocked, and said overjoyedly: "Oh, An'er, you're not happy. Thank you Queen Mother for the reward..."

Chu An respectfully held the uncle book, thanked the queen mother first, and then bowed towards the palace.

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction. She still had to give preferential treatment to the grandson of Lord Jingguo and the son of the Chu family. She asked with a light smile, "What have you been up to in the Ministry of Households recently?"

Chu An handed the book to his mother, and replied calmly: "Before the end of the new year, we have to check and record the treasury bank, granary, and state treasury of each state capital. Now we have just completed half of the check. When the spring begins, we have to check and enter the bank account of the state treasury. The Ministry of War negotiated and allocated the military rations and salaries of Mobei, Northwest and the Forbidden Army, and we are about to start preparations now..."

The queen mother was also a little surprised. She looked at An in surprise and asked, "Have you already participated in such a secret and important food at such a young age? Qianfu is cautious and cautious, but he never thought he would dare to employ people...... "

Qian Fu is the Minister of the Household Department and a distant relative of the Empress Dowager.

Chu pursed her lips into a smile, and couldn't help interjecting: "This child is very angry, and he is often too busy to go home. Even if the concubine asks me, she will not reveal it at all, and even if he talks about important military affairs, he will keep it secret from me." Afterwards, I found out that there was no such rule at all when I asked myself..."

It is said to be blame, but it is mostly showing off.

The queen mother didn't care, she looked at Chu An and nodded again and again, and said, "That's right...it's right..."

After speaking, he looked at the Chu family hesitantly, and asked: "It seems that he hasn't married yet?"

The Chu family was stunned, and quickly glanced at the seventh princess, Li Qingyong, and said with some concern: "What the queen mother said is... There are many people who have asked about relatives in the past, but he said that the general of the Xueqian Dynasty, what nonsense?" People are not destroyed, why is family..."

The queen mother nodded, but she didn't answer Chu's words, she turned her head and asked the old lady, "Is Yue'er not engaged either?"

Chu's face was full of disappointment that could not be concealed, and her heart was broken, why didn't the queen mother talk to her, did she bring the princess here just to ease the relationship with the old lady?There are not many people in the capital who are of the same age and can be worthy of the seventh princess. Chu An is definitely the best among them. He has not been engaged until now. What else can he do except wait for the royal marriage and the princess to marry? ?Queen Mother, why can't you see it... This is an old fool... The Queen Mother only cared about Chu Yue for a while, and didn't mess up the mandarin ducks. She searched the crowd for a while, and said with a light smile: "How can you stand so So far away? This is not like you who frightened the heroes at the Baoguo Temple... Come on, you are the most outstanding one in this generation of the Chu family, and the Ai family will also reward you, so I must satisfy you..."

The resentment in Chu's heart was still there, and when she heard the empress dowager praise Chu Nan so much, she muttered in a low voice with some dissatisfaction: "He is no longer from the Chu family..."

Although the sound is small, it is loud enough for those around you to hear it.

Chu Yuan's complexion changed immediately, but he was patient and did not explode. The old lady turned her head, her gloomy eyes almost piercing Chu's face.

The queen mother didn't seem to hear it, and said with a smile: "It seems that it is not appropriate to reward you... Well, that's good, the Ai family will reward you as a son-in-law..."

(To be continued)