Do you know the long song of laughter?

Chapter 481 Peacemaker

Although the Queen Mother stopped it in time, Gu Tingye was still beaten with more than a dozen boards.

Although Gu Tingye had been practicing martial arts since he was a child and was in good health, the empress dowager was full of anger at the time, so the executioners naturally did not stay behind.

After more than a dozen beatings, Gu Tingye was beaten to pieces and was finally carried back home.

"Guanren, are you okay?"

When Yu Yanran saw Gu Tingye being carried back, tears started streaming down her face.

"I'm fine." Gu Tingye didn't want to make Yu Yanran worry, so he endured the pain and forced a smile.

After returning to the room, Yu Yanran insisted on applying medicine to Gu Tingye personally.

Gu Tingye tried to refuse several times but failed, so he could only say: "My wife, I'm not seriously injured, but I'm bleeding a little, I'm afraid to scare you."

"I'm not afraid." Yu Yanran shook her head firmly, took the scissors and started to cut Gu Tingye's clothes.

Gu Tingye had no choice but to let her do it.

"Official!"

When the clothes were cut open and Yu Yanran saw Gu Tingye's body covered with flesh, she covered her mouth and started crying.

"Madam, I..."

"what…"

Before Gu Tingye finished speaking, Yu Yanran covered her stomach with her hands, her face twisted: "Master...Master, my stomach...my stomach hurts so much."

"Come on, call the doctor!"

Gu Tingye quickly climbed up from the bed, supported Yu Yanran, and shouted loudly.

"Master, I'm afraid the lady is about to give birth." Xiang's mother said anxiously.

"Then why are you still standing there? Hurry up and ask the midwife to deliver the baby for you." Gu Tingye said anxiously.

"Hey!"

He ran out quickly to his mother.

Two months ago, the family started preparing for Yu Yanran's delivery and hired two midwives to live at home.

Not long after, the midwife and the maid came over with the delivery equipment, and Gu Tingye was asked to leave the room.

This is not the first time that Gu Tingye has been a father. When Man Niang gave birth, he was waiting outside.

But he always felt that Yu Yanran's cry of pain was even more miserable than Man Niang's.

Thinking that Yu Yanran was frightened and was about to give birth suddenly, Gu Tingye slapped himself in self-blame.

"Stone, stone!"

Gu Tingye shouted twice before he realized that he had given the stone to Li An.

He called a servant and asked him to take his visiting card to invite the imperial physician.

…………

"Madam, Madam, I heard that Madam Yu was having difficulty giving birth, and Second Master Gu sent someone on horseback to the palace to ask for the imperial physician." Xiao Tao walked into the house hurriedly and said.

"what?"

Minglan stood up suddenly upon hearing this, but she forgot that she was also pregnant and almost fell down.

"My dear, you are pregnant, so you have to be careful." Mother Cui quickly supported Minglan.

Minglan didn't care about that. She grabbed Xiaotao's arm and asked, "How is Sister Yanran?"

"I don't know either. Just now, someone in the inner city was stopped by people from the Five Cities Military Department while riding a horse. After asking, I learned that Madam Yu was difficult to deal with, so Second Master Gu sent someone to the palace to invite the imperial physician." Xiao Tao said.

"Hurry, prepare the car!" Minglan said.

"Madam, why don't you send someone to ask the master to come back and let him accompany you?" Mother Cui said.

"I can't wait, Mother Cui. I remember you also know how to deliver babies. Please go with me," Minglan said.

Although Mother Cui knows how to deliver babies, she is still far behind professional midwives.

However, Minglan was desperate and didn't care about so many people. She just pulled Mother Cui out.

…………

When Zhao Zongquan learned that the Queen Mother had sent someone to Weibei Marquis's Mansion to slap Xiao Zou, he angrily came to Queen Shen's bedroom.

"Your Majesty!" When Queen Shen saw Zhao Zongquan coming in, she quickly stood up and saluted.

"Look at what you have done?" Zhao Zongquan shouted.

Eunuch Li, who came with Zhao Zongquan, quickly sent away the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall, and then he retreated and stood guard outside the door.

"Your Majesty, what did I do?" Queen Shen asked in confusion.

"I asked you to punish that little Zou, did you do it?" Zhao Zongquan said angrily.

"I did it. The emperor talked about it last time, so I called her over and gave her a scolding." Queen Shen said.

"Is this useful? People outside think you have a close relationship with her and asked her to come to the palace to talk." Zhao Zongquan said coldly: "You wanted to give her an imperial decree at the beginning, saying that you owed it to the Zou family, and I agreed."

"But look at her. She relies on the emperor's favor and acts recklessly. When other families have banquets or something, she, a concubine, runs over on her own. She has brought shame to all of us who came from Yuzhou!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I will definitely discipline her well next time." Queen Shen said hurriedly.

"Too late!" Zhao Zongquan sneered, "The Queen Mother sent the eunuch Zhu to discipline him personally. If you are reluctant to do so, someone will do it for you!"

"What?" Queen Shen's face turned pale when she heard this.

"You are still worried about her now. Have you ever thought about how I should explain to the British king?" Zhao Zongquan shouted.

It seems a little unbelievable for an emperor to explain things to a minister.

But the British public identity is different.

The Duke of Ying's Mansion is full of loyal and brave people, and their prestige in the army is very high.

The incident that Xiao Zou had caused before was only circulated among the upper class at most and was not spread widely.

This time the Queen Mother sent someone to slap Xiao Zou, and the news would surely spread afterwards.

When the soldiers in the army find out, they will not think that it was Xiao Zou who acted recklessly, but will only think that he, the emperor, was condoning her.

Isn't it heartbreaking that the emperor treats his meritorious old ministers in this way?

Zhao Zongquan insisted on sending troops, and he did have some prestige in the army. Shen Congxing led his troops to attack the camp, made great contributions, and also had prestige in the army.

But their prestige cannot compare with that of the British Duke.

By then, all the prestige they have worked so hard to accumulate might be lost.

“Your concubine…your concubine…” Queen Shen opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

"If this matter cannot be properly resolved, let Shen Congxing go back to Yuzhou!" Zhao Zongquan said coldly.

Although the Queen was also responsible for this matter, Zhao Zongquan was most angry with Shen Congxing.

If Shen Congxing had not favored his concubine over his wife and indulged her again and again, there wouldn't have been so many problems.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely persuade him well," said Queen Shen.

"His Majesty!"

Just then, Eunuch Li outside the hall bowed at the door.

"What's the matter?" Zhao Zongquan frowned.

"Commander Gu's wife was having difficulty giving birth, so he sent someone with a visiting card to the Imperial Hospital to invite the imperial physician," said Eunuch Li.

"I understand." Zhao Zongquan nodded.

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li bowed and left.

"Send someone to Zhong Huai's mansion to deliver some tonic medicine." Zhao Zongquan said.

"Yes." Queen Shen replied.

"You can handle what happens to Xiao Zou. If there is still no change, I will take care of it myself." After saying this, Zhao Zongquan turned and left.

…………When Li An returned home, he learned that Yu Yanran had a difficult delivery and Minglan had rushed over. He then hurried over with Shi Tou.

"Zi Qian!"

When Gu Tingye learned that Zhao Xing had arrived, he limped over to greet him.

"what happened to you?"

When Li An saw Gu Tingye’s smiling face, he knew that everything should be fine.

Seeing Gu Tingye limping, he was a little confused.

"Don't mention it. I angered the Queen Mother and was beaten with a few boards." Gu Tingye said.

Li An seemed to be thinking deeply when he heard this. When Zhao Zongquan offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for rain a few days ago, Li An guessed that it was very likely that Zhao Zongquan had cheated the jade seal.

I didn't expect that Gu Tingye was still involved.

"Did your wife give birth to a boy or a girl?" Li An asked.

Seeing that Gu Tingye couldn’t close his mouth, Yu Yanran must have given birth.

"Haha, it's a boy." Gu Tingye said with a smile: "If your wife gives birth to a girl, how about we become relatives in the future?"

Li An looked at Gu Tingye and shook his head.

"Why, you don't want to? Your daughter will definitely not suffer any loss if she marries my son." Gu Tingye said.

"I'm not worried about that. As long as you are too ugly, your son will probably not be that good-looking either," said Li An.

"I…"

Gu Tingye was furious. If he hadn't been injured, he would have wanted to fight Li Ang to the death.

"Who is ugly? I was also a famous handsome man in Bianjing, right? I was the only one who failed the exam, otherwise I would definitely be the third place winner."

"Haha, just kidding. But it's really shameless of you to say that you are the third place in the imperial examination." Li Ang said with a smile.

"Get lost!" Gu Tingye scolded with a smile: "I am happy today and I won't bother with you. Come drink a few glasses with me."

"Where is my wife?" Li An asked.

"She is talking to my wife." Gu Tingye said.

"Forget about drinking. Your wife just gave birth and you are still injured. Wait a few days." Li An said.

"Okay!" Gu Tingye nodded.

"By the way, I heard a piece of news that today the Queen Mother sent someone to the Weibei Marquis' Mansion to slap Xiao Zou. In order to protect Xiao Zou, the King's uncle beat Zhu, the eunuch who was beside the Queen Mother." Li An said.

Gu Tingye frowned upon hearing this and said, "I had guessed this day would come."

Gu Tingye guessed that the Queen Mother did not vent her anger on him, but eventually took it out on Shen Congxing.

However, this kind of thing is bound to happen sooner or later. Shen Congxing's approach itself is problematic. Even without this inducement, it will break out sooner or later.

"The current situation is too chaotic." Li An said with some envy: "You are comfortable and can stay away from all this."

"How can I stay out of it? Otherwise, how would I get these injuries?" Gu Tingye shook his head.

"That's right." Li An thought for a moment and said, "Now that we are in the vortex, it is very difficult to stay out of it."

As the saying goes, people in the world cannot help themselves.

The only way is to resign and stop caring about worldly affairs, but this is obviously impossible.

"You are fine. You are only on the edge of the vortex. I am almost the same. But this incident has pulled me to the center of the vortex." Gu Tingye shook his head.

"It's not scary to be in a vortex, but it's scary not knowing it. Since you know it, nothing will happen to you." Li An said with a smile.

…………

"Sir, Sister Yanran's child is so ugly."

On the way back, Minglan smiled.

"Is that so?" Li An said with a smile, "Gu Tingye wanted to become my in-law, but I said he was ugly and refused."

"Haha." Minglan chuckled and said, "My lord, do you really think I don't understand? Mother Cui said that newborn babies are like this. They will be fine when they grow up."

"But Sister Yanran also said that if I give birth to a girl, she wants to become my in-law."

"Do you agree?" Li An asked.

He didn't want to arrange a marriage for his child.

The ancients emphasized etiquette, benevolence, wisdom and trustworthiness. Although the child marriage was only agreed upon verbally, it could not be breached.

Even if the other party is down and out, canceling the engagement will be looked down upon.

Li An naturally knew that Gu Tingye had a bright future, but who knew what his son would be like in the future.

Ang Lee has never thought about letting his daughter fall in love freely in the future, as this is not realistic.

But she was also unwilling to let her daughter marry a playboy.

Given the relationship between the two families, they can be considered childhood sweethearts in the future.

If my daughter doesn’t object when she grows up, then I will agree to it.

"I didn't agree, I just told Sister Yanran that I also wanted to have a son." Minglan said with a smile.

"Don't feel pressured. We are still young anyway," said Li Ang.

He had no preference between men and women, and was worried that Minglan would be under too much pressure. If she really gave birth to a daughter, she might not be able to accept it.

"I know." Minglan nodded, leaning on Li An's shoulder and said, "Sir, if it's really a daughter, would you agree to set up a marriage?"

"I definitely won't agree to that." Li An said with certainty: "This is a matter of life and death, how can we be so careless about it."

"Yes." Minglan smiled sweetly and said, "Next time Sister Yanran brings it up again, I'll tell her the same thing."

Minglan was actually a little worried. She was afraid that Li An seemed to be indifferent about whether the baby was a boy or a girl just to comfort her.

Now hearing Li An say this without hesitation, I felt relieved.

The couple chatted all the way back home. Before they could even sit down, a servant came to report that King Huan had arrived.

When Li An heard the news, he ran out to greet them.

"Your Highness Prince Huan!" Li An bowed.

"Zi Qian, there's no need to be so polite. I'm here because I want to ask you for help with something." Zhao Ceying said.

"Your Highness, please come inside!"

Li An guessed about 70% of the answer after hearing this. He wanted to refuse, but he didn't know how to start.

The two men came to the main hall and waited for the servants to bring them tea, then Li An sent them away.

"Zi Qian."

Zhao Ceying put down the teacup and said, "You've heard about my uncle, right?"

"Yeah." Li An thought to himself that it was true and nodded.

"My uncle and my aunt have a deep relationship, so he treated Xiao Zou better. This is a private matter. But my uncle married the daughter of the Duke of Yingguo, which was granted by my father. The Duke of Yingguo has a very high prestige in the army. This is not conducive to the stability of the army, which is related to state affairs." After Zhao Ceying finished speaking, he looked at Li An and said, "I heard that the daughter of the Duke of Yingguo has a good relationship with your wife, and I would like to ask you two to help match them up."

Li An smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, it is really difficult for me to be your subject."

Zhao Ceying was right. The marriage between Shen Congxing and Zhang Guifen had already affected state affairs.

The problem is that Shen Congxing himself didn't know and just thought it was a private matter.

"Ziqian, I really can't think of anyone else except you and Zhong Huai. Zhong Huai is injured, so I can only ask you for help." Zhao Ceying said, "I know this is a bit difficult, but you two can give it a try. I don't ask them to be in love, but at least they should respect each other."

"Your Highness, the root of this matter lies with Xiao Zou. If Xiao Zou still does not restrain herself, it will be difficult to deal with." Li An said.

"Don't worry, the Queen Mother has punished her this time, and my mother will also warn her later. If she doesn't restrain herself again, she will definitely not be forgiven." Zhao Ceying said sharply.

"Then I will give it a try." Li An said.

Being a peacemaker was a thankless job, but he couldn't refuse.

(End of this chapter)