Ming Dynasty: At the beginning, the house was ransacked and the ancestral temple was burned down.

Chapter 84 Silly fiancée? My father-in-law’s collapse!

Zhao Shizhen was quite surprised by Zhang Chonghui's sudden visit.

Although he had long hoped that his future son-in-law would come to marry him earlier, but...

Whoever barged in the door and brought his uncle with him!

"Dear father-in-law, my nephew Chonghui is still young, and his father left early. The road from Huguang Jiangling to the capital is a dangerous and dangerous journey.

As his biological uncle, I really don't trust him to go to Beijing alone, so I came with him on this trip. I think you won't mind having me as my father-in-law, right? "

Zhang Yunxiu's tone was calm and his posture was upright. For a twenty-three-year-old young man, he looked humble and elegant, but he gave people the impression that he was already profound at a young age.

Zhao Shizhen didn't like Zhang Yunxiu's 'in-law'. He always felt that Zhang Juzheng's son was a bit spooky.

On the contrary, he was very satisfied with his future son-in-law Zhang Chonghui.

The young man has bright eyes and white teeth, a straight voice and an upright temperament. Although he is only thirteen years old, he is only half a head shorter than his adult uncle.

Zhao Shizhen was very satisfied with the appearance of his future son-in-law. While sighing that the child was growing up so fast, he couldn't help but recall his worries when Zhang Juzheng forced him to sign the marriage contract.

At that time, Zhao Shizhen expressed his worry that his future son-in-law would be ugly and would mistreat his precious daughter.

Of course, this was just an excuse that Zhao Shizhen came up with to refuse the engagement.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Juzheng at that time said to him very shamelessly:
  "I, Zhang Baigui, have no children or grandchildren who are not handsome. Just have fun with your girl!"

At that time, Zhao Shizhen secretly cursed Zhang Juzheng for being so shameless, but just seeing that Zhang Juzheng still had such grace despite his age, he could guess that no matter how bad the appearance of his descendants was, they would not be any worse.

"Ah haha, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter." Zhao Shizhen answered Zhang Yunxiu perfunctorily, although in his heart he really wanted to drive Zhang Yunxiu, the extra 'in-law' away with a stick.

Zhang Yunxiu seemed not to notice the other party's dislike at all, and said with a smile: "Since the in-laws don't mind, I will stay at your house with my nephew Chonghui first. After my nephew gets married to your daughter, I will go back." My hometown in Jiangling.”

"Ah..." Zhao Shizhen was in a dilemma. Although he had a mouth to eat, he really didn't want such a gloomy person to live in his home and never see him again.

In order to send Zhang Yunxiu away, Zhao Shizhen suggested to Zhang Yunxiu with not much politeness: "That's it. I decided to get married within these two months. In this case, the in-laws can return to Jiangling earlier." Home."

Zhao Shizhen's words were very straightforward, and he was just trying to drive people away. He had a hot temper and didn't like to beat around the bush. This was the main reason why he was still just the chief registrar of Honglu Temple after so many years. .

Zhang Yunxiu didn't seem to hear that the other party was chasing people away. Instead, he was surprised and asked: "My nephew is only thirteen years old this year. He is still a child. How can we get married so quickly?"

Zhao Shizhen directly waved his hand, pointed at Zhang Chonghui, who was tall and tall, and said with a smile: "Thirteen years old is not young anymore. You see, his height is almost catching up with you."

In fact, there is something that Zhao Shizhen has not said yet, that is, his precious daughter is already sixteen years old this year, which is a good age to get married. If she delays it for a few more years, she will become an old girl.

This time, Zhang Yunxiu, who had a gentle attitude, actually became tougher and said: "We can't get married this year! My nephew is just growing up, how can we get married so quickly! We have to wait until my nephew is sixteen years old at the earliest. OK!"

Zhao Shizhen couldn't sit still when he heard that Zhang Chonghui had to wait until he was sixteen before he could get married. After all, this meant waiting for another three years!

Waiting for another three years not only means that Zhang Yunxiu, the 'uncle', will have to live and drink in their old Zhao family for three years, but the most important thing is that in three years, his daughter will be nineteen!
  Nineteen years old, she is already an old girl! If you spread the word, you will be laughed at!

Zhao Shizhen absolutely could not agree to this matter. He immediately said: "There are many people in the world who get married at the age of thirteen or fourteen. How can it hurt their health? If it doesn't work, let's arrange their marriage first, and then I will let them Isn’t it okay for the young couple to sleep in separate rooms, and then let them sleep in the same room when they are older?”

Zhang Yunxiu retorted forcefully again: "No! How can anyone sleep in separate rooms after getting married! This can't be done!"

"..."

For a time, Zhang Yunxiu and Zhao Shizhen were involved in a fierce dispute over when Zhang Chonghui and Miss Zhao would get married, and whether they would sleep in separate rooms.

Zhang Chonghui on the side just remained silent, as if he was just a very obedient and sensible junior, and everything was arranged by the elder Zhang Yunxiu.

At the same time, in the backyard of Lao Zhao's family...

……

This August in the capital is no longer so hot, and the leaves of the old locust trees in the courtyard are falling in the refreshing autumn wind.

The cardamom girl in her twenties and eighties was sitting under the tree, immersed in copying the fallen leaves that had not yet been swept away.

There was a hint of passion in the girl's calm eyes, as if the fallen leaves here were not just ordinary leaves, but gold all over the ground.

Zhao Lanying has just turned sixteen this year. A girl of twenty-eight years of age has already grown into a graceful figure. Her appearance is even more rare and beautiful, and she has the talent of jade.

The name Lanying is masculine, and it was the name Zhao Shizhen chose for his only precious daughter.

It can be seen from the name that Zhao Shizhen hopes that his daughter will have the responsibility of a man.

Logically speaking, as Zhao Shizhen's only daughter, Zhao Lanying was pampered and grew up in a honeypot, so she should have a willful and unreasonable temperament.

However, Zhao Lanying's true nature is very taciturn, and her personality is so calm that she has almost no personality. Even her reactions are slower than ordinary people.

Although Zhao Shizhen didn't want to admit it, he had to admit one thing, that is, his precious daughter seemed to be a bit stupider than ordinary children...

This was also the biggest reason why he did not dare to cancel the marriage with the Zhang family, because he was afraid that his precious daughter would be bullied by her husband's family after marrying into another family.

"Miss, I have seen my future uncle!"

The little maid ran over happily, ready to tell her young lady some 'big' good news.

After hearing the news, Zhao Lanying stopped copying. She was stunned for a while, and then showed a look of realization before she smiled and said, "That's it. Has he eaten yet?"

Although the little maid has long been accustomed to her young lady's slow reactions and strange brain circuits, she still doesn't quite understand why the young lady asks questions like "Have you eaten yet?"

Shouldn't it be appropriate to ask, "How are other people? How tall? How fat? Are they good-looking?"
  "As for Miss, um...he shouldn't have eaten yet, right?" the little maid replied awkwardly.

"How about that?"

Zhao Lanying seemed to be angry. She put down the paintbrush in her hand, took out a large handful of food from the pocket of her jacket, and stuffed it into the little maid's arms.

These foods include longan, red dates, peanuts, in short, they are all nuts.

As if one handful was not enough, she went back and forth several times, until she emptied her pockets and the little maid kept shouting "I can't take any more" and she refused to stop.

"Take it and give it to him."

Zhao Lanying thought she swept her hand very generously, but in fact, to outsiders, her move seemed a bit silly.

As if she remembered something again, she tapped her lips with her finger. After thinking for a while, she added: "I remember there is another piece of Guifangzhai's sweet cheese. You can also give it to him."

The little maid was shocked and said: "Miss, you can't even bear to eat that sweet cheese!"

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter." Zhao Lanying shook her head from side to side, thinking she was being domineering, but actually she said in a daze:

"My dad said that he will be my man from now on. He must listen to me and eat whatever I tell him to eat."

"No, miss..." The little maid was speechless and explained:
  "It's not that my future uncle won't eat it. The main reason is that you can only buy a few pieces of Guifangzhai's sweet cheese every month. You are reluctant to eat it yourself. Wouldn't it be too wasteful to give it to him?"

"Oops." Zhao Lanying was also annoyed by the little maid's stupidity. She pouted and patiently explained word by word:
  "My father said that from now on I will be in charge of this family. As the head of the family, I must shoulder the important responsibilities of the entire Zhao family.

He is a man, three years younger than me. It is not easy for him to come all the way from Gangneung to marry me. As the head of the family, how can I be reluctant to give him even a piece of sweet cheese?

As my, Zhao Lanying’s man, from now on, every bite of Guifangzhai’s sweet cheese will be his! I, Zhao Lanying, will never let my man suffer! "

Little maid: "..."

Zhao Lanying, a slow-witted girl like her, was so incompatible with her chic name, but she herself was completely unaware of it.

Looking at the back of the little maid leaving silently, Zhao Lanying giggled and patted her chest, sighing that she was really a "magic woman" who was "full of boldness"!

……

After a fierce argument, Zhang Yunxiu and Zhao Shizhen finally reached an agreement.

In the end, the two took a step back and set the date of marriage at the end of next year.

Zhao Shizhen actually didn't want to compromise, but thinking of his silly daughter, he had no choice but to compromise.

The main reason is that Zhang Chonghui is such a rare son-in-law. Not only is he good-looking and well-built, but he also talks little. At first glance, he is a down-to-earth and pragmatic person.

Zhao Shizhen was originally worried that his future son-in-law would be a careless 'slippery', but now that he is so honest and honest, he is very surprised.

In order to give his precious daughter a good husband, Zhao Shizhen made a decision. At worst, he would pinch his nose and let Zhang Yunxiu, an unpleasant in-law, live in his own home for free for a year!
  ……

Zhang Chonghui and Zhang Yunxiu settled down in Zhao's house and lived a life of "cutting in" in advance.

"Chonghui, I really don't understand, why do we have to live in Zhao's house? It's not like we don't have money, we can rent a small house to live in! At the worst, we can go to Yu Shen's house to live in!"

Zhang Yunxiu didn't quite understand why Zhang Chonghui had to live in Zhao's house. When he had a heated argument with Zhao Shizhen earlier, he almost turned around and left in anger.

Fortunately, Zhang Yunxiu calmed down due to his strong desire for revenge, and bargained with Zhao Shizhen according to Zhang Chonghui's words in advance.

Now that he is settled, Zhang Yunxiu always feels uncomfortable living under someone else's roof.

"Why go out and spend money when you can live and eat for free?"

Zhang Chonghui was very calm. As he answered, he stuffed the delicate and small piece of sweet cheese into his mouth. The next moment, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

It's so sweet, so sweet that it's cloying.

Seeing Zhang Chonghui happily eating the food given by his fiancée, Zhang Yunxiu hurriedly said: "Chonghui, don't be fascinated by women."

Zhang Chonghui smiled: "Where are you thinking?"

"Huh...that's good." Zhang Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that his only 'teammate' would give up the job halfway through.

Remembering that there was still 'business' to be done, Zhang Yunxiu hurriedly asked again: "Now that we have entered Beijing, what are we going to do next?"

"Next..." As he spoke, Zhang Chonghui broke open a walnut with his bare hands and said, "Let's go see our old friends first."

……

Shenfu.

Today's Shen Mansion can be said to be empty. Everyone is avoiding Shen Shixing, the chief minister who is about to fall, for fear of being implicated by Shen Shixing like the "Zhang Party" after Zhang Juzheng's fall.

However, just when no one dared to visit, the Shen Mansion welcomed two guests.

"What? Zhang Taiyue's son and grandson are here?"

Shen Shixing was shocked when he heard his son Shen Yongmao say that the two 'guests' at home were the descendants of Zhang Juzheng. Especially among the Zhang family members who came, in addition to Zhang Yunxiu, who he had watched grow up, there was also Zhang Chonghui, who Wang Xijue said was "pretending to be a ghost" and who often wrote letters to "curse" him!

……

"Uncle Shen, junior Yunxiu brought his nephew Chonghui to Beijing to visit relatives, and came to visit you. I take the liberty of disturbing you, but I hope you won't blame me."

Zhang Yunxiu smiled modestly, and his gesture of bowing his hands looked very polite, but his words were a little unclear, as if he was being angry about something.

Shen Shixing could hear there was something in Zhang Yunxiu's words, but he didn't pay attention to it. He just patted Zhang Yunxiu on the shoulder, smiled and sighed: "Wu Lang, I didn't expect you to grow so big."

"It's been almost ten years. If I hadn't grown up, I would have died in Jiangling, right, Uncle Shen?" Zhang Yunxiu asked with a smile.

Faced with Zhang Yunxiu's clear accusation, Shen Shixing seemed not to hear it. Instead, he looked around, changed the subject and asked:
  "Wulang, didn't you say you brought your nephew Chonghui here? Where are the others?"

Shen Shixing really wanted to take another look at this 'evil' kid named Zhang Chonghui, but when he looked around, he only saw Zhang Yunxiu.

"My nephew is still young. It was his first time back in the capital and he was curious about everything. So I didn't bring him into the Shen Mansion and let him wander around by himself first." Zhang Yunxiu replied with a smile.

Shen Shixing was stunned for a moment by Zhang Yunxiu's words. Having been an official for many years, he clearly grasped this point keenly.

Is this his first time back in the capital?

Zhang Chonghui was obviously born in the capital, so how could this be the first time he came back to the capital?

Moreover, if a thirteen-year-old child wanders around the huge capital alone, wouldn't he be afraid of getting lost?
  Shen Shixing didn't know why he was so sensitive to a thirteen-year-old child, so sensitive that he would even pick up on such trivial details.

While feeling funny, Shen Shixing also lamented that he must have been affected by Wang Xijue and Yu Shenxing's 'nonsense'.

"By the way, Wu Lang." Shen Shixing suddenly realized something: "You just said that you were coming to Beijing to visit relatives?"

Shen Shixing was very surprised. Zhang Juzheng's relatives had all been dismissed from their posts and rushed back to their hometown of Jiangling. Where were the relatives coming from?
  "It's my nephew Chonghui, he..." Zhang Yunxiu looked a little embarrassed. After struggling for a while, he continued to reply:

"He's coming... to marry me."

"Ah...ah?" Shen Shixing was also stunned, although he had always known that the Zhang family and Zhang Chonghui's marriage had not been canceled.

But Shen Shixing really didn't expect that the only marriage that had not been rejected was actually a bride-in-law...

You know, it is very humiliating for a man to come into the house to marry into a bride, not to mention having the only bloodline left in the Zhang family's family to marry into the bride.

Xu felt that this matter was so magical and outrageous that Shen Shixing even doubted whether he had heard it wrong, so he confirmed it again:
  "You mean...you brought your nephew to Beijing just to send your nephew to Beijing to marry him?"

"Yes." Zhang Yunxiu nodded slightly stiffly, and while his expression became more embarrassed, he didn't quite understand why Zhang Chonghui asked him to deliberately reveal this matter to Shen Shixing.

This... doesn't seem necessary anymore, right?

Seeing that Zhang Yunxiu didn't look good, Shen Shixing couldn't keep asking this "shameful" question anymore, so he turned to:

"It's not peaceful outside right now. Your nephew Chonghui is just a child. It's too dangerous to wander around outside.

How about this, I send some people to find him, and you uncle and nephew stay at my house tonight and have a bar together? "

"Okay." Zhang Yunxiu didn't even say no, he just nodded and said: "Then please, Uncle Shen, please help me find my nephew for your hard work."

Seeing that the other party agreed so readily, Shen Shixing immediately became suspicious. His years of caution made him smell something strange.

wrong! By agreeing so simply, it was obvious that he had been prepared in advance!

Recalling the strange things that happened in the house raid six years ago, and the strange six-year-old child, Shen Shixing couldn't help but think:

"This time...could it be a scam?"

……

Shen Shixing found that he seemed to be thinking too much.

Because he met Zhang Chonghui and the child who was described as very strange by Yu Shenxing and Wang Xijue.

According to Wang Xijue's description, Zhang Chonghui is a naughty kid who 'pretends to be a ghost'; according to Yu Shenxing's description, Zhang Chonghui is a man of considerable wealth.

However, the Zhang Chonghui that Shen Shixing saw was a very bright and cheerful boy. He was not only sensible and polite, but his smile was also full of vigor that only young people can have.

"Are you really Zhang Chonghui?"

Looking at the young man who was as hot as the sun in front of him, Shen Shixing asked with suspicion.

"Master Yuanfu, your question is really interesting. If I am not Zhang Chonghui, who else could I be?"

The young man in front of him smiled brightly, and there was no trace of "Zhang Juzheng's shadow" in his body as Yu Shenxing said.

But the boy's answer was somewhat intriguing.

Shen Shixing was also questioned. For some reason, he always felt that the person in front of him was not Zhang Chonghui.

"Since you are Chonghui, I have a question to ask you." Shen Shixing was ready to test him.

The young man nodded gracefully and said in a clear voice, "Excuse me."

"Why do you write to me every year?" Shen Shixing asked directly: "Why are the contents of the letters the same?"

The young man did not hesitate and replied loudly: "You misunderstood, that is not what I wanted to write, my third uncle asked me to write it as a ghost. His right hand is disabled, you know that, right?"

Shen Shixing nodded slightly to show that he knew about it, but he still felt that the young man in front of him was lying to him.

"Forget it, since you're here, let's have a bar at my place tonight."

Shen Shixing no longer seemed to be bothered about the matter, and just greeted him warmly. But in an instant, he sighed:

"Hey... children, I will be returning to Suzhou in two days. By then..."

'Zhang Chonghui' became a little excited when he heard this. He was about to ask something, but was stopped by Zhang Yunxiu's eyes.

Shen Shixing was still sighing. He always had excellent peripheral vision, but he seemed not to notice this subtle move at this moment.

"Uncle Shen, I heard that the court is in chaos right now. The emperor and the officials are arguing over the appointment of the crown prince. Do you want to resign because of this?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

Shen Shixing shook his head, nodded again, and said: "Things in this court are too complicated and chaotic. On the surface, it is because of the appointment of the crown prince, but in fact... Forget it, let's not mention this. Come, Wulang, Chonghui, you are here just in time. Come on! Let’s take today’s drink as a farewell to me!”

While talking, Shen Shixing took Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Chonghui's uncle and nephew to the banquet where the food was being served.

Since these two guests arrived suddenly, and the Shen Mansion only had one cook on weekdays, the food and drinks for the guests were all ordered from the nearest restaurant.

The waiter came with the dishes flowing like water. Seeing the people and dishes changing in turn, Shen Shixing's eyes became more and more trance-like.

He seemed to see himself in this flow.

From childhood, to university, passing the imperial examination, becoming a Jinshi, Imperial Academy, left concubine, right minister of the Ministry of Rites, right minister of the Ministry of Personnel, cabinet minister, chief assistant...

Layer after layer, round after round, wave after wave.

In this way, he, Shen Shixing, climbed step by step to the highest level of civil service in the Ming Dynasty and became the chief minister of the cabinet that everyone envied.

But so what? No matter how hard he climbs, in the end, in the hands of those fighting for power, he is just a dish that is passed around.

The table can be taken off the table after one plate is finished, and even the plates can be discarded together with the leftovers.

Once this dish is finished, there will be another one, and there will always be a steady stream of delicacies presented to satisfy your appetite.

Just like the court of Bojuyungui, there will always be an endless stream of talents coming in. No matter who leaves, the Ming Dynasty can still continue its development.

It's just that Shen Shixing saw that the Ming Empire was about to turn around...

"Old woman, go and move the jar of dead wood at the door to my study."

The waiter in the restaurant was about to finish serving the food, when Shen Shixing suddenly and inexplicably ordered his daughter-in-law, who was over fifty years old, to do hard work.

The couple had been an old couple for many years, and Shen Shixing's wife just said angrily, "You have to move yourself out of this stinking problem" and left.

Shen Shixing didn't blame his wife, but he didn't move it himself. Instead, he focused on the pot of 'dead wood' at the door.

It just so happened that at this moment, a waiter who was delivering vegetables stopped in front of the pot of dead wood.

"Little brother, wait a moment." Shen Shixing stood up immediately, walked to the waiter, and said:
  "I think you are quite strong. Can you help me move this jar of dead wood to the study?"

The 'boy' didn't say anything, he just bent down and moved the jar of dead wood weighing dozens of kilograms, and his eyes signaled Shen Shixing to lead the way.

"Wait a moment." After Shen Shixing said this, he hurriedly called his son Shen Yongmao to greet the two 'guests' inside for a drink.

After finishing his 'business', Shen Shixing led the way to the study, and the 'waiter' followed silently.

Shen Shixing's study was not far from the front lobby where he greeted guests. After all, his Shen Mansion was so small. However, it was not far away. With Shen Shixing leading the way, it took him a long time to walk there.

"Just put it there." Shen Shixing pointed to a corner in the study and said to the 'waiter'.

The other party still said nothing, but after putting down the pot of dead wood, he did not turn around and leave. He seemed to be carefully observing the dead tree in the pot.

The figure in front of him remained motionless. Instead of asking for help, Shen Shixing smiled and said without any surprise:

"Chonghui, I hugged you when you were born, and you peed all over me.

Thirteen years have passed, and I didn’t expect you to grow up so fast and become so strong. "

Shen Shixing thought that if he exposed Zhang Chonghui in this way, he would at least be stunned and confused for a moment.

However, the other party not only did not panic at all, but even looked back at him very calmly. With his eyes calm, he said this to him:

"Rumo, I haven't seen you for many years. You have aged a lot."

　what……

　　We have a blind date today, so I can only update one chapter. I’ll see if I can make up the rest tomorrow (ps: this chapter is huge, I’m not lazy)…

　　After pushing it down, there are fewer and fewer new additions. I beg the bosses not to keep books...

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)