Gu Qing is considered a member of the Zhang family, so attending the family dinner is not out of the ordinary. Elderly people of Zhang Jiuzhang's generation regard Gu Qing as their nephew, and Gu Qing never treats them as outsiders.

The property passed down by the older generation is easy to inherit, but the friendship passed down by the older generation is difficult to maintain.

Forcing friendship on the next generation is actually a kind of family kidnapping.

To be honest, the reason why Gu Qing associates with the Zhang family has nothing to do with his parents, but because Zhang Huaiyu comes from the Zhang family and Zhang Jiuzhang treats him sincerely.

But today in the hall, Zhang Huaiyu's parents made Gu Qing feel a little uncomfortable, especially the royal wife.

No matter how uncomfortable he felt in his heart, he still had to be respectful on the surface. Gu Qing smiled, held the glass, and toasted to Zhang Zheng and his wife like a junior.

Zhang Zheng and his wife drank the wine in a dignified manner. Mrs. Zhang looked at Gu Qing with a smile and said: "You are already a marquis at such a young age, but Gu Xian's nephew is the only promising young man I have ever seen in my life, a figure like a dragon or a phoenix, my unfulfilled son."

I should really be closer to you."

Gu Qing said humbly: "The title is just luck. My nephew has no ability at all. The powerful officials in Chang'an all said that my nephew was lucky enough to get into the job and his reputation is not very good."

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said: "Fortunately, I am also advanced. Dear nephew, don't listen to the nonsense of those people. They are just jealous of you. Only our own family is truly happy for you."

Then Mrs. Zhang said with concern: "I heard that my nephew has just come out of the Dali Temple prison. Did he suffer in it? Your second uncle has told us about your matter. My nephew, you are too impulsive. Just for the sake of a mere bodyguard.

, You really shouldn’t make fun of your own future. A gentleman will not stand behind a dangerous wall. His nephew is already a county prince. When encountering problems, he should calm down and think twice before acting."

Gu Qing frowned slightly, these words were a bit harsh. In terms of closeness, Han Jie and his guards held a much more important position in Gu Qing's heart than Mrs. Zhang. Where did this person have the confidence to say such seemingly serious words?

Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhang Huaiyu's expressionless face. Gu Qing suppressed the displeasure in his heart and said with a smile, "Auntie is right. My nephew will no longer do things like Meng Lang."

After just a few words of conversation, Gu Qing clearly understood the Zhang family's situation.

Zhang Jiuzhang is an old fox who pretends to be confused. He never pays attention to or interferes with what Zhang Zheng and his wife say. Zhang Zheng is a slightly dull middle-aged scholar who pretends to be dignified and rarely speaks. On the contrary, Mrs. Zhang talks non-stop.

And from time to time, she displayed the kind of petty cleverness that only belongs to middle-aged women. Everyone in the front hall was watching her performance, but she thought she controlled the rhythm of the whole room.

The two sisters, Zhang Huaiyu and Zhang Huaijin, were completely transparent at this moment, huddled in the corner like two quails and making no sound.

This family is a bit interesting...

From this point of view, Zhang Zheng's wife has the final say in Zhang Zheng's family. Judging from Zhang Huaiyu's silence, Mrs. Zhang must be gaining more authority and fear.

This is a bit strange. Logically speaking, after Zhang Zheng is a virtuous prime minister and has an official status, he should not let his wife jump up and down. I don’t believe that he can’t see the little cleverness she is playing, and he will not stop her if she sees it.

, indicating that he is too lazy to care or dare not care.

Could it be that... Mrs. Zhang’s natal family has a background?

This is the only reasonable explanation Gu Qing can give.

Zhang Jiuling's only son, it would be unreasonable not to match him with a well-matched lady.

So, has Zhang Huaiyu been living under the abuse and shadow of the royal wife since he was a child?

Gu Qing had a smile on his face, but his eyes narrowed, and his smile looked brighter and more approachable.

Feeling that Gu Qing might not be willing to support her son, Mrs. Zhang had to change the topic and said with a smile: "I heard from my second uncle that my nephew and Huaiyu have known each other for a long time, and it was after Huaiyu found the benefactor of our Zhang family.

?”

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Aunt, please don't mention the word 'benefactor' again, my nephew can't bear it."

Mrs. Zhang quickly glanced at Zhang Huaiyu, with a smile like a flower: "Huaiyu, this girl has a cold temperament. She has a cold look all day long. She has been fond of martial arts since she was a child, and has difficulty getting close to others. She plays with swords, guns and sticks happily, but she never

When it comes to women's red embroidery, I like Huai Jin even more. She has been smart and knowledgeable since she was a child. She is the third uncle's eldest son and the first wife. In my opinion, Huai Jin and his nephew are quite similar.

Speculation..."

Zhang Huaiyu lowered his head and looked a little pale. He placed his hands under the table and clenched them into fists.

Gu Qing's face suddenly turned cold.

This is too much. Why should Zhang Huaiyu call her "mother"? Does anyone say that to his own daughter? Saying that she is a concubine and not worthy of him in front of his face is more embarrassing than a slap in the face.

There was a hint of coldness in the smile, and Gu Qing said in a neutral tone: "Thank you for your concern, aunt, but my nephew thinks that Huaiyu is kind and considerate, restrained and steady, and he especially likes her for wielding swords and guns. She is completely different from the vulgar women in the world. As for the

Origin... My nephew was born in a poor farmer's family. Although he has been knighted, he has never forgotten his roots. How can an ordinary farmer's boy care about this? "

These words were a bit harsh, and Gu Qing pushed Mrs. Zhang back mercilessly. Mrs. Zhang's face gradually changed, the smile in her eyes disappeared, and the smile on the corner of her mouth also had a bit of coldness.

"Haha, Gu Qing, come and have a drink with me." Zhang Jiuzhang suddenly raised his glass and said with a smile.

Gu Qing held the cup in both hands, stood up and drank with Zhang Jiuzhang respectfully.

…………

The banquet ended unhappily. Zhang Zheng and his wife excused themselves from drinking and returned to the backyard.

In the front hall, the smile on Gu Qing's face finally faded away. He stood up and walked to Zhang Huaiyu, and suddenly held her hand.

Zhang Huaiyu's hands were cold and without warmth, like a piece of ice that had never melted.

"Don't pay attention to what irrelevant people say." Gu Qing smiled and comforted: "In life, you have to learn to ignore some voices in order to live the way you want."

Zhang Huaiyu's expression gradually softened, and he rolled his eyes at him and said, "You sound like an old master. You are about the same age as me, and you speak in an old-fashioned way."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "I'm about thirty years older than you. Really. I eat more salt than you eat. If there is an old man in the family, if there is a treasure, to be honest, you should give me a high tribute."

That’s it.”

Zhang Huaiyu sneered: "Maybe you haven't been beaten for a long time, so you are a little carried away, huh?"

Seeing Gu Qing and the two talking and laughing, Zhang Huaijin next to him became more and more depressed, pouting and lowering his head in silence.

Zhang Jiuzhang rubbed his beard and watched the interactions between the three of them. The more he watched, the more anxious he became for Zhang Huaijin.

This silly girl had told her a long time ago that she would capture Gu Qing as soon as possible, but she didn't rush. Now, Zhang Huaiyu has returned to Chang'an, and his relationship will be even more bumpy in the future.

What's even more bizarre is that it is said that Huaiyu was recalled by Huaijin through a letter...

This is because I think my life is not exciting enough.

The separation hadn't been long, but Gu Qing had a lot to say to Zhang Huaiyu, but it was a pity that there were still elders in the hall. This blind elder didn't have the eyesight to actively avoid it, but Gu Qing couldn't be rude.

"Second uncle, is uncle Zhang going back to Chang'an to report on his duties?" Gu Qing asked.

Zhang Jiuzhang smiled: "Zheng'er is just the county magistrate now. There is no need for the county magistrate to go to Beijing to report on his duties. Gu Qing, you are already a noble general and a county marquis. You still need to know more about the laws and regulations of the court. Don't talk like this in the future.

If you talk nonsense, people will take it as a joke."

Gu Qing's eyes flashed and he asked tentatively: "It's quite interesting for my grandnephew to meet Uncle Zhang's family. It seems that...it's my aunt who makes the decision at home?"

Zhang Jiuzhang nodded: "Yes, her maiden name is Xie. I arranged this marriage for my brother when he was still the prime minister. We have been married for more than 20 years."

"My surname is Xie..." Gu Qing muttered to himself.

Zhang Jiuzhang laughed and pointed at him, saying: "The boy is quite smart, he seems to have understood something. Yes, Zheng'er's wife is from the Xie family in Chen County, and is the daughter of a famous local family. When my brother was still the prime minister, the Xie family

Then she got married to the Zhang family, and the two families had close contacts. However, later because her brother was demoted by the emperor, Xie gradually had less contact with the Zhang family..."

Gu Qing suddenly realized: "No wonder..."

No wonder Mrs. Zhang is more powerful than Zhang Zheng, the head of the family. She originally came from a noble family, and after Zhang Jiuling's death, the Zhang family only had one Zhang Jiuzhang as the Jiuqing, and Zhang Jiugao as the governor of Guangzhou. It's already said that.

Since then, the Xie family has gradually cut off contact with the Zhang family.

Mrs. Zhang is obviously a bit snobbish. Seeing that the Zhang family has lost its former glory, her arrogance has become a bit arrogant. No wonder she just gave people a feeling of domineering and bossy.

The Xie family of Chen County is indeed a famous family for hundreds of years. The famous Duke Xie An of Luling County in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, who personally commanded the Battle of Feishui, and Xie Xuan, the famous general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, all came from the Xie family of Chen County, and

Xie An's daughter, the famous poetess Xie Daoyun, also came from the Xie family in Chen County.

Even though she has been a powerful figure for hundreds of years, she still has plenty of confidence.

Zhang Jiuzhang looked at Gu Qing and Zhang Huaiyu, and then at the unhappy Zhang Huaijin, stroking his beard and sighing: "Gu Qing, if you have the intention of begging for Huang, you must not offend Zheng'er and his wife, otherwise things may be difficult. I just contradicted Mr. Xie

What he said was a bit inappropriate."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Second uncle, I was very restrained just now. My aunt was too unfair to Huaiyu. If Huaiyu hadn't told me to be patient, I would have overturned the table with my temper."

The back of his hand suddenly felt cold. Gu Qing turned his head and saw Zhang Huaiyu's cold hands gently holding his hand under the table. On the surface, Zhang Huaiyu still looked expressionless.

…………

After the Zhang family's banquet, Gu Qing sent Zhang Huaijin away and took Zhang Huaiyu to his home, euphemistically calling it "visiting the former residences of celebrities."

In order to support the Marquis, Han Jie and his bodyguards made a rare high-profile appearance on Chang'an Avenue. Han Jie personally led the way, and the bodyguards held their heads high and looked like tigers and wolves.

Walked to Gu's house.

In front of the Gu Mansion, Butler Xu led his servants to wait in line. Perhaps he had already been notified by the personal guards. Butler Xu learned that the future mistress of the mansion had arrived, and the servants were all trembling with fear as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

When Lao Yuan saw Gu Qing and Zhang Huaiyu approaching, Butler Xu rushed out and bowed to Zhang Huaiyu diligently: "Old man Xu Xuan, I am the steward of the Hou Mansion, and I would like to pay my respects to Mr. Hou and his wife."

Zhang Huaiyu was startled, then became so embarrassed that he hurriedly hid behind Gu Qing, his pretty face turned red but he tried to maintain a cold expression and said: "Don't... don't scream, I am not the Marquis's wife."

Housekeeper Xu was stunned for a moment, and when he saw Gu Qing smiling and saying nothing, he immediately understood the situation, so he took a step forward, and emphasized his tone like a loyal minister admonishing an unfaithful king, as if he would bump into her and die in front of her if she disagreed with him.
Chapter completed!