The direction of the matter was a bit unexpected. It was obviously a simple marriage proposal, but after being extended by Zhang Xie, the marriage became a state matter, and it was a major matter for the country.

It has to be said that the children of aristocratic families are indeed extraordinary. Even a snobbish one like Zhang Xie has a keen intuition and judgment about the general trend of the world. For a mediocre person like a housewife, when it is time to shine, no one can stop her from shining.

Zhang Huaiyu was confused by Zhang Xie's suggestion. She didn't expect that this stepmother had such an extraordinary side. Although she wanted to refuse in her heart, her reason told her that if Gu Qingruo cooperated with the family, it would be beneficial to his ambitions.

It outweighs the disadvantages.

Mr. Zhang Xie was right, a great country cannot be conquered by military prowess alone. It also requires the support of aristocratic families, clansmen and squires, the pursuit of scholars from various schools of thought, and the power of aristocratic families to fight against the interest groups in the court.

With these, coupled with the invincible military might, the people of the world will return home.

But from an emotional point of view, Zhang Huaiyu was really unwilling to agree to Zhang Xie's suggestion. Since the death of his concubine's own mother, Zhang Huaiyu had suffered a lot of cold treatment in the family, and he had experienced all kinds of abuse in the big house at a young age.

The instigator of the change in human relationships was the wife in front of him. She was the chief culprit of Zhang Huaiyu's unfortunate childhood.

Although Zhang Huaiyu would not commit parricide, he did not want to get too close to Zhang Xie. He just wanted to stay as far away from her as possible in this life.

Seeing Zhang Huaiyu's hesitant expression, Zhang Xie smiled, with a coldness in her smile.

"Huaiyu, you are about to get married. As Gu Qing's concubine, you should know that public and private affairs should be distinguished, and private grudges should be private grudges. It would be better not to miss Gu Qing's important event. If what I propose can be accomplished, it will involve many major families.

Ten thousand lives, if you act on your own initiative, even if Gu Qing agrees to my proposal, I will not dare to cooperate with him, because you will definitely be a hidden danger."

Zhang Huaiyu pursed his lips and said nothing. After a long time, he gritted his teeth and said, "I will persuade Gu Qing to cooperate with the family. This matter is also related to Gu Qing's life. I will never cause trouble and harm Gu Qing's life."

Zhang Xie nodded with satisfaction and added: "Both parties will benefit from cooperation. Gu Qing is also a smart man. He should know how to weigh the pros and cons. If this happens, it will change the world. Our family cannot help in vain, and the family needs benefits in return."

…………

In the afternoon, Gu Qing and Li Twelve Niang arrived at the Zhang family. The guards followed their carriage carrying dozens of boxes of gifts, large and small. When they entered, they were warmly treated by the Zhang family.

Zhang Jiuzhang personally sat in the front hall waiting for him, stroking his gray beard with a smile from time to time, and his eyes were filled with joy when he looked at Gu Qing.

To the left and right of Zhang Jiuzhang sat Zhang Zheng and his wife and some relatives of the Zhang family, and at the end were some guests and worshipers from the mansion.

Gu Qing walked into the front hall and saluted Zhang Jiuzhang politely.

Zhang Jiuzhang said with a smile: "After several years of going around in circles, my baby is finally destined to be with the Zhang family, haha."

Gu Qing also laughed along with him, but he was cursing in his heart.

If I had lost two of my granddaughters and my sisters married the same husband, I wouldn't have laughed so happily.

After the obedient ceremony, Gu Qing looked to the left of Zhang Jiuzhang, where Zhang Zheng and his wife were sitting. Zhang Zheng looked gloomy and didn't say a word, but Zhang Xie's face was full of smiles, and she looked at Gu Qing with eyes that were like those of her relatives.

From the moment he walked into the front hall to this moment, Gu Qing has been silently observing everyone's reactions. What's a little strange is that Zhang Xie, whom everyone is not familiar with, and they had some unpleasantness after meeting him, smiles at him so warmly today.

Gu Qing couldn't help but speculate.

Is it because my power is not what it used to be, or is it because she finally discovered that I am an unparalleled and elegant young man?

"Sure enough, he is a talented person. Compared with when we first met, Prince Gu is even more handsome." Mrs. Zhang Xie said with a genuine smile, and then turned to ask Zhang Zheng: "What do you think, husband?"

Zhang Zheng snorted without saying anything, and his attitude was very cold.

Gu Qing couldn't help but praise Zhang Xie's sharp and precise eyes.

Zhang Jiuzhang winked at Gu Qing jokingly and said with a smile: "The person who enters my house today, is it Prince Gu or his nephew?"

Gu Qing hurriedly bowed: "Of course it's Gu's great-nephew. In front of my second uncle, I would never dare to raise my rank."

Zhang Jiuzhang smiled and stroked his beard and said, "So, why did grandnephew Gu come to my Zhang family today?"

Gu Qing straightened his chest, looked directly at the people in the hall, and said proudly: "My grandnephew has come to propose marriage today. She is a beautiful woman from the Zhang family. She is kind, gentle, respectful, thrifty and modest. She is a good match for the family. She is a graceful lady and a gentleman who loves to fight." My grandnephew has come here today to beg all elders, please give me your beloved wife as your wife. I will respect and love her for the rest of my life and will never let her down."

Zhang Jiuzhang laughed and said: "It's rare to see you so serious. That's all. This scene has been passed. I have no objection. Zheng'er, what do you mean?"

Zhang Zheng was still sullen, as if he hadn't heard anything, but Zhang Xie replied with a smile: "Since my second uncle has no objections, my husband and I certainly have no objections either. It is a great honor for my Zhang family to have Prince Gu as my son-in-law."

Gu Qing had a smile on his face, but he became increasingly puzzled.

Zhang Zheng looked like this today, as if he had met the enemy who killed his father. When had he offended him? It was obviously a happy event, but he seemed to have come to report his death, with a look of bad luck.

Sure enough, there are two relationships in the world that cannot be reconciled. One is mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the other is son-in-law, who are natural enemies.

Gu Qing decided to ignore his father-in-law's expression and try to maintain a close relationship with Zhang Huaiyu after getting married. He did not force his father-in-law to please him, as long as he did not do anything that would displease him.

Just as Zhang Jiuzhang said, coming to propose marriage today is actually just a formality. The elders had already agreed on the marriage before. Now that all the elders in the hall have agreed, the marriage between Gu Qing and Zhang Huaiyu has been finalized.

Then Zhang Jiuzhang ordered a banquet, and Gu Qing had a banquet at the Zhang family for the first time as his future grandson-in-law.

At the banquet, Gu Qing acted sincerely as a junior, not caring at all about his title as a county king, and took the initiative to frequently toast to the elders and say some compliments. On the contrary, the relatives of the Zhang family's own branch were flattered and expressed their gratitude to the elders. Gu Qing's low-profile toast was filled with sincerity and fear.

Zhang Jiuzhang and Zhang Zheng don't care about Gu Qing's status as a county prince. After all, they are Zhang Huaiyu's direct elders, but other relatives are not so confident. The dignified county prince personally toasted, and none of them dared to act like their elders. Accept, for fear of making Gu Qing unhappy.

It was almost late at night when the banquet broke up. Gu Qing was about to leave, but Zhang Jiuzhang grabbed him and told him to sleep in the house tonight and not go home.

Gu Qingqing knew that he had something to say, so she did not refuse and followed Zhang Jiuzhang back to the backyard obediently.

On the quiet and deserted path in the backyard, Zhang Jiuzhang walked slowly, without a hint of drunkenness, and his rosy face at the banquet just now was completely gone.

The old fox even pretended to drink, obviously he was not as kind and kind as he appeared.

"My dear, today I have decided to marry you and Huaiyu. I have put aside most of my worries. After the spring, I will report to the emperor and retire to my hometown in Shaozhou for retirement." Zhang Jiuzhang said leisurely.

Gu Qing was silent for a moment and said: "My second uncle is not in a hurry to become an official. My grand nephew knows that one emperor and one courtier are the same. He also knows that the emperor is quite cold to you because of your relationship with your grand nephew. My second uncle might as well stay in Chang'an for a while and treat your grand nephew."

After tidying things up, I will definitely give my second uncle a higher official position."

Zhang Jiuzhang laughed and scolded: "At my age, I need a grandson to arrange an official position for me? Do you still want me?"

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Second Uncle is one of the Nine Qings, so you will get nothing less."

Zhang Jiuzhang's laughter suddenly subsided and he said slowly: "What do you mean by 'tidying things up'?"

Gu Qing coughed and didn't answer.

Zhang Jiuzhang didn't wait for the answer. He sighed and said: "I am old. I no longer care about court affairs, and I can no longer distinguish between good and evil, loyalty and treachery. Gu Qing, you have great power now, but you should have conscience and reverence in your heart. No matter what

Whatever you do, don’t harm nature or do anything contrary to nature.”

"Yes, grandnephew, keep this in mind."

"As people get older, they will inevitably be verbose. People in the world are just like dogs, fighting for wealth and honor all their lives. In fact, if you can calm down and read more, you will know that wealth in the world is actually just reincarnation after reincarnation. Dynasties change, kingdoms rise and fall, and the unifier is glorious for a while.

, but after all, it will only last a few hundred years. If the people in power only see licentiousness, arrogance and extravagance and ignore the suffering of the people, the country will be lost sooner or later. Gu Qing, you should take this as a warning."

Gu Qing whispered: "That's what happened during the Anshi Rebellion. In recent years, my grandnephew has not only led the army to put down the rebellion, he has also been thinking about this issue more often, and he has benefited a lot."

Zhang Jiuzhang nodded appreciatively and said with a smile: "You are smarter and more accomplished than me, so I won't say more. Let me just say something that has been said by literati both ancient and modern, 'He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.'"

After speaking, Zhang Jiuzhang suddenly stopped and raised his chin forward.

Gu Qing followed his gaze and found Zhang Zheng and his wife standing under the arch in the backyard. Zhang Xie was looking at him with a smile. Next to them stood Zhang Huaiyu quietly. It was dark and Zhang Huaiyu could not be seen clearly.

expression.

Zhang Jiuzhang seemed to know something, yawned and said: "Your father-in-law and mother-in-law have something to tell you. You can have a good chat, and I will not participate. I am old and sleepy after drinking some wine..."

Gu Qing respectfully watched Zhang Jiuzhang return to the bedroom, then turned to look at Zhang Zheng and his wife.

Zhang Zheng still looked gloomy, as if Gu Qing owed him a huge sum of money, but the smile on Zhang Xie's face was a little deeper, so much that wrinkles appeared on his face covered with makeup.

Gu Qing wanted to tell her, Auntie, your neck and face are not the same color, your crow's feet are exposed, you are stuck in the pink...

"My dear nephew, come quickly, we have something to discuss." Ms. Zhang Xie stood under the arch and waved to him.

Gu Qing walked over obediently and saluted Zhang Zheng and the others.

Zhang Zheng snorted coldly and took the lead to walk towards the backyard room. Zhang Xie looked at him with a smile and followed Zhang Zheng's footsteps.

Zhang Huaiyu deliberately fell behind and walked side by side with Gu Qing.

Before Gu Qing could speak, Zhang Huaiyu whispered: "My parents will discuss something with you later. Don't think about me, and don't look at the relationship between in-laws. Discuss the matter as it is, and only distinguish the pros and cons. Do you understand?"

Gu Qing was stunned for a moment and before he could say anything, the two people in front of him walked into a side room, and Gu Qing and Zhang Huaiyu had no choice but to follow them.

Sitting in the side room, Zhang Huaiyu lit a lamp, then knelt down and sat aside without saying a word, his eyes half closed as if he was asleep.

However, Zhang Xie ordered her servants to bring food and wine with a smile on her face, and personally filled a glass of wine for Gu Qing.

Gu Qing looked at the situation in front of him. It seemed that the person in charge was this fan's aunt. He couldn't help but feel even more confused. It was so solemn and mysterious. What big things needed to be discussed?

After the servants left and Zhang Huaiyu closed the door, Zhang Xie said leisurely: "Now that you and Huaiyu are not married yet, I will still call you His Royal Highness..."

Gu Qing said hurriedly: "I'm sorry for you, junior, just call me by my name."

"Okay, Gu Qing, we will be a family soon. Today is a family speaking our own language. No matter whether there are any results or not, what we say today will never be spread."

"Auntie, if you have anything to say, feel free to speak out."

Zhang Xie stared at Gu Qing's eyes and said slowly: "Gu Qing, there is a cauldron in front of the Taiji Temple in the Tai Chi Palace. Have you ever thought about how heavy it is?"

Gu Qing was slightly startled and said with a normal expression: "I want power so that it will be easier for me to do things for the people of the world in the future. I have no intention of seeking the throne."

Zhang Xie said quite unexpectedly: "You have an elite army in your hands, and you have all the monarchs and ministers of Chang'an under your control, but you don't have the intention to aspire to the top?"

Gu Qing looked directly into her eyes and said calmly: "No."

Zhang Xie sighed and said: "Do you want to be Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao of the Han Dynasty, holding the emperor hostage to order the princes?"

Gu Qing avoided answering and asked: "What do you want to say?"

Zhang Xie was silent for a moment and said, "I am from the Xie family of Chen County, do you know that?"
To be continued...