That night Zhang Shi, Yu family, and Lu family heard that Zhang Yue was back, so they gathered over and were very happy to see each other.
Zhang Yue was very happy to see Zhang Shi, but she was a little sad to see that they were both a bit older.
Zhang Shi injured his leg in a fall a few days ago and quit his job at the government office to focus on recuperating at home. Zhang Yue was thousands of miles away, and Qi Niang was there to help Zhang Shi when he saw a doctor and took medicine.
After meeting, everyone sat together and chatted about daily life.
Zhang Yue used to think that family affairs were trivial, but now when he goes home, he feels that everything sounds so cordial.
After being away for more than two years, my state of mind has changed unconsciously. I always feel a debt to my brother, sister-in-law, and Qi Niang, and at the same time, I am grateful to them for taking care of the family for me.
Nowadays, the number of people in the Zhang family continues to increase, and there are nearly a hundred people. Especially after Mrs. Lu married, the number of people in the family became even larger. The Lu family has a strict upbringing, is very disciplined in doing things, and is filial to the parents-in-law. The Zhang Shi Yu family are extremely kind people. They are simply an embarrassment to their daughter-in-law who married into the Zhang family from a high family. He loves her so much that the whole family lives in perfect harmony.
The only fly in the ointment is that Zhang's residence in the Imperial College is too small. As the population increases, it gradually becomes insufficient for living.
Logically speaking, at this time, the matter of family separation should be brought up. But no one in the family mentioned it. At first, Mr. Lu proposed to buy a neighboring house, but the matter fell through in the end.
Zhang Yue was also very satisfied with Lu's nephew-in-law. Apart from being a little arrogant, she was not picky about her etiquette.
Zhang Yue asked Lu a few questions about daily life.
Zhang Yue glanced at Shiqi Niang's face, and then at Lu's face. He keenly sensed that Lu and Shiqi Niang were also at odds.
Zhang Yue also lamented in his heart that Qi Niang and Lu were both people who could understand the general situation, but sometimes women's house fights were as natural as men's power struggles, and they were inevitable like the fight between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
When a group of people were talking, Zhang Zhi came back. Zhang Zhiren arrived before Zhang Zhi's voice. When Zhang Zhi heard Zhang Zhi's voice, Zhang Shi had a smile on his face, while Lu, who had always been cold and distant, also had a look of guile and innocence on her face, like a little woman.
Zhang Yue saw this scene and thought to himself, this guy can do it.
Zhang Zhi went inside and saluted Zhang Yue and called his third uncle.
Zhang Yue looked at Zhang Zhi, who had not seen him for several years, and then he became more upright and resolute.
Zhang Yue said to Zhang Zhi lukewarmly: "I heard that Ah Xi has been doing really well recently. Many people in the northwest have praised you for your ability in front of me in the past few years."
Zhang Zhi didn't know how to answer, and Mrs. Lu was a little restless after hearing this.
The Seventeenth Mother saw something wrong with Zhang Yue's expression, so she smiled and said to Zhang Zhi, "Axi, your third uncle is tired. Let's do this tonight and talk to you tomorrow."
Everyone left one after another.
Seventeen Niang helped Zhang Yue change clothes, and Zhang Yue said, "Madam, you might as well let these things go and let others do it."
Seventeenth Mother said: "What does this mean? Sometimes it is better to do things at home by yourself."
Zhang Yue said: "How do you get along with your niece-in-law?"
The Seventeenth Mother stopped her hand and said, "Shanghao, my nephew-in-law comes from a high family, and her knowledge and vision are certainly far better than others."
There was something in Seventeenth Mother's words. Zhang Yue knew that his guess was correct, so he said: "I heard that someone in the family mentioned that they wanted to separate the family these days. In fact, in my opinion, it's almost time. In many ordinary people's homes, parents At that time, there was a lot of separation among the brothers. It is really rare that my brother and I still live in the same place after so many years."
"Of course, it sounds good to say that there is no separation between families. It sounds like everyone has face and reputation, but there is no need to make yourself uncomfortable for these false reputations. The most important thing is that the family lives well. I never want you to do it for I feel wronged to myself. You see, there are so many people in the family crowded together, it’s hard not to have any resentment!”
For more than twenty years, Zhang Yue Zhangshi has been living in a shabby house together as brothers. For the scholar-bureaucrats of the Song Dynasty who paid great attention to personal ethics, this was a good thing.
Of course Seventeenth Mother understands this.
The seventeenth mother thought for a while and said: "My niece-in-law is a sensible woman, and she is always respectful to me. Besides, my brother and sister-in-law treat me very well, so there is no need to separate the family. I will have a good talk with my niece-in-law some other time."
Zhang Yue was pleased to hear what Seventeenth Mother said: "Well, it's always convenient for you women to talk to each other. You must first cultivate yourself and your family before you can govern the country and bring peace to the world. Back then, Mr. Ouyang didn't take care of his family affairs well, and he was attacked one after another. So tongue-tied that I ended up feeling depressed all the time.”
At this point, Zhang Yue stood up and saluted the Seventeenth Niang and said, "My wife takes care of everything at home."
Seventeenth Mother also bowed, and then said sweetly: "Officials are too polite, and I don't know if I can do my best, so I will give it a try."
After saying that, the couple sat on the couch again, and Seventeenth Mother said: "But Axi has grown up over the years, and he has helped the family share a lot of things."
Zhang Yue knew that Zhang Zhi was warm-hearted and very upright, which was an advantage for an ordinary person, but not so good for an official.
The Seventeenth Mother said: "Don't look at people in the same light. Sooner or later Ah Xi will have to be on his own in the future. How can you do it if you always rule him and don't allow him to do this or that?"
Zhang Yue sighed: "I come from a poor family, so I always remind myself to be cautious and to deal with others first. He is quite good, and he is full of yamen style."
Seventeenth Mother smiled and replied: "He has his own ideas now. If you can persuade him, just do it. If it doesn't work, just let him do it. Don't cause a quarrel between uncle and nephew as soon as you come back."
Seeing his wife's worries, Zhang Yue agreed immediately.
At this time, the sound of a watch was heard outside.
The Seventeenth Mother said, "It's late at night, let's go to bed early."
Zhang Yueze said: "I'm not busy, there's still something I haven't done."
"Officer, what's going on?" Seventeenth Mother clearly asked knowingly.
Zhang Yue smiled and looked at his wife under the light, looking at the skin as white as snow on her neck, and felt some blood rushing to his forehead.
He started to put down the bed curtains and unbuttoned Qi Niang's lapel. The seventeenth mother heard Zhang Yue unbuttoning her clothes and whispering: "I will give my eldest brother some younger brothers and sisters in the coming year..."
At this time, Zhang Yue had taken off his hairpin, and his long hair was pouring in front of his eyes like water. At this moment, Seventeenth Mother felt ashamed and angry after hearing this. She picked up the embroidered pillow on the bedside and hit Zhang Yue hard on the head.
Zhang Yue was hit by this sudden blow and his eyes were filled with stars. He was a little dazed immediately. Looking at the proud expression of the Seventeenth Mother, he suddenly felt that he was not angry at all. He immediately picked up the Seventeenth Mother's waist. , pushing towards the silk quilt embroidered with dragons and phoenixes.
…
Early the next morning, Zhang Yue was going to the Privy Council, and then he heard Zhang Zhi waiting outside the door early in the morning according to the Seventeenth Mother.
Zhang Yue then let Zhang Zhi inside.
After hearing Zhang Yue's words, Zhang Zhi was uneasy and didn't sleep well last night, so he came to Zhang Yue early the next morning.
Zhang Yue snorted and turned around when he saw Zhang Zhi's guilty look.
Zhang Zhi stood aside with a smile on his face, took the tea bowl for mouthwash from Qi Niang and handed it to Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue glanced at Zhang Zhi, took the tea bowl from his hand, drank tea, rinsed his mouth and said: "You have been a storyteller for Chongzheng Palace recently, and you are quite famous. Even my third uncle relies on you to speak in front of the officials. ."
Zhang Zhidao: "Third Uncle, what have you heard? But speaking out without concealment and admonishing the Lord is not what Third Uncle usually teaches me."
Zhang Yue cursed in his heart, the good boy actually used his usual words to refute him.
Zhang Yue said: "Sometimes third uncle's words must be listened to carefully. Just like what is written in a book, one must not listen to everything. It is better to have no book at all than to believe in the book."
Zhang Zhi opened his mouth and asked: "Uncle Zhixin, how about having no uncle?"
Zhang Yue almost spit out his tea. At this moment, he was angry and funny at the same time. This kid has been like this since he was a child, and he was very slow to talk back.
Zhang Yue saw that Zhang Zhi had always had smooth sailing, so he never listened to his own advice. He only understood it after suffering once or twice.
Zhang Yue slapped the table and said, "I'm not joking with you. If you don't listen to what I say, resign immediately and go home. If you continue to be an official in Beijing, not only you, but also my third uncle and I will be harmed and our future will be ruined." ."
Zhang Zhi's smile immediately faded and he said quickly: "Third uncle, my nephew realizes his mistake."
Zhang Yue said with a straight face: "I'm telling you, why do so many prime ministers not let their children become officials? You also recognize Mr. Liulang of the Wen family. In terms of talent, he is also a first-class figure in the yamen, but Wen Shu He is not allowed to serve as an official."
"Being an official is the most difficult thing in the world, and it is also the easiest. Why is it said to be the easiest? An ordinary supervisor in the capital can be a groom every night. What kind of woman does he want? The next day Someone has sent it to his pillow. If you can combine the dust and the light, it is extremely easy to be an official like this."
"But if you are an official who has to do something, that is the first difficult thing. You must not let others find faults, and you must be upright and strict. Even so, you cannot be said to be safe and sound."
Zhang Yue finished speaking sincerely, but it seemed like the other party didn't listen.
Zhang Yue understood that his nephew was a thoughtful person. If he had really listened to the advice, he would not have given up his fame and gone to Jiangning alone.
Zhang Zhi said: "Third uncle, I have always respected you. If anything happens to you, I would rather give up my life to keep you safe."
"But there are some words I can't listen to. My nephew is not someone who is serious about pursuing an official career. If one day all the people in the world have something to say, but all the officials dare not say it, I will speak up myself."
"You're so angry at Hutu." Zhang Yue shook his head.
The Seventeenth Mother on the side couldn't listen anymore, and immediately came in and said with a smile: "You uncles and nephews still have so many things to say, but the palace has already sent a carriage to pick you up. If you have anything to say, you might as well talk about it later."
Zhang Yue nodded when he heard this, glared at Zhang Zhi and then strode away.
After Zhang Yue left, Zhang Zhi said to Qi Niang with a dejected face: "Third Aunt, I really didn't mean to make Third Uncle angry, but I think the older Third Uncle is, the less courageous he seems."
Seventeenth Mother advised: "Axi, your third uncle is different from the past. He has a lot of worries in his position. Many times he can decide the life or death of many people with one sentence, so you should think twice before speaking."
