The Zhuang family has no relatives, and Mrs. Zhuang doesn't like to interact with people on weekdays. Therefore, the Zhuang family is indifferent, and no one comes to visit during the New Year.
When Yu Zheng and Jiang Shu arrived at the banker's house, the servants all became happy.
Zhuang Yun was even more delighted: "Uncle, aunt."
"Happy New Year, Yun'er." Jiang Shu handed Zhuang Yun a brocade box.
The annual gift for the banker has been moved into the house by the servants. This was specially prepared by Jiang Shu for Zhuang Yun.
"Thank you, aunt." Zhuang Yun took it with both hands and held it in his arms.
"Sister." Yu Zheng called Yu Lan.
Yu Lan smiled and said: "Sit down, mother should be here soon."
Not long after they sat down, Mrs. Zhuang came.
"I have met the prince and the princess." Yu Zheng comes every year, and Mrs. Zhuang is used to it, but this year there is more Jiang Shu.
"Old lady." Yu Zheng and Jiang Shu returned the greeting.
Mrs. Zhuang sat down and felt sad when she saw Jiang Shu who was very different from before.
She was very angry when Yu Lan tried to trick Jiang Shu into tricking her the year before last. When Jiang Shu brought Jade Guanyin to beg her, she was still very angry.
Thinking about it now, fortunately I didn't have too much trouble at the time, otherwise it would be difficult to meet each other now.
Whether he is the only relative or Yu Zheng's identity, Mrs. Zhuang values it very much.
After you came and I exchanged a few words, the servant hurriedly came to report.
"Old Madam, Mr. Zhou... Mr. Zhou is here."
"What?" Mrs. Zhuang was shocked and almost knocked over the tea cup in her hand.
Yu Lan and others also looked shocked, not expecting Zhou Boxu to come suddenly.
"What is he here for?" Madam Zhuang said in an unhappy tone.
Before the servant could answer, Zhou Boxu had arrived at the door and said in a deep voice, "I'm here to pay my respects to the old lady."
After many years, this was the first time Mrs. Zhuang saw Zhou Boxu.
Her hair is tied up with a golden crown, her face is handsome, and she is dressed in lychee-colored brocade clothes that are both subtle and graceful. He was such a high-spirited and handsome man, no wonder Yu Lan could not forget him.
But if Zhuang Heng were alive, he would not be much inferior to Zhou Boxu.
In front of Yu Lan, Yu Zheng and Jiang Shu, Mrs. Zhuang did not want to show off too much. She suppressed her anger and said in a concentrated voice: "I have never met Mr. Zhou, let alone have any contact with me. What an honor it is to have Mr. Zhou come to visit me. "
Zhou Boxu entered the hall, bowed deeply and said, "Old Madam, please forgive me. I am indeed a bit rude today, but it is out of necessity. Please forgive me, Old Madam."
Mrs. Zhuang is over sixty years old. These years of hard work have made her much older, and she looks like a seventy-year-old woman.
But knowing the loyalty of the Zhuang family and the difficulty of Mrs. Zhuang, Zhou Boxu respected Mrs. Zhuang wholeheartedly.
What a last resort!
Glancing at Mrs. Zhuang's face, Yu Lan tightened her hands, fearing that Mrs. Zhuang would drive Zhou Boxu out.
Fortunately, with Yu Zheng and Jiang Shu here, Mrs. Zhuang always has to be a little scrupulous and pretend to be a little grand.
"Master Zhou, please sit down."
"Thank you, madam." Zhou Boxu thanked him respectfully and sat next to Zhuang Yun.
She knew clearly why Zhou Boxu came, but Mrs. Zhuang did not make it clear and declined directly: "Although Mr. Zhou and the princess are old friends, their identities are different now, so they should avoid suspicion. If nothing happens in the future, don't visit her again. , so as not to cause misunderstanding.”
When Yu Lan heard this, his heart immediately sank.
Mrs. Zhuang disagrees.
Yu Zheng and Jiang Shu sat quietly without making a sound.
Zhou Boxu understood that he had to do some things by himself.
"Old Madam, I came here today just to tell you that I want to marry the princess."
Was her rejection not obvious enough? Or are the words not harsh enough? How dare he ask for marriage!
Mrs. Zhuang was so angry that her pretense of generosity suddenly broke. She looked extremely ugly and said, "The princess is my daughter-in-law of the Zhuang family."
Zhou Poxu frowned and said, "Yes, but General Zhuang has been gone for many years. Even if the princess keeps her integrity, she should have finished her duty long ago, so she can find another man to marry."
The last layer of paper was ruthlessly torn, so Mrs. Zhuang could no longer deceive herself. She glared at Zhou Boxu and said coldly: "Master Zhou, are you here to force me to come today?"
"I don't dare. This junior just expressed his intention and asked the old lady to fulfill his wish." Zhou Boxu bowed his head in a respectful manner.
He knew before coming that today would be difficult and was already prepared.
Regardless of Yu Zheng and Jiang Shu's presence, Mrs. Zhuang gritted her teeth and said, "What if I don't agree!"
The hall fell silent.
Yu Lan looked sad, with tears in her eyes.
Zhuang Yun looked at her not quite understanding, a little confused.
He had never seen his grandmother so angry, and he had never seen his mother so sad.
He was still young and didn't know what to do.
Yu Zheng, who had been silent for a long time, said thoughtfully: "Old madam, my sister is an ordinary lady, or an ordinary woman. She can remarry after eight years of observance."
He respects Zhuang's loyalty and understands Mrs. Zhuang's difficulties, but he will never allow anyone to bully his sister.
It would be fine if Zhou Boxu didn't take this step. Now that he has taken it, the banker must let him go.
Mrs. Zhuang was startled and looked at Yu Zheng in disbelief: "Your Highness is also here to force the old lady today?"
Mrs. Zhuang knew very well that Zhou Boxu's proposal to marry Yu Lan only required an imperial decree granting marriage and did not require her consent at all.
But she just wasn't willing to do it.
Back then, she had to marry Yu Lan despite her high merit and the risk of offending the royal family, just to give the banker something to rely on. If Yu Lan remarries, then all the hard work he put in back then will be in vain.
"The old lady is worried. I have no collusion with Zhou Boxu, and I have no intention of forcing the old lady. I am just telling the truth." Yu Zheng was calm and unhurried.
Yu Zheng was so calm that Mrs. Zhuang was speechless. If she continues to question, she will be judging a gentleman with a villain's heart.
Knowing Mrs. Zhuang's concerns, Yu Zheng added: "Yun'er is sister's eldest son, and also my most beloved nephew. As long as sister and I are together, I will protect him, and will not cause any problems. Change with change.”
This is a commitment.
Mrs. Zhuang was shocked when she heard this.
Yu Zheng's character is well known to everyone. As a prince, the promises he makes are always true.
Seeing that Mrs. Zhuang seemed to be a little relaxed, Zhou Boxu took the opportunity to say: "Old Madam, everyone in the capital knows how much the younger generation treats the princess. As the saying goes, you love the house as much as the bird. Please rest assured, Old Madam, the younger generation will regard Yun'er as his own and will never Treat me poorly."
"When Yun'er grows up in the future, the younger generation will try their best to help him restore the family name of the banker, and will never let the banker family decline. If I violate this promise, I will never have any heirs."
This curse was extremely heavy.
Taifu Zhou lived a pure life and dedicated himself to serving the country. He had only an only son, Zhou Boxu. If Zhou Boxu never has any heirs, then the Zhou family's incense will be cut off, and their fate will be even more miserable than that of the banker.
Yu Lan suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Zhou Boxu, anxious and angry, but more moved.
Mrs. Zhuang was greatly shocked. She did not expect Zhou Boxu to do so much for Yu Lan.
Although she didn't know Zhou Boxu, she had heard about his character.
Like Yu Zheng, Zhou Bo's preface is true to his word and he is a true gentleman.
Furthermore, Zhou Boxu was the consort of the emperor and Concubine Yu, and his character had been tested by the royal family.
Mrs. Zhuang knew in her heart that Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu were giving face to her and the banker.
