In mid-autumn in Tokyo, under the breezy weather, the Haiyang Hou Mansion was a bustling scene, with red silk ribbons hanging everywhere, and the atmosphere was festive. Outside the Marquis's Mansion, there are also many crowns and crowns, and inside the Mansion, there are many guests and distinguished guests.
The title of Marquis of Haiyang was given by Emperor Liu to Zhou Zong, the father of Concubine Zhou Shu. Today, Zhou Guozhang's 90th birthday is celebrated. Emperor Liu gave preferential treatment to the relatives of the Han Dynasty. Perhaps the power was not enough, but wealth and prosperity were always in place.
Fourteen or five years have passed since the Zhou family was moved north to Tokyo after the Huainan War. From a surrendered minister to a noble of the Han Dynasty, it was just because there was a favored Concubine Zhou Shu in the palace.
In his early years, Zhou Zong was granted the title of Duke, and in the first year of Kaibao, he was officially granted the title of Marquis of Haiyang. In these years, Zhou Zong has been serving as the Duke of Xiaoyao in the capital.
Although Zhou Zong did not have much merit in the court, he had a good daughter and gave birth to a pair of children for the Tian family. Emperor Liu had to show some appreciation.
Of course, it was also because Zhou Zong had no direct heirs. At the same time, the Zhou family had been honest, low-key and peaceful for so many years. Concubine Zhou Shu had been in the palace for more than ten years, but she had never made any request to Emperor Liu.
Even the birthday banquet is the same. It is rare for a big event to be held, but this time it was so lively, firstly because of his ninetieth birthday, and secondly because the emperor had already announced that he would come in person.
Although there is a saying that more than nine is not ten, it is important to pay attention to it, but for Zhou Zong, at this age, one more year of life is just one year. The most important thing is that Emperor Liu once joked with him that he would personally congratulate him on his ninth birthday. Tenth birthday.
To people nowadays, he has a long life. In the eyes of many ordinary people, Zhou Zong is an auspicious person, and Zhou Mansion is a place of good fortune. The same goes for Emperor Liu. Over the years, the only person he has seen is Taoist Chen Tuan who is more alive than him...
There were many guests who came to congratulate me, and those who couldn't come were given an extra birthday gift. Emperor Liu personally wrote a wedding couplet and stamped it with his private seal as a congratulatory gift.
At the same time, he took Concubine Zhou Shu, his seventh son Liu Hui, and his fifth daughter Liu Xuan to the Zhou Mansion.
Zhou Zong, who was already ninety years old, looked completely decrepit. He was extremely decrepit. His beard and hair were all white without a trace of color. His back was so hunched that he needed help even when he was eating or walking.
However, his mind is still clear and his speech is not muddled. Wearing a formal dress and being dressed up like a birthday boy, he was very happy when he saw this scene and kept nodding his head. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Emperor Liu for coming in person.
"You are a married woman and my elder. You should do your best, so please don't be formal." Emperor Liu sat next to Zhou Zong, smiling and speaking softly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! It's not an honor!" After all, he was old or too happy and excited, so Zhou Zong kept expressing similar words of gratitude.
"Liu Hui, Liu Xuan, come and kowtow to my grandfather to celebrate his birthday!" Emperor Liu greeted the seven sons and six daughters at the same table.
"Yes!" A pair of children responded, stood up and left the table.
Liu Hui has grown two years older and has become more refined and refined, even more so than his elder brother. The sixth daughter, Liu Xuan, is almost seven years old. She has a pleasant appearance and is pretty. Her temperament is somewhat like her mother's, she is quiet and well-behaved.
Facing the two children's obeisances, Zhou Zong felt even more relieved by Lao Huai. He stretched out his skinny hands and helped them up: "Get up quickly, don't be too polite!"
As for Emperor Liu, his eyes fell on Mrs. Xiao Zhou on the other side, and he asked with a smile: "Xiao Zhou has grown up too, and he is becoming more and more mature. Have you ever promised anyone?"
Mrs. Zhou, who is almost seventeen years old, is already a big girl. Her little lotus is just exposed, and her bud is ready to bloom. There is no need to elaborate on her beauty, just beauty.
However, compared with when he was young, when he dared to communicate boldly with Emperor Liu and laughed lively, when he grew up, he became more reserved and shy. Hearing Emperor Liu's words, Qiao Li suddenly turned red. She moved her beautiful eyes away, not daring to look at her. Instead, she made a evasive movement behind her sister.
The timid look of this girl was so endearing that Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel a little excited. Emperor Liu hasn't had this feeling for many years, and it's even a bit novel...
Noticing Emperor Liu's gaze, Da Zhou shook his sister's hand and spoke: "My little sister is also old, and the family is also looking for a suitable husband!"
"Oh!" Emperor Liu responded softly, blinked several times in succession, and said calmly with a calm expression on his face: "I don't know whose handsome husband can marry the jewel of the Zhou family... "
As for Concubine Zhou Shu, she was not a sensitive woman and did not notice the slight awkwardness in Emperor Liu's tone. It was also because it was her father's birthday and her husband was bringing her and their children back home, and she was very happy.
Emperor Liu continued to tease his sister-in-law, saying: "Have you ever found someone you like? If so, my brother-in-law will check it for you..."
"No!" Xiao Zhou opened his beautiful eyes and looked at this strange brother-in-law. The blush on his face dissipated a lot, and he shook his head and responded softly.
After hearing this, Emperor Liu also said seriously: "Marriage is a major event in life. You must be confident in your selection and choose carefully. You must not be wronged..."
Perhaps because he felt that he had talked too much, Emperor Liu quickly brought the topic back to the birthday banquet. Holding a glass of wine, he said to Zhou Zong: "I was not able to come in person on your eightieth birthday. This time, this wine, Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhou Zong was also cheerful. At this age, he did have less scruples.
In today's society, the elderly are treated with great respect and courtesy. Ordinary people who are over sixty can enjoy certain special treatment from the government. And as Zhou Zong, it is even more special.
Compared to previous years, Emperor Liu was indeed much freer, but that was only relative. For the Zhou family, it was already a high courtesy to leave the palace in person to visit the Zhou Mansion.
I didn't stay too long at the birthday banquet. I drank a few glasses of wine, made a few congratulatory speeches, and then left. It had long been seen that many people couldn't let go of him at the banquet. The emperor's power suppressed the atmosphere of the birthday banquet.
When Concubine Zhou Shu and her children did not return to the palace with her, Emperor Liu specifically allowed them to stay in the Zhou Mansion overnight to serve Zhou Zong. Old father, at this age, his life is getting worse with each passing day.
"Now that the Zhou Mansion is in charge and in charge of affairs, what is the name of Zhou Fang?" On the way back to the palace, Emperor Liu called Zhang Dejun, the imperial envoy accompanying him, and asked.
"Your Majesty, my name is Zhou Fang. He is the grandson of Haiyang Marquis. He has been in the Zhou Mansion for ten years. In the past few years, he has begun to manage the affairs of the Zhou family. I heard that Haiyang Marquis plans to let this person inherit the family property. I will support you until my death!" Zhang Dejun said very capably.
Because Zhou Zong had no children, his lineage had to be passed on, so he chose a son from among his clan members. Due to blood relations, the title may not be inherited, but property, incense and political capital are still a considerable amount of wealth.
"What is this person's character like? Can he be entrusted with funeral arrangements? Have you checked?" Emperor Liu asked again.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Dejun replied without thinking: "I will send someone to investigate later!"
"Yes!" Emperor Liu responded: "Haiyang Hou is old, I hope he can enjoy his old age in peace!"
"The official care for the Zhou family is really touching!" Zhang Dejun complimented habitually.
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, and then he casually ordered: "Also, let's go check and find out who Madam Xiao Zhou is looking for for her marriage."
Zhang Dejun couldn't help being stunned, but he instinctively responded: "Yes!"
While he was thinking, Emperor Liu warned again: "Do it in secret, don't make it public!"
"yes!"
As a brother-in-law, it shouldn't be too much to care about my sister-in-law's marriage.
