Chapter 80 Something went wrong with the brother-in-law at the birthday party
In mid-autumn, in Tokyo, under the calm weather, there is a lively scene in the Haiyang Hou Mansion. Red silk ribbons are hung everywhere, and the atmosphere is festive. Outside the Hou Mansion, there are also a large number of guests, and inside the house, there are many guests and distinguished guests.
.
The Marquis of Haiyang was a title conferred by Emperor Liu to Zhou Zong, the father of Concubine Zhou Shu. Today, it is Zhou Guozhang's 90th birthday. Emperor Liu treated the relatives of the Han Dynasty fairly well. Perhaps the power was not enough to satisfy him, but
Wealth and glory are 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 the ninety-year-old 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 extra year of life is 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.
For people nowadays, it is the longest life in the world. In the eyes of many ordinary people, Zhou Zong is an auspicious person, and the Zhou Mansion is a place of good fortune. The same goes for Emperor Liu. Over the years, what he has seen
After all, only Taoist Chen Tuan can live better than him...
There were many guests who came to congratulate them, and those who could not 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 was still clear and his speech was not muddled. He was dressed in a formal dress and looked like a birthday boy. Seeing this scene, he was very happy and nodded constantly. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Emperor Liu for coming.
"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 five 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 elegant than his elder brother. The fifth daughter, Liu Xuan, is also almost seven years old. She has a pleasant appearance and is well-dressed, but her temperament is a bit like her mother's.
, 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 prosperous. 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 buds are ready to bloom. There is no need to elaborate on her beauty. She is just beautiful.
However, compared with when she was a child, she still dared to communicate boldly with Emperor Liu and laughed lively. As she grew up, she became more reserved and shy. Listening to Emperor Liu's words, Qiao Li suddenly turned red, and she moved her beautiful eyes away, not daring to talk to him.
Looking at each other, they made a evasive movement behind their sister.
The girl's timid appearance was so endearing that Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel a little excited. Emperor Liu hadn't felt this way for many years, and it was even a bit strange...
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 his eyes several times in succession, and said calmly with a calm expression on his face: "I don't know whose handsome husband can marry the pearl 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. This was because it was her father's birthday and her husband was bringing her and their children back home, so 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 wide and looked at this brother-in-law who looked a little strange. 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. It must be carefully screened and carefully selected. Don't 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 worries.
In today's society, the elderly are treated with great respect and courtesy. Ordinary people who are over sixty years old can enjoy certain special treatment from the government. But with the status of Zhou Zong, it is even more special.
Compared with previous years, Emperor Liu did have a lot more free time, but that was only relatively speaking. Going out of the palace to visit the Zhou Mansion in person was already a high courtesy for the Zhou family.
He didn't stay too long at the birthday banquet. He 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 power of the emperor,
Suppressing the atmosphere of the birthday banquet.
When Concubine Zhou Shu and her children did not return to the palace with them, Emperor Liu gave special permission to let them stay in the Zhou Mansion overnight to serve Zhou Zong. At this age, the old father was losing his sight every day.
"What is the name of the person who is in charge of the affairs of the Zhou Mansion now, 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 family 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 the end of my life!" 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. Because of the blood relationship, the title may not be inherited, but the property, incense and political capital are also the same.
A small fortune.
"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.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, and then 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.