Chapter 205 The big brother at home is under great pressure
The emerald green dress turned into a red jacket and flowered silk trousers. The original hair was scattered, and her hair fell down and turned into two sky-high pigtails under Jiuniang's deft hands. At first glance, Xiao
Cheng seemed like the fat boy in the New Year pictures, if the smile on his face wasn't so stiff.
The dishes presented to him not only looked exquisite and beautiful, but also tasted really delicious. Although he tried his best to tell himself to be polite and educated, he still unknowingly overstuffed himself and ended up eating all the dishes.
After the bowl was removed, he couldn't help but belched, and then his face turned red with embarrassment.
"This child has really endured a lot of hardships." The Mrs. Tai is a person who is soft-hearted when she wants to be soft-hearted and hard-hearted when she wants to be. What's more, this is a child that the eldest grandson has taken care of, so the Mrs. Tai is naturally willing to take him in.
Therefore, when Yutang and Yulan both brought tea to everyone present, she said gently, "Xiao Cheng, how about you live here from now on?"
Seeing the little guy's eyes widening, clearly surprised, Zhang Shou smiled and said: "This is the Zhu family of Duke Zhao's mansion. Here you can continue to read, read, and learn martial arts, and then wait for your brother Zhu to come back in peace."
Of course, once there is news about your Brother Zhu, everyone will tell you as soon as possible."
Duke Zhao's Mansion? Xiao Cheng was too young to understand the meaning of these four words. But Zhang Shou, who seemed kind and kind before, told him that this was Brother Zhu's home, but he could understand. Although he was very grateful to others because of Zhu
The eldest brother was willing to take him in, but thinking about his home that had finally restored its old outlook, he was reluctant to leave just like that.
He finally shook his head sadly: "When Brother Zhu left, he asked me to wait at home for him to come back. When the time comes, he will give me a horse suitable for me to ride and a snow-white wool blanket, but the condition is that I
I can memorize all the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" compiled by Emperor Taizu himself. But I have been idle these days, I want to go back and memorize it!"
"Besides, there is a sword at home that Brother Zhu left for me for self-defense!"
Regarding his words, Mrs. Tai and Jiuniang lamented that he knew loyalty at a young age, Zhu Ying lamented that his eldest brother has not been found yet, and Zhang Shou slandered Emperor Taizu for not sparing three hundred Tang poems.
And Zhu Er, who was not brought here until dinner time...
While eating this dinner, he just realized that his eldest brother had gone to study with Liu Zhiyuan, the former minister of the Ministry of War, without telling his family. He felt that life was really gloomy. He was already such an outstanding person, so why did he spare no effort to improve himself and give back to others?
Don't give a mediocre person like him a way to survive? With such an eldest brother in the family, how can he not be under great pressure?
Zhu Er's self-pity was not as unnoticed as he thought - of course, Zhu Ying, who is always optimistic, would never be able to detect it. Mrs. Tai and Jiuniang secretly exchanged a look, both hesitant.
How to settle the child Xiao Cheng, and how to cheer up Zhu Er, the only male in the family now.
At this time, Zhang Shou said slowly: "Madam, Ninth Aunt, let Xiao Cheng live in his own home and wait for the return of the eldest son in peace. I think this is more suitable for him. I happened to buy the house next door.
Come down, although it will be a bit noisy to work with one blacksmith and two carpenters, I also sent Yang Hao and Qiao Dang from home, so that Xiao Cheng can also have company."
As he spoke, he nodded slightly to the surprised and delighted little guy and said, "Anyway, I want to go back to the Imperial College, and I'll send you back soon." Seeing Xiao Cheng nodding his head, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Zhu Er.
"I would also like to trouble Second Young Master to come with me. Lu Sanlang has come up with a scholarship idea before. You can also help him go through the details." Seeing that Zhu Er was stunned at first and then showed a hesitant expression, he coughed and said, "
This is business. If you do it well, it will benefit the people in the Imperial College, and it will also be good for your reputation. Anyway, if you are late, the Xiao family will board you, and you will not miss your class tomorrow."
Zhu Er's biggest headache now is his reputation that he can't wash away. In addition, he suffered too much of a blow tonight. He doesn't want to face his grandmother and stepmother, and certainly doesn't want to face his simple, rude and direct sister. So, he
Say decisively: "Okay!"
Because of Zhang Shou's words, his grandmother and stepmother easily agreed to go out for the night. While Zhu Er breathed a sigh of relief, he felt a little aggrieved. He just felt that he was an unnecessary person in the family. After following Zhang Shou out and getting on the carriage,
He still felt heavy in his heart and listless and didn't want to talk.
What's more, there was a child next to him who obviously worshiped his eldest brother as a god.
As the carriage jolted, Xiao Cheng, who had been nervous and worried all day, gradually fell asleep, muttering to himself from time to time, calling Brother Zhu, and Zhu Er became more and more restless. However, just as he was jolted a little by the carriage,
When I had a headache, Zhang Shou's voice suddenly came from the side: "Have you heard from Lu Sanlang that the emperor wants to personally choose the son-in-law for Princess Yongping and Princess Deyang?"
What, the emperor is choosing his consort himself?
Zhu Er is not someone like Zhang Chen, Zhang Wu or Zhang Lu who has to bear management responsibilities in Banshan Hall. There is an elective class in the afternoon, and there are only two other candidates for his drumming class besides him. Of course, after class
He returned home, so this was the first time he heard the news Zhang Shou revealed! Caught off guard, he instinctively said five words: "What does it have to do with me?"
Zhang Shou smiled meaningfully and said: "It seems that you don't want to pay homage to the Lord, so I'm relieved."
Zhu Er's face was already a little stiff. When he heard Zhang Shou say this, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then he said angrily: "What do you mean by this? What do you mean by rest assured? Do you think I am not worthy of the princess?"
?"
"It's not a question of whether you are worthy or not, it's because there are too many people who want to pay homage to the Lord."
Zhang Shou chuckled, and then said nonchalantly: "For example, there are so many people in Banshan Hall, at least dozens of them want to worship the master. After all, since they are in Banshan Hall, your classmates' talent in reading and diligence will definitely be better.
It's a bit inferior. In this case, Shangzhu is a good way out. In the future, I can open a mansion with the princess and go out to serve as an official. What's wrong with that?"
Zhu Er instinctively racked his brains to retort: "Have they never thought that after Shangzhu, the husband's relationship is weak, and maybe if he talks to a woman for a few words, the woman's hand will be beheaded?"
"Have you read too many messy romance novels?" Zhang Shou couldn't help but exclaimed, "Although there are powerful shrews among the princesses in this dynasty, generally speaking, at most, there are some who are not allowed to have concubines, but I have never heard of them.
For those who casually kill people because of jealousy, royal tutors have always been good. What's more, isn't it the same as living under someone else's roof and having a weak husband?"
Zhu Er was speechless for a moment, but there was a hint of sullenness. He felt that Zhang Shou seemed to be talking about himself. But to his surprise, Zhang Shou then said calmly: "Zhang Chen pursued Yingying before, but now he finds that
It's a done deal, and his hope is slim. That day he was still talking nonsense in front of me, saying that he wanted me to compensate him for his beauty, and then he clamored that he wanted to marry Princess Yongping!"
Seeing that Zhu Er almost stared out of his eyes, Zhang Shou shrugged and said, "Of course, I asked him, can he write eight-part essay?"
Zhu Er burst into laughter and felt relieved: "That's right, a beauty with high eyes like Princess Yongping would like him? The toad wants to eat swan meat!"
But he was smiling, and when he saw Zhang Shou staring at him, he felt awkward. He stopped laughing and looked away.
"However, there are several princesses, but there is only one Princess Yongping who is as high-minded as Princess Deyang. If Zhang Chen expresses his intention to marry, do you think she will be unwilling to marry? You know, Zhang Chen now
Chen is not the old idle guy who was only known as the only son of the Duke of Qin but was the chief of the Banshan Hall, and he has gradually revealed his potential."
Although he and Zhang Chen had similar origins, Zhang Chen was the only son, but he was the second son. At this time, Zhu Er felt unconvinced in his heart that if he and Zhang Chen were swapped, he would definitely be better than that guy. However, next,
What Zhang Shou said made his scalp numb with shock, and he immediately turned around and glared at Zhang Shou.
"Didn't you want to marry Yingying to Lu Sanlang to win the support of his father, Lu Shangshu? At that time, you should have thought that if your father and your eldest brother could not come back, it would be you who would support the family.
"
"Hey, even if you are my teacher now and my brother-in-law in the future, I have to warn you that that is all in the past! I went to the doctor because I was ill at that time. In fact, I did it for Yingying's own good! Besides, I
I’ve knelt in the ancestral hall, I’ve been here to bear thorns to apologize for you, I’ve even been beaten, what else do you want from me!”
Zhang Shou didn't pay attention to Zhu Er's excitement, which was like a hedgehog's stress reaction, and he was suddenly covered in thorns. He said calmly: "Even now, you still have to think about it. Your father is commanding a large army and has won a series of battles.
You may be able to return safely and triumphantly in the near future, but what will you do if your eldest brother, who is so outstanding and hard-working that makes most people feel ashamed, really cannot come back safely?"
"I..." Zhu Er felt as if his throat was blocked by something. He wanted to speak, but couldn't say a word.
"You and your eldest brother have completely different qualifications and personalities. This is not to belittle you. Some people in this world are born with geniuses, such as your eldest brother. What's even more frightening is that such geniuses work harder than you. So, you can go
My path is different from that of your eldest brother. It doesn’t matter whether you want to be Lord Shang or not, but whether you can perform well in this kind of situation where you face the emperor directly is very important."
Zhu Er was stunned for a moment. Yes, he was not really that resistant to Master Shang - of course, he was not sure what his grandmother, stepmother and even sister thought - but if he was not like Zhu Ying,
He who regards entering the palace as a daily routine all day long can perform well when he rarely meets the saint, then at least he will not be as confused as he is now about where to go!
Just as he was getting excited about it, he suddenly realized a problem, looked at Zhang Shou hurriedly and asked: "How can I perform well?"
You actually ask me this kind of question?
Zhang Shou was so angry and funny: "I don't know what the emperor will test you, how do I know how to perform well? However, I think the emperor should know how you are doing, so I think you don't have to worry about what he will test you.
Writing essays, or doing math problems, etc. are more likely to be improvised."
Responding to circumstances... But I can't do this either! Ever since I was a child, I have never solved any problems on my own!
Seeing Zhu Er start to panic involuntarily, Zhang Shou could only tell him: "We are choosing a prince-in-law, not a top candidate, so the best thing to do at this time is to be honest, frank, generous and forthright, and don't make unrealistic statements just to express yourself."
And the promise. To be honest, the emperor does not expect that everyone who wants to be a consort is as talented as the talents admired by Princess Yongping."
"Because there are noble disciples with that kind of talent, such as your eldest brother, you should know what choices they will make. Therefore, you must be careful and don't misunderstand the purpose. It is to use the opportunity of the emperor to choose his consort to show off your
Oneself, rather than running for election just to show off oneself. After all, the latter is called impure motives."
Seeing Zhu Er's sudden realization, Zhang Shou complained in his heart, this is like a billionaire choosing a son-in-law, but you are not interested in his daughter, but in fact you want to apply for the general manager, and you talked a lot about it, but in the end
But it made the other party angry.
You look down on my daughter and still come to apply for the election, you have bad intentions! But he is a billionaire, and you may only lose a job opportunity, but if you are facing the king of a country and you offend him, you may not have a chance in the future.
Already working……
When Lu Sanlang heard the movement of carriages and horses outside and hurriedly ran out of the Xiao family courtyard, what he saw was Zhang Shou and Zhu Er getting off the carriage one after another, followed closely by Ah Liu who took out a child from the carriage.
scene.
Seeing that the child was completely different from the previous image in green clothes and green skirt, he was just slightly startled, but then he just thought that Zhang Shou had changed the child into men's clothes somewhere, so he didn't take it too seriously: "Little sir, where are you going?"
Now? I almost want to go back..."
Zhang Shou did not answer, but waved his hand first. After instructing Ah Liu to carry Xiao Cheng and put him on the bed, and then taking Lu Sanlang and Zhu Er into the house, he briefly and concisely told that the original owner of this place was Zhu Ying.
The eldest brother Zhu Tingfang told Lu Sanlang a series of events. Now, Lu Sanpang's mouth couldn't be closed.
Especially when he heard that Zhu Tingfang spent half a year in order to become Liu Zhiyuan's disciple, he glanced at Zhu Er with a bitter look on his face and couldn't help but feel his scalp numb: "You are already so good but you still work so hard, Zhu Er,
Your elder brother really doesn’t leave a way for others to survive!”
"Who says it isn't?"
Zhu Er gave a wry smile, and before he could reply, Lu Sanlang said with a smile on his face: "Sir, Miss Zhu hasn't told the whole story today. The official news was later spread to the Imperial College. I heard that this time the emperor
Not only must we choose a consort, we must also choose a guest of honor. In addition to Princess Yongping and Princess Deyang, there are also two princesses who are quite favored by the Queen Mother and the Emperor."
He paused for a moment, and then winked at Zhu Er: "The emperor said that he would not overstep his authority to solemnize the marriage of a clan daughter whose parents are both alive, but the fathers of the two princesses were not here, so he did his duty to be a good royal elder.
I will definitely check them carefully and choose the right husband. Moreover, you can apply for the election yourself without asking your parents. Now, many people in the entire Banshan Hall are ready to make a move!"
He paused for a moment, and then said with a playful smile: "Those two named Zhang, and many others who have stayed in Cuiyun Room before, begged me to come to you, Mr. Xiao, saying..." He paused for a moment.
, he actually winked and said, "I said I want to apply for special counseling."
Special tutoring? Tutoring for what? Zhang Shou was surprised at first, but then he saw Zhu Er with the same subtle expression.
At this moment, he finally realized. These guys actually thought that he attracted Zhu Ying at first sight, and gained favor the first time he stepped into the gate of Duke Zhao's Mansion. Is that all based on his true ability? If he said that the first impression was actually based on his face,