Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 801 What's with the act of pretending to be an aunt?
Qingning Palace.

Despite the attempts to cover it up, after noon, Empress Dowager Zhou learned from Chen Gui about the fight between the Zhou and Zhang families.

Chen Gui looked troubled and reported nervously, "The Zhang family was injured first, then they sent people to fight back, and then... the Zhou family was beaten. The eldest young master was also there at the time, which resulted in him being injured as well."

"Didn't you announce your arrival home?"

Empress Dowager Zhou was furious when she heard this and questioned her loudly.

Chen Gui replied, "Both families know who the other side is."

This left the Empress Dowager completely speechless.

I have tried my best to maintain a good relationship with the Zhang family, my maternal relatives. The two sides are almost as close as family. How come the younger generation is so ungrateful?

How could a fight escalate to this extent?

It's as if they have a blood feud?
"Who made the move first?"

Empress Dowager Zhou demanded an explanation in a stern voice.

Chen Gui understood that the fact that Empress Dowager Zhou did not directly reprimand the Zhang family indicated that the old lady also had concerns.

Despite the fact that Empress Dowager Zhou and Zhang Luan are aunt and nephew, the Zhou family is clearly inferior in terms of the power of their maternal relatives in the court. After all, the Zhang family has produced a close minister to the emperor. Empress Dowager Zhou's purpose in winning over Zhang Luan is to obtain the political resources of the Zhang family in order to support her own family.

Chen Gui said, "The fight broke out within the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) over the courtesan, and there was no distinction between who started it first and who started it. Perhaps only by bringing the parties involved here can we find out what caused the argument and who struck first."

Even if Chen Gui knew the truth, he wouldn't dare to rashly skew his preferences toward the Zhang family.

Empress Dowager Zhou asked, "So in the beginning, only the eldest son of the Zhang family was injured... He didn't bring anyone with him?"

“He brought some, but not many,” Chen Gui said. “Once he returned injured, he would definitely know who they were here, but they still sent people to fight back.”

Empress Dowager Zhou frowned and said, "Truly, a doting mother spoils her son!"

The implication was that it certainly wasn't my nephew Zhang Laizhan who ordered the retaliation; it was most likely Zhang Laizhan's wife, the mother of the beaten Zhang Heling, who instructed someone to do it.

It seems that only women are unable to distinguish right from wrong on matters of principle, and even disregard their own stance.

Chen Gui said, "However, after His Majesty found out, he sent someone to the Zhou family to reprimand them."

"what?"

When Empress Dowager Zhou heard this, she immediately became angry.

Grandson, I understand you're in a difficult position by not taking sides, since both families are your flesh and blood. But you're siding with the Zhang family...aren't you showing a little disrespect to your grandmother?
After all, I fought hard to get your throne for you.

In the matter of succession, who stood firmly on your side? You lost your mother at a young age, and your father didn't care for you. Who went out of their way to protect you?
On such an either-or issue, are you taking a stance so quickly?
What kind of situation do you put me, the Empress Dowager, in?
Seeing that his words seemed to be stirring up trouble, Chen Gui hurriedly defended himself, saying, "Perhaps the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have investigated more details. I don't know much here, but there must be some hidden story."

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Are you saying that someone is spreading rumors in front of the Emperor, deliberately saying that it is the fault of the Zhou family, so that the Emperor cannot be impartial?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gui thought to himself, "I didn't say that."

Empress Dowager Zhou continued, "How badly is the Zhang family boy injured? What is his condition now? And what about the Zhou family members?"

At this point, Empress Dowager Zhou gave an instruction: "Eunuch Chen, go and investigate immediately. Once you have a clear understanding of the situation, return and report back to me! I refuse to believe that this kind of thing has to happen out of the blue! Could it be that they think the capital is too peaceful and are deliberately looking for trouble?"

……

……

Zhang Luan entered the palace.

He came to apologize.

Of course, he also accepted his youngest son's guidance to come to the palace to communicate and negotiate.

We've already beaten them and retaliated, so why should I, a high-ranking official, take responsibility for those good-for-nothing brats?

And you even want to beat me up to vent your anger?
This time, Zhu Youcheng did not meet his father-in-law in the Kunning Palace, but instead chose the Qianqing Palace.

It was also because Zhu Youcheng did not tell Zhang Yu about this matter, mainly because he felt that he had not done well enough in some things, otherwise why would his brother-in-law be beaten?
"Father-in-law, you don't need to blame yourself."

Zhu Youcheng comforted her, "I will have someone investigate the cause... As long as Heling is alright, that's all that matters."

Zhang Luan said, "He was fine, just some minor injuries... At the time, he didn't even know who he was facing, and he was beaten up without even realizing it. Then, for some reason, the servants in the manor also retaliated! By the time I got home, everything had already happened, and there was nothing I could do to stop it, so I could only come here to make amends afterward."

He said that, but what he was really thinking was...

My son-in-law is indeed extraordinary; he takes good care of my Zhang family.

Listening to Yanling's words, he launched a fierce counterattack, which indeed yielded great results. Otherwise, his older brother would have suffered a beating for nothing.
Sure enough, I felt much better after I fought back.

Zhu Youcheng asked, "How does my father-in-law intend to make amends?"

"We need to explain this to the Empress Dowager."

Zhang Luan said helplessly, "The relationship between the two families was fine before, but if it gets ruined because of this... Alas! I don't even know what to say! It's all He Ling's fault for being so useless..."

Zhu Youcheng said, "Father-in-law, please don't say that. I have already given the order to reinstate Heling as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. This way, he can bring more men with him when he goes out, and he won't suffer losses in the future."

Zhang Luan thought to himself, is this a matter of whether or not I am at a disadvantage?

It seems my son-in-law is truly on my daughter's side.

That makes sense, though. My daughter is about to give birth to a son, so how can a husband not consider the feelings of the child's maternal grandfather?
My son-in-law was worried that Heling would be easily bullied if he went out with too few people, so he immediately reinstated him to his actual position as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. So... others can't bully us, but we can bully others as we please, right?
Then I'll have to bring more people with me when I go out in the future, right?

Zhang Luan said, "I need to go and apologize to the Empress Dowager. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Do you have to go?"

Zhu Youcheng hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Should I go with my father-in-law?"

"No need, no need, I will go myself."

Zhang Luan said, "I still don't want to cause trouble for Your Majesty. It would be best if this matter were resolved with me."

……

……

Zhang Luan indeed went to Qingning Palace to request an audience with Empress Dowager Zhou.

Outside the palace gate, Chen Gui came out to receive them.

Upon seeing Zhang Luan, Chen Gui was very puzzled: "Why are you, Zhang Guozhang, coming to join in the fun now? Couldn't you wait until things calmed down before coming over to apologize?"

Don't they know their ancestors are furious?
Then Zhang Luan walked in nonchalantly.

Chen Gui wanted to stop him, but he didn't step forward, because he knew that Empress Dowager Zhou also wanted to hear how her eldest nephew explained the matter.

After Zhang Luan entered the palace, all the serving maids and eunuchs were quickly driven out by Empress Dowager Zhou, and the palace door was immediately closed. No sound came out from inside.

Chen Gui and his entourage could only wait quietly outside the palace gates... Everyone was curious about what was being discussed inside, and it required a great deal of effort to clear the area.

"Eunuch Chen, would you like to go in and take a look?"

Finally, one of the palace maids who served the Empress Dowager couldn't help but come over and ask.

Chen Gui frowned and snapped, "What are you going in to see? Is what's inside your business?"

The palace maid said pitifully, "But... there's not a sound from inside, it's making me very anxious. What if something unexpected happens?"

"What do you mean?"

Chen Gui, his face stern, said coldly, "Inside are Zhang Guozhang and the Empress Dowager. You don't think that a little dispute among the younger generation in your family would affect the relationship between these two noble ladies, do you? What kind of unexpected events do you think could occur?"

"Yes Yes."

The palace maid quickly took two steps back.

Chen Gui muttered, "This is outrageous! Do you think this is a children's fight? The kids finish fighting, and then the old folks take over? Don't they even know who these people are?" The palace maids and eunuchs nearby were thinking, "If they're of such high status, they shouldn't have started fighting in the first place."

That's really bizarre!

Weren't the two families, related by marriage, on very good terms? They supported each other and looked after each other in court, yet now they're fighting each other outside?
Not only did they fight back, but the other side immediately retaliated?

After waiting for more than half an hour, Zhang Luan finally pushed open the palace door and came out.

Chen Gui hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Grand Secretary Zhang, has the matter been explained clearly? What about the Ancestor...?"

"Sigh! I still have to rely on my silver tongue."

Zhang Luan subconsciously licked his lips, shook his head and sighed, "Do you think it's easy for me? Alright, Eunuch Chen, I need to go report to His Majesty. I'll also visit the Empress at Kunning Palace. I'll leave things here to you."

"You want to leave?"

Chen Gui wanted to say, "You can't leave."

At least I have to go in and see what the Empress Dowager's situation is, whether or not you need to be detained, before we can talk about whether you can leave or not.

But he never dared to say anything out of line.

Zhang Luan then left humming a little tune.

The palace maids and eunuchs nearby stared in disbelief. Chen Gui was also puzzled. What had happened to make Zhang Guozhang so happy?

Are you here to apologize or to show off your power?

……

……

Chen Gui hurriedly went in to check on Empress Dowager Zhou's condition.

Empress Dowager Zhou, on the other hand, remained calm, sitting on a soft couch in the inner hall, holding Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her face glowing with satisfaction.

Chen Gui thought to himself, "Could it be that, as I guessed before, there is some shady business between this aunt and nephew?"
"Ancestor, look at this..."

Chen Gui hurriedly inquired.

Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand and said with a smile, "It's all in the past! It was just children fooling around. My nephew explained it to them and everything was fine."

Chen Gui tentatively said, "But the matter hasn't been investigated clearly yet..."

"What else is there to investigate?"

Empress Dowager Zhou said angrily, "These juniors, they do nothing but cause trouble in the capital... Don't they even look where this happened? The Jiaofangsi! Is that a place for good people?"

Chen Gui thought to himself, "It's only because I'm useless there. Otherwise, what man wouldn't want to go?"

If good people don't go to that place to have fun, where else can they go?

Going to the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) is a standard requirement for powerful and wealthy men in our Ming Dynasty, isn't it?

Chen Gui then said, "But... I feel like something is not quite right."

"Chen Gui, you have quite a few ideas."

Empress Dowager Zhou squinted and asked, "You don't have ulterior motives, trying to sow discord between the Zhang and Zhou families for your own benefit, do you? I heard you want to leave the Imperial Workshop and transfer to the Imperial Horse Stables?"

"This servant has no such intention; I only wish to serve the Ancestor well."

Chen Gui quickly expressed his opinion.

If Empress Dowager Zhou did not dispel his suspicions, he knew he would no longer have the right to investigate further. Otherwise, if the Zhou and Zhang families fought, he, Chen Gui, would be the only one to suffer, which would be pointless.

Why should I, an outsider, meddle?
Empress Dowager Zhou sighed, "But then again, my eldest nephew is quite commendable in his work."

Chen Gui said with a forced smile, "This servant also wants to know how Father-in-law Zhang apologized to you..."

"What apology? You're here to explain what happened that night."

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "However, he also said that the nephews and nieces of both families are currently bored out of their minds and like to go out and have fun, which led to some misunderstandings and then yesterday's situation. He has already suggested to His Majesty that a position be reserved for each of the nephews and nieces of both families in the new army!"

"This……"

Chen Gui thought to himself, "This is actually possible?"
Is it a case of giving someone a hard blow and then offering them a sweet treat?
What an outdated tactic!

Besides, the Zhang family members retaliated after being beaten, and they said it was just a misunderstanding. Do you really believe that?

Empress Dowager Zhou nodded in satisfaction: "As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship. The relationship between our two families can be closer in the future. More importantly, Wang Weining has been in charge of training the new army all along."

"Lai Zhan told me that His Majesty intends to cultivate a new army, which will become the backbone of the Ming Dynasty in the future! Ordinary people cannot just go in and take up a post."

Chen Gui said, "That's true, but also..."

Empress Dowager Zhou asked, "Do you doubt Lai Zhan's sincerity?"

"The slaves dare not."

Chen Gui hurriedly said.

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "If you say that Lai Zhan has selfish motives, then why didn't you let his son join the new army and take up a position before? Lai Zhan also failed to educate his son properly, letting the child go to the brothel and have nothing to do, which led to the dispute! Moreover, it was a member of the Zhou family who hit someone first. The fault ultimately lies with the Zhou family, and we must endure it even if we suffer a loss!"

Chen Gui thought to himself, "Can you really swallow this insult?"
What do you mean by "suffering a loss"? Do you even have that concept here?
Back when the Wan family was in power, the Zhou family didn't seem to care about anything. You were the Empress Dowager then, and now you're the Grand Empress Dowager. The Zhou family should be even more fearless now, so how could they possibly suffer any losses?
Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand and said, "Alright, I'm tired and need to rest. Don't come in and disturb me unless it's absolutely necessary! Lai Zhan might come to Qingning Palace soon to talk to me about the new army, so don't come over unless you have to!"
"Tell the people below not to come and disturb us. What I discussed with Lai Zhan involves court secrets and should not be heard by others."

"You may leave now. If even a single word of what I have told you today is leaked, you know what the consequences will be."

"The servant understands."

Chen Gui looked aggrieved.

I thought to myself, I thought you guys were fine, but actually there is something going on, otherwise why would you have reached an agreement so quickly?
As expected, the relationship between the aunt and her nephew is quite special!
But what can you do when you two aren't even related?

They don't even share the same surname, so why pretend to be aunt or nephew?
……

……

Zhang Luan met his daughter at Kunning Palace.

Zhang Yu already knew about her younger brother being beaten, but she wasn't too worried, just like Zhang Luan's initial reaction when he heard the news...

Zhang Heling was used to being beaten since he was a child.

Having a troublesome younger brother who's always causing trouble, does she, as the older sister, still have to clean up his messes now that he's grown up?
Think beautiful!
"It's good that Yanling wasn't injured," Zhang Yu said with a sigh of relief.

Zhang Luan rolled his eyes at his daughter and said, "They are all your own brothers, why treat them differently? Don't let His Majesty hear this, or he might say you have no conscience."

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes: "Father, are you so great? Why was it my second brother who suggested fighting back, not you, Father?"

"I……"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luan immediately glanced at him sideways and asked, "You're not going to tell His Majesty about this, are you?"

"I'm not that boring."

Zhang Yu said, "Speaking of which, why do we still give the Zhou family a chance to train in the new army even though my younger brother was beaten? Is it just to appease the person in Qingning Palace?"

Zhang Luan said, "Look at what you're saying. His Majesty is very filial to the Empress Dowager. You can't be too presumptuous."

Zhang Yu retorted, "Haven't I done enough? Perhaps it's precisely because I've been too submissive that the Zhou family has taken advantage of my kindness."

"Cough cough."

Zhang Luan coughed twice, then remembered something else and said, "Oh right, the eldest brother must have broken his leg and needs to rest for a while. Once he's healed, we'll put him in the army. After all... since he's not suited for a literary career, let him learn martial arts! Perhaps military life suits him!"

(End of this chapter)