Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 375 Moaning for no reason
No matter what advice Zhang Yanling could give Zhu Youtang, things ultimately had to be accomplished by Zhu Youtang himself.

The young boy Zhang Yanling could only serve as a military advisor behind the prince.

When Zhang Luan returned home, it was already noon and he was extremely tired. He sat there panting heavily, as if he had done something earth-shattering.

"Dad, what's wrong with you?"

Zhang Yanling asked in surprise.

"Alas, I have to pay attention to His Majesty's condition every day, and also take care of the affairs of the Imperial Hospital. Do you think it's easy for me? I also have to pay attention to the responsibilities of the Taichang Temple... I am simply exhausted!"

Zhang Luan said as if complaining.

Zhang Yanling asked with a smile: "Then Dad, tell me, what do you need to do?"

"I……"

Zhang Luan was speechless for a moment.

It is said that I am very tired, but in fact most of the time I am just tired from walking. After all, the Forbidden City is too big, and it takes quite a while to enter and exit the palace. What's more, I have to visit various government offices from time to time, which makes my feet a little uncomfortable. As for being mentally tired, it is not that serious.

Because the daily affairs of the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Taichang Temple had little to do with Zhang Luan. In name, he was the direct leader of these two departments, but firstly, he had no reputation and qualifications, and secondly, he had no time to take power and manage them. The final result still had to be left to the original people.

Moreover, these two yamen were considered to be relatively idle departments in the court. They were mostly engaged in empty talk and there was not much practical work to do.

Zhang Yanling smiled and nodded, "Oh, right, Dad, you must be too tired from treating His Majesty. As a son, I can understand. The Crown Prince came in person earlier, and I told him everything. I didn't let him come to disturb you, father."

Zhang Luan stammered, "Actually... it's nice to have the prince disturb me occasionally."

"is it?"

Zhang Yanling asked with a smile.

"You kid, didn't you tell me that our prince will soon be... um, I should meet him more often and make myself familiar to him. Otherwise, if he knows that you are the capable one, how will I be able to handle myself in the court in the future?"

Zhang Luan seems to care a lot about his face.

He was unhappy when he was oppressed by others, and if he was oppressed by his son... he also felt that it was not so wonderful.

Especially in front of his son-in-law, the future emperor, he had to maintain this decency.

"Okay, then next time the prince comes, I will tell him to let him meet with you, father, alone...you can talk it over if there is anything." Zhang Yanling said.

Zhang Luan rolled his eyes and said, "You are just trying to be argumentative, aren't you? You know I am not capable of that and cannot live without you, so why can't you give me some more advice?
"Well... If there is a chance in the future, let me spend more time with the prince. If it is inconvenient, forget it. You can arrange everything... I will listen to you..."

Then the father and son sat down, and Zhang Yanling explained what the prince had said earlier and what he wanted to do.

After listening to this, Zhang Luan asked, "I also want to know what the prince can find out in Taicang?"

"What to check?"

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "Even if the perpetrators investigate themselves, they can only find a confusing account... The shortage of granaries has never been investigated in all dynasties. Dad, you don't really think the prince has that ability, do you?"

Zhang Luan sighed, "I knew the prince was average and ignorant of worldly affairs, but he was eager to prove himself to His Majesty, and as a father I can understand... He is a poor child, he was locked up before, never had the chance to come into contact with the outside world, he is as pure as a blank sheet of paper..."

"You pity him?"

Zhang Yanling asked in surprise, "He is the crown prince, and will be the emperor of Ming Dynasty in the future. He is the supreme being, and there is no need for you and me to pity him."

Zhang Luan changed the subject and said, "I feel I am also responsible for Sun Ren's death. Do you think he would not have died if I hadn't mentioned this matter?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled.

It was really unexpected that the old father showed such softness at this time.

If you, Zhang Luan, had just entered the court, you might be able to understand it, but the problem is that you are now in a high position and you still say this. Zhang Yanling felt that his cheap father was just complaining without any reason.

"Yanling, I really have no way to deal with your Majesty's condition. I will follow the method you taught me before and diagnose your Majesty. I will use all those arguments, and then... there is nothing more to say. Your Majesty's health seems to have improved in the past few days, but for him to recover... Sigh!"

Zhang Luan seemed to be very concerned about the task at hand, and his eyes were full of anxiety.

Zhang Yanling reminded him, "Dad, didn't I tell you long ago that there is no solution to this problem? We still have to get out of this as soon as possible."

"Then you should help me get rid of this trouble as soon as possible." Zhang Luan said dissatisfiedly.

"We are planning it. Dad, you should be mentally prepared. You have never been to the Imperial Prison before, but you will most likely be living there next. Don't... complain then."

Zhang Yanling said.

When Zhang Luan heard this, his heart tightened and his body trembled slightly - he was scared!

Then Zhang Luan looked at his son and sighed, "Hey, just don't let your father suffer too much."

……

……

Zhu Youtang wanted to investigate the case, but there was no progress for a while.

However, the fact that he is willing to listen to Zhang Yanling is a huge improvement. This will not only bring harmony to his inner house, but also make him feel more confident when doing things outside.

As for Zhang Luan, he was in a state of fear all day long.

On this day, Zhang Luan had just come out of the Qianqing Palace. He was a little confused because Li Zisheng was not with him. He was about to leave the palace under the guidance of the young eunuch when someone came to inform him that it was Empress Dowager Zhou from the Qingning Palace who wanted to invite him over.

"Queen Mother?"

Zhang Luan was a little surprised, and then said reluctantly, "I... I'm afraid it's not appropriate to go and see him like this, right?"

At this time, Wei Tai came over and reminded in a low voice: "The Queen Mother said that she is not feeling well, and specifically asked you to go over to take a look. I have no choice but to trouble you to go."

"Your Majesty, where is it...?"

Zhang Luan asked, "Should I ask for instructions?"

Wei Tai frowned and raised his voice, "Zhang Taichang, please don't pretend to be confused... You are now in charge of the Imperial Hospital. If a noble person in the palace is sick, let alone the Empress Dowager, even the ladies in the harem can see them at any time... Doctors are like parents to their parents, why do you have so many concerns?"

It's almost like you have something to hide and are afraid to see people.

"This this……"

Zhang Luan didn't know how to respond for a moment.

I thought to myself, am I so important now?
Can I see anyone who is sick?

Then can I still walk around the inner courtyard of the imperial palace and see what the emperor's concubines look like? After all, those concubines can't run out of the inner courtyard to see me for medical treatment, right?

If there are any gynecological diseases...

Gee...

Just as Zhang Luan was lost in thought, Wei Tai looked at him curiously and asked, "Zhang Taichang? Are you listening?"

Zhang Luan came back to his senses and nodded, "But I can't find the way to Qingning Palace."

Wei Tai rolled his eyes at him and said, "It doesn't matter whether you can find the way or not, as long as someone takes you there. Be careful when you see the Queen Mother, and as for the rest... no one can teach you.

"I heard that you and the Empress Dowager are distant relatives?" "No, we are in-laws." Zhang Luan explained, "Eunuch Wei, please don't misunderstand me. I don't dare to seek such a high-ranking relationship. It's all because of the Empress Dowager's favor."

……

……

The guide Wei Tai mentioned was Chen Gui.
While Wei and Zhang were talking, Chen Gui appeared with two young eunuchs.

Afterwards, Zhang Luan, led by Chen Gui, went to Qingning Palace.

As Chen Gui walked away, he turned around and smiled, "It's a rare honor to see you, Lord Zhang, in the palace again."

"Eunuch Chen, you often go in and out of the palace, so you don't feel anything. But for me, this palace is too big. Even when I walk on flat ground, I can feel something pressing on my head. It's very uncomfortable." Zhang Luan seemed to be a very familiar person and chatted with Chen Gui in every word.

Chen Gui asked in surprise: "You...you mean, there is something dark in the sky? Is it something evil?"

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I mean, the pressure here is too great, and it makes me a little breathless." Zhang Luan explained.

Chen Gui looked embarrassed: "If you feel pressured, you don't have to tell me. You can tell the Queen Mother. Maybe your aunt... can understand you?"

Zhang Luan thought, how come everyone knows that the Empress Dowager is my aunt now?

Having such a relative puts me under more pressure, okay?

Are these people trying to make fun of me on purpose?

Don’t they know that the Queen Mother is an old fox and is deliberately keeping me hanging and making fun of me?

……

……

Qingning Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhou was holding a string of Buddhist beads in her hand and was extremely enthusiastic towards Zhang Luan. She had already ordered her servants to prepare a seat for Zhang Luan and even had someone serve tea. She insisted on keeping Zhang Luan in Qingning Palace for lunch.

"Your Majesty the Queen Mother, thank you for your kindness. I am here to ask about your pulse. I will leave after I finish my business." Zhang Luan seemed very respectful.

Queen Mother Zhou raised her hand and said, "I'm not sick."

Zhang Luan: “…”

Zhang Luan thought, you are really an old fox, as you can explain the words "going to the doctor when you are not sick" and "looking for trouble when you have nothing to do" in such a refreshing and refined way.

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "My dear nephew, have you forgotten what I told you before?"

"Auntie."

Zhang Luan could only shamelessly acknowledge the relationship, but he was thinking in his heart, God knows, this is not my intention to build a relationship. Even if His Majesty knows about it, he can't blame me, right?

"Hey!"

Queen Mother Zhou responded with a smile.

In Zhang Luan's opinion, this seemed like an attempt to take advantage of him.

Queen Mother Zhou said, "My dear nephew, you have been treating the emperor recently, and the results are remarkable. I am very satisfied. I have seen from the beginning that you are very capable. There are so many people in the court, and I have met many of them, but you are the one that impressed me the most."

Zhang Luan was stunned for a moment.

Do I impress you?
Is that because you discovered that I was just a sham, or is it because you think I look special and have a silly air about me, which makes you think I'm easy to bully?

If not, how could you take advantage of me with the address and seniority every time we meet?

Zhang Luan said: "I just do my best to do my job, I dare not talk about other things."

"I'm not asking you to do something vain. I called you here on the pretext of being sick to inquire about my son's condition."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "As a mother, who doesn't care about their own children? You also have children, and your children are sick, aren't you worried?"

Zhang Luan said quickly: "That's not what I meant... I meant... I... I..."

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "Look at you, why are you still speechless? Do you feel alienated by me, your aunt? Someone, bring some refreshments. My nephew is exhausted, I have to reward him well."

"minister……"

Before Zhang Luan could refuse, he saw a group of palace maids coming in one after another, holding exquisite vessels filled with various snacks.

Not only were there delicious foods, but the palace maids were all beautiful as flowers. Moreover, they were wearing summer palace costumes, showing off their graceful figures, which made Zhang Luan dazzled.

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "If you like, choose two and consider them as my reward to you."

"Ah... no, no."

Zhang Luan quickly stood up and bowed to apologize, "I was careless for a moment and didn't think about it. I offended the palace maid."

Empress Dowager Zhou rolled her eyes at him and said, "Do you think I am testing you, or am I deliberately speaking in a sarcastic way? You treat my son's illness, and I will select two maids to come to your house and serve you. What's wrong with that?
"You are not a young man who knows nothing about the world. You already have wives and concubines by your side. What's the big deal about having two more maids to serve you? Today, I must let you choose!"

Zhang Luan was daydreaming and he never even dreamed that he would receive a reward of a palace maid from the Queen Mother Zhou.

Hearing this, he suddenly perked up.

Initially, he did not want to come to Qingning Palace to see "Eldest Aunt", but now he suddenly felt that "Eldest Aunt" loved him too much, and she gave him palace maids as soon as she came... As for the reason why she gave him palace maids, he never thought about it at all, he just thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

"How dare my nephew do this?"

Zhang Luan was quite tactful and quickly changed his self-proclaimed name.

Queen Mother Zhou said, "You have worked so hard to treat His Majesty. As your elder, what's wrong with me giving you something? Besides, you are not an outsider. Your daughter is the Crown Princess. She gave me gifts several times before. They were all from your hand, right?"

Zhang Luan said: "It is a little respect from the younger generation to the elders."

I was thinking to myself, my son is really foresighted. He had taken care of this old lady a long time ago, so that when I entered the palace and met her, she took such good care of me.

Your Majesty is a very filial son. With this relationship, how can I not be a good official?
Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "You can choose whatever you want. This is my imperial decree... You can choose anyone here and take them with you when you leave."

"This...isn't this not good?"

Zhang Luan said this, but he had already raised his head and was stealing glances at the beautiful palace maids.

The glances from the palace maids were also somewhat provocative. It was obvious that these palace maids did not expect to be favored by the emperor. There was such a "dream husband" in front of them. Although he was a little old, he was an official, and his official position was very high. And the most important thing was... he was really a man.

Once you leave the palace, you can live a normal life. Who doesn't want to have a chance to escape from the cage?

Queen Mother Zhou said, "My dear nephew, are you not going to listen to my imperial decree? I've given the person to you. If His Majesty asks, you can just say that you really can't refuse. Besides, Chen Gui will also testify for you, right?"

"Yes, ancestor, if His Majesty asks, I know what to say." Chen Gui said with a smile, "Master Zhang, please thank me quickly."

"Then...thank you very much, Queen Mother."

"Still calling her Queen Mother?"

"Thank you, auntie. Thank you, auntie."

(End of this chapter)