Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 45 A eloquent tongue
Shen Lu met Li Zisheng, and after leaving Li's house, he went straight to see Zhang Luan.

When I arrived at Zhang Luan's home, I learned that my brother-in-law was counting the days to report to the Imperial College. There was nothing to do at home, so he actually hired workers to renovate the house.

Then Zhang Luan entertained Shen Lu in the main hall of his home.

When Shen Lu found the eccentric Zhang Yanling standing beside him, he said, "Come and see, I have something important to discuss with you, let the youngster go out."

Zhang Luan looked back at his son and said with a smile, "It's okay, just speak up if you have anything to say... Too many things have happened recently. If I go to Beiyong to study and am not at home during the day, someone will need to take care of the house. Yanling has studied for a few days and is relatively knowledgeable, so he is the only one who can take care of it... So there is no need to hide things from him."

Shen Lu followed Zhang Luan's gaze and looked at Zhang Yanling. It was obvious that he didn't take this kid too seriously. He nodded and said, "After you told me about those things, I went to see Minister Li."

Zhang Luan's eyes widened. "You've seen it? What did he say?"

Shen Lu had a complicated expression, and he said word by word, "I told you exactly what you said, even the fact that you wanted to be selected as the Crown Princess with your daughter, and that you mentioned that Concubine Wan was ill. Tell me, how did you know about Concubine Wan's illness? Minister Li said that this matter was an absolute secret in the palace, and few people knew about it."

"Uh……"

Zhang Luan was speechless for a moment.

Shen Lu was somewhat helpless when he saw this: "If you don't want to talk, I won't force you. Unfortunately, what you said came true. Concubine Wan is indeed ill. Your Majesty is extremely worried and is asking the imperial physician to treat her wholeheartedly.

"As a Confucian scholar, you should have studied hard in the Imperial Academy, but this time you insisted on getting involved with the dignitaries in the court. You should know the implications behind this, right?"

Zhang Luan continued to be confused.

Obviously, with his political wisdom, he had no idea about taking responsibility and taking the blame, and he didn't even know what his previous actions meant.

Zhang Yanling answered for his father: "Don't worry, uncle. My father had already thought about the consequences when he said that. If Minister Li really wants us to bear some responsibility, we can also stand up and take the responsibility."

"Yanling, what are you talking about?"

Zhang Luan, as the person involved, completely didn't understand the conversation between the two people in front of him. He blinked his eyes, and his stupid gaze moved back and forth between Shen Lu and his youngest son.

Shen Lu did not notice Zhang Luan's abnormality. He heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Laizhan, since you have already anticipated the potential consequences, I will not elaborate. Minister Li said that he will report your words to the emperor."

Zhang Luan was dumbfounded. After thinking for a while, he said, "Do I really need to report this to His Majesty? Actually, that matter... I..."

Shen Lu interrupted Zhang Luan and sighed, "Minister Li admires you very much. He also said that if it were an ordinary person, he would not rashly mention the disaster prophecy to him. After all, if you do it well, you will not get any credit, but if you make a mistake, you will have to bear serious consequences. The input and output are seriously inconsistent. No one would be so stupid!"

"I……"

Zhang Luan slapped his thigh, his anger evident on his face.

"But Minister Li also said that he would return the favor. Not only would he help my niece to be selected as the Crown Princess, he would also help you get a job in the Imperial Hospital. You can rest assured," Shen Lu said.

"really?"

Zhang Luan thought his life was plunged into darkness, but when he looked up he saw a ray of light.

Shen Lu sighed and said, "I was blinded by greed. I shouldn't have told Minister Li what you said today. I'm afraid it would harm you."

Zhang Luan was originally very worried, but after hearing the benefits promised by Li Zisheng, he did not think too much about it for a moment. After all, his purpose of speculation had been achieved, and some risks had to be taken. So he took a carefree attitude and said with a smile:
"Ruxue, don't worry. I made the choice myself. You don't have to bear the blame. Since you helped me, I will always remember this kindness in my heart."

Shen Lu nodded: "It's good that you know this. When this matter is over, I will find a way to introduce you to Minister Li. I will go back first."

"Goodbye." Zhang Luan quickly stood up to see him off.

……

……

After seeing Shen Lu off, the sun was setting outside the door, smoke was rising from the neighbors' houses, and it was time for the Zhang family to have dinner.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat depressing.

Zhang Luan sat in the main seat with a wooden face and said nothing. Just when the family was feeling uneasy, Zhang Luan suddenly smiled, then his face became gloomy again, and he frowned as if thinking about something.

Jin and Zhang Yu looked at him curiously from time to time, wondering what was wrong with Zhang Luan.

"Snapped!"

Zhang Luan was silent for a while, but finally couldn't help but explode. He slammed the table with an angry look.

Then the whole family put down their bowls and chopsticks obediently and looked at Zhang Luan in unison, waiting for the head of the family to speak.

Zhang Luan stared at Zhang Yanling and asked, "Second Brother, tell me, how did you know about the Crown Prince's selection of a concubine and Concubine Wan's illness?"

Zhang Yanling looked confused and asked in confusion, "Didn't Qin Yun say that? He was the captain Qin who escorted my family to the capital... Dad, we don't know anyone else. Apart from him, who else would tell us about such a confidential matter?"

Zhang Luan thought for a long time but was speechless.

From any perspective, the Zhang family had no reliable source of information. Apart from Qin Yun, a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who escorted the Zhang family to Beijing along the way, it was impossible for anyone else to leak the court secrets, especially since the matter involved two important figures in the Forbidden Palace.

It’s not a question of whether Zhang Luan believes it or not, but why he doesn’t believe it?
After dinner, Zhang Luan went into the room to think about things. He hadn't thought through what had happened in the past two days, and it would probably take him a long time to digest it.

While washing the dishes, Zhang Yu came out and looked at his younger brother who was gargling with green salt at the door, and asked in a low voice: "Second brother, what did you say to Dad? His reaction seems very abnormal!"

Zhang Yanling spat out a mouthful of water and licked his teeth with his tongue. He felt much more refreshed, and then he smiled and said, "I have good news that is related to you, sister... The Minister Li, who has a strong background in the court, said that he would help our family, specifically you, to select a crown princess. This way, your chances of becoming a golden phoenix will increase."

"really?"

Zhang Yu was a little surprised at first, but then he found it unbelievable and asked, "How can such a thing be done?"

Zhang Yanling said, "My father did something for Minister Li, which gave him a chance to show his face in front of His Majesty... In order to repay his kindness, Minister Li agreed to help our family."

Zhang Yu asked, "Is it related to Captain Tan?"

Even though Zhang Yu didn't know the cause and effect behind it, because his brother had mentioned Qin Yun before at the dinner table, Zhang Yu inexplicably developed a better impression of Qin Yun.

Zhang Yanling shook his head: "This matter has nothing to do with Captain Qin... I said that to deceive Dad. Dad is a person who is very stubborn sometimes. He will not let go until he gets to the bottom of it... In fact, this matter was said by someone else. I will explain it to my sister later."

"You lied to Dad? What did you do?"

Zhang Yu had only heard Zhang Luan mention this once during dinner and had no idea of ​​the reason behind it.

Seeing that Zhang Yanling was mysterious and unwilling to speak clearly, Zhang Yu couldn't help but pout her pink little lips, but she could do nothing but get angry and give her brother a cold look.

Continue to ask for all the support, thank you!
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(End of this chapter)