Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 96 Daily life before gambling
As soon as Shen Lu left, Zhang Luan immediately convened a mobilization meeting for the whole family.

Zhang Heling had taken a nap and was now sleepy: "Dad, can't we talk about it later? It's not a good thing to disturb someone's sweet sleep."

"roll!"

Zhang Luan cursed loudly.

Zhang Heling was very obedient. He went back to his room in a dejected manner and continued to dream about his future.

Zhang Luan ignored the coward and said to his beloved daughter, "My dear daughter, come here. I have something happy to tell you... That Minister Li has sent your uncle to tell you that he will let you participate in the selection of the Crown Princess in the next two days. With the help of Lord Li, it will not be a problem for you to pass the first two levels.

"Next, Lord Li will greet the Queen Mother in the palace, the prince's grandmother, and ask for her help. If everything goes well, you will be able to enter the East Palace... naturally."

When Zhang Yu heard the news, he was a little confused for a moment.

She did know that her father wanted her to apply for the position of Crown Princess, but in her mind, the Crown Princess selection was a process where many women were selected together, and no matter how outstanding she was, her chances of success were slim, so marrying into the Eastern Palace was just a beautiful wish.

In fact, she would rather marry a young man from a wealthy family, which would help her fulfill her dream of becoming a phoenix.

Her old father's confidence now, as if she would definitely become the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace, was a little hard for her to understand for a moment.

After the children were driven back to the house by Zhang Luan, Jin came forward and asked in a low voice, "Master, are you too optimistic? Choosing a crown princess won't be easy, even with the help of Lord Li, right?"

Zhang Luan said, "I'm afraid you won't believe me, but Lord Li is one of the most powerful officials in the court. If he says yes, then yes."

“What if I’m not selected?”

Jin asked.

Zhang Luan immediately lost his temper and shouted with a stern face: "Women's opinions! If she doesn't get the chance, I'd rather my daughter never get married!"

These words were so powerful, like a declaration, and after he finished speaking, the whole yard was echoing with his words.

……

……

Zhang Yuben had already entered the house with mixed feelings. She didn't know what her life goal was.

Marrying the prince seemed like a good idea, but she was confused about marrying a man she had never even met and they were not familiar with each other.

Zhang Yanling followed him into the house. Just as Zhang Yu was about to kick his brother out and think alone, he heard Zhang Luan yelling outside.

When Zhang Yu heard this, his face instantly darkened.

If you don't succeed, you will die?

If I can't marry the prince, will I have to be a widow for the rest of my life?
Then I am finished, right?
"Sister, father was just speaking in anger, don't take it to heart."

Zhang Yanling smiled and comforted her.

Zhang Yu's delicate face dimmed, and she frowned, "Since Dad said so, it means he thinks so... Alas, if I am not chosen, then the rest of my life..."

“I will definitely be selected!”

Zhang Yanling didn't know what to say to this young girl who was just beginning to fall in love.

It’s just that the Zhang family was a poor family in that era, and Zhang Luan finally got a chance to marry a rich and powerful man, but just like Fan Jin who passed the imperial examination, his mind began to become abnormal.

In history, the Zhang family gave up a good son-in-law like Sun Bojian and insisted on choosing a crown princess. Wasn't this a gamble?
……

……

Early the next morning.

Li Zisheng packed up and prepared to enter the palace to hold a fast and prayer ceremony. Shen Lu also arrived early that day.

Shen Lu was very active in the selection of concubines for the Eastern Palace. In addition to helping Zhang Luan better, it was also a way for him to engage in political speculation for himself.

Pang Qing took Shen Lu to see Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng took out a letter and said, "This is the letter written by the prince yesterday. Someone delivered it early in the morning."

Shen Lu took the letter and asked, "Should we send it to the Zhang family immediately?"

"Hmm." Li Zisheng said, "I haven't read the content above. I think the purpose of the communication has been preliminarily achieved. It doesn't matter whether I reply or not."

In his opinion, the communication between the palace and other places should stop here.

Pang Qing smiled and said, "That's true. The Crown Princess will be chosen soon. Just relying on correspondence will not have any effect. It still depends on the Queen Mother's wishes.

"Even if the prince loves someone, it is difficult to make a decision. Moreover, this kind of letter cannot be shown to others. Even if the prince sees the writer, he has never met the writer before."

Li Zisheng was tidying up his clothes, and several maids gathered around him to help him tidy up the collar and cuffs of his clothes. After listening to Pang Qing's words, he added: "The purpose of delivering the letter is just to let the prince know that I am helping him. As for the rest... do you really think you can count on me? Okay, have you prepared everything you need for the fasting ceremony?"

"Already prepared."

Pang Qing said, "But your disciples cannot follow you into the palace this time. Qingning Palace will make preparations on its own."

"It doesn't matter. This fasting and offering ceremony is mainly for praying for blessings, so there is no need to be too particular. The carriages and horses are ready, and we will leave now."

After Li Zisheng finished speaking, he left home in a hurry without telling Shen Lu much.

……

……

Shen Lu then delivered the letter to the Zhang family.

Zhang Luan was very happy after receiving the letter and asked, "Is this the prince's reply?"

Shen Lu nodded, but somewhat helplessly: "Laizhan, communicating with the prince is very dangerous, and it is time to stop now."

"Yes Yes."

Zhang Luan agreed verbally, but in his heart he was thinking, I had finally let my daughter communicate with the prince in advance, leaving a good impression on each other, how could I let this relationship break?

As long as Minister Li doesn't stop, I will let my daughter continue writing.

"By the way, Lai Zhan, there is one thing I forgot to mention to you yesterday. Minister Li is planning to transfer Xu Xueshi to the capital and entrust him with an important task."

Shen Lu actually didn't really want to remind Zhang Luan about this matter.

Maybe he felt that Xu Qiong was only a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, and if Li Zisheng used such a person, he would seem insignificant.

Zhang Luan asked in surprise: "Master Xu...his transfer to the capital has anything to do with me?"

Shen Lu smiled and nodded, saying, "It is related. After all, you were the one who brokered this."

Zhang Luan seemed to understand something and asked with a smile, "You mean, it was only because of my relationship that Xu Xueshi was able to be transferred to the capital? Doesn't that mean... hehe."

In the past, I couldn't marry Xu Qiong because my sister was just a concubine in his house, and he would ignore me when I wrote to him.

But the situation is quite different now. He was able to get promoted only because of my relationship.

Then when we meet again next time, I will be able to hold my head straight.

Shen Lu said, "Minister Li just mentioned this matter casually. If you really want to transfer someone here, it will probably take several months. You should focus on the matter of selecting concubines for the Eastern Palace first. It's best if you don't have to worry about anything else."

"it is good."

Zhang Luan's face showed joy.

Shen Lu then gave a few more instructions and stood up to leave.

After the others left, Zhang Luan quickly called Zhang Yanling and Zhang Yu over and said, "You two, here is a letter, let's see how to reply.

"Be careful and don't be lazy."

"Ok."

Zhang Yanling was very interested.

The prince replied to the letter one after another, indicating that this innocent boy had fallen into the PUA trap.

Zhang Yu was always worried about what her father said, that she would not marry anyone unless she married into the Crown Prince's household. She was in a low mood and had no interest in writing letters.

(End of this chapter)