The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Zhou took a break from his busy schedule and went on a "blind date."

The place arranged was the Royal Courtyard, and the woman he wanted to meet was the sister-in-law of Princess Yongkang and the biological sister of the consort Cui Yuan.

Zhang Zhou also thought about the complicated relationship. He probably thought that if he really accepts this woman in the future, he will be brother-in-law with Zhang Yanling, and Cui Yuan will be his brother-in-law in the future... He seems to be only that close to the royal family. It's a bit of an in-law relationship, although it seems that the in-law relationship is still a bit far away.

"Fortunately, I'm not asked to marry a princess."

Zhang Zhou was also happy.

During the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, it was also because of the bad reputations of the two brothers of the Zhou and Zhang families that relatives became synonymous with traitors. Zhang Zhou did not feel the need to rely on nepotism to maintain the relationship with the royal family, so He resisted this blind date.

But after all...it seems inappropriate not to check out a woman who comes to your door for free. After all, even Zhu Youtang said that if he takes a fancy to her, she can be taken away.

If you really take her away, you may even have to skip the three books and six etiquettes. After all, it's just a concubine, so it's not that complicated.

The woman and the Cui family behind her also knew the reason, so when they sent people to see Zhang Zhou, they probably didn’t want to take them back. When Zhang Zhou arrived at the Imperial Courtyard by Shichahai not far from his home, there were many people around him. There wasn't even a carriage or Cui family's retinue.

Zhang Zhou was also thinking, what is this?Let me play freely?Someone should come out and make recommendations, right?

……

……

In the courtyard.

Zhang Zhou first asked Liu Gui to knock on the door, and then someone came out. She looked like a female official in the palace. She was not young, about 50 years old. She looked like an old man in the palace, and she was very familiar. Court etiquette.

But Zhang Zhou was not from the palace after all.

"Master, please come in."

The old female official led the way and took Zhang Zhou and his entourage to the garden in the backyard. This royal courtyard was obviously not an ordinary courtyard, but more like the architectural style of Jiangnan. The courtyards were scattered among the courtyards, so Zhang Zhou was also trying his best to Remember the way in.

Probably you need to run away when going on a blind date. If you don't agree, you need to find a reason to run away. After all, the woman you want to meet is not just for fun, but to take home, so it would be boring to cause unrest in the family.

"Don't say I won't give you a chance." Before Zhang Zhou arrived, he heard the woman's clear voice, which seemed to come from above his head.

Zhang Zhou raised his head and saw Yongkang standing on a high platform on the second floor next to the courtyard, looking down from a high position. Her words were obviously meant for Zhang Zhou.

Wang Mingshan, who followed, stood in front of Zhang Zhou, probably mistaking the woman above her for an assassin.

"Princess, it's been a long time. It seems that the princess is in a good mood. I never thought that it was the princess who brought me here today." Zhang Zhou said.

Yongkang turned around and went back inside. After a while, he took an old woman and several maids, bypassed the moon gate and entered the backyard.
"This matter was originally arranged by me, but the emperor actually asked you to see him. How can I not supervise him?" Yongkang seemed to want to show her strength.

There was an aura of "You can't take this person away without my consent", as if you were thinking about your sister-in-law's happiness and future.

Zhang Zhou first observed the women around Yongkang. They all seemed to be followers, and there was no Cui family girl whom he wanted to meet today.

Zhang Zhou said: "What does the princess want to supervise? Are you afraid that my intentions are evil?"

"Be more serious." Yongkang frowned and said, "I know that you are a capable person in front of the emperor. Now in the government and the public, I am afraid that no one can go against you. Since ancient times, it is rare for a powerful official to be as good as you. But you should also know that powerful officials often don’t end well.”

Zhang Zhou smiled and nodded, seeming to agree with the woman's statement.

"Let's go." Yongkang personally led the way.

Zhang Zhou followed. Originally, all the Jin Yiwei guards wanted to follow him, but Zhang Zhou raised his hand to keep them behind, touched the short blunderbuss that he usually used to protect himself, and then only greeted Wang Mingshan and Wang Mingshan, who were dressed in the official uniforms of the Jin Yiwei Qianhu. Go with yourself.

……

……

Finally entered the garden.

Because it was already the end of May in the lunar calendar, the weather was already very hot. A woman was sitting in the pavilion, but because the sun was already shining through, a woman in the boudoir could not easily pick up a fan to fan herself. It was also because today was so special to her. It is a special day to maintain your appearance, and ultimately...

She could only turn her body as far as possible to let the sun shine on her as late as possible.

"Miss, let me fan you."

Before Zhang Zhouxing could get around the trees that were taller than a man, he heard the maid persuading him.

"No need." The woman's voice seemed shy, but not very coy.

Yongkang walked in front and was the first to show his head. When the woman saw her sister-in-law approaching, she quickly stood up to greet her: "I have met Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess."

Zhang Zhou was following behind Yongkang, also thinking that after Cui Yuan and Yongkang got married, he had not met this sister-in-law a few times. It would be good to know each other, and the daughter of the Cui family would naturally feel that they could meet each other. It is an honor to be the eldest princess.

It has something to do with the Cui Yuan family's ordinary background. In the eyes of the Cui family, the princess is still too unattainable.

Yongkang smiled and said: "You are getting more and more beautiful. No wonder your brother always mentions you in front of me. Sit down."

The daughter of the Cui family raised her head. When she saw a strange man present, she instinctively wanted to avoid him. She turned sideways and almost turned away.

Yongkang said: "What's wrong? My house didn't tell you why you came here?"

"Said...said..." The little girl of the Cui family couldn't bear it now.

"Then why are you meeting outside?" Yongkang turned around and glared at Zhang Zhou, as if he was still brooding over the previous loss in the drinking fight, "There's no need to hide it, the person you want to see is him, or in other words, he is He came to see you."

The daughter of the Cui family did not raise her head and looked at Zhang Zhou. She bowed and said, "My daughter has met Duke Cai Guo."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "It's polite."

Yongkang said: "Since we are all here, let's sit down and talk. Prepare some tea."

"Yes."

The entourage brought by Yongkang immediately went to make arrangements.

Zhang Zhou said: "This house must have been idle for a while, right? If it is inconvenient, there is no need."

Yongkang looked slightly interested and said: "Your Majesty has just issued a decree to reward this courtyard as a reward for the consort's military achievements. I am the princess who is half the owner of this courtyard, right? Why not entertain guests at your own home?" "

Zhang Zhouxin said, "Good guy, no wonder you, as a woman, can still meet a man in such a private setting. Has your relationship become your family's territory?"

"Cai Guogong, don't you think that this reward is too high? Should you go and ask His Majesty to take the reward back?" After Yongkang finished provoking Zhang Zhou with his words, he realized that Zhang Zhou had a power beyond her reach and said this. This is not to remind Zhang Zhou that he can do this, but to warn Zhang Zhou not to do so.

Say it in advance so that Zhang Zhou will be embarrassed to mention it to the emperor. Otherwise, wouldn’t Zhang Zhou have your little belly and chicken intestines figured out by me?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Cui Prince Consort has made great achievements in Ningxia this time. It is justifiable to be rewarded like this. It is just to make me envious."

Yongkang glared at Zhang Zhou again. She seemed to think that Zhang Zhou meant something else.

It was probably up to Zhang Zhou to propose to the emperor to donate the courtyard to him, then [-]% of the time the courtyard would become Zhang Zhou's property.

As for the emperor's biological sister, all the ducks will fly because of Zhang Zhou's words.

"Huh!" Yongkang was a little angry, but he couldn't continue to have such an attack.

Yongkang also knew very well that as the eldest princess, she had already been thrown away by her married daughter. She could still obtain benefits from the royal family. She could only rely on the emperor's generation. When her nephew ascended the throne, she basically wanted to get rewards. It’s impossible.

Therefore, a nice house in the capital is a valuable property to Yongkang.

If you continue to fight with Zhang Zhou and lose the property you have acquired, no matter how much medicine you take to regret it, it will be useless.

Normally, you can fight any way you want, but if you really want to fight for a specific house, Yongkang feels that he can't afford such a big loss. In her opinion, people like Zhang Zhou would not care about the ownership of such a house.

……

...The daughter of the Cui family next to her was surprised that her sister-in-law was actually arguing with a strange man, and the fight seemed to be back and forth.

My brother is not at home, is my sister-in-law so unscrupulous when meeting guests?Or is it because I am here that she feels she is being witnessed and is not afraid of outsiders gossiping?

Just when the daughter of the Cui family glanced sideways at Zhang Zhou, Zhang Zhou also happened to look sideways at her. The two looked at each other. The little girl of the Cui family quickly averted her eyes, showing a bit of nervousness on her face.

Zhang Zhou said: "I heard that Miss Cui has made an engagement with someone before. Isn't what happened today a little inappropriate?"

The daughter of the Cui family became even more nervous when she heard this.

A woman cannot marry twice, and now she is in a situation where "a famous woman has a master", and she will be a little embarrassed when she comes out to meet Zhang Zhou.

"Mr. Cai Guogong, you should also be aware of the rules. The engagement is big, but not as big as the emperor's order. Don't you also come to do things that His Majesty approves?" Yongkang seems to never give in when it comes to bickering.

Zhang Zhou was also thinking, it's a good thing I don't have people like you in my house, otherwise it would be strange for the backyard to be peaceful.

Zhang Zhou said: "But after all, I am also a married man. With Miss Cui's background, appearance and temperament, I really don't dare to have any unreasonable thoughts. I also mentioned this to Your Majesty, but His Majesty still let me Let’s take a look first.”

These words are a bit arrogant.

Today's matter is not decided by you Yongkang, nor even by the emperor. Even the emperor discussed it with me and asked me to see if he was satisfied.

You Yongkang came here to disrupt the situation, you are sincerely causing trouble!
Yongkang pursed his lips, then sighed softly and said: "You might as well make your words clear, and I'm not afraid that my sister-in-law will know that I brought up this matter today. Even if I know that she has promised her, after all, I haven't married you yet, but with your background and character, Duke Cai Guo, it would be better to become your concubine than to marry into an ordinary family."

When these words came out of Yongkang's mouth, Zhang Zhou was unexpected.

Zhang Zhou also deliberately observed the reaction of the daughter of the Cui family.

Of course there is embarrassment.

What does it mean to be the most awesome sister-in-law? She can say such things, as if the engagement and so on are not included in the calculation. As a princess, she can change it casually, and she says it as if everything is for the happiness of her sister-in-law, but The theory sounds nonsense.

As soon as Hou Men entered the sea, Xiao Lang was a passerby from now on?

Zhang Zhou wanted to remind Yongkang, can we be careful? As a person whom the Cui family can trust, can you consider the feelings of the Cui family when you speak?
"Could it be that Mr. Cai Guogong thinks that this incident has humiliated you?" Yongkang continued to use her poisonous tongue.

Zhang Zhou said: "The melon that is forced is not sweet."

Yongkang smiled and said: "Who is trying to force whom? Or do you think that the royal brother of this palace is not qualified to force this person?"

Zhang Zhou sighed in his heart. He finally saw how strong the princess of the Ming Dynasty could be. She was probably the most outstanding representative of women's rights figures in this era. In comparison, Ning Tong and others were weak. Fortunately, she didn't have to face her every day. Such people.

"I've already met, Miss Cui, I'll take my leave first." Zhang Zhou stood up from the stone bench where he was sitting and said with cupped hands.

"You want to leave?" Yongkang was still sitting there, looking up at Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou nodded with a smile and said, "We've already met, and there's no need to stay any longer. Could it be that the eldest princess has other things to do?"

Yongkang said: "Then you should give me an accurate letter, right? Is it ok or not?"

"Please think about it for a moment," Zhang Zhou said.

Yongkang couldn't be bothered now. She was a little angry and wanted to say something, but because her sister-in-law was still there, having an attack with Zhang Zhou directly in front of her sister-in-law would also damage her majesty as a princess. In the end, she gritted her teeth and said: "Send you ladies to wait in the back hall first."

"Yes."

The maid from the Cui family who came over quickly helped her young lady get up. Maybe it was because the Cui family's little girl's legs were numb, or maybe she was nervous. After getting up, she walked awkwardly for the first few steps. She got better when she was about to leave the yard. a lot of.

……

……

"Zhang Bingkuan, what do you mean?"

After Yongkang waited for his sister-in-law to leave, he could no longer hold back his anger and started questioning her directly.

Zhang Zhou shrugged and said, "Why did your Highness say this?"

Yongkang said: "I risk being blamed by the consort when he comes back to arrange such a good thing for you. As long as you nod, you can take the person away, and even get a marriage from the emperor's brother, so that you can gain both fame and wealth. I'll be the one to take the blame, so you still want me to be laughed at?"

When he said this, Yongkang was furious.

But the impression given to Zhang Zhou was that the eldest princess looked very angry and was questioning her, but she looked much more pleasing to the eye.

With this kind of blame, Yongkang obviously puts himself on the weak side.

I even feel a little aggrieved.

Zhang Zhou frowned and said: "Your Highness, Princess, I just made it very clear that this marriage is actually completely unnecessary. Miss Cui has a happy future. I am ten years older than her, and I have many wives and concubines at home. She is here to marry me." What? Just to give her brother and me an extra level of marriage relationship? "

"Isn't this enough?" Yongkang said coldly, "Brother Huang is very concerned about this relationship!"

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said, "Actually, what Your Majesty cares more about is your eldest princess's attitude towards me. You don't know that, right?"

"Ok?"

Yongkang was speechless for a moment.

After a little thought, she realized that it didn't matter to the emperor whether Cui Yuan was Zhang Zhou's brother-in-law or not.

But if Cui Yuan's wife had a prejudice against Zhang Zhou, then Cui Yuan would not have become a member of Zhang Zhou's faction. After all, Cui Yuan was not an ordinary person. He was the consort, and he had to listen to the princess on most things.

Yongkang was a little discouraged and turned to one side and said: "Zhang Bingkuan, to be fair to you, when my prince-in-law's expedition has not yet yielded results, I was anxious and went to see the Empress Dowager and asked her to help inquire about the prince-in-law's affairs. Is it wrong to fight for the prince-in-law?"

Zhang Zhou said: "That's right."

Yongkang said again: "And given your status in the court where everyone is shouting for beatings, I don't want the prince-in-law to get close to you. Is that wrong?"

"Of course that's right." Zhang Zhou said, "But Your Highness, you have to understand that it doesn't matter what you think. What matters is what Your Majesty thinks. What Your Majesty wants is that Cui Yuan can completely obey my orders, and that you two can also be a husband and a wife." , instead of like now, everything is dominated by you. So when you think everything is right and you want the prince-in-law to go further with me, then don't come to beg me."

Yongkang seemed to be itching with hatred, but he said helplessly: "If the emperor hadn't asked me to beg you, do you think I would be willing?"

Zhang Zhou said: "Then it depends on the princess's own choice. Listen to your majesty or not. It is related to the future of the consort. In fact, I don't need others to ask for help. Sometimes I just need to bow my head and admit my mistake. I am magnanimous and will definitely put an end to the past. "

Yongkang glared at Zhang Zhou sideways.

After a long while, she resisted and turned around, lowered her head and said: "I apologize to Cai Guogong and admit my mistake. I hope that Mr. Cai Guogong has a lot of courage and will not care about the temporary dispute of tempers of a little girl like me. I also hope that Cai Guogong can Regardless of past grudges, I value Cui Yuan and give him an opportunity to make contributions to the imperial court."

"That's right." Zhang Zhou smiled as a winner and said, "I accept His Highness's apology. Then I'll take my leave."

"You... you just left?"

Yongkang's nose was almost crooked now.

I have lost so much face that I even gave up the majesty of the royal family. I bowed my head and confessed my mistake to you, a minister of the Ming Dynasty. You actually accepted it and even patted your butt to leave?
Zhang Zhou said: "I will ask your Majesty later to let Cui Prince Consort gain about three months of experience in Ningxia. Before autumn, after completing the strategic purpose of patrolling the border in Ningxia, he can return to the capital and ask him to Come and take charge of some of the errands of the Beijing camp."

"Where is his title?" Yongkang asked eagerly.

That seemed to be her main concern.

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said, "I can't make the decision on this, but as long as we have a harmonious relationship, I think His Majesty will consider it as appropriate."

Although Yongkang was still embarrassed, he also realized that Zhang Zhou was not lying.

Zhang Zhou himself was just a prince, and of course he had no direct power to decide whether Cui Yuan could get the title. The emperor, who had the power to decide, had to evaluate Cui Yuan based on whether the relationship between Yongkang and Zhang Zhou was harmonious.

If the relationship is good, the title will be given. If the relationship is not good... just wait!
Yongkang said: "Well, I hope Mr. Cai Guogong can fulfill your promise. As long as you wholeheartedly help my prince-in-law, I will reciprocate the favor. Today's matter... I will keep you here for the first time. You can come and pick him up at any time if you want to know." Let me tell the Cui family, this is for the future of the prince-in-law, and I don’t think the Cui family will have any complaints.” (End of Chapter)