The husband's son-in-law

The Chen family had a lot of good things going on, and the posting date was on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and they got married at the beginning of May of the same year.Li Zhouzhou talked with Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Liang, and heard the matchmaker talk about a lot of auspicious days, so he mentioned that his family had to do it too, so he happened to take a look at the good days.

"His family has many children of marriageable age." Mrs. Chen talked to Mrs. Liang with a smile.

Li Zhouzhou took the matchmaker to watch the good day, and said: "Yes, in a blink of an eye, the child will be old enough to take care of it."

"Look at the old-fashioned words." Mrs. Chen was the oldest, her tone was kind, and she said cheerfully, "Zhou Zhou is only so old, he looks young, he doesn't look old at all."

This is true.Mrs. Liang looked at Mrs. Gu's appearance around 27 or [-]. I heard that Mrs. Gu was three years older than Mrs. Gu, so Mrs. Gu was about the same age as her, but she looked like her younger brother.

Fubao, who was born on the 27th of Li Zhouzhou, is now eight years old, and will be nine years old this Chinese New Year.

"It's 36 after Chinese New Year." Li Zhouzhou said with a smile.

As she thought, Mrs. Liang couldn't suppress the curiosity and envy on her face, "How did you do this? Your skin is smooth, and you look energetic, unlike me, if I work hard on something, I can rest for a few hours later. Genius slows down."

Li Zhouzhou said with a smile: "How can a person not grow old, but I mostly exercise. I went out for shopping earlier, and I also exercise at home on weekdays. If I sweat more, my body will be better, and my spirit will naturally be better."

After talking on the phone in the Chen Mansion, the date was fixed, and the Chen Manor invited everyone to watch the ceremony. After agreeing that it was still dark in the afternoon, they greeted each other and left politely.

It's already cold.

It used to be easy to walk when the mansion was small, but now that the mansion has been repaired and built up, it is still convenient to take a horse-drawn carriage to get around.Li Zhouzhou and Mr. Xiang got into the carriage, and as soon as they sat down, they looked at Mr. Xiang.

Gu Zhao is still flattered, why do you see him coming?

"It's still getting old, and there are fine lines around the corners of the eyes when you smile." Li Zhouzhou said.

Gu Zhao:! ! !

It was a bolt from the blue!

"Zhou Zhou, do you dislike me?" Little Gu pitifully said, "Aren't I young and beautiful?!"

The actual age of 33 does not seem to be young—no, the year has not yet passed, so it is 32.Xiao Gu clasped the words, 32 is quite young and middle-aged, why is he not beautiful.

Li Zhouzhou smiled and said, "Where, if my husband is not good-looking, I am older than you—"

"Zhou Zhou is the same as always, and I see it getting better and better every year."

Li Zhouzhou smiled, and then said: "Actually, I wanted to say that the fine lines at the corners of Xianggong's eyes look better than when he was young and majestic."

"...That's true, what's so good about a brat, it's the charm and connotation that have accumulated over the years to make him handsome and demeanor." Master Xiao Gu continued to praise himself.

The two of them are indeed not as good as eighteen or nineteen-year-old boys, but they are not "old-fashioned" or "old-fashioned". As Mrs. Liang said, they are obviously about the same age, but they seem to be seven or eight years apart.On the one hand, the atmosphere of the Liang family is outdated. Mrs. Liang used to make a living under the hands of her mother-in-law, and she was obediently respectful and obedient, and the brilliance on her body faded.

People still have to have their own brilliance.

"I just saw Linniang's choice of days. There are quite a lot of good days in May. I will ask Su Shiyi and Xiaotao later and let them choose one."

"Okay, just make up your mind."

Before the Chinese New Year, Gu Zhao went to the office where he sat in the state for half a month. After reading the debriefing reports sent by the three prefectures and several prefectures and counties, he was assigned to Zhaozhou and Xinzhou. Several prefectures and counties are in charge.That's all right.

Years ago, it was a good time for people to flatter and give gifts. Especially this year, a new Mr. Gu came up. I heard that there is still a big backer in Beijing. Many people want to flatter, but Mr. Gu is here. The courtyard in Wuzhou is rented, and it is still a second-in-law, and none of the maids in it are under the age of forty——

"Is this still a maid? Those in their 40s are old ladies."

"Really or not? There are officials who are not lecherous?"

"Is there no one to deliver?"

"How can there be no one to give it to you, Mr. Gu, the Zuo Zhengsi of our South County, can you tell me that no one can give it to you?"

"Will Mr. Gu accept this aloofness?"

"That's not true. I heard it, and I don't know if it's accurate. Back then, Mr. Gu was devolved to Zhaozhou, and the gentry in Zhaozhou also gave away women, but Mr. Gu refused to accept them at all, and even beat and scolded them back. .”

Some subordinates who listened to the gossip were interested in it, so they couldn't help interrupting: "Master Gu is still beating and scolding people? This is such a delicate beauty, is she willing to do it?"

If Mr. Gu was here, he would definitely spray these people with a loudspeaker, and stop giving him false rumors. When did he do it?When did you curse?Oh, I was cursing, but it was Meng Jianyun and Su Shiyi who were scolding! ! !

It's a good thing that Mr. Gu is not here, otherwise Mr. Gu is not very young now, and it would be bad if he gets angry.

"Isn't it? Anyway, it's very scary. Since then——"

"No one sent it?"

"No, I was still muttering, did I not send it to Mr. Gu's heart? After all, Mrs. Gu is a brother, maybe Mrs. Gu likes her brother, and then she couldn't give it away again, so the word spread. Mrs. Gu doesn't like sex. , love fame."

This is in line with what people who are officials nowadays think—if you say that Mr. Gu is a clean and honest official, the big guy will definitely not believe it, and he will murmur in his heart, 'If you pretend to be an official, you can tell me how much money you want. It's boring to pretend to be an upright official.

It seems that they are officials who are out of gregarious is not a thing?

Money, power, and beauty all have to account for the same amount, or else are you really a fairy?

How could it be possible for a human not to have the seven emotions and six desires?

"I know that. The cement road in Zhaozhou was originally paved with money. Otherwise, Zhaozhou is so poor, how could it be repaired? It has squeezed out the riches of merchants, and it has shown Master Gu's reputation."

Everyone nodded.

"Then now Xinzhou Mozhou Road is almost repaired, how about giving money?"

"You are stupid, you sent the money over, and Master Gu borrowed the money to show off his other reputation."

Well, after all, it's still a gift of money.This is easy to handle.

After finishing the business, someone murmured disbelief and winked and said, "Do you think Mr. Gu really doesn't love women, or that——no."

"That's right, no matter how soft a woman's hug is, I won't be able to do it."

"I've heard that Mr. Gu came here as a married woman. Li's family, this is the one in Zhaozhou." Thumbs up, he said, "I heard that Boss Li is very strict with Mr. Gu, and he likes to be sour and jealous." , not a female, but scarier than that tigress."

"So scary?"

"Isn't it? I heard that she is as tall as a man."

Everyone couldn't help sympathizing with Mr. Gu, you said that no matter how big or high an official is, you can be afraid of guilt, and spend your whole life guarding a husband who looks like a man, what's the point of that?

Ever since, everyone gave money to Mr. Gu with sympathy and joy.It is natural to inquire clearly about sending things, don't flatter the horse, it is on the horse's hoof, so the excuse of giving money is also good, saying it is a 'donation', and I want to contribute to Nanjun.

Gu Zhao: ...Why are these names so familiar?

Think about it~ It originally started from him. Isn’t this the name used for road construction in Zhaozhou back then?

Take it.Gu Zhaoshou also has a way to collect—it can’t exceed 5000 taels, it’s too much.If it is an ordinary filial piety bank in the officialdom nowadays, then collect it and register your name and use it as the expenses of the official uniform, but if there are too many tens of thousands, someone will ask you to do it.

The default rule of officialdom.

The person who gave the money saw that Mr. Gu took very little of it—then the rumors were true, he was a man who loved fame and fortune, and was not greedy for beauty, so he was relieved, as long as he was not a stupid and upright official.

Don't charge too much.Naturally, I also understood that Mr. Gu meant 'I'll take the money, don't think about troublesome things'. Some people couldn't help scolding Zuo Zhengsi behind his back, saying that this person is as shrewd as a stupid and honest official.

Some people still want to stab the ambassador.

As a result, Gu Zhao first came to help, and wrote down the details of who and how much the money was sent, and then said it in front of the other two adults when reporting on business.

"...It's also because the big guys trust me. They are so enthusiastic. Knowing that I worked hard last year and continued to build roads, the money was sent at the end of the year. Naturally, everyone is kind. I still hold the money, no I have let down the trust of these subordinates, I, Gu Zhao, did not snatch the money, but used it for several projects under my jurisdiction, next year, the construction of roads in villages and towns is trivial, but it will cost a fortune..."

Political Envoy and Right Secretary: ...

The money has passed through Ming Road, and the money is still in Mr. Gu's pocket, and it does not belong to the officials of the Nanjun Yamen.

Youzhengsi really wanted to come back—it wasn't because of the money, he had it too, and more, but seeing Gu Zhao's face made him feel unhappy, since he took it, he wanted to show his fame and fortune, which made him angry!

"By the way, have you prepared the birthday gift for the Holy One this year? My senior brother is very concerned. Did you come to ask? I just said that now I am the second in command in Nanjun, and everything is headed by the political envoy. It's up to me."

Youzhengsi: ...choked back the words.

"I heard that Ziqing, your senior brother, has been promoted?"

"It's okay, senior brother didn't move in Hanlin in the early years, but now it's a little smoother. The year before last, he was promoted to be a servant from the fifth rank in the household department this year."

It was only one year for the Beijing official from the fourth rank.The political envoy took this position after ten years of hard work, and he took the position only after using his connections.

After that, the two adults both smiled and said some kind words.As soon as Gu Zhao left, the You Zhengsi wanted to provoke trouble, but the envoy didn't take over, and the You Zhengsi knew it. As soon as he left, the envoy and his cronies said, "Gu Zhao is still young. Points, but relying on Master Liang's power in Jingli..."

The confidant flattered her: "The villain has gained power."

"Don't talk nonsense." But the political envoy had a cheerful face when he said the reprimand.

Zuo Zhengsi is frivolous and rampant, so that's easy to do. If he likes to go to Zhaozhou, he can go to Zhaozhou. If he likes to go to Xinzhou to manage affairs, he can go to Xinzhou.You Zhengsi is a stupid and useless person, as long as he is obedient and not messy.Nanjun is still peaceful.

When it was near the end of the new year, Mr. Gu came back from Wuzhou, and he pulled three carts of gifts alone.Zhaozhou City is very lively. On the concrete road at the gate of the city, there are quite a few people entering the city carrying poles and carts. When they see the carriages and horses, they look back first. Some people recognize Mr. Gu, and they lean aside one after another, letting Gu The adults advanced into the city.

Gu Zhao got off his horse and went to the city. After the annual leave, he was naturally happy to stay at home, so he smiled and greeted the people who went to the city: "Buying new year's goods?", "This dish is juicy.", "Don't want it, don't give it away .”

Then he got on his horse and hurried away.

The common people were happy to hold a handful of dishes without sending them out, Mr. Gu talked to him!

This year's Chinese New Year is even worse than last year. In the past, officials from Zhaozhou came to pay New Year's greetings. This year, officials from Xinzhou and Yanzhou also came to send greeting cards.Writing a reply is also a work of kung fu.

The family sat together again and pulled the form to identify people.

After that, things passed quickly, and the New Year was still the same. Going to other people's house to pay New Year's greetings and accepting other people's family's New Year's greetings. With Gu Zhao's current status, he didn't actually need to go to the Chen's house. It's just that he told Chen Weng that he was a brother, so of course he recognized it. This Brother Chen is not a high or low position in the officialdom.

There is another small incident during the Chinese New Year. Wang Jiannian went back to the palace in his thirties, and the result was unlucky and unsightly. Wang Jian went there almost at noon, thinking that at least he and his aunt could have lunch. If the atmosphere is good Yes, I can stay a little longer.

As a result, he left without finishing lunch.

Master Wang followed behind and cursed, "You are trying to piss me off."

"Look at what you look like now, I really think you are a man."

"Others lift you up and call you a king, but you think you are really capable? People are laughing at you behind your back."

"How old are you? Eighteen or nineteen people don't want to start a family and get married, what else do they want to do?"

"Do you think you are Boss Li? Ren Boss Li is the wife of a high official. What else do you want to pick with your reputation? Do you want to be the wife of an official?"

"My royal family doesn't have a brother like you! It's a shame!"

Wang Jian is not as old as nineteen years old, and he will be too old after the new year.It's just that Wang Jian's reputation in Zhaozhou City is too great. Everyone knows that Mr. Wang of the silk and satin village has a concubine brother who goes into business with Boss Li, and Wang Jian is reused by Boss Li. The man with poor character seriously injured Wang Jian's reputation behind his back.

Later, it was an astounding feat to set up a family and move out from the Wang family. The people in Zhaozhou City watched it. Some said it was good, and some said it was not good to be filial.

The reputation of the Wang family has been exhausted, and Master Wang has been ridiculed. He used to want to do a big business, but now the family business has grown up. Now he wants fame and face, and he just wants to go out if he wants to be a concubine. Jian finds someone to marry, that's all right.

The embarrassment is not about the members of the Wang family, but about the man's family.

After all, the water splashed by the married person belongs to other people.

When Wang Jian went back on New Year's Eve, his aunt told about Wang Jian's marriage by telling Wang Jian's sister Liu Niang about the marriage.

Seeing this, my aunt thought that Wang Jian had listened and was very happy.

"It's all right now. If you marry, it won't hurt Liu Niang's reputation, and the master won't be angry and complain about it. You still want to get married."

The aunt also gave a list, which was chosen by the wife.My aunt was illiterate, so she handed the list to Wang Jian, and Wang Jian scanned it. He has been in business for so many years, and he knows all famous novels in Zhaozhou City.

Just looking at these few, they are also small portals, but they are all dilapidated.

Not to mention this.

Wang Jian thought that he did not come from a good background, whether he was a merchant or a concubine, and his family was low and poor, so he could support his family. As long as he had a good character, he would do business and deliver goods.

As a result, the rice hadn't been used up yet, and the main courtyard sent a message to invite Wang Jian to come over, saying that the master wanted to see him.Wang Jian went to the main courtyard, but his aunt did not dare to stop him, even though he had only eaten half of the meal, but the master wanted to see him, how could he delay?

"Don't make your father angry when you celebrate Chinese New Year, how can your yard compare with the Wang family's?"

"However, my wife has taken a good look at me now, and I have found a good wife for Liuniang." The aunt also understands that her son does not need a penny from the Wang family to set up his own family, and he will not get in the way under the eyes of his wife.

Madame is not on her guard now, and instead focuses on the other yards.

When Wang Jian went to the main courtyard, his wife was very affectionate to him and said, "Did your aunt tell you? Did you see the list? Although the family has lost a bit, it is not a street trader."

Master Wang is quite satisfied, and he said that you are tired of worrying.

Mrs. Wang compassionately said that they are all the children I watched grow up. Although they were not born by me, they are no different from those born by me... The scene was said and the theme was cut.

No matter how good Mrs. Wang’s description is, the fact is that the people on the list, the lame, the widower, and the wives, are either disabled or old and widowed. Anyway, objectively speaking, they are not very good—— Mrs. Wang It is said that there is a family, but nowadays, if the ancestors were officials, what kind of serious family is it?

Hou Tong's family didn't dare to call it that. They were more modest and said that the family was a little richer.

This 'portal' is the family's business and business. The ancestors may have been prosperous in the past, but now they are dilapidated, that is, they are poor, disabled, wives, and old. , It’s just that after getting married, it’s better not to ship the goods. It’s serious to have a good child with your husband and children.

Then Wang Jian said he would not marry.

...Finally it was Martian who got up, Master Wang slapped the table and stared loudly, but now Wang Jian is no longer the fourth brother, the little brother who depends on his father for food.

Later, Mr. Wang was furious, and said it a little harshly, meaning what is your background, what are you, what else do you choose, if you want to be an official wife, do you deserve it?

Wang Jian went out from Wang's house, not knowing where he was going all the way in a daze.

He never thought of being an official wife at all.

The boss is the boss, Mrs. Gu and not Mrs. Guan.

It's late in the 30th day of the year, and there are no people on the road.Unknowingly, Wang Jian walked to the gate of Li Mansion, but Brother Lin was not there. Brother Lin had gone back to his home, so it was time for him to go back to his home.

Wang Jian thought about it and went towards his small courtyard, but was stopped by the people inside the gate of Li Mansion.

"It's so late, Manager Wang, are you here to pay New Year's greetings to the boss? Come in, it's cold today, why are you wearing such thin clothes? All the yards have already been stewed." Xiao Qi said.

Today, the servants in the Li Mansion and the servants who don’t go home have something to eat, all kinds of meat dishes and stews, they can sit together, chat and eat wine, have a happy reunion, and even receive red envelopes.

The servants in the mansion were beaming.

Wang Jian thought, it was New Year's Eve to kowtow to the boss before going home.

Fortunately, it was late, so Wang Jian covered up his numb expression. He saw the closed door ahead, and waited a while, trying to calm down his expression, otherwise the boss would see something wrong when it was Chinese New Year.

"Why are you guarding the gate? Don't be lazy as the gatekeeper in the mansion."

"No, no, please let me have a look and bolt the door. He went to the kitchen to have a look, and said he would bring me glutinous rice cakes to eat." Xiao Qi admired Steward Wang, and he answered carefully and led the way.

Wang Jian glanced at Xiao Qi and said, "It's good that you haven't been bullied, go back quickly."

"Hey, thank you, Manager Wang, and you can go slowly."

"I'm alone—" Wang Jian's tone was a little low, but soon he got up again and said, "Don't call me out, I'll just take care of things."

Without further ado, I lifted my feet and went to the main courtyard behind.

At the end of the day, the expression on his face had softened. Even so, the boss could see something was wrong, "Why is it so weird? Where did it come from?"

Wang Jian felt warm in his heart, and said with a smile on his face: "I just came out of Wang's house and had a conversation with my aunt. When I came back, I left in a hurry and felt a little cold."

"Then drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up, or drink ginger soup." Li Zhouzhou knew that Wang Jian and Mr. Wang had a quarrel during Chinese New Year, but Wang Jian didn't say that he didn't ask, it was all human.

The servants brought ginger soup.

Wang Jian drank it, said auspicious words to the boss, and even kowtowed—he was pulled up by Li Zhouzhou.

"If I had married and given birth early, it would be enough for you to be my child. Let's not be too polite. No matter what happens during the Chinese New Year, Lifu still has your place of residence. I am also there. If you have any difficulties, I will follow you." explain."

"Wang Jian, the new year must be smooth."

Li Zhouzhou gave Wang Jian a red envelope, and the money was not much, just like the ones given to Fu Bao, it was a happy event.

Wang Jian took the red envelope, and the gloominess dissipated. He also doubted at first, could it be that he is really as miserable as his father said, and can only marry a crippled man who is not worthy of a man of good character Lang.

Seeing that the boss treated him like a child, Wang Jian knew that he shouldn't blame himself for belittling himself.

"Happy New Year Boss."

After Wang Jian paid New Year's greetings, he felt better and became more determined. He said that he was going home, and there was Zhiniang at home waiting for him to go back.Li Zhouzhou didn't force him to stay, and took his own thin cloak and wrapped it around Wang Jian, "Don't get cold during Chinese New Year, let's go, I'll give you a ride."

On the way from the main courtyard to the front courtyard, the two of them didn't say anything sensational, they talked about scattered daily life, there is no rush to start work after some time, you should keep an eye on the workers' money, and you will come back when Brother Lin comes back Stay for a few days, he must miss you.

There are business affairs, and there are daily routines.

Li Zhouzhou was carrying a lantern, illuminating the light within an inch of their feet, but Wang Jian remembered it all his life. Whenever he encountered setbacks and was not determined and was suppressed, he thought of the light that his boss had illuminated for him on the road ahead, and he would I became firm again.

……

Later, Wang Jian went out to sea, took the fleet across several oceans, spread the civilization of Dali, brought back many seeds, left his name in history, and the students in the history class couldn't help admiring——

Wang Jian, my role model idol!