The father-in-law and father-in-law had their own plans, but they met unexpectedly. After being embarrassed, they complained and criticized each other for a few times, and then stopped because it was meaningless. And if something happens again, it is likely that the two of them will be needed. We have faced each other together and have known each other for seven or eight years, so there is still a tacit understanding.
At this time, someone from the Qingyun Hou Mansion came forward and led Liu Mianhua and Fang Yingwu inside. Fang Yingwu was still suspicious before, not sure why he was invited by Qingyun Hou Zhou Shou, but he saw that he and Liu Mianhua were together. After being led in, Mute Chi Chaos knew what was going on.
Marquis Qingyun invited Liu Mianhua and himself at the same time and led them in together. It seemed that he and Liu Mianhua were considered to be in the same group. The thing that Liu Mianhua and the Fang family have in common is that they are both supporters of the current crown prince Zhu Youtang.
So today is probably about the matter in the East Palace, not to mention that the Queen Mother Zhou is also a supporter of the Crown Prince. It just so happens that today is the birthday of the Marquis. By celebrating his birthday, we can meet in person and avoid being attacked as a secret clique.
There are many people paying homage to my birthday today, but in the eyes of the two elite scholars, Liu Mianmian and Fang Yingwu, most of them are not on the stage, whether they are local tyrants or relatives. If Qingyun Hou hadn't personally issued a very weird and somewhat rude invitation, it would have been really difficult. "It's hard to refuse a warm welcome", the father-in-law and his wife would not come to join in the fun at all.
Liu Mianmian and Fang Yingwu did not mix with others, but were led to a quiet flower hall. There was no one else here, and they were treated very well.
Not long after, Qingyun Marquis Zhou Shou walked into the hall surrounded by his entourage. Fang Yingwu looked around, and saw that this Marquis of Zhou was in his fifties, with a dark and ordinary face. Although his clothes were gorgeous, his temperament was vulgar, and he had a vulgar temperament. There is nothing regal and luxurious about it.
This is not surprising. Previously, the Zhou family was just a farmer in the suburbs of Beijing. It was only because of Queen Mother Zhou's sudden rise to prominence that the Marquis did not study well, so naturally he could not develop any manners.
When Fang Yingwu was thinking about how to show his courtesy without being humble or overbearing, he saw Lao Taishan sitting still and not moving. He asked in a calm tone: "The prince summoned me under the guise of his birthday. What's the important matter?"
Fang Yingwu mostly met Liu Mianhua alone, and rarely saw Liu Mianhua socializing with others. At this time, he had to praise the prime minister's demeanor. Typhoon was much stronger than Wan'an. Since there was Lao Taishan in front, he So happy to hide behind.
Lord Zhou found a chair and sat down by himself. "I invited you two here today because I was entrusted by others to act as a mediator."
Liu Mianmian and Fang Yingwu were both surprised. They had both guessed that it was because of the prince's incident, but they didn't expect that there were other reasons. Zhou Shou took the initiative to explain before asking, "Another Mr. Liu Ge asked me to How about spreading the word and reconciling this?"
Weng and son-in-law couldn't help but look at each other. They were really surprised. They didn't expect that Liu Jue and Yin Min had entrusted Marquis Qingyun to act as a middleman, and they didn't know how much benefit they received.
It is not impossible for an influential honqi to act as a middleman between civil servants, because the honqi has a transcendent status and is relatively neutral in mediating disputes between civil servants. However, the feasibility does not mean that it will definitely work. It also depends on the status of the honqi himself. , and the nature of the contradiction between civil servants and ministers.
Although the Zhou family is a nouveau riche, their status is not low. He is the younger brother of the current Queen Mother, and is the most influential relative. He is not the kind of family that only has empty titles.
However, Qingyun Marquis Zhou Shou is still not qualified to intervene in the disputes between the cabinet bachelors. No one except the emperor is qualified to mediate such disputes! The Marquis of Zhou dares to say this. It is really overestimating his own capabilities, or maybe it is
The arrogance of the nouveau riche.
If it were any other time, the father-in-law and father-in-law would have walked away long ago. But now Liu Mianhua frowned for a moment and asked again: "Did Liu Shuwen personally ask you to agree?"
Zhou Shou nodded slightly. There was a bit of pride on his face. Grand Bachelor Zaifu also lowered his head to ask him to do things. How could he not make him, who was born in a humble family, feel proud?
Fang Yingwu suddenly understood what Lao Taishan was worried about. Under normal circumstances, a cabinet bachelor would not consider what a relative thought. If he was unhappy, he would just reject it and scold him just to look good.
But in this sensitive period, we must think more. The reason is very simple. We cannot add more enemies to ourselves.
Wan An is the enemy, Concubine Wan Gui is the enemy, Liang Fang is the enemy, Liu Jue is the enemy... This highly tense situation is almost the limit that Liu Mianhua can bear.
Although the Empress Dowager Zhou has never had any contact with her, she can barely be considered a member of the united front because of her relationship with the prince. If she and the Zhou family fall out at this time, then there will be one less supporter from the same front, and one more powerful enemy who will be under great pressure.
?
Even with Liu Mianhua's talent and status, it would be difficult for him to bear the new pressure. Then Liu Jue probably saw that Liu Mianhua could not refuse the Zhou family, so he used some means to ask Qingyun Hou Zhou Shou to come forward.
Let’s talk about it.
Fang Yingwu thought about this and suddenly interrupted and asked: "Is this what the Queen Mother meant?"
Zhou Shou glanced at Fang Yingwu and replied: "This is my intention, but it can also become the Queen Mother's intention." There was a hint of threat in his words.
Fang Yingwu knew that his family, Taishan, was in a dilemma. If he refused directly, there would be consequences, but if he didn't refuse, it would be very troublesome.
Lao Taishan attacked Yin Min and Liu Jue just to take a pre-emptive strike, save himself and keep his position. It is impossible for the emperor to replace all the bachelors in the cabinet in one go. After finally creating a good situation, he drove the tiger to devour the wolf and killed Wan An.
If you get help involved, the possibility of success is very high, and maybe you can ease the relationship with Wan'an through an exchange of interests.
If Lao Taishan stops and lets Liu Jue and Yin Min go, then who will let him go in the future? If the superiors have lost their monarchy, and the subordinates are all at odds with their colleagues, who can still protect him?
Lord Zhou did not urge Liu Mianhua to give an answer, but responded to the other party: "There is also a private matter. I would like to ask Mr. Fang to make concessions."
Fang Yingwu couldn't think of any other private matters that Zhou Shou had to ask of him, so he said, "It doesn't matter if you just say it."
Zhou Shou said without a smile: "I heard that there was a maid named Mrs. Sun next to Eunuch Wang of Dongchang. I went to the palace to meet the emperor that day, and I happened to meet Eunuch Wang's attendant at the palace gate. I fell in love with Mrs. Sun at first sight.
"
Miss Sun? Fang Yingwu also frowned when he heard this, and when he heard Zhou Shou, who was over fifty years old, say the words "love at first sight", Fang Yingwu was so disgusted that he almost wanted to vomit.
Lord Zhou continued: "I shamelessly asked Eunuch Wang for this girl. Eunuch Wang said that he must ask Mrs. Sun herself. But Mrs. Sun said, "If I want to ask Mr. Fang, will you let her wait?"
"
Liu Mianhua also paused his thinking and turned to look at his son-in-law with a strange look on his face. Fang Yingwu was dumbfounded. He never expected that such a thing would happen today. He had guessed Zhou Shou's purpose of inviting them here before, but he had no idea.
Wrong! (To be continued)
ps: I had something else to do yesterday, so I will try to update it before dinner and one update before going to bed today.