With her son backing her up, Zhu Niang suddenly felt emboldened. She could straighten her back and follow her son into the main courtyard with Lu Song and others.
There are more than a dozen tables in the main courtyard.
There are not as many people as outside, but there are quite a few, and it is not as noisy as outside.
Many gentry came to attend the birthday banquet. When they heard that Prince Xing's palace sent people to deliver gifts, they all stood up from their seats to watch the excitement.
As the longevity minister, Zhu Mingshan went out to see the guests in person around noon, and then returned to the back room to rest on the couch. When he heard that someone was coming from Prince Xing's Mansion, he sat on a simple sliding pole and was carried out, trembling all over.
Looking at the visiting guests, Mrs. Zhu Jia was standing next to her husband, dressed in rich clothes, with a bit of grace and grace, making it look like she was the head of the family.
"Old lady, the prince has sent someone to give you a congratulatory gift!"
At the main table of the owner, an old man in his eighties said to Zhu Mingshan with a smile.
This is also a local birthday celebration custom. To find a good old man to sit at the main table is equivalent to a kind of respect for the elderly, and at the same time, it is also a wish for a long life.
But in this era, it is not easy to find an old man who is about one hundred years old, so old people who are about eighty years old are also very popular.
"Huhu..."
Zhu Mingshan put his sliding pole on the ground. Looking at him, he seemed to be smiling, but his smile was quite unnatural.
Zhu Hao glanced at him from a distance. This was the first time he had seen his grandfather. He seemed to be a kind old man, especially those eyes, which looked at him with a gentle and kind look, not at all like him standing next to him.
The Zhu Jia family here looked so cold and murderous.
Lu Song asked someone to put the box down, and walked over to clasp his fists and salute: "Lu Song, the ceremonial guard of Prince Xing's Mansion, is here to pay homage to Zhu Laoqianhu... I am specially ordered by Prince Xing to deliver birthday gifts. Please check the gift list."
Without too many blessings, everything is businesslike.
The gift list was given to Butler Liu who was greeting the guests. Butler Liu was about to hand it to Zhu Mingshan. Zhu Mingshan just smiled and moved his fingers slightly, meaning that he could just hand it to Zhu Jia who was standing by.
Zhu Jia also confiscated it, and it was finally taken away by Zhu Wanjian.
Then Zhu Mingshan's eyes fell on Zhu Niang and Zhu Hao's mother and son.
Zhu Niang took her son over, bowed and saluted: "My daughter-in-law has met your grandpa, and I wish your grandpa to be as blessed as the East Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountains. Xiaohao, please kowtow to your grandfather."
Zhu Hao felt very disadvantaged by kowtowing to an old man he had never met before.
But I can't escape it.
While he was hesitating, he heard Zhu Jiashi say coldly: "We have already separated, there is no need to be formal, just go back to your seat!"
Zhu Hao happened to not kneel down. When he heard this, although he knew that Zhu Jia no longer regarded mother and son as a family and was angry, she indirectly helped him.
"Academic studies...the royal palace..."
Just when everyone thought that such a big event like a visit from Prince Xing's Mansion to give gifts would end in such a heavy lifting, the old man actually spoke.
It can be seen that the old man was very struggling when he said this.
Just saying these four words felt like I had exhausted all my strength.
As soon as these words came out, even Zhu Jiashi, Zhu Wanjian and others beside the sliding pole were surprised.
Ever since Zhu Mingshan fell from a horse and became hemiplegic, he has spoken very rarely, but he would actually mention his studies to Zhu Niang and his son, who have a bad relationship with the family?
Zhu Niang hurriedly said: "Tai Gong, Xiao Hao's father is very loyal to the country. He is now studying in Prince Xing's Mansion. The teacher praised him for his talent and academics and his promising future. You don't have to worry. The teacher also asked him to take the county examination next year to strive for glory as soon as possible.
Lintel."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Originally, Zhu Niang wanted to express her son's extraordinary excellence and say something proud, but as soon as she said the words, the people around her burst into laughter.
Zhu Jia had a straight face and a serious expression before. Hearing these words, he couldn't help but smile contemptuously: "Young people from the Third Family should act according to their ability... Your son has only been in elementary school for more than a year, and he will participate in the county school next year."
Try, do you want to embarrass my Zhu family?"
Some onlookers who didn't know the truth thought that Zhu Hao was some kind of child prodigy. He had been reading and literate since he was a child, and now he has achieved great success. Only after hearing Zhu Jiashi's explanation did he realize how ridiculous this incident was.
It is really ridiculous that a child who has only studied for more than a year now wants to take part in the county examination next year.
"well……"
Zhu Mingshan suddenly spoke.
These two "Okay"s instantly suppressed the laughter around them.
After saying that, Zhu Mingshan waved, meaning to ask Zhu Hao to come closer and come in front of him.
Under the complicated gazes of everyone, Zhu Hao came to Zhu Mingshan. Zhu Mingshan slowly raised his thin right hand, trying to grab something. When Zhu Hao saw this, he could only take the initiative to send his hand over.
"well……"
Zhu Mingshan's eyes were full of tenderness. At this time, he could see that Zhu Hao and his son were being suppressed by the Zhu family. The old man had never had any prejudice against his sons, so naturally he sincerely regarded Zhu Hao as his beloved grandson.
This alone touched Zhu Hao's heart quite a bit.
There was even a sense of sympathy between the old man who fell off his horse and was lying on the bed in front of him, and who had developed blood clots due to long-term bed rest.
Could it be that Zhu Mingshan now supports his wife's domineering style of running the family?
I'm afraid that the old man only discovered how strong his wife was after lying in bed, and wanted to change but was unable to do anything. Just like in history, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty Li Zhi discovered the ambition of his wife Wu Zetian at the end of his life, and it was impossible to abolish her.
Seeing this scene, Mrs. Zhu Jia's eyes burst into flames. She turned her head and glared at her fourth son, Zhu Wanquan... It was not convenient for her to talk in this situation. She needed someone to pour a basin of cold water, and Zhu Wanjian, who was expected to be rude and reckless, was obviously not suitable.
It would be best if Zhu Wanquan, who has some brains, comes forward.
When Zhu Wanquan saw the look in his mother's eyes, he immediately understood his "mission", but with his easy-going personality, he had no idea what to say.
Zhu Wanquan thought for a while, then lowered his body and leaned into Zhu Mingshan's ear and said: "Father, Zhu Hao is the only son of the third brother. He is very clever, but his enlightenment period is very short. It may be too early for him to take the imperial examination. No,
This is how we should encourage the seedlings to grow.”
Zhu Mingshan only had eyes for his grandson, and turned a deaf ear to Zhu Wanquan's words.
Zhu Yanling, the eldest grandson sitting at the main table next to him, dismissed it: "You dare to covet the imperial examination at a young age. You are really overestimating your capabilities."
Anyone else would not be qualified to say this at all, but Zhu Yanling is different.
Although he is usually bohemian, he is considered a "student" in the Zhu family. He passed the county examination when he was thirteen, and passed the government examination when he was fifteen... Of course, he is still just a boy now, and the college examination is too much for him.
It was difficult. His absurdity in the past few years also started when he failed the college entrance examination repeatedly and ended up eating, drinking and having fun with a group of bad friends.
Zhu Yanling, one of the Zhu family's "double insurances" for the imperial examination, has declined. Now the Zhu family's hopes for the imperial examination are all pinned on Zhu Wanquan, who is already a student.
Seeing that people around him spoke ill of Zhu Hao, Lu Song was very angry and took the initiative to speak for Zhu Hao: "Zhu Lao Qianhu, don't worry, Lingsun's academic progress in the palace is very fast, and he will be successful in taking part in the county examination next year."
His Highness Wang appreciated and approved of it, and King Xing said that if he can pass the examination, he will be sent to study at Guozixue in the future to achieve his fame."
"ah!"
As soon as Lu Song's words came out, everyone present was stunned.
What kind of family is this?
Why did Zhu Hao participate in the imperial examination, except for the longevity prince who could not speak, the rest of the Zhu family reacted so much and even poured cold water on him and laughed at him?
On the contrary, it is an outsider like Prince Xing who has full confidence in this child?
He is said to be the grandson of the Zhu family, but why didn't he show up during birthday celebrations before?
Could it be that my father died early and didn’t even come to the birthday party? Or that he was arranged elsewhere and was not even qualified to enter the main courtyard? Could it be that he was born as a concubine?
"well……"
Zhu Mingshan couldn't express much. These two words clearly showed his attitude.
He felt that there must be a reason why Prince Xing supported his grandson to take the imperial examination, and there should be no problems with his studies, so he agreed with his grandson to try his luck, even if he did not look like he could seek fame at his age.
"Carry the old lady in!"
Zhu Jiashi finally spoke.
She can't expose the family's conflicts to outsiders. Taking advantage of the fact that the conflicts have not intensified publicly, directly carrying the old man in is the best way to deal with it.
When Zhu Mingshan was lifted up by his servants and walked towards the back room on a sliding pole, Zhu Hao clearly noticed that the old man turned his head hard and wanted to look at him more.
Zhu Hao instantly understood that the Zhu family was not ignorant of right and wrong, and that the Zhu family's suppression of their mother and son did not come from his grandfather Zhu Mingshan.
Thinking about the fact that after his father died, his mother could successfully inherit his late father's estate, it shows that the Zhu family did not covet the three-fang family property at that time.
The subsequent property disputes and a series of dirty targeting methods were all due to Zhu Mingshan's death and Zhu Jia's family being in charge...
broken!
Zhu Hao thought to himself that he was afraid that his cheap father was not Zhu Jia's biological son.
Otherwise, why would there be such a huge contrast in the attitude of the couple towards the same son?
Although the old lady is strong, she seems to be very kind to her uncle, second uncle and fourth uncle. Why is she so mean to only the third uncle? Or is she just trying to get rid of her?
The problem is that my room is not perfect!
Am I not the grandson of the Zhu family or what?
We are both grandsons. Why is there such a big gap between me and the eldest son Zhu Yanling, the eldest son of the house, who is eating at the wine table and waiting to die?
There must be something hidden in it!
"The banquet continues, everyone who is not interested can leave!" Zhu Jiashi waited for the old man to disappear behind the door and spoke again, this time with a much more decisive attitude than before.
Lu Song understood. He seemed to be unpopular too.
Lu Song looked at Zhu Niang, who was about to cry, with her lips tightened, and asked: "Mrs. Zhu San, you...?"
Mother Zhu saluted: "Mother, Xiaohao has come to celebrate his birthday, and it's time for my daughter-in-law to retire. Mother, please take care of yourself."
"Send them away!"
Zhu Jiashi gave instructions to Butler Liu on the side.
Butler Liu nodded understandingly and walked out of the courtyard with Zhu Hao, his mother and son, Lu Song and other guards from Prince Xing's Mansion.
The guests in the main courtyard were in a frenzy, discussing what was going on. Finally, someone explained the situation: "The man from the third room of the Zhu family died. The daughter-in-law and her son broke up with the family and got their wish. She should have expected to be treated like this."
yes."
People whose hearts are drawn to the Zhu family do not seem to agree with Mother Zhu and her son.