Zhao Wei was stunned after hearing this, and looked at his sister unexpectedly, silent for a long time.

Zhao Xiu's words reminded him that he hadn't considered this possibility before, but now he had to think about it more. Having an unconscious uncle is enough of a headache, if the close relatives, the aunt's family that seems to be very reliable, is also a family that is good to you on the surface, but secretly has other plans, then which relatives and friends can he have to help?

It seems that only the Zhang family remains. It's a pity that the Zhang family is too far away to help much. There are few people in the Zhao clan who can become a climate, and even if they start to support it now, it will take a lot of manpower and material resources. If you want to have an effect, you have to wait at least six or seven years. For now, Zhao Wei can only rely on himself. Even if he already has his own connections in the capital, after all, the foundation is still shallow, and thinking of the difficulties and dangers in the future, Zhao Wei is also a little depressed.

Seeing this, Zhao Xiu couldn't help but regret a little: "Brother, I didn't mean to say this kind of thing to hit you, I just felt that my aunt was acting strangely, so I had more words." Maybe it's just that I'm thinking too much. ”

Zhao Wei shook his head: "No, my aunt must not be as close to us as she imagined, and this is nothing surprising." You reminded me very much, otherwise I would have dealt with my uncle and cousin lightly, wouldn't it be easy to suffer? ”

Zhao Xiu was a little relieved when he heard this, and because there was no third person beside him, he couldn't help but complain: "Why is my aunt like this? If she had been really cold to us, we wouldn't have been enthusiastic about it. While befriending us, while standing by and watching, what did she have in mind? ”

Zhao Yuanniang is the eldest daughter of Yuan's wife, and followed her biological mother, the old lady of the Qin family, to suffer countless hardships during the war. But the old Aunt Qian and grandma quickly gained a firm foothold by the old county prince's side through lies, became pregnant and gave birth to children, and enjoyed all the wealth. If it weren't for the old county's insistence that he would never marry her if he didn't find the bones of his wife and daughter, maybe the old aunt and grandmother would even take up the title of Mrs. Fate. Zhao Yuanniang must have looked at her mother and brother unpleasantly. Helplessly, the old lady of the Qin family was burned down and could not give birth to any more children, so she could only watch the concubine occupy the position of the prince, and her husband had to record him in her name. Mention the identity of the concubine. The old lady of the Qin family was angry because of this, how could Zhao Yuanniang not have resentment in her heart?

But this resentment has a dime to do with Zhao Yuanniang's marriage and the Zhang family, who only entered the door a year after Qin's death? It was the Qin family who chose the Zhang family to fill the house. If there is no such thing, the Zhang family will not be able to marry into the high gate. You can also find the right family, be poor and self-controlled, and live a happy life. But because the Qin family chose her, although she had to marry a nobleman, she enjoyed half a lifetime of glory. But he also has to bear the pain of losing his husband and children in middle age. It's not that the Zhang family is in a hurry to marry Zhao Yuanniang and her father, it's not that the Zhang family is cheeky and wants to be a stepmother, she has been committed to improving the father-daughter relationship between Zhao Yuanniang and the old county prince after marriage, so that Zhao Yuanniang has been married for many years, and she has not returned to the province for a long time, and she has never lost the help of her mother's family. If Zhao Yuanniang wants to be resentful, she just has to resent her mother and brother, what is her position of resentment against her stepmother and younger brother who helped her a lot? Complaining that Zhang took her mother's place? Then she has to blame her own mother first.

Zhao Zhuo and his wife were shipwrecked on the way home, and Zhang took his grandchildren and grandchildren to the south with the ship of King Guangping. Zhao Yuanniang and his wife are in Yanzhou. How far can it be? Can't you just come and take care of it? When his younger brother died, he didn't go back to Fengxian to burn incense in person, but only sent his family to pay tribute. Because she has been exchanging letters and gifts with Zhang for many years, Zhang did not complain about her. The Zhang family has always had a good impression of this stepdaughter, but Zhao Xiu has no preconceived ideas in his heart, but he has long had doubts about this aunt's behavior. It's just that they were far away from each other before, and the two families were only half-salty, so she didn't pay attention to it. Now that she saw that the two families were about to get closer, she couldn't help muttering in her heart.

Zhao Wei listened to his sister's words. After thinking about it, he said, "No matter what my aunt's idea is, our brother and sister just follow the etiquette." She has no intention of being close to us, and we don't have to be too enthusiastic. If the Xu family really intends to build a friendship with us in the Nanhou Mansion. Someone will come and talk to us. After all, my aunt is old and an elder, and her children and grandchildren don't have to bother her with everything. ”

Zhao Xiu was amused when he heard it, and he also understood what he meant. The relationship between the Zhao and Xu families was already passable, if the Xu family had the heart to have a good relationship with the Zhao family, my aunt would be a little careful. How many people will take it to heart? Her sons are all in their thirties, and her grandsons are also sixteen, so naturally the future is more important.

However, Zhao Xiu was also a little curious: "Brother, what did you write in Xu Shiying's notebook?" I thought it was just some knowledge points that you summarized, or articles by a few university scholars. How did the Xu family see it as a treasure, and even let my aunt give up the plan to sit on the wall and watch, and specially wrote a letter to remind us to pay attention to Uncle Mi? ”

Zhao Wei said lightly: "It's nothing, isn't it just an article by a few university scholars?" Those are all newly promoted bachelors after the emperor ascended the throne, and they are all well-educated people, and they are valued by the emperor. In the next two years, the examiner will inevitably be selected from here. And these scholars all prefer a steady style of writing, like articles that have something to say, and don't like gorgeous floating algae words. The emperor also paid more attention to the economy and people's livelihood, but did not like to choose sentences from the masterpieces of the sages. I briefly mentioned it in the notebook, I think Cousin Xu was a little bit after seeing it, right? I have also read Cousin Xu's article, the style of writing is mellow, the rhetoric is gorgeous, and the truth is certainly thorough, but if you are not careful, it is easy to be classified as boastful. Now that he knows the preferences of the scholars, he hurried to learn about the economy and people's livelihood while he was still at home, and practiced his articles, so that he would be more sure when he came to take the exam. ”

Zhao Xiu suddenly realized. For the son of Uncle Xu, who works in the political envoy department, if he wants to find some information related to the economy and people's livelihood, is it not easy? Now there are still two full months to go before the New Year, and it is enough to change the style of writing and practice more pen. Xu Peizhao got Zhao Wei's book, which is equivalent to getting a very accurate hint of the range of exam questions before the college entrance examination, how can he not be happy? And Zhao Wei even took the opportunity to hint to the Xu family about his connections in the capital Shilin. It is not difficult to understand that the Xu family will change their attitude.

From this point of view, the Xu family is probably not a big problem, and the trouble is still the Mi family. Zhao Xiu asked his brother: "How does my brother plan to deal with my uncle's affairs?" ”

Zhao Wei sighed: "Let's send someone to Pingdu Prefecture to inquire about the news first, if what my aunt said is true, then go and beat my uncle first, tell him to restrain and rehabilitate the unjust prison." If he is interested, then we are happy to save face for him. If he is stubborn, I can only kill my relatives in righteousness. ”

Zhao Xiu said: "I don't know how long he will delay before taking action, why don't we go to the prince and report first?" It's best to let Zeng Shilang know too. Always let outsiders know about my brother's grievances, lest the news come to me. Your own people misunderstood you first. ”

Zhao Wei did not object, and the brother and sister went downstairs together. It's a pity that the fleet was about to leave, and the officials of Dongchang Mansion reluctantly said some farewell words to King Guangping and Zeng Shilang, and Zhao Xiu saw this. Retracted upstairs again. After all, Zhao Wei had the identity of a deputy envoy, but it was difficult to avoid it, so he had to step forward and socialize with his colleagues with those officials.

Gao Zhen stood silently behind King Guangping, noticing that the corner of Zhao Xiu's skirt flashed at the staircase. He was stunned, and then looked back. But I was wondering why Zhao Xiu came downstairs?

When the officials of Dongchang Mansion got off the ship and the fleet was ready to start, Zhao Wei went to talk to the two staff, Gao Zhen took advantage of the unpreparedness, went up the stairs in a flash, came to the entrance of the corridor, and called a maid guarding the corridor to give two instructions. The maid ran to Zhao Xiu's room with a slight red face and invited her over. The two of them stood in the shadows at the corner of the staircase and spoke.

Zhao Xiu was surprised that Gao Zhen would call her at this time, so she asked, "Is there anything wrong with the prince?" ”

Gao Zhen asked: "I saw you want to go downstairs just now, and you came back again when I saw a lot of people." But what do you want? Or do you have something to explain? ”

Zhao Xiu then understood, and said with a smile: "Actually, it's nothing, my brother and I want to discuss something with the prince, but I didn't expect there to be so many people on the deck, so I shrank back." I want to wait for the ship to leave Dongchang, and the prince will be free. ”

Gao Zhen asked again: "What are you looking for my father?" Tell me about it? Maybe I can help too. ”

Zhao Xiu hesitated, and Gao Zhen persuaded her: "If my father doesn't love the director very much, he often tells me to do something." The matter between you and Brother Wei, if it is not too important, it is the same. It would be better to tell me directly. If I can't do it, I'll go to my father and ask for advice, and it's the same. ”

Seeing this, Zhao Xiu no longer concealed it. directly told Gao Zhen what his aunt mentioned in the letter.

Gao Zhen frowned after hearing this, he hated this kind of elder who relied on his in-law relationship, was insatiable, and loved to cause trouble to others. Uncle Mi's actions reminded him of Uncle Zhong, and he felt even more disgusted with the former.

He asked Zhao Xiu: "What do you and your brother mean?" It's to keep some relatives decent. Or do you plan to kill your relatives in righteousness? ”

Zhao Xiu said: "Then it depends on whether he is sensible, if he honestly corrects his mistakes and redresses his wrongs, then my brother and I will still save some face for him, just for the sake of his mother; If he refuses to correct himself, but instead uses rhetoric, then why should we be polite to him? ”

"That's going to be easy." Gao Zhen said, "You leave this matter to me, I will take care of it for you, and I will never hurt your family's reputation, and let Uncle Nami not be able to pick out your brothers and sisters, how about it?" ”

Zhao Xiu looked at him suspiciously: "What are you going to do?" ”

Gao Zhen sold Guanzi: "You just wait and see." ”

Zhao Xiu pursed his mouth and looked at him, he looked away, not daring to look at her, but the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. Zhao Xiu knew that he did it on purpose, so he had to say angrily: "Okay, then I'll believe you once." It's just that my brother and I still have to report to the prince. My brother has carried the black pot for others, and he must let more people know that he is innocent. ”

Gao Zhen smiled when he heard this: "What's so difficult about this? Wrap it around me. ”

Zhao Xiu frowned and said, "What are you selling?" Can't you just say it? ”

Gao Zhen smiled and said nothing.

Zhao Xiu was anxious, picked up his pink fist and hit him, but he didn't feel pain, and said in his mouth: "It's good, I'm having back pain." Good sister, you work harder. ”

Zhao Xiu didn't get angry and doubled his strength and punched him in the left shoulder. Gao Zhen suddenly let out a "sigh" and covered the place where he was beaten. Zhao Xiu was startled and hurriedly leaned over: "What's wrong?" Did I hurt you? I immediately regretted it.

Gao Zhen smiled, took her hand and said softly, "It didn't hurt, don't believe you will punch two more times?" ”

Zhao Xiu hurriedly retracted her hand and glared at him, and suddenly heard someone upstairs calling her, and her cheeks suddenly turned red with embarrassment.

She and Gao Zhen glanced at each other, and then turned their heads away, their cheeks as red as apples.

After being stunned for a while, Zhao Xiu didn't say anything, lowered his head and turned around and went back to the stairs. Gao Zhen kept watching her disappear from view, and he only felt very sweet in his heart. (To be continued.) )