In the back hall of the British mansion, under the faint candlelight, Zhang Lun was deeply immersed in the big chair, half of his face was sunk in the dark, motionless. If you look at it from a certain point of view, Zhang Lun at this moment looks like her husband Zhang Mao in the world, if it weren't for Zhang Lun's black hair bun and clean and young face, he would almost become a copy of his old man Zhang Mao.

The jumping and popping sound of the candle flame woke Zhang Lun from his contemplation, and he suddenly found that Liu Shi standing at the door was staring at him worriedly, and hurriedly smiled and said, "Why hasn't Madame slept yet?" ”

Liu Shi smiled slightly, walked over, stretched out his hand and stroked Zhang Lun's face and said, "Isn't the husband going to sleep?" Since the old man left, the husband seems to have liked the old man's habits, and likes to sit alone in the study in a daze. Is there anything bothering you? ”

Zhang Lun grabbed Liu's waist, let her sit on his lap, gently stroked Liu's round back and buttocks with his palm, and sighed softly: "I don't want to be like this either, every time I see him sitting here pondering when grandpa is alive, I don't quite understand him, why he wants to lock himself in the study alone, when grandpa sits here, it seems that his brows have never been stretched." Now I finally understand that my grandfather has such a heavy burden on his body, and he is always thinking about the future and safety of the Guogong Mansion. I don't know the hardships of not being at home, the old man is gone, and I understand this truth. ”

Liu sighed lightly, leaned over and kissed Zhang Lun on the forehead and said: "Don't think too much about the husband, the slave family knows that the husband is quite bold now, but the slave family doesn't want the husband to be unhappy under pressure all day long; The slave family really hopes that the husband can be happy, such as learning from Song Nan, his pressure is not small, but he doesn't seem to be so unhappy, he is very comfortable in the upper house, he is a friend of the husband, and he is a relative in our house, it is better to talk to him more, and discuss anything. ”

Zhang Lun nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I also want him to be so chic, but I'm not him, I can't do this." That's it, let's not talk about these things, you go to sleep first, and I'll go to sleep in a while. ”

Liu Shi sighed lightly and stood up, lightly made a pot of tea and put it on the table, picked up the robe and put it on Zhang Lun, and when he walked to the door and turned his head to look, Zhang Lun fell into deep thought again.

"Madame, the guard in the front yard has come to report that my uncle is visiting." Under the patio of the steps, a maid panted to greet Liu's report.

"Uncle? Song Houye? ”

"It's Marquis Song, waiting in the front hall."

Liu Shi hurriedly turned around and came back to the Wan study, the light at the door dimmed, and Zhang Lun's voice came: "Please come to the study of the inner house, come to someone, make tea and light the lamp." ”

Song Nan entered the back house with a smile, bowed to Zhang Lun and Liu, and said loudly: "I've seen my eldest brother and sister-in-law." ”

Liu pursed his lips and saluted in return, and said in his heart: This Song Nan looks like a big grin everywhere he goes, and his loud voice is scary. However, seeing that Zhang Lun also had a smile on his face, he suddenly became happy.

"What are you doing here at such a late hour? Is the girl born? Zhang Lun asked with a smile.

"It's almost over, the delivery period in March, and now the big belly is round, and it is estimated that it will be a matter of the next few days." Song Nan didn't wait to be invited, walked to the study by himself, sat in the big chair and crossed Erlang's legs.

Zhang Lun himself took a stool and sat in front of him, and started to make tea for him, Liu smiled outside the door: "You two are chatting, the slave family will go to the room to get a few things, and trouble my uncle to bring them back to my sister in a while." ”

Song Nan hurriedly put down Erlang's legs, got up, and arched his hand outside the door: "Sister-in-law, take care of yourself." ”

After sitting down again, Zhang Lun smiled and said: "Your sister-in-law made some children's clothes, shoes and socks, and asked someone to buy a piece of beautiful jade inlaid in a gold lock. ”

Song Nan laughed and said, "Isn't it your own nephew?" Concern should also be, what are you prepared for as an uncle? Gold or silver or jewelry? You can't take the general goods, but don't lose your identity. ”

Zhang Lun scolded with a smile: "Are you here to see me, or are you here to ask for something?" Now that you are also very rich, you are still so open-minded about money. ”

Song Nan smiled and said: "Money is life, life is shit, who doesn't love money?" ”

Zhang Lun took a sip and stretched out his hand to signal Song Nan to drink tea, Song Nan smiled and raised his glass and drank a few sips, looked up at the decoration of the study, and asked: "This is the old man's study, the things in it haven't changed at all, the words are the old man's handwriting." ”

Zhang Lun looked at Song Nan's eyes, nodded and said: "Yes, this banner of 'Taoguang Yanghui' was specially written and given to me by the old man once, and I haven't touched a single qiē in this study, the copper kettle brazier used by the old man, the chair he sat on, and the blanket covered with it are all kept; when I have nothing to do, I come here to sit and sit, remember the old man's voice and smile, and think about his teachings when he was alive; some of the things he said when he was alive, I didn't think so at the time, but now I understand them." ”

Song Nan stared at Zhang Lun and said: "You don't look good, during the period after the old man passed away, I can see that you are very decadent, I really want to come and talk to you, but I don't know what to say; There are some things that others can't help you, and you need to break through and overcome them by yourself. ”

Zhang Lun sighed and said, "Song Nan, do you know my situation now?" ”

Song Nan nodded slightly, and said softly, "Uncle, did my prophecy come true?" ”

Zhang Lun nodded slowly and said: "Yes, some recent events have confirmed your prediction, I, the governor of Beijing, am afraid that I will not be able to do it anymore, I have been struggling with this time, whether to resign to the emperor, or insist on staying in this position, if you are me, what should you do?" ”

Song Nan was silent for a long time, then raised his head and said, "Grandpa Guo, with all due respect." When the old man passed away, the emperor asked you to take the position of governor of Jingying, and I was thinking, with your current qualifications, how can you suppress the old foxes under you, and how can they obey you? When the old man was alive, it was difficult to subdue him with his prestige and means, let alone you. In fact, this is the last blessing left to you by the old man, and when the old man is newly mourned, the emperor also wants to make a gesture, lest the people of the world say that others will go to the tea and cool; but this code just shows that the emperor is not at ease with you taking this position. ”

Zhang Lun was silent.

"I told you this last time I met with you, I want you to understand this truth, I hope you can understand the emperor's psychology and resign from the post of governor of the regimental camp, so that it will leave a good impression in the emperor's heart, but unfortunately you couldn't do what I said, I understand that you have your considerations, so I didn't say anything."

Zhang Lun said in a low voice: "I don't want to disappoint my grandfather, as soon as my grandfather dies, I can't even keep his position, how can I explain to my grandfather." ”

Song Nan nodded and said: "It's understandable, but maybe you misunderstood what the old man meant, the old man never wants you to do it hard, and in the end you were knocked out of power and your reputation plummeted; The banner that the old man gave you is the old man's lifelong thoughts, and in this form, Taoguang is the best policy, and this is what the old man wants to sue you. ”

Zhang Lun frowned, his expression fluctuated, and his feelings in his heart were complicated.

"I've heard a lot about things in your Beijing camp, and several veteran Hou Ye in the regimental camp are against your words, they have recently mixed up with Xu Guangzuo, the Duke of Dingguo, and they are obviously about to make a big move; I would not be at all surprised if it was said that tomorrow or a day not far away, the marquis of Jingying, together with the princes of Dingguo and the leading relatives of the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies, would dismiss you from your post as the governor of the regiment and battalion. ”

Zhang Lun clasped his hands together, and his bones made a clicking sound, obviously angry and helpless in his heart.

"Uncle, I have long said that I will not let the British government be bullied, and I will always be on your side, but in the current situation, I have to persuade you so; As long as you are not in the position of the governor of the regimental battalion, I can let go of these unsightly marquis, and if you stay in this position for a day, I will not be able to confront them, because it will point the finger at you. The gains and losses in the regimental camp will be lightly pushed on you, but it will tie our hands and feet. ”

"But did I just watch them seize the regimental camp? I'm not reconciled. Zhang Lun rubbed his hair and roared.

"You are wrong, the regimental camp is not theirs, the regimental camp belongs to the imperial court; If you want to continue the glory of your old man and take charge of the regimental camp again, there is only one way. ”

"What's the solution?" Zhang Lun looked up and asked.

"Stand down first, let me let go of my hands and feet, kick these old guys out one by one, and then let it be."

Zhang Lun looked at Song Nan in surprise and asked softly, "Can you do it?" ”

Song Nan got up with a smile, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door, Liu Shi stood in front of the door with a package and said with a smile: "Master Hou, these things are all brought to my sister, so that she can raise the fetus with peace of mind and not run around, and I will take a few stable women to your house to serve her in a few days." ”

Song Nan smiled and arched his hand: "Thank you sister-in-law." ”