Chapter 87 Father and Son
Six years later, in the autumn of the fifteenth year of Ruixing, August 16th was the seventh birthday of Gu Jiangning, the eldest granddaughter of the Gu family. The Gu family, reluctant to publicize the event, invited only the Tian family, the Zhang family, and the related Duan family to a small gathering at Gu's home in the neighboring mountain village.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was just yesterday and today is a holiday, so the three families living in Songjiang City set out from Songjiang City to the neighboring mountain village early in the morning.
As the child's aunt, Gu Youan naturally had to go celebrate Ningning's birthday. Zhou Qi was busy, so Gu Youan took her son with her.
For safety reasons, especially after having a son, Gu Youan was always surrounded by a large crowd whenever he went out, with hundreds of guards, maids and servants. As soon as the carriage left the palace and headed towards the east gate, every family knew that Princess Qi was going back to her parents' home.
Alas, it has been many years since Prince Qi and Princess Qi got married, and the little prince is already six years old this year. The wealthy families in Songjiang City are still so envious of the Gu family for raising such a good daughter.
Which married girl would run back to her parents' home no matter what? She would not miss her niece's birthday. Only Princess Qi would do this.
If you look into it carefully, this statement is not true. In recent years, with the example of Princess Qi, married women in Songjiang City have been returning to their parents' home more frequently. Unless the family is really conservative, no one will prevent their daughter-in-law from returning to her parents' home for three to five years.
Relationships are built through time. Married women often return to their parents' home and maintain close ties with them. Even if their husband's family isn't a big deal, they still consider whether her family will come to visit when they try to bully their daughter-in-law. It's for this reason that young wives often have an easier time with their husbands' families than before.
In addition to the influence in secret, openly, when the government recruits people to do work, whether it is repairing official roads or building official residences or factories, women can sign up.
Women have more options outside the home. Even if they don't necessarily leave home, at least they are not left with nowhere to go. They also have more say in their husband's family. As mothers, their lives are easier and they raise their daughters more attentively.
Over time, everyone in Songjiang City, from top to bottom, whether they came from an official family or a farming family, whether they were young girls or married young women, all had a much higher status than before.
The women who understood all this were grateful to Princess Qi. Whenever they heard someone saying something bad about her, they would bravely argue with them.
As long as women take the first step, they will become bolder and dare to fight for themselves, for their children, for the right to speak in the family, and for power.
They may not be able to hold power like Princess Qi in their lifetime due to their own abilities or status, but their lives will always be better than before.
In Songjiang City, Gu Youan was treated with favor by the ladies and young ladies of various families wherever she went. She originally thought that their respect for her was only due to her status. Later, when she gradually understood it, she couldn't help feeling a little emotional and remembered what her teacher said when she was in school: shine, not be illuminated.
She emits a tiny bit of light, lighting up the dark sky. People who feel the light and warmth will join in, and the tiny bits of light will one day completely illuminate the darkness.
When Princess Qi's carriage passed along the avenue, the women on the roadside or in the fields in the distance all bowed from a distance.
Princess Qi, who was busy, couldn't see it, but the little people around her saw and remembered the respect the people showed her mother.
When A Yuan was born, he looked like his father. Now that he is over five years old, his face has grown. His eyebrows and eyes are still like his father, but the lower half of his face is like his mother. His handsome face is hard to tell whether it is male or female. When he wears a girl's clothes, it is impossible to tell whether he is a boy or a girl.
When A Yuan is not smiling, his face is cold, and his cold temperament is a combination of his father and mother, making him look noble and inviolable.
The carriage was moving slowly and swaying. The curtains were opened to let in light. The princess was reading a letter that had been sent from somewhere, and the young lady was leaning on her mother's arm to look at the scenery outside.
Xiaoyue glanced at the young master and asked, "Would you like some water?"
Yuan glanced at her and turned away.
Gu Youan didn't even raise his head, patted his son's shoulder and said, "I've told you several times, you have to answer when people ask you a question."
"Oh." Yuan responded with a cold face.
Xiaoyue smiled and asked again, "Sir, would you like some water? You haven't had any water since you got up this morning."
Knowing that the young master didn't like drinking plain water, Xiaoyue coaxed him, "It's not plain water, how about I pour you a glass?"
A Yuan turned his head away and didn't respond.
After reading the letter, Gu Youan finally looked up, put the letter in the wooden box beside him, hugged his son and asked Xiaoyue: "Didn't you give him something to drink this morning?"
Xiaoyue said, "No, Aunt Qian specifically told me before I left that the young master should at least have a drink."
"Zhou Yannian, why don't you drink water? Didn't mother tell you? You..."
Yuan rubbed his mother's arms and said lazily, "I don't want to drink."
When he left home, he saw the maid carrying a pot of mung bean water and putting it on the carriage. The mung bean water tasted astringent, which he didn't like.
Gu Youan pinched his son's face helplessly: "Your father and I are not picky people, and we don't know who you look like."
A Yuan snuggled into his mother's arms again, acting like a spoiled child.
Gu Youan immediately smiled: "Okay, if you don't want to drink it, then don't drink it. Let's go to your grandfather's house later and ask someone to make you a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup, okay?"
“You need to put sugar in it.”
"Okay, tell me how much candy you ate yesterday. I told you not to eat sweets for two days."
Ah Yuan said angrily, "I only ate one piece of candy. The rest went to my father. He bullied me."
"You mean your father ate all the candy and then accused you of eating it?"
"Um."
Gu Youan smiled and said, "Tell me the truth, how many candies did you eat? Don't say you only ate one. I don't believe you only ate one."
The child stopped talking again.
Xiaoyue beside him couldn't help laughing. The prince and the prince were fighting over some trivial matters. Not to mention the princess, the servants had seen it a lot and also found it interesting.
Gu Youan hugged his son and asked with a smile, "What birthday gift have you prepared for your cousin today?"
"Humph, I won't tell you."
"If you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me. I'll know in a while."
When the carriage arrived at Gu's house, the eldest sister-in-law Duan came to greet them at the door in person. Gu Youan supported the maid's hand and got out of the carriage and said with a smile, "There are no guests today, so why are you still waiting at the door?"
In the past few years, Duan gave birth to two more children, and her originally slender body became a little fuller. In addition, since last year, Du has handed over the management of the Gu family to her. Now, Duan is becoming more and more like a lady of the house from the inside out.
Gu Youan respected his elder sister-in-law and was always polite when speaking to Duan, never using his power to bully others.
Duan smiled at her, her gentle gaze resting on the little person who had just gotten off the carriage. She said, "I'm definitely not here to welcome you. I heard our A-Yuan is coming, too, so I came specially to welcome him."
A Yuan came forward politely and said hello: "A Yuan greets aunt."
Duan happily responded and stepped forward, saying, "Your cousins are waiting for you in the house. Come in quickly."
A Yuan never liked anyone other than his parents touching him. Duan knew her limits and was affectionate but not too close.
A Yuan smiled and said to Duan: "A Yuan is also thinking about my cousins, but A Yuan has to go and pay his respects to his grandparents and uncle first."
Seeing that he liked her more and more, Duan smiled and said, "Your uncle is away on a long trip. He's too busy with official duties to come back. Don't worry about him. Your grandparents are talking to someone in the front yard. Go ahead. The people in the house are all people you know."
A Yuan turned to look at his mother. Gu Youan took her hand and led her into the house, saying, "You'll have to call for help when you get in, okay?"
Yuan nodded obediently.
Duan, who was accompanying them, said with a smile, "Only An An and Prince Qi could raise a well-behaved child like Yuan. My three are like monkeys that jump around all the time. They even had a quarrel this morning and almost came to blows."
"What are you arguing about?"
"Well, last time it was Erlang's birthday, Yuan gave him a little wooden pig. Erlang loved it so much that he played with it all day long. Last night, Dalang and Erlang slept in the same bed. One of them wasn't paying attention this morning, and Dalang kicked Erlang's pig under the bed. Then the two brothers started arguing."
Gu Youan laughed and said, "Are they the only two brothers arguing? What about Axuan and Ningning? Last month, Mother came to the palace to see Ayuan and said that Axuan was becoming more and more unruly with Ningning."
Mrs. Duan looked like she had a headache. "That's right. Dalang is five, Erlang is three, and there's also Ningning. The three siblings are always messing around with that naughty Ah Xuan. Even mother can't control the four of them. They're just afraid of our father, but he's busy and often not at home, so there's no one to keep these four naughty kids in check."
Speaking of Ah Xuan, Duan whispered, "Ah Xuan is fifteen this year. After her coming-of-age ceremony, many people in our family have proposed marriages to her in the past few months. A few days ago, even Madam Yuan asked someone to propose on behalf of her nephew."
Two years ago, General Meng and Madam Meng passed away one after another. Without General Meng's reputation, Madam Yuan, the head lady of the Meng family, is no longer as glorious as before.
Before General Meng passed away, he had already divided the property among the Meng brothers. After Mrs. Meng passed away at the end of October last year, the Meng brothers agreed to move out and live somewhere else after the anniversary of Mrs. Meng's death.
In just over a month it will be the anniversary of Old Madam Meng's death. The Meng family will soon be disbanded, and Madam Yuan, the eldest son and daughter-in-law of the Meng family, will become even less important.
Gu Youan's attitude towards Madam Yuan remained the same as usual, but Madam Yuan knew, and the other families outside also knew, that after the death of the old couple of the Meng family, the Qi Palace and the Meng family became more distant, and their relationship became even more distant.
The Meng family is like this. The Yuan family, which has always relied on the Meng family, will have an even harder time in the future. No wonder Mrs. Yuan wants to propose marriage to the Gu family on behalf of her nephew.
"Which of her nephews does she want to speak for?"
"He's talking about the third son of Madam Yuan's eldest brother. Yuan Sanlang is currently working at the tax office. I heard he's a refined scholar."
Gu Youan immediately thought of Yuan Sanlang. She said, "The Yuan family doesn't have many promising descendants. This Yuan Sanlang is a standout among the dwarfs. However, he's not suitable for Axuan."
Yuan Sanlang was a good-looking man with a decent character, as evidenced by the fact that he had reached adulthood and still didn't have a maid in his room. However, he was a bit stubborn and stubborn, a complete opposite of Ah Xuan.
"Mom told you the same thing, saying that Yuan Sanlang and Axuan are not suitable." Since Duan could mention Yuan Sanlang, she must have inquired about him.
Duan said, "Since you're here, ask Axuan what kind of person she wants to find."
Gu Youan was surprised and said, "Sister-in-law, you didn't ask? Ah Xuan is close to you, what wouldn't she tell you?"
When Duan married into the family, Axuan was only seven or eight years old. Duan almost personally took care of Axuan until she grew up. It is not an exaggeration to say that the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother.
Duan is good to Axuan, and Axuan appreciates it. Axuan has always been close to her sister-in-law. How could Gu Youan, her elder sister, not know this?
Duan smiled and said, "Go ask her. She's tired of me now and won't tell me."
The aunt and sister-in-law talked as they walked, and the little boy Yuan listened all the way without saying a word. He only called out to them when he saw his grandparents and the guests.
Mrs. Du couldn't sit still when she saw A Yuan. She quickly stood up and came over, saying with a smile, "A Yuan is here, my dearest grandma. I haven't seen you for a long time and I miss you so much."
"Yuan misses his grandmother too."
Mrs. Du laughed and said, "Grandma's dear, come and sit with me. I have a lot to say to our Yuan."
After greeting Uncle Tian, Aunt Bai, Uncle Zhang, Aunt Liu, and the Duan couple, Gu Youan turned around and ordered, "Have someone make a pot of white fungus and lotus seed soup. Don't add sugar."
Mrs. Du said, "How can Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup be good without sugar?"
A Yuan nodded in his heart, his grandmother was right.
Gu Youan snorted with a smile: "Your grandson ate too much candy yesterday. He is not allowed to eat sweets these days. Mother, please don't give him candy secretly."
Mrs. Du glared at her daughter: "Ah Yuan is so well behaved, what's wrong with eating an extra candy?"
Gu Youan said helplessly: "Ask Uncle Zhang, the child ate too much candy and got rotten teeth. Not only will his rotten teeth be unsightly, but he will also suffer. Who will feel the pain for him then?"
Zhang Shinan smiled and said, "You should take good care of your teeth. If your teeth are damaged, you will feel uncomfortable for the rest of your life."
Mrs. Du was already in her fifties. Last year, her right back molar became loose. She knew the importance of teeth. Although she wanted to fulfill her grandson's wish, she could only sigh and look at him and say, "Listen to your mother. Grandmother's words don't count."
A Yuan had long known that his grandmother would not be able to win over his mother, but he was still a little disappointed. He nodded gently: "A Yuan listens to mother."
Mrs. Du glared at her daughter and said, "A Yuan is such a well-behaved boy, can't you pamper him a little?"
Her mother is old and no longer takes care of household affairs. In the past year or two, she has become more casual in her words and deeds. Gu Youan ignored her and asked A Yuan to go find Ningning to play.
Gu Youan sat down next to Aunt Bai and asked with a smile, "Are you and Uncle Tian the only ones here? A few of your grandchildren you didn't bring along?"
Mrs. Bai smiled and said, "This spring, Dalang and his wife went to Dongshan Port. The two children missed their parents, and a few days ago, they begged your uncle Tian and me to go to Dongshan Port to visit them. Your uncle Tian agreed. Well, Erlang's two children also found out about this, and they couldn't resist, so all four of them went to Dongshan Port."
Tian Dalang and his wife have two sons, Tian Erlang has a son and a daughter, and the four cousins are not far apart in age. In addition, their parents are busy, so the four children spend more time with their grandparents and grow up together with a close relationship. If two of them run to Dongshan Port, the other two will definitely not be able to sit still.
Tian Qingde snorted softly and said to his wife in dissatisfaction, "The youngest is five years old, and the oldest is seven. They are at the age of learning to read. And you promised them to go out and play, and then you put the blame on me."
Mrs. Bai glanced at the old man and said, "The children are all afraid of you, their grandfather. I helped you to flatter them, and you don't appreciate it and blame me? Besides, the children are only a little old. What will it delay them if they go out for ten days or half a month? When they are gone, Dalang will naturally keep an eye on them and study."
"Da Lang is so busy, how can he have time to look after the child?"
Seeing the couple talking back and forth, Zhang Shinan, who was standing beside them, said, "Dongshan Port has been getting much better over the past couple of years. I'm afraid Jiaxuan will be very busy as the governor of Dongshan Port."
Gu Wen continued, "The weather is still warm, so businesses will definitely be busy doing more business before the snow starts. It's definitely going to be a busy period."
Duan Ji, who was sitting to Gu Wen's right and drinking tea, said, "Since May, the commercial taxes paid by Dongshan Port have increased every month, which shows how busy it is."
Duan Ji smiled at Gu Youan and said, "Your Highness and Princess are truly far-sighted. Thanks to the official road connecting Songjiang City with the seaport, Dongshan Port has flourished over the past year or two. The port's commercial taxes have increased year by year, and Songjiang City has also become increasingly prosperous."
Madam Duan smiled and said, "That's right. When the princess ordered the construction of the official road, some people with shallow eyes privately said a lot of sarcastic remarks. Now look at it again, it really slapped their faces."
Gu Youan didn't care what others thought. She and Zhou Qi knew the approximate outcome before making the decision. Now, they were just proceeding according to their plan.
This is just the beginning, it will get better.
A group of people were chatting and laughing when Ah Xuan arrived with a few children. As soon as Ah Xuan entered the room, she smiled and said, "Sister, why didn't you come to see me when you came?"
"I'm busy. I was planning to talk to you in the afternoon." Gu Youan pulled her to sit down and looked at her with a smile. Her little sister had really grown up.
Ningning, who was celebrating her birthday today, came over with her brothers: "Ningning pays her respects to auntie."
Gu Youan waved his hand, and Xiaoyue handed over a red sandalwood carved box. Gu Youan took it and gave it to Ningning personally, saying with a smile, "This is a birthday gift from your uncle and aunt. I hope our Ningning will be happy every day."
Ningning smiled slightly: "Ningning thanks uncle and aunt."
Ah Xuan covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister, it's you. After Ningning lost her teeth, she had to cover her mouth when talking to us. She only speaks freely in front of you."
Gu Youan glared at his sister and said, "When you first lost your teeth, you were so shy that you didn't even leave the house. How dare you talk about Ningning?"
Ah Xuan laughed out loud: "It was only those few days. After that, I went out riding and hunting without hiding it."
A Yuan stood beside his mother, looking at his cousin's mouth curiously. In another year or two, would he also lose his teeth?
Gu Youan embraced Yuan and asked with a smile, "Ningning, what birthday gift did Yuan give you? I asked him on the way, but he refused to tell me."
Before Ning Ning could answer, A Xuan slapped her thigh and said with a smile: "Sister, you will never guess what A Yuan gave you."
"What is it?"
The birthday gift that Yuan gave was placed in a small box and was held by his personal servant. It was definitely not a big thing.
"Hahaha, your son gave me a big gold ingot as a birthday gift. That's really substantial."
Everyone in the room looked at A Yuan, and Mrs. Du was also curious: "My dear, why did you give your cousin gold?"
Yuan glanced at his younger cousin, Ayang, and said, "Last time on Ayang's birthday, I gave him a piglet. Duan Liulang told him to throw it away, saying it wasn't worth much. He could have bought a box of cheap stuff with the money he'd given the actors at the theater. I figured gold is more valuable than silver, so I'll give it to you, cousin, so you can buy as many wood carvings as you like."
Mrs. Du was stunned, and Duan Ji and Mrs. Duan's faces suddenly turned ugly.
Duan Liulang is the youngest grandson of the Duan family. When Duan Liulang causes trouble at home, the elders just scold him for being young and ignorant and let it go.
But in the Gu family, Duan Liulang is eight years old this year, older than the other members of the Gu family. Besides, it would be a bit inappropriate for him to fool around because he is ignorant.
Madam Duan said hurriedly, "Gifts are about the thought behind them. Whatever the prince gives to Ayang is good. My son Liulang was ignorant and said something wrong, causing the prince and Ayang to feel wronged. I'll ask his father to teach him a lesson later."
A Yuan said, "Madam Duan, there's no need to do this. Duan Liulang is only five years older than A Yang. It would be bad to hurt him."
Three-year-old Ayang didn't quite understand the long words. His brother Axing, who was five years old, understood them. He said, "Grandma, don't hurt him. Just make him cry and he'll be fine."
A Xuan couldn't help it and stared at her two funny nephews and laughed.
Mrs. Du advised, "The child doesn't have any bad intentions. He just says whatever comes to mind. Don't be angry, in-laws. It's not worth it to get yourself hurt by anger."
Seeing her mother-in-law speak, Duan also said, "Mother, please don't beat Liu Lang when you go back. It's nothing for children to quarrel with each other."
Duan Ji snorted, "Eight years old is not young anymore. If you don't teach him well now, it will be difficult to teach him when he grows up. Your eldest brother and his wife are also at fault. They dote on their youngest son to the point of lawlessness."
Duan Ji and his wife had come to Gu's house happily to celebrate their granddaughter's birthday banquet. However, because their grandson was ignorant, he went back home sulking after the banquet at noon. Duan Liulang was afraid that he would suffer.
Gu Youan didn't stay long in the afternoon. On the way back in the carriage, Gu Youan stared at his son and asked, "Did you do this on purpose today?"
"Mom, I said it on purpose. Duan Liulang is so annoying and I want to teach him a lesson." A Yuan admitted readily.
Ayang's birthday was more than two months ago. It took a child like him two months to remember this little thing. Gu Youan was a little speechless.
"Why didn't you say anything at the time? Is this something worth remembering for so long?"
Yuan smiled obediently and said, "There were only a few of us kids there at the time. He definitely wouldn't admit it if I told him. It would be useless even if I told my aunt."
"How do you know it's useless?"
"Will my aunt stand up for Ayang and scold Duan Liulang?"
The sister-in-law cares about her dignity, and she would not scold her nephew in front of outsiders.
A Yuan blinked. That's why he thought of complaining to Duan Liulang's grandparents. This would be more effective.
Gu Youan sighed, picked up his son and placed him on his lap, saying, "You, you've been making trouble with your father all day long. I think you must have inherited your smart brain from him."
She was just an ordinary child when she was young. She definitely didn't have so many little thoughts, nor did she have such a good memory as her son.
Yuan was young after all, and no matter how clever he was, he was still a child, and his little tricks were immediately seen through by the experienced adults. However, an open plot is still a plot, and no matter what method, as long as it works, it's fine.
At this time, Gu Wen and Tian Qingde were playing chess in the backyard, and Zhang Shinan was watching.
Tian Qingde stared at the chessboard and smiled, "A six-year-old child has such thoughts. Prince Qi and An An will have successors."
Gu Wen's lips curled up slightly, and he praised his grandson generously: "A Yuan has been a quiet kid since he was little, but he has a very smart mind and a plan in mind. He's rare."
Tian Qingde gloated, "I'm afraid the Duan family's grandson won't be able to escape a beating."
Gu Wen said, "He deserves to be beaten. He doesn't study and learn calligraphy at such a young age, but learns the ways of some dandy boys. He has ruined the reputation of the Duan family."
"Alas, Lord Duan and his sons are all good. The Duan family is now considered a high-ranking and wealthy family in Songjiang City. They have power and influence, and with the wealth and luxury accumulated by generations, it is not surprising that there are a few playboys among their descendants."
Tian Qingde said this, but he was alert in his heart. He couldn't let any of his grandsons in the Tian family be like Duan Liulang, otherwise he would break their legs.
It is human nature to think from that perspective. As long as it doesn't happen to you, you will naturally not feel any pain. After all, Duan is the daughter of the Duan family, so you can't help but think too much.
Duan called her children to her side and asked them what happened at Ayang's birthday party. The two brothers Axing and Ayang, aged five and three respectively, had no memory of what happened more than two months ago. They only said that Duan Liulang was annoying.
Ningning was older, so she did remember. She frowned and said, "That day, Duan Liulang mocked the piglet Yuan gave him, saying it was worthless and wanted to take it away and throw it away. The servant next to Yuan protected Yuan and pushed him away."
Ningning wanted to complain at the time, but she gave up because her cousins apologized for Duan Liulang and gave things to curry favor with Ayang, and because Ayuan persuaded her.
Otherwise, even if she didn't complain to the adults, she would fight back for Ayang.
Duan sighed. Her daughter called Yuan in a warm and affectionate tone, but she called her nephew Duan Liulang in a distant tone. The difference was obvious.
Duan thought carefully and remembered that An An's expression clearly showed ignorance when A Yuan mentioned his nephew. Given how attentive An An and his wife were to An An, even if there was a quarrel between the children, the servant who took care of A Yuan would not have failed to report it to his master.
Since An An didn't know, it must be that the servant didn't tell him. Did the servant forget, or did Yuan not allow it?
If Yuan doesn't allow it, how can he control the servants around him at such a young age?
Thinking about the sudden attack two months later, Duan was even more frightened. Yuan looked like a very gentle boy, but he was so patient and calculating!
Duan couldn't help but get goosebumps all over her body.
"Mom, what are you thinking about?"
Seeing that her mother didn't say anything, Ningning said, "Mom, are you unhappy?"
"Mom is not unhappy."
There was no need to think about who was more important between her nephew and her own children. Duan looked at her three children and said, "If you meet someone outside who says something bad about you or scolds you, remember to come back and tell me."
Ah Xing said, "Mom, will you help us get revenge?"
Duan smiled and said, "Okay, if anyone bullies you in the future, I will help you get revenge."
Ning Ning waved her hand and said, "No need. My aunt said that good girls always take revenge on their own."
Duan sighed helplessly: "Do you listen to your aunt or me?"
Ningning chuckled and said nothing.
When Duan saw her daughter like this, she thought of the words her mother-in-law used to comfort her when she was angry with A Xuan. She used them to comfort herself now: Well, it’s okay for the young lady to be a little fierce, at least she won’t be bullied outside.
When Duan Ji returned home, he called his grandson and started beating him. Duan Liulang was covered with red marks and cried loudly. His mother was so distressed that she sobbed. Seeing that her parents-in-law had gloomy faces, she didn't dare to ask any more questions.
Not to mention the Duan family, when Gu Youan brought his son home, Zhou Qi also came back.
When Gu Youan saw him, he said, "Your son is incredible. Now he knows how to file a complaint."
Zhou Qi laughed and said, "Who did he complain to?"
Gu Youan was thirsty. He asked the maid to pour some water while smiling and saying to Zhou Qi, "This is really interesting. Your son's lawsuit is very brave and resourceful. Ask him to tell you in detail."
Zhou Qi glanced at his son.
A Yuan ignored his father and walked into the house with his mother on his short legs.
A Yuan refused to say anything. Gu Youan was in a very good mood at the moment and vividly described the whole story of his son's complaint today.
Gu Youan hugged his son and kissed him fiercely, then smiled and winked at Zhou Qi: "Tell me the truth, were you as cunning as Yuan when you were a child?"
Zhou Qi denied it and said with a smile, "I was very well-behaved when I was little, unlike him."
"That's too false. I don't believe it."
Zhou Qi couldn't help but laugh. He said, "Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about the navy. I don't know how the navy's training has been going these past few months. I want to go to Dongshan Port in a few days to take a look."
"After spending so much time and money, I have to go and take a look." Gu Youan also had this plan.
Six years ago, Gu Youan ordered Liu Zhongnan to go to Dongshan Port to find shipbuilders and craftsmen and bring them to Dongshan Port. In the past few years, Dongshan Port first relied on the purchased sea vessels to do business with the south, and later built its own shipyard to build large ships. Now that a certain number of large ships have been accumulated, Zhou Qi ordered that 5,000 people be transferred from the city defense army to Dongshan Port and incorporated into the navy after the spring of this year.
The couple knew that sooner or later they would have to confront the imperial court, and they built a navy to fight against the imperial navy.
A Yuan tugged at his mother's sleeve: "I want to go."
Zhou Qi curled his lips and said deliberately: "Only ignorant children can't leave their mothers. Shame on you."
A Yuan answered his father seriously: "A Yuan is just an ignorant little kid. A little kid can't live without his mother. A Yuan will sleep with his mother tonight."
"No, you sleep alone!"
A Yuan held his mother tightly and pretended not to hear.
Zhou Qi was so angry.
Gu Youan held his son in his left hand, patted his shoulder with his right hand, and said with a smile: "You are a generous man. Don't be angry with your son. Think about how you had to help him sleep every night when he was just born."
"Hmph, I'm narrow-minded! I can't be magnanimous!"
"Your Highness Prince Qi~"
When she called him like that, Zhou Qi deliberately put on a stern face but eventually smiled.
Alas, one son was enough to make him angry, fortunately he didn’t have two.
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