After leaving the Xie family, Shen Youying went to the Zhang family.
Shen Youying originally wanted to see Madam Zhang, but unexpectedly she was led into the mansion by a maid, only to find that Zhang Ganzhi had not gone to the palace, but was in the mansion instead.
He was tall and strong with dark skin. When he saw Shen Youying come in, Zhang Ganzhi stood up to greet her. Shen Youying even felt the ground under her feet shake from his stomping.
Recalling the old story told by Madam Xie, Shen Youying performed the junior's courtesy and bowed, calling out "Uncle".
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ganzhi slapped his thigh and laughed loudly, "Good niece, I knew it! With your father like that, how could he have given birth to such a beautiful daughter like you? You're not only pretty, but you also have a very pleasant way of speaking."
Since she could remember, Shen Youying had never had any contact with the Zhang family. Zhang Ganzhi was so familiar with her that she felt a little awkward.
Madam Zhang, who was standing nearby, noticed this and slapped her husband, saying, "I told you to keep your voice down. You're scaring the princess."
Madam Zhang pulled Shen Youying to sit down beside her and explained, "Don't mind him. That's just how he is. He's been envious of your father for over ten years, but he can't visit him often, so he's holding a grudge."
Shen Youying shook her head, thinking that the Zhang couple were straightforward people, so she didn't beat around the bush and took out the horse teeth, saying, "When I came this time, my father said—"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Ganzhi chuckled coldly and took the horse teeth, saying, "After all these years, your stubborn old man has finally come to his senses."
Shen Youying made two trips today, but still couldn't understand what her father had agreed to with the two men. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "What exactly did my father agree to with my two uncles?"
Zhang Ganzhi seemed to remember something, his smile faded, and he said, "This matter is a long story, and I cannot reveal too much. You only need to know that it is related to the King of Qin."
"Your Highness?"
Shen Youying was startled. Thinking of Xue Shen's recent plans, she suddenly realized something and her eyes widened.
Seeing that she understood immediately, Zhang Ganzhi said sourly, "I don't know what good luck Shen Mingjiang had, how come we only have stupid sons and not a single daughter?"
Madam Zhang was tired of hearing him say that. Ever since Shen Mingjiang had this little daughter, and Zhang Ganzhi had held her once during the full moon celebration, he had never forgotten her and kept saying that he wanted to have a daughter too.
But the Zhang family was not destined to have daughters; over the years, she gave birth to four sons.
Now that the couple is getting old, Zhang Ganzhi has finally given up on the idea. However, he always envies Shen Mingjiang when he talks about it, and complains that he shouldn't have agreed to Shen Mingjiang's nonsense. They are clearly brothers, but they have to pretend to be enemies outside, which makes it impossible for him to recognize his goddaughter or let his son marry her.
Shen Youying recovered from her shock, composed herself, and rose to bow: "On behalf of the Prince, I thank you both for this matter..."
Seeing this, Madam Zhang quickly helped him up, and Zhang Ganzhi waved his hand, saying, "That's not necessary. We're not doing this entirely for him..."
The three of them escaped death that year and used a horse tooth as a token to vow that one day they would wipe out the Northern Rong and restore peace to the border.
When the late emperor was still alive, although they were far apart and served the court in different places, they occasionally corresponded, mentioning their shared aspirations and filled with hope. In their letters, they even joked that if the borders remained unsettled for even a day, they would not retire even at the age of seventy.
However, before the Northern Rong could be pacified, the late emperor suddenly passed away.
After that, Emperor Cheng'an ascended the throne... Let's not even mention those messy things.
At that time, Zhang Ganzhi had just been transferred back to the capital. He was straightforward and had a bad temper. Shen Mingjiang was afraid that he would offend people and cause trouble, so he managed to get him to the Privy Council.
Emperor Cheng'an was unaware of their friendship, and since Zhang Gan often clashed with Shen Mingjiang when they met, in order to counterbalance Shen Mingjiang, he promoted him all the way to the position of Deputy Privy Councilor.
Shen Mingjiang guessed Emperor Cheng'an's intention, which is why he suggested continuing down this path of mistaken belief.
Over the years, Zhang Ganzhi had lived a very frustrating life, and he couldn't bear to see his once spirited friends become so smooth and obedient. Sometimes, when he was really fed up, he would pretend to scold Shen Mingjiang, so much so that apart from Xie Lianhong, everyone else thought that the two of them had a very bad relationship.
"To be honest, when your older brother got into trouble, I tried to persuade your father, but he absolutely refused. Now he seems to have come to his senses."
As Shen Youying listened, she thought to herself, "No wonder my father wanted to keep people under his nose. Uncle Zhang really dares to say anything."
*
Zhang Ganzhi was overjoyed to receive Shen Mingjiang's confirmation. When Shen Youying offered to leave, he refused to let her go and kept her for dinner.
Unable to refuse Shen Youying's hospitality, she had no choice but to stay for a meal.
The Zhang family had no rules, and they didn't need servants to wait on them during meals. In fact, Zhang Ganzhi even cooked two dishes himself to entertain his niece, whom he could finally meet openly.
Seeing Shen Youying's surprised expression, Zhang Ganzhi said smugly, "Back when we were fighting together, your father craved this. He had to beg me to make it for him with wine."
Shen Youying couldn't help but laugh when she thought about that scene.
Zhang Ganzhi's cooking skills were indeed good. Although the presentation was not as exquisite and beautiful as that of a master chef, it was very appetizing. Shen Youying ate a large bowl of rice with the dish.
Seeing that she ate a lot and didn't put on airs like other noble ladies, Zhang Ganzhi was even more pleased and said, "When I first heard that the Lu family had broken off the engagement, I wanted to propose marriage, but your father absolutely refused, saying that proposing marriage now would be a waste of time after all these years."
He scoffed, "Do you think I don't know? He just looks down on your stupid brothers and can't bear to part with his daughter. In the end, it all benefited the King of Qin."
Madam Zhang was exasperated by his tendency to blurt out everything, and with a forced smile, she stomped on his foot under the table.
Shen Youying didn't think anything of it. She blinked and teased playfully, "Maybe my father is afraid that you'll compete with him for his daughter."
Zhang Ganzhi pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "Your father's narrow-mindedness makes that possibility not impossible."
After saying that, he looked at Shen Youying's slightly protruding belly and asked, "Are you five months pregnant?"
Shen Youying shook her head: "Four months or so, it'll be soon."
Zhang Gan said, "That's perfect. Your eldest son, Nan Yao, is only two years old. If you have a daughter in the future, our son will still have a chance."
Madam Zhang couldn't stop him and rolled her eyes. Shen Youying is now the Princess Consort of Qin, and Qin Prince may sit on that throne in the future. Anyone with a brain wouldn't say that Shen Youying's first child is a girl.
How annoying!
Shen Youying didn't think that much about it; on the contrary, she felt more relaxed than ever before.
Zhang Ganzhi is indeed straightforward; he says whatever comes to mind. It's actually easier to get along with someone like that, as you don't have to beat around the bush when you say something.
Shen Youying stayed at the Zhang family's house for a long time, listening to Zhang Ganzhi recount many old stories about his father. It wasn't until Madam Zhang reminded her that it was getting late that Zhang Ganzhi reluctantly saw Shen Youying off.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
