After two days of eating and sleeping, Gu Jiu lived a happy life like a pig. His sluggish spirit finally regained its luster.
My eldest brother is one year old, and even if no one else invites him, Princess Huyang and the Xiao family must.
Princess Huyang arrived at the palace early in the morning.
She didn't care about Pei, but went to visit her daughter Chen Min first.
Ever since Chen Min was bullied by Princess Huyang's lover, he has been living in Wang Mansion, keeping Liu Huan and the others company.
It's quite comfortable for a few girls to get together every day.
It was impossible for Princess Huyang to expect her daughter to feel guilty or indebted when she saw her.
As soon as the mother and daughter met, Princess Huyang asked, "Where's your brother? Why hasn't he come yet?"
Chen Min's brother, Chen Lu, ran back to the Chen family because of Hu Yang's mistress. The young man was the sole proprietor of the family.
The mother and son haven't seen each other for almost a year.
Huyang knew that his daughter Chen Min had been in contact with Chen Lu.
If you want to know about Chen Lu’s situation, ask Chen Min and you will know everything.
Chen Min was actually a little afraid of Princess Huyang. She lowered her head and whispered, "My brother hasn't arrived yet."
"So your brother will come to the palace today?"
Chen Min nodded slightly, her voice soft as a mosquito, "The palace sent an invitation to my brother, asking him to come over for a drink. My brother said he would come."
"Since you are coming, why haven't you arrived yet?" Princess Huyang looked dissatisfied.
She has arrived, but Chen Lu hasn't yet. This is ridiculous.
Chen Min defended Chen Lu, saying, "My brother is busy, so he might be a little late."
"What is he busy with?"
Chen Min secretly glanced at Princess Huyang, "Doesn't mother know?"
"How would I know what's going on with him? What on earth is your brother busy with?"
Chen Min hesitated for a moment, "My brother is busy studying and managing the business."
Princess Huyang scoffed. "He can't even take the imperial examination, so why would he study? How much of the Chen family's assets are left for him to manage? Brat, you're such a tough nut to crack. For all this time, you haven't even come back to the Princess's Mansion. What did he tell you? Is he deliberately trying to cut off contact with me?"
Chen Min shook her head repeatedly, "Brother didn't say that."
"So what did he say?"
Chen Min gritted her teeth and said, "Brother only said that he wanted to support the Chen family."
Princess Huyang's eyes were filled with contempt. "With just him, he wouldn't be able to hold on for eight or ten years. If he weren't my son, I'm afraid he wouldn't even be able to find a wife."
Chen Min secretly complained that it was because you were our mother that no one was willing to marry their daughter to my brother.
Chen Lu is now of age, and marriage is almost on the agenda. However, it seems that Chen Lu's marriage will be difficult, and he will be neither high nor low.
Firstly, the Chen family was plundered and their assets were confiscated, leaving Chen Lu to support the family alone, completely destitute.
It was Prince Ning who stepped in to help Chen Lu get back part of the Chen family's property from the Shaofu and provided him with money, so that Chen Lu would not starve and could afford to support servants.
Second, Chen Lu had a mother with a very bad reputation, Princess Huyang.
No decent family was willing to become a relative of Huyang.
"Why don't you speak?" Princess Huyang reminded Chen Min dissatisfiedly.
Chen Min was a little confused. "What did you say?"
"Tell me about your brother's plan. What exactly does he think?"
Chen Min hesitated for a moment before saying, "Brother doesn't want to get married for now. It doesn't matter if it's ten or eight years later."
Princess Huyang frowned, "Did he really say that?"
Chen Min nodded, "My brother plans to join the army."
Although they were not allowed to take the imperial examinations, they were not restricted from joining the military.
Chen Lu wanted to revive the Chen family, either through civil or military means. Only by obtaining a position, establishing meritorious service, and attracting the attention of the world could he truly revive the family.
Joining the army was Chen Lu's choice.
Princess Huyang snorted, "He wants to join the army. Has he asked for my opinion?"
Chen Min bit her lip and said nothing.
"What? Does he think that I can't control him anymore after he moves back to the Chen family?" Princess Huyang's face was full of frost.
Chen Min whispered, "Brother doesn't want to be a second-generation rich kid who just eats and waits for death, and he doesn't have the qualifications to be one. Mother, why don't you help him?"
Princess Huyang chuckled twice, "Before I ask him to fulfill his wish, let him kowtow and apologize before me first."
Chen Min's eyes were red.
Chen Lu was determined to escape the control of Princess Huyang, and was willing to go back to the Chen family even if it meant a falling out between mother and son. So how could he possibly come to Princess Huyang and kowtow and apologize?
Just at this moment, a servant came in to report that Chen Lu had arrived at the palace and was paying his respects in Chunhe Hall.
Upon hearing this, Princess Huyang said, "I will also go to Chunhe Hall to say hello to my sister-in-law."
Princess Huyang is gone.
Chen Min was very worried. After thinking about it, he ran out of the room and went to find his cousin Liu Zhao.
She came to the east courtyard and said, "Cousin, cousin-in-law, can you please help my brother? My mother is going to find my brother, and she will definitely not let him go."
"Don't be anxious, sister Min."
Gu Jiu comforted Chen Min.
How could Chen Min not be anxious? She was so anxious that her eyes turned red and she was almost crying.
"Cousin, cousin-in-law, please help me. My brother is no match for mother, and she will definitely make things difficult for him. My brother's life is already very difficult, how can mother have the heart to make things difficult for him at every turn."
Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao exchanged a glance.
Liu Zhao said, "I'll go over and take a look at the situation first."
Liu Zhao left.
Gu Jiu ordered someone to bring hot water for Chen Min to wash.
Chen Min was very sad and upset.
"My brother wants to join the army, but mother will definitely not agree. She will try every possible way to stop him. How can my brother be so miserable? His father is gone, and his mother is like this... wuwu..."
Gu Jiu comforted her, "Don't cry, sister Min. Things may not be as serious as you think."
Princess Huyang was indeed a jerk, but she wouldn't force Chen Lu to death.
Moreover, when dealing with Princess Huyang, you cannot use hard tactics, and of course you cannot use soft tactics either.
Because Huyang is not easily persuaded.
To deal with Hu Yang, you have to be patient and persuasive, and make her dizzy, then everything will be easy to talk about.
Chen Min looked at Gu Jiu eagerly, "Cousin-in-law must have a way. She is so powerful, she must be able to persuade my mother. Can you come with me to Chunhe Hall? I am worried about my brother."
Gu Jiu took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Okay, I'll go to Chunhe Hall right away. You go back to your room and wait for news."
Chen Min shook his head, "I want to go to Chunhetang, too."
"Are you sure? Aunt Huyang might say something very unpleasant."
Chen Min lowered her head, feeling a little aggrieved. "I've heard the worst words before, and I'm fine."
"Well then, come with me to Chunhetang."
Gu Jiu brought Chen Min and the maids and servants to Chunhe Hall.
Before I even entered the door, I heard Princess Huyang yelling and cursing.
Bang!
Pei was extremely angry and slammed her hand on the table, "Huyang, look carefully, this is the palace, not a place for you to act wildly."
"I'm disciplining my son, and my sister-in-law wants to interfere? That's too much."
"If you want to discipline Chen Lu, this princess really can't do it. But this is the prince's palace, not your princess's residence. If you want to discipline your son, go back to the princess's residence."
There was a bright red slap mark on Chen Lu’s face.
Seeing this, Chen Min burst into tears and ran to Chen Lu, "Brother, did you get beaten? Does it hurt?"
Chen Lu shook his head and said firmly, "It's okay!"
Gu Jiu silently asked Liu Zhao what was going on.
Liu Zhao whispered, "When I arrived, Chen Lu had already been beaten."
If Liu Zhao hadn't protected Chen Lu, Chen Lu would have been beaten. Didn't you see that Chen Lu was hiding behind Liu Zhao at this moment?
Chen Min was very angry and stared at Hu Yang very boldly with angry eyes.
Princess Huyang was furious and pointed at the two siblings, "You are rebelling. I am your mother, so what if I beat you? Even if I beat you to death, the government will not intervene."
"The government doesn't intervene, but the royal palace does." Liu Zhao was very dissatisfied.
He actually didn't want to explain to Huyang.
Because Huyang is too difficult to deal with and is always unreasonable.
Hu Yang snorted coldly, "Liu Zhao, get out of my way. I must teach these two unfilial children a lesson today."
Liu Zhao sneered, "I'm protecting these siblings, but is my aunt going to hit me too?"
"Liu Zhao, this is my family affair, do you really have to interfere?"
"So what if I interfere?" Liu Zhao refused to give in.
Pei had long disliked Huyang. "Someone, please ask Princess Huyang to leave."
"Sister-in-law, you are so arrogant. Don't forget, this is the palace, the residence of my brother. Be careful when my brother comes back, I will go to him and complain about you."
Pei sneered, "Have you not filed enough complaints in these years?"
Liu Zhao also said: "With my father away, I am in charge of the palace. Aunt, if you don't restrain yourself, don't blame me for being rude."
"How can you be so rude? Just tell me." Hu Yang was furious and jumped up pointing at Liu Zhao.
"That's enough, stop talking."
Gu Jiu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up and scolded harshly.
"Aunt Huyang, do you believe me?" Gu Jiu asked seriously.
Princess Huyang was a little embarrassed when she saw Gu Jiu. Then she smiled again, "Of course I believe you."
"Then can you listen to me for a few words?"
"you say."
Gu Jiu said, "Cousin Chen Lu is so angry and wants to teach him a lesson. Could it be that he wants to join the army?"
Princess Huyang glared at Chen Lu fiercely, "Don't you see what kind of person you are? You have no skills at all, yet you dare to join the army? Are you looking for death?"
Chen Lu clenched his fists, blood rushed to his head, and his cheeks turned red.
He was extremely angry.
It turns out that in his mother's eyes, he is just a piece of trash, not even a human being.
He was in great pain. He asked himself countless times what sins he had committed in his previous life to be reborn in Huyang's belly in this life.
Sometimes I really wish I could just die.
Death would put an end to all problems and I would no longer have to endure humiliation from my loved ones.
But when he thought that he was the only male left in the Chen family, and that if he died, no one would support his sister, he lost the courage to die.
Gu Jiu glanced at Chen Lu.
One of them speaks so harshly, and the other takes every word to heart. It would be strange if this mother and son could get along well.
Gu Jiu stepped forward, took Hu Yang's hand, and helped her sit down on the chair.
He poured another cup of tea and placed it next to her.
Then, she said softly, "I understand your feelings. You only have one son, Chen Lu, and fighting in the army is bound to result in casualties. You are simply too worried about your cousin Chen Lu, afraid that he would never return from the army, leaving behind even a child. That's why you tried so hard to stop him from joining the army."
Princess Huyang was overwhelmed with emotions for a moment, and finally someone could understand her feelings.
"It's my nephew's wife who understands my feelings. I've been thinking about that brat wholeheartedly, but he doesn't appreciate it. Look at the look in his eyes, it's like he's looking at an enemy."
Chen Lu had a blank expression on his face, he wouldn't believe a word of it.
All the worries and concerns are fake.
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "Auntie clearly cares about cousin Chen Lu, but what she says always leads to misunderstandings. Shouldn't you express your true feelings?"
"Whatever you say. I am his biological mother. Is it wrong for me to not allow him to join the army?"
Hu Yang snorted coldly, and did not forget to glare at Chen Lu.
Chen Lu's face turned pale and he said nothing.
Gu Jiu said, "Aunt, what you said is biased. Cousin Chen Lu is already an adult supporting his family on his own, so you should speak to him more gently. You care about him, but why do you have to say such careless words that cause misunderstandings?
Auntie also hopes that cousin Chen Lu can understand that you care about him, but judging from Auntie's attitude, he has so little experience that how can he see through Auntie's true feelings.
Princess Huyang was stubborn. "I'm his mother. How can I consider his feelings when I talk to him? That's ridiculous."
Gu Jiu lowered her voice and asked, "Aunt really hopes that cousin Chen Lu will always misunderstand you?"
Princess Huyang was speechless.
Gu Jiu raised his voice again, "Auntie clearly has a kind heart, but she can't bring herself to lose face. Her words are like a rain of swords. Cousin Chen Lu and Sister Min are still young, how can they withstand such a scene? You know, I was almost scared by Auntie before. Auntie's majesty is not something everyone can withstand."
Liu Zhao pursed his lips and smiled secretly.
Gu Jiu is fooling people again.
Princess Huyang's eyes flickered, and she asked Gu Jiu with a smile, "I've always been very majestic, right?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "Of course. Aunt is as brave as a man, she is truly awe-inspiring."
Pei, who was sitting at the top, felt her teeth almost fall out when she heard Gu Jiu praising Hu Yang with all his might.
No wonder Gu Jiu was able to coax Hu Yang. He was truly capable of lying, twisting right and wrong, and complimenting Hu Yang.
Pei snorted coldly. She couldn't praise Hu Yang awkwardly or coax him patiently.
She would rather slap Hu Yang in the face and kick him out.
No matter how Pei looked at Huyang, she just couldn't stand him.
Pei doesn't have much patience for people she dislikes.
Princess Huyang glanced at Chen Lu and Chen Min, brother and sister, and said, "My eldest nephew's wife truly understands me. I have good intentions, but these two unfilial children treat me like a donkey's liver and lungs. They haven't learned any skills, yet they want to join the army. Aren't they afraid of dying out there and having no one to carry on the Chen family's legacy?"
Chen Lu's face turned grim. "No matter if I have the ability or not, I will join the army. Mother, either support me or leave me alone and pretend you never gave birth to me."
"How dare you!" Hu Yang slammed the table in anger.
Seeing that the mother and son were about to fight again, Gu Jiu quickly stopped Hu Yang and winked at Liu Zhao, asking him to take Chen Lu away quickly.
Liu Zhao pulled Chen Lu away.
Hu Yang was furious and pointed at Chen Lu and cursed him.
"Aunt, have you forgotten what I told you?"
Gu Jiu's face darkened as he reminded Hu Yang not to go too far. Not only should he not be too harsh on the child, but he should also not act wildly in the palace.
"Nephew's wife, you saw everything just now. Look at that brat Chen Lu's eyes."
"Aunt, how old is cousin Chen Lu this year? Seriously speaking, he's still a young boy. Aunt, do you really want to pick a fight with him?"
Huyang County Commander Zhang Zheng said, "He just needs to be taught a lesson."
Gu Jiu asked, "Prince Consort Chen died so tragically, and all the Chen family members were wiped out overnight. What do you want your cousin Chen Lu to do? Aunt should be thankful that he didn't go crazy because of this."
"I think it's remarkable that he's managed to hold on to this day. Who else could pull themselves up and support the family on their own after their family was destroyed? I should be proud to have a son like him."
Chen Min, who was hiding in the corner, couldn't help but tear up when she heard these words.
I didn't expect that the person who knew my eldest brother best would be my cousin's wife.
My cousin’s wife said it very well.
Aunt Huyang was a little embarrassed.
Gu Jiu said again: "After Prince Consort Chen passed away, my aunt quickly came out of the haze. That's because my aunt's family is still there. She has a pair of children, a prince, and a queen, and she can still get the support of her relatives.
But who supported Chen Lu's cousin? In his heart, the closest people were the Chen family. But all the Chen family members were dead.
Sister Min was so young and still needed comfort, so he hoped that his closest mother could comfort him. However, his aunt, as a mother, only blamed him and never said a word of comfort.
Just think about it, he must be feeling miserable. He goes against you and contradicts you just to get your attention and support.
He wants to join the army simply to revive his family and establish the Chen family. "Auntie, are you really going to turn a blind eye to all this?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com