Chapter 248 Chapter 248 Brother-in-law
In response to Qin Run's concerns, Fang Zixi offered some reassurance, "Xu Yunfan has been here for almost a year, and Yun Zhuo left after only six months. They must be different. Qin Run, don't worry."
"Are you coming to Beijing to participate in the Master Competition? Or is it for something else?" Fang Zixi asked knowingly in order to change the subject.
Even though Fang Zixi seldom went out and had been concentrating on finding Xiaobao during this period, she still heard something about what happened in the capital.
The Qi family's old man's birthday banquet and the teacher competition were so popular that everyone talked about them. Even if Fang Zixi didn't specifically ask about it, she had heard some news about the Qi family having a teacher from overseas. When she saw Xu Yunfan, how could she not know that Xu Yunfan was the overseas person that the Qi family was talking about.
Xu Yunfan nodded gloomily. "Well, my family just arrived in Beijing today, and I was planning to buy some gifts to visit my Yue family. I hadn't even finished buying any gifts when you, Brother Fang, and your brothers "invited" me here."
"I'm sorry." Fang Zixi was very embarrassed. "Are you injured? Do you want to see a doctor?"
"No," Xu Yunfan waved his hand proudly and said, "I have practiced professionally." He didn't even take Fang Peihong and the other two seriously. If he hadn't been concerned about Xiaobao's relationship with them, he would have kicked them one by one.
Upon learning that Xu Yunfan had a Yue family in the capital, Fang Zixi glanced at Qin Run. "This is my brothers' fault. I apologize to you on their behalf. I'm very sorry. How about this? You two stay here for now, and I'll take care of everything else for you. How about that?"
"That's not a good idea." Xu Yunfan declined politely.
Fang Zixi: "Why is it not good? Although your elder brother and I are not married, he said that he will not betray me. Now that you are here, how can I not take care of you?"
Even though Xu Yunzhuo has never shown up in front of Xu Yunfan, it's not hard to tell from what he says that he actually loves his younger brother very much. On Xu Yunfan's birthday, he always uses other people to send birthday gifts to Xu Yunfan. Even if he is very busy at work, he never misses one. He basically spends all his company dividends and salary on his family.
In this case, as Xu Yunzhuo's husband, it would be unreasonable for Xu Yunfan to fail to take good care of his brother-in-law when he came to the capital.
"Although our Fang family is not one of the top families in the capital, and cannot compare with those royal nobles, given the Fang family's current status, other families dare not provoke us easily." What Fang Zixi meant by this was nothing more than that she wanted to back up Xu Yunfan.
Xu Yunfan touched his nose. What happened today would probably take time for an ordinary person to digest. However, Xu Yunfan was not an ordinary person and had a strong ability to accept things. "Brother Fang, is this too much trouble? We originally planned to stay at the Yue family for a while."
"Run'er is..." Fang Zixi's eyes fell on Qin Run, "Is Run'er from the General's Mansion?"
Others may not be able to see it, but after experiencing the Xu Yunzhuo incident, Fang Zixi's imagination is naturally bigger than others.
He dares to think about and guess things that others dare not think about or think are impossible.
Qin Run nodded, "Yes."
Thinking that Qin Mu had just shouted and Xiaobao had obediently gotten off him, Fang Zixi felt bitter and begged, "Can you stay with me for two nights? I can see that Xiaobao relies on you guys a lot, I think..."
After finally finding the child, who wouldn’t want to keep the child with them?
Fang Zixi wanted to too.
But he knew that Xiaobao probably couldn't leave Xu Yunfan and his wife. He saw Xiaobao's dependence on Qin Run just now, and it hurt his heart. If Xu Yunfan and the others wanted to leave, would Xiaobao choose to stay or go with them?
Fang Zixi didn't dare to think about these speculations and possibilities, nor did she want a three-year-old child to make a decision on such a difficult matter.
Qin Run: "Okay, but since we are in the capital, we have to visit him anyway. Let's go tonight and bring Xiaobao back."
The brothers of the Fang family entertained Xu Yunfan and his family well. When Fang's father and mother came back, they saw Xiaobao and burst into tears again. The two elders hugged Xiaobao and were reluctant to let go.
After learning about the relationship between Xu Yunfan and Xu Yunzhuo, Fang's mother, father and Fang Zixi had the same idea, that they must entertain Xu Yunfan well.
Qin Run came from General Qin's Mansion, and the Fang family was shocked for a long time.
After living in the capital for so many years, they didn't even know that Qin Feiyu had given birth to a child. Now the two families are involved in a relationship by accident.
Father Fang's relationship with the Qin family is not very close. They are all ministers of the emperor and each has his own duties. Qin Feiyu and Qin Qian spent more time in the frontier in their early years. Father Fang is more familiar with Qin Kun, so he knows something about the character of the Qin family.
In the study, after Xu Yunfan and his family rested, the Fang family gathered together. "Fourth brother, go out with your mother for a good stroll later. Buy what you need to buy. Don't make any mistakes in etiquette. The Qin family's status is higher than our Fang family's, so the gift cannot be too light."
The Fang family has Father Fang, and Mother Fang's status is there. In the past, they were not much worse than the Qin family.
But things are different now.
The Fang family has Fang's mother, who is related to the royal family, and the Qin family also has her. Qin Qingfeng is marrying Prince Xu, and Prince Xu is a man who values love. He has not married any concubines or concubines in all these years, which shows Qin Qingfeng's status in Prince Xu's mansion.
Although Qin Qian has semi-retired and Qin Kun is a civil servant, the Qin family still has Qin Run, who is more outstanding than many men.
It can be said that Qin Run's excellence broke the rumor that the Qin family had been favored for two generations.
Qin Qian inherited his father's ambition and was no worse than General Qin. Later, Qin Qian's achievements surpassed his father's, and the Qin family also moved to a higher level under his merits. However, the only flaw was that General Qin at least had two sons, but Qin Qian only had a son. Although Qin Kun had a son and a son, his son died in battle. Countless people secretly thought that after Qin's father retired, the Qin family was doomed to failure, with no one to succeed it.
But who would have thought that Qin Feiyu was such a ruthless person.
While other young men from aristocratic families were brought up in pampered conditions, he was raised and trained as a man from a military family. At the age of eighteen, he went into battle to help his father kill the enemy, and inherited the general's mansion with his outstanding achievements.
Those noble families who had been waiting for the Qin family to lose its glory witnessed Qin Feiyu's rise with their own eyes and could not help but feel secretly disappointed.
Later, the two brothers of the Qin family, Qin Qingfeng got married, and there was no rumor about Qin Feiyu having an affair. Offspring are the foundation of the continuation of the family. The Qin family has only one brother, Qin Feiyu. What's the use of a brother who broke off the engagement in his thirties? Now many people are waiting for the decline of the Qin family.
Father Fang felt disheartened by this. Others all wanted to replace the Qin family, but they had to be wary of Qin Feiyu's strength. Father Fang never looked down on Qin Feiyu. In his heart, he actually thought that the Qin family had a higher status than the Fang family.
The Qin family can be feared by people just by relying on a young man, but what about the Fang family?
To put it bluntly, if he retires from his position one day, the Fang family's status in the capital will plummet. Those who used to curry favor with them will turn around and step on them, and many people will want to replace him.
Now that he is here, the Fang brothers can have smooth sailing. When they go out, many people treat them as brothers. If he retires, even if the three brothers have strong abilities, if they are not appreciated by the emperor or other powerful people like Jing Mingze, it will take them a long time to climb to a high position.
So, what if the Qin family has no men? At least Qin Feiyu is still young, while the rising star of the Fang family has not yet truly grown up.
On the other hand, Father Fang is getting older, and among his children, only Fang Peizhou is slightly better off, having already reached the fourth rank, but it is still a little bit short.
Therefore, the Fang family had to prepare a gift for Xu Yunfan to meet his father-in-law, and this gift must not be light.
If the gift is not enough, it will inevitably lead to gossip and Xu Yunfan will be embarrassed.
It can be said that the Fang family really loves Fang Zixi, so much so that they love Fang Zixi as well. Since Fang Zixi is Xu Yunfan's younger brother, and Xu Yunfan came to the Dayan Dynasty alone where he was unfamiliar with the place, the elder sister-in-law is like a mother and the elder brother is like a father, so how could Fang Zixi not prepare for Xu Yunfan.
Father Fang patted his chest and said, "Fortunately, your uncle is here and we have his back. Otherwise, if he wanted to be with the young master of the Qin family, that would be unrealistic. Isn't it like a toad wanting to eat swan meat?"
In families like theirs, all the daughters and sons in the family are carefully brought up and are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Which parents would be willing to marry such an outstanding daughter and son to a poor boy?
Even though Qin Run grew up in the village, his status meant that not everyone could covet him.
Fang Peihong pursed his lips and said, "That's not true. Being a brother of the General's Mansion is not something that everyone can dream of. When we were having dinner together just now, Xu Yunfan was still talking about how great his family was. I was a little skeptical. Fourth brother, is this kid just bragging?"
At the dinner table, Fang Peihong, who was very outgoing, asked Xu Yunfan if it was very stressful to have such a relative in law.
Xu Yunfan said disapprovingly, "Pressure? Why should I feel pressure? He's a young master, and so am I! Although my family isn't here, with my abilities, it's not a problem for me to start from scratch and make a fortune. Besides, I'm taking the imperial examination now, and in a few years, I'm sure someone will want to curry favor with me. I'm a talented candidate."
After hearing this, the Fang brothers were speechless.
Even young masters from their family wouldn't dare to make such arrogant remarks. I don't know how capable Xu Yunfan's parents are to have raised such a son who speaks without asking for money.
In fact, Xu Yunfan was already prepared to be challenged.
After all, it is a modern society. Although we don’t pay much attention to matching the family backgrounds, how many families of rich second-generations would agree to let their son marry a Cinderella?
Even if he is a rich second-generation who is idle and has no ambition, he is still someone's son who has been carefully nurtured with great money.
Xu Yunfan was really a little worried, but soon, he put these worries behind him.
A man as outstanding as him, respecting the old and loving the young, handsome, knowledgeable, positive, and able to make money in minutes, should be liked by the grandfathers. Thinking of this, Xu Yunfan was still a little nervous and couldn't sleep at all. However, the children and Qin Run were probably tired and slept soundly without any worries.
Xu Yunfan got out of bed quietly. He planned to go out for a walk with Fang Zixi.
In the study, Fang Zixi shook her head. "No, according to what Yun Zhuo said, the Xu family is really rich. Yun Fan has been spoiled since he was a child. The Xu family has a lot of assets. Yun Fan is the youngest son, so he has the upper hand at home. I heard from his eldest brother that Yun Fan is very smart, has a photographic memory, and has read a lot since he was a child. So don't underestimate him. However, he is now in the Great Yan Dynasty, I am afraid that no one will believe what I say. Big brother, second brother, third brother, please take good care of him in the future."
Fang Peizhou smiled and said, "No problem. Since he is your uncle, he is one of our own family. With us here, how can we let outsiders bully our own family?"
Fang Peizhou's words were not just for show, but they didn't know that they wanted to take care of Xu Yunfan. In the future, the whole family would benefit a lot from Xu Yunfan, and it was not certain who would take care of whom.
Later, when people learned about the relationship between the Fang family and Xu Yunfan, they were jealous of the Fang family's brother and the Qin family's brother's vicious vision.
Fang Peihao remained noncommittal about Fang Peizhou's words. "It's great that Big Brother has this kind thought, but I don't know what my sister-in-law who hasn't married yet thinks about it."
Wu Lan doesn't like Fang Zixi. If he knew that Fang Zixi's brother-in-law had also married into the Fang family, he would probably not be able to bear it. He might even mock Xu Yunfan behind his back as a blood-sucking worm.
After Fang Peihao spoke, Fang Peizhou's face changed. Even Fang Zixi lowered her head in embarrassment. Seeing this, Fang's father scolded her, "Third brother, what are you talking about? How can you be so suspicious of your eldest sister-in-law? This is disrespectful to your eldest brother."
"Father, I didn't say anything wrong." Fang Peihao glanced at Fang Peizhou. "Brother, tell me yourself, did I say anything wrong?"
"Boss, what's going on?" Fang's mother immediately became anxious. It was only half a month before the Fang and Wu families would get married, and they had already sent out the invitations. If Fang Peizhou didn't want to marry, and the news got out, not only would Wu Lan's reputation be ruined, but who would dare to marry into their family in the future?
Fang Peizhou had no choice but to tell Fang Zixi what he had heard in the restaurant. Noticing Fang Zixi's pale face, he couldn't help but advise, "Fourth brother, this has nothing to do with you. Don't overthink it. The Fang family is your home. Whether you live there or not, it's not your place to point fingers and say things behind your back."
It's not that Fang Peizhou doesn't treat the wife he married as a family member, but Wu Lan dislikes Fang Zixi so much before she even gets married. If she really becomes the wife of the Fang family in the future, and Fang's mother steps down again and leaves the affairs of the backyard to Wu Lan, who can guarantee that she will treat his nephew and brother well?
He had been deceived by Wu Lan's appearance before, so Fang Peizhou didn't dare to think about it anymore.
It is said that once a girl is married, she will be treated as a guest when she returns to her parents' home. Fang Zixi knew this, but when he thought of some things, he could not say anything about this matter. He also knew what outsiders were saying about him.
However, in the past, he had to pretend not to know even if he knew. Otherwise, where could he go except the Fang family, taking Xiaobao with him? Xiaobao was still young and needed someone to take care of him.
But now, his existence has affected his eldest brother's marriage. How can Fang Zixi continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb? "Brother, Mom and Dad, why don't I move out with Xiaobao?"
Father Fang raised his hand to signal Fang Zixi to stop talking, "Boss, are you telling the truth?"
Fang Peizhou gave a bitter laugh, "Dad, at this point, how can I still lie to you? What can I gain by lying to you?"
Fang Peizhou is the one who is most hurt and sad about Wu Lan's matter. Although they don't have a deep relationship with Wu Lan, she is the woman he has fallen in love with and even thought about marrying. In the end, he found out that he was deceived by the virtuous side that Wu Lan showed. Wouldn't he feel bad?
"Madam, how do you think we should handle this matter?"
Mother Fang slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Grandson, grandson, does that mean he's an outsider just because of the word 'outside'? Grandson, half of his blood is from our Fang family. I treat Xiaobao like a grandson, so what? He hasn't even come home yet, but he's already looking down on our fourth son. What will happen if he really comes home? What's wrong with my son getting pregnant before marriage? As a mother, I haven't said anything, so why should she and these little sisters have to say anything?"
Although some of the words may not have been said by Wu Lan herself, if she had Fang Zixi in her heart, could she watch and listen to other people talking about Fang Zixi?
The more Fang's mother thought about it, the more furious she became. It was okay for others to say something behind her back about her beloved brother, but it was unacceptable for Wu Lan, her future daughter-in-law, to say anything against Fang Zixi. "Boss, what do you think?"
Fang Peizhou glanced around the house and noticed Fang Zixi's drooping posture, feeling very uncomfortable. "Why don't we just forget about this marriage? If Wu Lan gets married and there's a disagreement with my family, and things get unpleasant, I'll be caught in the middle and it will be difficult. So let's just forget about it."
Fang Peihong: "I support Big Brother."
Father Fang glanced at Fang Peihong and sighed, "It's easy for you to say that. Wu Lan is backed by the old lady of the Xiao family. The old lady Xiao loves this granddaughter very much."
How could Madam Xiao be happy if the Fang family broke off the engagement?
Xu Yunfan, who was very sharp-eyed and sharp-eared, followed the butler outside and accidentally heard something. However, the butler heard nothing. He only knew that this Young Master Xu was an honored guest of the Fang family and could not be neglected. He hurried forward and knocked on the door, "Master, Madam, Young Master Xu is here."
Fang Zixi opened the door from the inside, "Yunfan, why don't you rest? Is there something wrong?"
Xu Yunfan said awkwardly, "Well, it's nothing serious. I just need to go out for something, so I came to tell you guys."
Fang Zixi hurriedly asked, "Do you want me to go with you?"
"No need." Xu Yunfan waved his hand. "I've been to the capital before, although I'm not very familiar with it. But how could a grown-up like me get lost? I'll only be out for half an hour."
"Okay, then you be careful." Fang Zixi followed Xu Yunfan to the gate and took out a few silver notes worth 100 taels. "Spend this money first and buy whatever you like. If you don't have enough money, come back and tell me. I still have more."
Since giving birth to Xiaobao, Fang Zixi has developed the habit of saving money. He is not stupid. It is true that his parents and brothers love him, but no one can predict what his sister-in-law or brother-in-law will think when he comes into the family in the future. Naturally, he has to make some plans for Xiaobao. After a few years, he has saved a few thousand taels of silver, adding the money he didn't spend before.
Xu Yunfan's mouth twitched. What did Fang Zixi think of him?
Could it be that he thought that his brother-in-law really had to rely on him for support?
Xu Yunfan pushed Fang Zixi's hand holding the banknote back and said, "I have money, don't worry, Brother Fang. I'm going out first."
Xu Yunfan didn't hear everything that was said just now, but it was not difficult to imagine that although Fang Zixi was favored in the Fang family, her situation was actually not as good as he thought.
In modern times, when a daughter who has married out and divorced brings her children back to her parents' home, some of them don't even have a room to sleep in. Fang Zixi was favored, and the Fang family did not blame him at all. However, because of his favor, Fang Zixi felt even more guilty.
Xu Yunfan sighed and took a carriage to the door of Yunrun Shop.
Today, Yunrun store is very famous on this street.
The Yunrun store is very large. There are many and diverse items on the first floor, and many of the goods are in short supply. As for the second floor, it was renovated some time ago. A manager and several young men transferred from Qingling County came here. Within a few days, the second floor of the Yunrun store was crowded with guests. Now even the store next door has been bought by the manager and renovated into a restaurant.
Xu Yunfan went upstairs, called the manager out, and took a few signs from him.
These cards were the equivalent of modern VIP cards. Steward Lu took out a few cards and asked politely, "Boss Xu, would you like some noodles?"
Xu Yunfan shook his head, "No, I've already eaten at my brother's house."
It was noon now, and there were many people on the second floor. They knew the manager of the restaurant. There was no other way. Although the restaurant only sold noodles in the morning recently, once the tables were changed in the evening, it immediately became a hot pot restaurant. Not to mention the morning and noon, even the evening was always full. Hot pot, such a fresh way of eating, naturally made Yunrun Restaurant very popular. Now, not only the upper-class people who had bought Yinshuang charcoal knew about Yunrun Restaurant, but ordinary people were also very familiar with it.
It is not easy to make a restaurant famous in such a big city as Beijing, but the customer flow accumulated by Yunrun store drives the development of the restaurant. Nowadays, who in Beijing, no matter if they are from the upper class or any other circle, does not know it?
Ever since the second floor of Yunrun and the restaurant next door were bought and turned into a noodle shop and a restaurant, countless young men and women have come to try the new things. Sometimes there are too many people or there are no seats left, and these young men and women can't wait any longer. They have asked the manager to set up a few private rooms for them, but the manager was unmoved and refused without saying a word. It is rare for him to be overly enthusiastic towards anyone.
Some people couldn't stand it and wanted to put pressure on others, but they were worried about the owner behind Yunrun Store. Who would dare to cause trouble?
But today, the manager who didn't take all of them young masters seriously was very respectful to a young man. Compared with his attitude towards them before, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was servile now.
"Hey, who is that little guy? Why does the steward treat him differently and smile at him so warmly?" The young master who spoke frowned in displeasure but did not dare to beat up the steward.
The young man at the same table took a mouthful of noodles and swallowed it without chewing twice. "I don't know! I've been in the capital for so many years, and I've never seen anyone like him."
"I haven't seen him either. If he's from Beijing, there's no reason why he would have such a face. There's no way I wouldn't remember him."
Xu Yunfan heard people at the tables behind him whispering among themselves. He turned around and smiled harmlessly, "Hello, I'm the owner of this shop. Are you satisfied with the food here?"
"Hey, you are the owner of Yunrun Store? You are so young? I thought you were the young master of Yunrun Store."
"The owner of the shop? Are you Xu Yunfan, the one from overseas who sent fireworks to celebrate Mr. Qi's birthday?"
"It's me." Xu Yunfan smiled. "I'm from overseas. It's a rare day in Beijing, so I came to the store to pick up some cards to give to my in-laws."
A girl became curious, "In-laws? I heard you came alone!"
The Qi family made friends with a man from overseas, and many people have investigated him.
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