Chapter 112: The Bad-mouthed Lu Wenxue
After Gu Ruanci finished speaking, Zhuang Hefeng also said, "That's true, but the invitation has already arrived, so it must be correct. As for what the Wen family thinks, it's hard for us to say."
"I met Doctor Zhang and Zhou Yuzhi in the palace today..." Gu Ruanci said proactively.
"That bastard Zhou didn't give you any trouble, did he?" Gu Yulou asked immediately.
"No, don't worry, Third Brother."
Gu Ruanci felt at ease when she saw Gu Yuting and Gu Yuxuan, who also had worry in their eyes.
"Doctor Zhang is not as old as Doctor Zang, but his medical skills are indeed good, especially in gynecology. He is deeply trusted by the nobles in the palace and the ladies of Dizhou. Apart from the Empress Dowager and the Empress who use Doctor Zang, Doctor Zhang has been frequently used in other palaces in recent years. It's not surprising that you met him in the palace." Zhuang Hefeng said matter-of-factly.
Gu Ruanci nodded, she didn't mind.
As for Zhang Songming's attitude towards her, she didn't want to take it to heart. After all, they might not have any interactions in the future.
He felt sad about what happened to his cousin's family, which she could understand. If he blamed her for it, then he was sick.
"They heard that Concubine Rong was ill, so they went to the palace to take her pulse. Zhou Yuzhi is a member of the Zhou family, so he can comfort his aunt and improve his medical skills at the same time."
Gu Ruanci only talked about his own experiences and did not comment on Zhang Songming.
"That's true. She wanted to make trouble before, but we discovered her before she could cause any trouble and suppressed her through the Emperor. Now the Third Prince has also behaved much better. Counting the days, it's been 37 days since Madam Zhang's death. According to custom, married women should come to pay homage. The Empress is kind-hearted and may allow her to burn money in the palace to offer sacrifices. I guess she was reminded of her mother by the scene and missed her." Zhuang Hefeng made another brief analysis.
This reason did not hold water in front of Gu Ruanci. Based on Zhou Zhixia's character of wanting to take advantage of everything, he was probably using the illness as an excuse to win the emperor's mercy.
This old lady Zhang was really a villain for her son when she was alive, and a lucky charm for her daughter after her death.
"Forget it. I'll just have to be on guard against them in Dizhou City in the future. We can't just avoid seeing each other forever. Especially now that the Gu family's situation has been pushed to the forefront by the Zhang family's affairs, I've been listening to the sarcasm and ridicule of those censors during court these past few days and I really want to take action."
Gu Congyun has indeed been a little upset these days.
Thinking of the conversation with Lu Enyan in the palace, Gu Runci knew that this matter was indeed tormenting for her father.
"It seems that the master behind this is indeed coveting the power of the Ministry of War, and it is a power that can be controlled by my father without any interference."
After hearing this, Gu Congyun was shocked and asked her what she meant.
Gu Ruanci simply repeated Lu Enyan's words, and Gu Congyun remained silent.
Zhuang Hefeng felt very distressed when he saw his master standing there in a daze and refusing to speak.
The three sons were also very sensible. Although they didn't understand, they kept silent and didn't disturb them.
"Alas, I had thought from the beginning that since I had returned, I would have to go this far... I didn't expect someone to use such a method..."
Gu Congyun's words made Gu Ruanci a little worried.
"Father, you don't think it's because you haven't taken the initiative to return these powers that Zhang Jian betrayed you, right?"
Gu Congyun immediately said, "Of course not. His betrayal is due to his own lack of integrity. Power is great. As long as everyone is united in serving the court and working for the welfare of the people, why should we care where the power lies?"
Gu Yuting also said, "Actually, this was all the Emperor's request for Father to do. He's been a soldier his entire life, and returning to Imperial State, he simply wants to enjoy a quiet life. It was the Emperor who repeatedly told him that he could empathize with the soldiers. If they had no selfish motives and were simply working for the betterment of the court, I wouldn't have anything to say. But this situation clearly isn't the case..."
"Let me think about this. Anyone who wants to take over my power must have no good intentions towards our Gu family. If I really give it up, and something happens to your eldest brother at the border, who will be held responsible?"
After Gu Congyun finished speaking, the Gu family also stopped discussing.
Three days passed quickly.
Gu Ruanci and Zhuang Hefeng had already dressed up early in the morning, while the three Gu brothers simply changed their clothes and went directly to the Wen family after breakfast.
The Wen family's location is relatively remote, but there are also many powerful people who like quiet living on that street.
Carriages from various mansions came in an endless stream. When the Gu family's carriage arrived, many people took the initiative to make way.
"Look at their pomp and ceremony, how enviable."
Some people were already whispering, with jealousy in their voices.
"What's there to envy? We all avoid them, afraid that if we get too close, we'll end up like the next Zhang Jian. They can be so cruel to their long-time brothers, let alone others..."
Gu Ruanci was so familiar with this voice; it was that of the Lady of Mingyue County, Lu Wenxue.
I didn't expect that she would come to the banquet today.
But it's normal to think about it. After all, Concubine Wen is the one who pays out the money and interest. At the banquet of the Wen family's side branch, they would politely hand over the invitation.
"Why is Lu Wenxue so annoying every time we meet?" Gu Yuxuan complained.
"Some people are mean at heart, and we have to admit that." Gu Ruanci also said casually.
Although Zhuang Hefeng really wanted to warn them to be more careful with their words, thinking about what Lu Wenxue said, she herself was angry, let alone the children.
"Wen Xue, don't talk nonsense."
If Gu Ruanci remembered correctly, this voice belonged to Lu Ennan, the second son of Prince Duan's Mansion.
He usually appears gentle and sensible in public, completely different from Lu Wenxue. He is also the easiest person to approach in Prince Duan's mansion. After all, the Crown Prince Lu Enyan is aloof, Lu Wenxue is arrogant, and the third son Lu Enru rarely appears in public.
"Am I not right? If it weren't for the Gu family, a Shangshu like Zhang Jian could have been demoted from a second-rank official to a remote position in just a few days?" Lu Wenxue said unconvinced.
"Is County Lady Mingyue's fabrication of the court intended to encourage everyone to interfere in the Emperor's decision? You haven't mentioned the exact reason for Zhang Jian's exile. What would Prince Duan do if the families of the officials he supported rushed to his mansion to cancel the marriage? From what you've heard, not only would Prince Duan not blame them, but he would happily cooperate in ruining his daughter's reputation, even petitioning the Emperor for a promotion, correct?"
Wu Yixuan arrived in time, and she was the only one who had the courage to confront Lu Wenxue.
Lu Wenxue asked anxiously, "How can they be the same?"
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