Lu Heng protects Wang Yanqing behind him. Although the action is not big, it means that it is very strong. When the man saw Lu Heng's statement, he didn't dare to stare at Wang Yanqing again, but he wasn't reconciled, and said with a yin and yang in his mouth: "I always heard that Mr. Lu is not close to women, but I didn't expect the rumors to be unbelievable. Very. Where did Master Lu find such a beautiful woman? Master Lu has a way, why don't you introduce it to me?"
The man's tone was obscene and obscene, and Wang Yanqing kept frowning. She remembered Lu Heng's name for this person, and held back her displeasure. She used Lu Heng's figure to cover her body and turned around, not wanting to look at such a person at a glance.
Lu Heng's face smiled calmly, but the smile did not reach the bottom of his eyes at all. He understood the meaning behind Zhang Heling, his eyes narrowed dangerously,
Zhang Kou asked for an introduction. Who did Zhang Heling think Wang Yanqing was? Lu Heng's eyes were cold and sneering, and he said slowly: "Chang Guogong, this is a family member. She is the only daughter in the clan, and she has no sisters, so I'm afraid she can't help Chang Guogong as a mediator."
Wang Yanqing was slightly surprised when she heard Lu Heng's words, why did the second brother not say she was the adopted daughter of the Lu family, but used the vague description of a family member
As soon as Zhang Heling heard Lu Heng's tone, he knew that he had crossed the line. Seeing that Wang Yanqing was young and beautiful, he had never seen it in the capital before, so he thought that this was a beautiful girl and a thin horse that Lu Heng had found, and made some nasty jokes. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be Lu Heng's serious wife and concubine.
Now that he has entered the Lu family's door, it is not for him to judge. Zhang Heling looked embarrassed and said with a stiff smile: "It turns out to be the family of Mr. Lu. When did Mr. Lu have a wife, why don't we know?"
"I don't need to worry about the family affairs at the next level." Lu Heng glanced at Zhang Heling lightly, and said, "There are still some urgent matters at home, so don't disturb the interest of the Duke of Chang. The Duke of Chang continues and takes the next step."
After Lu Heng finished speaking, he left without waiting for Zhang Heling to react, protecting Wang Yanqing. The two groups of people passed by, Lu Heng was tall and slender, standing alone, while Zhang Heling was big-bellied, with his followers like clouds, the contrast was very sharp. It was obvious that Lu Heng was the only man on his side, but his aura was much stronger than Zhang Heling, who was shouting back and forth.
Zhang Heling looked to the side subconsciously, while Lu Heng was protecting Wang Yanqing on the other side, and his sleeves were always in front of him. Zhang Heling only saw a red dress swaying away, but he didn't see the beauty's face at all. Zhang Heling couldn't help but jump, feeling that he was being targeted by Lu Heng, but no matter how angry he was, he didn't dare to go forward and yell at Lu Heng.
Since the early death of Emperor Zhengde and the enthronement of Emperor Jiajing, the Zhang family has become a castle in the air. Although the Empress Dowager Zhang still displayed the majesty of the Empress Dowager in the palace, the situation of the Zhang family was completely incomparable with that of the Hongzhi and Zhengde years.
Zhang Heling is the younger brother of the Empress Dowager. Although he is a prince of the state, he is different from the Marquis of Wuding and Marquis of Zhenyuan, who rely on military merit to seal the marquis. Even without fame, there will be no achievements in the official career. The Zhang family can make a fortune all by women.
Zhang Luan was of average intelligence, but gave birth to a good daughter. Zhang's luck was very good, and she was selected as the crown princess. In the same year, the Chenghua Emperor died of illness. Zhang's family did not experience palace fights, and she became the queen smoothly. Emperor Hongzhi loved his wife Empress Zhang very much. Although he was an emperor, he was monogamous like the common people, and there were no concubines in the harem.
Empress Zhang gave birth to two sons and a daughter, but unfortunately the last two children did not survive. Only the eldest son survived to adulthood and was established as the prince early, who was the later Emperor Zhengde.
Queen Zhang's life in the palace was very comfortable, and the Zhang family soared into the sky. During the Hongzhi period, Zhang Luan was named Marquis of Shouning. After Zhang Luan's death, Zhang Heling was named Marquis of Shouning. His younger brother Zhang Yanling was first named Marquis of Jianchang and later named Marquis of Jianchang.
After the death of Emperor Hongzhi, Empress Zhang's son ascended the throne under the title of Zhengde. Although Emperor Zhengde did not ask for anything from the Zhang family like Emperor Hongzhi did, he still treated him favorably. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Emperor Zhengde died early, and did not leave any heirs, so he could only choose the vassal kings from the clan to inherit the clan. This lucky person is Emperor Jiajing. After Emperor Jiajing ascended the throne, in order to show respect for Empress Dowager Zhang, Zhang Heling was named Duke of Changguo.
The Zhang family has two lords, and it looks very splendid, but in fact, apart from the Empress Dowager Zhang, the Zhang family has no political capital, and even the Lu family who has no title is inferior. To put it bluntly, the Lu family and the Marquis of Wuding and Marquis Zhenyuan belong to a circle. The men in the family are in charge of the army from generation to generation, the women are married from generation to generation, and comrades-in-arms and relatives are intertwined. This is the real aristocratic background.
Lu Heng was a little more special than those people. Their family was a generation of Jinyiwei, and they didn't have as many relatives and friends as the Marquis of Wuding, but their lethality was much greater.
Zhang Heling, a titular Duke of Changguo, is nothing more than a wealthy idler in the capital, how could he dare to challenge a high-ranking official with real power? Many people in the capital are planted in Lu Heng's hands, and the Zhang family is not what it used to be, so forget it.
But Zhang Heling still felt that he had lost face in front of everyone. After Lu Heng walked away, he spat angrily on the ground, scolded him a few times, and when the prestige was brought back, he was satisfied and went out to another place.
Shangyuan Festival, how could Zhang Heling be missing from such a lively day? Zhang Heling threw a big banquet, and the entertainment programs were one after another. After he finished eating in the restaurant, he had to go to another place, and then continue the show.
Fu Tingzhou was thinking about Wang Yanqing, and was so anxious that he didn't have time to pay attention to other things. He just wanted to get rid of Hong Wanqing quickly, and then went to find Wang Yanqing. On the road, Hong Wanqing pointed him to the lively roadside several times, but Fu Tingzhou ignored it. After such a few times, Hong Wanqing also made fun of himself and stopped talking.
Fu Tingzhou took Hong Wanqing back to the Yongping Hou's team at the same speed as a marching army. Hong Wanqing said that she was afraid and asked Fu Tingzhou to escort him, but Fu Tingzhou was just an escort.
Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Yongping Hou deliberately created space for the newcomers, and deliberately led Fu Tingzhou and Hong Wanqing to separate and went another way. The servants of Yongping Marquis saw Fu Tingzhou and Hong Wanqing come back. Although they thought they came back too early, they still smiled and greeted them warmly: "Marquis of Zhenyuan, third girl, you are back. We were not paying attention just now. I don't know why I went astray, and I can't find you again. Madam Hou was also worried that the third girl would be kidnapped by the thieves, but fortunately, the Hou Zhenyuan was there."
When Mrs. Yongping Hou and Mrs. Chen heard the movement, they also looked here. Everyone had ambiguous and inquiring smiles on their faces, and the favored maid deliberately asked Hong Wanqing if the lights on the other street looked good.
When people around you go away, they are absent-minded, and when they come back, they just want to get away. How can Hong Wanqing have time to look at the lights? Yihua
Mrs. Yongping Hou didn't know her daughter's psychological activities. Seeing that Fu Tingzhou and Hong Wanqing were in an awkward atmosphere, she only thought that the young people were thin-skinned and could not hide their faces. Ignoring Fu Tingzhou's hints of leaving several times, she pulled Fu Tingzhou and said, "Thanks to Zhenyuanhou today, otherwise, I don't know where to find my daughter. Did you encounter any accident on the way to Zhenyuanhou?"
Fu Tingzhou wanted to leave as soon as Hong Wanqing was delivered, but Mrs. Yongping Hou refused to let him go, so he could only answer patiently, "No."
"There are so many people over there that even our street can hear the sound. What the hell is going on over there?"
Fu Tingzhou never noticed anything on the street, and said casually, "It's nothing, it's just a dragon dance."
"There is still a dragon dance?" Mrs. Yongping Hou exclaimed in surprise, and asked quickly, "Our three girls are clumsy, didn't they cause trouble to Zhenyuan Hou?"
"No."
Fu Tingzhou's answer was always so concise and to the point that Mrs. Yongping Hou couldn't keep asking if she had nothing to say. Mrs. Yongping Hou covered her lips and smiled, turned her head and said to Mrs. Chen: "The third girl has been squeamish since she was a child, and her sisters in the family can't bear hardships, and she is tired after walking two more steps. Now she has walked so far with Zhenyuan Hou. , I also saw a dragon dance, even my mother couldn't believe it."
Chen Shi smiled and said, "The girl has grown up, so of course it will be different. It's time for us mothers to let go."
Mrs. Yongping Hou smiled, but did not refute. At this time, someone gathered around Mrs. Yongping Hou to talk, and Fu Tingzhou couldn't wait any longer. He simply walked up to Mrs. Chen and said directly, "Mother, I have other things to do. I have to go first. I will leave Xing Yan and wait. After a while, let Xing Yan escort you home."
Xing Yan is the most capable bodyguard around Fu Tingzhou, and he is almost always inseparable. Hearing that, Mrs. Chen was anxious, and asked quickly, "Today's New Year's Day, there is a lot of excitement everywhere, where are you going?"
Fu Tingzhou knew that his mother didn't like Qingqing, so of course he wouldn't tell Chen Shi that Qingqing might be in the capital, he just said, "some private affairs."
Fu Tingzhou refused to say it, but seeing his expression, Chen shi immediately guessed that it must be for Wang Yanqing again. Chen's heart was angry. Today, the Hong family is here, but Fu Tingzhou left everyone to find Wang Yanqing, the son of Lao Shi. What does it look like? Mrs. Chen deliberately stopped her and said, "Mrs. Hong told me just now that Duke Chang held a banquet in front of him and packed a whole restaurant. Mrs. Hong felt that it was too rude to not ask, and planned to let the young masters of the Hong family. Go in and say hello, won't you come with me?"
"Chang Guogong?" Fu Tingzhou frowned when he heard the name, and said, "This person doesn't need to be friends, don't get too close to Zhang's family. It's getting late, mother and sister can go back to the house as soon as possible, I'll go first. gone."
Chen's eyes widened, and before he had time to speak, Fu Tingzhou had already walked up to Mrs. Yongping Hou's hand and said, "Junior has other business, so go ahead."
After that, without waiting for Mrs. Yongping Hou's reaction, she turned around and left.
Mrs. Yongping Hou was stunned together with the maids beside her. After a while, Mrs. Yongping Hou smiled and asked Mrs. Chen: "Zhenyuan Hou left in a hurry, is there something in the house? If you have something to do, old lady, just go. Don't let us delay your efforts."
Chen Shi was embarrassed, she couldn't explain it, so she had to leave.
Mrs. Yongping Hou and Fu Tingzhou were talking in front, and the girls followed behind their mother-in-law. They were embarrassed to get close to the foreign man, so they dragged Hong Wanqing to make fun. The words of the concubine sisters seem to be flattering, but in fact they have hidden scheming. Usually Hong Wanqing always pushes back when she hears these words, but today, she is inexplicably tired, and she can't raise the strength to fight tit for tat.
A group of young ladies and maids were chatting, and suddenly saw Fu Tingzhou leave and leave, and then the Houfu of Zhenyuan also left. The young ladies of Yongping Hou's mansion were puzzled and asked, "What's wrong?"
Mrs. Yongping Hou asked people to gather the young ladies to be careful not to get lost. Hearing the girls' questions, Mrs. Yongping Hou said lightly: "There is still something in the Zhenyuan Hou mansion, so I will leave first."
The girls from Yongpinghou couldn't hide their disappointment when they heard it. They had been in the house for a long time and rarely saw men from outside, especially a young and promising unmarried man like Fu Tingzhou, who was a good son-in-law in anyone's eyes. When Fu Tingzhou left, half of the fun was lost when shopping. Mrs. Yongping Hou pretended not to know the thoughts of the prostitutes. She pulled Hong Wanqing to her side and asked in a low voice, "How are you and Zhenyuan Hou?"
When Hong Wanqing heard her mother's question, her eyes were sore, and she almost burst into tears. She raised her head and was about to say something when she suddenly swept across two familiar figures not far away.
Hong Wanqing was stunned, and Mrs. Yongping Hou turned back, only to see the crowd and the lights. She turned her eyes and asked her daughter curiously, "What are you looking at?"
Hong Wanqing came back to her senses and quickly shook her head to say it was all right. Seeing that Mrs. Yongping couldn't ask anything, she didn't care anymore, and even forgot the topic just now.
After her mother left, Hong Wanqing was half a step behind, and she couldn't help but look back in the direction where Fu Tingzhou was leaving. I don't know if this is good luck or not. Fu Tingzhou was in a hurry to find people. He didn't have the patience to listen to them and went back the same way. However, whenever he stayed a little longer, whenever he changed directions, he would meet the adopted sister he was thinking of.
·
Lu Heng also accepted it. Tonight, he seemed to have an indissoluble bond with Fu Tingzhou. First, he accidentally bumped into it while wandering, and then he changed places urgently, and he almost bumped into it again. Fortunately, Fu Tingzhou took the first step, and they just missed it.
Lu Heng seemed to go out alone, but in fact, he was always accompanied by his attendants. The spy kept reporting the surrounding situation to Lu Heng, Lu Heng planned the route, quietly prevented Wang Yanqing and Fu Tingzhou from meeting, and returned to the house without any disturbances.
After walking outside in the middle of the night, Wang Yanqing was also tired. After returning to the mansion, she breathed a sigh of relief, and with the help of the maid, she removed the heater, sheath and other items, revealing the light clothes inside. Wang Yanqing cleaned his hands, walked towards Lu Heng, who also changed into casual clothes, and asked, "Second brother, who is that person you met today?"
Lu Heng was wearing a light gray round-neck robe and sat under the lamp. Lu Heng took a sip of tea, put down the tea cup, pulled Wang Yanqing to sit opposite, and said nonchalantly, "Chang Guogong Zhang Heling, a fool."
"Second brother." Wang Yanqing stared at him and said truthfully, "Everyone is stupid."
"To say he's stupid is to flatter him." Lu Heng snorted lightly and added, "He's Empress Dowager Zhang's younger brother."
When Wang Yanqing heard this, he blinked and understood. Seeing her understanding, Lu Heng continued: "As a woman, the Empress Dowager Zhang has been extremely favored in her life, unprecedented in her life. Her father was originally just a scholar, and relying on her cousin's official position, her daughter was able to participate in the draft. It happened that the Zhang family's The daughter was selected and entered the palace to become the crown princess. In the same year, she became the queen smoothly. The Zhang family followed the chickens and dogs to heaven. Emperor Hongzhi…”
Lu Heng paused as he spoke, with a somewhat intriguing expression on his face. Seeing this, Wang Yanqing asked, "What happened to Emperor Hongzhi?"
Lu Heng lowered his eyes and smiled, picked up the tea cup, leaned on the back of the chair and slowly swiped the tea foam: "His Majesty Hongzhi is a very filial emperor. He is gentle, submissive, diligent and kind. Not a single day was absent, and he had only one wife, no concubine, no concubines, and he was very fond of the Queen Zhang family. After Queen Zhang gave birth to the prince, Zhang Luan, the father of Queen Zhang, asked for the title of Empress Zhang in the name of the empress’s merit. Hou. Even if the ministers objected, saying that there was no such precedent before, Emperor Hongzhi still agreed. Later Zhang Luan died, Zhang Heling, the younger brother of Empress Zhang, attacked the Houning Hou, and the other brother Zhang Yanling was named the Marquis of Jianchang, the Zhang family. His clansmen, disciples, and even adopted sons were all awarded high-ranking officials and honors.
Wang Yanqing couldn't help frowning when he heard this. How an ordinary husband treats his wife preferentially is his own family business, no one else can control it, but the emperor can't. Because what the emperor gives out is often the fat of the people and the rights of the state.
Wang Yanqing couldn't help but ask: "Is there no one objecting?"
"Of course there is." Lu Heng said, "Someone was dismissed by Emperor Hongzhi just because he refused to write articles for the Zhang brothers. At a banquet, Emperor Hongzhi changed his clothes. Brother Zhang Heling borrowed the emperor's crown to wear it, and Emperor Hongzhi came back. , didn't say anything. A few days later, Zhang Heling and the two wanted to wear the emperor's crown again, but one eunuch couldn't see it, so he scolded and was blocked by Empress Zhang."
Wang Yanqing frowned as she listened, and she couldn't believe that this really happened in the palace: "Openly peeping at the imperial curtain at the banquet... Isn't it a big disaster if it spreads out?"
Lu Heng laughed lightly, playing with his taste: "What kind of trouble could there be? On the contrary, it was the eunuch who scolded Brother Zhang Heling for his bad luck. Empress Zhang was offended and was very angry, and sued Emperor Hongzhi. Emperor Hongzhi did not hold Brother Zhang Heling accountable. , but ordered Jin Yiwei to imprison the troubled eunuch, and within two days, the eunuch was instructed by Queen Zhang and was caned to death in prison."
It happened in the prison of Jinyiwei, no wonder Lu Heng knew so well. Wang Yanqing probably understood why Lu Heng's attitude was subtle when he mentioned Emperor Hongzhi. The crown was a ritual vessel and could not be worn casually. The two Zhang Heling brothers wore the emperor's crown. Regardless of his parents' family, how did Emperor Hongzhi do nothing in the face of the domineering descendants. Zhang Heling and his brothers did this in front of the emperor. Will they be restrained when they treat ordinary officials and common people
For Empress Zhang, Emperor Hongzhi only married her in this life, and he did not dote on other women all his life, so he was of course a good husband. But for others, it may or may not be whether Emperor Hongzhi is a good monarch.
Wang Yanqing understood why Zhang Heling was so unruly when she saw her today. With such a queen sister condoning her, there is nothing she can do. After the death of Emperor Hongzhi, Empress Zhang's biological son ascended the throne. It is completely predictable how lawless the Zhang family will be.
If it weren't for the sudden death of Emperor Zhengde, they would have been ruled out.
Wang Yanqing thought for a while and asked, "After that, why did Zhang Heling's title become Duke Chang again?"
"That's what happened in this dynasty." Lu Heng said, "When Your Majesty first came to the capital, Zhang Heling welcomed the Holy Majesty on behalf of the Empress Dowager Zhang. In the first year of His Majesty's ascension to the throne, the Empress Dowager Zhang mentioned the grace of Fuli, and His Majesty thanked Zhang Heling for welcoming the throne. , so Jin named Zhang Heling the Duke of Chang."
Wang Yanqing replied softly, she looked closely at Lu Heng, Lu Heng noticed her gaze and flicked her with a smile: "Look at what I do."
Wang Yanqing knew that her guess was right. At first, the Zhang family really dreamed of being an uncle of the country. Today, it is all the Empress Dowager Zhang who can be the emperor. How can the little emperor hold them gratefully? As a result, the Zhang family and the Queen Mother Zhang kicked the iron plate.
Lu Heng probably told Wang Yanqing that the cause and effect were powerful, and he didn't talk much about the rest. He said this, firstly, because he met Zhang Heling, fearing that Wang Yanqing would suffer at the hands of that old lecher; secondly, because the Empress Dowager Jiang was seriously ill, and the palace might have something to change. Lu Heng couldn't take care of the house all the time, so he reminded Wang Yanqing now, so that she could prepare in advance.
In the end, Lu Heng said lightly: "The Zhang family is not a good thing, you should stay away from them."
Lu Heng scolded the Empress Dowager Zhang as well. Wang Yanqing felt helpless, thinking that the second brother really dared to say it. At the same time, she also understands that the Lu family and the Zhang family are not the same. No matter how Lu Heng actually feels about the Zhang family, on the bright side, he can't have any good feelings for the Zhang family, or he will poke a nail in the emperor's eyes.
Wang Yanqing secretly reminded himself that in the future, when he sees the Zhang family, he will detour, and must not cause trouble to the second brother. Seeing her so serious, Lu Heng couldn't help but smile, pinched her cheek and said, "It's just a small matter, you don't have to be nervous. A mere Zhang family can't affect me."
"Second brother!" Wang Yanqing broke his hand with a solemn face, "I'm not a child, why are you pinching my face?"
Lu Heng turned a deaf ear, Wang Yanqing's strength was insignificant to him, he still rubbed Wang Yanqing's face, and slowly retracted his hand when he was tired: "You will always be a child in front of the second brother. But you are too thin. Now, there is no meat on my face, so I will eat more in the future. Otherwise, when I meet outsiders, others will think that I am treating you harshly. "
Wang Yanqing finally got rid of his hand, hurried away from Lu Heng, and rubbed his face. When she heard Lu Heng's words, she paused for a moment, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Second brother, when you met Duke Changguo today, why didn't you just say I'm your sister?"
When Lu Heng heard this, he looked at Wang Yanqing with a half-smiling smile: "Qingqing wants to be the lady of the Lu family so much?"
Wang Yanqing thought it was strange that he couldn't say it: "Why not?"
The author says:
Lu Heng: Tsk, my sister didn't pursue her so much.