Reborn Concubine, Be Respectful First

The next day, at Duke Zhang’s Mansion.

Zhang Wenrui and the Fourth Prince paid a visit to the old lady of Duke Zhang, and then went to his father's study in the front yard together.

She hadn't seen her half-brother for more than a year, and just this one sight made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

He quickly signaled to the people around him to give the gift to his second brother and hurriedly paid his respects to his mother.

Little did he know that the other party seemed not to notice his gesture.

"Father, eldest brother, second brother, the fourth prince and I have returned home and have not yet paid our respects to mother. You guys chat first. The fourth prince and I will go to the backyard to pay our respects to mother first and then come over." Zhang Wenrui's patience was almost worn out before he mustered up the courage to speak, standing up and saying.

"Well, go ahead!" Duke Zhang did not stop her when he saw that his daughter looked unhappy.

"Father-in-law, big brother, Wen Rui and I will go to the backyard first, you two can chat first," then turned around, took the gift box from the palace servant, handed it to Zhang Xiu and said, "Congratulations on your engagement, second brother."

Zhang Xiu was stunned for a moment by the Fourth Prince's sudden hospitality.

Then he stood up and thanked him quickly, saying, "You are too polite, Fourth Prince."

As the two of them were passing the buck to each other, a hint of mocking smile appeared on Zhang Shao's gloomy face.

After the newlyweds left the front yard, harsh rebukes were heard from the study in the front yard.

"Father, I understand. I will be careful in the future and treat others well."

After receiving his son's assurance, Duke Zhang finally showed a smile on his comforted face.

He looked at his eldest son who had been smiling and saying nothing: "Zhang Shao, you have been fooling around outside for the past few years, so forget it. Your brothers and sisters are married, and it's time for you to get married too. Do you have a sweetheart? Ask your mother to marry you."

Although Zhang He was increasingly unable to understand his son, he still listened to his father's accusations.

What's more, this son is now a Tongzhi, and his rank in the court is almost the same as his own.

Zhang Shao looked at his father who was sitting in the main seat, with a smile on his face. "Why? Father, with all the family affairs and the affairs of the court, do you still have time to take care of my little matter?"

"Nonsense, your marriage is such a big deal, how can it be a small matter? Or do you already have someone you like outside?" Zhang He said nonchalantly, "As long as she is presentable, you can bring her to your house after your wedding. Just don't cause any trouble before your wedding."

When he said this, he looked at his eldest son who was about to drink tea.

"Father, what are you talking about? I will definitely marry the person I like and will never compromise because of my status. Father, you must not use your own ideas on your son. Besides, I am a bastard and will have to move out sooner or later. Since I am living outside now, there is no reason for me to come back. What's more, my colleagues are not as easy to talk to as your colleagues. If they drink too much, they will send people to the imperial prison. Father, don't you worry about the relatives at home?"

While speaking, Zhang Shao's mind was filled with the stunning glimpse he got that day, as well as the woman's gentleness and wisdom.

The well-concealed little fox and the folding screen in the bedroom titled "Ladies Playing Cuju in Spring" all hint at the woman's liveliness and activity.

On the other hand, he looked gentle and sensible, just like how he played the pig and ate the tiger in Changyin Pavilion that day.

He never knew that a woman could linger in his heart for such a long time. The last time she lingered in his heart was the leader of the bandits in Jiangnan.

Zhang He was so angry at his eldest son's words that he couldn't say anything for a while. Then he heard his youngest son's nonsense: "Father, my eldest brother can live in a separate house outside, so after I get married, I also want to live in a separate house."

"Haha...Okay, then you don't need to be the prince of the Duke's Mansion anymore. Just give it to the third brother Zhang Li. I will report it to the emperor tomorrow!"

"Father, father, no! I'm free. I'll go back first and not disturb you from talking to my elder brother!" Seeing his father's unfriendly look, Zhang Xiu quickly took his leave.

Zhang He looked at his legitimate son who had been raised astray for some unknown reason and sighed heavily, "You can study in the mansion, but if you want to go out and fool around, once you step out of the mansion, don't come back. Anyway, your third brother is still waiting to inherit everything in the Zhang Guogong Mansion."

Zhang Xiu, who was about to go out, paused and left in a hurry.

Looking at his legitimate son going away, Zhang He closed his eyes and suppressed his anger, then looked at his illegitimate son again: "Are you sure you don't want to move back? Do you want to really break away from the Duke's Mansion? Don't forget, no matter how unwilling you are, you are still my son, Zhang He!"

Zhang He's suppressed anger was completely ignited when he saw the contempt on his eldest son's face.

"Oh, yes, that's right. I am your son, with the blood of the Zhang family. Then what?"

Faced with the words of his eldest son, Zhang He was speechless.

"Since Sir Zhang has nothing to do, I will go back to the yamen. The prisoner I brought back from Liaocheng last night still needs to be interrogated. His bones are too hard, so we need to remove them piece by piece before we can tell..."

"You..." After hearing the words of his eldest son, Zhang He felt pain in every bone in his body.

"Rebellious son! He is indeed a rebellious son!"

After a long while, Duke Zhang cursed angrily.

Unfortunately, no one has responded.

By the time the Fourth Prince Helian Ming hurried to the front yard, the person he wanted to see had already left.

He couldn't help but sigh, but when he thought of a better excuse to visit, he smiled and talked to the Duke about court affairs.

Zhang Wenrui, who stayed at Duke Zhang's mansion for lunch, did not notice any unpleasantness at the banquet. After lunch, he returned to the prince's mansion with satisfaction, bringing supplements for the old lady and his mother.

In the court, as the undercurrent of the princes' ambitions surged, the people in the harem also began to move.

Even though Su Xinqing was suffering from various health discomforts at this stage, she had to sit in the main hall to receive visitors.

"Third sister, it's my stepmother's birthday in two days. I wonder what kind of birthday gift you are going to prepare for her? I'm stupid and haven't figured out what kind of birthday gift is appropriate for her yet? Third sister, can you give me some advice?" Su Xintao looked at Su Xinqing cautiously and saw that she was completely different from the one she was a year ago.

I was also extremely envious, but I quickly suppressed the jealousy and ridicule in my heart.

She continued, "Third sister, you are so lucky now. There are no elders in the whole courtyard. You and Lord Chu are the only ones living here. I never thought that among the four of us sisters, you are the one who lives the best. Sister Xinyu, are you the one? I remember when we were little, we often went to our grandmother's courtyard to pay our respects together. Sister Xinyu, you had the best relationship with the third and fourth sisters. I'm sorry, but the fourth sister has passed away. She was also a beautiful woman with a tragic fate. She was the most beautiful among us when we were little. I never thought that she would die so young. Third sister, you are the most beautiful among us sisters now. Please take care of yourself."

Banyue stood nearby with her cheeks puffed with anger. She wanted to speak several times, but was stopped by Su Xinqing's eyes.