Chapter 479 Uncle Zhuang
Fengyang is shining brightly, with a magnificent and colorful beauty between the Emperor Sheng Palace.
Gu Mengzhen woke up early in the morning and sat alone by the window, gazing at the picturesque scenery.
The morning sun shines on the solemn palace walls, shining with beams of warmth and splendid warmth. The scenery is used to describe people, just like Uncle Zhuang, who has a brilliant career and looks back to illuminate his difficult life.
Recalling the past of Uncle Zhuang, Gu Mengzhen's eyes were filled with sorrow and he was overwhelmed with grief; his heart was filled with pain that made him want to die.
Uncle Zhuang has given me warmth throughout my life, but I have left him with only a desolate ending.
During the Five Kings Rebellion, the Zhuang clan was wronged, and a total of 240 people were convicted and exiled. I was useless. I only saved my brother, but I couldn't save my uncle Zhuang or my mother.
Gu Mengzhen opened a brocade box and took out the jade ring, which reminded him of the person he had met.
Uncle Zhuang, whose respectful name is Zhuang Zhe, is the kindest and most righteous man in the world.
One day in his early years, Gu Mengzhen and Leng Xie met at Beitangju to discuss how to seize the power of Tongshitai.
Zhuang Zhe came uninvited and overheard their conversation by accident.
Leng Xie held serious opinions, thought they were reasonable, and gave suggestions.
"You are still young and have not yet entered the court. It is difficult for you to achieve anything in a short period of time. Although I am the Minister of Copper Affairs, I am isolated and have no say in the Copper Affairs Office. It would be difficult for the two of us to find a place to settle down."
"The Secret Office is the head of the eight offices. If you can gain the trust of the higher-ups, you will be better than us. We are outnumbered and have to fight for a long time."
"I heard from Man'er that you have been in close contact with people in the Zhuang Mansion. Is it to show your favor to the Minister of the Secret Affairs, Mr. Zhuang?"
It sounded like they wanted to drag Uncle Zhuang into this, so Gu Mengzhen denied it without hesitation.
"No."
He knew that he was doing something extremely outrageous, and he also knew that he was greedy, but he would never harm his family.
Uncle Zhuang is a good man and his future should be bright. He will never allow any bad guy to drag Uncle Zhuang into corruption.
"We have been in close contact recently because Brother Zhuang helped us get the Gu family out of trouble. To express my gratitude, I often visit him and send him small gifts from time to time. Although I call Master Zhuang a brother and Master Zhuang a nephew, we have no intention of being friendly. We have just met for a short time and are just casual friends."
Look at it coldly, there is only interest, no emotion.
"The grace of saving our clan is a rare opportunity. You must not miss it."
"Lord Zhuang has always been known for his kindness. In the Secret Service, Lord Tang values him highly. He has a promising future. In a few years, Lord Tang will be promoted, and Lord Zhuang will surely take over the position of Secret Service."
"If we make peace with him, firstly, he can help me control the Tongshitai; secondly, after you take part in the imperial examination, he can help you at the right time; thirdly, the previous incident was exposed, which damaged our reputation. If we get the approval of Master Zhuang, all the bad reputation will disappear in an instant."
"These three things are extremely important. I hope you will think twice before acting."
Gu Mengzhen pretended to agree, found an excuse and got the matter over with.
"Well, what Lord Leng said is absolutely right."
"Unfortunately, they and I don't get along very well. But please rest assured, Lord Leng, I will do my best to make friends with them."
Leng Xie saw a clue and tried to test it out.
"Do you need me to act as a middleman? After we get to know each other, I can work with you to figure this out."
Gu Mengzhen was extremely cunning and declined with clever words.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Leng. If there is any effect, I will let you know. As for the process, it will be more appropriate for me to handle it, so as not to alert the enemy and arouse their suspicion."
Leng Xie was half-believing and half-doubting.
"okay."
After a moment's thought, he reminded again.
"Mr. Gu, don't miss this great opportunity, otherwise, it will be too late to regret."
Gu Mengzhen responded respectfully on the surface, but in reality he was unmoved.
"Yes."
At this point in the conversation, Leng Xie got up and left.
After making sure that Lord Leng had gone far away, Zhuang Zhe pushed the door open and walked in.
"Zhen'er."
As soon as he heard it, he knew who it was. Gu Mengzhen immediately smiled, his expression changed, and he walked over obediently.
"Uncle Zhuang is here, why didn't anyone inform us? I was unable to welcome him, which really wronged Uncle Zhuang."
Zhuang Zhe's face looked unnatural, as if he was smiling but not smiling, and seemed depressed but not upset.
He did not answer the question, but merely gestured for permission.
"Zhen'er, sit down."
Realizing that something was wrong, Gu Mengzhen was anxious but remained calm.
"Yes, Uncle Zhuang, please take a seat first."
Zhuang Zhe took his seat as he was told, and quickly comforted Zhen'er to sit down. He treated her kindly, as usual, in the warm sunshine.
Afraid that he would say too much and offend others, he spoke briefly and asked questions to the point.
"Zhen'er, do you have any secret information about the court?"
Gu Mengzhen insisted without thinking.
“Absolutely not.”
He lowered his eyes to hide his guilty conscience and poured tea for Uncle Zhuang. In front of the Zhuang family, he always looked harmless.
"Why do you ask this, Uncle Zhuang?"
A direct answer would be too aggressive and might be inappropriate, so Zhuang Zhe did not rush to reply, but continued to ask in a kind manner.
"Then what is your relationship with Lord Leng, the Minister of Tongshi?"
He concealed his inner feelings, and Gu Mengzhen was also unwilling to be honest.
"I do not know him."
Zhuang Zhe had no choice but to speak frankly.
"If you don't know each other, how can you have a private meeting?"
Just with this sentence, Gu Mengzhen reacted and his pupils were shocked.
"You...you heard everything?"
Zhuang Zhe nodded solemnly.
"From beginning to end, not a single word was missed."
Gu Mengzhen's face darkened, and his kind and innocent look disappeared immediately.
People say that being a stepfather is difficult. Zhuang Zhe spoke tremblingly, with a hint of sympathy and cowardice.
"Zhen'er seems to have become a different person in front of him. Why?"
"Are you pretending to be well behaved, or was your behavior just now fake?"
When his true identity was exposed, Gu Mengzhen became furious and had no intention of pretending anymore. A hint of disdain appeared on his lips, revealing everything.
"The answer is easy to come by, why do I need to tell you?"
Zhuang Zhe couldn't believe it, so he asked seriously to confirm it.
"You really... have evil intentions?"
Gu Mengzhen couldn't stand this upright and serious look, and spoke bluntly and sneered.
"So what? Your family and I are not the same kind of people."
"You so-called good people, you talk about great principles all day long, and your actions seem to be upright, but what are you really like? Aren't you still intolerant of those who are different from you and have no magnanimity? There is no distinction between good and evil between you and me, we just have different ideals and attitudes."
"What? Do you have to force everyone in the world to follow you and learn from you? Master Zhuang, forcing people to do things against their will is not good."
Hearing that he even changed the honorific, one can imagine how angry he was. Zhuang Zhe calmly and softly told him what was on his mind.
"Don't be afraid, Zhen'er. Uncle Zhuang can't bear to hurt you."
"I only wish to know the truth, understand you, and help you. If you ask me to fight for the position of Secret Secretary, I will fight for it, no matter what the means and consequences."
"My behavior has changed for you."
Such caring words transcended ancient books and modern texts and were as illusory as dreams. Gu Mengzhen had never heard of them before and could not help but be extremely surprised and stunned.
"what?"