Chapter 481 Father-son love
The courtyard of the manor house has winding paths, quiet and elegant.
Gu Mengzhen bought a gift and planned to give it back to Uncle Zhuang.
From afar, he saw Uncle Zhuang and his mother sitting in the bamboo forest, enjoying the scenery and chatting. Gu Mengzhen walked over and without waiting to greet them, he heard his mother Chu Xiao talking about what happened yesterday.
"What? You want to fight for the position of Secret Secretary for Zhen'er?"
His mother's tone sounded disapproving, so Gu Mengzhen stopped and listened quietly.
Zhuang Zhe's expression was one of determination.
"For Zhen'er, and for you and me."
"Haven't we always wanted to be a family with Zhen'er? Perhaps, taking power is a good idea."
Upon hearing this, Chu Xiao became angry.
"You are confused."
"It is true that power is effective, but how can it be seized through trickery?"
"Your Majesty, Lord Tang, have always been interested in you. If you don't fight or compete, you can still sit in a high position, right?"
Feeling guilty, Zhuang Zhe suppressed his feelings and imitated Zhen'er, showing his cunning.
"Lord Tang is in his prime. I don't know how long it will take for him to be promoted or abdicate."
Chu Xiao frowned, his anger growing.
"What do you mean?"
The corners of Zhuang Zhe's mouth drooped, and he tried hard to look rebellious.
"Madam, you understand what I mean."
Knowing what he meant, Chu Xiao couldn't help but get furious and roared and scolded.
"You...you are simply unreasonable!"
When Zhuang Zhe saw this, his momentum weakened instantly.
"Madam, calm down. We may be able to wait, but Zhen'er really can't."
Chu Xiao was so angry that he spoke without thinking.
"How old is he? How can he not wait? Could it be that he will die the next day?"
Fearing that his words would come true, Zhuang Zhe hurriedly corrected himself.
"Look at you, you are so outspoken. Zhen'er lives a long and healthy life. He is definitely not a short-lived person."
Chu Xiao was still furious.
"I am deeply ashamed of his cunning and evil character. If I had known this would happen, I would have rather not been born!"
Zhuang Zhe continued to correct.
"Madam, please don't say such angry words. Zhen'er is a wise man with high strategies, both civil and military, and a rare pillar of talent."
Chu Xiao beat his chest and stamped his feet, unable to calm down his anger.
"What kind of talent do you mean? How could I not know what he is thinking?"
"You are really spoiling him. You knew Zhen'er was going to be a bad kid, so why did you let him do what he wanted? As a parent, you have the responsibility to discipline him. If you treat him as your own child, you should guide him to be good instead of indulging him again and again."
Zhuang Zhe took his time and gently stroked his wife's back to soothe her breathing.
"Madam, you know that Zhen'er suffered in the Gu Mansion, and many people treated him badly. He had no choice but to become a bad person. I understand him and don't want to force him to be obedient."
"Madam also said that our children just need to be happy and worry-free."
Chu Xiao frowned, looking displeased.
"I'm talking about Shao'er."
"Zhen'er, is this our child?"
Zhuang Zhe slightly straightened his expression and pointed out the mistake.
"If Madam is partial, she is not a competent mother."
Chu Xiao refuted in an orderly manner.
"There is a limit to strictness and leniency. This is the guidance of discipline. Please think twice, sir. Over-indulgence will lead to disaster sooner or later."
"If he could be as sensible as Shao'er, I would not be so harsh on him. Unfortunately, he is too unreasonable."
Zhuang Zhe thought what she said made sense and had no choice but to look for another way.
"Madam, please listen to me. You can't be impatient when educating a child. This is what I think. We should go along with him first, and wait until he gradually lets down his guard, and then slowly explain things to him."
"It is safest to proceed step by step. What do you think, Madam?"
Chu Xiao saw through it at a glance.
"Don't try to coax me. How can you say that you want to proceed step by step? You are just doting on me."
Zhuang Zhe felt somewhat embarrassed and smiled foolishly.
"No matter what a fool thinks, you can't hide it from me."
There was no point in arguing and bickering, so Chu Xiao calmed down and asked seriously.
"Have you made up your mind to do what you want?"
Zhuang Zhe answered truthfully with full sincerity.
"Madam's words must be listened to. If there is a chance to teach him, I am still willing to guide him to be good."
Chu Xiao felt hopeless and heartbroken about this child.
"What do you plan to do if he refuses to change his ways?"
Zhuang Zhe's eyes were determined and he moved forward courageously.
"Then give it your all and let him change."
Every word Chu Xiao said was meaningful and his insights were particularly insightful.
"What he wants to do is extremely evil. If you and I are in league with each other, I'm afraid that the reputation of the Zhuang family for a hundred years will be wiped out."
"Master, please think twice. The Zhuang family has been following Lord Yan since Yue Sheng came to power. We have been loyal to him for hundreds of years. How can we abandon him all of a sudden? Master, you can be reckless, but you must also think about whether you can live up to your ancestors."
Zhuang Zhe was lost and was trapped deeper and deeper.
"In fact, in the court, there is no right or wrong. How can Zhen'er's wish be wrong?"
"Before Lord Yan came to power, wasn't he also a treacherous and treacherous person?"
Chu Xiao could hardly suppress his anger.
"Listen, what are you talking about? Are you still the you I know?"
"Emperor Taizu quelled the war and went all out to save the people and protect the lineage of the previous monarchs, but unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Emperor Taizu ascended the throne with the support of the people and the loyalty of his ministers, and the last monarch's last words before his death."
"Our dynasty is legitimate!"
Zhuang Zhe looked stubborn and unyielding.
"What is recorded in history books may not necessarily be true."
Chu Xiao gnashed his teeth and became furious.
"Zhuang Zhe, you are so bold!"
Zhuang Zhe took the trouble to comfort his wife, knowing her pain and being very patient.
"Madam, please don't be upset. Please listen to me again."
"In my humble opinion, parents should not be selfish. Zhen'er, because of his background, has been isolated for many years by the Gu family. If we were to isolate him as well, he would be too pitiful."
"I know my lady, you stick to the right path and can't do that, that's fine."
"You don't have to change. I'll just stay with Zhen'er."
Chu Xiao disagreed, and Li Zhi reminded him.
"Master, you are so righteous, and it is really hard to do this."
"Why bother asking for trouble? This is the way to your own death, don't you know, Master?"
Zhuang Zhe is willing to sacrifice his life for love and for justice.
"If it's difficult, then practice more. If you don't know how to do it, then ask Zhen'er to teach me."
"In short, I can't leave Zhen'er alone. Even if I have to sacrifice my life for him, I will do it."
No matter how much he tried to persuade her, it was useless. Chu Xiaoman didn't understand.
"But why?"
Zhuang Zhe smiled innocently, his words were as fragrant as osmanthus orchids, and his demeanor was like a lotus emerging from water.
"If I choose to love you, I must cherish your children. I believe that as a husband and stepfather, it is my duty to do so."
"At my age, I can actually call him a brother. Being his stepfather really gives me a lot of advantages. He is willing to acknowledge me and treat me like a parent. I am very happy. I beg Madam to fulfill my humble wish and help us become father and son."
Gu Mengzhen hid in the dark, with a sweet smile on his lips.
Fortunately, his stepfather was so kind, more loving than his mother, which made his life as a human being no longer miserable and sad.
He made up his mind secretly.
Even if I let down everyone in the world, I will never let down my father Zhuang. Just as he loves his family and everyone in the Zhuang family, I will not betray anyone in the Zhuang family, and will treat them with courtesy and kindness and obey his orders in everything.
To love your brother, you must do your best to please him, and never give up on him, even if it means death.
Gu Mengzhen did not show up. He walked to Zhuang Zhe's residence, quietly left a letter, put down a gift, and left.