ebookland Chapter 285 Brotherhood
Chapter 285 Brotherhood
Ruan Yuhu, who had been stuck in a rut over this matter, felt relieved instantly after hearing Shen Tianjiao's words.
Yeah, what's there to be angry about? Even if I was tricked, so what?
Zheng Guang sending Zheng Chuang into the palace was, as Shen Tianjiao had just said, a great thing with no disadvantages.
The Prince of Huai's Mansion is not so easy to control. The energy, mental strength and time required to tame this unruly, extremely violent and powerful wild horse are beyond imagination.
Now Zheng Guang took the initiative to send his most precious grandson to the palace as a hostage to control the Huai Palace. This is a good thing that is hard to find even with a lantern.
If you have been plotted against, then so be it. You are not at any disadvantage anyway, so why are you getting angry and making yourself unhappy?
Ruan Yuhu thought it through, and her outlook naturally opened up. She didn't want to get angry about nothing. The most important thing for her now was to think about how to deal with Zheng Chuang and make both the Huai Palace and Zheng Guang work for her.
"I'm fine. Jiaojiao, go ahead and do your work. Since Zheng Guang wants to send his grandson to the palace, then come on. I'll be waiting."
Looking at the little old lady in front of her whose emotions came and went quickly, Shen Tianjiao felt quite satisfied and happy.
Ruan Yuhu used to be a person who was so strong that no one could see his weaknesses and shortcomings, but it was such a person who could show his weaknesses and shortcomings in front of himself.
That could only mean one thing, that she now truly treated herself as a family member without any defense, and was willing to show her the side of herself that she didn't want to show to others without reservation.
Shen Tianjiao was also very relieved about this. In this cold harem, there was someone who could light a lamp to warm her up, and she could also be the light in other people's lives. This was enough.
Gong Jianzhou left the palace and went directly to the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion without even returning home.
The Gong family was able to escape death today thanks to the brotherhood between him and Shen Tingzhi.
In the past, he and Shen Tingzhi were brothers who could trust each other, but from today on, he was the knife in Shen Tingzhi's hand. He was willing to go through fire and water for a word from Shen Tingzhi, no matter what.
When Gong Jianzhou arrived at the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, Shen Tingzhi had not yet gotten up.
The days of hard work have exhausted his body to the extreme, and he now needs a good rest.
Shen Tingzhi didn't wake up, and Gong Jianzhou didn't disturb him or leave. He just sat there waiting for him to wake up.
The news of the incident at the Duke of Tang's Mansion had already reached the Marquis of Zhenbei's Mansion. The guards knew the urgency of the matter, so they didn't care that their master was still asleep and directly woke up Shen Tingzhi.
Fortunately, during the years that Shen Tingzhi was in Ganzhou, whether he was marching and fighting or handling government affairs, he often could not sleep for several days and nights.
However, after being exhausted, as long as Shen Tingzhi can sleep for an hour or two without being disturbed, he will be able to recover his strength.
"Master, the Empress has stripped the title of Duke of Tang, but has granted Young Master Gong the title of Earl of Changyuan."
While Shen Tingzhi was washing up, he listened to the information conveyed to him by his personal guards.
"Master Gong is still waiting outside."
"I thought that since such a big thing happened in the Duke of Tang's Mansion, it would be inappropriate for Master Gong to stay in our mansion without going back to deal with it. That's why I thought of waking the master up."
The personal guards kept chattering beside Shen Tingzhi.
"Well, I understand. Nanfeng, you go and invite Master Gong. No, he is now Earl Changyuan."
"Please ask Uncle Changyuan to go to the study first. I'll be there shortly after I wake up."
Shen Ting was awake, but only his body was awake. His brain was still in a shutdown state and he had not fully woken up.
"Yes." Nanfeng retreated.
Shen Tingzhi picked up the refreshing tea that had been prepared for him and started drinking it.
The title of Duke of Tang was revoked, and Gong Jianzhou was given the title of Earl of Changyuan.
Behind this seemingly unreasonable situation lies Shen Tianjiao's long-term plan.
Gong Jianzhou is his own man now. If he becomes a commoner and loses his protection, there will be many things he will not be able to do.
Moreover, if Shen Tianjiao ignored the disaster in Duke Tang's Mansion this time, it would hurt Gong Jianzhou's heart.
Thinking of the scene in the court just now where Shen Tianjiao was surrounded and attacked by those court officials in order to protect the Gong family, Shen Tingzhi felt very uncomfortable.
His sister was being bullied, but as a brother, he could only stand by and watch. It was really a bad feeling.
Shen Tingzhi put down the teacup in his hand, stood up, tidied his appearance, and walked towards the study.
It’s useless to say anything now. Only by making myself stronger can I become Jiaojiao’s strongest backing.
As soon as Shen Tingzhi entered the study, Gong Jianzhou stood up and knelt in front of him.
"Jianzhou, what are you doing? Get up quickly." Shen Tingzhi used both hands to support Gong Jianzhou, but the boy seemed to have a thousand-pound iron tied to his body and could not be helped up.
"Tingzhi, I should kowtow today, don't stop me."
Gong Jianzhou looked up at Shen Tingzhi, tears in his eyes at this moment. He was really grateful and wanted to thank Shen Tingzhi.
He knew very well that the reason the Gong family was pardoned by the Queen today was largely because of Shen Tingzhi.
It didn’t really matter to him whether the Duke of Tang’s Mansion was defeated or not, but what was important were the women in the mansion.
If the Duke of Tang's Mansion were sentenced to exile to the frontier today, the most miserable ones would not be the men, but the women in the mansion.
If they did not go into exile together, they would be sent to the Jiaofangsi, a place where once a living person entered, even if he turned into a ghost, he could not get out.
But if they were exiled to the frontier, their fate would be equally miserable. Not only would they be bullied, but it would also be a question whether they could reach their destination safely.
If they unfortunately die on the road, their bodies will be abandoned in the wilderness and become food for animals.
Gong Jianzhou's biological mother died early. Although his father was not a good person, he still had some affection for his mother.
After his mother left, his father took many concubines but never remarried.
Moreover, among his father's concubines, there were the second and third concubines who raised him and his younger brother.
Although these two are concubines, they are rare gentle people.
Ever since Gong Jianzhou's mother passed away, the two of them have done their best to raise the brothers Gong Jianzhou and Gong Jianzhi.
Neither of these two concubines gave birth to sons, only daughters.
Gong Jianzhou has been very close to his two sisters since childhood, and they have a very good relationship.
When he was humiliated by Duke Chen, even his biological father did not dare to speak up for him.
But his two aunts and sisters were willing to speak up for him.
Gong Jianzhou was frightened just thinking about it. If his whole family was exiled today, what would happen to his two concubines and sister?
He doesn't have many relatives in this world. Apart from his younger brother Gong Jianzhi, he only has these two aunts and his younger sister.
He would do his best to protect them, even at the cost of his own life.
"Jianzhou, why do you and I have to be like this, brothers?"
"If you still regard me as your brother, then get up quickly, otherwise don't blame me for turning hostile."
Shen Tingzhi was really angry when he saw Gong Jianzhou kneeling on the ground and unable to get up.
Seeing that Shen Tingzhi was angry, Gong Jianzhou quickly stood up.
"Tingzhi, I don't mean anything else, I just really want to thank you."
"Okay, stop talking, I know everything." Shen Tingzhi patted Gong Jianzhou's shoulder, "Sit down, sit down and talk."
"Tingzhi, you should have guessed long ago that apart from Gong Chengyu, my uncles are not clean people either."
"I asked my father this morning, and he told me all about them."
"I was just in the palace and told the Empress everything. I asked her for instructions on how to deal with them."
"The Queen Mother said that this matter is in your hands. We will do whatever you say."
The first step for Gong Jianzhou to rectify his family tradition was to get rid of his illegitimate uncles. He didn't care what their fate would be.
"It's time to get rid of them." Shen Tingzhi had already made a decision in his mind on how to deal with Gong Jianzhou's uncles.
It's just that he has been too busy recently and hasn't had time to do it.
"Since your second uncle is proficient in selling all kinds of intelligence, then let him join Hawkeye and let him share the country's worries. It can be considered as letting him get what he wants."
Eagle Eye is an intelligence organization cultivated by Shen Yiyang after Shen Tianjiao was forced to abdicate, in order to control the source of intelligence.
The purpose is to better protect Shen Tianjiao and to predict danger in advance.
"As for Third Uncle, if he can rely on Li Hong, then after Li Hong's downfall, he can also rely on others. Keeping such a scourge will only bring disaster to the world."
What Shen Tingzhi meant was that Gong Jianzhou's third uncle was no longer of any use.
What's the point of keeping a person who can't provide any value but is a remnant of the traitor?
It is better to deal with it as soon as possible to avoid causing trouble in the future and then regret it.
"That fifth uncle is Li Zhaohui's man. Now that Li Zhaohui is ready to make a move, he is still of some use to us."
"I just don't know if he's willing to cooperate. How about this, send him to the Ministry of Punishment."
"As for his future, it all depends on his own performance. No one can save him except himself."
In an instant, Shen Tingzhi arranged the whereabouts of the uncles of the Gong family clearly.
"Well, that's great." Gong Jianzhou had no objection to Shen Tingzhi's arrangement.
Shen Tingzhi took a box from the eunuch who had just come in from outside.
He turned around and placed the box in Gong Jianzhou's hand, saying, "This box contains thirty thousand taels of silver. Although the money is not much, it is enough for you to settle down."
"Tingzhi, I can't accept it." Gong Jianzhou pushed the box back. "The An family's money should still be in the mansion."
"Alright, take it. Why are we still being polite to each other, brothers?"
"How could I not know that the Tang Guogong Mansion has been like this for these years?"
Shen Tingzhi took the box that Gong Jianzhou had pushed back and put it back into his hands.
"Now that the Duke of Tang's Mansion is gone, I'll cut off all ties with those people and things from the past, so as to avoid any future entanglements that might implicate you."
Gong Jianzhou looked down at the box in his hand without saying a word. He had a good idea of the situation at home.
To put it bluntly, the Tang Guogong Mansion is just a nice-sounding name. In fact, it has long been an empty shell. The only thing that has kept it going until now is the family fortune left by the ancestors.
To be honest, if he really wants to settle down, he really doesn't have the ability to do so.
Although it was indeed a bit shameless to take the money, if he didn't take it, he really wouldn't be able to resettle those people and cut off all ties with them from then on.
"In that case, Jianzhou would like to thank Tingzhi."
Gong Jianzhou held the box in his hand and bowed to Shen Tingzhi to express his gratitude.
There is a long way to go, and one day he will have the chance to repay the favor he owes him.
"Okay, stop being polite. If you continue to be polite, we really won't be like brothers anymore."
"A real man should just be honest and open. Why is he so long-winded? It's not fun!"
Although Shen Tingzhi didn't really know the predicament of the Duke of Tang's Mansion, he could get a glimpse of it from other people's words and Gong Chenghai's behavior.
"There are also several shop deeds inside. Once you're settled, take the housekeeper to identify the land."
"Those shops are all in great locations and are doing very well. If you don't want to run your current business anymore, you can switch to another one at will."
"They are all yours anyway, so just do with them as you wish."
This time, Gong Jianzhou did not say no. Whether it was the Queen, Shen Tingzhi, or the Marquis of Zhenbei, he had already repaid the favors he owed.
Just keep it and pay it back slowly later.
"Alright, you should hurry back too. You still have a lot of things to deal with at home. I'm afraid your father will never be able to rise again after what happened."
"From now on, the entire Gong family will be on your shoulders. This is a heavy responsibility, so you must be careful and cautious."
Shen Tingzhi patted Gong Jianzhou on the shoulder and asked, "Do you want me to send some personal guards to take him back to you?"
"No." Gong Jianzhou shook his head and said, "I still have some people around me who can help me solve this problem."
"If the Duke of Tang's Mansion was still there, I really wouldn't be able to do anything to them. After all, my father is here, and they are brothers no matter what. This family cannot be divided."
"But now that the Duke of Tang's mansion is gone, I, as their nephew, really have no obligation to support them."
"It's better to be careful. After all, everyone knows that you killed Gong Chengyu. Even if others don't care, his family will definitely come out and make a fuss."
What Shen Tingzhi is worried about now is that Gong Chengyu's family will not let it go and will do harm to Gong Jianzhou.