Why didn’t Dou Ming marry Wang Tan in her previous life?

These two people are very compatible!

"Don't think that everyone will give in to you like your two cousins ​​do..." Dou Zhao gave Dou Ming a lecture and then put her on foot. "You should stay at home for the next few days. When you figure things out, you can go to Mr. Song for lessons."

Maybe she was afraid of Ji Yong's methods, or maybe she was shocked by Ji Yong's attitude, Dou Ming said nothing, and stayed in her room obediently, reading and writing, and did not go anywhere.

The maids, old women, and servants around Dou Ming also became more obedient.

Dou Zhao said to Ji Yong: "Just give him a beating. You are going too far."

"Aren't you girls afraid of getting dirty?" Ji Yong winked at her. "I think this way is more effective."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but frown: "You are a scholar after all, how come you don't behave in a proper manner..."

"Tsk tsk tsk," Ji Yong said in disgust, "I hate it when people talk to me about rules. I saw how you dealt with Pang Kunbai so neatly and efficiently, and I thought you were a straightforward person, but I was wrong about you."

It became her fault.

Dou Zhao was too lazy to talk to him more, so she turned around and went to Ji's place. It was not until Ji Yong was about to go to Beijing with the brothers Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang that she showed up and said "Have a safe journey" to Ji Yong.

Ji Yong sneered and ignored her. He said goodbye to Dou Sanye and others with a smile, and left the Dou family in his carriage which looked simple but was actually luxurious.

Dou Ming came back to life immediately. He went to Mr. Song for lessons, learned to play the pipa with Wan Niang, practiced calligraphy whenever he had free time, and often followed Dou Zhao to pay respects to the Second Madam. When he met Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er, he would also chat and laugh, and his mouth was sweet. Originally aunt and niece, Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er were about to get married, so they were much more tolerant to others than before. Yi Jie'er even went to Daci Temple with Dou Ming to listen to the Dharma, and met the eighth daughter of the Lang family. When I was young, I was ignorant, so I would recklessly imitate the adults' speech. Now that they have grown up, Dou Ming greeted the eighth daughter of the Lang family with a smile, and the eighth daughter of the Lang family did not mention the old things in the past, and exchanged a few words with Yi Jie'er and Dou Ming.

Dou Zhao just smiled slightly after hearing this.

No matter what the reason is, it's always good that Dou Ming can control his temper.

It was the beginning of winter, and Dou Zhao and his grandmother were busy moving all the flowers and plants in the house into the greenhouse for the winter. Dou Ming finally couldn't help it and yelled at Madam Zhou: "Why hasn't mother come to pick me up yet?"

"My dear young lady," Nanny Zhou had to comfort her constantly, "It's almost the New Year. I can't take you to Kyoto in front of the Second Madam and Aunt Cui, can I? Don't worry. I think Madam will come to pick you up in the spring."

Only then did Dou Ming calm down.

After receiving the new calendar from the government office, the Dou family began to prepare for the New Year. Cui Shisan's matter was also settled, and he formally resigned to Dou Qijun.

Dou Qijun was reluctant to let him go, and said with regret: "It's a pity that I don't have a good future for you, otherwise it would be good for me if you stayed with me?"

Cui Shisan was a very smooth person, so he didn't have many principles, but this did not prevent him from respecting Dou Qijun. He smiled and said, "Then I wish you success in the imperial examinations, and then I will be your doorman."

Dou Qijun laughed loudly and said proudly: "Being a doorman is unfair to you, at least you should be a criminal master or a grain master!"

"Then I have to go back to the county school and study for a few more years." Cui Shisan chatted with Dou Qijun for a few words, said goodbye to Dou Qijun, and went to Dou Zhao with Su Lan who had been waiting for him outside the door.

Dou Zhao gave him a 1,000-liang banknote and said, "Fan Wenshu is doing well in Kyoto. Please represent me and wish a happy new year to all the customers who have been taking care of our business in Kyoto for many years!"

Cui Shisan went back to reunite with his parents for two days before setting off again.

As soon as he left, Ji Yong, Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang came back.

Dou Zhaoqi asked, "Why did Ji Jianming come to Zhending instead of going home for the New Year?"

Su Lan smiled and said, "Who cares what he comes back for? He won't come to our West Mansion to celebrate the New Year."

"That's true." Dou Zhao smiled, "I just feel nervous when I see him, afraid that if I blink a few times and fail to notice, he will cause trouble again."

Su Lan laughed loudly and asked Dou Zhao in a low voice, "Fourth Miss, do you think that the Ji family did not allow him to take the imperial examination and let him go out to gain experience because of this?"

"Not necessarily." Dou Zhao smiled, "There are many people like him who are good at studying and active. It's not a big deal. I'm just afraid that Ji Jianming has done something else that we don't know about. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so worried."

Sulan nodded continuously.

Su Xin saw that she was becoming more and more disrespectful in her words, so she scolded her, "Why don't you bring in the young lady's hot water?"

Dou Zhao said: "There are maids to do the chores, so there is no need for her to go."

"Miss, you are too used to her." Su Xin said, "She is born with great strength. How can the rough maids be as steady as her?"

As Sulan went to fetch water, she muttered, "But the young lady said that people should do what they are supposed to do. I am just a second-class maidservant by the young lady's side. Why should I be asked to fetch water?"

Su Xin said nothing and just glared at her.

She immediately lowered her head and obediently left the room.

Dou Zhao couldn't help laughing.

Without Sulan's liveliness, her life would definitely be less joyful.

She asked Su Xin: "The anniversary of the death of the Bie Pavilion Master is coming soon, right? I will give you sisters three days off. You can go back and pay respect to the Bie Pavilion Master properly, showing your filial piety."

Su Xin's eyes turned red and she choked up as she thanked Dou Zhao.

When they walked out of the room, they saw Zhao Liangbi talking to Ganlu.

He was very capable. In just one year, he had been promoted to the manager of the grain store. Dou Xiuchang suggested several times that Zhao Liangbi come back to help him. Dou Zhao even wanted him to stay in the Dou family store for a few more years to learn not only how to do business, but also how to be a good person, but he never agreed.

Zhao Liangbi was also able to keep his composure and worked steadily as the manager.

This was also what Dou Zhao valued most about him in his previous life.

Seeing Dou Zhao and Su Xin coming out, his face blushed slightly and he walked forward to salute Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao smiled.

In his previous life, Zhao Liangbi married Ganlu.

"How come you have time to come here today?" Dou Zhao asked him gently, "Has the store done the year-end inventory?"

"We have to wait for two more days." Zhao Liangbi said respectfully, looking more and more embarrassed. "I was thinking about Xiaoxiang, who will be the owner of Bie Hall in a few years. You asked me to help the two sisters of the Bie family to handle the owner's funeral. I came here specially to tell the two sisters of the Bie family. I have already prepared all the offerings for Xiaoxiang. When the time comes, I will help the two sisters to worship the owner of Bie Hall."

Su Xin and Su Lan both had tears in their eyes. They knelt down and said "thank you very much". They said, "Miss Fourth gave us three days off. We dare not trouble the manager Zhao." They added, "How much did the offerings cost? We can give you some money."

"Not much, not much." Zhao Liangbi said with a red face, without even looking at Suxin.

Dou Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

She glanced at Su Xin, then at Zhao Liangbi, with an incredible expression on her face.

※※※※※

There was a row of carriages at the side door of the Dou family. Ji Yong's followers and boxes were the most eye-catching. There were also two unfamiliar men standing in front of the stone drum, directing several carriages piled with boxes and boxes to go directly into the side door.

I wonder what strange things Ji Yong bought this time?

Dou Zhao thought about it and went to Ji's yard.

There were only a few maids dancing the hundred rope dance in Ji's courtyard. When they saw Dou Zhao coming, they quickly put away the hundred ropes and ran over with a smile: "Fourth Miss, are you looking for Madam? The cousin and two young masters of the Ji family have returned from Kyoto. Madam has accompanied the young masters to pay respects to the Madam."

Since I'm here, I might as well join in the fun, so that the Second Lady won't complain if she finds out that I came but didn't visit her.

Dou Zhao turned and walked out of Ji's yard, but when he looked up he saw several people coming out of the alley in front.

She took a closer look and was shocked.

The one walking in front was Ji, and behind her was a handsome young man wearing a scarlet gown with gold all over it, a jade hairpin, and a purse and sachet hanging from his waist, looking elegant and noble.

When he saw Dou Zhao, he was also surprised, his eyes widened slightly, and his pupils looked exceptionally clear.

It turned out to be the young man in brocade clothes whom I met behind Fayuan Temple!

But why is he here?

Looking at Ji Yong again, he was walking side by side with the young man, wearing a pure blue cloth robe, looking energetic, confident and calm, not at all embarrassed. On the contrary, the brothers Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dezheng who were following behind them, originally two handsome and tall young men, were forced to become passers-by by these two men.

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang are so unlucky!

Dou Zhao muttered to himself as he went forward.

When Ji saw her, she smiled happily and introduced the Master Jinyi to her: "... He is the youngest son of Master He, named Yu. According to seniority, you should call him Junior Master Uncle."

Dou Shiying was He Wendao's disciple, so He Yu was naturally a generation older than Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao was surprised.

He is actually He Wendao's son!

Did the fifth uncle and He Wendao reach some kind of agreement? Otherwise, how could his son appear in the Dou family at the end of the year?

She knelt and saluted, calling out "Junior Master Uncle".

He Yu bowed slightly in return and said with a smile: "When I was at Fayuan Temple, I wondered whose daughter this was who could walk so fast. I didn't expect her to be Senior Brother Dou's daughter!" He had the demeanor of an elder.

"What is going on?" The others were all surprised and asked Dou Zhao in unison.

Dou Zhao recounted what had happened.

Ji laughed and said, "This is also fate."

"Yes!" He Yu responded, and everyone followed Ji into the yard.

After sitting down in the hall, the maids served tea and snacks. Ji asked He Yu to stay for a few more days. Dou Zhao then learned that He Wendao's hometown was in Anyang. This time He Yu was assigned by his father to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors. When he passed by Zhending, the two groups met on the road and walked together. He Yu stopped by to pay his respects to the Second Lady.

When offering sacrifices to the ancestors, the He family sent the youngest son instead of the eldest son. I don’t know what the story is about this?

Dou Zhao thought about it and drank a sip of tea slowly. Then he heard Ji Yong say, "Fourth sister, Brother He heard from Twelve on the way that the vegetarian dishes at Daci Temple are really the best. I really want to try them. Why don't you come with us?"