Song Mo's handsome face still had a hint of childishness, and Dou Zhao could even see the fine hairs on his lips. The man in front of her was far from the tall and strong man with a generous and graceful demeanor and a calm and reserved expression in her memory.

She pictured him drinking soup from a spoon.

Take a sip first, then drink it in one gulp.

No matter how much I dislike it, I won't complain.

He is still just a teenager now.

A thirteen-year-old boy.

Am I being too harsh on him?

Then let go of your grudges and treat him like an ordinary teenager? Don't let him be responsible for things he didn't do. That's also unfair to him!

Having let go of her psychological burden, Dou Zhao smiled calmly: "I forgive you!" But she would not forget what kind of person he was because of this, "Then can you bring Mr. Chen back first? He is old and can't stand too many bumps, and I also need his help to take care of things around me!"

"Do you need someone who has worked as a staff member of a third-rank provincial governor to help you take care of it?" Her smile was peaceful and tolerant, with a hint of gentleness, which softened Song Mo's heart. He liked this kind of conversation atmosphere, so he smiled and said, "It seems that this matter is very troublesome. Why don't you tell me about it? I am also good at giving advice!"

Then there’s no need for that!

"I opened a calligraphy and painting shop," Dou Zhao said half-truthfully, "thanks to Mr. Chen's help. Mr. Chen went to Kyoto, and my business is in chaos."

"Do you want to save your dowry?" Song Mo said with a smile, "How about I introduce you to a business deal? If it's done well, we can have long-term cooperation, and the payment terms are very good."

Dou Zhao’s eyes widened.

Song Mo doesn't seem to be that kind-hearted person, right?

How did he suddenly think of introducing business to himself?

There is no such relationship between them, right?

But obviously Song Mo doesn't think so.

His smile widened. "Shuntianfu Academy and the Imperial Academy print a lot of contemporary essays and imperial examinations every year. I happen to have a fellow who has been exiled from the government and works as a handyman in Shuntianfu Academy. When the time comes, just ask the shopkeeper in your shop to go find him."

She wanted to part ways with him and never have any contact with him again, instead of continuing to be entangled with him.

Dou Zhao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and rejected him directly: "I think it's better to forget it. This matter is too troublesome. My shop only sells ready-made pens and ink."

"Since you've done it, you have to do it to the best of your ability." Song Mo said in a teaching tone and did not allow her to argue. He walked straight to the desk and said, "I'll write you a letter. When the time comes, you can take my letter to find him." Then he told her the man's name and appearance.

Dou Zhao had no choice but to thank him and called Gan Lu to come in and help him grind the ink, but Song Mo refused: "No, I can do it myself."

Then you can do it yourself.

She was not in the habit of working hard for strangers.

Dou Zhao sat aside and drank tea.

The sound of grinding ink could be heard in the room.

It is neither light nor heavy, neither fast nor slow, just like the grinding of a millstone, leisurely and naturally, without any sense of sluggishness.

What a huge amount of strength it takes!

Dou Zhao couldn't help but let out a light "Huh" and looked over.

Song Mo stood leisurely in front of the desk. His hand holding the ink tablet was white and delicate, with slender knuckles. His wrist was gently turning in circles, and the clear water dripping into the inkstone gradually stained it with color.

Dou Zhao thought about the way he walked.

It is also somewhat casual, yet so natural.

Did he learn some special martial arts as Duan Gongyi said? Or was it just etiquette that he developed since childhood?

The more Dou Zhao looked at him, the more he felt that his manners were elegant and pleasing to the eye.

I couldn't help but feel curious.

What happened back then that made him kill his father and brother?

How could such a bright and shining figure fall to become the executioner of King Liao?

Song Mo's words from his previous life, "Not everyone is qualified to be a parent," echoed in her heart for a long time, gradually solidifying into a thorn.

"Here!" Song Mo had already written the letter. He waved the sealed letter in front of her and said with a smile, "What are you worried about?"

"No, I'm not worried about anything." Dou Zhao quickly calmed down and took the envelope to examine it carefully.

He writes in the Guange style.

It is honest and solemn, with a sense of solidity.

Dou Zhao took the envelope closer and looked at it.

Yes, it is honest and solemn, giving a down-to-earth feeling.

How could there be such a huge difference between a person's handwriting and his character?

She looked at Song Mo, her heart was in a mess and she didn't know what to say.

Song Mo ignored her strange behavior, and lay down on the drunkard's chair in the study. He closed his eyes, put his hands naturally on his abdomen, and began to rock with a creaking sound.

On a summer afternoon, everything was quiet and silent. The rustling of the wind through the branches and the creaking of the shaking chair echoed in harmony. It seemed peaceful and harmonious, making people drowsy.

Suddenly, Song Mo's voice rang out from inside the room: "Before I came here, I had just buried my cousin."

Dou Zhao shuddered and came fully awake.

"My cousin's name is Hanzhu, and she is my second uncle's posthumous daughter." He still closed his eyes, and his voice was very soft, with a hint of gentle warmth, "She is three years older than me, and has a very gentle and kind temperament. Not only is she good at sewing, but she has also learned martial arts. All the sisters in the family love her. She often smiled and said to me, Tianci, when you grow up, don't bully girls just because you are beautiful."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but sit up straight.

I saw a drop of tears in the corner of Song Mo's eyes.

"My aunt's nephew Yin Jian is an expert in martial arts, a generous man, and most importantly, not reckless." His voice was choked with sobs. "They love each other. My grandmother and aunt are happy to see it happen. But my cousin lost her father when she was young and was raised by my aunt. My aunt was afraid that my cousin would be wronged, so she sent Yin Jian to Fujian, hoping that he could get a job and then let my cousin marry in style."

"When Yin Jian left, he asked me to give my cousin a golden hairpin with a lotus flower pattern."

Dou Zhao clutched his collar tightly.

"My uncle was being questioned, and my mother was worried that my cousin would have no one to take care of her, so she wanted me to marry her.

My father didn't agree at first, but seeing that the entire Chiang family seemed to be in trouble, he couldn't persuade my mother and reluctantly agreed.

Six days ago, my third and fifth uncles were taken to Tielingwei. The emperor granted my grandmother permission to visit them. We then learned that Yin Jian had been beaten to death by Jinyiwei two months ago in order to protect my eldest uncle. That night, she stabbed herself in the throat with the gold hairpin that Yin Jian had given her..."

Dou Zhao's teeth were chattering and he felt his face was cold. When he touched it, it was wet.

She quickly turned her back, took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, secretly thanking herself for not putting on much makeup on a daily basis, otherwise she would not be able to see anyone in this state.

After finally cleaning myself up, I turned around and fell into a pair of eyes as deep as water.

When did Song Mo open his eyes?

He probably has a lot on his mind but nowhere to express it!

Dou Zhao sighed and sincerely said "My condolences", and couldn't help asking Mrs. Mei: "Can we still live in the ancestral house in our hometown? The Jiang family has made great contributions, and I'm afraid they have offended many people. Even if we can return safely, what should we do after returning? I'm afraid we still need to come up with a plan."

Now the Jiang family has been reduced to common people. If someone wants to seek revenge, they will definitely kill everyone in the family, including women and children.

"I've been busy with this for several days." Song Mo pretended not to notice Dou Zhao's red eyes, and said casually, "When the moon is full, it will be empty, and when the water is full, it will overflow. My grandmother knew this very well, so during the past few decades when she was in charge, she bought a lot of sacrificial land and renovated the ancestral house several times. Whenever the government asked the local gentry to contribute money and effort, the Jiang family never refused. After the imperial edict was issued, my grandmother breathed a sigh of relief, saying that not only was there enough food at home, but if things got tight, she could send some money to Tielingwei. I was also worried that someone would seek revenge, so I sent a few of my personal guards over there to work for the Jiang family. With their skills, even if they were robbed by bandits, it would be difficult for ordinary bandits to succeed."

What's the use of all the calculations when faced with a thundering blow?

Dou Zhao couldn't help but sigh for Madam Mei in the previous life, saying, "Why should we be afraid of bandits? The only thing to be afraid of is the Jinyiwei pretending to be bandits!"

Song Mo just smiled, but his eyes were brighter than the sun outside.

It was obvious that it had been arranged.

Dou Zhao sighed secretly in his heart.

It turns out that we still can't treat him as a thirteen-year-old boy!

However, the atmosphere between the two became harmonious. After a few words, Dou Zhao stood up and said goodbye: "It's getting late. I have to go home. I won't see you off when you leave."

They did not dare to take those "small gifts" back with them, and had them locked in the storeroom of the farm.

Song Mo didn't say anything and sent Dou Zhao to the gate.

Dou Zhao got on the carriage, still muttering in his heart: Is this my home or your home?

When I got home, I remembered that I had forgotten to agree with Song Mo on the date for Mr. Chen's return.

Just as he was regretting, Sulan, who stayed at home, came up to him hurriedly.

"Fourth Miss," she said with a tearful look, "Just after you left, Master Ji came. He has been waiting for you at home for a whole day. He kept asking me where you were. If you don't come back, I can't stand it anymore!"

Dou Zhao was stunned: "Why did he come to Zhending? Where is Sixth Aunt? Did she come back with him?"

"Sixth Madam hasn't come back." Su Lan puffed up her cheeks and helped, "Master Ji said the weather was too hot, so he came to Zhending to escape the heat. He greeted the Second Madam and came straight to us. He also asked if anyone was living in Heshou Hall now? There is a pond there, it's cooler. He wanted to borrow Heshou Hall to live for a few days."

Dou Zhao felt that his temples seemed to be stinging again.

She asked Su Lan: "Master Ji asked me where I was going. How did you answer him?"

"I saw that Master Ji was determined to find you no matter where you were," Su Lan said, her pouting lips looking like a bottle of oil could be hung on it. "I had no choice but to tell him that you went to the state, and also said that you had told us to come back in the afternoon. Only then did I calm him down. Now he is at Aunt Cui's place, explaining Buddhist scriptures to her!"