Chapter 190: Heart to Heart

The red firelight reflected on Dou Zhao's face, and his usually cheerful face now looked a little gloomy.

Dou Shiying poked the silver frost charcoal with a fire tong and said with a smile, "What's wrong? You followed me back excitedly, but now you're unhappy. Do you think it's boring at home? Don't blame Ming Jie'er, she's just like that. Just think of it as accompanying me."

Because the Second Lady was there, they had a New Year's Eve dinner in Huaishu Hutong on New Year's Eve, stayed up all night together, and after listening to the bells heralding spring from the 9981 temples in Kyoto, they returned home.

Dou Ming yawned and said he was too tired, so he went straight back to his room to rest, leaving Dou Zhao at the door of the Chuihua Gate.

Dou Shiying pulled Dou Zhao to the study to roast sweet potatoes, and even gave a nice name for it, saying, "When you were little, I often roasted sweet potatoes with you in the study."

I don't know if there's something wrong with my memory or his.

Dou Zhao muttered to himself, sighed deeply, and said, "I'm thinking about the marriage between our family and the Wei family..."

Dou Shiying's hand holding the tongs froze, his expression becoming more serious. He asked, "What did you hear?"

This matter was widely spread, and it was impossible for the daughter to be completely unaware of it. However, if the people in Huaishu Hutong told Dou Zhao everything, that would be impossible considering the strictness of the fifth sister-in-law in running the household.

Dou Zhao looked at Dou Shiying seriously and said, "I heard that the Wei family wants to cancel the engagement..."

"Nonsense!" Before she could finish her words, Dou Shiying shouted with a sullen face, "Who told you? A few days ago, the Wei family invited the wife of Marquis Ting'an to discuss the wedding date, but they didn't pick a good day, so the matter has been delayed..."

"Dad, why did you lie to me?" Dou Zhao said calmly, "Where did the Seventh Madam go? Even if she was sick, she should have been brought back for a reunion dinner during the New Year. The Wang family came to give New Year gifts a few days ago, but the people they sent didn't even ask the Seventh Madam. Dad, don't think I'm still an ignorant child of seven or eight years old."

Dou Shiying was silent.

Dou Zhao took the opportunity to say, "I don't want to marry into the Wei family either!"

Dou Shiying was shocked, "How can that be possible! I am just angry that the Wei family is disrespectful to you. The Wei family has done nothing wrong. Even if they have some strange thoughts, it is the wife of the prince of Jingguo. What does it have to do with the Wei family? Marquis Jining has come to our house to apologize again and again... Don't listen to those women's instigation. When two families get married, even if they are proud in-laws, they will be unhappy about things like dowry and betrothal gifts. There is no reason to cancel the engagement just because of dissatisfaction! Don't think too much. These are all Daddy's business. You just need to marry happily. By the way, when you get married, do you prefer Eleventh to carry you on the sedan chair or Twelve to carry you on the sedan chair?" He regretted again, "It would be better if you had a real brother."

Dou Zhaocai would not be confused by Dou Shiying. She smiled and said, "Master Cai gave his tenth sister-in-law a younger brother when he was over 40 years old. It's not too late for you to give me a younger brother now!" Then she said, "Dad, don't change the subject. I really don't want to marry into the Wei family."

Dou Shiying became anxious after hearing this.

Dou Zhao hurriedly said, "Dad, please be patient and listen to what I have to say."

Dou Shiying was slightly stunned.

Dou Zhaoyi said: "I have carefully thought about my marriage with the Wei family, and I always feel that I have no fate with them. In the early years, when the old Jining Marquis was alive, the Wei family was indifferent to our family, and our family did not take the marriage contract seriously. Until I was thirteen years old, there was no discussion about the marriage between the two families. Later, the He family came to propose marriage, and our family did not want to be involved in the dispute between the He brothers, so we used the Wei family's marriage contract as an excuse. The Wei family reluctantly agreed to it out of consideration, but the old Jining Marquis died again. After waiting for a long time for Jining Marquis to be removed, we finally got married. I have been waiting for three years, and now the sun has finally come out and it is time to discuss the wedding date, but there are rumors that the Wei family wants to cancel the engagement. This twists and turns... I remembered what you said before, that what is destined to happen will happen, and what is not destined to happen cannot be forced. Maybe, even if I marry into the Wei family, my life will be very difficult. In this case, why must I force it? It will ruin my life! You must know that the one who said this is the eldest aunt of the Wei family, and the Jining Marquis's Mansion has always followed the lead of this eldest aunt!"

Dou Shiying knew his daughter was telling the truth, but he could still cancel the engagement... He still hesitated and said, "That being said, life has to be lived out. No matter whose family you marry into, there will be conflicts. The eldest aunt of the Wei family is a little unreliable, but she is a married aunt after all. Marquis Jining is the only son and has already inherited the title. There is no sibling rivalry or conflict between sisters-in-law. Compared with those wealthy families with a large population, there is already a world of difference. You should think positively."

Having lived two lives, Dou Zhao certainly would not be so naive as to think that he could impress his father with just his words and get him to help him break off the engagement with the Wei family. Otherwise, why would he have to use gentleness to overcome strength and start with Wei Tingzhen?

In the eyes of his father and elders, even if Wei Tingyu was a loser, was homosexual, or even had a illegitimate son without getting married, these were not considered big mistakes. What mattered was whether he attached importance to marrying into the Dou family and respected his first wife. So as long as Wei Tingyu showed his sincerity in turning over a new leaf, sent away his boy lover and concubine, apologized in a humble manner, and gave the Dou family enough face, they would have to accept the marriage.

This is also the reason why Dou Zhao was afraid of Ji Yong's interference.

Ji Yong values ​​individual feelings, and his strategies are often based on people. This is the art of the emperor, and also the art of the minister. Because no matter the former or the latter, he can change the situation immediately, so he can plan everything.

But in this marriage, the woman's feelings have never been an important factor hindering the marriage, and her aversion to Wei Tingyu will not play any role.

Dou Zhao shook his head secretly.

Although Ji Yong only said one sentence to Dou Ming, with Ji Yong's ability and Dou Ming's jealousy of him, I'm afraid this one sentence was enough to change Dou Ming's attitude.

What exactly does he want Dou Ming to do?

Ji Yong is good at manipulating people's hearts, and I should think about it from this perspective.

So what does Dou Ming desire most?

Defeat yourself?!

Dou Zhao was shocked.

Could it be that... Ji Yong asked Dou Ming to seduce Wei Tingyu?

She secretly cried out "Oh no!"

If this is true, Wei Tingzhen cannot bear this scandal, and the Dou and Wei families can only join forces to suppress this scandal and arrange her marriage with Wei Tingyu as soon as possible...

This bastard never has a moment of peace!

Dou Zhao asked Dou Shiying to promise her: "If Wei Tingzhen doesn't come to apologize in person, you can't agree to marry me to her no matter what. You raise your head to marry a daughter, and you lower your head to marry a wife. At this time, the Wei family won't bow their heads. If I marry her, can I still have a good life?"

As long as his daughter didn't ask for a break-up of the engagement, Dou Shiying would be happy to say goodbye, especially since Dou Zhao and he had the same idea.

He nodded repeatedly and said with a smile: "You think daddy is a child who doesn't know anything!"

Even if you understand, I'm afraid your understanding is limited, right?

Dou Zhao giggled and ate sweet potatoes with her father and chatted with him for a while. Only when her father, who had not slept all night, looked a little tired did she get up and say goodbye.

Dou Shiying sent her to the gate, reminded her to be careful about adding and taking off clothes, and told her to come back and play when she had nothing to do.

Dou Zhao's eyes moistened. He forced a smile and waved goodbye to his father.

The carriage turned onto Gulouxia Street.

Chen Qushui got on the carriage.

Dou Zhao told him his concerns.

Chen Qushui was dumbfounded, and after a while he said, "No, that's not possible? Miss Fifth shouldn't be so foolish, right? If something happens, she will probably be in a bad situation..."

"If she could control her temper, she wouldn't be the Dou Ming she is now." Dou Zhao said, "You must arrange for capable people to keep a close eye on her and prevent her and Wei Tingyu from causing a scandal of having a secret relationship. Otherwise, this matter will become even more troublesome - not only will we not be able to cancel the engagement, but Dou Ming's reputation will also be affected, and we will have to clean up the mess for Ji Yong again."

"I understand." Chen Qushui nodded solemnly.

Dou Zhao asked him, "How is the matter going over there?"

She has never been a person who puts her hopes on others. The reason she talked to her father was to lay the groundwork so that her father would not panic when the time came.

Dou Zhao has other arrangements.

This is her guarantee to break off the engagement.

Chen Qushui smiled and said, "It's going very smoothly. The Fifth Madam should know soon."

Dou Zhao nodded slightly.

Only by preventing the Dou family from stepping down can the Dou family break off their engagement with the Wei family in anger.

When the Wang family and the Hua family were talking about marriage, she asked Chen Qushui to bribe a maidservant close to Wang Qinghuai to help pass on the message.

As expected, Wang Qinghuai sent his trusted men to Weizhou to carefully investigate the background of the eldest son of the Hua family. He discovered that although the eldest son of the Hua family was very clean when it came to women, he had a very violent temper and would often injure or maim people. He even beat his own wet nurse until she became paralyzed in bed over a disagreement.

How could he agree to let his sister marry such a person?

Given Wang Qinghuai's influence in the Wang family, this matter naturally fell through.

At that time, as long as the Dou family shows that the Wei family will not come to pay gifts and apologize, the Dou family will not easily agree to the marriage. With Wei Tingzhen's temper, she will definitely not give in easily. During the stalemate between the two families, Dou Zhao whispered to Wei Tingzhen through Nanny Jin or Nanny Lu that the Wang family rejected the Hua family's marriage proposal. On one side is the arrogant and difficult Dou family, and on the other side is the Wang family who has always been on good terms with the Wei family. Wei Tingzhen will definitely have her eyes on Wang Qingyuan.

As long as Wei Tingzhen is moved, she will definitely take action.

Dou Zhao then arranged for someone to tell the Fifth Madam about this matter... After suffering such a humiliation, the Dou family would definitely break off the engagement with the Wei family.

In this way, it seemed that Wei Tingzhen was the one who coveted Wang Qingyuan from the beginning to the end. Even if the news spread, it would not harm Wang Qingyuan, and he had achieved his goal of breaking off the engagement.

As for what will happen to the Wei family and the Wang family in the future, it all depends on what Lady Ting'an Marquis plans.

The best time for Wang Qingyuan to get married had passed. It was not because no one came to the Marquis Ting'an's mansion to propose marriage, but because the Marquis Ting'an loved his daughter very much and wanted to find a man with good character and good looks for her.

One man's meat is another man's poison.

Wei Tingyu is not a good match for the strong-willed Dou Zhao, but perhaps he would be a good husband for the gentle and honest Wang Qingyuan.

In her previous life, Wang Qingyuan almost married Wei Tingyu.

Even if the world has changed, at least Wang Qingyuan doesn't have to marry the eldest son of the Hua family, so she will have fewer regrets.

Dou Zhao pondered and returned to Huaishu Hutong.