Chapter 216 Diligence

What are your plans?

We can only think of a way to find a better in-law family for Dou Zhao!

If you can't find one, just stay at home and find a son-in-law.

In short, Dou Zhao must not be wronged again!

But this is easier said than done.

Let's not talk about Dou Zhao's age. How many people can compare with Wei Tingyu, who is a hereditary marquis? If it is so easy to find a son-in-law, why is Zhangru still unmarried?

Dou Shiying couldn't help looking embarrassed.

Zhao Zhangru, who had noticed Dou Shiying a long time ago, hurriedly pulled Dou Zhao's clothes.

Dou Zhao was slightly stunned. Seeing his father's face full of embarrassment under his aunt's sharp gaze, he sighed secretly and stepped forward to help his father out: "When did you come? Why didn't you say hello?" He called to his aunt: "It's cold at night, let's all come in and have a cup of hot tea?" Then he stepped forward and took his aunt's arm, smiling: "My cousin and I just found some interesting things. I guess they were given to mother by her grandmother when she got married. We were just about to ask you!" He smiled and pulled his aunt into the north room which was temporarily used as a banquet room.

Zhao Zhangru smiled and lifted the curtain, waiting for Dou Shiying.

Dou Shiying felt grateful and smiled kindly at Zhao Zhangru. He entered the banquet room in the north and listened to his daughter, Mrs. Zhao and Zhao Zhangru talking and laughing for a long time. He drank a few cups of tea absentmindedly, and as it was getting late and he had almost packed up everything, he stood up and said goodbye.

My aunt couldn't help but snorted coldly.

Dou Shiying did not sleep all night.

The next morning, he went to see Dou Zhao and said, "I have discussed with the Wang family and have asked Wang to either return to her hometown in Zhending to serve the second lady or to practice meditation in the family temple for a few days. You should stay in Kyoto. The family is still in need of someone to take charge of the family affairs."

This makes it easier to talk to others!

Dou Zhaoyuan had no plan to return to Zhending so soon.

She always has to take care of her own affairs before going back.

"Okay!" Dou Zhao said with a smile, "My aunt said that she came to Kyoto once with my uncle when she was young. I was thinking of letting my aunt and cousin Zhangru stay at home for a few more days so that we can visit some famous places in Kyoto."

Dou Shiying couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he heard this and started talking about the famous places of interest in Kyoto.

A servant waited outside for a long time, looking around. When Dou Shiying finished speaking, he came in cautiously and said, "Seventh Master, Master Xu Zhiji from the Hanlin Academy sent you an invitation to have a drink at Zuixianlou tonight. Please come."

As soon as Dou Shiying heard it, he knew that Xu Zhiji probably wanted to ask him something.

He has always believed in "helping others is helping yourself", but at this moment, he was in no mood to go to Zuixianlou for a drink with Xu Zhiji!

He thought for a moment and said, "Go tell the messenger that I have some trivial matters at home and cannot go to Zuixianlou for a drink. Thank him for his kindness. If he has other important matters to discuss, please invite him to come to my house for a cup of tea!"

The servant responded and left.

Dou Shiying continued the previous conversation with Dou Zhao: "... Is there any place you want to go? I'll let Gao Sheng go with you."

If it weren't for his aunt, it would be inconvenient for a man and a woman to go alone, and he would have accompanied his daughter there on the day off in two days.

Dou Zhao mentioned a few places, but felt something was wrong, so he smiled and said, "Oh, there's no rush. Let me discuss it with my cousin first."

Seeing that she was in a good mood, Dou Shiying also felt happy and said, "I remember that you liked seal stones the most. When you saw one in my study when you were a child, you refused to let it go and insisted on taking it back to your room to hide it. In a few days, I will accompany you to Yubaoxuan in Kyoto. Their antique jades are very unique and better than the ones in our Jifen Pavilion..." He carefully coaxed Dou Zhao to be happy.

Dou Zhao was angry at that time, and he took the things that his father liked for himself. How could he really like them? Now thinking about it, it seems a little funny. However, it was a rare opportunity, and it was not bad to follow my father to Yubaoxuan to see it for himself.

She smiled and asked her father, "Isn't it said that our Jifen Pavilion is the best in the world? How come the things in Yubaoxuan are better than ours?"

"Our Jifen Pavilion is good at having a wide variety of products, including high-end, mid-range and low-end products. We have branches in all major provinces. If the Nanjing branch wants to send something to Hangzhou, Jifen Pavilion can help deliver it, so it is well-known. But in terms of the quality of the products, they are not as exquisite as Yubaoxuan..." Dou Shiying was explaining to Dou Zhao in detail when the servant broke in again and reported, "Seventh Master, Lord Xu's entourage came back to ask if it is okay to visit you this afternoon?"

Dou Shiying couldn't help but exclaimed, "What's going on? So urgent!"

Dou Zhao said hurriedly, "Dad, go do whatever you want! I'm just going to visit my aunt and ask where she and my cousin want to go."

Dou Shiying did not force himself and returned to the study.

After lunch, Xu Zhiji brought a scholar in blue clothes who was about fifty years old.

Dou Shiying was secretly surprised to see the scholar, who was dressed in bright clothes, had a flawless Hetian jade pendant hanging around his waist, had a rosy complexion, and had fingernails that were more than an inch long, looking like an old scholar who lived a life of luxury. He calmly asked the two men to sit down.

Before the waiter served tea, Xu Zhiji apologized, saying, "I came here without Brother Wanyuan's permission. I was really anxious. I hope Brother Wanyuan will forgive me."

What Xu Zhiji wants is probably related to this scholar in blue.

Dou Shiying pondered and said with a smile: "You and I are both officials in the Hanlin Academy. We should support each other. Brother Zhiji, you are too kind."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Xu Zhiji introduced the scholar in blue to Dou Shiying: "This is my fellow countryman, surnamed Tao, given name Chi, courtesy name Qizhong, and now he is an aide to the Duke of Ying. In my early years, I came to Kyoto to participate in the imperial examination, and I once received the favor of Brother Tao. Now Brother Tao has something to ask of you, and I am of low rank, so I have no choice but to ask Brother Wanyuan for help." As he said this, he stood up and bowed to Dou Shiying, "I also ask Brother Wanyuan to lend a hand no matter what."

Upon seeing this, the scholar in blue also hurriedly stood up and saluted Dou Shiying.

"Hurry up, please stand up!" Dou Shiying hurriedly helped the two men up and said, "Brother Zhiji, you know my temper. We are all officials in Kyoto together, and it is fate that we know each other. As long as I can help, I will do my best."

It was because Xu Zhiji knew this that he dared to bring people here.

He sheepishly recounted what had happened.

It turned out that Tao Qizhong had a nephew who was a traveling merchant. Some years ago, he was involved in a theft case in Baoding Prefecture in Northern Zhili. Tao Qizhong wanted to ask Dou Shiying to help him put a word of greeting to the people in Baoding Prefecture.

Dou Shiying knew that they wanted him to use Dou Shishu's reputation as a banner - Dou Shishu was the Minister of Justice.

Tao Qi was afraid that Dou Shiying would not be willing to help, so he said hurriedly, "My nephew has always been honest and loyal, and his family has enough money, so it is impossible for him to commit a theft. If you can clear his name, I will definitely thank you very much."

There were many such cases. Dou Shiying would not help the tyrant for a few silver coins. Moreover, Xu Zhiji was a Jinshi who passed the imperial examinations twice and was an official in the Hanlin Academy. He would definitely find someone to tell the Baoding prefect. Since he came to me, I am afraid that this so-called theft case is not that simple. So I smiled and said, "Why thank you? I will go ask first. If I can help, that would be great."

Tao Qizhong quickly stood up to thank him, and said with emotion: "I originally wanted to ask the Duke of England to say hello, but I didn't expect the Duke of England to say that it is inconvenient for officials to make friends with foreign officials, and there are many concerns. It is still good for people of my generation who are educated. Wherever I go, I can meet people who can help each other."

It not only explained why his master did not help him, but also flattered Xu Zhiji and Dou Shiying.

Xu Zhiji coughed quickly.

How could a person who usually speaks very appropriately make such a mistake at this moment?

Since you are asking Dou Shiying for help, just try to curry favor with him. Why mention him?

Tao Qizhong also realized that he had said something out of turn, so he quickly changed the subject and talked about some interesting anecdotes in Kyoto in recent days. For a moment, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

After a few rounds of tea, Xu Zhiji noticed that Dou Shiying looked a bit tired, so he winked at Tao Qizhong, said a few words to him, and then stood up to say goodbye.

Dou Shiying politely escorted the two of them out of the study.

The maids were taking away the big red lanterns with the double happiness pattern on them.

Tao Qizhong smiled and said, "Don't you know what kind of happy event is going on in your mansion? If I had known this earlier, I should have come to visit a few days in advance."

Dou Shiying couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable, and said simply: "It's my daughter getting married!"

"Oh!" Tao Qizhong was very interested and asked, "I wonder which family your daughter married into?"

Dou Shiying looked even more uncomfortable. Xu Zhiji had been to the wedding before. Thinking that Tao Qizhong was an aide to the Duke of Ying, he should have heard of Marquis Jining even if he didn't know him. Maybe this would bring them closer. He smiled and said, "The guest in Lord Dou's house is the descendant of Marquis Jining, a founding hero. She is very handsome and was granted a title before she even reached adulthood..."

Now the news of the sisters changing marriages had not spread out yet. Dou Shiying was afraid that Xu Zhiji would continue talking about it and then become a laughing stock, so he quickly said, "Brother Zhiji, you are exaggerating," and interrupted Xu Zhiji.

Seeing that Dou Shiying didn't want to talk more, Xu Zhiji thought that this son-in-law was probably not very pleasing to Dou Shiying, so he smiled and followed the trend, and stopped talking. Who knew that Tao Qizhong said with a bit of flattery: "Master Dou is so lucky! The second daughter married so well and became a marquis' wife when she entered the family. I guess the eldest aunt must be outstanding too. I wonder which family the eldest aunt is from?"

Dou Shiying was furious about this.

Little daughter, you mean my daughter, not my little daughter, okay?

This pottery is heavy. Is he a scholar?

But since people asked him directly, he couldn't just remain silent, otherwise people would suspect that there was something fishy going on!

He had no choice but to say, "I have no children, so I want to keep my eldest daughter at home. I haven't betrothed her yet."

When Tao Qizhong heard this, his eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly, "Does Lord Dou want to keep your daughter at home and find a husband? Or is he planning to marry her off if he finds a good family?"

Dou Shiying's heart skipped a beat when he heard the hidden meaning in these words, and he wondered if there was a suitable candidate for Tao Qizhong?

He said slowly: "It is precisely because I haven't made up my mind that I haven't arranged a marriage for my eldest daughter yet..."

Tao Qizhong listened and said excitedly: "Sir Dou, I would like to be a matchmaker for your daughter. What do you think?" His smile was very attentive.