Chapter 234: Connecting Axle

Dou Zhao refused to give in.

Dou Shiying ran away: "The emperor has returned to the palace. I am afraid that the emperor will remember me one day and ask me to come to the palace for an interview. I have to go back to the study to read a book, so as not to lose my manners in front of the palace."

Dou Zhao followed Dou Shiying to the study, and then ordered the servant: "Please ask Chief Manager Gao to come over!"

Dou Shiying hid in the side room reading a book and pretended not to hear anything.

Dou Zhao instructed Gao Sheng: "You go to see Zhang the shopkeeper now and tell him that you wrote to Zhending to ask for money. Your third uncle, who is in charge of the family affairs, knows that your father wants to invest in Risheng Silver House. He is afraid that it will affect the relationship between the Dou family and Tongde Silver House, so he wrote a letter to persuade your father. Your father thought about it again and again and decided not to invest in Risheng Silver House. But before that, we promised Zhang the shopkeeper 50,000 taels of silver. If Zhang the shopkeeper does not have enough funds to open a silver house, you can ask Lord Guo to guarantee it, and our Dou family will lend him a sum of money without interest, and he can pay it back at any time."

That's a good excuse.

Don't offend either side.

The fourth young lady is truly a natural at doing business.

It’s a pity that she is a young lady. If she was a young master, Xidou would have nothing to worry about!

Gao Sheng didn't dare to express his opinion and looked at Dou Shiying.

Dou Shiying buried his head behind a pile of books.

Gao Sheng knew that Dou Shiying had tacitly agreed, so he quickly replied "yes" with a smile.

In this way, if the Liao prince's plan succeeded, it would be a good thing. If the Liao prince's plan failed, it could be said that he was lending money to Guo Yan. With the friendship between the Dou family and Zeng Ge Lao, even if the emperor wanted to settle accounts, he would not be sentenced to death, and he could still stand firm in the literati circle, preserving his father's reputation and looking forward to the future.

Dou Zhao glanced at his silent father and deliberately shouted to Gao Sheng: "When you go to Zhang the shopkeeper this time, bring Cui Shisan and Tian Fugui with you. Collect all the documents that father has used his seal and stamp on. Don't leave out any of them. Be careful that Zhang the shopkeeper may turn against you."

Gao Sheng is more loyal and honest, but not smart enough.

How can you treat others as thieves?

What’s more, I was the one who broke my promise first!

Dou Shiying raised his head and was about to say something when he saw Dou Zhao giving him a cold look. He muttered a few words in a low voice, without even knowing what he was saying, and lowered his head again.

Gao Sheng knew his own business. When he heard that Dou Zhao had sent someone to go with him, he looked at Dou Shiying and saw that Dou Shiying was pretending to be deaf and dumb. He could not help but take a long breath, responded respectfully, and retreated.

Dou Zhao smiled and told the servant to help his father study well. He also asked the maid to wash a plate of fruit and bring it in. He took it with his own hands and placed it on his father's desk before turning around and going back to the house.

Dou Shiying immediately sat down on the armchair as if he had lost his temper.

Dou Zhao returned to his own room.

Su Jin came up to her with a smile and said, "Miss, someone from the outer courtyard sent a letter saying that Zhen Ding's senior officials have arrived in Wanping and will be in Kyoto tomorrow morning."

Dou Zhao, on the other hand, seemed to be fried in a frying pan.

She didn't know whether she could get back her father's investment document. Her wedding to Song Mo was in three days, and she hadn't made up her mind what to do next.

Reject, the opportunity is rare!

Accept it, what to do next?

She tossed and turned all night and had black eyes when she woke up the next day.

But the little maid came in and reported: "Zhen Ding's high-ranking official is here!"

Gao Xing was accompanied by uncle and nephew Song Weimin and Song Yan.

"The fourth young lady is leaving the palace now, so I should also resign." Mr. Song said goodbye to Dou Shiying with a smile, "I am very grateful for your care over the years, Lord Dou. But all good things must come to an end. I will meet Lord Dou again if we have the chance in the future."

Dou Shiying tried to persuade Mr. Song to stay again and again, but seeing that Mr. Song was determined to leave, he asked Mr. Song to drink Dou Zhao's wedding wine before leaving.

Mr. Song readily agreed and stayed in the guest room with Song Yan.

Gao Xing had only two sons, the elder one was 14 years old, named Gao Jia, and the younger one was 10 years old, named Gao Zan. Hearing that Dou Shiying had awarded their family to Dou Zhao, thinking that he would be able to work with Duan Gongyi and others in the future, he was so happy that he could not sleep well for several nights. He only cared about his wife and son and looked forward to the glory and wealth after following Dou Zhao to the Duke's Mansion.

He took his wife and son to kowtow to Dou Shiying first, and then went to see Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao told them to do their job well in the future, and then Cui Shisan and Tian Fugui arrived.

Su Xin winked at Gao Xing.

Gao Xing hurriedly stood up and left.

Dou Zhao met the two men in the study.

Cui Shisan said, "...When Manager Zhang heard that the master couldn't invest, he didn't force it. He said he would find a way to open the silver shop himself, and he didn't need to borrow the master's money. Then he said that the reason why he wanted to do business with the master and a few other gentlemen was mainly because he admired their profound knowledge and wanted to make friends with them. Doing business was secondary. He asked the master if he could reconsider it, or just invest a small amount like Master Guo did, so that at least they would not be in vain and his silver shop would be supported!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tian Fugui, who had always wanted to show off in front of Dou Zhao but had no chance, said hurriedly, "Fourth Miss, I think that shopkeeper Zhang is not a good person - he said sweet things, but when Thirteenth Master asked him for the document of the old master's shareholding, he was reluctant and refused to give it. I think that means that it's okay for the old master not to have such a large share, but if he wants to withdraw his shares, it's absolutely not allowed."

It turned out to be just as I expected.

Dou Zhao frowned slightly.

My father was just an ordinary Hanlin in the Hanlin Academy, and he had a gentle personality. There was nothing special about his career that was worth noting. The other party was so persistent, and it was most likely that Xiang Gong was brandishing a sword, aiming at my fifth uncle Dou Shishu.

I'm afraid we have to start with my fifth uncle on this matter.

She instructed Cui Shisan: "Go quietly to the chief steward of Huaishu Hutong and tell him that your father assigned you this task and you can't do it. Ask him to help you get your father's shareholding documents back. As for how to do it, you have been dealing with those officials for the past two years and should be very experienced!"

Cui Shisan's eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly.

Tian Fugui's gaze towards Dou Zhao was immediately filled with admiration.

No wonder people say that people learn to be good from books. The fourth young lady never leaves her house, but she knows all these things very well - if you can't do the things the boss has told you to do, then you can forget about staying in the mansion in the future. They went to find the chief steward of Huaishu Hutong, explained their purpose, and gave him money. The chief steward of Huaishu Hutong thought that if they could help the seventh master clean up the mess, they might be able to save his face. They also knew the rules and were willing to pay money, so they would be very happy to use the fifth master's tiger skin as a banner to threaten and bribe Zhang.

Dou Zhao thought that since Zhang Zhiqi could establish a relationship with Huaishu Hutong, he would naturally be happy to leave his father behind.

As for whether he could persuade Fifth Uncle to invest, based on her understanding of Fifth Uncle, Fifth Uncle has not yet obtained the position of Prime Minister, and he will definitely not create trouble at this time and give others an opportunity to attack.

"Hurry up and get this done," she told Cui Shisan and Tian Fugui, "before you get into trouble. After you get the deed, send it to me immediately. In order to prevent them from forging your father's handwriting and seal, I have to persuade your father to stop using the seal used on the deed."

The two of them bowed in response, and cousin Zhangru ran in.

"Shou Gu, Shou Gu," she said excitedly, not noticing Cui Shisan and Tian Fugui in the study. Cui Shisan and Tian Fugui were in a hurry to avoid her, and quickly lowered their heads and stood aside. "Someone from the Song family has come, and they have sent you the rules for leaving the palace. I took a sneak peek for you, and they will come at dawn tomorrow to urge you to get your makeup done, carrying thirty-six boxes of makeup. My mother is discussing with the Sixth Madam who to send to deliver the makeup!" As she spoke, she rolled her eyes and sat next to Dou Zhao, whispering, "Who are you going to send to install the makeup? Ask her to quietly take me over to see how lively it is!"

According to etiquette, the bride's side will send someone to hand over the bridegroom's dowry and decorate the new house.

When the dowry is handed over, the elders of the bride must be present; when decorating the bridal chamber, it is usually done by someone who is familiar with the bride's living habits, who may be the sister-in-law, the wet nurse, or even the personal maid.

When Dou Ming got married, it was Su Xin who decorated the bridal chamber.

I don’t know whether Dou Ming is used to using it.

Dou Zhao thought with a hint of sarcasm, motioned Cui Shisan and Tian Fugui to leave, and said with a smile: "Are you not going to recognize your relatives?"

Both parties will congratulate each other, and the girl's brothers, sisters-in-law and unmarried sisters will go to the boy's house for a recognition wine.

"That's right!" Zhao Zhangru said, stroking her chin, "If I go to the wedding reception during the wedding ceremony, it will be terrible if I am recognized by the Song family. Instead of pretending to be a maid and sneaking to the Duke of Ying's Mansion, it's better for you to take me around the Duke of Ying's Mansion during the wedding ceremony." She became excited again, "Shougu, I heard that the Duke of Ying's Mansion occupies an entire alley. It takes two quarters of an hour to walk from the main gate to the main hall. If you want to get to the hanging flower gate, you have to take a gasoline car. But there are only three people in their family. Would you be scared if you married there?"

Dou Zhao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She finally managed to coax Zhao Zhangru away. She hesitated for a while and told Su Xin, "I want to see the prince. Please ask Mr. Chen to arrange it."

Su Xin pursed her lips and responded by leaving Jing'an Temple Hutong.

※※※※※

Song Mo was about to say goodbye to Queen Wan: "...I have requested a five-day leave. I will be back to the Jinwu Guards in five days. If the Queen has any instructions, I will be there to listen to you at any time."

Although she had been well maintained, the Queen was exhausted after being frightened for several days in a row, and she looked even older and more haggard than her actual age.

She said softly, "You're about to get married, yet I'm still dragging you into the palace..." There was a hint of apology between her brows, "The emperor's condition has stabilized, and nothing should happen in the next few days. You should go back soon! Be a good groom!" At the end, Zhan Yan smiled, and his dignified face looked even more energetic.

Song Mo responded respectfully and stepped back.

Gu Yu was playing with the palace maid out of boredom. When he saw Song Mo coming out, he left the palace maid behind and ran over in a hurry: "How is it? What did my aunt say? Did she say she wanted to reward you?"

Song Mo patted his head gently: "You only know how to give gifts all day long! Can't you comfort the Empress?!"

Gu Yu muttered, "With the prince accompanying my aunt, I won't hang around there." Song Mo had been very busy these days, and he was often ordered around by the empress to do this and that. The two had never had a chance to talk in private. Dou Zhao's matter had almost become a source of worry for him. Seeing that Song Mo could leave the palace, he hurriedly said, "Wait for me for a moment, I'll go tell my aunt and leave the palace with you - you're getting married, so I have to go to the wedding anyway." As he spoke, he ran to the back hall, repeatedly reminding Song Mo, "You must wait for me! I have something important to tell you!"

Song Mo smiled slightly.

Apples that are not crisp and plums that are sour are both very important to Gu Yu.

This is Kunning Palace!

He has no blood relationship with the Empress!

Song Mo smiled and stuffed a piece of silver into the maid beside him, and said politely: "Sister, please tell Master Gu later. I'll wait for him at Xizhimen."

The maid's face immediately turned red with shame, and she stammered, "Your Highness, please don't be polite. I will definitely convey your message to you."