Chapter 319 Know

After a while, Fifth Aunt came over.

They have their own ideas.

The eldest cousin's wife, who was invited, also came over, and Guo's daughter and Cai's two sons also came to make a noise, and the room suddenly became lively.

Guo and Cai were busy leading the maids to set the table, while the fifth aunt took the eldest cousin's wife to her inner room and said that she had just received a few boxes of palace flowers, and asked the eldest cousin's wife to bring them over so that everyone could choose a few to wear.

Only the Second Lady and Dou Zhao were left in the room, along with the three children's silver bell-like laughter.

The Second Lady then took Dou Zhao's hand and said softly, "Now that you are married, the business under your name should be returned to you. Have you decided who will help you manage it?"

Dou Zhao calmly let the Second Lady hold his hand, smiling and saying, "I have discussed this matter with the Crown Prince. Doesn't the Crown Prince have thirteen businesses in Guangdong? The shopkeeper Zhong has inherited his father's business and has been managing those thirteen businesses. I was originally planning to let Zhao Liangbi take over, but I was afraid that he was young and impetuous and could not handle the heavy responsibility. The Crown Prince said that we should let the shopkeeper Zhong come over to teach him for a few days. I thought this would be the best of both worlds, so I agreed."

The Second Lady was not surprised.

Anyone who can remain unmoved when seeing such a huge industry is a bodhisattva.

She pondered and said, "Although the husband is the bond of the wife, money can move people's hearts. You should still be more careful about some things. I think you don't need to bother Manager Zhong about the land and ponds. Just choose a few reliable farmers."

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "You are right. It is better to do business with the familiar than to do business with the new. I think we should let the village heads manage the village for the time being. When my third cousin was helping me with the chores, weren't these village heads quite honest? I see that the rents in the past few years are much higher than in previous years."

The Second Lady listened and sneered.

No matter what I said, Dou Zhao always responded to me, which showed that he had made plans before coming here. I just don't know if it was Dou Zhao who guessed my intention? Or was it Song Mo who guessed it?

The more this is the case, the more she has to explain some things.

"Silly girl," the Second Lady sighed, "Even if your husband has something, he still has to pass it on. Some things are better left to you."

If it weren't for what happened before, Dou Zhao would have been grateful for the Second Madam's sincere words. Unfortunately, her mother's death made it impossible for her, who had lived two lifetimes, to have the slightest affection for the Second Madam.

She secretly complained in her heart.

It's better to let Song Mo get it than to let you get it.

On the surface, he smiled and said "yes", saying "I've remembered what you said, I'll pay attention to it."

The Second Lady had worked her way up from a young wife to an old noble, so she could see Dou Zhao's perfunctory attitude. But at this moment, she could only secretly shake her head and put this matter aside for the time being, saying, "In that case, let your third uncle and your third cousin come to Kyoto! While your aunt hasn't returned to Qingyang yet, I'll sort out the accounts of the past few years and hand them over to you." She added, "It just so happens that Boyan will also take the Spring Examination next year, so they can go to Beijing together and have a companion." Then she sighed, "If Boyan fails again this year, I plan to let him study with your father in Jing'an Temple Hutong. There is a ready-made Hanlin at home, but instead of asking for advice, he goes around visiting those so-called famous teachers who can't even finish their studies. Isn't that missing the point?"

After failing the imperial examination, Dou Qijun did not stay at home to study hard, but traveled around with his two servants. He was the first successful scholar in his generation. The Dou family had high hopes for him, so it was no wonder that the second lady was unhappy.

Regardless of the past life or this life, Dou Zhao had a very good impression of Dou Qijun and felt that he was an upright person. In addition, no matter what the considerations were, she was still very happy that the industry under her name could be taken back in such a peaceful way.

However, she remembered that Dou Qijun seemed to be born in the year of Renxu, which would mean he would become a Jinshi next year. She was afraid that her father would not have the opportunity to guide Dou Qijun's studies.

"I wish Bo Yan didn't have the opportunity to study in Jing'an Temple Hutong," she said with a smile on her face, "but instead wrote a story about 'three Hanlin scholars in one family, uncle and nephew are both Jinshi scholars'."

The Second Lady was stunned for a moment, then she laughed and said repeatedly: "Thank you for the good words from Fourth Auntie. I hope that Bo Yan will have such good fortune."

"Boyan is so knowledgeable, the Second Madam should have confidence in him." Dou Zhao and the Second Madam chatted about family matters. After lunch, they played cards for the whole afternoon. It was not until dusk that Dou Zhao, who had not eaten much, returned to Yizhitang.

Dou Zhao asked Gan Lu, who was helping her change clothes, "What are Mr. Chen and the others doing today?"

"Mr. Chen and Master Chen are out, and Master Duan is at home talking to a few guards who didn't go out." Gan Lu said with a smile, "He said he wanted to go around Kyoto and get familiar with the roads so that he wouldn't be clueless when he follows Madam out in the future."

Dou Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Chen is back. You go over and tell them that Zhao Liangbi will go to the capital with the Third Elder in a few days. If anyone wants to bring their family with them, let them go with Zhao Liangbi."

In the hearts of Ganlu and others, Zhending is their hometown. No matter how good Kyoto is, it will inevitably make people feel lonely. If there are more Zhending fellow villagers around, life will be more enjoyable and feel more secure.

She replied "Yes" happily, and said, "I'll go talk to Master Duan right away."

Dou Zhao nodded, but said, "I left Zhao Liangbi in Zhending, hoping that if there was any movement in Dongdou, he would inform me in advance, but it turned out that he knew nothing." His tone was quite dissatisfied.

Ganlu was a little surprised.

Dou Zhao never talks about people around him like this. What happened today?

She could only smile and say, "Madam, don't be angry. Have a cup of tea first to calm down."

Dou Zhao looked at her.

Ganlu's eyes were clear and his expression was calm.

Dou Zhao sighed secretly in his heart and repeated these words to Su Xin.

Su Xin's smile froze, and she hurriedly explained to Zhao Liangbi, "Manager Zhao is so capable, maybe you didn't notice it for a while. When Manager Zhao comes, you will know what happened as soon as you ask him."

Perhaps, when Wang Yingxue became a concubine, their fates had already changed.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo discussed: "When Zhao Liangbi comes, I will plan to arrange the marriage of Su Xin and Su Lan."

Song Mo, who was lying on the kang reading a book, sat up suddenly and said, "So, you agree to marry Su Lan to Chen He?"

"That depends on their own willingness." Dou Zhao said, his smile gradually fading, "Su Xin and Su Lan have taken care of me for so many years, they should also have their own little life."

"Alas!" Song Mo fell on the kang in disappointment, "I thought you agreed to let Su Lan marry Chen He!"

Dou Zhao smiled and stroked Song Mo's forehead: "If my personal maid doesn't marry Yi Zhitang, will we no longer be a family?"

Song Mo muttered: "Wouldn't it be better if I got married?"

Dou Zhao laughed and told him about their trip to Huaishu Hutong today. He said, "Can you ask the shopkeeper Zhong to come here as soon as possible? I think my third uncle and his family will be in Kyoto soon."

Song Mo turned over, rested his head on Dou Zhao's legs, and said, "Don't worry, Manager Zhong is on his way."

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Song Mo closed his eyes, pointed at his forehead, motioned Dou Zhao to continue rubbing his forehead, and said lazily: "Every year at the beginning of winter, he comes to Kyoto to settle accounts with me. I think he should be here in the next few days."

Dou Zhao looked at Song Mo lying on his legs comfortably and lazily like a big cat. He felt angry and amused at the same time, but he still felt sorry for him because he had such a rare chance to relax, so he continued to stroke his forehead.

The room became quiet.

When Dou Zhao lowered his head, Song Mo had already fallen asleep quietly.

These days he has been catching the thief who stole from the Duke of England's mansion, helping his cousin find a suitable marriage, and dealing with the aftermath everywhere. I'm afraid he must be exhausted, right?

She couldn't help but lower her head and gently kissed Song Mo on the forehead.

The refreshing residual warmth on his lips made Dou Zhao stunned.

Since when has she become so intimate with Song Mo?

The wind is howling outside the window, but it is warm like spring inside the house.

Dou Zhao gently pulled the quilt over Song Mo and covered him with it.

※※※※※

From a distance, Tao Qizhong heard a familiar voice.

That voice had woken him up from his dreams many times since he returned to Kyoto.

"Is the Chen Bo you are talking about him?" Tao Qizhong asked Chang Huwei with his lips slightly pale.

Although I was standing on the Taihu rockery and looking down at the Chao Shou Gallery below, the big red lanterns hanging on the Chao Shou Gallery illuminated the surroundings very brightly. Mr. Chen and others who had just returned from a trip to Daxiangguo Temple walked through the Chao Shou Gallery chatting and laughing, as if they were walking under the sun, with every detail clearly visible.

Tao Qizhong saw the guard who kidnapped him, and kept calling the old man "Mr. Chen".

"That's him!" Chang Huwei pointed at Chen Qushui, "I'm not mistaken. I can recognize him even if he was burned to ashes."

"Then he should be the accountant of the lady when she was at her parents' home!" Tao Qizhong's face turned pale. "When I went to Zhending, I heard people mention this man. Everyone in Zhending also knows this Mr. Chen."

If the person who rescued the prince was Mr. Chen, then Madam...

Huwei Chang suddenly became excited and his breathing became rapid.

Tao Qizhong's mind was blank.

See you again...

How should we get along with each other in the future?

The night wind blew, howling and bitingly cold.

The two of them shuddered and came to their senses.

"I think we should report this matter to the Duke," Tao Qizhong said slowly, his mind still seemed to be filled with paste, and his reaction was a little slow. "What should we do? Let the Duke make the decision."

Chang Huwei behaved uncharacteristically and immediately dragged Tao Qi back to the Osmanthus Courtyard upon hearing what was said.

Song Yichun had been anxiously waiting for news from Tao Qizhong all day. When he saw the two of them walk in together, he didn't care about the difference between master and servant. He eagerly went up to them and asked, "How's the investigation going?"

"That Mr. Chen is indeed the missing staff member Chen Bo." Before Tao Qizhong could say anything, Guard Chang said, "And Chen Bo is indeed the accountant of Madam's family, and those guards are also the people who served Madam in the past."

Song Yichun's face turned pale.

In other words, it was this Chen Bo who rescued Song Mo that night.

And behind Chen Bo came Dou.

So did the Dou family know that he wanted to kill Song Mo?

Why was the Dou family not even a clue when he went to propose marriage?

How come the Dou family's accounting office was located in Yizhitang?

How did Chen Bo know that he wanted to harm Song Mo?

It is impossible for Chen Bo, a powerless scholar, to rescue Song Mo by himself. So how did he save Song Mo from danger?

Song Mo has always been clear about his gratitude and resentment. Among these newcomers, are there any people who have ever saved Song Mo or done him a favor?

Song Yichun's temples seemed to have been hit hard, and he was paralyzed and sat on the armchair.