Chapter 357 Kuang Chao

Although the winter sunshine is warm, the wind blowing on the body is still bitingly cold.

When Dou Zhao walked into the small flower hall, he saw Chen Jia, who was wearing a beautiful blue brocade robe with a pattern of five bats holding longevity flowers, sitting upright on the armchair in the small flower hall. Perhaps because of his smooth career, he seemed more reserved and calm than last time.

He stepped forward and saluted Dou Zhao respectfully.

For some reason, Dou Zhao suddenly remembered his previous life, the first time he met him, he was wearing a third-grade red dragon robe and paying homage to Song Mo. Looking at him now, he was somewhat similar to that time.

"You're welcome, Lord Chen." She greeted Chen Jia with a smile.

Chen Jiaque said respectfully: "Madam, I will never forget your kindness. It is not an exaggeration to say that you are my second parents. I can only express my gratitude by doing my best."

He is just a subordinate and I am not his superior, yet he dares to say such flattering words.

Dou Zhao smiled, afraid that if she continued to chat with him, there would be more compliments waiting for her.

The two of them sat down as host and guest, and the maids served them tea. She then went straight to the point and asked him the purpose of his visit.

Chen Jia smiled and said, "I came to another young lady's wedding a few days ago and heard that the maids around Madam are all of the age to be released, so I want to find a few sisters who are as capable as the other girls to serve her personally. Am I not a member of the Imperial Guard? It happened that a few days ago, a colleague went to the south on business and met a pair of sisters. Although they were only thirteen or fourteen years old, three or five idle men could not get close to them. I thought of Madam. If Madam wants to take a look, I will bring them in to kowtow to you; if Madam is not satisfied, I will help you keep an eye out. Nothing is difficult in the world, and you can always find someone who can satisfy you."

Dou Zhao was very surprised.

But more of it is emotion.

In her previous life, hadn't she worked so hard to find a business that could support the daily expenses of the Jining Marquis's Mansion that she came into contact with Madam Guo?

She immediately felt sympathy and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you, Master Chen. After all, he is my personal servant. I have to discuss this matter with the prince before making any plans."

"Of course." Chen Jia was very excited to see Dou Zhao accept his proposal, and said hurriedly, "It is my fault for not considering it carefully. I hope Madam will forgive me."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Dou Zhao served the guest tea.

That day Song Mo came back later than usual.

Dou Zhao went forward to help him change his clothes.

He refused and said with a smile, "Just take care of yourself."

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "When my aunt passed away, she told me many times not to overeat just because I was no longer suffering from morning sickness, but to move around more and walk more. It's just a piece of clothing, why can't I do that?"

Song Mo laughed, thinking that he was indeed too cautious.

He let Dou Zhao lead the little maid to help him change his clothes, and then he helped Dou Zhao sit down on the big kang by the window and asked her what she did today, whether she had eaten well, whether she had a good nap and so on.

Dou Zhao told Song Mo why Chen Jia came and asked, "Do you think you can trust him with this kind of thing?"

Song Mo pondered and said, "The elders of those two girls were probably captured by the Jinyiwei. We need to see what crimes their elders committed. Whether the women in the family were confiscated, exiled, or sold... You are pregnant now, so just think of it as accumulating blessings for the child. As long as they are not committing any serious crimes, we will lend a hand. Even if they are not suitable to serve you, returning them to their elders will save two lives."

Dou Zhao nodded and told the maid to bring in dinner.

Song Mo looked at it and saw that it was much richer than usual. He smiled and said, "Madam, are you going to celebrate with me that from today on, all of us have to follow Madam's orders in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation?"

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "It's good that you know! If you dare to make me angry, I will reduce the food immediately!"

Song Mo laughed out loud.

The two of them joked around a bit before settling down to have dinner.

After dinner, the two moved to the inner room, where they drank tea on the big kang by the window.

Dou Zhao asked about what happened yesterday: "Do you remember what you promised Boyan? Do you want me to ask Brother Twelve?"

"No need." Song Mo smiled, "Fortunately, Chen He was on duty yesterday, otherwise I would have to ask you to ask my uncle." Then he frowned and said, "Do you know what the relationship between Kuang Zhuoran and Boyan is?"

Dou Zhao heard that his tone was not good, and asked hurriedly: "What happened?"

"It's nothing serious." Song Mo looked relaxed, but she could still hear a hint of solemnity in his tone. "From what Boyan said, the Fan Shiquan that Kuang Zhuoran was looking for was the owner of the family tea shop. But the Fan Shiquan I found was the eunuch in charge of the wine and vinegar bureau. Not only that, he is also Wang Ge's godson and Wang Yuan's godson."

As long as the eunuchs in the palace were involved, things would become complicated, especially Wang Yuan, who had been a writing eunuch for more than ten years in his previous life and was able to become the chief steward of Cining Palace after the emperor's death. This was enough to make Dou Zhao extremely alert.

She said, "I will call Boyan to ask him tomorrow morning."

Song Mo said: "I have sent someone to invite him. It looks like he should be here soon."

Dou Zhao asked the maid to prepare Dou Qijun's favorite drink, Dahongpao, but Dou Qijun came with Dou Dechang.

The three people entered the small study. Dou Zhao was a little worried. After thinking about it, he followed them.

Song Mo did not avoid her. He helped her sit down on the armchair beside him while continuing to talk to Dou Qijun: "...According to what you said, it is difficult to find good and experienced boatmen. Those people actually have their eyes on the Kuang family's fleet. But although the eunuchs love money, they cannot leave the palace at will. Most of them would rather take a large sum of money than do such a thing as stealing other people's industries. He can't do it himself. What's the point of running it? I'm afraid there's something fishy going on, and I'm most afraid that it involves the affairs of the palace. The most favored concubine in the palace is from Guangdong. Who else knows about Panyu, a remote place, except for the locals in Guangdong? If you trust me, why not let Kuang Zhuoran come to me, and don't worry about this matter, just prepare for the Spring Examination in February next year. "

Knowing the identity of Fan Shiquan, Dou Qijun also felt that the situation was difficult. He thought for a while and said, "I think we should ask our fifth uncle to handle this matter, so as to avoid getting you involved..."

Song Mo said unhappily, "We are one family and we don't talk behind each other's backs. When it comes to dealing with people in the palace, Fifth Uncle is really not as good as me."

Dou Qijun thought of Song Mo's expression when he supported Dou Zhao just now, and laughed dumbly.

Even if you claim to be a smart person, there are times when you can't see clearly.

Song Yantang obviously intervened in this matter out of consideration for Fourth Aunt's sake, but I misunderstood him as a warm-hearted person...

"Thank you very much, Fourth Uncle!" Once he had thought it through, Dou Qijun was more decisive than anyone else. He clasped his fists towards Song Mo and said bluntly, "There is no time to waste. Why don't I go and call Kuang Zhuoran over now? I also want to know what's going on here."

Song Mo nodded.

Dou Qijun and Dou Dechang went to the inn in Yuan'ensi Hutong.

Song Mo ordered someone to put up a screen in the small study room, and said to Dou Zhao with a smile, "We'll talk later, you can listen behind the screen." Then he sighed, "I should have taken you for a walk, but I'm on duty now and can't leave. You must be bored at home, so just listen to these things to relieve your boredom."

Dou Zhao was in mixed feelings.

When she married Song Mo, she never thought that one day, she would get much more than what she gave!

She wrapped her arms around Song Mo's waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

Song Mo was slightly stunned, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

He hugged Dou Zhao back, feeling his wife's tenderness towards him, as if he had drunk Lihuabai, which made him intoxicated and unwilling to wake up.

It's a pity that this kind of silent tenderness always makes people feel short-lived. When Dou Qijun and Dou Dechang came in with the pale-faced Kuang Zhuoran, Dou Zhao was already sitting behind the screen.

After bowing to Song Mo somewhat dazedly, Kuang Zhuoran's face turned even paler.

He murmured to Dou Qijun, "So the Duke of Ying's Mansion is your in-law! I didn't expect your family to have such a prominent in-law!" He added, "How could this be? We are just a well-known family in Panyu. How would the nobles in Kyoto know about us?" He seemed to have been frightened and had not yet recovered.

This is what everyone wants to know.

Dou Qijun began to ask Kuang Zhuoran in a gentle tone about the cause and effect of the incident.

Kuang Zhuoran naturally knew the seriousness of this. He drank a sip of tea, calmed himself, and answered every question of Dou Qijun carefully.

Things became very simple. The Kuang family was one of the largest landlords in Panyu. The new Panyu County Magistrate reviewed the tax payment list, and the Kuang family became a major taxpayer. The Kuang family was not satisfied and found the prefect who had a close relationship with them. The prefect stepped in and changed the Kuang family's tax rate from first class to second class. Not long after, their business was coveted by others.

After hearing this, Song Mo and Dou Qijun couldn't help but look at each other.

The one who spoke this time was Song Mo.

"Didn't the Kuang family go to visit the new official who took office?"

"I went." Kuang Zhuoran felt a little uncomfortable, but still said honestly, "But his attitude was a bit arrogant."

"After the Yellow Book was revised, did you take this opportunity to make peace with the officials?"

Kuang Zhuoran's face flushed red, and he whispered, "My ancestor has a bad temper, and my sister is engaged to the prefect's second son, so..."

So I decided to give you little shoes to wear.

Song Mo and Dou Qijun lowered their heads and took a sip of tea.

Dou Dechang could not help but say, "We have produced countless successful candidates and scholars in the imperial examinations. Now we have even occupied a seat in the inner cabinet. When the father and mother officials take office, they never dare to neglect their duties. Whenever there is a problem in the county, they are always the first to donate money and materials. The county magistrate who ruined his family and the prefect who destroyed his family, don't you know this? How did your family become the richest family in Panyu? I really don't understand!"

Kuang Zhuoran was shocked by the words "Our Dou family has produced countless successful candidates, and now even has a seat in the inner cabinet." He looked at Dou Qijun and said in a lost voice: "Could it be that Brother Boyan is a descendant of the Dou family in the north building?"

Dou Qijun looked at Dou Dechang and could only sigh inwardly, saying, "I am a descendant of the Dou family."

Kuang Zhuoran knelt down in front of Dou Qijun with a thud: "Brother Dou, please save our Kuang family!"

Dou Qijun hurried to pull Kuang Zhuoran back: "You and I are brothers, this is meaningless."

Kuang Zhuoran stood up feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

Song Mo, however, was stroking his chin and said, "I think you got the wrong person!"