Chapter 368 Maid

Dou Zhao, however, couldn't sleep and stayed awake until dawn.

Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Song Mo thought that he had disturbed her at night, and said with a smile: "How about having someone set up a couch in front of the bed tomorrow, and I will sleep on it?"

I can't bear to live in a separate room.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Then I'll have to get up in the middle of the night to tuck you in, which is even more troublesome. Just rest in bed and don't think too much."

After hearing her words, Song Mo couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and smile.

That smile was warm and gentle, making the morning air brighter.

※※※※※

A few days later, Du Wei came to report to Dou Zhao: "What the Li sisters said is true. Their father's senior brother not only became a bandit, but also kidnapped the mistress of the deputy magistrate of Fuzhou Town and stole their money. That's why he was closely watched by the Jinyiwei."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing her interest, Du Wei said, "The Li family is unlucky. A judge named Yin in Wuyi had long coveted the 300 mu of good farmland of the Li family, but had never had the chance to take it. This time, the apprentice of the Li family got into trouble, and Judge Yin took the opportunity to give 100 taels of silver to the assistant of Fuzhou Town Fusi, who then accused the Li family of 'collusion with the invaders' and confiscated the Li family's property. Fortunately, the assistant of Fuzhou Town Fusi had a good relationship with Lord Chen, and Lord Chen interceded for the release of the apprentice, and also returned the 300 mu of good farmland to the Li family."

Dou Zhao nodded secretly, took the letter to Chen Jia, and asked him to send Jingui and Yingui over.

Chen Jia was naturally overjoyed when he heard this.

He repeatedly reminded the two Li sisters to be loyal, obedient, and quick-witted: "If the madam asks about you, you can't hug her thighs and cry for help like you did last time when you saw Manager Zhao's daughter-in-law. The nobles only like to hear happy things..." He said everything he could think of, and finally did not forget to threaten the two girls, "If you make the slightest mistake, I can send you back in just the same way I kicked you out." As a result, the two girls were still a little frightened and their faces turned blue when they met Dou Zhao.

Su Xin couldn't help but glance at Chen Jia.

Although the two little girls were not very lively, they handled the situation well. How come they became like bitter herbs in just a few days, completely lacking in energy?

I don’t know what Chen Jia said to the two little girls?

Look at their timid appearance and frightened eyes. Compared with last time, they are like completely different people. They are not even as good as the servants sent from the estate of the Duke of England. How can they serve the lady closely?

She muttered to herself, wondering where to place the two little girls if the lady didn't like them.

However, Dou Zhao thought these two girls were pretty good.

Although his skin is a little tanned from the sun and his fingers are rather rough, there is a righteousness in his features. He looks like a child who has been disciplined at home since childhood. With proper guidance, I believe he will be able to adapt to life in Yizhitang soon.

She smiled and asked about the situation at the sisters' home.

The younger sister Yingui was too timid to speak and hid behind her elder sister Jingui.

Although Jingui's legs were trembling, she dared not remain silent, and she gritted her teeth and stammered, "There are many brothers in my family, but few sisters. My two cousins ​​are married, so only my sister and I are at home. In addition to helping mother cook for the whole family every morning, I also have to clean the yard, wash clothes, and mend clothes..."

She was afraid of upsetting Chen Jia, so she really sent everyone in her family to jail. She didn't dare to mention anything about her family, let alone protest her innocence in front of Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao had no idea, but he was very interested in Jingui, a child who came from a martial arts family, and asked with a smile, "Are you responsible for washing and mending clothes for the whole family?"

Jingui nodded and said tremblingly: "My family has lived in Wuyi for generations and has never separated. There are more than 40 people in total, and we all live together. Things like washing clothes and cooking are all done by my aunt."

Dou Zhao pondered and asked, "Something happened in your family. Have your aunt and the others been arrested as well?"

Jingui burst into tears and choked up, "Except for my seventh uncle and a few cousins ​​who were out there training, the rest were arrested..."

When she said this, she really wanted to ask this kind-looking lady in front of her to rescue her family, but when she thought of Chen Jia's words, she didn't dare to open her mouth. She could only look at Dou Zhao pitifully, hoping that Dou Zhao would suddenly have a change of heart and take the initiative to ask about her family affairs.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but sigh inwardly as he watched, and said softly, "Don't worry about your family's affairs. I've already asked someone to inquire about it, and it's not a big deal. Lord Chen has already stepped in to help your family clear their grievances, and your family members have all been released from prison, and the confiscated land has also been returned to your family. You can just work for me with peace of mind, and when you're older, I'll let you go and reunite with your family."

Jingui and Yingui cried with joy and kowtowed to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao asked Ganlu to pick up the two sisters and handed them over to Suxin for training. He said to the two sisters: "If you miss your family, you can write a letter to them and give it to Madam Zhao to ask someone to bring it back to Wuyi for you."

The two girls were stunned for a long time before they came to their senses. They knelt down and were about to kowtow to Dou Zhao again, but Su Xin quickly pulled them back. The two girls knew their own strength and looked at Su Xin. However, they were surprised to see that Su Xin was gentle and pretty, and she didn't look like a martial artist at all.

Su Xin took the opportunity to lead the two girls back, and told them how to be different and let people relax their guard, and also told them how to be a suitable maid...

Jingui and Yingui accepted the teachings with an open mind.

Dou Zhao felt relieved and discussed the marriage of Chen He and Su Lan with Chen He's mother. However, he suddenly received news that his uncle Zhao Si had gone to Beijing to report on his work and had arrived in Tongzhou.

She couldn't help herself.

If she calculated carefully, she hadn't seen her uncle for fourteen years.

I don’t know how my uncle is doing now?

Is he gray-haired, thin and haggard like in his previous life, or is he full of energy and vigor because his fate has changed and his career is going smoothly?

Dou Zhao couldn't wait to change his clothes and went to Yuqiao Hutong.

My aunt and cousin were instructing the maids and old women to clean the courtyard, arrange decorations, and buy chickens, ducks, fish and meat. They were very busy.

Dou Zhao knew her aunt had received the news. She asked her aunt, "When will my uncle arrive in Kyoto? What did his personal attendants say?"

In order to ensure a smooth journey, there will be close attendants ahead to arrange food and lodging, deliver messages, etc.

"They said they would go to the city the day after tomorrow afternoon." The aunt couldn't contain her joy and pulled Dou Zhao to the inner room. She told the maids to bring some fresh fruits and said, "Don't worry. As soon as your uncle returns to Kyoto, I will tell him that you were here!"

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly and said, "Then I will go outside the city to welcome my uncle the day after tomorrow morning? I was only three years old when my uncle left for his post. He must have not recognized me..." She seemed very excited.

The aunt smiled and patted her hands, saying, "Okay, we'll go together then."

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.

Song Mo is here.

"I knew you would come to Yuqiao Hutong to visit your aunt." He smiled, "I'll come to your aunt's place to have a meal too."

My aunt was very happy and kept saying "I couldn't ask for more". She went into the kitchen and prepared several of her specialties to treat them to dinner.

Zhao Zhangru whispered in Dou Zhao's ear: "Look, he's here! He's sticking to you like this every day, aren't you tired of it?"

Dou Zhao didn't want others to say anything bad about Song Mo, so he said, "I don't think it's boring! I think it's pretty good, I like it very much."

Zhao Zhangru was stunned and speechless.

However, Song Mo, who had sharp ears, almost curled up his lips to the sky.

After dinner, Dou Zhao and Song Mo went home.

Song Mo suddenly pulled out a rosewood box from his arms like a magic trick and handed it to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhaoqi asked, "What is it?" and opened the box.

Lined in scarlet Zhang velvet, was a flawless mutton-fat jade armlet.

The lotus pattern on the armlet is simple and generous, quaint and natural, yet graceful and luxurious, and very beautiful.

"What is this?" Dou Zhao looked at Song Mo in confusion.

Song Mo smiled and said, "This is a reward for you."

"Reward me? Reward me for what?"

Song Mo didn't tell her: "Just keep it."

Dou Zhao was confused, but no matter how she asked, Song Mo refused to answer. She had no choice but to accept the bracelet and asked, "Where did you get this bracelet? Why are you suddenly wearing a piece of jewelry?" There was a lot of doubt in her tone.

Song Mo smiled widely and said, "Dai Jian invited me to dinner today. I passed by Yubaoxuan and thought this bracelet was pretty good, so I bought it."

Dou Zhao's birthday was not a big celebration because there were guests at home and Song Yichun was also present. They only had a bowl of shou noodles. But Song Mo had been thinking about it and gave Dou Zhao a lotus hairpin made of mutton-fat jade. Seeing that this armlet and the hairpin matched very well, he bought it back. He had originally planned to find a reason to give it to Dou Zhao in a few days, but after hearing what she said today, he felt proud and couldn't help but take out the armlet as a gift in the carriage.

"Really?" Dou Zhao glanced at Song Mo.

"Why would I lie to you?" Song Mo said frankly.

As long as it wasn't a bribe.

Dou Zhao accepted it calmly and asked Song Mo, "Have you settled the matter with the Kuang family?"

"Of course." Song Mo said with a hint of pride, "Bo Yan will soon take part in the Spring Examination. If I don't handle this matter well and he is distracted, isn't it my fault?"

Dou Zhao looked at him with a smile, suddenly kissed him, and said leisurely: "This is a reward for you!"

Song Mo said seriously, "Tomorrow I will treat Bo Yan and my twelfth uncle to a drink. If I help them and pay for it, can I ask for a reward?"

Dou Zhao laughed so hard that he couldn't stand up.

The two chatted and laughed all the way back to the Duke of England's mansion.

When their carriage passed the gate of the Duke of England's mansion, they brushed past Song Yichun who had just returned drunk.

When Song Yichun heard the cheerful laughter like silver bells coming from the carriage, his face suddenly became as gloomy as a dark cloud covering the sky.

Dou Zhao had no idea Song Yichun was depressed. She moved boxes and cabinets at home, found two inkstones that she had borrowed from her father, two boxes of Hu Ding ink, two boxes of wolf-hair brushes, two pieces of Hetian jade seal material, and a filigree enamel and silver ink warmer. She packed them in a gift box and went to Yuqiao Hutong the next day.