Chapter 373: Observation

Let’s not talk about how Song Mo pretended to be generous in front of Dou Zhao, let’s just say that when Ma Youming woke up, he found himself sleeping in an unfamiliar compartment. He was immediately shocked, and regardless of the heavy stone on his head, he jumped up and called the name of his personal servant.

His servant came in with a basin of water in his hand and said with a smile: "Master, you are awake! Yesterday, you drank and got drunk with the Prince of England and several of the Prince's uncles, so Brother Chen He put you in this guest room to rest. I stayed with you all night yesterday, but you even missed the bride and groom's worship of heaven and earth and entering the bridal chamber. Now the Zhao family's new son-in-law is in the hall to recognize his relatives - the Prince and his wife are also there. Do you want to go there immediately after washing up, or wait until lunch to say hello to Lord Zhao, and then go back with the Prince?" He sighed again, "The Prince's uncles are so young, but they can actually compete with Master in drinking. It's amazing!"

Who in the Royal Guards doesn't know that General Ma Youming of the Shenjiying is a huge figure!

Ma Youming turned pale when he heard this and asked, "Was I drunk yesterday?"

The servant nodded and came over with a hot towel.

Ma Youming took the handkerchief and wiped his face hastily, then said with a somewhat uncertain expression: "I was drunk yesterday, did I say anything nonsense?"

The servant thought about it carefully and said, "Brother Chen He helped you here. You were saying something like, 'My Lord, please don't leave. Everything I say is true. I've put my life and property on your shoulders.' I knew it was a serious matter and didn't dare to ask anyone else to help me. I just stood outside the door and no one else came. You fell asleep soon after and didn't say a word until dawn."

It’s over, it’s over!

It turned out that he had something on his mind and couldn't drink. Not only was his alcohol tolerance lower than usual, he even started talking nonsense.

He felt very cold in his heart, but he knew that he had been hiding his feelings too deeply. Without anyone to talk to, he was drunk and couldn't control himself and started to yell.

Alcohol can cause chaos, the ancients were right!

Ma Youming smiled bitterly.

But I can't remember anything I said to Song Yantang.

He walked around the room for a few times and said to the boy, "Let's rest in this room for now. If anyone else asks, I'll say I'm still hungover. If the British prince asks, I'll say I'm waiting for him in the room."

If he really told Song Yantang his true feelings, Song Yantang should come to him.

The servant responded and helped Ma Youming wash and dress.

Song Mo, however, was smiling and greeting his new brother-in-law.

Song Yan's face turned red, and he shyly called out "Prince".

Song Mo smiled and said, "I don't dare to be called my cousin's husband. You can call me 'Yan Tang' or 'Brother-in-law'."

Zhao Zhangru, who was standing side by side with Song Yan, blushed and looked up at Song Mo.

A hint of smile appeared in Zhao Si's eyes.

However, Song Yan was too embarrassed to call him "brother-in-law", so he whispered "Yan Tang". After greeting Song Mo, he was led to the west side of the hall to meet Mrs. Zhao and the other female relatives.

Everyone followed Song Yan and looked to the west.

Song Mo lowered his eyelids and thought about what Ma Youming said.

There are 22 guards in the three battalions of the Imperial Guard, and the Shenji Battalion ranks first. Ma Youming was able to take the position of Lieutenant General of the Shenji Battalion in his early twenties. In addition to his good family background, his personal ability is also among the best. Who can have the ability to make things difficult for him?

Why do you want to make enemies with him?

He thought of Jiang Yi.

It was Ma Youming who introduced Jiang Yi to me, and it was Ma Youming who asked me to transfer Jiang Yi to the Wucheng Bingma Division, which shows that the two of them have a good personal relationship. In the Shenji Camp, they are probably considered to be in the same group. Now Jiang Yi and Ma Youming are not happy in the Shenji Camp, which shows that it involves factional disputes. If I help Ma Youming again, I will most likely be involved in the factional disputes in the Shenji Camp.

But Ma Youming is his friend, so he must do him a favor.

But he is a member of the Jinwu Guard, and crossing the line is a big taboo in the army.

Song Mo knew that he had been very popular these days, and many people were jealous and waiting to bring him down or see him fall. However, since he wanted to suppress his father with absolute strength, he had to have the power to resist and destroy everything. He had to be high-profile again and again until people were afraid to offend him when he was mentioned. Only then could he be invincible.

If he interferes in the affairs of Shenjiying openly at this time, it will only disgust the bigwigs of Shenjiying. If it is himself, he is not afraid, but when it comes to his friends, he has to be cautious!

I was only focused on talking to Dou Zhao last night and didn't think about this matter carefully.

Song Mo whispered to Chen He: "Go and tell Du Wei to check how many hilltops the Shenjiying has now?"

It's better to be prepared and know more.

Chen He moved out of the hall without making a sound.

Song Mo smiled and looked towards the west of the hall with everyone else.

※※※※※

Ma Youming waited until he and Song Mo left Yuqiao Hutong, but Song Mo did not mention what happened yesterday.

He couldn't help but turn pale.

How could I have forgotten this?

He was drunk yesterday. Besides the fact that he did not tell the whole story, there was another possibility - that is, Song Yantang would treat what he said as drunken talk, pretending not to know, and just let it pass without a trace.

Ma Youming believed that he was not mistaken about Song Yantang.

He felt that if it was something else, Song Yantang might not do so, but when it came to... Song Yantang was not only the co-director of the Jinwu Guard, but also the prince of the Duke of Ying. Even if he didn't do it for himself, he had to think about his own clan...

Thinking of this, Ma Youming wilted like an eggplant hit by frost.

Dou Zhao was in a good mood.

It solved my uncle's worries and reminded him that compared with his previous life, he should be able to live a more relaxed life.

She discussed with Song Mo: "Uncle said they will leave on February 12th. I want to give Cheng Yi 2,000 taels of silver and then treat uncle and his family to a meal. What do you think?"

Song Mo thought for a moment and said, "Why not have a banquet at home? Let uncle know how we are doing."

Dou Zhao nodded and said with a smile: "It's just right. After sending my uncle away, I will arrange a wedding for Sulan."

Song Mo gently warned her: "Your period is getting worse and worse, be careful not to make yourself suffer."

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile, and when he got home he enthusiastically began to prepare for the banquet for his uncle.

Song Han's housekeeper, Lu Zheng's wife, came to ask her for instructions: "The second-class maid and two third-class maids in the second master's room are about to be released. Madam, when can I ask the mother and father of the third family to come and pick them up?"

Dou Zhao asked Ruozhu to bring in the almanac and said with a smile, "Then let's set it on the third day of March. That day is an auspicious day."

Giving the government some leeway will give time to those people in the mansion who are ready to make some moves.

Lu Zhengjia responded respectfully, knelt down and bowed, then was about to leave.

Dou Zhao called her and said with a smile, "How is your husband now? Are the children all right? Is there any trouble at home?"

Lu Zhengjia was stunned and said quickly, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. My husband is now working on the farm, and the children are all very obedient. Everything is fine. There is no difficulty!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she became uneasy.

She originally thought that she and her husband were originally the Duke's people, and it would be good if the lady didn't slap her in the face. How could she be so arrogant? The lady asked this question, but it was just a polite remark. How could she dare to say that there was any difficulty at home and then say that everything was fine.

But on second thought, such an answer would inevitably make the lady feel that she and her husband are still under the care of the Duke, so naturally they have to draw a clear line between themselves and the prince and his wife, who are at odds with the Duke in everything.

Her husband's experience had made her realize that her family was nothing but ants. If the Crown Prince and his wife wanted them to die, the Duke of England would never say a word for them.

She wanted to explain to Dou Zhao, but didn't know how to start.

I felt regret and hatred for a moment.

Who knew that Dou Zhao did not pursue her about these things, but said gently: "The Prince values ​​Second Master the most. Second Master is getting older, and I am just his sister-in-law. Some things are inconvenient for him. You have to worry about his family affairs. You take good care of Second Master, and the Prince and I will not forget your contribution."

The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother.

Dou Zhao is now in charge of the reward system for the Duke of Ying's Mansion. How could he not be involved in Song Han's affairs?

Lu Zhengjia thought of the rift between the Duke of Ying and the Crown Prince, but he had no doubts about Dou Zhao's words.

She was very surprised, and almost cried for joy at the kindness shown by Dou Zhao.

The prince really values ​​the second master the most, just as the lady said. Since I am the housekeeper of the second master's room, it is not a bad idea for me to take care of the second master wholeheartedly in the future.

Lu Zhengjia kowtowed respectfully to Dou Zhao and vowed to take good care of Song Han.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "I am not familiar with the affairs of the Second Master's room. Please take care of the selection of maids for the Second Master's room."

Lu Zhengjia hesitated for a moment.

Dou Zhaoyi said: "Since you are serving the Second Master, it is best to follow the Second Master's wishes."

Lu Zhengjia breathed a sigh of relief and bowed his head to leave.

Dou Zhao smiled slightly and told Ruo Zhu: "Bring over the menu for the banquet for Uncle. I need to take a closer look and think about it."

Ruozhu smiled and went to get the menu, but then told her, "Madam, the old man is here and said he wants to see you for something important."

The old man refers to Dou Zhao’s father Dou Shiying.

Dou Zhao hurried to the small flower hall.

Dou Shiying was pacing back and forth in the small flower hall in a restless manner. When he saw her come in, he said indignantly without waiting for her to bow, "What do you think your uncle wants to do to make him calm down? For so many years, I have been warm to him but he has always been cold to me, and he still doesn't appreciate it at all. Does he have to forgive me only if I die as an apology?"

Dou Zhao remained silent.

I really want to tell him that I am Zhao Guqiu's daughter. Isn't it inappropriate for you to say this to me?

Looking at her father sitting dejectedly on the armchair, she was unable to speak.

Not only that, she also felt a little sad in her heart.

Seeing this, Ruozhu ran to the study in the outer courtyard.

When Song Mo rushed over, he saw Dou Shiying and his daughter sitting opposite each other with eyes wide open and wooden expressions.

He winked at Dou Zhao and pretended to blame him, saying, "Why didn't you tell me that your father-in-law was coming?" Then he smiled and walked forward to Dou Shiying, bowed, and said, "Father-in-law, it's a rare occasion for you to come to my house. I happen to have a bottle of wine in my study. Let Shou Gu prepare a table for us. Shall we go and have a few drinks?"

My daughter is not as caring as my son-in-law!

Dou Shiying snorted angrily and followed Song Mo to the small flower hall in the front yard.