Chapter 388 Candidates

In the small teahouse not far away, Cai pulled her mother, Mrs. Cai, and kept complaining, "Mother, I was just telling you something, but you spread it everywhere, even including my father-in-law in it! If the people in the Dou family knew about this, they would not only divorce me, but also send me to the family temple. You are so old, and you have experienced everything, how could you create such a mess..."

As they were talking, they heard noises coming from outside the tea room, which had its doors and windows wide open. Cai lowered her head and made tea while pretending to chat with her mother: "Since we have offered sacrifices to the Goddess of Smallpox, and my nephew is doing well now, I should let you go to the temple to fulfill your wish."

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw two maids coming in to fetch hot water.

Dou Ming's story became more and more mysterious and more and more unbelievable. It was no longer just ordinary gossip in the inner house. Dou Qijun had just met his end, and everyone in the family was very nervous. Her mother-in-law even ordered her and Guo to make two new clothes and a basket and curtain for Dou Qijun. She didn't have time to go back to her parents' home to tell her mother about this. Today, she finally saw her mother, but her mother only circled around a few ladies who came to congratulate her, leaving her no chance to speak. She finally found time to pull her mother to the tea room, but she started to scold her before she could say a few words.

Cai smiled awkwardly, and after the two maids left, she listened to the surroundings and made sure that no one was around. Then she said in an embarrassed whisper, "I only told your aunt, who knew that your aunt would tell her sister-in-law..."

Her aunt's younger sister-in-law married into the Duke of Jing's Mansion and had the best personal relationship with the second wife of the Duke of Jing's Mansion, Shi.

Dou couldn't help but stare: "Don't you know that the three daughters-in-law of the Duke of Jing are fighting for their own rights and want to fight to the death? How dare you tell this to your aunt?! How will it end now?"

It has already risen to the level of discussion among the grandparents, what can she do?

Are you going to jump out and say that you are the one who said it?

Even if she wanted to admit her fault, when the blame was placed on her, I'm afraid their father would be blamed...

Mrs. Cai was forced into a corner by her daughter, so she had no choice but to say, "Whatever you say, I'll do it! Anyway, if the Dou family finds out, I'll have to sacrifice my reputation."

Yes! If the Dou family knew about this, my mother would be ashamed, and her daughter-in-law would also be in trouble. Besides, this matter was no longer something the Dou family could control. Rather than being drowned in spit, it would be better to just stand aside and watch the fun.

Anyway, she didn't spread rumors.

Dou Ming did have a child out of wedlock.

The Wang family did indeed use their power to bully others and force the Zhao family to death.

Thinking of this, she immediately felt at ease and her tone softened: "I don't mean anything else. I just want you to be more careful whenever you encounter anything involving the Dou family in the future, and don't make a joke like this incident, letting outsiders see the excitement of the Dou family. Don't forget that you are the mother-in-law of the tenth master of the Dou family. If the Dou family loses face, you will also lose face..."

Seeing her daughter calm down, Mrs. Cai straightened her back immediately.

"Okay, okay!" She interrupted her daughter impatiently, "Do I need you to teach me these principles? You just need to serve your mother-in-law well and take good care of my two precious grandchildren. Why are you talking so much? It will be troublesome if others hear it." After that, she walked out of the tea room, "The wives of Mr. Yao and Mr. Dai are here. I have to say a few words to them. You make some tea and come over quickly." She whispered, "Don't let such a good opportunity go to waste."

Cai rolled her eyes and followed him out of the tea room carrying the tray of big red crabapple flowers.

Dou Qijun was invited to the study, and Dou Shiying asked him what his plans were: "...In my opinion, your fifth uncle's place has three families living there, so it's better to live there than mine, which is spacious and close to your sixth uncle. But Yantang's words also make sense. You have just arrived in Kyoto, so you have to make friends. Living with us uncles will not only make you uncomfortable, but your classmates will also have trouble coming to visit you. It's better to live in a small house. It just so happens that Yantang has a small house in Yuqiao Hutong - the Zhao family held their wedding there, as you know. It's only across the street from the Hanlin Academy. You might as well stay there temporarily and find a better place later."

Dou Qijun was overjoyed.

He has traveled a lot in the past few years and has made many friends from all walks of life. Some of these friends may not be favored by the elders. Of course, it would be best if he could live alone. However, most of his elders have houses in Kyoto, but he rents a house outside. I am afraid that neither the fifth uncle nor the sixth uncle would agree. This idea just flashed through his mind. Now that Dou Shiying brought it up, he hesitated and said, "But the fifth uncle and the sixth uncle..."

Dou Shiying said, "I will go and talk to you. Just focus on passing the imperial examination and you'll be fine."

Dou Qijun always liked this friendly and easy-going seventh uncle. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly thanked him with a smile and asked Song Mo: "Why don't you meet your fourth uncle? You should thank him for living in his house, right?"

Dou Shiying frowned slightly, "He was dragged away by his friends to talk." He added unhappily, "I don't know what's going on with these people? They came uninvited, and after they arrived, they were eager to talk to him privately. Why can't they talk about it at home? Why do they have to come at this time and this place? A good wedding banquet has been messed up!"

"Maybe she needs help from Fourth Uncle." Dou Qijun explained, "It's hard to tell her in the government office, and the threshold of the Duke of Ying's mansion is too high to get in, so she had no choice but to find this opportunity."

Dou Qijun is the protagonist today, but he doesn't mind. So why would Dou Shiying be unhappy?

The two chatted and laughed as they went to the study room filled with scholars from the Hanlin Academy.

The one who pulled Song Mo to talk was Hao Dayong.

He muttered mysteriously, "…Marquis Jining is good in everything except that he is too soft-hearted and often does bad things with good intentions. For example, a few days ago, a guy named Wang said that he was related to the Duke of Jing's Mansion and wanted to open a silk shop on East Street. He quarreled with a broker over the shop's commission. What does this have to do with our Wucheng Bingmasi? But somehow, that guy persuaded Marquis Jining, and Marquis Jining brought people from the East City Bingmasi over and scared the broker away.

In my opinion, since he is a relative of the Duke of Jing's Mansion, why didn't the Duke of Jing's Mansion come forward, but asked the Marquis of Jining to come forward?

Even if it was because Marquis Jining worked in the Five Cities Military Department, after this incident, not to mention the chief steward of the Duke of Jing’s Mansion, even an ordinary steward should have sent someone to say hello.

But the Duke Jing's Mansion acted as if nothing had happened.

Later I found out after asking around. It turned out that the aunt of this man surnamed Wang had nursed the prince of the Duke of Jingguo Mansion, but his aunt had died long ago, and the prince of the Duke of Jingguo had no idea about this person. But Marquis Jining not only recognized him, but also accepted 20% of his shares. Now, under the guise of Marquis Jining, Wang started doing business in East City, making the silk shops in East City give him three points of courtesy, and his business is booming. "He secretly looked at Song Mo's expression, "You said how this matter was handled - that man surnamed Wang is so cunning, I'm afraid Marquis Jining will suffer a loss!"

What does Hao Dayong want to do?

Song Mo smiled slightly and made his position clear: "Although Marquis Jining and I are brothers-in-law, it is not easy for me to intervene in his house. For things like this, I am afraid he has to be vigilant himself."

In other words, the Crown Prince doesn't care!

After receiving the letter, Hao Dayong immediately became more energetic.

He smiled and bowed to Song Mo, saying: "You are right, there are some things that you can only rely on yourself, no one can help you."

Song Mo smiled.

Hao Dayong stood up and said goodbye: "After the announcement of the results, some people are happy while others are sad. Those who passed the exam were drunk, but those who failed were even more confused. Some even jumped into the lake while drunk. We have to go back to the government office to watch over them. I will not attend the banquet. I will celebrate for Mr. Dou another day."

A Jinshi master would be praised by thousands of people in other places, and he was extremely rare. But in Kyoto, the results were announced every three years, and there were so many names that had nothing to do with you. Who would remember which scholars had passed the Jinshi exam?

People like Hao Dayong, who thought he would never have anything to do with those sour scholars in the Hanlin Academy in his life, even less remembered it, and could only follow Dou Shishu's name and call Dou Qijun "Dou Jinshi".

Song Mo laughed and personally escorted Hao Dayong out the side door.

Hao Dayong was very excited.

His personal attendant asked in confusion: "I saw that the prince didn't say anything just now. Is it appropriate to punish the Marquis of Jining?"

"You idiot, if the prince wants to protect Marquis Jining, what I just said, the prince only needs to answer me, 'Marquis Jining has just arrived at the Five Cities Military Department and doesn't understand these things yet, just ask you to give him more guidance', not only can I not step on Marquis Jining, I have to create an opportunity for him to be promoted." He said rather smugly, "If this matter is done, the prince will have to thank me!"

For a moment, he was actually anxious to return to the yamen.

Song Mo returned to the study calmly.

Dou Shiying, Dou Shiheng were chatting happily with Yu Li and others. When they saw Song Mo come in, the younger ones greeted him with a smile, while the veteran ones like Yu Li sat there reservedly waiting for Song Mo to greet them.

After all, we are in different circles.

Song Mo, of Dou Shiying's generation, socialized with these people generously, and the other old scholars couldn't help but nod slightly when they saw this.

Someone asked Dou Shiying, "Why didn't I see your second aunt?"

The Dou family has been farming and studying for generations. Dou Shiying is the only one who married both of his daughters into noble families. Therefore, everyone is more familiar with his family affairs.

Dou Shiying's face darkened when he heard this.

I have sent a letter to the Jining Marquis' Mansion a long time ago, but Wei Tingyu has not come yet.

Song Mo helped Dou Shiying out and said with a smile, "He was here just now, but was called in by the Madam for questioning. I'm afraid he won't be back for a while."

Everyone started laughing and made fun of Dou Qijun: "How did you get rid of it? Give your fifth uncle some advice!"

"What can I do?" Dou Qijun smiled and glanced at Song Mo thoughtfully, "I was saved by my seventh great uncle and fourth aunt. If I go in again, I'm afraid even my seventh great uncle and fourth aunt won't be able to get out."

Everyone laughed again.

From then on, Dou Qijun became closer to Song Mo. After the celebration banquet, he took the initiative to go to Song Mo's house, got the key, and moved to the house in Yuqiao Hutong.