Chapter 397: Wedding

Dou Zhao's heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

Li Liang's cousin should be at least 27 or 28 years old. Ten years ago, she was only in her teens and could not have anything to do with the Song family's affairs. But Li Liang's cousin's daughter is the same age as Song Han...

She thought of the sister that Song Mo mentioned in her previous life.

So where did this sister come from?

It would be troublesome for him to mobilize a large number of people to offer sacrifices secretly!

She suddenly felt as if there was a salty apricot in her heart, sour.

Dou Zhao entrusted Chen Jia: "Don't bother two masters with one matter. Please help me check Li Liang's cousin."

Chen Jia smiled and replied.

Dou Zhao said a few polite words like "thank you for your hard work" and brought the tea.

Chen Jia came out of the Duke of England's Mansion and breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing that the Li family and the Song family had a past relationship, he considered for a long time before deciding to come in person to report to Dou Zhao.

The moment he entered the Duke of England's mansion, he was really afraid that he would go in alive but not come out alive.

It seems that Madam Dou is still a generous woman who is as capable as any man. It is quite comfortable for me to help her with things.

Chen Jia did not go home, but went directly to the Jinyiwei Zhenfusi Yamen.

Dou Zhao, however, was thinking about several cousins ​​of the Jiang family.

Duke Dingguo was not good at guessing the emperor's intentions, but he was very accurate in judging people. After the Jiang family got into trouble, none of the engaged young ladies in the Jiang family had their engagements cancelled. Currently, the only ones who are still unengaged are the 13th and 14th cousins ​​who came to send off their marriage, as well as the 15th, 16th and 17th cousins.

The twelfth cousin is seventeen this year, a month younger than Song Mo, and her name is Lizhu; the thirteenth cousin is sixteen this year, and her name is Xiexiu; the fourteenth cousin is fifteen this year, and her name is Xieying. The other cousins ​​are ten years younger than Song Mo, and when the Jiang family was in trouble, they were still toddlers, so Dou Zhao didn't ask much. So when he saw the fourth wife of the Jiang family, Dou Zhao couldn't help but look at the three cousins.

The three Miss Jiangs all had fair skin and a medium build. Jiang Lizhu was graceful, Jiang Xiexiu was heroic, and Jiang Xieying was gentle. However, there was a hint of sadness between the brows of the three sisters. They were not as lively and energetic as girls from ordinary families.

After going through the tragedy of having one's property confiscated and losing one's father, no one can be as innocent as before.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

Jiang's fourth wife was very enthusiastic towards her. Seeing that she was pregnant, she took a few steps forward and held her hand without waiting for her to bow: "You need to take care of yourself, and these empty formalities are over." She also praised Song Mo for finding a good courtyard, "It's in the outer city, close to Xizhao Temple, and quiet."

Song Mo took a day off and greeted the Jiang family members outside Chaoyang Gate, while Dou Zhao waited in advance in this temporarily rented house.

Hearing what the fourth wife of the Jiang family said, Song Mo's expression showed some guilt, and he said to Jiang Lizhu: "I am sorry for wronging my twelfth sister. Since you are married to Kyoto, you can come to my house and talk to your cousin's wife when you have nothing to do. If you have any difficulties, you can also let your brother-in-law come to me."

Jiang Lizhu smiled and said "OK". Her answer was very straightforward, but it made Dou Zhao feel that she just didn't want to talk to Song Mo any more and was just trying to be perfunctory with him. If there was anything, she would never come to him.

Dou Zhao glanced at Jiang Xiexiu.

From the moment she entered the house till now, Jiang Xiexiu's eyes kept falling on Song Mo. Sometimes Song Mo would smile at her generously when his eyes met hers. Jiang Xieying had been supporting the fourth wife of the Jiang family, silently and considerately helping her adjust the pillow of the chair, and quietly told the accompanying maids and servants to take care of the people in the main hall.

Everyone did not avoid each other and had lunch together.

After lunch, Song Mo and Dou Zhao said goodbye.

Wu Zijie accompanied his mother to visit the fourth wife of the Chiang family.

Song Mo and Dou Zhao, who had already walked to the door, had to turn back.

The three young ladies of the Jiang family avoided it.

Song Mo accompanied Wu Zijie to drink tea in the main hall, while Dou Zhao accompanied the fourth wife of the Jiang family to entertain Mrs. Wu.

Mrs. Wu is a slightly plump woman, looks very amiable, and speaks frankly. It can be seen that she is a very easy-going person.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but nodded secretly.

When she looked up, she saw Mrs. Jiang Si looking at her and smiling with relief.

Dou Zhao was stunned.

After seeing off the mother and son of the Wu family, Mrs. Jiang Si said, "My eldest aunt once said that you have a chivalrous heart. Now that I see it, it is true. Song Mo is lucky to have you by his side."

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Mrs. Jiang Si smiled and said, "My aunt told us about your warning to the Jiang family. I have always wanted to thank you, but unfortunately I left in a hurry and didn't have the chance. Now that we are a family, it would seem hypocritical to say thank you again... Dozens of people in our Jiang family are grateful for your righteousness back then." As she spoke, she bent her knees slightly towards Dou Zhao, which scared Dou Zhao and he hurried forward to help Mrs. Dou. Mrs. Dou did not insist and stood up. She smiled and said, "This is the only time. I will never embarrass you again."

Tears were now streaming down her smiling face.

Dou Zhao thought of the deceased Jiang brothers and the current chaotic situation along the coast. He became emotional and tears welled up in his eyes.

Song Mo quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Dou Zhao's face, and whispered, "Stop crying, and watch your eyes." He then said to Mrs. Jiang Si, "You are really a fool. The past is over, and it's over. It's sad to talk about the past."

After all, he was in front of Song Mo's elder, so Dou Zhao felt a little embarrassed and took a handkerchief to wipe his tears.

"It's my fault!" Mrs. Jiang Si wiped her eyes and smiled at the two of them, "Tianci has grown up and knows how to care for others. If your uncle and grandmother knew, I wonder how happy they would be!"

Song Mo blushed.

After saying goodbye to the women of the Jiang family, he helped Dou Zhao onto the carriage, and the couple returned to the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion together.

The next day, Dou Zhao took care of the chores in the mansion in the morning, and went to Mrs. Jiang Si's place in the afternoon to add another box for Jiang Lizhu.

Seeing her generosity, Mrs. Jiang Si seemed a little surprised, but did not say much and asked someone to send it to Jiang Lizhu's room.

Jiang Lizhu came out to express her gratitude but hesitated to speak.

Mrs. Jiang Si smiled and said, "How many favors have been received by our family since we were in trouble? How can we express them in words? We just need to remember them in our hearts and remember to repay them when we are able to do so. This is the best way to express our gratitude."

Jiang Lizhu bowed respectfully to Mrs. Jiang Si and said solemnly, "Auntie Si, I've made note of it."

Mrs. Jiang nodded.

When Jiang Lizhu sat down to talk to Dou Zhao again, she was no longer as reserved as she was at first, and her tone was gentle and generous, yet also a bit intimate.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but secretly praise the Jiang family's good education.

After that, more people came to add boxes to Jiang Lizhu's box, all of them were families of military officers of middle and low ranks.

Mrs. Jiang Si ordered Jiang Xiexiu and Jiang Xieying to accompany Dou Zhao to the west room where they lived to sit for a while.

The heroic Jiang Xiexiu didn't talk much, but the gentle Jiang Xieying asked Dou Zhao when the baby would be born and what she usually did, and responded to her very appropriately.

Dou Zhao was also happy to have someone to talk to.

The two of them got along better and better as they talked. Thinking that Song Mo would be on duty in the palace today and would not be back, she simply stayed at Mrs. Jiang's place for dinner before returning home.

Ruotong, who stayed at home, brought her maid to help her change clothes and told her, "Master Chen came just after you left and has been waiting for you in the small flower hall until now."

Dou Zhao paused while rubbing his hair in the mirror, then stood up and said, "Let's go to the small flower hall."

Ruotong hurriedly told the maid to light the lamp and helped Dou Zhao to the small flower hall.

Chen Jiazheng was pacing back and forth in the flower hall anxiously. When he heard the noise, he hurried over and said, "Madam, you're back!"

Dou Zhao's heart couldn't help but pound.

She told Ruotong: "All of you retreat to the courtyard of the small flower hall. I have something to say to Master Chen."

Ruotong agreed and told the maid to light the lanterns and hang them around the small flower hall. She then led the servants in the small flower hall back to the center of the courtyard.

Dou Zhao then asked, "What did you find out?"

Under the bright red lantern, Chen Jia's face looked a little gloomy.

He lowered his voice and said, "Li Liang's cousin is thirty-six years old this year!"

Dou Zhao felt nervous.

That is to say, seventeen years ago, she was nineteen years old.

She looked towards Chen Jia.

Chen Jia nodded silently at her and whispered, "We didn't find the household registration of Li Liang's cousin. Her daughter is registered under Li Liang's name, and her maiden name is Yugui. The people we sent to follow her said that Li Liang called her cousin 'Tiao Niang' several times."

screw you!

Dou Zhao couldn't help but rub his forehead.

What's that look in the old Duke's eyes? What's Song Yichun up to?

She called Song Shize over.

"Who were the people who followed the old Duke to deal with the Li family's affairs?"

Song Shize glanced at Chen Jia.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but raise his voice and said, "You don't have to look at him. Since I'm asking you in front of him, he must be someone you can trust. Just answer my question."

Chen Jia listened and bowed to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao was too lazy to play around with Song Shize and said, "We just found out that Li Tiao Niang is still alive and has given birth to a daughter, but you told me that she died a long time ago!"

"This is impossible!" Song Shize's eyes were as big as bells. "I tried Li Tiaoniang's breath..." When he said this, his body trembled and his eyes widened even more. "The Duke was very excited at that time and pushed me aside at once. I was afraid that if I continued to test it, it would cause the Duke's disgust..."

Dou Zhao sneered.

Song Shize lowered his head and murmured, "No matter what, the Duke is also our master. Even if the woman survives, the Duke will not have any relationship with her. The Duke must consider the Jiang family's face..."

So you all let your guard down and thought that the person was almost dead after all?

Dou Zhao couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Then who did Li Tiao Niang have the child of?

As the thought flashed through his mind, Dou Zhao's expression changed drastically.

Precious heritage?

Why would Li Liang give Li Tiao Niang's daughter such a name?

Could it be that the heir is Song Yichun's daughter?

She looked at Chen Jia.

Chen Jia was also looking towards her, with an expression of shock that he could not conceal.

He said urgently: "Madam, according to the people I have lurking in the Li family, Li Liang beat Li Tiao Niang because something happened to the noble family..."

So Song Mo used the word "worship" in his previous life.

Dou Zhao jumped up and said, "Master Chen, go to Baoding!" He felt that this was not safe, so he emphasized, "You go to Baoding in person and find the heir."

Chen Jia hurriedly saluted Dou Zhao and walked out: "I'm leaving now."

Dou Zhao felt relieved, but then he felt a strange feeling again.

Even if the noble lady is Song Yichun's daughter, Song Mo's feelings for her should be very weak. Why does he feel so sad when he brings it up?