Aunt Ding had been married for more than a year without any news, and Dou Zhao's grandmother was very anxious. Occasionally, she heard that there was a family named Cui in the Dou family farm who had eight sons and two daughters, all of whom survived. Because they could not afford to raise so many children, they gave two sons to other families as live-in sons-in-law, and now they wanted to use their 14-year-old eldest daughter to marry their third son.

Dou Zhao's grandmother thought it was God's will. After seeing that the eldest daughter of the Cui family was tall and strong, but had delicate features, Dou Zhao's grandfather spent two hundred taels of silver to bring the eldest daughter of the Cui family into the family without consulting her.

Ten months later, Dou Zhao's father was born.

As soon as the child passed the 100-day ceremony, Dou Zhao's grandfather called Dou Zhao's legitimate grandmother and pointed to the infant Dou Shiying and said, "You take care of this child yourself. Don't let Cui, who can't read a single word, ruin him."

In this way, Cui was sent to the Dou family's small farm of only more than 100 acres in Dongji Village, where she lived until her death.

Therefore, Cui was essentially a village woman.

During the years that Dou Zhao lived with her, Cui not only took her to water the vegetable garden behind the house, catch insects, and weed, but also taught her how to manage crops, how to raise chickens and feed pigs... In Cui's words: "If you learn to take care of crops, you will never starve to death no matter where you go!"

Dou Zhao, who grew up in such an environment, knew when to sow in spring, when to harvest in autumn, when to plant vegetables, when to hatch chicks, and she could even predict the weather of the coming year based on the winter climate. She did not look like a lady from a family of officials, but rather like the daughter of a country gentleman.

The first time she saw Tuoniang, it was not long after her tenth birthday. The adults were busy with spring ploughing, and her grandmother and the steward had gone to the fields. She and a few maids stood under the elm tree in front of the house and watched the children in the village pick elm buds.

A caterpillar fell on Dou Zhao's shoulder, which scared her so much. She caught the caterpillar and used it to scare the maids. Everyone was pushing and shoving each other, screaming, and the scene was a mess.

Tuoniang appeared out of nowhere, rushed over like a madman, and chased and beat her maid, shouting: "She is a lady, a lady of the Dou family, how dare you disrespect her? I will beat you to death, I will beat you to death..."

Thinking of this, Dou Zhao became a little excited.

After her stepmother came into the family, the people who served her mother were either sold because of their low qualifications, or were dismissed by her stepmother on the grounds that they had served her mother and had made contributions, or were sent back to her uncle's house. No one told her about her mother. Even her grandmother, who loved her, said to her more than once: "People should look forward. What's the point of always asking those questions? You should think more about how to live in the future and how to please your mother-in-law after marrying into the Jining Marquis's mansion."

No one knew the fear in her heart.

How did your mother die?

Why is everyone so cautious?

My stepmother Wang's personal nanny, Mrs. Hu, said that my mother was upset because she gave birth to a daughter...

Didn't she kill her mother?

Is that why she was sent to live with her grandmother in the country?

When your mother was alive, did you ever hate her? Did you ever regret giving birth to her?

As she got older, she became less willing to ask.

The death of his mother became a wound in Dou Zhao's heart that could never be healed.

It was Tuoniang who told her the truth, and when facing her grandmother's questioning, she retorted: "I don't know those great principles. I only know that it was Wang who killed Seventh Grandma. Wang is Fourth Miss's enemy, and Fourth Miss cannot recognize a thief as her mother! What you are doing is not helping Fourth Miss, but harming her and making her unfilial!"

Dou Zhao still remembers the look of shock on his grandmother's face.

After that, the grandmother said nothing and left Tuoniang on the farm.

My mother had so many people serving her back then, but it took her eight years to find her and it was only Tuoniang who spoke up for her!

You can imagine her personality.

Dou Zhao is now in a difficult situation and urgently needs someone who will listen to his orders.

There is no one more suitable than Tuo Niang!

Upon hearing this, Xiangcao ignored Shuangzhi's objection and took the initiative to help her find Tuo Niang.

Tuoniang looked at Dou Zhao blankly, her expression somewhat nervous, and she called out softly, "Fourth Miss."

Tuoniang at this time was young, rosy-cheeked, with a gentle and shy look. She was completely different from the haggard, dishevelled woman in Dou Zhao's memory.

Dou Zhao felt sour in his heart.

She asked Tuo Niang: "Do you know me?"

"I know." She whispered, "Xiangcao told me on the way just now. You are the daughter of Grandma Qi, the fourth daughter of the Dou family."

Just know that she is Grandma Qi’s daughter!

Dou Zhao smiled and nodded, stretched out his hand for Tuoniang to hold, and said, "Let's go to Heshoutang. Shuangzhi, lead the way."

Tuoniang hugged Dou Zhao without hesitation, but Shuangzhi was very hesitant and said, "What if..."

"I, want to go!" Dou Zhao glared at Shuangzhi.

Shuangzhi smiled awkwardly.

Vanilla on the side hurriedly asked: "What about me? Fourth Miss, what about me?"

It is impossible for a person to have only one type of people around him. Sometimes, strengths will become weaknesses, and weaknesses will become strengths.

"Follow." Dou Zhao said with a smile.

Vanilla happily responded "yes" and led the way.

Now Shuangzhi had no choice but to go.

The group went to Tsuru Shou Tang.

A servant stopped them at the door and said, "The old lady said no one is allowed in!"

Tuoniang looked at Dou Zhao anxiously.

Shuangzhi was at a loss as to what to do and was almost about to say something like "I told you so".

Xiangcao smiled and walked forward, calling out "brother" in a joking manner, saying, "We are following the orders of Seventh Grandma to send the Fourth Young Miss in..." Then she squeezed her eyes towards Heshou Hall and said, "Isn't there a commotion in there? That's why we sent the Fourth Young Miss here. If you don't believe me, why don't you go in and report it first?"

The servant no longer insisted and let them into the courtyard.

Shuangzhi whispered, "You are too brave, aren't you? What if he really goes to ask Grandma Qi for advice..."

"No!" Xiangcao smiled firmly, "We don't dare to approach Heshoutang, do they dare?"

Dou Zhao nodded secretly.

From the Heshou Hall came the hoarse and sharp voice of my mother: "...It's too late for you to say anything now! If you want to take a concubine, why don't you tell me directly? You asked my third uncle to speak to my father, but it's only because you know that you are not doing me justice and are unworthy of a gentleman. And you have a dirty mind and are obsessed with women. You want to be foolproof, so you use the elders to pressure me! In this case, let's ask the elders of both families to come forward and have a good talk..."

"Seventh sister-in-law, seventh sister-in-law," Third Uncle begged for mercy, "Taking a concubine or not is just a small matter. Since you don't agree, forget it. Why do you have to make the two elders uneasy, make a fuss in the city and make others laugh at you? Wanyuan, you should apologize to your sister-in-law! Let's just forget about this matter. No matter how wrong I am, it's all my fault. Please forgive me for my sake, sister-in-law, please forgive me!"

Wanyuan is my father’s courtesy name.

My mother quieted down, but my father kept mumbling something, but I couldn't hear what he was saying clearly.

Dou Zhao hurriedly said, "Let's go in!"

At this time, Xiangcao and Shuangzhi became a little scared, while Tuoniang carried Dou Zhao into the hall with a resolute look on her face.

The people in Heshoutang did not dare to stop Dou Zhao.

"Who is it?" Aunt Ding, who was standing at the door after entering the hall, shouted loudly with a stern expression that Dou Zhao had never seen before.

Tuoniang shrank her shoulders, then quickly stood up straight, and said in a trembling but respectful voice: "It's the Fourth Miss, let me carry her in..."

Hearing the noise, the mother who was sitting on the armchair with a frosty face and the third uncle who was rubbing his hands and turning around looked over in astonishment. The father who was kneeling facing the center hall jumped up and shouted at them in anger, "What's going on?"

Grandfather was not in the hall.

Before Dou Zhao could say anything, his mother sneered and stood up.

"You did something wrong, why are you angry at the child?" She said as she walked over and hugged Dou Zhao, then asked softly, "What happened?" She stared at Tu Niang sharply.

Dou Zhao rushed in front of Tuoniang and said, "Mother, mother, I want it, Tuoniang, I want it, Tuoniang!"

Mother frowned when she thought of the maids locked up in the private room.

She didn't recognize Tuo Niang.

Arranging Tuoniang to work as a maid in the mansion to earn a living was just a piece of cake for her and she would not take it to heart at all.

A little maid came in timidly and reported: "The third wife is here!"

After hearing this, Third Uncle was greatly encouraged and just wanted to get rid of Dou Zhao and the others as soon as possible so that he could talk about serious matters: "She is just a maid. Shou Gu wants her, so just reward her." As he said this, he winked at his father.

My father immediately said, "This Tuoniang is nothing, just give her to Shougu."

Third aunt was cheerful, humorous, and warm. Although she was not a clan member, everyone in the Dou family liked her very much. Whenever there was something going on, they would always ask her to help them. Third aunt came unexpectedly, and my mother guessed something.

She also wanted her father to give up the idea of ​​taking a concubine as soon as possible.

Anyway, Tuoniang was a maid in his house, so why were they afraid that she would run away? The maids and wives around Shougu were all locked up, and Tuoniang was asked to take care of Shougu temporarily. After she was done with her work, she would investigate Tuoniang's background thoroughly.

Mother called Madam Yu in and said, "Put this Tuoniang in Shougu's room."

Nanny Yu's face was full of confusion. She looked at Tuoniang twice and responded respectfully.

There are so many people here, including Nanny Yu. Even if my mother wants to die, there will be someone to stop her.

Dou Zhao was not worried. He pulled Tuoniang's sleeve and signaled her to go back.

Tuoniang was still immersed in the confusion of being suddenly transformed from a maid in the pulping room to a personal maid of the young lady. She did not thank him and walked out of Heshoutang with Dou Zhaogao in her arms.

Vanilla and Shuangzhi have received the message.

Shuangzhi congratulated Tuoniang and greeted her politely: "... From now on, we will work together."

Vanilla lowered her head in annoyance, her expression full of regret and frustration.

Dou Zhao smiled slightly, pointed at Vanilla and said to Yu Ma: "I want Vanilla."

Vanilla was surprised and happy.

Nanny Yu had the same idea as Seventh Madam at this time. Moreover, Xiangcao had been working in Seventh Madam's room, so she knew her inside out and was not afraid that she would do something bad. She told Xiangcao, "Since Fourth Madam likes you, you should follow her! Remember to work hard and don't make Fourth Madam angry..."

Vanilla was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth.

The maid in the Fourth Young Lady's room had committed a crime and was locked up. Given Seventh Madam's temper, she would definitely not be used again in the future. Since she had won the Fourth Young Lady's favor, maybe she could become a first-class maid in the future!

The more she thought about it, the brighter her future seemed. As soon as Nanny Yu turned around, she hurriedly thanked Dou Zhao: "Fourth Miss, I will definitely serve you well..."

Dou Zhao waved his hand at Xiangcao, who was talking nonstop, and pointed at Heshoutang: "Listen, tell me."