Dou Zhao was shocked.

She thought the Dou family would first resolve her engagement with the Wei family, but she didn't expect them to just leave the Wei family aside.

Marry Wu Shan?

Whose idea was it?

Didn't they always want to make a fuss about her marriage? Why did they suddenly change their mind? Or was there any change in Wu Songnian's public service?

Dou Zhao asked Su Xin: "Is this news reliable?"

Logically, it shouldn't be so easy to find out about fifth uncle's letters.

Su Xin saw that Dou Zhao had neither the slightest shyness nor the slightest joy when he heard the good news. She was stunned and looked at Dou Zhao in confusion. She couldn't help but lower her voice and said, "Mrs. Wu personally found the third wife for this marriage. Now that the fifth master has agreed, it's almost certain that the news will spread..."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but frown.

I was too careless.

From the proposal to the promise, there should be some days when I am unaware of anything.

She wants to discuss this matter with Chen Qushui.

Dou Zhao stood up and went to the study with a sullen face.

※※※※※

The second wife was also very unhappy.

She complained to Ji in private: "…What's the point of talking about a friend in need? It would be fine as long as the family is not close to the Wang family. But Shougu could obviously marry someone better, why did she have to marry into the Wu family?"

"Uncle Wu has his own considerations, and I'm afraid it's not clear in the letter." When Ji knew about it, her face was full of smiles. At this time, she responded to the Second Madam perfunctorily, "Fortunately, Lord Wu and Madam Wu are of high character, and the Fourth Young Master of the Wu family grew up in our eyes. He is honest and simple, and he and Shougu can be regarded as childhood sweethearts. It's better than marrying a stranger. And what Uncle Wu said makes sense. Shougu at least married someone close to our family. If she married someone else, she might be pulled over by the Wang family."

The Second Lady was still stubborn: "Shou Gu has never been close to the Wang family since she was a child..."

"At home, obey your father; after marriage, obey your husband." Ji said with a smile, "Even if Shou Gu dislikes the Wang family, she can't disobey her husband, right? Otherwise, how dare the Pang family do such a thing as 'hero saving the beauty'?"

The Second Lady was silent for a long time, sighed, and said helplessly: "Then why don't you go back to the Wu family? While Mrs. Wu hasn't returned to Kyoto yet, go and have the horoscope checked."

Suddenly, a clear laugh rang out from the room: "Who is getting engaged? Can I have a drink at the wedding?"

Ji and the second lady turned around and saw Ji Yong standing at the door with a smile on his face.

Now that things have come to this, there is no point in saying more. Instead, the Wu family will feel uncomfortable when they find out, and they will think that their family looks down on them, which will create a rift between the two families.

The Second Lady had a flash of thought and laughed, "It's your fourth cousin and Wu Shan. They are getting engaged!"

Ji Yong was stunned, and Dou Zhaoduan's dignified and dashing face and Wu Shan's gentle and harmless smile immediately flashed through her mind.

These two people are a perfect match!

However, in comparison, it seems that Dou Zhao is more like a boy with more toughness, while Wu Shan is more like a girl with more gentleness.

He thought of the man groaning on the ground and the unrecognizable Pang Kunbai that he saw when he rushed to the farm.

I wonder what it looks like when Dou Zhao and Wu Shan are together?

The more Ji Yong thought about it, the more interesting it became.

He asked the Second Lady, "When are they getting engaged? Do you want me to help send anything? I remember when my sister got married, she asked me to help her move her dowry, and I was also the one who went to pick her up when she returned home in three days..." There was a hint of excitement in his voice that he couldn't conceal.

Even though he was already an accomplished man, he was still a child after all, and could not help himself when he heard about the excitement.

The Second Lady looked at him, her eyes softened a bit, and she smiled and said, "That's about the wedding and the return visit. Now they are just comparing the horoscopes, there is nothing for you to help with for now. If you are interested, you can definitely attend their wedding in two years. Shougu doesn't have a younger brother yet, so when the time comes, you, as the older brother, can help move the dowry."

"Okay, okay!" Ji Yong said happily, "Madam, don't forget to leave a message for our family when the time comes. No matter where I am, I will come over as soon as possible."

"Of course, of course!" The Second Lady smiled. The two chatted for a long time. The Second Lady gradually accepted the fact that Dou Zhao was going to marry Wu Shan. She felt much better and stayed at Ji's place for dinner before going back.

Dou Zhao made an appointment with Wu Shan to meet in Ji's courtyard tomorrow morning.

She wanted to have a good talk with Wu Shan before exchanging the engagement letter. If she could part ways amicably with Wu Shan, that would be the best. If not, she would have to use some tough measures.

She really didn't want Wu Shan to hate her.

Chen Qushui advised Dou Zhao: "Miss, you should think twice before you act. Master Wu is a good man. If you can establish a good relationship with him, it may not be a bad thing."

At least Wu Shan will not influence Dou Zhao's decision.

Dou Zhao smiled bitterly: "I really don't want to grow up with a boy anymore, and I don't know what he will become when he grows up..."

Chen Qushui didn't understand.

Dou Zhao did not explain. The next day, he dressed up as usual and went to pay his respects to his grandmother.

Grandmother may have heard about this, for she looked at her with a smile on her face and said, "Our Shou-gu has grown up. She is getting prettier and prettier." Then she asked Hong-gu to bring her a red lacquered and gold-painted box and said, "This is my favorite set of headgear. I'm giving it to you now."

Dou Zhao was secretly anxious.

Fortunately, I made an appointment with Wu Shan as soon as possible. If I had delayed it for a few more days, the situation would have been difficult to handle.

She pretended not to know and asked her grandmother with a smile why she gave her such a gift. She then pretended to be very pleased with the gift and accepted the gold headpiece inlaid with South China pearls. She also said, "Since you gave it to me, it is mine. You must not regret it!"

Grandma was very happy and smiled from ear to ear.

Only then did Dou Zhao go to his sixth aunt's place.

She lived here a few years ago. Ji still keeps the west wing where she once lived in its original appearance. Even now, she occasionally stays overnight here. This place is like her second home and no one is surprised by her arrival.

After chatting with Ji about flowers and plants for a long time, and walking around the house with her, Wu Shan came over.

Dou Zhao openly asked Wu Shan to help her paint a fan: "... just like the one you painted for my third cousin's wife last time."

Wu Shan blushed and glanced at Ji.

Ji smiled and said, "Go ahead! Hui'er and his friends have ready-made writing brushes and ink in their study."

Wu Shan respectfully agreed and went to Dou Zhengchang's study.

Dou Zhao went over to take a look as he did before.

Ji sat on the kang and calculated the accounts of the past few months.

Cai Shu whispered, "Do you want to send someone to follow?"

"No need." Ji said without raising her head, "It will leave marks, which is not good."

Caishu smiled and agreed, but when he looked up, he saw that the window of the study room on the south side of the east wing was wide open. People from the main room, the wing, and passing by the yard could see Wu Shan who was concentrating on painting and Dou Zhao who was helping Wu Shan grind ink.

Their expressions were so frank and their actions were so upright. Caishu blushed immediately when she thought of what she had just said.

Ji looked up and saw the two people in the study. She nodded secretly, smiled, lowered her head, and continued to calculate her accounts.

Ji Yong, who came to greet Ji, clicked his tongue twice.

They are childhood sweethearts.

One is gentle and elegant, the other is handsome and cheerful, and it seems that this is the case.

He entered the main room.

After greeting Ji, he pointed at the two people in the study and said, "Aunt, you don't care?"

"A gentleman is open and aboveboard, while a villain is always worried." Ji feigned displeasure and scolded him, "They are aboveboard, why should I care?"

"Forget it, forget it. Anyway, I'm wrong." Ji Yong said, touching his nose, and smiled as he stood behind Ji, massaging her shoulders. "Aunt, do you think so highly of my fourth cousin and Wu Shan? I don't think Wu Shan is anything special."

"What else can we do when living at home?" Ji said disapprovingly, "What matters is whether the couple is suitable for each other - I think Shougu and Wushan are quite suitable."

Ji Yong nodded, but her eyes rolled around.

Dou Zhaozheng and Wu Shan were talking over there: "I heard about the marriage, but I don't want to get married so early..."

She knew!

Wu Shan's face was burning and her ears were buzzing. She could only vaguely hear something about not wanting to get married too early. She said hurriedly, "I, I don't want to get married that early... I want to take part in the provincial examination and get my name on the list first... I, I won't let you down... Don't worry... You stay at home for a few more years, and when you want to..."

He was hesitant, and the usually calm man was acting like a shy little girl, which made Dou Zhao feel uncomfortable. He couldn't say what he had prepared. After a long while, he hardened his heart and whispered, "I have an engagement!"

"Ah?" Wu Shan opened his mouth wide.

Dou Zhao said, "You should have heard about my story. Before my mother passed away, she arranged a marriage for me, and the token is still in my uncle's hands. But my uncle and his family seemed dissatisfied with this marriage, and they have never interacted with that family... But I am still thinking about this matter in my heart... I can't marry you!"

The blush on Wu Shan's face faded little by little, and finally became as pale as the paper. The pen in his hand fell "pa" on the fan, and the plum tree he had just painted turned into a blotch of ink in an instant.

"Fourth Brother Wu," Dou Zhao said sincerely, "I have always treated you as my own brother. Your future sister-in-law will surely be a hundred times more virtuous than me."

She comforted Wu Shan in a dry way.

Wu Shan lowered his eyes and remained motionless, like a clay sculpture.

Dou Zhao sighed in his heart and said, "I'm leaving first. Take care, Fourth Brother Wu."

"You, wait." Just as she was about to step out of the door, Wu Shan said hoarsely, "If, if that family... never comes to propose marriage, I, I will wait for you..."

Wu Shan was the kindest person she had ever met in her two lifetimes.

If she hadn't had the experience in her previous life, would she have married Wu Shan without hesitation?

Unfortunately, her heart was already full of wounds. She appreciated such gentle and pink affection, but she couldn't act on it.

Dou Zhao shook his head gently and said, "Thank you, Fourth Brother Wu. I have made up my mind and will not change it."

When Wu Shan heard this, his body swayed and he fell down on the armchair behind him with a plop.

Dou Zhaojing walked straight out of the study.

※

Don't guess, Ji Yong is neither reborn nor a transmigrated person...

※