Dòu Zhāo stared at Jì Yǒng in surprise. Elegant words and emotions first released.

  I didn't expect him to be so meticulous!

  Ji Yong smiled slyly and said: "Don't worry, I'll definitely help you keep it a secret, I won't tell my aunt."

  Dòu Zhāoyě laughed.

  She thought for a moment: "Aunt Cui's body has always been good. But two years ago, she went to the vegetable field to pick melons and suddenly fell in the vegetable field. If there was no one serving by her side, I'm afraid it would be..."

  Ji Yong listened and said thoughtfully: "Let me take a look at the prescription written by the doctor at that time."

  Dong Zhao could only apologetically say: "At that time, Cui's wife was living in the countryside, and by the time we found out and brought Cui's wife to the county, the prescription had long since disappeared."

  Ji Yong walked a few laps in the ear room with his hands behind his back and said, "I vaguely remember that there is such a medical classic, which says that a strong and healthy peasant woman suddenly died without any symptoms, similar to Aunt Cui's condition. The final diagnosis was wind-heat evil invading the muscle surface..."

  Dong Zhaoming's spirit was lifted, and he said: "Is there any treatment?"

  "Calm and peaceful, with a measured diet." Ji said, "We should focus on nourishment, with food therapy as a supplement." Then he said, "What does Aunt Cui usually like to eat? Things that are too greasy aren't good for her. Also, don't provoke her into anger, she can't handle extreme emotions."

  Dō Shōichi nodded in agreement.

  Ji Yong and Dou Zhao went to the kitchen again, picked out all the things that their grandmother couldn't eat, and didn't return to the house until half a time had passed.

  Ji looked at their empty hands and asked in surprise: "Where's the medicine you've been brewing?"

  This is terrible, I forgot about it!

  The two of them looked at each other in dismay. But Du Zhao immediately thought of an excuse like "accidentally knocking over the bowl", just as she was about to speak, Ji Yong said: "The method of decocting medicine is something I saw in a book, and it's never been useful until now, this time I finally found an opportunity to use it, who knew it's not even better than ordinary methods. All the medicine has been overcooked."

  Ji and her grandmother burst out laughing.

  Dong Zhao muttered to himself in his heart: How could I have no impression of such a person from my past life? What happened to him after all? Or did I overlook something?

  For a moment, she was curious as to why Ji Yong did not continue to participate in the conference.

  Ji's family quietly told her: "This nephew of mine, he could speak before he could walk, and he could recite texts before he had the strength to hold a pen. His grandfather loved him like a treasure and personally taught him to read and write. He did not disappoint his grandfather's expectations, and at a young age, he already had a reputation for being well-read. However, because of this, he was clueless about worldly matters, and he couldn't even take care of his daily needs without the help of his servants. One must learn from experience to understand the world, and one must practice human relationships to write good articles. His grandfather said that with a temperament like his, reading books is fine, but if he were to become an official, he might not even be as capable as a minor clerk. What's more, our family has produced imperial teachers and grand councilors, so we are already under scrutiny from everyone. This title of number one scholar is not worth wanting. Let him go out and gain some experience, learn about human relationships and worldly matters, and then he can return to his studies. Only then will his writing have a heroic spirit, only then will it have a chivalrous air, and only then will it be truly good writing."

  Dong Zhao half believed and half doubted. He said: "I think Ji Ping looks very good!"

  She was also very kind to the maids and young servants around her, and even helped diagnose Old Lady Cui's pulse.

  Ji was floored by this one sentence.

  She hesitated for a while before murmuring "You'll know later", then asked about Mrs. Cui's health, and changed the subject.

  Dòu Zhāo's interest in Ji Yōng grew stronger.

  At this time, he came to report to her with great joy: "Du An said that he will return to Kyoto tomorrow."

  Du An returned to help the Wang family deal with their remaining property in Nanwa at the behest of Wang Yingxue.

  He was delighted at the time and wondered: "Now that Wang is a high-ranking official, doesn't he even have someone to help him manage his property?"

  "A dragon may be powerful, but it cannot suppress the snake at its feet." Duan Zhaodan said calmly. "Du Ansheng was born in Zhending, grew up in Zhending, and started working as a servant in the government office at the age of eight. By the time he went to Kyoto, he had already become a prominent figure with many connections. With his help, we can definitely sell more than others."

  Delighted, Zhao believed that after a few days, he sent a clever little servant to inquire and found that the Wang family's good fields were indeed sold at an extremely high price. Delighted was tongue-tied: "Fourth Miss is really formidable!" He also guarded against Du An trying to harm him in order to help Du Ning, being cautious every day, afraid of causing trouble, but fortunately, Du An was very busy and occasionally helped Du Ning with some tricks, having Zhao as his backing, no one dared to openly oppose him, those tactics were useless, everything in the Western Compound was still under his control.

  Dong Zhao thought that Du An should also return now.

  If he stays like this, Kyoto might not have a place for him to stand anymore.

  Delightfully said: "Young lady, do you think I should see off Manager Du?"

  "What's the point of seeing him off?" Du Zhao said calmly, "Did he greet us when he came? Since he didn't need you to welcome him, naturally he doesn't need you to see him off either!"

  Nodding happily again and again.

  Dong Zhaohui told him: "Prepare a carriage for me, I'm going to Tianzhuang tomorrow."

  "Mr. Chen is back?"

  Chen Qu Shui's identity to outsiders was that of a newly hired accountant at Du Zhao's pen and ink shop, who normally lived in the countryside and went to Kyoto once a month to settle accounts with Fan Wen Shu. As a result, Du Zhao often visited Chen Qu Shui at his home in the countryside to ask about the situation at the Kyoto shop, but in reality he was seeking guidance on his studies and asking about events that had occurred in Kyoto.

  "Really!" Du Zhao smiled, thinking of the shops in Kyoto.

  Fan Wenxu had no experience running a pen and ink shop, but he was capable. Within a month of arriving in Kyoto, he used the Dou family's connections to get everything ready and opened his shop. Three months after opening, the shop turned a profit.

  Dong Zhao opened the shop not for making money, now that the business is thriving, she isn't a stingy person either. She agreed with Fan Wenshu that at year-end if there's profit, he can have a 10% share.

  Fan Wenxi was overjoyed and became more attentive to the affairs of the shop. Every time Chen Quanshui went to settle accounts, he would enthusiastically entertain him and tell him everything about the things that interested Chen Quanshui, helping him a great deal in the process.

  I don't know what news Mr. Chen has brought this time?

  Dong Zhaos thought for a moment, then went to inform her grandmother and the next day early in the morning took Su E, Bie sisters and several guards to Tian Zhuang.

  Chen Qu had already brewed a pot of Bi Luo Chun tea and was waiting for her.

  Dong Zhao held up a cup of tea with a pale green color and clear water. He couldn't help but praise it, saying "Good tea".

  Chen Qu Shui listened and smiled as he poured her another cup of tea, saying: "I have some more good news to tell you, miss."

  Dong Zhao raised an eyebrow.

  Chen Qu Shui Dao: "At the beginning of the month, your respected father was summoned by imperial decree for an audience and received praise."

  No matter what kind of person his father is, his learning is good.

  Dòu Zhāo didn't think much of it.

  Chen Qu looked deeply at Dou Zhao for a moment.

  So far, he couldn't see clearly what kind of person the woman in front of him was.

  You say she doesn't understand things, but she can do things that ordinary men can't do, such as dividing up the family property and hiring herself as a tutor. You say she understands things, but she doesn't care about her father's promotion or the family's honor, which could raise her status.

  Dong Zuo asked, "I read in a book that the way of the sage is to eliminate cleverness and eliminate cunning. If one does not eliminate cleverness and cunning, it will be difficult to become regular. Isn't the reason why sages are called sages because they have more cleverness and cunning than ordinary people? Why then say 'if one does not eliminate cleverness and cunning, it will be difficult to become regular'?"

  She followed Song Weimin to learn piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and followed Chen Quanshui to study classics.

  Chen Quanshui knew that Du Zhao didn't want to discuss his father's affairs anymore, so he naturally changed the subject and smiled: "A sage only needs to be diligent in his duties and wait for Heaven's decree. If one relies on cleverness and cunning, it will be difficult to maintain the Way of Heaven..." He carefully explained to Du Zhao what it means to govern a country by law.

  Dong Zhaozhi listened intently and enthusiastically discussed with Chen Quanshui: "This is interesting! It's the same principle as managing our inner courtyard - in the mansion, there are precedents, and as long as everything follows precedent, nothing big will go wrong. But some people rely on their cleverness to do things their own way, breaking the rules, and as a result, the atmosphere of the entire mansion is ruined."

  Chen Quanshui listened and sweated on his forehead, saying: "How can this be the same as managing the inner house? This is the way to govern the country."

  "Cultivate oneself, manage one's household, govern the state and bring peace to the world." Duan Zhao smiled. "If a family is not well-managed, how can a country be governed? It shows that this principle is interconnected."

  Chen Qu Shui thought about it and indeed found some truth in it. However, Dou Zhao's scope was a bit narrow, which wasn't unrelated to her being a woman from a secluded chamber.

  He couldn't help but smile and said, "If the young lady were to take this set of rules for managing a household, it would be extremely good. However, the law is not separate from human emotions. To only focus on following rules without understanding human emotions may not necessarily be a good thing."

  "It is still up to the person who applies it." Du Zhao thought of Ji Yong.

  Or this is the purpose of letting Ji Yong come out and travel by Old Master Ji!

  The two of them got more and more heated, Su Xiang hurriedly ran in: "Miss, it's not good! Cui Ya has fainted!"

  Dong Zhao's face changed greatly, and he stood up in a fluster. He said sternly, "What has happened?"

  "Liu Wan from the mansion just rushed over and said that Aunt Cui was talking to Hong Gu, but suddenly closed her eyes and fainted." Su Xiang said, tears welling up in her eyes. "The steward is busy with affairs and sent him to inform Miss, telling her to hurry back home."

  How did this happen?

  Ji Yong didn't say that as long as you take good care of yourself and rest well, nothing will happen?

  Dong Zhaixin's mind was uneasy, and he ordered Su Xiang to have someone harness the carriage. He also called out to Su Xin to summon Liu Wanjin to speak with him: "Can we invite a doctor for Master Gao? What does everyone think?"

  Liu Wan was covered in sweat and dust, with a black smudge on his face. "When I arrived, Tong Ling had gone to invite the doctor at the request of the high-ranking official, and Hong Gu had sent Qiu Kui to invite Lady Liu."

  Dou Zhaixin felt a slight sense of relief in her heart and hastily bid farewell to Chen Quanshui, bringing her maid and guards as she rushed back home.

  Bie Su's face turned pale, but she held onto Du Zhao's hand and comforted her nonstop: "Good people have good fortune, Auntie Cui won't come to any harm. She treats others so kindly, the Bodhisattva will protect her..."

  Dou Zhao had a knot in his heart, and upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but let tears fall.

  Suddenly, a dizziness hit her and everything spun around. She was knocked into a state of disorientation, but somehow she didn't feel any pain, only a buzzing in her ears.

  "What kind of people are you? Is this the Northern Mansion Dugu's carriage? What do you want to do? Be careful, or you'll be caught by the officials..."

  Someone pulled Suo Zhao: "Miss, miss, are you okay?"

  Dou Zhao's head was heavy and dizzy, but he made out that it was Bie Sulan's voice, and his heart became even clearer.

  Their carriage overturned and someone had ill intentions towards them!

  "It's Gu's family carriage," a man said in a gloomy tone, "and it was seized by the authorities. You'll need to have the luck to report it to the officials if you want to get it back!"

  A fight broke out outside the carriage.

  ※

  Sisters and brothers, I'm going to Hangzhou for a seminar from February 27th to March 2nd, which is four days. The additional updates of the pink ticket can only be made up after I return. The update time may be a bit unstable. But please rest assured that the promised additional updates will definitely be fulfilled.

  Pink tickets are up to everyone now.

  Having entered the top three, one can't help but think of being the first.

  o(n_n)o~

  ※