In the carriage returning to Xi Fu, Duan Zhao appeared somewhat silent.

  Su Xin and Su Lan both returned to Zhen Dingzhou to hold an anniversary ceremony for their father, accompanied by the more lively Gan Lu.

  She smiled and asked Dou Zhao: "Fourth Miss, what's wrong with you?"

  "Oh, nothing," Dou Zhaixin said absent-mindedly. "I was just thinking about some things from before."

  Fourth Miss is still so young, and it's been a long time ago.

  What happened in the past?

  The maid in the Ji's house smiled with pursed lips as she learned from Ganluo.

  Dòu Zhāo never noticed Gān Lù's abnormality, lost in his own thoughts.

  In her previous life, Liu Bomu entered the capital at the age of 14 and soon bought a two-story house in Cat Alley next to Jing'an Temple for Dou Zhengchang.

  Dou Zhengchang married the niece of his sixth uncle's wife, surnamed Han, from a large family in Jiangnan. Although she was not very good at managing the household, she was well-versed in learning. Every time Dou Zhengchang wrote an essay, he would discuss it with this eleventh aunt. Later, Dou Zhengchang became a famous master of essays, and any contemporary writings that he commented on would immediately become bestsellers throughout the country. The couple shared the same aspirations and were deeply in love.

  It was also because of this that Liu Bo Mu took care of Liu Bo Fu and Dou Zheng Chang's couple life, and then she lived in Kyoto all the time until her rebirth without returning to Zhen Ding.

  Was she going to part with Sixth Aunt now?

  Her heart felt a pang of sadness and her eyes almost welled up with tears.

  For several days in a row, Du Zhao's mood had been somewhat low.

  Grandma just regarded Du Zhao as a burden. She instructed her to rest more: "Anyway, there are only three people celebrating the New Year, so it doesn't matter if something is missing or lacking."

  Dong Zhao smiled slyly and took the opportunity to be lazy, handing over things to Su Xin who had returned to the mansion to take care of them, while she herself hid in her room doing needlework.

  She will never return to Kyoto again in this life, and Sixth Aunt is living there. The two of them may not have the chance to meet again. Sixth Aunt has taken care of her like a mother for many years, now that she's about to leave, she wants to make some clothes for Sixth Aunt with her own hands as a token of her heart.

  There were rumors at home that she was unwell.

  Dong Ming lingered in front of Dong Zhao's gate for a while before finally turning around and leaving.

  Dong Zhaohui gently shook her head, a faint sense of disappointment welling up inside.

  She always thought human nature was good. Unfortunately, Du Ming's luck was too bad.

  First, she encountered Wang Yingxue, who used her to deal with her father, adding a bit of utilitarianism and losing some of the mother's kindness; later, she encountered Wang Xushi, someone who treated her like a pet, only knowing how to dote on her but not taking responsibility for her future. Now, following herself - herself is not good at raising children... Her three children from her past life are proof of that! Her bitterness can only be endured by herself!

  As soon as they heard the news from the East Mansion, the Ji family rushed over immediately.

  Dong Zhao could only comfort her: "It's just the cold weather, you're thinking too much because you want to sleep in!"

  Ji saw her face was rosy and her eyes were shining brightly, knowing that she wasn't being insincere with him.

  Despite this, the second lady still sent Liu Mama over to pay her respects, while the second and third ladies came in person. The second and third elder sisters-in-law brought with them Yi Jie, Shu Jie, Huang Shi (the wife of the eldest son), the wives of Du Fan Chang, Du Hua Chang, and Du Qi Jun - Qi Shi, all of whom arrived together, creating a lively and noisy scene that crowded the inner chambers to the point where there was no room to stand.

  Dong Zhao had no choice but to repeatedly explain that he was fine, only occasionally feeling physically tired. However, Dong Shi still sent someone over with medicine.

  If this continues, I'm afraid even Du Xiuchang and Du Yuchi will have to send people to visit me in the hospital.

  Dong Zhao had no choice but to "recover" as soon as possible.

  The Ba sisters couldn't help but laugh secretly. Su Lan added, "I know being the emperor isn't easy - if he wants to slack off and not attend court one day, let alone the concubines in the harem, even the officials in the imperial cabinet would harass him until he can't rest."

  Su Xin also joked with her: "It can be seen that this 'stealing leisure in busy times' is not something everyone can achieve."

  Dong Zhao saw that her sisters were all in a good mood. Jokingly, she said: "The young master of the other courtyard, did Zhao Liangbi really help out?"

  When the two sisters of Bie returned, Zhao Liangbi took out the chicken feather arrow she had given him before and said "This was originally what Miss instructed". The two sisters of Bie were both female streams. It's enough to hand over external matters to him for errands, and followed the two sisters of Bie to go to Zhenzhou.

  Su Xin and Su Lan didn't know whether they hadn't seen through Zhao Liangbi's thoughts or simply didn't understand the meaning behind Du Zhao's words, so they smiled freely: "How could we not have helped? Preparing the offerings, arranging the banquet, entertaining the guests, all thanks to Manager Zhao." This left Du Zhao at a loss for what to say.

  In their past life, there were no other siblings of the Zhao family. Zhao Liangbi and Gan Luxu became husband and wife smoothly and harmoniously, with mutual respect for each other, which was enviable. However, in this life, Zhao Liangbi encountered Su Xin.

  What else will change?

  Dong Zhao felt somewhat bewildered and also somewhat expectant.

  Ji Yong ordered his personal servant to deliver two 50-year-old ginseng roots to her: "Our young master said that slicing the ginseng and taking a piece before sleep each day can calm the mind and nourish the spirit."

  The Ji family is indeed worthy of being a hundred-year-old aristocratic family. The sacred product that others can't buy with money, he just gave it to her like this.

  Dong Zhaoming sincerely thanked: "Tell your young master that thank you for the ginseng, I'm fine now." Thinking that this was a lifesaving medicine, she didn't decline and let Su Xin collect it. She rewarded Zi Shang with two high-quality red envelopes.

  The son respectfully thanked him.

  Dòu Zhāo asked him if Ji Yǒng was spending New Year's at the Dòu household or returning to Yí Xīng.

  "Originally, our family's old master wanted our young master to spend the New Year in Kyoto with the two elderly gentlemen, but our young master said Kyoto is not fun, so he followed his cousin to True Definition. He will return to Kyoto with our family's lady after the Spring Festival."

  Then I'll just give him a gift during Chinese New Year.

  This person has everything he needs, what's good to give him?

  Dong Zhaoren was in a difficult situation, and Ji Yong sent someone to invite Dong Zhao over to help write spring couplets: "...... I originally had nothing to do. Help out with this task. But somehow, everyone says they're busy, and 500 pairs of spring couplets were all left to me! Now that you're better, come over and lend a hand! Otherwise, when will we finish writing these spring couplets?"

  This is the responsibility of the Dugu family's children, what does it have to do with her?

  Even if it can't be written, it's still not her turn to take the lead.

  Thinking of those two Ginseng, Duan Zhao decided to make a trip anyway.

  Just as he was about to go out, Gaoxing came in and said: "Young Master He is going to set off for Anyang tomorrow."

  Dong Fu asked him: "How much silver was sent as a gift from the East Mansion?"

  "Five hundred taels."

  "So much!" Du Zhao was quite surprised, she looked at the account book of the Du family, and the largest expenditure of Cheng Yi was only three hundred taels. When she was the wife of Marquis Hou, it was even less, two hundred taels.

  It seems that the Duan family is going all out to fawn on the He family!

  She ordered happily: "Then follow the East Mansion and send 500 taels of etiquette as well."

  Delighted, he let people carry silver and followed Dou Zhao to the East Mansion.

  He went to the guest room to deliver Cheng Yi to He Yu, and Dou Zhaoyi went to Ji's place.

  He Yu was reading in the inner chamber when she heard someone from the Dong family, who had come to deliver a gift, say "Fourth Miss said" to the steward beside her. She couldn't help but feel curious and stepped out of the inner chamber to ask the person: "Is Fourth Miss in charge of the sacrificial rites at your manor?"

  "That's for sure!" High excitement was directed at Suo Zhaoyi. Respectfully, he said, "Seventh Master and Seventh Madam are in Kyoto, all household matters are managed by our Fourth Miss. Our Fourth Miss is very capable! From the food and clothing of the people above and below the mansion to the business and social interactions of each room, which one can't be done without our Fourth Miss? Usually, she also follows Master to read books and write letters. Now, the spring couplet for the Ji family's young master can't be finished, so they specially invited our Fourth Miss to go over and help. Finally, he sighed, "If not, why would Seventh Master send Fifth Miss back to entrust her to our Fourth Miss to take care of?"

  Hear He Wei Yi stunned, said: "Writing Spring Festival couplets is what kind of thing?" His tone had an urgency that even he himself did not notice.

  Delighted, he recited the traditional saying of the Dou family once again and repeatedly emphasized: "...regardless of age. As long as the Dou clan's descendants can write well, they can all help with the writing."

  He Yu uttered an "oh" and ordered his personal servant to reward two upper-class attendants with red envelopes, then he himself went back to his inner chamber and was dazed for half a day before instructing his personal servant: "Help me change into another set of clothes, I should also go bid farewell to Ji Gongzi."

  The little servant busily and respectfully helped He Yu change into a large red silk robe, pinned up his hair with a golden hairpin, and then helped him hang perfume sachets and a purse from his waist.

  He Yu suddenly thought of Ji Yong.

  That guy is definitely wearing another robe.

  He ordered the servant: "Don't use the golden hairpin, use that bronze one instead."

  The little servant busied himself re-pinning his hair for him. He nodded in satisfaction and then went to the courtyard where Ji Yong was staying as a guest.

  Ji Yong is not at home.

  His attendant told He You: "Our young master is at his aunt's place."

  He Yu lost his smile.

  How did I come up with the idea of chanting sutras here?

  He went to the Ji's place again.

  As soon as he entered the door, Ji Yong saw Du Zhao complaining: "...... Who made this broken rule? Our Ji family has been standing for a hundred years and there is no such thing! Can writing spring couplets make neighbors harmonious? I think it's better to give them a few copper coins during the New Year, they will be more grateful...”

  Reward Tongzi. That's what a merchant family should do!

  Dong Zhao said with a bad temper: "Every family has its own rules. Has anyone in our family ever said that the Ji family is not?"

  Ji Yong didn't make a sound.

  Dong Zhao was still unconvinced and looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Are you really the child of the Ji family? Could it be that they brought back the wrong one?"

  Ji Yong was so angry that he jumped up and down: "If you want to help, then help. If you don't want to help, then leave. A girl like you, why so many words?"

  Is she talking nonsense?

  This is one of the seven deadly sins.

  Dong Zhaonan wouldn't let him get away with it, saying: "Are you showing off in front of the Dong family again? Otherwise, why would everyone coincidentally have something to do? Our Dong family sends so many Spring Festival couplets to our neighbors every year, but we've never heard of anyone who can't finish writing them. It's clear that no matter how smart or capable this person is, they can't offend the majority...

  "Dou Zhao!" Ji Yong gritted his teeth and handed her a pen, "Are you going to write it or not?"

  "I won't write!" Du Zhao threw down his pen on the desk with a crisp sound.

  The sound of footsteps came from afar and drew near.

  The two of them looked up at the same time, and not only did they see He Yu, who was smiling and nodding at them with a rich young master's demeanor, but also Song Yan, who was hurrying over.

  "Fourth Miss," he wiped the sweat from his forehead and said somewhat timidly, "I helped Mr. Ji write spring couplets, is this suitable?"

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  Sisters and brothers, I was really too tired yesterday, my brain was like a mess, so I had to get up early this morning to rush the article.

  P.S. I've noticed that some of my sisters have left comments saying that when reading on mobile, they won't be notified if the text is revised. This was an oversight on my part. In the future, if I make any changes to the text, I will definitely explain it in the following chapters. Please forgive me for any inconvenience caused!

  o(n_n)o~

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