Dong Zhao's words were like a riddle, and Chen Quanshui couldn't guess what they meant. His self-respect didn't allow him to ask Dong Zhao without thinking carefully first, so the topic was dropped.

  After seeing off Chen Qu Shui, Dong Zhao stood under the eaves of the main house and was stunned for a while.

  In his previous life, Ji Ning Hou died suddenly on May 9th of the thirteenth year of the Chengping era.

  She was on August 19 of the fifteenth year of Chengping, that is, after the mourning period for Prince of Jin Ning had ended, when Madame Tian went to Kaiyuan Temple to hold a Buddhist memorial service for her husband and "accidentally" met Tian.

  It is now the thirteenth year of Chengping, in March. If nothing unexpected happens, Ji Ning Hou will pass away in more than a month, and Wei Tingyu will have to observe mourning for three years, so this marriage will naturally be delayed.

  Three years later, who knows what kind of scene it will be!

  She is not worried.

  In the following days, spring rain fell continuously, Du Zhao was busy taking care of her few peony flowers.

  Chen Qu Shui brought her a piece of news: Zeng Yifen had passed away.

  "The cabinet has finally vacated a position." Du Zhao smiled and invited Chen Quanshui to sit down beside the warm stone table, personally brewing Bi Luo Chun tea. He laughed and said, "I don't know who will become the chief assistant, nor do I know which attendant minister can enter the cabinet? Kyoto is destined to have someone sleepless for several nights!"

  Chen Qushui smiled as he took the tea from Dou Zhao, and analyzed: "Ye Shipei and Yao Shiming are more likely, but Dai Jian has the support of Wang Xuan, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Censorate, so it's also possible."

  Dong Zhao exclaimed in surprise: "So Diao Chan was actually backed by Wang Yun..."

  Chen Qu Shui Ting Dou Zhao called Wang Yuan "Wang Nei Shi", was even more surprised, and said: "How do you know Wang Yuan?"

  How could she not know Wang Yuan?

  In his previous life, Emperor Liao usurped the throne, and Wang Yuan was the trusted eunuch of the former emperor. In the end, he emerged unscathed. After Emperor Liao ascended to the throne, although he no longer served as the chief eunuch, he became the head manager of Cining Palace. It was said that Jiang Shi, the emperor's most beloved concubine, had offended Wang Yuan and was thus disliked by the emperor. In the end, her two sons were raised under the name of Xian Fei Qi Shi, her arch-nemesis. Wang Yuan also disliked being called "Gong Gong" (a term used to address eunuchs). Therefore, whether it was an imperial concubine or a palace maid, anyone who met him would respectfully address him as "Wang Nei Shi".

  Dòu Zhāo also called Shùn Liǎo Kǒu.

  She had to pretend not to know and said, "I see that the books all call these people 'inner attendants', so I used this title." Afraid that Chen Quanshui would continue to ask questions, she quickly changed the subject, "Isn't Ye Shipei the second assistant? Now that Zeng Yifen has passed away, he should take over as the first assistant. Why do you say he only has a chance? And who are Yao Shiming and Dai Jian?"

  These were all topics that Qu Song was very interested in, and Dou Zhao's explanations also made sense. He didn't think much of it anymore, and smiled: "In theory, however, Zeng Bufan was suppressed by him when he was alive, so on several important political matters, he had to take the blame, damaging his reputation. Adding that he was already old and his energy was not what it used to be, all these might have caused him to lose the opportunity to become the Grand Chancellor.

  "Yao Shiming rose from the Ministry of Revenue, and was a famous accountant. In recent years, the Emperor has spent a large amount of money on his own mausoleum construction project. He borrowed a lot of silver from the Ministry of Revenue, and there were two major fires in Jiangnan. Although taxes were reduced, the military expenses for suppressing the Japanese pirates in the south could not be reduced by a single penny. The national treasury was strained, and it is possible that the Emperor will appoint Yao Shiming as the Grand Chancellor to solve the problem of the empty treasury."

  "As for Dai Jian, if Wang Yun could send Da Ta Lin, who had been serving the emperor since his time in the palace, to Shaanxi as a military commander, you can imagine how formidable this person is. It's said that Dai Jian married his nephew to Wang Yun's adopted daughter and became relatives with him through marriage. This person has talent, ability, and no shame, who knows what unexpected event might happen!"

  If it were someone else, they would definitely suspect Chen Qu's inference. However, Dou Zhao knew how formidable Wang Xian was and thought that Chen Qu's words made sense. The imperial court seemed majestic on the surface, but in reality, all sorts of absurd things could happen. After Liao Wang became emperor, he even appointed the abbot of Longshan Temple, Master Yuantong, as a minister in charge of Buddhist affairs. As a result, Longshan Temple was renamed Dalongshan Huiguo Temple and became prosperous, transforming from an unknown small temple to the largest ancient temple... One time, she inadvertently overheard the empress complaining to the dowager empress about how Master Yuantong had persuaded the emperor to give the golden tiles from the Golden Dragon Hall to Dalongshan Temple to build a grand hall. The emperor surprisingly did not object. The dowager empress was furious and scolded Master Yuantong as a "treacherous thief"...

  At this thought, Du Zhao's heart was shocked, and his face suddenly changed greatly.

  Yuán Tōng Fǎ Shī was surnamed Jǐ, styled Míng Jiàn, and nicknamed Bù èr.

  It can't be... Ji Yong... No, no, it's impossible!

  Yuantong Fashi had met her twice before.

  He is tall and majestic, with a white complexion and handsome features. Not only is his smile warm and gentle, but also his speech and manner are humble and dignified. Talking to him makes one feel like a spring breeze on the face. Where does he resemble Ji Yong, who speaks sharply and acts arrogantly and rudely, with a cunning expression? But if you take away these pretenses of Ji Yong's, he really resembles that Master Yuantong...

  Dong Zhaoteng suddenly stood up and knocked over the teacup beside him.

  "Fourth Miss, what's wrong?" Chen Quanshui suddenly changed color, he thought Duan Zhao was thinking about who could enter the cabinet, "Are you thinking of something?"

  Dou Shi's entry into the cabinet is related to Wang Xingyi's promotion and also affects their subsequent deployment in Kyoto.

  "Nothing, nothing!" Dou Zhao murmured, "I remembered some things from the past, I don't know if they're true or false..." She suddenly asked Chen Quanshui, "Do you know what Ji Jianming's alias is?"

  She really couldn't associate Ji Yong with that monk.

  Chen Qu Shui was taken aback and said: "I really didn't notice this. Do you want me to help ask around?"

  Ji Yong silently and quietly turned him upside down, but he was completely unaware. At the time, although he left with a flourish, if it's said that his heart didn't feel any shock at all, that would be self-deception. He also really wanted to know how Ji Yong, being so young, could have such a skillful and breathtaking technique.

  Dong Zhaoli nodded repeatedly, with a mix of emotions in her heart: "You'd better investigate what he did in Yixing... maybe you'll find some clues."

  Chen Qu bowed his head and nodded.

  Dou Zhaoming thought of Liu Bo's hesitation to speak, and also thought of Ji Yong's arbitrary behavior...

  Is Ji Yong really the Round Master?

  For a moment, neither Chen Qu Shui nor Dou Zhao had the mood to continue the conversation.

  ※※※※※

  But Dou Shiying, who was far away in Kyoto, walked out of Dou Shixiong's study with a somewhat ugly face, and stood under the grape arbor outside the study, taking a long sigh.

  Dong Shi walked out horizontally and smiled: "What? Can't bear to part with Shou Gu?"

  "Yes!" Du Shiying sighed again, "Being someone else's daughter-in-law not only serves her mother-in-law but also takes care of household chores. She's still so young, how would she know all this?"

  The Wei family has formally asked for Dou Shiying's hand in marriage through a matchmaker.

  Dòu Shìyīng hesitated for a moment.

  Is it just going to be like this and marry off our daughter?

  He ran to consult with Su Shi.

  Dòu Shìzhū smiled and said, "So what do you want to do? Do you want to choose from a screen of candidates? Don't forget, the He family retreated because of the agreement between the Dòu and Wèi families. Now that the He family is no longer mentioning the engagement, are you planning on breaking off with the Wèi family? How will we explain this to the He family later?"

  "I didn't mean that," said Du Shiying. "I just don't want to marry Shougu off so early, and I don't know what kind of person Wei Tingyu is..."

  "Didn't you guys go and ask around at first? Neither Liu Di nor Liu Mei thought it was bad." Dou Shi-zhu couldn't help but smile. "Besides, engagement isn't the same as marriage. Even if we agree to an engagement, we still need to prepare the dowry, and it's common for the wedding to take place two or three years later. I think the Wei family wants that too. You can't keep Shou Gu at home forever, can you?"

  Although he said so, he still felt awkward in his heart. He hummed and hawed and said a few words to Duan Shixiong, then saw Duan Shixiong coming over. He stood up to bid farewell, but unexpectedly Duan Shixiong chased after him.

  "Come on. Let's go drink at my place." Du Shiying had already guessed the knot in Du Shiying's heart, and pulled him towards his own home.

  The home was cold and icy, Du Shiying didn't want to go back either, he went with Du Shiheng to Cat Alley.

  On the way, he asked Dou Shi-heng: "What are you looking for with Fifth Brother? Is it related to entering the cabinet?"

  He was worried because Suo Zhaos marriage had caused a rift between the He and Suo families.

  "It's nothing major." Duan Shi said, "I heard that Fifth Brother is back, I'll go take a look at him." These past few days, Duan Shi had been helping out at the Zeng residence. He also said, "You shouldn't think too much about it, this path must be walked by oneself, relying on others is unreliable. I think Fifth Brother understands this principle as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to let the He family go to the Wei residence to retrieve the jade pendant in the first place."

  Dòu Shìyīng nodded, and the two of them entered through the hanging flower gate.

  Ji's family was directing the maids and servants to set out the meal, when they saw the two men arrive, she hastily called for a maid to bring water for them to wash their faces and rinse their hands, and also called for a servant to inform the kitchen to add more dishes.

  Dong Shiying didn't stand on ceremony either and changed into one of Dong Shixiong's clothes before coming out for lunch.

  Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang are not here, he smiled: "Where did the two brothers go?"

  Ji's family helped Du Shiying ladle a bowl of soup and smiled: "Go to Yuqiao Hutong."

  Huzhou's Han family came with a few people to visit Dou Zhengchang, who lived in Yuqiao Hutong at the Ji family.

  Dòu Shìyīng asked about Dòu Zhèngchāng's marriage: "When is the engagement?"

  Ji smiled all over his face: "I've been watching for a few days, it's already in June or July, and the person who was taken to the Han family has discussed it, so there should be a reply in these few days."

  Dong Shiying sighed and said: "It's still better to marry a daughter-in-law!"

  Dòu Shì Héng just gave a glance at Jì Shì and made an eye signal, Jì Shì immediately understood.

  Thinking of Shou Gu's upcoming marriage, her heart wasn't at peace!

  "Although the Wei family has declined, it is still a prestigious marquisate. The Wei family only has one son, Wei Tingyu, and he was already appointed as the heir at a young age," she advised Dou Shiying. "Tian's temperament is also good, the child is handsome, open-minded, kind-hearted, although a bit frivolous now, but which young person isn't frivolous nowadays? Our Shougu is an intelligent person, after getting married and settling down, he will gradually become more steady."

  Dòu Shìyīng slowly nodded.

  Neither of them mentioned the Wei family's financial situation - Dou Zhaoming had enough assets in his name for them to splurge.

  ※

  Sisters and brothers, something urgent came up temporarily and I went out for a trip, so the update is a bit late. Sorry.

  Regarding the part about serving tea to send off guests, I indeed didn't notice it and have made the changes.

  o(n_n)o~

  ※