It's said that Dou Shi Bang has arrived, and Father personally went to welcome him in.

  He was holding a basket of tangerines. Since they were all family members, his mother and Aunt Ding didn't avoid him. After everyone had exchanged greetings, Dou Shi-bang pointed to the tangerines and smiled at his grandfather: "They were brought back by my older brother, I specifically brought some for you to try." Then he took a tangerine from the small basket and handed it to Dou Zhao: "Shougu, have a tangerine."

  Dòu Zhāorén still has some foolishness.

  Her mother poked her.

  She murmured a "thank you".

  Dòu Shìbǎng smiled and patted Dòu Zhāo's head.

  "Sit on the kang! I have a big red robe given by Shen Qing."

  Aunt Ding immediately turned around and went to the small teahouse next door to make tea.

  Dong Shibang didn't stand on ceremony either, and sat down cross-legged on the kang opposite his grandfather.

  Dou Zhao held an orange and quietly nestled in his mother's arms, staring at Dou Shi Bing without blinking.

  Her third uncle, who had passed away ten years ago, was now standing alive in front of her, and even asked her to eat tangerines!

  When she was in the countryside, her third uncle would visit her grandmother every now and then. Each time he went, he would bring some small toys or trinkets for her, such as a new handkerchief, a pretty hairpin, or some rare snacks. Once, he even gave her a pair of Wuxi clay dolls. The dolls had big eyes, round faces, and wore red jackets with gold trim, smiling and bowing to each other. They were so charming that all the children in the countryside were envious. She placed the dolls on the windowsill until she left the countryside at the age of twelve. The dolls were then packed away in a box and followed her from Dingzhou to Kyoto, eventually staying in the Houfu Mansion in Jining.

  Those days, every time Third Uncle came, it was like a ray of sunshine shining on her, making her radiant and dazzling.

  She never forgot.

  Dou Zhaos line of sight was somewhat blurred, and he heard Dou Shi Bang laugh and say: "...Big brothers body is getting worse day by day. Lan Geer wrote to me a few days ago that from the beginning of autumn until now, Big Brother has had three heart attacks. Its just because the river project is not finished yet, so I dont dare to slack off. Big Brother wrote in his letter that after these days are over, he plans to resign and go home, and study the Book of Changes with Little Uncle together."

  Grandfather burst out laughing and said, "Although the official career is glorious, the desk work is also bitter. Who let him want to be an official!" As he spoke, his smile gradually faded, and he seriously asked, "His heart disease is getting worse day by day, can we invite a doctor to take a look?"

  "All famous doctors in Jiangnan have been invited," said Du Zhengbang, "but none of them has any good prescription. They all just suggest rest and recuperation. Is Big Brother the kind of person who can stay still?"

  Dou Zhao listened on the side, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.

  My great-uncle, Du Shi Yang, was the eldest son of my great-grandfather. He was thirty-nine years older than my father and four years younger than my grandfather. Like my grandfather, he followed his uncle to study from a young age, and although they were uncle and nephew in name, they were as close as brothers. By the time Du Zhao grew up, he had already passed away. It is said that he died of exhaustion while serving as the prefect of Yangzhou Prefecture, where he was tasked with repairing the riverbank. This story is still inscribed on a stone tablet in our ancestral temple. In the fourth year of Jianwu, a great flood occurred in Jiangnan, and many riverbanks were destroyed, but the section repaired by my great-uncle during his tenure remained intact. My great-uncle's achievements were rediscovered, and the emperor specially awarded him a posthumous honor.

  Lang'er was the only son of his uncle, who was 43 years old when he had him. At the age of 21, he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi. However, he failed to pass the subsequent examinations. The emperor, remembering his uncle's contributions, granted him the title of County Magistrate of Juren. When he came to the capital to express his gratitude, many members of the Dou family in the capital welcomed him with feasts and banquets. Dou Zhao, however, only sent a congratulatory gift through someone else, as he had been estranged from his stepmother's family.

  Should I remind Third Uncle about it?

  But will Third Uncle listen to what she has to say?

  Dòu Zhāo hesitated.

  Fourth Aunt led two maids carrying tea and snacks into the room.

  Mother put her down on the ground and helped Ding's grandmother serve tea and arrange snacks.

  Du Shi Bang picked up the teacup and took a sip, praising "good tea", then sighed: "This is indeed 'relying on the mountain to eat the mountain, relying on the water to eat the water'!"

  Shen Xing was the courtesy name of Dou Shi's second uncle, Dou Shiqi. He was eight years younger than Dou Shi and four years older than Dou Shibang. At the age of 26, he passed the imperial examination to become a jinshi, after which he served as an official outside the capital until his retirement from the position of Jiangxi Provincial Governor.

  Dong Zhao had only heard of this person and had never met him - when she was in Zhending, he was an official outside; after his retirement, he returned to his hometown, but she had already married into Kyoto.

  The big red robe is produced in Wuyi, judging from San Bo Fu's tone, he should be an official in Fujian now.

  Grandfather burst out laughing and said, " 'Rely on the mountain to eat from the mountain, rely on water to eat from the water', the key is a 'rely', how can you compare? We're all counting on you for food!"

  Many members of the Duan family served as officials outside their hometown, and even more people devoted themselves to studying for the imperial examination with the motto "Two ears not hearing external affairs, one heart only reading excellent books".

  Dou Shi Bang is in charge of miscellaneous affairs of both Dong and Xi Dou.

  He heard this and dryly laughed twice, his expression awkward.

  Dong Zhaoming remembered.

  Third uncle not only participated in the imperial examination with second uncle, fourth uncle and fifth uncle, but also with sixth uncle, father, eldest cousin Dou Wen-chang, second eldest cousin Dou Yu-chang, third eldest cousin Dou Xiu-chang and fourth eldest cousin Dou Rong-chang... it seems that none of them ever passed.

  Father picked up the teacup and repeatedly said, "Drink tea, drink tea!" He also loudly instructed Mother, "Third Brother rarely comes. You go tell the person in charge of cooking to make a few small dishes to accompany wine, I'll keep Father and Third Brother company for two cups."

  "It's okay, it's okay." Duan Shibo looked at his father and smiled, "Big brother asked me to pass on a few words to my uncle. It's getting late, I'll head back after passing on the message." He also said, "The New Year is approaching soon, there are still many things waiting for me at home!"

  "That won't delay things either." Grandfather smiled and said, but Father pulled Mother away, "Since Third Brother has something to say to Father, we'll go back to the house first." Without regard for Mother's surprise, he pushed her out of the Crane Longevity Hall, "Third Brother coming at this time must be about something important."

  Her mother was relieved, and it had been a long time since she saw her father. She looked at her father's eyes, which were as soft as wisteria: "Alright then. I'll go back and serve my husband so he can rest early!"

  "Alright, alright, alright." Father responded, turning his head back towards the Crane Longevity Hall with a distracted look.

  Dou Zhao followed his father's gaze and looked over.

  The surroundings were quiet, the snow was sparkling with a cold frost under the moonlight, and the orange light in grandfather's study seemed particularly warm.

  Doubtful about the fox's lair.

  Mother was completely unaware, and all the way back to the upstairs house with Father, chatting and laughing.

  A gray-haired servant woman came forward, making a curtsy and shouting "Seventh Master" and "Seventh Mistress".

  Her expression was very serious, but her eyes were warm and gentle.

  Dòu Zhāo yī kàn jiù xīn shēng hǎo gǎn.

  English Translation: Dòu Zhāo gives a good impression at first glance.

  Her mother handed her over to that woman: "Yu Mama, take Shou Gu to the warm pavilion for a rest today!"

  Yu's mother smiled and nodded "yes".

  "Where is Shou Gu's wet nurse?" his father asked strangely.

  "She's caught a cold," said her mother, going straight into the house. "I'm afraid she'll pass it on to Shougu."

  Father had no choice but to follow up.

  A group of people entered the hall.

  Father and mother went into the inner room, Yu's mother carried Dou Zhao to the warm pavilion behind the inner room.

  She hasn't even waited for that woman, how can she just leave her mother like this!

  "Mom, Mom!" She twisted her body in Yu's mother's arms.

  "Fourth Miss, don't cry, don't cry!" Yu's mother coaxed her, quickening her pace. "Yu's mother will play jump rope with you, okay?"

  "Or else, let Shougu sleep with us tonight!" his father said hesitantly.

  "..." Her mother's eyes gazed at her father with a deep sense of resentment.

  Father seemed not to have seen her and ordered Yu's mother: "Bring Shougu over!"

  Yu's mother hesitated, glanced at her mother, saw that she was biting her lip and didn't say a word, and smiled: "Seventh Master has had a hard journey..."

  "Bring it over here then!" Father said displeasedly.

  Yu's mother no longer hesitated and handed Du Zhao over to her mother.

  Father took over and carried Du Zhao into the inner chamber.

  The maids brought in hot water and towels to serve and help with washing and dressing.

  Mother served father, but father teased Du Zhao, Du Zhao stuck tightly to mother, noisy and chaotic, yet with a strange warmth and bustle, Du Zhao felt satisfied and happy.

  It wasn't easy to calm down, but Du Zhao finally fell asleep, snuggled between her parents with her mother's clothes wrapped around her.

  Mother leaned on her elbow and rested her cheek, speaking softly to Father: "Are you still living in the hutong next to Jing'an Temple? Is Baoshan with you?" Her hand reached over Du Zhao, gently stroking Father's arm. The bright red embroidered bellyband with intertwined lotus flowers shone brightly under the lamp light, and the snow-white, full, and plump [breasts] could not be hidden, revealing more than half of the mountain peaks, making Du Zhao blush and quickly close his eyes, silently reciting in his heart: Mother, I know that a small farewell is better than a new marriage, I shouldn't ruin your good affair, but I have no choice. Once I help you drive that woman away, I'll leave...

  Father closed his eyes, hummed twice and said: "Go to sleep quickly! Tomorrow morning father will test me again!" He turned over and fell asleep.

  Her mother's hands were empty.

  She pouted.

  The father let out a soft snore.

  The house was even more quiet.

  Her mother lay down, gently pinched Xiao Zhao's little nose and whispered: "You little rascal!"

  Such a mother, so true and yet so innocent and lovely, almost made Du Zhao burst out laughing.

  A maid rushed in with hurried footsteps and reported from outside the curtain: "Seventh Master, Seventh Madam, Aunt Ding has arrived. She says that Old Master wants to see Seventh Master on an urgent matter and asks him to go over immediately."

  The mother was shocked.

  The sleeping father suddenly jumped up and said, "What did you say? The old man wants me to go now?" His voice was tense.

  The maid responded with a "yes".

  The father hesitated for a moment.

  "Then go quickly! It's probably related to what your uncle and third uncle said..." She said, sitting up at the same time.

  "Yes, yes!" Father muttered, throwing off the covers and getting out of bed. He didn't even bother to respond to Mother's calls from behind him to put on more clothes, hastily following Ding Nainai to Heshou Hall.

  Yu's mother walked over quietly and said in a low voice: "Seventh Granny, do you want to send someone over to take a look?"

  "Let's just forget it!" Mother said hesitantly, "What if it's something about the imperial court... isn't there still Auntie Ding? I'll ask her when the time comes."

  Dongfang's heart was filled with doubts and suspicions.

  Fourth Aunt's mother kept her head down from the moment she entered until she left, without once looking directly at Mother.

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