Ding's grandmother had been quiet for a year after entering the door, and Duan Zhao's birth mother was very anxious. Occasionally, she heard that there was a family with the surname Cui in the Duan family's countryside, who had eight sons and two daughters, all of whom survived. Because they had too many children to raise, they even gave away two sons to other families as sons-in-law, and now they wanted to use their 14-year-old eldest daughter as a match for their third son.
Dòu Zhāo's paternal grandmother thought it was fate, having seen the eldest daughter of the Cuī family who although tall and sturdy in build, had a delicate face. Without consulting Dòu Zhāo's grandfather, she spent 200 taels of silver to bring the eldest daughter of the Cuī family into their household.
Ten months later, Dou Zhao's father was born.
The child had just passed the hundred-day celebration, and Dou Zhaos grandfather invited Dou Zhaos birth mother to come, pointing at Dou Shiying who was still in swaddling clothes: "You personally bring up this child, dont let that illiterate Cui cause him harm."
Thus, Cui was sent to Dou's small estate in Dongji Village with over 100 mu of land, where she lived until her death.
So, in essence, Cui was always a village woman.
During the years when Dou and Cui lived together, Cui not only took her to water, catch insects and weeds in the vegetable garden behind the house, but also told her how to manage the crops, how to raise chickens and pigs... In Cui's words: "Learning to serve the crops, you won't starve wherever you go!"
Growing up in this environment, Su Zhao knew when to spring sow, when to autumn harvest, when to plant vegetables, and when to hatch chicks. She could even infer the weather of the coming year based on the winter climate, not like a lady from a family of officials for generations, but rather like a daughter of a rural gentry family.
She first saw Tuo Niang not long after she had just passed her tenth birthday. The adults were all busy with the spring harvest, and her grandmother and the steward had gone to the fields, while she and several maids stood under the elm tree in front of the house watching the village children pick elm buds.
A caterpillar fell on Duo Zhao's shoulder, startling her greatly. She then caught the caterpillar and used it to scare a few maids, who were pushing and shoving each other while shrieking loudly, creating a commotion.
The girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere, rushing over to chase and beat her maid, shouting: "She is the young lady, she is the young lady of the Duan family, how dare you be disrespectful to her? I'll kill you, I'll kill you..."
Thinking of this, Dou Zhao felt somewhat excited.
After the stepmother entered the house, the people who served her mother were either sold because they were too junior or were released by the stepmother on the grounds that they had served her mother with merit. Some were sent back to their uncle's house, and no one told them about her mother's affairs. Even her loving grandmother said to her more than once: "People should look forward, what's the use of asking those things? You should think more about how to spend your future days, think about how to win over your mother-in-law after marrying into the Jin'ning Marquis's household."
No one knows her inner fear.
How did your mother die?
Why is everyone so mysterious?
The wet nurse Hu of stepmother Wang said that mother gave birth to a daughter...
Isn't it her fault that her mother died?
Is it because of this that she was sent to her grandmother's place in the countryside?
When your mother was alive, did you ever dislike her? Did you ever regret giving birth to her?
As she grew older, she became increasingly afraid to ask.
Her mother's death became a wound in Du Zhao's heart that would never heal.
It was Tuan'niang who told her the truth, and when facing her grandmother's questioning, she retorted: "I don't know those big principles. I only know that Wangshi killed Seventh Aunt, Wangshi is Fourth Miss's enemy, Fourth Miss can't acknowledge an enemy as a mother! You're not helping Fourth Miss, you're harming Fourth Miss, trapping Fourth Miss in unfilial behavior!"
Dou Zhao still remembers the look of shock on his grandmother's face.
Afterwards, her grandmother didn't say anything else and left Tuo Niang at the farmstead.
There were many people serving beside her mother back then, but it took eight years to find only Tuo Niang for her. Only Tuo Niang spoke up for her!
Her personality is as you would expect.
Dong Zhao is now in a precarious situation and urgently needs someone who will listen to his plans.
There's no one more suitable than Tuo Niang!
Xiangcao ignored the opposition of the twin branches and actively helped her find Tuo Niang.
Tuo Niang gazed blankly at Dou Zhao, her restraint betraying a hint of tension as she softly called out "Fourth Miss".
At this time, Tuo Niang was young and rosy, with gentle and shy eyes, completely different from the disheveled and dirty-faced woman in Du Zhao's memory.
Dong Zhao felt a sourness in his heart.
She asked Tuo Niang: "You know me?"
"I know." She said softly, "Just now on the road, Xiangcao told me. You are the daughter of Seventh Granny, Fourth Miss of the Duan family."
It's enough to know she is the daughter of Seventh Granny!
Dong Zhao smiled and nodded, stretched out his hand to let Tuo Niang hold, said: "We go to He Shou Tang. Double branches, lead the way."
Tuo Niang hugged Du Zhao without hesitation, while Shuang Zhi hesitated and said: "What if...".
"I'm going!" Dou Zhao glared with his beady eyes.
The two branches smiled quietly.
"What about me?" asked Vanilla hastily, "Fourth Miss, what about me?"
It is impossible for a person to have only one kind of people around them. Sometimes strengths can become weaknesses and weaknesses can become strengths.
"Follow me." Dòu Zhāo said with a smile.
Vanilla happily said "yes" and led the way forward.
It's impossible for the two of us to be together now.
A group of people went to Heshoutang.
A young servant blocked them at the door: "The old master said that no one is allowed in!"
Tuo Niang looked at Dou Zhao with unease.
With both hands tied and no strategy left, it's just a matter of saying "I told you so".
Vanilla smiled and stepped forward, jokingly shouting "Brother", saying: "We were ordered by Seventh Granny to send Fourth Miss in...". Then she winked at Crane Longevity Hall, "Isn't it already chaotic inside? That's why we brought Fourth Miss over. If Brother doesn't believe me, why not go in and announce our arrival first?"
The little servant no longer insisted and let them in through the gate.
Shuangzhi whispered: "You're also too bold, what if he really goes to invite Qiuna to show off..."
"Impossible!" Vanilla said with a determined smile, "We don't dare approach Crane Longevity Hall, how can they possibly do so?"
Dong Zhao nodded silently.
"...It's too late for you to say anything now! You want to take a concubine, why didn't you tell me directly? You had to ask Third Uncle to speak to Father on your behalf, it's because you yourself know that what you're doing is unfair to me and unbecoming of a gentleman. But instead, you're being deceitful and blinded by lust, thinking you can use our elders to pressure me...Fine, let's have the elders from both families come out and discuss this properly..."
"Seventh brother and sister, seventh brother and sister," Third Uncle pleaded, "Taking a concubine is just a small matter. Since you don't agree, then let's just forget it. Why must we stir up trouble and make the elders of both families uncomfortable? And cause a big commotion in the city for others to laugh at? Yuan, quickly apologize to your brother and sister! Let's just consider this matter settled. I'm entirely to blame. Please, brother and sister, look at my face and be more forgiving, be more forgiving!"
Wanyuan is his father's courtesy name.
The mother calmed down, but the father muttered under his breath, unable to make out what he was saying.
"We're going in!"
At this time, Xiangcao and Shuangzhi were a little scared, while Tuo Niang took Doudou into the hall with a determined look on her face.
The people of He Shou Tang did not dare to stop Dou Zhao.
"Who's there?" The voice was loud and stern, coming from the doorway where Mrs. Ding stood, her expression unyielding, one that Duan Zhao had never seen before.
The maid shrank her shoulders and quickly straightened up, her voice trembling but still respectful: "It's the fourth young lady, let me carry her in..."
At the sound, Mother, who was sitting in a sedan chair with a frosty face, and Third Uncle, who was rubbing his hands and turning around, looked over in surprise. Father, who was kneeling towards the central hall, jumped up and angrily shouted at them: "What's going on?"
Grandfather is not in the hall.
Dong Zhao hadn't even had a chance to speak when his mother stood up with a cold laugh.
"What's wrong with you, yelling at the kid like that?" She said as she walked over to hug Du Zhao, then asked in a soft voice, "What happened?" Her sharp eyes stared at Tuo Niang.
Dou Zhaoqiang said in front of Tuo Niang: "Mother, mother, I want, Tuo Niang, I want, Tuo Niang!"
The mother thought of those maids locked in the outhouse and frowned.
She didn't recognize Tao Niang.
Arrange Tuan'niang in the mansion as a rough servant girl to mix a meal, it's just a trivial matter for her, and she won't remember it at all.
A little maid came in trembling and reported: "The third madam has arrived!"
Third Uncle's spirits lifted, he just wanted to quickly get rid of Du Zhao and the others so he could discuss serious matters: "She's just a maid, if Shou wants her, then giving her to him is fine." As he spoke, he gave Father a signal with his eyes.
His father immediately said: "This whatever girl, just give her to Shougu."
Third Aunt is open-minded and humorous, enthusiastic about people. Although she's not the head of the family, everyone in the Duan family likes her, and whenever something happens, they always like to ask for her help as a mediator. Third Aunt arrived suddenly, and Mother also guessed a few things.
She also wanted her father to dispel the idea of taking a concubine as soon as possible.
Anyway, Tuo Niang is just a maid in her own mansion, what's to fear that she'll run away? The maids and daughters-in-law around Shou Gu have all been locked up, let this Tuo Niang take care of Shou Gu for the time being, and wait until she's done with this busy period before thoroughly investigating Tuo Niang's background.
Mother shouted for Yu Niang to come in: "Have this girl settled into Shou Gu's room."
Yu's mother looked puzzled, glanced at Tuo Niang twice, and responded with a bow.
So many people, and also Yu's mother, even if she wanted to die, someone would stop her.
Dong Zhao wasn't worried and pulled on Tuo Niang's sleeve, signaling her to go back.
Tuo Niang was still in a daze, unable to comprehend how she had suddenly transformed from a lowly servant girl in the laundry room to a personal maid of Miss Duan. Without even thanking her, she hugged Du Zhao and limped out of He Shou Tang with one foot higher than the other.
Vanilla and Double Branch have received the letter.
Shuangzhi congratulated Tuo Niang and politely chatted with her: ".... From now on, we'll be together serving as attendants."
Vanilla hung her head in distress, her expression a mix of regret and despair.
Dong Zhaoming smiled slightly and pointed at the fragrant grass, saying to Yu Niangniang: "I want it, the fragrant grass."
Vanilla was surprised and delighted.
Yu's mother had the same idea as Seventh Granny, and Xiangcao was originally a servant in Seventh Granny's house, so she knew her well and wasn't afraid of her playing tricks. She instructed Xiangcao: "Since Fourth Miss likes you, just follow Fourth Miss! Remember to serve well and don't provoke Fourth Miss' anger..."
Vanilla is so happy that her mouth can't close.
The maid in Fourth Miss's house has been locked up for her mistake. With Seventh Granny's temper, she will definitely not be used again. She has won the favor of Fourth Miss, and maybe in the future, she can become a higher-ranking maid.
She felt more and more that her future was bright, Yu Niang turned around, she hastily thanked Du Zhao: "Fourth Miss, I will serve you well..."
Dong Zhao waved his hand at the endless fragrance of grass, then pointed to He Shou Tang: "You listen, tell me."
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The heroine is moving forward with difficulty...
PS: To all book-reading sisters, during PK period, there will be daily updates. After entering V, more updates will be added. This way, some text can be accumulated to avoid the situation of not updating in time like "Flowers Bloom and Embroider". It's also easier for people, please understand.
O(∩_∩)O~
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