Unexpectedly, Mother and Wang Yingshuai were old acquaintances!

  All along, Duan Zhao couldn't understand why some women would rather give up their families and reputation to live with a man.

  Is it really so important for men and women to love each other?

  Once a man's love is exhausted, he abandons the woman and returns home, that's called "the prodigal son returns", but what about the woman?

  How can I continue to stand in this world?

  She and her mother sat in a small room behind the central hall, listening to the sound of her grandfather scolding her father in the main hall.

  Experience has taught Du Zhao that in doing anything, one should neither overestimate nor underestimate their opponent.

  To be honest, Wang Yingxue is not only clever and capable, but also wise and sensitive. She is good at judging the situation and always puts benefits first. Once she has made a decision, she will never hesitate or drag her feet, and is very decisive.

  Such a person, her grandfather promised to adopt her as his own and find her a good husband, with the Dou family footing the bill, and marry her off in style. Why did she still insist on following her father?

  The Dou family is not a superficial family of new officials, with her identity, the Dou family would never agree to let her be a concubine. As the mother was the legitimate wife of the Zhao family, she wouldn't be divorced even if she had made mistakes, for the sake of the Dou family's reputation.

  Did Wang Yingshuai ever think carefully when he came to Zhending?

  This doesn't match her character at all!

  In the midst of her rapid thoughts, Du Zhao's mind was suddenly shaken.

  Sister!

  Her sister Dou Ming was born on July 3rd of the year Ding Wei.

  It's often said that seven out of ten people will live to be seventy years old.

  That is to say, if Du Ming was premature, Wang Yingxue entered the door at the latest in January.

  According to the system, when a wife dies, her husband should observe mourning for one year. However, there are exceptions. If the husband is on an expedition and his wife dies, and there is no one in the family to take care of their parents or raise their children, he can remarry within 100 days. Although Father was not a soldier, his first wife had passed away early, but if Mother... there was no one in the family to preside over the sacrificial rites, this provision could be applied with some difficulty.

  In other words, Mother passed away at the end of last year.

  What if Du Ming wasn't born prematurely?

  Dong Zhaoren couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Wang Yingshuai still wants to stand firm in the Duan family and would rather die than admit to having an affair with her father.

  Father still wanted Wang Yingshuai to enter the door, and in any case would not reveal to others that Wang Yingshuai was pregnant.

  It's like you're betting on the size of a card with someone, and just as the cards are about to be revealed, you suddenly notice that there is a mirror on the ground behind your opponent, reflecting exactly what cards they are holding.

  Her blood was boiling with indignation.

  As long as their mothers are alive, the longer they drag it out, the more advantageous the situation will be for them!

  But on one condition: Mother must be alive!

  She cheerfully picked up a golden orange from the fruit bowl on the table and handed it to her mother: "Mother, have an orange!"

  Her mother forced a smile and took the tangerine from her, but just held it in her hand, staring blankly.

  Dou Zhao's colorful clothes entertain her relatives. She peeled an orange and stuffed the segments into her mother's mouth, feeding them to her aunts who were sitting with them in the small hall.

  The two elder aunts tried to ease the tension by smiling and teasing her.

  She giggled and chuckled.

  A smile gradually appeared on her mother's face.

  At night, she fell asleep holding onto her mother's hem.

  The next day, the third uncle at home, the sixth uncle, the eldest aunt as the head of the family, and the third aunt who was in charge of managing the household all came together with the second lady of the East Mansion, that is, the second paternal aunt of my grandfather.

  Grandfather's elder brother, elder sister-in-law and second elder brother have all passed away.

  "I've already heard about the matter from your nephew and his wives." The second mistress was petite in stature, but her eyes were exceptionally bright, which added to her dignified appearance. "And what about Miss Wang? Has she sent someone to deliver a message to Nanwa?"

  "I'll let the Ding family accompany you." Grandfather said bitterly, "Someone has been sent to inform them in Nanwa overnight." Then he said shamefully, "Second aunt, this is all because I failed to teach my son properly..."

  "We'll talk about that later." The second mistress waved her hand to interrupt Grandfather's words, "The most urgent thing is to ask them clearly how far they have gone!"

  The second lady spoke out and revealed the key point.

  Dòu Zhāo was deeply impressed.

  The grandfather was shocked, opened his mouth, and perhaps thought of his father's absurdity in this matter, remained silent.

  The second lady ordered the third uncle: "Yuanwan is like a son to you, go ask him about Yuanwan's side." She also ordered the eldest aunt, "Go ask Miss Wang about her side."

  The two of them responded in unison and went their separate ways.

  The second lady beckoned to her mother and motioned for her to sit beside her: "Without the Zhao family, there would be no Duan family. Mr. and Mrs. Zhao passed away early, and Uncle is young and thin-skinned, so it's not good to bother him with these things. But the elders of the Duan family are still around! You can rest assured that I will never let you suffer any injustice."

  Du Zhao had only one uncle, eight years older than his mother. His mother was a posthumous child, and her mother passed away when she was ten years old. She grew up with her brother and sister-in-law. When her mother was alive, she brought up two children without worrying about food and clothing, but feared the arrival of tax collectors and debtors. At that time, the Du family had become rich and noble, so her mother often brought the two children to visit the Du family, who were relatives by marriage. The Du family was known for its generosity, and the two families became even closer. Uncle Zhao Si studied at the Du family school from a young age and had a very good relationship with Du Shiying, Du Wenxiang, Du Yuchang, and Du Huachang. Thus, his parents' marriage was settled without any hitch.

  When the second lady mentioned her late parents, her mother burst into tears and threw herself into the second lady's arms.

  Sixth Uncle was four years older than Father, the two had been reading together since childhood, and they both passed the imperial examination to become a scholar, and then took part in the provincial examination but failed. At this time, he was at home studying behind closed doors. Seeing Mother crying bitterly, he couldn't help feeling somewhat embarrassed, and said softly: "Why don't we go to your younger brother's study instead? There are some things that aren't suitable for us uncles to hear!"

  The second lady glared over and said in a loud voice: "You went to Kyoto with Yuan Wan, did you know about this?"

  The sixth uncle was frightened and quickly said, "It's not my business, it's not my business! If you hadn't let me come back early, how would I have gotten into such trouble?" He muttered in a low voice, with a tone of disapproval.

  The second mistress was so angry that she couldn't say a word for a long time.

  Sixth Uncle Du Shi Heng was the youngest son of Second Aunt, and when he was born, his older brothers had already achieved success in their careers. As a result, Second Aunt was not as strict with him as she was with her other sons. His father was an only child, and although Grandfather was strict on the surface, he actually doted on Du Shi Heng. Among his siblings, Du Shi Heng was closest to his brother Du Zhao. After their father moved to Kyoto, he even reserved a small courtyard for Sixth Uncle, where he would stay whenever he visited Kyoto. Later, the two brothers worked together at the Hanlin Academy. Their father excelled in lecturing on the "Book of Changes", while Sixth Uncle excelled in lecturing on the "Commentary of Zuo". The people at the Hanlin Academy jokingly referred to them as the "Du Brothers' Twin Jewels".

  Mother was taken aback.

  It's clear that Second Mistress is trying to help Sixth Master dispel suspicion, so she politely says: "When the sky wants rain, a mother wants to marry off her daughter. Yuanwai has made up his mind, and even if Sixth Master sticks by him like glue, what use would it be?"

  The second lady's face was slightly cloudy, and she scolded Sixth Uncle: "Don't you thank your brother's wife yet?"

  The sixth uncle made a bow to mother.

  The mother was busy returning gifts.

  Dong Zhao's eyes sparkled.

  Since Sixth Uncle didn't say a word of apology or comfort, it's clear he stands on Father's side.

  The second lady also seemed to have realized it and stood up to invite everyone: "Let's go sit in the small hall at the back!"

  Leave the hall to the men of the house.

  Everyone naturally had no objection.

  The mother and the third uncle helped the second lady to get up, and a small servant ran in: "Old master, the manager of Jining Hou has presented a letter of courtesy, saying that their Hou's wife and our family's seventh Niangniang are relatives by marriage. This time they returned to their hometown to visit their relatives and specially came to pay their respects."

  Everyone was shocked.

  Dong Zhaoguo was even more shocked.

  Jining Marquis's wife is just his mother-in-law, isn't she?

  Why did grandma also come out to join in the fun?

  "It's Tianjia sister from Xiliu village." Mother explained to everyone with a smile, "Their family and our family are old acquaintances in Bianjing, and our ancestors were also related by marriage. It's just that Uncle Tian had a smooth official career, and Sister Tian married into the Jining Marquis' manor in Kyoto, so we two lost touch. I didn't expect her to come visit me!" After finishing speaking, she looked at Grandfather.

  Since there is a distant guest coming, his son's matter can only be put aside for now.

  The grandfather thought for a moment and had the little servant invite the manager of the Jining Marquis's estate to come in.

  The steward of the Marquis of Jining presented a gift box and was polite for a while, knowing that the journey of the Marchioness of Jining was very tight, and fixed tomorrow morning at 6:00 to visit.

  Mother didn't care about things on that side of the hall either, ordering Yu Niang to sweep and dust, arrange the room, and plan the menu.

  Dong Zuo sat alone on the kang, counting his fingers.

  I don't know if Wei Tingyu will follow along?

  The grandma said they had met when they were young, could it be this time?

  As she was lost in thought, she saw her third aunt hurry in.

  She cried out to her mother: "Carry me, go to Mother!"

  "Fourth Miss, you can talk!" exclaimed Tuo Niang with extreme joy!

  Dong Zhao was stunned and didn't react until a while later. She instructed her: "Quick, hurry up and enter the door before Third Aunt."

  "Good!" Tuo Niang happily responded, carrying her to her mother's place, "Seventh Aunt is overjoyed, Fourth Miss can talk!"

  "Oh!" Her mother smiled and teased Duan Zhao, "Say a few words for me to hear?"

  "I want to go to my uncle's house and have some fun!"

  Mother smiled warmly.

  Kora Yoshiya smiled.

  After all, they are not biological brothers, and although the second wife helped her mother, she was more anxious to clear her son's name.

  This uncle is really something, I have to try him out once and for all.

  Third Aunt came in at this time, Tuo Niang avoided going out, and Duan Zhao still sat on the kang. Third Aunt pinched Duan Zhao's small hand and whispered to her mother: "After asking clearly, they all said 'arise from emotions, stop at reason'."

  The mother turned up her nose at it.

  Third Aunt scolded with a smile: "You care whether they are true or false! They said so, and we believed it. Since we are clear and innocent, when the people from the Wang family come, we will hand her over to them."

  Mother nodded: "I understand."

  A smiling but somewhat flustered voice came from outside: "Seventh Master, Seventh Madam is talking to Third Madam..." Before the words were even finished, the warm curtain was lifted with a rustle, and Father walked in with an iron face.

  "Seventh is back!" Third Aunt smiled and pulled Mother behind her, "Where are your three brothers?"

  "Third Aunt." Father hastily bowed to Third Aunt, his forehead bulging with blue veins, "Ding Niang has set up a family banquet in the Xiaohua Hall, and I'll come after Gu Qiu helps me change into some clothes."

  Third Aunt hesitated for a moment.

  Mother's hand was placed on San Bomu's shoulder.

  "Third sister-in-law, you go first!" Mother said softly, "Third brother and the others must be waiting anxiously. I and Wan Yuan will come right away."

  Third Aunt gave a wink to Yu Niang and smiled as she exited the inner chamber.

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  "The Strategy of a Concubine's Daughter" has 7 volumes, the first 3 are already out and available on Dangdang.com. Volumes 4 and 5 will be released mid-year, and volumes 6 and 7 by year-end. At the end of the year, Dangdang usually has a discount event, so if you're interested in buying "The Strategy of a Concubine's Daughter", take advantage of it and you'll get a good deal! O(∩_∩)O~

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