"Auntie has already spoken, how can we go back on our word?" Duan Zhao smiled and said, "It just so happens that two days ago, Madame Guo sent someone to pass a message to me, wanting to form an alliance with our family through marriage. So I thought, why not have Brother Wei marry the eldest granddaughter of Marquis Xuan Ning instead? That way, we can resolve this matter once and for all. And Auntie won't have to offend her husband, making life difficult."

  The old lady nodded, changing her usual gentle tone to a firm one: "Let's do it as you said. Mrs. Guo and you are close friends, and their eldest granddaughter is someone we've watched grow up, with excellent character and looks, she's a perfect match for our Wei brother. Don't delay, you can send someone to propose to the Guo family in these two days." After speaking, she realized that Du Zhao was still bedridden with illness, so she changed her words: "Forget it, I'll take care of this myself. You just rest well, everything will be fine!" Then she pulled Wei Tingyu back to her own courtyard, discussing the engagement of Wei brother.

  Dou Zhao's heart was slightly determined, and he ordered Cui Leng: "You go invite the young master to see me!"

  Some things need to be explained clearly to Brother Wei!

  Cui Leng responded and left.

  Dou Zhaowei fell asleep with a start, and actually fell asleep.

  Dimly, I heard a commotion.

  “…Good sister, I'm not here to make a scene, I'm worried about the mistress's illness.” Hu niang's sharp voice pierced her ears, “Everyone in the mansion is saying that the mistress is dying. I just want to ask for confirmation.” She said, wailing loudly like she was mourning a death, “If something happens to the mistress, how can I and third master live on?! It would be better if I went with her...”

  Wei Tingyu had four concubines. After Rou'er was four years old, they successively gave birth to four sons and four daughters for Wei Tingyu.

  Tigers and brothers, fathers and sons on the battlefield.

  Dou Zhao's two sons have grown up, and he doesn't mind these concubines opening branches for the Wei family.

  These children will make something of themselves and in the future they can also help Wei Ge Er and Rui Ge Er.

  This is the first concubine who gave birth to a child.

  She was young at that time and felt proud for a while.

  Dong Zhao did not make a sound, and then helped Wei Tingyu take in two concubines who were extremely beautiful, proficient in the songs of a hundred families, and skilled at playing Go.

  This was just what Wei Tingyu needed.

  Day and night, he hangs out with two new sisters-in-law in one place, who still remembers who she is?

  It wasn't until then that Hu Yiniang suddenly realized, as long as Duan Zhao was willing, whoever she wanted to favor would be favored, and whoever she wanted to neglect would be neglected!

  She then washed off her makeup and humbly greeted Dou Zhao with downcast eyes.

  Dong Zhao also gave Wei Tingyu a concubine who was skilled in playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting.

  Several aunts knew about Du Zhao's ferocity and from then on no one dared to be arrogant or presumptuous.

  They were obedient, and Duan Zhao naturally wouldn't make things difficult for them. The seasonal clothes and accessories of the concubines, the maids and nannies serving by the side of the children, were all arranged properly, not much different from those of the wives and children of a normal large family. Several concubines settled down, trying to please Duan Zhao, serving Wei Tingyu, giving birth to children, and the household was peaceful.

  "What is Auntie Hu talking about?" Cui Leng angrily scolded Auntie Hu, "Why are you always catching wind and grasping shadows, saying things that don't make sense? Master Hou and the madam talked for half the night, the madam just fell asleep, do you want to wake her up?"

  "No, no." Aunt Hu hastily explained, "I, I am just heartbroken... I wish I could take the place of the mistress and contract this illness..."

  What she said was sincere and heartfelt.

  Dòu Zhāo believed she was speaking from her heart.

  If she died, within a year at most, Wei Tingyu would remarry and have his own family with children; Wei brother is the eldest son of Jining Prefecture and has already been engaged, without a birth mother, and with the help of his in-laws; as for Rui Ge Er and daughter Yin Jie Er, with Wei Ge Er this eldest son as an elder brother, they will not be at a disadvantage; only a few concubines, their sons are still young, their looks are fading day by day, without any support!

  "Even so, Auntie shouldn't be making a big fuss in front of the mistress's door." The voice that was advising Auntie Hu was warm and gentle yet firm. "If all the aunties were like you, wouldn't the household be thrown into chaos? It's still early morning, I suppose you haven't had breakfast yet? Why not go back to your room and have some breakfast, and then come back when the mistress wakes up..."

  It's Zhu's voice!

  Dong Zhaixin's heart skipped a beat.

  Zhu was the wet nurse she had carefully selected for her eldest son, with a good character, kind and gentle, more patient and meticulous towards Wei brother than to her own biological son. The most valuable thing is that she is also very responsible. When Wei brother did something wrong, she would not indulge him just because she was a wet nurse, but instead taught him carefully and urged him to correct his mistakes. As a result, after Duan Zhao gave birth to another child, she handed over the affairs of Wei's house to her to take care of, and then devoted herself wholeheartedly to taking care of the miscellaneous affairs of the Wei mansion.

  The consequence of this is that although her two sons have a respectful and obedient heart towards her, they do not have an affectionate one.

  Dong Zhao regretted and hated it endlessly!

  First, under the pretext of honoring her, Zhu was sent to the Ji'ning Hou Mansion's western mountain villa, and then personally took care of the two sons' food and daily life, inquiring about their studies and homework, persuading Wei Tingyu to teach the two sons archery...

  But all of this is too late.

  Madam Zhu's actions are as clear and transparent as a sunny day after a storm, without any fault that can be criticized. The 10-year-old Wei and the 9-year-old Rui not only remember things but also understand them. However, by doing so, she has not brought her two sons closer to her, but instead, they have become even more silent in front of her.

  She knew that her two sons were blaming her for sending away Zhu Shi.

  But who can understand the pain of a mother being separated from her children?

  Or perhaps women understand women best. Zhu Shi had a faint feeling that she had a knot in her heart towards her, and after going to the Tian Manor, she had never taken the initiative to contact Wei Ge'er and Ruo Ge'er again, let alone return to the manor privately without permission.

  What did Zhu come here for?

  Dou Zhaosi was deep in thought when she heard a low cry of surprise outside: "Nurse, how did you come? The road from Tianzhuang to Kyoto is bumpy and rugged. Why didn't you tell me, I would have called the horse carriage from the mansion to pick you up."

  The clear and pleasant voice of a young boy is that of his son Wei Ge.

  After falling ill, the child wanted to take care of her. She was heartbroken for the child and feared that she would pass on her illness to them, so she only allowed them to visit her as usual in the morning and evening. At this time, it should be her son who came to ask after her well-being.

  He was the eldest son of the Jin Ning Hou Mansion, raised as a successor from an early age. With Wei Tingyu's precedent before him, Duan Zhao was even more strict with him than ordinary children of noble families. As he grew older, his actions became increasingly steady and earned the praise of many elders. Duan Zhao had secretly been pleased about this.

  Like a child, so surprised and frightened, is this her calm and introverted eldest son?

  Dòu Zhāo did something she had always despised.

  She got out of bed and looked through the window at Zhu Shi and her son.

  Perhaps fearing to disturb her, Madam Zhu lowered her voice: "...I heard that the lady is ill, so I just wanted to come and take a look. You don't have to worry, I'll pay my respects to the lady and then leave." Then she asked him, "Have you been well these days? I heard from Second Master that you went hunting with several young masters from the Jingguo Duke's estate and caught a few golden pheasants?"

  Wei Ge was very ashamed and shouted in discontent: "Niangniang! Brother beat several rabbits!"

  Zhu's mother chuckled: "What's the big deal about shooting a few pheasants?" She gently dusted off the spotless collar of her son, and sighed emotionally: "Our young master has grown up, just like Master Hou, he can ride horses and hunt. This time it was pheasants, next time he'll definitely be able to bring back a deer, just like Master Hou."

  She slightly raised her chin, and her expression was filled with a proud sense of honor.

  Wei Ge'er was taken aback, then smiled with a mixture of shyness and joy, saying: "Nurse, are you getting used to life at the Tian Zhuang? Is Nurse Brother doing well? Do you want me to mention it to the steward at home and have Nurse Brother transferred to our shop in Kyoto? I've already started helping Mother manage the household affairs. In the past, Nurse Brother was even better at arithmetic than I was, so he would be more than qualified to be a store manager..."

  "Nonsense." Madam Zhu smiled and scolded Wei Ge, but her eyes couldn't hide the comfort she felt. "The affairs of the mansion have their own conventions and rules. Although he is your milk brother, he also serves you. Where your milk brother works depends on the lady's decision. You are the young master of Jin Ning Hou Mansion, not an ordinary child from a common family. When doing things, think carefully before acting, don't break the rules just because of personal preferences..."

  "Alright, alright!" Wei Ge responded impatiently, but affectionately took Zhu Shi's arm. "I finally met you after so much difficulty, can't you spare a few more words? By the way, last time my second brother came back from visiting you and told me that your hands were frozen, let me take a look... I went to the Imperial Hospital two days ago to get a bottle of frostbite ointment for you, it's said to be an effective prescription used by the Taizu Emperor. I was just about to send it over when I didn't expect you to enter the palace..."

  Dong Zhao could no longer bear it.

  She just froze her hands, and you hastily went to the hospital to get her some medicine; I was dying of illness, have you ever personally cooked a bowl of medicine for me?

  A sharp pain spread from his chest.

  Dong Zhao stumbled back into the inner chamber, unaware of how he had crawled onto the bed, only to come to his senses with his back drenched in sweat.

  She loudly called out for Cui Leng to come in: "Let Madam Zhu and Young Master enter."

  Cui Leng saw Dou Zhao's unpleasant expression and looked at her uneasily before going to pass on the message.

  Before long, Wei Brother and Zhu Shi walked in.

  They stood one after the other, each respectfully standing up straight, one with downcast eyes shouting "Mother", and the other kneeling down to pay respects, addressing her as "Madam".

  Dong Zhao's heart was chilled, and she didn't even bother to respond. She directly told her son about the upcoming engagement with the Guo family - anyway, whether it was her eldest or second son, they would tell Zhu Shi about this matter.

  Perhaps caught off guard, Wei Geer was somewhat bewildered, while Zhu Shi was greatly shocked, then revealed a joyful expression, and tears of joy welled up in her eyes.

  The son did not understand the profound meaning of this, but Zhu understood it.

  Dong Zhao was momentarily disheartened and said to his son, "Your wet nurse nursed you for a period of time, she has no merit but has suffered hardship. Pass on my message, let Zhu Shi return to your residence to serve you, and your milk brother will follow the manager of the rear palace to do chores."

  "Mother!" Wei Ge was both shocked and delighted, without thinking, "thud", he knelt at the head of Du Zhao's bed, heavily kowtowing to Du Zhao several times, "I thank Mother on behalf of Nurse and Brother!" His face was filled with excitement.

  Zhu's family was in a great hurry and rushed to pull Wei Ge'er: "Young Master, it can't be done, it can't be done!"

  Even a wet nurse knows what is proper behavior, how can it be that her carefully raised son does not know?

  But it's hard to control one's emotions!

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  Sisters and brothers, please recommend and collect!

  O(∩_∩)O~

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