At night,

  Ji's family was sitting with Bi's family in the corridor to enjoy the cool breeze.

  "Is this the eldest daughter of Seventh Master?" Bi Shi smiled as she gazed at Dou Zhao, her eyes filled with a few more parts of curiosity that weren't there when looking at Dou Ming, "She really is pretty."

  "Mrs. Wu is being too polite." Duan Zhaoluoluo smiled generously and responded to Bi Shi, "Why haven't I seen Ah Qi?"

  Mrs. Wu smiled and said: "She went with Ming's sister and a few others to see Old Lady Tao."

  Dong Zhao smiled and said: "The old lady's place always has delicious food, no wonder we all miss it."

  "Right, right." Madame Wu and Dou Zhao exchanged a few words. Seeing that the formalities had been completed and there was no opportunity to speak with Ji's family, Dou Zhao stood up and bid farewell.

  Zai sent her off at the door.

  Ran into Wu Shan head-on.

  Dong Zhao smiled and greeted him: "Why is Wu Si alone?"

  Wu Shan laughed and said: "They are all discussing on the waterfront pavilion how to send off Peng Jixiu."

  "See you off?"

  Or it's as the saying goes "the person who understands you best is your opponent", Dou Zhao understood the affairs of the Pang family more clearly than his own.

  In his previous life, Pong Jiyu was also studying in the Du family's school, and after obtaining the title of Xiucai, he inherited the family business, selling off all the pawnshops and pharmacies, focusing on running a wine shop. Relying on the Wang family's power, branches were opened all the way to Kyoto, becoming a well-known figure in Kyoto's commercial circles.

  Why does he suddenly want to leave the Duan family in this life?

  Wu Shan gave a look to the servant beside him.

  Dō Shōwa and those around him all kept a safe distance away.

  Wu Shan said in a low voice, "Mr. Du said that Pang Jixiu is old, but his foundation is too shallow. In the past two years, Hui Ge'er, Zhi Ge'er, and Lao Si have all had to take action, and he can't devote himself to teaching Pang Jixiu separately. If this continues, it will delay Pang Jixiu's studies. He recommends that Pang Jixiu go to Jingyun Academy in the state to study. He also said that Pang Kunbai doesn't work hard at his studies and is always at the bottom of the class rankings. It would be best to invite a private tutor to teach him at home."

  Dong Zhao smiled and pursed his lips.

  In her past life, she thought the Pang family was flexible and not bound by trivial matters. But in this life, she felt that the Pang family's shamelessness had reached an unprecedented level, to the point where they were completely unscrupulous. It was better not to have any dealings with them at all.

  But this way, even if the Pang family wants to rely on the Duan family, they won't be able to!

  The Pan family's fuss over Wang Yingxue's promotion has left the Duan family at their wit's end.

  She smiled and asked Wu Shan: "Aren't you going down?"

  Wu Shan and Dou Dechang were born in the same year.

  Wu Shan rubbed his head: "But it's not as good as having eleven brothers with confidence."

  Thinking of his previous life as Wu Shan, Dou Zhao smiled and said: "You should also be able to pass the county exam."

  Wu Shan's face turned red, and he muttered: "You... you really think I can do it..." Looking into her eyes full of hope, as if she said he could pass the county exam, he would definitely be able to.

  Sweat dripping down his face.

  In her previous life, she had no impression of Wu Shan Zhen at all and didn't even know what year he became a jinshi, let alone the county exam or prefectural exam. If he hadn't passed this time, wouldn't Wu Shan be rejoicing for nothing?

  It has come to this, she had no choice but to force a smile and say: "Both Eleventh Brother and Twelfth Brother said you read well, I think you should be able to do it." Wishing him good luck in the county exam.

  Wu Shan rushed towards her with a big smile on his face, looking very happy.

  For some reason, Duan Zhao suddenly felt as if he had misspoken.

  She hastily changed the subject: "When did Pang Jixiu go to Jingyun Academy to study?"

  "After Mid-Autumn Festival, we'll go." Wu Shan said with a smile. "We're preparing to see him off at Jingfu Spring..."

  Two people stood in the middle of the courtyard, taking turns speaking. Bi Shi raised her head and saw her son coming and going through the half-open window lattice, staring at Du Zhao without blinking, not knowing what to say. Du Zhao smiled slightly, and his son followed suit with a silly grin, completely unlike his usual cleverness and sensitivity.

  Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced sideways at Keiichi with the corner of her eye.

  "Ji was instructing the little maid: '...take out the plum wine brewed in summer, send a jar to Old Lady and another to Shougu. Send the rest to the Tea and Wine Department, take them out for use during the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet..."

  Bi exhaled, chatted with Ji for a few words and bid farewell. After returning to the guest room, he called his son's personal attendant over: "Is Fourth Master familiar with Fourth Miss of the Western Manor?"

  The big servant girl hesitated for a moment, then said: "Fourth Miss grew up with Sixth Madam, and Fourth Master often went to Sixth Madam's house to play with Eleventh Master and Twelfth Master. Occasionally, he would run into Fourth Miss. He was actually more familiar with Fourth Miss than the other young ladies of the Duan family."

  Bi Shi saw the maid's cautious appearance and became even more suspicious.

  Everyone who served by her son's side was asked one by one, and the matter of Xianglu was also inquired.

  Bi Shi was so angry that she couldn't speak for a long time, and with the help of her personal maid, she went to her son's room.

  Before entering the courtyard, I heard my son's clear reading voice.

  Mr. Bi was shocked.

  Although his son is clever, he has never been a hardworking person.

  As I entered the courtyard, it was quiet and still, with no one in sight.

  Bi did not slow down his pace.

  The sound of the son reading stopped, and a small servant's voice rang out: "Fourth Master, you should rest for a while! It's not early anymore, at this time every day you usually go to sleep..."

  "In two years I'll be going down with the Eleventh," said Wu Xian with a smile, "If they all pass and I don't, Shou Gong will probably think me a fool."

  The young servant still wanted to persuade him.

  "He smiled and said: 'In any case, I must score better than the Dou family's people.'"

  Bi heard silently laughed and whispered to the close servant, "Let's go back!" Quickly stepped out of her son's yard, instructing the close servant, "Don't let Fourth Master know about today's matter."

  The wet nurse by her side repeatedly responded with a yes.

  Ji's family was a bit worried and asked Wang Niangniang: "What did Mrs. Wu say on that side?"

  Wang's wife told Ji's wife how she had called Bi Shi over to Wu Shan's side and asked him questions, and also instructed him not to let the matter spread.

  Ji's expression relaxed.

  Wang's wife smiled and said: "You think that Ou family's Fourth Young Master and our family's Fourth Miss..."

  Ji smiled and said, "Although the Wu family is not a wealthy or noble family, they have been known for their poetry and etiquette for generations. Mr. and Mrs. Wu are also people of high moral character. Shou's fate has been unfortunate, but if she can marry into their family, she will surely be protected by Mr. and Mrs. Wu. It's much more reassuring than marrying far away in the capital."

  Wang's wife knew that the Ji family referred to the Wei family of Jining. She smiled and said, "The Third Old Master has passed away, but the Wei family hasn't even sent three sacrifices, so this marriage is probably not going to happen."

  "It's better this way." Ji said with a smile, "When Shou Gu gets married, they will regret it."

  Wang's aunt suddenly remembered Du Zhao's thick dowry book and burst out laughing.

  The master and servant talked about their personal affairs for half a day.

  After Mid-Autumn Festival, Pang Jixiu suddenly came to visit Dou Zhao.

  Dong Shiying furrowed her brow and asked Wang Yingshuang: "What did he come here for?"

  Wang Yingshuo was also confused and hurriedly said: "I'll go take a look at what's going on!"

  Before long, he came back with a beautifully carved red lacquer box: "He said that to thank you for saving his life last time, he is going to the Jingyun Academy in the prefecture to study, and specially sent a gift to thank you."

  Dong Shiying opened the box. Inside was a gilded kaleidoscope. A Western toy, worth a thousand taels.

  Wang Yingshu looked at him with red eyes and forced a smile: "Do you want me to find Shougu to ask her?"

  Dòu Shìyīng thought for a moment and said: "I'll go ask."

  Went to the main house in person.

  Dong Zhao played with the kaleidoscope for a while, then quietly told his father about their trip to Tianzhuang to swim, and said: "...I also received a copy of 'Lengxiang Tang' painting from Zhi Geer, and a Shoushan stone seal from Wu Sige, but it's just something sent by Pang Jixiu, I want something more rare." He also reminded his father, "You must not mention this to anyone, they had a hard time sneaking away from the adults. If it gets out from my mouth, I'm afraid they'll avoid me like a tiger in the future."

  Dong Shiying smiled and promised: "I won't tell anyone else." She also said, "Wasn't Aunt Cui scared that day?"

  "Hmm." Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Boys are all healed from their wounds and forget the pain, I'm afraid they'll go swimming there again next year. Do you think we should come up with a plan to invite Aunt Cui to stay at our home for a few days?"

  Dong Shiying said, "It's right that we should bring Aunt Cui back to live for a few days. Also, next summer, mention it to the old lady." He said with a smile, "By next year, when it reaches the adults' ears, they shouldn't think it was you who said it, right?"

  Dòu Xiǎo laughed loudly.

  Wang Yingshu stood under the veranda of the main house, her mind in a turmoil like a boiling pot.

  Pang Jixiu would occasionally send over some strange and unusual small items, each one of which was very valuable.

  No news is good news. Either a thief or a scoundrel.

  As time went on, Duan Zhaixin began to feel suspicious and couldn't figure out why Pang Jixiu was being so mysterious. She became slightly wary of him and put the things he sent her in a separate box for storage. She instructed Su Xiang to keep the key safe: "Don't lose a single item."

  Silk fabrics dare not be careless, the key to the trunk is strung with a red string and hung around the neck, day and night inseparable.

  By November, we held a memorial service for our grandfather, and another month passed, except for mourning clothes, just in time for the New Year.

  East and west alleys are decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, firecrackers are sounding in unison, drums and music are deafening, the scene is extremely lively.

  Wu Shan gave a rabbit lantern to Dou Zhao, while Pang Ji sent a colorful glass horse lantern of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.

  The lantern spun around with a whooshing sound, shining brightly with dazzling multicolored lights.

  Dong Ming looked at it with great interest, and urged Shu Jie: "Don't you say that sister treats you the best? Borrow it from your sister to play for a few days."

  Dong Zhao refused Shu Jie'er for the first time, saying: "This was given by someone else, it's not good to give it to you again. If you like it, I'll have someone buy one for you."

  "It's okay, it's okay. I just wanted to borrow it for a few days." Shu Jie's face turned bright red as she returned to the East Mansion, scolding Duan Ming for letting her go ask for the lantern, "You knew that was given to Fourth Aunt by someone else, and you still let me go ask for it."

  Dong Zhao sneered and said, "In the past, weren't those things all given to her by others? Why didn't she say 'I don't want to give it away', obviously she didn't want to give it to you. You can't get the lamp, so why take your anger out on me!"

  Sister Shu was so angry that she burst into tears with a loud "Waaah".

  "Yi's sister scolded her: 'You're always thinking about the fourth aunt's things, taking them and not returning them. If it weren't for the fourth aunt being a senior, no one would tolerate you like this! You don't know how to reflect on your mistakes, and when others say a few words, you start wailing loudly. It's no wonder that Wu Aunt looks down on you!'"

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  Sisters who love reading, bear kids are coming, corrections for typos will be made tomorrow.

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