Chapter 43: Changing Strings (Pink Ticket 90 + Extra)

  Wang Xingyi's hand rested heavily on Wang Zhibang's shoulder.

  There is a little servant peeking out from behind the flower bed.

  Wang Xingyi's face sank slightly, with a hint of sternness: "What is it?"

  A young servant ran over, trembling with fear: "Sir, there's a man named Du who says he's the steward of the Dou family from Zhending. Their fifth elder is a fellow alumnus of yours and has sent him to deliver a letter to you on behalf of their elderly master."

  "Could it be Du Zhenzhi?" Wang Zhi asked in a puzzled tone.

  Zhen is Du Dang's courtesy name.

  "It should be him." Wang Xingyi sneered, "Didn't he say that Yingxue killed his daughters-in-law? A blood feud is not to be shared under the same sky, I don't know what business he has with us?" As she spoke, she ordered the young servant, "Bring over the letter."

  The little boy ran all the way and brought the letter over.

  Wang Xingyi took a look and handed it over to his son.

  Wang Zhihe took the letter with a suspicious heart, scanned it quickly and finished reading: "Duan Zhenzhi actually wants you to go with their family's manager to ask Zhao Rui Fu for his consent to make Ying Xue legitimate?" He was completely unclear about the situation and couldn't react for half a day.

  Wang Xingyi let out a chuckle and said to his son, "Now you know why I said that?"

  Wang Zhi Bing doesn't know.

  Wang Xingyi let out a helpless sigh and patiently instructed his son: "If the Duan family is sincere in not wanting to make Mingxue a legitimate wife, they don't need to say that the Pang family will cause trouble. Even if Mingxue refuses to leave, they can still forcibly take her away. The fact that things have dragged on until today is just because the Duan family has its own plans. When you came back and told me about it, I was still a bit uncertain, but now I can guess eight or nine out of ten. It's probably because Duan Yuangui sees his mentor's importance to me and is afraid that I will steal his thunder. He wants to use the matter of Mingxue becoming a legitimate wife to curry favor with me personally. As a result, both Duan Du and the people from the Zhao family disagreed. Not only did Duan Du disagree, but he also hoped to provoke me through you, so that Mingxue would die and give Duan Yuangui an opportunity to strike." Wang Xingyi said, coldly snorting several times before continuing, "But then Duan Zhen suddenly changed his mind and shifted the blame onto the Zhao family - it wasn't that he disagreed, but rather that Zhao Rui disagreed." He pondered, "If I'm not mistaken, the Eastern and Western Duans are probably at odds with each other. The reason why Duan Du suddenly changed his tune is probably because the Western Duan only has Duan Shiyin as its sole heir, and it lacks a strong foundation. Seeing that I have become the Governor of Gansu, they want to form an alliance with our family through marriage, borrowing my influence to join forces against Duan Jiyuan."

  Wang Zhibing looked at his father with a gaze full of admiration and said sincerely: "Then what should we do now?"

  Wang Xingyi seemed not to have heard him, muttering to himself: "Could it be that Yingxue really killed Zhao Shi?"

  Wang Zhi's expression changed suddenly.

  Wang Xingyi loudly said: "Dong Zhenzhi's letter says that he has twice sent people to discuss with Zhao Rui the matter of supporting Yingxue, but Zhao Rui avoided meeting them. I think I'll meet with that Zhao Rui. Whether Dong Zhenzhi wants to bypass Dong Yuangji and have me acknowledge his favor, or wants me to see how much effort he has put into supporting Yingxue, or wants to prove to me that the death of the Zhao family is indeed related to Yingxue, or wants to use my official authority to pressure Zhao Rui into agreement... incidentally, let's take a look at what kind of tricks Zhao Rui has up his sleeve?" It seemed like the previous sentence was just a momentary slip of the tongue.

  Wang Zhihe hesitated: "Father, the Duan family is saying that my sister killed Zhao Shi on one hand, and on the other hand, they want to make Mingxue a proper wife because of Father's relationship with Zeng Ge Lao...heartless and unrighteous...not someone who can be trusted...my sister may not have good days ahead..."

  He looked at his father with a gulp.

  "I know," Wang Xingyi said with a sneer, "I'd like to see what they're all trying to scheme against me." He paused for a moment. "As for Yingxue, help me persuade her again and tell her about these pros and cons. If she still insists on being with Dou Shiying... then she can only suffer the consequences herself..."

  Meaning is no longer helping her.

  Wang Zhi Bang stared at his father in shock.

  "It's fair and easy to understand, not biased or difficult." Wang Xingyi murmured, "Although I hope she can live a good life, I cannot replace her in living her life. Some things, she still needs to understand herself."

  Wang Zhi nodded heavily: "Dad, I know. After seeing Zhao Rui Fu, I will set off for Zhending immediately."

  When the Second Lady learned that Du Dang had secretly contacted Wang Xingyi and asked Wang Xingyi to persuade Zhao Si to agree to promote Wang Yingxue, it was already mid-autumn in September, with osmanthus fragrant and chrysanthemum yellow. Along with this news came the names of Du Shiying and Du Shiheng on the Double Ninth Festival honor roll.

  The Dou Mansion was overjoyed, and Dou Dong even prepared a basket of copper coins from the first year of the Chengping era and had two attendants stand at his own gate, handing them out to everyone they met. The entire population of Zhengding County surged towards the West Dou's gate.

  Ji personally combed Dou Zhao's hair into a bun, put on a pearl hairpin, changed into a bright red ten-piece brocade embroidered jacket, and asked her with a smile that couldn't be hidden: "Are you happy, Shougu?"

  Everything experienced again, even the most exciting things will be less surprising.

  But she still smiled brightly and replied "I'm glad".

  Ji's family member gave her a quick peck on the cheek, took her hand and said: "Let's go give your great aunt our congratulations and get you some red envelopes."

  Dong Zhao smiled and nodded, then went with Ji Shi to see the second lady of the house.

  As soon as they lifted the curtain and entered, they heard a "crash" sound of broken porcelain coming from the inner room, followed by the furious roar of the second lady: "What does he mean? Is he afraid that we will harm his niece to death? At thirty years old, why doesn't he say let us keep her alive until she is fifty?"

  Ji knew he had come at a bad time and hastily pulled Du Zhao to go to his aunt's place.

  Dong Zhao was very curious about who the second lady was talking about and what had made her so angry, but she wasn't in a hurry. Sixth Aunt should be able to figure it out soon, as long as she stayed by her side.

  Thinking of this, she felt a bit worried again.

  As she grows older, this effortless thing may not be enjoyed for many years.

  They had a cup of tea at great aunt's place and then returned home.

  Cai Lan, who was standing in the corridor, also followed him in.

  She glanced at Dou Zhao first, then curtsied to the Ji family and said in a low voice: "The Fifth Master has spoken. He said that Zhao's uncle promised to make Wang's concubine a proper wife..."

  "Ah!" Sixth Aunt was shocked.

  Dong Zhao let out a sigh of relief.

  It seems that Uncle is not a reckless person.

  This is a thankless job, whoever wants to do it can go ahead, no need to drag oneself into the water.

  In her previous life, her uncle had paid too much for her. In this life, she would rather suffer some grievances herself than let her uncle repeat the mistakes of his past life.

  Wang Yingshuai wants to be promoted. Then just promote her.

  In her past life, Wang Yingshuo could barely pretend to be happy when she entered the house, but in this life, she gave birth to a child five months after entering the house and was made the official wife. Those who held themselves with dignity would not associate with her. As for Du Ming's marriage, it might be even more difficult than in his past life.

  "However," Cai Lan looked at Dou Zhao again, "Zhao's uncle proposed two conditions. Firstly, the marriage of the fourth miss, the Wang family is not allowed to intervene. Secondly, half of the property of the Western House will be allocated to the fourth miss as a dowry, starting from the day the Wang family receives the consent letter; it will be managed by a dedicated steward for the fourth miss's dowry; if the fourth miss dies after the age of 30, the dowry will be disposed of by the fourth miss herself; if the fourth miss dies before the age of 30 and has children, the dowry will go to her children, otherwise, the fourth miss's dowry will be used as compensation and belong to the Zhao family."

  "What did you say?" Sixth Aunt inhaled a cold breath.

  Cai Lan looked at Dou Zhao again and repeated it.

  "How could this be?" Sixth Aunt complained with a headache, "Zhao Rui Fu is really daring to say that!"

  Dòu Zhāo had long been blinded by infatuation.

  Afraid that the Wang family will casually marry her off. She can understand; but to divide Xizong's property in half... Don't mention grandfather, even Dongzong's second wife might not agree.

  No wonder Mrs. Er said something about "fifty years"!

  But she soon came out of her daze and calmed down.

  Dongjia can make demands, why can't Shu Shu set conditions!

  Just like the Duan family's request to make Wang Yingxue a legitimate wife, Uncle proposed that half of Xi Duan's property be given to her as dowry. It's equally inconceivable, but the Duan family can do it. Why can't Uncle think of it?

  Exorbitant prices, but refusing to pay when seated!

  Having such an awareness of uncle can only protect himself and will not be exploited by the Duan and Wang families!

  The corners of her mouth involuntarily curved into a joyful arc.

  Let the Dugu family worry about this matter!

  Ji's slender fingers, like green onions, pointed to her forehead: "Silly girl, still smiling! Do you know what your uncle has done for you?" She sighed, "Your uncle gave up the opportunity to rise through the ranks and get rich, with a single-minded desire for you to grow up safely and marry a good husband. In the future, you must be filial to your uncle!"

  Dong Zhao nodded without stopping, sweetly saying: "When I grow up, I will also be filial to Sixth Aunt."

  She is speaking from her heart.

  In her previous life, if she hadn't heard the words of Liu Bomu before her marriage, she would have taken many detours. Unfortunately, in her eyes, Liu Bomu was a gentle and polite daughter-in-law of the Dugu family, but with an air of detachment and coldness deep down. She didn't want to humiliate herself by trying to get close to someone who kept their distance, so her relationship with Liu Bomu remained superficial, limited to exchanging smiles and nods when they met.

  In this life, although she was a naive and ignorant child, Sixth Aunt didn't care whether she remembered her kindness or not. Not only did she take good care of her, but also helped her plan how to survive in the Dou family surrounded by wolves... Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. This kindness, she would never forget.

  Sixth Aunt never thought of this, she smiled and said: "Ah, our Shou Gu's mouth is really sweet."

  Dong Zhao could see that Liu Ba was very pleased.

  At night, Liu Bo Mu and Wang Ai Ni whispered to each other: "...... I've always been worried that Zhao Rui Fu would have a hard time with the Wang and Duan families, but now it seems we underestimated him. Third Uncle secretly met with Wang Xing Yi behind Fifth Uncle's back, just to pass the buck to Zhao Rui Fu - not because I disagree with making Wang Ying Xue legitimate, but because the Zhao family is obstructing from the middle. Now Zhao Rui Fu has neatly kicked the ball back again - not because I disagree with making Wang Ying Xue legitimate, but because the Duan family can't bear to part with their silver. This time Third Uncle can be said to have lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot!"

  "It's not possible." Wang's wife smiled and said, "I heard that the old master was so angry that he fainted on the spot. If Du An hadn't quickly supported him, the old master would have probably fallen headfirst into the lotus pond. However, after our madam smashed the teacup, she became happy and even chatted with Lan Ge for a long time."

  "That's right," said Mr. Ji with a smile, "if our madam were more understanding, she should have come forward to persuade Third Uncle to agree to Zhao Rui's conditions. Anyway, those silver coins wouldn't be given to Shougu even if they didn't go to the East House, so it's better to do someone a favor and make Wang Yingshu angry at the same time. You want to promote her to the position of wife, don't you? Then take out half of the Xi family's property and give it to Zhao Guqiu's daughter. If that Wang Yingshu knew about this, I'm afraid she would be so furious that she wouldn't even be able to sleep tonight."

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  I think Zhao's uncle's idea is pretty good, what do you guys think... Don't forget to vote when reading books, I'm about to catch up with your votes.

  ※RQ