Song Mo's face still had a few childish features, Dou Zhao could even see the fine down on his lips, the person in front of her was far from the one she remembered as tall and slender, with a majestic and elegant demeanor.
She had an image of him holding a spoon and drinking soup in her mind.
Take a sip first, then drink it all in one breath.
No longer like, no complaints either.
He is now just a young man.
A thirteen-year-old boy.
Am I being too harsh on him?
Then put down the knot in your heart and treat him like an ordinary boy? Don't let him be responsible for things he didn't do. That's also unfair to him!
Duan Zhao smiled calmly, putting down her psychological burden: "I forgive you!" But she wouldn't forget what kind of person he was because of this. "Then can you let Mr. Chen come back first? He's old and can't take too much turmoil, and I also need him to help me with things!"
"Do you need someone who has been a three-product border official to help with the arrangements?" Her smile was calm and gentle, with a hint of warmth that made Song Mo's heart feel warmer too. He liked this kind of atmosphere, so he smiled and said: "It seems like this matter is quite troublesome, why don't you tell me about it, I'm also very good at helping people come up with ideas!"
Then it's not needed anymore!
"I opened a pen and ink shop," Du Zhao said, half-jokingly. "Thanks to Mr. Chen's help, but after he left for Kyoto, everything here has been in disarray."
"Do you want to save up for your dowry?" Song Mo smiled and said, "How about I introduce a business deal to you? If it goes well, we can cooperate in the long term, and the payment terms are very good."
Dong Zhaoming's eyes widened.
Song Mo doesn't seem like someone who is enthusiastic about helping others, does he?
How did he suddenly think of introducing business to himself?
There shouldn't be such a relationship between them, right?
It's clear that Song Mo doesn't think so.
His smile grew even brighter: "Shuntian Prefecture School and the Imperial Academy, every year they print a lot of examination essays and ink, my family just so happens to have a guy who was registered in Shuntian Prefecture School doing odd jobs, when the time comes let your shop's manager go find him and that will be fine."
She wants to part ways with him, each going their separate way, never to meet again. Rather than continuing to be entangled with him.
Dong Zhao burst out laughing and refused him: "I think I'll pass, this is too much trouble. My shop only sells ready-made brushes and ink."
"Since you've done it, you have to do your best." Song Mo said in a tone of teaching, and didn't allow her to argue, directly walked to the desk, said: "I'll write a letter for you. When you arrive, just take my letter to find him." Then he told her the person's name and appearance.
Dong Zhao had to thank him and called Ganluo in to help him grind the ink, but was refused by Song Mo: "No need, I can do it myself. Elegant words and beautiful feelings are first published."
Then you come yourself.
She wasn't in the habit of going out of her way for strangers.
Dong Zhao sat on one side drinking tea.
The sound of grinding ink came from inside the house.
Neither light nor heavy, neither urgent nor slow, like a stone mill grinding and rolling, leisurely and effortlessly, without any feeling of stagnation.
How much strength is required for this!
Dòu Zhāo couldn't help but let out a soft "hmm" and looked over.
Song Mo stood effortlessly in front of the desk, his hand holding the inkstone was white and delicate. His fingers were slender, and his wrist rotated lightly in a circle. The clear water dripping into the inkstone gradually took on color.
Dòu Zhāo thought of his walking posture.
It's also casual, yet so natural.
Did he really learn some special martial arts as Duan Gongyi said? Or was it the etiquette cultivated since childhood?
Dòu Zhāo Yuè looked at him and felt more and more that his demeanor was elegant and pleasing to the eye.
My heart couldn't help but feel curious.
What exactly happened back then, why did he commit patricide and fratricide?
How did such a brilliant person end up as the executioner of the King of Liao?
The words "Not everyone is qualified to be a parent" echoed in her heart for a long time, gradually forming a thorn.
"Here!" Song Mo had already finished writing the letter at some point, and he waved the sealed envelope in front of her. He smiled and said, "What's there to worry about?"
"No need, don't worry about anything." Du Zhao hastily calmed down. He quickly took the envelope and examined it carefully.
He wrote in the style of the Imperial Academy.
Thick and heavy, with a sense of solidity.
Dong Zhao brought the envelope closer to take a look.
That's right, it's thick and heavy, giving a sense of solidity.
How can one's words and character be so far apart?
She looked at Song Mo, her heart was a mess, and she didn't know what to say.
Song Mo didn't notice her unusual behavior, and lay down on the recliner in the study, closing his eyes, placing his hands naturally on his abdomen, and started rocking back and forth with a creaking sound.
On a summer afternoon, the surroundings are quiet and still. The rustling of leaves in the wind and the creaking of the rocking chair create a soothing melody that makes one feel drowsy.
But suddenly in the room, Song Mo's voice rang out: "I came here just after burying my cousin."
Dong Zhaoyang suddenly came to his senses and was completely awake.
"My cousin's name is Han Zhu, she was the posthumous daughter of my second uncle." He still had his eyes closed, his voice was very soft, with a hint of warmth, "She is three years older than me, her temperament is gentle and kind, not only can she do needlework well, but also has good martial arts skills. All the sisters in our family admire her. She often smiled at me and said, Tian Cai, when you grow up, don't bully girls just because you're handsome."
Dong Zhao couldn't help but straighten his back.
A drop of water welled up in the corner of Song Mo's eye.
"My elder aunt's family has a nephew named Yin Zhong, who is highly skilled in martial arts and is a straightforward person. What's rare is that he's not reckless at all." His voice was choked with emotion, "They have mutual affection for each other. My grandmother and elder aunt both approve of their relationship. However, my cousin lost her mother at a young age and was raised by my elder aunt, who feared that she would be wronged, so she sent Yin Zhong away to Fujian, hoping that he could secure an official position, and when the time comes, my cousin could also have a grand wedding."
"Yin Zhen asked me to give a golden hairpin with a twin lotus flower to my cousin when he left."
Dou Zhao tightly grasped his own collar.
"My uncle was accused of a crime, and my mother was worried that my cousin would be left without support, so she wanted me to marry my cousin."
"My father was initially opposed, but seeing that the Jiang family seemed to be in a desperate situation, he couldn't resist my mother and reluctantly agreed."
"Six days ago, my third uncle and fifth uncle were taken to the Iron Ridge Guard. The Emperor's edict allowed my paternal grandmother to visit them. We only found out then. Yin Zhi had been killed by the Imperial Guards two months prior in order to protect my eldest uncle. That night, she used the golden hairpin that Yin Zhi gave her to take her own life..."
The cave was shaking with cold teeth, and all he felt was a coolness on his face. He touched it, and to his surprise, it was all water.
She hastily turned around and wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, secretly relieved that she didn't usually wear much makeup. Otherwise, she probably wouldn't have been able to show her face in public like this.
After finally collecting myself and cleaning up, I turned around only to fall into a pair of deep, water-like eyes.
When did Song Mo open his eyes?
He also has many thoughts that can't be expressed!
Dou Zhao sighed and sincerely said "acceptance of grief and change", and couldn't help but ask Mei Furen: "Is the ancestral home on the old family side still habitable? The Jiang family's merits are prominent, and they may have offended many people. Even if they can return safely, what to do after returning? It's likely that another plan will be needed."
The Chiang family has now been reduced to common people. If someone wants revenge, the whole family of women and children will be killed, one by one.
"I've been busy with this matter for several days." Song Mo said, seemingly not noticing Du Zhao's reddened eyes. He spoke casually, "When the moon is full, it will wane. When water is full, it will overflow. My paternal grandmother deeply understood this principle, so during her decades of managing the household, she bought a lot of sacrificial land and renovated the ancestral home several times. Whenever the government asked local gentry to contribute money or labor, the Jiang family never shirked their responsibilities. After the imperial edict was issued, my paternal grandmother breathed a sigh of relief. She said that not only did our household have enough for daily expenses, but if we tightened our belts, we could even send some silver to the Iron Ridge Garrison. I'm also worried about someone seeking revenge. I sent several trusted bodyguards over there, letting them work for the Jiang family from now on. With their skills, even if they encountered bandits, ordinary bandits would likely not have an easy time getting away."
What's the use of more calculations when you've encountered a bolt from the blue?
Dong Zhao couldn't help but sigh for the late Mrs. Mei, saying: "What's there to fear about bandits? What's scary is that the Brocade Guards are disguising themselves as bandits!"
Song Mo just smiled, but his eyes were even more dazzling than the sun outside.
It seems like it's already been arranged.
Dong Zhao secretly sighed in his heart.
After all, he can't be treated as a thirteen-year-old boy!
However, the atmosphere between them became harmonious, and after exchanging a few words, Du Zhao stood up to bid farewell: "It's getting late, I have to return to the mansion. You don't need to see me off when you leave."
Those "thin gifts" didn't dare to bring back, and were locked in the warehouse of Tianzhuang.
Song Mo didn't say anything else and escorted Dou Zhao to the main gate.
Dong Zhao got on the horse carriage and muttered in his heart: Is this really my home or yours?
Only after returning home did I remember that I had forgotten to tell Song Mo the day Mr. Chen would be back.
Su Lan, who had been regretting her decision and staying at home, hastily came forward.
"Fourth Miss," she said with a tearful expression, "You just left, and Master Ji arrived. He's been waiting for you at home all day. He kept asking me where you went. If you don't come back soon, I won't be able to hold on!"
Dong Zhao was stunned: "How did he come back to Zhen Ding? And what about Liu Bo Mu? Did she also return with him?"
"Sixth Mistress hasn't returned." Sulan said with puffed cheeks, "Young Master Ji said the weather is too hot and came to True Sincerity Temple to escape the heat. He asked about Second Mistress's well-being and then directly rushed over here, also asking if anyone lives in Crane Longevity Hall now? There's a pond on that side, it's cooler. He wants to borrow Crane Longevity Hall to stay for a few days."
Dòu Zhāo felt his temples starting to ache again.
She asked Su Lan: "Ji Gongzi asked me where I went, how did you answer him?"
"I see Ji Gongzi's attitude, no matter where you are, he wants to find you," Sulan muttered, her mouth could hang an oil bottle, "I had to tell him that you went to the state, and said that you instructed us to come back in the afternoon. This just calmed him down. Now he is at Mrs. Cui's place, lecturing on Buddhist scriptures for Mrs. Cui!"
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Book-reading brothers and sisters, asking for pink tickets!
PS: Why does it feel like the gap between them is getting bigger and bigger as they chase each other...
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