Dong Zhao looked at her, and Ji Ling nodded and smiled at Dong Zhao with a calm and collected demeanor, taking the opportunity to also take a good look at him.

  She had a tall and slender figure, wearing a half-new half-old dark green velvet jacket with yellow satin trim, and the horse face skirt was embroidered with cloud patterns. She stood there like a pine tree, her eyes shining brightly like cold stars, dazzling and captivating, like a plum blossom in full bloom, rather than those delicate peaches and plums.

  Few girls have such elegance.

  Ji Ling couldn't help but secretly admire him in her heart and felt a 20% increase in affection towards Duan Zhao.

  She curtsied and replied with a smile: "Unexpected guest, sorry for the disturbance!"

  What kind of courage allows a woman to disregard her reputation and life, and elope with a man who is one year younger than herself?

  Although she knew that Du Dechang had stopped her at the Hanlin Academy and had never regretted it for a moment, although she knew that Ji Ling had married Du Dechang and lived happily ever after, when she made such a decision, she must have been unable to see the road ahead.

  Dòu Zhāo had always been very curious about his twelfth sister-in-law from his past life, whom he had only met a few times but never got to know deeply.

  Never thought that in this life I would meet you at my own coming-of-age ceremony.

  She warmly welcomed Liu Bo Mu and Ji Ling Ze to her grandmother's place.

  Grandma pulled Ji Lingzhen's hand and kept praising: "This girl, she really looks good!" And asked her how old she was, how many brothers and sisters she had at home, what she usually did in her free time...

  Ji Shi then quietly said to Duan Zhao: "Your seniority is high, and you don't have any close sisters in daily life. I specially brought your younger sister here, let her be the one who presents the hairpin at your capping ceremony, how about that?"

  Sixth Aunt treated her like her own daughter!

  Dong Zhaonan naturally agreed repeatedly.

  Ji smiled and said: "Then I'll tell her tonight."

  "Thank you, Sixth Aunt." Dou Zhao thanked her.

  Ji patted her hand and said with a sigh, "I've been worried about how you're doing in Zhending. Now that I see you, I realize I was overthinking it. Sometimes, girls shouldn't be too strong-willed; when they should yield, they should yield." There was something she didn't say out loud.

  Although having parents and relatives, they grow up like wild vegetables in the field. It's heartbreaking to see them like that.

  "Your sixth aunt is right." Unbeknownst to her, Grandmother had already finished speaking with Ji Lingzhen and chimed in with a smile, "The Wei family came to give you the hairpin gift, and you just sent them off with a simple 'thank you'. How would Master Hou feel if he knew? You're usually so clever, but at this critical moment, why are you being muddled?"

  Since it has been decided to break off with the Wei family, it's better to let the relationship between the two families fade away as soon as possible.

  Dong Zhao smiled and appeased his grandmother: "I know!"

  Grandma couldn't help but look at her with disappointment. She shook her head and sighed: "You child!"

  Ji Ling then persuaded her grandmother on the side: "Sister is young, and her face is thin. You don't have to be so demanding, it will be fine in two years."

  Grandma praised Ji Li Zhen for being sensible.

  Ji Ling then smiled and listened intently as everyone's praise and admiration poured in.

  Dong Zhao couldn't help but think to himself,

  I don't know when Du Dechang from his previous life started liking Ji Lingyue?

  There were no signs before they eloped.

  Will they still like each other in this life?

  Dong Zhao was taken aback, and involuntarily asked: "Ji Biao sister, why didn't the twelfth brother and the others return with you?" After speaking, he suddenly realized that he had misspoken, and couldn't help but glance at Liu Bo Mu and Ji Ling's expressions.

  Neither of them showed any unusual expression. Especially Ji Ling, who smiled and said: "Your twelfth brother was originally going to come back, but your uncle heard that Ming had arrived in Kyoto and rented a house near the Shuntian Prefecture School to study hard, so he took your eleventh brother and twelfth brother over there, and let your eleventh brother and twelfth brother also study on that side."

  Dòu Zhāo hastily nodded.

  Ji Ling then smiled and said: "I've long heard from my aunt that there's a flower house on this side, not only are the tea flowers blooming well, but also the orchids and peonies have rare species. I wonder if we can go take a look?"

  Because the flower house belongs to Duan Zhao, Grandma likes it when others mention this flower house.

  She smiled with her eyes narrowed: "This is what we, Shougu, are raising for fun, and you shouldn't praise it like that. If you're interested, let Shougu accompany you." She then called out to Dou Zhao, "You go with Miss Ji and take a walk around, see which flowers Miss Ji likes, and move some over."

  The grandmother started sending flowers again.

  I hope all those who have received flowers will praise her a few words.

  Dong Zhao smiled with a pursed mouth and went to the flower house with Ji Ling.

  Although it's already spring, the weather is still cold, but the greenhouse is lush and green with flowers and trees, a few early-blooming peach blossoms and peonies add to the festive atmosphere, making people feel invigorated.

  "Dou Miao's flower is indeed well-cultivated." Ji Ling stood in front of a newly-grafted red peony, "The eighteen scholars that Aunt sent to Old Master must have been Dou Miao's handiwork?"

  "It's fun to raise them, I didn't think they could really survive." Yu Zhaoqian said with a smile.

  Ji Ling then smiled and said: "It can be seen that in this world there is indeed a saying that one thing can bring down another, like the proverb 'hot water poured on tofu'."

  Dòu Zhāo yī làng，bù liǎo jiě tā shuō de shì shén me yì si.

  Translation:

  Duo Zhao was stunned and didn't understand what she meant.

  Ji Ling had asked her how to grow flowers: "......Sister, this rhododendron is blooming so well. I also have one at home, but it's growing all over the place. If I prune it, it's easy to lose its buds. Do you have any secrets? Let me learn from you and show off in front of my family!"

  Dong Zhaohao listened to her humorous words and threw away the confusion from just now - anyway, it can't be understood, thinking too much is useless. When the time comes, I will know.

  "There's no secret to it." She smiled and walked with Ji Ling to the azalea, "It's just that every year after the flowers have bloomed, in May or June, we prune them."

  Ji Ling nodded in agreement without stopping.

  Two people were talking when a little maid excitedly ran in: "Fourth Miss, Fourth Miss, Auntie is here with Third Cousin!"

  Dou Zhaoyi listened with a hint of astonishment and asked in a tone that was somewhat disbelieving: "What did you say?"

  The little maid said fluently: "It's the aunt from the northwest bringing the third sister back to celebrate Miss' hairpinning ceremony! She's currently chatting with Mrs. Cui!"

  "Ah!" Du Zhao Xin's heart was racing with excitement, she had almost lost her composure, and hastily took two steps forward before suddenly remembering that she was still accompanying Ji Ling Zhen, and quickly turned back around.

  Fortunately, Ji Ling was also a clever and considerate person, and he hurriedly said: "Since the noble guest has come from afar, let's go and welcome him quickly." He pulled Du Zhao's arm and walked outside.

  Dong Zhao didn't bother with pleasantries and hastily left the flower house for her grandmother's place.

  "Shòu gū." Her aunt saw her come in and tearfully hugged her, "Are you okay?"

  "Good!" Yu Zhao said in a word. Tears fell down.

  She hasn't seen her aunt for ten years.

  Two people hugged each other and cried bitterly.

  The people beside them were also secretly wiping away tears, but Zhao Zhan ran up and pulled his mother and Dou Zhao: "It's clearly a happy thing, why are you crying here!" He said so with his mouth, but the tears didn't fall any less than Dou Zhao's.

  Dong Zhao burst out laughing, tears all over his face, and shouted at Zhao Zan: "Third sister!"

  The little girl from before has grown into a big girl, with a slender figure and a clear face. If they met on the road, Du Zhao would definitely not recognize her. On the other hand, Aunt hasn't changed much, but instead looks even younger than before due to her radiant complexion.

  Zhao Zhan pretended to show a disdainful expression and threw a handkerchief at Dou Zhao: "Don't you hurry up and wipe away your tears! Fortunately, you didn't put on any makeup, otherwise wouldn't it all be ruined!"

  That mischievous look, cheerful tone of voice, just like when I was a kid.

  Time seems to have gone back to the past.

  She pulled herself to watch ants moving house.

  Dong Zhao couldn't help but pull Zhao Yun's hand.

  Zhao Zan smiled slyly.

  The grandmother smiled and invited them to sit down and talk.

  The maids changed the tea and refreshments.

  Dou Zhao had a thousand words to say, but didn't know where to start, and simply held Zhao Zhu's hand tightly.

  Ji looked at her and smiled: "Shou Gu, I have some good news for you. Your uncle has been promoted to be the Magistrate of Qingyang!"

  "Really!" Du Zhao looked at her aunt with surprise and delight.

  Aunt nodded slightly and said humbly: "Your uncle is diligent in his official duties. This time he was promoted to Qingyang."

  Dong Zhaonan couldn't help but feel secretly pleased in his heart.

  In his previous life, Uncle didn't become the Magistrate of Qingyang until he was over fifty years old. After that, there were no further advancements.

  This world has advanced by ten years.

  And just after Wang Xiangyi was transferred to Yunnan Governor.

  With Wang Xingyi's suppression gone, Uncle was finally able to get ahead.

  This world has finally changed.

  "Aunt," Duan Zhaomei said with a smile, "we should celebrate Uncle's promotion properly."

  "What's there to celebrate?" Auntie said with a smile, "Not afraid of being laughed at."

  "I just want to wish Uncle a smoother journey." Dou Zhao smiled and said. "Let's just have a good meal at home." Then he ordered the maid to tidy up the table, and go get two jars of good Jinhua wine.

  But it's just a promotion to Zheng Si Pin after all.

  Ji Ling felt that Duan Zhao was being a bit frivolous.

  Zhao Zhuo rushed out: "I'll go help!"

  "Good grief!" Aunt scolded.

  Grandma hastily intervened: "It's rare for Shougu to make such a fuss. It's all for her uncle's happiness, so just go along with them."

  The Ji family all smiled tolerantly.

  Zhao Zhuo pulled Ji Lingzi, who had just met, and said, "Ji's older sister is also going together." She whispered to Ji Lingzi in a low voice, "There are many good things at Shou Gu's place. Today, we must eat, drink and take some!" Ji Lingzi, who was usually dignified, couldn't help but smile, and laughed as she left Cui Niangniang's courtyard with Zhao Zhuo and Dou Zhao.

  On the way, Su Xin met him and said with some worry: "You instructed to only accept gifts from relatives of the six households, but those farm owners and store managers are really sincere..."

  Dong Zhao is not that kind of person who doesn't know how to adapt, and rejecting the gift in such a blunt manner would inevitably ruin the atmosphere.

  She thought for a moment and said: "Just accept the gifts, see how much they are worth, and then give each person a red envelope with an amount similar to the gift."

  That's good.

  Not only did it save face for others, but also showed off the elegance of the Dugu family.

  With a happy heart, he readily agreed and went along with it.

  Zhao Zhanru and Ji Lingze whispered in each other's ears: "See? I told you so!"

  "Indeed." Ji Ling nodded with a smile, but lowered his head thoughtfully and followed them to Duan Zhao's main house with an uneven gait.

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  Someone in the comments asked me why I didn't update this month.

  I knew before writing that I would be attending a training session in March or April, but the specific time had not been fixed. I was worried that when I started writing, it would coincide with the training session, so I rushed to publish a new article in January before my thoughts were organized. Many friends who follow my articles know that I revised the beginning several times. Yesterday, I received the notification for the training session, and at that moment, I truly felt relieved. If it had been scheduled for March, it would have been terrible! Suddenly, I felt a sense of "the heavens are not destroying me". Haha~

  The training period is ten days, and the time is not up to oneself. The only thing that can be guaranteed is constant updates. This is also why I didn't dare say anything about increasing updates before.

  Sorry for the inconvenience, thank you for your understanding.

  Thank you everyone!

  P.S. I'm the only one writing with a laptop in class, I guess the instructor thinks I'm very impressive and keeps staring at me with his eyes, don't know if he'll give me a hard time...~~~~~

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