At night, Dou E and her aunt Zhao Caiyun slept together, each allowed only one cup of wine.

  They talked about their parting feelings.

  Although letters often went back and forth, being able to squeeze onto one bed and gaze at the face that had been thought of day and night was a joy that letters couldn't satisfy.

  Before long, the sound of the third watch drumming reached his ears.

  Zhao Zhanru had already fallen asleep with his head tilted to one side.

  Dong Zhaoren asked with great enthusiasm, without a hint of sleepiness: "......So, the new governor and my uncle are from the same year?"

  "So you don't have to worry about us anymore." Her words were all about her uncle, and Aunt naturally knew what she meant. "Not only that, when Mr. Li participated in the spring examination, he also lived with your uncle in a guest house, and the two of them had similar personalities. Afterwards, they often exchanged letters. This time, Mr. Li took office, and the first person he summoned was your uncle. In handling official affairs, he also consulted with your uncle many times. Your uncle's smooth promotion to the position of prefect of Qingyang Prefecture has a lot to do with Mr. Li's recommendation."

  Wang Yixing was delayed in Shaanxi for a few years, and the entire imperial court's situation had changed. Not to mention Shaanxi, his uncle's official career also underwent an earth-shaking change.

  Dong Zhao's joy was beyond words, she smiled and said: "As for Mrs. Li's side, Auntie still needs to move around frequently."

  Aunt smiled and said: "Our Shou girl has really grown up into a big girl, she even knows this."

  Dong Zhao smiled and asked about his three sisters-in-law.

  "They're all good." Auntie said vaguely, then asked about Du Zhao's hairpinning ceremony, "Who will pin your hair? Who are the matchmaker and the witness?"

  "Second Aunt was going to help me with the hairpin. The matchmaker and the witness were originally supposed to be Shu Jie, and then we would find another one from among our relatives." Duan Zhao smiled and said, "At the time, I didn't think that you and Sixth Aunt would both return, and Sixth Aunt was worried that I wouldn't have a matchmaker or witness here, so she brought Ji Tai's sister over. Now that you're here, why don't you help me with the hairpin instead?"

  Compared to Second Mistress, Du Zhao would rather have his aunt as the host. Moreover, his aunt has come from afar. The Du family, out of respect for Du Zhao's maternal relatives, should proactively offer to let his aunt wear a hairpin if Du Zhao just drops a hint.

  It was actually the second lady who personally helped Du Zhao pin her hair!

  My aunt was quite surprised, but more relieved.

  Having the respected Second Lady of Dingguo help with the hairpin would elevate Diao Chan's social status, and it would only bring benefits to her without any drawbacks.

  She was also afraid that Zhaoyi's dowry and wedding gifts were not suitable for the host or the guests, but now everything has been arranged properly. She also put her mind at ease and didn't mention Zhaoyi's affairs again.

  "Let Second Aunt help you with the hairpin instead!" Aunt smiled and said, "It's rare for her to have this kind of heart. As for your Sixth Aunt, you should be filial to her, she treats people like they're her own biological daughters."

  Dòu Zhāo nodded repeatedly.

  Her aunt had nothing to worry about, and smiled as she urged Du Zhao: "We're going to stay in Zhending for two months, there's plenty of time to ask questions. Now you should get some sleep, tomorrow is the hairpinning ceremony! Such an important day, if your spirits are not up to par it would be a shame." Then she helped her tuck in her quilt.

  Dòu Zhāo smiled like a child. He couldn't sleep, but thinking of his aunt rushing back from so far away, he must be very tired too, and didn't say anything more.

  Soon she heard her aunt's steady breathing.

  In the quiet night, this house which is usually a bit cold suddenly had a warm atmosphere.

  Dou Zhao curled up his mouth and closed his eyes, soon fell asleep soundly. The next day, he was woken up again by Su Xin's push.

  She sat up hastily.

  A gentle voice with a hint of amusement came from beside her, "Don't rush. It's still early! I told you to sleep in a bit longer, but Su Xin said that if you wake up at the crack of dawn, she'll call for you. I won't stop her."

  "Is this right?" Du Zhao let out a breath, only to find that Zhao Zhu was still sleeping like a little pig, and all the commotion hadn't woken her up.

  "It's already past three quarters of an hour." Suzi hastily said, "In another half an hour, the second mistress and the others will be arriving."

  Dong Zhao calculated in his heart and thought it was still possible, so he relaxed even more.

  She was helped by a nanny she had invited to dress her up, while her aunt went to wake up Zhao Zhu.

  Zhao Zhuang suddenly shouted loudly, kicked off his shoes to find that he wasn't wearing socks, put on socks but couldn't find the towel. He anxiously cried out: "Shou Gu, lend me one of your towels to use!" The servants in the house were so amused that they covered their mouths and laughed.

  Her aunt laughed and scolded, "Look at you, two years older than Shou Gu, but not as steady as Shou Gu. How can I be at ease to marry you off like this?"

  Zhao Zan's face turned red.

  Dong Zhao listened to the words with a hint of meaning, and took advantage of his aunt's absence to ask San Biao Jie in a low voice: "Am I going to have another wedding wine to drink?"

  Zhao Zhuang pushed Du Zhao a little and said in a low voice: "Father wants me to stay at home..."

  Memories of her past life gradually became clear in Suo Zha's mind.

  Her uncle never took a concubine and had only three daughters. Her eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law were both married to families of scholars in the place where her uncle was an official, and her eldest brother-in-law even passed the imperial examination. The third sister-in-law brought her husband into their family. However, except for the eldest sister-in-law, she had never met the other two sisters-in-law, let alone having any relationship with them. As for who the third sister-in-law was married to, she wasn't clear about that either.

  She looked at Zhao Zanru, who was pouting, and smiled: "What? You don't want to stay home?"

  "What's the use of whether I'm willing or not!" Zhao Zhuo muttered, "Can't just let Father and Mother grow old with nothing to rely on, can we?"

  A man with great ambition would rather be a son-in-law than a poor husband.

  Dong Zhaoneng could understand Zhao Zhuo's feelings, but as she said, they couldn't let their uncle and aunt be helpless in their old age.

  The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat depressing.

  "Never mind, let's not talk about me," Zhao Zhu said with a busy smile. "Today is your lucky day."

  However, there is no bad news from Uncle's family, and it seems that life is still going well... Moreover, the future is long, and Zhao Zhuangyu has not yet settled down.

  Dong Zhaolai smiled and pulled Zhao Zhuoru's arm into the hall.

  Before long, the ladies of the Eastern Mansion and some other madams who had come to watch the ceremony all arrived.

  The second mistress was dressed in a three-madam's ceremonial attire, lightly powdered, and wore an emerald green headdress, looking very spirited.

  She came in and pulled her aunt's hand, smiling: "Today I'm here to help Shou girl with her hairpin, let your family's daughter give Dou Zhao a tray, and Miss Ji do the toast." Then, without waiting for her aunt to decline, she said, "I'll take charge of this matter. None of you should say anything. You came from afar to celebrate Shou girl's hairpinning, this kindness is not only remembered by Shou girl, but also by me."

  Everything is changing.

  In the past, Second Mistress Yu had to suppress her aunt for the sake of the Duan family, but now in order to suppress Wang Yinxue, she has to elevate her aunt.

  Dong Zhao understood in his heart and was delighted to see such a scene, pulling at his aunt's sleeve and begging her to agree.

  The face of Pong Jin Lou's wife turned very ugly as she was treated like an ordinary guest and no seat was arranged for her.

  The aunt thought of Duo Zhao being alone in the Duo family since she was young and couldn't bear to see her sad, so she quickly agreed.

  The hall is filled with peace and harmony.

  At the auspicious hour, Zhao Zhan placed the crimson gold hairpin inlaid with rubies that Du Shiying had specially sent for Du Zhao and Ji Li to wear, and Ji Ling helped the two madams insert the hairpin into Du Zhao's hair.

  Jinfeng stepped out, full of life and vitality. The ruby sparkled brightly, reflecting off the crimson silk with golden embroidery and sapphire-blue edges of Du Zhaoyang's robe, making her look even more majestic and elegant. Her radiant beauty dazzled everyone, and her demeanor was quite different from her usual heroic and refreshing appearance, causing Ji Lingzhen to glance at her sideways.

  She gazed at Du Zhao who was pouring wine for the elders with a generous and enthusiastic attitude, wanting to speak but stopping herself several times.

  Zhao Zhanru whispered to her: "Shougu looks really beautiful today, don't you think?"

  Ji Ling nodded and hesitated: "Has she really become engaged to the Marquis of Jining?"

  "Of course." Zhao Zhuo smiled, "My mother came this time to congratulate Shou Gu and also to take a look at Shou Gu's dowry preparations. Didn't the Ji Ning Hou Fu send someone to say that they want Shou Gu to get married within 100 days? My mother feels that the Ji Ning Fu is looking down on people, so Shou Gu's dowry can't be delayed..."

  Ji Ling responded with a murmur, somewhat distracted as she listened.

  ※※※※※

  Two days later, all the guests who came to congratulate had dispersed, and Aunt Zhao brought Zhao Zhu back to her mother's house. Ji Shi rarely returned this time, and in front of the second lady, she was filial, so Dou Zhao finally had time to check those gift lists.

  "Huh? Mr. Yan, Xu Qing and Lu Ming all sent gifts over!"

  "Yes." Li Dan had already checked it out before, who sent what, and roughly counted in her heart. "Not only did the three of them send gifts over, but also Tanjia Village sent a longevity Buddha as a gift."

  "Ah!" Dou Zhao was very surprised and laughed, "I'm not celebrating my birthday." But it also made her a bit curious, she instructed Su Xin, "Let's go take a look."

  Su Xin and Dou Zhao went to the warehouse where the congratulatory gifts were stored.

  There are too many gifts, and I'm still on the first book.

  Su Xin and Gan Lu brought a few little maids and searched for half a day before finding it.

  That Buddha statue is only three feet tall, but it's made of sheep fat jade, exquisitely carved, with no flaws throughout, and its value is evident at a glance.

  Dong Zhao laughed and said: "Now we have to send heavy gifts to the Tang family village."

  "It's rare to have such dignity." Su Xin smiled and said, "The Tan family village is in Lingbi County, which is also one of the few large households that can be counted on one's fingers."

  Dong Zhao nodded, but was puzzled as to why he hadn't seen Ji Yong's gift.

  With his personality, he shouldn't miss out on this lively scene.

  She went back and reviewed the list again.

  Indeed there is no congratulatory gift from Ji Yong.

  There is no Song Mo either.

  But saw a piece of Wu Shan's "Xian Shan Lou Ge Tu" by Zhao Boju.

  In the package, Dechang sent her a Ru kiln pen washer with lotus pattern.

  Dong Zhao couldn't help but let out a sigh.

  Remind Su Xin to keep "Xian Shan Lou Ge Tu" carefully at the bottom of the trunk.

  In just a few days, Liu Bo Mu brought Ji Ling Zhen to bid farewell: "... September is going to be the engagement, and there are still many things waiting for me at home." And tried to persuade Dou Zhao to go to Kyoto with her through her grandmother, "... she will marry into Kyoto in the future, it's better to get familiar with the situation earlier." Also said to Dou Zhao, "When the time comes, you can live with me in Mao Er Hutong. If someone asks, just say I invited you over to help. At most, go to Liu Ye Hutong to greet them. Can't force you to stay, right?"

  It's just a greeting, she doesn't want to fight with Wang's family either!

  Dòu Zhāo smiled and shook his head.

  She will go to Kyoto, but not now.

  ※

  Sisters and brothers, insects can only be caught at night.

  ~~~~(_

  ※