What's so funny?

  Dòu Zhāo certainly wants to laugh and accept it. Elegant words and emotions first published.

  She didn't smile and accept it. If Song Mo misunderstood that she didn't know how to show gratitude, and remembered her in his heart, she felt that even sleeping would be uneasy.

  "It's better to obey than to show respect." She smiled brightly and stood up, bowing slightly towards Song Mo, "Please also thank your mother for me!"

  "Miss Du doesn't need to be polite." Song Mo smiled, his pale face looking even more radiant and refined in the dimly lit hall.

  No wonder so many people like watching him!

  Dong Zhao muttered to himself in his heart, smiling as he watched Song Mo's attendants carrying things in and out.

  How much "thin gift" did he bring?

  Looking at the pile of gift boxes as high as a small mountain, Du Zhao felt a headache coming on.

  But she made up her mind not to say another word to Song Mo - it's better not to talk, the more you talk, the more mistakes you make, who knows which sentence will touch his reverse scales. She felt that she had no need at all and didn't have to rack her brains to guess Song Mo's reaction. Anyway, they were in Kyoto and he was in Zhending, once this matter subsided, there would be no relationship between them anymore.

  Dòu Zhāo sat there calmly and unhurriedly drinking tea.

  Although Song Mo thought that using the corner of his eyes to glance at someone was a weak and rude behavior, he still couldn't help but use the corner of his eyes to take a peek at Dou Zhao.

  Someone who can remain so calm in front of him is... truly a rare sight!

  He thought of that rainy day.

  Her dazzling eyes, a confident smile with a sense of accomplishment...

  How did she manage it?

  Having learned from a famous teacher since childhood, I can remain calm and composed compared to ordinary people.

  She was only one or two years older than herself, raised in the inner chambers, and had never left True Definition County... And as for her eldest uncle's affair, how did she think of defiling herself? Not to mention her maternal grandmother and mother, even her father and the family's strategists didn't dare confirm which plan would work...

  Song Mo suddenly felt full of curiosity towards the girl in front of him.

  Who is she reading with?

  Was Chen Qu Shui really just her accountant?

  Also, her father and stepmother were in Kyoto, but her half-sister lived with her in Zhen Ding. Was her stepmother really as she claimed to the outside world? Because of physical discomfort, she was unable to preside over the Zhong Yi, so she entrusted her and her sister to Er Tai Furen of Dong Su for care?

  There seems to be many mysteries surrounding her!

  He was eager to know everything about her.

  Song Mo said: "When I came, my maternal grandmother, that is, Mrs. Mei, also asked me to thank you on her behalf, thank you for saving the women of the Jiang family."

  Dòu Zhāo was astonished.

  She guessed that Song Mo would tell his mother about this after he went back, but she didn't expect Jiang to tell Madam Mei about it.

  Song Mo looked at him. For some reason, he felt very happy in his heart, as if he had answered the teacher's question correctly when he was a child and got his mother's praise.

  He smiled and said, "Your mother was delighted to see your plan succeed. She told my grandmother that she had discovered a female Zhuge Liang. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right, or else she would have definitely toasted you with a cup of wine, which would have been a wonderful story." As he spoke, his smile gradually faded, "When I came, my grandmother asked me to pass on a message to you, saying that she should thank you properly, but she's an unlucky person. She was afraid of dragging you down, so she didn't want to trouble you." His expression turned somewhat bitter, "You may not know what you've done... When my grandmother heard about your brother-in-law's passing, she had poison prepared - if the women in our household were exiled, they would either become official concubines or military concubines. They wouldn't be able to survive, and those people would shout out whose family's daughter she was to attract customers. The lower a person's status, the more they like..." He trailed off, unable to continue speaking.

  They probably never thought they would be exterminated?

  After Emperor Liao ascended to the throne, several once-prominent noble families were exterminated.

  This kind of thing happened during the Taizong Emperor's time.

  Almost everyone in Kyoto ran out to see the excitement.

  She had heard those maids say so.

  There were too many people, and the executioner's hands were numb from chopping heads, his knife was worn out, and he didn't have the strength to chop anymore. Sometimes it took several chops to kill a person, and the blood and flesh of the chopped person were beyond description. The people waiting for their turn to be executed watched with their own eyes as their young daughters, even pregnant wives, died tragically. Most people would collapse. Some would keep kowtowing to the executioner, even shouting to expose their father's or brother's crimes, just hoping to get a quick death. All the negative emotions of human beings were revealed, not to mention dignity, but even the most basic moral bottom line was gone.

  If she were Mrs. Mei, she would also lead all the women in her family to commit suicide.

  "Don't say that!" A mouthful of stale air choked in Duan Zhao's chest, she glared at Song Mo, "What are you telling me this for? I don't want to hear it!"

  Yes!

  What's the point of saying these things to her?

  She is still an unmarried lady!

  Song Mo was somewhat shocked.

  Or perhaps it's because I have a grievance of my own.

  While busy helping her grandmother, aunt and cousin sisters pack their luggage, she didn't feel it yet. When she finally had some free time, she couldn't hold back anymore.

  He gazed at Du Zhao's disgusted expression and suddenly felt that her staring at him was extremely beautiful.

  Big eyes shining brightly and spiritedly, long eyebrows slightly furrowed, looking very impatient.

  Yes, it is impatient.

  It's not fear, it's not terror, nor is it suspicion. It's just as she said, being impatient to listen to these things because of dislike.

  Calm, sincere and fearless... So under such adverse circumstances, she can still calmly and rationally plan, and force him to surrender without any strategy left.

  Had he long since decided in his heart that she was someone who wouldn't be intimidated by him?

  Song Mo's gaze at Dou Zhao became unusual.

  Dong Zhao's heart suddenly "thudded" wildly.

  Why was Song Mo looking at her like that?

  Did he discover something?

  Or is it something related to her?

  No matter what, she really didn't want to have anything more to do with him.

  "Have you had lunch?"

  Song Mo was slightly stunned.

  This topic is translated in a stiff and abrupt manner.

  He couldn't help but lift his head and gaze at the sun outside.

  It seems like there's still more than half an hour until noon.

  He thought it was Dou Zhao who spoke to him, and didn't think the question was very silly, so he replied tactfully: "The food in the village is all delicious!"

  She didn't care if it tasted good or bad, she just didn't want to stay here and listen to him continue talking about the Jiang family.

  The more you know, the harder it is to extricate yourself.

  Dong Zhao smiled and stood up: "Lord Mei is a noble guest, it's rare to come once, although Tianzhuang can't compare with Kyoto in terms of material wealth, fortunately the ingredients here are fresh. I'll go tell the kitchen to make some seasonal small dishes for Lord Mei to try." It was just right to ask them when they would exchange the hostages back, "If Mr. Chen were here, that would be great." She sighed and said, "Or accompany the lord to chat or play chess, so as not to let the lord be alone here with no one to talk to."

  Song Mo didn't know if he hadn't understood her words or if he had never intended to return Chen Qu Shui. Upon hearing this, his eyes sparkled and he smiled: "No matter. The scenery of this estate is beautiful, a feast for the eyes. There are many places to admire."

  It is indeed worthy of being a powerful minister for twenty years without decline.

  Looking out from the main hall, there are two tall ginkgo trees planted on either side of the courtyard, with nothing else in sight.

  Is this also called beautiful scenery?

  This is what they call speaking nonsense with one's eyes open!

  Dou Zhao's face remained still as a mountain, but his belly was secretly churning with anger. He smiled and said a few polite words, then turned around and went to the kitchen.

  She lingered in the kitchen until almost lunchtime before returning to the hall.

  A corner of the hall was piled up with Song Mo's "thin gifts", and Song Mo was standing in front of the piano case by the window of the study, teasing a goldfish raised on the piano case.

  "You're back!" He clapped his hands and sat down in the armchair in front of the piano, looking as if he were in his own home.

  How arrogant!

  Dong Zhao muttered to himself in his heart, and smiled as he beckoned him: "It's time to eat."

  Song Mo uttered an "oh".

  Ambrosia poured water for him to wash his hands.

  Silk fabric chopsticks.

  He glanced at Ganluo and Suzi, then asked Dou Zhao: "What was the name of that maid who took the child from Yu Jian's arms last time?"

  "Call Su Lan," said Dou Zhao, wanting to ask if all the needles had been pulled out of Yu Jian's body.

  Song Mo nodded and sat down at the table. Seeing that there was only one set of bowls and chopsticks, he asked in surprise: "Aren't you having lunch?"

  Isn't that asking for trouble?

  Dong Zhao smiled and said: "I can eat in the kitchen!" The implication was that it would be inconvenient for the two of them to dine together.

  Song Mo smiled and said, "No need to go through so much trouble?"

  Dòu Zhāo insisted.

  Song Mo said nothing more and saw a greenish-blue soup that looked lovely, so he scooped up a spoonful.

  Just one mouthful of the soup and he had a strange taste, he couldn't help but furrow his brow: "What is this?"

  "It's Huang Qiutu Tang." Duan Zhao smiled and said, "The wild vegetables on Tian Zhuang Mountain can clear heat and detoxify. It can cure evil sores and carbuncles. The weather is hot, and you've been rushing from Kyoto, eat some of this. It's good for your body."

  Song Mo nodded and drank the soup mouthful by mouthful, obediently like a child.

  Dong Zhao was shocked and embarrassed.

  She originally wanted to tidy up Song Mo...

  Dou Zhaoluo fled in a hurry and escaped. He had lunch in the small ear room next to the kitchen, drank tea, calmed down, and then went to the hall.

  Song Mo had a cup of tea by his side and was staring blankly at the silver ginkgo tree outside the window.

  Hearing the noise, he raised his head and smiled: "Why are there two ginkgo trees planted in the courtyard?"

  Dou Zhao's gaze followed suit and looked over.

  "I don't know either," she said with a smile. "It seems like these two silver apricot trees have been here since my first visit to Tianzhuang. I also don't know who planted them."

  "Our family also has many things that can't be explained." Song Mo said with a relaxed tone, as if he wanted to chat with Dou Zhao for a long time. "In our family's garden, there is a small hill called Cuiyun Ridge, and not far from Cuiyun Ridge, there is an artificial hill made of Taihu stones, with all kinds of wisteria climbing on it, called Chuiqing Pavilion. Between Cuiyun Ridge and Chuiqing Pavilion, a city wall was actually built, called 'Yu Guan'. It looks strange and inexplicable, and I don't know which ancestor of our family did this on a whim."

  "Is that so?" replied Tō Shō.

  Song Mo gazed at her intently.

  A pair of quiet eyes with no ripples, like a thousand-year-old ancient well.

  Dong Zhao felt a chill in his heart and forced a smile: "What's wrong?"

  Song Mo was silent for a moment before saying, "Are you very afraid of me?"

  Dong Zhaohad an impulse to say "I'm not afraid", but she immediately realized that this was a good opportunity to draw a line with Song Mo. After a moment's thought, she said calmly: "Yes! I'm a little afraid of you."

  "Is it because I'm going to kill you?"

  No.

  It's because you killed your father and your brother with your own hands.

  But now, none of this has happened yet, and she can't use it as evidence.

  "Yes!" She could only answer like this.

  Song Mo lowered his eyelids, and his voice sounded somewhat low: "I'm very sorry!" The tone was extremely sincere. "If that's the case, I owe you an apology." He raised his eyelids, his expression serious and solemn. "I sincerely apologize to you."

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  Book-reading brothers and sisters, supplementing the update on March 21st.

  o(n_n)o~

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