Back at the county government office, Tao Mo put the matter behind him long ago, but Hao Guozi was still thinking about it, so he went to talk to Lao Tao specially.
After hearing this, Lao Tao felt that it was unusual. Then Wang Pengcheng is a businessman, whether he is grateful or afraid of Tao Mo, the parent official, it is normal to have a banquet, but a big man is a matchmaker... He turned to find Master Jin.
Master Jin is a local, so maybe he can guess why.
Sure enough, Master Jin laughed when he heard this, "I didn't expect this Wang Pengcheng to think of such a plan to get rid of the golden cicada's shell."
Lao Tao saw that there was indeed another world in it, and asked why.
Master Jin said: "Do you know which family Mrs. Wang Lao found Mrs. Xu Xian for him?"
Lao Tao thought to himself, how do I know this? But he said on his mouth: "I would like to hear the details."
"It's the Tong family." Seeing that he was puzzled, Master Jin said again, "Mr. Yichui's wife is from the Tong family."
Old Tao suddenly said: "Madam Wang wants to get married to Mr. Yichui?"
Master Jin deliberately made a point, "In the local area, the prestige of Mr. Yichui and Mr. Lin is extraordinary."
"It's natural." Old Tao had a sudden realization, "Could it be that Wang Pengcheng was worried that retiring the engagement would anger Mr. Yichui, so he wanted to make trouble..."
Master Jin was surprised and said, "Have you heard the rumor about Miss Tong?"
Old Tao thought, I only just found out about the relationship between the Tong family and Mr. Yichui, how could I have heard of it? However, he intended to be clichéd, so he said vaguely: "It's just a rumor in the market, I'm afraid it won't be counted."
Master Jin said: "Although I don't know if she is a shrew like the rumors, it is an indisputable fact that she is still unmarried after the age of twenty."
Lao Tao knew it in his heart, thanked him, and went.
After Master Jin watched him leave, Shi Shiran went back to the desk and sat down.
At first, I thought that the newly appointed Mr. Tao was just an illiterate prodigal son, but I didn't expect that when it comes to the trial, he can use some tricks, and even attracted Gu She to come to find him. I'm afraid he has some unusual skills .
That being the case, he would make some points around him, so as to save him the trouble of changing his employer every few months.
At night, Tao Mo hesitated for a long time, and finally couldn't help mentioning to Lao Tao that he wanted to visit Gu She and Lu Zhenxue. He described the powerful relationships that Wang Pengcheng had analyzed for him, and said that he had no choice but to win over the two gentlemen's disciples because he did not have the inner court management.
After Lao Tao listened, he remained silent for a long time.
Tao Mo couldn't help feeling uneasy.
"Young master, have you ever thought about it?" Old Tao said slowly, "Adding a young lady to manage the inner courtyard?"
Tao Mo was startled, "You know I can't... to women, I..."
Old Tao heard him stammering, and said, "The Tao family always wants to keep a descendant."
Tao Mo bowed his head in silence.
"I think this is also the greatest wish of the master before he died."
As soon as Lao Tao mentioned the word "Master", Tao Mo became wilted, and said in a low voice, "I will keep my filial piety for three years."
"That's right. It's right to be filial." Old Tao said, "It's just that the young master should not let people know about his filial piety."
Tao Mo asked in astonishment, "Why?"
"I obey the law, and during the period of filial piety, I am not allowed to be an official."
Tao Mo's face turned pale.
Old Tao said: "Unless the emperor wins the favor, but I'm afraid the young master won't be able to use this."
Tao Mo muttered: "But, I have already told Wang Pengcheng."
Old Tao said: "Forget it. He may not know it clearly, but he will not mention it again in the future. Of course, if the young master is willing to get married as soon as possible to eliminate future troubles, that would be the best."
Tao Mo said: "Even if I can't mention it, I still want to keep my filial piety for three years."
Old Tao sighed and said: "Since the young master insists, I can't say anything."
Tao Mo lowered his head guiltily.
"As for the visit to Mr. Yichui and Mr. Lin, we must not delay any longer. Fortunately, it will be the New Year's Eve in a few days, and it would be good for us to send some New Year's goods to your door." Seeing that he was disappointed, Old Tao added, "Gu Although She and Lu Zhenxue are the two gentlemen's outstanding disciples, but the two gentlemen are full of peaches and plums, and there are many disciples. If we treat each other favorably and only associate with them, it will not be beautiful. Let's talk about it later."
Tao Mo heard what he said was reasonable and had nothing to refute.
In the early morning of the next day, Tao Mo got up early under Hao Guozi's urging. Lao Tao was already preparing the New Year's goods and the carriage. The carriage was the one left halfway. As soon as he bought the servants, he ordered them to drag them back and repair them. It was more convenient than a sedan chair.
Tao Mo hadn't fully woken up from his sleep, he climbed into the carriage in a daze, and fell asleep with his head tilted on the soft pillow thrown by Hao Guozi for a while. After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped and another person came up.
He glanced half asleep, then stared wide open, and asked in surprise, "Master Jin?"
Master Jin cupped his hands and said, "Boss."
"You, why are you here?" Tao Mo sat up with his arms propped up, and subconsciously wiped the corners of his mouth.
Master Jin turned a blind eye and said, "I will accompany my master to visit the New Year."
"Oh." Tao Mo raised the curtain and looked outside, "Old Tao didn't come?"
"He wants to take care of the affairs of the family." Mr. Jin tentatively said, "The master seems to rely heavily on Mr. Tao." In fact, during the time he stayed in the county government, he also saw that this old Tao was by no means an ordinary person, not only shrewd and capable , and handle things calmly, as if he was born in a master. But Tao Mo really didn't look like a young master raised in a big mansion.
Tao Mo did not doubt that he was there, and replied: "It's natural. Since my father passed away, he has been the only one who has taken care of me."
"Is there no one else in the house?"
"there is none left."
Master Jin said: "If my master's official career can go smoothly, and he will be on the rise, and your lord will know about it, he will definitely be very pleased."
These words reached Tao Mo's heart. He smiled and said, "I think so too. My father's lifelong wish is only for me to be successful, not to live my life in mediocrity."
Master Jin said: "It seems that your father is also a well-learned person."
Tao Mo shook his head and said, "Actually, my father is also illiterate."
"Oh? But five thousand taels is not a small number. How can ordinary people donate such a large sum of money?"
Tao Mo looked a little uncomfortable, and said, "My father is in business."
Master Jin saw the warning look on his face, so he clicked on it and stopped extending it.
Tao Mo secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
The carriage stopped in front of a mansion. There are white walls and red tiles on both sides, and green trees protrude from the top of the wall, which adds spring to the harsh winter.
When Tao Mo and Master Jin got out of the car, they saw that Hao Guozi had already knocked on the door and had just sent a greeting card.
After about half a cup of tea, a man who looked like a butler came out from inside, took the New Year's goods from Hao Guozi, turned around and led them to the flower hall to wait. After another stick of incense, the housekeeper sent them to the garden again.
Most of the garden was bleak, only a plum blossom was planted near the pavilion, and now it is the season of full bloom, blooming very lively. Under the cover of flowers, the people in the pavilion have a refined demeanor. Sitting in the center of the pavilion is a beautifully bearded scribe who is over fifty years old, with piercing eyes and a handsome face. Sitting on his left was a woman, about forty years old, with a beautiful appearance, almond eyes and cherry lips, and a mole at the corner of her mouth. On the right is a young man with starry eyes, but he is the person Tao Mo misses the most in recent days.
"I don't know if Mr. Tao is coming, so I'm too far away to welcome you." The scribe did not leave his seat, but raised his hands and arched them without sincerity.
Tao Mo hastily replied, "I came here in a hurry and didn't know, I was reckless."
The scribe turned his gaze and landed on Master Jin.
Master Jin cupped his fists and said, "Mr. One Hammer."
The corners of Mr. Hammer's lips raised slightly, and he moved his beard, "Oh. Brother Jin is still so cynical, just ask me to Hammer."
Master Jin said: "Mr. Yihammer is famous all over the world, and I dare not exceed the etiquette."
This kind of dialogue seems to have happened many times, and Mr. Yichui didn't want to get tangled up any more, so he waved his hand and said, "Please sit down, both of you."
Tao Mo trotted to Gu She and sat down.
Master Jin had no choice but to sit next to Mrs. Yichui.
Mr. Yichui looked at Gu She and Tao Mo with great interest and said, "I heard that Mr. Tao came to Tanyang County not long ago, and he has already made friends with the young disciple?"
Tao Mo smiled until his eyes narrowed, "It's fate, we met four times in total." As he spoke, he recounted the four times one by one.
Seeing that Gu She's brows were slightly frowned, Mr. Yichui couldn't help but smiled and said, "Master Tao really has a heart."
Mrs. Yichui suddenly said: "I wonder if Master Tao is married?"
Tao Mo was startled and shook his head. He didn't know why everyone who met him these days had to ask about it.
Madam Yichui immediately beamed with joy, "If Mr. Tao doesn't dislike it, why don't you let me lead the red line?"
Master Jin raised his eyes to look at Mr. Yichui, and found that he was an old god, obviously not surprised by his wife's actions.
Tao Mo subconsciously went to look at Gu She.
Madam Yichui said: "Don't worry. She'er will never snatch it from you."
Tao Mo hesitated.
Gu She raised his glass slowly, took a sip and said, "Did the teacher ever ask Miss Tong what she meant?"
Mrs. Yichui patted her chest and said: "Your teacher's mother and I were Miss Tong before I got married. Of course, I know what Miss Tong means best, why bother to ask?"
Gu She was used to such fallacies and stopped talking.
Tao Mo was very excited. He really didn't expect that Gu She would defend him, so he blurted out, "I'll listen to Gu She."
All the seats are silent.