Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

A knock sounded at the gate of the mansion, and the voice of Ju Lu from Weishan in Chang'an echoed outside: "Young Master Dou, the monk Dayu from Fahai Temple next door has been killed by an arrow. I have been ordered to handle the matter and need to enter the mansion to inquire about his condition. Please open the door."

Dou Fengjie's weary voice rang out: "Dou happy, please invite the Junior Steward in."

The door opened, and Shan Julu led the judicial assistant and judicial secretary in. Before they could even apologize, they were shocked by the scene before them.

The three servants of the Dou family, dressed in hemp clothes and shoes, stood in a field in the courtyard. Holding bamboo tubes, they poked the tubes into the ground, and two or three plump grains of wheat would go through the tubes and into the soil.

How could Dou Fengneng, who lived a life of luxury, have mastered such a slash-and-burn agricultural method?

This is a skill that Dou Fengjie learned from an elderly Lahu person before he traveled through time. He can't say he's highly skilled, but at least it looks decent.

Under the eaves, the scarred wooden hoes and stone axes stand out starkly against the backdrop of the Longzhengfang residence.

The giant deer was speechless for a long time before finally uttering incredulously, "Young Master Dou... you're not even using ironware anymore?"

"Use it! The kitchen knife is fine." Dou Fengjie moved his muddy legs and answered nonchalantly.

Dou Shang remained silent and led the giant deer into the kitchen.

The pot was made of earthenware, the cutting board was made of wood, and only the kitchen knife was made of iron.

To the dismay of the mountain giant deer, the hilt of the knife was connected to an iron chain, one end of which was tied to a large rock weighing several tens of kilograms.

The knife was sharpened, but it wasn't very sharp. It was fine for cutting tofu, but it was not good enough for cutting meat.

On the blade, a hastily written character "窦" was carved in a crooked manner.

The entire mansion was deserted; even the most common swords were nowhere to be found, let alone any other contraband.

Inside the main room, on a rough desk, a copy of the "Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangpin Miaojing" (The Supreme Scripture of Limitless Salvation of the Lingbao School) was placed neatly, its slightly rough edges proving it was not just for show.

Tsk, reading Taoist scriptures next to a Buddhist temple, I wonder if Fahai's disciples and followers would climb over the wall and beat him up if they found out.

Fahai Temple was built by Emperor Wen of Sui for the eminent monk Fahai, but unfortunately there is no Leifeng Pagoda in the temple—he still doesn't understand love.

"I have neglected the young master." Dou Fengjie smiled as he washed off the mud.

"How could it have come to this!" The mountain deer, who knew some of the inside story, sighed.

Planting wheat in a one-acre courtyard is more symbolic than practical; even if it yields more than a bushel of grain, it's not enough to feed one person.

Assuming an adult male receives 30 catties of grain per month, he would receive 360 ​​catties per year, which is approximately equivalent to 3 shi of grain.

Even so, we still won't consider the rent, labor, and tax system.

Dou Fengjie used this gesture to show that if the court did not grant him the title he was entitled to inherit or the corresponding salary, he would rely on his own efforts.

Li Shimin blocked him from inheriting the title of Duke of Zan. He could block him for half a year, but could he block him for a whole year?

Swords, three-stone bows, raw arrows, pitchforks, and iron farm tools had long been incorporated into Dou Fengjie's arsenal.

Shan Julu took out a long arrow with dried blood and presented it to Dou Fengjie: "I am sorry to bother you, young master Dou, but this arrow that shot Dayu in the throat has your name engraved on the shaft."

On the arrow shaft, the three characters "Dou Fengjie" in small seal script are written with vigorous strokes.

Dou Fengjie laughed: "I don't have the ability to hire such a skilled craftsman to do this superfluous thing for me."

"If I were arrogant enough to shoot Da Yu with an arrow bearing my real name, why would I deny it?"

"Shooting an arrow from my house would be manslaughter. The arrow should have hit the head or shoulder; only a face-to-face shot could have hit the throat."

These measures are inherently contradictory.

Moreover, Dou Fengjie had kept all his belongings so clean that even if someone wanted to frame him, they wouldn't be able to find any evidence to support their claim.

The surveillance cameras installed by Dou Fengjie did reveal some clues.

But it didn't work!

The fact that the neighborhood officials, wardens, and guards might not have made any discoveries, but no one dared to lift the foul-smelling toilet seat, speaks volumes.

A hint of disdain flashed in Dou Shang's seemingly lifeless eyes: "The long-range arrows have a slightly longer range, but their lethality is not satisfactory. They are generally only used for military training and competitions."

"If we really want to kill someone, the Liver Arrow and the Armor-Piercing Arrow are far superior."

"Carving words on the arrow shaft will affect the balance of the arrow in flight; only a complete novice would do such a thing."

Dou Shang, who had been in battle, killed enemies, and had a wounded face, spoke in jargon that left Shan Julu speechless.

In fact, even someone with a brain knows that this case is purely a frame-up.

No one is stupid enough to leave their name on the spot, unless they plan to become an outlaw.

But given the circumstances, Giant Deer had no choice but to leave.

Dou happy led the sprightly Lady Dou, the Dowager Lady of Lu, and the hawk-like Duke Hou Junji of Lu into the courtyard, which immediately became incredibly oppressive.

"Is Chang'an County so unruly?" Dou Niangzi glared at Shan Julu with displeasure.

"Greetings to the Dowager Lady of Lu and the Duke of Lu. I know it is inappropriate, but it is my duty to investigate." Shan Julu greeted them calmly.

"His Majesty has heard some rumors and is uneasy about Dou Fengjie's situation," Hou Junji said reluctantly.

Dou Fengjie's lips twitched, but he swallowed the words that were about to come out.

If Li Shimin were so kind, he wouldn't have tied the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant to the Duke of Chengsi.

The original Dou Fengjie had no power to resist, but the time traveler Dou Fengjie was different.

Who would be ashamed if word got out that they lived in poverty, practicing slash-and-burn agriculture?

When everyone saw this, they thought, "Oh, so this is how the descendants of meritorious officials are treated?"

Moreover, the rumors circulating in Pingkangfang North Lane made Emperor Zhenguan, Li Shimin, hesitant to act rashly.

He can silence the mouths of the world, but he cannot stop people from looking down on the streets.

Shan Julu announced that Dou Fengjie showed no disdain whatsoever, then turned and took his leave.

Hou Junji is a person that everyone hates; it's best to stay away from him if you don't have to.

"Did the Duke of Lu grace my humble abode with his presence to deliver a message from His Majesty?"

Dou Fengjie asked calmly.

"I brought your fifth cousin here to familiarize ourselves with the family, so that we don't fight among ourselves."

Lady Dou glared at Hou Junji.

Judging from Dou Fengjie's distant way of addressing Hou Junji, it's clear that he doesn't have a good impression of him.

Hou Junji's personality is unpleasant; his arrogant demeanor is annoying to everyone.

However, he was able to do and dared to do some evil things for Li Shimin, and coupled with his kinship with Gualuo, he was deeply trusted by Li Shimin.

"Just call me Fifth Cousin from now on. Calling me Duke or anything like that is too formal."

Hou Junji forced a smile, which made him look even more ferocious.

Out of respect for Lady Dou, Dou Fengjie couldn't show his true colors and could only clasp his hands and call her Fifth Cousin.

Hou Junji returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his expression complex: "His Majesty said that my cousin's succession will be postponed for a few months, and will be officially conferred at the grand court assembly on New Year's Day."

Even Dou Fengjie couldn't find fault with this reason.

However, there was not a single word about Dou Gui's posthumous title!

For Dou Fengjie, severing the connection between the title and Princess Shang Yongjia was a good thing.

Dou Fengjie's eyelids twitched: "There must be other conditions?"

For the first time, Hou Junji showed respect: "After New Year's Day, His Majesty will take away your mourning period and appoint you to the position of Director of the Bureau of Merit in Yongzhou."