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

Lady Dou was shocked: "The Ministry of Personnel? Isn't that an office outside the regular jurisdiction? I'll go and reason with His Majesty!"

Even if Dou Fengjie were made a low-ranking official of the ninth grade, it would still be somewhat acceptable.

To be appointed as an official outside the official ranks—isn't that an insult?

Dou Fengjie's cheeks twitched: "Aunt, you don't need to worry about it. Being an official outside the capital is already quite good. At least His Majesty didn't make me a clerk or banish me from Chang'an."

Yongzhou has six Sigongfu (officials in charge of merit-making), under whom are twelve Sigongshi (officials in charge of merit-making), and several other clerks, not even counting the bottom-ranking officials.

Dou Fengjie insisted on not marrying Princess Yongjia, making it difficult for him to obtain a real official position; he would have to take up a minor post first.

Lady Dou sighed, having finally figured out the intricacies of the situation.

Dou Fengjie glanced at his aunt and accepted her kindness.

Despite the various unavoidable circumstances, at least Lady Dou genuinely cared about him.

Unfortunately, Lady Dou's lifespan was also numbered only a few years.

Dou Fengjie raised an eyebrow: "I heard that Lady Helan is going to arrange a marriage between her and my fifth cousin?"

Hou Junji's face showed surprise.

The matter of Helan Chushi proposing to marry his daughter had only just begun to take shape, and outsiders had no idea about it. Where did Dou Fengjie hear about it from?

"Nephew, do you think Lady Helan is not a suitable candidate? We are family, so please speak frankly."

Lady Dou sensed something was amiss.

"The Helan clan, which originated from the Xianbei, was also known as the Helai clan. It was Sinicized as the He clan, and its original meaning was 'loyalty'. However, it no longer holds much power in the current dynasty."

"Although the Helan family still has some resources, they are not good enough to be associated with the Duke of Lu's mansion."

"Besides, Helan Chushi is just a pretty face with no substance."

Of all the members of the Helan clan, the only one who could earn Dou Fengjie's respect was his successor, Helan Sengjia, who was willing to accept being cuckolded. He was a ruthless character.

The mere Prince Qianniu Helan Chushi is neither valued nor wise, and he will only drag Hou Junji into the vortex. He is truly not worth the marriage alliance.

Hou Junji sighed, his sharp eyes turning melancholy.

Having achieved wealth and status, one naturally aspires to become a prominent and influential family.

For aristocratic families, the most basic requirement is that three generations of them have served as officials!

The marriage alliance with the Helan clan was also intended to provide support to their descendants.

As for Helan Chushi, Hou Junji found no merits beyond his appearance.

Whether a marriage alliance can bring benefits is a mystery.

But how many ordinary people don't live on vague and unrealistic hopes?

What are your thoughts, cousin?

Hou Junji had to admit that, in terms of knowledge and experience, he was no match for his young cousin.

Dou Fengjie remained calm: "The Duke of Lu's family is already one of the most powerful and influential families in this dynasty. As long as they seek stability and understand that both thunder and rain are the emperor's grace, and their children and grandchildren maintain the status quo and avoid danger, they can build an ironclad family in just a few generations."

"He Lan Chu Shi is all looks and no substance, but he's not a good match. Why not change course and find a husband among those who have passed the imperial examinations?"

Those who make it onto the list of successful candidates in the scientific expedition are naturally well-educated and their future is mostly bright.

Young people who pass the imperial examinations, as long as they don't make any mistakes, will always have a future in the fourth or fifth rank.

Regardless of their background, they are more than a match for the daughter of a duke.

"Besides, given His Majesty's mindset, he might not be pleased to see a powerful general marry into the Crown Prince's household."

Dou Fengjie's casual remark resonated like a thunderclap in Hou Junji's heart.

How did he know?

This was the moment when Hou Junji was promoted from Right Guard General to Minister of War!

Although his power had increased, Hou Junji, who had led troops for many years, felt uneasy because he no longer had troops under his actual control.

Only after comparing Dou Fengjie's last words did Hou Junji realize where the problem lay.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, who ascended the throne at Xuanwu Gate, was very concerned about military power and generals. This promotion may well be a silent warning.

Although, given Hou Junji's dullness, he might not be able to understand it.

Lady Dou's old eyes were full of kindness. This cousin really knew how to treat people. She could die in peace knowing that Wu Lang was on good terms with him.

Hou Junji's face showed a rare kindness: "Cousin, winter is coming, and your house is simple, so it's not easy to keep warm."

"I just happened to have bought a few extra pounds of animal charcoal at home. I'll have the steward deliver it when I get back."

Soil is mixed with raw coal to make animal-shaped charcoal, which is both attractive and durable.

If conditions permit, adding a little spice powder to the charcoal will turn it into a fragrant animal that is favored by the powerful and wealthy.

Although Dou Fengjie can profit from the online shopping system, why not take advantage of Hou Junji's generosity?

Animal charcoal is animal charcoal, but it is not purely animal charcoal.

The animal-shaped charcoal sent by the Duke of Lu served as a deterrent to outsiders, at least preventing Princess Yongjia from openly targeting them again.

Hou Junji's fearsome reputation had a great deterrent effect among the imperial relatives and nobles.

After all, not everyone can personally kill a few imperial grandsons.

-----------------

Based on the incomplete footage captured by the surveillance cameras, the assassin was extremely close to Da Yu when he was hit by the arrow.

The moment he was struck by the arrow, a look of relief appeared on Da Yu's face, which was quite bizarre.

Based on the surveillance footage from Longzhengfang that day, Dou Fengjie was fairly certain that this clumsy trick was the work of Yang Fei, the Assistant Magistrate of the Yongjia Princess's residence.

"Do Yang Fei and Da Yu have a life-or-death feud with my family?" Dou Fengjie looked at Dou Shang with suspicion.

"Yang Fei's elder brother Yang Yu and Dayu's father were both generals under Alang. They retreated in the face of battle at Huangqin Mountain and were beheaded by Alang," Dou Shang stated with a sinister smile.

Well, there's no right or wrong in this matter.

Dou Gui killed these fourteen generals, and the generals promoted on the spot fought bravely and decisively defeated Huang Qinshan, bringing a resounding victory to the Tang Dynasty.

Soldiers are fed, and their fate is to die at the hands of the enemy, from disease, or from military law.

"Da Yu's Zen practice was in vain. He should have used his eloquence to persuade Yang Fei to die a heroic death," Dou Fengjie sighed.

Dou happy's eyes flashed with anger: "My lord, are we just going to suffer this loss?"

Dou Fengjie patted Dou Xi's head: "A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years."

"Fortunately, your husband is not a gentleman."

Dou Shang tried hard to control his expression, and the scar on the corner of his lip slightly lifted up.

That's more like it. With so many extraordinary qualities in him, it would be too frustrating for him to have to suffer such humiliation.

-----------------

Southwest of the Imperial City, outside Shunyi Gate, the street between Banzhengfang and Longzhengfang.

His blue official robes rose and fell with his rapid breathing, and the face of Yang Fei, the county magistrate, was ashen.

It was truly unexpected that Da Yu's death could not tarnish Dou Fengjie's reputation.

Even if he were to die, he couldn't spill Dou Fengjie's blood on him; wouldn't Da Yu have died in vain?

What's infuriating is that Duke Hou Junji of Lu State also interfered, as evidenced by the ten jun of charcoal.

Three hundred catties of animal charcoal may not be worth much money, but it shows Hou Junji's attitude.

That was Hou Junji, who could stop the children of the imperial family from crying at night!

The two large gluteal muscles on both sides suddenly felt a sharp pain, causing Yang Fei to scream in agony. He reached back and touched his hand, only to find it covered in blood!

"Shangguan! You've been shot with an arrow!" the accompanying groom exclaimed in alarm.

Two short arrows were embedded in his buttocks, the shafts trembling back and forth, the prismatic arrowheads bleeding continuously.

No one, including those from the princess's residence, the Right Guard, and the street envoys, discovered where the arrows came from!