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

The sixth day of the sixth lunar month is an auspicious day for bathing, offering sacrifices, and relocating graves.

A large group of officials suddenly arrived at Longzhengfang.

Yang Zuan, the Director of the Secretariat, the Assistant Director of the Ministry of Rites, the Chief Administrator of Yongzhou, the Magistrate of Chang'an, Shan Julu, the Commandant of Chang'an, and Li Tai, the Prince of Yue, who was dressed in a purple casual robe and sweating profusely, were all present.

Looking at this scene, Dou Fengjie felt a surge of heat, which, combined with the incessant chirping of cicadas, made his head throb.

Thirty monks and two novices from Fahai Temple, led by Abbot Daozhen, came out of the temple gate with long faces to greet the group of officials.

The imperial decree was simple and clear: Fahai Temple and the Duke of Zan's mansion should be exchanged, and Fahai Temple should complete the relocation within three days.

The monk, his face full of sorrow, had no choice but to follow Daozhen's orders and express his gratitude.

The Duke of Zan's mansion occupies a similar area to Fahai Temple, so minor modifications to the buildings are sufficient.

After all, there have been instances throughout history of high-ranking officials donating their mansions to become temples.

The residence of the Duke of Zan was more than enough to house a small temple like Fahai Temple.

The problem is, Dou Fengjie is unwilling to live in the polluted and damaged Duke Zan's mansion, but are Daozhen and the others willing to?

However, the appearance of the Ministry of Rites official made Daozhen realize that if Fahai Temple dared to say no, the Ministry of Rites would dare to issue an order to abolish Fahai Temple.

Li Shimin, the shrewd and ambitious ruler, would absolutely refuse to rebuild the Duke of Zan's mansion for Dou Fengjie.

Without appeasing Dou Fengjie, not only would the court officials feel bad, but Li Tai and Empress Zhangsun's attitudes would also become increasingly hardened.

Therefore, it was only natural that Fahai Temple would suffer.

In the next selection of the Great Virtuous Ones, the Ministry of Rites should give priority to Daozhen.

Ah Lu wagged his tail, raised his neck, and brayed happily, as if he knew he was about to move to a bigger house.

Li Tai remained silent throughout, showing no sign of pride or arrogance. Dou Fengjie, however, knew that this major undertaking was largely facilitated by Li Tai.

Seeing Li Tai sweating and even feeling a bit hot in his palms, Dou Fengjie knew that Yougui Pill was the right treatment.

Dou Fengjie wasn't sure how much he could help Li Tai recover, but if he continued to nourish him slowly, Li Tai definitely wouldn't be bedridden in his thirties.

"Congratulations, Duke Zan! On the day of your move, the Chang'an County government will summon twenty laborers to help you."

A rare look of respect appeared in Yang Zuan's eyes.

Although he was a fifth-rank county magistrate in the capital, it was the result of many years of hard work, and there was nothing to boast about.

Dou Fengjie rose from the ninth rank to the sixth rank in just six months, a truly astonishing feat.

Given time, it is not impossible that Dou Fengjie will appear in the Hall of State Affairs.

Yang Zuan had no need to befriend Dou Fengjie, but what about his child?

"If the Duke of Zan needs anything, please feel free to give me your orders."

The giant stag smiled and crossed its arms.

Jealousy is futile. Dou Fengjie, fresh out of school, repeatedly broke the rules for appointing officials, and his achievements were also dazzling.

"Thank you for your trouble, Magistrate and Prefect."

Dou Fengjie returned the greeting with clasped hands.

At this point, Chang'an County's overtures must be accepted, otherwise there will be no shortage of obstacles in the future.

Chang'an County turned a blind eye to Dou Fengjie's demands for servants and abandoned residences in Longzhengfang, without uttering a single word.

The only drawback was that Dou Fengjie was still observing the rules and could not hold a large banquet.

Daozhen sighed softly, led the monks back to the temple, went to apologize to the patriarch, and each packed their belongings and moved the Buddha statue.

The filth of the former Duke of Zan's mansion has long been cleaned up, but the filth in people's hearts cannot be cleaned up.

However, no matter how painful it was, Fahai Temple had no choice but to move.

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

June 12th.

After the relocation and resettlement were completed, Dou Fengjie, guided by Zhang Anan, entered the Liangyi Hall to express his gratitude.

Li Shimin sat by the tea table and raised his teacup: "Let us share this water calamity together, and let bygones be bygones."

Shui'e is another name for tea drinking.

Dou Fengjie tasted the tea brewed from Huzhou compressed tea leaves and said, "This tea is excellent."

Li Shimin laughed and scolded, "How dare you! Marquis of Wenjiang, give him ten cakes of Huzhou compressed tea."

A hint of surprise appeared in Zhang Anan's eyes.

There are very few people who dare to extort things from Li Shimin; Duke Zan is quite bold.

Li Shimin claimed to have forgiven past grievances, but he didn't mention the matter of not marrying Princess Yongjia at all, so his sincerity wasn't actually that great.

The only thing that remains unchanged is the incident of Princess Yongjia leading people to vandalize the Duke of Zan's mansion.

Dou Fengjie understood this very well.

"Such a large Duke's mansion, with only thirteen people including servants, isn't it too spacious?"

Li Shimin made a pointed inquiry.

"Fourteen people. Dou Xi just brought his mother from Xianyang."

"Fewer people means more peace and quiet, and no one will dare to disturb my rest."

Dou Fengjie set aside a small courtyard to house cedar trees, perfume, and purified fruit wine, not wanting others to discover its secrets.

The old house next door was turned into a proper workshop, and utensils and stoves were moved in as well.

"How about I bestow two palace maids upon you to serve you?"

Li Shimin shamelessly spoke up.

Serving was just a pretext; his real intention was to use the palace maids to find out Dou Fengjie's secrets, even if it was just a little bit.

The wonderful things that inexplicably appeared in Dou Fengjie's hands made him feel gratified, but he couldn't help but want to know their origin.

Oh my, I'm so tempted!

Sending palace maids was a routine practice for Li Shimin, which also made Fang Xuanling's wife, Lady Lu, jealous, and she was so jealous that she drank a small jar of vinegar.

Jealousy was just a pretext; Lady Lu's real intention was to prevent the emperor's spies from entering her residence.

Dou Fengjie resolutely refused: "Your Majesty, I did not associate with women before the seventh year of the Zhenguan era."

Li Shimin glanced helplessly at Zhang Anan, who said with a dark face, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zan means that male beauty is not a problem."

Dou Fengjie stared wide-eyed at Zhang Anan in horror.

Even a lame joke is too much for Dou Fengjie to handle!

This kind of blessing should be reserved for Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Shimin glanced at Dou Fengjie: "The Prince of Yue isn't as weak lately, and his hands and feet aren't as cold anymore. Was that your doing?"

"King Yue's kidney yang is insufficient; with proper care, he won't die young," Dou Fengjie said, pursing his lips.

Why would you let someone with such poor health break the rules so early?

Dou Fengjie had no idea that the Imperial Pharmacy of the Palace Secretariat and the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, which gathered so many famous doctors of medicine, could not even see through this.

Is it that you can't tell, or that you don't want to say it, or that you're afraid to say it?

Some things can't stand scrutiny; the more you think about them, the more problems you find.

Although Yougui Wan is a formula from later generations, there may have been similar formulas in this era.

"The Crown Prince admires the Duke of Zan's abilities and wishes to appoint you as a tutor of the fifth rank."

Li Shimin stared intently at Dou Fengjie.

The phrase "洗马" (xiǎn mǎ), originally written as "先马" (xiān mǎ) or "冼马" (xiān mǎ), refers to the crown prince's trusted officials guiding the horse, not washing it with two large brushes.

The most famous person in history to be a groom was Goujian, who became the groom of King Fuchai of Wu after his defeat in battle.

"Your subject is neither virtuous nor capable, and is neither old nor wise enough to dare to neglect the foundation of the nation."

Dou Fengjie resolutely refused.

What a joke! Dou Fengjie is well aware of Li Chengqian's previous disregard for him.

Li Chengqian is a sapling that has already bent and is not of great use. Dou Fengjie will not jump onto this dilapidated boat that is already showing signs of leaking.