Chapter 29 — Speaking
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
the Second Madam Dowager, her eldest, third, and sixth aunts all rewarded her with quantities of treats.
Dou Huanchang led her to the study and sent a young servant to fetch Dou Yan.
Dou Yan came running in wearing a coarse hempen short jacket, his head streaming with sweat.
Dou Huanchang was aghast. "What have you been up to now?"
Dou Yan gave a chuckle, picked up the cool-water jug by the table, poured himself a cup, and drained it in one gulp before saying, "Never mind what I've been up to, Ninth Uncle. Just tell me what you wanted me for."
Dou Huanchang asked him, "Do you know of a man called Zeng Yifen?"
Dou Yan's eyes lit up. "You know about Zeng Yifen too? He was Fifth Granduncle's patron—a formidable man indeed. He has lived through four reigns, risen and fallen three times without ever being toppled! A while back the Emperor summoned him to court again, and now he serves as Chief Grand Secretary. A new Son of Heaven brings a new set of ministers—this time Fifth Granduncle is going to be shifted to another post..."
Dou Yan gave a bitter smile.
Wang Xingyi, she feared, was going to be shifted to another post as well!
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Sisters who read my work, my internet connection has been cut off here and the updates have been delayed a great deal. I am terribly sorry. In the next couple of days I will get a wireless network card, so that if this happens again I will have a backup.
⊙﹏⊙b sweating
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