Chapter 461 — Struck
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
Dou Huaiying had been about to consult Dou Heng on this very matter. "What do you think of moving him over on the first day of the twelfth month? For one thing, it will be easier for relatives to visit during the New Year. For another, I mean to engage an old Hanlin scholar to tutor at home, so that Zhi'er can devote himself wholeheartedly to preparing for the examinations."
This year was a metropolitan examination year, and the provincial examination came in the year after.
Dou Heng nodded.
Dou Huaiying told Song Yan of the matter.
Song Han was busy with his move, and the three families of Song Maochun and the others, mindful of appearances, had all come to help; even old acquaintances who had once fawned on the Song family without ever gaining entry now flocked to the Green Bamboo Lodge to join the bustle. Song Yan had no mind to meddle in such idle affairs and volunteered instead to help Dou Huaiying manage the matter of Dou Huaide's adoption.
Dou Huaiying felt as comfortable as if he had drunk a cup of hot tea on a bitter winter day. He laughed and said, "What is there for you to do with your own hands? Just come and keep me company over tea."
Song Dan said, "Have you informed the Wang family?"
By propriety, once Dou Huaide was adopted, Wang Shuying would be his adoptive mother, and he ought to pay her a visit no matter what.