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

"Dou Lang, why do you keep people at arm's length?"

Princess Yongjia's sweet voice rang out in Longzheng Ward, her body wrapped in a fox fur coat appearing exceptionally delicate in the north wind.

A banner protruded from the courtyard, on which were written the three characters "Don't Touch Me" in a strong, rigorous, and evenly slender style.

At the entrance to Fahai Temple, an elderly man with a timid appearance and frail clothes glanced at the banner and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Young Master Dou does have excellent handwriting, which has caught the eye of the Junior Supervisor."

The abbot of Daozhen Temple, who was wearing a Vairocana hat, chuckled.

The old man was Yu Shinan, the Junior Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and one of the famous calligraphers of the early Tang Dynasty. He valued the principle of gentleness on the outside and strength on the inside, and harmony and balance. Upon seeing Dou Fengjie's unique Liu style calligraphy, he couldn't help but be delighted.

"His writing reveals his character; this middle-aged man is quite interesting. He shouldn't have been forced into this situation."

Yu Shinan gave his evaluation slowly.

Yu Shinan himself knew that this prejudice of "one's handwriting reflects one's personality" was inappropriate, but unfortunately he couldn't change it.

Putting aside other things, were the calligraphy works of Wang Mang, Cao Cao, and others really that bad?

Although Yu Shinan was physically weak, he had a strong and unyielding personality and dared to speak frankly and offer advice.

He's over seventy years old, with his neck practically buried in the earth, what is there that he wouldn't dare to say?

Moreover, he was one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's mansion, so Li Shimin had to give him some face.

In Yu Shinan's view, allowing Dou Gui's only son to marry the eldest princess was simply an act of bullying someone who had lost their father.

The term "中男" (zhongnan) is roughly equivalent to "persons with limited civil capacity" in later generations. It refers to men aged sixteen to twenty who were required to perform a portion of labor service.

The official robes issued to local officials were taken from middle-aged men. The number of robes issued was determined according to the official's rank and was used to serve the official's daily life or to cultivate his assigned land.

Eighteen monks walked out of the mountain gate and stopped at the border between Fahai Temple and Dou Fengjie's residence, rhythmically striking the wooden fish.

"Subhuti! As you have said, the Tathagata well protects and cherishes all Bodhisattvas, and well entrusts them with important responsibilities. Now listen attentively, and I will explain it to you."

The sound of monks chanting sutras drifted into the courtyard.

Yu Shinan frowned and glanced at Daozhen.

"Although there are not many monks at Fahai Temple, they still need some money to offer incense to Buddha."

Daozhen chuckled, making no attempt to hide the fact that he was acting under someone else's orders.

Princess Yongjia had the power to be capricious, while Dou Fengjie had no money and had to accept his fate. Wasn't that a matter of course?

Moreover, although Da Yu's death was not caused by Dou Fengjie, it was inextricably linked to him.

Who says that monks are indifferent to worldly affairs?

Sometimes, monks argue even more fiercely and viciously.

The gate to the mansion creaked open, revealing Dou happy's young face.

Dou happy poured a basin of cold water onto the yellow earth outside the door, and a few drops of water mixed with dust splashed onto the monk's robe.

Behind Dou happy, A-Lu leaped out and confronted the monks of Fahai Temple.

When a monk chants a sutra, a donkey responds with an equally loud "Ah-eh," the tone dripping with sarcasm.

Daozhen's expression was not good.

When the Taoist and Buddhist sects were exchanging insults, the monks called the Taoists "ox-nose" and the Taoists called the monks "bald donkeys."

Ah Lu's appearance perfectly reflects the saying "bald donkey".

Yu Shinan's old face broke into a smile. It had been a long time since he had seen such an interesting young man. It would be very interesting if he could take him under his wing.

He is already old, and his son Yu Chang is only a minor official in the Ministry of Works. It is unknown how much longer he can take care of his son.

If I had a younger generation like Dou Fengjie to help me, I could rest easy when I passed away.

Yu Shinan forgot that Yu Chang was already thirty years old, the age of maturity.

With a few exceptions, most parents are just that worried, hoping to shield their children from the wind and rain—even if they no longer need it.

Fang Zheng Tang Bugu quietly approached Yu Shinan and said, "Young Master Dou is kind-hearted and has the demeanor of a gentleman."

"If you are willing, sir, I can pass on your message."

Tang Bugu wanted to do his best to help out, since he couldn't just take the dried fruit for free.

The person who could be received by the temple abbot must not be an unknown person; Tang Bugu certainly had the insight to do so.

Yu Shinan handed Tang Bugu a plain business card: "In that case, I'll trouble you, Mr. Fang."

If Dou Fengjie were not good at interpersonal relationships, the neighborhood official would not have risked offending the princess to seek outside help for him.

The visiting card indicated Yu Shinan's appreciation. Whether Dou Fengjie would take advantage of the situation depended on his shrewdness.

As the donkey brayed loudly, it stomped its hooves in the mud, splashing mud all over the monk's face and robes.

For a moment, the disheveled monks' chanting and hymns were drowned out by the braying of donkeys.

Princess Yongjia's face darkened. She kicked aside the male concubine beside her and stormed out of Longzheng Ward.

Daozhen felt as if he had been granted a general amnesty. He quickly waved his sleeves, and the eighteen monks packed their things and hurriedly returned to the temple.

Dou Fengjie, inside the courtyard gate, paused his gaze on Yu Shinan for a moment, then bowed respectfully with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.

Yu Shinan smiled and nodded.

At seventy years old, aside from the inappropriate act of sitting on a young woman's lap, it's difficult for Yu Shinan to be restrained by ordinary etiquette.

Ah Lu strolled around the crossroads triumphantly, like a victorious general returning to court.

Yu Shinan couldn't help but chuckle: "This black donkey is quite clever!"

The donkey was well-proportioned with a glossy, smooth body and a pair of bright, intelligent eyes. There wasn't a single weed on its body. Who, except for monks, wouldn't like it?

Tang Bugu reached out, and a small piece of bread emitted a fragrant aroma, attracting the donkey to slowly approach. The donkey picked up the bread and chewed, then moved its head closer to Tang Bugu and Yu Shinan.

The gesture is obvious; good people can touch it.

If a bad guy touches you, kick him.

Yu Shinan gently patted the donkey's neck: "It's really intelligent and can tell good from bad."

Tang Bugu chuckled. Young Master Dou didn't mind his appearance, and neither did his precious donkey.

Daozhen bid farewell with a dark expression and hurriedly entered Fahai Temple.

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Dou Fengjie smiled as he accepted the calling card from Tang Bugu.

Unexpectedly, his Liu-style calligraphy attracted unexpected support.

Although Yu Shinan was a civil official, he was renowned for his virtue, loyalty, erudition, literary talent, and calligraphy. When he spoke in court, even Li Shimin had to think twice.

Wait a minute, the fact that he sent his name card suggests more than just a gesture of goodwill.

Yu Shinan's calligraphy style is also a masterpiece of his time. It is likely that the calligraphers admired each other and wanted to take on a disciple.

"Please inform the Vice Director that after the mourning period, Dou Fengjie will bring a donation to visit him."

Shuxiu, also written as shuxiu, is simply tuition.

Dou Fengjie didn't know what the market was like outside, but according to the market at the Imperial Academy, it was a basket of cloth, a table of cured meat, and a pot of wine.

It is said that this was the rate for Confucius to accept disciples.

To put it bluntly, Dou Fengjie was going to ask to be his apprentice; to put it more bluntly, he was trying to curry favor with someone powerful.

Both incidents occurred in Jiangdu, but Yu Shinan begged to die in place of his brother, while Xu Jingzong offered songs and dances to beg for his life, creating a stark contrast in their character and reputation.

Dou Fengjie was willing to become an apprentice to such a person, and he felt proud to boast about it when he went out.

If possible, it's best to consider one's reputation.

Having a good reputation as a shield is something even Li Shimin had to be wary of.