After returning to the county yamen, Tao Mo quickly forgot all about the matter, though Hao Guozi still kept it in mind and deliberately went to tell Old Tao everything.
After hearing the story, Old Tao also found it rather suspicious. Wang Pengcheng was a businessman, so whether out of gratitude or fear toward Tao Mo as the local magistrate, inviting him to a meal was perfectly understandable. But a grown man trying to arrange marriages… that was another matter entirely.
He immediately turned to seek out Adviser Jin.
As a local, Adviser Jin might be able to guess the true reason behind it.
Sure enough, the moment Adviser Jin heard the story, he laughed. “I never expected Wang Pengcheng to come up with such a clever cicada-shedding-its-shell scheme.”
Realizing there truly was more beneath the surface, Old Tao hurriedly asked for an explanation.
Adviser Jin said, “Do you know which family Old Madam Wang selected as the candidate for Wang Pengcheng’s second marriage?”
Old Tao thought to himself, How would I know that? Yet aloud he merely said, “Please enlighten me.”
“The Tong family,” Adviser Jin replied. Seeing Old Tao’s confusion, he added, “Master One-Hammer’s wife also comes from the Tong family.”
Old Tao immediately understood. “Old Madam Wang wished to form a marital connection with Master One-Hammer?”
Adviser Jin deliberately offered another hint. “In this region, the prestige of Master One-Hammer and Master Lin is far from ordinary.”
“Naturally.” Enlightenment dawned upon Old Tao. “Could it be that Wang Pengcheng feared canceling the engagement would anger Master One-Hammer, so he intended to divert disaster elsewhere…”
Adviser Jin looked surprised. “Could it be that you have also heard the rumors regarding Miss Tong?”
Old Tao thought, I only just learned of the connection between the Tong family and Master One-Hammer moments ago—how could I possibly know any rumors? Still, wishing to coax more information out of him, he vaguely replied, “They are merely street rumors. Surely they cannot all be trusted.”
Adviser Jin said, “I do not know whether she is truly the shrewish woman described in the rumors, but the fact that she remains unmarried despite being over twenty is indisputable.”
Old Tao finally understood completely. After thanking Adviser Jin, he took his leave.
Once Old Tao had gone, Adviser Jin leisurely returned to his desk and sat down again.
At first, he had assumed the newly appointed Magistrate Tao was nothing more than a wastrel lacking even the slightest learning. Yet when it came time to judge cases, the man unexpectedly displayed a few tricks of his own and had even managed to attract Gu She to visit him personally. Perhaps Tao Mo possessed some unusual abilities after all.
Since that was the case, Adviser Jin felt it worthwhile to offer subtle guidance now and then. Better that than changing employers every few months.
That evening, after hesitating for quite some time, Tao Mo finally could not resist mentioning to Old Tao his wish to visit Gu She and Lu Zhenxue. He carefully repeated all the advantages and relationships Wang Pengcheng had analyzed for him, explaining that because he lacked someone to manage the inner household, he had no choice but to cultivate ties with the prized disciples of the two masters.
Old Tao remained silent for a very long time after hearing him out.
Tao Mo could not help growing nervous.
“Has Young Master ever considered,” Old Tao slowly asked, “taking a wife to manage the inner household?”
Tao Mo’s heart jolted violently. “You know I… toward women… I cannot, I…”
Seeing him stumble helplessly over his words, Old Tao said, “The Tao family must leave behind descendants.”
Tao Mo lowered his head and fell silent.
“I believe this was also Master’s greatest wish before his death.”
The moment Old Tao invoked “Master,” Tao Mo immediately wilted. Weakly, he muttered, “I must observe mourning for three years.”
“That is true. Observing mourning is proper,” Old Tao replied. “But Young Master’s mourning should not become known to others.”
Tao Mo stared at him blankly. “Why?”
“According to the laws of our dynasty, one may not enter official service while in mourning.”
Tao Mo’s face instantly turned pale.
“Unless the Emperor issues an exemption,” Old Tao continued. “But I fear Young Master is unlikely to qualify for such treatment.”
Tao Mo stammered, “But… I already told Wang Pengcheng.”
Old Tao sighed. “Very well. He may not understand the rules clearly himself. Just do not mention it again in the future. Naturally, if Young Master were willing to marry quickly and eliminate future troubles entirely, that would be even better.”
“Even if I cannot speak of it openly, I still intend to complete the full three years of mourning in my heart,” Tao Mo insisted.
Old Tao sighed. “Since Young Master insists, I can say no more.”
Guiltily, Tao Mo lowered his head.
“As for visiting Master One-Hammer and Master Lin, that matter absolutely cannot be delayed any longer. Fortunately, New Year’s Eve is only a few days away. Delivering New Year gifts to their homes would be perfectly appropriate.”
Seeing Tao Mo look dejected, Old Tao added, “Although Gu She and Lu Zhenxue are the favored disciples of the two masters, both masters have students throughout the realm. If we favored only those two and associated solely with them, it would reflect poorly. Better to leave such matters for later.”
Tao Mo knew Old Tao’s reasoning made sense and could not refute it.
The next morning, under Hao Guozi’s relentless urging, Tao Mo rose unusually early. Old Tao had already prepared New Year gifts and arranged a carriage.
The carriage was the same one previously abandoned by the roadside. After purchasing new servants, Old Tao had immediately ordered them to retrieve and repair it. In the end, it proved far more convenient than a sedan chair.
Still half-asleep, Tao Mo climbed into the carriage drowsily and leaned against the soft pillow Hao Guozi tossed inside, falling back asleep almost immediately.
He had no idea how much time passed before the carriage halted and someone climbed aboard.
Half awake, he glanced over casually—then abruptly widened his eyes in surprise.
“Adviser Jin?”
Adviser Jin cupped his hands politely. “Employer.”
“Y-You… why are you here?” Tao Mo pushed himself upright and subconsciously wiped at the corner of his mouth.
Pretending not to notice, Adviser Jin replied, “I am accompanying Employer to pay New Year visits.”
“Oh.” Tao Mo lifted the carriage curtain and peered outside. “Old Tao did not come?”
“He is occupied managing affairs at the residence.” Adviser Jin probed cautiously, “Employer seems to rely greatly upon Old Mister Tao.”
During his time at the yamen, Adviser Jin had already realized Old Tao was no ordinary person. Not only was he shrewd and capable, but he also handled matters with calm dignity, like someone raised within a prominent household. Yet Tao Mo himself resembled nothing like the pampered young masters of wealthy estates.
Without suspecting anything, Tao Mo answered honestly, “Naturally. Ever since my father passed away, only he has remained by my side taking care of me.”
“There is no one else in your household?”
“No one.”
Adviser Jin said, “If Employer’s official career proceeds smoothly and you rise steadily through the ranks, then your honored father and mother, even beneath the earth, would surely feel deeply comforted.”
Those words struck directly at Tao Mo’s heart.
Smiling, he replied, “I think so as well. My father’s greatest wish in life was simply for me to distinguish myself and not drift through life uselessly and muddleheaded forever.”
“It seems your honored father was also a learned gentleman,” Adviser Jin remarked.
Tao Mo shook his head. “Actually, my father was illiterate as well.”
“Oh? Yet five thousand taels is no small sum. Ordinary people could never donate such a vast amount of silver.”
Tao Mo grew visibly uncomfortable. “My father was a merchant.”
Sensing the guarded look upon his face, Adviser Jin wisely stopped probing further.
Quietly, Tao Mo released a breath of relief.
Soon the carriage stopped before an enormous estate.
White walls and red roof tiles stretched on either side, while evergreen branches extended above the walls, bringing traces of spring to the bitter winter landscape.
After Tao Mo and Adviser Jin stepped down from the carriage, they saw Hao Guozi had already knocked upon the gate and delivered their calling card.
Roughly half the time it took to drink half a cup of tea later, a steward-like servant emerged from within, collected the New Year gifts from Hao Guozi, and escorted them to wait in the flower hall.
After another incense stick’s worth of time passed, the steward led them onward into the garden.
Most of the garden appeared bleak and wintry, except near one pavilion where an entire grove of plum blossoms flourished in full bloom, lively and magnificent.
The people seated within the pavilion appeared especially refined and detached beneath the veil of blossoms.
Seated in the center was a handsome scholar past fifty years of age with bright, piercing eyes and elegant features.
At his left sat a woman around forty years old, beautiful and charming, with almond-shaped eyes, cherry lips, and a small beauty mark near the corner of her mouth.
At his right sat a young man with brilliant eyes like shining pearls—the very person Tao Mo had been thinking about constantly these past few days.
“I did not know Magistrate Tao would visit personally. Forgive my failure to welcome you from afar.” The scholar never rose from his seat, merely lifting his hands lazily in a completely insincere greeting.
Tao Mo hurriedly returned the gesture. “I came abruptly without prior notice. My recklessness deserves blame.”
The scholar’s gaze shifted toward Adviser Jin.
Adviser Jin cupped his fists respectfully. “Master One-Hammer.”
A slight smile curled Master One-Hammer’s lips, tugging at his beard. “Ah, Brother Jin remains just as formal as ever. Simply call me One-Hammer.”
Adviser Jin replied, “Master One-Hammer’s fame shakes the realm. I dare not overstep propriety.”
Clearly such exchanges had happened many times before, for Master One-Hammer did not bother pursuing the matter further. With a casual wave of his hand, he said, “Please, both of you, sit.”
Tao Mo hurried over and seated himself beside Gu She.
Left with no choice, Adviser Jin sat beside Madam One-Hammer instead.
With obvious interest, Master One-Hammer glanced between Gu She and Tao Mo. “I heard Magistrate Tao has only recently arrived in Tanyang County, yet has already become acquainted with my disciple?”
Tao Mo smiled so broadly his eyes narrowed into crescents. “It must be fate. We have already met four times.” He then recounted each meeting one by one.
Seeing Gu She’s brows gradually knit together, Master One-Hammer could not help laughing. “Magistrate Tao is truly a man of devotion.”
Suddenly Madam One-Hammer asked, “Might I ask whether Magistrate Tao is married?”
Tao Mo froze briefly before shaking his head. He truly did not understand why everyone lately insisted on asking him about marriage.
Madam One-Hammer’s face instantly lit up with delight. “If Magistrate Tao does not mind, how about I play matchmaker for you?”
Adviser Jin lifted his eyes toward Master One-Hammer and found him entirely unsurprised by his wife’s behavior, clearly long accustomed to it.
Subconsciously, Tao Mo looked toward Gu She.
Madam One-Hammer laughed. “Do not worry. She’er certainly will not compete with you.”
Tao Mo hesitated uncertainly.
Gu She slowly raised his teacup and took a leisurely sip. “Has Madam asked Miss Tong for her opinion?”
Madam One-Hammer patted her chest confidently. “Before I married, I myself was a Miss Tong. Naturally I understand best what Miss Tongs think. Why bother asking?”
Clearly accustomed to such absurd reasoning, Gu She merely fell silent.
Tao Mo, however, felt overwhelmed with excitement.
He truly had not expected Gu She to speak up in his defense.
The words escaped him before he could stop himself:
“I’ll listen to Gu She.”
The entire pavilion fell silent.
Futile Devices Scans 
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