"Lord Hou! Please wait a moment!" After an unbearably long kiss that neither of them knew how much time had passed, Dou Zhao hurriedly, as soon as their lips parted enough for her to speak, cupped Wei Tingyu's face with her hands and said.
Her original intention was to stop Wei Tingyu from kissing her further, but she had no idea how suggestive her actions were at that moment!
"What is it?" Wei Tingyu, holding this beautiful woman in his arms, looked at her face, which was now flushed, unsure whether it was from embarrassment or lack of air, and asked directly.
To be honest, at this moment, Wei Tingyu was almost losing control of himself! After all, the Dou Zhao he had seen in the drama and the Dou Zhao he held in his arms now, like a little lamb, were two completely different people.
"Please, Lord Hou, let go of me! I have something serious to discuss with you!" Dou Zhao, clearly seeing the desire burning in Wei Tingyu's eyes, was immediately startled, and the image of last night's wedding night flashed through her mind.
Knowing that she could not withstand another round of affection from him, Dou Zhao even looked at him with a pleading expression.
Seeing this, Wei Tingyu nodded and released her.
After all, if he made Dou Zhao cry, things would be difficult to handle! So, he decided to let go of the beauty in his arms.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Hou!" Dou Zhao let out a heavy sigh of relief, then sat upright in a nearby spot and bowed to Wei Tingyu.
The politeness and distance she showed were deliberate, meant to cool down the fire of desire in Wei Tingyu's heart, to throw a little cold water on it.
Wei Tingyu understood, but he also knew it was unlikely that Dou Zhao would completely put her heart on him right now. Not to mention, this little lady, in both lives, was already wary and resistant toward the previous husband who was now replaced by him.
Her obedience and gentleness at the moment were just a performance in front of him!
In fact, under these circumstances, he couldn't help but think of Zhen Huan after returning to the palace from Ganlu Temple! Dou Zhao probably harbored similar thoughts to that of Niuhulu Zhen Huan, perhaps secretly planning her revenge!
Fortunately, at present, Dou Zhao had no connections with other male characters from the drama, so he didn't end up as miserable as Fourth Master, who was caught in a green hat situation.
"There's no need for so many formalities between husband and wife!" Wei Tingyu waved his hand and then asked, "What is it you need to tell me?"
"I have a good business deal here. I wonder if Lord Hou would be interested..." Dou Zhao took a deep breath and then looked at Wei Tingyu seriously, speaking word by word.
In her mind, the Jining Marquis's household had been running at a loss for many years, completely lacking money! If Wei Tingyu heard about a good business deal, he would surely ask eagerly, falling straight into her trap!
"No interest!" However, Wei Tingyu unexpectedly waved his hand and refused outright.
"Ah…" Dou Zhao was stunned!
No interest? What about my plan afterward?
Besides, wasn't the Jining Marquis's household short on silver? How could he ignore an opportunity to make money?
"Lord Hou, this business could bring a large sum of silver to the household..." Dou Zhao took a deep breath, clenching her small fist, and continued, trying to ignite Wei Tingyu's curiosity.
"I'm a marquis, why would I need so much silver?" Wei Tingyu interrupted her again, waving his hand.
"Lord Hou… didn't I hear that the Marquis's household is short on silver…" Dou Zhao nearly turned to leave, but then realized that as the marquis's wife, where could she go? She could only grit her teeth and continue patiently, "Lord Hou, I heard the household lacks funds…"
"Isn't that what you're here for?" Wei Tingyu, shameless as ever, looked at her and nodded, "I heard you've done quite well in business. All the money you make is just more income for the household, right?"
"I..." Dou Zhao was speechless, almost dumbfounded…
Good grief! I've seen shamelessness, but never such shamelessness! This man is just like the previous husband, a hopeless case!
She had even briefly wondered whether he had changed, but now it seemed he had not changed at all.
"A man who relies on his wife's dowry is the most useless of men!" Dou Zhao clenched her fists tightly, her nails nearly digging into her palms, trying her best to lower her voice so she wouldn't explode with anger, then looked at him with disdain and said, "Lord Hou wouldn't want the household to be laughed at, would you?"
"As long as you don't say it, I won't, who would know?" Wei Tingyu shrugged casually, even lying down on the bed and propping up his legs.
What?! You're asking me to take this silent loss? So after using the dowry to supplement the Marquis's household, I can't even talk about it to others?
Dou Zhao's mind was spinning! She couldn't find words to describe the ridiculousness of her husband before her. He was the finest of men—saying things like it was completely natural to live off his wife's dowry!
"Lord Hou! Please forgive me for saying something harsh!" Dou Zhao took a few deep breaths, trying to suppress the curse words that almost burst out, then revealed a look of contempt as she spoke, "My dowry will not be used to supplement the household!"
"Why?" Wei Tingyu, hearing this, not only didn't get angry, but actually started laughing.
"Isn't it said that even brothers within one family settle accounts clearly? Brothers within one family, yet still so, let alone a husband and wife—our union is a marriage between two families, we should settle the accounts properly!" Dou Zhao did not notice the strange expression on Wei Tingyu's face and continued to lay out her principles.
"Oh, I understand! So, you're saying that husband and wife must also settle accounts clearly, right?" Wei Tingyu nodded thoughtfully, then asked.
"Exactly!" Dou Zhao, hearing this, finally let out a sigh of relief. At least this man understood human speech!
"Alright, understood! Now, tell me about your business!" Wei Tingyu thought to himself: 'That's the sentence I was waiting for. Let's see if you regret it later!'
"Lord Hou, I am willing to take my dowry to help the household make up for the deficit!" Dou Zhao, hearing this, quickly presented her prepared proposal, "However…"
"What conditions do you have?" Of course, Wei Tingyu knew that this little lady wouldn't be willing to part with such a large sum of money easily.
"Please, Lord Hou, sign a document. Our marriage will last for only three years! After three years, we will divorce!" Dou Zhao blinked and said, "During these three years, I will fully take on the role of the marquis's wife, diligently managing the affairs of the household, and guarantee that when we divorce after three years, I will leave behind five thousand taels of silver for the household."
Good heavens! She's offering to act as a house manager for three years for free, and during these three years, she will cover all the expenses of the household, leaving behind five thousand taels of silver!
No wonder Dou Zhao was so confident about marrying in—if it were the original Wei Tingyu, he would have never been able to reject her!
Sure enough, now that this little lady had money, her words carried weight!
But Wei Tingyu, at present, didn't care about a mere five thousand taels of silver, nor was he interested in Dou Zhao's dowry!
What he wanted was this woman, the leading lady herself!
"If I say… I don't agree?" Wei Tingyu smiled and looked at Dou Zhao, speaking each word clearly.