Blossom

Upon hearing Dou Zhao's words, Shuangzhi looked at her with a trace of fear in her eyes.

Dou Zhao paid it no mind.

As long as her mother and the elders remained unsuspicious, no matter how much the servants gossiped, it would remain just that—gossip.

Dou Zhao directed Tuo Niang to carry her back to her room.

The Western Dou household was simple in its affairs. Though the tension at Crane Longevity Hall had the servants on edge, it was far from reaching a state of panic.

Once Shuangzhi mentioned that Tuo Niang and Xiang Cao had been assigned to serve in Dou Zhao’s room, everyone’s attention quickly shifted to the two of them.

Some teased, “That little minx Xiang Cao—she actually got her way! I wonder whose connections she used?”

More, however, greeted Tuo Niang warmly, introducing themselves with names like “I’m Yinxing” or “I’m Dingxiang,” while others asked, “Which room did you serve in before, sister? How did you suddenly get assigned to the Fourth Miss’s quarters?”

Unaccustomed to such enthusiasm, Tuo Niang stammered her replies.

When they learned she had been a lowly laundry maid, the group exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to react.

Tuo Niang, noticing this, grew even more awkward.

“Alright,” Shuangzhi said with a smile, stepping in to rescue her. “You can chat more later. For now, let Tuo Niang settle in.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “Hahnxiao and I have two spare beds in our room. Since we don’t know when Seventh Madam will return today, but the Fourth Miss can’t be left unattended, I suggest Tuo Niang stay with us for now until Seventh Madam gives further instructions.”

Tuo Niang let out a relieved breath.

The others quickly regained their composure, some volunteering to help Tuo Niang gather her belongings, others offering to make her bed.

But Tuo Niang refused to leave Dou Zhao’s side. “Who will attend to the young miss? I’ll wait until Xiang Cao arrives.”

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

Tuo Niang was stubbornly loyal.

When Dou Zhao had married into the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion, her future had been uncertain, so she hadn’t dared to bring Tuo Niang along. By the time she had secured her position and wanted to fetch her, Tuo Niang had already fallen ill and passed away.

At this thought, her eyes reddened slightly, and she gently squeezed Tuo Niang’s hand.

Tuo Niang met her gaze solemnly and declared with grave sincerity, “Fourth Miss, don’t worry. I won’t leave your side for even a moment.” Her tone implied that everyone else was untrustworthy, darkening the expressions of those in the room. Yet Tuo Niang remained oblivious, standing steadfastly by Dou Zhao’s side, unmoved.

Shuangzhi had no choice but to instruct a maid to inform the Laundry Room and prepare a place for Tuo Niang to rest.

The group dispersed to their tasks, and no one attempted further conversation with Tuo Niang.

Left alone, Dou Zhao and Tuo Niang sat in the inner room, staring at each other in silence.

Before long, Xiang Cao rushed in. “Fourth Miss, Seventh Madam and Yu Momo have returned!”

But she made no mention of Father.

Dou Zhao’s heart sank. “Father?”

Xiang Cao wiped the sweat from her brow. “Seventh Master, the Old Master, Third Master, and Third Madam are still at Crane Longevity Hall.”

Were they discussing the concubine matter? Or how to make Mother relent?

Anxious, Dou Zhao scrambled off the kang with Tuo Niang’s help and dashed outside.

Tuo Niang and Xiang Cao hurried after her.

Her mother, expressionless and supported by Yu Momo, entered with a grim face.

“Mother! Mother!” Dou Zhao threw herself forward.

Her mother’s stern expression softened slightly as she bent to pick her up, kissing her cheek before handing her to Hahnxiao. “Take the Fourth Miss to play cat’s cradle.”

Hahnxiao quickly took Dou Zhao, but the little girl clung tightly to her mother’s sleeve, refusing to let go.Mother suddenly became very impatient: "Child, why won't you listen? Mother has things to attend to. Go play with Han Xiao." As she spoke, she noticed Tuo Niang and Xiang Cao standing nearby and pointed at them, "Or go play with those two."

Knowing her mother wasn't in the mood to indulge her, Dou Zhao obediently let Han Xiao carry her. Once her mother and Yu Momo entered the inner chamber, she slipped out of Han Xiao's arms and ran after them.

The maids on duty didn't dare stop her.

She entered the inner chamber without hindrance.

Her mother was weeping over the kang table: "...You saw it yourself. Before that woman even steps through our door, he's already shielding her, terrified she might suffer the slightest grievance. What more can I say? Fine, I'll comply with his wishes and let that woman enter our household! I want to see for myself what skills she possesses, what tricks she uses to bewitch him into abandoning parents, wife, children, reputation, and principles!"

Yu Momo's eyes flickered slightly as she said quietly, "Seventh Master taking a concubine is neither a major nor minor matter. Should we send word to your elder brother...?"

"No!" Before Yu Momo could finish, Mother abruptly lifted her head and spoke urgently, "Brother will be heading to the Capital for the Spring Examination after the new year and is currently secluded in his studies. If he learns Wanyuan is taking a concubine just three years into my marriage, given his temper, he'll never let it rest. I can't let my affairs disrupt his future." She repeatedly cautioned Yu Momo, "You served my mother. If it were any other matter, I wouldn't mind what you did behind my back—I know you mean well. But this is no trivial matter. Our Zhao Family hasn't produced a Presented Scholar in forty years. If any trouble arises because of you, you'd be making me an unfilial daughter, condemning me as the Zhao Family's eternal disgrace!"

Yu Momo nodded, turning away to wipe tears from the corners of her eyes.

Was Uncle really that great?

Dou Zhao curled her lip, silently addressing her mother: Go ahead and disturb him. He passed the imperial examination in the Dingwei year. Right after attaining his degree, he secured an official post in the northwest and took the whole family there, never returning to Zhen Ding again.

She had only seen her uncle once—on her wedding day.

Her mother had a brother. When bidding farewell to her family, out of respect for her mother, she had kowtowed three times to him with utmost reverence.

Uncle had seemed deeply moved, his gaze giving her the illusion of "our girl has grown up." Overjoyed at the time, she thought that since he served far away in the northwest, communication was difficult, and her stepmother only favored her own brothers, her uncle—being a scholar—must have been too proud to endure such humiliation, hence his absence from the Dou household. His journey from his post to see her off surely meant he still cared for his niece. She had even planned to take this reunion as an opportunity to honor him properly and ask him about her mother's past.

Yet the moment she left, Uncle returned to the northwest, and from then on, not a single word came from him.

If he had avoided the Dou family because of her stepmother before, what held him back after she married into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion?

Dou Zhao couldn't make sense of it.

Later, her eldest cousin Zhao Biru, residing in the Capital with her husband, once visited her—only to be dismissed after three cups of tea.

Could someone like that be relied upon?

Dou Zhao doubted it, lost in thought behind the drapes of the standing screen.Since Mother had agreed to Father taking a concubine, could it be that Stepmother was elevated from concubine to wife?

Yet Stepmother always claimed she was "properly wedded into the Dou family with a grand procession of eight sedan chairs," and no one ever contradicted her when she said this!

Stepmother might have dismissed Mother's loyal servants and coerced the Dou family's maids, but surely the respectable official wives of Zhen Ding County wouldn't all turn a blind eye and lie for her!

Could there have been another woman in between?

But that didn't make sense either—Stepmother was already pregnant when she entered the household, and younger sister Dou Ming was only two years and seven months younger than her...

Dou Zhao grew more and more confused.

Hanxiao entered the room.

"Seventh Madam," she said cautiously, "Third Madam has arrived."

Mother quickly wiped her tears, instructing her to "please invite Third Sister-in-law in for tea," while rising to greet her.

Third Aunt entered solemnly, flanked by two maids.

Seeing Mother, her eyes reddened, and she took Mother's hand as they sat on the kang.

The attendants discreetly withdrew.

Before Yu Momo could serve tea, Third Aunt said, "I know you're heartbroken. I won't console you—cry if you need to. But afterward, you must gather your strength. Judging by Seventh Uncle's behavior, you still have tough battles ahead!"

"I know!" Mother replied, tears falling again. Instead of complaining, she apologized to Third Aunt, "Please speak a few words on my behalf to Third Uncle. I was furious when I said those things to him. Please ask him to forgive my youth and inexperience."

"Speaking like this makes you seem distant from me and your third brother," Third Aunt said tearfully. "In the end, it's your third brother's fault! If he hadn't acted rashly, Seventh Uncle wouldn't have caused this scene..."

"What does this have to do with Third Uncle?" Mother sobbed, interrupting her. "Though they're cousins, Third Uncle treats Wanyuan like a son. If Wanyuan came to him for help, how could Third Uncle turn away? The fault lies with Wanyuan—he's been bewitched... I just hate... We grew up together. Our bond should have been stronger than most couples. If he wanted a concubine, why didn't he discuss it with me first? When I refused, he knelt in the snow until I relented... Father-in-law was forty-two when he finally had this only son. What does he take me for? Where does that leave me? The thought chills me..." She buried her face in the kang table and wept again.

"Don't cry, don't cry!" Third Aunt embraced her. "Life has its ups and downs for everyone. Seventh Uncle is still young—it's natural to make mistakes. I'm not embarrassed to say this: your eldest uncle, who seems so steady now? Right after becoming a Presented Scholar, he too published books and took concubines. Eldest Sister-in-law cried herself sick. But a few years later, once that phase passed, he realized home was best and devoted himself to her. She nearly forty, yet they had Lan Ge'er... Sometimes, gentleness overcomes strength—direct confrontation won't work."

"I understand what you're saying, Third Sister-in-law," Mother said, sitting up and drying her tears. "But there's something I need to ask of you." She didn't continue the previous topic.

Third Aunt looked surprised but quickly replied, "Tell me, tell me. If I can help, I will.""If that woman is to enter our household, I must at least meet her first!" Mother said. "I'd like to invite Third Aunt and Eldest Aunt to accompany me when the time comes."

This was originally the custom among noble families. Even when agreeing to let one's husband take a concubine, the wife must first assess the woman. If she turned out to be from the pleasure quarters or had questionable character, the wife could refuse her husband's request without being labeled "jealous." This was unlike those nouveau riche merchants who had no such scruples and could bring home anyone they fancied.

Third Aunt suddenly understood: "Good, good, good. I'll go tell Eldest Aunt right away."

"Then I'll trouble you, Third Aunt," Mother said as she stood up. "I'll tell Wanyuan to have her brought from the Capital to Zhen Ding."

Third Aunt didn't respond directly but patted Mother's hand with a smile, saying: "Our Seventh Sister-in-law has grown up!"

Her tone held both sentiment and satisfaction.