Blossom

Why hadn't Dou Ming married Wang Tan in her previous life?

Those two would have been a perfect match!

"Don't think everyone will indulge you like your two cousins do..." Dou Zhao scolded Dou Ming before confining her to her quarters. "Stay home these days and reflect. Only when you've understood your mistakes can you return to Mr. Song's lessons."

Perhaps intimidated by Ji Yong's methods or shocked by his attitude, Dou Ming didn't utter a word of protest. She obediently remained in her room reading and practicing calligraphy, going nowhere.

Even Dou Ming's maids, old women, and pages became more subdued.

Dou Zhao remarked to Ji Yong, "A beating would've sufficed. Your approach was too extreme."

"Aren't you girls all afraid of getting dirty?" Ji Yong blinked at her. "I thought this method more effective."

Dou Zhao frowned. "You're supposed to be a scholar. Where are your manners..."

"Tsk tsk," Ji Yong sneered. "I detest people lecturing me about propriety. Seeing how cleanly you dealt with Pang Kunbai, I thought you were straightforward. Seems I misjudged you."

Now it was her fault.

Dou Zhao couldn't be bothered arguing and went to see Ji Shi instead. She only reappeared when Ji Yong was leaving for the Capital with Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang, offering a simple "Safe travels."

Ji Yong responded with a cold laugh, ignoring her while cheerfully bidding farewell to Third Master Dou and others before departing the Dou family in his deceptively plain yet luxurious carriage.

Dou Ming immediately revived. She resumed lessons with Mr. Song, learned pipa from Wan Niang, practiced calligraphy in her spare time, and frequently accompanied Dou Zhao to pay respects to Second Madam. She became sweet-tongued when encountering Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er. Being aunt and nieces—with Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er soon to marry—they treated her more tolerantly. Yi Jie'er even visited Daci Temple with Dou Ming to hear Buddhist teachings, where they met the Lang family's Eighth Miss. Childhood indiscretions of mimicking adult talk were forgotten; now grown up, Dou Ming greeted Eighth Miss Lang with smiles, who likewise avoided mentioning past incidents as they exchanged pleasantments.

Dou Zhao merely smiled upon hearing this.

Whatever the reason, it was good that Dou Ming could control her temper.

Winter arrived swiftly. While Dou Zhao and her grandmother busied themselves moving potted plants into greenhouses, Dou Ming finally lost patience, demanding of Zhou Momo: "Why hasn't Mother come for me yet?"

"My dear young miss," Zhou Momo soothed, "With New Year approaching, how could they fetch you to the Capital before Second Madam and Consort Cui? Be patient—I'm sure Madam will come for you when spring arrives."

Only then did Dou Ming settle down.

When the new calendar arrived from the yamen, the Dou household began New Year preparations. Cui Shisan's affairs concluded too, and he formally bid Dou Qijun farewell.

Reluctant to part, Dou Qijun lamented, "What a pity I can't offer you better prospects. Wouldn't it be fine if you stayed with me?"

Though naturally smooth-tongued, Cui Shisan's respect for Dou Qijun was genuine. He smiled: "Then let me first wish you success in being Named on the Golden List. When that day comes, I'll gladly serve as your gatekeeper."Dou Qijun laughed heartily and said with great enthusiasm, "Being a gatekeeper would be too demeaning for you. At the very least, you should aim to become a legal advisor or a grain tax advisor!"

"Well, I’d have to return to the county school and study for a few more years first," Cui Shisan joked with Dou Qijun for a while before bidding him farewell and heading to Dou Zhao’s place with Su Lan, who had been waiting for him outside.

Dou Zhao handed him a thousand taels in silver notes: "Fan Wenshu has been managing well in the Capital. You’ll represent me in paying New Year’s visits to the patrons who’ve long supported our business there."

After spending two days reuniting with his parents, Cui Shisan set off on his journey.

No sooner had he left than Ji Yong, Dou Zhengchang, and Dou Dechang returned.

Dou Zhao asked curiously, "Why would Ji Jianming come to Zhen Ding instead of going home for the New Year?"

Su Lan chuckled, "Whatever his reason, he won’t be spending the New Year at our Western Residence."

"That’s true," Dou Zhao smiled. "It’s just that whenever I see him, I can’t help but feel uneasy, afraid that if I blink too many times and miss something, he’ll stir up trouble again."

Su Lan burst into laughter and whispered to Dou Zhao, "Fourth Miss, do you think the Ji family didn’t let him take the Presented Scholar exams and sent him out to gain experience because of this?"

"Not necessarily," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "There are plenty of people who excel in studies and are also restless—it’s not a major issue. I suspect there’s something else about Ji Jianming that we don’t know. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so worried."

Su Lan nodded repeatedly.

Su Xin, noticing her increasingly casual tone, scolded her, "Why haven’t you fetched the hot water for the young lady yet?"

Dou Zhao interjected, "There are old women for such chores; she doesn’t need to do it."

"You spoil her too much, Miss," Su Xin said. "She’s naturally strong—those old women aren’t as steady as she is."

Grumbling as she went to fetch the water, Su Lan muttered, "But the young lady said everyone should stick to their roles—I’m a second-tier maid by her side. Why should I fetch water?"

Su Xin didn’t respond, merely glaring at her.

Su Lan immediately lowered her head and obediently left the room.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.

Without Su Lan’s liveliness, her days would surely lack much laughter.

She asked Su Xin, "Isn’t the anniversary of the late hall master approaching? I’ll give you and your sister three days off to go home and pay your respects properly, fulfilling your filial duties."

Su Xin’s eyes reddened, and she choked up as she thanked Dou Zhao.

When they stepped out of the room, they saw Zhao Liangbi speaking with Gan Lu.

He was exceptionally capable—within just a year, he had risen to become the manager of the grain shop. Dou Xiuchang had repeatedly suggested bringing Zhao Liangbi back to assist him, but Dou Zhao wanted him to stay longer in the Dou family’s shops, not just to learn business but also how to conduct himself, and had thus refused each time.

Zhao Liangbi remained patient, diligently carrying out his duties as manager.

This was also the quality Dou Zhao had valued most about him in her past life.

Noticing Dou Zhao and Su Xin approaching, his face flushed slightly as he stepped forward to greet Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao smiled knowingly.

In her previous life, Zhao Liangbi had married Gan Lu.

"What brings you here today?" Dou Zhao asked him gently. "Is it the year-end inventory at the shop?""It'll take another two days," Zhao Liangbi replied respectfully, his expression growing increasingly bashful. "I was thinking that in a few years it will be the anniversary of the late master's passing. Since you instructed me to assist the two sisters from the other family with the funeral arrangements, I came specifically to inform them—I’ve already prepared all the offerings for the anniversary ceremony, and I’ll help the two sisters pay their respects when the time comes."

Both Su Xin and Su Lan had tears in their eyes as they curtsied and said, "Thank you." They added, "The fourth young lady has given us three days off, so we wouldn’t dare trouble Manager Zhao." They continued, "How much did the offerings cost? We’ll reimburse you."

"Not much, not much," Zhao Liangbi stammered, his face flushing red as he avoided looking at Su Xin.

Dou Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

She glanced at Su Xin, then at Zhao Liangbi, her expression one of disbelief.

※※※※※

A line of carriages was parked at the side gate of the Dou family. Ji Yong’s attendants and luggage stood out the most, along with two unfamiliar burly men directing several carriages laden with trunks straight through the side gate.

What strange and exotic items had Ji Yong brought back this time?

Dou Zhao pondered as she headed to Ji Shi’s courtyard.

In Ji Shi’s courtyard, only a few young maids were skipping rope. When they saw Dou Zhao, they quickly put away the rope and ran over with smiles. "Fourth Young Lady, are you looking for Madam? The Ji family’s young master and the two young masters have returned from the Capital. Madam has accompanied them to pay respects to the Second Madam."

Since she was already here, she might as well join in the excitement—lest the Second Madam resent her for visiting without paying respects.

Dou Zhao turned and left Ji Shi’s courtyard. But as she looked up, she saw several people emerging from the narrow alley ahead.

She focused her gaze and was stunned.

Leading the group was Ji Shi. Behind her was a young man with a face like jade, dressed in a splendid gold brocade straight robe, adorned with a jade hairpin, and carrying scented sachets and satchels at his waist—his opulence exuding an air of noble restraint.

When he saw Dou Zhao, he was equally surprised. His eyes widened slightly, their clarity striking.

It was the young nobleman she had encountered behind the Source of Dharma Temple!

But why was he here?

Turning her gaze to Ji Yong, who walked beside the young man, he wore a plain dark blue robe, radiating confidence and ease, showing no trace of awkwardness. In contrast, Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang, who followed behind them—though both handsome and upright young men—were utterly overshadowed by the pair.

Poor Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang!

Dou Zhao muttered to herself as she stepped forward.

Ji Shi beamed at the sight of her and introduced the nobleman. "...The youngest son of Grand Secretary He, named Yu. By seniority, you should address him as ‘Little Uncle.’"

Dou Shiying was a disciple of He Wendao, making He Yu naturally a generation above Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao was astonished.

He was actually He Wendao’s son!

Had Fifth Uncle and He Wendao reached some agreement? Otherwise, why would his son appear at the Dou family so close to the New Year?

She curtsied and addressed him as "Little Uncle."

He Yu returned the gesture with a slight bow and a smile. "Back at the Source of Dharma Temple, I wondered which family’s young lady could walk so briskly. Who would have thought you were Dou Shixiong’s daughter!" His demeanor was every bit the elder.

"What exactly is going on?" The others exclaimed in unison, all eyes fixed on Dou Zhao.Dou Zhao recounted the events that had transpired.

Ji Shi chuckled and said, "This is also fate."

"Indeed!" He Yu responded, and everyone followed Ji Shi into the courtyard.

After settling in the hall, maids served tea and snacks. Ji Shi invited He Yu to stay for a few more days. Only then did Dou Zhao learn that He Wendao's ancestral home was in Anyang. This time, He Yu had been sent by his father to return to their hometown for ancestral rites. Passing through Zhen Ding, the two groups had met on the road and traveled together, so He Yu took the opportunity to pay his respects to Second Madam.

Sending the youngest son instead of the eldest for ancestral rites... I wonder what story lies behind the He family's decision?

Lost in thought, Dou Zhao leisurely sipped her tea when she heard Ji Yong say, "Fourth Sister, Brother He heard from Twelfth Brother on the road that the vegetarian dishes at Daci Temple are a unique delicacy of Zhen Ding. He’s eager to try them. Why don’t you join us?"