Blossom

When Ji Yong said this, there wasn’t a trace of amusement in his eyes. Was he still holding a grudge over her previous remark about him being "unruly"?

She hadn’t expected him to be so petty—someone who would repay the slightest grievance.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, “You’re going to Daci Temple for vegetarian dishes? I won’t be joining. With the New Year approaching, there’s still so much to do at home!”

Her reply clearly displeased Ji Yong, as a faint sneer even appeared on his face.

Dou Zhao pretended not to notice and turned to Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang, asking, “How are Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt? And Sixth Uncle? Did Father have any messages for me?”

Dou Zhengchang answered, “Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt are both well. Tenth Sister-in-law is about to give birth, and Fifth Aunt hopes she’ll have a daughter first—‘blossom before bearing fruit.’ Father found Fifth Uncle’s place too noisy, so in September, he moved to Jing'an Temple Alley to live with Seventh Uncle. On his days off, Father browses antiques near Great Xiangguo Temple, while Seventh Uncle listens to Buddhist lectures at Tianning Temple. Father has put on some weight, but Seventh Uncle looks the same as ever…”

Among the cousins, Dou Bochang, the sixth in seniority, was Fifth Uncle’s eldest son, while Dou Jichang, the tenth, was his second son. Dou Bochang had married the granddaughter of Imperial Academy scholar Cai Bi and had two sons in succession. Dou Jichang had married the daughter of Guo Xun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In her past life, Dou Zhao had met these two sisters-in-law a few times but had no real connection with them. In this life, she hadn’t seen them at all—Cai Shi had gotten pregnant soon after marriage, and Fifth Aunt worried the journey would disturb the pregnancy. After that, she had two more children, making it inconvenient to return to pay respects to the ancestors. Guo Shi had shown no signs of pregnancy in four years. She could have returned, but with Cai Shi setting the precedent, it was awkward for her to come back alone.

Hearing Dou Zhengchang’s words, Dou Zhao now learned that Guo Shi was pregnant. Recalling that in her past life, Guo Shi had given birth to a daughter but never conceived again, overshadowed by the domineering Cai Shi and Bai Yiniang, who bore four sons in a row—even though her father eventually rose to the prestigious rank of Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Guo Shi had never been able to speak up in the Dou family. A wave of pity washed over her, and she smiled. “So Tenth Sister-in-law is about to have a little one. Shall I make some baby clothes to send over?”

“That’d be great!” Dou Zhengchang replied cheerfully. “Father wants us to go to the Capital again after the New Year with Mother. Why don’t you come with us, Fourth Sister?”

With Sixth Aunt?

Dou Zhao instinctively glanced at Ji Shi.

Ji Shi’s eyes sparkled with barely concealed joy as she eagerly asked Dou Zhengchang, “Did your father really say that?”

Dou Zhengchang nodded. “Yes, Father even wrote a letter for Mother. I was in a hurry to greet Grandmother earlier, so I haven’t given it to you yet.”

Ji Shi’s smile widened, and she shot a glance at Wang Momo, who had accompanied Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang to the Capital.

Wang Momo nodded with a knowing smile.

Ji Shi turned to Dou Zhao. “It’s been years since you last saw your father, hasn’t it? Why not come with us this time? We’ll stay at the Ji family’s residence on Sitao Alley in the Capital. We’ll only be there for half a month at most…”

In other words, she wouldn’t have to meet Wang Yingxue or visit the Wang family.

Dou Zhao had no desire to return to the Capital.

The Marquis of Jining’s Mansion was just three streets away from Sitao Alley.

She had no intention of running into old acquaintances.

“I’d rather not,” she said with a smile. “Dou Ming is still at home…”Ji Yong suddenly said coldly, "Do you want to take care of Dou Ming, or do you simply not wish to stay in the Ji family's residence?"

Even if she didn't want to stay in the Ji family's residence, it was perfectly understandable!

Dou Zhao pretended not to hear and continued smiling as she spoke to Ji Shi: "And Consort Cui, she loves braised pork the most. If I don’t keep an eye on her, no one can stop her from overindulging."

Ji Shi assumed she simply didn’t want to cross paths with Wang Yingxue and felt a pang of melancholy, deciding not to press Dou Zhao further. She smiled and changed the subject: "The Capital is abundant with treasures. What would you like? I’ll bring some back for you!"

Thinking of Su Lan’s fondness for Spun Sugar Candy, Dou Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony and replied cheerfully, "Then I’ll trouble you to bring back two packs of Spun Sugar Candy for me... and about ten boxes of the Eight Delicacies Pastry Set from Fuxiangzhai, so I can give them as gifts... Also, bring some candied fruit from Lin’s store—plums, apricots, olives, and winter melon rind... two packs of each."

"You’re not afraid of overloading the carriage, are you?" Ji Shi chuckled, though a trace of puzzlement flickered in her heart.

Dou Zhao had never been to the Capital—how did she know so much about its local specialties?

Had Dou Ming boasted about them in front of her, prompting her to request these items specifically?

A twinge of heartache passed through Ji Shi, and she took Dou Zhao’s hand. "But don’t worry. I’ll make sure to bring back every single thing you asked for."

Everyone burst into laughter—except for Ji Yong, whose expression remained icy.

Dou Zhengchang even took the rare opportunity to tease Dou Zhao: "Fourth Sister, do you want any clothes or jewelry? I’ve heard that East Street in the Capital is full of shops selling those. I haven’t been there yet. Why don’t you ask Mother to bring you a few pieces? If she needs more hands to carry things, she’ll surely take us brothers along..."

The atmosphere in the room was warm and harmonious.

Yet, despite this, Dou Zhao’s deliberate disregard for Ji Yong and Ji Yong’s cold demeanor toward her added a strange undercurrent to the otherwise pleasant mood.

He Yu glanced at Dou Zhao, then at Ji Yong, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

A thirteen-year-old provincial scholar, a direct descendant of the Ji family, praised repeatedly by his father—who even hosted a banquet in his honor upon learning of his visit to the Capital.

Ji Yong, also known as Ji Jianming, was renowned in the Capital’s scholarly circles for his erudition, humility, and grace—warm as the winter sun. Who would believe that such a man could be so visibly irritated by the indifference of a young lady from the Dou family?

He Yu’s lips curled slightly as he lowered his head to take a sip of tea, his mind drifting back to the first time he had seen Dou Zhao.

The morning light had bathed her smooth forehead, tiny beads of sweat glistening like dewdrops, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright and lively. She had resembled a flower in full bloom, more radiant than the sky awash with dawn’s colors.

A fleeting sense of wonder passed through him.

Unconsciously, He Yu began comparing Dou Zhao to the young ladies in his own family.The He family had been prominent since the previous dynasty. By the current era, their prosperity had reached dazzling heights, flourishing like flowers adorned with brocade. Few families could rival them in matters of clothing, food, housing, and travel. The daughters of the family were exceptionally pampered, each as lovely as spring orchids or autumn chrysanthemums, each with her own charm. Yet compared to Dou Zhao, they always seemed to lack something.

To be precise, though Dou Zhao was beautiful, she couldn’t be called peerless. Her attire was tasteful but not uniquely crafted—even Ji Yong’s seemingly plain dark blue robe, woven from the finest twill fabric produced in Jiading, had a subtle sheen like velvet. That plain fabric alone cost three taels of silver per bolt, and dyed this deep shade, it was likely even more expensive than his gold brocade garment. This was the typical understated elegance of young masters from well-established families—though Ji Yong disdained such pretentiousness and refused to indulge in it.

Yet for some reason, Dou Zhao possessed a quality his sisters lacked.

If she didn’t wish to engage with Ji Jianming, she simply wouldn’t—no forced politeness, no empty pleasantries, no feigned courtesy. His sisters, whether gentle, strong-willed, exceptionally clever, or adept at reading situations, would still humor others in such circumstances, no matter how much they disliked it, fearing their fathers’ and brothers’ disapproval or their mothers’ displeasure. None could express their true feelings as boldly and honestly as she did.

The thought struck him, stirring something in his heart.

His sisters were like carefully arranged flowers or exquisite paintings—pleasing to the eye but lacking vitality. Dou Zhao, however, was like a tree or a bamboo grove, tall and lush, thriving and withering with the seasons, growing freely and naturally, unshaken by anyone.

"Fourth Miss," He Yu suddenly interrupted Dou Zhengchang, earnestly inviting Dou Zhao, "Why not set aside your tasks tomorrow and join us for vegetarian dishes at Daci Temple? A little leisure amidst busyness makes for greater enjoyment!"

Dou Zhao, of course, politely declined.

It wouldn’t make sense to refuse Ji Yong only to accept He Yu.

Ji Yong’s expression brightened considerably.

A flicker of disappointment crossed He Yu’s face.

Thinking that Dou Zhengchang and the others must be weary from their journey and hadn’t even had a moment to exchange private words with Ji Shi, Dou Zhao rose to take her leave. "I’ll go pay my respects to Second Madam and also visit Ninth Cousin’s Ming Ge’er."

Ming Ge’er was Dou Huanchang’s son.

Remembering that He Yu, their esteemed guest, was still present, Ji Shi urged Dou Zhao with a few polite words like "Come visit when you have time," then had Cai Shu escort her out. After exchanging a few pleasantries with He Yu, the gathering dispersed, and everyone retired to their quarters.

Once alone, Ji Shi and Wang Momo spoke privately in the inner chamber.

"Did you see the Han family’s young lady?" Ji Shi couldn’t conceal the excitement and curiosity in her voice. "What’s her temperament like? How does she look?"

Dou Zhengchang was already seventeen, well past the usual age for marriage discussions. Ji Shi had little regard for the young ladies of Beizhili and was determined to find him a match among the relatives of the Ji family.

The Han family of Huzhou were her sister-in-law’s—Ji Yong’s mother’s—maternal relatives. They were an official family of long standing, having produced not only Presented Scholars but also a Zhuangyuan (top scholar) and a Bangyan (second-place scholar). They were one of the most prominent families in Jiangnan and had intermarried with the Ji family for generations, maintaining a close and intimate relationship.She had written several times to her sister-in-law, asking her to help arrange a match for Dou Zhengchang. However, since her sister-in-law had never met Zhengchang, she had politely declined each time. This trip of Zhengchang and Dou Dechang to the Capital was actually for Han Shi to meet and evaluate Zhengchang.

When Ji Shi first heard from Zhengchang that Dou Shiheng wanted her to bring both sons to the Capital again after spring, she knew this marriage arrangement was progressing well. That's why she couldn't wait to pull Wang Momo aside to inquire about the situation.

Wang Momo smiled with pursed lips, curtsied respectfully to Ji Shi and said: "Congratulations to the Madam on soon becoming a mother-in-law." Then she continued cheerfully, "No wonder you entrusted this matter to Seventh Aunt—she truly does impeccable work! The tenth young miss of the Han family she introduced is not only gentle and virtuous in character, but also exceptionally dignified in appearance. Her conduct in social interactions is so impeccable that no fault can be found. I made some discreet inquiries and learned that the Han family's tenth young miss has been obsessed with calligraphy since childhood—her Academy Style Calligraphy is said to be even better than the young masters of the Han family. Though her needlework isn't particularly refined, as Seventh Aunt rightly said: 'Gold cannot be pure, and people cannot be perfect.' For families like ours, whether one excels in needlework or not doesn't matter much. What truly matters is the ability to support one's husband and properly educate the children..."

Ji Shi nodded repeatedly: "My sister-in-law speaks wisely. A person without flaws isn't genuine—what I fear most are those supposedly perfect people without a single fault, as such perfection is usually just a facade..."