Blossom

In the carriage back to the Western Manor, Dou Zhao seemed unusually quiet.

Both Su Xin and Su Lan had returned to Zhen Ding Prefecture to observe the anniversary rites for Father, leaving the more lively Gan Lu by her side.

With a smile, Gan Lu asked Dou Zhao, "Fourth Miss, what's the matter?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Dou Zhao replied absentmindedly. "I was just thinking about some things from the past."

How old is the Fourth Miss to be talking about "the past"? What could possibly have happened in her past?

Gan Lu mimicked the maids from Ji Shi's quarters and suppressed a giggle.

Dou Zhao didn't notice Gan Lu's odd behavior at all, lost in her own thoughts.

In her previous life, Sixth Aunt had moved to the Capital when she was fourteen, quickly purchasing a two-courtyard residence in Mao'er Alley near Jing'an Temple for Dou Zhengchang's wedding.

Dou Zhengchang had married the niece of Sixth Aunt's sister-in-law, surnamed Han, from a prominent Jiangnan family. Though slightly lacking in managing household affairs, she was exceptionally learned. Dou Zhengchang would discuss every Eight-legged Essay he wrote with this Eleventh Sister-in-Law. Later, when Dou Zhengchang became a renowned master of the form, any current essays he endorsed would immediately become bestsellers nationwide. The couple shared common aspirations and enjoyed a deeply affectionate marriage.

Because of this, Sixth Aunt had stayed in the Capital to care for Sixth Uncle and Dou Zhengchang's family, never returning to Zhen Ding before Dou Zhao's rebirth.

Was she about to be separated from Sixth Aunt?

At this thought, her heart ached, and tears nearly welled up in her eyes.

For several days, Dou Zhao remained in low spirits.

Her grandmother assumed she was tired and advised her to rest more: "...After all, there are only three of us for the New Year. It doesn't matter if we're missing something or other."

Dou Zhao giggled and took the opportunity to slack off, leaving the tasks to Su Xin upon her return while she secluded herself in her room doing needlework.

She had resolved never to return to the Capital in this life. If Sixth Aunt settled there permanently, they might rarely see each other again. Sixth Aunt had cared for her like a mother for years, and now that her departure was imminent, Dou Zhao wanted to personally make some clothes as a token of her gratitude.

Soon, rumors spread that she was unwell.

Dou Ming lingered outside Dou Zhao's door for a long while before finally turning away.

Dou Zhao shook her head slightly, feeling a faint disappointment.

She had always believed in the inherent goodness of people. Unfortunately, Dou Ming's luck had been poor.

First, she encountered Wang Yingxue, who used her against Father, adding layers of calculation while diminishing maternal affection. Then came Madam Xu Wang, who treated her like a pet—indulgent but irresponsible about her future. Now, she was with Dou Zhao herself, who was no expert in child-rearing, as evidenced by her three children in her past life... Dou Ming's suffering was hers alone to bear!

When news reached the Eastern Manor, Ji Shi rushed over immediately.

Dou Zhao had to reassure her: "...It's just the cold weather making me want to sleep more!"

Seeing her rosy complexion and energetic demeanor, Ji Shi knew she wasn't being evasive.

Nevertheless, Second Madam sent Nanny Liu to check on her, while Second Madam and Third Madam came in person. Second Cousin-in-Law and Third Cousin-in-Law brought Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er, along with Huang Shi (the Eldest Madam's daughter-in-law), Dou Fanchang's wife, Dou Huachang's wife, and Dou Qijun's wife, Qi Shi. The crowd filled the inner chamber until there was hardly space to stand.Dou Zhao had no choice but to repeatedly explain that she was perfectly fine, merely feeling slightly fatigued. However, Dou Shiheng still sent his steward over with medicinal herbs.

If this continued, even Dou Xiuchang and Dou Yuchang might send people to check on her.

Dou Zhao had no choice but to "recover" quickly.

This amused the Bie sisters to no end in private. Su Lan even remarked, "Now I understand why being the Emperor isn’t easy—if His Majesty ever wanted to skip court for a day, forget the imperial concubines, even the Grand Secretaries would pester him endlessly."

Su Xin teased her as well, "It seems ‘stealing leisure from busyness’ isn’t something just anyone can manage."

Seeing the sisters in high spirits, Dou Zhao joked, "Regarding the anniversary of Bie Shi’s passing, did Zhao Liangbi actually help out?"

When the Bie sisters returned, Zhao Liangbi had taken her past casual words as an order, insisting, "This was originally what the young mistress instructed." Since the Bie sisters were women, he handled all the external affairs, accompanying them to Zhen Ding.

Whether Su Xin and Su Lan didn’t notice Zhao Liangbi’s intentions or simply missed the implication in Dou Zhao’s words, they replied cheerfully, "Of course he helped! From arranging sacrificial items to organizing banquets and receiving guests, we owe it all to Manager Zhao." This left Dou Zhao at a loss for words.

In her past life, without the Bie sisters, Zhao Liangbi and Gan Lu had married smoothly, treating each other with respect—a relationship many envied. But in this life, Zhao Liangbi had met Su Xin.

What else would change?

Dou Zhao felt both bewildered and expectant.

Ji Yong sent his personal page, Zi Shang, to deliver two fifty-year-old ginseng roots: "Our young master says to slice the ginseng and hold a piece under your tongue before bed each night—it calms the spirit and replenishes energy."

The Ji family truly lived up to their reputation as a century-old aristocratic house. What others couldn’t buy even with money, he casually gifted to her.

Dou Zhao sincerely thanked him, "Please convey my gratitude to your young master for the ginseng. I’ve already recovered." Considering these were life-saving herbs, she didn’t refuse and had Su Xin store them, rewarding Zi Shang with two premium Red Envelopes.

Zi Shang bowed respectfully in thanks.

Dou Zhao then asked whether Ji Yong would celebrate the New Year with the Dou family or return to Yixing.

"Originally, our family’s elder wished for our young master to spend the New Year in the Capital with his two uncles. But our young master said the Capital wasn’t fun, so he came to Zhen Ding with his cousin," Zi Shang replied eloquently. "He’ll return to the Capital with our paternal aunt after spring begins."

Then she’d send him a return gift for the New Year.

But what could she give someone who lacked nothing?

As Dou Zhao pondered this, Ji Yong sent someone to ask her to help write Spring Festival couplets: "...I was just idling around and agreed to help. Somehow, everyone else suddenly had things to do, leaving all five hundred couplets to me! Since you’re better now, come lend a hand. Otherwise, when will these ever get done?"

This was the responsibility of the Dou family’s male descendants—what did it have to do with her?

Even if they couldn’t finish, it wasn’t her place to step in.

But remembering the two ginseng roots, Dou Zhao decided to go.

Just as she was about to leave, Gaoxing (Happy) reported, "Young Master He is departing for Anyang tomorrow."

Dou Zhao asked, "How much Travel Expenses did the Eastern Residence give?"

"Five hundred taels."“So much!” Dou Zhao was quite surprised. When she reviewed the Dou family’s account books, the largest travel expenses recorded had only been three hundred taels. During her time as a marquise, it had been even less—just two hundred taels.

It seemed the Dou family was sparing no effort to curry favor with the He family!

She instructed Gaoxing (Happy), “Then let’s match the East Residence and send five hundred taels as travel expenses as well.”

Gaoxing cheerfully had someone carry the silver and followed Dou Zhao to the East Residence.

He went to the guest quarters to deliver the travel expenses to He Yu, while Dou Zhao headed to Ji Shi’s place.

He Yu had been reading in the inner chamber when he overheard the messenger from Dou Shiying’s household addressing his steward in the outer hall, repeatedly mentioning, “The Fourth Young Lady said…” Feeling puzzled, he couldn’t resist stepping out to ask the visitor, “Does the Fourth Young Lady manage the household affairs in your residence?”

“Of course!” Gaoxing, who always took pride in Dou Zhao, replied respectfully. “With the Seventh Master and Seventh Madam in the Capital, all household matters are decided by our Fourth Young Lady. She is extremely capable! From the daily provisions for everyone in the household to the family’s business dealings and social engagements of each branch—nothing can proceed without her. On top of that, she still studies and practices calligraphy with her tutor. Why, even Young Master Ji couldn’t finish writing all the spring couplets and had to specially request our Fourth Young Lady’s help.” He concluded with admiration, “Otherwise, why would our Seventh Master send the Fifth Young Lady back to be disciplined under her care?”

He Yu was taken aback and asked, “What’s this about writing spring couplets?” His tone carried an urgency he hadn’t noticed himself.

Gaoxing promptly explained the Dou family’s tradition, emphasizing repeatedly, “…Age doesn’t matter. Any Dou descendant with good calligraphy can help write them.”

He Yu let out an “Oh,” then instructed his personal page to reward Gaoxing with two premium red envelopes. Returning to the inner chamber, he remained lost in thought for a long while before finally ordering his page, “Help me change clothes. I should also bid farewell to Young Master Ji.”

The page hurriedly complied, dressing He Yu in a crimson ramie silk straight robe, fastening a golden hairpin, and adorning his waist with a scent satchel and scented sachet.

Suddenly, He Yu thought of Ji Yong.

That guy would undoubtedly be wearing a plain cloth robe again.

He told his page, “Skip the golden hairpin. Use the bronze one instead.”

The page quickly switched the hairpin, and He Yu nodded in satisfaction before heading to the courtyard where Ji Yong was staying.

Ji Yong wasn’t home.

His attendant informed He Yu, “Our Young Master is at his paternal aunt’s place.”

He Yu chuckled at himself.

Why had he assumed Dou Zhao would be with Ji Yong?

He then went to Ji Shi’s quarters.

Upon entering, he saw Ji Yong complaining to Dou Zhao, “…Who came up with such a ridiculous rule? Our Ji family has stood for a century without anything like this! Will writing spring couplets really foster harmony with the neighbors? I think handing out a few copper coins during the New Year would make them far more grateful…”

Handing out coins—that’s what merchant families do!

Dou Zhao retorted irritably, “Every family has its own customs. Has anyone in our household ever criticized the Ji family’s ways?”

Ji Yong fell silent.

Still unsatisfied, Dou Zhao feigned confusion and teased, “Are you really a Ji? Maybe you were switched at birth!”

This made Ji Yong stomp his feet in frustration. “Help if you want, leave if you don’t. Why must a girl talk so much?”

Was he implying she was gossipy?

That was one of the seven grounds for divorce!Dou Zhao naturally wouldn't let him have the last word. "Did you show off in front of our Dou family again? Otherwise, why would everyone suddenly have matters to attend to? Our Dou family sends out so many spring couplets to the neighbors every year, yet I've never heard of anyone failing to finish writing them. This shows that no matter how clever or capable someone is, they shouldn't provoke public anger..."

"Dou Zhao!" Ji Yong said through gritted teeth as he shoved a brush into her hand. "Are you going to write or not?"

"I won't!" Dou Zhao decisively threw the brush onto the desk.

The sound of footsteps approached from afar.

Both of them instinctively turned toward the sound, not only spotting He Yu—who carried himself with the air of a wealthy young master—nodding and smiling at them, but also seeing Song Yan hurrying over.

"Fourth Miss," Song Yan said timidly while wiping sweat from his forehead, "is it appropriate for me to help Recommended Man Ji write spring couplets?"

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Sisters and brothers, I was so exhausted yesterday that my mind felt like mush, so I had to get up early to finish writing.

PS: Regarding the comments from some sisters about not receiving notifications for major revisions when reading on mobile—that was my oversight. From now on, if I make any revisions, I'll be sure to mention it in the following chapters. My apologies for any inconvenience!

o(n_n)o~

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