Blossom

When Dou Zhao heard that the He family had enlisted Cai Bi to help the Dou family retrieve her betrothal token from the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, she was utterly astonished.

Logically, at this stage, even if the He family was unwilling to let go, they should have remained silent. Why would they risk damaging their reputation to intervene on behalf of the Dou family? Were they interested in her, or in Dou Shishu? Or had He Wendao and Dou Shishu already struck some agreement, urgently needing this marriage as a cover? After all, in her past life, Dou Shishu had only entered the Grand Secretariat with He Wendao's support.

She boldly speculated, "Could it be that He Yu and his elder brother have irreconcilable conflicts?"

Chen Qushui's eyes sharpened, and he solemnly replied, "Now that you mention it, if that were truly the case, everything would make sense."

He Wendao knew that after his death, He Yu wouldn't receive the family's full support. Since he had taken a liking to Dou Zhao, He Wendao entrusted his most beloved youngest son to Dou Shishu's care, then pushed for Dou Shishu's entry into the Grand Secretariat. For He Wendao, this was merely an early declaration of stance in the power struggle among the Grand Secretaries—risky, but not enough to shake the foundations. It also resolved the conflicts among his children, killing multiple birds with one stone.

Worried, Chen Qushui said, "I fear this matter may bring trouble."

"What matter doesn’t?" Dou Zhao laughed optimistically, her expression relaxed. "Let’s first gather more information about the He family in this direction. As for the Wei family, we should also send someone to keep an eye on them. As for Cai Bi..." She nearly said, "I know him," but considering her current identity, she paused before continuing, "I’ve heard his eloquence is extraordinary. I’m afraid the He and Dou families might prefer compensating the Wei family to retrieve the token. The Wei family’s paternal aunt is quite opportunistic—we must guard against her."

Chen Qushui didn’t suspect anything.

Dou Zhao was shrewd, and since this concerned her lifelong marriage, it was natural for her to seek information about the Wei family.

"I’ll arrange it right away," Chen Qushui said, his efficiency earning Dou Zhao’s admiration.

She stopped him and asked, "Any news from the Ji family?"

Dou Zhao didn’t mention Ji Yong’s words—"Since we’re relatives, I’ll help you this time"—to Chen Qushui. Subconsciously, she found the statement too absurd, fearing Chen Qushui wouldn’t believe it or would dismiss it as a young man’s impulsive enthusiasm.

"Nothing yet," Chen Qushui replied, though he wondered if he should personally visit the Capital.

If not for the Fourth Miss’s insight about the He family, they might still be completely in the dark, let alone making any progress.

At times like this, Chen Qushui deeply felt the pain of lacking manpower.

Just as he was about to discuss it with Dou Zhao, Su Xin entered with a strange expression. "Fourth Miss, two young masters claim to be passing through Zhen Ding County and have come to pay respects to the Seventh Master. One introduces himself as Wei, the Young Lord of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, and the other as Wang, the fourth son of the Marquis of Ting'an..."

Wei Tingyu and Wang Qinghai!

Dou Zhao’s eyes widened.

Chen Qushui was also startled. Glancing at the stunned Dou Zhao, he urgently asked, "Where are they? Doesn’t he know the Seventh Master is in the Capital?""We did mention it," Su Xin's expression grew increasingly peculiar, "but Young Master Wei said if the Seventh Master wasn't home, any senior family member would do. He just came to pay his respects..." Su Xin had also guessed Young Master Wei's identity and hesitated. "What do you think? Should we ask Consort Cui to help receive him?"

How did they manage to attract him here?

She had known all along—if their betrothal proceeded smoothly, fine; but if any commotion arose, Wei Tingyu would likely be the first to jump out and watch the spectacle!

"No need." Knowing Wei Tingyu as she did, if he didn't see her, he would surely find some way to linger at the Wei residence. Rather than let him make a fool of himself later, it was better for her to deal with him personally. Dou Zhao instructed Su Xin, "Please escort the two young masters to the Reception Hall. I'll change my clothes and join them shortly."

"Is that really appropriate?" Chen Qushui tactfully interjected. "Isn't household management entirely handled by the Third Master? I think it would be better to invite him to entertain the guests."

After all, this Young Lord of the Marquis of Jining might become Dou Zhao's husband, and Chen Qushui couldn't let her ruin her image in front of Wei Tingyu.

Dou Zhao understood what Chen Qushui was thinking.

She didn't care in the slightest.

Even if Wei Tingyu looked down on her, as long as she was willing, she could find a way to marry him. Conversely, even if he held her in high esteem, if she refused, she could easily sabotage the engagement.

She had more confidence in handling him than anyone else.

Wei Tingyu was no problem at all!

But she didn't want to appear too obvious and arouse suspicion.

"Then please accompany me to meet the guests, Mr. Chen!" Dou Zhao said. "If he has no particular business, you can host them with a banquet, provide some travel expenses, and send them on their way. If there is something important, please take them to Third Uncle and let them discuss it with him."

That would work!

It was still better than having Consort Cui intervene.

The worry was that the old lady might start sizing him up like a prospective grandson-in-law, growing more and more pleased until she ended up marrying off the Fourth Young Lady in a daze—her marriage had become almost an obsession for Consort Cui these past two years. Just yesterday, she had gone to her quarters to ask whether it would be better for the Fourth Young Lady to marry into the He family or the Wei family.

"If the Fourth Young Lady doesn't mind this humble old man's presence, I shall accompany her," Chen Qushui said modestly, then followed Dou Zhao to the Reception Hall.

Wei Tingyu and Wang Qinghai were examining the furnishings in the hall.

"See that?" Wang Qinghai nudged Wei Tingyu with his elbow, pointing at the celadon flower vase holding winter jasmine blossoms on the long table. "That's Ru ware.Then he gestured toward a pair of flawless white coral bonsai on the display shelves. "Two feet tall. Even the Jade Treasure Pavilion in the Capital might not have coral of such fine quality... Your future in-laws are truly wealthy!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Wei Tingyu had been studying the bamboo clusters outside the hall—aside from the purple bamboo, square bamboo, mottled bamboo, and nan bamboo he recognized, there were several other varieties he had never even heard of. Hearing Wang Qinghai's words, he turned his head, recalling how the Dou family had sent someone to his home to reclaim the betrothal token from years ago, and replied awkwardly, "We only met as children. Who knows if she even remembers me now?"

Wang Qinghai teased him, "Oh ho, childhood sweethearts, eh..."Chen Qushui observed the two young men, both handsome and well-mannered, yet their frivolous behavior left him deeply disappointed. He coughed lightly to draw their attention.

Both turned around with composed expressions.

They saw a lean, elderly man in a dark blue robe accompanying a tall, slender young woman into the Reception Hall.

The girl appeared to be no more than thirteen or fourteen, her skin as fair as snow, with long eyebrows arching gracefully toward her temples. Her eyes sparkled like cold stars, exuding a calm confidence that left Wei Tingyu and Wang Haiqing—both accustomed to delicate beauties from gentler circles—staring dumbfounded. Wang Haiqing even nudged Wei Tingyu enviously, whispering, "She’s stunning… You’ve hit the jackpot—hurry up and marry her! Whatever you do, don’t return that jade pendant to the Dou family…"

Wei Tingyu shuddered as if snapping out of a daze.

He hastily bowed to Dou Zhao and said, "I am Wei Tingyu. We met once as children—I wonder if Sister Dou still remembers me? I happened to pass through Zhen Ding and came to pay my respects. Since the elders aren’t home, I won’t impose further. I’ll visit again another day to see you." With that, he pushed Wang Haiqing toward the exit.

Both Wang Haiqing and Chen Qushui were baffled by Wei Tingyu’s abrupt behavior.

Chen Qushui glanced at Dou Zhao, whose expression remained unreadable.

Wang Haiqing stumbled, nearly falling, and could only offer a hurried bow to Dou Zhao before following Wei Tingyu out of the Reception Hall.

Chen Qushui watched Wang Haiqing’s unsteady retreat with clear disapproval.

"Fourth Miss," he said, "birds of a feather flock together. This Fourth Master Wang is frivolous and crude—hardly a steady or respectable sort." He refrained from commenting on Wei Tingyu directly, focusing instead on Wang Haiqing. "It might be best to retrieve the betrothal token from the Wei family."

Dou Zhao, however, was long accustomed to Wei Tingyu’s impulsiveness.

Her thoughts lingered on him.

This was her first time seeing Wei Tingyu since her rebirth.

She had thought she would never lay eyes on him again in this lifetime.

Compared to the man etched in her memory, he was still a boy with traces of youthful innocence. She struggled to reconcile this image with the handsome middle-aged man she once knew.

Still reeling from the shock of their reunion, she replied distractedly, "Don’t worry. If I wanted the token back, I have plenty of ways to do so. But now isn’t the right time. We’ll deal with it later."

Chen Qushui sensed there was more to it than Dou Zhao let on.

She seemed to harbor some inexplicable sentiment toward Wei Tingyu—an unusual tolerance, an extraordinary patience.

A vague unease settled over him, but he knew this wasn’t the moment to press her.

He chose to bide his time.

"Very well," he said with a smile. "Let’s resolve the He family matter first. The Wei family is simpler—far easier to handle than the Hes."

Dou Zhao nodded.

She agreed.

Once politics became involved, things inevitably grew murky.

The Wei family were idle nobility, neither qualified nor bold enough to meddle in such affairs.

Meanwhile, the moment Wei Tingyu and Wang Haiqing stepped outside the Dou residence, Wang Haiqing grabbed Wei Tingyu’s arm. "You were the one who insisted on seeing what kind of girl could make the He family abandon their reputation to marry her. Then you took one look and bolted without a word! What’s going on? If you don’t explain yourself today, don’t expect me to go anywhere with you again!"Wei Tingyu glanced around and saw the Dou family's gatekeepers sitting behind the door chatting idly. The alley was quiet, with not a single passerby in sight. Only then did he pull Wang Haiqing forward a couple of steps and whisper, "My sister said that if the He family is willing to help my brother-in-law secure the heir position sooner, she would agree to return the jade pendant to the He family. The He family has already agreed... but it's unclear whether this matter has been settled yet... My sister said she would only give the jade pendant to the He family after seeing the imperial edict of conferment..."