Blossom

To think that Mother and Wang Yingxue were actually old acquaintances!

Dou Zhao had never been able to understand why some women would willingly abandon their families and forsake their reputations just to be with a man.

Could the love between a man and a woman truly be that important?

Once the affection faded and the bond broke, if the man abandoned the woman and returned to his family, he would be praised as a prodigal son who had reformed. But what about the woman?

How could she continue to stand firm in this world?

She and her mother sat in the small room behind the main hall, listening to Grandfather reprimanding Father in the main hall.

Experience had taught Dou Zhao never to overestimate or underestimate an opponent.

To be fair, Wang Yingxue was not only shrewd and capable, intelligent and quick-witted, but also adept at assessing situations. She always prioritized her interests and acted decisively without hesitation once she made a decision.

For someone like her, Grandfather had promised to adopt her as his goddaughter and arrange a good marriage for her, with the Dou family providing a generous dowry to marry her off in style. Why then did she insist on clinging to Father?

The Dou family was not some shallow, newly risen official household. Given her status, the Dou family would never agree to let her become a concubine. Mother was the legitimate wife, properly married into the Zhao family. Even if she had faults—let alone having none—for the sake of the Dou family’s reputation, they would never casually divorce her.

Had Wang Yingxue not thought carefully before coming to Zhen Ding?

This didn’t align with her character at all!

As thoughts raced through her mind, Dou Zhao’s heart suddenly jolted.

Her sister!

Her younger sister, Dou Ming, was born on the third day of the seventh month in the year of Dingwei.

As the saying goes, "Seven months may live, eight months may not."

This meant that if Dou Ming was premature, Wang Yingxue must have entered the household no later than the first month.

According to custom, a widower must observe a year of mourning for his deceased wife. However, there were exceptions. If a husband was away at war and his wife passed away, leaving no one to care for the elderly or raise the children, he could remarry within a hundred days. Though Father was not a soldier, his own mother had died early. If Mother were to… and there was no one to manage the household, this rule could barely apply.

In other words, Mother must have passed away before the new year.

But what if Dou Ming wasn’t premature?

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.

Wang Yingxue still needed to establish herself in the Dou family. She would rather die than admit to having an affair with Father.

Father, who still wanted Wang Yingxue to enter the household, would never reveal her pregnancy to anyone under any circumstances.

This was like gambling on a dice game—just as the dice were about to be revealed, she suddenly noticed a full-length mirror behind her opponent, allowing her to see every card in his hand clearly.

Her blood surged with excitement.

As long as Mother lived, the longer they dragged this out, the more advantageous the situation would become for them!

But the prerequisite was that Mother must stay alive!

In high spirits, she picked a golden orange from the fruit bowl on the table and handed it to Mother. "Mother, have an orange!"

Mother forced a faint smile and took the orange but simply held it in her hand, lost in thought.

Dou Zhao, like a child entertaining her parents, peeled the orange and fed a segment to Mother, then offered some to Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt, who were sitting with them in the small room.

To lighten the mood, Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt playfully teased her.

She giggled and chattered away.

Gradually, a smile returned to Mother’s face.

That night, she clung to Mother’s sleeve as she fell asleep.

The next day, Third Uncle and Sixth Uncle, along with Eldest Aunt—the Lineage Wife—and Third Aunt, who assisted Eldest Aunt in managing the household, all gathered to accompany Second Madam from the Eastern Manor, who was also Grandfather’s Second Cousin-in-Law.

Grandfather’s eldest uncle, eldest aunt, and second elder brother had already passed away."I've already heard about the matter from your nephews and their wives," said Second Madam, who was petite in stature but had unusually bright eyes that added an air of authority to her presence. "What about Miss Wang? Has anyone been sent to Nanwa to deliver the message?"

"I had Madam Ding accompany her," Grandfather replied bitterly. "As for Nanwa, we dispatched someone overnight to inform them." Then, with shame, he added, "Second Sister-in-law, this is all due to my failure in raising my son properly..."

"We'll discuss that later," Second Madam interrupted with a wave of her hand. "The urgent matter now is to find out exactly how far things have gone between them!"

Second Madam had pinpointed the crux of the matter.

Dou Zhao was impressed.

Grandfather was taken aback and opened his mouth to speak, but perhaps recalling Father's absurd behavior in this affair, he remained silent.

Second Madam instructed Third Uncle, "Wanyuan is like a son to you. You go and question him." Then she turned to Eldest Aunt, "As for Miss Wang, you handle that."

Both acknowledged her orders and went their separate ways.

Only then did Second Madam beckon Mother over, signaling for her to sit beside her. "Without the Zhao Family, there would be no Dou family. The Zhao patriarch and his wife passed early, and the young master is too shy to deal with such matters, but the elders of the Dou family are still here! Rest assured, we won’t let you suffer any injustice."

Dou Zhao had only one uncle, eight years older than Mother. Mother was a posthumous child, and her maternal grandmother passed away when Mother was ten. She was raised by her elder brother and his wife. While her grandmother was alive, though they never lacked food or clothing, she feared tax collectors and troublemakers. By then, the Dou family had already risen to wealth, so Grandmother often brought the two children to visit. Being relatives by marriage and the Dou family known for their generosity, the two families grew even closer. Uncle Zhao Si had studied at the Dou Family School since childhood and was on excellent terms with Dou Shiying, Dou Wenchang, Dou Yuchang, and Dou Huachang. Thus, the marriage between Father and Mother was settled without any complications.

Hearing Second Madam mention her deceased parents, Mother burst into tears and threw herself into Second Madam’s arms.

Sixth Uncle, four years older than Father, had studied with him since childhood. They passed the county-level exams together but failed the Provincial Examination and were now studying at home in seclusion. Seeing Mother cry so bitterly, he felt somewhat awkward and whispered, "Perhaps we should wait in Younger Uncle’s study? Some matters aren’t appropriate for us uncles to hear!"

Second Madam shot him a glare and demanded sternly, "You went to the Capital with Wanyuan. Did you know about this?"

Sixth Uncle shrank back in fear and hurriedly replied, "It has nothing to do with me, nothing! If you hadn’t told me to return early, how could Wanyuan have gotten into such trouble?" He muttered under his breath, his tone tinged with defiance.

Second Madam was so furious she couldn’t speak for a long moment.Sixth Uncle Dou Shiheng was the youngest son born to Second Madam in her later years. By the time he was born, his elder brothers had already achieved success in their careers, so Second Madam was not as strict with him as she had been with the others. Coincidentally, Father was an only child—though Grandfather appeared stern, he actually doted on him. Among the cousins, these two were the closest. Dou Zhao remembered that after Father moved to the Capital, he had reserved a small courtyard specifically for Sixth Uncle, who would always stay there during his visits to the Capital. Later, the two even served together in the Imperial Academy. Father was renowned for his lectures on the Book of Changes , while Sixth Uncle excelled in interpreting the Zuo Zhuan . Their colleagues in the Imperial Academy jokingly referred to them as the "Dou Twin Talents."

Mother was momentarily stunned.

Realizing that Second Madam was trying to help Sixth Uncle clear his name, she replied politely, "When the sky decides to rain or a mother chooses to remarry, nothing can stop it. If Wanyuan had set his mind on it, what could Sixth Uncle have done even if he had stayed by his side every step of the way?"

Second Madam's expression softened slightly as she scolded Sixth Uncle, "Hurry up and thank your sister-in-law!"

Sixth Uncle bowed to Mother.

Mother quickly returned the courtesy.

Dou Zhao's eyes gleamed with understanding.

Since Sixth Uncle offered neither an apology nor words of comfort, it was clear he stood on Father's side.

Second Madam seemed to realize this too and stood up, addressing everyone, "Let's move to the small hall at the back!"

This would leave the main hall for the men of the household.

Naturally, no one objected.

Mother and Third Aunt helped Second Madam to her feet when a page rushed in, "Old Master, a steward from the Marquis of Jining's Mansion has delivered a visiting card. He says their Madam is related by marriage to our Seventh Madam and has come to pay respects while returning to her hometown for a visit."

Everyone was taken aback.

Dou Zhao was especially surprised.

The Madam of the Marquis of Jining—wasn't that her mother-in-law?

Why was her mother-in-law joining in the commotion?

"It must be Sister Tian from Xiliu Village," Mother explained joyfully to the others. "Our families were old acquaintances in Bianjing, and our ancestors were even connected by marriage. But her father's career flourished, and Sister Tian married into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion in the Capital, so we gradually lost touch. I never expected her to visit me!" She then glanced at Grandfather.

With an unexpected guest arriving, the matter concerning her son would have to wait.

After a moment's thought, Grandfather instructed the page to usher in the steward from the Marquis of Jining's Mansion.

The steward presented the visiting card and exchanged pleasantries, explaining that the Madam's schedule was tight. They settled on a visit the next morning at the beginning of the si hour (9–11 AM).

Mother, no longer concerned with the affairs in the main hall, directed Yu Momo to clean the rooms, arrange furnishings, and prepare a menu.

Dou Zhao sat alone on the kang, counting on her fingers.

Would Wei Tingyu come along?

Her mother-in-law had mentioned they met as children—could it have been this time?

Lost in thought, she saw Third Aunt hurrying in.

She called out to Tuo Niang, "Carry me to Mother!"

Tuo Niang was overjoyed, "Fourth Miss, you can speak!"

Dou Zhao froze, taking a moment to process this before instructing, "Quick, get there before Third Aunt."

"Alright!" Tuo Niang happily agreed, carrying her to Mother. "Seventh Madam, wonderful news! The Fourth Miss can speak now!"

"Oh?" Mother smiled, teasing Dou Zhao, "Say something for me?"

Dou Zhao replied confidently, "I want to go to Uncle's house to play!"

Mother laughed heartily.

Dou Zhao smiled too.

After all, they weren't blood brothers. Though Second Madam had helped Mother, she was more eager to clear her son's name.

As for this uncle—she would have to test him to see what he was really like.Third Aunt entered the room at that moment, causing Tuo Niang to withdraw discreetly, while Dou Zhao remained seated on the kang. Third Aunt gently held Dou Zhao's small hand and whispered to Mother, "It's been clarified. They all claim 'it arose from emotion but was restrained by propriety.'"

Mother scoffed disdainfully.

Third Aunt chided with a smile, "Why bother whether it's true or false? Since they've said so, we'll take their word for it. As long as everything appears proper, we can simply hand her over to the Wang Family when their representatives arrive."

Mother nodded. "I understand."

From outside came Hanxiao's flustered voice: "Seventh Master, Seventh Madam is currently speaking with Third Madam—" Before she could finish, the warm curtain was abruptly swept aside as Father stormed in, his face livid.

"Seventh Uncle has returned!" Third Aunt greeted cheerfully, pulling Mother protectively behind her. "Where are your Third Brother and the others?"

"Third Sister-in-law," Father gave Third Aunt a perfunctory bow, veins bulging on his forehead. "Aunt Ding has arranged a family banquet in the Small Flower Hall. Gu Qiu will help me change, and I'll join shortly."

Third Aunt hesitated slightly.

Mother placed a reassuring hand on Third Aunt's shoulder.

"Third Sister-in-law, please go ahead," Mother said softly. "Third Uncle and the others must be waiting impatiently. Wanyuan and I will join you shortly."

Exchanging a meaningful glance with Yu Momo, Third Aunt smiled and exited the inner chamber.