Mother stayed awake all night, and so did Dou Zhao. What Mother was thinking about, Dou Zhao didn’t know, but she spent the entire night thinking of Wei Tingyu.
Thoughts by day, dreams by night.
Her mother-in-law had always treated her with kindness, so dreaming of her made sense. But why would she dream of Wei Tingyu?
Where exactly was she?
Dou Zhao recalled the faint sound of Wei Tingyu’s sobs and Madam Guo’s reassurances in her dazed state… A shiver ran down her spine, and she instinctively nestled closer into Mother’s embrace.
The next morning, Mother acted as if nothing had happened, dressed herself elegantly, and went to the main hall.
Dou Zhao pressed her lips together and followed Mother closely, not leaving her side for a moment.
Her mother-in-law, Tian Shi, was dressed in understated yet refined attire, her smile gentle and her demeanor serene, like a magnolia blooming in spring—tranquil yet radiant.
Dou Zhao’s heart sank.
Her mother-in-law looked thirty years younger.
But that wasn’t the main issue.
The real issue was that she knew her mother-in-law’s temperament all too well.
When her father-in-law was alive, he had cherished her like a precious jewel. Her mother-in-law’s greatest regret had merely been that spring arrived too late—the peonies she planted by the pavilion had only just formed buds by April.
So when her father-in-law passed, she lost all sense of purpose, withering away like those flowers, rapidly fading and losing vitality… How could she appear so composed and radiant now?
Dou Zhao glanced behind her mother-in-law.
There stood Wei Tingyu, looking no older than five or six.
His fair face still carried a hint of baby fat, his dark jade-like eyes wide with pure, untainted curiosity as he observed the people and events around him.
Sensing someone’s gaze, he turned his head. Seeing Dou Zhao staring at him blankly, he lifted his little chin and gave a soft, disdainful “hmph” before looking away.
Her mother-in-law had already embraced Dou Zhao warmly. “Is this your little girl? She’s absolutely lovely!” With a kind and affectionate smile, she gifted Dou Zhao a ruby-encrusted gold necklace and a pair of small gold bracelets as a welcoming present. “But she doesn’t look like you at all. She must take after your husband!” she teased, casting a playful glance at Mother.
Mother smiled demurely, her expression proud and pleased, as if her daughter resembling her husband filled her with immense pride—no trace of the fierce arguments she’d once had with Father remained.
Her mother-in-law beckoned Wei Tingyu over to greet Mother.
He bowed properly to Mother, his manners impeccable—clearly, someone had taken great care in teaching him.
Mother was delighted and presented him with two rare classical texts from the previous dynasty and two antique inkstones. She then took his hand and asked how old he was, whether he had begun his studies, and what he usually did.
Wei Tingyu answered each question clearly and methodically.
Mother couldn’t help but express envy. “Our Shou Gu still struggles to speak properly.”
“Girls aren’t like boys,” her mother-in-law consoled gently. “Girls are meant to be married off one day—they should be pampered. Boys, on the other hand, must inherit the family legacy, so they can’t be raised too leniently. Besides, our Yu Ge’er is the eldest son, destined to inherit the title. We can’t afford to be careless with him.” Her gaze softened with a hint of sorrow as she looked at Wei Tingyu.
Mother nodded, then asked curiously, “Why didn’t you bring Zhen Jie’er back with you?”"Our paternal aunt is on very good terms with the aunt from the Duke of Jingguo's household," my mother-in-law said with a smile. "She acted as matchmaker, and Zhen Jie'er is now betrothed to the Duke's eldest grandson. I've been keeping her at home to learn needlework!" She added, "Originally, we hadn't planned to bring Yu Ge'er along either. But Grandfather repeatedly insisted on seeing him, so I brought him with me."
This time, Tian Shi had returned to her hometown because her grandfather, now over eighty, was critically ill.
"When elders grow old, they become preoccupied with their descendants," my mother said cheerfully. "Fortunately, he is blessed with good fortune and has pulled through again." Then she continued, "With Zhen Jie'er betrothed, you must feel relieved, sister. Congratulations! Don't forget to send me an invitation when Zhen Jie'er marries. Otherwise, I'll have to blame you."
"Of course," my mother-in-law replied with a smile. "Our families have been close for generations, unlike others."
My mother's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Has Yu Ge'er been betrothed yet?"
"He's still young," my mother-in-law said, her expression softening at the mention of her son. "The Marquis and I have been focused on Zhen Jie'er and haven't given thought to his matters yet."
My mother laughed. "Our Shou Gu isn't betrothed either! When is Yu Ge'er's birthday?"
My mother-in-law was taken aback.
Dou Zhao's face flushed crimson.
Wei Tingyu often said: "With my status as the Marquis of Jining, what noble daughter in the Capital couldn't I marry? If it weren't for the generations of friendship between our families, why would I have married you?"
He would say this while shamelessly pulling her into bed.
She had always thought Wei Tingyu was just saving face, wanting her to be more accommodating...
Dou Zhao hadn't taken it seriously.
But now, even in her dreams, she remembered it—proof that it had weighed on her mind more than she realized.
My mother giggled. "With us adults talking, the children are just standing there like wooden posts. Why don't they go play in the study next door? The underfloor heating is on there—it's nice and warm."
My mother-in-law nodded and called Wei Tingyu over, giving him a few instructions.
Wei Tingyu obediently nodded and followed Dou Zhao to the study under Yu Momo's guidance.
Dou Zhao left Wei Tingyu behind and peeked through a gap in the warm curtain.
My mother raised her teacup with a smile, gesturing for my mother-in-law to drink.
"I admire Yu Ge'er's upbringing at such a young age and am very fond of him. If you're unwilling, sister, just consider it unsaid," she said, her expression tinged with disappointment.
"No, no!" my mother-in-law apologized. "Yu Ge'er is the eldest son—this matter must be discussed with the Marquis first..."
"Please, sister, say no more!" My mother blushed, her smile awkward. "I spoke out of turn." She then offered fruit from the table. "Here, try these persimmons—homemade, sweet and soft. See if they suit your taste?"
My mother's forced change of topic made my mother-in-law uneasy.
"Gu Qiu," she hesitated, "perhaps I should discuss this with the Marquis first?"
My mother gave an embarrassed laugh. "Sister, please don't mention it again! You know how impulsive I am—I was just speaking offhand..."
My mother-in-law smiled.Perhaps recalling the past, her gaze grew even gentler: "You, what are we to do with you? Already a mother yet still so impulsive!" Then her expression turned serious, "As long as you're willing, why would I object? But it's not proper for just us two women to discuss this alone. You should consult your husband and father-in-law as well!"
"Sister!" Mother's eyes brightened, "I'm only worried about slighting Yu-ge!"
Mother's undisguised delight made Mother-in-law happy too. She smiled, "The Dou family values scholarship and tradition. If anything, I'm concerned about slighting Shou Gu."
"Not at all, not at all!" Mother said, turning to fetch a jade pendant from her room and handing it to Mother-in-law. "Sister, this is a family heirloom from our Zhao family—you recognize it. I'm giving it to Yu-ge."
"This..." Mother-in-law hesitated, unsure whether to accept it.
Mother smiled, "If the children are fated, we'll both be happy. If not, I'm still Yu-ge's aunt!"
Mother-in-law chuckled softly, then after a moment's thought, removed a mutton-fat jade bracelet from her wrist. "This was given to me by my father when I married. I'll give it to Shou Gu." She accepted the pendant.
Mother beamed with joy, carefully tucking the bracelet into her bosom.
Dou Zhao felt her nose sting with emotion, then sensed someone tugging at her clothes.
"What are they doing?" came Wei Tingyu's voice from behind.
Dou Zhao snatched her hem back from him. "Don't know!" she said, leaving him behind as she headed for the heated kang.
Wei Tingyu's mouth fell open. It took him a while to recover before he stomped over, scrambling onto the kang ahead of Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao shot him a glance, then leaned against the large bolster, absentmindedly nibbling on candied winter melon strips.
Four days and three nights already?
Every detail remained vivid, as clear as if it were happening now...
Was this a dream?
If not a dream, then where was she?
Dou Zhao disliked this feeling of losing control—it was frustrating. Yet she couldn't bring herself to leave this dream.
No matter what, even if it was just a dream, helping Mother defeat Wang Yingxue would bring her some comfort.
Wei Tingyu kept staring at Dou Zhao.
She didn't spare him a glance.
His face flushed red. "Is this your home?"
Dou Zhao gave a noncommittal "Hmm," still lost in thought.
At the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, Wei Tingyu was the center of attention. Being ignored for the first time, he grew indignant and declared loudly, "Your family's tea tastes awful!"
Yu Momo flushed with embarrassment.
Dou Zhao lifted her eyelids, giving him a cool glance. "Then don't drink it."
"You—" Wei Tingyu's face alternated between red and white with anger. "Your food is terrible too!"
Dou Zhao couldn't be bothered with him and called for Tuo Niang: "Carry me to the writing desk!"
If she left now, given how much Mother valued Wei Tingyu, she'd surely think Dou Zhao had slighted him by not playing along. Yet Dou Zhao refused to endure his tantrums. Better to separate and wait until the adults finished their discussion—they'd come looking eventually.
Besides, it was nearly lunchtime. Even if Wei Tingyu threw a fit, it wouldn't last long.
Sure enough, before the time it took to drink a cup of tea, just as Wei Tingyu was glaring at her like a fighting cock, Gaoxing (Happy) came in to summon them to the reception hall for the meal.
Dou Zhao quickly slipped away with Gaoxing.
Perhaps Grandfather and Father had already received word, for Wei Tingyu was carried off by pages to the main hall.Dou Zhao leisurely enjoyed her lunch.
Her cultivated habits made her movements as smooth and natural as flowing water.
Her mother-in-law watched with continuous nods of approval, remarking, "Truly worthy of being a daughter of the Dou family."
Her own mother felt somewhat puzzled, but buoyed by this praise from her mother-in-law, she cast aside her uncertainties with rising spirits.
After the meal, Wei Tingyu was carried back by the pages, laden with a heap of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Yet Dou Zhao was silently pondering.
Why haven't they left yet?
No matter what, she must find a way to make Wang Yingxue sign the deed of sale!
If Father hardened his heart and kept Wang Yingxue outside, and in three years when Wang Xingyi was reinstated, it would become even more troublesome.
But how to convince Mother?
Frowning, she turned the problem over in her mind but couldn't find a good solution.
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