Blossom

Noticing Dou Zhao's gaze, Ji Lingze responded with a poised and graceful nod and smile, taking the opportunity to observe Dou Zhao clearly as well.

Tall and slender, she wore a slightly worn dark green Hangzhou silk jacket paired with a goose-yellow horse-face skirt adorned with cloud-pattern embroidery along the skirt border. Standing as straight as a pine tree, her eyes sparkled like cold stars, radiant and dazzling, resembling a plum blossom in full bloom against the winter chill rather than the delicate peach or pear blossoms.

Few young girls possessed such an aura.

Ji Lingze couldn’t help but silently admire her, feeling an instant and profound fondness for Dou Zhao.

She curtsied in return and said with a smile, "An uninvited guest—my apologies for the intrusion!"

What kind of courage must it take for a woman to disregard her reputation and even her life to elope with a man a year younger than herself?

Though Dou Zhao knew Dou Dechang had never regretted halting his career at the Imperial Academy for her, and though she knew Ji Lingze and Dou Dechang would later share a loving and blissful marriage, at the moment of making such a decision, Ji Lingze surely couldn’t foresee the future.

Dou Zhao had always been deeply curious about this twelfth sister-in-law from her past life, whom she had met only a few times but never had the chance to know well.

She never expected to meet her in this life, just as she was about to hold her coming-of-age ceremony.

Warmly, she ushered Sixth Aunt and Ji Lingze to her grandmother’s quarters.

Her grandmother took Ji Lingze’s hand and praised her endlessly: "What a lovely girl!" She then asked about her age, siblings, and pastimes...

Meanwhile, Ji Shi whispered to Dou Zhao, "Given your seniority in the family and the lack of close sisters around you, I’ve brought Lingze here specifically to serve as your ceremonial assistant for the coming-of-age rites. What do you think?"

Sixth Aunt truly treated her like her own daughter!

Dou Zhao naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

Ji Shi smiled. "Then I’ll speak to her about it tonight."

"Thank you, Sixth Aunt," Dou Zhao said gratefully.

Ji Shi patted her hand and sighed. "I’ve always worried about how you were faring in Zhen Ding. Seeing you now, I realize I was overthinking it. Sometimes, a girl shouldn’t be too strong-willed—there are moments when it’s better to yield." She left the rest unsaid.

To grow up like a wild herb in the fields, despite having parents and relatives—it was heartbreaking to see.

"Your Sixth Aunt speaks wisely," her grandmother chimed in, having finished her conversation with Ji Lingze. "When the Wei Family came to deliver gifts for your ceremony, you simply dismissed them with a ‘thank you.’ How do you think the Marquis would feel about that? Usually so sharp, how could you be so careless at such a crucial moment?"

Since she had already decided to sever ties with the Wei Family, it was better to let the relationship fade sooner rather than later.

Dou Zhao smiled and brushed it off. "Understood!"

Her grandmother saw right through her and shook her head helplessly. "Oh, you child!"

Ji Lingze stepped in to console the grandmother. "Younger sister is still tender in years and shy. There’s no need to demand perfection—she’ll grow into it in a couple of years."

The grandmother praised Ji Lingze repeatedly for her maturity.

Ji Lingze listened with a composed smile, exuding the grace of a well-bred lady.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but wonder to herself:

When had Dou Dechang fallen for Ji Lingze in their past life?

Before their elopement, there had been no signs at all.

In this life, would they still come to love each other?Dou Zhao was momentarily dazed and couldn't help but ask, "Cousin Ji, why didn't Twelfth Brother and the others come back with you?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake and quickly observed the expressions of Sixth Aunt and Ji Lingze.

Neither showed any unusual reaction. Ji Lingze in particular smiled and said, "Your Twelfth Brother was supposed to return, but when Uncle heard that Jianming had arrived in the Capital and rented a house near Shuntian Prefecture School to study diligently, he took your Eleventh and Twelfth Brothers there to have them study as well."

Dou Zhao nodded quickly.

Ji Lingze continued cheerfully, "I've long heard from Aunt that there's a greenhouse here with not only excellent camellias but also rare varieties of cymbidium and peonies. Might I take a look?"

Since the greenhouse belonged to Dou Zhao, her grandmother was especially pleased when others praised it.

The old lady immediately beamed with delight. "This is just our Shou Gu's little hobby—hardly deserving of such praise. If you're interested, Shou Gu can accompany you." She then called to Dou Zhao, "Take Miss Ji for a stroll and let her pick any flowers she likes to take with her."

Grandmother was at it again—giving away flowers, eager for everyone who received them to compliment her.

Dou Zhao smiled faintly and accompanied Ji Lingze to the greenhouse.

Though spring had arrived, the weather remained chilly. Yet inside the greenhouse, lush greenery thrived, with early-blooming winter jasmine and peonies adding vibrant splashes of color, lifting one's spirits at first glance.

"Cousin Dou, your flowers truly are remarkable," Ji Lingze remarked, pausing before a newly sprouted red camellia. "The 'Eighteen Scholars' Aunt gifted to the old master must have been your handiwork?"

"Just a hobby—I didn't expect them to survive," Dou Zhao replied modestly.

Ji Lingze laughed. "It seems the saying holds true: 'Every bean has its black, and everything has its nemesis.'"

Dou Zhao was puzzled, unsure what she meant.

Ji Lingze had already moved on to asking for gardening tips. "...Your azalea here is blooming beautifully. I have one at home, but it's grown wild. Pruning risks damaging the buds—do you have any special techniques? I'd love to learn and show off to the elders!"

Amused by her humor, Dou Zhao set aside her earlier confusion—there was no point dwelling on what she couldn't understand. The truth would reveal itself in time.

"No special tricks," she replied, leading Ji Lingze to the azaleas. "Just prune them every year in May or June after they bloom."

Ji Lingze nodded eagerly.

As they chatted, an excited young maid rushed in. "Fourth Miss! Fourth Miss! Aunt has arrived with Third Cousin!"

Dou Zhao froze in disbelief. "What did you say?"

The maid spoke clearly, "Aunt from the far northwest has brought Third Cousin back for your coming-of-age ceremony! They're with Consort Cui now!"

"Ah!" Dou Zhao's heart raced with joy, her composure slipping as she hurried forward—only to remember Ji Lingze and turn back hastily.

Fortunately, Ji Lingze was perceptive and gracious. "Since honored guests have traveled so far, let's greet them promptly," she said, linking arms with Dou Zhao to lead her out.

Without ceremony, Dou Zhao quickened her pace, leaving the greenhouse to return to her grandmother."Shou Gu." Aunt embraced her with tearful eyes as she entered. "Are you well?"

"Well!" Dou Zhao managed a single word before tears began streaming down her face.

It had been ten years since she last saw her aunt.

The two held each other and wept.

Those around them discreetly wiped their own tears until Zhao Zhangru rushed forward to pull her mother and Dou Zhao apart. "This should be a joyous occasion, yet here you are crying!" she chided, though her own tears fell just as freely.

Dou Zhao burst into laughter through her tears, calling out, "Third Cousin!"

The little girl from before had grown into a graceful young woman, slender and lovely. Had they met on the street, Dou Zhao might not have recognized her. Aunt, however, seemed unchanged—if anything, her radiant complexion made her appear younger than before.

Zhao Zhangru pretended to scowl as she tossed a handkerchief to Dou Zhao. "Hurry and dry those tears! Good thing you're not wearing rouge, or it'd be ruined!"

Her playful expression and cheerful tone were just like in their childhood.

Time seemed to rewind.

She remembered being dragged along to watch ants march.

Dou Zhao instinctively grasped Zhao Zhangru's hand.

Zhangru giggled in response.

Grandmother smiled and invited them to sit and chat.

Maids refreshed the tea and snacks.

A thousand words swirled in Dou Zhao's mind, yet she couldn't find where to begin, so she simply held Zhangru's hand tightly.

Ji Shi laughed at the sight. "Shou Gu, I have good news for you. Your uncle has been promoted to Prefect of Qingyang!"

"Truly?" Dou Zhao looked at her aunt in delighted surprise.

Aunt nodded modestly. "Your uncle has been diligent in his duties. This promotion to Qingyang..."

Dou Zhao couldn't help feeling elated.

In her past life, her uncle hadn't become Prefect of Qingyang until after turning fifty, with no further advancements thereafter.

This time, it had come ten years earlier.

And right after Wang Xingyi's transfer to Governor of Yunnan.

Clearly, freed from Wang Xingyi's suppression, her uncle could finally shine.

This life was truly changing.

"Aunt," Dou Zhao beamed, "we should celebrate Uncle's promotion properly."

"What's there to celebrate?" Aunt, ever discreet, smiled. "We'd only invite ridicule."

"I just want to wish Uncle continued success in his career," Dou Zhao insisted. "Just a simple family gathering with good food and drink." She then instructed the maids to prepare a fine banquet and bring two jars of premium Jinhua Wine.

It was merely a promotion to fourth-rank official.

Ji Lingze found Dou Zhao's behavior somewhat frivolous.

Zhao Zhangru jumped up. "I'll help!"

"Zhangru!" Aunt's expression turned stern.

Grandmother quickly mediated. "It's rare to see Shou Gu so lively. Since it's for her uncle's happiness, let them be."

Ji Shi and the others smiled indulgently.

The ever-sociable Zhao Zhangru pulled the newly acquainted Ji Lingze along. "Cousin Lingze should join us too." She whispered conspiratorially, "Shou Gu has many treasures—we must eat, drink, and take our fill today!" This drew laughter even from the usually dignified Ji Lingze, who left Consort Cui's courtyard with Zhao Zhangru and Dou Zhao.

On the way, they encountered Su Xin, who said worriedly, "You instructed only to accept gifts from close relatives, but the Manor Heads from the farmsteads and the shop managers are being so insistent..."Dou Zhao was not an inflexible person. Rejecting gifts outright would only spoil the atmosphere.

After some thought, she said, "Accept all the gifts, assess their value, and then give each person a Red Envelope matching the worth of their gift."

This was a good solution.

It neither offended anyone nor failed to showcase the Dou family's generosity.

Su Xin cheerfully went off to carry out the task.

Zhao Zhangru whispered to Ji Lingze, "See? I told you I was right!"

"Indeed," Ji Lingze replied with a smile, though she lowered her head pensively, walking unevenly as she followed the others to Dou Zhao's main chamber.