Blossom

How could the young Cui Shisan compare to Chen Qushui, who had weathered life's vicissitudes, in understanding human nature?

Moreover, there were things she could confide in Chen Qushui,

but if Cui Shisan knew, it would be tantamount to her grandmother knowing.

Her previous failed engagement with the Wu family, followed by rejecting the marriage proposal from the He family—if she now broke off the engagement with the Wei family, and worse, if she initiated it... that would be far too shocking! Such actions would leave her with no prospects for marriage. Even her grandmother, who had always doted on and favored her, would certainly disapprove. She hadn’t dared breathe a word of this in front of her grandmother!

Yet she didn’t want Chen Qushui to take risks for her sake either.

"There’s no hurry about this," Dou Zhao evaded. "We’ll discuss it when the time comes. It’s still early anyway."

Chen Qushui naturally understood Dou Zhao’s concerns.

He grew serious and asked, "Miss, are you truly resolved to break off the engagement with the Wei family?"

Dou Zhao had once told him that the engagement with the Wei family was merely a temporary measure. But he had noticed that after meeting Wei Tingyu, Dou Zhao displayed an unusual tolerance toward him—yet she was not the type to blindly submit. Clearly, her impression of Wei Tingyu was quite favorable.

However, in Chen Qushui’s eyes, while Wei Tingyu was handsome, forthright, and chivalrous, he lacked backbone when it came to decision-making. He would make a fine friend, but as a husband, this flaw would be fatal. He was easily swayed by whispers from his wife or the clamor of friends. Such indecisiveness was deeply unsettling.

Moreover, if Dou Zhao married into the Wei family, she would likely have to subsidize the household expenses of the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion with her own dowry, all while others would assume she had married above her station—a hollow reputation with no real benefit.

The demand from the Wei family’s paternal aunt that Dou Zhao marry into the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion within a hundred days was proof enough!

Apart from his title as a marquis, Wei Tingyu was thoroughly unremarkable.

But in matters of the world, as long as both parties were willing, outsiders had no business interfering.

If Dou Zhao had taken a liking to Wei Tingyu, marrying him would at most mean some financial loss—hardly a concern for her. The match could still be considered roughly equal in status.

Unexpectedly, the old Marquis of Jining had suddenly passed away, forcing Wei Tingyu into a three-year mourning period.

Though Dou Zhao had asked him to investigate the Wei family, she had remained inactive, her stance ambiguous, leaving him uncertain of her true intentions.

"Of course I’m serious," Dou Zhao replied firmly, her expression resolute. "I wouldn’t joke about something like this."

Chen Qushui nodded in approval.

Once Dou Zhao made up her mind, it was settled.

Even if they didn’t achieve their goal this time, with unity of purpose, they could overcome any obstacle. They could always try again.

Besides, Dou Zhao had half the wealth of Western Dou to fall back on. With the support of himself, Duan Gongyi, Chen Xiaofeng, and others, and the backing of the Dou family, even if she never married, her life wouldn’t necessarily be worse than if she married into the declining Marquis of Jining’s Mansion. Why endure the disdain of the Wei family?

If she did marry, as long as the fault lay with the Wei family, she could wed a modest, good-natured scholar from a respectable family and retain control over her own affairs—perhaps even a better outcome.

Moreover, Dou Shiying had no sons. Keeping his eldest daughter at home to take in a son-in-law was a plausible arrangement... No matter which path she chose, it would be better than marrying into the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion!

He couldn’t help but smile. "Miss, please wait for me a moment." With that, he left the hall.

Dou Zhao waited curiously in the hall.

Before long, Chen Qushui returned.He wore a slightly worn felt hat, hunched his back, and was clad in a tattered cotton robe. With drooping eyes and hands tucked into his sleeves, he looked every bit the down-and-out scholar, a far cry from his earlier refined and vigorous demeanor!

Dou Zhao was left speechless.

Chen Qushui straightened up, instantly regaining his spirited and energetic air.

"How was that?" he chuckled. "Not bad, eh? I learned this trick from a street performer back in the day. I guarantee no one from The Duke of England's Mansion would recognize me. Even if they did, they'd just think I'd fallen on hard times after leaving the mansion, never suspecting the truth behind my departure."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

She asked Chen Qushui, "Do you have any good ideas?"

Knowing Dou Zhao had relented, Chen Qushui smiled and asked, "What was your original plan, miss?"

Since she had entrusted this matter to him, honesty was the best policy!

Dou Zhao carefully considered her words: "Wei Tingzhen is greedy by nature. The two women who have her ear—Granny Jin and Lu Momo—are constantly at odds. If we can exploit their rivalry and spread rumors about me and Wei Tingyu being astrologically incompatible, this matter could be resolved with half the effort."

"An excellent plan," Chen Qushui nodded approvingly as he smiled at Dou Zhao.

They were of one mind on this matter!

"I'll set off for the Capital as soon as possible," Chen Qushui said with a smile. "The Marquis of Jining will soon complete his mourning period. Some matters require early preparation." With him in the Capital, he would ensure things didn't spiral out of control. He paused before adding, "However, since this involves the inner quarters, I'd like to borrow someone from you, miss."

Dou Zhao smiled, "You mean Su Xin?"

Chen Qushui shook his head, "I'd like to borrow Hong Gu."

Dou Zhao was momentarily taken aback.

Chen Qushui explained tactfully, "It's just that Hong Gu is older and would find it easier to converse with those grannies. Her simple appearance makes her more believable. Someone who appears too sharp might arouse suspicion."

In other words, Hong Gu's country bumpkin appearance would make the mansion grannies—who prided themselves on their superior status—let their guard down, making it easier to lead them astray.

"But Consort Cui..."

"Don't worry, miss," Chen Qushui said confidently. "I only need Hong Gu to deliver a few key words at the right moment, not to break off the engagement."

Even if some clues were to slip out, Wei Tingzhen's love for her brother would ensure she'd break off the engagement at all costs once she realized she was being manipulated. The blame would fall on Dou Zhao, but the end result would be the same.

Dou Zhao hesitated no longer and nodded, "Then I'll trouble you with this, Mr. Chen."

After exchanging a few polite words, Chen Qushui discussed some details with Dou Zhao before making preparations for his journey to the Capital.A few days later, Grandmother summoned Dou Zhao for a talk: "Mr. Chen came and mentioned that he’ll be heading to the Capital soon to audit the shop accounts. Considering the Wei Family’s mourning period ends in July, he suggested taking Hong Gu along to pay respects to Madam Wei. This way, when it comes time to discuss the marriage arrangements, there’ll be someone to relay messages between the families. I was worried Hong Gu might be too timid, but Mr. Chen said the Wei Family, having long resided in the Capital, has seen all sorts of people. The more honest and simple she appears, the more genuine we’ll seem—which is all the better. After some thought, I agreed with Mr. Chen’s reasoning. Do you have any instructions for Hong Gu? You can give them to her later."

Feeling somewhat guilty, Dou Zhao thanked her grandmother and simply told Hong Gu, "Just follow Mr. Chen’s lead in everything."

Hong Gu nodded repeatedly, then dug out her best Lu silk and Hangzhou silk garments from the bottom of her trunk. After dressing up carefully, she set off for the Capital with Chen Qushui.

Fan Wenshu and Cui Shisan, having received word in advance, brought Tian Fugui to greet Chen Qushui outside Chaoyang Gate.

Chen Qushui closed the door to speak privately with Fan Wenshu.

"So, the Marquis of Yan’an’s birthday is next month?" Chen Qushui mused.

Fan Wenshu nodded. "The Wang family has been scouring everywhere for gifts to celebrate the occasion." Having once been in the antique trade, he still maintained close ties with shop clerks, making him particularly well-informed about such matters.

Chen Qushui then asked, "Last time, I asked you to befriend the attendants around the wife of the heir to the Duke of Jing’s household. Any progress there?"

The wife of the Duke of Jing’s heir was the paternal aunt of the Marquis of Jining’s household. Since the fourth young lady was soon to marry into the Marquis of Jining’s family, currying favor with the aunt through her attendants was a common tactic among shrewd operators. Fan Wenshu showed no suspicion and smiled. "The cook at our shop, Mama Bao, was introduced by Granny Jin, who serves the Duke of Jing’s heir’s wife."

Chen Qushui nodded in satisfaction and said to Fan Wenshu, "Hong Gu rarely visits the Capital. Why not have Mama Bao show her around the city?"

Understanding the implication, Fan Wenshu called Mama Bao over, gave her instructions, rewarded her with ten taels of silver, and arranged for a carriage and a page to accompany her as she guided Hong Gu around the Capital.

Hong Gu had never seen such bustling sights before. Her eyes were dazzled, and she ended up buying piles of items: "This is for Consort Cui, this is for the fourth young lady, these are for the maids Su Xin, Su Lan, Gan Lu, and Su Juan..." Mama Bao watched with envy, growing increasingly warm toward Hong Gu. By the time Chen Qushui had finished his preparations and sent Hong Gu to pay respects to Tian Shi, Mama Bao volunteered to accompany her to the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion.

Wei Tingyu and Gu Yu’s business venture was going smoothly. With an initial investment of just a few thousand taels, they had already recouped their capital from the first returns. Tian Shi calculated that once the four river sections were completed, they stood to earn tens of thousands of taels—enough to host a splendid wedding banquet for Wei Tingyu. The thought alone filled her with contentment, making the future seem all the brighter.Upon hearing that the Dou family had sent someone to pay respects to her, Tian Shi was overjoyed. She hurriedly invited Hong Gu in and, seeing that she was a simple and honest woman, grew even fonder of her. She chatted with Hong Gu for a long while, rewarded her with a generous red envelope, and even had her personal maidservant keep Hong Gu for a meal before finally seeing her off.

When Wei Tingzhen heard that someone from the Dou family had come to see her mother, she feared that her mother might absentmindedly agree to some conditions from the Dou family, especially since the two families were about to finalize the wedding date. She rushed over personally to inquire about the matter.

Tian Shi thought her daughter was worrying unnecessarily and said with a smile, "They were just in the Capital on business and came to pay their respects. You're overthinking it." She then instructed the maids to bring in some freshly harvested fruits.

The maidservant who had been assigned to entertain Hong Gu looked eagerly at Wei Tingzhen.

Understanding the hint, Wei Tingzhen excused herself from her mother and spoke privately with the maidservant.

"Paternal aunt, the maidservant from the Dou family was sent by Consort Cui of the Dou family to the Capital to discuss the dowry for the Fourth Miss with Seventh Madam of the Dou family."

With the wedding approaching, Zhen Ding had even sent someone to the Capital to demand the dowry. Could it be that she had misjudged before? Was Dou Zhao truly an unnoticed weed in the Dou family?