Blossom

Ji Yong leaped out of bed, shouting for Zi Shang, "I'm going to Cat Alley to visit my aunt."

Zi Shang, who had been yawning, gaped in shock and looked out the window. "Young Master, there's a curfew in the Capital. Shouldn't we wait until dawn?"

Only then did Ji Yong realize his slip. He snorted coldly, masking his embarrassment with a stern face. "Of course I know it's the middle of the night. I meant I'll go to Cat Alley to visit my aunt tomorrow morning."

But tomorrow morning, you have to go to the yamen!

Zi Shang didn’t dare say this aloud, muttering it in his mind instead. Unable to sleep, he waited until daybreak, attended to Ji Yong as he left for the Imperial Academy, and was just about to find a spot to nap when Ji Yong strode out again. "Let's go to Cat Alley."

Zi Shang opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. Once Ji Yong boarded the carriage, he hopped onto the driver's seat and instructed the coachman to head to Cat Alley.

Sixth Madam had just seen Dou Shiheng off when Ji Yong arrived early in the morning. Worried, she asked, "What's happened?"

"Nothing urgent," Ji Yong replied. "I have to visit my examiner tomorrow and need a copy of Xuan Yuan's Agricultural Treatise by Shen Xi from the previous dynasty. I couldn’t find it anywhere, but I recall seeing a copy here at Uncle’s place. Aunt, could you help me look for it?"

Ji Shi immediately called Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang to assist in the search.

After half a day of effort, the three still couldn’t find the book.

Ji Yong grumbled, "Maybe I saw it at Seventh Uncle’s place?"

"Possibly," said Dou Zhengchang, who had been cross-referencing the inventory while Dou Dechang searched. Exhausted, he slumped onto a meditation chair. "Fourth Sister loves books like these. Whenever Seventh Uncle finds them at old bookstalls, he buys them and sends them to Zhen Ding. But I’m not sure if the book you mentioned is in Zhen Ding or Jing'an Temple Alley."

Dou Zhengchang quickly offered, "I’ll go with you!"

Since the incident with Ji Lingze, Ji Yong had held his maternal Han family in contempt, including his cousin Han Shi. Dou Zhengchang, not wanting Han Shi to feel awkward, seized the chance to mend relations with Ji Yong.

Ji Yong, however, seemed to have forgotten the matter entirely and dragged Dou Zhengchang off to Jing'an Temple Alley.

Dou Shiying wasn’t home, and Wang Yingxue, reportedly unwell, had gone to stay at the Dou family’s farmstead in Wanping.

Gaosheng received Ji Yong and Dou Zhengchang.

"We’re just here to look for a book," Dou Zhengchang said politely to Dou Shiying’s chief steward.

Gaosheng respectfully led them to the side room where Dou Shiying kept his books and assigned two sharp-witted pages to assist them.

After flipping through books haphazardly for a while, Ji Yong said, "I need some air," appearing restless.

Dou Zhengchang gave a vague acknowledgment and continued searching.

Meanwhile, Ji Yong pulled aside one of the pages to ask about Dou Ming’s whereabouts, then boldly barged into her quarters.

Dou Ming was tuning her pipa when Ji Yong stormed in. Startled, she jumped up. "You—how dare you barge in here?" As she spoke, she retreated five or six steps until her back pressed against the latticed window, shouting for help.Ji Yong let out a scoff, his face full of mockery. "I forgot. You see a man and woman together and immediately assume they're having an affair." He looked Dou Ming up and down. "What? When it's your turn, it's a different story?"

Dou Ming choked on her breath, her voice stuck in her throat.

Ji Yong glanced at her, then stood up and walked out, commanding Dou Ming, "Come here. I have something to say to you."

His condescending tone made Dou Ming's face pale with anger. But the thought of Mo Ergu's beady little eyes sent a chill down her spine. Biting her lip, she followed Ji Yong.

Ji Yong stopped in the middle of the courtyard, ensuring that all of Dou Ming's attendants were within his sight but unable to eavesdrop on their conversation.

He whispered a few words into Dou Ming's ear.

"What did you say?" Dou Ming jumped up, staring at Ji Yong in shock, her expression frozen.

"You heard me right," Ji Yong said coldly. "As long as you help me with this, the grudge between us will be settled. Otherwise, if I have to settle both scores, selling someone to a brothel will seem like child's play."

Dou Ming shuddered, her gaze flashing with hatred. "Why... why are you doing this?" she hissed, her voice hoarse with a mix of agitation and fear.

"You don’t need to know why," Ji Yong replied disdainfully. "Just do as I say."

Dou Ming lowered her eyelids, her expression unreadable.

Ji Yong strode away.

Dou Zhao soon learned that Ji Yong and Dou Ming had met alone. Worried, she said to Chen Qushui, "These two are like water and fire—utterly incompatible. If they’re together, something serious must be going on. Since we can’t find out what they discussed, we’ll have to keep a close eye on both of them."

Chen Qushui nodded slightly.

Wei Tingyu visited again, bringing expensive gifts.

Dou Shiying still refused to see him.

Standing on the steps of the Dou family's Reception Hall, Wei Tingyu was at a loss.

Winter was approaching, and if the wedding wasn’t settled soon, it would have to wait until spring.

Rich or poor, a man should bring a bride home for the New Year.

This would be his first Spring Festival after the mourning period. With only his mother at home, having Dou Zhao marry early would give her company and make the holiday visits livelier.

How could he appease his future father-in-law?

As Wei Tingyu pondered, a burst of cheerful laughter rang out behind him.

He turned to see a graceful young woman in a peach-colored jacket and dark green skirt, her features as delicate as a painting, like a budding peach blossom in early spring. She brightened his eyes.

"Are you the Marquis of Jining?" the girl greeted him warmly. "I’m the fifth daughter of the family." Her eyes sparkled with intelligence. "My father is giving you a hard time. Do you feel wronged?"

So she was the fifth daughter of the Dou family.

Wei Tingyu shook his head repeatedly.

Before he could speak, Dou Ming continued, "In ancient times, Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times. You’ve only come twice—there’s still time!"

Wei Tingyu was overjoyed. "Thank you for your guidance, Fifth Miss!" he said eagerly.Dou Ming pursed her lips in a smile and brushed past Wei Tingyu, surrounded by a group of maids.

The third time, Dou Shiying finally met him in the Reception Hall. Though only a few polite words were exchanged, Wei Tingyu let out a long sigh of relief.

As he left Dou Shiying’s study, he encountered Dou Ming again.

She was heading toward the study, flanked by maids and old women.

Dou Ming blinked at him playfully.

He clasped his hands in a bow, feigning overwhelming gratitude.

Dou Ming smiled, pressing her lips together.

Wei Tingyu awkwardly scratched his head.

Once more, they passed each other by.

With Dou Shiying’s brief words, Wei Tingyu felt the matter was settled and went to the Jingguo Duke’s residence, asking Wei Tingzhen to arrange for a matchmaker to discuss the wedding date with the Dou family.

Wei Tingzhen, knowing her brother had just returned from Jing'an Temple Alley, quickly asked, “What did Lord Dou say?”

Wei Tingyu smiled. “Nothing much—just some words about ‘fate bringing people together and learning to respect each other in the long years ahead.’”

Wei Tingzhen frowned. “Did he mention the dowry?”

“Isn’t that the matchmaker’s job?” Wei Tingyu replied, puzzled. “Wouldn’t it be improper for me to bring it up?”

Wei Tingzhen was exasperated.

Dou Zhao was no longer young, and the Wei family had considered breaking off the engagement. Dou Shiying had already vented his anger and made his displeasure known. Shouldn’t he have at least mentioned the dowry to compensate the Wei family?

Seeing her brother’s clueless expression, she didn’t bother explaining further. After consulting their mother, Tian Shi, she enlisted the help of Madam, Marquis of Yan'an, along with an official matchmaker, to visit the Dou family and discuss the wedding date. The matchmakers were the Marquis of Yan'an and Zhang Jiming, the second son of the Jingguo Duke’s household.

Dou Shiying was so furious he couldn’t speak, privately lamenting his eldest daughter’s misfortune.

How could she be betrothed to such an unsuitable family?!

He also blamed Zhao Guqiu for arranging this match too early.

He told Ji Shi, “There’s no rush for the wedding date. I’ve asked the Imperial Observatory to select an auspicious day. We’ll wait for their reply.”

Since Dou Zhao’s marriage was approaching, Dou Shiying had long since asked Ji Shi to oversee the preparations.

The Dou family invited Madam Cai as their matchmaker, with Yang Sen and Cai Bi serving as intermediaries.

Yang Sen was on close terms with Dou Shishu.

Ji Shi discussed with Madam Cai, “Our Seventh Master wishes to wait until the Imperial Observatory selects the date.”

“That’s fine,” Madam Cai replied. Like her husband, she was ambitious and eager to mediate between the two families.

The Wei family waited for the Dou family to set the date.

They waited until the start of winter.

Wei Tingyu grew anxious.

Wei Tingzhen suddenly understood.

So, the Dou family hadn’t forgotten the past incident after all!

Furious and humiliated, she snapped, “They told us to wait, didn’t they? Then we’ll wait!”

Then came the Laba Festival.

Dou Zhao’s plan had worked.

Rumors spread throughout the Capital that the Wei family was dissatisfied with the engagement and intended to break it off.

The fact that Fourth Miss Dou had been in the Capital for nearly half a year without a wedding date being set was proof.

And as often happens, those involved were the last to hear the news.

The Dou family learned of the rumors during the New Year celebrations.

Fifth Madam was so enraged she nearly choked, standing at the Hanging Flower Gate in the heavy snow until dusk. She waited for Dou Shishu, who had spent New Year’s Eve at the palace celebrating with the Emperor, attended the New Year’s court ceremony at dawn, and presided over the Spring Ox rituals and other festivities.Exhausted, Dou Shishu rubbed his temples and said, "First thing tomorrow morning, I'll invite Seventh Brother over for a talk."

Fifth Madam felt slightly reassured.

Second Madam, however, scoffed, "With his temperament, talking is as good as not talking at all."

Fifth Madam had little contact with Dou Shiying, and upon hearing this, her nerves tightened again.

She asked Second Madam to make the decision.

Second Madam sighed and said, "If it were any other matter, we could discuss it with Shou Gu. But this matter can only be decided by them."

But if they let the people in the Capital continue to talk like this, what face would the Dou family have left? They must do something to restore the family's reputation!

Fifth Madam remained silent.

Despite the freezing cold, Dou Zhao and Dou Shiying were happily roasting sweet potatoes in Dou Shiying's study.