Blossom

Dou Zhao met her aunt and cousin, sharing heartfelt reunions. Fifth Madam and Sixth Madam hosted a welcoming banquet for them. That evening, Dou Zhao and her aunt shared a heated brick bed, exchanging intimate words. Her aunt inquired meticulously about the Wei family's customary festival gifts, the matchmaker they had engaged, and the dowry items they would send during the bridal procession. She covered every detail exhaustively. While generally satisfied with the Wei family's arrangements, her aunt found their festival gifts somewhat stingy and cautioned Dou Zhao: "Don't overlook these small matters—they reveal the family's frugal daily habits. Though they maintain appearances splendidly, they're overly concerned with reputation. You've been accustomed to generosity at home, but after marriage, you must be cautious. Don't take the lead or make decisions. Follow their lead—if they eat porridge, you eat porridge; if they have noodles, you have noodles. Never use your dowry to cover household expenses. Your kindness might be misconstrued as extravagance by your mother-in-law. Suppress your desires for food and clothing. And never flaunt your dowry to bolster your husband's family's image—once you start, it'll never end..."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but sigh.

Experience truly trumps youth.

But this time, her aunt was mistaken.

Wei Tingyu was actually quite generous—his constraints were purely financial.

In her previous life, the Wei family had sent thirty-six dowry chests when marrying her. Only after the wedding did she learn most were from Tian Shi's dowry. This time, thanks to his business ventures with Wang Qinghuai and Gu Yu, the arrangements were far more substantial.

Since Dou Zhao had no intention of marrying into the Wei family, she didn't explain. Guilt gnawed at her as she thought of her aunt traveling so far to see her wed. She simply nodded and smiled at her aunt's advice, not daring to contradict.

When her aunt finally finished and went to wash up, Zhao Zhangru pouted, complaining: "You're two years younger than me, yet you're getting married while my prospects remain uncertain. I hate staying home."

Dou Zhao broke into a cold sweat but could offer no solution—she genuinely didn't know who Zhao Zhangru married in her past life.

Fortunately, Zhao Zhangru's cheerful nature meant her grievances were fleeting. Soon she was distracted by Dou Zhao's dowry.

Dou Zhao had Gan Lu light lamps to illuminate the storeroom. Zhao Zhangru marveled at a gold-inlaid jade ruyi scepter: "The gold filigree patterns are exquisite!"

Her aunt's voice came from the doorway: "That was your grandmother's dowry, later given to your aunt for her marriage." Now it belonged to Dou Zhao.

Zhao Zhangru blinked at Dou Zhao, then quickly adopted an innocent demeanor, linking arms with her mother while sweetly calling her "Mother" and explaining: "I was just curious..."

Unperturbed, her aunt examined the ruyi scepter before telling Dou Zhao: "I've reviewed your dowry list. The Dou family has maintained proper decorum—your mother's possessions have been preserved intact and fully accounted for."

Dou Zhao had long since arranged separate inventories for her mother's dowry and the Dou family's contributions. Should any item from her mother's possessions go missing, none of the Dou, Ji, or Wei families would escape accountability!Dou Zhao presented the jade ruyi scepter to Zhao Zhangru and said to her aunt, "Let Third Cousin share in my good fortune. I'll have them remove this scepter from the dowry list."

In her previous life, she had exhausted all her efforts to marry Wei Tingyu. In this life, though she had no intention to marry, suitors kept coming. Could it be that such matters also followed the principle of "the less you desire, the stronger you become"?

Zhao Zhangru's troubled marriage prospects were her aunt's greatest worry. Hearing this, she no longer declined and instructed Zhao Zhangru to apologize to Dou Zhao, saying, "I'll compensate you with another ruyi scepter!"

"No need, no need," Dou Zhao laughed. "No wonder Cousin took a liking to my things. In the future, if I fancy something of hers, she mustn't be stingy."

Zhao Zhangru giggled, "In that case, I'm getting the better end of the deal!"

The two cousins joked and laughed, playfully tussling together.

Their aunt watched from the side, unable to suppress a joyful smile.

The next day, the aunt took Zhao Zhangru to Huai Tree Alley to pay respects to Second Madam.

Su Xin quietly informed Dou Zhao, "Second Madam has sent Ma Jun's wife to assist Madam Cai."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but chuckle.

Ma Jun's wife was the same woman who had accompanied Nanny Liu to the Wang family to humiliate Madam Xu Wang last time. Known for her sharp tongue, even Pang Yulou, who grew up in the streets, couldn't gain an upper hand against her.

When the Wei family discovered the bride had been switched, they would certainly confront the Dou family. Sending Ma Jun's wife along with Madam Cai to escort the bride made their intentions perfectly clear.

The following afternoon, the Wei family came for the Bridal Urging ceremony.

One hundred and twenty dowry chests were filled to the brim. Leading the procession was a Hetian jade carving of the Star of Longevity and Happiness, standing over a foot tall. Its lustrous translucence under the sunlight drew crowds of onlookers.

On the wedding day, as Second Madam was a widow and couldn't attend the ceremony, Dou Zhao, accompanied by Sixth Aunt, went to Huai Tree Alley early in the morning to bid her farewell.

Second Madam sat chatting cheerfully with her for a while, showing neither sorrow at their parting nor offering any admonitions. Only when Dou Zhao was about to leave did she seem to suddenly remember something, instructing Nanny Liu to present a pair of mandarin duck jade pendants as an additional dowry gift.

It appeared everyone knew it was Dou Ming who would be married off today.

Dou Zhao grew even calmer. Returning to Jing'an Temple Alley, she bathed and prepared herself.

Madam Xu Wang arrived with Gao Shi, Madam Pang, and Wang Nan to attend the wedding banquet.

Using the excuse that she had already finished dressing, Dou Zhao didn't go out to greet them.

Gao Shi took no offense and brought Gao Mingzhu into the room to congratulate her.

Dou Ming stood by, looking somewhat downcast.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but study her carefully, noticing that Dou Ming had also bathed and prepared, her jet-black hair neatly combed without a strand out of place.

I'm getting married, and so are you. I sit here properly in the inner chamber receiving congratulations, while you must hide in secrecy. Comparing our situations, don't you feel anything at all?

Dou Zhao silently asked Dou Ming this question.

But Dou Ming didn't even glance at Dou Zhao, simply accompanying Gao Shi out of the room.

As the sun set and light gradually faded, bright red lanterns were hung, illuminating Jing'an Temple Alley with lights and filling it with boisterous laughter and chatter.

Dou Zhao was now fully dressed in her wedding attire.

Madam Cai brought in a bowl of lotus seed and lily soup.

Dou Zhao ate spoonful after spoonful, finishing the soup in just a few bites.Aunt chuckled and said to Sixth Aunt, who was sitting beside her, "What a silly child. Just take a couple of symbolic bites." She added, "Luckily, the groom's family isn't far from here, or I don't know what you'd do."

A bride couldn't set foot on the ground once she boarded the sedan chair. Typically, brides would start reducing their food intake a few days before the wedding, and on the wedding day, they would only eat two eggs to stave off hunger.

Sixth Aunt also laughed softly, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of Dou Zhao's mouth affectionately. "Eat less. Be careful not to ruin your makeup." Then she asked Su Xin, who was accompanying the bride, "Did you bring the scented sachet I gave you? After the wedding ceremony and entering the bridal chamber, you can't eat and drink as freely as you do at home. There are some pastries inside—eat them if you get hungry."

Dou Zhao giggled and replied, "Yes."

Sixth Aunt turned to Aunt and said, "Look at her smiling like that. How is she going to cry later?"

Aunt and Sixth Aunt exchanged knowing smiles.

But Dou Zhao's tears began to fall silently.

The matter of Dou Ming taking her place in the marriage was kept hidden from the two elders closest to her, who cared for her the most.

Aunt quickly pulled her into an embrace, soothing her, "Don't cry, don't cry. This is a happy occasion. What's there to cry about?"

Han Shi, Dou Zhengchang's wife, appeared at the door. "Mother, the two ladies from Yuqiao Alley have arrived. Fifth Aunt wants you to go and keep them company."

Sixth Aunt hurriedly stuffed the handkerchief into Dou Zhao's hands. "Stop crying now. Later, the groom's family will want to see the bride—don't let them see you with a tear-streaked face." Then she followed Han Shi to the Reception Hall.

Madam Cai dismissed Su Xin. "Go check if the young lady has everything she needs to bring."

Some items would be sent with the dowry, but certain things needed for the wedding night were to be carried by the bride's personal maid.

Su Xin smiled. "The young lady asked me to stay at home and join her after returning to her maiden home in three days."

Madam Cai was taken aback, clearly not expecting this oversight. But she quickly thought of a solution and whispered to Su Xin, "Aunt has something to say to the young lady later. Come with me first."

It seemed the situation had changed—they had arranged for Aunt to have a private talk with her.

Dou Zhao subtly signaled to Su Xin with her eyes.

Only then did Su Xin follow Madam Cai out.

Ma Jun's wife also took Zhao Zhangru out with her.

Aunt then sat down beside Dou Zhao with a smile. "This is something your mother should have told you..." Her expression dimmed slightly as she sighed softly, but she quickly regained her composure and leaned in to whisper about the wedding night.

As Dou Zhao listened, her head began to feel heavy.

She knew the lotus seed and lily soup was taking effect.

Dou Zhao forced herself to stay alert until Aunt finally finished. Madam Cai walked in cheerfully. "Aunt, come out for some tea and let our Fourth Young Lady catch her breath and gather her thoughts."

Aunt, unsuspecting, smiled and followed Madam Cai out.

Dou Zhao's eyelids were already drooping heavily.

She simply lay down on the bed fully dressed.

Someone called "Shou Gu" in her ear, the voice fluctuating in volume and distance.

Dou Zhao knew they were testing her, making sure she was truly asleep.

Duan Gongyi was hiding on the beam in the hall.

Too tired to care, she fell into a deep sleep.

※※※※※

Dou Zhao was shaken awake.

She blinked groggily and saw her father's grim face.

"Shou Gu, Shou Gu, are you all right?" Dou Shiying shook his daughter anxiously.Dou Zhao blinked her eyes and only then noticed that Aunt, her cousin, Su Xin, Fifth Aunt, and Nanny Liu were all gathered around her bed, looking at her with worried expressions.

The room was brightly lit by lamps and candles, and it was utterly silent—no sound of strings or flutes, no drumbeats or music.

Dou Ming must have already been married off.

Dou Zhao pondered this, then shook her head lightly and said, "I'm fine!" Her voice was hoarse, and her head felt heavy as if filled with lead, making her uncomfortable.

Who would have thought the medicine would be so potent?

As Dou Zhao thought this, she saw the people in the room collectively sigh in relief.