When Wei Tingzhen and her family arrived at the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, she noticed the Dou family's carriage and couldn't help feeling puzzled. "Why have the Dou family arrived so early?" she remarked.
According to etiquette, the Dou family should have waited until the Wei family had repeatedly urged them before "reluctantly" making an appearance—typically after the bride had already opened her dowry chest to present gifts to her in-laws. It was just past mao hour (5-7 AM), and the wedding rituals hadn't even begun. The Dou family's early arrival was indeed unusual.
The matron who had come to inform Wei Tingzhen dared not explain further, mumbling incoherently until Zhang Yuanming laughed and said, "When they come late, you complain they're disrespectful; when they come early, you say they lack restraint. You're truly hard to please!" This made Wei Tingzhen chuckle as she playfully swatted her husband. "You never have a kind word to say, do you?" The lingering resentment she had felt over her brother marrying a bride she disapproved of suddenly dissipated, and her spirits lifted visibly, her face radiant with smiles.
The steward, having received word earlier, had been waiting to escort Zhang Yuanming to entertain the male guests from the Dou family who had come for the kinship formalities, while the matron led Wei Tingzhen and her children to the West Wing Courtyard where Tian Shi resided in widowhood.
Before long, faint sounds of commotion could be heard from the West Wing Courtyard.
In the Reception Hall, Zhang Yuanming was taken aback, unable to imagine what could cause such a stir so early in the morning, especially on his brother-in-law's wedding day.
However, Dou Wenchang and Ji Yong, seated across from him, understood perfectly.
The truth had come to light.
Fortunately, one was prudent by nature and the other exceptionally quick-witted, so both maintained their composure and continued making small talk with Zhang Yuanming.
Zhang Yuanming, of course, pretended not to hear the disturbance and deftly steered the conversation toward the recent unrest in Yunnan's Menglian Xuanfu Si under the Dao clan, a hot topic at court: "...Thanks to Lord Wang, the people of Yunnan were spared the ravages of war."
The "Lord Wang" he referred to was none other than Wang Xingyi—both a relative by marriage to the Dou family and the nominal maternal grandfather of the bride.
This man appears dull-witted, but he's far from foolish, Ji Yong mused silently as he listened to Dou Wenchang and Zhang Yuanming exchange pleasantries. Just then, a page hurried over to Zhang Yuanming and whispered something in his ear. Zhang Yuanming froze momentarily before regaining his composure, though his expression toward Dou Wenchang and Ji Yong became noticeably peculiar.
Dou Wenchang grew uneasy, his speech losing its earlier fluency, while Ji Yong only smiled more broadly, launching into a lively discussion about Yunnan's local customs that left Zhang Yuanming at a loss for words and increasingly restless.
Outside, the clamor grew louder, accompanied by hurried footsteps—clearly, Wei Tingzhen had discovered the truth and was coming to confront the Dou family!
A heated exchange seemed inevitable.
Fifth Madam had instructed Dou Wenchang that under no circumstances should the Wei family be allowed to send Dou Ming back. Yet the idea of shamelessly forcing someone into another's household went against his principles, and shame made him tense.
Hearing his wife's voice, Zhang Yuanming frowned inwardly.
Why must she make a scene now?
Whether justified or not, this would only invite ridicule!He didn't even care that the Dou family members were present, immediately instructing his personal page: "Go inform Madam that it's getting late. Tell her to hurry and invite the new bride to make offerings at the kitchen god and report to the ancestors, so I can properly share a few drinks with the Dou family uncle."
Hinting that any matters could wait until after the Dou family had left.
The page acknowledged and left.
Who would have thought this Zhang Yuanming was someone who knew how to consider the bigger picture.
But people who consider the bigger picture are often prone to compromise.
Ji Yong's eyes lit up.
Before the page could even reach the doorway, the Xiangfei bamboo curtain—which wouldn't normally be stored until after Mid-Autumn Festival—crashed loudly as Wei Tingzhen stormed in aggressively with several trusted old women in tow.
"What drinking? What offerings? How dare these lowly scum from the Dou family presume!" She pointed furiously at Dou Wenchang and Ji Yong while unleashing a torrent of abuse. "Are the Dou family's daughters so unmarriageable that you must foist them upon our household? A younger sister replacing the elder in marriage—what kind of shameless scheme is this? And you call yourselves a family of scholarly traditions and propriety? I say you're no better than streetwalkers! Don't think our Wei family's small numbers make us easy targets! When our ancestors followed Emperor Taizong to conquer territories and build this nation, your family was probably still eating chaff and tending cattle for others! You lack the qualifications to manipulate the Wei family! Let me tell you—" she brandished the marriage certificate in her hand, "—if you don't send Fourth Miss Dou over, the Wei family will never let this matter rest!"
Her implication was clear: with the marriage certificate in hand, if pushed to extremes, they could always settle this in court. The Dou family wasn't to be trifled with either.
Zhang Yuanming stood dumbfounded before finally collecting himself. He quickly pulled aside one of the old women who had entered with Wei Tingzhen to inquire. Not daring to conceal the truth, the old woman revealed that Dou Ming had married in Dou Zhao's stead.
Despite the crisp autumn weather, Zhang Yuanming broke out in a sweat.
If Fifth Miss Dou had already consummated the marriage with Wei Tingyu, how could they possibly demand Fourth Miss Dou's hand now?
Moreover, since Wei Tingyu and Fifth Miss Dou had already performed the wedding rituals, even if they could return her, Wei Tingyu would inevitably earn a reputation for heartlessness. What respectable family would dare marry into the Marquis of Jining's household afterward? It would be better to accept this marriage and have the Dou family owe the Weis a favor they could leverage later. Besides, Fifth Miss Dou was Wang Xingyi's biological granddaughter—she would surely be treated better than the false granddaughter Fourth Miss Dou. Perhaps the Wei family might even gain the Wang family's support?
He hurriedly stopped Wei Tingzhen: "Be careful—don't let this become public knowledge..."
"Let the whole world know! Let everyone see the Dou family for what they are!" Wei Tingzhen raged.
How dare the Dou family humiliate the Weis like this!
She would make them pay!
Not only would she return Fifth Miss Dou to make the Dou family suffer this loss, she would force them to send Fourth Miss Dou instead. After tormenting her sufficiently, she'd divorce her—making the Dou family lose both face and advantage, becoming the Capital's laughingstock!
Ji Yong, ever the quick thinker, saw straight through Wei Tingzhen's petty schemes.
Seeing Dou Wenchang trembling with rage, he privately scorned the man's weakness before drawling languidly: "Then we'll meet at Shuntian Prefecture's court!" His tone dripped with utter indifference.Wei Tingzhen was furious at the sight and sneered, "Don't think that just because your family has produced a Grand Secretary, the government offices have become your family's property. What do you think those censors are for? The Shuntian Prefecture courtroom, you say? Then let’s meet there! Don’t blame us for being ruthless when the time comes!"
Ji Yong cast a disdainful glance at Wei Tingzhen and said, "If I’m not mistaken, Madam is the wife of the heir to the Duke of Jingguo’s household, isn’t she? I wonder when you left the Duke’s residence and returned to your parents' home? Otherwise, why would you keep referring to the 'Wei Family'?"
"You—" Wei Tingzhen was so angry she nearly fainted.
But Zhang Yuanming grabbed hold of her.
"Wait!" he whispered urgently. "Look at this situation—the Dou family clearly came prepared. We need to think this through carefully!"
Wei Tingyu was stunned.
Zhang Yuanming stepped forward and bowed courteously to Dou Wenchang and Ji Yong, saying, "My wife is simply beside herself with worry. However, your Dou family has deceitfully substituted brides. That is an undeniable fact..."
"If that’s the case, why didn’t the Marquis of Jining send the bride back to the Dou family when the veil was lifted? Fifth Miss Dou, a sheltered young lady who never steps beyond the inner courtyard—how could she have the audacity to impersonate her sister and marry into the Wei family without the knowledge of her elders?" Ji Yong retorted scornfully. "I heard that recently, the Marquis of Jining arranged a secret meeting with Fifth Miss Dou at the Great Xiangguo Temple, which was discovered by Fifth Madam Dou. As a result, the Dou family sought to annul the engagement. It was your Wei family who refused, forcing the Dou family to reluctantly agree to the wedding date. Frankly, it’s debatable which family is guilty of deceit. How could the Marquis of Jining, who had clearly met his sister-in-law before, end up sharing the bridal chamber with her? The Double Morning Celebration Red—where was the Marquis during this? Yet the married sister of the Wei family is the first to make a scene, demanding that the Dou family send over the fourth miss. Does the Marquis wish to emulate Emperor Shun, with Ehuang and Nüying serving one husband? He should first consider whether he possesses the capability to command such a privilege!"
Who could match Ji Yong’s eloquence?
Zhang Yuanming listened, sweating profusely.
Dou Wenchang also regained his composure and quickly added, "Exactly! Our elders were completely unaware of Mingjier’s substitution. It was only during the farewell to her parents that it was discovered. Everyone in the wedding hall was stunned. Seventh Uncle turned pale with rage and tried to stop Mingjier, but your Wei family’s woman of complete blessings dragged her away. By the time the outer courtyard received word, your bridal sedan had already traveled several alleys. If you don’t believe us, ask the wedding escorts! Because of this, Seventh Uncle and the Wang family’s matriarch fell ill from anger. Several aunts haven’t slept a wink and sent us here at dawn to demand an explanation!"
"Nonsense! You’re twisting the truth!" Wei Tingzhen trembled with rage. "If your elders didn’t know, who styled Fifth Miss’s hair? Who dressed her? Who—"
What was the point of quibbling over such details now?
They needed to understand the Dou family’s true intentions and how the Wei family should respond.
Zhang Yuanming tightly gripped Wei Tingzhen, cutting off his wife’s words, and said, "Magistrate Ji, your eloquence is admirable, but facts speak louder than words—"
Before he could finish, a young maid rushed in, her face filled with terror.
"Terrible news, terrible news! The bride has hanged herself!""Ah!" Zhang Yuanming and the others stood frozen like wooden chickens, all sounds abruptly ceasing, leaving the Reception Hall in dead silence.
Only Ji Yong's eyes flickered slightly as he thought to himself: This Dou Ming finally has some redeeming qualities!
He said coldly, "I think we should listen to Madam, the heir of Jingguo Duke's household, and meet at the Shuntian Prefecture court!" Breaking the silence in the room.
Dou Wenchang glanced at Ji Yong, pushed the little maid who had come to deliver the message, and urgently said, "Where is the bride? Quickly take me to her?"
The little maid gave an "Oh" and hurriedly led Dou Wenchang out of the Reception Hall.
Only then did Zhang Yuanming snap out of his daze, anxiously saying, "Saving people is urgent!"
He too followed Dou Wenchang out of the Reception Hall.
Wei Tingzhen's face turned deathly pale as she glared fiercely at Ji Yong.
Ji Yong, however, responded with a contemptuous smile and leisurely walked out.
OpenNovel