Blossom

Accompanied by Fifth Madam, he headed straight for the east wing where Dou Zhao resided.

Dou Zhao was sitting cross-legged with Zhao Zhangru on the heated brick bed by the window in the inner chamber, discussing where to go for fun in the coming days. When she heard that Ji Yong had arrived, her eyebrows arched slightly as she sneered, "I was just about to look for him, and here he comes on his own!" She then instructed the maid, "Invite Cousin Ji to the hall for tea."

The maid obeyed and left.

Zhao Zhangru, however, looked puzzled. "What’s wrong? Why are you so angry? What did Ji Jianming do to offend you?"

"It’s too complicated to explain in a few words." Since the matter involved Ji Yong’s personal conduct, Dou Zhao naturally wouldn’t disclose the details to Zhao Zhangru and brushed it off, saying, "I’ll tell you more when I have time. Wait here for me—I’ll be back soon."

Zhao Zhangru nodded and cautioned her, "Then be careful!"

"It’s not like I’m going to fight anyone," Dou Zhao chuckled before heading to the hall.

Seated in the Grand Preceptor’s Chair sipping tea, Ji Yong wore a faint air of smugness. He set down the teacup, picked up a slip of paper from the table, and waved it at Dou Zhao, stating succinctly, "Dou Ming’s marriage certificate!"

In other words, from today onward, Dou Ming was officially Wei Tingyu’s wife.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but ask, "Did you help arrange this?"

"Of course!" Ji Yong declared without hesitation. "If I hadn’t personally gone to Shuntian Prefecture, do you think Dou Ming’s marriage certificate would’ve been obtained so easily?"

The Ji family had intended to marry her into their household. She hadn’t been sure whether Ji Yong knew about it before, but now, seeing the marriage certificate in his hand and hearing his words, she understood everything.

Recalling all that Ji Yong had done, Dou Zhao sneered and mocked, "I wonder what relation you are to our family? My cousins and nephews don’t even know which way the yamen gate opens, yet they needed you to step in to get Dou Ming’s marriage certificate processed? Thank you so much, Lord Ji!"

The thought that Dou Zhao and Wei Tingyu were now completely unrelated filled Ji Yong with an indescribable sense of relief. He had eagerly rushed over with Dou Ming’s freshly issued marriage certificate to see Dou Zhao, anticipating she might be displeased—but he never expected her to be so blunt. His breath caught in his throat, nearly choking him.

"If this matter hadn’t involved you, I wouldn’t have bothered!" Ji Yong finally recovered and roared in fury. "If it weren’t for me, would the Wei family have accepted Dou Ming? If it weren’t for me, how could your marriage certificate with Wei Tingyu have suddenly disappeared? If it weren’t for me, how could the witnesses from the Dou and Wei families have arrived so quickly—"

Dou Zhao cut him off sharply. "And if it weren’t for you, would my sister and I have been forced into this marriage swap?!"

Ji Yong was stunned, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "You knew?"

"You’ve been jumping around so conspicuously—even if I didn’t want to know, I’d have no choice but to find out," Dou Zhao retorted coldly, glaring at him.Ji Yong, flushed with anger, retorted, "What do you mean by 'jumping around'? I'm not a monkey! If it weren't for you, would I bother with these ridiculous matters? You were so eager to marry Wei Tingyu, but what about him? He knew both of you sisters, yet he went ahead and performed the wedding ceremony with Dou Ming, even entering the bridal chamber. The moment he saw Dou Ming crying her heart out, he immediately embraced her, saying, 'Since we've already performed the ceremony, we are husband and wife.' His sister refused to acknowledge this sister-in-law, yet he was the first to jump out and claim her as his wife. While we were busy replacing the marriage certificate, he was in the bridal chamber comforting his new bride. Did he ever spare a thought for you? No matter how inadequate I might be, I would never neglect you like he did, never humiliate you like this, and never abandon you like this..."

"So you think it's justified to steal another's betrothed?!" Dou Zhao's gaze was as cold as moonlight as she stared at him.

Ji Yong choked on his words.

Dou Zhao continued, "I once asked you why you didn't trust my decisions. Now, I ask you again: What gives you the right to make decisions for me without even consulting me? You thought Wei Tingyu wasn't good enough for me, so you lured him into staying overnight at a male brothel to ruin his reputation. You wanted me to despise Wei Tingyu, so you had Dou Ming invite him to visit the Great Xiangguo Temple together. You wanted to marry me, so you orchestrated this sister-swapping marriage... From start to finish, did you ever consider my feelings? Did you ever ask for my consent? Is this how you treat me well? If this is your idea of treating me well, I'd rather not have it!"

"You..." Ji Yong's face turned deathly pale.

If she let Ji Yong off so easily now, he might do something even worse in the future!

"You think Wei Tingyu isn't worthy of me, yet he never forced me into anything," Dou Zhao said sternly. "You think you're better than him, but you've turned my life upside down. You claim you wouldn't neglect me, humiliate me, or abandon me... But look at me now—under the silent complicity of my own elders, my own sister stole my marriage, and I can only put on a brave face, comforting Father and then Aunt. Isn't this neglect? Isn't this humiliation? Isn't this abandonment? If this isn't neglect, humiliation, and abandonment, then what is? You think Wei Tingyu is inferior to you, yet after marrying Dou Ming, he defied his family's objections and acknowledged her as his wife, preserving her dignity. You think you're better than Wei Tingyu, yet all you know is scheming, slandering, and luring, working behind the scenes to make me the laughingstock of others, the subject of gossip. Tell me, in what way are you better than Wei Tingyu?!"

"Ji Jianming, I will never in this life marry someone who steals another's betrothed.

"From today onward, my affairs are none of your concern! You take your broad road, and I'll cross my single-plank bridge. We'll have nothing to do with each other for the rest of our lives!"

With that, Dou Zhao turned and left the hall.

A man who steals another's betrothed!

From today onward... you take your broad road, and I'll cross my single-plank bridge... nothing to do with each other for the rest of our lives...

Ji Yong stood dumbfounded, staring at the swaying curtain, Dou Zhao's clear and melodious voice ringing in his ears like a solemn bell.

※※※※※

Dou Shiying stared blankly at Fifth Madam's moving lips, unable to process what he was hearing.

Old Master Ji wanted to propose a marriage between Ji Yong and Shou Gu?

After Dou Ming had inexplicably replaced Dou Zhao in marrying into the Wei Family?Dou Shiying couldn’t help but ask, “Does Fifth Brother know about this?”

His voice was sharp, but Fifth Madam, who had always considered Dou Shiying mild-tempered, paid no mind and smiled. “Old Master Ji came personally to propose the match—how could your fifth brother not know? His view is that with the family just having gone through such an incident, since Jianming and Shou Gu are practically cousins and grew up together, if people start thinking the worst, not only will Mingjier’s reputation be ruined, but Shou Gu and Jianming will also become subjects of gossip. The Marquis of Jining can weather it—at most, he’ll lose face—but Jianming is still young with a bright future ahead. If this provokes an imperial censor impeachment, it would be disastrous. It’s better for the two families to quietly exchange betrothal documents first and set the wedding date next spring…”

Dou Shiying thought of the well-mannered servants in Huai Shu Alley; of Fifth Madam’s composed confidence when he had blamed her after Dou Ming’s substitute marriage; of Tao Qizhong’s ingratiating smile; of Gaosheng’s terrified expression when mentioning Song Mo… His lips twitched.

Do I really seem so weak and easy to deceive?

One after another, they all try to fool me!

The anger he had suppressed since learning of Song Mo’s notoriety now flared up like oil poured on flames.

“What more do you want?” He stood up abruptly, his fair face flushing red with rage. His usually gentle eyes burned with indignation. “I only have two daughters! Haven’t you harmed them enough?”

Fifth Madam’s face burned, but she defended herself stubbornly. “How can you speak like this, Seventh Uncle? I admit it was my fault for not stopping Mingjier back then. Isn’t this my way of making it up to Shou Gu? Besides, Jianming is far more outstanding than that Wei Tingyu—he’s already a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations at such a young age. Who knows? He might even become a grand secretary someday. And Old Master Ji came personally to propose—this shows exceptional regard for Shou Gu. What more could you possibly—”

“Enough!” The more she spoke, the angrier Dou Shiying became. He scoffed. “All this talk—what it boils down to is that you want an alliance with the Ji family, to win over Ji Jianming. How did Fang Zhou, a mere secretary in the Ministry of Personnel’s Bureau of Honors, become the Administration Commissioner of Zhejiang? How did Wang Yingxue manage to marry Dou Ming into the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion? Don’t think I know nothing! Let me tell you, I’m marrying off my daughter, not selling her!” He pointed at the door. “Fifth Sister-in-law, you oversee the household affairs in Huai Shu Alley and must be very busy. It’s getting late—I won’t keep you.”

Fifth Madam had never seen Dou Shiying so furious.

She stood frozen for a long moment before snapping back to reality. Only then did she realize—Dou Shiying opposed the Dou-Ji family alliance!

What was to be done?

Hurriedly, she said, “Seventh Uncle, don’t act on impulse! You should think this over carefully. A match as good as Jianming won’t come again—”

But Dou Shiying could no longer bear to hear her voice. The veins at his temples bulged as he shouted for Gaosheng to “see the guest out.”

Seeing Dou Shiying in such a rage, Fifth Madam decided further words would fall on deaf ears. She resolved to revisit the matter once his temper cooled and, without waiting for a second dismissal, rose to take her leave.

Dou Shiying collapsed onto the heated brick bed by the window as if every tendon in his body had been severed.

※※※※※Ji Yong didn't know how he left Jing'an Temple Alley.

By the time he came to his senses, he was already standing in front of Jing'an Temple.

The bustling crowd passed by him from time to time, occasionally bumping into his shoulders while hurriedly muttering, "Excuse me, excuse me."

Zi Shang responded on Ji Yong's behalf, while Zi Xi stuck close to his side without leaving even a step.

Suddenly, a carriage came to an abrupt halt right in front of Ji Yong.

"Ji Jianming!" He Yu leaped down from the carriage and charged straight at Ji Yong, throwing a punch directly at his face.

Caught off guard, Ji Yong staggered from the blow and fell to the ground.

Zi Xi and Zi Shang cried out in alarm and rushed forward, only to be blocked by He Yu's guards, who had been prepared in advance.

As Ji Yong regained his senses, his eyes stung, and warm liquid trickled from his nose.

Wiping his nose instinctively, he snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me ?" He Yu advanced, throwing another punch at Ji Yong. "Have you forgotten what you once promised me?"

Ji Yong twisted aside, dodging the fist, but He Yu still managed to pin him down.

Seething with anger, Ji Yong couldn't be bothered to ask what exactly he had supposedly promised He Yu. Struggling fiercely, he grappled with He Yu, the two of them tumbling into a messy brawl.