Blossom

Dou Shiying returned to Jing'an Temple Alley,

He called out loudly for Gaosheng, excitedly saying, "Do you know how to find Tao Qizhong?"

Gaosheng immediately understood that Dou Zhao's marriage prospects were promising and couldn't help but beam with joy. He quickly replied, "He didn’t leave an address, but since he serves at the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, I can go there to find him."

In prestigious noble households like the Duke of England's Mansion, chief stewards and advisers earned substantial incomes. Besides having private quarters and pages attending to them within the estate, most also maintained separate residences outside to house their families.

Dou Shiying nodded repeatedly and sighed, "Today, I met the heir of the Duke of Yingguo. Just as Tao Qizhong said—those who escape envy are merely mediocre. That Song Yantang is not only exceptionally handsome but also skilled in horsemanship, archery, and martial arts. His character is upright, and he is highly favored by the Emperor. Despite his illustrious background, he remains humble and courteous, maintaining excellent relations with superiors and colleagues alike. Truly, he embodies the saying, 'A refined gentleman, gentle as jade.'"

As he spoke, he recalled Song Mo’s strikingly handsome face and remembered that Dou Zhao was a year older than him. Women, burdened with household duties and childbearing, often aged faster than men. A pang of regret struck him. "But I wonder if their temperaments would suit each other? I was so focused on asking about his studies and duties that I forgot to inquire whether he keeps any bedroom servants or indulges in women. When you go to the Duke of England's Mansion later, perhaps you could discreetly ask around?"

Then it occurred to him that the Song family had yet to propose, and his eagerness to investigate such matters might make it seem as though he were desperate to marry off his daughter. If the Songs found out, they might look down on Dou Zhao. He hastily amended, "Never mind, don’t ask about bedroom servants. We can discuss such matters after the Songs formally propose." Having said that, he felt even summoning Tao Qizhong now seemed too hasty and added, "Actually, don’t go looking for Tao Qizhong. If the Songs are truly serious about this match, they’ll naturally send him again to negotiate."

But what if the Songs considered Dou Zhao dispensable?

For a moment, Dou Shiying wavered between hope and fear, unsure of what to do.

Outside, cheerful laughter and lively chatter drifted in.

Dou Shiying looked questioningly at Gaosheng.

Gaosheng hurriedly smiled and said, "It must be the Fourth Miss, along with Aunt and Cousin, returning from their outing to Baiyu Temple. I’ll go see if the Fourth Miss has any instructions." Before he could finish, his eyes brightened. "Seventh Master, isn’t Aunt here?"

"Ah! Why didn’t I think of that?" Dou Shiying’s spirits lifted at the reminder.

Aunt might not always be present, but since she was here, Dou Zhao’s marriage was a matter that required her input. Rather than agonizing alone, it would be better to consult her and ensure Dou Zhao’s marriage was arranged with dignity.

He stepped out of the main room.

Gaosheng followed closely behind.

They had bought many things. Seven or eight pages filed in, carrying items toward the eastern wing.

Dou Zhao was saying something to Zhao Zhangru, her eyes curved like crescents, cheeks slightly flushed, laughing heartily like a child who had just eaten candy.

Dou Shiying froze for a moment.

Was this Shou Gu?

He had never seen his daughter laugh so radiantly before!

A dull ache spread through his heart.

Just a simple outing had brought her such joy—how constrained her usual life must be.

Silently, he resolved:

No matter what, he would marry his daughter to a young man like Song Yantang!

If necessary, he would simply provide a more generous dowry.No matter how wealthy the Song family is, would they really turn their noses up at money?

Dou Shiying took a deep breath and walked over with a smile.

Dou Zhao already knew that Fifth Madam had come to propose a marriage for Ji Yong, which Father had bluntly rejected.

She was very happy.

Seeing her father approach, before he could speak, she cheerfully called out, "Father!" and then took a stone from her scented sachet and handed it to Dou Shiying. "Cousin and I found this at Baiyun Temple—only fifty coins."

It was a Shoushan stone with a mix of yellow and brown hues, smooth and fine in texture, thick and simple in appearance. Unfortunately, there was a deep crack in the upper left corner, which affected its quality.

Dou Zhao pointed at the crack and said with a smile, "Both Cousin and I think it could be carved into a slanting gourd or a reclining Buddha."

By removing the flaw and keeping the imperfection, it could still become a fine Shoushan stone seal, doubling its value.

Dou Shiying was skilled in carving and seal engraving.

He nodded with a smile, rubbing the stone in his hand for a while before saying, "It could also be carved into a jade cicada resting on the stone."

Dou Zhao giggled. "It's for you—you can carve whatever you like!"

Dou Shiying was both surprised and delighted, repeatedly thanking her.

Aunt and Zhao Zhangru covered their mouths and laughed nearby.

The atmosphere instantly became lively.

Dou Zhao invited her father to sit in the hall.

Given the propriety between men and women, Aunt and Zhao Zhangru excused themselves, claiming fatigue, and returned to the guest room.

Dou Zhao served tea to her father and sat beside him with a smile, seizing the opportunity to ask, "Did Fifth Aunt come yesterday to propose a marriage for me?"

Dou Shiying choked on his tea and exclaimed, "How did you know?"

"Someone told me," Dou Zhao replied without naming names. "Father, I don’t want to marry yet. Don’t hastily betroth me to someone. I’d like to stay at home a few more years. Cousin Zhang Ru has traveled to many places with Aunt—I want to be like her, to see the world. I don’t want to marry so soon! If anyone comes to propose, you must tell me!"

Dou Shiying felt he understood Dou Zhao’s feelings.

Her marriage matters had become what they were today because of Dong Dou’s interference.

When Dou Ming was young, Dou Zhao had cared for her, yet Dou Ming had acted so heartlessly. No wonder Dou Zhao was hurt—first, she didn’t want to discuss marriage for now, and second, she feared he might hastily marry her off, making her life even harder.

"Don’t worry, don’t worry!" Dou Shiying quickly assured her. "I would never treat your matters lightly."

If the groom was someone he had personally vetted, outstanding in appearance and talent, perhaps Dou Zhao would be willing.

He wanted to tell her about the Duke of Yingguo’s heir, but considering the matter was still uncertain, he didn’t want to raise her hopes only to disappoint her later.

Dou Shiying suppressed the urge and kept the words to himself. After exchanging a few more words with Dou Zhao, he returned to his study and discreetly summoned Aunt to inform her about Tao Qizhong’s marriage proposal.

Tao Qizhong was an adviser to the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion. It wasn’t surprising that he would propose a match for Dou Zhao to curry favor with Dou Shiying.

But she doubted Dou Shiying’s judgment. "Have you actually met him in person?""Such a significant matter—would I dare deceive you?" Dou Shiying lowered his voice as if afraid of being overheard and the news reaching Huai Shu Alley, even though there were no servants in the room. "I also met my fellow candidate, who mentioned often seeing Song Yantang attending to His Majesty—polite, humble, and respectful. Though somewhat reserved in temperament, he never gossips about others. He’s a young noble who knows his place and understands propriety." He added, "And haven’t people outside been spreading the most unflattering rumors about our Shou Gu? Yet you and I both know—what does any of this have to do with Shou Gu? So the saying ‘rumors stop with the wise’ couldn’t be more apt."

When one’s heart is biased, they unwittingly speak in defense and make excuses.

Aunt still felt uneasy. "Matchmaking is matchmaking. But we must also consider the character of the matchmaker. If Tao Qizhong comes to the house again to press the matter, let me meet him too."

Dou Shiying nodded in agreement, then sighed worriedly. "Who knows when Tao Qizhong will return? Since Fifth Cousin has set his sights on the Ji family, he’ll surely find a way to make me agree. We must act quickly—and keep it hidden from Huai Shu Alley..."

Before he could finish, a page entered and announced, "Master, the Ji family’s patriarch has sent an invitation for you to attend an opera at Yuqiao Alley tomorrow. He said several senior officials from the Imperial Academy will also be there and insists on your presence."

Dou Shiying and Aunt exchanged a glance.

Another page hurried in. "Master, that Lord Tao who visited with Lord Xu is here again..."

"Invite Mr. Tao in at once!" Before the page could finish, Dou Shiying and Aunt spoke simultaneously, urgency in their voices.

※※※※※

"Well? Well?" Song Yichun had been reviewing all the families in the Capital who might agree to a marriage alliance with the Song family. It wasn’t that he couldn’t find a family as suitable as the Dous—only that they had already invested so much time in the Dou family. Changing course now would likely be too late.

Upon hearing of Tao Qizhong’s arrival, he couldn’t contain himself and personally went to greet him.

Noticing the attendants nearby, the beaming Tao Qizhong bowed to Song Yichun and said meaningfully, "My respects to the Duke."

Song Yichun felt as refreshed as if he had drunk a bowl of chilled mung bean soup on a scorching summer day. He exhaled deeply in relief.

"You’ve worked hard, sir!" Unable to contain his joy, he clapped his hands and ordered a page to brew a pot of his treasured Taiping Monkey King tea—a reward for Tao Qizhong.

Tao Qizhong was pleased. After playing the sycophant in front of Dou Shiying all this time, he could finally speak standing tall.

Song Yichun quickly dismissed the servants and engaged in a private discussion with Tao Qizhong.

"Dou’s intention is to keep the exchange of marriage matching cards discreet, but the engagement gifts should be a grand affair. At the same time, the marriage certificate will be signed, and the wedding date set," Tao Qizhong said softly. "I suspect the Dou family wants to marry off Fourth Miss Dou before news of the sister-switch spreads—this way, they can present a proper explanation to outsiders and avoid criticism. It aligns perfectly with our own plans."Song Yichun nodded repeatedly, feeling this was truly a "match made in heaven." He said, "I've received word that the Emperor will return to the palace on the twelfth. If we send the betrothal gifts before then, other families might think it too hasty, but since the Dou family wants to quell the gossip about the sister-switch marriage, they'll surely agree. By the time the Emperor returns, it'll be a done deal—would he really take a minister's son-in-law away? If questioned, I can say that while the Emperor was at the summer retreat and I was in the Forbidden City, I heard no rumors. Could the Emperor really charge me with disrespect at that point? At most, it might displease him slightly. Then we'll just pay more visits to Her Majesty the Empress, or even ask Liao Wang to intercede, and the matter will blow over—after all, the Emperor's intention was to betroth Song Mo to Jingfu Princess, which humiliated Ning Fei, so Her Majesty likely won't dwell on it either." Then he instructed Tao Qizhong, "Time is of the essence. Discreetly arrange all the betrothal formalities with the Dou family. I'll personally visit them first thing tomorrow morning. Minister Dou should readily agree to this marriage when he sees our sincerity."

Tao Qizhong rose with a smile. "I'll send the invitation to the Dou family right away."