Blossom

Dou Zhao giggled as she released Dou Ming’s hair, then poked her sister’s cheek instead.

Wang Yingxue’s heart leaped into her throat. “She’s still too young—don’t poke her face!” she blurted, her voice sharper than intended.

So Dou Zhao turned to play with her sister’s tiny hands instead.

She’s doing this on purpose!

Wang Yingxue seethed.

Rather than secretly harming the child and being scolded as "naughty" by the adults, it was better to act right in front of everyone—then a simple "she doesn’t know any better" would absolve her of all blame...

What Zhao Guqiu had birthed wasn’t a child—it was a demon!

The thought flashed through her mind, and despite her efforts to maintain composure, a hint of stiffness crept into her expression. “Shou Gu, don’t play with your sister’s hands either!”

Dou Shiying felt a flicker of displeasure at this.

Shou Gu was just trying to bond with her sister. If she were too rough out of ignorance, the baby would naturally cry in discomfort. But the child lay peacefully in the wet nurse’s arms, clearly showing that Shou Gu was being gentle.

He thought Wang Yingxue was being overly protective of her own child and unfairly harsh on Shou Gu.

Third Aunt and Ding Yinyinai shared the sentiment. However, neither could speak up—the former was only temporarily overseeing the Western Dou’s Household Affairs at Dou Duo’s request and couldn’t interfere in such domestic matters, while the latter’s status meant it wasn’t her place to comment. But that didn’t mean they lacked opinions. Especially Third Aunt, who, as the principal wife, naturally sided with the Dou family when dealing with the Zhao Family. Behind closed doors, however, she held nothing but contempt for concubines like Wang Yingxue who schemed their way into the household.

With a silent scoff, she stepped forward with a smile and picked up Dou Zhao, deftly steering her away from Dou Ming. “Silly child, don’t be naughty—you might accidentally hurt your sister!”

Enough was enough.

Wang Yingxue was already on edge today.

After all, Dou Zhao was only three. If they pushed Wang Yingxue too far and she lashed out recklessly, it wouldn’t be worth it!

Dou Zhao cheerfully wrapped her arms around Third Aunt’s neck.

Third Aunt praised her as “well-behaved” and said to Dou Shiying, “Since Wang Yiniang is settled now, I’ll take my leave. If anything comes up, just send word.”

Wang Yingxue had gone into labor late last night, and Third Aunt and Ding Yinyinai had been busy until now.

Dou Shiying thanked them profusely and, along with Ding Yinyinai, escorted Third Aunt out.

Once they were gone, Wang Yingxue instructed her trusted Hu Momo, “From now on, don’t let Shou Gu near the baby, and never leave them alone together.”

Hu Momo was taken aback. “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate? The Fourth Miss is the Dou family’s legitimate daughter—wouldn’t it be wonderful if the sisters could grow close?”

“You don’t understand,” Wang Yingxue said, still shaken. “That child... there’s something unnatural about her. You must be cautious around her too.” Seeing Hu Momo’s skepticism, she hesitated—after all, Hu Momo managed her household affairs. After a moment’s thought, she relayed Dou Zhao’s earlier words: “...How could a three-year-old know such things?”

Hu Momo pondered. “Perhaps someone told her?”

“Impossible!” Wang Yingxue snapped. “Zhao Guqiu is gone—who else here would be so meddlesome?”

Her thoughts drifted to the past.

She had been jilted, while Zhao Guqiu was preparing for her wedding.The family could no longer afford to reciprocate the Zhao Family's gifts. Too embarrassed to go herself, her mother had her bring ten taels of silver as a congratulatory gift. Finding this too shabby, she selected two fine satin fabrics—one red, one yellow—from the Lei family's betrothal gifts and hastily embroidered two handkerchiefs to bring along.

Zhao Guqiu's joy was unmistakable, her eyes and brows alight with happiness, without a trace of the usual pre-wedding worries or reluctance.

Everyone teased Zhao Guqiu.

Yet she replied without a hint of shyness, "I've longed every day to marry him, and now my wish is fulfilled—how could I possibly feel sad?" This sent everyone into fits of laughter, leaving her both envious and curious.

When the Dou family came to fetch the bride, she secretly went to watch the ceremony.

A tall chestnut horse carried the groom, dressed in red, his face as fair as jade, his eyes like morning stars. His unrestrained joy struck her deeply, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.

Later, as the family's circumstances grew increasingly dire, her brother's marriage prospects remained uncertain. The suitors who came for her were either widowers, unemployed drifters, or dullards with physical ailments... Recalling Zhao Guqiu's wedding, she felt all the more wretched, her heart sinking deeper into despair.

Until one day, when the local Recommended Man He sought the county magistrate as a matchmaker to propose marriage for his bedwetting, simple-minded son over twenty years old, she instead encountered Dou Shiying...

He was just as she had imagined—refined, gentle, and considerate.

Her heart raced uncontrollably.

Rather than marry someone who repulsed her at first glance, she would rather follow Dou Shiying.

At least he was handsome and kind-hearted. With him, she wouldn’t fear abandonment. Zhao Guqiu, coddled by her elder brother and sister-in-law, was naive and not the scheming, malicious type. Moreover, the Western Dou lineage was sparse, and there was no shrewd mother-in-law ruling the inner household. If she could bear a son, raise him well, and secure him an official rank, given her background and upbringing, she could stand toe-to-toe with Zhao Guqiu. What difference would there be between her and the legitimate wife then?

She had thought of everything, calculated every possibility—except Zhao Guqiu’s unyielding resolve!

Even more unexpected was the string of eerie incidents after Zhao Guqiu’s death, leaving her restless and anxious every day, leading to a premature birth and exposing her affair with Dou Shiying like a fire that could no longer be concealed...

What now?

Thinking of this, Wang Yingxue felt as though a thousand needles were piercing her temples.

Who could it be?

Suddenly, Dou Zhao’s bright yet mocking eyes flashed in Wang Yingxue’s mind.

Could it be... Shou Gu?

No, impossible!

Wang Yingxue shook her head.

She’s just a three-year-old child... Or was it Zhao Guqiu, using the child from beyond the grave?

No, that couldn’t be!

Wang Yingxue muttered to herself.

Her father had once said that supernatural fears were merely delusions of an unsettled mind.

Hu Momo, noticing Wang Yingxue’s frightened and disheveled appearance, quickly asked, "Madame, have you remembered something? Do you know who’s targeting you?"

Wang Yingxue stiffened.

Zhao Guqiu was already dead—why was she scaring herself like this?

Collecting herself, she said, "Don’t speak carelessly. Just remember what I’ve told you. Never let Shou Gu and the young miss mingle."

Hu Momo nodded, though puzzled.Dou Shiying turned back.

Wang Yingxue put on a gentle smile: "Has Third Madam and Ding Yinyinai left?"

Dou Shiying gave an affirmative hum and said, "Shou Gu is still young. She only knows to touch and hug what she likes. Don't make such a fuss about it in the future."

"I..." Wang Yingxue hesitated.

Dou Shiying had never faced setbacks since childhood. Such people could only be handled with care.

"It was this concubine who overreacted." She admitted her mistake gracefully and had the wet nurse bring their daughter over. "Seventh Master, look—don't our daughter's eyebrows resemble yours?"

Dou Shiying examined carefully and smiled faintly: "There is some resemblance."

Wang Yingxue sighed lightly, stroking her daughter's sparse hair with reddened eyes: "You don't know how dangerous it was earlier... our daughter almost didn't survive! Thankfully Third Madam was here... Seventh Master, could you ask the Old Master to give our daughter a milk name? Let her share in the Old Master's blessings."

Dou Shiying nodded gently: "I understand. Don't worry about these matters. Focus on recuperating—your health comes first. As for our daughter, not only are there people sent by Third Aunt, but also Ding Yinyinai. Nothing will happen!"

Wang Yingxue lowered her head obediently.

Dou Shiying stood up: "You must be tired. Rest now. I'll return to my study."

Wang Yingxue was slightly taken aback: "Won't... won't you stay a while longer?"

"I still have unfinished studies. I'll visit you later."

Wang Yingxue had no choice but to have Hu Momo see Dou Shiying out.

Standing at the gate of Qi Xia Courtyard, Dou Shiying didn't know where to go.

Seeing Wang Yingxue always reminded him of how Gu Qiu died.

He couldn't possibly chat and laugh with Wang Yingxue as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps he should go to his father to request a milk name for his second daughter.

Dou Shiying went to Crane Longevity Hall.

Dou Duo lay on the Drunken Old Man Chair in the study, holding a book absentmindedly.

Upon hearing Dou Shiying's request, he dipped his brush and wrote two large characters: "Let Shou Gu be named 'Zhao,' and the younger one 'Ming'!" As he spoke, he sighed deeply.

Dou Shiying remained silent. He had someone deliver the paper with "Ming" to Qi Xia Courtyard while he took the one with "Zhao" to the main residence.

Dou Zhao wasn't there.

Yu Zan said: "Fourth Miss has gone to the small Buddhist chapel." Fearing Dou Shiying would blame her for not attending to Dou Zhao, she quickly explained, "Tuo Niang is with Fourth Miss."

Dou Shiying went to the small Buddhist chapel.

Dou Zhao sat alone on the high threshold of the chapel, chin in hand, gazing at her mother's memorial tablet.

The setting sun cast her shadow into the room, stretching it long.

Dou Shiying's eyes stung, and his chest felt as if punched—painful and suffocating.

"Shou Gu!" He sat down beside his daughter. "Why are you sitting here?"

Dou Shiying's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze.

Dou Zhao turned her head, gazing at her father: "I miss Mother."

She hadn't understood before why her mother took her own life.

Her mother's feelings upon seeing Father happily together with Wang Yingxue must have been the same as when she heard Wei Tingyu praising Dou Ming.

Her daughter's clear, pure eyes reflected his image.

Suddenly ashamed, Dou Shiying found it difficult to meet his daughter's gaze.

Since Father remained silent, Dou Zhao had no interest in entertaining him either.

Her mood was deeply gloomy.

Seeing the newborn Dou Ming made her think of Dou Xiao, who would be born in a couple of years.Despite all my efforts, Mother still ended up committing suicide by hanging. Could it be that some things in this world are predestined and unchangeable?

In my previous life, after Mother passed away, Father immediately remarried. Later, he and Wang Yingxue had children together. What did Mother's death even mean to him?

A gentle breeze blew, causing the copper bells hanging under the veranda of the small Buddhist hall to chime softly, their sound distant and serene.

Thinking of what this person beside her had done, Dou Zhao couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.

She stood up agitatedly.

But then she heard Father's low voice: "Shou Gu, I miss your mother too, so much... so much..."

Then she saw Father bury his face in his knees and weep silently.

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It's Laba Festival this year. Have you sisters eaten your Laba porridge yet?

O(∩_∩)O~

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