Blossom

Dou Shishu, Dou Shiheng, and Dou Shiying sat in a triangular formation. Dou Shiying was now feeling a bit of regret. He had given Dou Zhao so many silver notes at once—could it be, as Fifth Brother had said, that someone might target Dou Zhao? Even kidnap her? Or perhaps years later, abduct her children? Or deliberately lead her son astray?

Before Dou Shishu arrived, Dou Shiheng had already scolded Dou Shiying. Seeing Dou Shishu berate him into silence, Dou Shiheng decided not to voice his opinion on the matter any further.

What was done was done. Even if they took back the silver notes, it wouldn’t undo the consequences. Overthinking was pointless—they’d deal with issues as they arose. He certainly couldn’t side with Fifth Brother at this critical moment.

Otherwise, wouldn’t Fifth Brother become even more relentless?

Dou Shishu was at a loss for words.

Calling Dou Shiying foolish would be unfair—after all, he was a distinguished Successful Candidate in the highest imperial examinations, a first-rate scholar, and a famously humble gentleman of the Imperial Academy. But if he was so clever, how could he have done something so unimaginable to ordinary people?

How was he supposed to clean up this mess?

Claim the silver notes were counterfeit?

That would only make the rumors spread even more wildly!

His head throbbed with pain.

Seeing this, Dou Shiying hesitantly suggested, “Perhaps I could ask Third Brother to sell a few shops for me and give Shou Gu another sixty thousand taels in silver notes? That way, she wouldn’t bear this reputation for nothing…”

“Shut your mouth!” Dou Shishu could no longer maintain the dignity of an elder brother or the composure of a Grand Secretary. He shouted, “How dare you even think of selling the ancestral property?!” Then it struck him—Dou Shiying had no sons. Suddenly, he felt he could somewhat understand Dou Shiying’s state of mind. His expression turned grave. “Shou Gu and Mingjier are already grown. The matter of heirs cannot be delayed. Tonight, I’ll discuss with Mother about finding you a proper young lady from a respectable family. This is settled—your objections won’t matter! I won’t stand by and watch you squander the family fortune, leaving yourself destitute in old age! When I die, I won’t have the face to meet Father, Grandfather, or Great-Uncle!”

Dou Shiheng also thought this might be a way to curb Dou Shiying’s reckless spending and joined Dou Shishu in persuading him. “Seventh Brother, your life has been in disarray these past years. Since Wang Shi returned to Zhen Ding, Jing'an Temple Alley needs someone to manage your daily life and oversee the Household Affairs. If you have someone in mind, you can speak to Fifth Sister-in-law. As long as she comes from a decent family and has good character, we’ll arrange a grand wedding for you.”

But the usually meek Dou Shiying now showed the resilience of a reed. He lowered his head and muttered, “I won’t take a concubine. I just won’t…” like a child refusing to eat vegetables.

The two brothers exchanged glances, overcome with helpless amusement.

Seeing their exasperation, Dou Shiying recalled how Sixth Brother had scolded him harshly earlier, yet when Fifth Brother reprimanded him, Sixth Brother had stayed silent.

Sixth Brother had always stood by him.

His courage grew, and the thought long buried in his heart surged forth uncontrollably."Why not just have Zhigeer from Sixth Brother's family adopted by me?" Dou Shiying declared loudly. "After all, Sixth Brother has two sons. Shou Gu grew up under Sixth Sister-in-law's care and is as close as siblings with Huigeer and Zhigeer..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Dou Shiheng's expression darkened instantly.

Adopting Dou Dechang to Dou Shiying would mean Dou Dechang might share the other half of Western Dou's property with Dou Zhao and Dou Ming.

This... was no small sum.

The reason everyone could tolerate Dou Zhao inheriting half of Western Dou's assets was largely because she was Dou Shiying's legitimate eldest daughter. Even if the property wasn't given to her, it wouldn't concern the Dong Dou branch. Moreover, Zhao Guqiu had practically grown up in the Dou family, and they all bore some responsibility for her death. But now, with everyone being descendants of Dong Dou, if his son inherited such a massive fortune from Western Dou, even if the brothers didn't covet it, could the sisters-in-law remain calm? With their mother currently managing the household, even the three branches left by their great-uncle occasionally showed discontent. If his son became Western Dou's heir, Dong Dou would likely split into two factions!

"I agree with Fifth Brother. Let Mother or Eldest Sister-in-law help you find a decent girl from a respectable family as a concubine," he said, standing up and glancing at Dou Shishu. "Tomorrow is Shou Gu's wedding day, and you still need me to oversee the ceremonial hall. I'll head back first. As for the heir matter, it's settled! Don't waver or overthink it. Zhigeer is already too old to be an heir, and I wouldn't part with him or let him become one anyway."

Dou Shishu hardly needed Dou Shiheng's reminder!

"Your Sixth Brother is right. Zhigeer is too old; it's unsuitable," he immediately chimed in. "You're still in your prime—it's better to properly take a concubine."

To emphasize his resolve, Dou Shiheng yanked the door open with a "snap," only to find Dou Zhao standing right outside, her hand raised as if to knock.

With only a door's width between them, he was startled and exclaimed, "Shou Gu, what are you doing here?" Then, realizing the content of their earlier conversation, he wondered if she had overheard. His face flushed as he hastily added, "Shou Gu, do you need something from your father? We've finished our discussion. Tomorrow's the big day—relatives and friends will be arriving, and I have to come early to help host. You should rest early too; you'll need to prepare." With that, he strode away.

Naturally, Dou Shishu couldn't discuss concubine matters in front of his niece. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Dou Zhao, he also took his leave.

The study was now left with only the dejected Dou Shiying.

For some reason, Dou Zhao's eyes welled up with tears.

She had heard every word of the earlier dispute.

In the past, she had resented her father for neglecting her and blamed herself for not being likable.

Yet, whether in her past life or this one, her father had given her far more than she had ever imagined.

Something washed over her heart like tides smoothing the sands, filling the crevices of her emotions with an unprecedented sense of peace and contentment.

She sat down across from her father, propped her elbows on the table, and asked with a bright smile, "Would you like to play a game of chess with me?"

Dou Shiying's eyes lit up briefly before dimming again. Softly, he murmured, "Shou Gu, I took it upon myself to include a chest of silver notes in your dowry... Your Fifth Uncle said it might bring you trouble..."“So what if the dowry is sent along?” Dou Zhao said with a nonchalant smile. “I’m about to marry into the Duke of Yingguo’s household. Didn’t you say the Duke of Yingguo’s family is one of the most illustrious in our dynasty, and that the Young Lord Song Yantang is both capable and upright? If they can’t even protect my dowry, how can they live up to being called ‘one of the most illustrious’?”

Dou Shiying felt relieved.

His eyes crinkled into slits from smiling.

Shou Gu had always been so considerate.

No matter how difficult the matter, she made it seem simple in her hands.

He rolled up his sleeves and called out boldly to the pages, “Bring us the chess set!”

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

※※※※※

Song Yichun felt as though those four gleaming gold scepters were like four gaping mouths, jeering at him with a menacing grin.

What on earth had happened?

Wasn’t it said that Fourth Miss Dou was neither loved by her mother nor cherished by her father?

How had such a lavish dowry suddenly appeared?

Dowry money. Dowry money was supposed to be tucked away quietly in chests, wasn’t it?

Who would have the audacity to carry dowry money openly in gift boxes?

And as if afraid no one would notice, they even weighed it down with foot-long red gold scepters…

Why wasn’t there a strong wind today?

If only it could blow away all those silver notes, leaving Song Mo crying and chasing after them in vain! Let him feel the sting of loss for once!

He couldn’t help but glance at Tao Qizhong.

Tao Qizhong looked utterly bewildered, equally clueless about what had happened.

Meanwhile, Song Mo’s heart was indeed aching just as Song Yichun had hoped.

This father-in-law of his… truly, appearances could be deceiving!

Who would have thought he could pull off something like this?

Was he afraid Song Mo would bully Dou Zhao and deliberately trying to intimidate the Song family? Or was he simply so wealthy that forty thousand taels meant as little to him as four hundred or four thousand taels did to others?

One thing was certain. The Capital would be abuzz with talk of his wedding for a long time, and for an even longer period afterward, most of his manpower would likely be devoted to guarding against thieves.

Song Mo glanced at the excited wedding guests, visibly stirred by the sight of the silver notes, and sighed inwardly.

Yan Chaoqing approached quietly and whispered, “Young Lord, what should we do?”

“What should we do?” Song Mo sighed, noticing Liao Bifeng still looked dazed. “We’ll handle it as we should. Surely the Duke of Yingguo’s household can safeguard a mere forty thousand taels in silver notes?”

Only then did Yan Chaoqing regain his composure.

It wasn’t that he had never seen such a sum before. When he served under Duke Ding, he had been in charge of internal affairs and had even handled a million taels of military payroll. But the Dou family was a scholarly lineage, generations devoted to farming and books. Such ostentatious behavior was completely unexpected.

Yan Chaoqing quickly called for Xia Lian. “Post guards here to ensure nothing goes missing. We can’t afford to be laughed at!”

As per custom, the bride’s dowry was first displayed in the courtyard of the bridal chamber for guests to admire.

Xia Lian bowed in acknowledgment.

Song Mo turned and headed for the study.

He recalled the stunned expressions of the crowd earlier.

Especially his father’s gaping mouth, as if he had seen a ghost, and the forced, grimacing smile he wore while accepting congratulations. The memory inexplicably lifted his spirits.

Even before the wedding ceremony had taken place, something this amusing had already happened between him and Dou Zhao.Perhaps, there would be even more surprises waiting for him in the future!

Thinking of this, Song Mo couldn't help but smile.

※※※※※

No matter how strange the atmosphere in the Song family was, or how solemn the mood in the Dou family had become, Dou Zhao's wedding day arrived as scheduled.

At the crack of dawn, Gaosheng, who had been so busy he barely slept all night, directed the pages to open the main gate.

The tea room, pastry room, gift room, and accountant’s office quickly bustled with activity.

Dou Zhao was nudged awake by Su Lan: "Miss, miss, you must get up now. It’s already mao hour (5-7 a.m.)."

She yawned and replied unhurriedly, "The auspicious hour is set for xu chu (7-9 p.m.). Why the rush? At most, dressing and grooming will take two hours. We can start after lunch."

The retired palace maid, once responsible for styling noblewomen in the imperial court and now hired to do Dou Zhao’s hair, had been fetched early by the Dou family’s sedan chair. Hearing this, she chuckled, "I’ve styled so many brides, but never one as composed as you, miss. No wonder you’re marrying into the Duke of Yingguo’s household—truly, you were born blessed and destined for nobility!" Yet her eyes couldn’t help but linger on Dou Zhao.

It seemed the stack of silver notes had done their work!

News sure traveled fast!

Dou Zhao remained expressionless, instructing someone to reward the old woman with two premium red envelopes. She lay in bed reading for a while longer before finally rising to dress.