Blossom

Returning to the main house, Father instructed Dou Zhao to practice writing her own name.

In her previous life, Dou Zhao had spent a few years studying "Biographies of Exemplary Women" and "Admonitions for Women" under an old scholar hired by her grandfather. While she could manage reading account books, she was far from being considered learned.

Seeing Father’s neat and elegant small regular script, she couldn’t help but admire it.

Father chuckled, bent down to retrieve some tracing papers from the bottom shelf of the curio cabinet, and spread them on the desk. Holding Dou Zhao’s hand, he patiently taught her how to wield the brush.

Hanxiao came in to report, “Qiongfang from Wang Yiniang’s side is here, asking when the Seventh Master will go over for dinner.”

Father glanced at the lingering sunset outside the window and smiled. “Wang Yiniang is still in confinement, and Fifth Miss needs rest. If I go, they’ll have to reset the table—too much trouble. I won’t be going. I’ll have dinner here in the main house with Fourth Miss.”

Hanxiao smiled and withdrew.

Dou Zhao was slightly surprised but didn’t dwell on it. After dining with Father, Hanxiao brought in a lamp, and the two practiced writing for a while longer before Father retired to the inner chamber of the main house.

Two days later, Feng Baoshan came to visit Father.

He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his jet-black hair tied up with a mutton-fat jade hairpin. Dressed in a dark green silk robe adorned with calamus patterns, he exuded an air of refined nobility.

Was this the Feng Baoshan Mother had described as someone who indulged in every vice—drinking, gambling, and debauchery?

Dou Zhao, who had been tracing characters at the large desk nearby, gaped in astonishment before finally closing her mouth.

Feng Baoshan had come to invite Father out for fun: “...The lotus flowers at Yingcheng’s place are all in bloom. Since you’re in mourning, we won’t disturb others—just you, me, and Yingcheng. We’ll admire the flowers, chat, and you can get some fresh air and relax.”

Father shook his head. “It’s too hot outside. I’d rather not go. I appreciate the thought, though.”

“It’s not even June yet—how can it be hot?” Feng Baoshan paused mid-sentence, as if suddenly remembering something, and looked at Father with suspicion. “You... you’re not planning to observe a full year of mourning for Zhao Shi, are you?”

Father remained silent, lowering his eyes.

“So it’s true!” Feng Baoshan jumped up in an undignified manner, his eyes widening like copper bells.

After a long moment, he stomped around the room in frustration. “Fine, I can’t be bothered with you. I’ll go find Zhongzhi instead.” With that, he flung the bamboo curtain aside and stormed out.

Father showed no anger or irritation, his expression calm as he gently called out to Shou Gu, reminding her, “Don’t let your mind wander. Focus on your writing!”

Dou Zhao quickly lowered her head and carefully continued tracing.

For an entire month, Father didn’t step foot outside the house, spending his time reading, composing essays, and teaching Dou Zhao calligraphy.

Dou Ming’s full-month celebration was subdued due to Mother’s mourning period, with only two tables set at home.

The Wang family sent some children’s clothing and accessories as gifts but didn’t send anyone to congratulate. As for the maternal Zhao family, they neither attended the celebration nor sent any gifts.

The Dou family felt somewhat awkward, while Wang Yingxue was left seething with anger, humiliation, and resentment.

When the cicadas’ cries filled the air, news arrived from the Capital: Uncle Zhao Si had secured the position of magistrate for Ganquan County in Yan’an Prefecture.

In her past life, Uncle had risen to prefect of Qingyang Prefecture, a fourth-rank official.

This time, he had still chosen a post in the northwest.

Dou Zhao was happy for him, yet she couldn’t shake a faint sense of disappointment.

Grandfather commented on Uncle: “Who would’ve thought he had such means? Though Ganquan County is poor, starting as a magistrate is no small feat. Even if he didn’t make it as a Bachelor of the Imperial Academy, his starting point is still quite high.”Third Uncle grew even more uneasy. "Yuanji said the same thing."

Yuanji was Dou Zhao's fifth uncle, Dou Shishu, who had sent this news back from the Capital.

Just as the saying goes—three generations to see through, four to see food, five to see literature—the brilliance of the Dou family's generations of painstaking efforts was now fully concentrated in Dou Shishu.

He entered school at thirteen, became a Recommended Man at sixteen, a Presented Scholar at twenty-two, observed governance in the Ministry of Personnel as a Bachelor of the Imperial Academy, and then started as an Attending Official of the Ministry of Personnel. By the time Dou Zhao fell ill, he had already risen to the position of Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall and Minister of Personnel.

He was the first in the Dou family to enter the Grand Secretariat and become a minister.

Moreover, because he, along with Wang Xingyi, Grand Academician of the Dongge Hall and Minister of Rites, and Chen Rong, Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Hall and Minister of Justice, were all from Beizhili, they were jokingly referred to as the "Northern Half."

Grandfather smiled faintly, his expression carrying a hint of arrogance. "No one enters the Hanlin Academy without being a Presented Scholar, and no one enters the Grand Secretariat without being from the Hanlin. Yuanji shares the same mother as you—what is there to fear?"

Third Uncle wiped the sweat from his brow and forced a bitter smile. "Isn’t it just because I’ve read so little that I feel somewhat inadequate in front of a Presented Scholar?"

Grandfather laughed heartily.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao instructed Tuo Niang to inventory the items in her room.

It seemed Aunt would soon come to fetch her.

Based on her past life’s experience, the matter would soon be exposed, and there would undoubtedly be complications. It was better to prepare in advance.

Father teased her, "Little Shou Gu already knows how to hide things at such a young age."

Dou Zhao took the opportunity to clutch the jade brush washer from Father’s desk to her chest. "This is mine too."

After all, once the new stepmother entered the household, all the communal items would be re-registered to distinguish them from Mother’s dowry. It was better to take the things she liked now, blur the lines, and make them her own.

Father laughed uncontrollably and pointed at two jade vessels on his curio shelf. "Do you like these?"

"Yes!" Dou Zhao nodded eagerly.

Father waved his hand grandly. "Take them away and hide them too!"

Dou Zhao grinned, her eyes curving like crescent moons, and pointed at the brocade box on Father’s kang table. "I also want that red stone!"

Inside were two exquisite pieces of chicken-blood stone, vibrant in color, naturally forming patterns resembling mountains and mist. Dou Zhao adored them and planned to have a master craftsman carve them into seals someday.

Father tapped her nose playfully. "You little rascal, those are Daddy’s private collection. What do you want them for? When you marry, I’ll personally carve an informal seal for your husband as part of your dowry. There are also a few fine inkstones—I’ll give them all to you then."

Dou Zhao giggled, though inwardly she felt uneasy: Would she still have to marry Wei Tingyu? He wasn’t a scholar—those fine inkstones would likely just end up gathering dust in storage.

Just as she was thinking this, loud commotion erupted outside.

Father paid it no mind and instead lifted Dou Zhao onto the Grand Preceptor’s chair in front of his desk, instructing her to practice her calligraphy. "I’ve already given orders to have a rosewood desk and chair made to your size. They’ll be placed right beside Daddy’s, so you can sit properly and practice writing."

Before he could finish, Hanxiao rushed in, looking flustered. "Seventh Master, Aunt is here!"

Father paused. "Aunt is here—why the panic?"

But Dou Zhao had a vague inkling of what was happening.

The truth had finally come to light.

Who had leaked it? And who had tipped off the Dou family?"Aunt said she wanted to take Fourth Miss to stay with them for a few days, but the master refused and had Ding Yinyinai speak to Aunt on his behalf. They had barely exchanged two sentences when Third Madam arrived, preventing Aunt from taking Fourth Miss back. She even said things like 'Fourth Miss is a daughter of the Dou family. Even without her mother, she still has her father and grandfather. There's no reason for her to live under someone else's roof and be raised by her uncle.'" Hanxiao looked terrified. When the Dou and Zhao families fell out, the dowry attendants suffered the most. According to the law, Zhao Guqiu's dowry was to be left to Dou Zhao. As Dou Zhao was a daughter of the Dou family, she naturally belonged to the Dou family. Dou Zhao was too young to manage anything or make decisions. If they stayed with the Dou family, the Dous wouldn't treat them well; if they wanted to return to the Zhao family, it would depend on whether the Dous agreed. "Third Madam also said, 'Fourth Miss will marry when she grows up. Is it more respectable to be a cousin of the Zhao family or the legitimate daughter of the Dou family? If the Zhao family truly cared for Fourth Miss, they wouldn't have come up with such a terrible idea. Aunt shouldn't disregard her niece's dignity just to spite the Dou family because of the rift between the two families!'" She paused, then added, "Da Taitai had already received word that the Zhao family was preparing to leave for their new post, with everything packed, just waiting to take Fourth Miss before setting off. But Aunt flatly denied it. The master said there was no way Fourth Miss could go to Anxiang with Aunt..."

Dou Shiying, frowning deeply, interrupted Hanxiao and instructed Tuo Niang, "You stay here and watch Fourth Miss." Then he said to Hanxiao, "Take me to see them!"

Hanxiao nervously agreed and accompanied Dou Shiying out the door.

Dou Zhao sat quietly in the Grand Preceptor's Chair, waiting for someone to come for her.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, dust motes dancing in the air.

The soft murmurs of women were as gentle as the wind.

Footsteps drew nearer.

The bamboo curtain was lifted.

A woman in a pale green beizi walked in with light steps.

She called softly to Dou Zhao, "Shou Gu, your aunt is here. Let me freshen you up, and we'll go see her, alright?"

Dou Zhao stared at her, then smiled mockingly and called out, "Ding Yinyinai."

"Yes!" she replied cheerfully, summoning Yu Zan and Tuo Niang. "Have the maids bring water. I'll help Fourth Miss freshen up and change clothes so she can meet the guests."

Yu Zan quickly relayed Ding Yinyinai's orders.

Ding Yinyinai helped Dou Zhao wash her face, now directing Tuo Niang to fetch this, now telling Yu Zan to bring that, keeping both maids busy.

She asked Dou Zhao gently, "Shou Gu, do you miss your mother?"

Dou Zhao smiled. "Yes!"

Ding Yinyinai said, "Do you want to see her?"

"Yes!" Dou Zhao answered loudly.

"What a good girl you are!" Ding Yinyinai kissed Dou Zhao's cheek and carried her toward the hall.

Her maids surrounded her and Dou Zhao, keeping Yu Zan and Tuo Niang at a distance.

Past the towering locust tree, they reached the hall.

Ding Yinyinai whispered, "Shou Gu, your aunt is here to take you. Don't go with her later, or she'll sell you to a remote mountain village. Then you'll never see your mother again, never eat osmanthus cakes, and never see Tuo Niang, Yu Zan, your grandfather, or your father."

Dou Zhao nodded.

Ding Yinyinai was surprised.

She hadn't expected Shou Gu to be so easily fooled!She smiled and gently touched Dou Zhao's hair. "Good girl, after we meet your aunt, Grandma Ding will take you to see your mother, alright?"

"Okay!" Dou Zhao replied.

Grandma Ding turned past the large locust tree and entered the hall.

Like two armies facing off, Aunt and Peng Momo stood in the center of the hall, while Third Aunt and a few unfamiliar women stood beneath the central scroll.

At the sound of movement, both sides turned their gazes toward them.

Third Aunt beamed and beckoned to Dou Zhao. "Come here, Shou Gu, come to Third Aunt!"

Aunt's smile, however, was strained. She called softly to Dou Zhao, "Shou Gu, let Aunt hold you!"

Grandma Ding set Dou Zhao down on the ground and whispered in her ear, "If you're sold to a remote mountain village, you'll be beaten every day. Hurry, go to your Third Aunt!"

※

O(∩_∩)O~

※