Blossom

Wei Tingyu and Dou Ming were newlyweds, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but hesitate. His hesitation immediately made Dou Ming feel infinitely wronged.

No wonder her mother had said men shouldn’t be spoiled. She had given him her whole heart, even offending her uncle and aunt for his sake, yet not only had he not uttered a single comforting word, but he also lashed out at her whenever things didn’t go his way… For whom had she been making all these sacrifices?

The thought flashed through her mind, and Dou Ming couldn’t hold back her tears. “Who am I doing all this for? Running to my uncle’s house every day, listening to Aunt’s gossip… My grandfather is already in his sixties, yet for the sake of you, his grandson-in-law, he had to lower his head and beg others… You’re nothing but an ungrateful wretch!”

Wei Tingyu was stunned. “What are you talking about? You’ve been going to Willow Leaf Alley every day—didn’t you say it was to visit your mother? How is this suddenly my fault?”

Because of his mother-in-law, who had been sent back to her maiden home by his father-in-law, he had endured many disdainful looks from his sister, and he couldn’t help but feel some resentment.

Honestly, what was the point of causing so much trouble as a promoted second wife? Shouldn’t she have just focused on supporting her husband and raising her children?

His brother-in-law wasn’t favored by Madam Jingguo, making his sister’s life as a daughter-in-law even harder. She had put in so much effort just to secure her footing, yet now, because of his mother-in-law’s missteps, she was constantly mocked by her sisters-in-law and relatives. If his mother-in-law had stayed in Jing'an Temple Alley, it would have been one thing, but she had moved into Willow Leaf Alley instead, leaving his sister with no ground to stand on. She could only pretend not to hear or force a smile—how could she not be furious?

“When is your father planning to bring your mother back?” Wei Tingyu said unhappily. “Young couples grow old together—your father and mother can’t keep living separately like this, can they? You should try to persuade your mother to apologize to your father and return to Jing'an Temple Alley on her own. Why drag this out and make things awkward for everyone?”

“‘Your mother, your mother’—isn’t she your mother-in-law?” Dou Ming’s heart twisted in anger. “Has your sister been whispering in your ear again? What exactly does she want? Why can’t she stand to see us happy? What kind of paternal aunt behaves like this?”

“Why drag my sister into this?” Wei Tingyu’s temples throbbed with fury. A few days ago, he had overheard his mother crying quietly in her room, muttering something like, “Other women’s sisters-in-law, even if they’re down on their luck, still find ways to bring honor to their married sisters. But in our family, they take what’s ours, eat and drink at our expense, and still make us suffer.” The memory made his anger flare. “What’s wrong with my sister? Hasn’t she treated you well? She saves the best things for us, even when she can’t bear to enjoy them herself. Though she’s now the wife of the heir to the Jingguo Duke’s household, she still returns home every few days to personally bathe and care for Mother… She’s a married daughter, while you’re the daughter-in-law—what were you doing while she was tending to these duties?”

With this, the argument had escalated to the matter of filial piety. If Dou Ming backed down now, the label of being unfilial would be firmly pinned on her.She couldn't help but sneer coldly: "Is it that I refuse to serve my mother-in-law? Or is it your sister deliberately finding fault with me? One moment she says my hands are too rough and I've pulled out mother-in-law's hair. The next she claims I used too much bath beans, leaving water everywhere in the room... As a newlywed, if I don't know how, can't she teach me? Yet she insists on pointing out how clumsy I am right in front of mother-in-law—how is this my fault? Wei Tingyu, you should speak with some conscience!"

In Wei Tingyu's mind, Dou Ming had always been a sweet girl. He never knew she could be so sharp-tongued.

Their argument escalated.

Some quick-witted maids naturally reported this to Tian Shi.

Tian Shi stomped her feet in rage, repeatedly crying "Family disgrace, family disgrace!" Through tears, she threatened to seek out the old Marquis of Jining.

The attending maids and old women, terrified, went to find Wei Tingyu, but he was in the midst of his heated quarrel with Dou Ming. Not daring to intervene, they had no choice but to summon Wei Tingzhen.

November 6th was Madam Jingguo's birthday. Several daughters-in-law were gathered around her, discussing plans for the celebration in hopes of currying favor. Wei Tingzhen naturally didn't dare leave, though she grew increasingly anxious inside. The Zhang family's second madam, a typical Shi family member particularly skilled at scheming, noticed Wei Tingzhen's troubled expression when she entered. She discreetly signaled to her personal maid, and soon learned that someone from the Marquis of Jining's Mansion had come looking for Wei Tingzhen. Seizing the moment when Wei Tingzhen went to fetch account books for Madam Jingguo, she covered her mouth and laughed: "With Eldest Sister-in-law gone, she won't be back for half an hour. Why don't we play a few rounds of Leaf Cards to pass the time?"

Madam Jingguo wasn't one to tolerate such nonsense. Though she clearly saw this as the second daughter-in-law provoking the eldest, the second daughter-in-law wasn't someone who acted without thought. With one sharp glance from Madam Jingguo, an old woman immediately stepped forward to report that someone from the Marquis of Jining's Mansion had come looking for the Eldest Madam.

Madam Jingguo was furious.

The eldest daughter-in-law was the one managing the household affairs of the Jingguo residence, the Lineage Wife of the Zhang family. If she prioritized her natal family in everything, what did that make the Zhang family? Wasn't this raising a rat that would steal from its own household?

Madam Jingguo threw the account books Wei Tingzhen had handed her right back in her face, striking her so hard she was left dazed and confused about what had happened. Yet in her heart, she understood perfectly—either the second or third sister-in-law must have been poisoning their mother-in-law against her again.

Though her heart bled with hatred, she didn't dare show even a hint of it on her face. Head bowed and eyes lowered, she endured her mother-in-law's scolding.

When Madam Jingguo finally tired of berating her and vented her anger, she felt nothing but disappointment. Waving her hand, she dismissed Wei Tingzhen, keeping only the third daughter-in-law by her side for intimate conversation.

Wei Tingzhen could only note this grievance for later.

The attendants by the second madam's side couldn't help but advise: "Why must you do this? The Jingguo residence will eventually belong to the heir's wife."

"Even if I fawn over her now, would she treat me any differently?" The second madam scoffed, blowing on her orange-tinted nails dyed with henna. "In the end, I'll still have to rely on my natal family. Whether she's happy or not—what does it matter to me?"

Her attendants thought it over and saw the logic, so they stopped persuading her. Instead, they discussed with the second madam how to ensure the Marquis Changxing's family would bring her honor during Madam Jingguo's birthday celebrations.

Knowing her mother-in-law wouldn't see her anytime soon, Wei Tingzhen quietly informed her husband and returned to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion without fanfare.

Tian Shi lay in bed, overcome with anger, while Wei Tingyu attended to her at her bedside.Wei Tingzhen was furious at first sight and sharply asked Wei Tingyu, "Where is Dou Ming?"

Wei Tingyu didn’t even lift his head, muttering sullenly, "I didn’t let her in!"

Wei Tingzhen felt like slapping him and ordered the maid, "Go, bring Madam in!"

The maid obeyed and soon returned with Dou Ming.

Dou Ming immediately threw her arms around Wei Tingzhen.

Caught off guard, Wei Tingzhen froze for a moment.

Dou Ming buried her face in Wei Tingzhen’s shoulder and began to sob, "Sister, you must stand up for me in this matter! I’ve been running to my uncle’s house every day these past days, begging my grandfather to secure a position for the Marquis. My grandfather pleaded with one person after another, my uncle sent gifts and hosted banquets, and finally managed to get the Marquis a post as the Eastern District Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison. I came back happily to share the good news with the Marquis, only to find he wasn’t in his room. When he returned, I merely asked where he had been, and he started glaring at me, his tone full of contempt, even insulting my mother’s family... Sister, you’re also a paternal aunt—tell me, is this any way to behave?"

She knew her brother’s temperament well—how could he scold Dou Ming for no reason? Dou Ming must have done something outrageous to provoke him, making him lash out thoughtlessly. This Dou Ming was truly detestable, taking advantage of her brother’s honesty and poor speech to twist the blame. But what was this about the Eastern District Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison? She had never heard her brother mention it.

At this thought, Wei Tingzhen couldn’t help but look at Wei Tingyu in astonishment.

During their earlier argument, Dou Ming hadn’t said anything about the Eastern District Vice Commander position. Yet in front of her, she selectively presented the story to make it seem like her brother was at fault.

What was she really up to?

Wei Tingyu said irritably, "How should I know? Ask her!"

Dou Ming quickly interjected, "My grandfather sought help from the Minister of War—Grand Academician Kong Lin, Kong Daishan—to secure the Marquis a position as the Eastern District Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison!" A hint of smugness flashed across her brow.

Wei Tingzhen was speechless.

Meanwhile, Tian Shi struggled to sit up from the bed, exclaiming, "Mingjier, what did you say? Your grandfather’s family got Peijin a Vice Commander position? Is this true?" Her voice trembled with barely concealed excitement.

"How could I deceive you about such an important matter, Mother?" Dou Ming stepped forward to support Tian Shi. "The official document is already in hand. The Marquis can assume his post tomorrow." Then she called out loudly, "Zhu'er! Bring in the Marquis’s appointment letter!"

Zhu'er immediately entered, carrying an embroidered box.

Wei Tingzhen realized at once that Dou Ming had planned this in advance. But now that things had come to this, even if Dou Ming was playing tricks, for the sake of her brother’s future, she had no choice but to endure it.

After a moment’s thought, she sat down beside her mother and examined Wei Tingyu’s appointment letter with Tian Shi.

"It really is the Eastern District Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison!" Tian Shi choked up slightly.

Her son’s future had long been a source of worry for her, and now her daughter-in-law had resolved it. Marrying into the Dou family had truly been the right decision.

Tian Shi gazed at Dou Ming, her eyes softening with affection.Dou Ming felt even more pleased with herself and said softly to her mother-in-law, "You wouldn't believe it—normally the appointment letter should be collected personally by the Marquis from the Ministry of Personnel. But as soon as the officials heard he was the Dou family's son-in-law, they handled it for us immediately. Once the Marquis takes up his post, we must remember to thank them properly and make connections at the Ministry. That way, we'll have someone to speak for us there in the future."

Tian Shi nodded repeatedly and said to Wei Tingyu, "Don't forget about this matter."

Wei Tingyu was still somewhat incredulous that he had secured the position of Deputy Commander of the Eastern District in the Five Cities Garrison. He responded blankly with a "Yes" and looked toward Wei Tingzhen.

Wei Tingzhen gave a slight nod.

Only then did Wei Tingyu believe it was real.

He couldn't help but let out a long sigh, just as Dou Ming said with a charming laugh, "My aunt has been wanting to secure a position for her nephew Pang Jixiu. It was already being arranged, but because I intervened, Grandmother had my uncle prioritize the Marquis's matter first. Over this, my aunt was a bit displeased. Tomorrow, the Marquis and I should go to Willow Leaf Alley—we must at least kowtow to my grandmother to show our gratitude."

"Absolutely, absolutely!" Tian Shi said with a beaming smile.

Wei Tingyu also felt it was the right thing to do. Yet, for some reason, a stifling sensation weighed on his chest, making it impossible for him to feel grateful toward the Wang family or to muster any happiness.

Wei Tingzhen remained silent.