Blossom

Although reborn, Dou Zhao could only influence the people and events around her. What was destined to come would still arrive.

By mid-April, Dou Wenchang, who had been studying in the Capital under Dou Shishu, returned with a family letter from him.

In the letter, Dou Shishu not only mentioned his imminent promotion to Vice Minister of Personnel but also brought up Wang Xingyi's reinstatement. He tactfully inquired about Dou Shiying's marriage plans, noting that he and Wang Xingyi had passed the imperial examinations in the same year. With Zeng Yifen forced into retirement and Wang Xingyi exiled, his own position in the Capital had been precarious these past years. If Dou Shiying's marriage remained unsettled, it would be best to finalize it soon.

The Emperor, now advanced in age, was growing increasingly forgetful. During a recent Grand Secretariat meeting, he had suddenly ordered a young eunuch to summon Chen Dong—the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs' writing brush eunuch who had passed away five or six years prior—to attend to his writing. Currently, the youngest Grand Academician was Chen Jizhou from Songjiang. If he presided over next year's Metropolitan Examination, Dou Duo and Dou Shiqi should discuss whether all eligible Dou family candidates should attempt it.

Upon receiving this letter, Dou Duo's expression darkened. He immediately wrote to Dou Shiqi, dispatching Dou Wenchang overnight to Fuzhou while he took Dou Shiying to Dong Dou.

Though unaware of the letter's contents, Dou Zhao had been preoccupied with Wang Xingyi's reinstatement. Her grandfather and father's unusual behavior immediately put her on alert. Dismissing her maids, she kept only Tuo Niang: "Go tell the old women at the Second Gate to report immediately if Grandfather and Father return."

Tuo Niang relayed the message and sat by the bed doing needlework.

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), news came from the Second Gate.

Tuo Niang roused Dou Zhao, who dressed and headed to Crane Longevity Hall.

Two alert pages from her grandfather's retinue guarded the entrance. Spotting Dou Zhao, they exclaimed in unison, "Fourth Miss!"

Her father emerged, astonished. "Shou Gu, why aren't you asleep at this hour?" His glare at Tuo Niang was severe.

Tuo Niang's legs trembled as she stammered incoherently.

Dou Zhao laughed and threw herself into her father's arms. "Why didn't you take me when you and Grandfather went visiting?"

Her father chuckled helplessly and carried her inside.

Her grandfather sat grim-faced on the kang, his brows furrowed. "If you'd married sooner, Shou Gu would have proper supervision," he snapped. "Look at the state of this household—a child roaming the courtyards at midnight. Your self-indulgence brings you peace of mind, but what else does it achieve? You claim maturity and responsibility yet act recklessly."

Her father mumbled awkwardly, at a loss for words.

From her grandfather's tone and her father's reaction, Dou Zhao sensed an opportunity. Her spirits lifted unprecedentedly, and she decided to provoke her grandfather further: "Grandfather, I do have supervision. Consort Cui is my grandmother."

His face turned livid, his gaze sharp as a blade. But Dou Zhao blinked innocently, sucking her fingers with a guileless smile.

Trembling with rage, he barked at her father, "This matter isn't up for debate. Your third sister-in-law will visit the Zhu family tomorrow to finalize the wedding date. Henceforth, focus on your studies—household affairs will be managed by Madam Zhu." Then he added coldly, "Who attends Shou Gu? Dismiss them all."Father said, "It's Yu Momo who's taking care of Shou Gu. I promised my brother-in-law this." His tone carried a hint of stubbornness.

Grandfather was left speechless and stormed out in anger, the curtain flapping behind him.

Dou Zhao almost wanted to remind him: This is your study! Shouldn't you be the one kicking us out instead of storming off in a huff?

Father sighed and carried Dou Zhao out of Crane Longevity Hall.

The night breeze in April still carried a slight chill. The bright moonlight bathed the pavilions and towers, painting a tranquil scene.

Father's steps grew slower until he finally stopped by the lotus pond.

"Shou Gu, did you know?" he murmured. "Your Fifth Uncle sent a letter... Your Fifth Uncle wrote to the family. Wang Xingyi—your Wang Yiniang's father—is about to be reinstated..."

Dou Zhao's heart pounded wildly as she finally understood the contents of Dou Shishu's letter.

Truly worthy of a future Grand Academician of the Grand Secretariat—his heart was indeed cold as ice.

She drew a sharp breath.

All along, she had assumed that Fifth Uncle and Wang Xingyi, being fellow candidates in the imperial examinations and sharing common interests, must have maintained a close and unshakable bond. She thought Wang Yingxue's greatest supporter in the Dou family was Dou Shishu, forgetting that Dou Shishu was ultimately a member of the Dou family, forgetting how unpredictable political winds could be.

The jade-like white Yu Zan flowers planted around the pond shimmered in the moonlight, their rich fragrance filling the air.

Father sat beside her on the stone bench by the pond.

"Shou Gu, what's happening to everything?" He stared blankly at the lotus leaves just beginning to peek above the water. "I studied hard, earned scholarly honors—wasn't it all to bring glory to our ancestors, to make the Dou family more prosperous and illustrious, to ensure our family lives better than others? But now... your mother took her own life by hanging, I've fallen out with your uncle, I can't even observe the three-year mourning period for your mother, I might drag the fifth young miss of the Zhu family into this, and even make your sister lose her mother... Instead of bringing comfort to those around me, I've made their lives harder because of me. What was it all for? I've already failed your mother—I can't fail the fifth young miss of the Zhu family, or Wang Yingxue..."

Father's melancholy gaze, like the pale moonlight, seemed both near and far away.

It made Dou Zhao's heart ache.

Father was so lonely, his thoughts only shared with his young daughter in the stillness of night.

She suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him.

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Upon returning to his quarters, Father immediately wrote a letter. Before dawn, he had the pages summon Gaosheng: "...Deliver this to the Zhu family in the eastern city before Third Madam leaves the house."

Gaosheng was surprised but followed Father's instructions.

At noon, Third Aunt returned from the Zhu family with a troubled expression.

"Little Uncle, the Zhu family says getting married before the Dragon Boat Festival is too rushed. People might think their fifth young miss is being married off as a 'fortunate match'!"

Grandfather was displeased.

Only families who held their daughters-in-law in contempt would arrange such "fortunate matches."

The Zhu family's words were quite offensive.

Third Aunt shared the sentiment but sighed, "Can't blame the Zhu family for being upset. First we said wait three years, now we're saying marry before Dragon Boat Festival. The Zhu family is an established household—preparing dowry in such haste would be difficult enough, let alone notifying relatives and friends in time.""I understand. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and this is the only way," Grandfather said. "I recall that Recommended Man Zhu has a sister married into the Chen family in neighboring Xinle County. Perhaps we could ask the Zhu family's paternal aunt to help mediate?"

"Then I'll set off for Xinle after lunch," Third Aunt agreed without hesitation.

Grandfather expressed his gratitude and insisted she stay for the midday meal.

"The Dou families of the east and west were originally one. Seventh Uncle's matter is as much my own," Third Aunt said courteously. "I may have to stay overnight in Xinle, so I need to arrange household affairs. Please don't stand on ceremony, Uncle. Resolving this matter is most urgent."

Grandfather didn't press her further and had Qiufen escort Third Aunt out through the Second Gate.

Regardless of whom Third Aunt later brought to intercede with the Zhu family, they remained adamant in their refusal.

Third Aunt grew so anxious that blisters formed on her lips, filled with regret: "Had I known this would happen, we should have arranged the marriage with Eldest Sister-in-law's younger cousin. Now even if we want to change candidates, we'd need the Zhu family's written withdrawal of betrothal, and I fear there wouldn't be enough time either way."

Grandfather vented his anger on Father, making him kneel all afternoon under the scorching sun in the treeless front courtyard until Father's knees became red and swollen, making walking difficult. A physician had to be called.

At this juncture, Wang Yingxue's elder brother Wang Zhibing suddenly paid a visit.

Wang Zhibing was only in his early thirties, but life's hardships had aged him to appear forty. He stood straight as a pine in the Wang family's main hall, his posture reflecting unyielding determination.

"My younger sister has suffered because of my failings as her brother, forced to engage in business dealings publicly. I was unaware before, but now that I know, I've come to take my sister home," he declared firmly. "Your family's betrothal gifts were never accepted, and there are no financial entanglements. Write a letter releasing her from servitude, and our families can go our separate ways henceforth."

After a long silence, Grandfather had someone summon Wang Yingxue.

Seeing her brother, Wang Yingxue was both shocked and overjoyed.

"Elder Brother! You've returned!" she cried involuntarily, grasping Wang Zhibing's arm. Then her expression suddenly changed as she scrutinized him. "Has Father... has something happened?" Before she could finish, tears streamed down her face.

"No, no!" Wang Zhibing's eyes reddened as he hurriedly explained. "Father has received an imperial appointment as magistrate of Xintai County in Shandong. When he wrote home and learned you'd entered the Dou household, he was filled with remorse, striking himself three times. He said the family had burdened you and sent me to bring you home."

"What did you say?" Wang Yingxue stared blankly at her brother. "Father... our honored father has been reinstated?"

"Yes!" Wang Zhibing nodded repeatedly. "Father has been reinstated. Soon he'll send for Mother and you to reunite at his post. You'll never need to worry about the family's daily sustenance again... such matters will be my responsibility from now on!"

"Elder Brother!" Wang Yingxue clutched her brother's sleeve and wept uncontrollably.

Wang Zhibing turned away, unable to bear seeing his sister's distress. Only when Wang Yingxue's tears had soaked through his sleeve did his emotions finally settle."Stop crying. Whatever you have to say, we can talk about it at home," Wang Zhibing said, glancing toward his grandfather. "If Elder Dou has no further instructions, we'll take our leave now."

He didn't even intend to collect Wang Yingxue's change of clothes.

Naturally, Grandfather couldn't let Wang Yingxue leave like this. He smiled and said, "Your father and our Yuanji passed the imperial examinations in the same year—we're practically family. Since you're here, why not stay for some tea? When your sister entered our household, we arranged for maids and attendants to serve her, along with some additional items. I'll have the maids pack everything up so you can take both the people and the belongings with you. Your father has just been reinstated to his post and has countless matters to attend to—these things take time to sort out. That Wang Shi entered our family was truly a twist of fate. Surely you wouldn't have her leave empty-handed? People would talk!"

"No need!" Wang Zhibing had barely responded when his sister's voice, shrill with agitation, cut in: "What did you say? If I go back with you, what about Mingjier? She's only three years old!"

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The internet cut out at five o'clock—unfortunately, I hadn't finished writing yet. I went to borrow someone else's wireless card, but they'd gone shopping... Everything was so chaotic it made me restless. Then I revised the text again, which is why the update is so late. I'm almost too embarrassed to apologize... As for typos, since the revisions take a while to show up, it might be slow. You can check back later...

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