Blossom

Madam Jingguo had borne three sons and five daughters, with the marriages of three daughters personally arranged by her, each making excellent matches. Particularly her eldest daughter, who married Xia Wan, the eldest son of Imperial Academy compiler Xia Bing. Initially, everyone thought the eldest daughter of the Jingguo household had married beneath her station. But after Xia Wan became a Presented Scholar in the eighth year of Chengping, served as a Ministry of Justice official in the eleventh year... and was promoted to Governor of Zhejiang last year, no one held that view anymore. Instead, they praised Madam Jingguo for her discerning eye in finding such an outstanding son-in-law. This was also a key reason why Madam Jingguo held such an authoritative position in the Jingguo household.

When Dou Zhao and Song Mo arrived at the Jingguo residence, it was already bustling with activity. Aside from the Capital's nobility who had dealings with the Jingguo family, all its in-laws had come to celebrate Madam Jingguo's birthday. The five sons-in-law of the Jingguo household had presented particularly lavish gifts.

Song Mo quietly instructed Dou Zhao, "If you need anything, have the maids call for me. At the very least, inform Third Madam."

"I know," Dou Zhao replied softly, gazing at Song Mo's radiant expression. "Don't drink too much."

"Mm!" Song Mo nodded, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before moving forward to assist Old Madam Lu descending from the carriage ahead.

Ningde Princess alighted shortly after.

Old Madam Lu took Dou Zhao's hand and said to Song Mo with a smile, "Go attend to your social obligations. I'll look after your wife—not a single hair on her head will come to harm."

The group chuckled.

Song Mo showed no embarrassment, thanking Old Madam Lu with straightforward grace.

Old Madam Lu laughed heartily, turning to speak with Ningde Princess: "This child—this is exactly why he's so endearing."

Ningde Princess smiled demurely.

Song Mo and Lu Qin, along with others, bid farewell to the ladies including Old Madam Lu and headed to the main hall in the east, while Dou Zhao followed Old Madam Lu and the other women through the Second gate.

Third Madam Zhang hurried forward surrounded by maids and old women: "Princess, Great Aunt..."

She performed a round of curtsies to everyone, and the group chatted cheerfully as they proceeded to the Reception Hall.

Madam Jingguo, who had been conversing with Madam Changxing, appeared somewhat surprised to see Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess enter. She rose with a beaming smile to greet them: "We never expected both Madams to grace us with your presence—what an honor for our humble household!"

Being of a senior generation to Madam Jingguo, neither Old Madam Lu nor Ningde Princess were obliged to attend. But with a granddaughter married into the Jingguo family, they came to elevate Madam Jingguo's status and by extension, their granddaughter's standing.

Old Madam Lu joked, "We just thought we'd come to your home for a free meal!"

"Guests we couldn't have dreamed of inviting," Madam Jingguo replied warmly. "As long as you don't mind our modest offerings."

After exchanging pleasantries and formal greetings, everyone took their seats in the Reception Hall.

Madam Jingguo then spoke to Dou Zhao: "This is the first time the Shizi Madam has visited our home. Should anything be inconvenient to mention to me, you need only instruct your cousin-sister."

Third Madam Zhang was Song Mo's cousin.

Dou Zhao acknowledged with a smile.

Madam Jingguo proceeded to introduce the assembled ladies: "This is my eldest daughter, currently accompanying her husband at his post in Jiangnan. She made the journey specially for my birthday... This is my second daughter—her mother-in-law is from the Yixing Ji family, making them practically your relatives by marriage..."In her previous life, she had frequent dealings with the Jingguo Duke's household and was very familiar with their relatives.

Several paternal aunts from the Jingguo Duke's family hurriedly stood up to return the greetings.

The reception hall was bustling with activity.

A maid entered and announced, "The wife of the heir to the Marquis of Yan'an has arrived."

Madam Jingguo repeatedly urged, "Quickly invite her in."

Young Madam Wang entered together with Madam Dongping.

Everyone exchanged the necessary courtesies.

Subsequently, the wife of the Earl of Guang'en arrived with her daughter-in-law, followed by the wife of the Marquis of Xuannin...

Dou Zhao recognized all these people, though to varying degrees of familiarity. Particularly, the wife of Marquis Xuannin, Guo Qinghai, was not only her close friend despite their age difference but also her business partner, and their families had become in-laws. Yet now, Madam Guo merely nodded and smiled at her. They could no longer be as they were in her past life, joining forces to support their families.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy.

Madam Dongping arrived with her two daughters.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but widen her eyes.

Madam Dongping had a delicate, willow-like figure and a serene, flower-reflected-in-water beauty that naturally evoked tenderness.

Her twin daughters, though still young, were as radiant as pearls and jade, exceptionally beautiful.

A dull ache settled in Dou Zhao's chest.

She quickly took a few tea leaves and placed them in her mouth, feeling slightly better.

As more guests arrived, the reception hall filled with laughter and chatter. The older women gathered to converse, while the younger ladies formed their own group.

Since this was Dou Zhao's first appearance in the noble circles of the Capital, Ningde Princess personally introduced her around.

Familiar faces from her past life made socializing effortless for Dou Zhao. Her polite greetings were always on point, leaving a lasting impression.

Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess exchanged subtle nods of approval.

Second Madam Zhang, who was hosting in the reception hall, suddenly remarked with a sly glance, "Why hasn't the wife of the Marquis of Jining arrived? I remember sending her an invitation."

As Wei Tingzhen was the wife of the heir, it was customary for her to assist with the arrangements for Madam Jingguo's birthday banquet. However, because Madam Jingguo disliked her eldest son, she also held a grudge against her eldest daughter-in-law. Thus, she assigned Wei Tingzhen to manage the kitchen affairs while having her second and third daughters-in-law host guests in the reception hall.

Hearing this, Madam Jingguo frowned slightly.

Third Madam Zhang, far more tactful than her sister-in-law, quickly interjected, "It's still early before the banquet begins. She must have been delayed by something." As she spoke, she signaled to an old woman nearby.

The old woman understood and went to the accountant's office near the kitchen.

Wei Tingzhen was inspecting the longevity peaches for the banquet.

The old woman approached and bowed, saying, "Madam, Third Madam asked me to inform you that the auspicious hour is approaching, and we likely can't wait for the wife of the Marquis of Jining any longer."

Since this wasn't a milestone birthday, the Jingguo Duke's household had only invited relatives within three generations of mourning and some frequently visiting nobles. The banquet was scheduled for a single day, with the auspicious hour for birthday greetings set in the morning. The Zhang family relatives would pay their respects to Madam Jingguo in order of seniority, while guests like Dou Zhao, who weren't direct relatives, would be seated. Once the greetings concluded, the banquet would commence. Arriving after the banquet began would be highly disrespectful.

Wei Tingzhen was furious.

Dou Ming's behavior was a blatant slap in her face, showing utter disregard.

In her heart, she cursed Dou Ming vehemently.In front of the old woman accompanying Third Madam Zhang, she dared not show any hint of strangeness. Instead, she smiled and said, "The Marquis of Jining's Mansion is a bit farther from here, so they must have been delayed on the way. I’ll send someone to check on them right away." Then she slipped a red envelope to the old woman, adding, "Please convey my thanks to Third Madam for me."

The old woman left in high spirits, but Wei Tingzhen was so angry her ribs ached.

Fortunately, the messenger soon returned with news: "The Marquis of Jining and his wife have already arrived at the gate."

With so many eyes around, it was best to wait until this matter was over before saying anything more!

Wei Tingzhen nodded and went to the kitchen to sample a few dishes that would soon be served at the birthday banquet.

Wei Tingyu and Dou Ming, who had just alighted from their carriage at the gate of the Jingguo Duke’s residence, both looked rather displeased.

Wei Tingyu turned to Dou Ming and said, "When you see your sister later, help her entertain the guests and share some of her burdens," before heading off to the Reception Hall in the front courtyard.

Dou Ming watched Wei Tingyu’s retreating figure with a cold laugh before allowing the maids to support her as she followed the Zhang family’s stewardess through the Hanging Flower Gate.

The Reception Hall was a dazzling display of jewels and lively chatter.

She paid her respects to Madam Jingguo.

Madam Jingguo hurriedly urged her, "Rise, please! Rise!"

Dou Ming stood up with a smile, only to see Dou Zhao seated on a brocade stool beside Madam Jingguo.

What was she doing here?

Dou Ming was stunned.

Dou Zhao had already nodded at her with a smile.

Dou Ming’s gaze darkened.

Madam Jingguo beckoned to Dou Zhao and said to Dou Ming, "Look who’s here beside me?"

The young ladies were fine, enjoying themselves together, but the women seated near Madam Jingguo were all staring at them wide-eyed.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh and greeted Dou Ming coolly.

Dou Ming wasn’t foolish either. Though she had nearly crumpled her handkerchief into a mess, she still knew when to yield and softly called out, "Sister."

Someone glanced at Dou Zhao, then at Dou Ming, and remarked with a laugh, "Speaking of which, the Dou family’s two daughters have married quite well. The eldest is now the wife of the Duke of Yingguo’s heir, while the younger is the wife of the Marquis of Jining. Two titled ladies from one family—that’s even rarer than producing three Presented Scholars in one household."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Another chimed in, "What’s even more remarkable is that after the Dou family’s fourth daughter married, her family still gave her a dowry."

Dou Ming froze.

A dowry?

For Dou Zhao?

How did she not know about this?

A flicker of confusion passed through Dou Ming’s eyes as she looked at Dou Zhao, who sat there smiling, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying, "It’s just Father doting on his daughter, wanting her to be respected in her marital home."

This was an admission!

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

Many still vividly remembered the stack of silver notes from Dou Zhao’s dowry.

Ningde Princess laughed and said, "Take this with a grain of salt, and don’t spread it around! Back then, just one stack of ten-tael silver notes was enough to tempt desperate thieves. If word got out how much property Shou Gu owns, wouldn’t it attract those reckless bandits again?"

Everyone clamored to declare they weren’t the type to gossip, yet they all eagerly pressed for details about Dou Zhao’s private affairs.

"Madam Dou, did your father give you silver notes again this time?"

"Madam Dou, this is the first we’ve heard of the Dou family adding to your dowry. Was your father afraid of attracting thieves like last time, so you kept it quiet?"

"Why wasn’t it listed in the dowry at the wedding? Why add it later?"“It must be a lot more, afraid of being known by thieves.”

For a moment, everyone was very interested in this topic.

Someone teased Dou Ming, “Here sits one who’s quietly amassing a fortune!”

“Yes, yes!” another chimed in. “How much dowry did the Madam of Marquis of Jining receive?”

Dou Ming’s hands trembled. It took her a while to suppress the indignation in her chest before she managed to smile and say, “Father dotes on my sister the most. What she has, I might not have. Don’t tease me—go ask my sister instead.”

But in her heart, she was thinking about that chest of silver notes.

Wei Tingzhen had told her to go back and ask Father for it, but she didn’t have the nerve. Yet, she couldn’t shake the curiosity, so she sent someone to inquire. Only then did she learn that the chest of silver notes had been prepared for her... She was so furious she couldn’t eat for days, and she didn’t dare tell Wei Tingyu, afraid he might regret marrying her if he found out.

But little did she know, something even worse awaited her.

Father had actually given Dou Zhao additional dowry in secret.

If someone hadn’t slipped up today, would Father have kept it from her for the rest of her life?

A wave of icy coldness washed over Dou Ming’s heart, chilling her to the bone.