Blossom

Tian Shi stared at the oil stains on her clothes, feeling more convinced of her daughter's words.

This daughter-in-law had been spoiled beyond measure. She couldn't even hold a spoon properly after a while—she needed to learn proper etiquette thoroughly. Otherwise, once Tian Shi was gone, the household would surely descend into chaos!

Tian Shi finished her lunch without showing any emotion.

Dou Ming sighed in relief, rubbing her sore waist. As usual, she prepared to curtsy and withdraw, but Tian Shi stopped her: "Starting today, set aside household matters. First, you'll learn proper etiquette from me." Then she instructed her personal maidservant, "Have Madam stand against the wall for the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. Then teach her how to perform a proper curtsy." With that, she opened a Buddhist scripture on the kang table and began silently reciting, not even glancing at Dou Ming's astonished expression.

Tian Shi's personal maidservant approached Dou Ming with a forced smile. "Madam, please come with me!"

Dou Ming wasn't one to endure humiliation. Her recent meekness stemmed only from guilt. Seeing Tian Shi push her luck by making her relearn basic posture—clearly an intentional slight—she thought of her substantial dowry. She'd never relied on the Wei Family for food or clothing—what right did they have to mistreat her? Moreover, Wei Tingyu conspired with his mother and sister. Knowing his mother was tormenting her, he still secluded himself in his study. When she brought him meals, he shut her out, leaving her to be mocked by the servants. This was beyond endurance! Rage swelled in her chest, flushing her face crimson as she retorted sharply, "Mother-in-law, if you have grievances, speak plainly! Why resort to veiled insults and petty behavior that invites ridicule?"

"You!" Tian Shi paled with anger before finally calming herself. With icy composure, she said, "No wonder your mother could become the principal wife after driving the first to her death. Like begets like—the dragon's offspring flies, the phoenix's soars, and the rat's child digs holes. Your tongue is exceptionally sharp."

Now it was Dou Ming's turn to blanch.

Her mind buzzed blankly before she managed a blustering reply: "Since entering the Wei household, I've been its daughter-in-law. Your words don't shame me—they shame the Marquis and the Wei name."

Unskilled in arguments, Tian Shi struggled before responding, "If you recognize yourself as a Wei daughter-in-law, you should follow Wei customs. If standing against the wall insults you, you're free to leave this family and return to your parents!"

Leave then!

The words hovered on Dou Ming's lips, but courage failed her.

Before, she could have controlled Wei Tingyu. Now, with their fortunes reversed, the Weis might be scheming for exactly this outcome.

Fury choked Dou Ming, yet she could only swallow it down.

She obediently followed the maidservant to the Resting Chamber and stood stiffly against the wall.

Within half an incense stick's time, her legs trembled uncontrollably.

Seeing no one around, she sat on a stool by the standing screen to rub her calves.

A cold snort sounded behind her. Turning, she met Tian Shi's frosty glare.

Without a word, she resumed her position.

Tian Shi handed a ruler to her maidservant. "Watch Madam here. If she slacks, discipline her on my behalf."The old woman looked troubled but dared not refuse.

Dou Ming gritted her teeth in resentment.

Another half an incense stick's time passed. Not only did her legs feel as if they were filled with lead, but her lower abdomen also began to ache faintly.

She touched the red envelope in her sleeve, then let it go.

She would rather stand here until death than fawn over a servant.

Dou Ming took a deep breath.

But the pain in her lower abdomen grew worse, and she felt something warm and wet trickling out.

She was startled, wondering if her monthly courses had come... The thought flashed through her mind, and darkness swam before her eyes. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

Tian Shi’s personal attendant was horrified and immediately called a maid to inform Tian Shi while she rushed to Dou Ming’s side, pressing her philtrum.

For a long while, Dou Ming showed no response.

When Tian Shi arrived, her face paled. She ordered the maids and old women to carry Dou Ming to her own bed.

One of the old women shuddered and pointed at the blood on Dou Ming’s skirt. “Madam, look!”

Tian Shi panicked and urgently instructed the maids, “Go, fetch Zhou Momo!” She also sent someone to summon a physician.

Zhou Momo was experienced. One look, and her voice changed. “Madam, the young mistress might be with child!”

Tian Shi was furious. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she snapped.

Zhou Momo was filled with regret.

Dou Ming’s monthly courses had always been irregular. Though they hadn’t come for some time, Dou Ming had been eating and sleeping normally, showing no signs of pregnancy, which was why Zhou Momo had overlooked it.

“Madam, this servant is at fault!” Zhou Momo knelt, tears streaming as she begged for punishment.

She had raised Dou Ming herself, treating her like her own daughter. Seeing Dou Ming suffer pained her the most. She would rather be punished—it would ease her conscience.

Tian Shi was not a decisive person and was already flustered, unsure what to do. She kept urging her attendant, “Hurry and summon the paternal aunt back!”

Zhou Momo could only sigh and weep.

Fifth Miss, how did she end up in such a family?

She prepared brown sugar water and fed it to Dou Ming.

The physician arrived.

After taking her pulse, he diagnosed that the pregnancy had been disturbed, and the excessive bleeding meant the child could not be saved.

Tian Shi was stunned.

Wei Tingzhen rushed over. She instructed Tian Shi’s attendant to follow the physician to fetch medicine and told Zhou Momo to stay and care for Dou Ming, while she herself helped Tian Shi to the adjacent side room.

Tian Shi clutched her daughter’s hand like a lifeline. “Who knew she was pregnant… I wouldn’t have punished her… Now, how do we explain this to the in-laws? This was Peijin’s first child…”

Wei Tingzhen had been anxious when she arrived, but after seeing Zhou Momo, she calmed down.

“Mother, how can this be your fault?” she reassured her mother, her voice steady. “Dou Ming has her own wet nurse taking care of her. Wouldn’t she know if she was pregnant? She knew you were setting rules for her yet kept silent. What do you think her intentions were? Don’t forget—she even dared to steal her own sister’s marriage. What wouldn’t she do? You mustn’t soften now. As you said, this was Peijin and her first child. If she could be so heartless as to use this child to spite you, then even a viper’s heart is no worse!”

Tian Shi nodded repeatedly.In that case, it wasn't her fault. Dou Ming had deliberately concealed the truth and shifted the blame onto her, making her out to be the wicked mother-in-law.

"I must go to the Dou family and demand an explanation," thought Tian Shi. Considering Dou Ming's cunning nature, she had likely already planned how to weep and complain to the Dou family, getting them to stand up for her. If that happened, the Wei family would be at a disadvantage. It was better to strike first. "They raised such a fine daughter—disrespectful to her mother-in-law and even harming our family's descendants! If the Dou family doesn't give us an explanation, I won't rest until they do!"

Perhaps by making a scene, the Dou family, for the sake of their reputation, would have no choice but to compensate the Wei family!

Wei Tingzhen thought of Dou Zhao's stack of silver notes, her heart burning with envy. She supported her mother and said, "Mother, I'll go with you!"

Tian Shi gave a firm "Hmm," feeling reassured. Knowing that there was no one managing household affairs in Jing'an Temple Alley and that the most prominent branch of the Dou family was the fifth household, she decided to go to Huai Tree Alley to demand justice.

Wei Tingzhen and her mother were of the same mind.

Without waiting for the old nanny who had gone to fetch medicine to return, the mother and daughter ordered the pages to prepare the carriage and set off for Huai Tree Alley.

With the New Year approaching, Fifth Madam of the Dou family, as the wife of a Grand Secretary, had a packed schedule of social engagements. After the winter solstice, she had been so busy she barely had time to catch her breath.

When she heard that the wife of the heir to the Duke of Jing's household had accompanied her mother, the Dowager of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, for a visit, she was quite surprised.

Though the two families were related by marriage, Dou Ming was somewhat distant from Huai Tree Alley. Normally, the Dowager of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion should have sent a formal notice before visiting. Such an unexpected visit likely meant something significant had happened.

She instructed her personal maidservant to escort Tian Shi and Wei Tingzhen to the Small Flower Hall for tea while she changed her clothes. She then brought along the eloquent Cai Shi to meet the Wei mother and daughter.

But the moment she stepped into the Reception Hall, before she could even exchange pleasantries with Tian Shi, the latter grabbed her hand and burst into tears: "Fifth Madam, by rights, I should have gone to Jing'an Temple Alley. But there's no one in charge of household affairs there, and that Wang Shi isn't a proper authority figure. Even if I spoke to her, it probably wouldn't do any good. Your family's daughter has quite the temper—this mother-in-law can't control her anymore. Among the Dou family's women in the Capital, you're the only sensible one. I had no choice but to ask you to speak to the patriarch and have him take Mingjier back! Our Wei family's temple is too small to house such a mighty deity!"

Fifth Madam's mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg.

Dou Ming had only been married for a few months!

Moreover, it was Wei Tingyu himself who had chosen this match. How could they suddenly demand the Dou family take their daughter back?

Even a wise official finds it hard to settle family disputes.

Fifth Madam felt a dull ache at her temples.

She cautiously inquired about what had happened.Wei Tingzhen naturally exaggerated her grievances: "My mother has had difficulty bearing children, so she treats her daughter-in-law like her own daughter. Forget about setting rules—even paying respects to elders morning and evening was only required when the weather was good. But who knew she would become more and more unreasonable? Not only did she frequently quarrel with my brother over trivial matters, but she also grew increasingly neglectful toward Mother. Household affairs were a complete mess, with no code of conduct whatsoever. Mother couldn’t take it anymore and called her in for a reprimand, but she, relying on her substantial dowry, talked back. Mother was so furious she made her stand facing the wall to reflect. Yet without a word, after standing for half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she collapsed on the ground. Mother hurriedly called a physician to examine her, only to discover she was pregnant... Madam Dou, Mingjie’s wet nurse accompanied her when she married into our family. How could she not inform us of such a significant matter as pregnancy, only for it to end in a miscarriage? Tell me, how can we keep such a daughter-in-law?" Then she muttered, "No wonder they say the fish rots from the head—like mother, like daughter. This marriage might as well be called off!"

What kind of person was Fifth Madam? Even in marital quarrels, people aim for the most hurtful words, let alone in conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. She didn’t believe Tian Shi treated Dou Ming as well as Wei Tingzhen claimed, but the fact remained—Dou Ming had been carrying the Wei family’s heir and had suffered a miscarriage...