Blossom

That evening, Wang Zhibiao and Gao Shi stayed overnight at the Dou family.

Dou Zhao wasn't concerned about this. She had been waiting for Tuo Niang to return.

"Yu Momo said she would deliver the items first thing tomorrow morning," Tuo Niang reported, returning rather late.

Dou Zhao sighed in relief and instructed Tuo Niang: "Pack all our daily essentials. We might be staying at Sixth Uncle's residence in the East Mansion for a few days soon."

"Why would we stay at Sixth Master's home?" Tuo Niang's mouth fell open. "Is it because Wang Yiniang has been making too much trouble at home?"

Even she knew about it, which showed the entire Dou household must have heard.

Dou Zhao smiled. "No. Father is going to the Capital for the Provincial Examination and worries I'll have no one to care for me. He might send us to stay with Sixth Uncle for a while."

No matter what happened, scholarly pursuits took precedence. Father would definitely go to the Capital for the examination.

In her previous life, Ding Yinyinai had successfully driven a wedge between Dou Zhao and her aunt, remaining safely in the Dou family with Dou Shiying supporting her until her death. In this life, having lost her authority over the household and without elder supervision—with her grandfather displeased with her grandmother—Sixth Uncle's suggestion conveniently solved Father's dilemma. There was a ninety percent chance she'd be sent to stay with Sixth Uncle temporarily.

Dou Zhao was also willing to stay with Sixth Uncle temporarily.

Sixth Aunt's maiden name was Ji, from Yixing County in Changzhou Prefecture, Southern Zhili. Her grandfather Ji Nian had been the top scholar in the Jichou year, and their ancestors included an Imperial Tutor and a Grand Secretary, making them one of the most prominent official families in Jiangnan.

Back then, Second Madam had coveted Sixth Aunt's family background. Taking advantage of Second Granduncle having done Ji Nian a favor during his time as a censor, she shamelessly secured this marriage for Sixth Uncle.

Compared to the Ji family, the Dou family at that time fell far short in both reputation and wealth. Moreover, southern families lived more refined lives than northerners. After Sixth Aunt married in, Second Madam often felt outshone by this daughter-in-law, becoming somewhat restrained in speech and actions.

Fortunately, Sixth Aunt came from an illustrious family—graceful and composed, never arrogant about marrying beneath her station. She treated her mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and other relatives with respectful courtesy. Additionally, Sixth Aunt quickly became pregnant after marriage, bearing two sons in succession. Over time, she became Second Madam's favorite.

In her past life, Dou Zhao had little interaction with this Sixth Aunt.

But before her wedding, Father had asked Sixth Aunt to instruct her about marital matters.

She still remembered Sixth Aunt taking her hand before leaving and whispering: "Remember, after marriage, your top priority is bearing sons, followed by pleasing your mother-in-law. As for your husband, just maintain your beauty and freshness before him..."

This was the first time someone had stripped away the veneer of wifely virtues to plainly explain a woman's marital duties.

Dou Zhao had been shocked.

But beyond the shock, she couldn't help but carefully consider Sixth Aunt's words—the more she thought about them, the more sense they made, and the more she acted accordingly.

In her previous life, she'd been too busy with her own affairs to pay attention to others. Now recalling this, she found herself intensely curious about the relationship between Sixth Aunt and Sixth Uncle.

Having matters she needed Sixth Aunt's help with, she couldn't help but look forward to this temporary stay at Sixth Uncle's home.

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At noon the next day, the Pang family arrived in a large, impressive group.Perhaps because it had already been decided that Ji Shi would take care of Dou Zhao for a while, or perhaps because the atmosphere at home was too oppressive, Dou Shiying personally brought Dou Zhao to the Eastern Residence that afternoon.

Second Aunt and Sixth Aunt greeted the father and daughter at the second gate.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but observe Sixth Aunt closely.

Ji Shi was only about twenty-four or twenty-five years old at this time—fair-skinned and elegant, her jet-black hair tied in a simple bun adorned with two gold-wrapped jade hairpins. She wore a light lilac summer robe with a white gauze skirt, without any other accessories, presenting an extremely refined and understated appearance.

She stepped forward with a smile and picked up Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao caught a faint whiff of rose fragrance.

She recognized this scent.

It wasn't ordinary incense but Rose Dew imported from Arabia—fifty taels of silver for a small bottle, as precious as gold, and only available at the largest merchant houses in the Capital.

Second Aunt, meanwhile, patted her head affectionately and said to Dou Shiying, "You should come with us to see Second Madam too!"

Since his daughter would be under the care of the women of the Eastern Residence, Dou Shiying expressed his gratitude repeatedly before the group proceeded to Second Madam's quarters.

The furnishings in Second Madam's room were simple yet dignified, each piece exuding an understated luxury that reminded one of an antique storeroom—devoid of vitality and permeated with a chilling atmosphere.

This room suited Second Madam perfectly.

Thinking of her heartless cruelty toward her mother, Dou Zhao silently mocked in her heart.

After paying respects, Second Madam handed Dou Zhao some candies and then asked Dou Shiying, "I heard the Wang Family has been making quite a scene?" Her casual tone carried a hint of sternness.

Dou Shiying flushed and replied softly, "I'll handle it soon."

Second Madam said, "You're about to take the Provincial Examination soon. Why not let your second sister-in-law mediate with the Wang Family on your behalf?"

It was more of a command than a suggestion.

Dou Shiying nodded sheepishly.

Second Madam gave a satisfied "Hmm" before turning to Dou Zhao with a kindly smile. "Come here, Shou Gu! Come to Second Grandmother! Let me see if you've grown taller!"

Dou Zhao thought Second Madam resembled a thousand-year-old demon—she had outlived her grandfather by another decade before passing away.

Having no intention of getting close to her, Dou Zhao didn't move when called. Instead, she held Sixth Aunt's hand and declared loudly, "I'm already five years old this year—of course I've grown taller!"

Her clear, ringing voice stunned everyone before eliciting laughter.

Second Aunt teased, "Second Aunt, you miscalculated! You should've held the candies in your hand before calling Shou Gu over. Now that you're empty-handed, why would she go to you?"

This provoked another round of laughter.

Second Aunt then stood and said to Dou Shiying with a smile, "Don't worry, leave Shou Gu to Sixth Sister-in-law. We'll all help look after her. It's getting late—shall we return? Zhen Ding is just a small place. Such a commotion will only embarrass everyone."

Dou Shiying patted his daughter's head, reminding her to "be obedient," before leaving with Second Aunt for Western Dou.

Second Madam, meanwhile, carefully inquired about Sixth Aunt's arrangements for Dou Zhao before letting them go.

Sixth Aunt then took her to pay respects to Eldest Aunt.

Like Second Madam, she was a widow and lived in the courtyard next to hers.

The silent residence, dark blue curtains, black lacquered furniture, and pine shadows blocking the sunlight outside cast Eldest Aunt's gaunt face in a deathly pallor.Dou Zhao recalled her former cheerful and lively demeanor and couldn't help but sigh.

Eldest Aunt smiled as she embraced Dou Zhao, instructing the maids to bring in fruits and sweets to entertain her. "Come visit me whenever you're free," she said.

Dou Zhao responded with a bright smile.

After chatting briefly with Eldest Aunt, Sixth Aunt took her leave, bringing Dou Zhao along.

Once outside, basking in the sunlight and listening to the noisy cicadas, Dou Zhao inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

Sixth Aunt gently asked her, "Are you tired?"

Dou Zhao shook her head.

Sixth Aunt smiled. "Good. Let's go pay our respects to Third Aunt." She coaxed her, "After greeting Third Aunt, we'll go back and have some chilled watermelon, alright?"

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.

Third Aunt and Sixth Aunt lived next to each other. When they entered, Third Aunt was scolding her twenty-year-old seventh cousin, Dou Fanchang: "...How can you compare to Qijun? He can stump the teacher with his questions, but you? You're the one who gets stumped by the teacher..."

He was Third Aunt's eldest son. Before him, she had given birth to three daughters.

When Ji Shi and Dou Zhao entered, the scolding naturally had to stop.

Dou Fanchang greeted Ji Shi and Dou Zhao awkwardly before leaving in a huff.

Third Aunt massaged her temples and ordered the maids to serve tea and snacks, then complained to Sixth Aunt, "I don't know which deity I've offended. After finally having two sons, the elder one is already twenty but still acts like a child, only knowing how to play. The younger one is clever, but he hates studying—it's like pulling teeth to get him to read..."

In Dou Zhao's memory, Third Uncle's two sons truly had no remarkable achievements in academics.

Dou Fanchang became a Successful Candidate in the Imperial Examination but kept failing the higher exams. Dou Huachang switched to the antique trade in his thirties, and Dou Zhao even introduced him to some high-profile clients.

Sixth Aunt comforted Third Aunt, "He's still young and hasn't settled down yet. He'll improve once he gets married."

Dou Fanchang was engaged to his cousin, with the wedding set for the following March.

Third Aunt sighed. "I hope so!"

Sixth Aunt then took her leave with Dou Zhao.

Third Aunt saw them to the door, only to spot Third Uncle hurrying over.

"Shou Gu is here!" he called from afar, cupping his hands toward Sixth Aunt and addressing her as "Sixth Sister-in-law." He added, "I have urgent business with Mother. Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? Consider it a welcome for Shou Gu!"

Third Aunt quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes! Come dine with us tonight!"

The Dong Dou branch originally lived together as one household, but apart from festivals and ancestral rites, each family usually ate separately.

Since the invitation was for Dou Zhao, Ji Shi accepted graciously and carried Dou Zhao back to their quarters.

Ji Shi's wet nurse, Wang Shi, had already settled Dou Zhao's belongings and maids. Seeing Dou Zhao's flushed face from the sun, she called for Tuo Niang to help bathe her in warm water. Afterward, they applied Borneol Powder, dressed her in a white gauze blouse, and adorned her with a silver necklace and bracelets before taking her to see Ji Shi.

Ji Shi had also bathed and changed. Two maids stood on either side, fanning her.She took Dou Zhao's hands and looked her up and down, nodding with a smile before lifting her onto the kang. "Now this is how a young lady should look!" Picking up a fan, she began fanning Dou Zhao while instructing Wang Momo, "We'll be dining at Third Uncle's place today. If the Sixth Master can make it back in time, have him join us there. If not, prepare a separate dinner for him."

Dou Zhao guessed that Sixth Uncle must have gone to her home with Father.

Wang Momo acknowledged the order with a smile.

A maid with peach-like eyes and apricot-blossom cheeks entered the room.

At the sight of her, Wang Momo immediately ushered out all the other serving maids.

The maid took the fan from Sixth Aunt and continued fanning Dou Zhao while whispering, "Third Master received a letter from Fifth Master. It said Chen Jizhou was forced to retire, and Grand Secretary Zeng recommended Grand Secretary He Wendao to preside over this year's Metropolitan Examination. Fifth Master, as Vice Minister of Personnel, is highly regarded by Grand Secretary Zeng. Upon hearing this, the Second Madam immediately sent someone to deliver a message to the Old Master of the Western Residence. The messenger had just left when I came over."

Sixth Aunt gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.

The maid then lifted the door curtain, and Wang Momo along with the other serving maids filed back in, resuming their previous tasks. If not for the maid still fanning Dou Zhao, she might have thought she'd imagined the whole exchange!

Sixth Aunt was indeed a master at concealing her true depths.

Dou Zhao felt a pang of shame.

She couldn't help but ponder what she'd just overheard.

Zeng Yifen had forced Chen Jizhou out, and Fifth Uncle had won Zeng Yifen's favor—this should be good news! Why had Second Madam urgently summoned Grandfather upon hearing it?

She was utterly perplexed.

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