Blossom

Wei Tingzhen was fuming with anger and was about to retort to Pang Yulou when Dou Ming's wet nurse, Zhou Momo, arrived supporting Dou Ming.

"Forgive me for troubling all my aunts, sisters-in-law, and elders with my affairs," she said, curtsying to the women of the Dou and Wang families. Dressed in a grand crimson brocade robe that hung loosely on her emaciated frame, she looked pitifully frail, evoking a pang of sympathy in those who saw her.

Pang Yulou, ever the master of superficial gestures, immediately stepped forward to take Dou Ming's hand. Wiping the corner of her eye, she choked back sobs and said, "My dear niece, it's only been a New Year's break since we last met—how have you become like this? We've all been through this. Which family doesn't pamper their daughter-in-law with chicken, duck, fish, and meat during her confinement after a miscarriage, only for her to gain a few pounds afterward? Yet here you are, wasting away to skin and bones! If our family's matriarch were to see you like this, she'd be heartbroken and rush to have your uncles write to your grandfather, urging him to send the finest medicinal herbs from Yunnan to nourish you." She then turned to Wei Tingzhen and said earnestly, "Your esteemed household is a centuries-old aristocratic family—how is it that you lack even the finest medicinal herbs?" She then looked at Cai Shi and added, "Sister-in-law, I still have two packets of premium gastrodia and a pound of blood bird's nest at home. As for the century-old ginseng, it was used up recently when my mother-in-law fell ill, leaving only a small piece. I’m not sure if it’s enough."

The implication was clear—the ginseng would have to be provided by the Dou family.

Cai Shi cursed Pang Yulou inwardly, calling her every name under the sun.

How could gastrodia and blood bird's nest compare in value to century-old ginseng?

Yet, in front of Wei Tingzhen, she couldn’t refuse.

Otherwise, it would be the Dou family that appeared lacking in propriety and face.

Truly, these people were wolves in sheep's clothing—utterly untrustworthy.

She smiled and said, "Since Fifth Granddaughter's in-laws don’t have any, she’ll have to rely on us, her maternal family. I’ll instruct the servants to send over some ginseng later to nourish Fifth Granddaughter. Rest assured, Aunt."

She deliberately avoided specifying the age of the ginseng.

Pang Yulou sneered inwardly.

Always flaunting their scholarly background, yet at critical moments, they revealed their mercantile roots—and still had the audacity to look down on the Pang family!

As the two engaged in their veiled battle, Fifth Madam grew displeased. She turned to Wei Tingzhen with a kindly smile and said, "Since your mother-in-law is unwell, why don’t we go sit in Mingjier’s room?"

This signaled the start of the real discussion.

Naturally, everyone present smiled and agreed.

The group proceeded to the resting chamber in Dou Ming’s main chamber.

Maidservants served tea and snacks before quietly withdrawing.

Seated in the place of honor, Fifth Madam smiled and said, "The dowry given to a married daughter by her natal family is meant to be her support. Eldest Granddaughter is also a married woman, yet she proposes that Dou Zhao take control of Mingjier’s dowry. This is utterly improper. Not only would Mingjier refuse, but our Dou family would never agree either.

"Originally, we could have simply ignored this matter. Even if Eldest Granddaughter took this dispute to the Emperor himself, it would never hold up. But she has brought it up repeatedly, acting as though she wants nothing to do with our Fifth Granddaughter’s dowry. Our family’s elders grew suspicious—why would the Wei family come up with such an idea? That’s why they sent me, along with the two Madams from the Wang family, to ask Fifth Son-in-Law about it.""As the saying goes, an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. The Marquis of Jining has no brothers, only you as his sister, so it’s only right for you to look after him. However, this matter concerns the ownership of Mingjier’s dowry. I think it’s somewhat inappropriate for the eldest paternal aunt to decide without consulting the Marquis. Since there are no outsiders here, why not invite the Marquis over and ask for his opinion? We can make plans afterward."

The Dou and Wang families were powerful and numerous. Wei Tingzhen had no intention of engaging in a war of words with them. Upon hearing this, she immediately sent someone to fetch Wei Tingyu, adding, "Every family hopes their daughter-in-law brings a generous dowry—not only for the prestige but also for the benefit of future descendants. But your Fifth Granddaughter’s temper is too volatile. At the slightest provocation, she invokes her family’s name. We simply wish to live in peace and stability, unable to endure her disruptions. That’s why we had no choice but to invite the elders of both families to discuss this matter."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Wei Tingyu, who had been waiting in the study, hurried in with a flustered expression.

At the sight of him, Dou Ming’s tears immediately began to fall uncontrollably.

She had suffered a miscarriage, yet Wei Tingyu had offered only perfunctory comfort before conspiring with his mother and sister to scheme against her.

This version of Wei Tingyu had utterly disappointed her.

Her heart had grown half-cold.

Didn’t he realize that if she handed over her dowry, they would have to live under Wei Tingzhen’s thumb from then on?

Wasn’t the point of life to seek happiness?

How could one be happy living under someone else’s scrutiny?

Why couldn’t he think for himself, blindly obeying his mother and sister instead?

She collapsed against Zhou Momo’s shoulder, sobbing.

Zhou Momo held Dou Ming tenderly, whispering words of comfort.

Wei Tingyu hadn’t exchanged a single word with Dou Ming in over half a month. Seeing her now, weeping like a rain-battered Haitang flower, his heart softened, and hesitation flickered across his face.

Fifth Madam observed this discreetly and nodded to herself. Once Wei Tingyu had paid his respects, she said, "The demands your Wei family has made are utterly unreasonable. Our family’s elders sent me here to ask—what exactly does the Marquis find so unsatisfactory about Mingjier that he must torment her like this? Not only did she suffer a miscarriage, but now you demand our Dou family take custody of her dowry. The Marquis must give us a proper explanation."

Wei Tingzhen could tell from Wei Tingyu’s expression that things were about to go awry. Before he could speak, she interjected, "Madam, that’s not quite accurate. How have we tormented Dou Ming—"

Fifth Madam raised a hand, signaling Wei Tingzhen to stop, and said gently, "Eldest Paternal Aunt, only the foot knows if the shoe fits. Though we are outsiders, we still hope for their marital happiness. Let’s hear what the Marquis has to say, shall we?"

Dou Ming, still sniffling, lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes fixed on Wei Tingyu like fragile autumn herbs, delicate and pitiful.

Wei Tingyu’s face flushed crimson, and he couldn’t bear to meet her gaze. Mumbling, he said, "I—I have no dissatisfaction with Mingjier…" Before he could finish, he felt his sister’s dagger-like glare and thought of his bedridden mother. His mind buzzed, and he stammered, "It’s just that her mother’s character is… flawed. One takes on the color of one’s company. Mingjier keeps running off to see her, and no matter how we advise her, she won’t listen. That’s why we had to resort to this… It’s Mingjier’s disobedience, not us tormenting her…"The room was filled with astonishment.

Fifth Madam couldn't help but exchange a glance with Gao Shi.

If this was the reason, then it actually made sense.

But they had come this time to stand up for Dou Ming—how could they let Wei Tingyu get away with this?

Fifth Madam had no choice but to go against her conscience and say, "Marquis, these words of yours are most inappropriate! A son does not speak of his father's faults, and as a son-in-law, how can you criticize your mother-in-law? Moreover, your claim about her poor character is completely unfounded. I've been sisters-in-law with your mother-in-law for over a decade, and aside from her reluctance to socialize, there's truly nothing else one could fault her for..."

"Fifth Aunt!" Dou Ming suddenly interrupted Fifth Madam, springing to her feet with a thud. Her eyes red, she glared at Wei Tingyu, her voice sharp as she said, "Isn't the Marquis simply looking down on my birth mother for being a concubine raised to principal wife? Fine, since both my maternal and marital families are here, let's settle this matter clearly." Tears welled in her eyes as she glanced at Fifth Madam. "Though my mother was a concubine, she was only elevated to principal wife a full year after the death of the first wife. At the time, we even obtained the consent of Eldest Uncle Zhao and, following his wishes, gave half of Western Dou's property to my elder sister as dowry. All of this was documented at the government office—there's proof! Tell me, Marquis, what exactly has my mother done wrong to deserve such slander from a junior like you?"

Wei Tingzhen spat right in Dou Ming's face. "How dare you bring this up? Have you forgotten how you married into our family? We in the Wei family certainly haven't!"

All color drained from Dou Ming's face, leaving only pallor behind.

Choking back sobs, she asked Wei Tingyu, "Does the Marquis think the same way?" Still clinging to some shred of marital affection, she refrained from mentioning how Wei Tingyu had agreed to meet her at the Great Xiangguo Temple before their marriage, unwilling to burn all bridges.

Wei Tingyu was mortified. He shot Wei Tingzhen a fierce glare before turning his gaze to Dou Ming, softening his voice in an attempt to placate her. "Nothing of the sort! This marriage was entirely my own choice!"

Wei Tingzhen gnashed her teeth in fury, standing up as she declared, "Since you've married into our Wei family, you're one of us now. If your birth mother was merely a concubine elevated to principal wife, and the Dou family elders acknowledge it, then fine—we'll swallow this bitter pill and accept it! But what exactly was your mother? She entered the Dou household in the twelfth month and gave birth to you in the fifth... What kind of behavior is that?" She spat again. "Why else would your sister receive half of Western Dou's property while your dowry was only twenty thousand taels of silver? If you don't understand, let me spell it out for you—you're not even the child of a concubine, you're a bastard!" Pointing at the women of the Dou and Wang families, she added, "Your maternal family is right here. If you don't believe me, ask them! See if I've spoken a single lie! It's only because my brother is honest and kind-hearted that he's endured this far with you. Yet you show no gratitude—when asked to follow the rules, you deliberately aborted our Wei family's heir. You knew full well my brother is the sole heir in two generations! Are you trying to cut off the Wei family line?"

Her words stabbed like knives into the hearts of the Dou and Wang families, plunging the Resting Chamber into silence. Dou Ming trembled like a leaf in the wind."You're talking nonsense!" she shrieked. "My mother isn't that kind of person! You just can't bear to see me and the Marquis living well, so you're spreading malicious rumors here. What exactly are you scheming? Why do you always look at me with such disdain? How have I ever wronged your Wei Family? When the Marquis was idle at home, it was I who begged my grandfather to secure him a position. When your mother was bedridden with illness, it was I who used my dowry herbs to nourish her. For your mother-in-law's birthday, it was I who spent heavily to give you face by sending an extravagant gift. What more do you want from me?"

Her frail body swayed unsteadily as she screamed these questions at Wei Tingyu.