Blossom

Ji Shi also said that Yu Zan was no longer suitable to serve by Dou Zhao's side and suggested replacing her with another maid.

Yu Momo understood that this was Ji Shi forcing her to deal with Yu Zan.

The maids and old women in the Western Dou had flattered and fawned over her precisely because they wanted to gain some benefits from her. Now that trouble had arisen, not only could she not protect them, but she also had to personally punish those who had once curried favor with her.

Who would still come to her side in the future?

But if she pretended not to understand, would Sixth Madam feel slighted and take the matter to Second Madam?

The thought of Second Madam sent a chill down Yu Momo's spine.

She decided to tackle the immediate crisis first.

Gritting her teeth, Yu Momo took Yu Zan back and, in front of everyone, gave her twenty solid strokes with the paddle, beating her until her flesh split and she was barely breathing. Fearing that Yu Zan might die and bring bad luck to the already furious old master—who was in a rage for unknown reasons—she immediately called for a physician to treat her wounds while arranging for Yu Zan to be married off.

"The most important thing is to marry her far away," she instructed the matchmaker. "We won't ask for her redemption money and will even provide ten taels of silver as dowry."

Hearing such a good deal, the matchmaker became interested herself: "I have a distant relative who works as a porter on the Huai'an waterways. He just lost his wife. If this works out, there’s even some tea as a thank-you gift. Though he’s a bit older and has two sons..."

Yu Momo didn’t care about the details as long as Yu Zan was sent far away. Without asking further, she agreed to the match: "I’ll go inform Seventh Master."

The matchmaker happily sat there, sipping tea while waiting.

Dou Shiying was at Crane Longevity Hall, but when Yu Momo hurried over, she was stopped at the door.

"The old master is discussing matters with Seventh Master," a page whispered to her. "He’s ordered no disturbances."

Yu Momo waited in the courtyard.

Inside the study, Dou Duo, lying on the Drunken Old Man Chair, looked as if he had aged ten years, exhausted and haggard.

"Wanyuan, you must pass the Provincial Examination this time!" He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead, covering his eyes. His low voice carried a mix of helplessness and resentment. "The Dou family today is no longer what it was under Granduncle’s leadership. If you want to preserve our family’s legacy, you must strive. Understand?"

Dou Shiying stood straight, silent.

Dou Duo suddenly sat up and roared angrily, "Did you hear me or not?"

"I heard," Dou Shiying replied calmly. Then he asked, "What do you plan to do about the Wang family matter?"

Dou Duo sneered, his voice icy. "You don’t need to worry about that. As long as I’m here in Western Dou, I won’t let Eastern Dou push us around! Just focus on preparing for the Provincial Examination." He then raised his voice, "Who’s on duty outside?"

"It’s me, Du An."

"Go invite the eldest son of the Wang family."

Du An hurried off.

Dou Duo turned back to his quietly standing son. "Go pack your things."

Dou Shiying bowed respectfully to his father and left Crane Longevity Hall.

Yu Momo rushed up to him and recounted the incident at the Eastern Dou residence, concluding, "...Sixth Madam believes such a person can no longer stay. For the sake of ***’s reputation, it’s best to marry her far away."

Fearing further complications, she invoked Ji Shi’s authority.Dou Shiying was taken aback and only after a long pause did he say, “Since it’s Sixth Madam’s wish, you should follow her instructions!”

Yu Momo, having received his words, hurriedly relayed them to the matchmaker. That very night, Yu Zan was carried out on a door plank.

Meanwhile, Dou Shiying stood rooted to the spot for a long while before finally turning to Gaosheng behind him. “Go and pack my things. I’m going to visit Sixth Brother to see Shou Gu.”

Gaosheng quickly replied, “Then please return early, as we have ancestral rites early tomorrow morning.”

Dou Shiying nodded and headed to the Eastern Mansion.

Dou Shiheng was in the midst of packing books to take to the Capital. The study was somewhat chaotic, but upon seeing Dou Shiying arrive, he led him to the main hall to sit down.

“Shou Gu and your sixth sister-in-law went to visit Second Brother’s wife,” he said, pouring Dou Shiying a cup of tea. “They should be back soon.”

Dou Shiying murmured softly, “I’ve troubled Sixth Sister-in-law,” and fell silent, holding the teacup for a long while.

Dou Shiheng chuckled. “What’s the matter? Tired of the household troubles?”

Dou Shiying gave a faint smile and answered evasively, “Sixth Brother, when the Zhu family wanted to break off the engagement, why did you speak in their favor?”

Dou Shiheng was surprised and replied half-jokingly, “Your reputation is already poor enough. If the Zhu family had publicly rejected you, you might never have found a decent wife.”

Dou Shiying pondered this, then suddenly smiled, his expression easing like an unfurling scroll—natural, fluid, and effortless.

Dou Shiheng was momentarily stunned, but Dou Shiying had already raised his teacup with a smile. “Sixth Brother, let me toast you.”

“Oh?” Dou Shiheng suppressed his surprise and teased, “What’s this about now?”

“I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to you, Sixth Brother.” Dou Shiying’s lips curled in a smile, but his gaze was earnest and solemn, leaving Dou Shiheng slightly puzzled. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, cheerful laughter echoed from outside.

“Shou Gu is back,” Dou Shiheng said, and the two stepped out of the side room.

The courtyard was bathed in the crimson glow of red lanterns as a group of maids and old women surrounded Ji Shi and Dou Zhao. Ji Shi was whispering something to Dou Zhao, who looked up at her with a giggle. The tiny Red Gold Lilac earrings dangling from her ears twinkled mischievously, like flickering stars in the night sky.

Dou Shiying’s nose stung.

If Gu Qiu were still alive… how happy she would be!

Unable to resist, he crouched down and stretched out his arms, calling, “Shou Gu!”

Dou Zhao looked up and saw Dou Shiying’s sharp brows and bright eyes.

She stood quietly beside Ji Shi and slowly called out, “Father.”

Dou Shiying’s smile froze, and his arms, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, slowly dropped.

Ji Shi quickly nudged Dou Zhao and said with a smile, “Your father is leaving tomorrow. He came especially to see you today.”

Dou Zhao pretended not to understand. She curtsied to Dou Shiying and bid him farewell in a clear, cheerful voice, “Father, have a safe journey!”

Dou Shiying laughed at himself.

Why was he taking things so seriously with a child?

He stepped forward, patted his daughter’s head, and said warmly, “Shou Gu, be good while staying with Sixth Aunt, alright?”

Dou Zhao nodded with a grin.

Dou Shiying bowed to Ji Shi. “I leave Shou Gu in your care, Sixth Sister-in-law.”

Ji Shi hurriedly returned the courtesy. “You’re too kind, Seventh Uncle. Shou Gu is sweet and well-behaved—we all adore her.”

With a smile, Dou Shiying took his leave.

Dou Shiheng saw him off.Stopped by Dou Shiying, he said, "Everyone has to rise early tomorrow, so there's no need for such formalities."

Dou Shiheng was a straightforward man. With a smile, he waved at Dou Shiying. "Then we'll see you tomorrow."

Standing side by side with Ji Shi, they watched Dou Shiying leave.

Under the clear moon and gentle breeze, amidst the swaying branches, Dou Shiying's figure appeared solitary and desolate.

Dou Zhao turned her head away and pattered off into the inner chambers... Meanwhile, Gao Shi stood on the steps of the eastern wing of Qi Xia courtyard, where the heavy fragrance of Yu Zan flowers wafted warmly toward her, and from the main room came the faint, coquettish laughter of Madam Pang. It felt like needles pricking her heart, unbearably so.

She immediately felt restless and couldn't help pacing around the courtyard.

How had she ended up as sisters-in-law with Madam Pang?

She had seen shameless people before, but never someone as brazen as this. Her own face was utterly disgraced by Madam Pang.

She had always conducted herself with integrity and walked the straight path since childhood. No matter the situation, she had always been upright and fearless. Never had she been reduced to this—walking while staring at her toes...

Gao Shi stood fuming in front of the veranda.

No matter what Wang Zhibing thought, she would return to Nanwa first thing tomorrow morning, then take her son to the Capital to visit her father. She refused to wade any further into this mess.

If Wang Zhibing could bear this humiliation, she certainly couldn’t!

Having made up her mind, she felt slightly better, just as a dark figure emerged from the nearby grove.

She was startled. Upon closer look, it was her husband, Wang Zhibing.

He walked with his head down, stumbling unevenly, his mind clearly elsewhere.

What had the Dou family patriarch said to him?

Gao Shi pondered, recalling how she had advised Wang Zhibing yesterday not to stay at the Dou residence, suggesting they rough it somewhere else for the night. Wang Zhibing had refused, and during breakfast this morning, the Dou family maids had looked at them as if they were poor relatives come to freeload. The indignation had stuck in her chest until afternoon before gradually dissipating. Now, she had no desire to engage with her husband.

She turned and went back to the side room.

Wang Zhibing gazed at the dim yellow light spilling from the half-open door and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

He was well aware that their stay here was improper, but if he hadn’t stayed, who knew what outrageous things Madam Pang might have done without someone to rein her in?

Who had arranged this marriage anyway? It was less a matchmaking and more a curse upon their family.

To make matters worse, his younger brother was weak and spineless, completely under the thumb of his sister-in-law. As the elder brother, how could he overstep and discipline his brother’s wife?

Wang Zhibing entered the room with a splitting headache.

Gao Shi didn’t say a word to him, silently fetching water for him to wash.

Wang Zhibing knew his family affairs had caused his wife distress and felt deeply apologetic. Tugging at her sleeve, he put on a mysterious air. "Do you know why the Dou patriarch summoned me?"

Gao Shi replied half-heartedly, "Why?"

"The Dou patriarch asked me: Did I want Father to be a virtuous official remembered in history, or a remonstrating official who flashes briefly like an epiphyllum?"

Gao Shi was aghast. "What exactly did the Dou patriarch tell you?"

"Things we didn’t know." Wang Zhibing hesitated for a moment before revealing Zhao Guqiu’s death to Gao Shi.Gao Shi's face was as pale as snow. She clutched her chest, her lips trembling slightly. After a long pause, she finally managed to say in a shaky voice, "C-could there be... a mistake?" Suddenly, she remembered an incident when her mother-in-law had mentioned an old acquaintance's daughter getting married but lacking the money for a wedding gift, so she didn't want to attend. It was Gao Shi who had pawned her own gold hairpin to allow Wang Yingxue to attend the wedding banquet... Her heart already believed most of it, and tears began to fall uncontrollably. "What kind of sin is this!" she cried.

"I never expected this either," Wang Zhibing said, his eyes reddening. "Old Master Dou said that if he hadn't admired Father's character, he would never have allowed Yingxue to enter their household. At first, he thought he was just looking after the daughter of an old friend, but he never imagined it would lead to such trouble. Yingxue's thoughts are clear to Old Master Dou, but he also said that after this incident with Zhao Shi, the Zhao Family would never agree to elevate Yingxue to the status of a legitimate wife. You know as well as I do that without the Zhao Family's written consent, even if the Dou family acknowledges Yingxue, it would be meaningless..."

For some reason, upon hearing this, the phrase "diverting disaster eastward" suddenly flashed through Gao Shi's mind.