Blossom

Wang Xingyi's hand rested heavily on Wang Zhibing's shoulder, weighing like a thousand pounds.

Pages peeked nervously from beyond the flower garden.

Wang Xingyi's expression darkened, exuding an imposing aura. "What is it?" he demanded.

A page approached timidly. "Sir, there's a man surnamed Du who claims to be a steward from the Dou family of Zhen Ding. He says their fifth master is your examination cohort and has brought a letter under orders from their family elder."

"Could it be Dou Zhenzhi?" Wang Zhibing wondered aloud.

Zhenzhi was Dou Duo's courtesy name.

"Most likely him," Wang Xingyi sneered. "Didn't he claim Yingxue caused the deaths of his daughters-in-law? Blood feuds are irreconcilable—I wonder what business he has with us now." He then ordered the page, "Bring me the letter."

The page scurried off to retrieve it.

After glancing at the letter, Wang Xingyi passed it to his son.

Wang Zhibing took it with suspicion, quickly scanning its contents. "Dou Zhenzhi actually wants you to accompany their steward to persuade Zhao Ruifu to approve Yingxue's elevation to principal wife?" He was utterly baffled, unable to process the situation.

Wang Xingyi scoffed and said to his son, "Now do you understand why I said what I did earlier?"

Wang Zhibing didn't.

With a resigned sigh, Wang Xingyi patiently explained, "If the Dou family truly didn't want to elevate Yingxue, no matter how much Pang Jia protested or how stubborn Yingxue was, they could have forcibly removed her. The fact that this has dragged on until now means the Dou family has their own agenda. When you first told me, I wasn't entirely sure, but now I can guess most of it. It's likely Dou Yuanji saw how our mentor favored me and feared I'd overshadow him. He wanted to use Yingxue's elevation to curry favor with me. But Dou Duo and the Zhao family opposed it. Dou Duo not only disagreed but hoped to provoke me through you, leading to Yingxue's death, thereby cutting off Dou Yuanji's support." Wang Xingyi snorted several times before continuing, "But Dou Zhenzhi suddenly changed his mind, shifting the blame to the Zhao family—claiming it wasn't his refusal but Zhao Rui's." He mused, "If I'm not mistaken, Eastern Dou and Western Dou are likely at odds beneath the surface. Dou Duo's sudden reversal is probably because Western Dou only has Dou Shiying as their sole heir, who hasn't even passed the imperial exams. They're weak and isolated. Seeing my appointment as Gansu Governor, they now want to ally with us through marriage to counter Dou Jiyuan."

Wang Zhibing gazed at his father with admiration and said earnestly, "What should we do now?"

Wang Xingyi seemed not to hear, muttering to himself, "Could it be that Yingxue really did cause Zhao Shi's death?"

Wang Zhibing was stunned.

Wang Xingyi then declared loudly, "Dou Zhenzhi's letter says he's already sent people twice to negotiate Yingxue's elevation with Zhao Ruifu, but Zhao Ruifu avoided him both times. He wants me to meet with Zhao Ruifu. Whether Dou Zhenzhi aims to bypass Dou Yuanji and make me owe him a favor, or show me how much effort he's put into Yingxue's elevation, or prove Zhao Shi's death was indeed linked to Yingxue, or use my official authority to pressure Zhao Ruifu into agreement while also uncovering Zhao Ruifu's true intentions..." His earlier remark seemed like a momentary slip.Wang Zhibing hesitated: "Father, on one hand, the Dou family claims that our sister caused Zhao Shi's death, yet on the other, they want to elevate Yingxue to the main wife due to your favor with Grand Secretary Zeng... Such cold-hearted and unrighteous people are not worth associating with... Sister may not have a good life there..."

He stammered as he looked at his father.

"I know," Wang Xingyi said disdainfully. "I want to see what schemes they have in store for me." He paused before continuing, "As for Yingxue, try to persuade her again. Explain all the implications clearly. If she still insists on being with that Dou Shiying... then she must bear the consequences herself..."

Meaning he would no longer intervene on her behalf.

Wang Zhibing stared at his father in surprise.

"Justice and fairness are easy to preach, but impartiality is hard to practice," Wang Xingyi murmured. "Though I wish her happiness, I cannot live her life for her. Some things she must understand herself."

Wang Zhibing nodded solemnly. "Father, I understand. After meeting with Zhao Ruifu, I'll set off for Zhen Ding immediately."

By the time Second Madam learned that Dou Duo had privately contacted Wang Xingyi to persuade Zhao Si into agreeing to elevate Wang Yingxue as the main wife, it was already mid-autumn in September—when osmanthus blossoms filled the air and chrysanthemums bloomed alongside plump crabs. Along with this news came word that both Dou Shiying and Dou Shiheng had passed the provincial examinations.

The entire Dou household was overjoyed. Dou Duo even exchanged a basket of Chenping-era copper coins and stationed two stewards at the gate to distribute them to passersby, drawing crowds from all over Zhen Ding County to the Western Dou residence.

Ji Shi personally styled Dou Zhao's hair into twin buns, adorned them with a pearl headband, and dressed her in a bright red brocade jacket embroidered with assorted patterns. Her eyes brimmed with irrepressible joy as she asked, "Is Shou Gu happy?"

Experiencing everything again dulled even the happiest surprises.

Yet, playing her part, Dou Zhao smiled brightly and answered, "Happy."

Ji Shi planted a kiss on her cheek with a "smack" and took her hand. "Come, let's congratulate your grandaunt and get you a red packet."

Dou Zhao nodded cheerfully and followed Ji Shi to Second Madam's quarters.

But as soon as they lifted the door curtain, they heard the shattering of porcelain from the inner chamber, followed by Second Madam's furious roar: "What does he mean by this? Afraid we'll harm his niece? Thirty years—why not demand we guarantee her fifty?"

Realizing their poor timing, Ji Shi quickly led Dou Zhao to Eldest Aunt's place instead.

Dou Zhao was curious about who had provoked Second Madam's wrath and why, but she wasn't anxious. Sixth Aunt would soon uncover the details—she just needed to stay by her side.

At this thought, she felt a pang of melancholy.

As she grew older, such effortless access to information wouldn't last much longer.

After tea at Eldest Aunt's, they returned to their rooms.

Cai Lan, who had been waiting on the veranda, followed them inside.

She glanced at Dou Zhao first, then curtsied to Ji Shi before whispering, "Fifth Master came by earlier. He said the Zhao family uncle has agreed to elevate Wang Yiniang as the main wife..."

"Ah!" Sixth Aunt gasped in shock.

But Dou Zhao sighed in relief.

It seemed her uncle was no reckless fool.

Let whoever wanted this thankless task take it on—no need to drag himself into the mire.In her previous life, her uncle had sacrificed too much for her. In this life, she would rather endure some grievances herself than let her uncle repeat the same mistakes.

Wang Yingxue wanted to be legitimized. Fine, let her be legitimized then.

In her past life, Wang Yingxue could still barely pretend to have entered the household with joy. But in this life, she gave birth just five months after entering—even if she were legitimized, those of proper status would still refuse to associate with her. As for Dou Ming’s marriage prospects, they would likely be even more difficult than in the previous life.

“However,” Cai Lan glanced at Dou Zhao again, “Uncle Zhao set two conditions. First, the Wang family must not interfere in the Fourth Miss’s marriage. Second, half of the Western Dou family’s property must be allocated as the Fourth Miss’s dowry. From the day the Wang family receives the legitimization agreement, a dedicated steward will manage the Fourth Miss’s dowry. If the Fourth Miss passes away after the age of thirty, the dowry will be disposed of as she wishes. If she passes away before thirty, with heirs, the dowry will go to them; without heirs, the dowry will be returned to the Zhao family as compensation.”

“What did you say?” Sixth Aunt gasped.

Cai Lan looked at Dou Zhao once more and repeated herself.

“How could this be?” Sixth Aunt groaned, clutching her head. “Zhao Ruifu really dares to say such things!”

Dou Zhao, however, was already stunned.

She could understand the fear that the Wang family might marry her off carelessly. But dividing half of the Western Dou family’s property… Not only would her grandfather never agree, but even Second Madam of the Eastern Dou family would likely refuse.

No wonder Second Madam had been ranting about “fifty years” earlier!

Still, she quickly snapped out of her daze and regained her composure.

If the Dou family could make demands, why couldn’t her uncle set conditions?

Just as the Dou family’s request to legitimize Wang Yingxue was outrageous, her uncle’s demand to allocate half of the Western Dou property as her dowry was equally unthinkable. But if the Dou family could make such a move, why couldn’t her uncle do the same?

Bargaining was all about starting high and negotiating down!

An uncle with this kind of awareness could protect himself and avoid being devoured by the Dou and Wang families.

The corners of her lips curled into an involuntary, delighted smile.

Let the Dou family be the ones to agonize over this matter!

Ji Shi’s slender, jade-like finger tapped her forehead. “Silly girl, why are you smiling? Do you even know what your uncle has done for you?” She sighed. “Your uncle gave up opportunities for promotion and wealth, all for the sake of ensuring you grow up safely and marry well. In the future, you must be filial to him.”

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly, replying sweetly, “When I grow up, I’ll also be filial to Sixth Aunt.”

She meant every word.

In her past life, had she not listened to Sixth Aunt’s advice before her wedding, she would have taken many wrong turns. It was just a pity that, back then, Sixth Aunt had seemed to her like a gentle and polite Dou family daughter-in-law who maintained an air of aloofness and indifference beneath her warmth. Unwilling to force affection where it wasn’t reciprocated, Dou Zhao had kept their relationship at a polite, nodding acquaintance.

In this life, even though she was still a naive child, Sixth Aunt didn’t care whether she remembered her kindness. Not only did she take meticulous care of her, but she also helped plan how to survive in the Dou family, surrounded by wolves. Teaching someone to fish was better than giving them a fish—this kindness was something she would never forget.

Sixth Aunt, of course, had no idea of these thoughts. She chuckled warmly. “Oh, our Shou Gu’s words are as sweet as honey.”

But Dou Zhao could tell—Sixth Aunt was genuinely pleased.In the evening, Sixth Aunt and Wang Momo were whispering to each other: "...I’ve always worried that Zhao Ruifu would clash head-on with the Wang and Dou families. But now it seems we’ve all underestimated Zhao Ruifu. Third Uncle went behind Fifth Uncle’s back to find Wang Xingyi, trying to pass the buck to Zhao Ruifu—it’s not that I don’t agree to elevate Wang Yingxue to the main wife, but the Zhao Family is obstructing it. Now Zhao Ruifu has neatly kicked the ball back—it’s not that I don’t agree to elevate Wang Yingxue, but the Dou family is unwilling to part with the silver. This time, Third Uncle has truly lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot!"

"Exactly," Wang Momo chuckled. "I heard the old master was so furious he nearly fainted on the spot. If Du An hadn’t been quick to steady him, the old master might have tumbled right into the lotus pond. But after smashing her teacup, our Dowager Madam actually cheered up and spent a long time chatting with Lan Ge’er."

"Indeed," Ji Shi said with a smile. "In my opinion, if our Dowager Madam were a bit more astute, she should step in and persuade Third Uncle to agree to Zhao Ruifu’s terms. After all, if that silver isn’t given to Shou Gu, it won’t go to the Eastern Manor anyway. Might as well do it as a favor—and give Wang Yingxue a good slap in the face. You want to be elevated to the main wife? Then hand over half of Western Dou’s property to Zhao Guqiu’s daughter. If Wang Yingxue finds out, she’ll probably kick her blankets to shreds tonight."