Blossom

Chapter 44: Swift Blade

When something involves personal interests, news spreads like wings—impossible to contain.

In just one night, the entire Dou family learned of the matter.

Some secretly cursed Wang Yingxue as the root of trouble, others accused Zhao Si of wild fantasies, some calculated their own gains, while a few simply reveled in the drama, eagerly awaiting the spectacle. Regardless of their motives, no one wanted to be the first to speak. In an instant, the once-bustling Dong Dou fell eerily silent. Apart from a few maids and old women moving about the courtyards, everyone else seemed to have vanished into hiding.

Dou Zhao felt a touch of schadenfreude, but Ji Shi took her to the western residence.

"Your grandfather is ill," Ji Shi told her while changing her clothes. "We’re going to see him."

In front of the Zhao family, he had acted as though the Wang family’s current power left him no choice but to legitimize Wang Yingxue. Yet before the Wangs, he pretended dissatisfaction but claimed he would still push for her legitimization to save face for both families. Trying to please both sides, he now found himself trapped between a rock and a hard place.

Did he fall ill from anxiety?

She mused silently as she followed Ji Shi into Crane Longevity Hall.

Dou Duo lay in bed wearing a dark headscarf, his complexion pallid, with Ding Yinyinai attending to him.

When he heard Dou Zhao had come to see him, he didn’t even lift an eyelid.

Ding Yinyinai looked awkward.

Ji Shi poured a cup of tea and motioned for Dou Zhao to offer it to her grandfather.

Dou Duo gave a noncommittal hum and turned away.

Holding the teacup, Dou Zhao blinked and glanced back at Ji Shi.

Ji Shi’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. She stepped forward, wrapped an arm around Dou Zhao’s shoulders, and comforted her with a smile, "Grandfather is unwell and tired. Just set the tea on the side table."

Dou Zhao obeyed carefully.

Dou Duo remained indifferent.

Ji Shi then smiled at Ding Yinyinai and said, "Since Third Uncle is resting, we won’t disturb him further. We’ll return tomorrow to check on him." She nodded politely and led Dou Zhao out by the hand.

On the way back, Dou Zhao caught a glimpse of Madam Pang’s figure darting past the flowering trees.

Pretending not to notice, she boarded the carriage.

Madam Pang hurried back to Qi Xia Courtyard.

Wang Yingxue, noticeably thinner and listless, was sewing autumn clothes for Dou Ming.

Her brother had come and gone, saying things she had never considered before.

The only reason she could still live undisturbed in Qi Xia Courtyard was, bluntly, because her father had been reinstated—her family still held influence.

If her father suffered repercussions because of her… Wang Yingxue couldn’t bear to think further.

But if she returned to the Wang family with Dou Ming, how would she live afterward?

The mere thought of the gentle and devoted Dou Shiying made her heart ache unbearably. She could only hope to delay things day by day… If only she could hold out until Dou Shiying returned.

When Madam Pang entered, she forced a smile. "Second Sister-in-law, you’re in such a hurry—is something the matter?"

Madam Pang poured herself a cup of tea, drained it in one gulp, then sat beside her and whispered, "I just saw Dou Zhao!"

Wang Yingxue gasped and straightened abruptly.Last night, they had already heard Zhao Si's conditions. Wang Yingxue thought Zhao Si was insane, but Madam Pang's eyes gleamed with excitement, and she seemed distracted all evening.

"Don't panic," Madam Pang said with a laugh. "It looks like Dou Zhao came with Sixth Madam to visit the sick." She clicked her tongue twice. "You have to admit, Dou Zhao is really beautiful. Just those pearl-embroidered shoes on her feet must cost at least a dozen taels of silver. The Dou family is truly wealthy."

Wang Yingxue disliked how her sister-in-law judged everything by its monetary value.

But she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

These days, she had relied heavily on her sister-in-law’s help. It wouldn’t be right to nitpick over such trivial matters now, would it?

"Yingxue, have you made up your mind?" Madam Pang asked, seeing Wang Yingxue’s silence. She sneered inwardly—wanting to have her cake and eat it too, as if such a thing were possible. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Without the Zhao family’s consent, Father-in-law will never let you stay in the Dou family under such ambiguous circumstances. Surely you don’t want your brother, sister-in-law, and nephews to lose face because of this? If you’re legitimized, at least you’ll get half the family fortune. If you go back, you won’t see a single penny of the Dou family’s wealth."

"I can support myself just fine," Wang Yingxue retorted unhappily. "I just think Old Master Dou would never agree to this..."

"That’s a problem for later," Madam Pang pressed. "Just tell me—do you want to be legitimized or not?"

Wang Yingxue lowered her head and remained silent.

"I’m worrying about ancient history here!" Madam Pang scoffed. "Fine, I’m meddling in your affairs. I’ll just go back to Nanwa and wash my hands of this!"

Wang Yingxue suddenly grabbed Madam Pang’s sleeve.

Madam Pang raised an eyebrow and smiled...

Just as Dou Zhao and Ji Shi stepped out of the carriage, they saw Cai Lan hurrying toward them.

"Sixth Madam," she curtsied and whispered, "Fifth Master, Sixth Master, and Seventh Master have all returned together!"

Both Dou Zhao and Ji Shi were startled, with Ji Shi looking particularly grave. "Do you know why the three masters have returned?"

"No," Cai Lan shook her head. "I only heard that Fifth Master took a few days off and came back with Sixth and Seventh Masters." She added, "Seventh Master has already returned to the estate. Sixth Master was just summoned by the Dowager, who also instructed that if you returned, you should go to her immediately."

Ji Shi pondered for a moment. "Besides me and Sixth Master, who else was summoned?"

"Third Master and Third Madam."

After another moment of thought, Ji Shi said, "I understand." She handed Dou Zhao over to Tuo Niang and Cai Shu. "Take good care of Shou Gu. Wait for me to return before sending her back to the estate."

The two promptly agreed and carried Dou Zhao back to Ji Shi’s residence, while Ji Shi took Cai Lan to the Dowager’s quarters.

The Dowager’s courtyard was eerily silent, with maids and old women standing breathlessly in the center of the yard.

Seeing Ji Shi, Nanny Liu, who was standing at the steps of the main house, hurried forward. She escorted Ji Shi inside, whispering, "Fifth Master spoke privately with the Dowager in the inner chamber for a long time after his return. As soon as he came out, he asked for everyone to be summoned."

Realizing they were just steps away from the inner chamber, Ji Shi gave Nanny Liu a meaningful glance and let her lift the curtain to enter.

Everyone else was already seated, waiting for her.Ji Shi quickly stepped forward to greet everyone.

Second Madam chuckled warmly, "No need for formalities, we're all family here." She then gestured to the empty embroidered stool beside Dou Shiheng, "Sit next to Zhongzhi!"

With a smile, Ji Shi took her seat, seizing the opportunity to cast a quick glance at Third Madam.

Third Madam sat with her eyes downcast, her expression unreadable.

"Everyone's here now!" Dou Shishu, seated shoulder-to-shoulder with Second Madam, began with a smile. "I've returned this time because there's an urgent matter requiring Third Brother and Sixth Brother's assistance."

He was the epitome of the Dou family—tall and upright, with fair and delicate skin. His eyes sparkled with intelligence, and his words carried the warmth of a spring breeze.

Dou Shibang promptly inclined his body slightly in response.

Dou Shishu continued, "Wang Xingyi is investigating the horse market ban in Gansu, and now with this Wang Shi incident complicating matters, if he gets impeached, it will put Grand Secretary Zeng in a difficult position. We must resolve the Wang Shi matter swiftly and decisively. I have an idea to propose—let's discuss whether it's feasible or not." He paused briefly, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of his brothers and their wives. "Zhao Ruifu suggested that Third Uncle allocate half his property to Shou Gu as dowry, but I'm certain Third Uncle would never agree. So, I've roughly estimated that the Dou family's current assets are split evenly between the East and West compounds. The East compound's share is divided into six portions, with the first, second, and fourth branches holding half, while Third Brother, myself, and Sixth Brother hold the other half..."

By this point, Ji Shi had an inkling of Dou Shishu's intentions. Her heart pounded wildly, and she couldn't help but glance at Second Madam.

Second Madam sat ramrod straight, her gaze steady and composed.

Ji Shi recalled Cai Lan's words.

It seemed Fifth Uncle had already secured his mother's support!

Ji Shi shot a look at Dou Shibang.

Dou Shibang's mouth was slightly agape, clearly also sensing what Dou Shishu was about to say.

But he quickly regained his composure, listening attentively to Dou Shishu as before.

She then looked at her husband.

His face showed clear indifference—he evidently already knew what Dou Shishu would propose.

Ji Shi sighed inwardly.

Dou Shishu's voice reached her ears: "...Combined, our three branches account for exactly half of the West compound's assets, meeting Ruifu's requirement. If Third Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law agree, I propose we allocate our three branches' rightful shares to Shou Gu. As for Third Brother and Sixth Uncle's losses, please allow me some time—I'll issue promissory notes and repay them gradually."

Before the third and sixth branches could react, Second Madam interjected, "If you're in urgent need, give me a figure. I still have some personal savings that can cover the family's expenses for three to five years."

Dou Shibang revered his mother above all, especially when it concerned his younger brother's future.

He had nothing to say.

Yet he refrained from voicing his stance outright, not wanting Sixth Brother and his wife to think him meddlesome.

Dou Shiheng had always lived by the adage "A worthy woman doesn't rely on dowry clothes; a worthy man doesn't feed off his parents." Moreover, he'd known about this matter before returning. His only concern was whether Ji Shi would feel wronged, so he turned to look at her.

With Dou Shishu having everything meticulously planned, could she really object?

She nodded at her husband.

Dou Shiheng said solemnly, "I agree."Dou Shibang was someone who could take things lightly. Seeing that the major issue was settled and there were no more concerns, he said, "I agree as well." Then, sensing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, he deliberately lightened his tone, "We don’t need Fifth Brother to write any IOU. Mother’s personal savings should be kept for rewarding her grandsons and granddaughters. As for daily expenses, whether it’s me or Sixth Brother, we can manage. If things ever get truly desperate, I’ll just bring my sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren to the Capital to seek out Fifth Brother."

Dou Shishu smiled warmly and sincerely, "Third Brother, don’t worry. I’ll welcome you with open arms!"

Dou Shiheng burst into laughter.

Second Madam was genuinely happy, the wrinkles on her face seeming to lessen, "Good, good, good. When brothers unite, their strength can cut through metal. Seeing you like this, I can rest in peace when I die. Rest assured, as long as your Fifth Brother has a bite to eat, so will you. I’ll say it here—Old Fifth, swear before your brothers, sisters-in-law, and younger siblings..."

"No need, no need," Third Madam quickly interjected, now fully composed and smiling. "This isn’t just one person’s matter—it’s our family’s affair. How can we let Fifth Brother shoulder it alone?" She teased, "Mother, saying this might stir discord among us brothers and sisters-in-law!"

"My mistake, my mistake!" Second Madam laughed as if she had eaten the fruit of longevity. "I won’t say another word."

Dou Shishu stood up with a smile, "In that case, I won’t say more. I’ve already invited Lan Ge’er, Eldest Sister-in-law, and Second Sister-in-law to the Reception Hall for a chat. By now, they must have arrived. Let’s join them."

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