Blossom

Dou Shiying saw Dou Zhao and got straight to the point: "You're here about the matter of the heir, aren't you?" Without waiting for her to respond, he continued, "There's no need to persuade me on this! I've thought about it for a long time. I once told Wang Yingxue that apart from status, I could give her nothing, yet she insisted on staying with the Song family. Now that we've come to this point, she certainly has her faults, but I was too stubborn as well. However, I cannot forget the wrongs I committed in the past.

"Lately, when I look at Yuan Ge'er, I think of when you were young. You were like grass in the field, growing resiliently against the wind; Mingjier was left to the Xu family to fend for herself. Both of you are good children, yet being under my care brought more bitterness than sweetness. Not only did I fail to guide you properly, but I also didn't plan well for your futures. Instead, my actions caused your marriages to be fraught with difficulties, bringing you much grievance."

At this point, his eyes grew moist.

"Especially you—your husband's family is illustrious, your spouse is gentle and considerate, your child came at the right time and is lively and healthy. Seeing this brings me joy and makes me feel I'm not entirely worthless.

"Wang Yingxue and I were never meant to be together. In my younger years, I considered separation, but now... since she is unwilling, we might as well continue like this. Otherwise, any uproar would bring you disgrace, and I, as your father, would be too ashamed to face you.

"Your Sixth Uncle is someone who overlooks minor matters but is decisive in important ones. Your Sixth Aunt is virtuous and acts with integrity and wisdom. Dechang is already nearing adulthood, no longer a child needing a legal mother's care or guidance. As his legal father, I can't help him much, but your Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt can make decisions for him. Moreover, after my passing, with him as the heir, Wang Yingxue won't be able to cause trouble for you.

"Isn't the reason our ancestors worked so hard to accumulate wealth precisely so their descendants could live well?

"Giving up a quarter of the Western Dou's property in exchange for your peace and security is worth it.

"Say no more.

"No matter what you say, I won't change my mind!"

His tone was resolute.

Dou Zhao was at a loss for words.

Could it be that Father was passing on Twelfth Brother to prevent Wang Yingxue from becoming her burden?

She couldn't help but say, "Father, you will surely live a long life, outlasting Seventh Madam."

"On the path of twilight, age is no guarantee," Dou Shiying replied with a smile. "Who knows who will go first? It's better to plan ahead."

In both lifetimes, Dou Shiying had lived a long life.

Dou Zhao looked at her father's full head of black hair and suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

Words she thought she could never utter spilled out: "Father, you've guessed wrong this time! I didn't come about the adoption. Continuing the family line is only natural. If you think Twelfth Brother is suitable and wish to bring him into the family, as your daughter, I could only be pleased—how could I oppose it? I came this time for your personal matters—with Seventh Madam staying long-term with her family, you should find someone to take care of yourself! As you said, both Dou Ming and I are married, and as you grow older, you're left with no one by your side. If there were someone to look after you and tend to your needs, we as your daughters could rest easy."

Dou Shiying was stunned.

He stared blankly at Dou Zhao.

She gave a slight nod.Dou Shiying suddenly laughed.

"Our Shou Gu, you've grown up!" he sighed. "I thought you'd hate me forever!"

Now it was Dou Zhao's turn to be surprised.

Had she been that obvious?

As if reading her thoughts, Dou Shiying said, "Ever since your mother passed away, your gaze toward me has been cold. Even when occasionally agitated, you'd just turn your face away, not wanting me to know..."

In her previous life, her gaze toward her father had been even icier.

Had Father known about her hatred then too?

Dou Zhao's heart was a tumult of mixed emotions.

She said, "I've grown up now!"

Dou Shiying nodded with a smile. "Indeed you have! Though you've also become quite meddlesome."

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

Dou Shiying continued, "I'm quite content as I am—neither seeking a concubine nor a bedroom servant. Now that you're grown, you should understand how rare true freedom is in this world. There's no need for you to join your Sixth Aunt in insisting I must have a woman by my side."

Such conversations between father and daughter were inevitably awkward.

Dou Zhao flushed slightly. "You knew it was Sixth Aunt..."

"Who else could it be?" Dou Shiying chuckled. "Others would prefer I remain as I am, making it easier to select an heir when the time comes."

Her father's clarity of mind left Dou Zhao at a loss for words.

Dou Shiying said, "As a child, I obeyed your grandfather; as an adult, I followed your Fifth Uncle's lead. Only in your marriage did I heed no one's advice, and in doing so, found you an excellent husband. This time too, I won't listen to others." Changing the subject, he asked about Yuan Ge'er. "When did you leave home? Won't he get hungry with you away so long? It's getting late—Yantang has leave tomorrow, so he should return early today. You'd best head back soon." He was unabashedly urging her to leave.

Dou Zhao couldn't help grumbling to herself.

Had she not known Song Yantang beforehand, given Father's matchmaking skills, she might well have been devoured by Song Yantang by now!

It seemed her father truly was unreliable in his actions.

What should she do now?

Dou Zhao recounted the incident to Song Mo.

She expected him to tease her father a little, but instead Song Mo said solemnly, "Shou Gu, your father is right. He's never made his own decisions in life. Now that he finally wants to, you shouldn't stand in his way—even if he errs, it's his choice to make, and any disappointment, frustration or regret would be consequences he must bear. You can't keep taking everything upon yourselves. You should let the old man decide for himself."

Dou Zhao fell into thoughtful silence.

Song Mo left her to her reflections, picking up Yuan Ge'er with a smile. "Daddy's off tomorrow—we'll visit your grandfather!"

Yuan Ge'er giggled adorably.

The next day, Dou Zhao went to Catkin Lane and told Sixth Aunt both her father's decision and Song Mo's advice.

Ji Shi sighed. "Who would have thought Yantang would make such a good husband?"

Dou Zhao teased her aunt: "Proof that appearances can be deceiving."

Ji Shi paused, then laughed heartily. "Indeed, indeed. I judged by appearances."

Sometimes, being too beautiful brought its own troubles.

Han Shi personally directed maids to bring in tea and snacks.

The two women chatted about child-rearing.

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang returned from school.

The cousins shared a warm reunion.

Ji Shi insisted Dou Zhao stay for lunch.Dou Zhao was concerned about Yuan Ge'er and declined the midday meal, heading straight back home.

Ji Shi inquired about Dou Dechang's studies.

Dou Dechang was quite surprised.

As the second son with a laid-back personality, his father treated both brothers equally, but his mother was usually stricter with his elder brother Dou Zhengchang. This was the first time she had asked about his studies instead of his brother's.

He answered respectfully.

Han Shi, however, seemed somewhat uneasy.

Noticing this, Dou Zhengchang asked his wife privately, "Has something happened?"

"What do you mean?" Han Shi, who served her mother-in-law daily, had some suspicions. But since nothing was confirmed, she dared not even tell Dou Zhengchang and played dumb. "Nothing seems to have happened at home recently."

Dou Zhengchang thought he might have imagined it and didn’t press further, going to his study to practice calligraphy instead.

Han Shi sighed in relief and sat under the lamp sewing a bib for her son, though her mind was in turmoil.

Her mother had visited recently, subtly asking about Dou Dechang as if intending to arrange a marriage for him. When Han Shi asked who it might be, her mother hesitated and denied it, even mentioning her cousin-in-law Lingze... What could her mother mean by that?

Han Shi was utterly perplexed.

Dou Shiying, however, was more decisive than ever.

He soon formally proposed to Dou Shishu about adopting Dou Dechang as his heir.

Dou Shishu had privately discussed this matter with Dou Shiying multiple times. Seeing Dou Shiying’s determination, he wrote letters to the retired Second Elder Dou Shiqi, Dou Huanchang of the Dou clan’s main branch, Dou Shiheng who managed family affairs, and Second Madam.

Though surprised, Zhen Ding wasn’t entirely unprepared, as Dou Shiying had raised the idea before. After consulting with Dou Shishu and Dou Shiheng, Dou Huanchang, representing the clan, wrote a formal letter agreeing to let Dou Dechang be adopted into Western Dou.

Dou Shiheng sighed and said to Dou Shiying, "After Yuan Ge'er’s hundred-day ceremony, I’ll draft the adoption papers for you."

Dou Shiying, having achieved his wish, nodded happily.

Dou Dechang, however, felt conflicted.

After the adoption, he would no longer be related to the sixth branch of Eastern Dou. Even when meeting his birth parents, he would have to address them as "Uncle" and "Aunt."

Dou Shiying comforted him, "It’s just moving to live with me. Think of it as entering the Imperial College early."

Dou Dechang found this both amusing and exasperating, but strangely, his sadness faded away.

Yuan Ge'er’s hundred-day ceremony was bustling with carriages and guests. Not only did prominent noble families attend, but even notable figures from the capital’s military were present. Even the Crown Prince stopped by briefly.

The Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion was filled with music, audible even from Shunxue Street.

Gu Yu flitted around the banquet like a butterfly, joined by the notoriously frivolous Feng Ye and Shen Qing, who loved any lively occasion. Together, they made the banquet exceptionally merry and festive.

Song Han sat in a corner, observing coldly, and left quietly before the banquet ended.

Wei Tingyu, meanwhile, sat drinking gloomily.

If he had chosen Dou Zhao back then, would this celebration have been his instead?

Thinking of Dou Ming’s unpredictable moods—sometimes tender, sometimes furious—he drank faster and more heavily.

Dou Zhao, however, still couldn’t find the longevity lock Ji Yong had sent.

She asked Gan Lu, "Has Lord Ji arrived?"Last time during Yuange's full moon celebration, she clearly remembered not sending Ji Yong an invitation, yet he still sent a gift. This time, she felt it would be impolite not to invite him, but given Ji Yong's temperament, who knew if he would actually come.

Gan Lu went out to inquire and reported, "We haven't seen Lord Ji."

It was indeed something he would do.

Dou Zhao said, "Never mind him. Tell the maids and old women in the tea room to be more alert. With so many guests today, make sure we don't run short of hot water."

Gan Lu acknowledged and left.

Dou Zhao adjusted her sleeves and stepped out of the inner chamber.

There, she unexpectedly encountered Jiang Lizhu.