Blossom

Jiang Lizhu was alone, stopping a young maid to ask, "Have you seen Cousin?"

"This servant hasn't seen Cousin," the maid hurriedly replied. "Should I go look for her for you, Madam?"

Hearing this, Dou Zhao smiled and asked, "What's the matter? Has Yanmei gone missing?"

Jiang Lizhu gave a wry smile. "She's probably hiding somewhere again." Then she dismissed the maid, saying, "You may go about your duties." Turning to Dou Zhao, she continued, "I'll check Green Water Residence—perhaps she's returned there."

Having hosted several banquets at home, Dou Zhao had noticed Jiang Yan's shy temperament. She smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Cousin Twelve—there are too many guests today, and I don't have time to look after her."

"Don't worry, Sister-in-law," Jiang Lizhu replied with a smile. "I'll take care of Yanmei."

She curtsied to Dou Zhao and headed to Green Water Residence.

Green Water Residence was quiet, with only two young maids sitting inside doing needlework while chatting.

"Is Cousin not here?" Jiang Lizhu asked, puzzled.

The two maids immediately set aside their needlework and stood up, answering in unison, "Cousin went to drink wine with Yinghong attending her."

Huh? Then where could she be?

Jiang Lizhu pondered as she searched along the lakeside path.

As she neared the Hanging Flower Gate, she spotted several maids standing under a pomegranate tree by the gate, with a man and woman conversing nearby.

Upon closer look, the man wore a lilac-colored Hangzhou silk robe tied with a black silk sash, from which hung a mutton-fat jade pendant. The woman was dressed in a pink brocade back coat, her jet-black hair adorned with lustrous pearl hairpins that accentuated her magnolia-like beauty. It was none other than Chen Jia and Jiang Yan.

Jiang Lizhu's heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

She watched as Chen Jia spoke a few words, causing Jiang Yan to cover her mouth and laugh.

Her eyes sparkled like blooming flowers, exuding a charming innocence.

Unable to hold back, Jiang Lizhu hurried forward.

Spotting Jiang Lizhu, Jiang Yan greeted her cheerfully, "Cousin!" She then explained, "I heard Lord Chen came for drinks, so I came to thank him and ask about Li Liang."

By then, Chen Jia had noticed the commotion and turned around. He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, addressing Jiang Lizhu respectfully as "First Madam Wu."

Jiang Lizhu's mind was in turmoil. She nodded briefly at Chen Jia and took Jiang Yan's hand, chiding, "Why did you come here? Sister-in-law has been looking everywhere for you!"

At this, Jiang Yan's expression immediately fell. She turned to Chen Jia and said, "I'll trouble you with this matter!"

Chen Jia replied deferentially, "It's no trouble. If there's any news, I'll have Tao the Second's wife inform Yinghong."

Jiang Yan nodded and, arm in arm with Jiang Lizhu, was escorted back to the inner courtyard by Yinghong and the others.

Only then did Jiang Lizhu ask, "What did you ask Lord Chen to do this time?"

"Last time, didn't I ask him to deliver some silver to Li Liang?" Jiang Yan replied. "I wanted to ask how Li Liang is doing now. But Lord Chen had someone else deliver it, and when that person reported back, he forgot to ask about Li Liang. So I asked him to inquire about Li Liang's situation if he meets that person again."

Was it really necessary to go through all this trouble?

Jiang Lizhu remained silent.Jiang Yan was about to return to Green Water Residence. It took Jiang Lizhu tremendous effort to persuade her to accompany her to Dou Zhao's place instead.

The female guests were all in the Reception Hall enjoying the opera, leaving only Dou Zhao and Madam Changxing sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in conversation in the Resting Chamber of the main quarters.

When the two entered, Madam Changxing cast an amused glance at Jiang Yan and abruptly stopped speaking.

Jiang Lizhu maintained her composure as she and Jiang Yan stepped forward to greet them.

Dou Zhao asked Jiang Yan gently, "Where have you been just now? They're performing 'The Silk Washing Tale' outside, with Zeng Chusheng's disciple playing the female lead. The singing is quite good. You've been cooped up at home doing needlework every day—you should come out for some fresh air occasionally."

Jiang Yan responded with "Yes," but Jiang Lizhu quickly interjected, "When I found her at Green Water Residence, she was indeed doing needlework, just as Cousin said! If I hadn't practically dragged her out, we'd probably still be searching for her now." She then turned to Jiang Yan, "Didn't I tell you? If Cousin knew you were holed up doing needlework, she'd definitely make you come out to enjoy the opera. See? I was right!"

What was this?

Jiang Yan was stunned.

If she said "yes," wouldn't that mean she was lying to her sister-in-law? But if she said "no," wouldn't that imply Jiang Lizhu was lying?

She hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Madam Changxing, however, chuckled beside them, "Young girls should get out more often. Staying indoors all day would make even the cleverest person dull-witted. Cousin, hurry along to enjoy the opera! They should be performing 'Parting' right now—Zeng Chusheng's signature piece. His disciple surely won't disappoint."

Her tone clearly urged them to leave.

Recalling the scene when they entered, Jiang Lizhu guessed Madam Changxing had been discussing something privately with Dou Zhao before they interrupted.

With a bright smile, she agreed and led Jiang Yan out of the Resting Chamber.

Dou Zhao shook her head at Madam Changxing, "As you can see, our girl here is still very much a child, and she's a widow besides. I worry she might not be suited to be the Lineage Wife for your eldest younger brother."

"That's why we have matchmakers!" Madam Changxing replied dismissively. "My eldest younger brother, if I may boast, is renowned throughout the region for his capability—there's nothing he can't handle at home or outside. But capable people have their flaws too—he's quite strong-willed. When his late wife was alive, they quarreled constantly over this. Once, he even sent for me to mediate. So this time, he made it clear—whether the woman is a maiden or a widow, whether she has a dowry or not, none of that matters. He only wants someone gentle and well-mannered. It was precisely because I noticed your cousin's sweet temperament that this idea came to me. Besides, my brother is over a decade older than your cousin, and she's as lovely as a flower. If this match succeeds, with an older husband and young wife, wouldn't he be fetching her soup and washing her feet? How dare he lose his temper then? Just wait and see—I guarantee he'll be utterly docile around her, not daring to raise his voice."

Dou Zhao smiled, "Please allow me to discuss this matter with our Young Lord first."

"Of course," Madam Changxing nodded cheerfully, then accompanied Dou Zhao to the Reception Hall where the opera was being performed.Everyone was engrossed in the opera. Only a few noticed how Madam Changxing and Dou Zhao had left and returned, while Dou Zhao smiled faintly upon seeing Jiang Yan and Jiang Lizhu sitting at the end of the veranda, attended by maids and old women, cracking melon seeds and sipping tea. She then turned her attention back to the performance.

Soon after, the banquet was ready.

The stewardesses came to invite everyone to the feast.

Amid laughter, the guests entered the reception hall and took their seats according to rank and seniority.

Cold dishes and hot courses were served in quick succession.

Third Madam Feng of the Jingguo Duke's household seized the opportunity to whisper to Dou Zhao, "Is Madam Changxing seeking to arrange a marriage between her younger brother and your cousin?"

Dou Zhao's heart stirred slightly, and she nodded faintly.

Madam Feng cautioned her, "Madam Changxing's eldest brother is indeed capable and his family is wealthy, but he’s too ambitious. Now he wants to purchase an official title, but Marquis Changxing finds him troublesome and has been ignoring him lately. He’s likely frustrated and looking for another path. Be careful not to lose both the bride and the dowry."

Leaving aside the fact that Madam Changxing’s eldest brother was nearly twenty years older than Jiang Yan, the mere thought that Marquis Changxing would later fall into Dou Qijun’s hands made Dou Zhao adamantly opposed to the idea of Jiang Yan marrying into that family.

She smiled and nodded at Madam Feng in gratitude.

Madam Feng said no more.

After the midday banquet, everyone moved back to the veranda to continue enjoying the opera.

Jiang Lizhu quietly approached Dou Zhao and asked in a low voice, "Cousin-in-law, is Madam Changxing trying to play matchmaker for Sister Yan?"

Noticing her concern, Dou Zhao teased her with a smile, "Why? Do you have a better candidate in mind?"

Jiang Lizhu gave an awkward laugh and said nothing. Amid the bursts of applause, she tiptoed back to her seat beside Jiang Yan and whispered, "The first marriage is decided by the father, the second by oneself. Have you ever thought about what kind of man you’d like to marry?"

Jiang Yan’s expression darkened, and after a long pause, she replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, "A woman like me, lacking virtue and chastity—who would want me? Those who seek to marry me only wish to climb the social ladder through my brother. Haven’t I caused enough trouble for him and my sister-in-law? Wouldn’t it be better to stay quietly at home and not stir up more trouble? Why must I marry at all?"

Had Jiang Lizhu not been fully attentive and piecing together the words, she might not have caught a single syllable over the soaring opera vocals.

She asked softly, "What if we found someone like Lord Chen? Would you still refuse?"

Jiang Yan was startled, then understanding dawned, and she laughed. "You’re thinking of how often I trouble Lord Chen, aren’t you? He’s different. He’s seen me at my worst—it can’t get any lower than that. I don’t have to pretend around him."

Jiang Lizhu nodded.

Jiang Yan wanted to explain further about her relationship with Chen Jia, but Jiang Lizhu’s attention had already turned back to the stage.

She grabbed Jiang Yan’s arm and exclaimed, "Quick, look! They’re about to perform 'The Reunion'!"

Jiang Yan swallowed her words.

Yet, recalling Jiang Lizhu’s question, her heart fluttered uneasily. She resolved never to see Chen Jia again, fearing that if her brother and sister-in-law harbored similar thoughts, Chen Jia’s career would be ruined.

Having grown up in the streets, she knew how much effort it took for someone without connections to rise to Chen Jia’s position. She couldn’t bear the thought of jeopardizing his future because of her.

With a heavy heart, Jiang Yan sighed.After Dou Zhao told Song Mo about Madam Changxing's marriage proposal, Song Mo repeatedly waved his hands, saying "No," and that "the age gap is too big."

His reaction was within Dou Zhao's expectations.

She used this as an excuse to decline Madam Changxing's proposal.

Madam Changxing was so furious that her chest tightened. Privately, she complained to her maid, "Does she think their Cousin is made of gold? A remarried woman still being picky—she'd better be careful not to end up unmarried!" She also felt her younger brother had given her terrible advice and summoned him to scold him harshly.

Her brother was quite aggrieved and said, "Sister, you've been in the inner quarters too long and don't know much about outside affairs. This woman is Song Yantang's own sister, and he's currently highly favored by the Emperor. Once this opportunity passes, it won't come again. If you don't believe me, write to my brother-in-law and see what he says!"

Half-convinced, Madam Changxing wrote a letter to her husband.

Marquis Changxing replied with a scolding, calling her short-sighted and saying she should have seized such a great opportunity. He added that she shouldn't have approached Madam Dou herself but should have asked Shi Taifei to propose the match instead.

But all this came later.

The day after Yuan Ge'er's hundred-day celebration, Jiang Lizhu made a rare visit to The Duke of England's Mansion to see Dou Zhao.