Dou Zhao was still preoccupied with the unresolved matter between Jiang Bosun and Song Mo. Upon hearing that Jiang Lizhu had come to visit, she immediately welcomed her into the inner chamber and dismissed the attendants before asking, "Do you have something urgent to discuss?"
To her surprise, Jiang Lizhu replied, "Is Sister Yan's marriage prospects not going well?"
"It's indeed a bit troublesome," Dou Zhao sighed. "Most of the suitors have ulterior motives." She continued, "I understand that since Sister Yan is remarrying, those who propose must have given it careful thought, and having other intentions is only natural. As long as their motives aren't malicious, it might still be acceptable. But some are either too old—their eldest sons are almost of marriageable age—or lack the capability to support themselves and must rely on their brothers or elders. Sister Yan has such a gentle temperament—I truly can't rest easy sending her into such households."
Jiang Lizhu nodded.
If the groom were too old, they might not live long together. If he relied on his family, there would inevitably be disputes. Moreover, since Jiang Yan was remarrying, she would likely face grievances, and worse, her husband might lack the ability to stand up for her. It was a dreadful situation.
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Lizhu said thoughtfully, "Cousin-in-law, may I suggest someone? What do you think?"
Dou Zhao was taken aback, but she knew Jiang Lizhu wasn’t one to speak lightly. If she brought it up, she must have considered it carefully. Thus, Dou Zhao straightened and said, "Go ahead."
Jiang Lizhu said, "What about Commander Chen Jia of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Garrison Command?"
Dou Zhao was furious.
She never expected Chen Jia to be such a person!
She had entrusted him with Jiang Yan’s affairs because she trusted him, yet now he was setting his sights on Jiang Yan!
His intentions were truly despicable.
Dou Zhao nearly jumped up in anger. But when she saw Jiang Lizhu’s sincere and earnest expression, she calmed down.
Even if Chen Jia had such intentions and sought Jiang Lizhu’s help, Jiang Lizhu wouldn’t simply take his word for it and come to her with this proposal.
Could this be Jiang Lizhu’s own idea?
Or perhaps Jiang Yan’s?
For a moment, Dou Zhao felt a pang of panic.
She feared Chen Jia might have sweet-talked Jiang Yan into this. Even if she exposed his true nature, emotions once stirred couldn’t simply be taken back.
Jiang Yan had already suffered so much in life. How could Dou Zhao bear to see her heartbroken again?
Taking a deep breath, Dou Zhao asked, "Why did you think of Commander Chen?"
Jiang Lizhu then recounted the two occasions she had seen Chen Jia and Jiang Yan together.
Hearing this, Dou Zhao fell into deep thought.
Jiang Lizhu added, "I know I shouldn’t interfere. First, I can see that you and Cousin Mo genuinely care for Sister Yan. Second, I’ve grown close to her and watched as you both agonized over her marriage prospects. Knowing that you neither seek political alliances through her nor care for empty praise, I felt compelled to speak up. I understand your concerns, Cousin-in-law. But I assure you, Sister Yan and Commander Chen are both honorable people—there’s nothing improper between them. It’s simply that I think they’d be a good match, so I wanted to bring them together." She then shared how she had subtly probed Jiang Yan’s feelings.
If Dou Zhao and Song Mo had wanted to gain praise, keeping Jiang Yan at home to uphold widowhood would have been far easier than arranging a remarriage—and more likely to earn public admiration.
Yet the thought of betrothing Jiang Yan to Chen Jia had never even crossed Dou Zhao’s mind.In her view, Jiang Yan was deeply secretive about her past, and Chen Jia was privy to it. Even if she didn’t actively avoid Chen Jia, she should at least feel somewhat uneasy in his presence. So why did she seem most relaxed when facing him?
She rubbed her forehead and murmured, “Let me think about this!”
Jiang Lizhu nodded and rose to take her leave.
Jiang Yan and Chen Jia?
The more Dou Zhao pondered, the more uneasy she became.
Chen Jia was ambitious, shrewd, and calculating. If Jiang Yan married him, would he truly treat her well?
Moreover, the Chen family was complicated.
Chen Jia had inherited his uncle’s position to join the Imperial Bodyguard. Rumor had it that his uncles had caused a huge uproar over this matter. If not for Chen Xi’s quick thinking in inviting the Chen clan’s patriarch to intervene, Chen Jia’s appointment would have fallen through long ago. His uncles had since severed ties with him.
This matter… perhaps it was best to drop it.
Dou Zhao contemplated.
Just then, Jiang Yan arrived.
With a radiant smile, she asked Dou Zhao, “I heard Cousin Twelve was here. Where is she?”
Her smile was as bright as the midday sun, without a trace of shadow. Gone was the usual tension that often lingered on her face.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but say, “There’s something I’d like to ask you…”
“Sister-in-law, please go ahead,” Jiang Yan replied warmly, sitting close to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao hesitated slightly and said softly, “Lizhu came to propose a match for you…”
Jiang Yan’s face flushed crimson, unlike her usual pallor at the mere mention of marriage arrangements.
Dou Zhao observed carefully and continued, “She mentioned Chen Jia, Lord Chen…”
“Sister-in-law, please don’t listen to her!” Jiang Yan suddenly recalled Jiang Lizhu’s earlier probing and paled instantly. She clutched Dou Zhao’s arm tightly, her voice trembling with fear. “There’s really nothing between me and Lord Chen! I only asked him to help me gather information twice…” Tears of panic welled up in her eyes. “Sister-in-law, I beg you, please don’t trouble Lord Chen. He’s a good man… I’ll never see him again… He’s worked hard to get where he is today. Please, don’t tell my brother…”
Jiang Yan’s reaction was far more intense than Dou Zhao had anticipated.
It reminded her of Jiang Lizhu’s words about Jiang Yan and Chen Jia being together.
Dou Zhao quickly embraced Jiang Yan’s shoulders and reassured her gently, “Don’t worry. I haven’t misunderstood. I know you’re a proper and well-behaved girl. Lizhu genuinely meant well with this proposal…”
Jiang Yan felt slightly relieved but shook her head repeatedly. “Sister-in-law, I know you all mean well, but I won’t marry. I won’t marry anyone…”
Seeing her distress, Dou Zhao quickly soothed her, “Alright, alright. If you don’t wish to marry, then don’t. Stay at home and help me take care of Yuan Ge’er.” She hugged Jiang Yan and patted her back gently to calm her.
Overwhelmed with regret and sorrow, Jiang Yan couldn’t hold back her tears.
If only she had told her brother and sister-in-law about borrowing money, Chen Jia wouldn’t have been dragged into this mess.
Through her sobs, she confessed to Dou Zhao, “Sister-in-law, this is all my fault. If I hadn’t borrowed a hundred taels from Lord Chen, he wouldn’t have had to see me…”
Dou Zhao was stunned. “You mean… you’ve repaid him forty-eight taels and still owe him fifty-two?”
Fearing Dou Zhao wouldn’t believe her, Jiang Yan hurriedly added, “The money was delivered by one of the household’s pages. If you don’t believe me, I can call him in to testify.”"Nonsense," Dou Zhao gently scolded while patting her head. "You're the young mistress of this household. What you say goes—there's no need to summon pages for questioning."
Jiang Yan nodded.
Dou Zhao personally poured her a cup of hot tea. "Dry your tears and drink this."
Jiang Yan obediently wiped her eyes and sipped the tea.
Dou Zhao sighed.
Having lived with the Li family for too long, Jiang Yan had developed habits difficult to change. Expecting her to become a Lineage Wife was indeed asking too much.
She smoothed Jiang Yan's slightly disheveled hair.
"Elder sister," Jiang Yan pleaded, "could you repay those fifty-two taels to Lord Chen for me? Consider it an advance on my monthly allowance."
Dou Zhao smiled and nodded, thinking of Chen Xi.
Did Chen Jia truly lack this hundred taels? What mindset had led him to accept Jiang Yan's forty-eight taels?
A peculiar subtlety colored Dou Zhao's mood.
She felt she understood something, yet couldn't quite believe her own conjecture.
Dou Zhao immediately arranged for the repayment.
When Jiang Yan left Dou Zhao's quarters, she wept silently all the way back to Green Water Residence. Upon arrival, she urgently summoned Yinghong: "Go to the Chen household and inform Tao Erniang that my sister-in-law knows about the borrowed money. Warn Lord Chen to be careful."
She dared say no more, fearing public knowledge might worsen Chen Jia's situation. She trusted his shrewdness would discern her implications and devise countermeasures to convince her brother and sister-in-law.
Yinghong acknowledged the order but didn't dare act without authorization.
She first reported to Dou Zhao, who was reviewing account books.
"Noted," Dou Zhao said indifferently. "Since it's Cousin's instruction, simply follow it."
Confused by Dou Zhao's ambiguous response, Yinghong nervously withdrew and headed for Jade Bridge Lane.
Dou Zhao sighed deeply.
Despite her efforts to elevate Jiang Yan, the girl couldn't even command her own maid's loyalty.
If Jiang Yan married Chen Jia... given his capabilities, no one would dare scheme against her.
She set aside the account books.
Perhaps letting Yinghong deliver the message was for the best.
Success or failure now rested on Chen Jia's choice.
※※※※※
Chen Jia returned very late.
From afar, he noticed someone waiting at his gate—initially assuming it was a petitioner, but upon approaching, recognized Tao Erniang.
This surprised him.
As manager of his inner household with no ladies present, what urgent matter could there be?
Before his sedan chair fully stopped, Tao Erniang hurried forward.
"Master, Yinghong from the residence came," she said, then fell silent.
Chen Jia's heart leapt. Alighting, he strode inside with Tao Erniang scurrying behind.
Pausing in the courtyard where Xiao Hu guarded the Hanging Flower Gate, Chen Jia scanned the empty grounds before whispering, "Speak."
Tao Erniang relayed Jiang Yan's message.
Understanding dawned on Chen Jia.
He stood thunderstruck.
Knowing Song Yantang's protective nature toward Jiang Yan, the man would rather kill mistakenly than risk oversight!
What wretched luck!
Merely lending Jiang Yan a hundred taels now cast him as some seducer... proving no good deed goes unpunished.What should I do?
Explain to Song Yantang?
Would he even listen?
Someone like me probably holds less value in Song Yantang's eyes than one of his pet dogs.
Not explain?
Then all the hard work and effort I've put in might just slip away like flowing water!
Chen Jia gazed at the night sky, feeling as though his life was just like it—pitch black, without a single glimmer of light.
Yet inexplicably, Jiang Yan's eyes surfaced in his mind.
Dark and gleaming, staring steadily at him, filled with nothing but trust.
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