Blossom

Chapter 50: Lending a Hand

The situation came too suddenly. Yu Daqing had to pawn some of his wife’s jewelry just to barely balance the accounts.

Dou Xiuchang arranged for an audit of the Dou family’s financial records. Seeing that the accounts matched the actual figures, he had Yu Daqing sign off on them. Aunt (Mother's Brother's Wife) sent two hundred taels of silver as a farewell gift, along with some porcelain, screens, and other rewards. A auspicious day was chosen, and a banquet was held to see off Yu Momo and her family.

Soon, rumors spread in Zhen Ding County that the seventh master of the Dou family was about to marry, and that the personal maid of the late seventh madam was retiring with honor. The Dou family had given her a generous sum of silver for her retirement.

As Yu Momo’s carriage passed through the city gates, someone quietly measured the tracks left by the wheels.

Later, the Dou family heard that Yu Momo’s family had encountered bandits on their way home. Not only were all their belongings looted, but Yu Momo suffered such a shock that she passed away within a few days. Yu Daqing was severely wounded—though he survived, he was left disabled and unable to care for himself.

Meanwhile, seeing that matters had been mostly settled, Aunt (Mother's Brother's Wife) bid farewell to the women of the Dou household: “...Shou Gu’s uncle is waiting for me to return for the New Year. I leave Shou Gu in your care.”

Both Second Madam and the other madams happily agreed.

After seeing Aunt off, the Dou family began preparing for the New Year.

Since Zhao Guqiu’s passing, the New Year celebrations in the western household had been managed by Dou Shibang and his wife. This year, however, with the matter of Dou Zhao lingering between them, when Dou Duo was invited to eat dumplings during the Winter Solstice, he declined, citing the cold weather and poor health. Unsure of how to proceed, Dou Shibang sought Second Madam’s guidance.

Second Madam went to the western household: “...Although the consent document has been obtained, the formal ceremony has yet to take place. Wang Shi’s position remains unofficial. I think it would be best this year to have her assist Third Madam in managing the household affairs. Consider it a learning experience. Next New Year, our two households can celebrate separately.”

Dou Duo responded indifferently.

Wang Yingxue was summoned to help Third Madam.

Naturally, she was overjoyed. Knowing it was her first time handling such matters, she aimed to strike a balance—neither too shabby nor too extravagant. She neatly tied her hair into a round bun and wore a slightly worn but elegant brocade back coat in a deep red hue, adorned only with a pair of simple gold earrings. Her appearance was tidy, modest, and appropriate as she made her way to the eastern household.

Third Madam was reviewing accounts with the stewardesses when Wang Yingxue arrived. She merely glanced up and said, “You’re here,” then had a maid bring over an embroidered stool for her. “Sit and observe for now. If you have any questions, ask me.” As she spoke, stewardesses and senior maids came and went in a steady stream, filling the small side room with constant activity.

Wang Yingxue had spent some time in the Capital as a child and had accompanied her mother to visit noble households. Unfazed, she replied softly, “Third Madam, please focus on your work. Don’t mind me,” and sat on the stool, attentively observing and listening to Third Madam’s instructions.

One stewardess disputed the accounts with Third Madam: “When the Zhao family’s Aunt from the western household visited, the family hosted consecutive banquets. Naturally, the expenses for tea and wine were higher than usual...”

At the mention of “western household,” Wang Yingxue immediately pricked up her ears.

“It’s normal for expenses to be higher than usual,” Third Madam said. “But a thirty percent increase seems excessive, don’t you think?” She flipped through the ledger. “Look, these were the household expenses when Sixth Master passed the imperial exams. Now compare them to when the Zhao family’s Aunt visited...”"Sixth Master was still here in mid-autumn, but the Zhao Family's aunt didn't leave until after the winter solstice. After the solstice, the prices of chicken, duck, fish, and meat all rose..."

"Don't the farmsteads send supplies before the winter solstice?" Third Madam remained unmoved. "Why would you need to buy from outside?"

"The Zhao Family's aunt stayed from mid-autumn until light snow." The Manager was so anxious that blisters formed at the corners of her mouth. Seeing Wang Yingxue in slightly worn clothes and unfamiliar, she mistook her for some Manager's wife. While speaking to Third Madam, she pointed at Wang Yingxue: "Go, pour me a cup of tea!"

"Me?" Wang Yingxue was stunned and looked toward Third Madam.

But Third Madam and the Manager were glaring at each other like fighting cocks.

Wang Yingxue glanced at Third Madam's maids and old women—none made a sound—so she slowly rose to pour tea for the Manager.

Yet resentment lingered in her heart. She quietly asked a young maid, "What does this Manager do?"

"You mean Manager Dou?" The young maid followed her gaze and smiled. "She's the wife of our Manager Dou. Extremely straightforward, she used to be the personal maid of the late Madam. Even the masters of our household show her respect." Then curiously asked, "Which household do you belong to? How come I've never seen you before? Are you a newly promoted Manager?"

Wang Yingxue regretted dressing too plainly. The next day, she styled her hair in a falling horse bun, adorned herself with large jadeite flowers, and wore an emerald-green brocade jacket, radiantly beautiful.

Those who came to report matters nodded and smiled at her, asking Third Madam who she was.

"She's Wang Yiniang from the East Manor."

Their gazes then held curiosity, scrutiny, and even faint disdain. During meals, maids and old women glanced at her in small groups, bursting into ambiguous giggles the moment she turned away.

Humiliated and angered, Wang Yingxue regretted dressing too conspicuously and endured the day as if sitting on pins and needles.

Returning to Qi Xia courtyard, Hu Momo informed her: "Second Madam sent Nanny Liu to fetch Mingjier. She said since the New Year is approaching and you'll be learning household management from Third Madam, Mingjier would have no one to care for her, so it's perfect to take her over to accompany Fourth Miss."

Dou Ming had never been apart from Wang Yingxue, who now felt as if her flesh had been cut away. At this point, it was inappropriate to fetch the child back from the East Manor. She reproached Hu Momo: "Why didn't you send someone to inform me? I could have brought Mingjier back on my return."

Hu Momo thought to herself, Who knew the East Manor wouldn't notify you? But she dared not say it aloud, only humbly admitting her mistake.

Wang Yingxue fretted—first worrying that Dou Ming wouldn't adjust without her and might cry all night; then fearing the haughty servants in Second Madam's quarters might neglect her; and finally suspecting Dou Zhao might bully Dou Ming. Tossing and turning all night without sleep, she freshened up and went to Dou Duo.

"I'm going to the East Manor," she respectfully informed him of her plans, then casually added with a smile, "Second Madam took Mingjier over, saying she should keep Shou Gu company. When do you think we should bring Shou Gu and Mingjier back?"This matter had been mentioned to Dou Duo by Second Madam beforehand. Dou Duo knew full well that the so-called "busyness" was just an excuse—Second Madam simply disapproved of Wang Shi and feared she would corrupt the children. As for him, he had no desire to see those two girls either—one had taken half his family fortune, and the other was a bastard child, neither of them any good! The mere sight of them irritated him. He couldn’t help but think that if Wang Shi hadn’t caused such a scene and had instead been properly married into the family, bearing him a grandson with a grandfather like Wang Xingyi, he would have been perfectly content wherever he went. But fate had other plans… Even the sight of Wang Yingxue annoyed him now, and he snapped, "Focus on your own duties instead of meddling in things that don’t concern you. The household is in such disarray—where do you expect these two children to stand?"

Instead of gaining any favor, Wang Yingxue was met with harsh scolding. Biting her lip in frustration, she left for the Eastern Manor.

By noon, Third Madam invited her to stay for lunch and asked, "Is there anything you’re unsure about?"

She had originally planned to visit Second Madam to check on Dou Ming, but how could she refuse Third Madam’s invitation? Standing dutifully beside her as a junior, she served Third Madam during the meal. When questioned, she smiled and replied, "I noticed most household matters follow old precedents. If I could review past account records, I believe it would make things much easier." Then she added modestly, "Though I’m not sure if I’m correct—please do correct me if I’m wrong, Third Madam."

"Truly the daughter of an official’s household," Third Madam said with a smile. "You grasp things at a glance, unlike when I first started—I couldn’t understand anything no matter how long I looked. It wasn’t until Third Master explained it to me that I finally got the hang of it…" She was surprisingly amiable toward her.

Wang Yingxue spent the afternoon chatting with Third Madam before accompanying her to the storeroom to inventory New Year supplies.

By the time they finished, it was already late evening.

Her maid, Qiongfang, came to report: "Second Madam’s quarters were locked at the start of the hour."

Exhausted, Wang Yingxue returned to the Western Manor. The next day, she accompanied Third Madam to several temples to deliver next year’s incense offerings.

After days of running errands—one task today, another tomorrow—she suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Dou Ming in seven or eight days, nor had anyone updated her on the girl’s well-being. Growing anxious, she began to suspect the Eastern Manor was deliberately keeping her in the dark. Abandoning the half-completed storeroom inventory, she hurried to Second Madam’s quarters.

The maids and old women didn’t stop her, welcoming her in with smiles.

Ji Shi and Dou Zhao were both present.

When she entered, Ji Shi nodded with a smile, while Dou Zhao affectionately called out, "Wang Yiniang!"

Wang Yingxue stepped forward to pay her respects to Second Madam.

Second Madam, wearing a gray squirrel-fur headpiece, reclined lazily against a large bolster by the heated kang near the window, holding a cloisonné enamel box adorned with lotus patterns. She asked with a smile, "What brings you here? Has Third Madam taken a break?"

Even if Third Madam weren’t currently swamped with work—even if she were resting at home—Wang Yingxue wouldn’t dare say so in front of Second Madam!

"Third Madam is so busy she barely has time to catch her breath," Wang Yingxue quickly clarified. "I just realized it’s been days since I last saw Shou Gu and Mingjier, so I came to check on them."

Second Madam nodded approvingly. "The Wu family came to deliver New Year gifts, and their fifth young master and seventh young lady also visited. I asked them to take Mingjier along to socialize."

The Wu family referred to the maternal relatives of the second branch.Upon hearing this, Wang Yingxue felt slightly reassured.

Second Madam Yu also came from an official family. Her grandfather had once served as a county magistrate, and her uncle Wu Songnian was currently a compiler at the Imperial Academy. The fifth young master and seventh young miss of the Wu family referred to Wu Songnian's eldest son Wu Shan and eldest daughter Wu Ya.

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, Wang Yingxue grew suspicious again.

Wu Shan was seven years old this year, and Wu Ya was four—both around Dou Zhao's age. So why had Mingjier gone while Dou Zhao hadn't?

※

Dear sisters, I'm going back to my mother-in-law's place for the New Year today. They don't have internet there, and the wireless card doesn't work very well, so my editing might be delayed. Please bear with me... hehe...

※RQ