Blossom

Chapter 54: Old Acquaintances

After observing Tuo Niang for some time, Grandmother grew fond of her honest and simple nature and genuinely wanted to arrange a good marriage for her. Thus, during their leisure hours, she often took Dou Zhao around the village, occasionally glancing at or inquiring about eligible young men. Within days, rumors spread that Seventh Master Dou had asked Grandmother to find him a reliable and trustworthy attendant. Soon, whenever Grandmother and Dou Zhao went out, they would frequently encounter villagers who conveniently "bumped into" them with their sons in tow.

Grandmother found it both amusing and exasperating but couldn’t explain the real reason, so she repeatedly insisted, "That’s not the case, not at all."

Naturally, no one believed her.

It was around this time that Dou Ming encountered Zhao Liangbi.

The Zhao Family was related to the Cui Family, though the exact nature of their kinship was something she had never quite figured out.

That evening, as they were having dinner in the courtyard, Zhao Liangbi’s father walked in slowly, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his back slightly hunched. Behind him trailed the eight-year-old Zhao Liangbi, head lowered and visibly sullen.

"Auntie," Zhao Liangbi’s father called from a distance, his dark, gaunt face breaking into an ingratiating smile. "You’re having dinner?" Meanwhile, Zhao Liangbi crouched by the entrance.

Grandmother quickly set down her bowl and greeted him warmly, "Third Brother! Have you eaten yet? Join us!" She then instructed the maids to bring stools and extra utensils.

Zhao Liangbi’s father waved his hands repeatedly. "We’ve already eaten, already eaten!" Then, looking at Dou Zhao, he added, "This must be the Fourth Young Miss? So fair and lovely, just like a figure from a New Year painting."

Grandmother chuckled and ordered the maids to serve tea and snacks.

Zhao Liangbi’s father suddenly barked at his son, "You little rascal! What are you squatting there for? Come here and kowtow to the Fourth Young Miss and your aunt!"

Zhao Liangbi shuffled over, his face dark.

"What’s this about?" Grandmother asked, puzzled.

"Auntie," Zhao Liangbi’s father said with an awkward smile, "A growing boy eats his father out of house and home. You know how it is—my wife spends three hundred and sixty days a year bedridden, and what little we earn from the fields barely covers her medicine. We just can’t feed Gousheng anymore. I heard Seventh Master Dou is looking for an attendant…" His expression was pleading.

Grandmother froze.

So did Dou Zhao.

In her past life, Zhao Liangbi hadn’t appeared until she was ten. Back then, his mother had already passed away, and his father, planning to work as a carpenter in Fujian, had entrusted the thirteen-year-old Zhao Liangbi to Grandmother while giving his nine-year-old sister away as a child bride… This time, because of Tuo Niang, he had arrived at the farmstead five years earlier.

Would fate be altered because of this?

Dou Zhao pondered silently.

Just then, Zhao Liangbi’s father stammered, "I know Gousheng here isn’t much to look at and has no particular talents, but given that we’re family… could you put in a word for him…?"

Before he could finish, Zhao Liangbi, who had been standing stiffly to the side, suddenly burst out, "Dad, how many times have I told you? The more we’re related, the less likely Auntie would recommend me to the Dou Family! Why won’t you listen—?"Zhao Liangbi's father angrily kicked him aside. "Adults are talking, kid. Go away." Then he turned to Grandmother with an ingratiating smile. "Eldest Aunt, don't listen to this brat's nonsense. I understand. You're worried people might say you're taking advantage of the Dou family..."

"Eldest Aunt," Zhao Liangbi, who had been kicked aside, loudly interrupted his father. "My dad can't support me. Can you let me stay at the farmstead? I can do any work—just give me a bowl of rice to eat."

The father glared at his son, who stared back defiantly.

Grandmother laughed. "Third Brother, if you trust me, leave the child with me. Working for the Dou family is out of the question, but I can ensure he's well-fed and clothed."

Before Zhao Liangbi's father could say anything more, Zhao Liangbi loudly agreed, "Yes!"

Grandmother swiftly settled the matter, arranging for Zhao Liangbi and his father to rest. She then instructed Hong Gu, "Third Brother and his son must not have had dinner yet. Shou Gu is here with me, and I didn't dare invite them to eat, afraid she might find them unclean. Go to the kitchen and make them a big bowl of sliced meat noodles—lots of meat, seventy percent fat and thirty percent lean, piled thickly on top. Understood?"

Hong Gu nodded with a smile and headed to the kitchen.

Early the next morning, Zhao Liangbi's father left with a basket of pancakes Grandmother had given him. Without being told, Zhao Liangbi swept the entire courtyard clean, then put down the broom and went to cut grass to feed the horses.

Inside, Dou Zhao practiced calligraphy but her thoughts drifted to Cui Shisan.

The Affairs Office was an institution exclusive to noble households, handling social engagements and daily hospitality. For official families, this duty fell to seasoned advisers, who were often unsuccessful candidates in the imperial examinations or Recommended Men... If she didn't marry into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion in this life, what future would Cui Shisan have?

In her past life, Cui Shisan had been the backbone of the Cui family.

If Cui Shisan ended up as an unknown farmer in his hometown, how would the Cui family's future change?

Should she help Cui Shisan?

And how?

Dou Zhao lowered her head in contemplation.

Outside, Zhao Liangbi's sweet voice rang out, "Sister, this teapot is heavy. Let me carry it in for you?"

"Look at your hands—they're filthy," Haitang retorted. "If you touch this teapot, how could our young lady still drink from it?"

"Then... then I'll go wash my hands," Zhao Liangbi said, scampering away.

When Dou Zhao saw him again, even the gaps under his nails were spotless, and he looked entirely refreshed.

He busily helped Haitang and the others tidy the rooms.

Haitang asked him, "Is the courtyard swept clean?"

"Yes!"

"Have the foals been fed?"

"Yes!"

"Has the grass been cut?"

"Done."

These tasks became Zhao Liangbi's responsibilities.

He picked up a discarded practice sheet of Dou Zhao's calligraphy, turning it over and marveling, "Fourth Young Lady's handwriting is so beautiful!"

Haitang and the others covered their mouths, laughing. "Can you read?"

"N-no, I can't," Zhao Liangbi stammered, his face flushing red with shame—the first time his thick skin had betrayed him.

Dou Zhao felt a spark of inspiration. "Do you want to learn to read?"

His face lit up. "Yes! Of course!" Then his expression dimmed. "But my father has no money.""Then I'll teach you how to read!" Dou Zhao said with a smile. "If you do well, I'll speak to Grandmother about sending you to school."

Zhao Liangbi grabbed Dou Zhao's sleeve. "Fourth Miss, you must keep your word."

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

Who knew what the future held? But starting with literacy and education would surely make the path easier than in her past life.

From then on, Zhao Liangbi would finish his chores and practice writing on the veranda of the main house every day.

When Grandmother found out, she sent someone to Zhen Ding city to buy a couple of baskets of tracing paper. She personally cut them and placed them under the shrine in the main hall, available for anyone to use.

No wonder the people at the farmstead were grateful for Grandmother's kindness.

Dou Zhao carefully pondered her grandmother's actions.

Soon, the twenty-second day arrived.

As usual, Dou Zhao rose early and strolled through the vegetable garden with her grandmother, picking some fruits and vegetables. After bathing and having breakfast, she began her calligraphy practice.

Though the Dou family in the western part of Zhen Ding county didn't decorate with lanterns and festoons, everyone had changed into new clothes, which lifted everyone's spirits.

Seeing that it was getting late, Ji Shi went to Second Madam's room and found her still reclining on the kang, listening to her personal maid read The Tale of Five Heroes . Ji Shi smiled and said, "You're so composed. I was afraid of being late, so I changed into my formal clothes early."

Second Madam glanced up at her with a smile. "You're of the same generation, and the western household is short on people. It's good for you to join the festivities. I'm old and a widow—it's inauspicious for me to attend someone's happy occasion." She then instructed her maid, "Fetch the gold and jade Fu Shou hairpin from my box and pack it properly. Ask Sixth Madam to take it over as my congratulatory gift." Turning back to Ji Shi, she added, "As for Mingjier, let her stay with me. Wanyuan can come fetch her after he returns to the Capital."

This way, neither Shou Gu nor Mingjier would have to kneel and serve tea to Wang Shi.

Ji Shi noticed that though Second Madam's tone was casual, her gaze was icy. She understood that Second Madam was determined to put Wang Yingxue in her place. Not wanting to get involved, Ji Shi accepted the box with a smile and left.

Meanwhile, Da Taitai had already dressed up and was preparing to check the gifts for Wang Yingxue. When her trusted maid informed her that Second Madam wasn't attending and had mentioned being a "widow," she thought for a moment and called a maid to remove most of her hairpins, leaving only a pair of pearl flowers as a gift. She asked her maid to have Second Madam deliver them.

Third Master Heng Shibang and Third Madam, entrusted by Dou Duo to manage household affairs, hurried to greet the women from the eastern household when they arrived.

The leading Second Madam smiled and said, "Those who could come are here, and those who couldn't have sent gifts."

Third Madam, being sharp-eyed, immediately noticed who was missing but didn't ask further. She led everyone to the Reception Hall while the male guests were seated in the main hall.

At the auspicious hour, Wang Yingxue, radiant in a red wedding dress and a gold phoenix hairpin adorned with pearls, was escorted by Third Madam—a woman of complete blessings—to worship the ancestors with Dou Shiying. After three rounds of wine, everyone moved to the Reception Hall, where Dou Shiying and Wang Yingxue served tea and acknowledged relatives. Wang Yingxue was then escorted back to Qi Xia courtyard, while Dou Shiying and others went to Crane Longevity Hall.

Second Madam and the others remained in the Reception Hall, chatting over tea.

Third Madam could only look to Sixth Madam for help.By convention, the female relatives should visit the bride's chamber to chat, serving as a housewarming gesture for the newlyweds.

Sixth Madam pretended not to notice.

She had no intention of drawing attention to herself.

Left with no choice, Third Madam called out to Second Cousin-in-Law: "Let's go see Wang Shi."

Second Cousin-in-law, always one to follow the crowd, agreed with a smile. Along with Third Cousin-in-law, Fifth Cousin-in-law, and several respected maids, they headed to Qi Xia Courtyard.

At this point, Second Madam finally remarked, "Why is Wang Shi still staying in Qi Xia Courtyard?"

"It's the Seventh Master's wish," answered a maid from Western Dou eager to curry favor with Second Madam. "He said the main residence still keeps the belongings of the former Seventh Madam and Fourth Miss. Since Fourth Miss has gone to the farmstead to attend to an illness, there wasn't enough time to clear things out. They'll wait until Fourth Miss returns before making arrangements."

Second Madam gave an "Oh" in response. When Third Madam and the others returned, she excused herself by claiming the Old Madam needed attendants and left for home.

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Sisters, give some encouragement to Zhi Zhi who's still holding her post on New Year's Eve... Pink votes please!

※RQ