Blossom

In Qi Xia Courtyard, the red wedding candle crackled with a spark.

"This is utterly humiliating, utterly humiliating!" She stood in the middle of the room, her face flushed with anger. "Why must the Eastern Residence suppress the Western Residence in everything? I am now Wanyuan's rightful wife—what right does she have to keep Mingjier in her quarters and refuse to let her go?"

"Madam, lower your voice, lower your voice," Hu Momo hurriedly reminded her, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby before whispering, "Now is not the time for anger—the Seventh Master still needs the Fifth Master's support. You've only just been formally recognized as the wife and have no son to rely on yet... Endure this momentary grievance to avoid a hundred days of worry!"

"I know!" Wang Yingxue's expression softened slightly. "If not for that thought, I wouldn't have swallowed my pride today."

Hu Momo sighed in relief and deftly changed the subject. "Today is your auspicious day, and it's getting late. The Seventh Master should be arriving soon. Why don't I help you remove your makeup and serve you a bowl of lily and lotus seed soup..."

Wang Yingxue blushed.

Qiongfang walked in cheerfully, carrying a small box. "Seventh Madam, these are the gifts received today. Where would you like them placed?"

Mention of this reignited Wang Yingxue's fury.

The Dou family was wealthy beyond measure, usually rewarding respectable servants with damasks and brocades, gold rings, and silver hairpins. Yet the gifts from Second Madam and others were nothing but ordinary trinkets like jade-inlaid gold hairpins—clearly a sign they looked down on her.

"These aren't even good enough to be hidden away!" Her voice turned sharp.

Qiongfang's attempt to flatter had backfired, earning her not a reward but a scolding instead.

Hu Momo quickly signaled to Qiongfang and comforted Wang Yingxue with a smile. "The Dou family is no upstart. The more formal the occasion, the more understated they are. Don't underestimate these items—they might well be heirlooms with history and significance. We're just too busy today. When you have time, Madam, you can examine them more closely."

Since Zhao Guqiu's passing, the Western Dou had lacked someone to manage the household. Over the years, it had descended into chaos, with everyone harboring their own agendas. Moreover, after Dou Zhao had taken half the property, some of those who had once fawned over Wang Yingxue now hesitated, watching and waiting. At this moment, every eye in the residence was fixed on Qi Xia Courtyard. The slightest misstep would likely be exaggerated beyond measure... Better to gracefully accept this explanation and step down from the confrontation!

Wang Yingxue thought it over and gave a soft "Mm," about to reprimand Qiongfang further when a young maid announced, "Gaosheng is here!"

Everyone in the room froze.

Wang Yingxue frowned. "Let him in."

Gaosheng stood outside the plum-patterned partition of the inner chamber, his voice gentle and respectful. "Seventh Madam, the Seventh Master says it's too late tonight, so he will rest in the main quarters. He asks you to retire early as well. Tomorrow at mao hour (5-7 AM), you are to pay respects to the Old Master, and at chen hour (7-9 AM), Third Madam will visit. He advises you not to be late." With that, he bowed and withdrew.

Wang Yingxue's mouth hung open in disbelief before her face flushed crimson, tears welling in her eyes. "What does he mean by this? If he wants an excuse, why say it's too late? It's only the beginning of xu hour (7-9 PM)... And resting in the main quarters... Isn't he just making me a laughingstock for nothing?"Hu Momo also sensed something unusual about Dou Shiying and hesitated before asking, "Madam, should I go check on him?"

"No need!" Wang Yingxue gritted her teeth. "I'll go invite him myself."

If Dou Shiying spent his first night elsewhere, how could she ever hold her head high in the Dou family again?

Accompanied by Hu Momo, Wang Yingxue hurried to the main house.

Dou Shiying had already changed into casual clothes and was writing at his desk.

Seeing Wang Yingxue, he wasn't surprised but greeted her with a faint smile. "You're here."

Gazing at his handsome face under the lamplight, all the reproaches she had prepared on the way vanished. She nervously adjusted her sleeves, her voice softening. "Are you very tired today? Why are you alone in the main house writing?" As she spoke, she approached and caught the scent of alcohol on him. Smiling, she said, "How much did you drink, Seventh Master? You reek of wine. Shall I have someone bring you some sobering-up soup?" She rolled up her sleeves to grind ink for him.

Dou Shiying stopped her. "Gaosheng is here to attend to me. You should rest. Tomorrow will be busy for you." His voice was as gentle as the evening breeze outside the window, but he lowered his head and continued writing, undisturbed.

The clear rejection made Wang Yingxue blush with shame, but she was never one to wait. After a moment's thought, she suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Wanyuan..." Her gaze under the lamplight was tender enough to melt.

Dou Shiying stiffened, slowly putting down his brush. Gently but firmly, he pried her arms away. "Yingxue, I've told you—aside from status, I can give you nothing else... You know this... Wouldn't it be better if we respected each other like guests?"

He turned, his ink-black eyes calmly meeting hers, his expression utterly serious.

Wang Yingxue was stunned.

Of course she knew... But she had thought time would fade all wounds... How could longing from afar compare to holding warm jade close?

Dou Shiying strode out.

The jade hairpin flowers in the Dou residence were already in full bloom, their rich fragrance overwhelming.

Suddenly, he remembered his wedding day.

The weather had been just like this.

Jade hairpin flowers blooming wildly, gleaming like crystal under the moonlight.

His wife's crisp voice calling "Wanyuan," asking him, "Am I pretty?"...

He couldn't remember how he had answered, only how she had thrown herself at him in delight, burning like fire in his heart... Her laughter, like silver bells, ringing in his ears: "They all say I'm shameless, but I just like you, I just wanted to marry you!" Her sweet, naive voice brimming with undeniable joy and contentment...

The floral scent was so intense, like the decadence of blooms at their end, stirring both palpitations and fear.

He broke into a run outside...

A thunderclap boomed, and rain poured down... Dou Zhao was startled awake by the noise, faintly hearing her grandmother instruct Hong Gu: "...Check if the foal in the stable is frightened. Are the kitchen windows closed? Gather the straw in the storeroom so it doesn't get wet from the rain."

Yawning, Hong Gu wrapped her clothes around her and went out.Grandmother turned her head and saw Dou Zhao squirming under the quilt. She smiled and gently patted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, Shou Gu. Consort Cui is here!"

Instead, Dou Zhao woke up completely.

She stared at the ceiling beams, momentarily dazed.

Outside, the sound of frantic knocking echoed through the courtyard.

Grandmother was startled. Liu Sihai, the long-term laborer living in the west wing, had already grabbed a wooden bar used to bolt the main gate and walked up to the entrance.

"Who is it?" he asked warily.

"It's the Seventh Master," a voice called from outside. "Open the door quickly."

Liu Sihai hastily dropped the wooden bar and opened the gate with a creak.

Dou Shiying and Gaosheng stepped in, drenched by the rain.

"What happened?" Grandmother, standing at the door of the main room with only a coat thrown over her shoulders, rushed forward despite the heavy rain.

"Nothing, nothing," Dou Shiying replied, his clothes soaked through. Though midsummer nights were warm, the rain still felt chilling. His lips were slightly pale. "I came to see Shou Gu."

Deep suspicion flickered in Grandmother's eyes, but she asked no questions. Instead, she instructed the old women to heat water and sent Hong Gu to borrow a change of clothes from the wealthy Lang family next door.

By the time Father had freshened up, the rain had grown heavier. The sky was dark and oppressive, as if it might collapse under its own weight at any moment.

Dou Zhao sat on the kang, drowsy, her head nodding like a fishing float.

She was unimpressed by Father's sudden appearance.

In the middle of the night, in such heavy rain, one could easily catch a cold or even fall seriously ill. Not to mention the chaos it caused for the household visited, scrambling to provide dry clothes and hot refreshments... Childish, selfish. So inconsiderate—hardly the behavior of a father.

More importantly, she felt that no matter what conflicts existed between Father and Wang Yingxue, running away like a coward was simply weak and incompetent.

Father, however, seemed oblivious. Smiling, he ruffled Dou Zhao's hair and asked softly, "Are you settling in well at the farmstead?"

"Very well!" Dou Zhao turned her head away, swatting his hand off. "Everyone treats me kindly."

Dou Shiying glanced around the room's crude and simple furnishings, thinking his eldest daughter rather unfeeling.

He stood silently by the kang for a long while.

Dou Zhao, eager to sleep, finally spoke up when Father remained quiet. "Father, aren't you going to sleep?"

Dou Shiying didn't answer immediately. After a pause, he slowly sat beside Dou Zhao and asked in a low voice, "Do... do you still remember your mother?"

Dou Zhao was taken aback, her expression gradually sobering.

"I still remember your mother," he murmured, his eyes glistening. "On the day she married me, she wore an emerald ring on her finger, set in gold, shaped like a begonia flower..."

Dou Zhao turned her face away as sorrow slowly welled up in her heart... Father left before dawn. Dou Zhao gazed at the rain-washed sky, clear as water, and stood dazed for a moment.

Perhaps after sorrow, one finds more courage to face life's disappointments.

She returned indoors to practice her calligraphy.

Zhao Liangbi diligently tidied the study for her.

She said to him, "Shall I give you a new name?"

Zhao Liangbi was both happy and worried.

Happy because he wouldn’t have to be called "Dog Leftover" anymore, but worried that Dou Zhao might impulsively give him a name just as bad—one he’d be stuck with forever!“How about Liangbi?” Dou Zhao wrote his name on the paper. “It means ‘fine jade.’ I hope you’ll be as virtuous and humble as jade.”

Zhao Liangbi was overjoyed and proudly showed off the paper with his name written by Dou Zhao to everyone.

Within a day, everyone at the farmstead knew that Gou Sheng was now called Zhao Liangbi.

Grandmother also praised the name, saying it was well chosen. She even mentioned taking Dou Zhao to the temple in a few days. Unfortunately, Father’s leave ended, and he came to take Dou Zhao back. He told Grandmother, “If you need anything, you can send a message to Sixth Brother. While I’m in the Capital, he’ll take care of you and Shou Gu.”

Grandmother nodded but didn’t take his words to heart.

She had lived alone at the farmstead for over twenty years without any issues, and she believed she wouldn’t need to turn to the Dou family for help in the future.

However, Dou Zhao made a request to Father: “Can we take Zhao Liangbi back with us?”

Father asked, “Who is Zhao Liangbi?”

Grandmother explained his background to Father.

Upon hearing that the name Zhao Liangbi had been chosen by Dou Zhao, Father nodded and said, “Then let’s take him back.”

And so, Zhao Liangbi made an early appearance in the Dou family.