Blossom

On the third day of the minor funeral rites, the Dou family announced the bereavement to relatives and friends. The household soon bustled with activity as mourners came in an endless stream to pay their respects.

Dou Shiying, Wang Yingxue, Dou Zhao, and Dou Ming, as the filial son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, expressed their gratitude before the spirit tablet, while all household affairs were entrusted to Gaosheng.

Those serving tea, accompanying mourners, managing funeral accounts, or even those responsible for the paddle beating and incense paper had to report to him. Though he had never handled such matters before, his years accompanying Dou Shiying in the Capital had broadened his experience. Diligent and more composed and reliable than others from Western Dou, he still found himself overwhelmed by the flurry of tasks, often neglecting one thing while attending to another.

Dou Zhao occasionally offered him guidance, and within days, he grasped the ropes, handling matters with increasing steadiness. Veteran stewards from Eastern Dou praised him as "highly capable," and only then did Gaosheng breathe a sigh of relief. When he looked at Dou Zhao again, his gaze held a trace of something different.

This was precisely Dou Zhao's intention.

During the three-year mourning period, she would inevitably reside in Western Dou—she needed a strong right hand.

Two days later, Wang Zhibing and Pang Yulou came to offer condolences.

An elder uncle and his younger brother’s wife—an unusual pairing.

Wang Zhibing explained, "Nan Ge'er’s mother is with child. As it’s the early months and she’s no longer young, she can’t endure the journey. Coincidentally, my sister-in-law hasn’t seen her younger sister in a while, and Tan Ge'er has been missing his cousins, so I brought them along to burn incense for the late master."

Wang Tan was Pang Yulou’s eldest son, a year younger than Dou Ming.

Perhaps because the two had gotten along well back in Willow Leaf Alley in the Capital, Wang Tan clung to Dou Ming’s hand the moment he entered, calling out, "Ming Jie, when are you coming home? There’s no one to play with me."

Dou Ming replied, "I must observe mourning for Grandfather. Once it’s over, I’ll visit you in the Capital."

Wang Tan said eagerly, "Then finish mourning quickly! When the time comes, I’ll ask Father to take us all to Great Xiangguo Temple for lamb noodles."

Dou Ming nodded repeatedly.

Pang Yulou nudged her son and pointed at Dou Zhao. "Hurry and greet your elder cousin!"

Wang Tan resembled the Pang family—fair-skinned, with large, glistening eyes, more delicate and handsome than most girls.

He sweetly called Dou Zhao "Jie."

Dou Zhao still remembered the last time she had seen him, kneeling at Dou Ming’s feet beside the roses, pleading desperately: "Dear Jie, Eldest Brother only has eyes for his cousin Gao Mingzhu. Even if he marries you, he won’t treat you well. I’m different—I’ve liked you since we were children. If you marry me, I’ll treat you well all my life. I’ll help you with anything you want..."

Alas, Dou Ming’s gaze was as soft and tender as spring water, enough to drown a person, yet her eyes when looking at Wang Tan were calculating.

She giggled coyly, "Then will you dare to tell Grandmother you want to marry Gao Mingzhu?"

The Wang family believed Gao Mingzhu had been ambiguous between Wang Nan and Wang Tan, making her unfit to be a Wang daughter-in-law.

Gao Shi would rather divorce than accept Dou Ming as her daughter-in-law.

Wang Nan never spoke to Dou Ming again...

Now, seeing Wang Tan again, Dou Zhao’s heart swelled with pity for him.

She gave him a faint smile.

Pang Yulou pushed her son toward Dou Zhao. "You cousins should get to know each other better!"

Dou Zhao remained silent.

But Dou Ming ran over and tugged Wang Tan away. "Let’s go play with Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er."

Wang Tan giggled in agreement. "Okay!"Pang Yulou glared at her son and said, "Stay put here properly."

Wang Tan didn't dare move, looking pitifully at Dou Ming.

Dou Ming burst into tears: "I want to play with Tan Ge'er! I want to play with Tan Ge'er!"

Dou Shiying frowned deeply.

Wang Yingxue gave Pang Yulou a displeased look before comforting Wang Tan and Dou Ming: "Alright, alright, no more crying. Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er are both in the Reception Hall. Go play with them!"

Wang Tan and Dou Ming held hands and went to the Reception Hall.

Pang Yulou sighed inwardly but smiled at Dou Shiying: "Two of my nephews from my maiden family, Xiu Ge'er and Kun Ge'er, have also come. They'd like to pay their respects to you, brother-in-law."

With Dou Duo's passing, Pang Yulou's three brothers had personally come to offer condolences, but no one knew her nephews had tagged along.

Guests should not be turned away.

Dou Shiying didn't refuse.

Pang Jixiu was Pang Jinlou's son, fifteen years old, while Pang Kunbai was Pang Yinlou's son, twelve. Both boys were handsome and well-mannered in their demeanor. If not for one's overly shifty gaze and the other's overly shrewd eyes, they might have passed for refined young gentlemen.

Pang Yulou introduced them to Dou Zhao: "This is your eldest cousin."

The two bowed to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao nodded indifferently without returning the courtesy, appearing somewhat aloof.

Dou Shiying hadn't expected Pang Yulou's nephews to be so old. Seeing her behave this way displeased him, and he naturally didn't think Dou Zhao was being rude.

He exchanged a few cold pleasantries with Pang Jixiu and Pang Kunbai before taking Dou Zhao to the mourning hall.

Wang Yingxue pulled Pang Yulou aside into a side room and whispered, "What are you trying to do?"

Pang Yulou put on a helpless expression: "You know my brothers are still doing business in Lingbi County and are eager to connect with the Dou family. Hearing that Fourth Miss is around the same age as Xiu Ge'er and Kun Ge'er, they've taken a fancy to her. I know Xiu Ge'er and Kun Ge'er aren't worthy of Fourth Miss, but no matter what I say, they won't believe me and instead accuse me of obstructing them. I had no choice but to bring my nephews along to see if they might catch brother-in-law's eye." She added, "But thinking it over, if Fourth Miss married into the Pang family, it would be good for you too—my sister-in-law would become her mother-in-law, and I'd be her paternal aunt. She couldn't defy her elders then!"

"Have you forgotten that the Wang family can't interfere in Dou Zhao's marriage?..."

"Parents' orders and matchmakers' words," Pang Yulou said dismissively. "We're not directly arranging Fourth Miss's marriage, are we?"

Wang Yingxue's heart skipped a beat: "You mean...?"

"What if Fourth Miss takes a liking to one of them herself?" Pang Yulou covered her mouth and laughed. "The Zhao family never said she couldn't marry into the Pang family!"

What's so great about Dou Zhao that Second Madam would go to such lengths to marry her into the Pang family...

The thought flashed through Wang Yingxue's mind, and then she remembered Dou Zhao's dowry.

Her expression immediately turned ambiguous.

If Dou Zhao married into the Pang family, that fortune would belong to the Pangs.

Though Second Madam had ordered silence on the matter, those who had witnessed it back then knew the truth.

When Wang Yingxue looked at Pang Yulou again, there was a new wariness in her eyes.

She's truly cunning!Wang Yingxue pondered. Dou Shiying was speaking to the Wu family members who had come to offer condolences: "...It was so sudden, none of us expected it... I've already reported the mourning leave to the Imperial Academy. This will be a good opportunity to stay home and focus on my studies..."

Wu Shan, who was accompanying his uncle, quietly handed Dou Zhao a scented sachet: "Please accept my condolences!"

But what did this have to do with a scented sachet?

She looked at Wu Shan in confusion.

Taking advantage of the adults' inattention, Wu Shan whispered hurriedly, his ears turning red: "It's a Peace Talisman I obtained at Dafang Temple."

Dou Zhao was momentarily taken aback before smiling sincerely and saying, "Thank you."

Wu Shan grinned with squinted eyes, his ears growing even redder, then stood properly beside his uncle, eyes downcast. He didn't look at Dou Zhao again.

Dou Zhao faintly sensed Wu Shan's feelings for her and fell into contemplation... After the seventh-week mourning period, her grandfather was buried in the Dou family ancestral graves at North Tower, and the house guests gradually dispersed.

Pang Yulou discussed with Wang Yingxue: "Could we arrange for Xiuge and Kunbai to study at the Dou Family School?"

Wang Yingxue disliked Pang Yulou's greediness and didn't want to help. However, fearing she might need favors from Madam Pang in the future, she didn't want to offend them. She passed the matter to Dou Shiying, who found both boys somewhat worldly and unappealing, so he deferred responsibility to Third Uncle: "...Third Master has always been in charge. I'm not sure about the requirements for attending the Family School. You should ask Third Master instead."

Both responses were reluctant.

Pang Yulou had heard worse and wasn't bothered. She personally visited Dou Shiheng with eight gift boxes.

The Dou Family School was quite renowned in Zhen Ding Prefecture, often attracting children from relatives and friends seeking education.

Dou Shibang agreed without hesitation.

Thus, Pang Jixiu and Pang Kunbai entered the Dou Family School and soon became acquainted with Dou Zhengchang, Dou Dechang, Dou Qijun, and others. They occasionally found ways to follow them back to the East Mansion for meals but never encountered Dou Zhao.

Pang Kunbai couldn't help complaining to his father: "This is completely useless."

Pang Yinlou smacked his son: "I've been in business for over a decade and only managed to save twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver. Do you think you can get your hands on such a large sum without effort? Nothing comes that easy!" Then he lectured him further: "You'd better shape up. Not only is your uncle eyeing the Dou family's wealth, but even your aunt has her own schemes. Don't let Wang Tan snatch the advantage, or you'll regret it bitterly."

"Really?" Pang Kunbai was astonished. "Wang Tan is four years younger than Fourth Miss Dou!"

"What does four years matter?" Pang Jinlou retorted. "Pang Jixiu is six years older than Fourth Miss!"

Pang Kunbai fell silent.

Pang Jixiu was more composed than his cousin. After spending a considerable sum to investigate Dou Zhao without success, he not only diligently studied under the Dou Family School's private tutor, Madam Du, but also actively befriended people in the school.

Dou Qijun and the others were accustomed to flattery and paid little attention, but Pang Jixiu managed to learn from their attendants that Dou Zhao spent part of each summer at the farmstead.

The following summer, he prepared early. As soon as he heard Dou Zhao had left for the farmstead, he invited Dou Zhengchang and the others for a countryside outing.Dou Zhengchang and the others were reluctant to go: "It's scorching hot. What's so fun about the countryside?" As he said this, Dou Dechang was holding a bowl of iced Plum Drink.

Pang Jixiu also didn't think there was anything fun to do, so he suggested, "Can't we go wading in the river to catch fish?"

"I might as well just fish by the pond," Dou Zhengchang said lazily.

Wu Shan arrived.

Dou Zhengchang introduced them, then asked curiously, "I thought you'd come for the Dragon Boat Festival, but you didn't. Now you show up in this sweltering heat—is there something urgent?"