Blossom

In the evening,

Ji Shi and Bi Shi were sitting on the veranda enjoying the cool breeze.

"Is this the eldest daughter of the Seventh Master?" Bi Shi smiled as she looked at Dou Zhao, her gaze carrying a curiosity that hadn't been present when she observed Dou Ming. "She's truly beautiful."

"You flatter me too much, Wu Tai Tai," Dou Zhao responded gracefully, engaging in polite conversation. "Where is A Qi? I don't see her."

Wu Tai Tai laughed. "She went with Mingjier and the others to visit the Dowager."

Dou Zhao smiled. "The Dowager always has delicious treats. No wonder we all think of her."

"Exactly, exactly." After exchanging a few more words with Wu Tai Tai, Dou Zhao saw that the formalities were complete and there was no opportunity to speak with Ji Shi, so she took her leave.

Cai Shu escorted her out.

On the way, she ran into Wu Shan.

Dou Zhao greeted him with a smile. "Fourth Brother Wu, why are you alone?"

Wu Shan grinned. "The others are all at the Waterside Pavilion, discussing arrangements to see Pang Jixiu off."

"See him off?" Dou Zhao was surprised.

Perhaps proving the saying "your opponent knows you best," Dou Zhao was more familiar with the Pang family's affairs than even her own.

In her previous life, Pang Jixiu had also studied at the Dou Family School. After obtaining the title of Successful Candidate in the Imperial Examination, he inherited the family business, sold off the pawnshops and medicine shops, and focused solely on restaurants. Leveraging the Wang Family's influence, he expanded branches all the way to the Capital, becoming a well-known figure in the Capital's business circles.

Why was he suddenly leaving the Dou family in this life?

Wu Shan signaled to the attendants around him.

Dou Zhao and his attendants stepped away to give them privacy.

Wu Shan then whispered, "Teacher Du said that Pang Jixiu is older but lacks a solid foundation. With Huigeer, Zhigeer, and Fourth Brother all preparing for the examinations in the next two years, he can't spare the attention to teach Pang Jixiu separately. Continuing like this would hinder Pang Jixiu's studies, so he recommended Pang Jixiu transfer to the Jingyun Academy in the prefecture. He also said Pang Kunbai doesn't study hard and consistently ranks last in monthly assessments, so it would be best to hire a Private tutor to teach him at home."

Dou Zhao suppressed a smile.

In her past life, her impression of the Pang family was that they were flexible and unconstrained by trivialities. In this life, however, she found their shamelessness and obsequiousness utterly appalling. It was better to avoid dealing with them if possible.

Still, this meant the Pang family had no choice but to leave the Dou Family School!

Clearly, the Pang family's antics during Wang Yingxue's legitimization had thoroughly exasperated the Dou family.

She asked Wu Shan with a smile, "Aren't you taking the examinations?"

Wu Shan was the same age as Dou Dechang.

Wu Shan scratched his head. "I’m not as confident as Eleventh Brother."

Recalling that Wu Shan had become a Presented Scholar in her past life, Dou Zhao smiled. "You should be able to pass the county-level examination."

Wu Shan instantly flushed, murmuring, "You... you really think I can do it..." His eyes shone with hope, as if her words alone guaranteed his success.

Dou Zhao felt a pang of guilt.

In her past life, she had no real impression of Wu Shan and had no idea when he had passed the imperial examinations, let alone the county or prefecture-level ones. If he failed this time, wouldn't he be bitterly disappointed?

But since she’d already spoken, she had no choice but to press on. "Eleventh Brother and Twelfth Brother both say you study well. I think you should be able to pass." She hoped he would succeed in the county-level examination.

Wu Shan beamed at her, looking utterly delighted.

For some reason, Dou Zhao suddenly felt she had said the wrong thing.She quickly changed the subject: "When is Pang Jixiu going to Jinyun Academy?"

"Right after the Mid-Autumn Festival," Wu Shan replied with a smile. "We're planning to hold a farewell dinner for him at Jingfuchun..."

The two stood in the courtyard chatting back and forth. Bi Shi glanced up and through the half-open window saw her son, who had left earlier, now standing motionless and staring intently at Dou Zhao. Whatever was said made Dou Zhao smile slightly, and her son grinned foolishly in response—utterly devoid of his usual wit and intelligence.

Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced sideways at Ji Shi.

Ji Shi was instructing a maid: "...Fetch the plum wine brewed this summer. Send one jar to the old madam and another to Shou Gu. Deliver the rest to the Tea and Wine Office for use during the Mid-Autumn family banquet..."

Bi Shi relaxed and exchanged a few pleasantries with Ji Shi before taking her leave. Upon returning to her guest quarters, she summoned her son's personal maid. "Is the fourth young master particularly close with the fourth young miss from the western residence?"

The maid hesitated before answering carefully, "The fourth young miss was raised by Sixth Madam. The fourth young master gets along well with the eleventh and twelfth young masters, often visiting Sixth Madam's quarters to play with them. Occasionally, he encounters the fourth young miss there. He's certainly more familiar with her than with the other young misses of the Dou family."

Bi Shi grew even more suspicious at the maid's cautious tone.

After questioning all her son's attendants, she eventually uncovered the incident involving the perfume.

Bi Shi was so furious she couldn't speak for a long moment. Leaning on her personal maidservant's arm, she went to her son's chambers.

Before even entering the courtyard, she heard her son's clear voice reciting texts aloud.

Bi Shi was stunned.

Though her son was clever, he had never been one for diligent study.

Upon entering the courtyard, she found it eerily quiet with no one in sight.

She instinctively softened her footsteps.

Her son's recitation stopped, replaced by a page's voice: "Fourth Young Master, please rest! It's getting late—you'd normally be asleep by now..."

"In two years I'll be taking the imperial exams with the eleventh and others," Wu Shan replied cheerfully. "If they pass and I don't, Shou Gu might think me utterly stupid."

As the page tried to persuade him further, he laughed and said, "No matter what, I must outperform the Dou family's scholars."

Listening silently, Bi Shi began to smile. She whispered to her maidservant, "Let's go back!" and left her son's courtyard with light steps, instructing her attendant, "Don't let the fourth young master know about today's matters."

The maidservant repeatedly assented.

Meanwhile, Ji Shi was feeling somewhat concerned. She asked Wang Momo, "What exactly did Wu Tai Tai discuss?"

Wang Momo recounted how Bi Shi had questioned Wu Shan's attendants and ordered them to keep silent about it.

Ji Shi's expression relaxed.

Wang Momo smiled knowingly. "Could it be that you're considering the Wu family's fourth young master for our fourth young miss...?"

Ji Shi smiled. "The Wu family may not be extravagantly wealthy, but they're a scholarly lineage with generations of refined manners. Both Master Wu and Wu Tai Tai are people of impeccable character. Given Shou Gu's unfortunate circumstances, marrying into their household would ensure Master Wu and Wu Tai Tai's protection. That would be far more reassuring than sending her off to some distant marriage in the Capital."

Wang Momo understood Ji Shi was referring to the Wei family, the Marquis of Jining. She chuckled, "When the third elder passed away, the Wei family didn't even send sacrificial offerings. That marriage arrangement is likely already void.""That would be even better," Ji Shi said with a laugh. "When Shou Gu gets married, they'll regret it."

Wang Momo thought of Dou Zhao's thick dowry list and couldn't help chuckling.

The mistress and servant shared personal confidences for quite some time.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pang Jixiu suddenly came to visit Dou Zhao.

Dou Shiying frowned deeply and asked Wang Yingxue, "What is he here for?"

Wang Yingxue was equally puzzled and quickly replied, "This humble wife will go see what it's about!"

She returned shortly, carrying a red lacquered box. "He said it's to thank Shou Gu for saving his life last time. He's going to study at Jingyun Academy in the prefecture and specially brought this gift as thanks."

Dou Shiying opened the box. Inside was a gilded kaleidoscope—a Western novelty worth a thousand taels.

Wang Yingxue's eyes turned red with envy, but she forced a smile. "Should we call Shou Gu to ask about this?"

Dou Shiying thought for a moment and said, "I'll go ask her myself."

He went personally to the main house.

Dou Zhao played with the kaleidoscope for a long while before quietly telling her father about their swimming trip to the farmstead. She added, "...I also received a copy of 'Leng Xiang Tang' painting manual from Zhi Ge'er and a Shoushan stone from Fourth Brother Wu Shan. But Pang Jixiu's gift is the rarest." She then cautioned her father, "You mustn't tell anyone about this. They worked hard to keep it from the adults. If it gets out through me, they might avoid me like the plague in the future."

Dou Shiying chuckled and promised, "I won't tell a soul." He then asked, "Wasn't Consort Cui terrified that day?"

"Yes," Dou Zhao laughed. "Boys forget pain once their wounds heal. I'm afraid they'll go swimming there again next year. Do you think we should find a way to invite Consort Cui to stay with us for a few days?"

Dou Shiying agreed, "We should indeed have Consort Cui stay with us for a while. Also, we'll mention it to the Grand Madam next summer." He teased, "If the news only reaches the adults next year, they probably won't suspect you, right?"

Dou Zhao giggled.

Wang Yingxue stood under the veranda of the main house, her mind in turmoil.

Pang Jixiu began sending strange little gifts from time to time, each one quite valuable.

Unsolicited favors often hide ulterior motives.

Over time, Dou Zhao grew suspicious but couldn't fathom Pang Jixiu's motives. She began to regard him with caution, storing his gifts in a separate chest and instructing Su Juan to keep the key safe: "Not a single item must go missing."

Su Juan took no chances, stringing the chest key on a red cord and wearing it around her neck day and night.

By November, they held the final mourning rites for her grandfather. A month later, the mourning period ended just in time for the New Year.

Both the Eastern and Western Dou households were decorated with lanterns and streamers, alive with the sounds of firecrackers and festive music, creating a lively atmosphere.

Wu Shan gave Dou Zhao a rabbit lantern, while Pang Jixiu presented her with a colorful revolving lantern depicting the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea.

The lantern spun merrily, casting dazzling multicolored lights.

Dou Ming was utterly fascinated and urged Shu Jie'er, "Didn't you say your sister treats you best? Ask her to lend it to you for a few days."

For the first time, Dou Zhao refused Shu Jie'er, saying, "This was a gift from someone else, so I can't pass it on. If you like it, I'll have someone buy one for you.""No need, no need. I just wanted to borrow it for a few days to play with." Shu Jie'er returned to the eastern mansion with her face flushed red, blaming Dou Ming for making her ask for the lantern. "You knew perfectly well that was a gift someone gave to Fourth Aunt, yet you still made me go ask for it."

Dou Zhao scoffed. "Weren't all those things from before also gifts people gave her? She never said 'it's improper to regift them' then. Clearly she just didn't want to give it to you. Why take out your frustration on me just because you couldn't get the lantern?"

Shu Jie'er burst into loud wails of anger.

Yi Jie'er scolded her: "You're constantly eyeing Fourth Aunt's things, and when you take them you never return them. If Fourth Aunt weren't such a proper elder who doesn't want to argue with you, who else would indulge you like this? When you do wrong you never reflect on yourself, yet you burst into loud sobs the moment someone criticizes you. No wonder Fifth Aunt looks down on you!"

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Dear readers, the little troublemaker has arrived. Will fix typos tomorrow.

(>_<)