Blossom

“For such matters, we need someone who can write and calculate, right?” Dou Zhao said with a smile. “Gousheng only knows how to write his own name. I think it would be better to have Cui Shisan assist Boyan. Isn’t he studying at the county school?”

She knew her grandmother disliked the Cui family getting involved in Dou family affairs, fearing others might say the Cuis were overstepping and taking advantage. But compared to Zhao Liangbi, Cui Shisan was more suitable.

Besides, since she had decided not to marry in this lifetime, she had to find a path for Cui Shisan.

As expected, her grandmother hesitated upon hearing this.

Dou Qijun was quick-witted and immediately understood that Dou Zhao wanted to elevate the Cui family. Naturally, he saw no reason to refuse.

“Then it’s settled,” he said with a smile. “I’ll trouble Fourth Aunt to send someone to bring Cui Shisan to me in the next couple of days. After the Double Ninth Festival, I’ll start working on this matter.”

Dou Zhao agreed cheerfully.

If her grandmother objected further, it would seem petty. So she dropped the subject, and the conversation turned to their experience watching the sunrise at Dafang Temple: “…We were startled awake by the sound of gongs and drums in the middle of the night. Someone had brought child actors to perform ‘Han Qi Wang’ in front of the main hall. We watched alongside the temple monks and pilgrims. At dawn, we followed that person to the Twin Goose Pagodas of Dafang Temple to see the sunrise. But by the time we descended, they were already gone. It would have been nice to make their acquaintance.”

Dou Qijun was quite regretful.

Wu Shan, however, dismissed it. “That person was dressed extravagantly, accompanied by child performers and courtesans. I doubt they were respectable. It’s just as well we didn’t meet them.”

But Dou Qijun countered, “Their words were witty, their speech refined, and their demeanor unrestrained. I think they were a free spirit.”

“Alright, alright, no need to quarrel over a stranger,” Dou Zhengchang interjected with a smile. “Are we still going to the Source of Dharma Temple tomorrow?”

Dou Zhao asked curiously, “Why are you going there?”

Dou Zhengchang explained, “There’s a centuries-old osmanthus tree at the Source of Dharma Temple. It was struck by lightning last year, but we heard new branches have recently sprouted. We wanted to see it.”

Dou Zhao burst out laughing. “A few days ago, Boyan boasted in front of my father that you were all studying diligently at home. So this is how you ‘study’?”

“We really were studying at home earlier,” Wu Shan hurriedly clarified. “But these past few days, Teacher Du went to visit friends and gave us a seven-day break. That’s why we’ve been out and about.”

Dou Zhao felt envious.

Her grandmother said, “Then let’s go to the Source of Dharma Temple tomorrow too!”

“The temple is built at the mountain peak,” Wu Shan added quickly. “There are 999 steps from the gate to the main hall. If you’re going tomorrow, I’ll hire a sedan chair for you.”

“No need, no need,” her grandmother replied cheerfully. “It’s just 999 steps. I can still manage.”

Dou Qijun and the others were skeptical but arranged for two sedan chairs to follow them just in case.

The next day, Dou Zhao and her grandmother climbed to the summit in one go, while Wu Shan and the others were still catching their breath at a turn in the path.

She couldn’t help but laugh.

Her clear, melodious laughter, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, drew an extra glance from Abbot Tuyin, who was waiting with a smile in front of the main hall.

Someone nearby let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

Dou Zhao instinctively turned toward the sound and felt her eyes brighten.Under a nearby cypress tree stood a youth of about fifteen or sixteen years, his face as fair as jade, with clear and bright eyes. He wore a green bamboo-colored Straight Robe embroidered with brocade patterns, a white jade hairpin in his hair, and at his waist hung a Scented sachet, jade pendant, Scent satchel, Folding Fan, and other accessories. He stood there quietly, his graceful demeanor radiant.

Behind him followed two Pages, both no older than twelve or thirteen, yet each with delicate and refined features. They exuded a strong scholarly air, making it impossible to look down upon them.

Noticing Dou Zhao's gaze, the youth smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful salute, his bearing dignified and composed.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile faintly and nod in his direction.

Her grandmother, however, seemed displeased.

Abbot Tuyin quickly explained, "When we received your family's letter yesterday, this young master had already retired for the night."

The implication was that it would have been impolite to turn him away.

Fortunately, her grandmother was not an unreasonable person and nodded with a smile, letting the matter drop. She and Dou Zhao stood aside, waiting for Dou Qijun and the others.

The young man then asked Abbot Tuyin, "Might I inquire where the century-old osmanthus tree that sprouted anew from a withered branch is located?"

So he had also come to see the osmanthus tree.

Dou Zhao pricked up her ears to listen.

"It's behind the Mahavira Hall," Abbot Tuyin replied with a smile. "I'll have someone escort you there now."

The young man thanked him and, accompanied by his two Pages, followed the attendant monk to the rear hall.

Dou Qijun and the others arrived, panting and bending over from the climb.

"Consort Cui tends to her crops every day—I concede defeat," Dou Dechang said. "But Fourth Sister, you either sit on the kang doing needlework or bend over a desk writing. How can you climb so fast?"

Dou Zhao laughed triumphantly. "Do you think needlework and writing don't require effort?" Inwardly, though, she was grateful for her grandmother's daily walks with her.

Dou Dechang and the others, of course, didn't believe her.

Dou Zhao smiled. "Well, are you going to see the osmanthus tree or not? Someone has already gone ahead of us to the back of the Mahavira Hall."

"Who?" Dou Zhengchang and the others buzzed with curiosity. "To think the same as us—clearly no ordinary person. Why not invite him to join us for lunch?"

They had brought vegetarian dishes prepared by the Dou family's cook up the mountain.

Wu Shan asked, "What about Fourth Sister?"

The group immediately deflated.

Dou Zhao also felt a bit disappointed.

Dou Qijun suggested, "If Fourth Sister is to come out with us again, she might as well dress as a Page."

Dou Zhao's heart stirred, and she quickly glanced at her grandmother.

Her grandmother seemed not to have heard, standing to the side with a smile as she admired a green pine.

Dou Zhao nearly rushed forward to hug her tightly.

The group made their way to the back of the Mahavira Hall.

Amid the withered branches of the old tree, a new sprout had emerged, its leaves lush and green, full of vitality. It was enclosed by a wooden fence and had already produced tiny, tender yellow flower buds. There was no sign of anyone.

"Didn't you say someone was ahead of us?" Dou Dechang asked Dou Zhao as he looked around.

Dou Zhao was equally puzzled. "If you don't believe me, ask Consort Cui."

Abbot Tuyin smiled and said, "Perhaps they took the small path down the mountain."

Only then did Dou Zhao notice a narrow path beside the hall.

That person was quite considerate, she thought to herself. She and Dou Zhengchang listened as Abbot Tuyin recounted the history of the tree.

※※※※※

After two consecutive days of outings, though her grandmother remained in good spirits, Dou Zhao grew concerned. She skipped the third day's boating excursion to rest at home with her grandmother.

Her grandmother hesitated. "Are you really letting Cui Shisan accompany Boyan?""It's just about lending a hand," Dou Zhao said with a smile. "It's not like I'm asking him to pledge allegiance!" She added, "Boyan has grand ambitions. If Cui Shisan can establish a connection with him, it would be beneficial for his future."

Before her grandmother could say more, Dou Zhao continued with a chuckle, "Boyan only gets five taels of silver as his monthly allowance. With Cui Shisan following him, it's hard to say who's really helping whom."

In the Dou family, the monthly allowance only increased to twenty taels after marriage.

Her grandmother laughed heartily.

Dou Zhao then summoned Cui Shisan into the residence and explained the matter to him.

Cui Shisan's eyes immediately lit up, and he asked when he could meet Dou Qijun.

Dou Zhao sent a maid to check if Dou Qijun was home and stayed behind to chat with Cui Shisan and her grandmother.

Soon, the maid returned with news: "The fifth young master hasn't returned from his boat outing yet, but he left instructions that if Cui Shisan arrives, he should wait a while, as he will definitely be back before dinner."

Dou Zhao thought that since Cui Shisan was her grandmother's nephew and this idea had been her suggestion, she might as well accompany him all the way. That way, even if the servants wanted to give him a hard time, they would think twice in her presence. It would also be a good opportunity for her to visit Sixth Aunt—she had been learning painting from her when her father left, but she had paused her studies due to concern for her grandmother. Now that autumn had arrived, it was time to gradually resume her lessons.

She took Cui Shisan to the East Mansion.

The old woman on duty at the second gate spotted Dou Zhao's carriage and hurried over to greet them.

"Fourth Miss, we haven't seen you all summer!" she said eagerly, helping Dou Zhao with the footstool. "The ladies and madams in our mansion have missed you terribly." Then, catching sight of Cui Shisan in his fine linen Taoist robe—clearly not a page—she fawned, "Oh my, who is this young gentleman?"

Dou Zhao smiled faintly and replied succinctly, "This is Cui Shisan. The fifth young master has asked him to come and assist."

The old woman's eyes widened slightly.

Cui?

A relative of Consort Cui from the West Mansion?

"Ah, no wonder he looks so refined—he's from the Cui family!" the old woman flattered.

Dou Zhao had already walked inside with a smile.

Cui Shisan followed quietly behind her and whispered, "You always seem so quiet, but I didn’t realize you were so well-regarded in the Dou family."

Dou Zhao smiled without responding.

With Second Madam's favor, who wouldn’t try to curry her favor?

If she had any interest in managing the West Mansion, she could easily dominate there and live even more freely—many in the West Mansion were already serving the East Mansion while pretending loyalty to their own.

The thought sparked an idea.

Perhaps she could take over her grandmother's farmstead earlier and place some trusted people there.

In her past life, she had grown up with Gan Lu and Su Juan. Though they were master and servant in name, they had been as close as siblings. After her grandmother's passing, they had relied on each other, struggling through hardships to eventually build a life. But in this life, raised in Dong Dou, by the time she found Gan Lu and Su Juan, they were already somewhat worldly. Though they handled tasks without her needing to worry, no matter how affectionate she was with them, they always maintained the formal boundaries of master and servant. Sometimes, if she spoke too intimately, they would even show signs of unease—nothing like the closeness of her past life.

Gains always come with losses.

Lost in thought, she arrived at the third branch's residence.Third Sister-in-law personally greeted her at the door.

"Why have you come?" she asked cheerfully, taking Dou Zhao's hand. "Weren't you supposed to be accompanying Consort Cui? If there was something, you could have just sent someone with a message—no need to come all this way yourself."

"It was Boyan's request," Dou Zhao briefly explained her purpose before smiling. "Where's Shu Jie'er?"

"She's with Yi Jie'er, learning needlework from Ninth Sister-in-law!" Third Sister-in-law replied with a smile, sitting down with Dou Zhao on the kang by the window in the main room. "They're not so young anymore. Second Madam said, since we already have a skilled teacher at home, why bother hiring someone from outside? It's unlikely they'd match Ninth Sister-in-law's craftsmanship."

It took Dou Zhao a moment to understand.

Yi Jie'er, Shu Jie'er, and she were all the same age—twelve this year. According to the customs of noble families, it was time to arrange marriages for them.

※

Not sure if I can make it before midnight?

(>_<)

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