Blossom

Dou Zhao carefully recalled the marriages of Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er.

In her previous life, both had married scholars—one surnamed Sun and the other Wu—but neither had achieved notable success in their official careers, making little progress in their paths as officials.

Which families were they from?

Pondering this, she went to Sixth Aunt's place.

Ji Shi was also troubled by Dou Zhao's studies.

She said to Dou Zhao, "Reading and writing are things that can't be rushed—nor should they be. If you read for half a shichen and write for half a shichen every day, you'll naturally improve over time. What worries me more is your needlework and household management. Huang Shi is about to give birth soon, and we can't have you going over there to add to the commotion. If you learn needlework from me, though you might not match the skill of professional seamstresses, at least you won't need to ask others for help with everyday mending. As for household management and accounting, theory alone isn't enough—it's best to learn from Second Sister-in-law. She manages the household and has dealt with many situations. Only by staying by her side can you truly learn. Here, we encounter fewer incidents, and even if I wanted to teach you, I lack practical examples. I'm afraid the more I explain, the more confused you'll become."

Sixth Aunt had thought of everything for her, and Dou Zhao was deeply grateful.

However, her situation was unique. What Sixth Aunt worried about were precisely the things she excelled at and didn’t need to learn. Conversely, what Sixth Aunt thought she could take her time with were the areas she lacked most and wished to master in this life.

She smiled and said, "I think I should focus on studying for now! Didn’t you say that wisdom comes from books? If I study well now, when the time comes to learn needlework and household management, I’ll surely find it much easier."

Faced with Dou Zhao’s somewhat naive optimism, Ji Shi could only sigh inwardly. Remembering that Dou Zhao had dabbled in needlework during the years she had stayed with her, Ji Shi suggested, "How about this: come here every day at chenshi to read for one shichen and write for one shichen. From weishi to youchu in the afternoon, practice needlework and household management. After the New Year, I’ll see what plans are made for Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er, and the three of you can learn together."

Dou Zhao didn’t dare to handle needlework in front of Ji Shi. Even if she tried to imitate Yi Jie'er and the others, she couldn’t replicate the uneven stitches of a beginner—she would surely give herself away.

"How about I study and write with you in the mornings and practice needlework at home in the afternoons?" Dou Zhao suggested with a smile. "There are skilled seamstresses in the western household too."

Ji Shi agreed.

Thus, Dou Zhao began traveling between the eastern and western Dou households every morning.

A few days later, a letter arrived from Dou Shiying, announcing that he had been appointed to the position of a compiler in the Imperial Academy.

Her grandmother asked Dou Zhao, "What does a compiler do?"

Dou Zhao only knew it was a minor seventh-rank position. She smiled and said, "Probably like a clerk in a county office."

Her grandmother laughed. "No wonder your grandfather refused to serve as an official—he was once a compiler in the Imperial Academy too."

Second Madam, however, was pleased that Dou Shiying had secured a position in the Imperial Academy. She smiled and said, "Now he’ll be together with Zhongzhi again. As brothers, they can look out for each other in the future."

Seizing the opportunity, Ji Shi brought up Dou Zhao’s situation: "...I heard Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er are both learning needlework from Huang Shi, but given Huang Shi’s condition, I didn’t agree to it. The children in the family are growing up, and we should plan ahead. How about having Shou Gu learn etiquette alongside Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er when the time comes? What do you think?""We'll talk about this matter later," Second Madam said, shifting the topic to the Double Ninth Festival in early September. "I was thinking of inviting the matrons from various families to admire chrysanthemums at our home. How can it be the Double Ninth Festival without appreciating chrysanthemums?"

Ji Shi couldn't press further on the previous subject. Having raised Dou Zhao since childhood without a daughter of her own, she treated her like one, ensuring she was versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. While not masterful, Dou Zhao could hold her own among scholars and artists. Now, Ji Shi wished to guide her in needlework and household management to complete her education. Yet, finding the right mentor proved difficult. A woman's ultimate duty lay in managing a household—elegant pastimes were mere embellishments. Without this skill, all previous efforts would be wasted.

Unwilling to give up, Ji Shi followed Second Madam's lead with a smile. "Last year, Seventh Uncle's Black Chrysanthemum won first prize. I heard this year's blooms are even better. Should we bring them over for the occasion?"

After Dou Shiying left, his greenhouse had been entrusted to Dou Zhao.

Second Madam nodded approvingly. "No need to trouble another. Since you borrowed the flowers last year, you may fetch them again this time."

Ji Shi agreed cheerfully but remained puzzled by Second Madam's intentions.

If she wished to elevate Dou Zhao, why not let her learn household management under Second Madam's guidance? It would be an effortless favor. Yet if she meant to suppress her, why showcase Dou Zhao's prized chrysanthemums as the centerpiece? Soon, every matron in Zhen Ding County would know of Dou Zhao.

Wang Momo, aware of Ji Shi's visit regarding Dou Zhao, grew anxious upon seeing her distracted return. "What happened? What did the madam say?"

After sipping the tea Wang Momo offered, Ji Shi recounted the meeting.

Wang Momo gasped. "Could the madam intend to keep Fourth Miss at home?"

"Unlikely," Ji Shi replied. "Even if she wished, it wouldn't be feasible."

After a pause, Wang Momo ventured, "Remember our family's Thirteenth Miss? Her wedding attendants were all Ninth Madam's people. Later, when she wished to... be with her husband, she had to defer to the maids' whims. In frustration, the groom promoted his bedroom servant to concubine. Ashamed, Thirteenth Miss kept silent until the concubine bore a son—only then did the family learn the truth!"

Ji Shi paled, pacing agitatedly before regaining composure. "Prepare ink," she instructed Wang Momo. "I'll write to Zhongzhi."

Wang Momo hesitated. "Sixth Master is impulsive. Why not write to Seventh Master instead?"

"Seventh Master has Wang Shi by his side," Ji Shi said wearily. "The matter might backfire, making me the target instead."

Wang Momo sighed.

Unaware of these concerns, Dou Zhao spent her morning studying the Book of Songs with Ji Shi, practiced calligraphy in the afternoon, then strolled with her grandmother in the East Wing Courtyard.

"Sixth Aunt says I needn't attend her lessons after finishing the Book of Songs," she mentioned.

Her grandmother beamed. "Does that mean you've completed all your studies?""How could one ever finish reading all the books?" Dou Zhao smiled. "It's just that Sixth Aunt said subjects like Records of the Grand Historian and Zuo's Commentary require great scholars to properly explain them. She had only listened to Grandfather's lectures alongside her brothers before, so while she can recite the texts, she doesn't dare teach them properly."

Grandmother was quite regretful.

Dou Zhao suggested, "What if we hire an elderly scholar to teach me at home?"

Grandmother hesitated slightly. "What does your father say about this?"

"If you agree, I'll write to Father," Dou Zhao replied cheerfully. "Otherwise, Second Madam would likely oppose it."

"I've always regretted not being educated," Grandmother said firmly. "Write to your father. If he disagrees, we'll return to the farmstead. Surely their influence can't reach there?"

When Grandmother had moved to the farmstead, Grandfather had written a deed gifting it to her as retirement land, to be returned to the Dou family only after her passing.

Dou Zhao was overjoyed.

She had known all along that no matter what she did, Grandmother would support her unconditionally.

Taking Grandmother's hand, Dou Zhao led her inside to compose the letter to Father.

Just as they set down the brush, Qiukui entered to announce Ji Shi's arrival.

Dou Zhao and Grandmother hurried out to greet her.

Ji Shi repeatedly apologized: "You shouldn't have come out to meet me!"

But Grandmother smiled warmly. "Shou Gu has grown up under your care, and we're endlessly grateful. If you stand on ceremony with me, it would seem too distant."

Though Ji Shi had seen Grandmother annually since marrying into the family, their interactions had been limited to polite exchanges. It wasn't until Dou Zhao proposed bringing Grandmother to live with them that Ji Shi had inquired thoroughly about Grandmother's character, ultimately approving Dou Zhao's companionship. After some casual conversation, Ji Shi stated her purpose.

Hearing the request was to borrow the Black Chrysanthemum, Grandmother enthusiastically accompanied Ji Shi to the greenhouse. "When do you need it? I'll have it moved over a day in advance—these plants grow best when they receive evening dew."

Ji Shi remarked, "Shou Gu's flowers thrive so well—has she learned from you?"

"The child is simply clever," Grandmother replied, visibly proud. "I once taught her to use dried fish bones to repel insects. When she noticed stunted growth, she thought to place bones beside the stems—something I hadn't considered!"

Ji Shi chuckled.

Grandmother then pointed out the vibrant Cut Autumn Gauze, Goosecoming Red, and Ever Young blooms. "See how splendid these flowers are!" She offered Ji Shi a pot of autumn begonias. "Chrysanthemums are everywhere—let's break the monotony."

Ji Shi admired the delicate pink blossoms nestled among emerald leaves, their tender beauty evoking pity before enduring any hardship.

Suddenly inspired, she asked, "Shou Gu, what else do you grow here?"

Since arriving in the Capital, Dou Zhao had abandoned farming. After marrying into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, she'd taken to gardening whenever restless, even cultivating dual-colored peonies. These common flowers were child's play to her.

She smiled. "Is this for the Double Ninth chrysanthemum banquet? I have a pot of Jianlan still in bloom—though an ordinary variety, it would serve well for receiving guests in the hall."

Ji Shi's eyes widened as she studied Dou Zhao. "I never knew you gardened?"Dou Zhao felt embarrassed and quickly replied, "It's just a matter of being bold and not afraid of trouble. If it doesn't grow well this year, I'll try again next year."

"To persist despite repeated failures is already commendable," Ji Shi praised Dou Zhao repeatedly, delighting her grandmother so much that she insisted on gifting Ji Shi a camellia planted in a purple clay pot: "...I heard it can bloom in various colors."

Ji Shi was astonished: "The 'Eighteen Scholars' variety?"

Dou Zhao modestly smiled, "It was only transplanted last year and hasn't bloomed yet. I don't even know if it can produce eighteen flowers."

Ji Shi immediately instructed the maids carrying the pot, "Be careful with it!" Then she asked Dou Zhao, "How should I care for it?"

"It's best placed near a window with glazed panes. Water it every two or three days depending on the soil's moisture—never let water stagnate. Ideally, let the water sit for a day or two before using," Dou Zhao explained, then realized there was much more to say. She simply added, "Since I come to your place for lessons every morning anyway, I can help you take care of it then."

"That would be perfect," Ji Shi beamed with joy. "I can learn from you how to care for this 'Eighteen Scholars'—my grandfather adores camellias. My family home in Yixing is filled with all kinds of camellias, blooming year-round without fail."

Different camellia varieties have different blooming periods, and as Dou Zhao listened, she could vividly imagine the splendid sight.