Blossom

Relationships between people can sometimes be quite wondrous.

Dou Zhao considered herself worldly and aloof by nature, while Ji Shi was cautious in speech and meticulous in action. As an elder entrusted by Dou Shiying to care for Dou Zhao, Ji Shi naturally maintained a dignified demeanor before her. Though they got along well, their relationship couldn't be described as close. However, after receiving that pot of 'Shi Ba Xue Shi' camellia, Ji Shi began looking at Dou Zhao with less elder reserve and more kindred-spirit affection.

After each lesson, she would always keep Dou Zhao for a chat: "Where did you get this 'Shi Ba Xue Shi' from?"

"Last time when Father was renovating the East Wing Courtyard, he sent people to Jiangnan to purchase plants. Someone was selling this 'Shi Ba Xue Shi' at a high price, and I recognized it as genuine, so I bought it." In her past life, everyone around her enjoyed admiring and wearing flowers, but none took pleasure in cultivating them. In this life, finally meeting someone who shared her interest in gardening, Dou Zhao loved discussing these topics. "I also asked him to find me two 'Liu Jiao Da Hong', one 'Chi Dan', one 'Fen Dan', and one camellia." She added, "Sixth Aunt, do you like Jianlan orchids? I've asked him to look for some seedling varieties for me too."

"You know how to cultivate Jianlan?" Ji Shi's almond eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know about growing Jianlan?"

Dou Zhao suddenly realized her slip of tongue and quickly explained: "I don't actually know how to grow orchids. But I came across an orchid manual in Father's study and found it fascinating. I thought I'd try following its instructions to cultivate some Jianlan, to see if it works." Then she added playfully, "How would I know if I don't try? Maybe I'll develop the Dou variety of Jianlan!"

In her past life, she had particularly loved Jianlan, especially the Su Xin variety, admiring its dignified and elegant beauty, its pure and noble character, and its ability to thrive anywhere. With some care, it could even bloom two or three seasons a year.

Ji Shi was eager to see this orchid manual, but swallowed her request—orchids were precious, and in families with generations of orchid cultivation, the techniques were guarded like family heirlooms, sometimes even passed only to male descendants. Who knew how the Western Dou family had obtained their manual? Rather than shamelessly trying to peek at Western Dou's orchid secrets through the unwitting Dou Zhao, it would be better to have Dou Zhao gift her some orchids.

"I'll be waiting for your Dou variety of Jianlan," she said with a smile. "Just don't forget to send some to your Sixth Aunt when the time comes."

Seeing that Ji Shi didn't press further about orchid cultivation, Dou Zhao sighed in relief and eagerly promised: "Absolutely! Without fail!"

Ji Shi accompanied her to see the two Jianlan plants still in bloom: "How did you manage to keep them flowering this long?"

Not daring to show off again, Dou Zhao smiled: "I just tried keeping them in the greenhouse, never expecting they'd bloom this long. I still don't understand why they've lasted so long. I've assigned capable maids to tend them daily and record their changes—we should be able to figure out the reason."

Ji Shi was full of admiration: "I only knew you were diligent in studies before. I never imagined you'd put such effort into gardening too."

"If I'm going to spend time on something anyway, why not do my very best?" Dou Zhao replied with a smile.

Ji Shi nodded repeatedly, her praise evident in her expression.

A young maid came rushing in: "Sixth Madam, Fourth Miss. Ninth Sister-in-law Huan has given birth."

Both Dou Zhao and Ji Shi showed delighted expressions, asking the maid in unison: "A girl or a boy? Did Ninth Sister-in-law Huan have a safe delivery?"The little maid hurriedly smiled and said, "Ninth Aunt Huan has given birth to a son, and both mother and child are safe and well."

The two women instinctively clasped their hands together and murmured "Amitabha Buddha."

After reciting, they found it amusing and couldn't help but exchange smiles.

Ji Shi suggested that Dou Zhao gift a pot of Jianlan orchids to Huang Shi as a congratulatory present: "This is the eldest grandson of the main branch, so surely many relatives and friends will come to offer congratulations. Perhaps even the Huang family from Huai'an will send someone. Orchids are quite beloved in the Jiangnan region."

Dou Zhao was somewhat surprised.

Ji Shi had always been low-key, but these days she had been acting out of character, pushing Dou Zhao to the forefront in every matter.

It wasn't until bedtime, when she overheard Haitang muttering, "The Fourth Young Lady's winter clothes might all need to be remade," that she finally understood.

She had reached the age for marriage discussions.

In the end, she sent several bolts of brocade as a congratulatory gift.

Ji Shi was frustrated by her lack of ambition and silently reflected, feeling that she herself had raised Dou Zhao to be this way.

Wang Momo chuckled and said, "The Fourth Young Lady is simply unperturbed by honor or disgrace. Madam should be happy about this."

"Yes," Ji Shi replied dejectedly. "But the more she is like this, the more I can't bear to see her talents go unnoticed."

During the Double Ninth Festival banquet at the Dou residence, Ji Shi kept Dou Zhao by her side, occasionally having her serve tea or hand handkerchiefs to the esteemed elders.

Though Dou Zhao knew exactly what Ji Shi was up to, her naturally strong-willed nature made it impossible for her to deliberately tarnish her own reputation. So she simply smiled and accepted the elders' praises of her being "steady and dignified" or "clever and quick-witted." In comparison, Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er appeared either too flighty or too dull.

Second Madam watched from the sidelines, smiling without comment.

Nanny Liu whispered, "Should we ask Sixth Madam to check if the chrysanthemum display is properly arranged? She's from Jiangnan and must have seen more of such things than we have."

Second Madam was displeased, but since Ji Shi was her daughter-in-law, she didn't want to embarrass her in front of Nanny Liu, even if the latter was her most trusted servant.

"This is Shou Gu's skill," Second Madam said, glancing at Nanny Liu. "If anyone is to blame, it's those who failed to teach Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er properly."

Nanny Liu quickly lowered her head in agreement.

Second Madam then took Third Sister-in-law's arm and headed to the Reception Hall where the banquet was being held.

Normally, it was Sixth Aunt who escorted Second Madam.

Seeing Ji Shi's expression remain as calm as still water, Dou Zhao sighed inwardly.

If she hadn't understood Second Madam's intentions before, witnessing the silent but tense standoff between Second Madam and Ji Shi today gave her some clues.

The Wang family couldn't interfere with her marriage, and the Zhao family was too far away to marry her off to the northwest. Her father, being a man, would likely seek help from the Dong Dou branch regarding her marriage. However, Second Madam clearly didn't want her to outshine Yi Jie'er and Shu Jie'er, nor did she want her to marry out of the family.

Considering the half of the Western Dou property registered under her name—and having once been a Lineage Wife herself—Dou Zhao fully understood Second Madam's reasoning. Rather than offending potential suitors by turning them away, it would be better to quietly marry her off to someone beneficial to the Dou family or keep her within the household, treating her well and coaxing her into dividing her property among the Dou family's descendants.

Fortunately, while Second Madam had her strategies, Dou Zhao had her own countermeasures. There was no need to put Ji Shi in the difficult position of being caught between her and Second Madam.After seeing off the guests, Dou Zhao asked Second Madam to intercede on her behalf: "...I wish to become as knowledgeable as Sixth Aunt. She also thinks it's a good idea. So I wrote to Father, asking his permission for me to continue studying by hiring a private tutor to reside at home. Father hasn't replied yet. I'm afraid Madam might interfere..."

Second Madam glanced at Ji Shi, who showed a fleeting look of surprise, and smiled, "You're still young, just the right age for studying. Don't worry, I'll take charge of this matter. Wang Shi won't say anything."

Dou Zhao happily thanked Second Madam.

Ji Shi sighed and gently patted her hand, personally escorting her to the carriage.

Not wanting to make a fuss and without waiting for Dou Shiying's reply, Second Madam had already instructed Dou Shibang to quietly find a tutor for Dou Zhao: "...He must not be from the vicinity of Zhen Ding. His scholarship must be excellent, capable of keeping Shou Gu interested in continuous learning."

Dou Shibang was puzzled, "Shou Gu isn't preparing for the imperial examinations."

Second Madam replied, "Are we spending silver just to hire an unlearned person? What would people think of the Dou family's reputation? What about the prestige of the Dou Family School?"

But was it necessary to hire someone whose background was unknown?

Dou Shibang grumbled inwardly but dared not ask further, respectfully agreeing and enlisting several reliable stewards to help find a tutor for Dou Zhao.

Nevertheless, Dou Zhao's reputation for outstanding beauty, poised manners, and dignified conduct spread quickly.

Soon, marriage proposals came pouring in.

Second Madam declined them all with the excuse, "She's too young; we must at least wait until she comes of age."

Grandmother grew somewhat concerned and privately told Hong Gu, "Coming of age—isn't that too late? Suitable young men might already be betrothed by then."

Hong Gu comforted her, "With Shou Gu's beauty and capability, why worry about finding a good match? If there's none in Zhen Ding County, surely there must be some in the Capital?"

"That's true," Grandmother reassured herself.

Dou Zhao found this secretly amusing.

It seemed no one mentioned Wei Tingyu at all.

If only she could find a way to retrieve the betrothal token from her uncle's hands... That would completely nullify her engagement with the Wei family.

Dou Zhao thought of her children.

Forever preserved in memory, still fourteen or fifteen years old.

Her mood suddenly plummeted.

On her way to Ji Shi's lessons, Dou Zhao leaned listlessly against the large bolster in the carriage.

The smoothly moving carriage suddenly jerked to a halt amid shouts. Dou Zhao, Haitang, Qiukui, and others stumbled and tumbled together. Outside, a girl's clear yet slightly trembling voice rang out, "Miss Dou, please save my father!"

Dou Zhao's heart trembled at the plea.

If it was a matter of "saving," it must be dire indeed.

What danger could law-abiding commoners face?

Strangers as they were, she had no intention of meddling. She instructed Haitang, "Tell the coachman to hurry along; we mustn't delay our lessons."

Haitang quickly relayed the message to the coachman.

The coachman raised his whip to urge the horses onward.

But the girl blocking the way spread her arms wide, standing firmly in the middle of the alley.

The coachman had no choice but to softly persuade her, "Our young mistress hasn't yet come of age; even her own affairs require the elders' decisions. If you have grievances, why not beat the drum at the yamen? What can our young mistress do for you?"

The girl stubbornly stood her ground.

An old woman from the escort jumped down to pull the girl away.

Yet the girl remained immovable.The old woman's face turned red with anger as she called for help.

Both the coachman and another accompanying old woman got down from the carriage.

The little girl shouted directly at Dou Zhao's carriage, "Fourth Miss, I beg you! My father is innocent. They accuse us of aiding bandits, but my father doesn't even know that person. Whenever my father's friends came to visit, I was the one who served tea and poured wine—I know all of his friends. Fourth Miss, I implore you!" As she spoke, she began kowtowing to Dou Zhao with loud "thud" sounds, refusing to get up no matter how the three adults tried to pull her away.

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Update on February 17th.

( ^__^ )

I'm a diligent little bee...

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