Blossom

The Dou family was highly prominent in Zhen Ding, with people seeking their help as numerous as fish in the river. However, a single tree does not make a forest. For the Dou family to firmly establish their roots here and thrive, they needed not only to build connections with local officials and wealthy gentry from neighboring villages but also to deal with the local ruffians and idlers. For ordinary matters brought to their doorstep, as long as it didn’t harm the Dou family’s interests, they would help if they could. If they couldn’t, they would still offer some silver to assist the person in need. This was how they had earned their current reputation for generosity.

As for herself, she was merely a sheltered young woman. If this girl had a grievance, why come to her instead of seeking out her Third Uncle, who managed household affairs, or her Third Cousin, who often dealt with external matters?

Either the girl’s claims were false, or this was a matter the Dou family couldn’t easily intervene in.

She instructed Haitang, “Ignore her. Let’s return to the manor.”

Just because someone blocked her path, did she have to stop and confront them?

Haitang, encountering such a situation for the first time, was trembling with fear. She lifted the carriage curtain and called out to the coachman before moving closer to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

She had already reconnected with her old acquaintances from her past life. In a few years, Cui Da would manage her farmstead, and Zhao Liangbi would assist her with business dealings. She could rest assured about external affairs, but when it came to internal household matters… Gan Lu and Su Juan weren’t truly aligned with her, and Haitang and the others weren’t particularly capable. It seemed she would still have to put in some effort.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard the girl blocking the carriage cry out, “Fourth Miss, I’ll kowtow to you! Please, save my father! I’ll erect a Longevity tablet for you, I’ll serve you like an ox or a horse to repay you… They said if the Dou family would vouch that my father isn’t Aiding bandits, he could be released immediately… Please, just say a word to Lord Lu…” With that, she burst into loud sobs.

The sound was heart-wrenching, stirring pity in anyone who heard it.

Dou Zhao frowned and said to Haitang, “Tell her to stop crying. Take her to see Third Uncle.”

Haitang acknowledged and stepped out of the carriage.

But the girl clung desperately to the carriage shaft, refusing to let go. “I already begged Third Master, but he said the evidence against my father is irrefutable… My father was clearly framed! It’s all because of that fat bastard Dan Jie—he wanted to take my sister as a concubine, and when she refused, he falsely accused my father to force him to sell her… Fourth Miss, I’m not lying! If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death! No—if I’ve spoken even a single false word, may I never be reincarnated after death…”

Such a vicious oath!

Dou Zhao was moved.

Regardless of whether the girl’s father was truly framed, at least in the girl’s heart, he was innocent.

In this world, countless children, out of filial devotion, steadfastly believe their fathers to be virtuous and noble gentlemen, when in truth, they might be utterly despicable villains…

For some reason, she suddenly felt stifled. Taking a deep breath, she spoke gently to the girl outside the carriage curtain, “You say your father was framed, yet my Third Uncle claims the evidence against him is ‘irrefutable.’ Who should I believe?”

The girl froze for a moment, then replied urgently, “Fourth Miss, if I can find proof, will you vouch for my father?”

This girl was quick-witted, able to infer much from little.

But if even Third Uncle said the evidence was “irrefutable,” this matter likely wouldn’t be easily resolved!Dou Zhao pondered and asked, "Who is Dan Jie?"

"He's the only son of Master Dan from Zhen Ding Prefecture," the little girl hurriedly replied. "Master Dan was once the prefect of Songjiang. Their family is very wealthy. My father runs a martial arts school, and one of his disciples, Chen Xiaofeng, works as a house guard for Master Dan. Last year, during my father's birthday celebration, Chen Xiaofeng came to offer his congratulations, and Dan Jie tagged along out of boredom. My father treated him with fine wine and dishes, but he took a fancy to my elder sister. How could my father agree to let her become someone's concubine? Feeling slighted, Dan Jie seized the opportunity when a robbery occurred in Zhen Ding Prefecture. He falsely accused my father's friend of being the robber, claiming my father had tipped him off and later arranged transportation for his escape. Knowing he had offended Dan Jie, my father sold our ancestral property to raise three thousand taels of silver as compensation. Dan Jie took the money but reneged, insisting my father hand over my sister as his concubine. How could my father bear to let her suffer such a fate? Even after kowtowing and apologizing publicly, Dan Jie refused to speak up for my father..." The little girl began to cry. "Fourth Miss, I'm not lying! If you don't believe me, you can ask anyone in Zhen Ding Prefecture—everyone knows about this... Our neighbor, Elder Chen, said Lord Lu used to be the magistrate of Zhen Ding County, and the Dou family surely has influence with him. So I sneaked here, but Third Master Dou refused to intervene." She knelt again, kowtowing to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao's expression darkened.

Since Master Dan had served as the prefect of Songjiang, the Dou family must have had dealings with him.

No wonder Third Uncle was unwilling to get involved.

Dou Zhao was beginning to believe the story.

Having lived two lives, with her previous one spent in the Capital, she had heard countless tales of injustice, but this was the first time she encountered such blatant coercion to force a woman into concubinage.

As a woman herself, she was furious.

Dou Zhao instructed Haitang to help the girl up and asked thoughtfully, "How did you find me?"

The girl nervously replied, "Since Third Master Dou wouldn't help, I had to find out who could influence him. Someone mentioned you—saying you're not only graceful, composed, and generous but also kind-hearted and always willing to help. Not only is the Dowager Madam of the Dou family fond of you, but even the other ladies hold you in high regard. So I thought to ask for your assistance..." she murmured.

Dou Zhao frowned.

Was that really her?

She always thought of herself as cold-hearted—if an oil bottle fell in her path, she wouldn't even bother to pick it up unless it blocked her way...

Still, if Third Uncle refused to intervene, this matter likely had implications for the Dou family. She couldn't recklessly take it upon herself out of mere indignation.

"You should know that even if you've found me, I might not be able to help," Dou Zhao said, lifting the carriage curtain to reveal a face still bearing traces of youth.

The girl stood beside Haitang, appearing no older than twelve or thirteen, with slightly dark skin, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a sturdy build. Dressed in a lilac cotton jacket, she looked almost like a boy at first glance.

What did her sister look like, I wonder?

The thought flashed through Dou Zhao's mind.

The girl suddenly exclaimed, "You—you're so young!"

Her formal "you" had shifted to the informal.Dou Zhao found it rather odd. "Didn't you investigate properly before coming to me?"

The young girl looked embarrassed. "I heard them speaking of you with such respect that I assumed you were already of marriageable age..." Then she perked up and said, "Fourth Miss, if it's inconvenient for you to intervene personally, could you ask an elder of the Dou family to speak to Third Master Dou on my father's behalf? I can approach Third Master Dou again myself." As if suddenly remembering something, she hastily added, "This time I won't go empty-handed—I'll have a legal scribe prepare the evidence you mentioned to present to Third Master Dou. Perhaps seeing it will change his mind!"

For one so young, it was remarkable how quick-witted she was—when one plan failed, she immediately devised another, seizing every opportunity.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but silently admire her.

This reminded her of when she first arrived at the Marquis of Jining's Mansion. Noticing there had only been two spring rains, she suspected a drought might strike the Capital. Remembering that the brother-in-law of Marquis Xuanguo Guo Haiqing served in the Canal Transportation Office, she repeatedly visited Madam Guo and persuaded her to jointly speculate on grain, earning a substantial profit. This gave her the means to prevent Wei Tingzhen from interfering in the Marquis of Jining's household affairs.

She felt a pang of sympathy for the young girl.

"What's your father's name?" she asked. "Where is your martial arts school located? What's it called?"

"My father's surname is Bie, given name Dayong, courtesy name Gangyi," the girl replied. "The school operates from our home on East Lane Street in the eastern part of the city. It's called the Bie Family Martial Arts School—anyone in town can direct you there." She added, "My name is Sulan."

Dou Zhao pointed to Haitang. "You can look for her when the time comes."

Bie Sulan was overjoyed, her small eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she eagerly took Haitang's hand and sweetly called her "elder sister," asking for her name.

The sheer delight in her demeanor was palpable, not just to Dou Zhao but even to the old women accompanying the carriage.

Bie Sulan respectfully kowtowed three times to Dou Zhao. "Fourth Miss, I will never forget your great kindness in this lifetime."

Dou Zhao smiled faintly at her before returning to the Western Dou residence. She then summoned Zhao Liangbi and instructed, "Go to Zhen Ding and investigate matters concerning the Bie Family Martial Arts School. Report back to me as soon as possible."

Zhao Liangbi acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Dou Zhao proceeded nonchalantly to Sixth Aunt's quarters, where she unexpectedly encountered Wu Shan.

He explained with a smile, "There were some points in the teacher's lecture I didn't understand, so I've been studying at home these past two days. Why are you so late today, Fourth Sister?"

She had deliberately chosen this time for her lessons with Sixth Aunt to avoid Wu Shan when he would normally be at school.

"Some matters came up," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "Fourth Brother Wu, you'll be taking the imperial examinations next year. How are your preparations coming along?"

"Not bad!" Wu Shan answered confidently.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Wu Shan returned to the eastern wing.

Following lunch with Ji Shi and a midday nap, Ji Shi accompanied Dou Zhao back to Western Dou.

The wild orchid seedlings Dou Zhao had purchased arrived recently, and she had been busy tending to them.

Ji Shi assisted her, carefully planting the sun-softened orchid roots into pots.

Grandmother watched nearby, even fetching water for them to wash their hands.

Amidst laughter and conversation, they went to admire the thriving camellias. Only when darkness fell did Ji Shi take her leave.Zhao Liangbi, who had been waiting outside, finally came in to report to Dou Zhao: "...Dan Jie has made it clear that as long as Bie Gangyi is willing to sell his daughter to him as a concubine, he will immediately step forward to vouch for Bie Gangyi. But Bie Gangyi absolutely refuses. I heard he's already been beaten to the point of barely breathing. I deliberately changed clothes and went to the prison to check—the rumors are true. If no one vouches for him, I reckon he won’t last more than a few days."

A flash of indignation crossed Dou Zhao's eyes as she asked, "Does Bie Gangyi actually have anything to do with that case?"