Blossom

"Bie Gangyi used to be a martial arts instructor in the Capital," Zhao Liangbi said tactfully. "After his wife passed away... He's from Zhen Ding Prefecture. The house he lives in and the family farmstead are all ancestral properties."

A rabbit doesn't eat the grass by its own burrow. No matter how unruly someone might be elsewhere, when they return to their hometown, they'll behave properly and follow the rules. Otherwise, losing their roots would leave them adrift like duckweed.

Bie Gangyi would never do something so self-destructive.

Perhaps Bie Gangyi's situation had moved Zhao Liangbi as well, for he sighed and said, "Speaking of which, the Bie sisters are truly pitiable. Their mother died when they were very young. Bie Gangyi is a rough man, but fearing his daughters might suffer, he refused to remarry. The sisters had no one to care for them—sewing, mending, cooking, and cleaning, they learned everything from neighbors. When they grew older, they even had to take care of Bie Gangyi. Otherwise, how would the elder Bie sister have caught Dan Jie's eye?"

Dou Zhao decided to intervene in this matter.

She nodded silently and picked up her teacup.

Zhao Liangbi, who should have withdrawn, hesitated and remained standing.

Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.

After a long pause, Zhao Liangbi spoke haltingly, "I also heard something... After Bie Gangyi's incident, he specifically instructed that his elder daughter be kept in the dark. But a few days ago, she found out. She cut off a lock of her hair and placed it before her mother's memorial tablet, vowing to become Dan Jie's concubine. It was only because Old Man Chen next door sensed something amiss and forcibly stopped her... Fourth Miss, you..." He looked at Dou Zhao pleadingly, clearly hoping she would help.

Dou Zhao was surprised.

She hadn't expected both Bie sisters to be so resolute in the face of adversity.

"Don't worry," she said. "I'll inform my grandmother and then go see Third Uncle."

Zhao Liangbi was both astonished and grateful to see Dou Zhao heading to Dou Shibang's place so late at night. "It's quite late," he said. "Since I need to return to the East Mansion anyway, I'll accompany you."

Fourteen-year-old Zhao Liangbi was still working in Dong Dou's accounting office. Only at sixteen would he have the chance to be sent out as an assistant manager.

If he didn't know the outcome, he probably wouldn't sleep tonight.

Dou Zhao smiled and agreed, then went to inform her grandmother.

Upon hearing the matter, her grandmother was deeply disgusted with Dan Jie and urged her repeatedly, "Go quickly! Go quickly!" She added, "Saving a life is like building a seven-story pagoda. If your Third Uncle refuses to vouch for Bie Gangyi, tell me. I still have some connections with the Lang family—I can ask them to step in and guarantee for Bie Gangyi."

Feeling more confident, Dou Zhao agreed and headed to Dong Dou.

Dou Shibang had already gone to bed. Startled by Dou Zhao's late visit, he threw on his clothes and rushed out, asking anxiously, "What's happened? What's happened?" His reaction surprised Dou Zhao, who inwardly regretted disturbing her uncle's rest.

She told him about Bie Sulan stopping the carriage and then asked, "Has the Dan family sent anyone to discuss this? Or made any statements?"

"Not at all," Dou Shibang replied, relieved once he understood her purpose. "But Dan Jie is narrow-minded, hot-tempered, and reckless. It's better to avoid unnecessary trouble.""I originally thought the same," Dou Zhao smiled. "But since they've come to me for help, and it's a matter of saving someone, turning a blind eye wouldn't be right. Since the Dan family hasn't sent anyone to notify us or made any public statements, why don't you, Third Uncle, step forward to vouch for the Bie family? Even if the Dan family questions it later, we can easily distance ourselves."

"But the whole of Zhen Ding Prefecture knows Bie Gangyi was imprisoned because he offended Dan Jie," Dou Shibang was reluctant to get involved. "A simple inquiry would reveal this. Trying to distance ourselves afterward would be like covering one's ears while stealing a bell—it wouldn't truly resolve the conflict with the Dan family."

"If that's the case, then the Dou family should intervene all the more," Dou Zhao countered with a smile. "Otherwise, those looking for faults might say either that our family fears the Dan family—that we dare not speak up against their underhanded actions—or that we're just as bad as them, colluding in wrongdoing. The good reputation our family has built over generations would be ruined in an instant."

Dou Shibang considered the matter gravely.

Dou Zhao felt a pang of emotion.

Family reputation was indeed a heavy burden. Yet at times, it also served as an umbrella, sheltering those beneath it from storms.

Dou Shibang decided to consult Second Madam before making a decision.

Dou Zhao added, "I heard Bie Gangyi is severely injured and may not last much longer. It would be a pity if we vouch for him only for him to pass away, needlessly provoking Dan Jie in the process."

Seeing the logic in her words, Dou Shibang couldn't sit still any longer. He changed his clothes and went with Dou Zhao to see Second Madam.

Second Madam frowned and asked Dou Shibang, "What kind of man is Dan Jie?"

Dou Shibang repeated his earlier description of him as hot-tempered and reckless.

Second Madam's frown deepened.

But Dou Zhao understood her concern.

Second Madam feared the Dan family might have outstanding younger members who would hold a grudge against the Dou family. Offending them for the sake of an unrelated Bie Gangyi might not be worth it.

She smiled and said, "I heard Dan Jie is an only child, uneducated and untalented, relying solely on his father's past prestige to get by."

Second Madam then said, "Shou Gu makes a good point. If we remain silent, those unaware of the situation might think we're complicit with the Dan family."

In other words, she agreed to vouch for the Bie family.

Dou Zhao quickly rose and performed a curtsy to Second Madam. "Thank you for your support, Madam!"

Second Madam chuckled. "Our Shou Gu's reputation for kindness will surely grow even brighter!"

"It's all thanks to your blessings, Madam," Dou Zhao exchanged a few more pleasantries before Dou Shibang stood up. "Then I'll arrange for someone to vouch for the Bie family first thing tomorrow morning?"

Second Madam nodded, and Dou Zhao and Dou Shibang took their leave.

Outside, Dou Zhao smiled at Zhao Liangbi, who had been waiting by the door.

Zhao Liangbi grinned from ear to ear.

Her grandmother was also waiting anxiously for Dou Zhao and asked how things had gone.

After hearing the details, her grandmother finally relaxed.

At dawn the next day, the steward assigned by Dou Shibang went to Zhen Ding Prefecture. By that afternoon, Bie Gangyi had been released.Bie Sulan rushed over overnight to express her gratitude: "...Originally, both Father and Sister should have come, but Father is severely injured, and Sister has to take care of him. So they sent me first. In a few days, when Father’s injuries improve, we’ll come again to kowtow and thank you properly."

"At my young age, I can’t possibly accept such grand gestures," Dou Zhao said with a smile. "If you wish me a long life, don’t put me in such a difficult position." She then instructed Su Juan to hand over the two hundred taels of silver notes she had prepared in advance. "Your family has just suffered a great misfortune, and there must be many places where you’ll need money. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. You can repay me later when you’re better off."

Bie Sulan repeatedly agreed with a smile, though tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes. She accepted the silver notes graciously and hurried back to Zhen Ding.

Within two days, Bie Sulan came to see her again, saying that Bie Gangyi had requested her presence in Zhen Ding Prefecture: "...I don’t know what it’s about," she said, her eyes reddening. "Father hasn’t eaten a single grain of rice these past few days, and even his medicine has to be forced down. I’m so scared." As she spoke, her lips turned pale, as if she had thought of something dreadful.

Dou Zhao felt she had already done what she could and didn’t wish to have further dealings with the Bie family. Thus, she politely declined with a smile: "I’ll send Haitang with you instead! Whatever message there is, she can relay it to me just the same."

Bie Sulan was visibly disappointed.

Her grandmother, unable to bear it, pulled her aside and said, "You should go. Didn’t Sulan say her father can’t even take medicine without being forced? Perhaps Bie Gangyi has some last words to impart."

"Then I really shouldn’t go," Dou Zhao replied. "What if he asks me to help him seek revenge? Should I agree or not?"

Her grandmother countered, "That’s all the more reason to go—if he makes such a request, you can wash your hands of the Bie sisters’ affairs for good."

Dou Zhao sighed. "A man’s words are kind when death is near. I’m just afraid I won’t be able to extricate myself afterward!" Despite her reservations, her grandmother’s reasoning held merit. In the end, she went to Zhen Ding Prefecture.

The Bie Family Martial Arts School had long been sold to someone else—a friend of Bie Gangyi’s who had purchased it in an emergency. After his release from prison, Bie Gangyi continued to live there, though at his insistence, he had moved from the main house to a woodshed at the back.

Bie Sulan explained this with reddened eyes.

Dou Zhao nodded and surveyed the martial arts school.

Though it had only two courtyards, the front yard was spacious, paved with gray bricks, and could easily accommodate over a hundred people—an ideal location for a martial arts school.

The September weather was already chilly. The Bie ancestors had been kind-hearted, building the woodshed with gray bricks as well, so despite its simplicity, it provided shelter from wind and rain, a small mercy for Bie Gangyi.

Bie Gangyi lay on a bed made of wooden planks, his eyes tightly shut, his face sallow like gold paper. Covered with thick, coarse indigo bedding, he was emaciated, his large skeletal frame barely hinting at his former robustness.

When Dou Zhao entered, the man sitting by the plank bed immediately stood up.

But Dou Zhao’s gaze fell on the young girl holding an empty bowl near the bed.

She was no more than fifteen or sixteen, wearing a faded dark brown padded jacket. Though her eyes were swollen and her expression weary, her fair skin and delicate features couldn’t conceal her beauty.

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

If this was Bie Sulan’s sister, no wonder Dan Jie had harbored wicked thoughts.

But the difference between these two sisters was truly striking.As if sensing Dou Zhao's mood, Bie Sulan linked arms with the girl and proudly introduced her to Dou Zhao, "Fourth Miss, this is my elder sister, Su Xin."

Bie Suxin had already guessed who the visitor was and hastily set down the empty bowl in her hands to bow to Dou Zhao.

With a smile, Dou Zhao said, "No need for formalities," and walked to Bie Gangyi's bedside.

The man by the bed quietly stepped aside.

Dou Zhao glanced at him.

The man wore a faded, coarse black robe with patched sleeves, yet it was clean. His temples were streaked with white, his frame lean and vigorous, his gaze clear and bright—he was actually an elderly gentleman with a refined, scholarly air.

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

Bie Suxin stepped forward and softly called out, "Father."

Bie Gangyi struggled to open his eyes.

"Miss Dou," he rasped, his voice like a saw, forcing a weak smile. "Thank you for saving my life."

Dou Zhao felt a pang in her heart, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.

Bie Gangyi then turned his gaze to the man standing nearby and called out, "Elder Chen."

Only then did Dou Zhao understand.

This elderly man was the one who had advised Bie Sulan to seek out the Dou family and prevented Bie Suxin from selling herself.

※

Update for February 18th.

Dear sisters, I'm doing my best to adjust my state... Please support me with pink votes...

※