Blossom

Uncle Chen hesitated, his expression conflicted.

Bie Gangyi watched with dimming eyes, then with great difficulty called out again, "Uncle Chen," his tone sincere and pleading.

Hearing this, Uncle Chen sighed softly and spoke gently to Dou Zhao, "Miss Dou the Fourth, we’ve troubled you to come all this way because Master Bie has an important matter to discuss with you. However, his injuries are severe, and speaking is difficult for him. He has entrusted me to speak on his behalf—would that be acceptable to you?"

Dou Zhao was surprised.

On the way here, she had imagined many possibilities and had already resolved that if Bie Gangyi’s request was reasonable, she would lend another helping hand for Bie Sulan’s sake. But if his proposal was unreasonable, no matter how much he pleaded, she wouldn’t agree to it vaguely.

She simply hadn’t expected Bie Gangyi to entrust someone else to speak for him.

This showed just how much trust Bie Gangyi placed in this Uncle Chen!

Following Bie Gangyi’s lead, she addressed him as "Uncle Chen" and smiled, "Please, speak freely."

Uncle Chen’s expression turned solemn as he addressed the Bie sisters, "Suxin, Sulan, go to the market and buy some groceries so we can prepare a proper meal for Miss Dou the Fourth later."

He was clearly trying to send the sisters away.

Bie Suxin and Bie Sulan exchanged glances, both seeing deep concern in each other’s eyes. But after a brief hesitation, they obediently curtsied and withdrew.

Dou Zhao thought for a moment and dismissed her attendants as well.

Uncle Chen watched, a trace of warmth flickering in his eyes.

"To be frank with you, Miss Dou the Fourth, Master Bie’s condition is very grave," he said softly. "And as for Dan Jie—he is narrow-minded and arrogant. Though the Bie father and daughter narrowly escaped this disaster with your help, given Dan Jie’s nature, he will not let this go. There will surely be another attempt. Madam Bie was the only child in her family, and her parents have passed. Master Bie does have a cousin, but they are distant relatives—beyond the fifth degree of mourning. When Master Bie was falsely imprisoned, his cousin, fearing Dan Jie’s influence, refused to even open the door when the second Bie sister went to seek help." His voice paused here, and his usually gentle face suddenly hardened with indignation that seemed at odds with his age and demeanor. "He was less reliable than neighbors like us—utterly unfit to be entrusted with anything!"

Dou Zhao nodded in agreement.

Uncle Chen’s expression softened slightly. "Master Bie fears that after his passing, the Bie sisters will have no one to rely on and will fall back into Dan Jie’s hands." With that, he stood up, clasped his hands respectfully, and bowed deeply to Dou Zhao. "I implore you, Miss Dou the Fourth, to act with righteousness and take the Bie sisters under your protection." Straightening, he fixed her with an intense gaze, as if trying to see into her very heart. "The Bie sisters will forever remember your great kindness and never forget it in their lifetimes."

It took Dou Zhao a long moment to recover.

Her mouth fell open as she stared at this man whom Bie Gangyi had called "Uncle Chen."

What exactly did he do for a living?

First, he spoke of Bie Gangyi’s condition to evoke her sympathy. Then, he angrily recounted the cold indifference of Bie Gangyi’s cousin, stirring her indignation and aligning their grievances. Finally, he proposed entrusting the Bie sisters to her—having already secured her sympathy and agreement, she would naturally be inclined to consent.

How cunning!

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but scrutinize him closely.

His smile was refined, his gaze sincere—truly persuasive.

But how could she take care of the Bie sisters?

She was only twelve years old!Above her was Second Madam, below her was Father, and beside her were a host of uncles, aunts, and relatives.

The Dou family and the Bie family were neither kin nor friends—what right did she have to make the Madam and the family agree?

"Uncle Chen," Dou Zhao smiled, "you should know that the Dan family and the Dou family are old acquaintances, right?"

Uncle Chen's eyes sharpened.

"The matter of Dan Jie was unjust, so the Dan family never brought it into the open," Dou Zhao said calmly. "The Dou family is the foremost in Zhen Ding. When the Bie family sought help from the Dou family, the Dou family, unaware of the dispute between the Bie and Dan families, acted as guarantors. Even if the Dan family suspected the Dou family disapproved of their actions, they couldn’t say anything. Others could feign ignorance, preserving the Dan family’s dignity, and the Dan and Dou families could continue interacting as if nothing had happened. But if we were to take in the Bie sisters, this thin veil would be torn apart. Not only would the Dan family lose face, but people might also accuse the Dou family of being overbearing and disrespecting old allies, wouldn’t they?"

She gazed quietly at the old man before her.

Uncle Chen was shaken to the core, barely managing to suppress the turmoil in his heart and maintain a composed expression.

He had drifted through life, only settling down in the East Lane Street, a place frequented by all sorts of people, in his fifties. Bie Gangyi was forthright, sincere, and generous. Seeing Uncle Chen alone, he not only helped him with many difficulties but often invited him for drinks, sharing amusing tales from the streets. Whenever his family made something delicious, he would send the Bie sisters to deliver a portion to Uncle Chen. Weak and unable to repay such kindness, Uncle Chen could only offer advice after Bie Gangyi encountered trouble.

He had carefully inquired about the Dou family’s affairs. He only knew that this legitimate daughter of the Western Dou held a special position in the family, and those who had interacted with her spoke highly of her. Realizing she was no ordinary person, he had advised the second Bie sister to seek her out, calculating that whether she was a hypocrite seeking reputation or genuinely kind-hearted, she would most likely help upon hearing the Bie sisters’ plight.

And she did help.

Now, Bie Gangyi wanted to entrust the Bie sisters to her.

He disagreed.

The Bie sisters were strong, resilient, and pure-hearted—how could they lower themselves to serve others?

But if not entrusted to Miss Dou, who else could they turn to?

Who else could deter Dan Jie from harming the eldest Bie sister?

Aside from Fourth Miss Dou, among the people they knew, there truly was no second option.

He had to consider what would happen if Fourth Miss Dou refused… That was why he had resorted to some tactics, hoping to secure a future for the Bie sisters.

Little did he expect that this Miss Dou the Fourth, though young, was sharp as ice and snow. While she pitied the Bie family’s plight and was indignant at Dan Jie’s actions, she remained composed and self-controlled in this critical moment.

People in the Northern Zhili region often said the Dou Family of the Northern Mansion had accumulated strength over generations, producing talents in abundance. Previously, Uncle Chen had been skeptical, but witnessing Fourth Miss Dou’s actions, he was thoroughly convinced. He couldn’t help but sigh in defeat: No wonder he had been shrewd in everything yet achieved nothing in the end. Bie Gangyi, rough and unrefined, had friends everywhere, and in times of trouble, many came to his aid. Just this ability to recognize people’s worth was something Uncle Chen could never match!

Uncle Chen sighed inwardly, then grew solemn.

Had he ruined Bie Gangyi’s plans?

Unease settled over him."Miss Dou the Fourth," he said with a calm tone despite his inner urgency, "I heard that your father, stepmother, and younger sister have all gone to the Capital, leaving you alone in Zhen Ding?"

Dou Zhao looked at Uncle Chen, whose smile was filled with certainty, and a glint like the edge of a blade flashed in her eyes.

Uncle Chen's smile grew even more composed.

"I also heard," he continued, "that Miss Dou's mother is a second wife, and since the passing of your birth mother, you have been raised in the household of Sixth Madam of Dong Dou. If Miss Dou were to take in the Bie sisters, I believe the people of East Lane would surely praise your kindness. Over time, as word spreads, Miss Dou would undoubtedly gain a reputation for aiding those in need. Even Second Madam of the Dou family might come to regard you in a new light. By the time you reach marriageable age, wouldn’t matchmakers from all around Zhen Ding be flocking to the Dou family’s doorstep? Miss Dou, don’t you think my words hold reason?"

Uncle Chen’s words suddenly reminded Dou Zhao of that moonlit night when she overheard Ji Shi and Wang Momo sharing private confidences.

Just like now, small details were pieced together, unraveling fragments into a coherent narrative.

Wasn’t this what people called thinking three steps ahead?

Her hands clenched tightly into fists inside her sleeves, and her gaze at Uncle Chen grew bright and intense.

In this second life of hers, what did she lack the most?

Someone who could strategize and scheme for her.

This Uncle Chen was exactly the person she had been searching for.

For a moment, Dou Zhao felt a surge of determination.

She would bring this man under her wing and make him her ally.

Dou Zhao smiled and asked, "May I ask how I should address you, sir?"

This was a sign of acknowledgment.

Uncle Chen’s heart leaped with joy, though his expression remained unchanged as he replied solemnly, "My surname is Chen, given name Bo, courtesy name Qushui, and literary name Yuechuan."

"Master Yuechuan," Dou Zhao said, "are you aware that my stepmother is the daughter of Shaanxi Governor Wang Yousheng?"

Chen Qushui was taken aback.

Not by Wang Yingxue’s identity, but because he couldn’t quite grasp Dou Zhao’s intent in mentioning this.

"My fifth uncle and Wang Yousheng passed the imperial examinations in the same year," Dou Zhao continued coolly. "Since Wang Yousheng captured the Mongol Khan Tumur two years ago, his reputation has reached its peak, surpassing all other officials in the court. Calls for him to join the Grand Secretariat have grown louder. Yet, do you know why he has never achieved this ambition?"

Chen Qushui’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Dou Zhao pressed her lips together and smiled knowingly. "My fifth uncle and Wang Xingyi are like brothers sharing a single bowl of rice. When no outsiders are present, they might fight over the meat. But if someone else tries to take their bowl, they’ll unite against that intruder. After all, if the bowl shatters, neither will have anything to eat. But if one of them wants the bowl for himself, he must first crush all those who covet it before turning on the other. I suspect it will take at least ten years before either dares to make a move for the bowl. So, what do I have to fear? Master Yuechuan, don’t you think my words hold reason?"

Chen Qushui’s expression shifted slightly.

Indeed.The current situation of Fourth Miss Dou was delicate and awkward. However, as long as the conflict between the Wang and Dou families remained unresolved, neither the Wang Family nor the Dou family would dare to make things difficult for her. Judging by the present circumstances, the moment she spoke, the Dou family immediately secured Bie Gangyi's release. This clearly showed that not only was her position in the Dou family secure and comfortable, but she also handled matters with ease—she had no need to rely on reputation for self-protection.

His gaze toward Dou Zhao grew more solemn.

Suddenly, a fit of violent coughing erupted in the room.

Dou Zhao and Chen Qushui instinctively turned toward Bie Gangyi, only to see him gasping heavily for breath, his eyes fixed intently on the two of them.