Blossom

"Please, don't argue anymore," Bie Gangyi said hoarsely. "You're both here for my sake... It's not worth it..." His gaze shifted to Dou Zhao. "Fourth Miss Dou, I know this matter has put you in a difficult position, but I have no one else to entrust... When their mother passed away, I promised her I would take good care of our two children..." His eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I can't push them into the fire..."

Dou Zhao felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

"I ask for nothing else, only that after I'm gone, these two children can live with dignity," Bie Gangyi continued, his breath labored like a bellows. "I also know the Dou family is no ordinary household, but these girls are well-behaved and obedient—they won't cause you any trouble..."

"I understand, I understand," Dou Zhao quickly stepped forward, sitting where Chen Qushui had been moments ago, and spoke softly. "If you trust me, I'll have them recognized as goddaughters by my birth grandmother's family—Consort Cui's relatives from Western Dou. Then they can move to Consort Cui's farmstead, which is under the Dou family's protection..."

Chen Qushui was taken aback.

Just moments ago, this Fourth Miss Dou had been hesitant and evasive—how had she changed her mind so quickly?

In truth, Dou Zhao had wanted to help the Bie sisters ever since Chen Qushui mentioned their circumstances, unwilling to see them fall into the hands of someone like Dan Jie and suffer humiliation. She had only been displeased with Chen Qushui treating her like a naive child to be manipulated, hence her earlier resistance.

"So... you agree?" Bie Gangyi asked, his eyes brimming with gratitude and disbelief.

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.

How many fathers in this world would go to such lengths for their children—especially two daughters—as Bie Gangyi had? For that alone, she ought to help the Bie sisters.

"If you're uneasy, they can also live with me at Western Dou," she offered. "The house has been empty for years. Their presence would be good company for me..."

But Bie Gangyi shook his head. "I know you mean well, Miss, but the Dou family is vast and influential. You have elders above and siblings below. If the girls simply follow you there, gossip will abound—some will say they're taking advantage of the Dou family, while others will spread rumors about you. You're saving my entire family—I should be repaying you. Yet my failing health has only burdened you further. How could I let you suffer more indignities for us?" He then called out, "Uncle Chen," and smiled weakly. "You're an educated man with fine penmanship. Would you draft a certificate of dependency for my daughters?"

"Master Bie!" Both Dou Zhao and Chen Qushui exclaimed in unison, exchanging a glance.

"Without the certificate, their status would be unclear," Bie Gangyi insisted, ignoring their shock. "Rather than leaving them in limbo under Fourth Miss's care, it's better to define their position. They'll know their boundaries—what's permissible and what's overreach. This benefits both them and Fourth Miss."

Dou Zhao fell silent.

Bie Gangyi's words held truth.

Sometimes, the greatest struggle lies in finding one's place—lest effort be wasted in the wrong direction.Those who sign a deed of servitude lose all ties to their ancestral lineage—their marriages, life, and death are entirely at the master's discretion. Those who sign a certificate of dependency, however, are considered "righteous servants." The master cannot sell them, they may arrange their own marriages, and they may possess private property. Their only obligations are to refrain from harming or slandering the master, and they are subject to the same legal treatment as commoners. Though there are differences between the two, once a certificate of dependency is signed, a master-servant relationship is established, and it remains a life of service.

Recalling how Chen Qushui had earlier sent the Bie sisters out, she pondered and asked, "Do Su Lan and the others know about this?"

"Not yet," Bie Gangyi replied, which was no surprise to Dou Zhao. "But both of them are down-to-earth girls. As long as they can live with dignity, I believe they’d be willing to follow Fourth Miss Dou."

Chen Qushui suggested, "Perhaps we should ask the sisters for their thoughts first?"

Dou Zhao agreed this would be best.

Bie Gangyi then asked Chen Qushui to summon his two daughters.

Bie Suxin and Bie Sulan were naturally stunned.

They had guessed their father might be worried about their future after his passing and intended to entrust them to Fourth Miss Dou, but they never imagined he would ask them to sign a certificate of dependency.

Bie Sulan was still bewildered and unsure how to react, but Bie Suxin, recalling the torment of her father’s imprisonment, Dan Jie’s despicable behavior, her sister’s desperate efforts, and now her father’s unrelenting worry even on his deathbed, steeled her resolve. She knelt before Dou Zhao and said to Chen Qushui, "Elder Chen, please draft a certificate of dependency for us sisters!"

Dou Zhao reached out to help her up, but she remained kneeling and pulled the dazed Bie Sulan down beside her. "Fourth Miss, I know the Dou family is wealthy and influential—countless people would vie to serve you. There’s no need for you to accept a certificate of dependency from the likes of us. You’re only taking us in out of pity for our plight. We are not ungrateful. If we may enter your household, we will serve you faithfully, obey your stewardesses, and live harmoniously with the other maids..." By now, tears streamed down her face.

Bie Sulan burst into loud sobs, crawling on her knees to Bie Gangyi’s side, crying, "Father!"

Bie Gangyi stroked his younger daughter’s head, silent tears the size of beans rolling from his sunken eyes into his temples.

The entire room wept.

Zhao Liangbi peeked through the door curtain, his nose stinging, and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

After a long while, the sobbing gradually subsided.

With reddened eyes, Dou Zhao said to Chen Qushui, "Then please draft the certificate of dependency, Mr. Chen, so Master Bie can rest assured."

Chen Qushui said no more. Seeing the Bie household lacked writing materials, he returned home to prepare the document and brought it back.

Dou Zhao said to Bie Gangyi, "This certificate will remain in Su Xin’s hands. Focus on recovering—it would be best if it never needs to be used." Suppressing her sorrow, she forced a bright smile. "And if anything arises, I won’t abandon them."

"Thank you, Fourth Miss." Bie Gangyi knew these words were meant to comfort him, but hearing them from Miss Dou the Fourth gave him a little more peace about his daughters’ future.Dou Zhao called Zhao Liangbi in and pointed him out to Bie Suxin for recognition: "He will be at the Dou family's grain and oil shop on East Street in Zhen Ding Prefecture these days. If you need anything, just ask him to handle it."

Bie Suxin hurriedly curtsied to Zhao Liangbi.

Zhao Liangbi hadn't expected Dou Zhao to suddenly assign him to the Dou family's grain and oil shop—an Eastern Dou property—so he was momentarily stunned before returning Bie Suxin's greeting, visibly flustered.

Dou Zhao then said a few more words about taking good care of her father before rising to leave.

Chen Qushui and Bie Suxin escorted Dou Zhao to the door.

When Dou Zhao reached the front courtyard, she paused. First, she instructed Haitang to give Bie Suxin the prepared two hundred taels silver note: "Don't let your father worry. For the doctor's visits, just buy the best medicine for him. If you need ginseng, tell Zhao Liangbi—he'll help purchase it."

If Bie Gangyi could live a few more days, perhaps it would spare the sisters some regrets?

Dou Zhao couldn't help but reflect with emotion.

Bie Suxin said nothing, tears in her eyes as she kowtowed three times to Dou Zhao before accepting the silver note.

Dou Zhao then turned to Chen Qushui: "I'm still in need of a private tutor. Would you be interested, Mr. Chen?"

Chen Qushui froze.

Dou Zhao smiled and instructed Zhao Liangbi: "Whether Mr. Chen will condescend to teach me depends on you."

The implication was for Zhao Liangbi to find a way to persuade Chen Qushui.

Zhao Liangbi's mind was preoccupied with Dou Zhao's earlier mention of the grain and oil shop in Zhen Ding—would Third Master agree?—so he had no mental space to properly consider her words, hastily bowing and replying, "Yes."

For Chen Qushui, being invited by a servant to become a private tutor was a tremendous insult. Yet he noticed Dou Zhao had said "I," not Western Dou or the Dou family.

His heart tightened. After Dou Zhao left, he thoroughly investigated the Dou family affairs.

The more he uncovered, the more cold sweat broke out across his body.

Fourth Miss Dou—was she incredibly fortunate? Or perceptive and brilliant—a once-in-a-generation genius?

He sank into deep contemplation.

Of course, Dou Zhao knew none of this. But she understood that someone like Chen Qushui wouldn't rashly agree to tutor just anyone. She'd dangled the bait of "my private tutor" to see if he'd take interest.

After returning to Zhen Ding, she first visited Third Uncle to arrange Zhao Liangbi's placement at the grain and oil shop.

Zhao Liangbi was capable, and Dou Zhao wasn't making him the shop's chief manager. Dou Shibang had no reason to oppose such a trivial matter and offend someone who controlled a quarter of the Dou family's assets.

Next, she met Cui Shisan—first to have him investigate Chen Qushui, and second to watch for anyone inquiring about her.

Cui Shisan thought her approach reckless: "Why not investigate him first, then have Seventh Master help bring him to you?"

Though down on his luck, the man still dressed neatly and cleanly—clearly proud by nature.

That approach would only earn Chen Qushui's outright refusal.

Dou Zhao smiled without answering and went to see her grandmother.

Hearing about the Bie family's situation, her grandmother sighed and took the opportunity to advise: "This is why one must learn to cherish blessings."

Dou Zhao repeatedly nodded and agreed with a smile.

Privately, her grandmother also sent Hong Gu to deliver fifty taels of silver and some food to the Bie sisters.Dou Zhao pretended not to know anything, sitting by the large desk near the window, staring blankly at the paper Cui Shisan had delivered.

Chen Qushui was from Wuji County in Zhen Ding Prefecture. He passed the imperial examination at fifteen, becoming a Successful Candidate, and earned the title of Recommended Man at twenty-two. However, for the next decade, he repeatedly failed the higher examinations, leaving his family impoverished. His wife and only son fell ill and passed away one after another. To bury his son, he took a job as a private tutor residing at home, borrowing money in advance. After that, he disappeared without a trace, rumored to have worked as a tutor in the Capital. Five years ago, he bought two small houses next to a martial arts school on East Lane Street and settled down in Zhen Ding Prefecture.

No one knew where he had been or what he had done during those missing years.

Dou Zhao pursed her lips and smiled.

What an interesting man.

Haitang walked in cheerfully, holding a letter in both hands. "Miss, Seventh Master has sent a letter. He says he’s found you a private tutor who will arrive in the next couple of days."

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Some revisions were made to Chapter 73, particularly regarding Mr. Chen’s name, as it overlapped with the female protagonist of Crown Over the Capital . It was changed last minute—if it feels odd, you might want to revisit Chapter 73.

o(n_n)o~

Could it be that I subconsciously used the heroine’s name because I love Crown Over the Capital so much?

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