Blossom

The fact that his son had achieved the title of Top Scholar was, on one hand, due to the boy's intelligence and diligent studies, and on the other, it demonstrated that the Dou family had treated him fairly, showing no favoritism between him and their own children. Such magnanimity, as Wu Songnian put it, "deserves to forge a bond of deep friendship between families."

The Dou family was also overjoyed.

Over the years, many had come to study at the Dou Family School, yet the top performers were always Dou descendants. This had inevitably caused some murmurs among the exceptionally talented but less privileged students. Now, with Wu Shan's success, more would surely come to study, allowing the Dou Family School to select and nurture even more promising young talents—an invaluable asset beyond monetary measure.

Dou Shishu specifically dispatched an adviser to discuss the matter with Second Madam and Dou Shibang: "...Relocate the families living near the school, double its size, and hire renowned scholars to teach. There's no need to rush enrollment, but ensure most graduates can pass the imperial examinations."

Second Madam nodded repeatedly, leaving the execution to Dou Shibang while she arranged for an opera troupe from the Capital to perform ten plays at the Dou residence. Throughout June, Zhen Ding County buzzed with excitement as if celebrating the New Year.

Yet the Dou family's rear courtyard remained lush and serene, the faint sounds of gongs, drums, and applause only deepening its tranquility.

Dou Qijun, now sunburned to a deep tan, stormed in Dou Zhengchang's study: "...Utterly corrupting the court laws! A bunch of termites! Occupying positions without doing any work!"

His outburst startled a thrush on the veranda, sending it fluttering away in alarm.

Dou Dechang blinked and handed Dou Qijun a bowl of chilled plum drink. "Cool down a bit!"

Dou Qijun took it and drained it in one gulp. The icy liquid instantly soothed his temper.

Sitting opposite Dou Dechang in a Grand Preceptor's chair, he leaned forward and said, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. Over six hundred unregistered households are secretly reclaiming wasteland in Nangou—mostly able-bodied young men. Six hundred! Thankfully, the harvests have been good these years. In a famine, desperate people would do anything—even start a popular uprising!"

As he spoke, Dou Qijun shuddered.

Glancing at his friends, he found them gaping at him as if he were a monster.

He sighed deeply.

Why bother telling them? They wouldn't understand. Even if they did, they wouldn't share his outrage.

Suddenly deflated, he asked listlessly, "What are your plans now?"

With the prefectural exams over, they could finally relax.

Dou Zhengchang, Dou Dechang, Dou Qiguang, and Dou Qitai, all seated in the room, sensed Dou Qijun's mood. But since he had dismissed the suggestion of reporting the matter to the county magistrate, they were at a loss for words. Seizing the change of topic, Dou Zhengchang quickly replied, "Father wrote to say we should rest through summer and visit the Capital after Mid-Autumn Festival to meet some senior scholars." Then he turned to Dou Qiguang, "Will you join us?"

This was preparation for the metropolitan examination.

Dou Qijun nodded subtly in approval.

But Dou Qiguang shook his head repeatedly. "No, I've arranged for Teacher Du to tutor me privately in eight-legged essays from now on."Dou Qitai sighed with longing and said, "I'd love to go, but my father said if I don't pass the imperial examination to become a Successful Candidate, I'm not allowed to go anywhere."

As soon as he finished speaking, a voice that didn't belong to any of them rang out in the room: "Where are you all going?"

Everyone turned to see Wu Shan walking in radiantly, dressed in an ivory-colored plain Silk Robe.

The group collectively went "Oh!" and began teasingly calling him "Top Scholar Wu" in various voices.

Wu Shan was too happy to care, smiling broadly as he cupped his hands in salute to everyone. "I'm honored! Truly honored!"

"You rascal!" Dou Zhengchang couldn't help but laugh mockingly. "Not a hint of modesty!"

"When life brings joy, one must celebrate fully. Don't leave golden cups empty under the moon," Wu Shan recited as he snapped open his Folding Fan with a flourish, waving it a couple of times before unceremoniously taking a seat in the Grand Preceptor's Chair opposite Dou Zhengchang. He then turned to Dou Qijun and said, "It's so hot and noisy outside—why don't we go to Daci Temple for some Vegetarian Dishes?" His face actually showed a hint of anticipation.

Dou Dechang scoffed disdainfully. "What's so great about Daci Temple's Vegetarian Dishes? We'd be better off going to Jingfuchun for some Iced Dessert."

Dou Zhengchang and the others nodded in agreement.

Only Dou Qijun stared intently at Wu Shan and said slowly, "Craving Vegetarian Dishes? Did your mother agree to let you go?" The play "Silang Visits His Mother" being performed today had been chosen by Wu Tai Tai.

His tone was icy, and his piercing gaze held a sharpness that made Dou Zhengchang and the others freeze in surprise, falling silent.

"Passing as Top Scholar was my way of hoping Mother would agree to let me go to Daci Temple for Vegetarian Dishes," Wu Shan said softly as he folded his fan, his smile gradually fading into seriousness. "If she hadn't agreed, I had seven or eight arguments ready to persuade her. Fortunately, she did." As he spoke, the corners of his mouth twitched upward uncontrollably, stretching wider and wider until he was grinning ear to ear.

Dou Qijun snorted. "You're sure she agreed?"

Wu Shan laughed heartily. "Absolutely!"

Dou Qijun's expression softened slightly.

Dou Qiguang, completely baffled, asked blankly, "What's going on with you two? It's just some Vegetarian Dishes... Does Aunt really need to approve?"

Dou Zhengchang seemed thoughtful.

Dou Dechang's eyes darted around shrewdly.

Wu Shan smiled at Dou Qiguang and said, "I was thinking that if we're going out, we might as well invite Fourth Sister and the others along..." though his gaze remained fixed on Dou Qijun.

"Oh!" Dou Qiguang suddenly understood. "Happiness shared is happiness doubled—you want to invite Fourth Aunt and the others for Vegetarian Dishes, which is why you chose Daci Temple and needed Aunt's permission. If Aunt is willing to bring Fourth Aunt and the girls along, even better!"

"Exactly," Wu Shan replied with a dazzling smile, brighter than the summer sun outside.

Meanwhile, Wu Ya pouted angrily, indignation written all over her face. "If we're going to Daci Temple for Vegetarian Dishes, why can Shou Gu go but not me? Brother is so biased! Just because she stayed with the Dou family for two years, he treats them better than his own blood sister..." Tears began to fall as she sniffled. "It's so unfair!""Enough!" Wu Tai Tai's expression was also rather unpleasant. She reprimanded Wu Ya in a low voice, her tone grave. "You know very well that you and your brother share the same mother. He has lived with the Dou family for these past few years and must owe them many favors. Meanwhile, you've been enjoying good food and comfort in the Capital with me—how can you have the nerve to blame your brother? The weather is too hot, and I’m feeling a bit unwell. Why don’t you go rest for a while? Later, we’ll need to pay respects to Second Madam. Mind your manners."

Wu Ya’s eyes reddened as she bowed to her mother with visible grievance before withdrawing.

Wu Tai Tai slumped back against the large bolster behind her.

Her personal attendant, Granny Bi, cried out in alarm, "Madam! What’s wrong? Should I add a few drops of Huoxiangzhengqi Water to your tea?"

"No need," Wu Tai Tai replied, massaging her temples. The memory of her son’s stubborn face made her head throb faintly. "You saw it too—the way he looked just now, as if he’d fight me to the death if I refused... What’s so great about Dou Zhao besides her beauty?"

Granny Bi chuckled. "Who in this world doesn’t appreciate beauty? That alone is already a fine quality."

Wu Tai Tai was taken aback and remained silent for a long moment before murmuring, "Flowers don’t bloom forever, and people don’t stay young forever. When he was little, he’d point to the ascetic painted on the temple wall and say, ‘Form is emptiness.’ How is it that when it comes to himself, everything changes? The Dou family is indeed respectable, but that Wang Shi... she’s utterly disgraceful. Am I to become in-laws with her? How could I ever show my face again?"

"A married daughter is like spilled water," Granny Bi soothed. "The fourth young master has said it himself—he burned the midnight oil to earn the title of Top Scholar, all in hopes that you would grant his wish. He still has to strive for Recommended Man and Presented Scholar in the future. If he continues to study diligently like this, wouldn’t that be a good thing?"

"Don’t I know it!" A cold glint flashed in Wu Tai Tai’s eyes. "If not for the fact that the boy is still honest and dutiful, I’d never tolerate such recklessness! But who in this world doesn’t visit their maternal family..."

"Madam," Granny Bi said with a smile, "Isn’t Sixth Madam also the fourth young lady’s family? Isn’t our paternal aunt also her family?"

Wu Tai Tai fell silent.

Granny Bi pressed on, "If she isn’t close to her own family, she’ll naturally grow closer to her in-laws. You only have the fourth young master—wouldn’t it be nice to have a daughter-in-law who’s devoted to you?"

"That’s true enough!" Wu Tai Tai nodded.

A young maid entered and announced, "Madam, the fourth young lady from the western residence has sent her senior maid. She says the eleventh and twelfth young masters are going to Daci Temple for vegetarian dishes and have invited the fourth young lady, along with Miss Yi and Miss Shu from the eastern residence. The fourth young lady would like to ask if our seventh young lady would like to join them. She’s come to seek your and the seventh young lady’s permission."

"Oh?" Wu Tai Tai’s eyebrows rose sharply.

Granny Bi quickly smiled and said, "Madam, you see? Our fourth young lady was raised under Sixth Madam’s care in the Dou family—she’s no frivolous person but one who knows propriety!"

Wu Tai Tai gave a soft "Hmm" and couldn’t help but smile. To the maid, she said, "Go ask the seventh young lady. If she wishes to go," she glanced at Granny Bi, "you may accompany her."

Granny Bi cheerfully acknowledged the order and left the hall.Outside, a quick-eyed page hurried over and asked in a low voice, "What did the mistress say?"

Granny Bi revealed a somewhat proud smile. "Tell the Fourth Young Master that this old servant has fulfilled her mission with honor!"

The page beamed with delight and flattered, "No wonder everyone says you're the mistress's most trusted confidante, Granny! There's nothing you can't accomplish!"

Granny Bi's face darkened. "You little brat! If you dare spout such nonsense again, I'll tear that mouth of yours!" Yet, despite her words, a smile couldn't help but spill from her eyes.

"I won't dare again!" the page chuckled. "I'll go report to the Fourth Young Master right away." And off he scampered in a flash.