Blossom

Dou Zhao looked at Ji Yong in surprise.

She hadn’t expected him to be so attentive!

Ji Yong grinned mischievously. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret. I won’t tell my aunt.”

Dou Zhao smiled as well.

She carefully replied, “Consort Cui has always been in good health. But two years ago, while picking melons in the vegetable garden, she suddenly collapsed. If not for the attendants nearby, she might have…”

Ji Yong pondered for a moment. “Show me the prescription the doctor wrote back then.”

Dou Zhao could only apologize. “At the time, Consort Cui was staying at the farmstead. By the time we found out and brought her back to the county, the prescription was long gone.”

Ji Yong clasped his hands behind his back and paced around the side room a few times. “I vaguely recall a medical case where a robust peasant woman suddenly died without any warning, showing symptoms similar to Consort Cui’s. The diagnosis was Wind-heat evil attacking the surface of the body…”

Dou Zhao perked up. “Is there any treatment?”

“A calm mind and moderate diet,” Ji Yong said. “Focus on nurturing, supplemented by dietary therapy.” He continued, “What does Consort Cui usually like to eat? Greasy food isn’t good for her, and she must avoid extreme emotions—no excessive joy or anger.”

Dou Zhao answered each question in turn.

Ji Yong then accompanied her to the kitchen, where they sorted out all the unsuitable foods for her grandmother. It took them half an hour before they returned to the room.

Ji Shi looked at their empty hands and asked curiously, “Where’s the medicine you brewed?”

Oh no, they had forgotten all about it!

The two exchanged glances. Dou Zhao quickly thought of excuses like “spilling the bowl,” but before she could speak, Ji Yong said, “The brewing method I used was from a book. I’d never had a chance to try it before, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. But it turned out worse than the usual method—the medicine ended up completely burnt.”

Ji Shi and the grandmother burst into laughter.

Dou Zhao, however, wondered to herself: How could I have no memory of someone like him in my past life? What happened to him? Or did I overlook something?

For a moment, she grew curious about why Ji Yong hadn’t continued with the Metropolitan Examination.

Ji Shi quietly explained, “My nephew could speak before he could walk and recite texts before he could hold a brush. His grandfather adored him like a treasure, personally teaching him to read and write. He lived up to expectations, gaining literary fame at a young age. But precisely because of this, he knows nothing of worldly affairs—he can’t even manage daily life without attendants. ‘True wisdom lies in understanding human affairs; refined experience becomes great writing.’ His grandfather said his temperament suits scholarship, but if he entered officialdom, he might not even compare to a petty clerk. Besides, our family has already produced both an Imperial Tutor and a Grand Secretary, drawing enough attention as it is. The title of top scholar isn’t necessary. Better for him to gain worldly experience first—then his writing will carry true passion and chivalry, making it genuinely great.”

Dou Zhao was half-convinced. “But Cousin Ji seems perfectly fine to me!”

He was even kind to the maids and pages around him and had helped her diagnose Consort Cui’s condition.

Ji Shi, however, was stumped by this remark.

After stammering for a while, she muttered, “You’ll understand later,” and then changed the subject by asking about Consort Cui’s health.

Dou Zhao grew even more intrigued by Ji Yong.At that moment, Gaoxing (Happy) came to report to her excitedly: "Du An says he's returning to the Capital tomorrow."

Du An had been sent back by Wang Yingxue to assist the Wang Family in handling the properties left behind in Nanwa.

Gaoxing had been puzzled at the time: "Lord Wang is now a high-ranking regional official. Could he really lack people to help manage his assets?"

"A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake," Dou Zhao said indifferently. "Du An was born and raised in Zhen Ding. He entered the household service at eight and had already become a prominent steward by the time he left for the Capital. His connections are extensive. With his help, they'll surely fetch a couple more coins than others could."

Gaoxing trusted Dou Zhao completely. A few days later, he sent a clever page to investigate and found that the Wang Family's fertile fields had indeed sold for an exceptionally high price. Gaoxing clicked his tongue in amazement: "Fourth Miss is truly remarkable!" Still wary that Du An might cause trouble for him to help Du Ning, he remained on edge daily, fearing some incident. Fortunately, Du An was too busy, only occasionally offering Du Ning some ineffective advice. With Dou Zhao as his backing, no one dared openly oppose him, and all affairs of Western Dou remained orderly under his control.

Dou Zhao calculated that Du An should be returning soon.

If he stayed any longer, he might find no place left for him in the Capital.

Gaoxing asked, "Miss, should I see Steward Du off?"

"What for?" Dou Zhao replied coolly. "Did he notify us when he arrived? Since he didn't need you to welcome him, there's no need for you to see him off either!"

Gaoxing nodded repeatedly.

Dou Zhao instructed him, "Prepare the carriage for me. I'm going to the farmstead tomorrow."

Gaoxing smiled, "Has Mr. Chen returned?"

Chen Qushui's public identity was as the newly hired accountant for Dou Zhao's stationery shop. He usually resided at the farmstead and traveled monthly to the Capital to reconcile accounts with Fan Wenshu. Dou Zhao thus frequently visited the farmstead to discuss the Capital shop's affairs with Chen Qushui, though in reality, she sought his guidance on studies and updates about Capital events.

"Yes!" Dou Zhao smiled, thinking of the Capital shop.

Though Fan Wenshu lacked experience running a stationery shop, he was capable. Within a month of arriving in the Capital, he had leveraged the Dou family's connections to navigate all necessary channels. Within three months of opening, the shop broke even.

Dou Zhao hadn't opened the shop to make money, but now that business was thriving, she wasn't stingy. She agreed with Fan Wenshu that if the year-end profits were good, he could take a ten percent share.

Overjoyed, Fan Wenshu became even more dedicated. Every time Chen Qushui visited for accounts, he received warm hospitality, with Fan Wenshu sharing all he knew about matters of interest, greatly assisting Chen Qushui.

What news had Mr. Chen brought this time?

Pondering this, Dou Zhao informed her grandmother and set off early the next morning with Su Juan, the Bie sisters, and several house guards for the farmstead.

Chen Qushui had already prepared a pot of Biluochun tea for her.

Holding a cup of the clear, jade-green tea, Dou Zhao couldn't help but praise, "Excellent tea."

Chen Qushui smiled and refilled her cup, saying, "I have more good news for you, Miss."

Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.

Chen Qushui continued, "At the beginning of the month, your father was summoned for an audience and received imperial commendation."

Regardless of her father's character, his scholarship was indeed commendable.

Dou Zhao remained indifferent.

Chen Qushui studied her deeply.

To this day, he still couldn't fathom what kind of person this young woman truly was.You say she's immature, yet she can do things like giving Fan Wenshu a share of profits or hiring herself as a private tutor—things most men wouldn't even think of. But then you say she's sensible, yet she shows no concern for matters like her father's promotion or family honor that could elevate her status.

Dou Zhao turned to Chen Qushui with a question about her studies: "I recently read in a book: 'The way of the sage is to eliminate cunning and artifice. If cunning and artifice remain, it's difficult to maintain constancy.' Aren't sages called sages precisely because they possess more wisdom and skill than ordinary people? Why then does it say 'if cunning and artifice remain, it's difficult to maintain constancy'?"

She studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting with Song Weimin, while learning classics and history from Chen Qushui.

Chen Qushui understood that Dou Zhao wanted to change the subject from her father and readily complied, smiling as he explained: "A sage only needs to diligently attend to his duties and await Heaven's decree. If he loses sight of what's essential through cleverness and deceit, it becomes difficult to sustain the Heavenly Way..." He elaborated in detail on governing through laws.

Dou Zhao propped her chin on her hand, listening intently before engaging enthusiastically in discussion: "How fascinating! It's the same principle as managing a household—there are established customs, and as long as everything follows convention, nothing goes seriously wrong. But some people rely on petty cleverness to act independently, breaking the rules, and soon everyone follows suit, corrupting the entire household's atmosphere."

Chen Qushui broke into a sweat and said, "How can this be compared to managing a household? This is about governing a state."

"To cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world," Dou Zhao laughed. "If one cannot govern a family, how can one govern a state? Clearly, the principles are interconnected."

Chen Qushui thought about it and found some truth in her words, though Dou Zhao's perspective was somewhat limited—no doubt due to her being a sheltered young woman.

He couldn't help chuckling. "If the young lady applies this to household management, it would be excellent indeed. However, laws cannot override human sentiment. Stubbornly adhering to rules without understanding human feelings may not necessarily be a good thing."

"It all depends on the person applying them, then," Dou Zhao said, thinking of Ji Yong.

Perhaps this was precisely why the Ji family patriarch had sent Ji Yong out to travel!

Their discussion grew increasingly animated until Su Juan rushed in, flustered: "Miss, something terrible has happened! Consort Cui has fainted!"

Dou Zhao's face paled as she stood up in alarm. "What happened?" she demanded sharply.

"Liu Wan from the manor just arrived and said Consort Cui was talking with Hong Gu when suddenly her eyes closed and she fainted," Su Juan explained, tears welling up. "Steward Gao immediately sent him to inform you, telling you to return quickly."

How could this be?

Didn't Ji Yong say she would be fine as long as she rested properly?

Distraught, Dou Zhao instructed Su Juan to have the carriage prepared and told Su Xin to bring Liu Wan in for questioning: "Did Steward Gao call for a physician? What are people saying?"

Liu Wan was covered in dust and sweat, leaving a black streak when he wiped his face. "When I left, Tongling had just been sent by Steward Gao to fetch the physician, and Hong Gu dispatched Qiukui to inform Sixth Madam."

Somewhat reassured, Dou Zhao hastily took her leave from Chen Qushui and rushed home with her maids and guards.

Bie Suxin's face was pale, but she kept holding Dou Zhao's hand to comfort her: "Good fortune follows the virtuous—Consort Cui will be fine. She's always been so kind to everyone, the Bodhisattva will surely protect her..."

These words touched a nerve in Dou Zhao, and tears began streaming down her face uncontrollably.Everything spun violently before her eyes. She was jolted dizzy and disoriented, yet it felt like there was a cushion beneath her, preventing any real pain—only a persistent ringing in her ears.

Outside the carriage, the lead house guard of the Dou family shouted in alarm, "Who are you people? This is the carriage of the North Tower Dou family! What do you think you're doing? Be careful, or the Government office will hunt you down—"

Someone tugged at Dou Zhao. "Miss, miss, are you alright?"

Her head was heavy, but Dou Zhao recognized Bie Sulan's voice, her mind sharp despite the haze.

Their carriage had overturned. Someone was targeting them!

"We're blocking the Dou family's carriage on purpose," a man sneered darkly. "For the Government office to hunt us down, you'd first need to survive long enough to report us!"

The sounds of a scuffle erupted outside the carriage.

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Sisters, brothers, I’ll be attending a seminar in Hangzhou from February 27th to March 2nd—four days in total. The extra updates for pink votes will have to wait until I return, and the posting schedule might be a bit irregular. But rest assured, I’ll fulfill all promised bonus updates.

I’m counting on your pink votes.

Once in the top three, it’s hard not to aim for first place.

o(n_n)o~

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