Blossom

Dou Zhao couldn't quite figure out Ji Yong.

Ji Yong took advantage of the Yamen runners sweating profusely as they counted the bodies and examined the injured to quietly ask her, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

"What?" Dou Zhao didn't react immediately.

While waiting for the officials to arrive, they had already agreed on the official story. Dou Dechang and Wu Shan insisted that Dou Zhao leave first, saying they would handle any questions. But Dou Zhao, fearing unexpected complications that might implicate Chen Xiaofeng and the others, chose to stay at the scene until the government office's official report was completed.

Judging by the fate of Pang Kunbai's followers, Chen Xiaofeng and his men had clearly held back against Pang Kunbai.

Pang Kunbai would definitely survive!

If the Wang Family didn't intervene on Pang Kunbai's behalf, what should she do? If they did intervene, how should she respond? Although her visits to the farmstead followed a pattern, they weren't fixed. According to Su Xin, her grandmother was perfectly fine—the sudden fainting spell was just a lie to lure her out of the estate. Who had leaked her whereabouts? Was Du An involved in this? Did Wang Yingxue know about the Pang Family's plans?

Did Fifth Uncle currently have the ability to openly break with Wang Xingyi?

If Fifth Uncle chose to continue biding his time, how could she maximize the benefits? If he was capable of standing up to Wang Xingyi, what might happen next?

Dou Zhao's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, so when Ji Yong suddenly questioned her, she didn't immediately grasp his meaning.

Ji Yong blinked at her suggestively and said, "I mean, you pretended not to recognize Pang Kunbai on purpose, didn't you?"

So that's what he was getting at!

Dou Zhao didn't bat an eye. With a serious expression, she replied, "He's related to me by marriage. If I had recognized him, I would have shown some consideration—I wouldn't have beaten him half to death!"

"Really?" Ji Yong grinned, his expression clearly conveying disbelief as he scrutinized her from head to toe, his gaze as piercing as the summer sun, seemingly capable of revealing every detail. Had Dou Zhao not lived two lifetimes, she might have already faltered under such scrutiny. Even so, she couldn't shake the discomfort of feeling as though needles were pricking her back.

Some things, even if witnessed firsthand, could become ammunition for gossip if spoken aloud.

Dou Zhao resolved to play dumb.

Ji Yong's demeanor then softened, becoming gentle and humble.

Dou Zhao was taken aback when she heard Wu Shan's concerned voice behind her: "Fourth Sister, why are you standing in the courtyard? The night is cold and damp—you should rest in the carriage for now. Don't worry about today's events. Twelfth Brother and I—" He paused, adding Ji Yong's name, "—and Jianming will handle this properly."

"The carriage was a bit stuffy, so I came out for some air," Dou Zhao replied with a smile as she turned around. Though Wu Shan was speaking to her, his gaze was fixed on Ji Yong, a deep wariness flickering in his eyes.

Did he also distrust Ji Yong?

As Dou Zhao pondered this, she saw Ji Yong's attendants hurriedly escorting a small sedan chair toward them.

"The physician must be here," Ji Yong remarked, standing his ground.

After a moment's hesitation, Wu Shan reluctantly went to meet them.

Wu Shan was still too young!

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly as she climbed back into the carriage.

Su Juan asked worriedly, "Will Guard Chen and the others be alright?""What could possibly go wrong?" Before Dou Zhao could speak, Su Xin had already laughed. "Brother Chen and the others went to the Tan family estate in Lingshou County to pay respects to Tan Juren's father for his birthday. It was getting late, so they took a shortcut and happened to see a robbery in progress. They stepped in to help. Was it wrong to lend a hand?"

"I was wrong," Su Juan murmured, her face showing remorse.

"What's this about right or wrong?" Su Xin chuckled, linking arms with Su Juan. "That was for outsiders. At home, we sisters can say whatever we want."

Su Juan lowered her head sheepishly and leaned closer to Su Xin.

In her past life, Su Juan had been just as honest, which was why Dou Zhao had entrusted her with managing the clothes, jewelry, and storage in her quarters.

This time around, she had Su Xin. It seemed she now had someone capable of overseeing the inner household affairs.

She could worry less from now on.

Dou Zhao smiled contentedly and quietly asked Su Xin about Uncle Duan.

Su Xin replied with a smile, "Uncle Duan's full name is Duan Gongyi. He works as a house guard at the Lang family alongside Brother Chen. But while Brother Chen is just an ordinary guard, Uncle Duan is the leader—he's incredibly skilled."

"And what about Tan Juren?"

The excuse about paying respects to Tan Juren's father had come from Duan Gongyi.

"Tan Juren from the Tan family estate in Lingshou County is named Tan Qilin, courtesy name Yun Shen. Because 'Qilin' sounds like 'kylin' and he's burly with a bold personality, people nicknamed him 'the Ground Dragon,'" Su Xin explained. "The Tan family has lived in Lingshou for generations, and it's said all their descendants are highly skilled in martial arts. During the late years of the previous dynasty, banditry was rampant in Zhen Ding, but anyone who dared rob the Tan family never returned. The Tan estate was famous—anyone in the martial world passing through Zhen Ding would present a card there. Later, as peace settled over the land, the Tan estate gradually faded from prominence, known only to some old-school boxing masters in Zhen Ding. Uncle Duan's ancestors supposedly came from the Tan estate, and he visits them every New Year to pay respects. This time, the Tan family patriarch's birthday invitation included him."

Dou Zhao listened in astonishment.

The Tan estate was clearly a centuries-old martial arts family.

She was from Zhen Ding, yet she had never heard of them.

It just went to show that even someone reborn didn’t know everything.

Dou Zhao thought of Ji Yong.

What exactly would happen to him in the future?

A commotion rose outside the carriage.

Su Xin lifted the curtain slightly.

"Miss," she said with a strange expression, "Uncle Chen has arrived with the Dou family guards, accompanying Third Master and Third Young Master..."

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

Though she had money, her fixed allowance was only a thousand silver notes a year. Forget ten thousand taels in cash—she didn’t even have ten thousand in silver notes, let alone Chen Qushui, the fake accountant.

She didn’t trust the Dou family, so she had sent Su Lan to ask Chen Qushui for the ten-thousand-tael reward.

It was both a way to tip him off and to test his ability to adapt and handle situations.

Now that Third Uncle and Third Cousin had appeared here, at least one thing was certain—the ten-thousand-tael reward was secured.

"Where’s Fourth Sister? Where is she?"

Amid the clamor, Third Cousin’s voice rang out sharply.

Su Xin lifted the carriage curtain. "Young Master Xiuchang, our miss is here!"

Dou Xiuchang came running over, his body wobbling from years of indulgence."Are you alright?" He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his silk robe soaked through and clinging tightly to his body, revealing rolls of fat. "Who dares to be so blind as to rob someone from the Dou family? Why are the government officials, Young Master Ji, Young Master Wu, and Twelfth Brother all here?"

Dou Zhao was only concerned about the ten thousand taels silver note.

She looked up and saw Chen Qushui closely following her third cousin.

Chen Qushui smiled and nodded at her, signaling that he understood her meaning.

Dou Zhao sighed in relief.

Her third uncle, who had been whispering with Ji Yong for a while, left Ji Yong and walked over with a dark expression.

"Shou Gu," he said in a low voice. "You go back first. Your third cousin and I will handle things here."

After the fright and busyness of the day, Dou Zhao felt exhausted, and she knew this matter couldn’t be resolved quickly.

She hesitated. "But I promised the bodyguards their reward..."

People like Chen Xiaofeng could walk the righteous path as bodyguards, escorts, or martial arts instructors, or the crooked path as local ruffians, unemployed thugs, or even bandits who killed and robbed. Since she had promised ten thousand taels, and it was Dou Zhao’s money, the Dou family had no reason to offend them over this.

"I brought it," Dou Xiuchang quickly said, pulling out a small black lacquered box with gold designs from his robe. "Here’s the ten thousand taels silver note." He handed it to Chen Qushui.

Dou Zhao said, "Then please, Mr. Chen, give the silver note to the bodyguards." She then turned to Dou Shibang. "Third Uncle, the bodyguards acted out of righteousness. Could you speak to the officials and let them leave first? If anything comes up, they can find our Dou family."

Dou Shibang thought for a moment. "Very well. With so many people around, it’s best to send these wandering folk away first."

Dou Xiuchang hurried to negotiate with the government office.

Dou Zhao called Su Lan into the carriage and said to Dou Shibang, "Then I’ll head back first." Her gaze lingered briefly on Chen Qushui.

Understanding her meaning, Chen Qushui waited until Dou Shibang arranged the escort for Dou Zhao before stepping forward and whispering, "Once things here are settled, I’ll return to the Dou residence with the others."

Dou Zhao nodded and entered the city under the protection of Ji Yong’s guards.

Another steward from the Dou family was waiting at the city gate. Seeing her carriage, he rushed forward anxiously. "Quick, go to the East Mansion! The Second Madam is still waiting for the Fourth Young Lady!"

Dou Zhao asked Su Xin, "Does Consort Cui know about what happened to me?"

"I only asked Hong Gu briefly and didn’t dare to meet with her directly," Su Xin replied. "I also instructed Hong Gu to say you had urgent matters and would stay overnight at the farmstead, returning tomorrow afternoon."

"Good." Dou Zhao gave Su Xin an approving glance.

The carriage rumbled along and soon stopped at the second gate of Dong Dou.

Nanny Liu and Wang Momo, who served Ji Shi, were both waiting at the gate.

Seeing Dou Zhao, they hurried forward, taking her hands and examining her. Finding her clean, composed, and calm, they both sighed in relief and urged her to see the Second Madam. "The Second Madam is so worried her eyes are red. She scolded Third Master harshly."

Since her third uncle managed the household, he bore the brunt of the scolding. Her grandmother, who lived with her, was an elder—she had likely been scolded too, hadn’t she?

Dou Zhao guessed as much and said, "I’ve worried her," before heading with Nanny Liu and Wang Momo to see the Second Madam.Ji Shi was pacing distractedly in front of Second Madam's door. When she saw Dou Zhao, she burst into tears before saying a word: "Whose wickedness is this, making you suffer so! Why doesn't Buddha strike her dead with lightning!"

Dou Zhao had never heard Ji Shi curse before.

Her eyes instantly reddened as she called out "Sixth Aunt," her voice carrying a trace of grievance that even surprised herself.

Ji Shi grew even more distressed, saying bitterly: "What kind of trash is Pang Jia? Thinking they're the Shaanxi Governor just because they've latched onto Wang Xingyi! Calling them nouveau riche would be giving them too much credit - they're not even worth dirtying my shoes on, yet they dare set their sights on you! If we don't teach them a proper lesson this time, they'll think our Dou family fears them!" As she spoke, she took Dou Zhao's hand and led her into the hall.

It seemed everyone understood the situation clearly - just hearing Pang Kunbai was involved revealed Pang Jia's intentions.