Blossom

She had thought the Dou family would first resolve her engagement with the Wei family, never expecting them to simply cast the Weis aside like this.

Marry Wu Shan?

Whose idea was this?

Hadn’t they always wanted to use her marriage for their schemes? Why this sudden change? Or had Wu Songnian’s official position undergone some transformation?

Dou Zhao asked Su Xin, “Is this news reliable?”

Logically, Fifth Uncle’s letters shouldn’t be so easily uncovered.

Seeing Dou Zhao show neither shyness nor joy upon hearing the happy news, Su Xin froze momentarily, gazing at her in confusion before lowering her voice: “This match was personally proposed by Wu Tai Tai to Third Madam. Now that Fifth Master has also agreed, it’s practically settled, and word has spread…”

Dou Zhao frowned.

She had been too careless.

From the marriage proposal to the promise, some time must have passed, yet she had remained completely unaware.

She needed to discuss this matter with Chen Qushui.

Dou Zhao rose and headed to the study with a darkened expression.

※※※※※

Second Madam was also displeased.

She privately complained to Ji Shi: “…All this talk about bonds forged in adversity, as long as it’s not a family close to the Wangs. But Shou Gu could clearly marry better—why must she marry into the Wu family?”

“Fifth Uncle must have his own considerations, which likely couldn’t be fully explained in a letter,” Ji Shi replied. Though she had been overjoyed when she first heard the news, her response to Second Madam was somewhat perfunctory. “Fortunately, Master Wu and Wu Tai Tai are virtuous, and we’ve watched the fourth young master of the Wu family grow up. He’s honest and simple, practically childhood friends with Shou Gu—better than marrying a stranger. Besides, Fifth Uncle makes a valid point: at least Shou Gu is marrying into a family close to ours. If she married elsewhere, there’s no guarantee she wouldn’t be swayed by the Wangs.”

Second Madam stubbornly insisted, “Shou Gu has never been close to the Wangs since childhood…”

“At home, she follows her father; married, she follows her husband,” Ji Shi said with a smile. “No matter how much Shou Gu dislikes the Wangs, she can’t defy her husband, can she? Otherwise, how would the Pang family dare to pull off that ‘hero rescues the beauty’ stunt?”

Second Madam fell silent for a long while before sighing in resignation. “Then go and give the Wu family our reply. Before Wu Tai Tai returns to the Capital, have their birth characters matched.”

A clear, bright laugh suddenly rang through the room. “Who’s getting engaged? Might I beg a cup of celebratory wine?”

Ji Shi and Second Madam turned to see Ji Yong standing at the doorway, smiling.

Since things had come to this, further discussion was pointless—it would only make the Wu family uncomfortable, thinking the Dous looked down on them and needlessly creating discord between the families.

The thought flashed through Second Madam’s mind, and she chuckled. “It’s your fourth cousin and Wu Shan. The two of them are getting engaged!”

Ji Yong was stunned, his mind immediately conjuring Dou Zhao’s dignified, spirited face and Wu Shan’s gentle, harmless smile.

The two were quite well-matched!

Though, comparatively, Dou Zhao seemed more masculine with her resolute demeanor, while Wu Shan appeared more feminine with his softness.

He recalled the scene when he arrived at the farmstead—the groaning men strewn about and Pang Kunbai’s unrecognizable face.

He wondered what it would look like when Dou Zhao and Wu Shan were together.

The more Ji Yong thought about it, the more amusing it seemed.He asked Second Madam, "When will they be engaged? Do you need me to help deliver anything? I remember when my sister got married, I helped move her dowry, and I also went to fetch her when she returned to her maiden home three days later..." His voice carried a barely concealed excitement.

Though already a Recommended Man, he was still a child at heart, unable to contain his eagerness at the prospect of festivities.

Second Madam watched him with gentle eyes and smiled. "That was for the wedding and returning to her maiden home. Right now, they're just matching their birth charts, so there's nothing for you to help with yet. If you're sincere, come to Zhen Ding in a couple of years for their wedding banquet. Shou Gu doesn’t have a younger brother, so you can help move the dowry as her elder brother then."

"Great, great!" Ji Yong said happily. "Don’t forget to send an invitation to our family then, Madam. No matter where I am, I’ll definitely come."

"Of course, of course!" Second Madam laughed. After chatting for a while, she gradually came to terms with Dou Zhao’s impending marriage to Wu Shan, and her mood improved significantly. She stayed for dinner at Ji Shi’s place before returning home.

Dou Zhao had arranged to meet Wu Shan the next morning in Ji Shi’s courtyard.

She wanted to have a proper talk with Wu Shan before exchanging their birth charts. If they could part amicably, that would be best. If not, she might have to resort to stronger measures.

She truly didn’t want Wu Shan to resent her.

Chen Qushui, however, advised Dou Zhao: "Miss, you should think twice before acting. Young Master Wu is truly a good man. If this could lead to a happy union, it might not be a bad thing."

At least Wu Shan wouldn’t interfere with Dou Zhao’s decisions.

Dou Zhao smiled bitterly. "I really don’t want to accompany another boy through his growth again, especially not knowing what kind of man he’ll become..."

Chen Qushui didn’t understand.

Dou Zhao didn’t explain either. The next day, she dressed plainly and went to pay her respects to her grandmother.

Her grandmother had likely heard about the matter, as she kept smiling and studying her intently. "Our Shou Gu has grown into a fine young lady, becoming more beautiful by the day." Then she had Hong Gu fetch a red-and-gold lacquered box for her. "This is my favorite set of jewelry. I’m giving it to you now."

Dou Zhao felt a pang of urgency.

Thankfully, she had acted swiftly in arranging to meet Wu Shan. If this dragged on any longer, the situation might become unmanageable.

Feigning ignorance, she cheerfully asked her grandmother why she was giving her gifts and pretended to adore the set of gold jewelry adorned with southern pearls. "Once it’s mine, you can’t take it back!" she teased.

Her grandmother was delighted, laughing heartily.

Only then did Dou Zhao head to Sixth Aunt’s place.

She had lived there a few years ago, and Ji Shi had kept the west wing room she once occupied exactly as it was. Even now, she occasionally stayed overnight there, making it feel like her second home. No one found her arrival unusual.

After chatting with Ji Shi about flowers and plants for a while, she accompanied her on a stroll around the house. Soon, Wu Shan arrived.

Dou Zhao boldly asked Wu Shan to paint a fan for her: "...just like the one you painted for Third Sister-in-law last time."

Wu Shan blushed and glanced at Ji Shi.

Ji Shi smiled. "Go ahead, go ahead! Hui Ge’s study has all the brushes and ink ready."

Wu Shan respectfully agreed and went to Dou Zhengchang’s study.

Dou Zhao followed him as she always had in the past.

Meanwhile, Ji Shi sat on the kang, calculating the household accounts for the past few months.Caishu whispered, "What do you think? Should we send someone to follow them?"

"No need," Ji Shi replied without looking up. "That would only make it obvious and awkward."

Caishu nodded with a smile, but when she glanced up, she saw the wide-open windows of the study in the southern wing. From the main house, the side rooms, or even the courtyard, anyone could clearly see Wu Shan deeply engrossed in his painting and Dou Zhao beside him, grinding ink for him.

Their expressions were so open, their demeanor so natural. Remembering her earlier words, Caishu flushed with embarrassment.

Ji Shi looked up and saw the two in the study. She nodded slightly to herself, smiled, and lowered her head again to continue her accounting.

Ji Yong, who had come to pay his respects to Ji Shi, clicked his tongue twice.

Childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree.

One gentle and refined, the other spirited and bright—they did make a fitting pair.

He entered the main house.

After greeting Ji Shi, he pointed at the two in the study and said with a smile, "Aunt, aren’t you going to intervene?"

"The noble-minded are open and at ease; the petty-minded are full of worries," Ji Shi chided him, pretending to be displeased. "They’re behaving properly—why should I interfere?"

"Fine, fine, it’s always my fault," Ji Yong said, rubbing his nose. He stood behind Ji Shi and began massaging her shoulders. "Aunt, do you really think so highly of Fourth Cousin and Wu Shan? I don’t see anything particularly remarkable about him."

"What does that matter in daily life?" Ji Shi said dismissively. "What’s important is compatibility—and I think Shou Gu and Wu Shan are very well-suited."

Ji Yong nodded, but his eyes darted around mischievously.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was speaking to Wu Shan: "I’ve heard about the marriage arrangement. But I don’t want to marry so young..."

So she knew!

Wu Shan’s face burned, and his ears buzzed. He barely caught her words about not wanting to marry early and stammered hastily, "I—I don’t want to either... I plan to take the Provincial Examination. Only after I succeed... I—I won’t let you down... You can rest assured... Stay at home a few more years, and when you’re ready..."

He stumbled over his words, usually so composed but now as bashful as a young girl. Dou Zhao couldn’t bear it, and the words she had prepared stuck in her throat. Finally, she steeled herself and said softly, "I’m already betrothed."

"What?" Wu Shan’s mouth fell open.

Dou Zhao continued, "You must have heard about my past. Before my mother passed away, she arranged a marriage for me. The token is still with my uncle. But my uncle’s family seems unhappy with the match and hasn’t kept in touch with the other family... Still, I’ve never forgotten this... I can’t marry you."

The color drained from Wu Shan’s face, leaving it as pale as paper. His brush slipped from his fingers and landed on the fan with a soft thud, smearing the freshly painted plum blossoms into an ink blot.

"Brother Wu," Dou Zhao said sincerely, "I’ve always seen you as an elder brother. Your future wife will surely be a hundred times more virtuous than I could ever be."

Her words of comfort sounded hollow.

Wu Shan lowered his eyes, motionless as a clay statue.

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly. "I’ll take my leave now, Brother Wu. Take care of yourself.""Wait... you." Just as she was about to step over the threshold, Wu Shan's hoarse voice called out, "If... if that family never comes with a marriage proposal... I... I'll wait for you..."

Wu Shan was the gentlest person Dou Zhao had encountered in both her lifetimes.

Had she not lived through her previous life, she might have married Wu Shan without hesitation.

But alas, her heart was already riddled with scars. While she appreciated this tender, pink-hued affection, she couldn't bring herself to act on impulse.

Dou Zhao shook her head lightly and said, "Fourth Brother Wu, thank you, but my decision is made and won't change."

At these words, Wu Shan staggered and collapsed onto the Grand Preceptor's Chair behind him with a thud.

Without another word, Dou Zhao walked straight out of the study.