Blossom

Second Madam Yu was seeing her aunt off when she brought up the matter of Wu Shan and Dou Zhao's marriage: "...How should I explain this to the Madam?"

This marriage proposal had been initiated by Wu Tai Tai herself. Now that the Dou family had agreed, it was customary for Wu Tai Tai to finalize the matter before leaving Zhen Ding—if not by exchanging betrothal cards, then at least with a definitive word.

Wu Tai Tai said indifferently, "It was just an inquiry at the time. This matter still needs my husband's approval."

Second Madam Yu was stunned.

Wu Tai Tai averted her gaze, lowering her eyelids as she took a sip of tea.

Second Madam Yu's face turned purple with anger.

Though she was a daughter of the Wu family, she was now a daughter-in-law of the Dou family. It was her aunt who had shown sincere intentions initially, prompting her to seek favor with Second Madam. Now that her aunt had suddenly gone back on her word, how could she face the Dou family in the future?

"Aunt, we're family," Second Madam Yu finally managed to suppress her anger, her voice hoarse. "If you have anything to say, speak plainly. I must at least give an explanation to the Madam and my mother-in-law. Perhaps you aren't aware—Shou Gu's dowry includes half of Western Dou's assets. Countless families are eyeing it! If not for the marital ties between the Wu and Dou families, and if not for Uncle and Fifth Uncle being close friends, the Dou family might not have agreed to this match..."

Wu Tai Tai was taken aback.

Dou Zhao had half of Western Dou's assets as her dowry?

No wonder she was so brazen, daring to beat Pang Kunbai half to death.

Such a woman—she absolutely must not be allowed into their household!

Who could control her once she was in?

The Wu family might even be accused of coveting their daughter-in-law's dowry.

Her anger flared, and she retorted sharply, "What kind of people do you take your uncle and me for? If Miss Dou the Fourth has such a substantial dowry, why didn’t you tell me earlier? Were you afraid I’d covet it? Thank goodness you mentioned it today. If we’d waited until the betrothal gifts were exchanged, could our Wu family even afford the bride price? This isn’t matchmaking—it’s an embarrassment to your maternal family! Let me be frank: your family’s fourth young lady nearly beat someone to death over a mere robbery attempt, and that too involving relatives. My son doesn’t deserve such a wife! I’d fear offending her one day—she might not even spare her own mother-in-law!"

Second Madam Yu, unaware of the details, was shocked but still defended, "Aunt, how can you say that? If Fourth Sister and Twelfth Uncle were being robbed, should they have just offered their heads instead of fighting back?"

Wu Tai Tai, assuming she was siding with her in-laws, sneered, "I never said she shouldn’t defend herself. But there must be limits! As a woman, she already had the upper hand—yet she refused to show mercy..." Just then, the bamboo curtain clattered loudly as Wu Shan, his face ashen, burst into the room.

"Mother, Fourth Sister isn’t like that!" In just a few days, his eyes had sunken, his spirit withered like dry grass, devoid of his former vigor. "Beating Pang Kunbai was our idea. He’s despicable—we couldn’t stand not teaching him a lesson...""Aren't you supposed to be studying in the library? What are you doing running around?" Wu Tai Tai looked at her son with unprecedented sternness. "I'm speaking with your cousin right now—is this any place for you to interrupt? Who taught you such manners? Have you no sense of propriety? Get back to your room at once!" With that, she raised her voice to call for Granny Bi. "How are you serving the young master? How could you let him wander about like this..."

It was clear her aunt was scolding the locust tree while pointing at the mulberry.

Second Madam's face paled dramatically.

Wu Shan couldn't help but raise his voice, calling out, "Mother!" He said, "There's no need to blame Granny Bi—this is entirely my fault. I'll return to my room to study now." Yet despite his words, he didn't leave immediately. After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud before his mother. "Mother," he pleaded desperately, his expression resolute yet sorrowful, "Please... please agree to my marriage with Fourth Sister? I beg you..." With that, he began kowtowing repeatedly, his forehead thumping against the floor.

Both Wu Tai Tai and Second Madan were visibly shocked. Wu Tai Tai shouted angrily, "Wu Shan! What do you think you're doing?"

What was he doing?

He simply refused to give up!

Didn't Fourth Sister require parental approval and a matchmaker's word?

If the Dou family agreed to their marriage, even if that family came to propose, he could still fight for it, couldn't he?

Tears blurred Wu Shan's vision as he continued kowtowing, as if only this could lessen the pain in his heart.

Second Madam sighed softly and stepped forward to help him up. "Get up quickly!"

But Wu Shan clung to her sleeve like a drowning man grasping at straws. "Cousin, please... help me..."

Before he could finish, a sharp slap landed on his face from his mother. "A real man kneels only to heaven, earth, his sovereign, parents, and teachers! Yet here you are, kneeling before your mother and cousin for a woman—are you even a man anymore? Get up!" she yelled, roughly pulling at him.

Wu Shan remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on Second Madam.

Unable to bear his pleading look, Second Madam turned her face away and said quietly, "Given the circumstances, even if Fourth Sister were to marry into your family... do you really think it would be appropriate?"

At her words, the light in Wu Shan's eyes dimmed instantly, as if all strength had left his body. He allowed himself to be pulled up by his mother in a daze.

Second Madam wanted no further part in this mess and rose to take her leave.

Within half an hour, news of what had happened in the west guest room reached Ji Shi's ears.

Furious, she exclaimed, "What does the Wu family think they're doing? Do they take our Dou family for some side dish they can push around as they please? I must go to the Dowager and get to the bottom of this!"

Second Madam was equally enraged. She reclined on the kang with her eyes closed, resting as Nanny Liu massaged her legs with a beauty mallet.

"A forced melon is never sweet—perhaps it's for the best this didn't work out," she consoled Ji Shi, though her eyes gleamed coldly. "I just gave Zijun's wife a thorough scolding. But what good does that do? Since Wu Tai Tai looks down on Shou Gu, even if she married into their family, she likely wouldn't be treated well. If you truly care, keep an eye out for her in the future—find her a better match than the Wu family."Ji Shi noticed the occasional cold glint in Second Madam's eyes and realized she had taken a deep dislike to Wu Tai Tai. It was almost certain that Second Madam would make trouble for Wu Tai Tai later. Seeing this, Ji Shi said nothing more, rose to take her leave. She recalled how Consort Cui had sent someone just two days prior to ask if she could help find two embroiderers from Jiangnan to make Dou Zhao's wedding dress. A pang of sorrow struck her heart. She instructed Cai Shu, "Have the carriage prepared. I'm going to the Western Residence."

Dou Zhao had also received the news. Assuming Wu Shan must have said something to Wu Tai Tai, she felt a momentary relief, though an inexplicable, faint melancholy passed through her. But she quickly brushed it aside and turned to Chen Qushui to discuss the latest developments: "...So Second Madam is convinced that Du An was acting under Wang Yingxue's orders?"

"Indeed!" Chen Qushui chuckled. "Third Master not only wrote a letter to Fifth Master but also one to your Father. They've just been dispatched posthaste to the Capital."

Dou Zhao pondered, "Given Fifth Uncle's temperament, he’ll surely seize this opportunity to challenge Wang Xingyi. Though Wang Xingyi has achieved remarkable military feats in recent years, a general in the field may defy imperial orders, but he still relies on the Ministry officials for military provisions, rewards, and compensations. Fifth Uncle has deep-rooted influence in the Capital after years of maneuvering. At this juncture, Wang Xingyi wouldn’t dare cross him. If I were him, I’d swallow my pride, admit fault, and promise Fifth Uncle something..." She smiled wryly. "After all the fear I’ve endured, why should Fifth Uncle reap all the benefits? We might not get the meat, but surely there’s some broth to share? Let’s demand Pang Jia compensate us with ten thousand taels of silver... No, twenty thousand! For Pang Kunbai’s sake, I even offered a ten-thousand-tael bounty! Since the Pang family struts around like peacocks, practically flaunting their wealth, let’s make them pay dearly!"

Chen Qushui laughed heartily.

Dou Zhao instructed Su Xin, "Prepare ink for me. I need to write to my Father—he’s the best one to negotiate this with Fifth Uncle."

Su Xin cheerfully set out the writing tools.

After composing the letter, Dou Zhao brought up Duan Gongyi: "I’ve already spoken with Third Uncle. From now on, whatever medicinal herbs Old Madam Duan needs, her maids can fetch them from the Dou family’s herbal shop and charge it to my account."

Yesterday, Duan Gongyi had officially become a house guard for the Dou family.

Chen Qushui nodded approvingly. "An excellent arrangement!"

Dou Zhao then inquired about the stationery shop’s business before returning to the inner courtyard.

Her grandmother’s eyes were red, as if she’d been crying, and her gaze held traces of pity.

Puzzled, Dou Zhao left the East Wing Courtyard and asked Gan Lu, "What happened?"

Gan Lu lowered her head and murmured, "Sixth Madam came by earlier... She said the Wu family is returning to the Capital tomorrow..."

So, her grandmother was grieving over the failed marriage prospect.

Dou Zhao sighed helplessly.

※※※※※

On the day Wu Shan departed, a light rain fell.

The dampness left the leaves glistening emerald green.

Dou Zhao spent the day pruning wintergreens in the greenhouse. By evening, Dou Dechang came to visit her: "Cousin Wu mentioned you once asked him to paint a fan. He asked me to deliver it for him."She washed her hands and instructed Su Xin to put the fan cover into the chest.

Dou Dechang said wistfully, "Aren't you going to see what's painted on it?"

"What does it matter what's painted?" Dou Zhao replied indifferently, carefully drying her hands with a handkerchief. "It's better to put it away."

Dou Dechang fell silent.

A few days later, Ji Yong returned from Mount Tai. Upon hearing that Wu Shan had left, he laughed heartily while fanning himself and ordered his attendants to prepare a carriage—he was going to the Western Residence.

Ji Shi nervously stopped him. "What are you going to do there?"

Ji Yong widened his eyes. "I brought Fourth Sister a fully formed fleeceflower root. Is that not allowed?"

Ji Shi flushed awkwardly.

Ji Yong strode off without another word.

When he saw Dou Zhao, he asked, "I heard your engagement with Wu Shan fell through? Don't be upset. That kind of man is too soft—really quite dull. You'll surely meet someone better! I happened to find this fleeceflower root for you—it'll nourish your hair."

Was he trying to comfort her or insult her?

Dou Zhao was so angry her temples throbbed. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Cousin Ji, have you misheard something? I wasn't aware I was ever engaged to Fourth Brother Wu."

Ji Yong's mouth fell open, and it took him a long moment to close it.

Dou Zhao felt much better.