Hearing that Dou Shibang had arrived, Father personally went to welcome him.
He carried a basket of tangerines. As they were all family, Mother and Aunt Ding didn’t retreat. After exchanging greetings, Dou Shibang pointed at the tangerines and said to Grandfather with a smile, “Elder Brother sent these back. I brought some for you to try.” Then he took a tangerine from the small basket and handed it to Dou Zhao, “Shou Gu, have a tangerine.”
Dou Zhao remained somewhat dazed.
Mother nudged her.
She mumbled, “Thank you.”
Dou Shibang smiled and patted Dou Zhao’s head.
Grandfather said, “Come, sit on the kang! I have some Da Hong Pao tea from Shenxing.”
Aunt Ding immediately turned and went to the adjacent tea room to brew tea.
Dou Shibang didn’t stand at the ceremony. He climbed onto the kang and sat cross-legged opposite Grandfather.
Dou Zhao held the tangerine, quietly nestling in her mother’s arms, staring unblinkingly at Dou Shibang.
Third Uncle, who had passed away ten years ago, now stood before her eyes, alive, offering her a tangerine!
She remembered when she was at the country estate, her Third Uncle would visit her Grandmother periodically. Each time, he’d bring her small gifts – a fashionable handkerchief, pretty hair ornaments, rare treats, and once, a pair of Wuxi clay dolls. With big eyes and round faces, wearing red gold-embroidered jackets, smiling and bowing, they were the envy of all the children on the estate. She had displayed those dolls on her windowsill until she left the estate at twelve. Only then were they packed away, accompanying her from Dingxian to Beijing, and remaining at the Jining Marquis’s mansion.
In those days, each of Third Uncle’s visits was like a ray of sunshine upon her, making her radiant and dazzling.
She had never forgotten.
Dou Zhao’s vision blurred as she heard Dou Shibang say with a smile, “…Elder Brother’s health is declining day by day. Lan’er wrote recently, saying that since autumn, Elder Brother has suffered three angina attacks. Only because the river works are unfinished does he dare not slack off. Elder Brother wrote that after these days pass, he plans to resign and return home to study the I Ching with you, Uncle.”
Grandfather laughed heartily, “Though the official path is glorious, desk work is also bitter. Who told him to become an official!” His smile faded as he continued seriously, “His angina is getting worse. Has he seen a doctor?”
“We’ve consulted all the famous doctors in Jiangnan,” Dou Shibang replied. “But none have any good remedies. They only advise rest. But is Elder Brother one to rest…”
Dou Zhao listened, her thoughts drifting.
Great Uncle Dou Shiyang was the eldest son of Great-Grand Uncle. He was thirty-nine years older than Father and four years younger than Grandfather. Like Grandfather, he had studied under Great-Grand Uncle from a young age. Though nominally uncle and nephew with Grandfather, they were as close as brothers. By the time Dou Zhao could remember, he had already passed away. It was said he died from overwork while serving as the prefect of Yangzhou, modifying river channels. His deeds were even inscribed on the bluestone tablet in the ancestral hall. In the fourth year of Jianwu, when a great flood hit Jiangnan, many dikes were breached, but the section repaired during Great Uncle’s tenure remained intact. Great Uncle’s achievements were rediscovered, and the Emperor issued a special commendation for him.
Lan’er was Great Uncle’s only son, born when he was forty-three. At twenty-one, Lan’er passed the provincial examinations but repeatedly failed the metropolitan exam. The Emperor, remembering Great Uncle’s merits, granted Lan’er an honorary position as the assistant magistrate of Jurong County. When he came to Beijing to express gratitude, the Dou clan members in the capital held welcoming banquets for him. Dou Zhao, due to her stepmother, wasn’t close to the Dou family and only sent congratulatory gifts.
Should she remind Third Uncle?
Would he even listen to her?
Dou Zhao hesitated.
Aunt Ding led two maids in, carrying tea and snacks.
Mother set her down and helped Aunt Ding serve tea and arrange the refreshments.
Dou Shibang lifted his teacup, took a sip, and praised, “Excellent tea!” Then he sighed, “This truly is ‘living off the mountain when near mountains, living off the water when near water’!”
Shenxing was the courtesy name of Dou Zhao’s Second Uncle, Dou Shiqi, Dou Shiyang’s younger brother. He was eight years younger than Dou Shiyang and four years older than Dou Shibang. He passed the imperial examinations at twenty-six and had been an official ever since, retiring from the position of Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangxi.
Dou Zhao had only heard of him but never met him—when she was in Zhending, he was serving as an official elsewhere; when he retired and returned home, she had already married and moved to Beijing.
Da Hong Pao tea comes from Wuyi. Judging by Third Uncle’s tone, he must currently be an official in Fujian.
Hearing this, Grandfather laughed heartily, “Living off the mountain and water is all about ‘living off.’ How can that compare to you? We all depend on you for our livelihood!”
Many in the Dou family served as officials, and even more devoted themselves to studying for the imperial examinations, “ears deaf to affairs outside the window, hearts set only on reading the classics.”
Dou Shibang managed the affairs of both the East and West Dou branches.
He chuckled dryly at this, his expression sheepish.
Dou Zhao remembered.
Third Uncle had not only taken the provincial examinations with Second Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Fifth Uncle, but also with Sixth Uncle, Father, eldest cousin Dou Wenchang, second cousin Dou Yuchang, third cousin Dou Xiuchang, and fourth cousin Dou Rongchang… It seemed he had never passed.
Seeing this, Father raised his teacup and said repeatedly, “Drink tea, drink tea!” Then he called out to Mother, “Third Brother rarely visits. Tell the kitchen to prepare some dishes to go with the wine. I’ll have a few drinks with Father and Third Brother.”
“No need, no need,” Dou Shibang glanced at Father and smiled. “Elder Brother asked me to convey a few words to Uncle. It’s getting late, I should head back after delivering the message.” He added, “The New Year is approaching, and I have a pile of matters waiting for me at home!”
“It won’t take long,” Grandfather smiled, but Father pulled Mother, saying, “Since Third Brother has something to discuss with Father, we’ll return to our room.” Ignoring Mother’s surprise, he ushered her out of He Shou Hall, “Third Brother coming at this hour must mean it’s urgent.”
Mother understood, and having not seen Father for a long time, her gaze towards him softened like a vine: “Alright then. I’ll go back and help you retire early.”
“Good, good, good,” Father responded, glancing back towards He Shou Hall, seeming distracted.
Dou Zhao followed Father’s gaze.
All around was quiet, the snow glittering coldly in the moonlight, while the orange lamplight from Grandfather’s study seemed especially warm.
Dou Zhao was suspicious.
Mother, oblivious, chatted and laughed with Father as they returned to the main chamber.
A gray-haired maidservant came forward, bowing and addressing them as “Seventh Master” and “Seventh Mistress.”
Her manner was serious, but her eyes were gentle.
Dou Zhao liked her immediately.
Mother handed her over to the woman: “Mama Yu, please let Shou Gu rest in the warm room tonight.”
Mama Yu smiled and responded, “Yes.”
Father asked curiously, “Where is Shou Gu’s wet nurse?”
“She caught a cold,” Mother said, heading straight into the room. “I feared she might pass the illness to Shou Gu.”
Father had no choice but to follow.
The group entered the hall.
Father and Mother went to the inner chamber, while Mama Yu carried Dou Zhao towards the warm room behind it.
She hadn’t yet waited for that woman, how could she leave Mother like this!
“Mother, Mother!” She squirmed in Mama Yu’s arms.
“Fourth Young Miss, don’t cry, don’t cry!” Mama Yu comforted her, quickening her pace. “Mama Yu will play cat’s cradle with you, alright?”
Father hesitated, “Why don’t we let Shou Gu sleep with us tonight?”
“Well…” Mother gazed at Father with a hint of reproach.
Father seemed not to notice and instructed Mama Yu, “Bring Shou Gu over.”
Mama Yu hesitated, glancing at Mother, who was biting her lip silently. She smiled and said, “Seventh Master must be tired from the journey…”
“Just bring her over when I tell you to!” Father said, displeased.
Mama Yu hesitated no longer and handed Dou Zhao to Mother.
But Father took Dou Zhao and carried her into the inner chamber.
Maids brought in hot water and towels to help them freshen up.
Mother attended to Father, but he was busy playing with Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao clung tightly to Mother. Despite the chaos, there was a strange warmth and liveliness that made Dou Zhao feel content and joyful.
Finally, things quieted down. Dou Zhao lay between her parents, clutching Mother’s clothes.
Mother propped herself up on her elbow, speaking softly to Father, “Are you still living in the alley next to Jing’an Temple? Is Baoshan with you?” Her hand reached across Dou Zhao, gently caressing Father’s arm. Her bright red undergarment embroidered with lotus flowers was vivid in the lamplight, its snowy fullness barely concealing half of her bosom. Seeing this, Dou Zhao blushed furiously and quickly closed her eyes, silently thinking: Mother, I know absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I shouldn’t spoil your moment, but I have no choice. Once I help you drive that woman away, I’ll leave…
Father closed his eyes, grunted twice, and said, “Let’s sleep. Father will test me early tomorrow morning.” He turned over.
Mother’s hand fell empty.
She pouted slightly.
Father began to snore softly.
The room grew even quieter.
Mother lay down, gently pinching Dou Zhao’s little nose, and whispered, “You little rascal!”
This version of Mother, real yet innocent and carefree, almost made Dou Zhao laugh out loud.
A maid ran in with hurried steps, reporting from beyond the curtain, “Seventh Master, Seventh Mistress, Aunt Ding is here. She says the Old Master needs to see Seventh Master urgently and asks him to come right away.”
Mother was stunned.
The seemingly asleep Father sprang up immediately, asking, “What did you say? The Old Master wants me to go now?” His voice was tense.
The maid responded, “Yes.”
Father hesitated for a moment.
Mother said, “You’d better go then! It might be related to what Third Uncle was asked to convey from Elder Uncle…” As she spoke, she sat up.
“Yes, yes!” Father mumbled, throwing off the covers and putting on his clothes. He got out of bed, ignoring Mother calling after him to add more layers, and hurriedly followed Aunt Ding to He Shou Hall.
Mama Yu approached quietly, whispering, “Seventh Mistress, should we send someone to check?”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t,” Mother said anxiously. “What if they’re discussing court matters… Besides, isn’t Aunt Ding there? I can ask her later.”
Dou Zhao’s mind was filled with doubts.
From the moment she entered until she left, Aunt Ding had kept her head down, never looking directly at Mother.