With something on her mind, Dou Ming’s speech and actions became somewhat distracted.
As the auspicious time for paying respects approached, the Duchess’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren appeared in the flower hall, surrounded by their maids and servants. Some kowtowed to their grandmother, others to their aunts. After a burst of laughter and chatter, Wei Tingzhen appeared in the flower hall, inviting the ladies to move to the waterside pavilion to take their seats. She added, “A stage has been set up by the pavilion. The ladies can enjoy some opera while drinking.”
Everyone rose with smiles and headed towards the waterside pavilion.
The Marchioness of Changxing, being very astute, supported Princess Ning De and led the way. She turned her head to speak to Lady Lu, “Your gourd reed-patterned jacket in lilac is truly beautiful. I’ve never seen it before. It must be a new color from the tribute of Jiangnan’s textile makers this year, right?”
Lady Lu chuckled and said, “Child, your words are as sweet as honey. I’m not your mother-in-law, I have nothing to reward you with!”
The Marchioness of Changxing laughed, “Look at what you’re saying. Your happiness is better than any reward you could give me.”
Lady Lu then said to Princess Ning De with a smile, “See? She says she’s not flattering me!”
Princess Ning De couldn’t help but laugh, also teasing the Marchioness of Changxing, “Don’t worry, next time I meet your mother-in-law, I’ll be sure to praise you well.”
Everyone laughed heartily.
Dou Zhao, whose hand was being held by Lady Lu as if she were a child, laughed along.
The Marchioness of Changxing then said to Dou Zhao, “This is the Crown Princess of Duke Ying’s first time visiting. I’m used to being mischievous, so please don’t take offense. Later, you can sit with us to serve the Princess and Lady Lu, so they won’t think I’m just being polite to them.”
She was very friendly towards Dou Zhao.
The Marquis of Changxing’s family, having intermarried with the royal family for generations, had always considered themselves at the top of the noble circle. In her previous life, they wouldn’t even glance at her. But in this life, as the Crown Princess of Duke Ying’s household and with Princess Ning De’s favor, the Marchioness of Changxing saw her in a different light, including her in the circle of those she could talk to and share a table with at their first meeting.
Dou Zhao just smiled and nodded, appearing very modest and reserved.
But as the Crown Princess of Duke Ying’s household, her status spoke for itself. No matter how low-key she tried to be, people would still approach her to chat.
“Is the Duke in good health now?” The one who came forward to speak to her was the Crown Princess of Earl Dongping. “Last time when your household held a singing gathering, you had to attend to the sick and couldn’t come. I was disappointed for quite a while.”
Dou Zhao glanced at the Countess of Dongping, who was following the Crown Princess of Earl Dongping with her two daughters in a very proper manner. She smiled and said, “The Duke is in good health now. I heard that several masters from the capital’s Pear Garden attended that day, and the performances were excellent. Next time your household hosts a gathering, I’ll attend.”
The Countess of Dongping, being a second wife, usually left social engagements to the Crown Princess of Earl Dongping and rarely went out.
In Dou Zhao’s memory, she was good friends with Madam Xia, the eldest daughter of Duke Jing’s household. Perhaps that was why she brought her two daughters to wish the Duchess a happy birthday this time.
Dou Zhao smiled and socialized with everyone, gracefully and appropriately.
The Third Madam Zhang was proud, joking and bantering beside her, determined to make Dou Zhao’s first appearance dazzling and leave everyone with a gentle and kind impression.
Dou Zhao never spoke to Wei Tingzhen, nor did she pay any more attention to Dou Ming.
The Second Madam Zhang’s eyes were darting around.
Wei Tingzhen was furious and glared at Dou Ming.
Dou Ming was still thinking about the additional dowry and walked silently behind everyone with her head down.
Seeing this, Wei Tingzhen became even angrier. She exchanged a few pleasantries with Madam Guo, then discreetly walked up to Dou Ming and said in a low, resentful voice, “Are you mute? With so many people around, don’t you know to come forward and greet them? Didn’t you always say at home that you were raised by Old Madam Wang? Is this how the Wang family taught you etiquette and manners?”
The sarcastic tone made Dou Ming’s face turn pale. She raised her head, about to retort, but saw all the ladies surrounding Dou Zhao, making her look as precious and radiant as a pearl.
A surge of frustration welled up in her chest.
Dou Zhao had already married into Duke Ying’s household, known as the top noble family in the capital. Why did Father still need to make such a big fuss about her dowry?
Both were daughters of the Dou family who had married out, but the Marquis of Jining’s household was far inferior to Duke Ying’s. Why couldn’t Father be more considerate of her difficulties?
Thinking about how she had just been arguing with Wei Tingyu about the birthday gift for the Duchess before coming here, she suddenly felt short of breath, as if her heart had been stabbed. She just wanted to escape this stifling banquet quickly and ask her father why he treated her this way. How could she be in the mood to deal with Wei Tingzhen?
Wei Tingzhen, being ignored by her sister-in-law like this, felt a fire ignite in her heart. She grabbed Dou Ming’s arm and said in a low roar, “I’m talking to you! Don’t tell me you don’t even have this basic upbringing?”
Usually, Wei Tingzhen wasn’t this hot-tempered. But thinking about how her mother-in-law often made things difficult for her, complaining about how useless her maiden family was, and now her own family was doing things that dragged her down. On such an occasion, the relatives of her two sisters-in-law had arrived early, and even two elders from the third sister-in-law Feng’s family had come. Her sister-in-law, on the other hand, not only arrived just in time but also made her owe Feng a favor for nothing. Her mood was terrible, so her words and actions were more explosive than usual.
Dou Ming, preoccupied with her thoughts, couldn’t be bothered to deal with her.
She shook off Wei Tingzhen’s hand and quickly caught up with the ladies in front, walking with her back straight.
Wei Tingzhen’s face darkened like it was about to rain.
She hurried to catch up and grabbed Dou Ming’s arm again.
Madam Wang the Younger, who was talking to the Second Madam Zhang, saw this and teased the two, “You two seem close. What secrets are you whispering about?”
Everyone’s eyes turned towards them.
The Second Madam Zhang’s eyes lit up. She covered her mouth and laughed, saying loudly, “Elder Sister-in-law, is there something you can’t say in front of us? Don’t worry, although we’re envious of the dowries of the two young ladies from the Dou family, we won’t spread it around and attract thieves.”
Everyone laughed, and although most were both envious, they all maintained a cheerful appearance.
Wei Tingzhen didn’t understand why the Second Madam Zhang would say such things on this occasion and responded with a vague laugh.
But the Second Madam Zhang wasn’t willing to let Wei Tingzhen off the hook. She said, “Elder Sister-in-law might not know yet. The Dou family has added to the Crown Princess of Duke Ying’s dowry. It’s said to be fifteen to twenty thousand taels of silver! Following seniority, it should be the Marchioness of Jining’s turn for an additional dowry next, right? When our eldest young master gets married and our eldest young lady gets married, having such wealthy uncles and aunts will certainly be prestigious!”
Fifteen to twenty thousand taels of silver?
Wei Tingzhen’s face changed dramatically.
Looking at Princess Ning De, Lady Lu, and Dou Zhao, although they seemed somewhat displeased, they didn’t stop the Second Madam Zhang from talking nonsense.
She suddenly felt a chill in her heart.
Princess Ning De frowned and glanced at the Marchioness of Changxing.
The Second Madam Zhang was a daughter of the Marquis of Changxing’s Shi family.
The Marchioness of Changxing gave an awkward smile to Princess Ning De and called out the Second Madam Zhang’s maiden name, saying, “You’re the only one who talks too much. If you attract thieves, it’ll be because of your shouting.”
The Second Madam Zhang dared to confront Wei Tingzhen in the Duke Jing’s household because she relied on her maiden family, the Marquis of Changxing’s household. Seeing the Marchioness of Changxing’s displeasure, she didn’t dare say more and quickly laughed, “I’m just envious that Elder Sister-in-law has such a good sister-in-law.” She made fun of herself until everyone laughed, and as they entered the flower hall, the matter was put aside. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief?
Wei Tingzhen found a chance to ask Dou Ming, “What’s going on?”
Dou Ming only thought about how Wei Tingzhen had always been so petty towards her, without considering how Wei Tingzhen had been supporting Wei Tingyu and Tian Shi. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but coldly reply, “Sister-in-law has always been sharp-eyed and quick-eared. Nothing in our Marquis of Jining’s household escapes your eyes, let alone the Duke Jing’s household!” Then she left, entering the flower hall.
After sending all the guests, as daughters-in-law, Wei Tingzhen and the others had to rush over to pay their respects to the Duchess for her birthday.
Wei Tingzhen didn’t dare delay. She quietly instructed her maid a few words, then smiled and went to the flower hall with the Second and Third Madams.
By the time she had paid her respects and escorted the Duchess to the waterside pavilion, Dou Zhao was nowhere to be seen.
She was a bit stunned.
Princess Ning De explained, “It seems there was some matter at Yan Hall. Someone was sent to call her over. They said they would come another day to apologize to the Duchess.”
Song Mo had left a good impression on the Duchess. She felt that although he came from a noble background and wasn’t very sociable, he was very capable and considerate, understanding the big picture. Since he said there was a matter, it must be something important. Thinking of the events that had happened in Duke Ying’s household in recent years, she didn’t think much of it and smiled, “I originally just wanted to use my birthday as an excuse to invite everyone for a lively gathering. If it delays important matters, that would be my fault. If they have business to attend to, they should go ahead. That would make me happy.”
Everyone laughed.
Dou Zhao was already in a carriage with Song Mo, heading towards Duke Ying’s mansion.
“You should have called for me two-quarters of an hour later,” she said, leaning on Song Mo’s shoulder with a smile. “Since we went to pay respects for someone’s birthday, shouldn’t we at least toast the birthday celebrant?”
“I was afraid you’d feel unwell after drinking, that’s why I called you away before the Duchess went to the waterside pavilion,” Song Mo said displeased. “Who is it that only knows how to bother me when they’re not feeling well?”
Dou Zhao blushed slightly.
She didn’t know why she had become like this. When she wasn’t feeling well and saw Song Mo sitting there calmly reading or writing, she always wanted to disturb him. One moment she’d ask him to pour her a cup of tea, the next she’d cry out for something to eat. Watching Song Mo bustle around her, all her discomfort would vanish.
“Has the feast not started in the front courtyard yet?” She could only change the subject, asking with a smile, “You don’t smell of alcohol at all.”
“Didn’t you say you can’t stand the smell of alcohol?” Song Mo said. “And now you’re asking me why I don’t smell of it!”
Dou Zhao laughed awkwardly and said, “When we get back, I’ll make you some gourd cakes to eat!”
Song Mo said irritably, “Can you stand the smell of cooking oil?”
Dou Zhao fell silent.
Song Mo snorted and didn’t speak to Dou Zhao for the rest of the journey.
Seeing that they were almost home, Dou Zhao became anxious and said coquettishly, “Then what do you want me to do? How can someone be so petty!”
Song Mo got out of the carriage with a stern face.
Dou Zhao had no choice but to follow him into Yi Zhi Hall.