On the carriage ride back to the West Mansion, Dou Zhao seemed unusually quiet.

Suxin and Sulan had returned to Zhengding Prefecture for their father’s first death anniversary, so the lively Ganlu accompanied her.

Ganlu smiled and asked, “Fourth Young Lady, is something the matter?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Dou Zhao replied absent-mindedly. “I’m just thinking about some things from the past.”

Fourth Young Lady is barely a few years old, what past could she be thinking about? What could have possibly happened? Ganlu thought, mimicking the smile of the maids in Madam Ji’s quarters.

Dou Zhao, oblivious to Ganlu’s peculiar expression, was lost in her thoughts.

In her previous life, Sixth Aunt had gone to the capital when she was fourteen. Soon after, she bought a two-courtyard house in Cat Alley near Jing’an Temple for Dou Zhengchang’s marriage.

Dou Zhengchang had married the niece of the Sixth Aunt’s sister-in-law’s family, surnamed Han. She came from a wealthy Jiangnan family. Though slightly lacking in household management skills, she was highly educated. Dou Zhengchang would discuss every essay he wrote with his Eleventh Sister-in-law. Later, Dou Zhengchang became a renowned master of essay writing. Any composition he critiqued would immediately become popular across the country. The couple was like-minded and deeply in love.

Because of this, Sixth Aunt stayed in the capital to take care of Sixth Uncle and the Dou Zhengchang couple. She didn’t return to Zhengding until Dou Zhao’s rebirth.

Was she about to part ways with Sixth Aunt now?

At this thought, her heart ached, and tears nearly fell from her eyes.

For several days, Dou Zhao’s mood remained low.

Grandmother assumed Dou Zhao was tired and advised her to rest more: “…After all, there are only three of us for the New Year. It doesn’t matter if we’re short of something.”

Dou Zhao giggled, taking the opportunity to be lazy. She handed over tasks to Suxin, who had returned, while she hid in her room doing needlework.

In this life, she was determined not to return to the capital. If Sixth Aunt settled there, they might rarely have the chance to meet again. Sixth Aunt had cared for her like a mother for several years. With her impending departure, Dou Zhao wanted to make some clothes for Sixth Aunt by hand as a token of her affection.

Rumors of her ill health spread through the household.

Dou Ming lingered outside Dou Zhao’s door for a while before finally turning away.

Dou Zhao shook her head gently, a faint disappointment welling up inside her.

She had always believed in the inherent goodness of human nature, but Dou Ming had been unlucky.

First, she encountered Wang Yingxue, who used her to deal with her father, adding a touch of utilitarianism and diminishing some of a mother’s love. Then came Wang Xu, who treated her like a pet, only knowing how to spoil her without considering her future. Now, she was with Dou Zhao herself—who wasn’t particularly skilled at raising children, as evidenced by her three children in her previous life. Dou Ming would have to bear her hardships!

When news reached the East Mansion, Madam Ji rushed over immediately.

Dou Zhao had to reassure her: “…It’s just the cold weather. I wanted to sleep in a bit more!”

Seeing her rosy complexion and lively spirit, Madam Ji knew she wasn’t just making excuses. After chatting briefly, she returned home.

Nevertheless, the Second Madam sent Nanny Liu to check on her. The Second and Third Madams came in person. The second and third sisters-in-law brought Young Lady Yi, Young Lady Shu, Madam Huang (the eldest son’s wife), Dou Fanchang’s wife, Dou Huachang’s wife, and Dou Qijun’s wife Madam Qi. They crowded the inner room, leaving no space to stand.

Dou Zhao had to repeatedly explain that she wasn’t seriously ill, just feeling a bit tired. Still, Dou Shiheng sent his steward with medicinal herbs.

If this continued, even Dou Xiuchang and Dou Yuchang might send people to inquire about her health.

Dou Zhao had no choice but to “recover” quickly.

This amused the Bie sisters, who couldn’t stop laughing privately. Sulan even said, “Now I understand how difficult it is to be the Emperor. If the Emperor wants to skip court for a day, forget about the imperial concubines—even the ministers in the cabinet would disturb his peace.”

Suxin also teased her: “It seems that ‘stealing a moment of leisure amidst busyness’ isn’t something everyone can achieve.”

Seeing the sisters in good spirits, Dou Zhao joked, “Speaking of Madam Bie’s little Xiang, did Zhao Liangbi end up being helpful?”

When the Bie sisters left, Zhao Liangbi used the chicken feather token she had given him as a pass, saying, “This was entrusted to me by the Young Lady.” Since the Bie sisters were women, they let him handle external affairs. He accompanied them to Zhengding Prefecture. Suxin and Sulan, either not noticing Zhao Liangbi’s intentions or not understanding Dou Zhao’s implication, replied naturally: “How could he not be helpful? He took care of the sacrificial offerings, arranged the banquet, and received guests. We’re grateful for Manager Zhao’s assistance.” This left Dou Zhao at a loss for words.

In her previous life, without the Bie sisters, Zhao Liangbi and Ganlu had married smoothly. They respected each other, which was admirable. In this life, Zhao Liangbi had encountered Suxin.

What else might change?

Dou Zhao felt both bewildered and expectant.

Ji Yong sent his servant to deliver two fifty-year-old ginseng roots: “Our young master says to slice the ginseng and suck on a piece before bed each night. It calms the spirit and replenishes energy.”

The Ji family truly lived up to their century-old noble status. They casually gifted her something that others couldn’t buy even with money.

Dou Zhao sincerely expressed her gratitude: “Please tell your young master to thank you for the ginseng. I’m already feeling better.” Considering it was a life-saving medicine, she didn’t refuse. She asked Suxin to put it away and rewarded Zishang with two high-quality red envelopes.

Zishang respectfully thanked her.

Dou Zhao then asked if Ji Yong would spend the New Year at the Dou residence or return to Yixing.

“Originally, our old master wanted our young master to spend the New Year in the capital with the two lords, but our young master said the capital wasn’t fun, so he came to Zhengding with the young master,” Zishang explained articulately. “We’ll return to the capital with our lady after spring begins.”

She decided to prepare a return gift for the New Year. But what could she give someone who lacked nothing?

As Dou Zhao pondered this dilemma, Ji Yong sent someone to ask her to help write Spring Festival couplets: “…I was just helping out of boredom. Somehow, everyone claimed to be busy, and I was left with five hundred pairs of couplets! Since you’re better now, come and help! Otherwise, who knows when these couplets will be finished!”

This was the responsibility of the Dou family’s children. What did it have to do with her?

Even if they couldn’t finish, it wasn’t her place to step in.

But thinking of the two ginseng roots, Dou Zhao decided to go anyway.

Just as she was about to leave, Gaoxing came to report: “Young Master He is departing for Anyang tomorrow.”

Dou Zhao asked him, “How much silver did the East Mansion give as a parting gift?”

“Five hundred taels.”

“So much!” Dou Zhao was surprised. She had seen the Dou family’s accounts, and the largest parting gift had been no more than three hundred taels. When she was the Marchioness, it was even less, just two hundred taels.

It seemed the Dou family was sparing no effort to curry favor with the He family.

She instructed Gaoxing: “Then follow the East Mansion’s example and send a five-hundred-tael parting gift as well.”

Gaoxing happily had someone carry the silver as he followed Dou Zhao to the East Mansion.

He went to the guest room to deliver the gift to He Yu, while Dou Zhao went to see Madam Ji.

He Yu was reading in the inner room when he heard people from Dou Shiyingʼs household in the outer hall repeatedly saying “Fourth Young Lady said” to his steward. Curious, he couldn’t help but step out and ask, “Does the Fourth Young Lady manage your household affairs?”

“Of course!” Gaoxing, always proud of Dou Zhao, respectfully replied, “With the Seventh Lord and Lady in the capital, our Fourth Young Lady is in charge of everything at home. Our Fourth Young Lady is very capable! From the food, clothing, and daily necessities of the entire household to the family business and social engagements of each branch, what doesn’t require our Fourth Young Lady’s attention? She even studies and practices calligraphy with the tutor regularly. Now, the Ji family’s young master can’t finish writing the Spring Festival couplets, so he specially invited our Fourth Young Lady to help.” He concluded with admiration, “Why else would our Seventh Lord send the Fifth Young Lady back to be under our Fourth Young Lady’s guidance?”

He Yu was stunned and asked, “What’s this about writing Spring Festival couplets?” His tone carried an urgency he didn’t notice.

Gaoxing hurriedly explained the Dou family’s tradition, emphasizing repeatedly: “…Regardless of age, any Dou family member with good handwriting can help write.”

He Yu responded with an “Oh,” rewarded Gaoxing with two high-quality red envelopes, and returned to the inner room, lost in thought for a while. Finally, he instructed his servant: “Prepare a change of clothes for me. I should go bid farewell to Young Master Ji as well.”

The servant respectfully complied, changing He Yu into a crimson silk robe, inserting a gold hairpin, and helping him hang a sachet and purse at his waist.

Suddenly, He Yu thought of Ji Yong.

That fellow would surely be wearing a plain cloth robe again.

He instructed his servant: “Not the gold hairpin. Use the bronze one instead.”

The servant quickly changed the hairpin, and He Yu nodded in satisfaction before heading to Ji Yong’s guest quarters.

Ji Yong wasn’t there.

His attendant informed He Yu: “Our young master is at the lady’s place.”

He Yu chuckled.

How did he come up with the idea that Dou Zhao would be at Ji Yong’s place?

He went to Madam Ji’s quarters instead.

Upon entering, he saw Ji Yong complaining to Dou Zhao: “…Who came up with this ridiculous rule? Even our Ji family, with its hundred-year history, doesn’t do this! How does writing Spring Festival couplets promote harmony with neighbors? I think giving out a few copper coins during the New Year would make them more grateful…”

Giving out copper coins? That’s what merchant families do!

Dou Zhao retorted irritably, “Each family has its own rules. Have we ever criticized your Ji family’s customs?”

Ji Yong fell silent.

Still unsatisfied, Dou Zhao feigned confusion and looked at him: “Are you a child of the Ji family? Were you perhaps switched at birth?”

Ji Yong jumped in anger: “If you want to help, then help. If not, just leave. How can a girl talk so much?”

Was he accusing her of being a gossip?

That was one of the seven grounds for divorce.

Dou Zhao naturally wouldn’t let him get away with it. She said, “Did you show off in front of our Dou family members again? Otherwise, how come everyone suddenly has something to do? Our Dou family has been giving out so many Spring Festival couplets to neighbors every year, yet we’ve never heard of anyone unable to finish writing them. It seems that no matter how smart or capable a person is, they shouldn’t incur the wrath of the masses…”

“Dou Zhao!” Ji Yong gritted his teeth and thrust a brush at her. “Are you going to write or not?”

“No!” Dou Zhao decisively threw the brush onto the writing desk.

The sound of footsteps approached from afar.

They both turned towards the sound, seeing not only He Yu, who looked every bit at the wealthy young master and was smiling and nodding at them but also Song Yan, who was hurrying over.

“Fourth Young Lady,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow and looking somewhat timid, “Is it appropriate for me to help Young Master Ji write Spring Festival couplets?”