“Duke Ying truly executed all the guards who escaped, and had their bodies brought before the heir,” Chen Qushui sighed. “Perhaps having caught wind of something, nearly all of Duke Ying’s relatives and friends came on the day of Lady Jiang’s funeral. The heir conducted himself impeccably, showing no signs of his injuries. Duke Ying maintained a solemn demeanor, his face clouding with grief at the mention of Lady Jiang.

Only Second Master Song knelt before Lady Jiang’s spirit tablet, weeping until his eyes swelled. After the evening banquet, Duke Ying kept the three imperial sons-in-law and the Lu family members for a private discussion. He plans to ask Lady Lu’s brother, Lu Fuli, to mediate the division of Lady Jiang’s dowry between the heir and Second Master Song. While Duke Ying Manor appears harmonious on the surface, Yizhi Hall and the main manor have drawn their battle lines. The heir has even secretly relocated some people to his imperial-bestowed estate in Daxing.”

“A cunning hare has three burrows,” Dou Zhao listened intently, pleased that Song Mo and Song Yichun could maintain a facade of filial piety before others while achieving their goals. She felt a mix of satisfaction and melancholy. “From now on, it will be a constant struggle between father and son, with one side always overpowering the other. This tragic familial conflict will play out in Duke Ying’s manor for a long time to come.”

The mood in the room grew somber as everyone listened, their spirits dampened by the grim reality.

Dou Zhao broke the heavy silence with a smile, saying, “Fortunately, these matters no longer concern us. We’ve done what we could and should, and can rest easy with a clear conscience. After all, we’re outsiders to their family affairs and don’t know the full story, nor is it our place to interfere.”

Her words did little to lift the mood. Although Duan Gongyi managed a weak smile, his expression remained grave. Chen Qushui, however, understood Dou Zhao’s intent and said with a smile, “The heir wanted to kill us, yet we ended up saving his life. In a way, we’ve repaid evil with kindness. This chapter should now be closed. We’ve all been losing sleep and appetite over Duke Ying Manor’s affairs these past few days. Now that we’re back in Zhending, let’s put those matters behind us. Everyone should go and rest now, allowing the young miss to retire early as well.”

Duan Gongyi and the others rose, smiling as they took their leave.

Dou Zhao instructed Duan Gongyi, “You’ve all worked hard these past days. Arrange for everyone to take turns going home for a few days of leave to spend time with their families.”

Duan Gongyi and the others expressed their gratitude before departing the inner courtyard with Chen Qushui.

Dou Zhao asked Su Lan to inquire about Ji Yong’s departure time, saying, “…so we can prepare the travel gifts.”

Su Lan cheerfully agreed and returned in the evening with the news: “They say he’ll leave at chen hour tomorrow. The fifth young master will also accompany Young Master Ji to the capital.”

Though unexpected, it was not unreasonable.

Dou Zhao instructed Su Xin, “Prepare travel gifts of 200 taels of silver for each of them.”

Su Xin acknowledged the order and left.

Early the next morning, Dou Zhao joined the Dou family’s women to see off Ji Yong and Dou Qijun.

The second madam repeatedly advised Dou Qijun, “Don’t rush. This trip is just for gaining experience. If you pass the exam, that’s wonderful. If not, seeking guidance from your fifth great-uncle is also beneficial.” She then turned to Ji Yong, “Be careful on your journey. Consult each other if any issues arise. Arrive safely in the capital so I can put my mind at ease!”

Both young men respectfully agreed.

The second madam accompanied them to the main gate.

Servants helped the two mount their carriage.

Ji Yong immediately spotted Dou Zhao among the crowd.

She wore a snow-white, plain-patterned sable headdress with a matching fur collar. Zhenzhu earrings adorned her ears. In the cold wind, her lotus-like face was tinged with a rosy hue, resembling a plum blossom blooming in the snow, exceptionally radiant.

Ji Yong clenched his fist involuntarily.

This time, he was determined not to let her look down on him again!

He turned and entered the carriage, loudly instructing his attendant, “Let’s depart for the capital!”

The carriage carrying the two young men disappeared into the snowy landscape.

Everyone returned to the hall, chatting cheerfully.

Dou Zhao walked alongside Dou Qijun’s wife, Madam Qi. While her ears caught snippets of Madam Huang, the ninth sister-in-law, and wife of Dou Huanchang, recounting her son’s amusing antics, her mind wandered to her affairs.

After the New Year, she would come of age.

Wang Qingyuan, the younger sister of Marquis Yan’an Wang Qinghuai, was only two months younger than her.

If not for her timely appearance and Madam Tian’s lingering affection, Wei Tingyu would have followed Wei Tingzhen’s wishes and married Wang Qingyuan.

The Wang family seemed keen on the match between Wang Qingyuan and Wei Tingyu.

She still remembered the strange looks Madam An, Wang Qinghuai’s wife, gave her when she first married into the Jining Marquis Manor.

Had it not been for Wei Tingzhen’s slip of the tongue years later during a fit of anger over a trivial matter, she might never have known.

She wondered if Wei Tingzhen, given his temperament, would have found the gentle and docile Wang Qingyuan too weak, just as he found her too strong-willed.

Dou Zhao had her doubts.

Nevertheless, she decided to approach the matter from this angle.

She recalled that Wang Qingyuan eventually married the eldest son of Hua Tang, the Commander of the Weizhou Guard. Within a year, she became a widow and, having no children, faced a difficult life under her domineering brother-in-law. It was Wang Qinghuai who, out of concern for his sister, forcibly brought her back to the Yan’an Marquis Manor. From then on, Wang Qingyuan lived as a Buddhist lay devotee, spending her days in quiet contemplation.

If this marriage could be arranged, it might not be such a bad thing.

Dou Zhao was quick to act. She asked Cui Shisan to keep an eye on the Yan’an Marquis family’s affairs during his New Year visit.

Cui Shisan was puzzled and said, “The Yan’an Marquis’s heir, Wang Qinghuai, is adept at managing household affairs. The Marquis trusts him completely and has entrusted him with all family matters. While the Yan’an Marquis Manor may not appear extraordinary, they live quite comfortably. It’s just that they’ve always maintained a low profile and strictly disciplined their children, keeping a low key. Given our small-scale operations, even if we were to establish a connection with the Wang family, I doubt there would be much benefit.”

In recent years, he had been lending money in the capital, and the experience proved eye-opening. Not only did officials borrow money, but the sons of noble families borrowed even more frequently. While officials would repay their debts as soon as they had the means, the young nobles often refused to pay even when they could afford to. When truly pressed, they would offer family heirlooms as collateral. Fan Wenshu felt sorry for the ancestors of these families and suggested they might as well secretly engage in the antique trade.

Dou Zhao, of course, knew the Wang family’s situation best.

Wei Tingzhen’s interest in Wang Qingyuan was largely due to her substantial dowry.

However, this was not something she could openly discuss with Cui Shisan.

She simply smiled and said, “I’ve received news that the Emperor plans to begin river works in the spring. This could be a significant business opportunity. The Yan’an Marquis surely won’t miss out on this chance. Just keep an eye on their family for now. Who knows? We might get some scraps from their table!”

Cui Shisan thought this idea was terrible, but being young and unable to find any flaws in Dou Zhao’s logic, he solemnly agreed. He then went to consult with Zhao Liangbi about the matter, asking, “Do you think the fourth young miss is hiding something from us?”

Zhao Liangbi, now the manager of the Dou family’s grain shop in Zhending, glanced at Cui Shisan and said, “Even if the fourth young miss is keeping something from you, what could you change by knowing?”

Cui Shisan thought seriously and replied, “Nothing!”

“There you have it!” Zhao Liangbi laughed. “Just do what the fourth young miss asks of you. When the time comes for you to know, you’ll know.” He then invited Cui Shisan, “I’m heading to East Lane Street. Want to come along?”

“What are you doing in East Lane Street?” Cui Shisan, who was on New Year’s leave and had come to Zhending specifically to spend time with Zhao Liangbi, said, “You’re the only person I know here, so of course I’ll go with you.”

Zhao Liangbi explained with a smile, “The young miss entrusted me with looking after the other martial arts schools and Master Chen’s residence. Although two old servants are helping to keep an eye on things, with the New Year approaching, we should go check on them.”

Cui Shisan, unsuspecting, spent the day with Zhao Liangbi before returning to the Cui family estate.

His fourth sister-in-law, Tuo Niang, was busy in the kitchen preparing the family’s dinner with the newly arrived ninth sister-in-law. His fourth brother’s son, Zhongyuan, and daughter, Changqing, sat on small stools in the kitchen, helping to pick soybeans for making tofu for the New Year celebrations.

Seeing Cui Shisan return, Tuo Niang smiled and asked, “Did you see the fourth young miss?”

She had asked Cui Shisan to deliver two pairs of shoes she had made for Dou Zhao.

Zhongyuan and Changqing obediently greeted their “Thirteenth Uncle.”

Cui Shisan smiled, patting the children’s heads and pulling out a package of candy from his pocket to give them.

The children cheered with delight.

Cui Shisan then said, “I delivered them. The fourth young miss said they fit well and asked if you could make her two more pairs with embroidered flower branch designs next time. She also sent two boxes of snacks for Zhongyuan and Changqing. Gan Lu said they were imperial gifts that the seventh master had specially brought from the capital for the fourth young miss. I’ve put the snacks together with the other things the fourth young miss bestowed on our family.”

Tuo Niang’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this. She repeatedly said it was “too much” and inquired about the types of shoes Dou Zhao had. “The fourth young miss’s coming-of-age ceremony is in a few days. I must bring Zhongyuan and Changqing to pay our respects to her.”

The family had been discussing this matter for days. Father Cui had even gathered Cui Shisan and his brothers to decide on an appropriate gift. Since Cui Shisan had spent two years in the capital, the task fell to him. He was still pondering this when he heard Tuo Niang’s words and muttered, “Fourth sister-in-law has it easy, just two pairs of shoes will do.” As soon as he said this, an idea struck him. He decided to stay and help Changqing pick soybeans, asking, “Fourth sister-in-law, you’ve served the fourth young miss before. What does she like?”

Tuo Niang continued her work while talking to Cui Shisan: “The fourth young miss appreciates any gift given with sincerity.” She began to recount stories from Dou Zhao’s childhood. “…Even as a tiny child, she remembered who was kind to her and who wasn’t. She’s always been generous and never petty…”

Cui Jiu’s wife watched Tuo Niang speak so eloquently, her face showing a mix of admiration and envy.

Among the brothers, Cui Si was the most taciturn, but because he married Tuo Niang, no one in the Cui family dared to slight him. Even his parents treated the couple with a degree of respect. The fourth young miss of the Dou family frequently bestowed gifts upon them, and the whole family benefited. Fortunately, Tuo Niang had a good nature and never became arrogant because of this. When it was her turn to deliver meals to the fields or cook, she did so without complaint. Her sisters-in-law admired her for her kindness and ability to manage both her husband and relatives. Among the women in the surrounding villages, nine out of ten envied her, while the tenth was jealous.

Thinking of this, her gaze fell on the young Zhongyuan and Changqing.

With their connection to the fourth young miss, what did these children have to worry about regarding their future?