As Dou Zhao scrutinized her, Ji Lingze gracefully nodded and smiled at Dou Zhao, taking the opportunity to observe her closely as well.

Dou Zhao had a tall figure, wearing a semi-new dark green Hangzhou silk jacket and a yellow-trimmed horse-face skirt embroidered with cloud patterns. She stood there with the posture of a pine tree, her eyes sparkling like cold stars, dazzling and brilliant. She resembled a plum blossom blooming in the cold rather than the delicate peach, pear, or apricot blossoms.

Few girls possessed such grace.

Ji Lingze couldn’t help but silently praise her, developing a great fondness for Dou Zhao.

She curtsied in return and said with a smile, “An unexpected guest, I hope I’m not intruding!”

What kind of courage allowed a young woman to disregard her reputation and life to elope with a man a year younger than herself?!

Although Dou Zhao knew that Dou Dechang had never regretted stopping at the Hanlin Academy for her sake and that Ji Lingze had a loving and happy marriage with Dou Dechang after their union, she certainly couldn’t have foreseen the future when making such a decision.

Dou Zhao had always been curious about her twelfth sister-in-law from her previous life, whom she had only met a few times without the chance for a deeper connection.

She never expected to meet her in this life during her coming-of-age ceremony.

Dou Zhao enthusiastically welcomed Sixth Aunt and Ji Lingze into Grandmother’s room.

Grandmother held Ji Lingze’s hand, praising her continuously: “This girl is truly beautiful!” She then asked about her age, how many siblings she had, and what she did for leisure…

Meanwhile, Madam Ji whispered to Dou Zhao, “You’re of a higher generation and don’t have many close sisters. I specifically brought Lingze here. How about having her as the officiant for your coming-of-age ceremony?”

Sixth Aunt truly treated her like her own daughter!

Dou Zhao naturally agreed enthusiastically.

Madam Ji smiled and said, “Then I’ll talk to her about it tonight.”

“Thank you, Sixth Aunt,” Dou Zhao expressed her gratitude.

Madam Ji patted her hand and said with some emotion, “I’ve always worried about how you were faring in Zhending. Now that I’ve seen you, I realize I was overthinking. Sometimes, a girl shouldn’t be too strong; when it’s time to be soft, be soft.” There was something she left unsaid.

Despite having parents and relatives, Dou Zhao seemed to grow like a wild vegetable in the field, which was heartbreaking to see.

“Your Sixth Aunt’s words are wise,” Grandmother, who had finished talking with Ji Lingze, chimed in with a smile. “When the Wei family came to give you your coming-of-age gift, you dismissed them with just a ‘thank you.’ How could the Marquis feel good about that? You’re usually so clever; how could you be so muddled at such a crucial moment?”

Having decided to distance herself from the Wei family, Dou Zhao thought it better to let the relationship cool off sooner rather than later.

Dou Zhao smiled and placated her grandmother, “I understand!”

Grandmother could see through her, shaking her head helplessly, “This child of mine!”

Ji Lingze, standing nearby, consoled Grandmother: “Sister is young and shy. You needn’t expect perfection from her. Give her a couple of years, and she’ll improve.”

Grandmother praised Ji Lingze repeatedly for her understanding.

Ji Lingze smiled gracefully, her refined demeanor as a young lady from a noble family pleasing to the eye.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but think to herself that it was no wonder Dou Dechang had fallen for Ji Lingze.

She wondered when Dou Dechang had fallen in love with Ji Lingze in her previous life.

Before their elopement, there had been no signs at all.

In this life, would they still fall for each other?

Dou Zhao was lost in thought and inadvertently asked, “Cousin Ji, why didn’t Twelfth Brother and the others come back with you?” After speaking, she realized her mistake and carefully observed Sixth Aunt and Ji Lingze’s expressions.

Neither of them showed any unusual reaction. Ji Lingze, in particular, smiled and said, “Your Twelfth Brother was going to return, but when Uncle heard that Jianming had arrived in the capital and rented a house near Shuntianfu School to study diligently, he took your Eleventh and Twelfth Brothers there to study together.”

Dou Zhao nodded quickly.

Ji Lingze smiled and said, “I’ve heard Aunt mention that there’s a greenhouse here where not only camellias bloom beautifully, but there are also rare varieties of cymbidium and peonies. I wonder if I could take a look?”

Since the greenhouse belonged to Dou Zhao, Grandmother loved it when people asked about it.

Her eyes crinkled with joy as she said, “This is just a little hobby of our Shou Gu. It doesn’t deserve Miss Ji’s praise. If you’re interested, Shou Gu can accompany you there.” She then called to Dou Zhao, “Go with Miss Ji for a walk. If she likes any flowers, bring some over for her.”

Grandmother was giving away flowers again.

She’d be delighted if everyone who received flowers would praise her a bit.

Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together, and went to the greenhouse with Ji Lingze.

It was early spring, and the weather was still cold, but the greenhouse was lush with green plants. A few early-blooming winter jasmine and peony flowers decorated the greenhouse with a vibrant spring atmosphere, invigorating anyone who saw them.

“Cousin Dou certainly has a talent for growing flowers,” Ji Lingze said, stopping in front of a newly budding red peony. “I suppose the ‘Eighteen Scholars’ camellia that Aunt sent to the Old Master was your handiwork?”

“It was just a hobby. I didn’t expect it to survive,” Dou Zhao said modestly.

Ji Lingze smiled and said, “It seems the saying ‘brine seasons tofu, one thing subdues another’ holds in this world.”

Dou Zhao was puzzled, not understanding her meaning.

Ji Lingze had already moved on to asking about flower cultivation: “…Sister, your azalea is blooming so beautifully. I have one at home, but it grows wildly. If I prune it, it often fails to bud. Do you have any tips? I’d love to learn and show off to the elders at home!”

Hearing Ji Lingze’s humorous words, Dou Zhao forgot her earlier confusion—there was no use in overthinking it; she’d understand when the time came.

“There’s no special trick,” she smiled, walking with Ji Lingze to the azalea. “It’s just a matter of pruning in May or June after the flowering period.”

Ji Lingze nodded continuously.

As they were talking, an excited little maid ran in: “Fourth Miss, Fourth Miss, the Aunt from the mother’s side has arrived with Third Miss!”

Dou Zhao was slightly stunned and asked in disbelief, “What did you say?”

The quick-tongued little maid replied, “It’s the Aunt from the Northwest who has come with Third Miss to attend your coming-of-age ceremony! They’re talking with Madam Cui right now!”

“Ah!” Dou Zhao’s heart pounded, and she was so excited that she almost lost her composure. She hurriedly took two steps forward before remembering she was still accompanying Ji Lingze and quickly turned back.

Fortunately, Ji Lingze was clever and considerate. She quickly said, “Since an honored guest has come from afar, we should go and welcome them.” She took Dou Zhao’s arm and walked out.

Dou Zhao didn’t stand on ceremony with her and quickly left the greenhouse, heading to Grandmother’s place.

Her aunt recognized her at a glance. Before Dou Zhao could steady herself, her aunt embraced her with tears in her eyes: “Shou Gu, you’re Shou Gu!”

“Yes!” Dou Zhao had barely uttered a word when tears began to stream down her face.

They hadn’t seen each other for ten years.

The two embraced and wept.

Everyone around them quietly wiped away tears. It was Zhao Zhangru who ran up to pull her mother and Dou Zhao apart: “It’s supposed to be a happy occasion, why are you two crying?!” Despite her words, she was crying just as much as Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao burst into laughter, her face still wet with tears, and called out, “Third Cousin!”

The little girl from before had grown into a young woman, with a slender figure and delicate features. If they had met on the street, Dou Zhao certainly wouldn’t have recognized her. Her aunt, however, hadn’t changed much; in fact, she looked even younger due to her improved complexion.

Zhao Zhangru pretended to be disgusted and threw a handkerchief at Dou Zhao: “Hurry up and wipe your tears! It’s a good thing you’re not wearing any makeup, or it would have all been ruined!”

That mischievous expression and cheerful tone were just like when they were children.

It was as if time had turned back.

She used to pull Dou Zhao along to watch ants moving house.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but take Zhao Zhangru’s hand.

Zhao Zhangru giggled.

Grandmother smiled and invited them to sit down and talk.

The maids brought fresh tea and snacks.

Dou Zhao had a thousand things to say but didn’t know where to begin. She just held Zhao Zhangru’s hand tightly.

Seeing this, Madam Ji smiled and said, “Shou Gu, I have good news for you—your uncle has been promoted to Prefect of Qingyang!”

“Really!” Dou Zhao looked at her aunt with surprise and joy.

Her aunt nodded gently and modestly and said, “Your uncle has been diligent in his official duties and has been promoted to Qingyang this time.”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but feel elated.

In her previous life, her uncle hadn’t been promoted to Prefect of Qingyang until he was over fifty, with no further advancements after that.

In this life, it had happened ten years earlier.

And it was right after Wang Xingyi had been transferred to be the Governor of Yunnan.

It was clear that without Wang Xingyi’s suppression, her uncle had finally been able to rise.

This life had indeed brought changes.

“Aunt,” Dou Zhao said with a beaming smile, “we should properly celebrate Uncle’s promotion.”

“What’s there to celebrate?” Her aunt had always been low-key and said with a smile, “We don’t want people to laugh at us.”

“I just want to wish Uncle continued success in his career,” Dou Zhao said with a smile. “We’ll just have a small feast with family members.” She then instructed the maids to prepare a good table of dishes and bring two jars of fine Jinhua wine.

It was just a promotion to the fourth rank, after all.

Ji Lingze didn’t quite understand Dou Zhao’s excitement.

Zhao Zhangru, however, jumped in: “I’ll help!”

“Zhangru!” Her aunt put on a stern face.

Grandmother quickly smoothed things over: “It’s rare for Shou Gu to be so enthusiastic. It’s all for her uncle’s happiness, so let them be.”

Madam Ji and the others smiled indulgently.

The outgoing Zhao Zhangru took the hand of Ji Lingze, whom she had just met: “Cousin Ji from the Ji family, come with us too.” She whispered to Ji Lingze, “Shou Gu has many good things. We must eat, drink, and take advantage of this opportunity!” Her words made the usually composed Ji Lingze chuckle, and they left Madam Cui’s courtyard together with Dou Zhao, chatting and laughing.

On the way, they met Suxin, who reported with some concern: “You instructed us to only accept gifts from close family relatives, but the managers from the farms and shops are being very sincere…”

Dou Zhao wasn’t an inflexible person. Rejecting gifts outright would disappoint the farm managers and shop stewards.

She thought for a moment and said, “Accept all the gifts, see how much they’re worth, and then give each person a red envelope of similar value.”

This was a good solution.

It wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings and would also demonstrate the Dou family’s generosity.

Suxin happily agreed and left.

Zhao Zhangru whispered to Ji Lingze: “See? Didn’t I tell you?”

“Indeed,” Ji Lingze nodded with a smile, but then lowered her head thoughtfully, absent-mindedly following them to Dou Zhao’s main room.