Ji Yong leaped out of bed, calling out loudly, “Zi Shang, I’m going to visit my aunt in Cat Alley!”

Zi Shang, yawning widely, looked out the window and said, “Young Master, there’s a curfew in the capital. Shouldn’t we wait until dawn to go?”

Realizing he had misspoken, Ji Yong snorted and replied with a stern face, “Of course, I know it’s the middle of the night. I meant to say we’ll go to Cat Alley tomorrow morning.”

But you have to go to the yamen tomorrow morning!

Zi Shang dared not voice this thought. After muttering to himself a few times, he found he could no longer sleep. When dawn finally broke, he accompanied Ji Yong to the Hanlin Academy. Just as he was about to find a place to doze off, Ji Yong strode out and declared, “Let’s go to Cat Alley.”

Zi Shang opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. Once Ji Yong got into the carriage, he jumped onto the yoke and instructed the driver to head to Cat Alley.

The Sixth Madam had just sent Dou Shiheng off when she saw Ji Yong rushing over early in the morning and quickly asked, “What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing,” Ji Yong replied. “I was thinking about going to Master Fang’s tomorrow to find a copy of ‘Xuanyuan Agricultural Affairs’ by Shen Xi from the previous dynasty, but I couldn’t locate it anywhere. I remember seeing a copy here at my uncle’s place. Aunt, could you help me look for it?”

The Ji family quickly called for Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang to help find the book.

The three of them busied themselves for half a day but still couldn’t find any trace of the book.

Ji Yong pouted, “Could it be that I saw it at Uncle Qi’s house?”

“That’s possible,” Dou Zhengchang replied, checking the catalog of their collection while Dou Dechang searched for the book. Exhausted, he slumped onto a rattan chair and said, “Fourth Sister loves reading these kinds of books. Uncle Qi sometimes finds them at used book stalls and must buy them to send to Zhen Ding. I just don’t know if the book you mentioned is in Zhen Ding or at Jing’an Temple Alley now.”

Dou Zhengchang quickly said, “I’ll accompany you!”

Since the incident with Ji Lingze, Ji Yong had looked down on his maternal family, the Han family, and consequently had little regard for his cousin, Han Shi. Dou Zhengchang, wanting to ease the awkwardness between them, offered to help.

Ji Yong seemed to have completely forgotten about the incident, pulling Dou Zhengchang along to Jing’an Temple Alley.

Dou Shiying was not home, and Wang Yingxue was said to be unwell, having gone to the Dou family’s estate in Wanping for a short stay.

Gao Sheng came out to host Ji Yong and Dou Zhengchang.

“It’s nothing else; I just came to find a book,” Dou Zhengchang said politely to Gao Sheng, who was Dou Shiying’s chief steward.

Gao Sheng respectfully led Dou Zhengchang and Ji Yong to the room where Dou Shiying kept her collection of books, arranging for two attentive young servants to assist them.

Ji Yong rummaged through the books for a while and said, “I’m going outside for some fresh air,” appearing restless.

Dou Zhengchang responded with a grunt and continued searching for the book.

Ji Yong then pulled a young servant aside to inquire about Dou Ming’s whereabouts and boldly barged in.

Dou Ming was tuning her pipa when she saw Ji Yong and jumped in fright. “Y-You! How did you get in here?” As she spoke, she retreated five or six steps until her back hit the flowered window, shouting for help.

Ji Yong scoffed, his face full of mockery. “I forgot; you think that when a man and a woman are together, they must be having an affair.” He looked Dou Ming up and down. “What’s the matter? When it’s your turn, it’s a different story?”

Dou Ming was so taken aback that she couldn’t catch her breath, her voice caught in her throat.

Ji Yong shot her a glance, stood up, and walked outside, instructing Dou Ming, “Come here; I have something to say to you.”

His tone was condescending, which made Dou Ming’s face turn pale with anger. But thinking of Aunt Mo’s beady little eyes, she felt a chill in her heart and bit her lip, following Ji Yong.

Ji Yong stopped in the middle of the courtyard, ensuring that the servants in Dou Ming’s room were within earshot, but no one could approach to hear what he was saying.

He leaned in and whispered a few words in Dou Ming’s ear.

“What did you say?” Dou Ming jumped up, staring at Ji Yong in shock, her expression somewhat dazed.

“You heard me correctly,” Ji Yong replied coldly. “As long as you help me with this matter, our grievances will be settled. Otherwise, we’ll settle both accounts together, and it won’t be as simple as selling someone to a brothel.”

Dou Ming shivered involuntarily, her gaze flashing with hatred as she said fiercely, “W-Why are you doing this?” Her voice was hoarse, sounding both agitated and fearful.

“You don’t need to know why,” Ji Yong sneered, glancing at Dou Ming disdainfully. “Just make sure you do what I ask.”

Dou Ming lowered her eyelids, her expression inscrutable.

Ji Yong turned and left.

Dou Zhao soon learned that Ji Yong had met with Dou Ming alone. She felt worried and said to Chen Qu Shui, “These two are like water and fire; they will never get along. If they can come together, it’s not simple. Since we can’t find out what Ji Yong and Dou Ming discussed, we’ll have to keep a close watch on them.”

Chen Qu Shui nodded slightly.

Wei Tingyu visited again, bringing valuable gifts.

Dou Shiying still did not see him.

Standing on the steps of the Dou family’s flower hall, Wei Tingyu was at a loss for what to do.

With winter approaching, if the marriage was not settled soon, they would have to wait until spring next year.

Whether rich or poor, it was better to bring a bride home for the New Year.

This year was his first Spring Festival after his mourning period, and with only his mother at home, if Dou Zhao could come over earlier, his mother would have company, making the New Year’s visits to relatives more lively.

How could he appease his father-in-law?

As Wei Tingyu pondered, he heard a cheerful, tinkling laugh behind him.

Turning around, he saw a graceful girl dressed in a peach-red coat and an oil-green skirt, her features delicate and charming, like a peach blossom ready to bloom in early spring, catching his eye.

“Are you the Jining Marquis?” the girl greeted him. “I’m the fifth in my family.” Her eyes sparkled, making her seem very clever. “Did my father make things difficult for you? Do you feel wronged?”

So she was the Fifth Miss of the Dou family.

Wei Tingyu shook his head repeatedly.

Dou Ming, not waiting for him to speak, added, “In ancient times, there were three visits to the thatched cottage. You’ve only come twice; it’s still early!”

Wei Tingyu was overjoyed and quickly said, “Thank you for your guidance, Fifth Miss!”

Dou Ming smiled slightly, surrounded by a group of maids, and brushed past Wei Tingyu.

On the third visit, Dou Shiying finally met him in the flower hall. Although they exchanged only a few polite words, it was enough to relieve Wei Tingyu’s anxiety.

After leaving Dou Shiying’s study, he encountered Dou Ming again.

A group of maids surrounded her as she headed toward the study.

Dou Ming winked at him.

He clasped his hands in gratitude, feigning overwhelming emotion.

Dou Ming smiled slightly.

Wei Tingyu awkwardly scratched his head.

The two brushed past each other again.

Having received two words from Dou Shiying, Wei Tingyu felt that the matter had been resolved and went to the Jingguo Duke’s residence to ask Wei Tingzhen to help him find a matchmaker to discuss the wedding date with the Dou family.

Wei Tingzhen knew that his brother had just gone to Jing’an Temple Alley and quickly asked, “What did Lord Dou say?”

Wei Tingyu smiled and replied, “It was nothing much—just some talk about ‘It takes a hundred years of cultivation to share a boat; the days ahead are long, and we must learn to respect each other.’”

Wei Tingzhen frowned. “Didn’t he mention the dowry?”

“Isn’t that the matchmaker’s job?” Wei Tingyu asked in surprise. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to bring it up, would it?”

Wei Tingzhen was exasperated.

Dou Zhao was not young anymore, and the Wei family had intentions of breaking off the engagement. Dou Shiying had already been angry, and the family tree had been laid out. Shouldn’t they discuss the dowry to compensate the Wei family?

Seeing her brother’s clueless expression, she didn’t want to say much to him. After consulting with her mother, Tian Shi, she asked the Yan’an Marquis’s wife for help, bringing an official matchmaker to the Dou family to discuss the wedding date. The matchmaker was Zhang Jiming, the second son of the Yan’an Marquis and the Jingguo Duke.

Dou Shiying was so furious she could hardly speak, feeling a twinge of regret for her eldest daughter.

How could they allow such an incompatible family to be involved?!

She also blamed Zhao Guqiu for hastily arranging this engagement for her daughter.

She said to Ji Shi, “There’s no rush for the wedding date. I’ve asked someone from the Imperial Calendar Bureau to help find an auspicious date. We’ll wait for their reply before proceeding.”

With Dou Zhao about to marry, Dou Shiying had asked Ji Shi to help oversee the arrangements.

The matchmaker from the Dou family was Cai Bi’s wife, and the matchmakers were Yang Sen and Cai Bi.

Yang Sen had a good relationship with Dou Shishu.

Ji Shi discussed with Madam Cai, “Our Lord Seventh wants to wait until the Imperial Calendar Bureau calculates the date before proceeding.”

“That’s fine,” Madam Cai replied. Like her husband, she was keen on power and was happy to relay messages between the two families during joyous occasions.

The Wei family was waiting for the Dou family to choose a date.

This waiting continued until the beginning of winter.

Wei Tingyu grew anxious.

Wei Tingzhen suddenly realized.

So they hadn’t forgotten about the initial matter at all!

She was immediately filled with anger and embarrassment. “Didn’t they tell us to wait? Well, we’ll wait then!”

Then came the Laba Festival.

Dou Zhao’s plan bore fruit.

The entire capital was buzzing with rumors that the Wei family was dissatisfied with the Dou family’s engagement and wanted to break it off.

The Fourth Miss of the Dou family had been in the capital for nearly half a year, and the wedding date had yet to be set, which was proof enough.

And the parties involved were usually the last to hear the news.

When the Dou family learned of this news, it was during the Spring Festival.

The Fifth Madam felt a lump in her throat, nearly choking on her words.

Amid the strong winds and heavy snow, she stood at the entrance of the flower gate, waiting until the hour of the rooster to finally enter the palace to celebrate the festival with the Emperor. On the first day of the new year, she had to attend court to congratulate the Emperor on the New Year and then preside over a series of celebrations, including the Spring Ox ceremony, with Dou Shishu.

Exhausted, Dou Shishu rubbed his temples and said, “I’ll ask Seventh Brother to come over to discuss this first thing tomorrow morning.”

The Fifth Madam felt slightly reassured.

However, the Second Matriarch scoffed, “With his temperament, it’s as good as saying nothing.”

The Fifth Madam, who had little interaction with Dou Shiying, felt her tension rise again upon hearing this.

She asked the Second Matriarch for advice.

The Second Matriarch sighed and said, “If it were another matter, we could discuss it with Shou Gu, but this matter must be left to them to decide.”

But if the entire capital is saying this, what face does the Dou family have left? They must do something to salvage the family’s reputation!

The Fifth Madam fell silent.

In the cold, Dou Zhao and Dou Shiying were enjoying roasted sweet potatoes in Dou Shiying’s study.