The flickering firelight cast a warm glow on Dou Zhao’s face, which usually radiated cheerfulness but now bore a hint of melancholy.
Dou Shiying adjusted the silver frost charcoal with a fire tong and smiled, “What’s wrong? You rushed back here all excited, yet now you look so downcast. Is it that you find home boring? Don’t blame Ming Jie; that’s just her nature. Just think of it as keeping me company.”
Since the Second Matriarch was present, they had shared the New Year’s Eve dinner in Huai Tree Alley and stayed up to welcome the New Year, listening to the spring bells from the eighty-one temples in the capital before returning home.
However, Dou Ming yawned and claimed to be too tired, heading straight to her room to rest, leaving Dou Zhao at the entrance of the flower-laden gate.
Dou Shiying then pulled Dou Zhao into the study to roast sweet potatoes, claiming, “When you were little, I often roasted sweet potatoes with you in this study.”
Dou Zhao silently pondered, sighing deeply, “I was thinking about the marriage between our family and the Wei family…”
Dou Shiying’s hand holding the fire tong stiffened, and his expression grew serious. “What have you heard?”
This matter had stirred quite a commotion; his daughter couldn’t be completely unaware. However, given the strict household management of the Fifth Sister-in-law, it was unlikely that the people from Huai Tree Alley had shared everything with Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao looked earnestly at Dou Shiying. “I heard that the Wei family wants to break off the engagement…”
“Nonsense!” Before she could finish, Dou Shiying scolded her with a stern face. “Who told you that? Just a few days ago, the Wei family invited the wife of the Marquis of Ting’an to discuss the wedding date. They simply couldn’t find a good day, so the matter has been delayed…”
“Father, why must you deceive me?” Dou Zhao replied calmly. “Where has Seventh Madam gone? Even if she is ill, she should have been brought back to share a reunion dinner during the New Year. The Wang family sent festive gifts a few days ago; didn’t they even ask about Seventh Madam? Don’t think I’m still a child of seven or eight who doesn’t understand.”
Dou Shiying was left speechless.
Seizing the opportunity, Dou Zhao declared, “I don’t want to marry into the Wei family!”
Dou Shiying was taken aback. “That can’t be! I’m just angry that the Wei family disrespects you. They haven’t done anything wrong. Even if there are some unusual thoughts, it’s the wife of Duke of Jingguo who is stirring trouble; what does that have to do with the Wei family? The Marquis of Jining has come to our home to apologize several times… Don’t listen to those women inciting you. When two families are joined, even if they are proud in-laws, there will always be some discomfort over dowries and gifts. It’s unreasonable to break off the engagement just because of a disagreement! Don’t overthink this; these matters are for your father to handle. Just be happy when you marry. By the way, when you get married, would you prefer to have Shiyi or Shier carry you to the sedan chair?” He then regretted, “If only you had a biological brother.”
Dou Zhao refused to let Dou Shiying’s words confuse her. She smiled and said, “Minister Cai had a brother added to his family even after turning forty. It’s not too late for you to give me a brother now!” Then she added, “Father, please don’t change the subject. I truly do not want to marry into the Wei family.”
Dou Shiying grew anxious.
Dou Zhao quickly said, “Father, please calm down and let me finish.”
Dou Shiying was momentarily stunned.
Dou Zhao continued, “I’ve thought carefully about my engagement to the Wei family and feel that we have no fate with them. Years ago, when the late Marquis of Jining was still alive, the Wei family treated us coldly, and we didn’t take the engagement seriously. Until I turned thirteen, there was still no word on the marriage. Later, when the He family proposed, we didn’t want to get involved in the He brothers’ disputes, so we used the engagement with the Wei family as an excuse. The Wei family, out of obligation, reluctantly agreed, but then the late Marquis of Jining passed away. After waiting for the mourning period to end, I observed for three years, and now that the clouds have cleared, we finally reached the point of discussing the wedding date, yet rumors of the Wei family wanting to break off the engagement have surfaced. This series of twists and turns… I remember you once said, ‘What is meant to be will be, and what is not meant to be cannot be forced.’ Perhaps even if I married into the Wei family, life would be difficult. If that’s the case, why force it? It could ruin my entire life! You must understand, that this is coming from the Wei family’s eldest aunt, and the Marquis of Jining’s household has always looked up to her!”
Dou Shiying recognized that his daughter spoke the truth, but he hesitated about the idea of breaking off the engagement. “While that may be true, life is lived through experiences. What family doesn’t have its conflicts? The Wei family’s eldest aunt may be somewhat unreliable, but she is still a married aunt. The Marquis of Jining is the only son and has already inherited the title. There are no sibling rivalries or conflicts among wives, which is a significant advantage compared to those large families with many members. You should think positively.”
Having lived two lives, Dou Zhao certainly wouldn’t naively believe that a single conversation could sway her father to help her break off the engagement with the Wei family. Otherwise, why would she need to be subtle and strategize against Wei Tingzhen?
In the eyes of her father and elders, even if Wei Tingyu was not competent, had a bad reputation, or even fathered an illegitimate child before marriage, these were not considered major faults. What mattered was whether the Wei family valued the alliance with the Dou family and whether they respected her as the first wife. As long as Wei Tingyu showed genuine remorse, dismissed his concubines, and came to apologize humbly, giving the Dou family face, the engagement would still proceed.
This was also why Dou Zhao feared Ji Yong’s interference.
Ji Yong valued personal feelings, and his strategies often revolved around human emotions. This was a tactic of both emperors and ministers. Whether one was in power or not, they could easily change the situation, which is why he was so adept at planning.
However, in marriage, a woman’s feelings were never a significant factor in hindering an alliance. Her aversion to Wei Tingyu would not have any impact.
Dou Zhao shook her head inwardly.
Although Ji Yong had only spoken a single sentence to Dou Ming, given Ji Yong’s capabilities and Dou Ming’s wariness, that one sentence could likely change Dou Ming’s attitude.
What did he want Dou Ming to do?
Ji Yong was skilled at manipulating people’s hearts; she should consider this aspect.
What did Dou Ming desire most?
To bring her down?!
Dou Zhao’s heart jolted.
Could it be that Ji Yong wanted Dou Ming to seduce Wei Tingyu?
She inwardly cursed, realizing the potential disaster.
If that were the case, Wei Tingzhen would not be able to withstand the scandal. The Dou and Wei families would likely join forces to suppress the disgrace and hasten her marriage to Wei Tingyu…
This scoundrel never had a moment of peace!
Dou Zhao insisted that Dou Shiying promised her, “If Wei Tingzhen does not personally come to apologize, you must not agree to my marriage, no matter what. When a daughter is married, she is raised with care. If the Wei family refuses to bow their heads now, how can I expect to have a good life after marrying into their family?”
As long as his daughter did not insist on breaking off the engagement, Dou Shiying was willing to listen, especially since Dou Zhao was on the same page as him.
He nodded repeatedly, smiling, “Do you think your father is a child who knows nothing?”
Even if he understood, it was likely limited.
Dou Zhao chuckled, sharing sweet potatoes with her father and chatting for a while. It was only when her father, who had stayed up all night, began to show signs of fatigue that she stood up to take her leave.
Dou Shiying escorted her to the door, reminding her to dress warmly and to come back to visit often.
With her eyes glistening, Dou Zhao forced a smile and waved goodbye to her father.
The carriage turned onto the main street beneath the Drum Tower.
Chen Quishui boarded the carriage.
Dou Zhao shared her concerns with him.
Chen Quishui was taken aback, staring blankly for a moment before saying, “No, it can’t be! Fifth Miss shouldn’t be that foolish, right? If this comes to light, her situation will be dire…”
“If she could control her temper, she wouldn’t be the current Dou Ming,” Dou Zhao replied. “You must arrange for capable people to keep a close watch on her and prevent her from causing any scandal with Wei Tingyu. Otherwise, this matter will become even more troublesome—not only will the engagement be broken, but Dou Ming’s reputation will also be at stake, and we will have to clean up the mess for Ji Yong.”
“I understand,” Chen Quishui nodded solemnly.
Dou Zhao asked him, “How is the situation on that side progressing?”
She had never been one to place her hopes in others. The reason she confided in her father was to lay the groundwork so that he wouldn’t panic when the time came.
Dou Zhao had other plans.
This was her assurance for breaking off the engagement.
Chen Quishui smiled, “It’s going very smoothly. Fifth Madam should find out soon.”
Dou Zhao nodded slightly.
Only by making the Dou family unable to save face would they be likely to angrily break off the engagement with the Wei family.
When the Wang family and the Hua family were discussing marriage, she had Chen Quishui bribe a maidservant close to Wang Qinghuai to help relay messages.
Wang Qinghuai indeed sent someone to Weizhou to investigate the background of the Hua family’s eldest son. They discovered that although the Hua family’s eldest son was clean in matters of women, he had a violent temper and would injure or cripple people at the slightest provocation—even his wet nurse would be left paralyzed in bed after a disagreement.
How could he agree to let his sister marry such a man?
With Wang Qinghuai’s influence on the Wang family, this matter was naturally dropped.
When the time came, as long as the Dou family presented themselves as unwilling to accept the Wei family’s apology, they would easily appear to agree to the marriage. Given Wei Tingzhen’s temperament, she would certainly not bow her head easily. In the standoff between the two families, Dou Zhao could then use Jin Mama or Lu Mama to whisper in Wei Tingzhen’s ear about the Wang family’s rejection of the Hua family’s proposal. On one side was the proud and difficult-to-approach Dou family, and on the other was the Wang family, which had always been on good terms with the Wei family. Wei Tingzhen would surely consider Wang Qingyuan.
Once Wei Tingzhen’s interest was piqued, she would undoubtedly take action.
Dou Zhao would then arrange for someone to inform Fifth Madam about this matter… The Dou family, having suffered such humiliation, would surely break off the engagement with the Wei family.
In this way, it would appear that Wei Tingzhen had been coveting Wang Qingyuan all along. Even if the news spread, it would not harm Wang Qingyuan, and she would achieve her goal of breaking off the engagement.
As for what would happen between the Wei and Wang families afterward, it would depend on the plans of the wife of the Marquis of Ting’an.
Wang Qingyuan had already missed the best opportunity for marriage. It wasn’t that no one came to the Marquis of Ting’an’s residence to propose; rather, the Marquis dotes on this daughter and wants to find her a husband of good character and outstanding appearance.
One person’s honey is another’s poison.
For the strong-willed Dou Zhao, Wei Tingyu was not a suitable match, but perhaps for the gentle and kind Wang Qingyuan, he would make a good husband.
In her previous life, Wang Qingyuan had almost married Wei Tingyu.
Even if things had changed this time, at least Wang Qingyuan would not have to marry the Hua family’s eldest son, which would spare her some regrets.
Dou Zhao contemplated as she returned to Huai Tree Alley.