When Dou Zhao saw her aunt and cousin, there was a warm reunion. With the presence of the Fifth and Sixth Madams welcoming her aunt and cousin, the atmosphere was even livelier than the congratulatory visitors from the outer courtyard.

That evening, Dou Zhao shared a bed with her aunt, exchanging intimate conversations. Her aunt inquired in detail about the gifts the Wei family sent during festivals, who acted as matchmakers, and what items were brought during the wedding procession. She asked a myriad of questions, wanting to know everything. Overall, her aunt was satisfied with the Wei family’s arrangements but felt that their gifts during the festivals were somewhat stingy. She cautioned Dou Zhao, “Don’t underestimate these trivial matters. They reveal how the Wei family lives—somewhat miserly despite their outward show of grandeur. They are a family that values reputation over substance.

You’ve been accustomed to a lavish lifestyle at home, but once you marry, you must be cautious. Don’t take the lead in anything; follow their customs. If they eat porridge, you eat porridge; if they have noodles, you have noodles. Never use your dowry to supplement their meals. You may have good intentions, but your mother-in-law might think you’re spoiled and unable to endure hardship, lacking an understanding of frugality. Be patient with your desires for food and clothing. And don’t casually display your dowry to impress your in-laws; remember, once you start, it becomes a habit…”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh. Experience speaks volumes. However, this time her aunt was mistaken. Wei Tingyu was quite generous, but he simply lacked the funds to offer a substantial dowry. In her previous life, when the Wei family married her off, they presented thirty-six sedan chairs as a dowry, only to discover later that most of it was the Tian family’s dowry. This time, perhaps due to Wei Tingyu’s business dealings with Wang Qinghuai and Gu Yu, the dowry was much more substantial.

Dou Zhao hadn’t planned to marry, so she didn’t feel the need to explain anything to her aunt. Feeling guilty about her aunt traveling such a long distance to see her off, she nodded and smiled, agreeing with everything her aunt said, too afraid to say more.

After her aunt finished speaking, the maidservants helped her wash up. Zhao Zhangru pouted and complained, “You’re a few years younger than me, and you’re getting married! I still don’t know where my marriage is headed! I don’t want to stay at home!” Finding a suitable son-in-law was no easy task.

Dou Zhao broke into a sweat upon hearing this but felt helpless. In her previous life, she truly didn’t know whom Zhao Zhangru ended up marrying. Fortunately, Zhao Zhangru was cheerful and soon forgot her grievances, pulling Dou Zhao along to see her dowry.

Dou Zhao had Gan Lu light the lantern and open the storeroom for her to see. Zhao Zhangru picked up a jade ruyi inlaid with gold and exclaimed, “This floral pattern is truly beautiful!”

A voice came from the doorway: “That’s your grandmother’s dowry. Your aunt gave it to her when she married.” Now, it belonged to Dou Zhao.

Zhao Zhangru winked at Dou Zhao, quickly adopting a demure demeanor as she linked her arm with her mother’s, sweetly calling out “Mother,” and explained, “I’m just curious, wanting to take a look…”

Her aunt wasn’t angry; instead, she picked up the jade ruyi and examined it for a while before saying to Dou Zhao, “I’ve seen your dowry list. The Dou family has some generosity; they’ve preserved your mother’s items well, and not a single piece is missing from the list.”

Dou Zhao sneered. She had instructed someone to create separate lists for her mother’s dowry and the Dou family’s dowry. If even one item from her mother’s dowry went missing, the Dou, Ji, and Wei families would have to answer for it!

Dou Zhao handed the jade ruyi to Zhao Zhangru and said to her aunt, “Let this be a token of good fortune for my third cousin. I’ll have them remove this ruyi from the dowry list.”

In her previous life, she had exhausted herself to marry Wei Tingyu, but this time, she didn’t want to marry at all, yet suitors kept appearing. Was it true that desire begets strength?

Zhao Zhangru’s unsuccessful marriage was a source of concern for her aunt. Upon hearing Dou Zhao’s words, her aunt no longer declined and asked Zhao Zhangru to thank Dou Zhao, adding, “Let me give you another ruyi!”

“No need, no need!” Dou Zhao laughed, “It’s rare for my cousin to appreciate my things. In the future, if I see something I like from my cousin, you mustn’t be stingy!”

Zhao Zhangru giggled, “So, I’m getting a great deal then!”

The two sisters laughed and joked, creating a lively atmosphere. Watching them, her aunt couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

The next day, her aunt took Zhao Zhangru to Huai Tree Alley to pay respects to the Second Madam.

Su Xin quietly informed Dou Zhao, “The Second Madam sent someone from the Ma family to assist Madam Cai.”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle. The Ma family was the same one that had accompanied Liu Mama to the Wang family, where they had been treated poorly by the Wang family’s Xu family. It was said that she was quite eloquent, even the street-smart Pang Yulou couldn’t hold his own against her.

Once the Wei family discovered that the bride had been swapped, they would surely confront the Dou family. It was clear what the Ma family’s intentions were in accompanying Madam Cai to deliver the bride.

The following afternoon, the Wei family came to urge the wedding procession.

One hundred and twenty sedan chairs filled to the brim led the way, with the first being the three stars of fortune, longevity, and happiness, which stood over a foot tall, appearing even more radiant and translucent in the sunlight, causing passersby to stop and admire.

On the day of the wedding, since the Second Madam was a widow and couldn’t attend the ceremony, Dou Zhao was accompanied by her Sixth Aunt to Huai Tree Alley to bid farewell to the Second Madam early in the morning.

The Second Madam smiled as they sat together, chatting casually, without any sadness of parting or admonitions. Just as Dou Zhao was about to leave, it seemed she suddenly remembered something and had Liu Mama fetch a pair of jade pendants shaped like flying butterflies to add to Dou Zhao’s belongings.

It appeared everyone knew that Dou Ming was marrying today.

Dou Zhao felt increasingly composed as she returned to Jing’an Temple Alley to bathe and dress.

Wang Xu brought Gao Shi, Pang Shi, and Wang Nan to celebrate the wedding. Dou Zhao, citing her preparations, did not go out to greet them.

Gao Shi didn’t take offense and brought Gao Mingzhu into the room to congratulate her.

Dou Ming sat beside them, looking dejected.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but glance at her, only to realize that Dou Ming had also tidied herself up, her dark hair neatly arranged without a hint of disarray.

I’m getting married, and you’re getting married too. I sit here in the inner chamber receiving congratulations, while you sneak around in the shadows. In comparison, don’t you feel even a little touched?

Dou Zhao silently questioned Dou Ming.

Yet Dou Ming didn’t even glance at Dou Zhao, accompanying Gao Shi out of the room.

As the sun set, the light gradually dimmed, and red lanterns were hung up. Jing’an Temple Alley was brightly lit, bustling with voices and laughter.

Dou Zhao was already dressed and ready.

Madam Cai brought in a bowl of lotus seed and lily soup.

Dou Zhao took a spoonful, and before long, the bowl was empty.

Her aunt laughed heartily, turning to the Sixth Aunt beside her, “What a silly child! Others only take a few shy bites, but you finished it all!” She added, “Fortunately, the groom’s family isn’t far from here; otherwise, I’d wonder how you’d manage!”

Once the bride was in the sedan chair, she couldn’t step down until reaching her husband’s home, so brides typically began to eat less a few days before the wedding. On the wedding day, they could only eat two eggs to stave off hunger.

The Sixth Aunt also chuckled, taking out a handkerchief to wipe Dou Zhao’s mouth, affectionately saying, “Eat a little less; be careful not to ruin your makeup.” Then she asked Su Xin, who was accompanying her, “Did you bring the purse I gave you? Once you’ve paid your respects to heaven and earth and entered the new room, you can’t behave like you do at home, eating and drinking recklessly. There are some snacks inside; if you get hungry, take them out to fill your stomach.”

Dou Zhao giggled and replied, “Yes.”

The Sixth Aunt said to her aunt, “Look at her smiling; how will she manage to cry later?”

Her aunt and the Sixth Aunt exchanged knowing smiles.

Yet Dou Zhao’s tears fell freely.

Because Dou Ming was taking her place at the wedding, the ones kept in the dark were her two closest elders.

Her aunt quickly pulled her into an embrace, soothing her, “Don’t cry, don’t cry! This is a joyous occasion; why are you crying?”

Dou Zhengchang’s wife, Han Shi, appeared at the door, “Mother, the two ladies from Yuqiao Alley have arrived. Fifth Aunt said you should go and sit with them for a while.”

The Sixth Aunt hurriedly handed Dou Zhao a handkerchief, saying, “Stop crying! When you get to the groom’s family, they’ll want to see the bride; don’t let them see you with a tear-streaked face.” Then she followed Han Shi to the flower hall.

Madam Cai instructed Su Xin, “Go check if the things the young lady needs to take are all packed.”

Most items would go with the dowry, but some commonly used items for the wedding night were typically carried by the maidservants.

Su Xin smiled, “The young lady asked me to stay at home and will come over after three days.”

Madam Cai was taken aback, clearly not expecting such an oversight, but she quickly devised a plan, whispering to Su Xin, “When your aunt has something to say to the young lady, you come out with me.”

It seemed the situation had changed; they arranged for her aunt to speak privately with her.

Dou Zhao secretly exchanged glances with Su Xin.

Only then did Su Xin follow Madam Cai out.

The Ma family’s wife casually pulled Zhao Zhangru out as well.

Her aunt then smiled and sat beside Dou Zhao, “This is something your mother should have told you…” As she spoke, her expression dimmed slightly, and she sighed softly, but quickly regained her spirits, leaning in to whisper about the wedding night.

As Dou Zhao listened, her head began to feel heavy.

She realized the lotus seed and lily soup had taken effect.

Dou Zhao forced herself to stay alert, and after her aunt finished speaking, Madam Cai entered with a smile, “Auntie, let’s have some tea and give our Fourth Miss a moment to catch her breath and think things through.”

Her aunt, unsuspecting, smiled and followed Madam Cai out.

Dou Zhao’s eyelids grew heavy, and she simply lay down on the bed in her clothes.

Someone was calling her “Shou Gu,” the voice fluctuating in volume, sometimes distant, sometimes near.

Dou Zhao knew they were worried and trying to check on her.

Duan Gongyi was hiding in the beams of the hall.

She couldn’t be bothered to respond and fell into a deep sleep.

Dou Zhao was awakened by someone shaking her.

She opened her bleary eyes to see her father’s pale face.

“Shou Gu, Shou Gu, how are you?” Dou Shiying shook his daughter.

Dou Zhao blinked, only then noticing her aunt, cousin, Su Xin, Fifth Aunt, and Liu Mama surrounding her bed, all looking at her with concern.

The room was brightly lit, and it was quiet; there were no sounds of music or drums.

It seemed Dou Ming had already married off.

Dou Zhao pondered, gently shaking her head, “I’m fine!” Her voice was hoarse, and her head felt heavy, as if filled with lead, making her uncomfortable.

She hadn’t expected the medicine to be so potent.

As Dou Zhao thought this, she saw everyone in the room collectively breathe a sigh of relief.