Heated arguments were ongoing in Heshou Hall.
When Dou Zhao arrived, she heard Third Uncle saying, “…This incident was caused by Seventh Brother taking a concubine, so it can be considered ‘jealousy.’ This way, the Zhao family can’t say much. It preserves the face of both families.”
She immediately began trembling with anger.
Respect the dead!
Even so, how could they shift blame and tarnish Mother’s reputation after her death?
Didn’t they know what “jealousy” implied for a woman?
Mother was such a proud person. If she knew this would be her legacy, would she have still been so resolute in taking her own life?
No wonder in her past life, the servants spoke of Mother with such disdain in private!
It’s clear that no matter what happens, one must find a way to survive.
Only by living can there be hope and a future.
Dou Zhao entered, lifting the curtain.
Unfortunately, the hall was vast and spacious. The adults were all in a somber mood, with people guarding outside. No one expected someone to sneak in silently.
Little Dou Zhao’s arrival was like a leaf falling by a riverside, not causing even a ripple.
She clenched her fists, about to speak, when Father, who had been sitting alone far to the side, suddenly stood up.
“No! No!” he shouted excitedly, “Guqiu wasn’t that kind of person. You can’t speak of her like this! You can’t let her bear such an evil reputation even after death…” His expression suddenly turned dejected, his voice lowering, “She… she was killed by me…”
Dou Zhao let out a long sigh. She saw Second Madam’s face darken as she sternly rebuked, “Nonsense!” Her expression became cold and severe. “What time is it now? How can you say such things? How old are you this year? Don’t you think before you speak? Do you want to see the Zhao and Dou families tear each other apart? Did you kill Guqiu? Tell me, did you beat her? Scold her? Or humiliate her in front of others? Are you saying her death has nothing to do with you taking a concubine?”
Father was at a loss for words.
“I, I…” he stammered for a long time, unable to articulate a response.
Dou Zhao suddenly understood a bit.
If Father hadn’t taken a concubine, things wouldn’t have deteriorated between him and Mother. Ultimately, the Dou family still believed this incident was caused by Wang Yingxue.
If Father didn’t admit it, the argument wouldn’t hold. But if he did, it would confirm Third Uncle’s accusation of “jealousy”!
Was this why Uncle, unable to argue against this logic, had to swallow this bitter pill in the end?
Dou Zhao’s expression became distant.
Second Madam’s face gradually softened.
She sighed, “I watched Guqiu grow up. How can I not grieve that she’s gone so young?” Her eyes reddened, “But grief is grief. We can’t let sentimentality cloud our judgment…”
“But, but we can’t speak of Guqiu like this!” Second Madam was known for her strictness, and everyone in the family feared her. Seeing her show weakness, Father dared not contradict her directly, but still protested, “If this gets out, how will others view Guqiu?”
“This won’t get out!” Second Madam’s warning gaze swept over everyone present, her tone resolute. “The law doesn’t pass beyond six ears. As long as we don’t speak of it, will the Zhao family go around shouting about it? Zhao Ruifu has three daughters himself.”
“That’s right!” Third Uncle chimed in, trying to persuade Father, “If this gets out, it won’t reflect well on us either. You know Ruifu’s temperament – he’s the most sincere and serious person. If he makes a fuss, your taking a concubine will become public knowledge anyway, and the Seventh Sister-in-law will still end up with a reputation for jealousy. It’s better to appease Ruifu first. After the Seventh Sister-in-law’s funeral, you two can have a proper talk. That’s better than doing something rash or saying hurtful things in the heat of the moment.” He finished by glancing at Sixth Uncle, signaling him to persuade Father.
Unexpectedly, Sixth Uncle said, “Third Brother, don’t look at me. I don’t agree with this!”
Everyone in the room was stunned, including Dou Zhao.
Sixth Uncle stood up and continued, “I used to dislike Seventh Sister-in-law because I thought she was too delicate. Whenever Seventh Brother neglected her, she’d be unhappy, and he’d rush to apologize. How is that the behavior of a virtuous wife? But she’s dead now, and what you’re doing is unkind. A gentleman should be open and aboveboard. We’ve been friends with the Zhao family for generations. We should explain the situation clearly to Ruifu and let him decide how to handle it. I believe Seventh Brother isn’t a coward,” he nodded at Father, seemingly supportive, “As long as we have a clear conscience…” Father’s face filled with gratitude.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh.
No wonder Father and Sixth Uncle were so close. Sixth Uncle was frank and straightforward, reminiscent of the famous scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties. And Father was of equal renown… Perhaps Father wasn’t as bad as she had imagined!
Her gaze fell on Father, reassessing the man she had never truly looked at in her past life.
“Zhongzhi!” Third Uncle called Sixth Uncle by his courtesy name, flustered, “This is just a temporary measure…”
“People are divided into different classes, and so are their actions,” Sixth Uncle replied dismissively. “Even if it’s a temporary measure, we shouldn’t tarnish someone’s reputation like this…”
The two brothers began to argue.
“Enough!” Grandfather, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “Stop arguing. We certainly need to tell Ruifu what happened, but the ‘jealousy’ is also a fact! This matter is settled.”
In the end, they still wanted to use Mother’s “jealousy” to silence Uncle.
Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.
Being from a different branch of the family, Sixth Uncle couldn’t say much more. Third Uncle, knowing this wasn’t right, showed no signs of satisfaction.
“Father…” Father called out anxiously to Grandfather.
Grandfather coldly snorted.
Hurried footsteps were heard outside, and Gaosheng reported from behind the curtain, “The Zhao family’s uncle has arrived!”
Grandfather and Second Madam exchanged a glance. Second Madam instructed Third Uncle, “You and Zhongzhi accompany Wanyuan to greet Uncle Zhao!”
Third Uncle sighed lightly and accompanied Father and Sixth Uncle out of the hall.
Dou Zhao thought for a moment and followed, but was spotted by Second Madam.
“Shougou! What are you doing here?” She hurriedly instructed a maid who had been sent to the courtyard earlier, “Bring Fourth Miss to me!”
Dou Zhao was picked up.
“Let me go! Let me go!” She quickly wriggled free from the maid who dared not use force on her, and ran off in a flash.
The main gate of the Dou residence was wide open. Dou Zhao saw her aunt, who had been resting in the side room, leading her three cousins as they escorted a man in mourning clothes.
Of medium height, with features more delicate than a woman’s.
Although more than a decade had passed, Dou Zhao immediately recognized her uncle, Zhao Si.
Her eyes instantly moistened.
If she hadn’t been so stubborn back then, if she had listened to her eldest cousin and thought things through carefully, she and her uncle’s family wouldn’t have become estranged.
Dou Zhao ran forward quickly.
She saw her uncle stride forward, taking two steps at a time, and punch Father in the face.
Father was stunned by the blow. He staggered and fell to the ground, unable to react for a moment. His jade-like cheek immediately swelled up.
“You bastard!” Uncle grabbed Father’s collar and punched him again, “You take a concubine after only three years of marriage? Do you have any regard for Guqiu? For Shougou? You bastard!”
Father’s face received another punch.
Dou Zhao cried out in shock.
Third Uncle, Sixth Uncle, Aunt, and the three cousins all rushed over at once. Some called out “Ruifu,” some “Father,” some pulled Father, and some pulled Uncle. Third Uncle simply stood between Uncle and Father, loudly saying, “A gentleman uses words, not fists.”
Uncle sneered, pointing at Father, “What kind of gentleman is he? If I use words with him, will he understand?” He stepped forward to hit Father again.
Father pushed away Third Uncle who was blocking him and fell to his knees before Uncle: “Brother, it’s all my fault. I’ve wronged Guqiu… Hit me! Hit me… I’d rather you beat me…”
Sixth Uncle’s face darkened: “Dou Shixing, get up! Get up! A man only kneels to heaven, earth, the emperor, parents, and teachers. What are you doing?” He then shouted at the servants nearby, “Close the main gate now!”
The servants rushed forward to close the gate, not daring to look in their direction.
Uncle scornfully said, “Do you think taking a beating absolves you of your sins? Dou Shixing, let me tell you, not a chance…” He kicked Father.
Father knelt there, enduring Uncle’s kick.
“Ruifu, Ruifu, don’t do this!” Third Uncle hurriedly restrained Uncle, “Seventh Sister-in-law’s body isn’t even cold, and you two are already fighting. Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock? If there’s anything to say, say it properly. It’s not like we can’t explain…”
Uncle ignored Third Uncle and asked Aunt, “Where’s Shougou? Who’s watching her?”
Aunt quickly replied, “Shougou is in the mourning hall. Her maid is watching her!”
Uncle strode towards the mourning hall.
Dou Zhao’s tears began to fall uncontrollably.
She stepped forward and called out loudly, “Uncle!”
Zhao Si looked over, his eyes immediately reddening.
“Shougou!” He hugged Dou Zhao tightly, “Let’s go see your mother!”
“Okay!” Dou Zhao nodded, wrapping her arms around her uncle’s neck, feeling an unprecedented sense of security for the first time.
They offered incense, bowed, and gave thanks.
Uncle and niece solemnly completed the mourning rituals.
Zhao Si handed Dou Zhao to Aunt: “Watch her. At times like these, everyone’s busy, and it’s easy for accidents to happen. I need to see my father-in-law.”
Father, his face bruised and swollen, stared blankly at Mother’s coffin. The third Uncle and Sixth Uncle looked uncomfortable.
“I understand,” Aunt took Dou Zhao, nodding knowingly. “You go attend to your business. I’ll take good care of Shougou.”
Uncle lovingly patted Dou Zhao’s head, then turned and left the mourning hall.
Aunt coaxed Dou Zhao, “Come, let’s go eat some osmanthus cake!”