The tiny ants lined up neatly, methodically dragging food into their burrow.
Zhao Zhangru waved excitedly at Dou Zhao: “Hurry, hurry!” She lowered her head and crumbled the white steamed bun in her hand, scattering the pieces on the ground.
The ants immediately swarmed around, working together to move the crumbs towards the old locust tree.
Dou Zhao walked over slowly and crouched beside Zhao Zhangru, gazing at her sweet, naive face, momentarily lost in thought.
She remembered her daughter, Yin’er.
After her first miscarriage, both her mother-in-law and Wei Tingyu criticized her. Wei Tingzhen had been particularly blunt: “Your Dou family has been officials for generations. How come you don’t know the proper etiquette?” She wanted to send a knowledgeable nanny from Jing Duke’s mansion to take care of her during her postpartum confinement.
Wouldn’t that be embarrassing for her in front of the Jing Duke’s family?
Dou Zhao could only swallow her pride, smiling as she told Wei Tingzhen it was her carelessness, while her eyes kept darting towards Wei Tingyu, hoping he would intervene and stop Wei Tingzhen. To her surprise, the insensitive Wei Tingyu kept nodding, strongly agreeing: “Sister is doing this for your good!”
She was so angry at the time that she couldn’t say a word.
It was during their newlywed phase, and knowing she was in the wrong this time, her anger subsided after two days.
To make up for her mother-in-law’s disappointment, she quickly became pregnant again and gave birth to her eldest son, Wei’er, the following January. Thirteen months later, she gave birth to her second son, Rui’er. When Rui’er was three months old, she miscarried again… This damaged her health, and she became afraid of Wei Tingyu, which led to Hu Shi being elevated to the position of concubine.
Later, when she had established her position in the Wei family, there seemed to be an invisible barrier between her and her two sons, preventing them from becoming close. She felt an indescribable loneliness, which led her to risk having Yin’er.
Perhaps learning from her experience with her sons, after Yin’er was born, she nursed and raised her. As a result, the child became especially close to her. If Yin’er didn’t see her for even a moment, she would call out loudly for “Mother,” melting Dou Zhao’s heart. Whenever she saw something delicious or interesting, she would think of getting it for Yin’er.
Without her protection now, she wondered how her daughter was faring.
The thought flashed through her mind, and her eyes began to sting.
Then Dou Zhao was startled.
She had returned to the past now. Where were Wei’er, Rui’er, and Yin’er?
Suddenly, it felt as if a large piece had been hollowed out of her heart.
She raised her head and, through the half-closed window lattice, saw Uncle arguing heatedly with Third Uncle.
The Dou family was powerful. Even if Uncle won the argument, what use would it be?
Back then, when Song Mo killed his father and brother, the entire court impeached him, but with the Emperor’s protection, he remained unscathed!
Song Mo also had an elder cousin and two younger cousins who, by law, could inherit the title of Duke of Ying. But with one memorial, Song Mo had convinced the Emperor to strip away the title of Duke of Ying. At the time, Song Mo’s cousins were furious, threatening to kill him, but when they faced Song Mo, they didn’t dare to make a sound.
It would be good for Uncle to secure an official post in the Northwest.
The South was prosperous, with many people eyeing it. Those who could go there all had backgrounds, making the official circles complex. One wrong move could lead to a fall. Although the Northwest was barren, it had the advantage of simple folk customs and relatively straightforward people, which might not be a bad thing.
Thinking of this, Dou Zhao let out a soft sigh.
A couple of days later, Uncle and Aunt took the three female cousins back to Anxiang. Except for coming to pay respects to her mother every seventh day, they didn’t interact with the Dou family. After the fifth seven-day mourning period, her mother’s coffin was sent to the ancestral burial ground.
Her memorial tablet would be enshrined in the small Buddhist temple of the West Dou family for three years, after which it would be placed in the ancestral hall in the north building of the Dou family.
Outside, everything seemed calm. There was no negative talk about her mother. Instead, even Dou Zhao had heard about Uncle selling fields and land to raise money for seeking an official post in the capital.
She couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
This was the downside of living nearby – any little movement could be known.
No wonder Uncle had failed in her previous life!
The Dou family sent two thousand taels of silver, which Uncle returned without touching a single coin.
Third Uncle was somewhat worried: “Ruifu seems to have developed a hatred for our family. Generations of friendship, just gone like that.” His tone was quite rueful.
Grandfather, however, was unconcerned: “In the grand scheme of things, what’s united will eventually divide, and what’s divided will eventually unite. There’s no need for sighs and laments.”
But Third Uncle still wanted to make amends. He sent someone to offer to buy the hundred mu of woodland from Aunt’s dowry at a price two taels higher than the market rate, but Aunt refused.
Dou Zhao privately commented to Tuo Niang: “Uncle and Aunt are too honest. If it were me, I’d sell the land but still hold a grudge.”
Tuo Niang, who was making socks for Dou Zhao by the lamplight, widened her eyes upon hearing this: “Wouldn’t that make you a scoundrel?”
Dou Zhao was taken aback, then laughed: “I guess I’m still a Dou at heart!”
Tuo Niang didn’t understand.
Dou Zhao didn’t explain further and asked her: “What has Concubine Wang been doing these days?”
She found it very convenient to use her mother’s former staff through Tuo Niang.
“Same as before,” Tuo Niang said. “She stays in her room all day, retires early, and has her maid Qiongfang taste all her food and drink before she consumes anything.”
Dou Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment.
Xuancao ran in: “Sister Suxin, Sister Suxin, something’s happened at Qixia Courtyard.”
Dou Zhao was still a child, and the maids didn’t avoid speaking in front of her.
Tuo Niang, not particularly interested, responded perfunctorily: “What happened?”
“Someone put a piece of musk in Concubine Wang’s inner chamber flower vase. If Nanny Hu hadn’t discovered it early, something terrible might have happened.”
Tuo Niang glanced at Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao was listening intently with her big eyes wide open.
Tuo Niang had no choice but to say: “What terrible thing could happen? I’ve heard people say musk is the best fragrance!”
“Nanny Hu said musk can cause miscarriage,” Xuancao said in a low voice. “Concubine Wang doesn’t want people to talk about it, but Nanny Hu has such a loud voice, we all heard.”
“Oh!” Tuo Niang was already a woman of few words, and at this moment, she became even more reluctant to speak.
Xuancao leaned on the edge of the heated kang bed, still not satisfied: “Sister Suxin, do you think someone wants to harm Concubine Wang? A few days ago, Nanny Hu was also shouting about someone putting poison in Concubine Wang’s food, but when the First Madam and Third Madam came to investigate, it turned out to be just yellow gentian powder. Now they’ve found musk… Who would want to harm Concubine Wang? Why would they want to harm her?”
“How would I know!” Tuo Niang said disinterestedly.
Xuancao was very disappointed. After saying a few more words, she ran off to gossip with Qiuwei and the others.
Tuo Niang looked at Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao said: “There’s too much trouble around Concubine Wang. You’d better tell Dingxiang’s mother that Dingxiang is not young anymore and is already engaged. It might be better to take her out early.”
Tuo Niang agreed, but couldn’t help looking at Dou Zhao with a hint of suspicion.
“Ah!” Dou Zhao sighed inwardly.
Being young has its advantages and disadvantages.
It was fortunate that the person by her side was Tuo Niang. If it had been someone else, they might have been scared off long ago!
However, Wang Yingxue was patient to endure all this.
Should she scare her a bit more?
As Dou Zhao was pondering this, the next morning brought news that Wang Yingxue had given birth to a daughter.
She looked at the pomegranate flowers blooming brightly outside the window, nodded with satisfaction, and asked Tuo Niang: “What date is it today?”
“May 12th.”
In her previous life, Dou Ming’s birthday was on the third day of the seventh lunar month.
It seemed that in this life, Dou Ming would celebrate her birthday on May 12th.
In her previous life, Dou Ming had been born prematurely.
How would Wang Yingxue explain Dou Ming’s birth this time?
Dou Zhao was looking forward to it.
She instructed Tuo Niang: “Get me a pretty outfit. I want to go see my little sister.”
Tuo Niang called Yuzhen in to help Dou Zhao change into a moon-white summer dress with silver stripes, then accompanied her to Wang Yingxue’s quarters.
Third Aunt and Aunt Ding were already there, along with a crowd of people attending to Wang Yingxue, filling the room.
Dou Shiying was holding the baby and looking at her. When he saw Dou Zhao, a rare smile appeared on his somewhat gloomy face: “Shou’gu, this is your little sister!” He squatted down to let her see the baby in his arms.
Wrinkled like a monkey, what’s so special!
Dou Zhao grumbled silently in her heart, but still smiled and leaned in: “Little sister is so small!”
As she spoke, she glanced at Wang Yingxue.
Wang Yingxue was smiling, leaning against a large pillow. Due to childbirth, her face was very pale, but she had a delicate and fragile beauty.
Seeing Dou Zhao look over, she couldn’t help but tightly grasp the corner of her blanket.
Since that day when Dou Zhao had spoken to her, she had been avoiding Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao smiled slightly and asked her father: “Can I hold my little sister?”
“Of course!” Dou Shiying smiled and patted his eldest daughter’s head.
“No!” Wang Yingxue anxiously said, sitting up straight.
Everyone’s gaze fell on her.
“I mean, Shou’gu is still too young,” Wang Yingxue hurriedly explained, “I’m afraid she might not be able to hold the baby steadily…”
“When can I come to see my little sister every day?” Dou Zhao interrupted Wang Yingxue’s words, tilting her little head and blinking her big eyes at Wang Yingxue.
“Doesn’t Shou’gu want to play jump rope with Xuancao and the others?” Wang Yingxue forced a smile, “If you come to see your little sister, you won’t be able to play!”
“Little sister is much more interesting than jump rope!” Dou Zhao replied without hesitation, then looked up at her father beside her, “Father, can I come to see little sister?”
“Of course you can! You can come see your little sister whenever you want!” Dou Shiying found his eldest daughter very obedient and kind. He handed the baby to the wet nurse and picked up Dou Zhao, “You’re a big sister now. You need to take good care of your little sister in the future, understand?”
“I understand!” Dou Zhao said loudly, her eyes curving into crescents, smiling very sweetly.
Dou Shiying couldn’t help but praise his daughter: “Shou’gu is such a good girl!”
Dou Zhao smiled and looked towards Wang Yingxue.
Wang Yingxue looked at Dou Zhao, who was smiling innocently, but her heart kept sinking.
The look in Dou Zhao’s eyes and her expression when she spoke to her that day were not those of a three-year-old child. And indeed, she had given birth to a daughter.
It was all too shocking and bizarre!
Dou Zhao seemed like… like some kind of monster wearing a child’s skin… Beneath that skin was something that devoured people… Yet everyone else seemed oblivious.
Wang Yingxue’s fingertips turned cold as she watched Dou Zhao quickly wriggle out of Dou Shiying’s arms and run to the wet nurse’s side, immediately grabbing her little sister’s soft baby hair. As she tugged, she said, “Father, look, little sister doesn’t have as much hair as I do!”
The wet nurse was caught off guard and became very anxious, pleading softly with Dou Zhao: “Fourth Young Miss, please let go!”
Dou Zhao ignored her and smiled at her father.
Dou Shiying walked over, carefully looked at his second daughter, then at Dou Zhao, and said seriously: “Hmm, she doesn’t have as much as you!”
Dou Zhao grinned happily.
The wet nurse had no choice but to look to Wang Yingxue for help.
Wang Yingxue was so frightened that her whole body had stiffened. After a while, she forced a smile and said gently to Dou Zhao: “Little sister is still small, we can’t pull her hair!”
Dou Zhao inwardly snorted.
Of course, she knew the baby was too young to have her hair pulled.
At this point, Dou Ming had no fighting power, and it would be unfair to hurt her.
She was merely putting on a show to frighten Wang Yingxue.
Back then, Wang Yingxue had made her suffer in silence. Now, she was letting Wang Yingxue have a taste of that feeling.