Dou Zhao remained unyielding.
Dou Shiying fled immediately: “The Emperor has returned to the palace. I’m afraid he might suddenly summon me for an audience. I need to go to my study to review some books to avoid embarrassment in the imperial court.”
However, Dou Zhao followed Dou Shiying to his study and ordered a servant: “Please ask Chief Steward Gao to come here!”
Dou Shiying hid in the side room, pretending not to hear.
Dou Zhao instructed Gao Sheng: “Go see Shopkeeper Zhang right away. Tell him you’ve written to Zhending for silver. Our third uncle, who manages household affairs, learned about Father’s intention to invest in Risheng Silver Shop and wrote a letter advising against it, fearing it might affect the Dou family’s relationship with Tongde Silver Shop. After careful consideration, Father has decided not to invest in Risheng Silver Shop. However, since he had previously promised Shopkeeper Zhang fifty thousand taels of silver, if Shopkeeper Zhang lacks funds to open the silver shop, Mr. Guo can act as a guarantor, and our Dou family will lend him the money interest-free, to be repaid at his convenience.”
This excuse was quite good. It avoided offending either side.
The Fourth Young Lady truly had a natural talent for business.
It was a pity she was a young lady. If she were a young master, what would the West Dou family have to worry about?
Gao Sheng dared not express his opinion and glanced towards Dou Shiying.
Dou Shiying buried his head behind a pile of books.
Gao Sheng understood this as Dou Shiying’s tacit approval and quickly responded with a smile, “Yes.”
This way, if the Prince of Liao’s plan succeeded, it would be considered a good deed. If it failed, they could claim it was just a loan to Guo Yan. Given the Dou family’s relationship with Former Minister Zeng, even if the Emperor wanted to investigate, it wouldn’t be a capital offense. They could still maintain their reputation in the scholarly circles, preserving Father’s name for the future.
Dou Zhao glanced at her silent father and deliberately instructed Gao Sheng in a loud voice: “When you go to Shopkeeper Zhang this time, take Cui Thirteen and Tian Fugui with you. Retrieve all the documents that Father has signed or stamped, don’t miss a single one. Be careful that Shopkeeper Zhang doesn’t go back on his word.”
Gao Sheng was more honest than shrewd.
How could they treat others like thieves?
Especially when they were the ones breaking their promise first!
Dou Shiying raised his head, about to interject, but seeing Dou Zhao’s cold glance, he mumbled something inaudible even to himself and lowered his head again.
Gao Sheng knew his situation. Hearing that Dou Zhao was sending people with him, he looked toward Dou Shiying again. Seeing Dou Shiying pretending to be deaf and mute, he let out a long sigh, respectfully acknowledged the order, and withdrew.
Dou Zhao smiled and instructed the servant to take good care of her father while he read. She had a maid wash some fruit and bring it in, personally placing it on her father’s desk before returning to her room.
Dou Shiying immediately deflated, slumping into his chair.
Dou Zhao returned to her quarters.
Su Juan greeted her with a smile, saying, “Young Lady, a message came from the outer courtyard. The manager Gao from Zhending has arrived in Wanping and will reach the capital early tomorrow morning.”
However, Dou Zhao felt as if she were being fried in oil.
She didn’t know if they could retrieve her father’s investment documents, and in three days, it would be her wedding day with Song Mo. She still hadn’t made up her mind about what to do.
Refusing would be a rare opportunity lost!
Accepting, but what about the future?
She tossed and turned all night, and when she woke up the next day, her eyes were slightly puffy.
A young maid came in to report: “The manager Gao from Zhending has arrived!”
Along with Gao Xing came Song Weimin and Song Yan, uncle and nephew.
“Now that the Fourth Young Lady is about to be married, I should also resign from my teaching position,” Mr. Song smiled as he bid farewell to Dou Shiying. “I am deeply grateful for Mr. Dou’s care over these years. However, all feasts must come to an end. If fate allows, we shall meet again in the future.”
Dou Shiying tried to persuade him to stay several times, but seeing Mr. Song’s insistence on leaving, he invited him to stay for Dou Zhao’s wedding banquet before departing.
Mr. Song gladly agreed and settled in the guest room with Song Yan.
Gao Xing had only two sons, the elder fourteen years old named Gao Jia, and the younger ten years old named Gao Zan. When he heard that Dou Shiying had given his entire family to Dou Zhao as a reward, thinking about serving alongside Duan Gongyi and others in the future, he was so excited that he couldn’t sleep for several nights, only dreaming with his wife and sons about the glory and wealth that would come from following Dou Zhao to the Duke’s mansion.
He first led his wife and sons to kowtow to Dou Shiying, then went to see Dou Zhao.
After Dou Zhao gave a few words of advice about serving well in the future, Cui Thirteen and Tian Fugui arrived.
Su Xin gave Gao Xing a meaningful look.
Gao Xing hurriedly stood up and excused himself.
Dou Zhao met with the two men in the study.
Cui Thirteen said, “…When Shopkeeper Zhang heard that the master couldn’t invest, he didn’t insist. He said he would find another way to raise the money for opening the silver shop and wouldn’t need to borrow from the master. Then he said that the reason he wanted to partner with the master and the other officials was mainly because he admired their profound knowledge and wanted to build a relationship. Business was secondary. He asked if the master could reconsider, or perhaps invest a small share like Mr. Guo, just to show support and give face to his silver shop!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Tian Fugui, who had been eager to perform in front of Dou Zhao but lacked the opportunity, hurriedly said, “Fourth Young Lady, I think that Shopkeeper Zhang is not a good person. His words were as sweet as honey, but when Mr. Thirteen asked for the master’s investment documents, he kept making excuses and refused to hand them over. It seems that he’s fine with the master not taking such a large share, but he absolutely won’t allow him to withdraw from the partnership.”
It was just as she had expected.
Dou Zhao frowned slightly.
Her father was just an ordinary Hanlin Academy scholar, with a gentle personality and nothing particularly noteworthy in his official career. The other party’s persistence was likely aimed at her Fifth Uncle Dou Shishu, using her father as a pretext.
This matter would probably need to be addressed through her Fifth Uncle.
She instructed Cui Thirteen, “Go quietly to find the Chief Steward of Huaishu Hutong. Tell him that Father assigned you this task, but you can’t handle it, and ask him to help you retrieve Father’s investment documents. As for how to do it specifically, you’ve been dealing with those officials for the past two years, so you should have plenty of experience!”
Cui Thirteen’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.
Tian Fugui’s gaze towards Dou Zhao immediately became somewhat admiring.
No wonder people say that wisdom comes from books. The Fourth Young Lady, without stepping out of the house, was so clear about these matters. If they couldn’t handle the task assigned by the master well, they wouldn’t be able to keep their positions in the household in the future. When they go to find the Chief Steward of Huaishu Hutong and explain their purpose, offering silver, the Chief Steward, thinking it’s about cleaning up the mess for the Seventh Master, might be willing to sell the Seventh Master a favor. They understand the rules and are willing to spend money, so he will surely be happy to use the Fifth Master’s influence as leverage to threaten and entice that Zhang fellow.
However, Dou Zhao thought that since Zhang Zhiqi could connect with Huaishu Hutong, he would naturally be glad to let go of her father.
As for whether he could persuade her Fifth Uncle to invest, based on her understanding of her Fifth Uncle, he definitely wouldn’t create trouble for himself at this time when he hadn’t yet secured the position of Prime Minister, giving others a handle against him.
“Handle this matter quickly,” she instructed Cui Thirteen and Tian Fugui. “To avoid any complications. Once you get the contract, bring it to me immediately. To prevent them from forging Father’s handwriting and seal, I still need to persuade Father to stop using the seal that was used on the contract.”
The two men bowed and agreed, just as cousin Zhangru came running in.
“Shou Gu, Shou Gu,” she said excitedly, not noticing Cui Thirteen and Tian Fugui in the study. The two quickly lowered their heads and stood aside. “Someone from the Song family has come, bringing the schedule for your wedding. I sneaked a peek for you. They’re coming tomorrow at the Mao hour (5-7 am) to urge the bride to dress, bringing thirty-six boxes of urging-the-bride gifts. My mother is discussing with the Sixth Madam about who to send to deliver the dowry!”
As she spoke, her eyes rolled mischievously as she sat down beside Dou Zhao and whispered, “Who are you planning to send to arrange the bridal chamber? Can you ask her to secretly take me along to see the excitement?”
According to custom, the bride’s family would send someone to hand over the dowry to the groom’s family and arrange the bridal chamber.
When handing over the dowry, an elder from the bride’s family should be present; for arranging the bridal chamber, usually, someone familiar with the bride’s living habits would do, possibly a sister-in-law, a wet nurse, or even a personal maid.
When Dou Ming got married, it was Su Xin who arranged the bridal chamber.
Dou Zhao wondered if Dou Ming was comfortable with the arrangements.
Dou Zhao thought with some sarcasm, gesturing for Cui Thirteen and Tian Fugui to withdraw, and smiled, “Aren’t you planning to go for the family recognition?”
During the two-day celebration, the bride’s brothers, sisters-in-law, and unmarried sisters would go to the groom’s family to drink the recognition wine.
“Oh, that’s right!” Zhao Zhangru said, touching her chin. “If I go to drink the recognition wine during the two-day celebration, it would be terrible if the Song family recognizes me. Rather than sneaking in disguised as a maid to take a look at the Duke Ying’s mansion, it’s better to let you take me on a proper tour of the Duke Ying’s mansion during the two-day celebration.” As she spoke, she became excited again, “Shou Gu, I’ve heard people say that Duke Ying’s mansion occupies an entire alley. It takes two-quarters of an hour to walk from the main gate to the main hall, and you need to take an oil-powered cart to reach the hanging flower gate. But they only have three people in their family. Won’t you be scared when you marry over there?”
Dou Zhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After finally coaxing Zhao Zhangru away, she hesitated for a while and instructed Su Xin, “I want to see the Young Master. Ask Mr. Chen to arrange it.”
Su Xin pressed her lips together and responded, leaving Jing’an Temple Alley.
Song Mo was about to bid farewell to Empress Wan: “…I’ve requested five days of leave. After five days, I’ll return to duty in the Imperial Guard. If the Empress has any instructions, I’ll come to the palace at any time to receive them.”
Despite taking good care of herself, after several days of worry and fear, Empress Wan looked exhausted, appearing even older than her actual age.
She said gently, “You’re about to get married, and we’ve been keeping you in the palace…” Her brow showed a hint of apology. “The Emperor’s condition has stabilized, and there shouldn’t be any issues in the next few days. You should go back now! To be a good groom!” As she said this, she smiled, adding a touch of liveliness to her dignified face, making her look more spirited.
Song Mo respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Gu Yu was bored, teasing a palace maid. Seeing Song Mo come out, he abandoned the maid and ran over eagerly: “How was it? What did my aunt say? Did she mention any rewards for you?”
Song Mo gently patted his head: “All you think about is rewards! Can’t you comfort the Empress a bit?”
Gu Yu pouted, “With the Crown Prince accompanying my aunt, I’d better not hang around there.” Song Mo had been very busy these past few days, and he had often been running errands for the Empress, so they hadn’t had a chance to talk privately. Dou Zhao’s matter had become a worry for him. Seeing that Song Mo could leave the palace, he hurriedly said, “Wait for me a moment, I’ll go tell my aunt and leave the palace with you. It’s your wedding, I should at least drink to your happiness, right?” As he spoke, he ran towards the rear hall, repeatedly reminding Song Mo, “You must wait for me! I have something important to tell you!”
Song Mo smiled slightly.
For Gu Yu, apples not being crisp or plums being too sour were all very important matters.
This was the Kunning Palace!
He had no blood relation to the Empress!
Song Mo smiled and slipped a piece of silver to a nearby palace maid, politely saying, “Trouble this sister to tell Young Master Gu that I’ll wait for him at the West Straight Gate.”
The palace maid immediately blushed red, stammering, “No need for such courtesy, Young Master. This servant will certainly pass on your message to Young Master Gu.”