Dou Zhao linked arms with her Sixth Aunt as they returned to the side room with her maternal aunt and Zhao Zhangru, ignoring Wang Yingxue’s commotion. Today was Dou Zhao’s wedding day, and as the bride held the highest honor, no one dared to disturb them.
After a quiet lunch, Mrs. Zhao, the lucky woman, arrived. Following the exchange of greetings, she began directing the maids to assist Dou Zhao with washing up and dressing in preparation for her departure.
Having participated in the weddings of Zhao Zhangru’s two older sisters, she expertly instructed Ganlu to check Dou Zhao’s items to be taken along. Meanwhile, her maternal aunt and Sixth Aunt sat in the hall, sipping tea.
“Fifth Madam hasn’t come yet. It seems things are quite chaotic over there!” her maternal aunt whispered to Sixth Aunt.
Sixth Aunt, who got along well with the maternal aunt, was happy to discuss family matters with her.
“Although Seventh Uncle has never shortchanged her financially over the years, he’s never been particularly attentive,” she said softly. “Now that she’s older, unlike when she was young and felt she had plenty of time for Seventh Uncle to change his mind, she has no son and worries about the future. It’s no wonder she’s become agitated and lost her composure. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come up with that foolish idea of switching brides!”
She continued, “My mother-in-law originally planned to return to Zhending on the sixth day of the ninth month. Who knew that with Mingerr’s substitution and Shougū’s quick engagement to the Song family, she’d postpone the trip to the tenth day of the tenth month? With her imminent departure for Zhending alongside my mother-in-law, and today being Shougū’s auspicious day, even if Seventh Uncle is displeased, he’ll have to hold his temper. If she doesn’t make a scene now, when will she?”
The maternal aunt nodded slightly and asked, “I wonder if anyone from the Wang family will come?”
According to custom, the Wang family was also Dou Zhao’s maternal relatives. For such family connections, the closer ones would have come to offer congratulations several days in advance, staying for days to join in the festivities. The Wang family had sent their congratulatory gifts early but used Lady Wang’s alleged illness as an excuse to avoid attending the banquets. Even yesterday, during the delivery of the dowry, no one from the Wang family had appeared.
Ji Shi had always felt that Wang Yingxue’s increasingly absurd behavior was mainly due to the Wang family’s indulgence. Moreover, because Pang Kunbai had once set his sights on Dou Zhao, she harbored a strong dislike for the Wang family. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but sneer, “It’s better if they don’t come. On such a joyous day, it would only make Shougū uncomfortable.”
As they were talking, Dou Shiying entered.
His hair was disheveled, his clothes wrinkled, and his face wore an unpleasant expression, looking quite disheveled. He asked the maternal aunt and Ji shi, “Where’s Shougū?”
The two women exchanged glances before smiling and replying, “Does the son-in-law have some business with Shougū? She’s in the inner chamber, getting dressed.”
“That’s good, that’s good!” Hearing that his daughter hadn’t been disturbed, Dou Shiying seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Please, both of you, keep Shougū company here. I’ve instructed Gaosheng not to allow any unnecessary people into the upper courtyard.”
The two women agreed with a smile, and only then did Dou Shiying leave reassured.
Sulan, who had been sent by her maternal aunt to gather information, immediately sprang out.
“Madam Aunt, Sixth Madam,” she hurriedly said, “Seventh Master came too quickly, I didn’t have time to return and report…”
But who had time to pursue such matters now?
“This isn’t your fault!” her maternal aunt interrupted urgently. “What exactly happened over there? How did your master get away so quickly? Why hasn’t Fifth Madam come?”
“Seventh Madam was crying and making a fuss, and Fifth Madam couldn’t calm her down no matter how she tried. Then the master lost his temper and called for the eldest young master. He told him to go invite the Wang family’s eldest young master, saying he wanted the Wang family to take Seventh Madam back. He wouldn’t budge no matter who tried to persuade him, and even pressured the eldest young master, saying, ‘If you feel you can’t follow your Seventh Uncle’s instructions, just say so, and I’ll find someone else to inform the Wang family.’ Seeing that Fifth Madam didn’t even raise an eyebrow, the eldest young master had no choice but to go to the Wang family,” Sulan explained clearly and articulately.
“When Seventh Madam heard this, she threatened to kill herself. Fifth Madam hurried to stop her but almost had her face scratched. Fifth Madam was furious and said, ‘The congratulatory guests should have arrived by now. Master should go attend to them to avoid any suspicion and maintain the festive atmosphere.
As for Seventh Madam, keep her confined to her room for now, and we’ll deal with it after the Fourth Miss has left.’ Just then, a little maid came to report that Fifth Miss and the Duke of Jining had arrived. Fifth Madam instructed her maid to invite Fifth Miss over and told the master that since mothers and daughters are close, it might be better for Fifth Miss to try and persuade Seventh Madam, as she wasn’t in a good state of mind. So the master came here, while Fifth Madam stayed in the back room waiting for Fifth Miss.”
The maternal aunt and Ji shi suddenly understood, and then began discussing in low voices: “I wonder how the Wang family will handle this matter?”
“No matter what, she’s thoroughly disgraced herself this time. She won’t be able to hold her head up in front of the younger generation anymore!”
“Who would have thought that the son-in-law, usually as meek as a clay figurine, could be so thunderously decisive!”
“The usually gentle ones can be the most stubborn when they dig in their heels!”
From the inner chamber came Zhao Zhangru’s delighted voice: “Shougū, you look so magnificent in this phoenix crown and embroidered robe! I can already imagine how you’ll look in your ceremonial dress as the wife of the heir apparent.”
It seemed Dou Zhao had already changed into her wedding attire.
The maternal aunt and Ji shi simultaneously stopped their conversation and went to the inner chamber with smiles on their faces.
Dou Zhao, tall and slender, sat on the large kang by the window, resplendent in her true red wedding dress, her beauty radiant.
The maternal aunt and Ji shi couldn’t help but tear up.
Fifth Madam entered with Cai Shi, looking weary.
“Shougū, you look so beautiful today!” She forced a smile and held Dou Zhao’s hand, asking her various questions. Cai Shi also chimed in with jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
Dou Zhao listened with a smile.
The maternal aunt and Ji shi remained silent, allowing Fifth Madam to carry on her monologue, neither of them mentioning Wang Yingxue.
Soon, the auspicious hour arrived. Mrs. Zhao symbolically combed Dou Zhao’s hair three times, and she drank the lotus seed and lily soup. As the sky gradually darkened, relatives of the Dou family began to gather in Dou Zhao’s room.
Everyone praised the bride’s grace and dignity, saying she was born to be a noble lady.
In the distance, the faint sound of firecrackers could be heard.
Someone shouted, “The bridal sedan is here! The bridal sedan is here!”
Many of the women in Dou Zhao’s room rushed out to watch the excitement.
The maternal aunt and Ji shi stayed behind, hurriedly helping Dou Zhao with her final preparations.
Dou Zhao felt remarkably calm, reminiscent of her composure when she moved from Zhending to stay briefly in Jingan Temple Alley. This prompted her maternal aunt to repeatedly joke, “The emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuchs are dying of anxiety.”
Ji shi couldn’t help but burst into laughter, her sadness suddenly dissipating.
Dou Zhao also couldn’t help but smile.
A little maid ran in excitedly, saying, “Fourth Son-in-law is so generous! He’s giving out silver coins worth eight fen each, scattering two whole baskets of ‘starry sky’!”
The maternal aunt and the others smiled slightly. Even the Sixth Aunt, who hadn’t been entirely satisfied with Song Mo, now felt that the Song family truly valued Dou Zhao and her mood improved considerably.
Xin then rewarded the little maid with a red envelope.
The festive music of “Joyful Encounter” could be heard from outside.
Another excited little maid ran in, announcing, “Fourth Son-in-law is leading the bridal sedan through the gate.”
Xin, as customary, rewarded the little maid with a red envelope.
The maternal aunt and Ji shi nervously instructed Dou Zhao, “Quickly, sit properly!”
Yet another little maid rushed in to report, “The wedding lady from Fourth Son-in-law’s family has arrived.” She then received a red envelope from Xin.
Mrs. Zhao hurried out to greet her, exchanging pleasantries with Madam Lu for a few moments before entering the inner chamber. After exchanging courtesies with the maternal aunt and others, Mrs. Zhao and Madam Lu supported Dou Zhao as they made their way to the flower hall.
The wedding party from the Song family and the send-off party from the Dou family, along with musicians from both sides, crowded the flower hall inside and out, filling it with noise and excitement.
Dou Zhao immediately spotted Song Mo, dressed in a bright red auspicious outfit.
The vibrant color accentuated his snow-white, flawless complexion, seeming to reflect in his eyes, making them as bright as the proud sun.
Dou Zhao was stunned.
This Song Mo was both familiar and unfamiliar to her.
Familiar was his ever-present subtle smile; unfamiliar was his dazzling demeanor.
Like a crane among chickens, he outshone everyone around him!
Song Mo seemed even more radiant than usual.
Mrs. Zhao’s voice rang out from the main hall: “It’s time to bid farewell to your parents!”
Dou Zhao quickly collected her thoughts and respectfully kowtowed three times to her father, who had freshly washed and changed, looking neat and composed.
Dou Shiying gazed at his daughter, his expression complex. Somewhat against custom, he helped Dou Zhao up. Just as he softly began to say, “As you go to your husband’s family, remember that obedience is key,” his voice suddenly choked, unable to continue. His eyes began to glisten with tears, his reluctance to part evident.
No one had expected this.
Usually, it was the mother who couldn’t bear to part with her daughter on her wedding day. They had never encountered a father like Dou Shiying, showing such reluctance to let go.
For a moment, the flower hall fell silent.
Tears began to fall uncontrollably from Dou Zhao’s eyes.
She thought of her mother’s death, of her father’s indulgent smile when he saw her rummaging through his treasures as a child, of her father’s prematurely graying hair…
“Father!” She knelt before him, crying silently.
“Get up, get up!” Dou Shiying awkwardly wiped the tears from his daughter’s face. “Today is your happy day, don’t ruin your makeup with tears… The Duke Ying’s mansion is so close to home, you can come back for every festival and holiday…”
But she would no longer be a daughter of the Dou family!
All the good and bad, all that she had once possessed and lost in her life, which she thought she would unhesitatingly leave behind, now became indelible memories etched in her heart.
“Father!” Dou Zhao sobbed uncontrollably.
The easily moved Zhao Zhangru and Guo Shi began to cry softly as well.
Song Mo watched the scene before him in shock, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.
The joyous ceremony had turned into a scene of painful parting, filled with sorrow.
Madam Lu and Mrs. Zhao, concerned about not missing the auspicious hour, were the first to react. Mrs. Zhao quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Dou Zhao’s tears, while Madam Lu timely brought out the bridal veil, saying with a smile, “It’s time for the bride to get into the sedan, it’s time for the bride to get into the sedan!”
Everyone came to their senses.
Ji shi called out to Dou Dechang, “Hurry and carry your fourth sister to the sedan!”
Madam Lu quickly placed the veil over Dou Zhao’s head, guiding her to lie on Dou Dechang’s back.
Amidst the crackling sound of firecrackers rising and falling, Dou Zhao entered the bridal sedan.
From beginning to end, Dou Ming never appeared.
From beginning to end, Dou Zhao never noticed Wei Tingyu standing far away under the eaves of the flower hall.