At this moment, Wei Tingzhen was carrying bags and packages back to her maiden home.

Lady Tian’s maid hurried over with a few young maids: “Oh, First Young Mistress if you were coming back, why didn’t you send someone to tell us first? We could have arranged for some boys to welcome you!” As she spoke, she took the paper box from Wei Tingzhen’s wet nurse, Nanny Jin, and gestured for her trusted maid to support Wei Tingzhen.

“It’s because Pei Jin and his wife aren’t home,” Wei Tingzhen allowed the maid to support her as she walked into the Ji’ning Marquis’s mansion. “I was afraid Mother would be lonely, so I came to see her and chat.”

Lady Tian’s maid was stunned upon hearing this.

The perceptive Wei Tingzhen frowned slightly and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Lady Tian’s maid smiled apologetically and said, “The Marquis and Madam are both at home! They just went to pay their respects to the Old Madam.”

Now it was Wei Tingzhen’s turn to be surprised: “Isn’t today the day Madam’s sister returns home for her monthly visit? Why haven’t they gone to Jing’an Temple Alley?” She then asked, “Did they not go back? Or did Jing’an Temple Alley not send an invitation?”

She hadn’t known today was the day Dou Zhao would return to her maiden home for her monthly visit until yesterday when she went to pay respects to her mother-in-law and heard Mrs. Zhang San mention it. Then, remembering that she hadn’t visited her maiden home for some time due to her dislike of her sister-in-law, she decided to take advantage of her brother and sister-in-law’s absence to spend time with her mother. She hadn’t expected to encounter such a situation!

If Jing’an Temple Alley hadn’t sent an invitation, they couldn’t blame her, as the elder sister, for not mediating. Regardless, she needed to get to the bottom of this. Having the Young Master of the Duke of Ying’s household as a son-in-law and then disregarding her brother? How could that be acceptable?

Hearing the implications in Wei Tingzhen’s words, Lady Tian’s maid hastily explained, “Jing’an Temple Alley did send an invitation! Not only did they send a card, but early this morning, Manager Gao from Jing’an Temple Alley personally came to escort the Marquis and Madam there.”

Wei Tingzhen asked curiously, “Then why didn’t they go?”

Lady Tian’s maid replied, “Madam was feeling unwell, and when the Marquis heard this, he decided to stay home to keep her company…”

Upon hearing this, Wei Tingzhen’s face darkened: “If Madam is unwell, has a doctor been called?”

“Madam said it was just a minor ailment and there was no need to call a doctor.”

Hearing this, Wei Tingzhen immediately changed direction and headed to the main courtyard.

Lady Tian’s maid didn’t dare ask more and reluctantly followed.

Dou Ming was lying in bed, sulking. When she heard Wei Tingzhen had arrived, she sprang up, making no effort to hide her dislike: “What is she doing here?”

“She’s probably here to see the Old Madam,” Nanny Zhou hadn’t finished speaking when Wei Tingzhen burst in.

“I heard you’re ill. And you don’t want to call a doctor?” Her sharp eyes fixed on Dou Ming’s rosy complexion. “If something were to happen to you, wouldn’t the Dou and Wang families tear my brother apart? I think we should call a doctor to examine you properly.” She then called out loudly, “Nanny Jin! Take the Young Master’s card to the Imperial Hospital and request an imperial physician to come and check Madam’s pulse!”

Wasn’t this just ridiculing her for making a fuss over nothing?

If it were any other day, she would have been furious. But today, thinking of Gao Sheng’s helpless expression, she felt quite satisfied and didn’t take offense at Wei Tingzhen’s words.

Wei Tingzhen, however, didn’t let her off easily and asked loudly, “Where’s the Marquis? Why isn’t he in the room?”

A quick-witted young maid promptly answered, “The Marquis is in the study,” and hurried off to call Wei Tingyu.

Wei Tingzhen immediately launched into a tirade: “Do you know that the Emperor has issued an edict? Song Yantang has not only been promoted to Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards but also oversees the Five Cities Military Command. When people from Jing’an Temple Alley came to invite you, how could you not go? Have you lost your senses due to someone’s pillow talk? Everyone has occasional headaches or fevers, but do you think staying by her side will cure her without medicine? Not calling a doctor and just sitting at home daydreaming, how can the illness cure itself?”

“You…” Dou Ming was so angry her hands were shaking.

Wei Tingzhen, as if not noticing, continued to berate her brother: “Are you deaf or mute? I’m talking to you, and you’re not responding! I see this is the extent of your abilities, just being domineering at home. You should know that the Earl of Dongping is only temporarily acting as the Commander of the Five Cities Military Command, and sooner or later, there will be a change in leadership. Now that Song Yantang oversees the Five Cities Military Command and is on good terms with the Earl of Dongping, why aren’t you taking this opportunity to cultivate your relationship with Song Yantang and try to get closer to him? Instead, you’re cooped up at home.

Do you want to be the Deputy Commander of the Eastern City Military Command for the rest of your life? You should know that the position of Deputy Commander of the Five Cities Military Command was abolished during Emperor Taizong’s reign and only reinstated during Emperor Xiaozong’s time. Who knows how long this position will last? Instead of quickly finding a way for Song Yantang to help you transfer to a better position, you’re here playing around with a woman from the inner court. How have you suddenly become like this?”

Her words implied that Dou Ming was the one corrupting Wei Tingyu.

Dou Ming couldn’t tolerate this and retorted without courtesy: “Sister-in-law, your words are utterly unreasonable! The Marquis is reading in the study, how can you say he’s being held back? Besides, the Marquis is going to my maiden home to see my brother-in-law…” Inwardly, she was seething with hatred.

Song Mo was just a youth not yet twenty, by what right did he oversee the Five Cities Military Command?

This time when Dou Zhao returned home for her monthly visit, surely all the Dou family relatives in the capital would be there?

With Dou Zhao’s husband becoming the superior of her own husband’s superior’s superior, wouldn’t Dou Zhao be insufferably smug?

The mere thought made her feel stifled, which made her even more unwilling to go and add to Dou Zhao’s glory. So no matter what Gao Sheng said, she refused to return to Jing’an Temple Alley.

Wei Tingzhen, however, ignored her words and continued addressing Wei Tingyu without even glancing at her: “This is an opportunity, don’t be foolish!”

Wei Tingyu called out loudly, “Sister!” Then, embarrassedly glancing at Dou Ming, he said, “Let’s talk in the study!” He pulled Wei Tingzhen to the side room adjacent to the reception hall that served as his study, and after hesitating for a while, seemed about to speak but then stopped.

“What can’t you tell your sister?” Wei Tingzhen’s temper was only directed at Dou Ming; when it came to her mother and brother, she always spoke gently and patiently. “When have I not been on your side?”

Wei Tingyu smiled sheepishly, then lowered his voice in embarrassment: “Last time I went to the Five Cities Military Command to submit a report, I saw Song Yantang… but his attitude towards me was very cold… I feel that even if I were to ask him for help, he might not be willing…”

“Why wouldn’t he help you?” Wei Tingzhen asked, confused, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she understood. “Is it because of Dou Ming?” She urgently questioned Wei Tingyu.

Wang Qinghai thought the same.

Wei Tingyu didn’t know how to answer.

Wei Tingzhen was already bristling: “I knew it, nothing good ever comes from being with this Dou Ming!” The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. She flung aside the curtain and left the study, standing in the hall and berating the inner room opposite: “Song Yantang used to be so good to you. When he had a good horse, he gave you one; when he had a business opportunity, he brought you in. But look at you now, for the sake of a worthless woman, you’ve offended such a good brother! ‘Marry for virtue, take concubines for beauty.’ When the principal wife lacks virtue, the household cannot be at peace. This is written in the books…”

Dou Ming in the room was so angry her sides ached. She jumped out of bed, intending to confront Wei Tingzhen.

Great, another argument had started!

Wei Tingyu was getting a headache. He pulled Wei Tingzhen back, saying, “Sister, please say no more!”

Dou Ming paused in her steps upon hearing this.

Wei Tingzhen stamped her foot in frustration: “You still haven’t reflected on your actions? Do you plan to muddle through life like this? I’ve heard that Song Yantang helped connect the Empress’s brother – Earl of Jiading Wan Pengji – with some wealthy families in Fujian. That Earl of Jiading made eight thousand taels of silver in just two months from tea alone! You fool, you could have had a share in this too!”

Dou Ming was stunned.

Was this true?

Song Yantang helps make a connection, and that person can earn eight thousand taels of silver in two months. How much must Song Yantang himself be earning?

Her second aunt had put so much effort into opening a silk shop on East Street, and it only brought in just over a thousand taels of silver a year. Yet these people could easily earn so much with just a word…

Wei Tingzhen’s words opened a window for Dou Ming, leaving her dazzled and as if seeing a whole new world.

So there were people who found money this easy!

Wei Tingyu, however, remained silent.

As his sister said, he and Song Yantang used to be particularly close.

Moreover, because of Song Yantang, people everywhere would give him some face. Especially people like Feng Zhi from the Yong’en Baron’s household, who used to not even bother to look at him, would now at least greet him with a smile when they met face to face, even if they weren’t close.

Now that they knew he and Song Mo were no longer on good terms…

Wei Tingyu couldn’t help but feel deep regret.

He couldn’t help saying, “Every effect has a cause. Without Dou Ming, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the Five Cities Military Command…”

Before he could finish, Wei Tingzhen coldly laughed: “With your former friendship with Song Yantang, now that he’s the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards and oversees the Five Cities Military Command, it shouldn’t be difficult for him to help you secure a position as Deputy Commander, right? He might even be able to get you into the Imperial Guards! Only you would be foolish enough to be manipulated into marrying for convenience and still be grateful for it…”

Wei Tingyu’s face alternated between red and pale.

Behind the curtain in the inner room, Dou Ming felt a sweetness in her mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Nanny Zhou and the others panicked.

“Madam, Madam!” They all rushed over.

Hearing the commotion, Wei Tingyu was about to run to the inner room, but after just a couple of steps, Wei Tingzhen grabbed his arm: “What are you doing?”

“I, I, I’m going to check on her!” Wei Tingyu mumbled, avoiding his sister’s sharp gaze.

“Doesn’t she have servants to attend to her? Why do you need to rush in there? If she’s unwell, the maids will naturally inform you. What’s the point of you hurrying in there? She’s become like this because you’ve spoiled her! If you don’t help her correct this behavior now, are you going to let her turn into a shrew?” After questioning him, Wei Tingzhen continued earnestly, “You’re too soft-hearted. If you had refused Dou Ming back then, would you and Song Yantang have ended up like this? You need to think carefully about some things. What’s more important, your career or your wife? Without a career, will your wife respect you?”

Hearing this, Wei Tingyu unconsciously straightened his back.

Wei Tingzhen nodded slightly and released her brother.

Wei Tingyu said, “Sister, I need to discuss Song Yantang’s matter with you properly.”

“That’s more like it!” Wei Tingzhen smiled with satisfaction. “I’ll call your brother-in-law over right away. With one more person, we’ll have more strength. We can’t let you and Song Yantang drift apart over a mere woman from the inner court.”

The siblings left the main hall of the principal room.

Nanny Zhou looked at Dou Ming, whose face was as pale as paper, and hurriedly lifted the curtain to go out. The hall was empty, not a person in sight. Only the colorful tassels hanging on the wooden slat curtains swayed gently.