Unaware of the events unfolding at the Marquis of Jining’s residence, Dou Zhao’s family overlooked Dou Ming’s absence, knowing the sisters didn’t get along. They busied themselves playing cards and chatting. As evening approached, they stayed for dinner in Jing’an Temple Alley.
Noticing the late hour, Song Mo bid farewell to Dou Zhao, leaving a few guards behind. Duke Dou and others escorted Song Mo to the main gate. The sixth Aunt remained to keep Dou Zhao company while the rest dispersed.
Han Shi’s wet nurse couldn’t help complaining: “You’re due any day now, yet the Madam is still accompanying Fourth Miss. Even if Fourth Miss’s husband is the heir of the Duke’s manor, this seems excessive!”
“Silence!” Han Shi scolded in a low voice. “Fourth Miss is like Grandmother’s own daughter. This is why Seventh Uncle once considered adopting Twelfth Uncle into the Western Dou family. If I hear such talk again, you’ll be sent back to Huzhou immediately!”
The wet nurse hastily agreed while Han Shi pondered silently. Grandmother wasn’t one to lose perspective. Even if she adored Dou Zhao, she wouldn’t abandon Han Shi at this crucial time. What could have happened that she didn’t know about?
Meanwhile, Ji Shi was anxiously discussing Dou Dechang with Dou Zhao: “…His maternal grandmother suddenly fell ill. His aunt had to return home to care for her, and I needed to look after Han Shi. So I sent him to escort his aunt back to Yixing and inquire about his grandmother’s condition. Upon his return, he became distracted. Fearing something had upset him in Yixing, I questioned the servants who accompanied him. Though they claimed ignorance, their accounts were suspiciously similar, merely rearranging or omitting details. Growing more suspicious, I discreetly had someone monitor your Twelfth Brother’s activities. We discovered he was secretly sending letters to Yixing every other day. I dared not intercept them, so I sent a trusted person to the Yixing dock to watch his messenger…” Her face paled as she continued after a pause, “Those letters were all addressed to Lingze…”
If not for her two lifetimes of experience, Dou Zhao would have sided with Sixth Aunt, seeking to prevent future troubles. However, knowing the deep love these two shared in her previous life, she couldn’t bring herself to interfere.
“Sixth Aunt, please stay calm,” she mediated. “Perhaps it’s not as you imagine. Remember, Ji Cousin used to write to me frequently too!” Realizing her mistake, she noticed Ji Shi’s embarrassed expression. To avoid further awkwardness, Dou Zhao continued, pretending ignorance of Ji Yong’s feelings, “Cousin Lingze is intelligent and accomplished in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting. The twelfth Brother is lively and studious. Naturally, they’d have much to discuss…”
Ji shi tapped Dou Zhao’s forehead, saying, “You naive child! If their relationship were innocent, why doesn’t Lingze accept your Twelfth Brother’s letters? Why won’t she see him? Why do his messengers secretly find lodging elsewhere instead of delivering the letters openly?” She fired off several “whys” before looking at Dou Zhao with confusion. “Has your Twelfth Brother confided in you? Are you covering for him? You two have always been close…” Her expression grew serious. “Shou Gu, you’ve always understood propriety. Lingze is a respected widow from the Han family, not just an ordinary cousin. If word of this spreads, Lingze might lose her place in the Ji family, and your Twelfth Brother’s reputation and future would be ruined!”
Dou Zhao inwardly cursed her mistake. She had focused on consoling Sixth Aunt and forgotten to feign surprise.
“It’s not like that!” she hurriedly explained. “Though I’m inexperienced, I understand the gravity of the situation. Twelfth Brother hasn’t told me anything; I was just guessing.” Changing the subject, she asked, “Haven’t you tried to see what Twelfth Brother is writing to Cousin Lingze?”
True to the saying “a mother always sees the best in her child,” the usually perceptive Ji Shi didn’t question Dou Zhao’s clumsy explanation. She furrowed her brow and said, “Of course, I opened your Twelfth Brother’s letters once I found out. But they only contained academic discussions…”
Dou Zhao quickly responded, “Then what’s there to worry about? It seems that even if Twelfth Brother has feelings, Cousin Lingze is aware of the boundaries. In my opinion, you should continue to have them watched. With the distance between them, their feelings might fade over time. Besides, Cousin Lingze is neither indecisive nor improper.”
Ji shi considered this and found some logic in it. She sighed deeply, finally relaxing after days of tension.
“You don’t know how I’ve suffered these past days! I wanted to discuss it with your Sixth Uncle, but I was the one who sent your Twelfth Brother to Yixing, and Lingze is my niece… Yet keeping it to myself left me restless… I should arrange a marriage for your Twelfth Brother soon.”
Dou Zhao, not daring to say more, inquired about Dou Dechang’s maternal grandmother’s health to change the subject.
With her mind slightly at ease, Ji Shi’s spirits lifted. Concerned about Dou Zhao’s well-being in the Ying Duke’s manor, she asked about her married life.
Dou Zhao spoke positively, as Song Mo indeed treated her well. Compared to her previous life, this marriage held more promise.
Ji shi smiled with relief and invited her to pray at Kaiyuan Temple on the tenth day of the tenth month: “It’s known for Guanyin Bodhisattva. You can hold a ceremony there to pray for a son.”
Dou Zhao blushed and softly replied, “Let’s wait until the end of the year if I’m not pregnant by then.”
“That’s fine,” Ji Shi agreed after some thought. “As a newlywed, your every move is scrutinized. Going to Kaiyuan Temple for a ceremony might raise suspicions. Let me handle this for you.”
Dou Zhao’s eyes moistened. Only a mother would consider every aspect of her child’s well-being.
She nodded firmly, not wanting to disappoint Sixth Aunt’s kindness, and joked, “Then please draw a good fortune slip for me from Guanyin Bodhisattva!”
“You child!” Ji Shi shook her head with a smile.
They went to visit the aunt’s guest room and chatted late into the night.
The next day, Dou Zhao urged Sixth Aunt to return to Cat Alley: “Eleventh Sister-in-law is due any day now. She’ll feel more at ease with you there.”
“We live close by,” Sixth Aunt smiled. “They’ll send word if she goes into labor.”
No sooner had she spoken than a messenger arrived from Cat Alley.
It turned out Han Shi had gone into labor shortly after returning home the previous day. Not wanting to disturb her mother-in-law and Dou Zhao’s conversation, she hadn’t sent word immediately. Fortunately, the household was prepared, with midwives and experienced matrons waiting. Despite this, as it was Han Shi’s first child, the labor had lasted all night without progress. The midwives and matrons remained calm, but Dou Zhengchang was terrified and sent someone to Jing’an Temple Alley to fetch his mother.
This news set everyone in Jing’an Temple Alley on edge.
The aunt accompanied the Sixth Aunt to Cat Alley, leaving Zhao Zhangru with Dou Zhao.
The two sisters waited anxiously at home.
“I shouldn’t have kept Sixth Aunt here,” Dou Zhao said, feeling guilty about the dangerous nature of childbirth. “We could have talked any other time.” She muttered softly.
Zhao Zhangru, facing west with clasped hands, prayed, “Please let it be an easy birth, please let it be an easy birth!”
By noon, news arrived from Cat Alley: Han Shi had successfully delivered a healthy baby boy weighing seven jin.
Jing’an Temple Alley erupted in cheers.
Dou Zhao and Zhao Zhangru rushed to visit Han Shi.
The baby was chubby, resembling the Dou family. Dou Zhao held him lovingly while Zhao Zhangru circled anxiously, pleading, “Let me hold him, let me hold him!”
Everyone laughed.
Even Han Shi, pale and resting against pillows, couldn’t help but smile joyfully.
Ji’s Aunt sent someone to inform those in Locust Tree Alley. Before Fifth Aunt and the others arrived, Song Mo came with Dou Shiyingx.
Dou Zhao was shocked.
Song Mo explained with a smile, “I came with my Father-in-law.”
Of course, I know you came with Father, Dou Zhao thought, but why were you with him in the first place?
Dou Shiying, beaming, teased his daughter, “Yantan came to keep me company over tea.”
This guy, can’t he be more discreet? Dou Zhao glared at Song Mo.
Song Mo pretended not to notice and congratulated Dou Zhengchang.
Dou Zhengchang, overjoyed and flustered, returned the congratulations, amusing everyone.
Upon learning this, Zhao Zhangru mimicked Song Mo’s tone to tease Dou Zhao: “I came with Father-in-law.”
“Not even a sugar egg can shut your mouth!” Dou Zhao moved to pinch Zhao Zhangru’s face.
Zhao Zhangru quickly hid behind Sixth Aunt, exclaiming, “Look, look, Shou Gu is bullying me!”
Sixth Aunt, her eyes crinkled with laughter, played along, “With me here, she wouldn’t dare do anything to you!”
Zhao Zhangru made faces at Dou Zhao from behind Sixth Aunt.
The aunt shook her head helplessly, “Such a big girl, and she seems fine when quiet, but once she starts talking, it’s like she’s missing a string. What will we do with her in the future?”
Zhao Zhangru’s expression dimmed momentarily before she quickly put on a smile and chattered away with Sixth Aunt and Han Shi.
Watching this, Dou Zhao nearly shed tears.
When Song Mo came to discuss the gift for the baby’s third-day celebration, she couldn’t help but share her thoughts: “…I fear her previous cheerfulness was all to reassure Aunt!”
Song Mo squeezed her hand comfortingly, “My grandmother used to say, ‘Every blade of grass has its drop of dew.’ Her time just hasn’t come yet.”
“I hope so!” Dou Zhao sighed wistfully.
The Sixth Uncle gave the baby the milk name “Seven Jin.”
Dou Zhao decided to stay a few more days in Jing’an Temple Alley, planning to return to the Ying Duke’s manor after attending Seven Jin’s third-day celebration.