The wife of Duke Jing had given birth to three sons and five daughters. She had personally arranged the marriages for all five of her daughters, each of whom had married well. This was especially true for her eldest daughter, who had married Xia Wan, the eldest son of Xia Bing, an editor in the Hanlin Academy. Initially, people thought the eldest daughter of Duke Jing’s household was marrying beneath her station. However, after Xia Wan passed the imperial examinations in the eighth year of Chengping, became a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Justice in the eleventh year of Chengping, and was promoted to the Governor of Zhejiang last year, no one held that opinion anymore. Instead, they praised the Duchess for her keen eye in finding such an excellent son-in-law. This was a significant reason why the Duchess held such a strong position in Duke Jing’s household.
When Dou Zhao and Song Mo arrived at Duke Jing’s mansion, it was already bustling with activity. Besides the usual noble guests from the capital who frequently visited, the in-laws of Duke Jing’s family had also come to pay their respects to the Duchess on her birthday. The five sons-in-law, in particular, had brought valuable birthday gifts.
Song Mo quietly instructed Dou Zhao, “If you feel unwell, just ask a maid to call for me. If that’s not possible, you can also tell the Third Madam.”
“I understand,” Dou Zhao replied softly, looking at the spirited Song Mo. “Don’t drink too much.”
“Alright!” Song Mo nodded, gently squeezing her hand before going to assist the elderly Lady Lu, who was alighting from the carriage at the front.
Princess Ning De also stepped down from the carriage.
Lady Lu took Dou Zhao’s hand and said to Song Mo with a smile, “You go ahead and socialize. I’ll look after your wife for you. Not a hair on her head will be harmed.”
Everyone chuckled lightly.
Song Mo, unabashed, thanked Lady Lu openly and frankly.
Lady Lu laughed heartily and turned to speak to Princess Ning De, “This child is likable in this way.”
Princess Ning De smiled, pressing her lips together.
Song Mo and Lu Qin bid farewell to Lady Lu and the other ladies, heading towards the main hall on the east side. Dou Zhao followed Lady Lu and the others through the second gate.
The Third Madam Zhang, surrounded by a group of maids and elderly female servants, hurried forward to greet them, “Princess, Great-grand-aunt…”
She curtsied to everyone, and they all chatted and laughed as they made their way to the flower hall.
The Duchess was talking with the wife of Marquis Changxing when Lady Lu and Princess Ning De entered together. She was somewhat surprised but rose with a beaming smile to welcome them, saying, “I didn’t expect both of you to come. Our Duke Jing’s household is truly honored today!”
Lady Lu and Princess Ning De were a generation above the Duchess and didn’t need to come, but because their granddaughter had married into the Duke Jing’s family, they came specifically to honor the Duchess and give face to their granddaughter.
Lady Lu smiled and said, “We just thought we’d come and enjoy a meal at your place.”
“You two are honored guests we couldn’t even dream of inviting,” the Duchess laughed. “As long as you don’t find our household’s wine and food too plain.”
Everyone exchanged greetings, paid their respects to each other, and sat down in the flower hall.
The Duchess then spoke to Dou Zhao, “This must be the first time the Crown Princess is visiting our household as a guest. If there’s anything you’re not comfortable discussing with me, feel free to ask your cousin.”
The Third Madam Zhang and Song Mo were cousins.
Dou Zhao smiled and agreed.
The Duchess then introduced the ladies present to her one by one: “This is my eldest daughter. She’s currently with her husband at his post in Jiangnan but rushed back, especially for my birthday… This is my second daughter. Her mother-in-law is a daughter of the Ji family from Yixing, so they’re also considered in-laws with your family…”
Dou Zhao smiled and greeted each of them in turn.
In her previous life, she had frequent dealings with Duke Jing’s household and was very familiar with their relatives.
The young ladies of Duke Jing’s household hurriedly stood up to return her greetings.
The flower hall was lively with chatter.
A maid came in to announce, “The Crown Princess of the Marquis of Yan’an has arrived.”
The Duchess repeatedly said, “Please, invite her in quickly.”
However, Madam Wang the Younger entered together with the Crown Princess of the Earl of Dongping.
Everyone had to exchange greetings once again.
Soon after, the wife of Baron Guang’en arrived with her daughter-in-law, followed by the wife of Marquis Xuanning…
Dou Zhao knew all these people, though to varying degrees of familiarity. In particular, the wife of Marquis Xuanning, Guo Qinghai, had been a close friend despite their age difference in her previous life. They had even done business together and become in-laws. But now, Madam Guo merely nodded and smiled at her. It was no longer possible for them to come together out of necessity to support their families as they had in her previous life.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help feeling a bit wistful.
The wife of the Earl of Dongping approached with her two daughters.
Dou Zhao’s eyes widened.
The Countess of Dongping had a willowy figure that seemed as delicate as a breeze rustling through willows, and a face as beautiful as flowers reflected in still water. Just looking at her evoked a sense of tenderness.
Her twin daughters, though still young, were as beautiful as pearls and jade.
Dou Zhao felt a slight tightness in her chest.
She quickly took out a few tea leaves and put them in her mouth, which made her feel a bit better.
As more guests arrived, the flower hall filled with laughter and conversation. The older women sat together talking, while the younger ladies formed their group.
Since it was Dou Zhao’s first appearance in the noble circles of the capital, Princess Ning De personally introduced her to people.
These were all familiar faces from her previous life, so Dou Zhao had no difficulty socializing. Her polite greetings were always on point, leaving a deep impression on people.
Lady Lu and Princess Ning De nodded approvingly to themselves.
The Second Madam Zhang, who was hosting guests in the flower hall, glanced around and said with a smile, “How come we haven’t seen the wife of the Marquis of Jining? I remember we sent her an invitation too.”
Since Wei Tingzhen was the Crown Princess, she should have been helping to organize the Duchess’s birthday banquet according to custom. However, because the Duchess disliked her eldest son and by extension her eldest daughter-in-law, she had assigned Wei Tingzhen to manage the kitchen affairs, while having her second and third daughters-in-law help her receive guests in the flower hall.
Hearing this, the Duchess frowned slightly.
The Third Madam Zhang, more tactful than the Second Madam, quickly smiled and said, “It’s still early before the feast begins. Perhaps something has delayed her.” As she spoke, she signaled to a nearby elderly female servant.
The servant understood and went to the accounting room next to the kitchen.
Wei Tingzhen was inspecting the longevity peaches for the upcoming birthday feast.
The elderly servant hurried forward, curtsied, and said, “Madam, the Third Madam asked me to inform you that the auspicious time is approaching, and we might not be able to wait for the wife of the Marquis of Jining.”
Since it wasn’t a major birthday celebration, the Duke Jing’s household had only invited relatives who were not in deep mourning and some frequent noble visitors. The celebration was only for one day, with an auspicious time set in the morning for paying respects. The Zhang family relatives would kowtow to the Duchess according to their seniority, while guests like Dou Zhao who were not direct relatives would be invited to take their seats. Once the respects were paid, the feast would begin. Arriving after the feast had started would be considered very impolite.
Wei Tingzhen was furious inside.
Dou Ming’s behavior was a slap in her face, showing no regard for her at all!
She cursed Dou Ming vehemently in her heart.
However, in front of the Third Madam’s servant, she didn’t dare show any displeasure. Instead, she smiled and said, “The Marquis of Jining’s residence is a bit far from here. They’ve probably been delayed on the way. I’ll send someone to check.” She then gave the servant a red envelope and said, “Please convey my thanks to the Third Madam.”
The servant left happily, but Wei Tingzhen was left with a pain in her side from anger.
Fortunately, the people she sent out quickly returned with news: “The Marquis of Jining and his wife have arrived at the gate.”
With so many people around, it was best to let this matter pass for now.
Wei Tingzhen nodded and went to the kitchen to taste a few dishes that were to be served at the birthday feast.
At the entrance of Duke Jing’s mansion, Wei Tingyu and Dou Ming alighted from their carriage, both looking displeased.
Wei Tingyu said to Dou Ming, “When you see your sister later, help her entertain the guests and share some of her burdens,” before turning to go to the flower hall in the front courtyard. Dou Ming watched Wei Tingyu’s retreating figure and laughed coldly several times before allowing herself to be supported by her maid and following the Zhang family’s housekeeper through the hanging flower gate.
The flower hall was resplendent with jewels and pearls, filled with cheerful conversation.
She paid her respects to the Duchess.
The Duchess hurriedly said, “Please rise! Please rise!”
Dou Ming stood up with a smile but then saw Dou Zhao sitting in the master’s chair next to the Duchess.
So she had come too.
Dou Ming was slightly taken aback, her gaze darkening.
The Duchess beckoned to Dou Ming, joking with a smile, “You’ve arrived later than your sister. You should be punished!”
The young ladies were fine, playing happily together, but the women sitting near the Duchess all widened their eyes to watch them.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh, greeting Dou Ming lightly.
Dou Ming wasn’t stupid. Although she had nearly crumpled her handkerchief into a pickle, she still wisely called out softly, “Sister,” and then smiled as she bantered with the Duchess, “You’re right, Madam. I’ll punish myself with three cups of wine later to make amends.”
Everyone laughed heartily.
The atmosphere became lively again.
Someone looked at Dou Zhao, then at Dou Ming, and said with a smile, “Speaking of which, the two young ladies of the Dou family have married quite well. The eldest daughter became the Crown Princess of the Duke of Ying, and the second daughter became the wife of the Marquis of Jining. Two ladies from one family – that’s even more difficult than having three scholars in one family.”
Everyone laughed.
Someone else chimed in, “What’s even more remarkable is that even though the fourth young lady of the Dou family has married out, her maiden family is still adding to her dowry.”
Dou Ming was stunned.
Adding to the dowry?
Adding to Dou Zhao’s dowry?
How come she didn’t know about this?
Confusion flashed in Dou Ming’s eyes as she looked towards Dou Zhao, who was sitting there with a smile, half-jokingly and half-seriously saying, “It’s just that Father loves his daughter and knows that being a daughter-in-law is not easy. He wants my in-laws to think highly of me.”
This was as good as an admission!
The crowd was in an uproar.
Many people still vividly remember the stack of banknotes at Dou Zhao’s wedding.
Princess Ning De laughed and said, “You should just listen and not spread this around! Remember how that stack of ten-tael banknotes already tempted thieves to take risks? If people knew how much property is under the name of this birthday girl, wouldn’t it attract those bandits who value money over their lives again?”
Everyone hastily assured that they weren’t the type to gossip, yet each of them eagerly tried to pry into Dou Zhao’s private affairs.
“Madam Dou, did Master Dou give you banknotes again this time?”
“Madam Dou, we’re hearing about the Dou family adding to your dowry for the first time. Did your father not announce it for fear of attracting thieves’ attention like last time?”
“Why wasn’t it all written on the dowry list when you got married? Why add to it now?”
“It must be because there are too many things, and they’re afraid thieves might find out.”
Everyone suddenly became very interested in this topic.
Someone teased Dou Ming, “We have someone here who’s been quietly making a fortune!”
“Yes, indeed!” someone echoed. “How much additional dowry did the wife of the Marquis of Jining receive?”
Dou Ming understood in her heart that the Dou family must have returned half of the Western Dou’s properties to Dou Zhao.
She had known about this for a long time, but hearing it now, for some reason, it felt like a heavy stone was pressing on her chest. It took her a while to catch her breath. She forced a smile and said, “Father loves my sister the most. What my sister has, I may not necessarily have. Don’t tease me, go ask my sister instead.”
But in her heart, she was thinking about that stack of banknotes.
When Wei Tingzhen found out about it, she told her to go back and ask her father for the same.
She didn’t have such thick skin, but she couldn’t help feeling some resentment. She was so upset that she didn’t eat for several days but didn’t dare tell Wei Tingyu, fearing he might regret marrying her if he heard about it.
But she never expected that Dou Zhao’s dowry would be exposed in this way. What would the Wei family say and think when they heard about this?
Dou Ming felt as if a layer of ice water had washed over her heart, making her shiver with cold.