Madam Ji remained silent. Her thoughts turned to Ji Yong.
Recently, Old Master Ji had arranged a marriage for Ji Yong. Before the two families could even meet, the bride’s side changed their minds. They sent a message to Old Master Ji, saying their daughter wasn’t so desperate to marry that she needed to throw herself at the Ji family. No matter how the Ji family inquired or explained, the other side ignored them. When pressed, they finally snapped, “If you have any questions, go ask your Ji Tanhua!” Not only did the marriage fall through, but they had made enemies in the process.
Old Master Ji was furious. He summoned Ji Yong for questioning.
Ji Yong admitted everything without hesitation. He declared, “I want to find a wife who suits me. If you keep trying to force matches on me, I have ways to deal with it. Don’t be surprised if all your friends turn into enemies!”
His words infuriated Old Master Ji so much that he nearly fainted.
Ji Yong’s father tried to reason with him at length but to no avail.
Ji Yong remained resolute.
At a loss, Ji Yong’s mother pulled Madam Ji aside during her New Year’s visit home. She complained to Madam Ji and asked her to talk some sense into Ji Yong.
Ji Yong was somewhat more restrained in front of Madam Ji, but his words still made her jump: “No one should interfere in this matter. I’ll marry when I’m ready. Great-grandfather once promised that if I passed the imperial examinations, he wouldn’t meddle in my affairs. Now that I’ve not only passed but am also dutifully working at the Hanlin Academy if he wants to go back on his word, I won’t keep my promise either. Since Mother asked Aunt to intervene, please relay my words to Old Master exactly as I’ve said them.”
Old Master Ji was crestfallen upon hearing this.
He confided in Madam Ji, “Do you think Jianming still has feelings for your family’s Fourth Miss?”
Caught between her husband’s family and her maiden family, how could Madam Ji respond?
“Surely not!” she hedged. “You know Jianming’s personality. If he still had feelings for Shou’gu, he would have already tried to break up her marriage. How could he be so calm?”
Old Master Ji pondered this and sighed, “You have a point. That is indeed his nature.”
Madam Ji advised, “Some men mature early, others late. Jianming is now a two-time imperial scholar. You needn’t worry about him finding a good wife. I think you can set your mind at ease about this matter. Perhaps after the New Year, his love star will align!”
Old Master Ji nodded, “He’s stubborn as a mule. It’s best to let this matter rest for now.” With that, he stopped meddling in Ji Yong’s marriage affairs.
However, there was something Madam Ji didn’t dare tell anyone.
When she was leaving, Ji Yong had come to see her off and asked, “How does Song Mo treat Shou’gu?”
Madam Ji felt her soul leave her body at that moment. She hurriedly covered Ji Yong’s mouth and hastily said, “They’re doing very well. Shou’gu is about to become a mother. If you don’t believe me, feel free to inquire.” Then she quickly got into her carriage.
Could it be that Ji Yong truly still harbored feelings for Shou’gu?
If so, this would be a difficult situation indeed!
Should she mention something to Dou Zhao?
But if she did, would Dou Zhao feel burdened?
Madam Ji felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. She spent the entire evening in a daze, barely remembering what lanterns she saw or what snacks she ate. However, when she returned home, she saw Han Shi take out a small oiled package from her sleeve, open it, and feed some food to her eldest son. The young couple looked so sweet together, making others envious.
Her thoughts turned to her younger son.
Ji Lingze now refused to accept anything sent by his son… She hoped her younger son would come to his senses soon.
Come to think of it, her younger son also had half of the Ji family’s blood.
How was it that the Ji family had been law-abiding for generations, yet this generation produced not only Ji Yong but also Dou Dechang?
Madam Ji shook her head helplessly.
On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, she went to see Madam Zhao and her daughter. After the seventeenth, when the lantern festival ended, the New Year celebrations were considered over. Her aunt and Zhao Zhangru were moving to Yuqiao Hutong. Madam Ji had always been on good terms with Madam Zhao, so it was only right for her to see them off. Moreover, since the Ji family lived in Yuqiao Hutong, she could introduce Madam Zhao to her sister-in-law. Distant relatives weren’t as valuable as close neighbors, so with the Zhao mother and daughter living there, the Ji family could lend a hand if needed.
To her surprise, others had arrived even earlier.
When she arrived, the Fifth Madam and her daughter-in-law, as well as Dou Zhao, were already there.
Madam Ji saw Dou Zhao wearing a bright red fur-lined jacket trimmed with dark sable, which accentuated her snow-white skin and made her look elegant and radiant. She couldn’t help but take Dou Zhao’s hand and smile, “Your pregnancy has made you even more beautiful.”
Dou Zhao laughed and said to Zhao Zhangru, “Elders always like to see women with full, round faces. It shows prosperity and good fortune. Sixth Aunt is saying I’ve gained weight.”
Everyone laughed.
Madam Ji said, “What’s wrong with gaining weight? A relaxed mind leads to a healthy body. Only when everything is going smoothly can one gain weight.” She then pinched Dou Zhao’s cheek playfully and chided, “You dare to tease your Sixth Aunt!”
Dou Zhao hid behind Zhao Zhangru, hugging her shoulders and laughing.
Her laughter was open and cheerful, bright and infectious, like a beautiful day in May.
Madam Ji had never seen Dou Zhao so carefree before.
Her feelings were somewhat complicated.
She decided to introduce her sister-in-law to Madam Zhao another day.
Although Song Mo’s residence in Yuqiao Hutong wasn’t large, it was exquisite.
A century-old camphor tree stood in front of the gate. Inside, there was a bluish-green “Fu” character screen wall. In the corner, a clump of bamboo grew taller than the eaves. The furniture was uniformly black lacquered, gleaming with the patina of age. Hanging in the main hall was a priceless ink painting, “Traveler Returning on a Snowy Night” by the great master Zhao Yan from the previous dynasty.
Even the Sixth Aunt, known for her discerning taste, couldn’t help but praise it.
Aunt felt a bit uneasy and said, “I never expected this residence to be so well-appointed. I’m afraid we might spoil it when we hold the banquet here.”
Zhao Zhangru was to hold her wedding here.
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “No matter how fine a house is, if no one appreciates it, it’s like wearing brocade in the dark. Please feel free to use it as you wish. It’s a good opportunity to air out the house and infuse it with joy.”
Everyone laughed again at her words.
The housekeeper and maids who looked after the residence came forward to pay their respects.
Seeing that Song Mo had even arranged for night watchmen, Aunt felt deeply grateful.
The housekeeper had been instructed earlier that the temporary residents were the lady’s uncle and aunt, and to serve them well. Now, seeing Dou Zhao personally escorting Madam Zhao, she knew they were close relatives, not the kind of relatives who come to take advantage. She became even more attentive and careful, personally cooking two of her specialty dishes to entertain Dou Zhao and the others. By the time Dou Zhao and the others had escorted Aunt to Yuqiao Hutong, it was almost noon. Since the housekeeper had prepared a meal, they didn’t stand on ceremony and stayed for lunch at the residence.
Though it was just a few ordinary home-cooked dishes, they were exceptionally delicious.
Madam Ji and the Fifth Madam couldn’t stop praising Song Mo for his thoughtfulness.
Dou Zhao smiled subtly, deciding to reward Song Mo well when she returned home.
As Aunt was still unpacking, they were preparing to leave after sitting for a while. However, a servant boy ran in and said, “Mr. Chen from the Jinyiwei Zhenfu Division heard that the lady was here and wishes to come in to pay his respects.”
Only then did Dou Zhao remember that Chen Jia lived here.
And Ji Yong also lived in Yuqiao Hutong.
It seemed all the acquaintances had gathered here.
She wondered how Ji Yong was doing now.
Was he dutifully working at the Hanlin Academy?
He wasn’t the type to become more steady with age!
Dou Zhao smiled at the servant boy and said, “I’m about to return to the manor. Please tell Mr. Chen that I’m with several elders and it’s not convenient to see him now. My aunt will be staying here, so if he’s willing, please ask him to look after her.”
The servant boy acknowledged and left.
Cai Shi clicked her tongue and said, “Fourth Son-in-law is truly impressive! Even people from the Jinyiwei Zhenfu Division want to come and pay their respects when they hear Fourth Young Madam is here!”
The Fifth Madam frowned, disliking Cai Shi’s blatant opportunism.
Guo Shi quickly smoothed things over, smiling as she said, “Now Fourth Young Madam can rest assured, right? Even Aunt’s protection has been arranged.”
The Fifth Madam chuckled.
Guo Shi then said, “Miss Cousin is about to get married. Shall I come over tomorrow to help Aunt run some errands?”
Both the Fifth Madam and Cai Shi were surprised.
Guo Shi had always been quiet and unassuming. Why had she suddenly become so sociable?
Aunt was naturally pleased to have someone familiar with Beijing to help out and repeatedly said, “That would be wonderful.”
Dou Zhao gave Guo shi a thoughtful look, then joined the others as Aunt saw them off at the gate, before returning to the Duke Ying’s manor.
Song Mo was talking with Mr. Yan in the study.
Dou Zhao asked curiously, “Why is the Young Master home so early today?”
Ganlu shook her head.
Just then, Suxin came to visit her.
She put the matter out of her mind and happily welcomed Suxin in.
“Let me see if you’ve changed at all,” Dou Zhao said, holding Suxin’s hand and examining her closely.
Her jet-black hair was now styled in a married woman’s round bun, adorned with a yellow lilac and a purple bauhinia silk flower. She wore a plain blue embroidered jacket and gold filigree lantern-shaped earrings, exuding a mix of grace and dignity.
Dou Zhao nodded approvingly, “You look like a proper housekeeper now!”
Suxin blushed.
Suzheng brought Ruozhu in. Seeing Suxin, she was delighted and they caught up for a while before she asked Dou Zhao for instructions: “The fabric shop owner has brought this year’s summer clothing materials. Should we follow last year’s custom of a set of bright blue coarse cloth jackets for everyone, or change to a different color?”
The manor had two to three hundred female servants, all of whom had summer clothes made in spring and winter clothes made in summer.
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “Let’s follow last year’s custom.”
Suzheng smiled, curtseyed, and was about to withdraw.
However, Suxin said to Dou Zhao, “My lady, I remember you had over a dozen bolts of fine raw silk when you married. This fabric doesn’t keep well for long. Why don’t you take out a few bolts to reward people? It would be a shame for the silk to spoil in storage.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she deeply regretted it.
She was no longer the lady’s maid, and it wasn’t her place to interfere in such matters. Yet out of habit, she had started managing the lady’s household again.
Dou Zhao had always considered Suxin as one of her own, so she didn’t think much of it. She sighed, “You’re always so attentive. I can’t even remember what I have in my storeroom!”
I might as well come back to serve you!
The words were on the tip of Suxin’s tongue, but she quickly swallowed them.
Each household had its own rules. Married maids had their own families to care for and couldn’t serve their former masters full-time. There was no way for her to return to service.
She thought for a moment and said, “My lady, have you found a new personal maid? Perhaps it would be better if Su Lan postponed her marriage. I think even if Su Lan gets married, she won’t be at ease if there isn’t someone capable by your side.”