The next morning, after breakfast, Wang Zhibing bid farewell to Dou Duo: “…Father only instructed me to bring my sister back. There are some matters he’s unaware of, so I need to inform him first.”
During those years in the Northwest, Wang Zhibing not only attended to his father’s daily needs, fulfilling his filial duties, but also helped his father—who couldn’t write for long periods due to torture in prison—organize books, copy official reports, and correspond with old friends. He had essentially taken on the role of an aide. He was accustomed to his father assigning him tasks, and regardless of the difficulties encountered, he would complete them flawlessly without complaining or seeking praise.
The matter of Wang Yingxue was no different.
He thought that despite some setbacks, he would ultimately be able to bring his sister back.
However, the situation had now veered far off course, and he no longer had the authority to make decisions.
Dou Duo smiled, “That’s appropriate.”
He escorted Wang Zhibing to the door.
As he turned back, he overheard Wang Zhibing’s servant quietly reporting to him about someone’s arrival.
Wang Zhibing’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he hurriedly walked away.
Intrigued, Dou Duo quietly instructed Du An: “Go and see what’s happening!”
Du An complied and left.
After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, he returned and reported: “It was one of Lord Wang’s attendants. From what I gathered, it seems Lord Wang has been appointed to an official position in Gansu, and he’s asking the Young Master Wang to depart for Xi’an immediately…”
Dou Duo abruptly stood up from his chair.
“Could it be that the Emperor intends to ban the horse markets?” he frowned, looking in the direction of Qixia Courtyard.
Meanwhile, the Second Madam also received the news.
She caressed the letter in her hand, pondering for a while before calling her maid, Mama Liu: “It’s boring staying at home all day. Let’s pay a visit to the Sixth Madam.”
Mama Liu cheerfully agreed, helping the Second Madam prepare and arrange for her maids and servants. She then assisted the Second Madam into a small bamboo sedan chair and personally held a blue silk oil-paper umbrella as they headed to Ji Shi’s residence.
Ji Shi was discussing private matters with Wang Mama: “…The border horse markets have both advantages and disadvantages. Minister Zeng is newly appointed, and even if he wants to ban the border horse markets, he should proceed gradually. Otherwise, one misstep could lead to total failure. It seems too hasty.” She continued, “However, this move is clever. Everyone knows Lord Wang is determined to ban the horse markets. Even if those below oppose it, considering Lord Wang’s resolve, they’ll likely reconsider. The situation should improve quickly. To ban the horse markets, Lord Wang is indeed indispensable.”
Hearing that the Second Madam was coming, both were surprised. They exchanged glances, and Ji Shi, accompanied by Wang Mama, went to greet her with smiles.
The Second Madam’s eyes scanned the room before she asked with a smile, “Where’s Shou Gu?”
Ji Shi’s eyelid twitched slightly as she replied, “Young Master Hui has already started learning the Analects. Young Master Zhi has been reading with me for two days. He’s only been in school for a short time, but he’s almost finished the Three Character Classic, much faster than other children his age at the clan school. I worry that if this continues, they might become arrogant and complacent. I need to find a way to subtly temper their enthusiasm.” She linked arms with the Second Madam and continued, “As for Shou Gu, I’m afraid I haven’t been able to give her as much attention. But as the saying goes, ‘Be faithful to the task entrusted.’ I noticed she used to practice calligraphy daily with the Seventh Uncle, so I found a calligraphy copybook and kept her at home to practice. This way, we’re following the Western Mansion’s rules, and it keeps her from running around, preventing any accidents I’d have to explain to the Seventh Uncle.”
The Second Madam nodded repeatedly, setting aside thoughts of Dou Zhao and inquiring in detail about her two grandsons’ studies.
As Ji Shi attended to the Second Madam in the hall, she recounted her son’s progress at school. The Second Madam was so delighted that her eyes narrowed to slits, and she kept patting Ji Shi’s hand, saying, “It’s all thanks to your good teaching, all thanks to your good teaching.” She then sighed, “Among all the daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law in our Dou family, there might be some who are more eloquent than you, some who are better at serving their husbands and children, but when it comes to educating children, if you claim to be second, no one would dare claim to be first!”
Ji Shi broke out in a cold sweat. She had intended to extract herself from this murky situation, but in just a few words, the Second Madam had drawn her back in. She understood that the Second Madam was setting the stage to send the children from the Western Mansion to her for education. Those unaware might think she was being arrogant, considering herself superior to the other Dou family wives due to her background as a descendant of a prestigious Jiangnan family.
If her two sons were to achieve success in the imperial examinations earlier than others, it would be fine. But if any other family’s son became a jinshi before Young Masters Hui and Zhi, she would never hear the end of the sarcastic remarks.
She wasn’t sure if her mother-in-law was elevating her status or putting her in a difficult position.
Fortunately, the Second Madam didn’t dwell on this topic and expressed a desire to see Dou Zhao. A large group accompanied her to the study.
Dou Zhao was practicing calligraphy at her desk. Despite Tuo Niang and Cai Lan fanning her, her small face was flushed, and her nose was covered in sweat.
Sensing people entering, she finished the last stroke before looking up.
Seeing it was the Second Madam, she smiled, handed the brush to her young maid Haitang, and was carried down from the chair by Tuo Niang to greet the Second Madam.
The Second Madam chuckled and said to those around her, “Look at this little one. She’s only been with the Sixth Madam for a few days, and she’s already as proper as a little adult.”
Everyone laughed along.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Ji Shi’s eyes.
Dou Zhao gazed at the Second Madam with an ambiguous smile.
In her previous life, her father had unknowingly married Wang Yingxue, making the two families in-laws. Her Fifth Uncle, seeking Wang Xingyi’s support, became Wang Yingxue’s strongest backer in the Dou family. Dou Zhao had become an uncomfortable stumbling block, and for her to grow up safely, it was best not to catch Wang Yingxue’s eye. So, she was sent to live with her grandmother on a farm. In this life, Wang Yingxue had become her father’s concubine. To make Wang Xingyi submit, her Fifth Uncle needed to use her against Wang Yingxue. She had become the Dou family’s darling, and to keep her in check, the Second Madam wanted to raise her in the Eastern Mansion, right under her nose.
In the blink of an eye, between life and death, her life had been turned upside down!
It was laughably ironic.
In mid-July, her father and Sixth Uncle safely arrived in the capital and sent letters home confirming their safe arrival.
Meanwhile, in Ganquan County, Yan’an Prefecture, Zhao Si received a note from his niece, Dou Zhao.
He crumpled the note in anger and threw it to the ground, exclaiming, “The Dou family is too much! I’d like to see how they manage to arrange this marriage without my consent!”
Mrs. Zhao entered quietly, picked up the crumpled paper from the center of the study, slowly unfolded it, smoothed it out, and placed it on her husband’s desk.
“I just asked the messenger,” she said softly, pouring Zhao Si a cup of tea. “Dou Shiying has gone to the capital for the provincial examinations and left Shou Gu in the care of the Sixth Madam. They were clerks from Ji Shi’s shop.”
“You mean?” Zhao Si’s gaze fell on the wrinkled note he had crumpled.
“Shou Gu is just a five-year-old child who can barely hold a brush,” Mrs. Zhao said. “How would she know what to say and what not to say?”
Zhao Si’s eyes suddenly became bright and sharp. “You’re suggesting that the Sixth Madam wrote this letter in Shou Gu’s name.”
“We don’t know for sure yet,” Mrs. Zhao said carefully. “I just feel these few sentences carry deep meaning.”
Zhao Si calmed down and sat at his desk, holding up the note with its brief lines to the light…
Wang Xingyi was of average height. The torture in prison and ten years of exile had prematurely grayed his hair and left him haggard and aged.
Now, dressed in a coarse hemp robe, he stood in front of a flower bed. If not for the sharp glint in his eyes, he would have looked like a frail, elderly farmer.
“Dou Duo,” he muttered, “he’s forcing me… to order Yingxue’s death!”
Wang Zhibing was shocked, breaking out in a cold sweat.
“Father,” he cried out, “You wouldn’t…”
Wang Xingyi glared fiercely at his son. “I, Wang Xingyi, may have failed in raising my daughter, but does the Dou family bear no responsibility? They say Yingxue caused Zhao’s death, but did Yingxue offend Zhao? Did she poison Zhao’s food? If they didn’t want Yingxue to enter their family, Zhao could have simply refused. Could Yingxue have forced her way into the Dou family? Once they agreed to let Yingxue in, Zhao should have observed the proper etiquette between wife and concubine—managing what needed to be managed, punishing what needed to be punished, and rewarding what needed to be rewarded. Instead, she acted this way. Was Zhao supposed to die every time Dou Wanyuan took a concubine? Who caused Zhao’s death—Dou Wanyuan or your sister? I think it’s debatable. Don’t just believe everything you hear! She’s your sister, the one who provided for you, clothed you, and helped care for your wife and children!”
Wang Zhibing was struck silent.
Wang Xingyi, still fuming, continued, “If Yingxue is at fault, let her face the consequences. As her father, I won’t shirk responsibility, and I can guarantee Yingxue won’t either. But if Dou Duo thinks he can pin Zhao’s death on Yingxue, I absolutely won’t allow it.”
Wang Zhibing couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “Father, that’s not what I meant. I just feel that Yingxue’s behavior is somewhat inappropriate…”
“Wenwei, I’ve let you all down!” Wang Xingyi called out his eldest son’s courtesy name, his demeanor suddenly deflating. “You were clever and quick-witted from a young age, yet today you don’t even have a xiucai degree. Your brother grew up facing others’ disdain, becoming timid and weak without a strong will. Your sister had to fend for herself at a young age—how can she compare to the sheltered daughters of wealthy families? I know all this, I know,” he turned his face away, not wanting his son to see his moist eyes. “One general’s success is built on the bones of ten thousand. For my own sake, I’ve harmed you all!” He suddenly turned back, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on Wang Zhibing. “If you’ve done wrong, I’m willing to compensate others a thousand times over. But if they think they can sacrifice you for the sake of my reputation, they’ll have to take my life first!”
His powerful voice echoed in the flower garden.
Wang Zhibing fell to his knees before his father, tears blurring his vision. “Father, it’s not your fault. We’ve failed you, bringing shame to your name…”