News concerning one’s interests spreads like wildfire, impossible to contain. Within a night, everyone in the Dou family, from top to bottom, learned of the matter.
Some secretly cursed Wang Yingxue as the root of trouble, others criticized Zhao Siyi for his unrealistic demands, while some calculated their interests. A few even eagerly anticipated the unfolding drama. Regardless of their attitudes, no one dared to be the first to speak up. Suddenly, the once lively East Dou mansion fell silent. Apart from a few servant girls and old women moving about the courtyard, people from various quarters seemed to have vanished.
Dou Zhao felt a hint of schadenfreude, but Ji Shi took her to the West Mansion.
“Your grandfather is ill,” Ji Shi told her while changing her clothes. “We’re going to visit him.”
To the Zhao family, they presented a facade that the Wang family’s current high status made it impossible to refuse Wang Yingxue’s promotion. To the Wang family, they feigned reluctant acceptance of Wang Yingxue for the sake of both families’ honor. Attempting to please both sides had now backfired, leaving them in a predicament.
“It must be a sudden illness,” Dou Zhao thought to herself as she entered Heshou Hall with Ji Shi.
Dou Duo lay in bed wearing a green gauze cap, looking unwell. Concubine Ding attended to him nearby.
Hearing that Dou Zhao had come to visit, he didn’t even lift an eyelid.
Concubine Ding looked uncomfortable.
Ji Shi poured a cup of tea and gestured for Dou Zhao to offer it to her grandfather.
Dou Duo grunted and turned away.
Dou Zhao held the teacup, blinking as she looked back at Ji Shi.
Ji Shi’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She stepped forward, put her arm around Dou Zhao’s shoulders, and said with a smile, “Grandfather is ill and not in good spirits. Just place the tea on the small table.”
Dou Zhao carefully set down the teacup as instructed.
Dou Duo remained unresponsive.
Ji Shi smiled at Concubine Ding and said, “Since Third Uncle is resting, we won’t disturb him further. We’ll return tomorrow to check on him.” She then politely nodded to Concubine Ding and led Dou Zhao out by the hand.
On their way, Dou Zhao caught a glimpse of Madam Pang’s figure flitting between the flowering trees.
Pretending not to have seen her, Dou Zhao boarded the carriage.
Madam Pang hurried back to Qixia Courtyard.
Wang Yingxue, looking gaunt and dejected, was making autumn clothes for Dou Ming.
Her brother had come and gone, telling her things she had never imagined before.
The reason she could still reside peacefully in Qixia Courtyard was simply due to her father’s reinstatement and her natal family’s influence.
If her father were to be implicated because of her… Wang Yingxue dared not think further.
But if she were to return to the Wang family with Dou Ming, what kind of life would await her?
Whenever Wang Yingxue thought of the gentle and caring Dou Shiying, her heart ached unbearably. She only hoped to delay this situation day by day… If only she could wait until Dou Shiying’s return, that would be ideal.
Seeing Madam Pang enter, she forced a smile and asked, “Second Sister-in-law, why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen?”
Madam Pang poured herself a cup of tea, drank it in one gulp, and then sat down beside her, speaking in a low voice, “I just saw Dou Zhao!”
Wang Yingxue couldn’t help but exclaim, sitting up straight.
Last night, they had already heard about Zhao Si’s condition. Wang Yingxue thought Zhao Si had gone mad, but Madam Pang’s eyes had lit up, and she had seemed distracted all night.
“Don’t panic,” Madam Pang said with a smile. “It seems Dou Zhao came with the Sixth Madam to visit the sick.” She clicked her tongue and continued, “I must say, Dou Zhao is truly beautiful. Just those pearl-embroidered shoes on her feet must cost at least ten or more taels of silver. The Dou family is indeed wealthy.”
Wang Yingxue disliked how her second sister-in-law judged everything by its monetary value.
But she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
These days, she owed much to her second sister-in-law’s help. How could she nitpick over such trivial matters?
“Yingxue, have you made up your mind?” Madam Pang asked, seeing Wang Yingxue’s silence. She inwardly sneered, thinking, “You can’t have it both ways.” Aloud, she continued, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Without the Zhao family’s consent, your father-in-law won’t let you stay in the Dou family like this. You don’t want your brother, sister-in-law, and nephew to lose face because of this, do you? If you become the official wife, you’ll at least get half of the family fortune. If you go back, you won’t have any claim to the Dou family’s wealth.”
“I can support myself,” Wang Yingxue said with displeasure. “I just think Old Master Dou will never agree to this…”
“That’s a matter for later,” Madam Pang pressed. “Just tell me, do you want to become the official wife or not?”
Wang Yingxue lowered her head without answering.
“I’m shedding tears for ancient heroes — worrying for people of the past!” Madam Pang exclaimed. “Fine, I’m meddling. I’ll go back to Nanwa now, and I won’t interfere in your affairs anymore!”
Wang Yingxue suddenly grabbed Madam Pang’s sleeve.
Madam Pang raised an eyebrow and smiled.
As Dou Zhao and Ji Shi alighted from the carriage, they saw Cailan hurrying towards them.
“Sixth Madam,” she curtsied and said softly, “The Fifth Young Master has returned with the Sixth and Seventh Young Masters!”
Both Dou Zhao and Ji Shi were shocked. Ji Shi’s expression grew serious as she asked, “Do you know why the three young masters have returned?”
“I don’t know,” Cailan shook her head. “I only heard that the Fifth Young Master took a few days off and returned with the Sixth and Seventh Young Masters.” She added, “The Seventh Young Master has already returned to his residence. The Sixth Young Master was just summoned by the Old Madam, who also instructed that you should go there immediately upon your return.”
Ji Shi pondered for a moment and asked, “Besides me and the Sixth Young Master, who else?”
“The Third Young Master and the Third Madam as well.”
Ji Shi thought for another moment and said, “I understand.” She entrusted Dou Zhao to Tuo Niang and Caishu, “Take good care of Young Miss Shou. Wait for my return before sending her back to her residence.”
The two agreed and took Dou Zhao back to Ji Shi’s residence, while Ji Shi went to the Old Madam’s quarters with Cailan.
The Old Madam’s courtyard was eerily quiet, with maids and old women standing silently in the middle of the yard, holding their breath.
Upon seeing Ji Shi, Liu Mama, who was standing at the steps of the main hall, hurried forward. As she accompanied Ji Shi into the room, she whispered, “The Fifth Young Master spoke with the Old Madam in the inner chamber for a long time as soon as he returned. When he came out, he asked for everyone to be summoned.”
Seeing that they were just two steps away from the inner chamber, Ji Shi gave Liu Mama a meaningful look and smiled as she entered through the curtain that Liu Mama held up.
Everyone was already seated, waiting for her arrival.
Ji Shi quickly stepped forward to greet everyone.
The Second Old Madam chuckled, “No need for formalities, we’re all family here.” She then pointed to an empty embroidered stool next to Dou Shiheng, “Sit next to Zhongzhi.”
Ji Shi smiled and sat down, taking the opportunity to glance at the Third Madam.
The Third Madam sat there, eyes fixed downward, her expression unreadable.
“Now that everyone’s here!” Dou Shishu, seated beside the Second Old Madam, began with a smile. “I’ve returned because I have an important matter that requires Third Brother and Sixth Brother’s help.”
He was a typical Dou family member: tall and straight, with fair and delicate skin, bright and spirited eyes, and a voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
Dou Shibang quickly leaned forward attentively.
Dou Shishu continued, “Wang Xingyi is investigating the horse market ban in Gansu, and with this Wang family matter arising if he were to be impeached, it would put Minister Zeng in a very difficult position. We must deal with the Wang family matter swiftly and decisively. I have an idea that I’d like to discuss with everyone to see if it’s feasible.” He paused briefly, his gaze moving slowly across the faces of his brothers, sisters-in-law, and wife.
“Zhao Ruifu has proposed that Third Uncle allocate half of his assets as a dowry for Miss Shou, which I’m certain Third Uncle will never agree to. I’ve roughly calculated that half of the Dou family’s assets belong to the East Mansion and half to the West Mansion. The East Mansion’s share is further divided into six parts, with the First, Second, and Fourth Branches occupying half, while Third Brother, myself, and Sixth Brother occupy the other half…”
By this point, Ji Shi had an inkling of Dou Shishu’s plan. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t help but look towards the Second Old Madam.
The Second Old Madam sat ramrod straight, her gaze steady.
Ji Shi recalled Cailan’s words.
It seemed that Fifth Uncle had already secured Grandmother’s support.
Ji Shi glanced at Dou Shibang.
Dou Shibang’s mouth was slightly agape, clearly also guessing what Dou Shishu was about to say.
But he quickly regained his composure, listening as attentively as before to Dou Shishu’s words.
She then looked at her husband.
His face showed indifference, evidently already aware of what Dou Shishu would say.
Ji Shi sighed.
Dou Shishu’s voice continued, “…Our three branches combined account for exactly half of the West Mansion’s assets, meeting Ruifu’s requirements. If the Third Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law agree, I propose we allocate our three branches’ share of the assets to Miss Shou. As for Third Brother and Sixth Brother’s losses, I ask for some time to repay them gradually, and I’ll provide a promissory note.”
As soon as he finished speaking before the Third and Sixth Branches could respond, the Second Old Madam said, “If you have any urgent needs, just let me know the amount. I still have some personal savings that can cover the family’s expenses for three to five years.”
Dou Shibang respected his mother above all else, and this was for the sake of his younger brother’s future.
He had nothing to say.
However, he refrained from expressing his stance to avoid making his Sixth Brother and Sister-in-law feel he was meddling.
Dou Shiheng, who had always believed that “a good woman doesn’t wear wedding clothes, and a good man doesn’t eat his parents’ food,” and had known about this matter before returning, was only concerned that Ji Shi might feel wronged. He looked towards her.
Dou Shishu had calculated everything. How could she object?
She nodded to her husband.
Dou Shiheng said in a deep voice, “I agree.”
Dou Shibang, being a person who could let things go easily, saw that the matter was settled and no longer hesitated. He said, “I agree as well.” Then, feeling the atmosphere was a bit heavy, he added in a deliberately light tone, “We don’t need Fifth Brother to write any promissory notes. Mother, keep your savings for rewarding the grandchildren. As for daily expenses, whether it’s me or Sixth Brother, we can manage. If we ever truly reach dire straits, I’ll bring my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren to find Fifth Brother in the capital.”
Dou Shishu smiled slightly, his expression warm and sincere, “Rest assured, Third Brother, I will welcome you with open arms!”
Dou Shiheng laughed heartily.
The Second Old Madam was genuinely happy, the wrinkles on her face seeming to lessen, “Good, good, good. Brothers United can cut through metal. Seeing you like this, I can die without regrets. Don’t worry, as long as your Fifth Brother has a mouthful, you’ll have a mouthful. I’m saying this here and now. Old Five, make an oath in front of your brothers, sisters-in-law…”
“No need, no need,” the Third Madam, having finally grasped the situation, interjected with a smile, “This isn’t just one person’s matter, it’s our family’s affair. How can we let Fifth Brother bear it alone?” She then joked, “Mother, saying such things might cause discord between us brothers and sisters-in-law!”
“I was wrong, I was wrong!” the Second Old Madam beamed as if she had eaten the fruit of immortality. “I won’t say anymore, I won’t say anymore.”
Dou Shishu stood up with a smile, “In that case, I won’t say more. I’ve already invited Lan’er, First Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, and the others to talk in the flower hall. By now, they should all have arrived. Shall we go there together?”