Dou Zhao and Dou Shiying entered the door one after another.
Seeing Dou Zhao, Dou Shiying got straight to the point: “You’re here about the adopted son, aren’t you?” Without waiting for Dou Zhao to respond, he continued, “There’s no need to try and persuade me on this matter! I’ve thought about it for a long time. I once told Wang Yingxue that I could give her nothing but status, yet she still insisted on staying with the Song family. Now that we’ve come to this point, she’s certainly made mistakes, but I’ve been too stubborn as well. However, if you’re asking me to forget all the wrongs I’ve done in the past, I simply can’t.”
“These days, when I look at Yuan’er, I’m reminded of when you were young. You were like grass in the field, growing towards the wind on your own. Ming’er was left with the Wang family, fending for herself. You were both good children, born to me, but you experienced more hardship than joy. Not only did I fail to guide you properly, but I also didn’t secure a good future for you. Instead, because of me, you both faced numerous obstacles in your marriages and endured much resentment.”
At this point, his eyes grew moist.
“Especially you – you married into a prestigious family, with a gentle and caring husband. Your child came at the right time, lively and healthy. Seeing this makes me happy and feel that I haven’t been completely useless.”
“Wang Yingxue and I were never meant to be together. In my younger years, I thought about divorce, but now… since she’s unwilling, we’ll just muddle through like this. Otherwise, if she makes a fuss, it’ll bring shame to you, and as your father, I wouldn’t be able to face you.”
“Your Sixth Uncle is careless in small matters but very decisive in important ones. Your Sixth Aunt is virtuous, proper in her actions, and astute. Dechang is almost twenty now, not a young child needing the care or guidance of an adoptive mother. As his adoptive father, I can’t help him much, but your Sixth Uncle and Aunt can advise him. Moreover, after I’m gone, with him as the adopted son, Wang Yingxue won’t be able to trouble you.”
“Didn’t our ancestors work tirelessly so that their descendants could live better lives?”
“Giving up a quarter of the Western Dou family’s wealth in exchange for your lifelong peace is worth it.”
“You don’t need to say anything.”
“No matter what you say, I won’t change my mind!”
His attitude was extremely firm.
Dou Zhao was at a loss for words.
Could it be that Father wanted to adopt Twelfth Brother to prevent Wang Yingxue from becoming a problem for her in the future?
She couldn’t help but say, “Father, you’ll surely live to be a hundred, outliving Seventh Madam.”
“Age doesn’t determine the order on the twilight path,” Dou Shiying laughed. “Who knows who will go first? It’s better to make arrangements early.”
In both lives, Dou Shiying had lived well.
Dou Zhao looked at her father’s full head of black hair, suddenly feeling a lump in her throat.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
Words she thought she’d never be able to say suddenly spilled out: “Father, you’ve guessed wrong this time! I’m not here about you adopting Twelfth Brother. Continuing the family line is only natural. If Father thinks Twelfth Brother is good and wants to bring him into the family, as your daughter, I can only be happy about it. How could I object? I’m here about Father’s matter – since Seventh Madam is staying at her maiden home for an extended period, shouldn’t Father find someone to take care of you? As you said, Dou Ming and I are both married and as you’re getting older, your house feels empty. If there was someone by your side to care for you, we daughters would be at ease.”
Dou Shiying was stunned.
He stared blankly at Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao nodded gently.
Suddenly, Dou Shiying laughed.
“My Shougou has grown up!” he sighed. “I thought you’d hate me for life!”
Now it was Dou Zhao’s turn to be surprised.
Had she been that obvious?
As if seeing through her thoughts, Dou Shiying said, “Since your mother passed away, your gaze towards me has been cold. Even when you were emotional, you’d only turn your face away, not wanting me to know…”
In her previous life, her gaze towards her father had been even colder.
Did Father also know about her hatred then?
Dou Zhao’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.
She smiled and said, “I’ve grown up now!”
Dou Shiying nodded and laughed, “Indeed, you’ve grown up! But you’re also meddling more.”
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
Dou Shiying said, “I’m fine as I am now. I don’t want to take a concubine or find a mistress. Since you’re an adult now, you should know that it’s hard to find peace in this world. Don’t join your Sixth Aunt in making a fuss, insisting on finding a woman to serve by my side.”
After all, they were father and daughter, and discussing such topics was quite embarrassing.
Dou Zhao awkwardly said, “You know it was Sixth Aunt…”
“Who else could it be?” Dou Shiying laughed. “Others would be glad to see me continue like this, so they could choose one of their children as my heir.”
Seeing how clear-minded her father was, Dou Zhao didn’t know what to say.
Dou Shiying said, “When I was young, I always listened to your grandfather. When I grew up, I always listened to your Fifth Uncle. Only with your marriage did I not listen to anyone, and I ended up finding a good son-in-law for myself. This time, I won’t listen to others either.” He then changed the subject to ask about Yuan’er, “When did you leave home? Will he be hungry after being out for so long? It’s getting late, and Yantang should be home earlier tomorrow since it’s his day off. You should head back soon!” He was asking her to leave.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
If Song Yantang hadn’t known her beforehand, given her father’s matchmaking skills, she might have been completely devoured by Song Yantang, leaving not even a trace of bones!
Now it seemed that her father was indeed unreliable in his actions.
What should she do now?
Dou Zhao told Song Mo about what had transpired.
She thought Song Mo would tease her father a bit, but unexpectedly, Song Mo solemnly said, “Shougou, your father-in-law is right. He has rarely made decisions for himself in his life. Now that he finally wants to decide on his own, you shouldn’t stop him – even if he makes a mistake, it’s his own decision. Whether it leads to disappointment, frustration, or resentment, these are consequences he should bear. You can’t always take everything upon yourselves. You should let him make his own decisions.”
Dou Zhao pondered this thoughtfully.
Song Mo left her to think, picking up Yuan’er and smiling, “Tomorrow is Father’s Day off. Let’s go visit your maternal grandfather!”
Yuan’er giggled, looking adorable.
The next day, Dou Zhao went to Cat Alley and told her Sixth Aunt about her father’s decision and Song Mo’s advice.
Ji sighed, “I never expected Yantang to be such a good husband.”
Dou Zhao teased her Sixth Aunt, “It seems you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Ji was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, “Indeed, indeed. I judged him by his appearance.”
Sometimes, being too handsome can be troublesome.
Han personally directed the maids to bring in tea and snacks.
The two women started discussing child-rearing experiences.
Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang returned from school.
The cousins had their reunion.
Ji invited Dou Zhao to stay for lunch.
Dou Zhao, concerned about Yuan’er, declined the lunch invitation and headed home.
Ji then inquired about Dou Dechang’s studies.
Dou Dechang was quite surprised.
As the second son with a lazy disposition, his father treated the two brothers equally, while his mother was usually stricter with his older brother Dou Zhengchang. It was the first time she had asked about his studies instead of his brother’s.
He responded properly.
Han’s expression seemed somewhat unusual.
Dou Zhengchang noticed this and privately asked his wife, “Did something happen?”
“What do you mean?” Han, who had been serving her mother-in-law, had guessed some things, but since nothing was settled, she didn’t dare tell even Dou Zhengchang. She pretended to be confused, “Nothing unusual seems to have happened at home lately, right?”
Dou Zhengchang thought he must have been mistaken and didn’t pursue the matter further. He went to the study to practice calligraphy.
Han breathed a sigh of relief. She sat under the lamp making a bib for her son Qijin, but her mind was in turmoil.
Her mother had visited her a few days ago, asking about Dou Dechang in a roundabout way, as if she wanted to arrange a marriage for him. When she laughingly asked who it was, her mother hesitated and said it was nothing. She even mentioned her sister-in-law Lingze… What did her mother mean by this?
Han couldn’t figure it out.
Dou Shiying, however, was more decisive than ever.
He soon formally proposed to Dou Shixu about adopting Dou Dechang as his heir.
Dou Shixu had discussed this matter privately with Dou Shiying more than once. Seeing Dou Shiying’s insistence, he wrote separate letters to the retired Second Master Dou Shiqi, Dou Huanchang of the Dou clan’s main branch, Dou Shiyang who managed the family affairs, and the Second Madam.
Though surprised in Zhending, they weren’t caught off guard as Dou Shiying had mentioned this before. After discussing with Dou Huanchang, Dou Shiqi, and Dou Shiyang, they wrote a letter on behalf of the clan, agreeing to let Dou Dechang be adopted into the Western Dou family.
Dou Shiheng sighed and said to Dou Shiying, “After Yuan’er’s hundred-day celebration, I’ll write the adoption papers for you.”
Dou Shiying was delighted, nodding repeatedly.
Dou Dechang’s feelings, however, were complex.
After the adoption, he would no longer be related to the Eastern Dou’s sixth branch. When he met his parents again, he could only address them as “Uncle” and “Aunt.”
Dou Shiying comforted him, “It’s just moving to live with me. Think of it as entering the Imperial Academy early.”
Dou Dechang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this, but the sadness in his heart mysteriously vanished.
Yuan’er’s hundred-day celebration was bustling with activity. Not only did all the noble families attend, but even some prominent figures from the Beijing Garrison could be seen. Even the Crown Prince came and sat for a while.
The sound of music and merrymaking from Duke Ying’s mansion could be heard on Anding Gate Street.
Gu Yu fluttered about like a butterfly among the guests. Along with the famous playboy Feng Ye and Shen Qing, who always sought out lively gatherings, they turned the banquet into a joyous and boisterous affair filled with laughter and chatter.
Song Han sat in a corner, coldly observing, and left the hall quietly before the banquet ended.
Wei Tingyu sat there drinking sullenly.
If he had chosen Dou Zhao back then, would today’s celebration have been his?
Thinking of Dou Ming’s unpredictable moods, sometimes gentle and sweet, sometimes furious, he drank faster and more.
Dou Zhao, however, still couldn’t find the longevity lock given by Ji Yong.
She asked Ganlu, “Has Mr. Ji arrived?”
Last time, at Yuan’er’s full-month celebration, she clearly remembered not sending an invitation to Ji Yong, yet he still sent a gift. This time, she felt embarrassed not to invite him, but given Ji Yong’s personality, who knew if he would come?
Ganlu went out to ask around and returned to report, “Mr. Ji hasn’t been seen.”
It was indeed something he would do.
Dou Zhao said, “Never mind him. Tell the maids and servants in the tea room to be more alert. There are many guests today, be careful not to run out of hot water.”
Ganlu complied and left.
Dou Zhao adjusted her sleeves and left the inner room.
To her surprise, she came face to face with Jiang Lizhu.