Upon hearing this, Lady Tian angrily exclaimed, “How can you say such things at a time like this? The child in Axuan’s belly is your flesh and blood! Is your heart made of iron?” As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and began quietly weeping.
Wei Tingyu’s face turned incredibly grim.
The young maid Axuan looked frightened. She gently tugged on Lady Tian’s sleeve and mumbled, “It was my fault, Madam. I’m already deeply grateful that you’ve taken me in. Please don’t argue with the Marquis over me, I’m not worthy!”
Hearing these meek, pleading words only increased Lady Tian’s disgust towards Dou Ming’s arrogance. She scolded softly, “Nonsense! This isn’t just about you. It’s clearly that the Marquis has lost control of his household…”
Hearing this, Wei Tingyu called out “Mother” in shame and embarrassment, wanting to speak but holding back.
He couldn’t possibly cause a scene with his lawful wife over a mere maid, could he? If people outside found out, how could he ever show his face again? But he had always been filial to his mother, and simply couldn’t bring himself to say such things.
Lady Tian looked at him, unable to hide her disappointment. She said calmly, “If that’s the case, then let’s ask your sister to come back and make a decision.” She then instructed Maid Tian, “Go and ask the First Young Lady to return to the mansion.”
Even if it was his sister, Wei Tingyu didn’t want Wei Tingzhen to know about his disgraceful situation. He said awkwardly, “Mother, I will handle this matter myself. There’s no need to trouble Sister.”
But the usually gentle Lady Tian seemed determined this time. She shook her head and said, “I know how you’ll handle it – either keep Axuan outside or find someone for her to marry. I’m the legal wife too, do you think I would condone servants who seduce their masters? But ask yourself, who caused this trouble? If everything in this household was truly your own decision, I wouldn’t say a word. If you kept Axuan outside, I’d pretend not to know. If you wanted to marry her off, I’d help prepare her dowry immediately. But is this your decision? Since Dou Ming entered this house, how many things have been your idea? Did I raise you to be a man who gets ruined by a woman? Don’t say anything else. We’ll discuss this when your sister arrives.”
She turned away, no longer looking at Wei Tingyu.
Axuan bit the corner of the blanket and began to cry.
Wei Tingyu looked helplessly at his mother and Axuan, then left Lady Tian’s inner chambers with his head bowed.
In the main room of the Jining Marquis Mansion, Dou Ming was drinking bird’s nest soup.
When she heard that Wei Tingyu had gone straight to Lady Tian’s courtyard upon returning, she sneered repeatedly, saying, “Now I realize he’s a sentimental fool! What, does he think he can stand against me just because I dealt with his beloved? No wonder the Jining Marquis’s household is in decline. With a daughter-in-law like my mother-in-law, it’s no surprise three generations have been ruined. She took in a maid who had an abortion to recuperate in her room. Is that what a mother-in-law should do? She’s still a Marchioness, but I think she’s worse than those illiterate old women on the street…”
Maid Zhou and the others kept their heads down like clay statues, not daring to interject.
Seeing this, Dou Ming felt her anger rising. She raised her hand and hurled the bird’s nest soup at a young maid’s head.
Fortunately, the soup wasn’t too hot. Although the maid was drenched, she wasn’t scalded. She bit her lip and stood motionless, enduring Dou Ming’s outburst.
This sight only infuriated Dou Ming further. She shouted “Get out!” at the maid, who fled as if running for her life.
Maid Zhou quickly had someone clean the inner chamber and personally brought hot water for Dou Ming to wash her hands.
It was only then that Dou Ming’s tears began to fall.
“How could he treat me like this?” she sobbed, grabbing Maid Zhou’s hand and burying her face in her shoulder. “She’s just a little yellow-haired girl, not even fully grown, yet he allows that old hag to elevate her! I gave up my maiden family for him, and this is how he repays me… Coming back and going to see that little slut instead of coming to me. How am I supposed to live in this household?”
Maid Zhou gently patted her back, comforting her as she had when Dou Ming was a child, but inwardly she could only sigh.
Now that Lady Tian and Wei Tingzhen had joined forces against Dou Ming, and with Wei Tingyu being so easily swayed and Dou Ming having fallen out with her own family, how could Dou Ming possibly win?
She couldn’t help but suggest quietly, “Why don’t I send a message to Jingan Temple Lane? The Seventh Master has always valued you. Even if he’s upset about your previous disobedience, he won’t stand by when you’re in trouble.”
“No, you absolutely must not go!” Dou Ming suddenly pushed Maid Zhou away. Her face was streaked with tears, but she bit her lip stubbornly and said, “If he doesn’t want me, I don’t want him either!”
As Maid Zhou tried to persuade her further, Dou Ming cut her off, “Don’t say anything more. I used to hope he would change his mind and treat me well like before, but now I see clearly. Wei Tingyu is just a white-eyed wolf, eating what I provide, using what I give, wearing what I buy, and spending my money – yet he can never be tamed! If his whole family wants to fight me, then let’s fight and see who’s tougher! In this world, it’s either the mother-in-law dominating the daughter-in-law or the other way around. She managed to snatch that little slut back from me just because she has a few rough servant women in her room? Zhou, go open my trunk now and take out 500 taels in silver notes. Help me buy a few burly servant women to wait on me. I refuse to believe that money can’t get things done!” As she said this, she suddenly thought of Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao had been staying in Zhending all this time.
Before, Dou Ming had thought Dou Zhao was just having a falling out with her mother. She had even privately mocked Dou Zhao for giving up the chance to experience life in the capital, thinking her foolish.
But at this moment, she realized that Dou Zhao was truly the clever one.
Although Dou Zhao lived in seclusion, she had people, money, and the protection of the Dou family. She could do whatever she wanted and even recruited many guards for protection. When she married into Duke Ying’s household, she even brought those guards with her.
How could Song Yantang dare to neglect Dou Zhao?
Thinking of this, Dou Ming felt a tightness in her chest.
It turned out she was the real fool!
She should have learned from Dou Zhao long ago, spending her own money and using her people. Who would dare disobey then?
But as soon as this thought arose, she felt an inexplicable discomfort in her heart.
Would she always have to follow in Dou Zhao’s footsteps?
Yet this was also the best way for her to escape her current predicament!
Dou Ming shook her head vigorously, pushing these chaotic thoughts to the back of her mind. She said to Maid Zhou, “I don’t care what that old hag does. I’m going to replace all the maids and servants in this household. Let’s see who she can order around then!”
Maid Zhou felt Dou Ming should have done this long ago. She repeatedly agreed and turned to go to the storehouse.
Dou Ming leaned against the large cushion on the window-side kang bed, staring blankly at the large red lanterns hanging under the eaves. A thought emerged in her mind: I wonder what Dou Zhao is doing now?
Dou Zhao, drenched in sweat, pushed Song Mo away, her breath still unsteady.
Song Mo immediately clung to her again, nibbling her ear and asking, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Dou Zhao’s voice was already hoarse as she said softly, “I want some water.”
“I’ll get it!” Song Mo wrapped Dou Zhao tightly in the blanket and got out of bed naked to pour her a cup of warm water.
Dou Zhao gazed at his beautifully proportioned body with broad shoulders and narrow waist, unable to look away.
Song Mo placed the teacup on the small table by the bed nonchalantly but felt quite pleased inside.
Dou Zhao turned her head away, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Song Mo smiled, the corners of his mouth curling up, and asked, “Do you want me to bring in water for a bath?”
Feeling sticky under the blanket and covered in sweat, Dou Zhao nodded with an “Mm.”
Song Mo picked up Dou Zhao, blanket and all, and said with a grin, “Let’s bathe together.”
Wouldn’t that lead to another round of exertion?
Dou Zhao’s face burned as she quickly said, “No need, I can do it myself!” She struggled to get down.
“Be careful not to catch a chill!” Song Mo held Dou Zhao even tighter, smiling as he turned towards the screen.
Dou Zhao looked at the spacious pine bathtub behind the screen, large enough for two people to bathe comfortably, and couldn’t help but plead, “How about next time? Next time I’ll do whatever you say!”
Song Mo shamelessly replied, “You said the same thing earlier. Isn’t this the next time now?” Then, ignoring Dou Zhao’s protests, he got into the bathtub with her.
Dou Zhao could only say, “We’re supposed to visit Old Madam tomorrow!”
She had also learned to refer to Grandmother as “Old Madam” like Song Mo did.
Song Mo said with a smile, “I’ve already asked for leave. I’ll accompany you tomorrow.”
The washroom once again filled with Dou Zhao’s passionate moans… so much so that the next day, as she sat in Grandmother’s hall, her body still felt weak.
She couldn’t help but glare at Song Mo.
Song Mo pretended not to notice, sitting properly and holding his teacup as he watched Dou Dechang kowtow to Grandmother.
“Good child, I never expected you would be adopted into the Western Dou branch,” Grandmother said with a loving expression, bending down to take Dou Dechang’s hand. “From now on, I’ll have to rely on you to take care of your father and sisters.”
“I will follow Old Madam’s instructions,” Dou Dechang replied solemnly to Grandmother’s words.
Grandmother nodded with a smile and beckoned to Dou Shiying, who was standing to the side, “Sit down and let’s talk.”
Dou Shiying sat down respectfully.
Yesterday, Dou Dechang had officially moved to Jingan Temple Lane. Dou Shiying had informed Song Mo and Dou Zhao and specifically brought Dou Dechang to kowtow to Grandmother.
After chatting idly for a while, it was time for the midday meal. After lunch, Dou Shiying and the others talked outside, while Grandmother and Dou Zhao stayed by the sleeping Yuan’er, speaking softly.
“How come I don’t see Ming’er?” Grandmother asked.
“She said she wasn’t feeling well,” Dou Zhao replied with a smile, not wanting Grandmother to worry about her and Dou Ming. “The Jining Marquis came over for drinks, so we didn’t invite them today.”
Grandmother said, “Is there still no news from Ming’er? It’s been over a year since she married.”
“They say her body is still weak and needs more time to recover,” Dou Zhao said, smiling as she patted Yuan’er, who was sleeping a bit restlessly.
Grandmother sighed and said, “The sins of adults cause suffering for your children!”
Dou Zhao smiled noncommittally.
In her previous life, her situation had been far more difficult than Dou Ming’s, yet she had made it through.
It just goes to show that whether life is good or bad depends entirely on how you live it!
The family happily spent the day in the Back Temple Lane. Upon returning to Yizhi Hall, Wuyi quietly reported to Song Mo, “The second son of the Daqing Guard Chiliarch wants to enter the Five Cities Military Command. He approached the Miao family, hoping that the Second Young Master would put in a good word with you. The Second Young Master ignored him, so Uncle Miao is causing a commotion in Four Lanes.”
Although Song Han had moved out, Song Mo still had people keeping an eye on him.