That evening, Dou Zhao came to pay respects to Sixth Aunt.

Ji Shi was sitting with Bi Shi on the veranda, enjoying the cool air.

“Is this Seventh Master’s eldest daughter?” Bi Shi smiled at Dou Zhao, her gaze filled with more curiosity than when she looked at Dou Ming. “She’s truly beautiful.”

“Madam Wu is too kind,” Dou Zhao replied gracefully with a smile. She exchanged pleasantries with Bi Shi, then asked, “Where’s A’Qi?”

Madam Wu smiled, “She went to the Old Madam’s place with Ming’er and the others.”

Dou Zhao laughed, “There’s always something delicious at Old Madam’s place. No wonder we all think of going there.”

“Indeed, indeed,” Madam Wu chatted with Dou Zhao for a while. Seeing that she had fulfilled the proper etiquette and had no opportunity to speak with Ji Shi, Dou Zhao took her leave.

Cai Shu escorted her out.

They ran into Wu Shan coming the other way.

Dou Zhao greeted him with a smile, “Fourth Brother Wu, why are you alone?”

Wu Shan smiled, “The others are by the water pavilion, planning a farewell party for Pang Jixiu.”

Dou Zhao asked in surprise, “A farewell party?”

Perhaps proving the saying “your opponents know you best,” Dou Zhao was more aware of the Pang family’s affairs than her own family’s.

In her previous life, Pang Jixiu had also studied at the Dou family school. After obtaining his xiucai degree, he inherited the family business, sold off the pawnshops and pharmacies, and focused on running restaurants. Relying on the Wang family’s influence, he expanded his business to Beijing, becoming a well-known figure in the capital’s business circles.

Why was he suddenly leaving the Dou family in this life?

Wu Shan signaled to his attendants with his eyes.

Dou Zhao and his attendants moved far away.

Wu Shan then spoke in a low voice, “Master Du said that Pang Jixiu is getting older, but his foundation is too weak. In the next two years, Hui’er, Zhi’er, and Fourth Brother will all be taking the exams. He can’t devote time to teaching Pang Jixiu separately, which would hinder Pang Jixiu’s studies. He recommended that Pang Jixiu go study at the Jingyun School in the prefecture. He also said that Pang Kunbai doesn’t study diligently, ranking last in monthly assessments, and it would be best to hire a private tutor to teach him at home.”

Dou Zhao smiled tightly.

In her previous life, her impression of the Pang family was that they were flexible and not overly concerned with minor details. In this life, however, she felt that the Pang family’s thick skin and low posture had reached the point of shamelessness. It was better to avoid dealing with them if possible.

However, this meant that even if the Pang family wanted to stay at the Dou family school, they had no way to do so!

It was clear that the Pang family’s fuss over Wang Yingxue’s promotion to main wife had given the Dou family a headache.

She smiled and asked Wu Shan, “Aren’t you taking the exams?”

Wu Shan was the same age as Dou Dechang.

Wu Shan rubbed his head, “I’ll be taking them too. But I’m not as confident as Eleventh Brother.”

Remembering that Wu Shan had become a jinshi in her previous life, Dou Zhao smiled and said, “You should be able to pass the county exam.”

Wu Shan’s face suddenly turned red, and he mumbled, “You… you think I can do it…” His eyes were full of hope as if her saying he could pass meant he definitely would.

Dou Zhao felt embarrassed.

In her previous life, she had no real impression of Wu Shan and didn’t know which year he had become a jinshi, let alone about his county or prefectural exams. If he didn’t pass in this life, wouldn’t Wu Shan be disappointed?

But having said it, she could only continue, “Eleventh Brother and Twelfth Brother both say you study well. I think you should be able to do it.” She hoped he would do well in the county exam.

Wu Shan grinned at her, looking very happy.

For some reason, Dou Zhao suddenly felt like she had said something wrong.

She quickly changed the subject, “When is Pang Jixiu going to study at Jingyun School?”

“After the Mid-Autumn Festival,” Wu Shan smiled. “We’re planning to have a farewell party for him at Jingfu Spring…”

As the two stood in the middle of the courtyard talking, Bi Shi looked up and saw her son, who had returned, through the half-open window lattice. He was staring at Dou Zhao without blinking, saying something that made Dou Zhao smile slightly. Her son grinned foolishly in response, showing none of his usual intelligence and quick wit.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Ji Shi out of the corner of her eye.

Ji Shi was instructing a young maid, “…Take out the plum wine we brewed in summer. Send a jar to the Old Madam, one to Shou Gu, and the rest to the tea and wine department. We’ll use it for the family banquet during the Mid-Autumn Festival…”

Bi Shi breathed a sigh of relief. After chatting idly with Ji Shi for a while, she took her leave and returned to the guest room. She immediately called for her son’s maid, “Is Fourth Young Master very familiar with Fourth Miss from the West Mansion?”

The maid was taken aback and carefully replied, “Fourth Miss grew up with Sixth Madam. The Fourth Young Master often goes to the Sixth Madam’s quarters with the Eleventh Young Master and Twelfth Young Master to play and occasionally runs into the Fourth Miss. He’s more familiar with her than with other young ladies of the Dou family.”

Seeing the maid’s cautious manner, Bi Shi became even more suspicious.

She questioned all of her son’s attendants, and the matter of Xiang Lu also came to light.

Bi Shi was so angry she couldn’t speak for a while. Supported by her maid, she went to her son’s room.

Before entering the courtyard, she heard her son’s clear voice reciting.

Bi Shi was stunned.

Although her son was intelligent, he had never been one to study diligently.

As she entered the courtyard, it was quiet with no one in sight.

Bi Shi lightened her footsteps.

Her son’s recitation stopped, and a servant’s voice was heard, “Fourth Young Master, why don’t you rest for a while? It’s getting late. You usually retire at this hour…”

“I’ll be taking the exams with Eleventh Brother and the others in a couple of years,” Wu Shan smiled. “If they all pass and I don’t, Shou Gu might think I’m foolish.”

The servant tried to persuade him further.

He laughed, “In any case, I must do better than the Dou family members.”

Hearing this, Bi Shi smiled silently and said softly to her maid, “Let’s go back!” She left her son’s courtyard with light steps and instructed her maid, “Don’t let Fourth Young Master know about today’s events.”

The personal maid agreed repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Ji Shi was somewhat worried and asked Wang Mama, “What did Madam Wu say over there?”

Wang Mama told Ji Shi how Bi Shi had questioned Wu Shan’s attendants and instructed them not to spread the word.

Ji Shi’s expression relaxed.

Wang Mama smiled, “Do you think that the Wu family’s Fourth Young Master and our Fourth Miss…”

Ji Shi smiled, “Although the Wu family isn’t extremely wealthy or noble, they have been a family of scholars for generations, with a tradition of propriety. Both Master Wu and Madam Wu are people of high moral character. Shou Gu has had a difficult life, and if she could marry into their family, she would surely receive the protection of Master Wu and Madam Wu. It’s more reassuring than marrying far away to Beijing.”

Wang Mama knew Ji Shi was referring to the Wei family of Jining Marquis, so she smiled and said, “When the Third Old Master passed away, the Wei family didn’t even send the customary three animal offerings. This marriage arrangement is likely off.”

“It’s better that way,” Ji Shi smiled. “When it’s time for Shou Gu to marry, they’ll regret it.”

Wang Mama thought of Dou Zhao’s thick dowry list and burst out laughing.

The mistress and servant chatted intimately for a long while.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pang Jixiu suddenly came to visit Dou Zhao.

Dou Shiying frowned and asked Wang Yingxue, “What is he here for?”

Wang Yingxue was also puzzled and hurriedly said, “I’ll go see what it’s about!”

She returned shortly, carrying a red lacquered box, “He said it’s to thank Shou Gu for saving his life last time. He’s going to study at Jingyun School in the prefecture and brought a gift to thank Shou Gu.”

Dou Shiying opened the box to find a gilded kaleidoscope. It was a Western toy worth a thousand taels.

Wang Yingxue’s eyes turned red as she looked at it, forcing a smile, “Do you think we should call Shou Gu to ask about this?”

Dou Shiying thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go ask her.”

He went to the main room personally.

Dou Zhao played with the kaleidoscope for a while, then quietly told her father about their swimming incident at the estate. She added, “…I also received a ‘Lengxiang Hall’ painting album from Zhi’er and a Shoushan stone seal from Fourth Brother Wu, but Pang Jixiu’s gift is more unique.” She then cautioned her father, “Please don’t tell anyone about this. They’ve worked hard to keep it from the adults, and if it gets out that I told, they might avoid me like the plague in the future.”

Dou Shiying chuckled and promised, “I won’t tell anyone else.” He then asked, “Wasn’t Aunt Cui terrified that day?”

“Yes,” Dou Zhao smiled. “Boys tend to forget pain quickly once healed. I’m afraid they might go swimming there again next year. Do you think we should find a way to invite Aunt Cui to stay with us for a few days?”

Dou Shiying said, “We should indeed invite Aunt Cui to stay for a few days. Also, we should mention it to the Old Madam before next summer.” He then teased, “If it reaches the adults’ ears next year, they shouldn’t suspect it was you who told, right?”

Dou Zhao giggled.

Wang Yingxue stood under the veranda of the main room, her mind in turmoil.

Pang Jixiu kept sending strange little gifts, each quite valuable.

Unsolicited favors are rarely without ulterior motives.

As time passed, Dou Zhao grew suspicious but couldn’t understand Pang Jixiu’s intentions. She became wary of him and stored his gifts in a separate chest, instructing Su Juan to keep the key safe: “Don’t lose a single item.”

Su Juan didn’t dare to be careless. She strung the chest key on a red cord and wore it around her neck day and night.

In November, they held the final mourning ceremony for her grandfather. A month later, they removed their mourning clothes, just in time for the New Year.

Both the East and West Dou mansions were decorated with lanterns and streamers. Firecrackers and drums created a lively atmosphere.

Wu Shan gave Dou Zhao a rabbit lantern, while Pang Jixiu sent a colorful glass revolving lantern depicting the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.

The lantern spun, flashing brilliant multicolored light.

Dou Ming was fascinated by it and urged Shu’er, “Didn’t you say sister treats you the best? Ask her to lend it to you for a few days.”

For the first time, Dou Zhao refused Shu’er, saying, “This was a gift from someone else. It wouldn’t be right to give it away. If you like it, I can have one bought for you.”

“No need, no need. I just wanted to borrow it for a few days,” Shu’er said, her face flushed red as she returned to the East Mansion. She complained to Dou Ming for making her ask for the lantern, “You knew it was a gift to Fourth Aunt, yet you still made me ask.”

Dou Ming sneered, “Weren’t all those things she had before gifts from others? She never said ‘It wouldn’t be right to give it away’ then. She just doesn’t want to give it to you. Why are you getting angry at me because you couldn’t get the lantern?”

Shu’er burst into tears with a loud “Waa!”

Yi’er then scolded her, “You’re always coveting Fourth Aunt’s things, taking them and not returning them. If Fourth Aunt didn’t consider herself an elder and refrain from arguing with you, who else would tolerate you like this? You make mistakes and don’t reflect on them, crying loudly when someone says a few words. No wonder Fifth Aunt looks down on you!”