After being rebuffed by Dou Zhao and mocked by Dou Ming, Shu Jier now faced Yi Jier’s scolding. Feeling both anxious and angry, she pushed aside her maid and ran out.

Unexpectedly, she bumped into Haitang.

“Shu Jier,” Haitang greeted her with a smile, bowing respectfully. Behind her, a little maid carried a revolving lantern depicting the Four Beauties Welcoming Spring. “Our Fourth Young Miss says the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea lanterns are sold out. She only managed to get this Four Beauties Welcoming Spring lantern. Please enjoy it for now, and next year, Fourth Young Miss will have someone buy one early for you.”

Shu Jier’s mood improved slightly at this.

However, affairs within the grand mansion were difficult to keep secret.

The Fifth Sister-in-law asked Yi Jier, “Was it Ming Jier’s idea to have Shu Jier ask Shou Gu for the lantern?”

“It should be,” Yi Jier replied hesitantly, as she wasn’t present when Dou Ming encouraged Shu Jier to ask for the lantern. “Although Shu Jier can be a bit thoughtless, she’s used to asking Fourth Aunt for things. If it were her idea, there’s nothing wrong with admitting it. There’s no need to blame Fifth Aunt.” As she spoke, she seemed to realize something and added curiously, “Ever since Fifth Aunt returned from the capital, she seems different. She’s always talking about how wonderful the capital is, and how great her maternal family is…”

This made Yi Jier feel slightly uncomfortable.

The Fifth Sister-in-law frowned as she listened and advised her daughter, “She’s still your elder. You should be more respectful when you encounter her in the future. Don’t always cling to her. If you want to play, play with Shu Jier—you two are of the same generation.”

As Yi Jier grew older, her personality became more competitive. Unfortunately, her father was the least capable among those of the Chang generation. The superiority Dou Ming occasionally displayed in front of her had long since displeased her. Her mother’s reminder made her realize that the girl three years her junior was her aunt, someone to whom she should pay respects as a junior. This left her feeling somewhat resentful and dispirited as she responded with a lackluster “I understand.”

Meanwhile, the Third Sister-in-law was scolding Shu Jier: “Do you believe everything others tell you? If someone told you to steal from the Old Madam, would you do that too? Fortunately, you encountered Shou Gu. What if it had been someone else? How would they have spoken of you? At such a young age, you’re already learning bad habits, taking things and not returning them. I originally thought you’d become more sensible as you grew older, but who knew you’d become even more reckless? When others don’t give you something, you even harbor resentment… Crying, that’s all you know how to do! Now you know it’s embarrassing, but where was this awareness earlier?” She then instructed the housekeeper in Shu Jier’s room, “Gather everything she took from Shou Gu. I’ll return them personally.”

There were too many items collected over too long a period. Even Shu Jier couldn’t distinguish which belongings were hers and which were Dou Zhao’s. This infuriated the Third Sister-in-law, who pounded the kang bed in frustration: “How did I raise such a careless child!”

When Dou Qijun and his brothers returned from school, they were shocked. One consoled their mother, another asked what had happened to their sister, while the youngest, Dou Qishun, blinked and said, “Fourth Aunt isn’t that kind of person. You don’t need to be so petty about returning things…”

Four pairs of eyes in the room glared at him.

He quickly added, “Last time when you went to the estate…”

Dou Qitai rushed forward to cover his younger brother’s mouth, dragging him out while bowing and nodding to their mother and sister. “This matter can be big or small. If we make it big, it could ruin my sister’s reputation. If we keep it small, it might damage our family’s relationship with Fourth Aunt. My brother and I will go fetch Father…”

The Third Sister-in-law and Shu Jier looked skeptical.

Dou Qijun had no choice but to clear his throat softly and say steadily, “Fifth Brother has a point. It’s best to discuss this matter with Father.”

Hearing the reliable eldest son speak thus, the Third Sister-in-law’s doubts dissipated.

Outside, Dou Qishun pushed away his brother’s hand and grumbled, “I didn’t say anything wrong. When you caused such big trouble last time, Fourth Aunt didn’t say a word and even helped cover for you. Don’t think I don’t know…”

“You know we caused big trouble and you still blabber about it?” Dou Qitai said through gritted teeth. “Are you afraid others don’t know?”

Dou Qishun deflated.

Dou Qitai said, “Come on, let’s go find Fourth Aunt.”

“Didn’t you say we were going to find Father?” Dou Qishun asked, puzzled. “Why are we looking for Fourth Aunt?”

“You fool,” Dou Qitai felt like slapping his brother. “After all this commotion, everyone in the mansion probably knows by now. If Fourth Aunt is willing to appear and say a word for sister, then these items become gifts from Fourth Aunt to sister, and that’s different…”

Dou Qishun finally understood and nodded repeatedly. Without even taking a carriage, the two brothers ran to the West Mansion.

After hearing the situation, Dou Zhao pondered for a while.

In truth, she was also at fault in this matter.

Whenever she saw Shu Jier’s eyes light up at something she liked, it reminded her of her daughter Yin Jier, and her heart would soften. Thinking they were just small items, she let Shu Jier take what she wanted. But she hadn’t carefully considered how this might affect Shu Jier’s reputation.

“I’ll go with you to the East Mansion,” Dou Zhao said, changing her clothes and following the two brothers to the Third House.

The Third Sister-in-law felt both ashamed and guilty upon seeing her.

Before she could speak, Dou Zhao smiled and said, “Third Sister-in-law, are you perhaps asking me to return Shu Jier’s things as well?”

Dou Qijun and the others were stunned.

Dou Zhao continued with a smile, “You only see the things I gave to Shu Jier, but you haven’t seen what Shu Jier has given me.” She sighed, feigning regret, “Before the New Year, Shu Jier gave me a pouch. I thought it was beautiful and wore it when paying respects to the Old Madam. On my way back, I lost it somewhere and haven’t found it to this day. What can I use to repay Shu Jier?”

The Third Sister-in-law realized Dou Zhao was helping to resolve the situation for her daughter. She called out “Shou Gu,” her eyes reddening.

Dou Zhao took the opportunity to support the Third Sister-in-law’s arm, gesturing for Dou Qijun and the others to take Shu Jier away. She then sat beside the Third Sister-in-law on the kang bed and said sincerely, “To be honest, I’m also at fault in this matter. If I hadn’t indulged Shu Jier like this, she wouldn’t have become so presumptuous. But to say that Shu Jier has developed bad habits because of this, I don’t see it that way—why doesn’t she take things from others, but only from me? It shows she still knows the difference between close and distant relationships and understands what’s important.”

As parents, there’s no such thing as complete impartiality.

Dou Zhao’s words were appropriate, and the Third Sister-in-law felt as if she had drunk a cup of hot tea on a cold winter’s day. Her face showed gratitude as she said, “I also feel that Shu Jier didn’t mean any harm.”

After giving birth to Shu Jier, the Third Sister-in-law had four more sons in succession: Dou Qiyuan, the fourth, and Dou Qian, the fifth. She hardly had time to care for Shu Jier.

Dou Zhao smiled, “It’s good that this misunderstanding has been cleared up. Otherwise, I, as her aunt, would also be at fault.”

Now that the matter had been discussed openly, the atmosphere improved.

Dou Zhao chatted idly with the Third Sister-in-law for a while before taking her leave.

Afterward, however, she inquired carefully about Shu Jier’s monthly allowance. She learned that it wasn’t that Shu Jier didn’t have enough money, but rather that she would spend it all on rewards for others as soon as she received it. Left with no spare silver, when she saw something nice that she couldn’t afford, she would take it from Dou Zhao instead. Dou Zhao then taught her how to manage her maids, how to save money, and how to increase income and reduce expenses. She even took her to tour the family estate, teaching her how to manage it. Later, Shu Jier became an expert in financial management. But that’s a story for another time.

The Third Sister-in-law went to see the Old Madam.

She wanted to clear her daughter’s name.

After explaining the whole situation, she remarked with emotion, “…It was trouble caused by Dou Ming, yet Shou Gu didn’t say a word of blame towards her, taking all the fault upon herself. She is indeed Seventh Aunt’s daughter, with the blood of the An Xiang Zhao family flowing in her veins.”

The Second Old Madam didn’t say a word. After the Third Sister-in-law left, she muttered, “Self-inflicted misery.”

Wu Shan learned about this incident only after the Lantern Festival.

He tossed and turned in bed for several nights, unable to contain himself any longer. Finally, he approached Dou Dechang: “Will you accompany me to the West Mansion to borrow a book from Seventh Uncle?”

Dou Dechang was still quite naive, later becoming obsessed with antiques and frequenting antique shops with Dou Qijun every day.

“What book? Don’t we have it at home?” he asked.

Wu Shan deceived him: “A book about collecting gold and stone inscriptions. I can’t remember the title, and I couldn’t find it at your place, so I thought I’d check with Seventh Uncle.”

Dou Dechang immediately perked up: “Let’s bring Boyan along, we’ll go together.”

Dou Qijun had come of age this year, and Fifth Uncle had bestowed upon him the courtesy name “Boyan.”

Wu Shan was secretly delighted, and the three of them went to the West Mansion.

Dou Shiying was directing the renovation of the east wing when he heard that Wu Shan had come to borrow a book. He washed his hands and face, changed his clothes, and met Wu Shan, Dou Dechang, and Dou Qijun in the study.

“What books has Boyan been reading lately?” he asked.

Dou Qijun had failed the provincial examination last year.

“I’m re-reading the ‘Annotations of the Four Books,'” he replied, showing respect to Dou Shiying when discussing serious matters.

Dou Shiying nodded and said, “Don’t focus solely on the ‘Annotations of the Four Books.’ You should also read more of the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ and the ‘Records of the Grand Historian.'”

Dou Qijun smiled and said, “Fifth Grand Uncle said the same thing, and also asked if I wanted to visit the Imperial Academy.”

“Oh,” Dou Shiying smiled, “And what did you say?”

“I’ve heard that the capital is full of hidden talents. I’d like to go and see for myself.”

As the two discussed matters related to the imperial examinations, Dou Dechang listened with great interest, while Wu Shan’s eyes darted around, unable to spot even a single maid. Finally, when Dou Shiying finished his questions and allowed them to go to the study, Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun pestered him about what book he was looking for. Wu Shan had no choice but to help search for books, making up excuses along the way. After nearly half an hour, he still couldn’t shake off these two, and Wu Shan began to feel restless.

Suddenly, Dou Zhao’s clear voice came from outside the study: “Didn’t they say Father returned to the study? Where has he gone now?”

Wu Shan instantly felt relieved. Disregarding the presence of Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun, he hurried out.

“Fourth Sister!” he exclaimed, his eyes fixed on Dou Zhao. “What brings you here?”

“Oh, it’s Fourth Brother Wu,” Dou Zhao said, smiling. Faced with a boy about the same age as her son, and given their families’ close relationship, it was difficult for her to always maintain strict propriety between men and women. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to borrow a book,” Wu Shan said, holding up the book in his hand. Wanting to speak more tactfully but aware that such opportunities were fleeting, he felt compelled to seize the moment. “I didn’t know you liked revolving lanterns. Otherwise, I would have sent you one.”

Dou Zhao was surprised, noticing Wu Shan’s dark eyes filled with sincerity.