At that moment, Wu Shan’s intentions were laid bare, compelling Dou Zhao to confront the reality before her.

After her rebirth, she occasionally pondered her future. Should she start anew, or continue her engagement to Wei Tingyu? Marrying Wei Tingyu would mean reliving all her past experiences. While there might not be any surprises, there would also be nothing to worry about. On the other hand, starting over, no matter how splendid the prospects seemed, would inevitably come with its disappointments. Marrying someone else might not guarantee a better outcome than being with Wei Tingyu.

Caught in this turmoil of thoughts, she felt like she was entangled in a mess. Then one day, half of the Xidou family’s assets were transferred to her name. Moreover, her uncle had agreed that she could manage this portion of the wealth as she pleased after turning thirty. Suddenly, a spark ignited within her.

In her previous life, she had no path forward without marriage. In this life, she had her uncle to rely on, money to support her, and the conflicts within the Dou family to exploit. Why did she need to marry?

Living freely and unburdened, occasionally rectifying the regrets of her past life, seemed far more appealing. She instantly envisioned a new world, feeling invigorated as her future appeared clearer than ever.

She appreciated Wu Shan’s good intentions but had no intention of accepting them. However, this was not the time for rejection. First, Wu Shan had not made his intentions explicit, so there was no basis for refusal. Second, the Wu family’s traditions were significant; the elders might not be willing to accept a woman like her into their household. It was uncertain whether Wu Shan would choose to abandon or persist in his pursuit. If she rejected him now, it might come off as presumptuous, leading others to ridicule her.

Since Wu Shan had mentioned the revolving lantern that Pang Jixiu had given her, she thought it might be a good opportunity to send a message to Pang Jixiu through Wu Shan. This way, he wouldn’t buzz around like a pesky fly, bothering her for no reason.

“Who said I liked the revolving lantern?” Dou Zhao laughed.

“But I heard them say,” Wu Shan looked at Dou Zhao, whose bright eyes shone with candor, and hesitated, “that you received a revolving lantern, and even Shujie wanted it, but you were reluctant to part with it…”

Dou Zhao chuckled, “Well, it’s all your fault.”

Wu Shan was taken aback.

Dou Zhao explained, “After the swimming incident, Pang Jixiu has been sending me gifts to express his gratitude. This revolving lantern was one of them. Although our families are related, we have different values, so how could I accept his gifts? I wanted to return them, but there was no way to do so, so I just kept everything he sent, planning to find an opportunity to give it back to him. If I were to pass his gifts on to someone else, how would I return them later?”

Wu Shan couldn’t help but smile broadly, “Fourth Sister makes a good point.” Then he quickly added, “How about I help you return it to Pang Jixiu?”

“Don’t trouble yourself!” Dou Zhao hinted, “I’ll ask Boyan to help me return it to Pang Jixiu instead!”

She didn’t want Wu Shan to misunderstand her refusal as a rejection of Pang Jixiu due to his connection to Wu Shan. She also feared that Wu Shan might mishandle the situation, potentially damaging her reputation. If any trouble arose from this, it would be even more problematic. Boyan, with his established reputation and maturity at nearly twenty, was far more reliable than thirteen-year-old Wu Shan.

However, Wu Shan seemed not to understand her refusal and insisted, “It’s no trouble at all! I’ll go and speak to Boyan!”

Dou Zhao simply smiled at him in silence.

Wu Shan’s face turned crimson, and in a voice barely above a whisper, he stammered, “Then, I’ll go tell Boyan.” He appeared eager to act.

Seeing that he completely misunderstood her refusal, Dou Zhao was about to say something firm to dissuade him when Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun walked out together.

“I was wondering why you took so long,” Dou Dechang chuckled, “Turns out you ran into Fourth Sister.”

Dou Qijun, being older and recently engaged, had been suspicious about the delay in finding the book he was looking for. Now, seeing Wu Shan’s flushed face, he began to piece things together and glanced at Dou Zhao.

But Dou Zhao maintained a calm demeanor, showing no signs of distress.

For a moment, he began to doubt his instincts.

Wu Shan, feeling guilty, became increasingly flustered under Dou Dechang’s scrutiny and hurriedly clarified, “Fourth Sister has something to ask us… Pang Jixiu often uses the excuse of the swimming incident to send gifts to Fourth Sister as a token of gratitude…” His words became jumbled.

Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun’s expressions changed dramatically, especially Dou Qijun, who understood that a careless remark could ruin Dou Zhao’s future. He quickly interjected, “Wu Si, stop right there! Some things shouldn’t be said carelessly.”

Wu Shan jolted, realizing his mistake. He regretted speaking without thinking and dared not look at Dou Zhao.

Dou Qijun had no time to dwell on Wu Shan’s embarrassment. He turned to Dou Dechang and said, “Uncle, please keep an eye on the entrance.” Then he leaned closer to Dou Zhao and asked, “What exactly is going on? Besides the gifts, did he send anything else? Who brought the items? Are these people trustworthy?”

Seeing that he was getting to the crux of the matter, Dou Zhao let out a long sigh of relief and recounted the events to Dou Qijun, concluding, “I didn’t directly accept anything significant; just some small items. But I can’t discuss this with others…”

“I understand.” Dou Qijun’s expression darkened. “That Pang Jixiu is related to your stepmother. You shouldn’t get involved; just pretend you don’t know anything. I’ll handle it.”

Dou Zhao certainly didn’t tolerate Pang Jixiu for that reason. She simply hadn’t grasped his intentions until Wu Shan’s appearance reminded her.

Some matters required not only the memories of her past life but also the intuition of this life.

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly.

Dou Qijun instructed Dou Dechang and Wu Shan to return home while he went to see Dou Shiying.

About half an hour later, Dou Shiying entered the main room, his face dark with anger, and asked Dou Zhao, “Where are the items?”

Dou Zhao signaled for Su Juan to open the box.

Dou Shiying took a glance, then called in two servants to carry the box away with Dou Qijun.

Only Dou Zhao and two maids remained in the room, exchanging glances.

Dou Shiying, furious, paced the room for a long time before questioning her, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Dou Zhao replied, “I didn’t want to create a scene and give others something to gossip about.”

Dou Shiying’s eyes reddened. He waved his sleeve and stormed out.

“Father!” Dou Zhao called after him, “Are you planning to discuss this with Mother? If she says that since things have come to this, I might as well marry Pang Jixiu…”

“He’s got the audacity!” Dou Shiying exploded.

Dou Zhao sneered, “The Pang family may not be bold, but they certainly have no shame in causing a ruckus.”

Dou Shiying paused, taken aback.

Dou Zhao continued, “Let Boyan handle this matter. I trust he can manage it well.” Then she added, “When are you going to Eastern Capital? I’d like to bring Aunt Cui over to keep me company before you leave.”

Dou Shiying was taken aback.

Dou Zhao explained, “There’s Wu Shan over there; I can’t stay at Sixth Aunt’s place anymore. With Mother in charge here, who knows what underhanded tactics the Pang family might employ? The tenants are simple folk, honest and trustworthy, and there’s no guard around, making it unsafe…”

“No need for that.” Before she could finish, her father interrupted, his forehead vein bulging, “You stay put at home. I want to see who dares to touch you.” With that, he stormed off.

Dou Zhao doubted her father’s ability to handle matters. She decided that regardless of whether he agreed or not if he went to Eastern Capital, she would use this situation as an excuse to have her grandmother move in for a while. Perhaps that would help her grandmother avoid trouble. As for Pang Jixiu, if he dared to make a move against her, she had her ways of dealing with him.

Before long, Dou Ming was brought to the main room by two maids.

As soon as Dou Ming entered, she lifted her skirt and ran outside.

With a glance from Dou Zhao, her maid quickly stopped her.

Dou Ming lunged at Dou Zhao, shouting, “It’s all your fault! You’re the one who incited Father and Mother to quarrel!”

The maid who brought Dou Ming immediately blocked her.

Compared to Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming, the household servants were more concerned about Dou Zhao’s feelings.

Dou Zhao instructed Haitang, “Have her copy ‘The Lessons for Women’ ten times. She can only eat when she finishes.”

Haitang complied, and the two maids took Dou Ming, who was still shouting, to the warm room at the back—Dou Zhao had previously instructed that Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming were not allowed in her study.

Dou Zhao casually picked up a book and leaned against the large pillow by the window to read.

Half an hour later, Dou Shiying entered, looking displeased.

Seeing Dou Zhao reading, he asked, “Where’s Mingjie?”

“She’s in the warm room copying books,” Dou Zhao replied, standing up to pour him a cup of tea.

Dou Shiying took a couple of sips of hot tea, his expression softening, and went to check on Dou Ming.

Dou Ming was crying while copying ‘The Lessons for Women,’ with Haitang serving her fruits alongside two maids.

Dou Shiying quietly exited the warm room and pulled Dou Zhao aside, “Let’s go see where those two ginkgo trees should be planted.”

Dou Zhao accompanied Dou Shiying to the eastern courtyard.

That evening, Wang Yingxue served dinner to Dou Shiying and Dou Zhao with a stiff smile.

Dou Ming, finally released after copying ‘The Lessons for Women’ ten times, rushed to her mother’s side, tears in her eyes, calling out “Mother” while sneaking glances at Dou Shiying and Dou Zhao’s expressions.

Dou Shiying remained expressionless, while Dou Zhao feigned ignorance.

Dou Ming’s heart sank, and she cleverly swallowed her grievances.

Wang Yingxue hugged her daughter, forcing a smile as she quietly instructed Dou Ming to sit properly and served her a bowl of meat noodles.

Dou Shiying was resolute in not speaking to Wang Yingxue.

After dinner, he and Dou Zhao played Go.

Dou Zhao had no desire to get involved in the conflict between him and Wang Yingxue. After one game, she yawned, “Let Gao Sheng accompany you for a game. I’m going to bed.” Covering her mouth, she mumbled her excuse and returned to her room.

As Haitang helped her wash up, she quietly said, “Seventh Master asked Seventh Madam if she knew about Pang Jixiu sending you the lantern. Seventh Madam said she did. Then Seventh Master scolded her, and Seventh Madam felt wronged, saying the items were for you, and she didn’t dare to stop them. Seventh Master accused her of colluding with the Pang family, which made Seventh Madam cry. Fifth Miss heard the commotion and ran over, and Seventh Master had two rough maids take Fifth Miss to you…”

“Alright, I understand,” Dou Zhao replied disinterestedly as she climbed into bed.

Such matters were indeed better left to Dou Qijun.