Dou Ming began a hunger strike, refusing to eat or drink.

Dou Shiying came to discuss with Dou Zhao, “What should we do?”

Although the eldest daughter was young, her confident tone often gave him immense reassurance.

Dou Zhao was also unsure how to best approach Dou Ming. Staying by the side of the Second Matriarch meant enduring cold remarks; moving to the Wang family in the capital could lead to complications, as in the previous life, Dou Ming had been spoiled by Madam Xu and ultimately ended up with Wang Nan.

She sighed, “Why don’t you ask the Matriarch? She is Dou Ming’s biological mother.”

With Wang Yingshu present, no one dared to intervene. Even for Dou Ming’s sake, the natural bond between mother and child might lead to resentment from Dou Ming.

Dou Shiying hesitated.

Just then, a young maid rushed in, panting. Upon seeing Dou Shiying, she tried to sneak away quietly.

Dou Shiying barked, “What’s the matter?”

The young maid looked to Dou Zhao for help.

Dou Zhao couldn’t think of any reason to hide things from Dou Shiying, so she nodded at the maid.

The maid murmured, “The Seventh Matriarch is packing boxes, saying she wants to take Fifth Miss to the capital.”

Dou Shiying was furious and hurried away.

Dou Zhao called for Haitang, “Bring me the sewing supplies I prepared a few days ago and help me change into another outfit. We’re going to visit Sister-in-law Jiu.”

In February of this year, Dou Huanchang married the daughter of the Huang family from Huai’an. This match had been arranged while their uncle was still alive; Huang’s grandfather was of the same age as their uncle, and Huang had a clan uncle who currently served as the head of the Dali Temple.

Huang was the same age as Dou Huanchang, with a gentle appearance and a warm personality. She was skilled in needlework and had won the favor of the Matriarch, who had praised her in front of the Dou family on multiple occasions.

As another bride from Jiangnan, everyone inevitably compared her to Ji Shi. Ji Shi was serene, while Huang was gentle, both exuding the elegance of the southern water towns.

Sister-in-law Er joked, “Looking at Sixth Aunt and Ninth Sister-in-law, we’ve all become mere firewood gatherers.”

Ji Shi and Huang naturally exchanged modest words, but this brought them closer, and Huang became more affectionate towards Dou Zhao than others.

Recently, news spread that Huang was pregnant. Dou Zhao thought of going there to escape—since the Matriarch was a widow and Huang was still in her first trimester, it was unlikely anyone would disturb the main house, making it the quietest place.

With someone to accompany her, and being considerate and understanding, Dou Zhao was warmly welcomed by Huang.

Dou Zhao spent the afternoon at the main house, having dinner before returning to the West Dou.

Upon entering, she saw a stable boy squatting there, hammering a wheel.

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly. It seemed her father had agreed to let Dou Ming go to the capital.

From her experience in her previous life, as soon as Wang Xushi saw Dou Ming, she would insist on keeping Dou Ming with the Wang family for an extended stay.

She returned to the main room, where her father sat, looking displeased, staring blankly at a book.

“I heard you went to Jixin,” Dou Shiying greeted his daughter. “How was it? Did you learn anything?”

Jixin was the courtesy name of her cousin Dou Huanchang.

“Ninth Sister-in-law taught me how to embroider the eyes of little birds,” Dou Zhao said with a smile as she changed her clothes and tidied herself up, sitting on the kang by the window to talk with her father. “I think it’s quite similar to painting techniques. No wonder Sixth Aunt’s aunt can both embroider and paint.”

Her words lifted Dou Shiying’s spirits significantly. He spoke of Dou Ming, “Everyone loves the bustling sights of the capital, especially the children. Would you like to go to the capital and stay with Dou Ming for a while?”

And then have her pay respects to the Wang family as a junior? No, thank you!

Dou Zhao laughed, “She can’t bear to leave her maternal grandmother, and I can’t bear to part with my Aunt Cui.”

Dou Shiying chuckled, pondering for a moment before tentatively asking, “Are you afraid at home with Aunt Cui?”

Dou Zhao immediately brightened. It seemed her father was preparing to go to the capital with Wang Yingshu and Dou Ming.

Perhaps because there was no longer any resentment, her current mindset was peaceful. Unlike in her previous life, where seeing her father with Wang Yingshu, Dou Ming, and Dou Xiao would ignite her anger, she now only thought of her grandmother.

“Does this mean you agree to let me bring Aunt Cui back to stay for a while?” Dou Zhao asked with a smile.

“When have I ever disagreed?” Dou Shiying replied, though his expression grew somewhat dejected. “I just feel that without Aunt Cui, the Pang family wouldn’t dare to visit.”

So, he was sulking and refusing to go to the capital? Dou Zhao found it somewhat amusing.

Fortunately, this matter has been resolved. She didn’t want to argue with her father about it and asked when they would set off.

“The day after tomorrow!” Dou Shiying said with a smile. “Tomorrow, we’ll go pick up Aunt Cui.”

Dou Zhao nodded eagerly and suggested, “The East Cross Courtyard has just been renovated, right? Why not let Aunt Cui stay in the refreshing pavilion there? It’s surrounded by lush trees and is the coolest place.”

“Let’s go,” her father said enthusiastically, rising. “We’ll go take a look.”

They skipped dinner, exploring the refreshing pavilion together, deciding where to set up the inner room, where to have the banquet, where to place the boxes, and where the maids would sleep. Only after everything was arranged did they return to the main house, setting off early the next morning with the horse-drawn carriage to the estate.

Madam Hu, who was packing boxes with Wang Yingshu, expressed concern, “It’s easy to invite a deity but hard to send one away. What do you think about this matter…”

Wang Yingshu’s mood immediately soured upon hearing this. She knew that Zhao Guqiu’s death was a sore spot for Dou Shiying, but the deceased was gone, and the living must continue their lives. She had thought that with time, her small grievances would naturally resolve themselves.

Who knew it would turn out otherwise?

Years had passed, and Dou Shiying had not only failed to forget Zhao Guqiu but had also grown increasingly distant from her, no longer as close as before.

Opportunities always favor the prepared.

Just like Dou Ming’s sorrow.

In Zhen Ding, within the Dou family, Dou Ming’s status as a legitimate or illegitimate child was unclear; she would forever remain a concubine’s child.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth.

She and Dou Shiying had to start anew.

The capital was a place where outsiders flocked like fish crossing a river, and no one knew anyone’s background. If they moved to the capital, with Dou Shiying serving in the court and having relatives like Dou Shishu and Wang, they could easily settle there and never return to Zhen Ding. Dou Ming could grow up happily in the capital and marry someone pure and upright.

“Now is not the time to dwell on these matters,” Wang Yingshu whispered to Madam Hu. “Seventh Master is still in his prime. Even if we return to Zhen Ding, it will be at least a decade away. Can Aunt Cui live that long?”

Wang Yingshu still wasn’t entirely sure if they could stay in the capital long-term, so she didn’t dare to speak too confidently.

Madam Hu thought for a moment and smiled, “It seems I’ve been overthinking.”

“Not at all,” Wang Yingshu said sincerely, holding Madam Hu’s hand. “If it weren’t for you by my side all these years, I wouldn’t have been able to hold on.”

“Madam, you flatter me,” Madam Hu replied repeatedly.

As the master and servant spoke, their emotions became somewhat stirred. Madam Hu gently supported Wang Yingshu into the inner room, only to see Dou Ming sitting on the large kang by the window, dazed, clutching a large welcoming pillow. The maids and servants were bustling about, packing things, but she seemed oblivious.

Wang Yingshu’s heart sank, and she hurried over to embrace her daughter. “Ming Jie, Ming Jie!”

Dou Ming turned her head, and a glimmer of light returned to her eyes.

Wang Yingshu sighed in relief and prompted her, “Do you want to see if there’s anything else to take to the capital…”

“I don’t want anything!” Dou Ming’s voice was high-pitched and sharp. “My maternal grandmother will buy everything for me; I don’t want anything!”

Wang Yingshu’s eyes moistened as she hugged her daughter, unable to speak for a long time.

The grandmother invited Dou Shiying to sit in the main room and personally brewed him a cup of tea, puzzled. “You want to take me to the city for a while?”

Dou Shiying felt somewhat awkward and subtly informed her about the matters concerning Pang Jixiu and Wu Shan.

The grandmother chuckled, “In a family with daughters, many families will seek them. Our Shou Gu is beautiful and has a good temperament; you’ll have your share of headaches in the future.” She then readily instructed Hong Gu to pack her things, and the matter went so smoothly that both Dou Shiying and Dou Zhao were momentarily stunned. Dou Zhao couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder; her grandmother could smile at the thought of Pang Jixiu’s intentions. Was it pure-hearted innocence or a realization of worldly truths?

They returned to Zhen Ding just as the evening bell rang.

Wang Yingshu welcomed her grandmother, Dou Shiying, and Dou Zhao at the second gate.

Dou Shiying asked, “Where’s Ming Jie?”

Wang Yingshu hurriedly replied, “She’s feeling unwell as if she’s suffered from heatstroke. I gave her some Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid, and she just lay down. I plan to call a doctor to check on her later.”

Upon hearing this, the grandmother wanted to see Dou Ming.

Wang Yingshu quickly said, “It’s hot, and you’ve had a tiring journey. It’s better to rest first, so you don’t fall ill too.”

The grandmother thought for a moment, smiled, and no longer insisted, following Dou Zhao to the refreshing pavilion.

The walls of the refreshing pavilion were covered in wisteria, thick moss grew beside the steps, and unknown wildflowers bloomed by the stone edge, creating a rustic charm.

The grandmother was very pleased.

That evening, Dou Zhao moved in to stay with her grandmother.

Haitang quietly told her, “Seventh Master is scolding the Matriarch and Fifth Miss.”

They could make as much noise as they wanted, as long as it didn’t disturb her life.

“Don’t tell Grandmother,” Dou Zhao instructed Haitang.

Haitang nodded.

Dou Zhao called out to Ganlu, asking her to cut the watermelon that was stored in the well.

The next day, her father bid farewell to her grandmother and the Second Matriarch, returned to the North Building to pay respects to their ancestors, and took Wang Yingshu and Dou Ming to the capital.

In the evening, the Second Matriarch invited the grandmother over for dinner.

The grandmother asked Dou Zhao, “Should I go over or not?”

In her previous life, the grandmother had always stood like a mountain in front of her. This time, it was her turn to shield her grandmother from the wind and rain. Dou Zhao felt a sense of novelty, along with a subtle pressure and pride in taking on this responsibility.

“I’ll accompany you,” Dou Zhao smiled. “We should greet the relatives at home. If they like us, we can visit more; if not, we can visit less. After all, we live in two places.”

The grandmother found this reasonable and went with Dou Zhao to have dinner.

At the dinner, only the eldest aunt accompanied them. After the meal, they chatted about old stories and then dispersed.

The grandmother was very pleased and settled down comfortably in the refreshing pavilion, walking around the rockery for seven or eight laps every morning until she was drenched in sweat.

Dou Zhao watched anxiously, accompanying her grandmother on her walks.

At first, the grandmother would walk two laps while Dou Zhao walked one, but gradually Dou Zhao could keep up with her for one lap. Initially, she felt sore all over, struggling to lift her arms and legs, but gradually she felt refreshed and agile.

The grandmother nodded repeatedly, “Look at this little face, so rosy and spirited!”

Dou Zhao smiled shyly.

By autumn, she noticed that the horse-face skirt she made in spring had become loose, revealing her light yellow silk shoes.