Dou Zhao carefully recalled the marriages of Yi Jie and Shu Jie. In her past life, both had married scholars—one surnamed Sun and the other Wu—but neither had achieved any notable success in their careers. She wondered which two families they belonged to.
As she pondered, she went to visit her Sixth Aunt.
Ji Shi was also troubled by Dou Zhao’s studies. She said to Dou Zhao, “Reading and writing cannot be rushed. If you read for half an hour and write for half an hour every day, you will naturally improve over time. What worries me more is your needlework and household management. With Huang Shi about to give birth, you can’t just go over there to make a fuss. Learning needlework from me may not compare to those who specialize in it, but you should at least be able to manage basic household sewing without needing help. As for household management, it’s best to learn from Second Sister-in-law—she oversees the kitchen and has more experience. You’ll learn more by being with her. I have limited experience to share, and I fear that the more I say, the more confused you’ll become.”
The sixth Aunt was always considering her well-being, and Dou Zhao felt grateful. However, Ji Shi was worried about things that Dou Zhao was already proficient in and didn’t need to learn. What Ji Shi thought Dou Zhao could take her time with was precisely what she lacked and what she most wanted to master in this life.
She smiled and said, “I think I should focus on my studies first! Didn’t you say that people become wise through books? If I do well in my studies, when it’s time to learn needlework and household management, I’ll surely be more efficient.”
Ji Shi could only smile wryly at Dou Zhao’s somewhat naive optimism, recalling how she had also dabbled in needlework during her youth. She said, “How about this: you come over every morning to read for an hour and write for an hour, and in the afternoon, you can learn needlework and household management. After the New Year, I’ll see how Yi Jie and Shu Jie plan to proceed, and the three of you can keep each other company.”
Dou Zhao didn’t dare to bring up needlework in front of Ji Shi. She knew that even if she tried to imitate Yi Jie and Shu Jie, she wouldn’t be able to replicate their beginner’s crooked stitches without exposing herself.
“How about I study with you in the morning and practice needlework at home in the afternoon?” Dou Zhao suggested with a smile. “There are also skilled maids in the West Residence.”
Ji Shi agreed.
Dou Zhao began to travel back and forth between the East and West Dou residences every morning.
Not long after, Dou Shiying sent a letter saying he had been appointed as a reviewer at the Hanlin Academy.
Her grandmother asked Dou Zhao, “What does a reviewer do?”
Dou Zhao only knew it was a minor official position, so she laughed, “It’s probably similar to a clerk at the county office.”
Her grandmother chuckled, “No wonder your grandfather was reluctant to be an official; he had also served as a reviewer at the Hanlin Academy.”
However, the Second Matriarch was quite pleased that Dou Shiying had reached the Hanlin Academy, saying with a smile, “He and Zhong Zhi are back together again, two brothers who can look out for each other.”
Ji Shi took the opportunity to bring up Dou Zhao’s situation: “… I heard that Yi Jie and Shu Jie are learning needlework from Huang Shi, and she wants to join them. I saw that Huang Shi was busy, so I didn’t agree. The children at home are growing up, and some matters need to be planned early. Otherwise, we might have to let Shou Gu follow Yi Jie and Shu Jie to learn the rules. What do you think?”
“Let’s discuss this matter later,” the Second Matriarch replied, then asked about the upcoming Double Ninth Festival, “… I think we should invite the mistresses of each family to come and appreciate the chrysanthemums. How can it be the Double Ninth Festival without admiring chrysanthemums?”
Ji Shi didn’t want to dwell on this topic, but Dou Zhao had grown up with her and had always been treated like a daughter. Ji Shi had dabbled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and while she wasn’t an expert, she could hold her own in social gatherings with scholars and gentlemen. She felt that if she could guide Dou Zhao in needlework and then learn some household management skills, it would be a complete success. Yet, she struggled to find a good person to mentor her. Ultimately, women needed to be adept at managing the household; leisurely pursuits were merely embellishments. If they didn’t learn to manage the household, wouldn’t all their past efforts be in vain?
Not willing to give up, she followed the Second Matriarch’s lead and said with a smile, “Last year, Seventh Uncle’s ink chrysanthemums won first prize. I heard they’re blooming even better this year. Should we consider moving them over for the occasion?”
After Dou Shiying left, the flower house was entrusted to Dou Zhao.
The Second Matriarch nodded with a smile, “One matter doesn’t trouble two masters. You helped borrow those flowers last year, so you can take care of moving them again this year!”
Ji Shi smiled in agreement but was somewhat puzzled by the Second Matriarch’s intentions. If she wanted to elevate Dou Zhao by having her learn household management alongside the Second Matriarch, why not do it openly? If she intended to suppress Dou Zhao, moving the ink chrysanthemums that Dou Zhao had nurtured to be the centerpiece would surely draw the attention of the county’s mistresses to Dou Zhao.
Wang Mama, aware that Ji Shi had gone to see the Second Matriarch regarding Dou Zhao, noticed her return with a dazed expression, and her heart immediately sank. She asked anxiously, “What happened? What did the Matriarch say?”
Ji Shi took a sip of the hot tea that Wang Mama had brought and recounted her meeting with the Second Matriarch.
Wang Mama gasped, “Does the Matriarch want to keep Fourth Miss at home?”
“Not necessarily,” Ji Shi replied. “Even if the Matriarch wants to, she must be able to keep her here.”
Wang Mama thought for a moment and said, “You might not remember our Thirteenth Miss, who married into the family of Ninth Matriarch. In the end, she had to rely on the maids’ opinions to interact with her husband. Frustrated, the Thirteenth Master took a concubine from among the maids. The Thirteenth Miss felt embarrassed and didn’t dare to speak up. If it weren’t for that concubine giving birth to a legitimate son, who in the family would have known about it?”
Ji Shi’s face changed dramatically, and she began to pace anxiously in the room, taking a long time to calm down.
She instructed Wang Mama, “You grind some ink for me; I need to write a letter to Zhong Zhi.”
Wang Mama hesitated, “The Sixth Master is impatient. Why not write to the Seventh Master instead?”
“The Seventh Master has Wang Shi by his side,” Ji Shi replied helplessly. “I’m afraid if things don’t go well, I’ll become the target of everyone’s blame.”
Wang Mama couldn’t help but sigh.
Dou Zhao was unaware of Ji Shi’s worries. In the morning, she had finished reading the “Book of Songs” with Ji Shi, practiced writing for an hour in the afternoon, and then accompanied her grandmother for a walk in the East Courtyard.
She discussed with her grandmother, “Sixth Aunt said that after finishing the ‘Book of Songs,’ I won’t need to go to her for lessons anymore.”
Her grandmother was pleased and said, “Does that mean you’ve finished all your studies?”
“How can one ever finish studying?” Dou Zhao laughed. “It’s just that Sixth Aunt said that subjects like ‘Records of the Grand Historian’ and ‘Zuo Zhuan’ require a great Confucian to teach. She only listened to her brothers when Grandfather taught them, and while she can recite it, she doesn’t dare to teach.”
Her grandmother felt regretful.
Dou Zhao suggested, “What do you think about inviting an old Confucian to teach me at home?”
Her grandmother hesitated, “What does your father say?”
“If you agree, I’ll write a letter to Father,” Dou Zhao smiled. “Otherwise, I’m afraid the Second Matriarch won’t approve.”
“I regret not having studied,” her grandmother said solemnly. “You should write to your father! If he disagrees, we can return to the estate. Can they reach us there?”
When her grandmother moved to the estate, her grandfather had written a deed giving the estate to her grandmother as a retirement property. After her grandmother passed away, the Dou family could reclaim it.
Dou Zhao was overjoyed. She knew that no matter what she did, her grandmother would support her unconditionally.
Dou Zhao pulled her grandmother back into the house to write a letter to her father.
Just as she set down her brush, Qiu Kui entered to report that Ji Shi had come.
Dou Zhao and her grandmother hurried out to greet her.
Ji Shi repeatedly apologized to her grandmother, “How could I let you come out to greet me!”
Her grandmother smiled and said, “Shou Gu has been cared for by you since childhood; we are all very grateful. If you’re polite with me, that would be too distant.”
Since Ji Shi married into the family, she had seen her grandmother every year and exchanged pleasantries, but she didn’t know her well. It wasn’t until Dou Zhao planned to bring her grandmother to live with them that Ji Shi sent someone to inquire about her grandmother’s character, feeling reassured enough to let Dou Zhao accompany her. After exchanging a few casual words, she explained her purpose.
When her grandmother heard that Ji Shi wanted to borrow the ink chrysanthemums, she immediately welcomed her warmly to the flower house: “When do you need them? If you let me know a day in advance, I’ll have someone move them for you—these flowers need to be exposed to the dew at night to thrive.”
Ji Shi smiled, “Shou Gu’s flowers are so well grown; it must be thanks to your guidance!”
“It’s Shou Gu who is clever,” her grandmother said, revealing a proud smile. “I once told her to use dried fish bones to attract mosquitoes. She noticed the flower branches weren’t growing and knew to toss a couple of bones near them. I hadn’t even thought of that!”
Ji Shi laughed heartily.
Her grandmother pointed to the vibrant flowers in the flower house: “Look at these flowers; they’re blooming beautifully!” She then insisted on giving Ji Shi a pot of begonia, saying, “Wherever you go, there should be chrysanthemums to match the colors.”
Ji Shi looked at the delicate pink begonias, densely blooming among the green leaves, already showing a pitiful beauty without having faced wind and rain. They were very appealing.
She felt a stir in her heart and asked, “Shou Gu, what else do you have planted here?”
Since Dou Zhao arrived in the capital, she hadn’t had much to do with farming. After marrying into the Jining Marquis’s residence, whenever she felt anxious or restless, she enjoyed tending to flowers and plants. She had once nurtured two-colored peonies, and these ordinary flowers were merely a small skill to her.
She smiled and said, “Are you preparing for the chrysanthemum feast for the Double Ninth Festival? I still have a pot of Jianlan that’s in bloom. Although it’s a common variety, it would still look decent in the hall to welcome guests.”
Ji Shi’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Dou Zhao, “I didn’t expect you to know how to grow flowers!”
Dou Zhao felt embarrassed and quickly replied, “I just have the courage and don’t mind the trouble. If I don’t do well this year, I can try again next year.”
“Being able to try again after repeated failures is already commendable,” Ji Shi praised Dou Zhao continuously, making her grandmother beam with joy. She insisted on giving Ji Shi a camellia planted in a purple clay pot: “… I’ve heard it can bloom in various colors.”
Ji Shi was astonished, “Eighteen Scholars?”
Dou Zhao humbly smiled, “I just transplanted it last year, and it hasn’t bloomed yet. I don’t know if it can produce eighteen flowers.”
Ji Shi quickly instructed the maid carrying the pot, “Be careful!” Then she asked Dou Zhao, “How do you take care of it?”
“It’s best to place it in front of a window with colored glass. Water it every two or three days, checking the soil’s moisture. Make sure there’s no standing water; it’s best to let it sit for a day or two,” Dou Zhao explained, realizing there were many details to cover. She added, “Since I’ll be coming to your place for lessons every morning, I can help you take care of it.”
“That would be perfect,” Ji Shi said with a beaming smile. “I can learn from you how to care for these Eighteen Scholars—my family’s ancestors loved camellias. My maternal family in Yixing is filled with all kinds of camellias, blooming throughout the year.”
Dou Zhao could imagine the splendor of the various camellia species and their different blooming periods as she listened.