Sitting in the carriage, Dou Zhao was filled with confusion.

The Dou family was quite prominent in Zhen Ding, with people seeking their help like a flood. However, a single tree cannot form a forest. For the Dou family to firmly establish themselves and thrive here, they needed to cultivate relationships with local officials and wealthy merchants, as well as deal with the ruffians and idlers. For ordinary matters, as long as they did not harm the Dou family’s interests, they would help if they could. If they couldn’t, they would still offer some silver to assist, which had earned them a reputation for benevolence.

She was merely a sheltered young lady. If this girl had a grievance, why didn’t she seek help from her uncle, who was in charge, or her cousin, who frequently traveled? Why come to her?

If the girl was not lying, then it was likely that the Dou family could not intervene in this matter.

She instructed Haitang, “Ignore her; let’s return to the residence.”

Did she have to stop and confront someone just because they blocked her path?

This was the first time Haitang had encountered such a situation, and she trembled in fear. She pulled back the curtain and called out to the driver, then leaned closer to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

In her previous life, she had reconnected with old acquaintances. In a few years, Cui would manage her estates, and Zhao Liangbi would assist her with business matters. She could relax about external affairs, but the internal matters… Ganlu and Sujuan couldn’t be her confidantes, and Haitang and the others were not particularly capable. It seemed she would have to put in some effort.

Just then, the girl blocking the carriage cried out, “Fourth Miss, I’ve bowed to you! Please, save my father! I’ll set up a longevity tablet for you, and I’ll repay you by working like a horse or an ox… They say that if the Dou family is willing to guarantee that my father is innocent, he can be released immediately… Please, speak to Lord Lu for me…” As she spoke, she burst into tears.

Her cries were heart-wrenching, evoking sympathy.

Dou Zhao frowned and said to Haitang, “Tell her to stop crying. Take her to see my third uncle.”

Haitang complied and got out of the carriage.

But the girl clung tightly to the carriage pole, refusing to let go. “I’ve already asked Third Master, but he said the evidence is conclusive… My father is innocent… It’s all because of that fat man, Dan Jie, who wants to take my sister as a concubine. My sister refused, so he framed my father and forced him to sell my sister to him… Fourth Miss, I’m not lying! If I’m lying, let me be struck by lightning and die a horrible death! No, even if I say one false word, let me not be reborn in my next life…”

Such a vicious oath!

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but be moved.

Regardless of whether this girl’s father was truly innocent, in her heart, she believed he was blameless.

Countless children have unwavering faith in their fathers, believing them to be virtuous gentlemen, while in reality, those fathers may be despicable scoundrels…

For some reason, Dou Zhao suddenly thought of Dou Shiying.

She felt a wave of frustration and took a deep breath before speaking gently to the girl outside the carriage, “You say your father is innocent, yet my third uncle claims the evidence is conclusive. Who should I believe?”

The girl paused, then quickly replied, “Fourth Miss, if I can find evidence, can you help guarantee my father’s innocence?”

This girl was quite clever, making connections quickly.

Unfortunately, if even Third Uncle said the evidence was conclusive, it wouldn’t be easy to resolve!

Dou Zhao pondered, “Who is Dan Jie?”

“He is the only son of Lord Dan from Zhen Ding,” the girl explained hurriedly. “Lord Dan used to be the governor of Songjiang, and their family is very wealthy. My father runs a martial arts school, and one of his students, Chen Xiaofeng, works as a guard at Lord Dan’s house. Last year, when my father celebrated his birthday, Chen Xiaofeng came to congratulate him, and Dan Jie came along out of boredom. My father treated him with fine food and drink, but he took a liking to my sister. How could my father agree to let my sister become a concubine? Dan Jie felt humiliated, and coincidentally, a family in Zhen Ding was robbed.

He framed my father, claiming that my father’s friend was the robber and that my father had informed him, even saying that my father arranged for the robber to escape afterward. My father, knowing he had offended Dan Jie, sold off our ancestral property and gathered three thousand taels of silver to give to Dan Jie. Dan Jie accepted the silver but refused to acknowledge it, insisting that my father must give my sister to him as a concubine.

How could my father bear to let my sister become Dan Jie’s concubine? Even in front of so many people, he refused to help my father with a word…” The girl began to cry again. “Fourth Miss, I’m not lying! If you don’t believe me, you can ask anyone in Zhen Ding; everyone knows about this… The neighbor, Old Master Chen, said that Lord Lu used to be the magistrate of Zhen Ding, and the Dou family could surely speak on my father’s behalf. I came here quietly, but I didn’t expect Third Master to be unwilling to help.” As she spoke, she knelt and began to bow her head to Dou Zhao again.

Dou Zhao’s expression darkened.

Since Lord Dan had been the governor of Songjiang, the Dou family must have connections with him.

No wonder Third Uncle was reluctant to get involved.

Dou Zhao felt a flicker of belief growing within her.

In her two lifetimes, having lived in the capital in her previous life, she had heard of countless wrongful accusations, but this was the first time she encountered such a case of coercion and forced concubinage.

As a woman herself, she felt a surge of anger.

Dou Zhao instructed Haitang to help the girl up and pondered, “How did you find me?”

The girl replied nervously, “Since the Third Master was unwilling to help, I had to find out who could speak on my father’s behalf. Someone mentioned you. They said you are not only graceful and beautiful but also composed and generous, and you are kind-hearted and willing to help others. Not only does the Dou family matriarch cherish you, but several of the ladies also hold you in high regard, so I thought to ask you for help…” she murmured.

Dou Zhao frowned.

Was this really about her?

She felt that she was cold-hearted; if the oil bottle hadn’t fallen in front of her, she wouldn’t have even bothered to help…

However, since the Third Uncle was unwilling to intervene, it showed that this matter had some impact on the Dou family. She couldn’t just take it upon herself based on a moment of passion.

“Do you know that even if you find me, I might not be able to help you?” Dou Zhao said, lifting the curtain to reveal a face that still bore some childishness.

The girl stood beside Haitang, looking no more than twelve or thirteen years old, with slightly dark skin, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. She was sturdy and wore a lilac-colored thin cloth jacket, giving her a boyish appearance at first glance.

What did her sister look like?

A thought flashed through Dou Zhao’s mind.

The girl suddenly jumped up, “You’re so young!”

The formal “you” had changed to the informal “you.”

Dou Zhao found it amusing, “Didn’t you inquire about me before coming to find me?”

The girl awkwardly replied, “I heard people speak of you with great respect and thought you were already of marriageable age…” Then, her spirits lifted. “Fourth Miss, if you can’t come forward yourself, could you ask the elders of the Dou family to speak on my father’s behalf to the Third Master? I can go back to Third Master again.” Then, as if remembering something, she quickly added, “This time, I won’t go empty-handed; I’ll bring the evidence you mentioned, written by a lawyer, to Third Master. After he sees it, he might change his mind!”

At such a young age, she was quite resourceful, quickly thinking of another plan and seizing the opportunity.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but admire her.

This reminded her of when she first arrived at the Jining Marquis’s residence. Seeing that spring had only brought two rains, she feared a drought in the capital. She thought of the uncle of Marquis Xuan Ning, Guo Haiqing, who worked at the Grand Canal Supervisory Office. After several visits to Madam Guo, she persuaded her to join in the grain trade, making a significant profit, which gave her the confidence to prevent Wei Tingzhen from meddling in the affairs of the Jining Marquis’s residence.

She felt a pang of sympathy for this girl.

“What is your father’s name?” she asked. “Where is your martial arts school located, and what is it called?”

“My father’s surname is Bie, and his name is Dayong, courtesy name is Gangyi,” the girl replied. “The martial arts school is at our home, on Dongxiang Street in the east of the city, called Bie’s Martial Arts School. You can ask around when you enter the city.” She added, “My name is Su Lan.”

Dou Zhao pointed to Haitang, “You can find her later.”

Bie Su Lan’s eyes lit up with joy, her small eyes turning into crescent moons as she eagerly grabbed Haitang’s hand and sweetly called her sister, asking for her name.

The joy was palpable, not just for Dou Zhao but even for the maids accompanying them.

Bie Su Lan respectfully bowed to Dou Zhao three times, saying, “Fourth Miss, I will never forget your great kindness.”

Dou Zhao smiled gently at her, returned to the West Courtyard, and then sent for Zhao Liangbi, saying, “Go to Zhen Ding and inquire about Bie’s Martial Arts School. Get back to me as soon as possible.”

Zhao Liangbi nodded and left.

Dou Zhao casually went to visit their Sixth Aunt but unexpectedly ran into Wu Shan.

He smiled and explained, “The teacher’s lecture was a bit unclear, so I’ve been pondering it at home these past few days. Why did Fourth Sister come so late today?”

To avoid Wu Shan, she had deliberately chosen this time to come to Sixth Aunt’s for lessons.

“I ran into a bit of trouble,” Dou Zhao replied with a smile. “Next year, Fourth Brother Wu will be taking the field; I wonder how prepared he is?”

“Not bad!” Wu Shan replied confidently.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Wu Shan returned to the East Wing.

After having lunch at Ji Shi’s and taking a short nap, Ji Shi and Dou Zhao returned to the West Dou.

The Jian Lan seedlings Dou Zhao had ordered had arrived, and she had been busy tending to them.

Ji Shi helped her carefully plant the softened orchid roots into pots.

Grandmother watched from the side, occasionally fetching water for them to wash their hands.

They chatted and laughed, then went to admire the flourishing tea flowers until it grew dark, and only then did Ji Shi rise to take her leave.

Zhao Liangbi, who had been waiting outside, finally came in to report to Dou Zhao: “… Dan Jie has made it clear that as long as Bie Gangyi is willing to sell his daughter to him as a concubine, he will immediately guarantee Bie Gangyi’s release. However, Bie Gangyi refuses to agree and has reportedly been beaten to the point of barely breathing. I changed my clothes and went to the prison to take a look; the rumors were true. If no one guarantees him, it seems he won’t last much longer.”

A flicker of anger flashed in Dou Zhao’s eyes. “Is Bie Gangyi involved in this case?”