“Bie Gangyi used to be a coach in the capital. After his wife passed away, he returned to Zhen Ding Prefecture with his two daughters,” Zhao Liangbi said delicately. “He is a local, and the house and farmland he owns are all inherited from his ancestors.”
A rabbit does not eat the grass near its burrow. No matter how arrogant someone may be outside when they return to their hometown, they tend to behave modestly and respectfully. Otherwise, without a solid foundation, they are merely drifting weeds.
Bie Gangyi would never do anything to undermine his standing.
Perhaps Bie Gangyi’s situation resonated with Zhao Liangbi, who sighed, “Speaking of which, the Bie sisters are also unfortunate. Their mother passed away when they were very young. Bie Gangyi is a rough man and, fearing he might burden his daughters, he is unwilling to remarry. The sisters had no one to care for them; they learned to sew and cook from the neighbors, and as they grew older, they had to look after Bie Gangyi. Otherwise, how could the eldest sister have caught the eye of Dan Jie?”
Dou Zhao decided to intervene in this matter.
She nodded silently and picked up her teacup.
Zhao Liangbi, who should have left, hesitated and remained standing.
Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.
After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Liangbi stammered, “I’ve also heard something else… After Bie Gangyi got into trouble, he specifically instructed them to keep it from the eldest sister. A few days ago, she found out and cut off a lock of her hair to offer at their mother’s memorial tablet, intending to become Dan Jie’s concubine. It was only when the neighbor, Old Chen, noticed something was off that he forcibly kept her from going…” He looked at Dou Zhao with pleading eyes, hoping she could help.
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
She hadn’t expected that both Bie sisters were decisive in times of crisis.
“Don’t worry. I’ll report this to my grandmother and then see my third uncle,” she assured.
Zhao Liangbi was surprised and grateful that Dou Zhao would go to see Dou Shibang that very night. “It’s getting late, and I need to return to the East Mansion anyway. I’ll accompany you!”
At fourteen, Zhao Liangbi was still working in the East Dou’s accounts office, and he wouldn’t have the chance to be promoted to second steward until he turned sixteen. If he didn’t know the outcome, he probably wouldn’t sleep well tonight.
Dou Zhao smiled in agreement and went to inform her grandmother.
Upon hearing the news, her grandmother was furious with Dan Jie and urged her, “Hurry! Hurry! Saving a life is like building a seven-story pagoda. If your third uncle refuses to vouch for Bie Gangyi, let me know. I have some connections with the Lang family, and I can ask them to help.”
With her grandmother’s support, Dou Zhao felt more confident. She repeatedly affirmed, “Yes,” and headed to the East Dou.
Dou Shibang had already gone to bed. When he heard Dou Zhao wanted to see him, he was startled and quickly threw on his clothes and shoes, rushing out anxiously. “What happened? What happened?” His reaction startled Dou Zhao, who regretted coming so late and disturbing her uncle’s rest.
She explained how Bie Sulan had intercepted a carriage on the way, then asked, “Has the Dan family sent anyone to make contact or spread any word?”
“Not at all,” Dou Shibang sighed in relief upon understanding Dou Zhao’s purpose. “But Dan Jie is narrow-minded, hot-tempered, and reckless. It’s better to avoid trouble.”
“I thought the same,” Dou Zhao replied with a smile. “However, since this has come to me and it’s a good deed to save someone, it wouldn’t be right to just stand by and watch. Since the Dan family hasn’t sent anyone or made any statements, why not step in and vouch for the Bie family? Even if the Dan family inquires, we can easily deflect.”
“But the whole Zhen Ding Prefecture knows that Bie Gangyi ended up in prison because he offended Dan Jie,” Dou Shibang hesitated to take the lead. “We could find out with a little inquiry. After the fact, deflecting would be like covering one’s ears while stealing a bell; it would be hard to avoid a rift with the Dan family.”
“If that’s the case, the Dou family should step in even more,” Dou Zhao smiled. “Otherwise, if someone nitpicks, they’ll say we’re afraid of the Dan family, that we didn’t dare to intervene when they committed such a despicable act. They might even say we’re just as bad as the Dan family, colluding together. Our family’s good reputation, built over generations, would be ruined.”
Dou Shibang seriously considered the matter.
Dou Zhao felt a pang of emotion.
Family reputation is indeed a heavy burden. Yet sometimes, it can also serve as an umbrella, protecting those who seek shelter beneath it.
Dou Shibang decided to discuss it with the second matriarch before making a decision.
Dou Zhao said, “I’ve heard that Bie Gangyi is seriously injured and may not last long. We shouldn’t wait until we’ve vouched for him, only to find he’s gone and we’ve offended Dan Jie for nothing.”
Dou Shibang found her reasoning sound and could no longer sit still. He changed his clothes and went with Dou Zhao to see the second matriarch.
The second matriarch frowned and asked Dou Shibang, “What kind of person is Dan Jie?”
Dou Shibang repeated what he had said about Dan Jie being hot-tempered and reckless.
The second matriarch’s frown deepened.
Dou Zhao understood the second matriarch’s concern.
She feared that the Dan family might have a talented younger generation who would hold a grudge against the Dou family for this incident. If they offended someone with no ties to them, it would be a loss.
She smiled and said, “I’ve heard that Dan Jie is an only son, uneducated, relying solely on his father’s past reputation to get by!”
The second matriarch replied, “What Shou Gu said makes sense. If we remain silent, those who don’t know will think we’re colluding with the Dan family!”
In other words, they agreed to vouch for the Bie family.
Dou Zhao quickly stood and bowed to the second matriarch. “Thank you for your support!”
The second matriarch smiled and said, “Our Shou Gu’s good reputation will surely become even more renowned!”
“This is also thanks to the second matriarch,” Dou Zhao exchanged pleasantries with her for a moment before Dou Shibang stood up. “I’ll arrange for someone to vouch for the Bie family first thing tomorrow morning.”
The second matriarch nodded, and Dou Zhao and Dou Shibang left her quarters.
Dou Zhao smiled and nodded at Zhao Liangbi, who had been waiting at the door.
Zhao Liangbi’s face lit up with joy.
Grandmother was also waiting for Dou Zhao and anxiously asked how it went.
Dou Zhao recounted the events, and only then did her grandmother feel relieved.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, the steward assigned by Dou Shibang went to Zhen Ding Prefecture. By that afternoon, Bie Gangyi was released.
Bie Sulan hurried over to express her gratitude. “…Originally, my father and sister should have come, but my father is seriously injured, and my sister has to take care of him, so I came first. In a few days, when my father feels better, we’ll come back to bow and thank you.”
“I’m still young and can’t accept such a grand gesture from you,” Dou Zhao smiled. “If you want me to live a long life, don’t make it difficult for me.” She then had Su Juan hand over the two hundred taels of silver she had prepared. “Your family has just gone through a disaster and will need money for many things. Don’t be polite with me; you can return it when you have the means.”
Bie Sulan repeatedly thanked her, tears brimming in her eyes, and graciously accepted the silver before hurrying back to Zhen Ding.
Just two days later, Bie Sulan came to see her again, saying that Bie Gangyi wanted her to visit Zhen Ding Prefecture: “…I don’t know what it’s about.” As she spoke, her eyes reddened. “My father hasn’t eaten a grain of rice in days, and he’s been forced to take medicine. I’m so scared.” After saying this, she seemed to remember something, and her lips turned pale.
Dou Zhao felt she had done her part and didn’t want to have too much interaction with the Bie family, so she smiled and politely declined, “I’ll have Haitang go with you! If there’s anything, she can bring it back to me just the same.”
Bie Sulan looked disappointed.
Her grandmother, seeing this, couldn’t bear it and pulled her aside. “You should go. Didn’t Sulan say her father has to be forced to take medicine? Perhaps Bie Gangyi has some last words to convey.”
“Then I should go even less,” Dou Zhao replied. “If he asks me to help him take revenge, should I agree or not?”
Her grandmother said, “Then you should go even more—if he makes such a request, you won’t have to concern yourself with the Bie sisters’ matters anymore.”
Dou Zhao sighed. “When a person is about to die, their words are often sincere. I’m just afraid I won’t be able to extricate myself!” Though she said this, her grandmother’s words made sense, and she still went to Zhen Ding Prefecture.
The Bie family’s martial arts school had already been sold to someone else. The buyer was a friend of Bie Gangyi, who had purchased it in a hurry. After Bie Gangyi was released from prison, he continued to live in the martial arts school, but at his insistence, he moved from the main house to the back shed.
Bie Sulan, with red eyes, explained to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao nodded, surveying the Bie family’s martial arts school.
Though it was only two courtyards, the front yard was quite spacious, paved with blue bricks, easily accommodating over a hundred people—a great place for a martial arts school.
In September, the weather had turned a bit chilly. The Bie family’s ancestors were kind-hearted, and even the shed was built with blue bricks, so although it was simple, it could shield against the wind and rain, providing some comfort to Bie Gangyi.
Bie Gangyi lay on a bed made of planks, his eyes tightly shut, his face as pale as gold paper, covered with a thick, bright blue coarse cloth quilt. He was so thin that his bones were almost protruding, barely resembling the robust man he once was.
Upon seeing Dou Zhao enter, a man sitting in front of the bed immediately stood up.
However, Dou Zhao’s gaze fell on the girl holding an empty bowl in front of the bed.
She looked about fifteen or sixteen, wearing a faded sandalwood-colored jacket. Though her eyes were red and swollen and her expression haggard, her skin was fair, and her features were delicate, making her beauty hard to conceal.
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
If this was Bie Sulan’s sister, it was no wonder Dan Jie had developed improper thoughts.
However, the difference between the two sisters was quite striking.
As if sensing Dou Zhao’s feelings, Bie Sulan linked arms with the girl and proudly introduced her, “Fourth Miss, this is my sister, Su Xin.”
Bie Su Xin had already guessed who had come and hurriedly put down the empty bowl to bow to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “No need for such formalities,” and walked over to Bie Gangyi’s bedside.
The man beside the bed quietly stepped aside.
Dou Zhao glanced at him.
He wore an old, dark robe with patched sleeves, but it was clean. His hair was graying, and he was thin and frail, yet his eyes were clear and bright, revealing a refined demeanor—he was an elegant old man.
Dou Zhao was momentarily stunned.
Bie Su Xin stepped forward and softly called, “Father.”
Bie Gangyi struggled to open his eyes.
“Miss Dou,” he said, his voice raspy and strained, forcing a smile. “Thank you for saving my life.”
Dou Zhao felt a pang in her heart, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.
Bie Gangyi turned his gaze to the man standing beside him and called out, “Old Chen.”
Only then did Dou Zhao understand.
This old man was the one who had guided Bie Sulan to approach the Dou family and had stopped Bie Su Xin from selling herself.