Everyone turned their gaze toward Uncle Chen.
Uncle Chen hesitated, his expression thoughtful.
Bie Gangyi looked at him with dimmed eyes and called out, “Uncle Chen,” his tone sincere and tinged with a hint of pleading.
Hearing this, Uncle Chen sighed softly and said to Dou Zhao, “Fourth Miss Dou, Bie Gangyi has something important he wishes to discuss with you. However, his injuries are severe, and speaking is difficult for him. He has entrusted me to convey his message to you. I hope you will consider it.”
Dou Zhao was somewhat surprised.
On the way here, she had imagined many scenarios and had already decided that if Bie Gangyi’s request was reasonable, she would help him for Bie Sulan’s sake. If his request was unreasonable, no matter how much he pleaded, she would not agree ambiguously.
She hadn’t expected Bie Gangyi to send someone else to speak on his behalf.
This showed how much he trusted Uncle Chen!
Following Bie Gangyi’s lead, she called out, “Uncle Chen, please speak freely.”
Uncle Chen’s expression grew serious as he addressed the Bie sisters. “Su Xin, Su Lan, you two go to the market and buy some vegetables. We need to prepare a feast to welcome Fourth Miss Dou.”
He was dismissing the two sisters.
Bie Su Xin and Bie Su Lan exchanged worried glances, seeing deep concern in each other’s eyes. After a moment’s thought, they bowed and complied, stepping back.
Dou Zhao considered it and decided to send away her attendants as well.
Uncle Chen watched this with a hint of warmth in his eyes.
“To be honest, Fourth Miss Dou, Bie Gangyi’s condition is quite dire,” he said softly. “And Dan Jie is a narrow-minded, arrogant person. Although the Bie family has narrowly escaped this crisis with your help, given Dan Jie’s character, he will not let it go easily. Bie Madam was the only daughter in her family, and her parents had passed away. Although Bie Gangyi has a cousin, he is already five degrees removed. Now that Bie Gangyi is imprisoned, his cousin fears Dan Jie’s power. When Bie Gangyi’s second daughter sought help, his cousin refused to see her.” He paused, his previously gentle demeanor suddenly shifting to one of righteous indignation that belied his age and temperament. “He is even less reliable than us, his neighbors!”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
Uncle Chen’s expression softened. “Bie Gangyi fears that if he goes back, the Bie sisters will have no one to rely on and will fall into Dan Jie’s hands. He…” He stood up, respectfully clasping his fists and bowing to Dou Zhao. “I implore you, Fourth Miss Dou, to help and take in the Bie sisters.” He straightened, his gaze intense as if trying to see into Dou Zhao’s heart. “The kindness you show will be forever remembered by the Bie sisters.”
Dou Zhao took a moment to collect herself.
She stared at the elderly man known as Uncle Chen, speechless for a long time.
What was his game?
First, he spoke of Bie Gangyi’s condition to elicit her sympathy, then expressed anger at Bie Gangyi’s cousin’s coldness, stirring her indignation and creating a sense of shared enmity. Finally, he proposed entrusting the Bie sisters to her, banking on her previous sympathy and agreement.
What a clever tactic!
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but scrutinize him closely.
His smile was gentle, and his gaze sincere—indeed, he was quite persuasive.
But how could she take care of the Bie sisters?
She was only twelve years old!
With the second matriarch above her, her father beside her, and a host of uncles and aunts around her, the Dou family and the Bie family were not related by blood. What right did she have to expect the matriarch and her family to agree?
“Uncle Chen,” Dou Zhao smiled, “you must know that the Dan family and the Dou family are old acquaintances, right?”
Uncle Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“The matter with Dan Jie is not justifiable, so the Dan family has not brought it to light,” Dou Zhao said calmly. “The Dou family is the foremost family in Zhen Ding. If Bie Gangyi seeks help from the Dou family, and the Dou family acts as his guarantor without knowing the dispute between the Bie and Dan families, even if the Dan family suspects the Dou family looks down on them, they cannot say anything. The onlookers can feign ignorance, preserving the Dan family’s face, and the two families can continue their interactions as if nothing has happened. However, if we take in the Bie sisters, that thin veil will be torn. Not only will the Dan family lose face, but people will also say the Dou family is overbearing, disregarding their former allies.”
She gazed steadily at the elder before her.
Uncle Chen was taken aback, struggling to suppress the turmoil within him, managing to maintain a calm exterior.
He had drifted through life and settled in this bustling East Alley only in his later years. Bie Gangyi was straightforward and sincere, generous and cheerful. Seeing him alone, he not only helped him solve many problems but also often invited him for drinks and shared amusing stories. Whenever the Bie family made something delicious, the sisters would bring him a portion. He was powerless to repay their kindness, and after Bie Gangyi’s troubles, he could only offer advice.
He had inquired about the Dou family’s affairs and learned that this young lady from the West Dou family held a special position. Everyone who had interacted with her praised her, indicating she was not ordinary. That was why he had directed Bie Gangyi’s second daughter to seek her help, believing that whether for reputation or genuine kindness, she would likely assist upon hearing the Bie family’s plight.
And she had indeed helped.
Now, Bie Gangyi wanted to entrust the Bie sisters to her.
He could not agree.
The Bie sisters were strong, resilient, and pure-hearted children. How could they serve others submissively?
But if not entrusted to the Dou family’s young lady, who else could they turn to?
Who could dissuade Dan Jie from harming the Bie family’s eldest daughter?
Aside from the Fourth Miss Dou, he couldn’t find anyone else among those they knew.
He had to consider what would happen if the Fourth Miss Dou refused… thus, he employed some tactics to provide the Bie sisters with a support system.
Unexpectedly, this Fourth Miss Dou, though young, was exceptionally clever. While she felt compassion for the Bie family’s plight and was indignant at Dan Jie’s actions, she remained calm and composed in this urgent moment.
People from North Zhili often said that the Dou family of Beilou had accumulated strength over generations, producing many talents. Previously, he had been skeptical, but now, witnessing the Fourth Miss Dou’s actions, he was convinced. He couldn’t help but feel disheartened, thinking: no wonder I am astute yet achieve nothing, while Bie Gangyi, though rough around the edges, has friends everywhere. In times of trouble, he has no shortage of support. Just based on his ability to recognize people, I am far behind!
Uncle Chen sighed inwardly, then felt a chill.
Would he ruin Bie Gangyi’s chances?
He suddenly felt uneasy.
“Fourth Miss Dou,” he said, though anxious, his tone remained casual, “I’ve heard that your father, mother, and sister have all gone to the capital, yet you alone remain in Zhen Ding?”
Dou Zhao looked at Uncle Chen, whose smile was filled with certainty, her eyes flickering with sharpness.
Uncle Chen’s smile grew more composed.
“I also heard that Fourth Miss Dou’s mother is a second wife, and since your biological mother passed away, you have been raised in the household of the Sixth Matriarch in East Dou. If you were to take in the Bie sisters, I believe the people around East Alley would praise your kindness. Over time, as more people speak of it, you would gain a reputation for helping those in need. At that point, even the second matriarch of the Dou family would likely regard you with new eyes. When you reach the age of marriage, matchmakers from all over Zhen Ding will surely be knocking on your door. Fourth Miss Dou, do you think my words hold any truth?”
Uncle Chen’s words suddenly reminded Dou Zhao of that moonlit night when she overheard Ji Shi and Old Wang sharing intimate conversations.
It was similar—through small details, she could unravel the threads of a situation.
This was what people often referred to as taking one step and seeing three steps ahead, wasn’t it?
Her hands clenched into fists within her sleeves, and her gaze sparkled as she looked at Uncle Chen.
In this new life, what did she lack the most?
Someone who could help her strategize.
This Uncle Chen was exactly the person she had been looking for.
At that moment, Dou Zhao’s heart was filled with determination.
She would bring this man under her wing and use him for her purposes.
Dou Zhao smiled and asked, “May I know how to address you, sir?”
This was a sign of respect.
Uncle Chen felt a surge of joy in his heart, though his expression remained calm. He replied earnestly, “I am Chen, with the courtesy name Bo, and my style name is Qu Shui, also known as Yue Chuan.”
“Yue Chuan,” Dou Zhao said, “are you aware that my stepmother is the daughter of the Shaanxi governor, Wang Yousheng?”
Chen Qu Shui was somewhat taken aback.
He was not surprised by Wang Yingsheng’s identity; rather, he was unsure of Dou Zhao’s intent in mentioning it.
“My fifth uncle and Wang Yousheng are of the same generation,” Dou Zhao said casually. “Since Wang Yousheng captured the Mongolian Khan Tumur two years ago, his reputation has soared to its peak. No one in the court can match him, and calls for him to enter the cabinet are growing louder. But do you know why he has not yet achieved his wish?”
Chen Qu Shui’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.
Dou Zhao pressed her lips together, smiling knowingly. “My fifth uncle and Wang Xingyi are like brothers sharing a bowl. When there are no outsiders, they may compete for food, but if someone else tries to take from their bowl, they will unite against that outsider. Otherwise, if the bowl is broken, they will all go hungry. If anyone wants to monopolize that bowl, they must first scare off those who covet it before they can fight among themselves. I believe that without ten years, they wouldn’t dare to fight for that bowl, would they? So, what do I have to worry about? Yue Chuan, do you think my reasoning is sound?”
Chen Qu Shui’s expression shifted slightly.
Indeed.
Currently, the Fourth Miss Dou was in a delicate and awkward position, but as long as Wang and Dou families had not determined a victor, neither the Wang family nor the Dou family could make things difficult for her. Given the current situation, as soon as she spoke, the Dou family immediately guaranteed Bie Gangyi’s release, indicating that she was not only safe within the Dou family but also had considerable freedom, not needing to rely on her reputation for protection.
He regarded Dou Zhao with newfound seriousness.
Suddenly, a violent coughing fit erupted in the room.
Dou Zhao and Chen Qu Shui turned to look at Bie Gangyi, who was gasping for breath, staring intently at Dou Zhao and Chen.
Sisters, I’ve revised the text. Regarding Sir Chén’s name, it needs to be corrected, as it seems to have duplicates with others.