Nothing in the world remains unchanged.

Dou Zhao’s words resonated deeply with Chen Qu Shui.

At fifteen, he never imagined he would stop at the title of a juren (provincial graduate). By thirty-three, he could not have foreseen that he would fail even to be a capable aide. At fifty-six, he thought he would fade into obscurity, living a lonely life in a cramped little house on Dongxiang Street. Yet, he never expected to move to this peaceful little village, sitting by a window adorned with glass, warming himself by the kang (a traditional heated bed) in a room as warm as spring, sharing Liu’an melon tea with a twelve-year-old girl.

“So, are you saying that although the properties are in your name, you cannot access them?” After sipping the clear tea, Chen Qu Shui asked.

“Unless I marry far away,” Dou Zhao replied with a smile. “The steward must follow me to my husband’s family; otherwise, changing hands would offend the second branch of the family.”

“What a pity,” Chen Qu Shui sighed. “I carefully examined the list of properties under your name. The shops are spread across the south and north. If we could establish some regulations, the managers and staff of these shops would, over time, become our eyes and ears. Then, nothing happening in the world would escape our notice.”

Dou Zhao was startled by this idea and laughed, “Businesspeople are not necessarily good scouts, and scouts are not always adept at business. Finding someone who excels at both is quite difficult and maintaining such a person would likely be costly and not worth the trouble.” However, Chen Qu Shui’s words reminded her, and she pondered, “So, I wonder if we could start a business outside of the Dou family’s properties. The investment shouldn’t be too large, and it would be best if we could open branches from the capital to Zhen Ding. We need to keep an eye on Wang You Sheng and the movements in the capital, so we don’t react too slowly and become passive.”

Chen Qu Shui thought for a moment and said, “I noticed that your ancestors built their fortune through lending money at interest…”

Dou Zhao’s face flushed slightly.

Chen Qu Shui hurriedly added, “Please don’t misunderstand, my point is that if we want to understand the dynamics in the capital, the best way is to engage in a business that allows us to converse with those officials in the Tangbu (the Hall of Officials). All those officials are scholars, so I suggest we open a stationery shop, selling writing materials, official records, and alumni lists, among other things.” He smiled oddly and continued, “If someone needs it, we could also lend them some silver for temporary use. What do you think?”

Dou Zhao seriously considered this and had to admit it was a good idea.

“But who should manage this stationery shop?” she pondered. “Zhao Liang Bi is too young and cannot command respect. Moreover, the Dou family has always mistakenly believed he is from the Zhao family, suspecting he might be my uncle’s informant. Therefore, he hears everything, and I can stay updated on the situation there. I also want Zhao Liang Bi to learn from the experienced stewards of the Dou family, so that if one day we fall out with the Dou family, he can help manage the situation without causing chaos. He is indispensable. As for others… Cui Da won’t do, and I plan to have Cui Shi San follow Dou Qi Jun…” She found it difficult to identify suitable candidates, or rather, she had not been able to open her heart to find trustworthy people in this life.

Chen Qu Shui remarked, “It seems you trust Xiu San Ye quite a bit?”

“They need money,” Dou Zhao replied. “Moreover, they have the most boys in their family. If there are disagreements at home, there will be more people to speak up.” Of course, the main reason was Dou Qi Jun. After fifteen years, his brilliance was rivaling Dou Shi Shu. She contemplated whether to support Dou Qi Jun against Wang Xing Yi if Dou Shi Shu could not defeat him.

In the past, she would not have dared to think this way, but now, with someone assisting her in external affairs, perhaps she could give it a try.

Isn’t it said that the bold thrive while the timid starve?

As Dou Zhao mused, she heard Chen Qu Shui say, “Miss, whether at home or in the court, what makes others submit is not necessarily the loudest voice but the one with the most weight. Since you have decided to rely on your nephew, why not start selecting a few key individuals among your nephews to cultivate relationships with?”

“Then this matter will trouble Mr. Chen,” she said. The person she had in mind was Dou Qi Jun. However, this life had changed significantly from the last, and selecting a few more would strengthen her position. It would also test Chen Qu Shui’s insight. Dou Zhao smiled, “I grew up in Dong Dou, and to me, everyone there seems quite good; I just fear they might not be impartial.”

What kind of family is the Dou family?

Over the years, they had produced ten jinshi (highest degree holders), and even the renowned families of Jiangnan would not dare to underestimate them. The thought of selecting supporters from among the Dou family members made Chen Qu Shui’s previously cooled heart start to race as if anticipating a vibrant summer.

“Good,” he said without hesitation. “I will present the candidates to you in a few days. You can decide who is suitable and who is not.”

Dou Zhao was very satisfied. “I think this is a good plan. We will open the stationery shop. Let’s find a reputable businessman as the head manager, and for the second manager, let Cui Shi San take the role. His main task will be to network with the nobles in the court and promptly report on matters from the capital to us.” At this point, she couldn’t help but chuckle, “This is exactly what he excels at and enjoys.”

In a twist of fate, Cui Shi San returned to her service, but instead of being a respected steward in the household of the Jining Marquis, he became a mere second manager of a small shop. If he knew the past and present, would he be furious?

Chen Qu Shui hesitated, “Should we write a letter of allegiance?”

“No!” Dou Zhao replied sharply.

In her previous life, the Cui family, fearing she would be in a difficult position, had proactively written a letter of allegiance. Cui Shi San had entered the Jining Marquis’s residence with her, loyally supporting her, yet he was often ridiculed by Wei Ting Zhen. This was a pain she carried in her heart.

“If any descendants of the Cui family wish to ally with us,” she said calmly, “let them write a letter of allegiance.”

Chen Qu Shui nodded in understanding.

Dou Zhao braved the wind and snow as she returned to West Dou.

Qiu Kui anxiously awaited her at the second gate. “Mr. Jiang said if you don’t return to class soon, he will resign and go back home.”

“Then let him resign and go back,” Dou Zhao replied coldly. “Prepare hot water for me; I want to take a bath and then chat with Grandma Cui.” She made it clear to Qiu Kui that she would not attend class today.

Qiu Kui dared not disobey and served her as she requested.

Jiang You Gong sat in the study, waiting for Dou Zhao. When the lamps were lit and he still did not see her, he became so angry that his fingertips turned white from gripping the book. He instructed a servant to convey a message to Dou Zhao: “With the New Year approaching, I have not returned home for seven or eight years. I wish to close the school a few days early and go home for the New Year.” After that, he did not wait for Dou Zhao’s response and directly ordered the servants and maids to help him pack.

Dou Zhao sent a gift of twenty taels of silver to Jiang You Gong: “The mountains are high and the roads are long. With spring arriving, it is the time for melting snow. The teacher should stay in the countryside to enjoy family time.”

Jiang You Gong immediately smashed a teacup in anger.

Since the relationship had soured, Haitang was not polite either. As she walked out, she muttered in a voice loud enough for Jiang You Gong to hear, “Does he even know where this is? That teacup is a new piece from the official kiln, worth ten taels of silver for a set. And he calls himself a scholar, yet he has no discernment.”

The servants, maids, and old women who came to serve also changed their demeanor, dragging their feet in their work. After two days, they still had not finished packing. In the dead of winter, the meals served were either cold or overly salty and oily, making them hard to swallow.

Since Jiang You Gong arrived at He Fu to teach, he had never experienced such treatment.

He could not stay another day. He found two people outside to help him pack his belongings and hired a carriage to return to his hometown.

Once home, he remembered he should write a letter to He Wen Dao and Dou Shi Ying.

However, by the time his letter reached He Fu, He Wen Dao had already received a personal apology from Dou Shi Ying: “My daughter is lacking in talent and has not understood eight or nine out of ten of Mr. Jiang’s teachings. Moreover, as a weak woman, she cannot persist in attending school daily. I hope Mr. Jiang will forgive her for any disrespect. I have sent five hundred taels of silver as a gift to Mr. Jiang.”

He Wen Dao was quite anxious and recommended another teacher to Dou Shi Ying: “This person is average in craftsmanship but excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He is a master at composing poetry and painting, making him quite suitable for teaching your daughter some enriching and nurturing subjects.”

Dou Shi Ying repeatedly expressed gratitude and wrote back to Dou Zhao: “This time, we must not let anyone be offended again. One is someone else’s fault; twice or thrice, is it also someone else’s fault? Some matters do not need to be taken too seriously; just consider it as having a spare helper at home.”

Is this what a father should say?

What use is a spare helper to her?

Dou Zhao tossed the letter aside.

Her grandmother called her over: “The New Year is approaching, and there are no relatives on that side. It must be very lonely. Have someone take some New Year goods to check on them. Also, see if we can buy the martial arts school from that family. Dying in the ancestral home and meeting our ancestors in the underworld would not bring shame.”

Dou Zhao was still angry with Dou Shi Ying. As she saw the weather clear up, she took Gan Lu and Su Juan to Zhen Ding Prefecture.

This was the first time Gan Lu and Su Juan traveled far in this life. Seeing Dou Zhao resting with her eyes closed, they quietly lifted the curtain to look outside, whispering to each other and enjoying themselves.

Upon arriving at the other family’s home, they encountered Chen Qu Shui at the entrance, who was also carrying packages to deliver New Year goods.

The Bie sisters were very grateful and hurriedly welcomed Dou Zhao and Chen Qu Shui into the firewood room, while Bie Su Lan attended to Gan Lu and Su Juan with tea in the nearby kitchen.

Bie Gang Yi had already fallen into a coma. His prolonged survival relied entirely on good medicine, most of which had been provided by Dou Zhao.

She handed over the deed to the Bie family’s martial arts school to the Bie sisters.

The Bie sisters immediately burst into tears.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, “You should thank Liu Zi Zhuang for this.”

Liu Zi Zhuang was the one who bought the Bie family’s martial arts school when Bie Gang Yi was in trouble. When Zhao Liang Bi wanted to redeem the school, he bought it back at the original price without hesitation.

The Bie sisters nodded repeatedly, while Gan Lu and Su Juan looked at them curiously.

As Bie Su Lan went to cook, Gan Lu helped with the fire and quietly asked her what was going on.

Outside, a young man’s bright voice called out, “Junior Sister, I came to see Master.”