Madam Wu was extremely grateful to the Dou family. Her son achieving the top score was partly due to his intelligence and hard work, but it also showed that the Dou family treated him equally to their children. This magnanimity, as Wu Songnian put it, “is reason enough for our families to become close friends.”
The Dou family was equally delighted. Over the years, many had studied at the Dou clan school, but those who excelled were usually Dou family members. Talented students from humble backgrounds often felt uneasy. Now, with Wu Shan’s success, more people would surely seek to study there, allowing the Dou clan school to select and nurture more talented youths. This was an invaluable asset for the Dou family, beyond monetary measure.
Dou Shishu specifically sent an aide to discuss this matter with the second madam and Dou Shibang: “We should relocate the families living around the clan school, expand it to twice its size, and invite renowned scholars to teach. However, we shouldn’t rush to enroll more students; we must ensure that most who graduate from the Dou clan school can pass the scholar exams.”
The second madam nodded repeatedly, and Dou Shibang was tasked with handling the specifics. Meanwhile, the second madam set up a stage at the Dou family entrance and invited a theater troupe from the capital to perform ten plays. Throughout June, Zhen Ding County was as lively as during the New Year.
In contrast, the Dou family’s backyard was lush and serene, with the faint sounds of gongs and cheers making the place seem even more tranquil.
Sunburned and darkened, Dou Qijun was in Dou Zhengchang’s study, fuming: “This is utterly disgraceful! A bunch of parasites! Useless officials!”
His outburst startled the thrush under the eaves, causing it to flutter its wings in fright.
Dou Dechang blinked and handed Dou Qijun a bowl of chilled sour plum soup. “Cool off a bit!”
Dou Qijun took the sour plum soup and drank it in one gulp. The cold liquid immediately calmed his anger. He sat in the grand chair opposite Dou Dechang and leaned forward, saying, “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Over six hundred undocumented people are hiding in Nangou, clearing land. Most of them are young and strong. Over six hundred! Fortunately, the past few years have been prosperous. If there were a famine, those people, with nothing to eat, could do anything, even incite a rebellion!”
Dou Qijun shivered at the thought.
Looking at his friends, who were all staring at him in shock as if he were a monster, Dou Qijun sighed deeply. Why was he telling them this? They wouldn’t understand. Even if they did, they wouldn’t have the same insights and feelings as he did.
Feeling disheartened, he listlessly asked them, “What are your plans for the future?”
With the academy exams over, they could finally relax.
Dou Zhengchang, Dou Dechang, Dou Qiguang, and Dou Qitai, who were in the room, sensed Dou Qijun’s mood. However, since Dou Qijun had just dismissed the suggestion of reporting the matter to the county magistrate, they didn’t know how to comfort him. Now that he had changed the subject, Dou Zhengchang quickly picked up the conversation: “Father wrote back, suggesting we take a summer break and visit the capital after the Mid-Autumn Festival to gain some experience and pay respects to a few elders.” He then asked Dou Qiguang, “Do you want to come with us?”
This was to prepare them for the metropolitan exams.
Dou Qijun nodded quietly.
However, Dou Qiguang shook his head repeatedly. “I’m not going. I’ve arranged with Tutor Du to guide me in essay writing.”
Dou Qitai sighed wistfully, “I want to go, but my father said if I don’t pass the scholar exams, I’m not allowed to go anywhere.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a voice that didn’t belong to them chimed in, “Where are you planning to go?”
They turned to see Wu Shan, looking radiant in an ivory silk robe, entering the room.
Everyone exclaimed “Oh” in unison and teasingly called out “Top Scholar Wu,” their tones playful.
Wu Shan was too happy to mind, nodding and bowing with a smile, “Thank you! Thank you!”
“You rascal!” Dou Zhengchang couldn’t help but laugh, “Not humble at all!”
“In life, one must seize the moment of joy, not let the golden cup face the moon in vain,” Wu Shan said, snapping open his folding fan with a flourish, and sat unceremoniously in the grand chair opposite Dou Zhengchang. He suggested to Dou Qijun, “It’s so hot and noisy outside. Why don’t we go to Daci Temple for some vegetarian dishes?” His face showed a hint of anticipation.
Dou Dechang scoffed, “What’s so great about Daci Temple’s vegetarian dishes? Let’s go to Jingfuchun for some ice bowls instead.”
Dou Zhengchang and the others nodded in agreement.
Only Dou Qijun stared intently at Wu Shan, speaking slowly, “You want vegetarian dishes? Did your mother agree?”
Today’s opera, “The Fourth Son Visits His Mother,” was chosen by Madam Wu.
His tone was extremely cold, and his gaze at Wu Shan was sharp, making Dou Zhengchang and the others pause in surprise and fall silent.
“I became the top scholar hoping my mother would allow me to go to Daci Temple for vegetarian dishes,” Wu Shan said, gently closing his fan, his smile fading into a serious expression. “If she didn’t agree, I had seven or eight arguments ready to persuade her. Fortunately, she agreed.” As he spoke, his lips curled uncontrollably into a smile, growing wider until he was grinning.
Dou Qijun snorted, “Are you sure your mother agreed?”
Wu Shan laughed heartily, “Of course!”
Dou Qijun’s expression softened slightly.
Dou Qiguang, confused, asked, “What’s going on with you two? It’s just vegetarian dishes… Do you need Aunt’s permission?”
Dou Zhengchang seemed thoughtful.
Dou Dechang’s eyes darted around, showing a hint of cunning.
Wu Shan smiled at Dou Qiguang and said, “I thought since we’re going out, why not invite Fourth Sister and the others to join us?” His gaze, however, was on Dou Qijun.
“Oh!” Dou Qiguang realized, “It’s more fun to enjoy together than alone. You want to invite the Fourth Aunt and the sisters to Daci Temple, so you need the Aunt’s permission. If Aunt is willing to take Fourth Aunt and the sisters, that would be even better!”
“Exactly,” Wu Shan said, his smile as bright as the summer sun outside.
Meanwhile, Wu Ya was pouting angrily, “If it’s just vegetarian dishes at Daci Temple, why can Shou Gu go, but I can’t? Brother is so biased! Just because he stayed at the Dou family for two years, he’s treating them better than me, his sister…” She began to cry, tears falling in frustration. “It’s so unfair!”
“Enough!” Madam Wu’s face was also displeased. She scolded Wu Ya softly, “You know you’re your brother’s full sister. He’s been at the Dou family for these years and surely owes them many favors. You’ve been living well in the capital with me, and you still have the nerve to blame your brother? It’s too hot, and I’m not feeling well. Go take a nap. You’ll need to pay respects to the second madam later, so be careful not to be rude.”
Wu Ya, eyes red and full of grievance, bowed to her mother and left.
Madam Wu slumped back against the large pillow behind her.
Her maid, Nanny Bi, anxiously called out, “Madam, what’s wrong? Should I add a few drops of the aromatic water to your tea?”
“No need,” Madam Wu said, rubbing her forehead. Thinking of her son’s stubborn face earlier, her temples throbbed. “You saw how he looked just now as if he’d fight me if I didn’t agree… What else does Dou Zhao have besides beauty?”
Nanny Bi chuckled, “Who doesn’t like beauty? That’s already a great thing.”
Madam Wu was taken aback, then said after a moment, “Flowers don’t stay red for a hundred days, and people aren’t good for a hundred days. He used to point at the mural of the ascetic in the temple and say ‘Form is emptiness,’ but when it comes to himself, everything changes. The Dou family is indeed good, but the Wang family is too disgraceful. How could I become in-laws with them? How would I face anyone in the future?”
“A married daughter is like spilled water,” Nanny Bi consoled. “Fourth Young Master said he worked hard to become the top scholar, hoping you’d let him fulfill his wish. He still has to take the provincial and imperial exams. If he continues to study diligently, it might not be a bad thing.”
“I know that!” Madam Wu’s eyes flashed coldly. “If it weren’t for the fact that the child is still honest and decent, I wouldn’t tolerate such nonsense! But who doesn’t visit their maternal family…”
“Madam,” Nanny Bi smiled, “isn’t the sixth madam of the Dou family Fourth Miss’s maternal family? Isn’t our young lady also Fourth Miss’s maternal family?”
Madam Wu remained silent.
Nanny Bi continued, “If one isn’t close to their maternal family, they’ll naturally be close to their in-laws. You only have Fourth Young Master under your care. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a daughter-in-law who is close to you?”
“That’s true!” Madam Wu nodded.
A young maid reported, “Madam, the fourth miss from the West Mansion sent her headmaid over. She said the eleventh and twelfth young masters are going to Daci Temple for vegetarian dishes and have invited the fourth miss and the young misses from the East Mansion. The fourth miss wanted to invite our seventh young miss to join them and specifically came to ask for your and the seventh young miss’s opinion.”
“Oh!” Madam Wu’s eyebrows raised high.
Nanny Bi quickly smiled, “Madam, see? Our fourth miss grew up with the sixth madam of the Dou family and isn’t a reckless person. She’s well-mannered!”
Madam Wu nodded and couldn’t help but smile. She told the young maid, “Go ask the seventh young miss if she wants to go,” then glanced at Nanny Bi, “and you accompany her if she does.”
Nanny Bi smiled and agreed, leaving the hall.
Outside, a sharp-eyed young servant hurriedly approached and whispered, “What did Madam say?”
Nanny Bi gave a slightly proud smile, “Tell Fourth Young Master that I have completed the task!”
The young servant beamed and flattered, “No wonder everyone says Nanny is Madam’s favorite. There’s nothing you can’t accomplish!”
Nanny Bi’s face darkened, “You little rascal, if you dare speak nonsense again, I’ll tear your mouth off!” But she couldn’t help but smile from the corners of her eyes.
“I won’t dare again!” The young servant laughed, “I’ll go report to Fourth Young Master now.” And he dashed off.