A young heart is like crystal—pure and transparent, offering its sincere and courageous devotion openly before Dou Zhao. She was deeply moved and suddenly found it difficult to meet his gaze directly.

Standing up, she slightly turned her body to block that gaze and smiled warmly at Wu Ya. “We’re like sisters; there’s no need to be so formal.” Then, kindly, she asked, “Do you prefer playing Go or Backgammon? Why don’t we play a game?”

Wu Ya let out a long breath. She had been too rude earlier, and with her brother’s close friends present, she felt she had to apologize to Dou Zhao to save her brother’s face, even if he hadn’t said anything to move her. Dou Zhao had always seemed like someone who wouldn’t let things go easily, so Wu Ya was prepared to be mocked or ridiculed without retorting. To her surprise, Dou Zhao offered her a way out.

“I like backgammon,” Wu Ya replied with a smile. Dou Pinshu eagerly called for a maid to set up the board and watched the game with her chin in her hands.

Wu Shan sighed in relief, but his shoulder was suddenly slapped hard. “Well done! I underestimated you before.”

He turned to see Dou Qijun standing behind him.

“I told you I’d handle it,” Wu Shan said with a dazzling smile.

They didn’t return to the Dou residence until dusk. The large red lanterns hanging from bamboo poles outside illuminated the surroundings brightly. The opera troupe had changed, but the performance continued, and the crowd listening to the opera blocked the Dou family’s main gate completely.

Dou Qijun and the others entered the residence through a side door. Wu Shan escorted his sister to the guest room.

Madam Wu was waiting for them on a bamboo mat-covered luohan bed in the hall. Seeing her children return, she smiled and asked, “Did you have fun today?”

Wu Ya nodded happily. “I played chess in the pavilion on the back hill, and Brother Twelve even drew a portrait of me.” She then had a maid show the portrait to Madam Wu.

“Does it look like me?” she asked playfully, holding her mother’s arm.

The girl in the painting wore a light yellow summer dress and had a white magnolia flower in her hair, standing gracefully beside a Taihu stone.

Wu Ya pointed to the Taihu stone. “That’s the one behind Aunt Six’s house.”

“Yes!” Madam Wu nodded approvingly. “It’s beautifully drawn.”

“Brother Twelve said he’ll paint a spring scene, an autumn scene, and a winter scene for me when he has time, so I’ll have all four seasons…” Wu Ya chattered on, and Wu Shan left the guest room without having a private word with his mother.

He felt frustrated.

Madam Wu, however, frowned. “You scolded your sister for the sake of the Dou family’s Fourth Miss?”

Nanny Bi quickly interjected, “All the young masters and misses of the Dou family were present, and Seventh Miss did raise her voice a bit. Fourth Young Master was just considering the bigger picture…”

Before she could finish, Madam Wu waved her away.

Nanny Bi dared not say more and quietly withdrew.

Madam Wu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Although marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers, what parent didn’t wish for their children to be happy?

She thought of how her son had always liked to be around Dou Zhao but only mentioned it after achieving top honors, showing his determination and patience for this day. He was set on marrying Dou Zhao! She recalled her youth and couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Dou Zhao, of course, was unaware of all that Wu Shan had done for her. After returning home and washing away the dust, she went to pay her respects to her grandmother.

Her grandmother had already prepared mung bean soup, cooling it in a bucket of well water. She instructed Hong Gu to serve Dou Zhao a bowl, saying, “That ice is too cold; it’s better to have something tempered by well water.” She then sat behind Dou Zhao, fanning her, and asked, “Did you play backgammon with the Wu family’s Seventh Miss?”

Dou Zhao understood her grandmother’s intentions, but she had resolved not to marry. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. She didn’t want to sadden her grandmother, so she smiled and said, “We don’t get along. She and Sister Yi are more compatible.”

Her grandmother sighed, her disappointment evident.

Dou Zhao’s mind briefly conjured Wu Shan’s face. She shook her head, and the fleeting image quickly dissipated.

Lying on a cool bed scented with bamboo, Dou Zhao soon fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Madam Wu emerged from her room with dark circles under her eyes. Wu Shan and Wu Ya, who had come to greet her, were startled and anxiously called out, “Mother.”

“It’s nothing,” Madam Wu said, rubbing her temples. “It’s just too noisy outside.”

The opera had been going on for three days and nights.

Wu Shan dutifully massaged his mother’s temples.

But she said, “No need. Go about your business. Aqi can stay with me.”

Wu Shan, understanding the importance of patience, smiled and agreed, signaling to Nanny Bi before leaving the hall.

Wu Ya playfully snuggled into her mother’s arms.

Madam Wu stroked her hair and smiled. “You go play with your friends. I need to rest a bit more.”

Wu Ya, accompanied by her maid, went to find Dou Pinyi.

Madam Wu stood up and said to Nanny Bi, “Let’s go visit Madam Ji.”

Nanny Bi was startled. “What business do you have with Madam Ji?”

Madam Wu looked both amused and exasperated. “What are you afraid of? My son is infatuated with someone; am I going to confront them? You all conspired against me, so can’t I at least probe Madam Ji’s intentions? If the Dou family’s Fourth Miss is already engaged and we send a matchmaker, won’t we be laughed at?” She added, “If only the Old Madam could decide on the Fourth Miss’s marriage, I wouldn’t have to deal with that Madam Wang.”

Nanny Bi was shocked and didn’t think of anything else, quickly flattering Madam Wu. “That’s because Fourth Young Master knows you’re the one who loves him most, so he dared to act this way. If it were anyone else, Fourth Young Master wouldn’t be so humble…”

“Enough, enough,” Madam Wu interrupted with a wave, smiling. “You don’t need to speak for him. I know my son. How much did he bribe you?”

“Injustice, Madam,” Nanny Bi replied, seeing that Madam Wu wasn’t truly angry, and playfully joined in. “How dare I? A harmonious family prospers. I just want Madam and Young Master to get along, so we can all live peacefully…”

They chatted as they headed to Madam Ji’s place.

Madam Ji’s courtyard was filled with maids and servants.

Madam Wu sighed, muttering, “Bad timing,” and turned to leave, but was spotted by Cai Shu, who was lifting the curtain.

Cai Shu quickly called out, “Madam Wu,” and smiled. “Our Madam just finished her business. Let me announce you.”

Madam Wu thanked her.

Cai Shu went in to report, and Madam Ji came out to greet Madam Wu, dispersing the maids and servants.

Madam Wu naturally didn’t ask about Madam Ji’s affairs. After the maids served tea and snacks, they exchanged pleasantries before Madam Wu tactfully broached her purpose. “Yesterday, I was talking with Third Aunt and learned that Sister Yi is already engaged. Fourth Miss is only a few months younger, right? With your niece engaged, I wonder when we’ll be able to celebrate Fourth Miss’s wedding?”

Madam Ji, being astute, immediately understood Madam Wu’s implication. Seeing the faint expectation in Madam Wu’s eyes, she felt a surge of pride, thinking, “My daughter is growing up.”

The Wu family was well-known, much better than marrying into the Marquis of Jining’s family!

However, Dou Zhao’s situation was unique. Regardless of what Madam Wu had heard, some things shouldn’t be spoken by her.

Madam Ji quickly devised a plan. She smiled, took a sip of tea, and vaguely said, “As you know, Shou Gu’s mother is no longer with us. Her marriage will likely need her uncle’s input, so it’s been delayed.”

Madam Wu reassured, praised the tea and, after some small talk, took her leave to visit her second sister-in-law, Madam Yu.

“You want to marry Shou Gu?” Madam Yu was shocked when she heard Madam Wu’s request to propose marriage to Wu Shan.

Madam Wu was slightly displeased. While Dou Zhao had her flaws, since she had already spoken on Wu Shan’s behalf, as a daughter married into the Wu family, Madam Yu shouldn’t have reacted this way.

Seeing Madam Wu nod firmly, Madam Yu was at a loss. Why had her aunt suddenly taken a liking to Dou Zhao? Had she heard something during her stay at the Dou residence?

Although the Second Old Madam had issued a gag order for Dou Zhao’s safety, forbidding discussion of the matter, with the warning that anyone who leaked information would be held responsible, and the Dou family wouldn’t intervene regardless of the consequences, the family was large, and Dou Zhao was of marriageable age. Someone might have let something slip…

The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. Her aunt was always aloof and would avoid such matters, let alone propose marriage for her son.

Thinking this, she felt a surge of excitement. If Dou Zhao married into the Wu family, their wealth would double. While the Wu family wouldn’t exploit Dou Zhao, having such a wealthy relative was beneficial, and it would bring honor to the daughters married into other families!

Madam Yu couldn’t help but smile. “I didn’t expect Aunt to take a liking to Shou Gu.”

If Dou Zhao married into the Wu family, she would be their daughter-in-law. Wu Shan’s admiration for Dou Zhao mustn’t be mentioned. Those who knew would say it was mutual affection; those who didn’t might think they were improper!

Dou Zhao’s reputation would suffer, and the Wu family would lose face!

Madam Wu smiled. “I’ve been staying at your house these days and noticed how mature Shou Gu is for her age. You know, Shan’er is gentle, and I want someone who can manage him.”

This matter would likely require the Second Old Madam’s approval.

Madam Yu smiled. “Let me first ask the Old Madam.”

Madam Wu was delighted. “No need to tell Madam Wang?”

Madam Yu smiled. “Shou Gu is from the Western House. The Old Madam should ask Uncle Seven.”

“True!” Madam Wu laughed. “I’ll leave it to you.”

“I’m happy to help bring us closer!” Madam Yu laughed.

After seeing Madam Wu off, she went to the Second Old Madam.

Meanwhile, Madam Ji headed to the Western House.