The entrance to the Dou family residence was bustling with people, but the side alley with its open side door was quiet. Two black lacquered, flat-topped carriages with Xiangfei bamboo curtains were parked there, and several unfamiliar strong servants were unloading boxes.

The boxes were amber-colored, neither new nor old, but the wood grain was smooth and clear, with bronze cloud patterns on the corners, giving them an ancient and heavy appearance.

“Such extravagance, using huanghuali wood for everything,” Dou Zhao heard Dou Dechang mutter beside her. She couldn’t help but smile and took another look.

The servants unloading the boxes were no older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and the youngest were eighteen or nineteen. They were solemn and moved swiftly, carrying the large boxes without breaking a sweat, clearly trained in martial arts.

It wasn’t unusual for wealthy families to travel with martial attendants, but having attendants who were so similar in height, build, and attire was rare.

Indeed, it was extravagant! Wasn’t he afraid of being robbed?

Dou Zhao smiled and, along with Dou Dechang and Wu Shan, bypassed the flower hall and headed to Sixth Aunt’s place.

The black lacquered Ruyi door was wide open, and the bluestone path was exceptionally clean as if it had been washed. The myna under the eaves flapped its wings, and the pomegranate tree beside it bloomed like fire.

The maids and old women stood silently in the corridor, not daring to move. When they saw them coming, they blinked at them.

“Did you see that?” Dou Dechang whispered to Dou Zhao, “It’s not a cousin visiting; it’s the emperor!”

Dou Zhao stifled a laugh and, with Dou Dechang and Wu Shan, entered the hall.

Dou Zhengchang stood respectfully beside Ji Shi, who was sitting on a luohan bed inlaid with mica stone, smiling broadly as she held the hand of a young man in a moon-white robe.

Hearing the commotion, both looked up.

Ji Shi’s smile was particularly radiant, as if it flowed from her heart, full of unrestrained joy, quite different from her usual reserved demeanor, which surprised Dou Zhao. The young man beside her, about fifteen or sixteen, was tall and handsome but otherwise ordinary. However, his serene and calm demeanor, coupled with his sparkling eyes, gave an impression of someone gentle yet not to be trifled with, a paradoxical aura that was unforgettable and piqued one’s curiosity.

Dou Zhao was secretly alarmed. This must be Ji Yong.

She suddenly recalled the handsome youth she had seen at Fayuan Temple. One, two… there were more than she had seen in her previous life.

Dou Zhao glanced at Dou Dechang. Both Dou Dechang and Wu Shan were wide-eyed, clearly not expecting Ji Yong to be such an outstanding figure.

Ji Shi warmly greeted them, “Wu Shan is here too! Zhi Ge’er, Shou Gu, come meet your sixteenth cousin.”

Ji Yong stood up gracefully and bowed to them, “I am Ji Jianming from Yixing, Ji Yong.”

Ji Yong already had a courtesy name… He was about the same age as Dou Dechang. Only exceptionally talented youths in their studies would be given a courtesy name by elders or teachers. Could it be that Ji Yong was outstanding in his studies?

Dou Zhao curtsied in return, and Ji Shi, smiling, introduced Wu Shan, “This is the son of the Hanlin Academy’s Wu family, the top scorer in this year’s Northern Zhili provincial exam.” Then she pointed to Ji Yong, “My nephew from my maiden family, the top scorer in the Southern Zhili provincial exam in the Yimao year, at the age of thirteen.”

A thirteen-year-old top scorer! How had she not heard of him in her previous life? Had something changed in this life? Although she had married into a noble family, she had heard of top scholars and famous officials. Perhaps this person had been mediocre as he grew older.

Dou Zhao pondered, noticing that Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang both looked a bit pale, and even Wu Shan’s smile had become strained.

Ji Jianming seemed unaware or perhaps accustomed to such reactions, smiling faintly, “Aunt overpraises me; it was just luck.” He quickly changed the subject, bowing to Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang, “I’ve long heard that my cousins from the Dou family are well-traveled and knowledgeable. I’m afraid I’ll be imposing on you during my visit to Zhending.”

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang hurriedly returned the bow, but before they could speak, Ji Shi laughed, “We’re all family; no need to flatter them. These two just love to play. If you want to go anywhere, just ask them.”

Dou Zhao noticed Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang’s embarrassed expressions. She had a sudden insight, recalling how she used to reprimand her son in her previous life, praising others while belittling him, which only made him avoid those people.

Dou Zhao understood. Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang weren’t narrow-minded, but it seemed Sixth Aunt often praised Ji Yong while belittling them, causing them to dislike Ji Yong before even meeting him.

She reminded herself to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

After Ji Yong exchanged a few pleasantries with Wu Shan, Ji Shi pulled Dou Zhao to her side, smiling, “This is your cousin from the Dou family, fourth in line, who grew up by my side, just like Hui Ge’er and Zhi Ge’er, very close to me. You should meet her.”

Ji Yong looked at Dou Zhao with a smile and called her “Fourth Cousin.”

Dou Zhao was grateful to Ji Shi. She must have thought that since Dou Zhao had no full brothers, forming connections with in-laws like Ji Yong would provide her with support in the future.

Dou Zhao sincerely called him “Cousin Ji.”

They sat down for tea, and Ji Shi continued chatting with Ji Yong. From their conversation, Dou Zhao learned that the Ji family had five internal and eight external branches, with nearly a hundred legitimate descendants, far more complex than the Dou family.

No wonder Ji Shi could handle things so effortlessly after marrying into the Dou family.

Dou Zhao was amazed.

Soon, a young maid came to report, “The Dowager is hosting a banquet at Luyin Pavilion to welcome the young master, and has invited several young masters and misses to join.”

Luyin Pavilion, next to the main hall of the Dou residence, was only open for distinguished guests.

Ji Shi, beaming, led them to Luyin Pavilion.

On the way, Dou Dechang whispered to Wu Shan, “If he’s so impressive, why didn’t he continue to take the imperial exams and achieve the top three? Why come to our house to show off?”

Dou Zhao pressed her lips tightly, trying not to laugh.

In Luyin Pavilion, not only were all the family members of the Chang generation present, but even those of the Qi generation who were attending clan school had come. A twelve-panel black lacquered screen separated the women, who sat in the western small hall, while Ji Yong, accompanied by Dou Yuchang, sat with the others in the eastern hall. As the hot dishes were served, praises for Ji Yong drifted into the western hall, making Wu Shan’s top scorer title seem insignificant.

Mrs. Wu and her daughter were also present. She quietly asked Lady Yu about Ji Yong, and upon learning that he had become a top scorer at thirteen, she couldn’t help but view him differently. When Ji Yong came over to toast, and the women praised his talent, she glanced at her daughter and curiously asked Ji Shi, “With such talent and looks, I suppose many matchmakers have worn out your doorstep?”

Ji Shi, proud, watched Ji Yong being held by the Second Dowager and laughed, “My grandfather doesn’t want Jianming to marry too early,” subtly acknowledging the many marriage proposals for Ji Yong.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Lady Xiu added, “For such talent, even someone as dull as me would carefully choose a good match for him.”

Everyone laughed, and the conversation shifted to the newly married Qi Shi.

She was Dou Qijun’s wife. Her father, Qi Baocheng, was a large landowner in the neighboring Quyang County and a classmate of Dou Xiuchang. The family had produced several scholars, making them a family of farming and reading.

Wei Shi, with her delicate appearance and gentle temperament, had taken on the role of managing her younger siblings upon entering the family, earning praise from the elders. She had a younger sister, five years her junior, who had caught the eye of Lady Guang during a visit, hoping to match her with her nephew. Naturally, everyone had questions.

Mrs. Wu sat quietly, sipping tea, watching Ji Yong’s departing figure with a hint of melancholy, and sighed softly.

Dou Zhao noticed but said nothing.

In the following days, Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang took Ji Yong around Zhending County.

Dou Zhao, however, was worried, staying home to care for her grandmother’s medicine. For some reason, her grandmother had caught a cold and was coughing severely, with no improvement after several doses of medicine.

People from the Eastern Dou family came to visit upon hearing the news.

Ji Shi also brought Ji Yong.

“He knows a bit about medicine,” she explained, “Let him check Aunt Cui’s pulse for peace of mind.”

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly, inviting Ji Shi and her nephew into her grandmother’s room.

Ji Yong checked her pulse and reviewed the prescriptions, smiling, “It’s nothing, just a common cold. A few doses of medicine and some sweating will cure it. You were too anxious, changing doctors after just two doses didn’t work, which delayed her recovery. The current prescription is good; follow it, and she should recover.”

Grandmother, confined to bed by Dou Zhao, had grown stiff from days of rest. Hearing Ji Yong’s words, she joked with Ji Shi, “I said I was fine, but Shou Gu wouldn’t believe me. I think this is how the old ladies of wealthy families are worn out.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

Dou Zhao felt embarrassed. She had always worried about her grandmother’s longevity. But she couldn’t share this concern with others.

She lowered her eyes.

Ji Yong said, “Fourth Cousin, there’s an art to brewing medicine. Let me brew a dose for Aunt Cui, and you can have a maid watch. In the future, follow my method.”

The Dou family wasn’t nouveau riche; they knew how to brew medicine. But since Ji Yong had offered, she couldn’t refuse outright. Moreover, Ji Yong was a guest, not an ordinary doctor. Although he said a maid could watch, she couldn’t just send a maid. Dou Zhao had to accompany him to the small room where the medicine was brewed.

Once inside, Ji Yong stopped.

He asked Dou Zhao gently, “I noticed you seemed hesitant earlier. Is there something you couldn’t say in front of my aunt and Aunt Cui?”