Dou Zhao couldn’t fathom Ji Yong.

While the yamen runners were sweating profusely as they counted the bodies and examined the injured, Ji Yong quietly asked her, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“What?” Dou Zhao didn’t immediately comprehend.

While waiting for the officials to arrive, they had already agreed on their story for the authorities. Dou Dechang and Wu Shan insisted that Dou Zhao should leave first, saying they could handle any issues. However, fearing complications and not wanting to implicate Chen Xiaofeng and the others, Dou Zhao decided to stay at the scene until the official report was completed.

Judging by the fate of Pang Kunbai’s followers, Chen Xiaofeng and his men must have shown some restraint towards Pang Kunbai.

Pang Kunbai wouldn’t die from this!

What should she do if the Wang family didn’t intervene on Pang Kunbai’s behalf? And what if they did? Although her visits to the estate were traceable, they weren’t on a fixed schedule. According to Su Xin, her grandmother was perfectly fine, and the sudden fainting spell was merely a ruse to lure her out of the estate. Who had leaked her whereabouts? Was Du An involved in this? Did Wang Yingxue know about the Pang family’s plans?

Did Fifth Uncle currently have the power to confront Wang Xingyi openly?

If Fifth Uncle chose to continue enduring, how could she maximize her benefits? If Fifth Uncle could challenge Wang Xingyi, what would happen then?

With a thousand thoughts racing through her mind, Dou Zhao was momentarily caught off guard by Ji Yong’s sudden question.

Ji Yong winked at her, hinting, “I mean, you deliberately pretended not to recognize Pang Kunbai, right?”

So that’s what he meant!

Without batting an eye, Dou Zhao replied seriously, “He’s my in-law. If I had recognized him, I would have shown some consideration regardless of the circumstances. How could I have beaten him to death with a single blow?”

“Is that so?” Ji Yong smiled, his expression conveying disbelief as he scrutinized her from head to toe. His gaze was as piercing as the summer sun, seemingly able to expose every detail. If Dou Zhao hadn’t lived two lives, she might have already crumbled under his scrutiny. Even so, she felt an uneasy prickling sensation on her back.

Some things, even if witnessed firsthand, could become gossip if spoken aloud.

Dou Zhao was determined to play deaf and dumb.

Suddenly, Ji Yong’s demeanor became gentle and modest.

Dou Zhao was surprised, then heard Wu Shan’s concerned voice from behind, “Fourth Sister, why are you standing in the courtyard? It’s late, and the dew is heavy. You should rest in the carriage for a while. Don’t worry about today’s events. Twelve, I,” he paused, then added, “and Ji Ming will handle this matter well.”

“The carriage is a bit stuffy. I came out for some fresh air,” Dou Zhao smiled as she turned around. She noticed that although Wu Shan was speaking to her, his gaze was fixed on Ji Yong, with a hint of deep wariness in his eyes.

Did he also harbor suspicions about Ji Yong?

As Dou Zhao pondered this, she saw Ji Yong’s attendants hurriedly approaching with a small sedan chair.

“The doctor must have arrived,” Ji Yong smiled, remaining still.

Wu Shan considered for a moment, then reluctantly went to greet them.

Wu Shan is still too young! Dou Zhao sighed inwardly as she boarded the carriage.

Su Juan asked worriedly, “Will Chen Huwei and the others be alright?”

Before Dou Zhao could respond, Su Xin laughed, “What could happen to them? Chen Dage and the others were on their way to Lingshuxian, to Tan Family Village, to pay respects to Scholar Tan’s father on his birthday. Because it was too late, they took a shortcut and happened to witness a robbery. They merely stepped in to help. How could assisting in such a situation be wrong?”

“I was mistaken,” Su Juan murmured, looking ashamed.

“What’s right or wrong?” Su Xin smiled, linking arms with Su Juan. “That’s just for outsiders. At home, we sisters can say whatever we want.”

Su Juan lowered her head shyly, moving closer to Su Xin.

In her previous life, Su Juan had been just as honest, which was why Dou Zhao had entrusted her with managing the clothing, jewelry, and storerooms.

In this life, with Su Xin around, it seemed Dou Zhao had gained someone capable of overseeing the inner household.

She would have less to worry about in the future.

Dou Zhao smiled contentedly and quietly asked Su Xin about Uncle Duan’s background.

Su Xin explained, “Uncle Duan, whose courtesy name is Gongyi, works as a guard at the Lang family alongside Chen Dage. However, while Chen Dage is an ordinary guard, Uncle Duan is the leader and is very skilled in martial arts.”

“And what about this Scholar Tan?” Dou Zhao inquired.

The excuse for paying respects to Scholar Tan’s father on his birthday had been Duan Gongyi’s idea.

“Scholar Tan of Tan Family Village in Lingshuxian is named Shang Lin, with the courtesy name Yunshen. Because ‘Yunshen’ sounds like ‘qilin,’ and he’s tall and robust with a generous nature, people nicknamed him ‘Sitting Dragon.’ The Tan family has lived in Lingshuxian for generations. It’s said that all their family members are skilled in martial arts. During the late years of the previous dynasty, when Zhending was plagued by bandits, those who dared to rob the Tan family never returned.

Tan Family Village was quite famous, and martial artists passing through Zhending would always leave their calling cards there. Later, as peace settled over the land, Tan Family Village’s reputation faded. Now, only some old-school martial artists in Zhending know about it. Uncle Duan’s ancestors reportedly came from Tan Family Village, and he pays his respects there every New Year’s Day. This time, for the Tan family patriarch’s birthday celebration, he was also invited.”

Dou Zhao listened in amazement.

This Tan Family Village was a centuries-old clan that passed down martial arts through generations.

She was from Zhending, yet she had never heard of them.

It seemed that even those who were reborn didn’t know everything.

Dou Zhao thought of Ji Yong.

What would happen to him in the future?

A commotion arose outside the carriage.

Su Xin lifted the curtain slightly.

“Miss,” she said with a strange expression, “Uncle Chen has arrived with the Dou family guards, accompanying Third Master and Young Master…”

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

Although she had money, her annual allowance was only a thousand taels of silver. She didn’t have ten thousand taels in cash, let alone in bank notes, much less Chen Quishui, the fake accountant.

Not trusting the Dou family members, she sent Su Lan to request the ten thousand tael reward from Chen Quishui.

This was both to inform Chen Quishui and to test his ability to adapt and handle matters.

Now that Third Uncle and Third Cousin had appeared here, it was at least certain that the ten thousand tael reward had been secured.

“Where’s Fourth Sister? Where’s Fourth Sister?” Third Cousin’s voice sounded particularly shrill amidst the clamor.

Su Xin lifted the carriage curtain: “Young Master Xiu, our Miss is here!”

Dou Xiuchang, his body having grown increasingly plump over the years, ran over, panting.

“Are you alright?” he asked, wiping sweat from his brow. His Hangzhou silk robe was soaked with sweat, clinging to his body and revealing rolls of fat. “Who was foolish enough to dare rob the Dou family? Why are the officials, Master Ji, Master Wu, and Twelfth Brother all here?”

Dou Zhao was only concerned about the ten thousand tael bank note.

She looked up and saw Chen Quishui following closely behind her Third Cousin.

Chen Quishui smiled and nodded at her, indicating he understood her meaning.

Dou Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

Third Uncle, who had been whispering with Ji Yong, left him and approached with a gloomy expression.

“Shou Gu,” he said in a low voice, “you should go back first. Your Third Cousin and I can handle things here.”

After the shocking and frightening ordeal, Dou Zhao felt tired too. Besides, this matter couldn’t be resolved quickly anyway.

She hesitated, “But the reward I promised Chen Huwei and the others…”

For men like Chen Xiaofeng, the righteous path meant being guards, escorts, or martial arts instructors; the crooked path meant being ruffians, gang members, or even murderous bandits. Since she had already promised a reward of ten thousand taels, and it was coming from her pocket, the Dou family had no reason to offend them over this.

“I brought it,” Dou Xiuchang hurriedly said, taking out a small black lacquered box with gold trim from his bosom. “Here are banknotes for ten thousand taels.” He handed it to Chen Quishui.

Dou Zhao said, “Then I’ll trouble Master Chen to give the bank notes to Chen Huwei.” Then she turned to Dou Shibang, “Third Uncle, Chen Huwei acted righteously. Shouldn’t you speak to the officials and let them leave first? If there are any issues, they can come to us, the Dou family.”

Dou Shibang thought for a moment and said, “That’s fine. With so many people around, it’s best to send these wandering martial artists away first.”

Dou Xiuchang hurried to negotiate with the yamen officials.

Dou Zhao called Su Lan to board the carriage and said to Dou Shibang, “Then I’ll head back first.” Her gaze lingered on Chen Quishui.

Chen Quishui understood and stepped forward to whisper as Dou Shibang went to arrange an escort for Dou Zhao’s carriage, “Once things are settled here, I’ll return to the Dou residence with the masters.”

Dou Zhao nodded and was escorted into the city by Ji Yong’s guards.

Another Dou family steward was waiting for her at the city gate. Upon seeing her carriage, he rushed over, urgently saying, “Quickly, to the East Residence. The Old Madam is still waiting for Fourth Miss!”

Dou Zhao asked Su Xin, “Does Aunt Cui know about my situation?”

“I only grabbed Hong Gu to ask briefly, not daring to face the Old Madam directly,” Su Xin replied. “I also instructed Hong Gu to say that you had some business and it was too late, so you’d spend the night at the estate and return tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good,” Dou Zhao gave Su Xin an approving look.

The carriage rattled along, soon stopping at the second gate of the East Dou residence.

Nanny Liu and Wang Mama, who served Ji Shi, were both waiting at the second gate.

Seeing Dou Zhao, they rushed forward to examine her, holding her hands. Noticing she was clean, tidy, and composed, they both let out long sighs of relief and urged her to see the Second Old Madam: “The Old Madam was so worried her eyes turned red. She scolded the Third Master terribly.”

Since the Third Uncle managed the household, he was scolded. Grandmother lived with her and was her elder, so she probably received a harsh scolding too, Dou Zhao guessed.

Saying, “I’ve made her worry,” Dou Zhao went with Nanny Liu and Wang Mama to see the Second Old Madam.

Ji Shi was pacing distractedly in front of the Second Old Madam’s door. Seeing Dou Zhao, she burst into tears without a word: “Who has committed such a sin to make you suffer like this! May the Buddha strike them dead with a bolt of lightning!”

Dou Zhao had never heard Ji Shi’s curse before.

Her eyes immediately reddened, and she called out, “Sixth Aunt,” her voice tinged with a hint of grievance that surprised even herself.

Ji Shi became even more distressed and said bitterly, “What do the Pang family think they are? Just because they’ve cozied up to Wang Xingyi, they think they’re the Provincial Governor of Shaanxi! Calling them nouveau riche is too kind. I wouldn’t even dirty my feet stepping on such lowlifes, yet they dare to set their sights on you! If we don’t teach them a good lesson this time, they’ll think our Dou family is afraid of them!” With that, she took Dou Zhao’s hand and led her into the hall.

It seemed everyone understood the situation. As soon as they heard that Pang Kunbai was involved, they knew what the Pang family was planning.