The Second Old Madam sat on the large kang by the window, her face dark with anger. She fidgeted with her sandalwood prayer beads, making them click loudly.

Seeing Dou Zhao and Ji Shi enter, her expression darkened further. She gestured for them to sit on the embroidered stools beside her and asked Dou Zhao in a grave voice, “What exactly happened?”

Dou Zhao recounted the events to the Second Old Madam, repeating what she had told Ji Yong earlier.

Ji Shi listened, her face turning ashen with anger. Before the Second Old Madam could speak, she blurted out, “When Third Uncle sent someone back with the news earlier, we thought that Pang Kunbai was just a scoundrel who came up with this scheme. But to stage a ‘hero rescuing the beauty’ scenario, this is clearly…” She couldn’t bring herself to say “seduction” in front of Dou Zhao, so she continued, “It’s taking advantage of Shou Gu’s youth and inexperience. If Shou Gu hadn’t been quick-witted in the face of danger, wouldn’t the Pang family have succeeded?” At this point, she suddenly realized the Second Old Madam hadn’t spoken yet and hurriedly added, “Mother, we can’t let this matter slide! This is too much of an insult!”

Pang Kunbai had a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

Rescue Shou Gu from the bandits use the late hour as an excuse to have her stay overnight at the estate, then propose to the Dou family under the pretext of preserving Shou Gu’s reputation. Even if Shou Gu disliked the Pang family and was unwilling to marry into it, with the debt of saving her life and the excuse of having spent a night together, she would have no choice but to marry him. Over time, with children, and if Pang Kunbai treated her well, Shou Gu would naturally settle into a harmonious life with him. By then, even if the Dou and Zhao families wanted to intervene, Shou Gu would likely hand over her assets to Pang Kunbai for the sake of her husband and children, allowing the Pang family to legitimately take control of her property.

The Second Old Madam’s face was as black as ink, but she asked, “Why didn’t you inform the family before reporting to the officials?”

Of course, it was to prevent you from making private deals with the Wang family!

Dou Zhao replied, “Because there was a fatality, Cousin Ji, Twelfth Brother, and Fourth Brother Wu decided to report it to the officials.”

“You mean Ji Ming was involved in this as well?” Ji Shi’s eyes widened.

Since Ji Yong’s background was mysterious and the Dou family didn’t dare offend him casually, it was better to use him as a shield for Dou Dechang and Wu Shan!

Dou Zhao nodded.

Ji Shi looked embarrassed.

The Second Old Madam was somewhat surprised but, as Dou Zhao had anticipated, didn’t pursue the matter further.

Dou Zhao now played the role of a young girl, putting on a frightened and shocked demeanor. She said, “Old Madam if I hadn’t had Su Xin and Su Lan with me if I hadn’t brought them along, I might not have made it back! I have one request for you, Old Madam. Please, you must agree to it no matter what!” As she spoke, she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

If it had been anyone else offending the Dou family in this way, the Second Old Madam would have already ordered them thrown into jail and beaten to death on some pretext. But with Wang Xingyi involved, she felt that disposing of Pang Kunbai so simply would be a waste—after all, when the Zhao family agreed to elevate Wang Yingxue’s status, one of the conditions was that the Wang family would not interfere in Shou Gu’s marriage. Pang Kunbai was related to the Wang family by marriage, and even if the Wang family wanted to deny it, they couldn’t.

She pondered for a moment before saying, “Speak.”

“I beg the Old Madam to help me investigate who leaked my whereabouts!” Dou Zhao shared her suspicions with the Second Old Madam.

The Second Old Madam immediately agreed, “Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have investigated. Such treacherous servants who betray their masters for personal gain—we’ll beat one to death for everyone we find, no matter whose people they are!” She was furious.

“I also want to hire more guards,” Dou Zhao said. “I’m truly frightened now. You don’t know how skilled Pang Kunbai’s followers were—that’s why I couldn’t recognize him. Moreover, since the Pang family has shown such intentions, who knows if others might have similar thoughts? I don’t want to encounter such a situation again. Even if just for deterrence, I want to hire some skilled guards.”

The Second Old Madam thought of the Wu family.

“Alright!” She didn’t hesitate. “You can discuss this matter with your Third Uncle and Third Cousin later.”

Dou Zhao stood up to thank the Second Old Madam.

This way, she could openly recruit her forces.

Nanny Liu came in to report, “There’s a message from Third Master.”

It seemed that Third Uncle had been keeping the Second Old Madam informed about the events at the estate, which explained why she knew the details so quickly.

“Let him come in and speak,” the Second Old Madam said.

A quick-witted servant boy of twelve or thirteen ran in, bowed to the Second Old Madam, and reported, “Old Madam, the doctor says Young Master Pang’s injuries are severe and he may need to be sent to Zhending for treatment. Third Master asked me to inquire if we should notify the Pang family.”

“Notify them,” the Second Old Madam said decisively. “Let them come and collect him with gongs and drums. Let everyone in Zhending know what kind of monster their son is!”

The servant boy ran off.

The Second Old Madam, thinking she should inform Dou Shixu quickly, dismissed Dou Zhao to rest: “…It’s too late. You should rest in your Sixth Aunt’s room. Don’t worry about the matters over there; your Third Uncle will handle everything properly.”

Dou Zhao didn’t want to return and frighten her grandmother at this hour, so she went to Ji Shi’s quarters.

Before bed, Ji Shi held Dou Zhao’s hand and carefully inquired about every word Ji Yong had said, her expression somewhat tense.

Dou Zhao was puzzled but answered impartially and completely.

After listening, Ji Shi’s expression relaxed. She instructed the maids to help Dou Zhao wash up, then lit a censer of tranquil incense in the inner chamber, telling Dou Zhao to rest well and that they could talk more tomorrow.

Perhaps due to the incense or the earlier tension, Dou Zhao quickly fell asleep without even turning over. When she woke in the morning, half of her arm was numb.

Ji Yong, Dou Dechang, and Wu Shan had already returned and were eating breakfast.

Dou Dechang and Wu Shan had dark circles under their eyes, clearly having not slept the night before, while Ji Yong looked vibrant and radiant as if he had just risen from bed.

How can he be in such good spirits? Dou Zhao wondered to herself.

Ji Shi began telling her about subsequent events: “…The Pang family refuses to admit that Pang Kunbai tried to rob you. Instead, they claim you abused your power and seriously injured Pang Kunbai. Now, Pang Yinlou has escorted Pang Kunbai to Zhending for medical treatment, Pang Jinlou has gone to the capital, and Pang Xilou has hired Scholar Hu as a litigation master to sue our family.” At this point, she laughed coldly and reassured Dou Zhao, “One of Xing Lao Ba’s subordinates is still alive and willing to testify in court. I’d like to see what the Pang family has to say then!”

Dou Zhao nodded.

To file a lawsuit, they would first need to wait for Dou Shixu and Wang Xingyi to make their positions clear.

She asked, “Have you found out who leaked my whereabouts?”

“No news yet,” Ji Shi replied. “Nanny Liu used the excuse of lost items to take people to the West Residence overnight.” She looked worried. “We must find this person or your situation will be precarious!”

Ji Yong, who had been sitting nearby listening to their conversation, suddenly said, “Would you like me to investigate?”

Before Dou Zhao could respond, Ji Shi hastily interjected, “Ji Ming, you’re a guest!”

Ji Yong dismissed her concern, saying, “Since I’ve encountered this situation, how can I not help?”

Ji Shi tried to stop him: “The elders will handle this matter.”

Seeing the aunt and nephew about to argue, Dou Zhao quickly mediated, “Thank you, Cousin Ji. Since Nanny Liu has already gone over, let’s allow her to investigate first. If Nanny Liu doesn’t find anything by the end of today, it won’t be too late for Cousin Ji to step in!”

Ji Yong nodded and lowered his head to drink some tea.

Ji Shi glanced at Ji Yong in surprise, then gave Dou Zhao a strange look as if wanting to say something but holding back.

Dou Zhao didn’t notice.

She was thinking about Chen Quishui.

After a day and a night, she wondered if he had discovered anything.

She didn’t want Ji Yong to get involved in this matter.

His attitude was too ambiguous.

After lunch, Dou Zhao returned to the West Residence.

Her grandmother was still unaware of the incident but was somewhat displeased about Nanny Liu coming to question the servants: “After all, it’s a matter of the West Dou family. Even if an investigation is needed, it should have waited until you returned.”

“They were afraid of losing traces if too much time passed,” Dou Zhao consoled her grandmother for a while, then stepped out to see Chen Quishui standing at the door.

He smiled confidently at Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao knew he had found something and felt immediately relieved.

They walked and talked.

“…The informant was Liu Wan, but he died at the robbery scene… I found out that Du An stayed at an inn called Ping’an in Lingshuxian yesterday. I’ve already sent Chen Xiaofeng to invite him… Nanny Liu is checking one by one, progress is slow, and there probably won’t be any results today.”

The road to the capital doesn’t pass through Lingshuxian.

“Then let’s help Nanny Liu find the right direction!” Dou Zhao smiled. “It would be better if the Second Old Madam handles this matter.”

“Alright!” Chen Quishui agreed, saying, “I think the young miss should hire more skilled guards for protection, in case someone else targets you.”

“Sir, you and I think alike,” Dou Zhao smiled and told Chen Quishui that from now on, she could receive an annual allowance of ten thousand taels of silver. “Why don’t we invite Chen Xiaofeng and the others?” She mentioned several people she had noticed, including Duan Gongyi.

Master Chen smiled, “Fourth Young Miss has a good eye. I’ll go arrange this right away!”

Soon, Nanny Liu found fifty taels of silver in Liu Wan’s room.

The Second Old Madam was very dissatisfied: “Continue the investigation. We must find out who bribed Liu Wan!”

In the evening, Chen Xiaofeng brought Du An back.

When Du An saw Dou Zhao, he looked flustered and cried out, “What does Fourth Young Miss mean by this? Even if you want to eliminate me, you should at least give me a reason!”

Dou Zhao laughed heartily and said, “You need a reason for being eliminated?” Then she instructed Chen Quishui, “Hand him over to the Second Old Madam.”

Du An was stunned and said, “You… you’re not going to question me?”

“Would you tell the truth if I questioned you?” Dou Zhao said disdainfully. “Besides, what difference does it make whether you speak or not? As long as the Second Old Madam believes you and Wang Yingxue are involved in this matter, that’s enough. What does it matter if you speak or not?”

Du An was immediately at a loss for words.

Dou Zhao returned to her room.

Su Xin followed her: “Fourth Young Miss, the East Residence has received a letter from Fifth Master in the capital.”

If it were about Pang Kunbai’s robbery attempt, it shouldn’t have arrived so quickly, right?

Dou Zhao asked, “Do you know what it says?”

Su Xin smiled, pursing her lips, and looked at Dou Zhao with a hint of mischief in her eyes: “Fifth Master said that if the Dou and Wu families could form another marriage alliance, it would be for the best. He also said that the Wu family has a clean background and are proper scholars and that you wouldn’t suffer if you married into their family.”