Dou Zhao was shocked.

She had assumed the Dou family would first resolve her engagement to the Wei family. Unexpectedly, they had simply cast the Wei family aside.

Marry Wu Shan?

Whose idea was this?

Hadn’t they always intended to use her marriage as a political tool? Why the sudden change? Or had Wu Songnian’s official position changed somehow?

Dou Zhao asked Suxin, “Is this information reliable?”

Logically, Fifth Uncle’s letter shouldn’t have been so easily discovered.

Seeing that Dou Zhao showed neither shyness nor joy upon hearing the good news, Suxin’s expression froze. She looked at Dou Zhao in confusion, her voice involuntarily lowering, “This marriage was arranged by Madam Wu herself with the Third Madam. Now that the Fifth Master has agreed, it’s almost certain. The news has spread…”

Dou Zhao frowned.

She had been too careless.

From the proposal to the agreement, some time must have passed, yet she had been completely unaware.

She needed to consult with Chen Qushui about this matter.

Dou Zhao stood up and went to the study, her face stern.

The Second Madam was also very displeased.

She privately complained to Lady Ji, “…They say it’s a time of crisis, and any family not close to the Wang family will do. But Shou Gu could marry better. Why must she marry into the Wu family?”

“Fifth Uncle must have his reasons, though they may not be clear in the letter,” Lady Ji had been beaming when she first heard the news, but now she responded to the Second Madam somewhat perfunctorily. “At least Lord Wu and Madam Wu are of high moral character. We’ve watched the Wu family’s fourth young master grow up, and he’s honest and simple. He and Shou Gu are practically childhood sweethearts. It’s better than marrying a stranger. Besides, Fifth Uncle’s words make sense. Shou Gu should marry someone close to our family. If she married someone else, we couldn’t guarantee the Wang family wouldn’t win them over.”

The Second Madam stubbornly retorted, “Shou Gu has never been close to the Wang family…”

“A daughter obeys her father at home and her husband after marriage,” Lady Ji smiled. “No matter how much Shou Gu dislikes the Wang family, she can’t defy her husband, can she? Otherwise, how could the Pang family have dared to stage that ‘hero rescuing the beauty’ incident?”

The Second Madam fell silent for a long while, then sighed, speaking with resignation, “Then you should go and respond to the Wu family. While Madam Wu hasn’t returned to the capital yet, have them exchange birth dates for compatibility.”

Suddenly, a clear laugh rang out in the room: “Who’s getting engaged? I wonder if I could get a cup of celebratory wine?”

Lady Ji and the Second Madam turned to see Ji Yong standing at the door, smiling.

Since things had come to this point, there was no use in saying more. It would only make the Wu family uncomfortable if they knew, thinking our family looked down on them, needlessly causing friction between the two families.

This thought flashed through the Second Madam’s mind, and she laughed, “It’s your fourth cousin and Wu Shan. They’re getting engaged!”

Ji Yong was stunned, immediately picturing Dou Zhao’s dignified and spirited face alongside Wu Shan’s gentle and harmless smile.

These two seemed quite compatible!

However, comparatively, Dou Zhao seemed more like a boy with her fortitude, while Wu Shan appeared more girlish with his gentleness.

He recalled the scene he had witnessed at the farm – men groaning on the ground and Pang Kunbai’s disfigured face.

He wondered what kind of scene Dou Zhao and Wu Shan would make together.

The more Ji Yong thought about it, the more intriguing he found it.

He asked the Second Madam, “When are they getting engaged? Do you need me to help deliver anything? I remember when my sister got married, I helped her move her dowry. For the three-day return visit, I was the one who went to pick her up…” His voice betrayed a hint of barely concealed excitement.

Although he was already a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, he was still a child at heart, barely able to contain his excitement at the prospect of a lively event.

The Second Madam’s gaze softened as she looked at him, smiling, “That’s for the wedding and the return visit. Right now, they’re just matching birth dates for compatibility. There’s nothing for you to help with at the moment. If you’re eager, come to the capital in a couple of years to drink at their wedding. Shou Gu doesn’t have a brother, so you can help move the dowry then, just the same.”

“Great, great!” Ji Yong said happily. “When the time comes, don’t forget to send an invitation to our family, Madam. No matter where I am, I’ll come.”

“Of course, of course!” The Second Madam smiled. The two chatted for a while, and gradually, the Second Madam came to accept Dou Zhao’s impending marriage to Wu Shan. Her mood improved considerably, and she stayed to have dinner with Lady Ji before returning to her quarters.

Dou Zhao arranged to meet Wu Shan the next morning in Lady Ji’s courtyard.

She wanted to have a good talk with Wu Shan before exchanging birth date cards. If they could part ways amicably, that would be best. If not, she would have to use more forceful measures.

She didn’t want Wu Shan to hate her.

Chen Qushui, however, advised Dou Zhao, “Young Miss should think this through carefully. Young Master Wu is truly a good match. If you could form a good union, it might not be a bad thing.”

At least Wu Shan wouldn’t interfere with Dou Zhao’s decisions.

Dou Zhao smiled bitterly, “I don’t want to accompany another boy as he grows up, especially when I don’t know what kind of person he’ll become…”

Chen Qushui didn’t understand.

Dou Zhao didn’t explain further. The next day, she dressed as usual and went to pay her respects to her grandmother.

Her grandmother had likely heard about this matter as well. She smiled brightly, constantly looking Dou Zhao over, saying, “Our Shou Gu has grown into a young lady. She’s becoming more beautiful by the day.” Then she had Hong Gu bring her a red lacquered box with gold inlay. “This is my favorite set of hair ornaments. I’m giving them to you now.”

Dou Zhao was secretly anxious.

It was fortunate that she had quickly arranged to meet Wu Shan. If this dragged on for a few more days, the situation would become difficult to manage.

Pretending to be unaware, she smiled and asked her grandmother why she was giving her gifts. She then acted as if she liked the set of red gold hairpins inlaid with southern pearls and accepted them, saying, “Since you’ve given them to me, they’re mine now. You can’t take them back, okay?”

Her grandmother was overjoyed, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

Only then did Dou Zhao go to Sixth Aunt’s place.

She had lived there for several years, and even now, Lady Ji kept the west wing room where she used to stay in its original state. Dou Zhao would occasionally stay overnight there, as it was like a second home to her. No one was surprised by her arrival.

After chatting with Lady Ji about flowers and plants for a while, and accompanying her on a stroll around the eaves and the back of the house, Wu Shan arrived.

Dou Zhao casually asked Wu Shan to paint a fan for her, “…Just like the one you painted for Third Sister-in-law last time.”

Wu Shan’s face reddened as he glanced at Lady Ji.

Lady Ji smiled, “Go on, go on! Hui’er and the others have ink and brushes ready in their study.”

Wu Shan respectfully agreed and went to Dou Zhengchang’s study.

Dou Zhao followed him as she had done before.

Lady Ji sat on the kang bed, calculating the accounts for the past few months.

Caimei lowered her voice and asked, “My lady, should we send someone to follow them?”

“No need,” Lady Ji replied without looking up. “That would only make things look suspicious. It’s not good.”

Caimei smiled in agreement, but when she looked up, she saw that the windows of the south-facing room used as a study in the east wing were wide open. Anyone in the main house, side rooms, or passing through the courtyard could see Wu Shan bent over his work and Dou Zhao helping him grind ink.

Their demeanor was so open, their behavior so upright, that Caimei blushed with shame at her earlier suggestion.

Lady Ji looked up, saw the two in the study, nodded slightly to herself, then smiled and lowered her head to continue with her accounts.

Ji Yong, who had come to pay his respects to Lady Ji, clicked his tongue a couple of times.

Childhood sweethearts, indeed.

One refined and elegant, the other spirited and graceful – they did look quite fitting together.

He entered the main room.

After paying his respects to Lady Ji, he smiled and pointed at the two in the study, “Aunt, aren’t you going to keep an eye on them?”

“An honorable man is open and aboveboard, while a petty person is always full of suspicion,” Lady Ji pretended to be displeased as she scolded him. “They’re being completely open and honest. Why should I interfere?”

“Alright, alright, it’s always my fault,” Ji Yong said, rubbing his nose and smiling as he stood behind Lady Ji, massaging her shoulders. “Aunt, do you approve of Fourth Cousin and Wu Shan? I don’t see anything particularly remarkable about that Wu Shan.”

“What’s important for married life?” Lady Ji dismissed his concerns. “The most important thing is compatibility – and I think Shou Gu and Wu Shan are quite suitable for each other.”

Ji Yong nodded, but his eyes were darting about.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was speaking to Wu Shan, “I’ve heard about the marriage arrangement, but I don’t want to get married so early…”

So she knew!

Wu Shan’s face burned, and his ears buzzed. He vaguely heard something about not wanting to marry early and hurriedly stammered, “I, I don’t want to marry so early either… I want to take the provincial examinations. After I’ve achieved success, then…, I won’t let you down… Don’t worry… You can stay at home for a few more years until you’re ready…”

He stuttered and fumbled his words. This usually composed person was now as flustered as a young girl, making Dou Zhao feel a pang of guilt. The words she had prepared stuck in her throat, and after a long pause, she finally hardened her heart and said softly, “I’m already engaged!”

“What?” Wu Shan’s mouth gaped open.

Dou Zhao continued, “You must have heard about my situation. Before my mother passed away, she arranged a marriage for me. The betrothal gift is still with my uncle. But my uncles seem dissatisfied with this marriage and haven’t been in contact with that family… However, I still think about it… I can’t marry you!”

The color drained from Wu Shan’s face, leaving him as pale as paper. The brush in his hand fell onto the fan with a “plop,” instantly turning the beautifully painted plum blossoms into a blob of ink.

“Fourth Brother Wu,” Dou Zhao said sincerely, “I’ve always thought of you as an older brother. Your future wife will surely be a hundred times more virtuous than me.”

She awkwardly tried to comfort Wu Shan.

Wu Shan lowered his eyes, motionless like a clay statue.

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly and said, “I’ll go now. Take care, Fourth Brother Wu.”

“Wait,” Just as she was about to step over the threshold, Wu Shan called out in a hoarse voice, “If… if that family… never comes to propose, I… I’ll wait for you…”

Wu Shan was the gentlest person she had encountered in her two lifetimes.

If not for her experiences in her previous life, would she have married Wu Shan without hesitation?

Unfortunately, her heart was now riddled with scars, and she could appreciate this tender, pink-tinged affection but couldn’t act on impulse.

Dou Zhao shook her head gently and said, “Fourth Brother Wu, thank you, but I’ve made my decision and won’t change it.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Shan’s body swayed, and he collapsed into the chair behind him with a thud.

Dou Zhao walked straight out of the study.

Don’t guess anymore, Ji Yong is neither reincarnated nor transmigrated…