Dou Zhao shook her head privately, thinking, “Who knows how many more messes we’ll have to clean up after her in the future!”

Naturally, Suxin didn’t dare to comment on such remarks.

She helped Dou Zhao change into a fresh outfit and then accompanied her and Dou Ming to visit the Second Madam.

Upon seeing Dou Ming, the Second Madam merely uttered a cool “You’re here.”

Perhaps due to the Second Madam’s strict upbringing during her childhood, Dou Ming behaved exceptionally well in her presence. She respectfully addressed her as “Great-aunt” and inquired about her backache, mentioning that she had brought a special plaster from the capital, reportedly very effective for such ailments. Her earnest words eventually coaxed a smile from the stern-faced Second Madam.

Dou Zhao watched from the side, secretly pursing her lips.

Dou Ming remained unchanged from her previous life. When she chose to be likable, she could charm even cats and dogs. However, when her temper flared, she would defy even the highest authorities.

The Second Madam, holding Dou Ming’s hand, asked about her studies and needlework over the past few years.

“I’ve studied ‘Lessons for Women,’ ‘Biographies of Exemplary Women,’ and ‘Classic of Filial Piety’ with my maternal aunt,” Dou Ming replied with a sweet smile. “I haven’t started learning needlework yet, but I enjoy playing the pipa. My aunt hired a teacher for me, who has also accompanied me back to Zhending.”

Dou Ming was clever enough not to mention her maternal grandmother.

Had she dared to bring up Wang Xu Shi, the Second Madam would likely have lost her temper on the spot.

After all, having been the matriarch of the Dou family for so long, the Second Madam’s jealousy had grown, making her intolerant of other voices or people.

As Dou Zhao pondered this, she heard the Second Madam address her, “Shou Gu, your needlework is excellent. Now that Ming’er has returned, you must guide her well in this skill.” She then praised the selection of books and launched into a lengthy discourse on the importance of womanly virtues, causing the shadow in Dou Ming’s eyes to deepen. Just as a hint of impatience flashed across Dou Ming’s face, Ji Yong arrived.

Seeing the Dou sisters, Ji Yong was somewhat surprised.

Likewise, the Dou sisters were taken aback by Ji Yong’s presence.

Only the Second Madam appeared delighted, beckoning Ji Yong repeatedly, “Why have you come to visit me at this hour instead of resting with Hui’er and Zhi’er? Come, sit by my side.” She not only fanned him herself with a round fan but also urged the maids to quickly bring a bowl of chilled mung bean soup. Her enthusiasm, as if welcoming her grandson, made Dou Ming cast sidelong glances, barely restraining herself from asking who this person was.

In truth, Ji Yong was quite adept at winning the favor of elderly ladies.

Upon returning from Mount Tai, he had brought the Second Madam a stone with patterns resembling an old man of longevity leading a plum blossom deer. The Second Madam was overjoyed and had a special purple sandalwood stand made to display the stone in her private Buddha hall.

As Dou Zhao glanced towards the small Buddha hall, the Second Madam introduced Dou Ming to Ji Yong, “Ji Ming, you haven’t met Ming’er yet, have you? She’s the second daughter of our Seventh, who has been living in the capital with him. She just returned today.” Then, addressing Dou Ming, she added, “This is your Sixth Aunt’s nephew from her maiden family. You should address him as Cousin Ji, following Shou Gu’s example.”

Ji Yong gracefully bowed to Dou Ming, exuding the charm of a refined young gentleman.

Dou Ming curtsied in return, appearing somewhat surprised.

Ji Yong had come to bid farewell: “…My great-grandfather has an old friend in Baoding Prefecture. He instructed me to pay a visit during this trip.”

The Second Madam hurriedly said, “Why not wait a few more days? These are the hottest days of the year.” Her tone was full of concern.

“I plan to go to the capital with Hui’er and Zhi’er after the Mid-Autumn Festival,” he explained with a smile. “It’s been several years since I’ve seen my uncle and father. It’s also a good opportunity to visit my aunt’s father alongside Hui’er and Zhi’er.”

Dou Zhao had heard from the Ji family that they currently had six members in official positions. Apart from Ji Yong’s uncle serving as Vice Minister in the Ministry of Works and his father as Right Communicator in the Court of State Ceremonial, several of his cousins and uncles were posted in various regions as prefects, surveillance commissioners, or provincial administration commissioners, all with promising careers. This should have been the Dou family’s greatest asset, but due to differing political views between the Ji and Dou families, and Ji Yong’s uncle’s ambition for a higher position, the two families had grown somewhat distant. Nevertheless, having such equally influential in-laws still commanded mutual respect and did not affect their private interactions.

“It’s good to visit the capital,” the Second Madam said with a smile, instructing her maid to fetch some patchouli pills and benevolent pills for Ji Yong. “The weather is too hot. Take these with you for the journey.”

Ji Yong expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Still concerned, the Second Madam held his hand and gave him a litany of advice.

As they were leaving, Dou Zhao noticed Dou Ming quietly asking one of the Second Madam’s maids, “Cousin Ji seems to be quite favored by Great-aunt?”

“Of course,” the maid replied, her face full of admiration. “You may not realize it, but despite his young age, he’s the top scholar from Southern Zhili! How could the Second Madam not adore him?”

Dou Zhao noticed a glint in Dou Ming’s eyes.

Whenever she wanted something, that look would appear in her eyes.

Living this life again, could it be that Dou Ming’s target had shifted from Wang Nan to Ji Yong?

She had always believed that Dou Ming didn’t necessarily like Wang Nan that much, but rather felt resentful because Wang Nan was a widely praised young talent with a bright future, the most valued in the Wang family, yet he had fallen in love with the graceful Gao Mingzhu.

Dou Zhao still remembered the scene from her previous life when Wang Nan silently wept over Gao Mingzhu’s coffin…

If Dou Ming’s attention had shifted due to Ji Yong’s appearance, it might not be a bad thing!

Compared to Wang Nan, Ji Yong was much more decisive.

Lost in thought, Dou Zhao parted ways with Dou Ming at the second gate, one heading to the East Wing and the other to the West Wing. However, just as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw three or four housekeeper matrons assigned to the West Wing gathered around Hong Gu, discussing something. Upon seeing Dou Zhao enter, they exchanged glances and unanimously approached her.

“Fourth Young Miss, please let us manage affairs in the East Wing!”

“Yes, Fourth Young Miss. We all want to work in the East Wing. Even if we’re not in charge, we’d be happy to serve there!”

Dou Zhao coldly asked them, “Did the Fifth Young Miss openly show her displeasure towards you? Or did she punish you without reason?”

The housekeeper matrons all lowered their heads.

“I don’t want to hear such talk again,” Dou Zhao admonished. “As long as you follow the rules, no one can mistreat you. But if you don’t abide by the rules and are picky about your duties, it doesn’t matter where you serve.”

They responded timidly in agreement.

Dou Zhao entered her grandmother’s room with her head held high.

Hong Gu seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

Dou Zhao said, “I know what you’re thinking. But regardless, she is also one of the masters of this household. If I want to deal with her, I’ll do it myself. There’s no need to let these fawning, opportunistic people demean her.” She paused briefly before continuing, “Moreover, this is the easiest way to corrupt the household’s ethos.”

She recalled how, when managing the Jining Marquis’s household, she had struggled to reverse such trends.

Hong Gu considered this and realized the logic in Dou Zhao’s words.

She smiled somewhat sheepishly, “I was overthinking it.”

Dou Zhao put her arm around Hong Gu’s shoulders, “You weren’t overthinking; your heart is loyal to me.” These words brought tears to Hong Gu’s eyes.

They entered Grandmother’s inner chamber, laughing.

Dou Ming had only brought back a dozen or so trunks. In her mind, once the current storm blew over, her mother would surely find a way to bring her back, so there was no need to bring too many things. Therefore, the furnishings in Qixia Courtyard remained as they were before, requiring no rearrangement or tidying up. Zhou Mama and her staff had the courtyard set up in less than half an hour.

After Dou Ming had freshened up, Zhou Mama noticed that only the sun’s afterglow remained in the sky, with cool breezes blowing under the eaves. She brought out a brocade stool and helped Dou Ming dry her hair under the covered walkway.

“The scenery in the Dou family compound is truly beautiful,” she gently advised Dou Ming. “You have an entire wing to yourself, much more spacious than in the capital. How wonderful!”

In the capital, Dou Ming had lived in a warm room behind Wang Xu Shi’s inner chamber.

“Living in the capital is not easy,” Dou Ming wouldn’t allow anyone to speak ill of her maternal family. “Zhending is a rural area, of course, the grounds are larger and the courtyards more spacious.”

Zhou Mama followed her lead, “Indeed! Just think of this as a summer retreat. When you’re free, you can play the pipa with Wan Niang, read books, or take walks around. How carefree and pleasant!”

Wan Niang was Dou Ming’s pipa teacher.

This time, Dou Ming didn’t object.

When Zhou Mama went to prepare her evening meal, Dou Ming quietly instructed her maid, Ji Hong, “Help me gather some information about Cousin Ji.”

Ji Hong agreed with a smile.

Dou Zhao immediately received this news.

She told Su Lan, “Just keep an eye on her, and don’t let her do anything foolish that might embarrass us.”

Su Lan nodded with a grin.

Dou Zhao then discussed with Song Yumin about setting aside half an hour each morning to teach Dou Ming the Analects.

In other households, a tutor would typically teach two or three, sometimes even seven or eight students, instructing the younger ones before moving on to the older ones. However, in the Dou household, he only had to teach Dou Zhao, and without the pressure of preparing for examinations, he had been feeling rather idle. Having another student would be a good way to pass the time.

“Then I’ll teach the Fifth Young Miss after finishing with the Fourth Young Miss every morning!” Song Yumin readily agreed.

Knowing that he also spent an hour each day teaching Song Yan, Dou Zhao asked, “Won’t this interfere with Song Yan’s studies?”

Song Yan had lost his parents at a young age. Despite relying on the charity of others, he studied diligently, often by the light of fireflies or snow reflection. Song Yumin, pitying the boy’s orphaned state and admiring his determination to learn despite poverty, had taken him under his wing.

“It’s no problem,” Song Yumin smiled. “I can teach him in the afternoon just as well.” He then hesitated before adding, “There is one matter I’d like to ask of the Fourth Young Miss…”

Dou Zhao quickly replied, “Please, don’t say ‘ask.’ You’re my teacher. Whatever it is, just tell me.”

Despite this, Song Yumin still pondered for a moment before saying, “Song Yan is not young anymore, and he has been studying with me for a long time. While I have some accomplishments in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting, when it comes to the eight-legged essay for the imperial examinations…” He chuckled self-deprecatingly, “I never achieved success in the imperial exams, let alone Song Yan. I was wondering if the Fourth Young Miss could help me speak to the Third Master about allowing Song Yan to study at the Dou family school?”

The Dou family school had always aimed to educate talented individuals from all over the world. Moreover, given Song Yan’s upright character and conduct, this alone would be enough for Master Du to agree.

“Each discipline has its focus. Mr. Song, you prefer poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting, which is why you haven’t devoted much attention to the examination essays,” Dou Zhao complimented Song Yumin before promising to speak with her Third Uncle about this matter first thing in the morning.