Wu Shan said, “During the Dragon Boat Festival, I went with mother to Beijing to visit father. We thought it had been a while since we’d seen you all.” He continued, “Sixth Uncle is now observing government affairs in the Ministry of Justice. We ate zongzi together during the Dragon Boat Festival.” Dou Shiheng had…

Three days after the initial arrangements, the Dou family sent out death notices to relatives and friends. The house became bustling with visitors coming to pay their respects in an endless stream. Dou Shiying, Wang Yingxue, Dou Zhao, and Dou Ming, as the filial son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, received condolences before the spirit tablet while…

Grandfather passed away at the hour of Chou on the twelfth day of the eighth month. Before his death, he had remained unconscious, leaving no last words. Father cried uncontrollably while the people from East Dou came to help with the initial funeral preparations. Dou Zhao stood quietly in the corridor, listening to her father’s…

Grandfather was watching a play with the newly arrived Lu magistrate of Zhending County. When servants brought up snacks like Fu orange cakes and Fengcheng preserved meat, Grandfather meant to eat an orange cake. However, since his eyes were fixed on the stage, he accidentally grabbed a salted peanut and threw it in his mouth.…

In the eighth year of Chengping, Dou Zhao was nine years old. Her sixth uncle, Dou Shiheng, had earned the thirty-sixth place in the second rank of the imperial examinations. Last year in September, her ninth cousin from her eldest uncle’s family, Dou Huanchang, had passed the provincial examinations. This was considered a double blessing,…

In Qixia Court, the bright red wedding candles crackled and sparked. “This is too much, simply too much!” She stood in the middle of the room with an angry face. “Why must the East Residence always suppress the West Residence? I am now legitimately Wan Yuan’s wife, by what right does she keep Ming girl…

Grandmother observed Tuo Niang for some time. Seeing that Tuo Niang was honest and sincere, she grew fond of her and genuinely wanted to arrange a good marriage for her. She would often take Dou Zhao around the village, paying extra attention to eligible young men, asking more questions about them. Within days, villagers were…

When Grandmother and Father met, they had little to say. Grandmother just kept pushing fruits and snacks into Father’s hands: “…These are from Li’s shop in town… These are homegrown, I specially fertilized them in spring, the melons are fragrant and sweet. Even if you can buy them in town, they’re not this fresh…” Father…

While Wang Yingxue was pondering how to phrase her question, the Second Madam was already smiling and waving at Dou Zhao: “Come, come to your great-aunt!” Madam Ji gently pushed Dou Zhao forward. Dou Zhao remained unmoved. Madam Ji could only smile and explain to the Second Madam, “This child, who knows who she takes…