In his letter, Dou Shiying first addressed Yu Zai’s marriage, then listed a long series of estates and properties he planned to allocate to Dou Zhao. Finally, he asked Madam Zhao, “…if you have any objections, you can discuss them with Sixth Master.” He had entrusted this matter to Dou Shiheng. Madam Zhao frowned while…

Pang Yulou had three brothers: Pang Jinlou, Pang Yinlou, and Pang Xilou. Pang Jinlou was capable, having taken control of the Pang family shops while his brothers were still naive; Pang Yinlou was shrewd, knowing he wouldn’t get far helping in the family shops, so he sweet-talked their father into giving him private funds to…

That evening, Dou Zhao, who was kept at the East Residence, lay in Six Aunt’s inner chamber’s gauze cabinet but couldn’t fall asleep. Half of the West Dou family’s property was now hers? In her mind, she kept seeing her father’s face – gentle yet determined – as he crumpled up the document. A quarter…

She sat in her family’s carriage on the way back to East Dou residence. In the carriage, Dou Duo asked his son, “What did Yuan Ji say to you?” Earlier, with the Dou family steward present, he couldn’t ask in detail. He only knew Dou Shi Shu had returned, and suspected it was about the…

Dou Zhao watched as Sixth Aunt left. Fifth Uncle was a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Personnel – who would he ask for leave from? Of course, it would be his superior, the Minister of Personnel and tutor Zeng Yifen. Ha! Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. She wondered if Wang Xingyi would rush…

When something involves one’s own interests, news spreads like it has grown wings, impossible to contain as it flies everywhere. In just one night, everyone in the Dou household, from top to bottom, knew about this matter. Some secretly cursed Wang Yingxue as the root of trouble, some criticized Zhao Siyi for being unrealistic, some…

Wang Xingli’s hand rested heavily on Wang Zhibing’s shoulder. A servant was peering around the flower garden. Wang Xingli’s face darkened slightly, carrying an imposing air: “What is it?” The servant came running over trembling: “Sir, there’s someone named Du who says he’s a steward from the Dou family in Zhending. He says their Fifth…

The next morning after breakfast, Wang Zhibing bid farewell to Dou Duo: “…Father only instructed me to bring my sister back home. There are some matters he doesn’t know about yet, I need to speak with him first.” During those years in the Northwest, Wang Zhibing not only attended to his father’s daily needs, fulfilling…

Lady Ji only said that Yuzai was not suitable to serve by Dou Zhao’s side, and asked for another maid to be sent instead. Madam Yu knew that Lady Ji was forcing her to deal with Yuzai. The maids and servants in the West Mansion curried favor with her in hopes of gaining benefits. Now…

Dou Zhao watched Madam Ji’s every move. When she first entered the Marquis Manor, she had often given such cold treatment to the Wei family’s managers. How could Yuzhen, a mere maid who rose to position by chance, handle such a situation? Left idle on the side, listening to the sneers of Madam Ji’s maids…