Mother was very worried about her maiden family’s financial situation, but Dou Zhao carelessly munched on sugar-roasted chestnuts. In her previous life, her uncle had passed the imperial examinations even after her mother’s suicide. This time around, with everything kept from him, surely he would pass with an unburdened mind? Once Uncle passed the imperial…

Zhao Biru held Dou Zhao’s hand as they walked back slowly. Dou Zhao asked Zhao Biru, “What’s my favorite food?” Zhao Biru was startled but still answered gently, “You love anything sweet and crispy!” Dou Zhao asked again, “When was the last time you came to our house?” Zhao Biru looked at Dou Zhao with…

Mother was a proud person. Since she had already agreed to let Wang Yingxue enter the household, she wouldn’t make things difficult over small matters like the timing of her arrival. When Dou Zhao’s “illness” improved somewhat, she invited the First and Third Aunts over to discuss Wang Yingxue’s entry into the family. Dou Zhao…

When Wang Yingxue’s family arrived, the Dou family was discussing her marriage arrangements with them. Feeling uninvolved, Dou Zhao crouched in the Yuji Pavilion in the back garden, which overlooked the entire western Dou residence, giving instructions to Tuo Niang: “…I have to go back. Did you remember everything I told you?” Tuo Niang asked…

If only Mother wasn’t so deeply emotional! This made things so difficult for her! Dou Zhao sighed deeply. Strange feelings suddenly welled up towards her mother. It felt like heartache, pity, and also… envy! The thought startled her greatly. Feeling heartache for Mother’s situation and pity for her hardships was natural, but why did she…

Mother didn’t sleep all night, and neither did Dou Zhao. She didn’t know what Mother was thinking about, but she spent the entire night thinking about Wei Tingyu. Thoughts by day become dreams by night. Mother-in-law had always been generous to her, so dreaming of her made sense. But why would she dream of Wei…

As soon as Third Aunt left, Mother glared at Father, her gaze cold as a blade’s edge. Father glared back just as fiercely, like a cornered beast. The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense. Dou Zhao’s tiny figure huddled in the curtains, listening to her parents’ mutual accusations. “Zhao Guqiu, what exactly are you…

To her surprise, her mother and Wang Ying Xue were old acquaintances! All along, Dou Zhao couldn’t understand why some women would willingly abandon their families and reputation just to be with a man. Was the love between men and women really that important? Once love fades and affection ends, when a man abandons a…

Dou Zhao felt conflicted. If this suddenly appearing woman was to be her stepmother, her mother’s attempts to make an issue of her status would likely end in disappointment. Her stepmother’s surname was Wang, with the given name Yingxue, daughter of Wang Xingyi. Wang Xingyi, courtesy name Yousheng, was from Nanwa Village in Lingshou County,…

After hearing Dou Zhao’s words, Shuangzhi looked at her with traces of fear in her eyes. Dou Zhao didn’t mind. As long as her mother and elders weren’t suspicious, the servants’ gossip would remain just gossip. Dou Zhao instructed Tuo Niang to carry her back to her room. The western Dou household was simple in…