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 Tingyu?
Where was she really?
Dou Zhao recalled Wei Tingyu’s crying and Madam Guo’s promises that she had vaguely heard… She shuddered and snuggled closer to her mother.
The next morning, Mother acted as if nothing had happened, dressed up nicely, and went to the hall.
Dou Zhao pressed her lips together and followed Mother closely.
Mother-in-law Lady Tian was dressed elegantly yet not ostentatiously, with a gentle smile and graceful demeanor, like a magnolia blooming in spring, serene with a touch of radiance.
Dou Zhao’s heart sank.
Mother-in-law looked thirty years younger.
But that wasn’t the main point.
The point was, she knew Mother-in-law’s temperament too well.
When Father-in-law was alive, he had treated Mother-in-law like a precious jewel. Her biggest regret was only that spring came too late, and the peonies she planted by the pavilion had barely budded by April.
So when Father-in-law passed away, she lost her direction, withering away like those flowers, losing her vitality… How could she now appear so composed and beautiful?
She looked behind Mother-in-law.
There stood Wei Tingyu, appearing only five or six years old.
His fair face still held traces of baby fat, his eyes like black jade were wide open, pure and clear, filled with unmistakable curiosity as he observed the people and things around him.
Feeling someone’s gaze, he looked over. Seeing Dou Zhao staring at him blankly, he lifted his little face, gave a light “hmph” through his nose, and turned away.
Mother-in-law had already embraced Dou Zhao: “Is this your little girl? She’s so beautiful!” Her smile was warm and friendly as she presented a red gold necklace with precious stones and a pair of red gold bracelets as welcome gifts.
“But your little girl doesn’t look like you at all. She must take after my brother-in-law!” She said with a hint of teasing in her eyes as she smiled at Mother.
Mother smiled demurely, her expression charming and proud, as if she were especially pleased that her daughter resembled her husband, showing no trace of their previous arguments.
Mother-in-law called Wei Tingyu over to greet Mother.
He properly gave his greetings to Mother, his manners impeccable, clearly having been carefully instructed.
Mother was very pleased and gave Wei Tingyu two rare copies of classical books from the previous dynasty and two ancient inkstones. Then she pulled him close to ask about his age, if he had started his education, and what he usually did.
Wei Tingyu answered each question clearly and systematically.
Mother showed an envious expression: “Our girl still can’t speak very well.”
“Girls are different from boys,” Mother-in-law gently consoled Mother. “Girls will marry into other families, so they should be raised delicately. Boys will inherit the family business, so we must be strict with them. Moreover, our Yu’er is the eldest son and will inherit the title, so we can’t be careless.” She looked at Wei Tingyu with a touch of heartache.
Mother nodded and asked curiously, “Why didn’t you bring Pearl back?”
“Our young lady is very close with the Jing Duke’s Manor’s young lady,” Mother-in-law smiled. “She acted as matchmaker, and Pearl is now engaged to the Jing Duke Manor’s eldest grandson. I’m keeping her at home to learn needlework!” She continued, “Originally we weren’t planning to bring Yu’er either. But Grandfather repeatedly said he wanted to see Yu’er, so I brought him along.”
This time Lady Tian had returned home because her grandfather, who was over eighty, was critically ill.
“When the elderly get old, they think about their descendants,” Mother smiled. “Fortunately, with his deep blessings, he pulled through.” Then she said, “Now that Pearl is engaged, sister has one less worry. Congratulations! Don’t forget to send me an invitation when Pearl gets married. Otherwise, I’ll have to blame you.”
“Of course,” Mother-in-law smiled. “Our families have been close for generations, unlike others.”
Mother’s eyes sparkled as she smiled: “Has Yu’er been engaged yet?”
“He’s still young,” Mother-in-law’s eyes softened when speaking of her son. “The Marquis and I have been focused on Pearl’s matters, we haven’t considered his yet!”
Mother smiled: “Our Shou isn’t engaged either! May I ask when Yu’er’s birthday is?”
Mother-in-law was startled.
Dou Zhao’s face suddenly turned bright red.
Wei Tingyu often said: As the noble Jining Marquis, what kind of distinguished young lady couldn’t I marry in the capital? If not for the generations of friendship between our families, why would I have married you!
While saying this, he would shamelessly pull her to bed.
She had originally thought Wei Tingyu was just being prideful, wanting her to humor him…
Dou Zhao wasn’t convinced.
She hadn’t expected to remember it in her dream, showing how much this matter still bothered her.
Mother giggled and said: “While we adults are talking, they’re standing there like wooden posts. Why not let them play in the study next door! The floor heating is on there too, it’s warm.”
Mother-in-law nodded and called Wei Tingyu over, giving him some instructions.
Wei Tingyu obediently nodded and docilely followed Yu Mama to the study with Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao ignored Wei Tingyu and peeked through a gap in the warm curtain.
Mother smiled and raised her teacup, gesturing for Mother-in-law to drink.
“I admire Yu’er’s good manners at such a young age, and I like him very much. If sister doesn’t agree, just pretend I never mentioned it.” Her expression showed a hint of disappointment.
“No, no!” Mother-in-law apologetically said, “Yu’er is the eldest son, this matter needs to be discussed with the Marquis…”
“Sister, please say no more!” Mother blushed, her smile awkward. “I spoke without thinking.” Then she offered Mother-in-law some fruit from the table, “Here, try these dried persimmons, we made them ourselves, they’re sweet and chewy. See if you like them?”
Mother’s forced change of subject made Mother-in-law uncomfortable.
“Guqiu,” she hesitated, “how about I discuss it with the Marquis when I return?”
Mother smiled sheepishly: “Sister, please don’t mention it anymore! You know my temperament, acting on impulse. I was just talking…”
Mother-in-law smiled.
Perhaps remembering past events, her eyes grew even gentler: “Oh you, what are we going to do with you? You’re a mother now but still so impetuous!” Then her expression grew serious, “If you’re willing, how could I object? But it’s not proper for us two women to discuss this here, you should also ask your husband and father-in-law’s opinions!”
“Sister!” Mother’s eyes lit up, “I’m just worried about disappointing Yu’er!”
Mother’s undisguised joy made Mother-in-law happy too. She smiled: “The Dou family has a tradition of scholarship, I’m more worried about disappointing Shou.”
“Not at all, not at all!” Mother said, turning to retrieve a jade pendant from her room and handing it to Mother-in-law, “Sister, this is our Zhao family heirloom, you’ll recognize it. I’m giving it to Yu’er.”
“This…” Mother-in-law was unsure whether to accept it or not.
Mother smiled: “If the children are destined for each other, we’ll both be happy. If not, I’m still Yu’er’s aunt!”
Mother-in-law smiled gently, thought for a moment, then removed a white jade bracelet from her wrist, saying: “This was given to me by my father when I married. I’ll give it to Shou.” She accepted the jade pendant.
Mother was overjoyed and carefully placed the jade bracelet in her bosom.
Dou Zhao felt her nose tingle, then sensed someone pulling at her clothes.
“What are they doing?” Wei Tingyu’s voice came from behind.
Dou Zhao pulled her clothes from his grasp and said: “I don’t know!” She left him and went to the heated kang bed.
Wei Tingyu’s mouth gaped open, and after a while, he came to his senses and ran over, climbing onto the kang before Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao glanced at him and leaned against the large pillow, absently chewing on candied winter melon strips.
Had it been four days and three nights already?
Every detail was vivid and lifelike…
Was this a dream?
If not a dream, where was she?
Dou Zhao disliked this feeling of being out of control. It was frustrating, yet she didn’t want to leave this dream.
Either way, even if it was a dream, helping Mother defeat Wang Yingxue could provide some comfort.
Wei Tingyu kept staring at Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao didn’t look at him at all.
His face turned red as he said: “Is this your house?”
Dou Zhao gave a simple “mm” and continued with her thoughts.
At the Jining Marquis Manor, Wei Tingyu was always the center of attention. Being ignored for the first time, he became indignant and loudly declared: “Your tea tastes terrible!”
Yu Mama was mortified.
Dou Zhao raised her eyes, glancing at him lightly, and said: “You don’t have to drink it!”
“You…” Wei Tingyu’s little face alternated between red and white as he shouted, “Your family’s food tastes bad too!”
Dou Zhao couldn’t be bothered with him and called out “Tuo Niang”: “Carry me to the writing desk!”
If she went out now, given Mother’s regard for Wei Tingyu, she would surely think Dou Zhao wasn’t getting along with him and that she was neglecting him.
But she didn’t want to endure Wei Tingyu’s unreasonable behavior either, so it was better to separate. When the adults finished their discussion, they would naturally come looking for them.
It was almost lunchtime anyway, even if Wei Tingyu threw a tantrum, it wouldn’t last long.
Sure enough, before a cup of tea’s worth of time had passed, while Wei Tingyu was still glaring at her cross-eyed, Hanxiao came to invite them to lunch in the flower hall.
Dou Zhao quickly slipped away with Hanxiao.
Perhaps Grandfather and Father had already received word, as Wei Tingyu was carried to the main hall by a servant.
Dou Zhao ate lunch at ease.
Her well-cultivated good habits made her movements as natural and graceful as flowing clouds and water.
Mother-in-law kept nodding in approval, saying: “Truly worthy of being a Dou family daughter.”
Mother was somewhat puzzled, but her spirits were high from Mother-in-law’s praise, pushing her uncertainties aside.
After the meal, Wei Tingyu was carried back by the servant, having received a large collection of writing materials.
Dou Zhao pondered silently.
Why haven’t they left yet?
They must find a way to make Wang Yingxue sign the contract of servitude!
If Father hardened his heart and kept Wang Yingxue outside the household, it would be even more troublesome when Wang Xingyi was reinstated after three years.
But how to convince Mother?
She frowned, thinking back and forth, unable to find a good solution.
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