Arguments continued in the Heshou Hall.
When Dou Zhao rushed over, she heard Third Uncle saying, “…This matter was caused by Seventh Brother taking a concubine, so it can be considered ‘jealousy.’ This way, the Zhao family can’t say much. It preserves the face of both families.”
She trembled with anger.
Respect the dead!
Even so, how could they shirk responsibility by letting her mother bear such an evil reputation after death!
Don’t they know what “jealousy” means for a woman?
Mother was such a proud person — if she knew this would be her posthumous reputation, would she still have been so resolute in hanging herself?
No wonder in her previous life, the servants spoke of mother with such disdain in private!
It shows that no matter what happens, one must find a way to survive.
Only by living can there be hope and a future.
Dou Zhao lifted the curtain and entered.
Unfortunately, the hall was vast and spacious. The adults were all heavy-hearted, and with guards outside, no one expected anyone to slip in silently.
Little Dou Zhao’s arrival was like a leaf falling by the riverside, not causing a single ripple.
She clenched her fists, about to speak, when her father, who had been sitting alone far away, suddenly stood up.
“No! No!” he shouted emotionally, “Gu Qiu wasn’t that kind of person. You can’t say such things about her! You can’t let her bear such an evil reputation even after death…”
His expression suddenly became defeated, his voice dropping, “She… she died because of me…”
Dou Zhao let out a long sigh as she saw Second Madame’s face darken. She sternly rebuked him with a low “nonsense,” her expression becoming severe and unbearable.
“What time is it now? How can you still say such things? How old are you now, can’t you think before you speak? Do you want to see the Zhao and Dou families tear each other apart? You killed Gu Qiu? Tell me, did you beat her? Scold her? Or did you humiliate her in front of others? Isn’t her death related to you taking a concubine?”
Father was speechless.
“I, I…” he stammered for a long time, unable to explain himself.
Dou Zhao suddenly understood.
If father hadn’t taken a concubine, things wouldn’t have become like this between him and mother. Ultimately, the Dou family believed this matter was caused by Wang Yingxue.
If father didn’t admit it, the reasoning wouldn’t make sense. But if he admitted it, it would confirm Third Uncle’s accusation of “jealousy”!
Was this why Uncle couldn’t argue against it, having to swallow this bitter pill in silence?
Dou Zhao’s expression became distant.
Second Madame’s expression gradually softened.
She sighed, “I watched Gu Qiu grow up. She died so young — don’t you think my heart aches too?” Her eyes reddened as she spoke, “But heartache is heartache. We can’t let sentiment cloud our judgment…”
“But, but we can’t speak of Gu Qiu this way!” Second Madame was always strict, and everyone in the family feared her. Seeing her show weakness, father didn’t dare to oppose directly, but still said reluctantly, “If this gets out, how will others view Gu Qiu?”
“This won’t get out!” Second Madame’s warning gaze swept over everyone present, declaring firmly, “The law doesn’t pass six ears. As long as we don’t speak of it, would the Zhao family go around shouting about it? Zhao Ruifu has three daughters after all.”
“That’s right!” Third Uncle picked up the conversation, persuading father, “If this gets out, we’ll lose face too. You know Ruifu’s temperament — he’s most sincere and serious with people. If he makes a fuss, your taking a concubine will become public knowledge anyway, and Seventh Sister-in-law will still bear the name of being ‘jealous.’ Better to appease Ruifu first. After Seventh Sister-in-law’s funeral, you brothers-in-law can talk it through properly. That’s better than doing impulsive things and saying hurtful words in anger!” He finished by giving Sixth Uncle a look, suggesting he persuade father.
Unexpectedly, Sixth Uncle said, “Third Brother, don’t look at me. I don’t agree with this!”
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Including Dou Zhao.
Sixth Uncle simply stood up and said, “I didn’t used to think much of Seventh Sister-in-law. I thought she was too delicate — whenever Seventh Brother overlooked something, she’d be unhappy, and he’d hurry to apologize. How is that the behavior of a worthy wife? But now she’s dead, and what you’re doing lacks integrity. A gentleman should be open and upright. We’ve had a friendship with the Zhao family for generations. Let’s explain everything clearly to Ruifu and let him decide what to do. I believe Seventh Brother isn’t a coward,” he nodded at father, somewhat supportively, “As long as we have clear consciences…” This made father’s face fill with gratitude.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh.
No wonder father and Sixth Uncle were so close. Sixth Uncle was straightforward and honest, quite like the famous scholars of the Wei and Jin periods. And father shared his reputation… Perhaps father wasn’t as terrible as she had imagined!
Her gaze fell on father, causing her to reexamine the man she had never properly looked at in her previous life.
“Zhongzhi!” Third Uncle called Sixth Uncle by his courtesy name, arguing awkwardly, “This is just a temporary measure…”
“People are divided into different classes, and actions have their noble and base aspects1,” Sixth Uncle disagreed, “Even if it’s a temporary measure, we shouldn’t tarnish someone’s reputation…”
The two blood brothers began to argue.
“Enough!” Grandfather, who had been silent until now, spoke up, “Stop arguing, all of you. We must tell Ruifu about what happened, but the ‘jealousy’ matter is also a fact! This is how we’ll settle it.”
In the end, they would still use mother’s “jealousy” to silence Uncle.
Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.
Being from different branches of the family, Sixth Uncle couldn’t say more, and Third Uncle, knowing this wasn’t honorable, showed no trace of happiness.
“Father…” Father anxiously called to Grandfather.
Grandfather gave a cold “hmph.”
Hurried footsteps came from outside, and Gaosheng reported through the curtain: “The Zhao family’s uncle has arrived!”
Grandfather and Second Madame exchanged a glance, and Second Madame instructed Third Uncle: “You and Zhongzhi accompany Wanyuan to greet the Zhao family’s uncle!”
Third Uncle sighed lightly and accompanied Sixth Uncle and Father out of the hall.
Dou Zhao thought for a moment and followed, but Second Madame spotted her.
“Shou’er! Why are you here?” She hurriedly ordered the maid who had been sent to the courtyard, “Bring the Fourth Young Lady to me!”
Dou Zhao was caught around the waist.
“Let me go! Let me go!” She quickly broke free from the maid who dared not use force on her, and ran away like the wind.
The Dou family’s main gate was wide open, and Dou Zhao saw her Aunt, who had been resting in the side room, escorting three female cousins and a man in mourning clothes as they entered.
He was of medium height, with features more delicate than a woman’s.
Although more than ten years had passed, Dou Zhao immediately recognized her Uncle Zhao Si.
Her eyes immediately moistened.
If she hadn’t been so stubborn in her previous life, if she had listened to her eldest cousin’s words and thought things through carefully, she and her uncle’s family wouldn’t have become so estranged.
Dou Zhao ran forward quickly.
She saw her uncle take two quick strides forward and punch her father in the face.
Father was stunned by the blow, stumbled and fell to the ground, taking a while to come to his senses, his jade-like cheek immediately swelling up.
“You bastard!” Uncle grabbed father’s collar and struck him again, “You took a concubine after just three years of marriage, did you have any regard for Gu Qiu? For Shou’er? You bastard!”
Father’s face took another punch.
Dou Zhao cried out in shock.
Third Uncle, Sixth Uncle, Aunt, and the three cousins all rushed over at once, some calling “Ruifu,” some calling “Father,” some pulling father, some pulling uncle. Third Uncle simply stood between uncle and father, loudly saying “A gentleman uses words, not fists.”
Uncle sneered, pointing at father: “What kind of gentleman is he? If I use words with him, would he understand?” He moved forward to hit father again.
Father pushed aside Third Uncle who was blocking him, and fell to his knees before uncle with a thud: “Brother, it’s all my fault, I wronged Gu Qiu… Hit me! Hit me… I’d rather you beat me…”
Sixth Uncle’s face darkened: “Dou Shiyying, get up, get up! A real man only kneels to heaven, earth, the emperor, parents, and teachers. What are you doing!” He then shouted at the servants nearby, “Close the main gate now!”
The servants rushed forward to close the gate, not daring to look this way.
Uncle spoke with disdain: “Do you think taking a beating will absolve you of your sins? Dou Shiyying, let me tell you, not a chance…” He kicked father.
Father knelt there, enduring uncle’s kick.
“Ruifu, Ruifu, don’t do this!” Third Uncle quickly held uncle back, “Seventh Sister-in-law’s body isn’t cold yet, and you brothers-in-law are already fighting. Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock? If there’s anything to say, let’s talk it through properly…”
Uncle ignored Third Uncle and asked aunt: “Where’s Shou’er? Who’s watching Shou’er?”
Aunt quickly replied: “Shou’er is in the mourning hall, her maid is watching her!”
Uncle strode toward the mourning hall.
Dou Zhao’s tears fell uncontrollably.
She stepped forward, calling out loudly, “Uncle!”
Zhao Si looked over, his eyes immediately reddening.
“Shou’er!” He held Dou Zhao tightly, “Let’s go see your mother!”
“Alright!” Dou Zhao nodded, hugging her uncle’s neck, feeling unprecedented security for the first time.
They burned incense, bowed, and gave thanks.
Uncle and niece solemnly completed the memorial service.
Zhao Si handed Dou Zhao to aunt: “Watch her. At times like these when everyone is busy, accidents happen easily. I need to see my in-laws.”
Father, his face black and blue, stared blankly at mother’s coffin, while Third Uncle and Sixth Uncle looked somewhat uncomfortable.
“I understand.” Aunt took Dou Zhao, nodding knowingly, “Go ahead with your business, I’ll take good care of Shou’er.”
Uncle lovingly patted Dou Zhao’s head before turning to leave the mourning hall.
Aunt coaxed Dou Zhao: “Come, let’s go eat osmanthus cake!”
- This is a direct translation of a traditional common saying. Keep in mind the difference in cultures and the period setting of this novel as you read this explanation — the saying reflects traditional hierarchical thinking and emphasizes people being categorized into different ‘levels’ (e.g., social class or status) and actions are similarly classified as high or low in value or importance. ↩︎
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