Dou Zhao avoided her aunt and ran pitter-patter towards Third Aunt.
Her aunt was stunned.
Third Aunt smiled broadly as she picked up Dou Zhao: “Madam Zhao, the child is still too young and doesn’t understand anything. She can’t be separated from her familiar maids and servants. If she gets frightened, it would be troublesome. I think it’s better to let her stay in a place she’s familiar with, don’t you agree?” Her tone carried a hint of mockery.
Aunt’s face alternated between red and white, while internally cursing the young maid in her household.
She hadn’t even told her own mother the real reason for accompanying her husband to his post, yet somehow Zhangrui, that little maid, had parroted it to the small maid who usually played with her, who then told her cousin…
Somehow, word got back to the Dou family, and before she even arrived, they had already set up their defenses.
They never had grounds to take Shou’er away in the first place.
Now that the Dou family had invited the matriarchs of several prominent households in Zhending County as witnesses, and Shou’er had apparently heard something that made her avoid her aunt, it seemed unlikely they would get their way this time.
Her eyes reddened, and her voice became choked: “Shou’er, aunt came to take you home to play.”
She made one last effort, “Do you remember cousin Zhangrui? They’re all waiting at home to play with you!”
Dou Zhao nodded but hid in Third Aunt’s embrace, looking fearfully at her aunt with clear, bright eyes, stammering: “I want to play with my cousins… but Aunt Ding said if I go with you, you’ll sell me to some remote mountain village…”
The whole room was in an uproar.
Aunt Ding frantically defended herself: “When did I ever say such a thing? Children shouldn’t make up stories.”
Third Aunt’s expression was very unpleasant, but she still forced a smile: “Shou’er, don’t make up stories, okay!”
“Children tell the truth. I was saying, how could Shou’er, who is usually as close to me as mother and daughter, want to hide from me today?”
Aunt’s face flushed red with anger, “You’re corrupting an innocent child this way, beware of karma!”
A woman smiled and tried to mediate: “It’s all a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! Just clear it up, and everything will be fine! Madam Zhao, you’ve come from far away, please come inside to rest and have some tea…”
“What misunderstanding?” Aunt shot back without courtesy, “Is there such a misunderstanding? Our lady’s body isn’t cold yet, and you’re already trying to drive a wedge between Shou’er and her uncle. Have you set your sights on some noble family’s daughter to be our brother-in-law’s second wife, and you’re afraid our Zhao family will ruin the arrangement between your two families?”
This accusation carried some weight.
The matriarchs hurriedly distanced themselves, no one daring to speak up.
Seeing this, aunt grew bolder, coldly snorting, “I know the Dou family is wealthy and powerful, when they stomp their foot, all of Zhending County trembles. But you can’t bully people like this!”
Dou Zhao listened with great admiration.
What a counterattack!
It was no wonder Uncle valued Aunt so highly.
Third Aunt had been scolded until her face turned purple, but at this point, she had no choice but to give in. Yet she represented the Dou family — if she yielded, wouldn’t that be admitting to Madam Zhao’s accusations?
As this thought flashed through her mind, she glanced at Aunt Ding’s pale face.
The only solution now was to let her take the blame.
After all, she was just a concubine, not worthy of attention, and such behavior would be understandable coming from her.
“My in-law,” Third Aunt handed Dou Zhao to the maid behind her and curtseyed to Aunt in apology, “It’s all my fault, I believed rumors too easily. Please be magnanimous and forgive this older sister for the sake of our family ties.”
Then, her expression hardening, she ordered Aunt Ding: “Quickly apologize to Madam Zhao!”
Aunt Ding’s face grew even paler.
They had instructed her to manipulate Shou’er, and now they were making her take the blame… but what could she say? Unless she didn’t want to stay in the Dou family anymore.
“Madam Zhao,” she struggled to contain her humiliation, thought briefly, then knelt before Aunt with tears in her eyes, “It’s all my fault!” She prostrated herself and began kowtowing to Aunt.
Aunt let out a long sigh.
Though she knew Aunt Ding was merely following orders, what could she say?
Shou’er was young and couldn’t protect herself. If the Zhao and Dou families fell out, Shou’er would be the one to suffer the consequences.
For the sake of peace, she had to let the matter rest.
Nevertheless, she said to Third Aunt: “This woman’s gossiping is no small matter. Shou’er is still innocent, having such a person around is truly worrying. This matter should probably be discussed with the master. Shou’er needs someone proper by her side to put people’s minds at ease!”
This was demanding that the Dou family punish Aunt Ding.
Third Aunt could only force herself to say “Madam Zhao is right,” then tried to smooth things over: “Look at us, we’ve been talking all this time. You’re about to follow your husband to his post, and might not return to Anxiang for three to five years. Such chance meetings are better than planned ones. Since several ladies are visiting, I’ll set up two tables in the flower hall, as a farewell party for you.”
As she spoke, she took Aunt’s arm and instructed her maid, “Go tell the First Madam that I’m hosting a farewell party for Madam Zhao, and ask her to come join us.”
The maid hurriedly acknowledged and left.
Aunt didn’t refuse, smiling: “Having rushed over so early, I could really use a cup of tea.”
One of the matrons immediately picked up the conversation, laughing: “When are you departing, Madam Zhao? We should come to see you off then.”
“In the next couple of days!” Aunt smiled, “How could I trouble Madam Zheng to come…”
The group chatted and laughed as they headed to the flower hall together.
No one mentioned what had just happened.
Dou Zhao looked back at the main hall from over the maid’s shoulder.
The empty hall was vast, spacious, and desolate.
Aunt Ding trembled on the ground like a withered autumn leaf, seeming as if a breeze could blow her away.
Dou Zhao turned her head, her eyes calm and unruffled.
If you dare to be used as someone else’s weapon, you must be prepared to be discarded when they’re done with you!
?????
That evening, Aunt stayed at the Dou family home.
She sent for Nanny Yu to talk.
Dou Zhao could guess what Aunt would say.
It would be about entrusting her to Nanny Yu’s care.
Unfortunately, although Mother had brought half of the Zhao family’s wealth when she married in, it was insignificant compared to the Dou family’s fortune.
Silk and wealth move people’s hearts.
Trying to win people over with just a few words might work temporarily, when there’s nothing to compare it to, but over time, with the Dou family’s glory and wealth nearby, people’s minds would inevitably be swayed.
What happened in her previous life was the best evidence of this.
She had no interest in knowing more.
Being able to find Tuo Niang was already fortunate.
Dou Zhao slept peacefully, and the next day she woke up early. Before dawn, she had Tuo Niang carry her to the guest room where Aunt was staying.
Aunt hadn’t risen yet, and was surprised to hear that Dou Zhao had come.
Dou Zhao had already run in, climbing onto the kang bed with hands and feet: “Aunt, Aunt, I want to sleep with you!”
Aunt chuckled, lifted her onto the bed, and wrapped her in the blanket, holding her close.
Aunt’s body carried a pleasant magnolia fragrance.
She said to Aunt: “Aunt, can I write letters to you in the future?”
Aunt was surprised.
Dou Zhao smiled: “I know how to write letters, it’s putting what you want to say on paper, so Aunt will know what I’ve been doing.”
Aunt hugged her tightly: “Shou’er is so good! If your mother were alive, she would be so happy!” She was filled with melancholy.
Nanny Peng advised Aunt: “You shouldn’t say such things in front of the child.”
“I won’t, I won’t.” Aunt smiled and asked Nanny Peng to call Yuzhan over.
Dou Zhao quickly understood as her eyes darted around.
“Yuzhan isn’t here,” she said with a grin. “Aunt Ding wants to arrange her marriage.”
Aunt’s expression tightened as she gently asked: “Who does Aunt Ding want to marry her to?”
“I don’t know!” Dou Zhao shook her head carelessly.
Aunt thought for a moment and said to Nanny Peng: “Then call Tuo Niang!”
Nanny Peng acknowledged and called Tuo Niang in.
Aunt had Nanny Peng reward her with twenty taels of silver, “If anything happens to Fourth Miss, you tell Nanny Yu, and if Nanny Yu can’t handle it, have someone write a letter to tell me.”
Nanny Peng gave Tuo Niang a small note: “This is the master and madam’s address. I’ll tell you how to read it later, you memorize it.”
Tuo Niang nodded repeatedly and kept the note close, but refused to accept the twenty taels of silver.
“Take it,” Aunt said. “I’ve instructed Nanny Yu to give you five taels of silver each month for Fourth Miss’s expenses. I know the Dou family will give Fourth Miss a monthly allowance, but having some silver in hand will give you peace of mind. Also, if there’s any emergency, you’ll need silver to send someone to inform us.”
Tuo Niang nodded and tucked the two silver ingots into her clothes.
Dou Zhao leaned in Aunt’s embrace, chatting with her.
“I want to play with my cousins, but I don’t want to go to Anxiang,” she appeared very troubled.
“Mother went to the South Sea to pray to Buddha, what if she comes back and can’t find Shou’er? I need to wait for her at home. What if Father forgets about Mother? What if Nanny Yu gives Mother’s pretty clothes to someone else? When Mother comes back, she’ll have no one to play with and no clothes to wear…”
Aunt was stunned.
Then she became emotional.
“I’ve lived all these years, yet I’m not as wise as a three-year-old child.” Aunt held Dou Zhao’s face and gave her a kiss.
“Shou’er is right, this is Shou’er’s home, and the Dou family should take good care of you. Why should you sneak away to the northwest with us, letting others lord over this home! Good child, we won’t go to the northwest. In a couple of years, Aunt will come back to see you. If the Dou family dares to treat you badly, I won’t let them off easily.”
Dou Zhao smiled and nodded continuously.
She had never thought about going to the post with Uncle’s family.
This was her home — why should she retreat without a fight? Why should she give what should be hers to others?
She wouldn’t leave.
If she were to leave, it would be because she had grown tired of staying in the Dou family and wanted a change of scenery.
Not being forced to leave the Dou family like this.
Dou Zhao came out of the guest room as the morning sun painted the sky red, dyeing the blue heavens.
The immortal touched my head, my bound hair receiving eternal life.1
She stood quietly under the eaves, gazing at the sky.
If something as incredible as reincarnation could happen to her, what couldn’t happen!
She wanted to choose her life, never again to be chosen by life.
- Literally translated; the original in mandarin is: “????????????” (xi?n rén zh? lù, f? w? d?ng, jié f? shòu cháng sh?ng) – a poetic way of describing receiving a divine gift or spiritual awakening. ↩︎
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