As soon as Dou Ming got out of the carriage, she saw Grandmother standing outside the crowd. Grandmother looked just as she remembered – wearing a plain lilac silk jacket, her black hair neatly arranged in a bun with a silver lantern hairpin, and silver bracelets on her wrists. She was casually circling the plum tree by the ancestral hall steps, which was as thick as a wine cup.
It reminded her of many years ago, when she had woken up confused and lost, only to look up and see Grandmother peacefully squatting in the fields examining the growth of melons and vegetables. Her heart would immediately calm down at the sight.
Grandmother!
Dou Zhao’s eyes grew moist, and she had to hold back from calling out loudly.
While Grandfather and Father were welcomed into the ancestral hall by Third Uncle, she was left in the care of Tuo Niang and Yu Zan.
Third Cousin’s six-year-old daughter ran over, tugging at Tuo Niang’s pants: “Fourth Aunt, Fourth Aunt, let’s play string games?”
In her previous life, she hadn’t had much interaction with this niece – she didn’t even know her name.
Dou Zhao mumbled a vague response.
Tuo Niang put her down, and she immediately ran to Grandmother’s side.
Should she call her Auntie Cui or Grandmother?
Dou Zhao hesitated for a moment.
She wanted to call her Grandmother, but feared it might cause trouble for her if others heard.
Fifth Cousin’s five-year-old daughter chased after them: “Fourth Aunt, Fourth Aunt!”
Grandmother heard the commotion and looked over, seeing Dou Zhao’s curious gaze.
She smiled and half-squatted, her expression warm: “You must be Shou Gu?”
Dou Zhao nodded, tears falling uncontrollably.
Grandmother was startled, quickly embracing her: “Don’t cry, don’t cry!” She wiped away the tears, her calloused fingertips slightly rough against Dou Zhao’s skin, yet bringing such comfort to her heart.
Yu Zan ran over, looking somewhat anxious as she called out “Auntie Cui,” and hastily took Dou Zhao away, mumbling: “Seventh Master told us to take good care of Fourth Miss…”
Dou Zhao was displeased.
A bitter smile flashed across Grandmother’s lips, but she said nothing. She took out a red embroidered pouch with yellow orioles from her pocket and handed it to Dou Zhao: “Here’s some snacks for you!” Then she quickly turned and left.
“Grandmother!” Dou Zhao called after her.
Her tall figure paused slightly, then decisively headed down the side alley towards the back courtyard of the ancestral hall.
Yu Zan quickly said: “Fourth Miss, please keep your voice down. The Old Master doesn’t like Auntie Cui talking too much with Seventh Master or you!”
Dou Zhao smiled coldly, feeling deeply humiliated.
If he didn’t like it, why did he have Father with Grandmother…
She wanted to find Grandmother, but Second Cousin’s little daughter wouldn’t let go of her: “What good things did you get?” She was almost drooling as she asked.
The maid felt deeply embarrassed and grabbed her waist, heading towards Third Sister-in-law. As they walked, she apologized with a red face: “Fourth Miss, our Little Miss is just curious!”
Dou Zhao laughed, her anger dissipating somewhat.
She opened the pouch to find a small bag of dried longan.
Grandmother had once told her that her first taste of snacks was on the night she was brought into the Dou family.
While Grandfather and the legitimate Grandmother were entertaining guests outside, and the servants who were supposed to be attending to her had disappeared somewhere, she sat alone on the bed.
Afraid of needing the toilet during the journey, she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since getting up.
She was both hungry and thirsty but didn’t dare move. By chance, she found two dried longans on the bed and, not caring what they were, quickly bit through the shells and stuffed them in her mouth…
That’s why Grandmother always thought dried longan was the most delicious thing in the world.
Whenever Dou Zhao was sick or fell down, Grandmother would comfort her with fresh or dried longan.
The pouch still held the warmth from Grandmother’s body.
Had Grandmother prepared this pouch early, waiting for a chance to give it to her?
Dou Zhao slowly peeled a longan and gently placed it in her mouth.
The sweet and refreshing taste slid from her throat to her heart.
She struggled to get down from Yu Zan’s arms and ran to the back garden’s flower hall.
The women of the Dou family were gathered around Second Madam, chatting.
Dou Zhao immediately spotted Grandmother sitting alone by the fire in a corner of the flower hall.
She threw a longan seed into the fire pit.
The fire pit burst with flames, startling Grandmother, who looked over to find the source.
Dou Zhao waved her small hand at her, then turned and hid behind the winter cypress trees behind the flower hall.
Soon after, Grandmother came out and stood on the steps, looking around.
Dou Zhao stood up.
Grandmother smiled at her indulgently, shaking her head helplessly as she quickly walked over.
Dou Zhao asked her: “Are you my Grandmother?”
Grandmother squatted down and gently stroked her head: “No, I’m your Auntie Cui.”
Dou Zhao’s heart ached terribly, but she forced herself not to cry: “Then can you let me visit the farm in a few days?”
Grandmother’s hand froze slightly, and after a while, she said: “The farm is dusty everywhere, it’s not fun.”
“Then can I come see you?” Dou Zhao persisted.
“I have to work in the fields, even if you come to see me, I won’t have time to play with you,” Grandmother refused her again.
She threw herself into Grandmother’s arms, tightly hugging her neck.
Was this the price she had to pay for changing her fate?
In her previous life, the warmth they shared would now only remain in her memories alone…
Dou Zhao’s hot tears silently fell on Grandmother’s shoulder.
Perhaps she could take the initiative to live at the farm?
But before that, she had to resolve the matter with Wang Ying Xue!
Dou Zhao made plans in her heart.
Spring Festival passed quickly.
Grandmother sent Dou Zhao a sack of elm buds, saying they could be stir-fried with eggs for her to eat, good for clearing heat and moistening the lungs.
This was the first time Grandmother had sent anything to the Dou family in the city.
When Grandfather found out, he flew into a rage: “Who let her send this? Throw it all away, throw it away!”
When Dou Zhao got the news and rushed over, the steward was carrying the sack of elm buds out the second gate.
She ran forward and hugged the sack: “I want to eat stir-fried eggs, I want to eat stir-fried eggs.”
The steward didn’t dare to throw it away, but also didn’t dare to force Dou Zhao away.
Dou Zhao made such a fuss that it alarmed Dou Shi Ying.
After thinking for a long while, Dou Shi Ying ordered the steward: “Take this sack of elm buds to the kitchen.”
The steward breathed a sigh of relief.
Dou Shi Ying carried Dou Zhao back to his study.
Dou Zhao thought her father would say something to her, but he spent the whole day practicing calligraphy at his desk, not even eating lunch.
Wang Ying Xue brought Dou Ming over.
Dou Ming giggled and tried to grab Dou Shi Ying’s brush.
Dou Shi Ying smiled and held Dou Ming in his arms.
Wang Ying Xue asked softly: “Does Seventh Master have something on his mind? Would you like to tell me about it?”
After a long silence, Dou Shi Ying said quietly: “It’s nothing.”
Wang Ying Xue didn’t press further, smiling as she said: “I remember Seventh Master really likes the noodles I make. Should I go to the kitchen and make you a bowl?”
“No need,” Dou Shi Ying said glumly, “It’s almost time for dinner.”
“It won’t take long!” Wang Ying Xue wouldn’t let him refuse, instructing the wet nurse to watch Dou Ming while she hurried off to the small kitchen.
Dou Zhao, practicing calligraphy in the study, smirked slightly.
Father brought Dou Ming over to her: “Shou Gu, don’t you think your sister is pretty?”
“No,” Dou Zhao said expressionlessly.
Father was stunned.
Dou Zhao asked seriously: “Is sister prettier than me?”
Father was taken aback, then burst out laughing: “No, no. Our Shou Gu is the prettiest.” He handed Dou Zhao to the wet nurse, pinched her little face, and said, “Your personality takes after your mother.” After saying this, as if remembering something, he sighed deeply and said, “Practice your calligraphy well, I’m going for a walk.”
When Wang Ying Xue returned smiling with a bowl of noodles, she only saw Dou Ming sleeping soundly in the wet nurse’s arms.
Wang Ying Xue’s face darkened slightly.
But Dou Zhao felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.
Wang Ying Xue had too many opportunities.
And Father, like Wei Ting Yu, wasn’t very reliable in these matters.
If Wang Ying Xue were to become pregnant with Dou Xiao now, the three years of mourning for Mother would become a joke, and the marriages with other families would surely fall through.
When news of Wang Xing Yi’s reinstatement arrived, with Wang Ying Xue having the support of the Wang family, the Dou family would naturally have to weigh their options — the Dou family already had a rift with the Zhao family, and Uncle was only a seventh-rank county magistrate.
Even if the Dou family didn’t agree to make Wang Ying Xue the official wife, Uncle wouldn’t thank the Dou family at all. The Wang family was different — if the Dou family went along with acknowledging Wang Ying Xue, the Wang family would be nothing but grateful, and the Dou family would gain a powerful ally at court.
The Dou family’s choice was already clear.
Unless Wang Xing Yi failed to be reinstated, or after his reinstatement, he wasn’t given an important position!
Dou Zhao tried hard to remember what happened in her previous life.
Wang Xing Yi’s reinstatement relied on Master Zeng Yi Fen.
If Zeng Yi Fen didn’t recommend Wang Xing Yi, naturally he would have no chance.
But how could she prevent Zeng Yi Fen?
Dou Zhao bit her fingernail.
She realized that not only was she just a child now, but even if she were still the Marchioness of Jining from before, she definitely wouldn’t have a way!
Dou Zhao was very troubled.
She asked Dou Huan Chang: “Do you know Zeng Yi Fen?”
Dou Huan Chang thought for a long time, then shook his head apologetically and asked in confusion: “Why are you asking about this person?”
“I heard Father say he’s very powerful, so I wanted to know who he is?”
“Why don’t we go ask Zhi Ge’er?” Dou Huan Chang said shyly. “He knows many people, maybe he’s heard of this person!”
Dou Zhao followed Dou Huan Chang to East Dou.
The adults just thought she was visiting.
Second Madam, First Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, and Sixth Sister-in-law all gave her many treats.
Dou Huan Chang took her to the study and sent a servant to call Dou Qi Jun.
Dou Qi Jun came running in wearing a coarse short jacket, covered in sweat.
Dou Huan Chang was shocked: “What were you doing again?”
Dou Qi Jun grinned, first pouring himself a cup of cold water from the pitcher on the table and drinking it in one gulp, before saying: “Ninth Uncle, never mind what I was doing, just tell me what you needed me for?”
Dou Huan Chang asked him: “Do you know someone called Zeng Yi Fen?”
Dou Qi Jun’s eyes lit up: “You know about Zeng Yi Fen too? He’s Fifth Great Uncle’s commanding officer, a very powerful person who has served through four reigns, falling and rising three times without being defeated! A few days ago, he was summoned into the palace by the Emperor again and is now the Prime Minister. Different emperor, different ministers — this time Fifth Great Uncle will be moved to a different position…”
Dou Zhao smiled bitterly.
Wang Xing Yi would probably be moved to a different position too!
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