“I’ve already given my word, how could I go back on it?” Dou Zhao said with a smile. “Just the other day, Madam Guo sent someone with a message about wanting to arrange a marriage with our family. That’s why I thought we might as well arrange for Young Master Wei to marry the eldest granddaughter of the Xuanning Marquis, taking the initiative to resolve this matter. This way, you won’t have to offend Father-in-law and make life difficult.”
The mother-in-law nodded repeatedly, abandoning her usual hesitancy and decisively saying, “Let’s do as you suggest. You have a good relationship with Madam Guo, and we’ve watched their eldest granddaughter grow up. Her character and appearance are truly one in ten thousand – she’s worthy of our Wei’er. We shouldn’t delay. You should send someone to propose to the Guo family in the next few days.”
After speaking, she realized Dou Zhao was still bedridden and quickly amended, “Never mind, I’ll handle this personally. You just rest well – I’ll take care of everything!”
She then took Wei Tingyu back to her own courtyard to discuss Young Master Wei’s engagement.
Dou Zhao felt somewhat relieved and instructed Cui Leng: “Go invite the Young Master to see me!”
There were some things she needed to discuss with Wei’er!
Cui Leng left to follow her instructions.
Fatigue overtook Dou Zhao, and she fell asleep.
In her hazy state, she heard some commotion.
“…Dear sister, I’m not here to make trouble, I’m just worried about Madam’s illness,” Concubine Hu’s shrill voice pierced her ears. “Everyone in the manor is saying Madam is near death. I just wanted to know the truth.”
As she spoke, she began wailing as if in deep mourning, “If anything happens to Madam, how will Third Master and I survive? I might as well go with Madam…”
Wei Tingyu had four concubines. After Rui’er turned four, they gradually bore him four sons and four daughters.
Brothers hunt tigers together, father and son fight side by side.1
With both her sons grown, Dou Zhao didn’t mind these concubines continuing the Wei family line.
If these children proved capable, they could one day assist Wei’er and Rui’er.
Concubine Hu was the first to bear a son.
She was young then and quite proud of herself for a while.
Dou Zhao remained silent and helped Wei Tingyu take two more exceptionally beautiful concubines who were skilled in various songs, double-six dominoes, and chess.
This suited Wei Tingyu’s tastes perfectly.
He spent day and night with the two new concubines, hardly remembering who she was anymore.
Concubine Hu finally realized that if Dou Zhao wished, she could make anyone gain or lose favor as she pleased!
She then washed away her makeup and began flattering Dou Zhao with a humble attitude.
Dou Zhao arranged another concubine for Wei Tingyu who excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
The concubines learned of Dou Zhao’s capability and from then on, none dared to put on airs.
Since they were obedient, Dou Zhao naturally didn’t make things difficult for them. She arranged their seasonal clothes and accessories, and the maids and elderly servants attending their children, all quite well – not much different from the main wife and legitimate children in other wealthy households. The concubines settled down, pleased Dou Zhao, served Wei Tingyu, bore and raised children, and the household became peaceful.
“What nonsense is Concubine speaking?” Cui Leng angrily scolded Concubine Hu. “Why do you always catch at shadows and say such inappropriate things? The Marquis and Madam talked half the night, and Madam has just gone to rest. Do you want to wake her?”
“No, no,” Concubine Hu hastily explained, “I, I’m just heartbroken… I wish I could take Madam’s illness instead…”
She spoke with genuine feeling.
Dou Zhao believed she was speaking from her heart.
If she died, within a year at most, Wei Tingyu would remarry, finding new beautiful companions to make music with. Wei’er was the heir of Jining Manor and nearly engaged – without his birth mother, he still had his in-laws’ support. As for Rui’er and daughter Yin’er, with Wei’er as their legitimate elder brother, they wouldn’t suffer. Only the concubines, with young children and fading beauty, would have no one to rely on!
“Even so, Concubine shouldn’t make such a commotion at Madam’s door,” came a voice both gentle yet stern, trying to persuade Concubine Hu. “If all the concubines acted like you, wouldn’t the household fall into chaos? It’s early morning – Concubine probably hasn’t had breakfast yet? Why not return to your quarters for breakfast, and come back when Madam wakes…”
It was Madam Zhu’s voice!
Dou Zhao’s heart jolted.
Madam Zhu was the wet nurse she had carefully chosen for her eldest son. She was of pure character, kind and generous, and more patient and attentive to Wei’er than to her own son. Most admirably, she was very responsible. When Wei’er made mistakes, she never let them slide just because she was his wet nurse, but always carefully taught and urged him to correct them. After Dou Zhao gave birth to her second son, she also entrusted Rui’er’s household matters to her, freeing herself to fully manage the affairs of the Wei manor.
The consequence was that both sons, while respectful and obedient to her, lacked deep filial affection.
Dou Zhao was filled with regret!
First, she sent Madam Zhu to the Jining Marquis’s villa in the Western Mountains under the pretext of retirement. Then she personally took care of both sons’ daily needs, inquired about their studies, and persuaded Wei Tingyu to teach them horsemanship and archery…
But it was all too late.
Madam Zhu conducted herself with impeccable integrity, giving no cause for criticism. Ten-year-old Wei’er and nine-year-old Rui’er were not only aware but understanding. Her actions didn’t bring her sons closer to her; instead, they became even more silent in her presence.
She knew her sons resented her for sending Madam Zhu away.
But who could understand the heart-wrenching pain of a mother becoming estranged from her children?
Perhaps women understand women best. Madam Zhu vaguely sensed her inner conflict and after going to the countryside, never actively contacted Wei’er and Rui’er, let alone return to the manor uninvited like this.
What was Madam Zhu here for?
As Dou Zhao pondered this, she heard soft exclamations outside: “Wet nurse, why are you here? The road from the countryside to the capital is so rough – why didn’t you tell me? I could have sent the manor’s carriage to fetch you.”
The clear, pleasant voice of a youth – it was her son Wei’er.
Since she fell ill, she worried about the children catching her illness and only allowed them their usual morning and evening greetings. He must have come for his morning greeting.
As the legitimate eldest son of the Jining Marquis family, he was raised as the heir from childhood. With Wei Tingyu as an example, Dou Zhao was stricter with him than most noble families were with their children. As he grew older, he became increasingly steady in his conduct, earning praise from many elders, which had made Dou Zhao secretly proud.
Making such a fuss like a child – was this really her composed and reserved eldest son?
Dou Zhao did something she normally despised.
She got up, put on her clothes, and peered through the window lattice at Madam Zhu and her son.
Perhaps afraid of disturbing her, Madam Zhu lowered her voice: “…I heard Madam was ill, so I wanted to check on her. Don’t worry, I’ll leave after paying my respects to Madam.” Then she asked him, “How have you been these days? Second Master told me you went hunting with the young masters from the Jingguo Duke’s family – how many golden pheasants did you catch?”
Wei’er was embarrassed and called out “Wet nurse” with dissatisfaction: “Cousin caught several rabbits!”
Madam Zhu chuckled: “What’s so special about catching a few rabbits!” She gently dusted off Wei’er’s spotless clothes and sighed with emotion: “Our young master has grown up, and can now ride and hunt like the Marquis. This time it was golden pheasants, next time you’ll surely bring back a roe deer like the Marquis.”
She lifted her chin slightly, her expression full of proud satisfaction.
Wei’er was stunned, then smiled shyly but happily, saying: “Wet nurse, are you comfortable living in the countryside? How is my milk-brother? Should I tell the manor’s steward to transfer him to work at a shop in the capital? I’m now helping mother manage household affairs. Back then, my milk-brother was even better at arithmetic than me – he’d make more than a capable shop manager…”
“Nonsense,” Madam Zhu smiled while scolding Wei’er, though her eyes couldn’t hide her comfort, “The manor’s affairs have their own customs and procedures. Though he’s your milk-brother, he’s still in your service. Where your milk-brother serves is for Madam to decide. You’re the heir of the Jining Marquis manor, not a child from an ordinary family. You must think carefully about everything you do and not break rules just because of personal preference…”
“I know, I know!” Wei’er responded impatiently, yet affectionately linked arms with Madam Zhu. “I finally get to see you, can’t you say a bit less? Oh right, after Second Brother visited you last time, he told me your hands were frostbitten. Let me see… I found some frostbite ointment for you at the Imperial Hospital the day before yesterday. They say it’s from the Founding Emperor’s personal recipe and works very well. I was about to send it to you when you came to the manor…”
Dou Zhao couldn’t bear to hear any more.
Her hands were merely frostbitten, and you anxiously sought imperial medicine for her; I’m nearly dying, yet have you ever personally brewed me a bowl of medicine!
A sharp pain spread from her chest.
Dou Zhao stumbled back to her inner chamber, not knowing how she managed to climb back into bed, only aware that when she came to her senses, sweat had soaked through her back.
She called loudly for Cui Leng to enter: “Have Madam Zhu and the Young Master come in.”
Seeing Dou Zhao’s poor complexion, Cui Leng gave her an uneasy look before going to relay the message.
Soon after, Wei’er and Madam Zhu entered.
They stood apart as if avoiding suspicion, each respectfully in place – one lowering his eyes and calling “Mother,” the other respectfully curtsying and addressing her as “Madam.”
Dou Zhao felt a chill in her heart and couldn’t even be bothered to respond properly, directly telling her son about the upcoming marriage arrangement with the Guo family – anyway, even if she tried to keep it from Madam Zhu, either her eldest or second son would tell her.
Perhaps caught off guard, Wei’er seemed bewildered, while Madam Zhu was greatly surprised, then showed joy and seemed about to cry.
Her son hadn’t yet understood the deeper meaning, but Madam Zhu had.
Dou Zhao suddenly felt disheartened and simply said to her son: “Your wet nurse raised you – if not for merit, at least for her effort. Pass on my words – let Madam Zhu return to serve in your quarters, and your milk-brother can serve under the general manager in the accounting office.”
“Mother!” Wei’er was both shocked and overjoyed, without thinking, he “thunk” fell to his knees at Dou Zhao’s bedside and heavily kowtowed several times, “On behalf of wet nurse and my milk-brother, thank you, Mother!” His face was full of excitement.
Madam Zhu was greatly alarmed and hurried to pull Wei’er up: “Young Master, you mustn’t, you mustn’t!”
Even a wet nurse knows what’s improper, how could the son she carefully raised not know?
It was simply that he couldn’t contain his emotions!
- A literally translated idiom that means family uniting and working together to overcome great challenges (such as hunting a tiger). ↩︎
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