ATLAS TRANSLATES

Ji Shi sat by the window on the kang bed, looking at the sleeping Dou Zhao, and sighed almost inaudibly: “This child is truly beautiful!”

After leaving Third Master Dou Shibang’s house, she had taken Dou Zhao to pay respects to several nieces-in-law. By the time they returned, it was deep into the quiet night. After washing up, Dou Zhao had fallen asleep as soon as she lay down.

Wang Mama was sitting by the bed fanning Dou Zhao. Hearing these words, she couldn’t help but look at the child.

The room had no lights lit. In the moonlight, Dou Zhao looked like carved jade, her small red lips slightly upturned, revealing a hint of a smile as if having a sweet dream, instantly melting anyone who saw her.

“Yes!” Wang Mama said involuntarily, “How could Seventh Madam bear to leave Fourth Young Miss like this!”

Ji Shi remained silent.

Wang Mama continued: “When all is said and done, it’s all the Concubine’s fault. They were old acquaintances, yet she still got involved with Seventh Master. Where could Seventh Madam put her face? No wonder Seventh Madam chose this path.”

“She didn’t hang herself because she couldn’t face the shame,” Ji Shi said wistfully. “She placed too much importance on Seventh Uncle. Even if it wasn’t Concubine Wang, if it were any other woman, even a lowly courtesan who could win Seventh Uncle’s favor, it would have been earth-shattering for her. She would rather die than see it. But she never thought about what would happen to her child? To her brothers who raised her? This only brings joy to her enemies and pain to those who love her. I don’t even know what to say! If she had had a mother to guide her or a close friend to talk to, things might not have come to this. The saying ‘don’t marry a widower with a grown daughter’ has its reasons. Poor Shou Gu, I fear her days ahead will be difficult!”

Wang Mama disagreed: “Isn’t Fourth Young Miss betrothed to the heir of the Jining Marquis Manor?”

“That was just talk,” Ji Shi sighed. “If the Wei family truly wanted this marriage, they wouldn’t have just sent a steward when Madam Zhao died.”

Wang Mama felt worried for Dou Zhao.

“Let’s not discuss these matters behind others’ backs,” Ji Shi said. “What about the situation at Mother-in-law’s place, has it dispersed?”

She had already sent word that she should be notified as soon as Second Madam’s gathering dispersed.

Wang Mama quickly stood up: “I’ll go check!”

Ji Shi nodded, taking the fan from Wang Mama to fan Dou Zhao.

Wang Mama returned with news: “They say it hasn’t dispersed yet.”

Ji Shi’s brows furrowed, showing signs of unease.

Wang Mama hesitantly asked: “Has… something happened?”

Ji Shi said softly: “Mother-in-law is likely arguing with the Old Master of the Western Residence about Seventh Uncle’s marriage!”

The sleeping Dou Zhao turned over.

Ji Shi gently patted Dou Zhao, and seeing no reaction, she continued in a low voice: “Grand Secretary Zeng dismissed Chen Jizhou and recommended He Wendao. What does this mean? It means Grand Secretary Zeng has secured his position at court.” Her voice was calm and rational, colder than the moonlight falling on the windowsill. “Grand Secretary Zeng is past sixty, his health and energy aren’t what they used to be. He can hold on for five or six years at most. Who will take over from him then?” She paused briefly. “If I’m not mistaken, Wang Xingyi should have been promoted to a ministry official.”

Wang Mama thought for a while before her expression changed dramatically: “You mean Concubine Wang will be made the primary wife?” Her voice trembled.

Ji Shi nodded, her expression serious and stern: “My mother-in-law is very opportunistic. This time, the Old Master of the Western Residence will have a headache.”

Wang Mama remained stunned, the shock on her face refusing to fade.

She muttered to herself: “After Grand Secretary Zeng was forced to retire, all his disciples faced hardship, only Fifth Master could protect himself. Before Grand Secretary Zeng’s return, they all relied on Fifth Master. Now that Wang Xingyi has returned and if he were just a small county magistrate it wouldn’t matter, but to be promoted to a ministry official in half a year means he must be highly valued by Grand Secretary Zeng… No matter how capable Fifth Master is, he doesn’t have Wang Master’s reputation. At this rate, he’ll inevitably lose out… If Concubine Wang becomes the primary wife, then the Wang family would owe the Dou family a favor. Wang Master certainly wouldn’t feel right competing with Fifth Master for party leadership, might even help Fifth Master compete for it… But Concubine Wang’s character is too poor. Even if she can bear sons, she probably can’t raise them well… That would ruin the Western Residence. The Old Master won’t agree no matter what.”

She suddenly shook her head, “No, no, if even I can understand this, surely Madam and Old Master know too. How could Madam convince Old Master to agree to make Concubine Wang the primary wife?” She couldn’t figure it out.

“That’s why I’m worried!” Ji Shi let out a long sigh, her gaze falling on Dou Zhao. “I fear Sixth Master’s good intentions might lead to bad results!”

Wang Mama didn’t understand.

“The Western Residence is indeed somewhat chaotic now, and Shou Gu, this child, lost her mother at such a young age. It pains me to see it,”

Ji Shi said slowly. “When Sixth Master asked me to look after Shou Gu, I agreed without thinking. It was originally a good thing, but now the situation has changed greatly. If Madam uses this as a reason to have me help raise the Western Residence’s eldest grandson… Back then, the Dou family’s assets were divided equally, then managed together. Seventh Uncle alone could get half of the Dou family’s business. Who wouldn’t be tempted? Not just the Wang family, even the Dou family members might become envious. Then we’d be in an impossible position, with no peace at home!”

“What should we do then?” Wang Mama asked anxiously. “If you really have to raise the Western Residence’s eldest son, Concubine Wang is still his birth mother. You can’t keep her from seeing him all year round, can you? Just thinking about dealing with such a despicable person makes me sick. Moreover, dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and rats’ children know how to dig holes. What kind of good person could she raise? I’m worried she’ll be a bad influence on our Hui’er and Zhi’er. Sixth Madam, if Madam brings this up with you, you absolutely cannot agree! As for Fourth Young Miss,” she looked at Dou Zhao, “I think she shouldn’t stay either — you can say it’s too hot and you’re not feeling well, send her to Madam’s place, whoever wants to take care of her can do so. She won’t lack for food and clothing anyway.”

Hui’er and Zhi’er were the first and second sons of the sixth household.

“Don’t ever say such things again!” Ji Shi said displeased. “She’s not a cat or dog that you can keep when you like and throw away when you don’t. She’s a living, breathing child!”

“But…” Wang Mama hesitated.

“These are just my guesses anyway,” Ji Shi cut her off. “Even if I’m right, this matter can’t be settled quickly. Don’t they need to explain the situation to the Zhu family? Don’t they need to get approval from Uncle Zhao? Don’t they need to find a way to make Wang Xingyi appreciate the gesture?”

“That’s true!” Wang Mama’s emotions gradually calmed. “Not to mention anything else, the Zhu family has status in Zhending County. Without substantial compensation from the Dou family, the Zhu family would never agree to break off the engagement.”

“You’re quite wrong about that,” Ji Shi smiled. “Of these three things, the easiest and simplest is the matter with the Zhu family. Think about it – earlier, the Zhu family heard rumors from somewhere about some unresolved matters between Seventh Uncle and his concubine. Third Sister-in-law found so many people to mediate, but the Zhu family still wouldn’t agree to the May wedding. This shows they’re a family that truly cares for their daughter. If they learn how fierce the situation with the Wang family has become, they surely wouldn’t want their precious daughter, raised like a jewel, to suffer such hardship. The Zhu family will withdraw from the engagement on their own, without the Dou family having to bring it up.”

She took a sip of tea and continued, “The hardest part will be getting Uncle Zhao to agree to make Concubine Wang the primary wife.”

Her voice lowered. “Uncle Zhao must hate the Dou family to death right now. If it weren’t for Shou Gu, he might even want to kill Dou Shiying. If the Dou family doesn’t ask for that letter of consent for making her the primary wife, that’s fine, but if they do ask, they certainly won’t get it. Not only will they not get it, but he might also take the opportunity to do things that would shame the Dou family.”