ATLAS TRANSLATES

Wang Xingli’s hand rested heavily on Wang Zhibing’s shoulder.

A servant was peering around the flower garden.

Wang Xingli’s face darkened slightly, carrying an imposing air: “What is it?”

The servant came running over trembling: “Sir, there’s someone named Du who says he’s a steward from the Dou family in Zhending. He says their Fifth Master was in the same examination year as you. He’s been sent by their Old Master to deliver you a letter.”

“Could it be Dou Zhenzhi,” Wang Zhibing said puzzled.

Zhenzhi was Dou Duo’s courtesy name.

“It must be him,” Wang Xingli sneered, “Didn’t he say Yingxue killed his daughters-in-law? An unforgivable blood feud – I wonder what business he has with us?” He then ordered the servant, “Bring the letter here.”

The servant ran over with the letter.

Wang Xingli glanced at it and handed it to his son.

Wang Zhibing accepted the letter with suspicion and quickly read through it: “Dou Zhenzhi actually wants you to go with their steward to convince Zhao Ruifu to agree to make Yingxue legitimate?” He couldn’t make sense of the situation and was stunned for a long while.

Wang Xingli gave a cold laugh and said to his son: “Now do you understand why I said what I did?”

Wang Zhibing didn’t know.

Wang Xingli sighed helplessly and patiently explained to his son: “If the Dou family truly didn’t want to legitimize Yingxue, never mind the Pang family causing trouble – even if Yingxue refused to leave, they could forcibly remove her. The fact that things have dragged on until today means the Dou family has their own plans. When you first told me about this, I wasn’t quite sure, but now I can guess eight or nine parts out of ten. It’s probably because Dou Yuanji sees that his mentor favors me and fears I’ll steal his thunder. He wants to use Yingxue’s legitimization to earn my gratitude. But Dou Duo and the Zhao family don’t agree. Not only does Dou Duo disagree, he hopes to use you to enrage me, leading to Yingxue’s death, thus pulling the rug out from under Dou Yuanji.”

Wang Xingli snorted coldly several times before continuing, “But Dou Zhenzhi suddenly changed his mind. He’s pushing the responsibility onto the Zhao family – it’s not that he doesn’t agree, but that Zhao Rui doesn’t agree.”

He pondered, “If I’m not mistaken, the East and West Dou households likely maintain a facade of harmony while harboring discord. The reason Dou Duo changed his mind at the last minute is because the West Dou household only has Dou Shiying as their sole heir, and he has no academic achievements. They’re weak and isolated, and seeing that I’ve now become the Governor of Gansu, they want to form marriage ties with our family, using my influence to join forces against Dou Yuanji.”

Wang Zhibing looked at his father with admiration and asked respectfully: “What should we do now?”

Wang Xingli seemed not to hear, muttering to himself: “Did Yingxue really cause Lady Zhao’s death?”

Wang Zhibing was startled.

Wang Xingli had already spoken loudly: “Dou Zhenzhi’s letter says he’s sent people twice to negotiate with Zhao Ruifu about legitimizing Yingxue, but Zhao Ruifu avoided meeting them. He wants me to meet with Zhao Ruifu. Whether Dou Zhenzhi wants to bypass Dou Yuanji to earn my gratitude, or wants to show me how much effort he’s put into Yingxue’s legitimization, or wants to prove to me that Lady Zhao’s death was unrelated to Yingxue, or wants to use my official authority to pressure Zhao Ruifu into agreeing while also seeing what Zhao Ruifu’s true intentions are…” It was as if his earlier comment had been a momentary slip.

Wang Zhibing was quite hesitant: “Father, the Dou family on one hand says sister killed Lady Zhao, yet on the other hand wants to legitimize Yingxue because of father’s favor with Minister Zeng… They’re cold and disloyal… not people worth associating with… Sister may not have good days ahead…”

He looked at his father hesitantly.

“I know,” Wang Xingli said with disdain, “I want to see exactly what schemes they’re plotting against me.” At this point, his tone changed. “As for Yingxue, try to persuade her again, explain all these concerns to her. If she still insists on being with Dou Shiying… she’ll have to bear her own hardships…”

Meaning he would no longer help her.

Wang Zhibing looked at his father in surprise.

“Being just and fair is easy, remaining impartial is difficult,” Wang Xingli murmured, “Though I hope she can live well, I can’t live her life for her. Some things she must understand for herself.”

Wang Zhibing nodded firmly: “Father, I understand. After I meet with Zhao Ruifu, I’ll immediately set out for Zhending.”

When Second Madame learned that Dou Duo had privately contacted Wang Xingli to ask for his help in convincing Zhao Si to agree to legitimize Wang Yingxue, it was already mid-autumn in September, when osmanthus fragrance filled the air and chrysanthemums bloomed while crabs grew fat. Along with this news came word that both Dou Shiying and Dou Shiheng had passed the imperial examinations.

The entire Dou household was overjoyed. Dou Duo even exchanged a basket of Chengping Year One copper coins and had two stewards stand at his door giving them out to everyone, causing the whole Zhending County to crowd at the West Dou household’s gate.

Lady Ji personally arranged Dou Zhao’s hair into a girl’s bun, adorned with a pearl headband, and dressed her in a bright red brocade jacket with floral patterns. Her eyes sparkled with irrepressible joy as she asked: “Is Shou Gu happy?”

Experiencing everything again, even the happiest events lost some of their surprise.

But she still smiled according to her role and answered “Happy.”

Lady Ji gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and took her hand: “Come, let’s go congratulate your Grand-aunt and get you a red packet.”

Dou Zhao smiled and nodded, going with Lady Ji to Second Madame’s quarters.

However, just as they lifted the curtain to enter, they heard the sound of breaking porcelain from the inner room, followed by Second Madame’s furious roar: “What does he mean by this? Is he afraid we’ll get his niece killed? Thirty years old – why doesn’t he say we should keep her alive past fifty?”

Lady Ji realized she had come at a bad time and quickly took Dou Zhao to First Aunt’s place instead.

Dou Zhao was very curious about who Second Madame was talking about and what had made her so angry, but she wasn’t in a hurry. Sixth Aunt would likely figure it out soon, and she just needed to stay by Sixth Aunt’s side.

Thinking of this, she felt somewhat worried.

As she grew older, such effortless ways of getting information would probably not last many more years.

After having tea at First Aunt’s place, they returned to their rooms.

Cailan, who had been standing in the corridor, followed them in.

She first glanced at Dou Zhao, then curtsied to Lady Ji before saying softly: “Fifth Master came to tell us. He said that Uncle Zhao has agreed to legitimize Concubine Wang…”

“Ah!” Sixth Aunt was greatly surprised.

But Dou Zhao felt relieved.

It seemed her uncle wasn’t just brave but thoughtless.

Let whoever wants to do such thankless tasks do them – there’s no need to get oneself dragged in.

In her previous life, uncle had sacrificed too much for her. In this life, she would rather suffer some hardship herself than see her uncle repeat the mistakes of the past.

If Wang Yingxue wanted to be legitimized, then let her be legitimized.

In her previous life, Wang Yingxue could barely pretend to enter the household with joy, but in this life, she was five months pregnant when she entered.

Even if legitimized, the proper wives would maintain their dignity and not associate with her. And Dou Ming’s marriage prospects would likely be even more difficult than in the previous life.

“However,” Cailan glanced at Dou Zhao again, “Uncle Zhao set two conditions. First, the Wang family cannot interfere in Fourth Miss’s marriage. Second, half of the West Household’s property must be set aside as Fourth Miss’s dowry, starting from the day the Wang family receives the legitimization agreement. A special steward will manage Fourth Miss’s dowry; if Fourth Miss passes away after age thirty, she may dispose of the dowry as she wishes; if Fourth Miss passes away before age thirty, if she has children, the dowry goes to them, if not, the dowry will go to the Zhao family as compensation.”

“What did you say?” Sixth Aunt drew in a sharp breath.

Cailan looked at Dou Zhao once more and repeated herself.

“How could this be?” Sixth Aunt said with a headache, “Zhao Ruifu really dares to make such demands!”

Dou Zhao was already dumbfounded.

She could understand wanting to prevent the Wang family from arranging her marriage carelessly, but dividing half of the West Dou household’s property… Not to mention Grandfather, even Second Madame from the East household probably wouldn’t agree.

No wonder Second Madame was shouting about “fifty years”!

However, she quickly came out of her daze and calmed down.

If the Dou family could make demands, why couldn’t her uncle set conditions!

Just like the Dou family’s request to legitimize Wang Yingxue, her uncle’s demand for half of the West household’s property as her dowry seemed equally inconceivable, but if the Dou family could do it, why couldn’t her uncle think of it?

Ask for the sky, settle for earth!

With an uncle who had such awareness, he could protect himself and avoid being swallowed whole by both the Dou and Wang families!

Her lips involuntarily curved into a pleased smile.

Let the Dou family worry about this matter!

Lady Ji’s slender finger tapped her forehead: “Silly girl, still smiling! Do you know what your uncle has done for you?” She sighed, “Your uncle gave up opportunities for promotion and wealth, focusing solely on ensuring you grow up safely and marry a good match. In the future, you must be filial to your uncle!”

Dou Zhao nodded continuously and said sweetly: “When I grow up, I’ll be filial to Sixth Aunt too.”

She spoke from her heart.

In her previous life, if she hadn’t heard Sixth Aunt’s words before her marriage, she would certainly have taken many wrong turns.

Unfortunately, in her previous life, Sixth Aunt had appeared to her as a Dou family daughter-in-law who was outwardly polite but always maintained a certain distance and coolness.

She hadn’t wanted to humble herself by showing warmth to someone cold, so her relationship with Sixth Aunt had never progressed beyond nodding and smiling when they met.

In this life, although she was just an innocent child, Sixth Aunt didn’t care whether she would remember her kindness, not only taking care of her meticulously but also helping her plan how to survive in the wolf-pack that was the Dou family… Teaching one to fish is better than giving them fish. This kindness, she would never forget.

Sixth Aunt hadn’t thought of these things and just smiled: “Oh my, our Shou Gu has such a sweet mouth.”

But Dou Zhao could see that Sixth Aunt was very happy.

That evening, Sixth Aunt spoke quietly with Wang Mama: “…I’ve been worried that Zhao Ruifu would clash head-on with both the Wang and Dou families, but now it seems we all underestimated him. Third Uncle going behind Fifth Brother’s back to find Wang Xingli was meant to pass the ball to Zhao Ruifu – it’s not that I don’t agree to legitimize Wang Yingxue, it’s the Zhao family causing trouble. Now Zhao Ruifu has cleanly kicked the ball back – it’s not that I don’t agree to legitimize Wang Yingxue, it’s that the Dou family is unwilling to part with the money. Third Uncle has really lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet this time!”

“Indeed,” Wang Mama laughed, “I heard the Old Master was so angry he nearly fainted on the spot. If Du An hadn’t quickly supported him, the Old Master might have fallen headfirst into the lotus pond. However, after our Lady broke the teacup, she cheered up and even chatted with young master Lan for quite a while.”

“That’s right,” Lady Ji laughed, “In my opinion, if our Lady were more astute, she should step forward and persuade Third Uncle to agree to Zhao Ruifu’s conditions. Those funds won’t go to East Mansion anyway if they don’t go to Shou Gu, so why not do a favor and irritate Wang Yingxue at the same time – you want to be legitimized? Then give half of West Dou’s property to Zhao Guqiu’s daughter. If Wang Yingxue found out about this, she’d probably kick her blankets to shreds tonight.”