ATLAS TRANSLATES

While Wang Yingxue was pondering how to phrase her question, the Second Madam was already smiling and waving at Dou Zhao: “Come, come to your great-aunt!”

Madam Ji gently pushed Dou Zhao forward.

Dou Zhao remained unmoved.

Madam Ji could only smile and explain to the Second Madam, “This child, who knows who she takes after? When buying things she wants everything, but when giving gifts she becomes shy.”

“That’s good, that’s good! She’s sincere,” the Second Madam wasn’t offended. She reached under the kang table and pulled out a red paper box decorated with five bats, handing it to Dou Zhao. “These are bone-in abalones that your Fifth Uncle had brought back from the capital. Take them and enjoy!”

Wang Yingxue was shocked.

Bone-in abalone was a famous delicacy from Jiangnan, reportedly made with dairy. It was said to be as precious as jade and as smooth as frost, without any trace of dairy smell, known as the ultimate taste of the mortal world.

When she was in the capital, she had heard children from noble families boast about it, but she had never seen it, let alone tasted it.

Madam Ji was also surprised.

Bone-in abalone was complex to make, and few in Jiangnan could craft it. Perhaps because of its rarity, the Madam particularly enjoyed it, and Dou Shizu would get some whenever possible. This New Year, Dou Shizu had only brought back two boxes, yet unexpectedly, the Madam had gifted one box to Dou Zhao.

She quickly smiled at Dou Zhao and said, “Shou Gu, this is what your Fifth Uncle offered to your great-aunt, there are only two boxes in total. Quickly thank your great-aunt.”

Dou Zhao was very surprised.

Bone-in abalone — in her past life, she had tasted it at the Yan’an Marquis Wang Qinghuai’s family banquet. At that time, the Wang family’s madam’s subtle pride had been privately mocked by Wei Yanzhen.

She wasn’t just accompanying Sixth Aunt to pick up things from the Ji family shop. Seeing people on the streets preparing for New Year’s, she felt she should buy something for Sixth Uncle’s family, but worried that giving different gifts might cause unnecessary trouble, so she bought many small items, one for everyone.

For Second Madam, it was the small cloisonné box with passion flower pattern that she held in her hand.

Unexpectedly, Second Madam rewarded her with a box of bone-in abalone.

Although she didn’t like Second Madam, she wouldn’t arbitrarily misinterpret her goodwill because of it.

Dou Zhao stepped forward with a smile to thank Second Madam, cheerfully accepting the box.

Second Madam nodded with a smile.

Just then, a young maid came in to report: “Second Madam, Second Madam Xiu has brought the Wu family’s young master and miss to pay their respects. Ming’er and Yi’er have come as well.”

“Quickly invite them in,” Second Madam said repeatedly.

Wu family was in Xinle while the Dou family was in Zhending. Though both families served in the court and could be considered fellow townsmen, Wu Songnian was rather proud. Additionally, one worked in the Hanlin Academy while the other in the Ministry of Personnel. Though they were relatives by marriage, their interaction wasn’t close. Later when Dou Shizu fell from grace, Wu Songnian instead often invited him over for drinks, and only then did they grow closer. Because of this, Second Madam particularly valued Wu Songnian’s two children. This was why Wu Shan and Wu Ya often visited.

In her past life, Dou Zhao had only heard Wu Shan’s name.

He was skilled in painting and calligraphy, and was Dou Dechang’s confidant. After Dou Dechang eloped with Ji family’s cousin, it was Wu Shan who accompanied him in running between the Ji and Dou families, one playing good cop, one playing bad cop, not only convincing both families to acknowledge the marriage but turning the scandal into a beautiful story of the time.

Dou Zhao remembered this very clearly.

She always felt that people who could turn black into white were never simple.

So when the Wu siblings were escorted in by a large group of people, she took a good look at Wu Shan, the only boy.

Wu Shan felt someone watching him and turned around.

Dou Zhao smiled at him politely.

Wu Shan returned her smile, and like all well-educated seven-year-old boys, his smile was pure and genuine.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

In ten years, who knew what these children would become?

The three-year-old Dou Ming, upon entering, immediately spotted her mother standing with lowered head to one side.

Both surprised and delighted, she struggled out of her wet nurse’s arms, calling out “Mother” loudly as she ran to hug Wang Yingxue.

Wang Yingxue’s face changed slightly, and she whispered urgently, “What did I tell you?”

Dou Ming stuck out her tongue and sweetly called out “Aunt.”

Second Madam, Madam Ji, and Second Madam Xiu were all experienced people. They immediately understood that Wang Yingxue had taught Dou Ming to call her “Aunt” in front of others but “Mother” in private. Their brows furrowed simultaneously.

In the past, Second Madam would have scolded immediately. Now that Dou Tuo was angry at Dou Shizu for forcing him to split half the property with Dou Zhao, the east compound couldn’t meddle too much, but this didn’t mean she would tolerate such things happening under her nose.

“Ming’er,” Second Madam called Dou Ming seriously, “what did Nanny Liu teach you?”

Dou Ming quickly let go of her mother and ran to Second Madam, respectfully curtsying to Second Madam and Madam Ji.

Second Madam made a sound of approval and said to Wang Yingxue, “Hasn’t Ming’er become much more well-mannered?”

These words carried significant meaning.

Wang Yingxue’s heart skipped a beat. She knew her daughter’s form of address had been problematic, but in front of Second Madam, even proper daughters-in-law had no right to speak, let alone a concubine of unclear status.

She didn’t dare say much, quickly smiling respectfully, “It’s Ming’er’s good fortune to learn proper manners in your presence!”

“It’s good that you think this way,” Second Madam unceremoniously accepted Wang Yingxue’s flattery and said, “Ming’er will stay by my side.”

Wang Yingxue was stunned.

Second Madam had already turned to Dou Ming and said, “Don’t forget your sister!” She didn’t look at Wang Yingxue again.

Dou Ming hadn’t intentionally failed to greet Dou Zhao. Having grown up mainly with Wang Yingxue, she had no other guidance until coming to Second Madam’s side and beginning to learn how to greet elders. But she was still young and couldn’t distinguish ranks properly. She only knew to bow to older people and simply address younger ones as sister or brother.

She sweetly called Dou Zhao “Sister” and curtsied to her just as she had to Second Madam.

Dou Zhao returned the courtesy and instructed Tuo Niang to serve the bone-in abalone that Second Madam had just rewarded her with on crystal plates: “…I didn’t know the Wu siblings would come. Let me share this gift, and everyone can taste great-aunt’s delicacy together.”

These words brought spring to the room, with maids either looking for plates or fetching chopsticks. The atmosphere immediately became lively.

Second Sister-in-law even smiled and said, “Our Sixth Aunt is truly educated. Shou Gu has been with you for just a few days and already knows phrases like ‘borrowing flowers to give Buddha.’”

Madam Ji was quite surprised inwardly, but since her nephew Ji Yong was only two years older than Dou Zhao and had already finished the Three Character Classic, she wasn’t particularly amazed.

“Look at our Zhi’er, I’ve taught him for seven years and haven’t seen such thoughtfulness,” she said modestly, “it really depends on the individual child.”

“You don’t need to be polite in front of me.” Since the treats were Second Madam’s, she was both impressed by Dou Zhao’s generosity and felt honored that she shared them with the Wu siblings. She said with a beaming smile, “Our Shou Gu doesn’t eat alone, she’s a good child; our Zhi’er studies hard at such a young age, he’s also a good child.” Then, hugging Wu Ya, she continued, “Our Ya’er is both sweet and obedient, also a good child.”

Everyone laughed.

Yi’er was very dissatisfied, pouting, “What about me? What about me?”

“Oh my, we forgot about our Yi’er,” Second Madam laughed, “Our Yi’er is also a good child.” Then, as if remembering something, she said to Dou Ming, “Our Ming’er is also a good child!”

Yi’er covered her mouth and laughed, looking very satisfied.

Dou Ming laughed along with Yi’er.

Wang Yingxue, left ignored on the side, felt both sour and bitter.

Among all the children around Second Madam, some had good backgrounds, some were clever, some were shrewd. Her Ming’er was only three years old, and the east Dou family had never regarded the west Dou family highly. What good could Ming’er possibly get from being by Second Madam’s side?

She focused entirely on thinking how to bring her child back to her side.

Second Madam, intending to teach Wang Yingxue a lesson, arranged capable elderly servants and maids to care for Dou Ming, and specially found several children of similar age from hereditary servant families to play with her.

Children will be children — in just a few days, she stopped calling for her wet nurse.

On New Year’s Eve, when the Dou family returned to the North Tower for ancestral worship, Wang Yingxue, who was following Third Madam, finally found an opportunity to find Dou Ming.

Dou Ming was standing with Yi’er and others by the stove, waiting for freshly cooked maltose candy.

When they heard someone calling “Ming’er,” all the children turned around, and Yi’er asked, “Who is that?”

Dou Ming hesitated for a moment, then uncertainly said, “She’s my aunt…”

Yi’er immediately grabbed Dou Ming’s hand and said, “Just a concubine aunt, why bother with her? If we leave now, we won’t get any maltose candy.”

Dou Ming was still hesitant, but Yi’er became unhappy: “Fine then, you go! But don’t play with me anymore after this.” Hearing this, Dou Ming quickly said, “Alright, alright, I’ll stay and get maltose candy with you.”

Yi’er smiled happily: “Later we’ll go play with Shou Gu together. At Sixth Aunt’s place, there are lots of nest candies.”

Dou Ming’s mouth watered at hearing this, and she turned to Wang Yingxue and said, “Aunt, I’ll play with you later.”

Wang Yingxue couldn’t hold back her tears.

When Madam Pang came to wish her a happy new year, she couldn’t help but complain to her.

Madam Pang was dismissive, saying, “What right do you have now to challenge the Dou family? If they want to raise Ming’er, let them. Take this opportunity to take care of yourself and find a way to have a son.” She added, “Seventh Master should be back soon, right?”

Wang Yingxue’s face reddened slightly, and she said bashfully, “It’s still early!”

But she took Madam Pang’s words to heart and secretly consulted a doctor to begin improving her health.

By April, news came from the capital that Dou Shiying had placed sixth in the second rank of the imperial examinations and was selected as a Hanlin Academy scholar.