ATLAS TRANSLATES

Grandfather passed away at the hour of Chou on the twelfth day of the eighth month.

Before his death, he had remained unconscious, leaving no last words.

Father cried uncontrollably while the people from East Dou came to help with the initial funeral preparations.

Dou Zhao stood quietly in the corridor, listening to her father’s cries and thinking about Grandmother.

In three years, Grandmother would also pass away.

Could she do something to help Grandmother live a few more years?

Grandmother had suddenly collapsed in the field while watering the melon vines in the backyard… Grandmother had always been healthy, no one had expected…

Wang Yingxue came over and spoke to Dou Zhao in a commanding tone: “Shou Gu, many people will come to pay their respects these days. Your sister is too young to understand, so Mother can only rely on you. Help keep an eye on the kitchen matters.”

For Grandfather’s funeral, relatives, friends, and neighbors would all come to pay respects. Seeing how capable she had been lately, Wang Yingxue probably feared that she would steal the spotlight during the funeral and gain the elders’ favor, making it even harder to control her in the future.

Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.

“Mother?” She looked Wang Yingxue up and down with a critical eye. “Has Madam become confused from being too busy? When did you change your surname to Zhao? Grandfather has just passed, the dates for announcing his death haven’t even been set, yet you speak of people coming to pay respects. Has Madam never managed a funeral before, not understanding these matters? If you truly don’t understand, please ask Third Madam to help! Grandfather was a jinshi graduate, and the Dou family has status in North Zhili. His old friends will likely come to bid him farewell. If we make a laughing stock of ourselves, the Dou family cannot afford such shame! As for kitchen matters, if the current kitchen manager can’t handle it, we should replace her!”

Saying this, she called for Haitang, “Go fetch Gaosheng.” Since Wang Yingxue had become the official wife, Grandfather had stopped managing internal affairs, and Dou Zhao had lived in the East Compound for years. The household managers were either Wang Yingxue’s people or those who dared not offend her. Gaosheng was Father’s man, and in her past life’s memory, he was loyal only to Father. As long as Father didn’t explicitly state otherwise, as Father’s daughter, Gaosheng would respect her just as he respected Father, just as he respected Dou Ming.

Wang Yingxue’s face changed dramatically as she said sternly: “Shou Gu, I don’t know what the ladies of the East Compound have been telling you, but you are still from the West Compound…”

Dou Zhao interrupted her: “Madam, I think there are some things you need to consider carefully. Grandfather has just passed away, don’t think there’s no one above you now and you can do whatever you want.”

Just then, Gaosheng arrived.

Dou Zhao stopped the conversation, and just as she began to relay Wang Yingxue’s words, Wang Yingxue hurriedly said: “I’ve been confused these past few days, and spoke somewhat hastily. Shou Gu, please don’t take it to heart…”

One could only blame Wang Yingxue’s bad luck.

Dou Zhao was already troubled about Grandmother’s matter, and Wang Yingxue’s provocative behavior, calling herself “Mother” to her face – she was determined to deal with Wang Yingxue. Ignoring Wang Yingxue’s words, she continued speaking directly: “…If we make any mistakes at this time, the West Compound will be criticized for a lifetime. You’re familiar with the household staff. If there’s no one capable enough, we can outsource these days’ banquets to restaurants. If we can’t find suitable ones in Zhending County, we’ll look in Zhending Prefecture. Others won’t think our family lacks capable people, they’ll only say we’re filial, giving Grandfather a grand send-off.”

She added, “At this time, the worst thing is for family members to be in disarray. Please be more accommodating and keep things under control for now. We can address other matters after Grandfather’s funeral is complete.”

She wasn’t sure if Zhending had shops specializing in weddings and funerals, but when she was a marchioness in the capital, there were many such establishments, some quite large.

Gaosheng guessed that Wang Yingxue wanted to put Dou Zhao in her place, but Dou Zhao’s suggestion was too appealing.

Not just Zhending, but in all of North Zhili, no family had ever arranged such a grand funeral. The glory after death reflected the children’s filial piety and capability. If this was done well, it would only benefit Seventh Master’s career and reputation.

He immediately said: “I’ll go arrange this now,” and decisively turned away, not even glancing at Wang Yingxue.

Dou Zhao was very satisfied with his response and said “Manager Gao, please wait a moment,” then asked Wang Yingxue: “Is there anything else you’re unsure about? Speak now, and Manager Gao and I can help you figure it out. If something goes wrong during the funeral, when we’re receiving mourners daily, we might not have the energy to deal with it.”

Gaosheng stood respectfully, waiting for Wang Yingxue to speak.

Wang Yingxue was so angry her heart ached, her face alternating between red and white.

Dou Zhao just watched her with a cold smile.

Wang Yingxue had to grit her teeth and say “Nothing else.”

Dou Zhao smiled: “That’s good! Just make sure you don’t remember something else that needs to be done in a few days.” She turned and left with dignity.

Gaosheng naturally had no reason to stay, so he bowed slightly to Wang Yingxue and left to find restaurants that could handle the banquets.

Wang Yingxue held onto Granny Hu’s hand, crying “I’m so angry, I’m so angry!”

But Granny Hu was more worried about the Dou family’s servants.

Since Seventh Master hadn’t ordered the main room to be cleared out, the Seventh Madam and Fourth Miss still had some things there, and the Old Master hadn’t said anything, so Madam couldn’t rashly move in. Plus, with the East Compound always pressuring the West Compound, the servants showed less respect to Madam than they should. They had just managed to get those people under control, but after Fourth Miss’s actions, would the servants become unruly again?

If only Seventh Master would say something!

She sighed inwardly but outwardly consoled Wang Yingxue: “Madam, we must consider the bigger picture.”

“I know,” Wang Yingxue nodded and asked, “Who from my family will come to pay respects?”

When Dou Tuo couldn’t eat, she had sent word to her mother Wang Xu Shi, hoping her family would send someone influential to pay respects, which would help her secure her position in the Dou family.

Granny Hu said softly: “The Old Madam said the Elder Master and Elder Madam will come.”

Wang Yingxue frowned and asked: “Second Sister-in-law isn’t coming?”

In situations like this, only Second Sister-in-law Pang Yulou would understand her intentions.

Granny Hu asked: “Should I send a message to Second Madam?”

Wang Yingxue had just said “Go quickly” when she saw an unfamiliar servant boy looking around before quickly slipping into Dou Zhao’s side room.

Her heart stirred. She pointed at the servant boy and whispered to Granny Hu: “Have someone clever keep an eye on that servant boy.”

Granny Hu left immediately.

Zhao Liangbi entered the side room and reported quietly: “Concubine Cui already knows about Old Master Dou’s passing. She will come over soon.”

Dou Zhao asked curiously: “Did someone here inform Concubine Cui?”

“No,” Zhao Liangbi said, “Concubine Cui said, whether she knows or not, now that she knows, she must come burn some incense…”

“That’s natural,” Dou Zhao said, “but how to come and when to come have their proper ways. She might not care, but others will see it differently. Tell Young Master Cui to stop Concubine Cui. When the Dou family’s people go to receive Concubine Cui, that’s when he should accompany her over. If the Dou family doesn’t go to receive her, don’t come.”

“Young Master Cui said the same thing,” Zhao Liangbi was quite troubled, “He said some airs need to be put on at the right time, otherwise people will look down on us, thinking that after Third Old Master passed away, Concubine Cui couldn’t wait to run back… But Concubine Cui said, let people say what they want to say. She insists on coming.”

“Find a way to stop her,” Dou Zhao smiled. “Young Master Cui will surely find a way.”

Zhao Liangbi had no choice but to go back and relay the message to Young Master Cui.

Everyone in the manor knew that Wang Yingxue had tried to give Dou Zhao trouble but ended up being outmaneuvered by her, and that the kitchen staff might all be replaced by Dou Zhao.

The West Compound was in turmoil, with maids and elderly servants all trembling before Dou Zhao, even more respectful than they were to Wang Yingxue.

Dou Zhao ignored all this and, seeing it was noon, went to the side room of Heshou Hall to serve Second Madam as she dined with several elders.

Early the next morning, Dou Shibing personally went to receive Grandmother.

Concubine Ding held Grandmother’s hand, crying especially sorrowfully.

Dou Zhao’s expression became somewhat strange.

In her past life, when Grandfather passed away, Dou Xiao was already five years old. Third Uncle had brought them back from the country estate, and when Concubine Ding saw Grandmother then, although her eyes were swollen red, she had only given Grandmother a bland greeting before going to help Wang Yingxue attend to guests.

She had prevented her mother’s first suicide attempt, but this had caused things to deviate greatly.

Dou Xiao was nowhere to be found.

Grandfather had never seen the legitimate eldest grandson he had longed for.

Grandmother was still Concubine Cui.

In her past life, Concubine Ding had relied on her stepmother Wang Yingxue. In this life, Wang Yingxue, who had been promoted from concubine to wife, could barely take care of herself. After playing such a role in Dou Zhao’s affairs, with Father taking charge of the household, what awaited her would certainly not be good, so she had to seek Grandmother’s sympathy and pity.

From this last point of view, Dou Zhao felt quite happy about this change.

But could she find a way to extend Grandmother’s life?

Even if just for a few short months or years, to spend more time with Grandmother?

After paying respects to Grandfather and declining Concubine Ding, Dou Zhao arranged for Grandmother to stay in the West Dou guest room.

Grandmother took her hand, saying somewhat ashamedly: “I had thought if I came earlier, I could help you, but now it seems I’ll be doing well just not to burden you.”

Without Grandfather as father-in-law, with Grandmother as a concubine mother-in-law, Wang Yingxue would have to respect Grandmother with the etiquette due to a concubine mother, and wouldn’t be able to act as she pleased. She could completely convince Grandmother to stay in West Dou, and even use Grandmother to suppress Wang Yingxue.

But Dou Zhao didn’t want to drag Grandmother into this.

Grandmother had never wanted to be involved with the Dou family her whole life. Now in her later years, she hoped Grandmother could live as she wished.

“Why do you say that?” She wrung out a handkerchief to wipe Grandmother’s face.

Grandmother said somewhat embarrassedly: “Just like how you wanted me to wait for the Dou family to come receive me. I only thought that since your father was born to your grandfather and me, now that he’s passed away, I should come pay my respects… but I hadn’t considered other matters.”

Dou Zhao smiled and asked: “Then you probably don’t want to stay at the Dou family either?”

“This isn’t my place,” Grandmother smiled, “I wouldn’t be comfortable here.”

“After Grandfather’s funeral, I’ll send you back to the country estate!” Dou Zhao smiled, “However, you don’t have to always stay at the estate. If you miss me or Father, just have Cui Thirteen bring you over for a few days.”

“That would be good,” Grandmother smiled, “But it’s better if you come stay with me for a few days!”

Dou Zhao gazed at Grandmother with a slight smile.

Father still had to observe three years of mourning. Would Grandmother forever remain just “Concubine Cui” because of this?

She felt vaguely uneasy.