ATLAS TRANSLATES

Three days after the initial arrangements, the Dou family sent out death notices to relatives and friends. The house became bustling with visitors coming to pay their respects in an endless stream.

Dou Shiying, Wang Yingxue, Dou Zhao, and Dou Ming, as the filial son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, received condolences before the spirit tablet while Gaosheng handled all household matters.

From serving tea, accompanying mourners, managing the mourning accounts, to even handling the incense paper — everything went through him. Though he had never managed such affairs before, his years of experience accompanying Dou Shiying in the capital had given him some insight. He was diligent in his work and more steady and reliable than others in the West Dou household. Still, with so many tasks to juggle, he felt somewhat overwhelmed.

Dou Zhao would occasionally give him guidance. Within a few days, he had grasped the essentials and handled matters more confidently. Some old stewards from the East Dou household praised him for being “very capable,” which finally put Gaosheng at ease. When he looked at Dou Zhao again, his gaze held a different meaning.

This was exactly what Dou Zhao had planned.

During the three-year mourning period, she would definitely need to live in West Dou, and she needed a strong supporter.

Two days later, Wang Zhibing and Pang Yulou came to pay their respects.

An eldest brother and sister-in-law — it was an unusual combination.

Wang Zhibing explained: “Nan’er’s mother is pregnant. Since it’s the first few months and she’s somewhat older, she can’t handle the journey. My sister-in-law hasn’t seen Little Sister for some time, and Tan’er has been missing his cousin, so I brought them along to burn some incense for the Old Master.”

Wang Tan was Pang Yulou’s eldest son, a year younger than Dou Ming.

Perhaps because they had played well together in Willow Leaf Alley in the capital, as soon as Wang Tan entered, he held onto Dou Ming’s hand and wouldn’t let go, calling “Sister Ming”: “When are you coming home? There’s no one to play with me.”

Dou Ming said: “I have to observe mourning for Grandfather. After the mourning period, I’ll come to the capital to see you.”

Wang Tan said: “Then finish mourning quickly. When you do, I’ll have Father take us to eat lamb noodles at the Great Xiangguo Temple.”

Dou Ming kept nodding.

Pang Yulou pushed her son and pointed at Dou Zhao: “Quickly greet your eldest cousin!”

Wang Tan looked like the Pang family members, with fair skin and large, bright eyes. He was even more beautiful and delicate than most girls.

He sweetly called Dou Zhao “Sister.”

Dou Zhao still remembered the last time she had encountered him kneeling at Dou Ming’s feet by the rose bushes, desperately begging: “Dear Sister, Big Brother’s heart only has his cousin Gao Mingzhu. Even if he marries you, he won’t treat you well. I’m different — I’ve liked you since we were little. If you marry me, I’ll treat you well for life. I’ll help you with whatever you want…”

Unfortunately, while Dou Ming’s gaze was as soft and lingering as spring water, capable of drowning someone, her look toward Wang Tan revealed calculation.

She had said coyly: “Then dare you tell Grandmother you want to marry Gao Mingzhu?”

The Wang family thought Gao Mingzhu had been ambiguous between the brothers Wang Nan and Wang Tan, making it impossible for her to become a Wang family daughter-in-law.

The Gao family would rather divorce than let Dou Ming become their daughter-in-law.

Wang Nan never spoke another word to Dou Ming after that…

When Dou Zhao saw Wang Tan again, her heart was filled with pity for him.

She smiled faintly at Wang Tan.

Pang Yulou pushed her son in front of Dou Zhao: “You cousins should spend more time together!”

Dou Zhao remained silent.

But Dou Ming ran over and pulled Wang Tan: “Let’s go play with Yi’er and Shu’er.”

Wang Tan happily agreed.

Pang Yulou glared at her son and said: “You stay right here.”

Wang Tan didn’t dare move and looked pitifully at Dou Ming.

Dou Ming began crying: “I want to play with Brother Tan, I want to play with Brother Tan!”

Dou Shiying frowned.

Wang Yingxue gave Pang Yulou an annoyed look and comforted Wang Tan and Dou Ming: “Alright, alright, don’t cry. Yi’er and Shu’er are in the flower hall. Go find them to play!”

Wang Tan and Dou Ming went hand in hand to the flower hall.

Pang Yulou secretly sighed and smiled at Dou Shiying: “Two of my family’s nephews, Pang Xiugou and Kungou, have also come. They’d like to pay their respects to Brother-in-law.”

With Dou Duo’s passing, Pang Yulou’s three brothers had come to pay respects personally, but no one knew her family’s nephews had followed.

Guests were guests.

Dou Shiying didn’t refuse.

Pang Jiuxiu was Pang Jinlou’s son, fifteen years old this year, while Pang Kunbai was Pang Yinlou’s son, twelve years old. Both boys were handsome and carried themselves with grace. If not for one’s gaze being too flighty and the other’s too shrewd, they would have been perfect young gentlemen.

Pang Yulou introduced them to Dou Zhao: “This is your eldest cousin.”

The two boys bowed to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao nodded slightly without returning the gesture, appearing somewhat aloof.

Dou Shiying hadn’t expected Pang Yulou’s nephews to be so grown up. Seeing Pang Yulou’s behavior, he was displeased and naturally didn’t find fault with Dou Zhao’s attitude.

He exchanged a few cold pleasantries with Pang Jiuxiu and Pang Kunbai, then took Dou Zhao to the memorial hall.

Wang Yingxue pulled Pang Yulou to a side room and whispered: “What are you trying to do?”

Pang Yulou appeared helpless: “You know my brothers are still doing business in Lingbi County and are eager to connect with the Dou family. Hearing that Fourth Miss is around the same age as Xiugou and Kungou, they had thoughts of marriage. I know Xiugou and Kungou aren’t worthy of Fourth Miss, but no matter what I say, they won’t believe me and instead blame me for blocking the way. I had no choice but to bring my nephews, hoping they might catch Brother-in-law’s eye.” She added, “But thinking carefully, if Fourth Miss married into the Pang family, it would benefit you too — my sister-in-law would become her mother-in-law, and I’d be her grand-aunt. She couldn’t disobey her elders then!”

“Have you forgotten that the Wang family can’t interfere with Dou Zhao’s marriage?”

“Parents’ command, matchmaker’s words,” Pang Yulou dismissed the concern, “We’re not directly arranging Fourth Miss’s marriage, are we?”

Wang Yingxue’s heart skipped: “You mean?”

“What if Fourth Miss takes a liking to one of them herself?” Pang Yulou covered her mouth and smiled, “The Zhao family didn’t say Fourth Miss couldn’t marry into the Pang family!”

What was so special about Dou Zhao that Second Sister-in-law would go to such lengths to marry her into the Pang family…

The thought flashed by as Wang Yingxue remembered Dou Zhao’s dowry.

Her expression immediately became complicated.

If Dou Zhao married into the Pang family, those assets would belong to the Pangs.

Although the Second Madam had ordered silence on the matter, those who had experienced it at the time understood clearly.

When Wang Yingxue looked at Pang Yulou again, she was more wary.

She really was calculating!

Wang Yingxue thought this as Dou Shiying was talking with the Wu family mourners: “…It was too sudden, none of us expected it… I’ve reported my mourning leave to the Hanlin Academy. It’s a good time to study at home…”

Wu Shan, who was standing beside his uncle, secretly passed Dou Zhao a pouch: “Please take care in your grief!”

But what did this have to do with a pouch?

She looked at Wu Shan in confusion.

Wu Shan took advantage of the adults’ inattention and said quietly: “I got it from Dafang Temple — it’s a safety charm.” His voice was hurried, and his ears were red.

Dou Zhao was slightly startled but smiled and said “thank you” sincerely.

Wu Shan smiled with squinted eyes, his ears getting even redder. Afterward, he stood beside his uncle Wu, eyes downcast, not looking at Dou Zhao again.

Dou Zhao vaguely sensed Wu Shan’s feelings for her and fell into deep thought…

After the forty-ninth day, Grandfather was buried in the North Tower Dou family ancestral grave, and the visitors gradually dispersed.

Pang Yulou discussed with Wang Yingxue: “Could Xiugou and Kungou study at the Dou family school?”

Wang Yingxue disliked Pang Yulou’s greed and didn’t want to help. Yet fearing she might need the Pang family’s help in the future, she didn’t want to offend them. She pushed the matter to Dou Shiying, who found the two children rather worldly and disliked them. He then passed the responsibility to Third Uncle: “…Third Uncle has always managed this. I’m not sure what the requirements are for studying at the family school. You should ask Third Uncle.”

Both responses were rather reluctant.

Pang Yulou had heard worse and didn’t take it to heart. She personally visited Dou Shiheng with eight kinds of gifts.

The Dou family school was quite famous in Zhending Prefecture, and relatives’ children often came to study there.

Dou Shiheng agreed without hesitation.

Thus, Pang Jiuxiu and Pang Kunbai entered the Dou family school and quickly became acquainted with Dou Zhengchang, Dou Dechang, Dou Qijun, and others. They occasionally managed to follow them back to the East Residence for meals, but never once encountered Dou Zhao.

Pang Kunbai couldn’t help complaining to his father: “It’s completely useless.”

Pang Yinlou slapped his son: “Your father has been in business for over ten years and only saved twenty to thirty thousand taels of silver. You think you can get such a large sum of money without any effort? Where would you find such an easy deal?” Then he lectured him, “You better make me proud. Not only is your uncle eyeing the Dou family’s money, but your aunt also has her own plans. Don’t let that little Wang Tan get the advantage, or you’ll cry without tears.”

“Really?” Pang Kunbai was very surprised, “Wang Tan is four years younger than Fourth Miss Dou?”

“What’s wrong with being four years younger?” Pang Jinlou said, “Pang Jiuxiu is six years older than Fourth Miss!”

Pang Kunbai shut his mouth.

Pang Jiuxiu was more patient than Pang Kunbai. After spending large sums of silver to investigate Dou Zhao without success, he not only studied diligently with Master Du at the Dou family school but also worked hard to befriend others there.

Dou Qijun and others were used to being flattered and didn’t take it seriously, but through their attendants, Pang Jiuxiu learned that Dou Zhao went to stay at the estate every summer.

The following summer, he made early preparations. As soon as he heard Dou Zhao had left for the estate, he invited Dou Zhengchang and others to play in the countryside.

Dou Zhengchang and the others were unwilling: “It’s scorching hot, what’s there to enjoy in the countryside?” Dou Dechang was holding a bowl of iced plum soup as he said this.

Pang Jiuxiu also felt there was nothing enjoyable, but he said: “We could catch fish in the river?”

“Isn’t fishing by the pond just as good?” Dou Zhengchang said lazily.

Wu Shan came over.

Dou Zhengchang introduced them and asked curiously: “I thought you’d come during the Dragon Boat Festival, but you didn’t. Instead, you’ve come on such a hot day. Is there something urgent?”