ATLAS TRANSLATES

When Shu’er was rebuffed by Dou Zhao and mocked by Dou Ming, and now scolded by Yi’er, she felt both anxious and angry. She pushed away the maid beside her and ran outside.

However, she ran straight into Haitang.

“Miss Shu,” she smiled and curtsied to Shu’er. The little maid behind her carried a colored glass lantern depicting the artwork Four Beauties Welcoming Spring. “Our Fourth Miss said the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea lanterns were sold out, so she could only get this Four Beauties lantern. Please play with this one for now, and next year, Fourth Miss will have someone buy one early.”

Shu’er felt somewhat better at this.

But things in a large household could never be kept secret for long.

Fifth Sister-in-law asked Yi’er: “Was it really Ming’er’s idea to ask Shou gu for the lantern?”

“It should be?” Yi’er wasn’t present when Dou Ming encouraged Shu’er to ask for the lantern.

She hesitantly said, “Though Shu’er isn’t very bright, she’s used to asking things from Fourth Aunt. If it was her own idea, there’s nothing wrong with admitting it. No need to blame it on Fifth Aunt.”

At this point, she seemed to realize something and said curiously, “Fifth Aunt seems different since returning from the capital, always talking about how good the capital is, how good her maternal family is…”

This made Yi’er feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Fifth Sister-in-law frowned as she listened and advised her daughter: “She’s still your elder. You should be more respectful to her in the future. Don’t always hang around her – if you want to play, play with Shu’er. You and Shu’er are the same generation.”

As Yi’er grew older, she became more competitive, yet her father was the most incompetent of his generation. Dou Ming’s occasional displays of superiority in front of her had long made her unhappy. Her mother’s reminder made her realize that this girl three years younger than her was actually her aunt, someone she should bow to as a junior. She felt somewhat resentful and responded listlessly, “I understand.”

Meanwhile, Third Sister-in-law was scolding Shu’er: “Do you believe everything others tell you? If someone tells you to steal from the Elder Madam, would you do that too? It’s fortunate it was Shou gu. What if it was someone else? How would they speak of you? At such a young age, you’re already learning bad habits, taking things and not returning them. I thought you were just young before and would understand when you got older, but you’re getting worse as you grow up. When others don’t give you something, you even hold a grudge… Crying, all you know is crying! Now you know it’s embarrassing, but where was this thinking before?”

She then ordered the household manager in Shu’er’s room, “Clear out everything she took from Shou gu, I’ll return them personally.”

There were too many items taken over too long a period. Even Shu’er couldn’t tell which things were hers and which belonged to Dou Zhao. This angered Third Sister-in-law so much she pounded the kang bed: “How did I raise such a thoughtless child!”

When the three Dou Qijun brothers returned from school, they were shocked. One consoled their mother, another asked what happened to their sister, while the youngest, Dou Qishun, blinked and said: “Fourth Aunt isn’t that kind of person, you don’t need to be so petty about returning things…”

Four pairs of eyes in the room stared at him.

He quickly said: “That time when you went to the farm…”

Dou Qitai rushed forward and covered his younger brother’s mouth, dragging him outside while bowing and smiling to their mother and sister: “This matter can be big or small. If we make it big, it will ruin sister’s reputation; if we keep it small, it will damage our family’s relationship with Fourth Aunt. Brother and I will go fetch father right now…”

Third Sister-in-law and Shu’er looked suspicious.

Dou Qijun had to clear his throat gently and say steadily: “Fifth Brother makes sense. It’s better to discuss this matter with father.”

Since the reliable eldest son said so, Third Sister-in-law’s doubts disappeared.

Outside, Dou Qishun pushed away his brother’s hand and grumbled defiantly: “I didn’t say anything wrong. Last time when you caused such big trouble, Fourth Aunt didn’t say a word and even helped cover for you. Don’t think I don’t know…”

“You know we caused big trouble and you’re still shouting about it everywhere?” Dou Qitai said through gritted teeth, “Are you afraid others don’t know?”

Dou Qishun wilted.

Dou Qitai said: “Come on, let’s go find Fourth Aunt.”

“Didn’t you say we were going to find father?” Dou Qishun asked curiously, “Why are we looking for Fourth Aunt?”

“You fool.” Dou Qitai wanted to slap his brother, “After all this commotion, everyone in the manor probably knows. If Fourth Aunt appears and speaks up for sister, saying these things were gifts from her to sister, that would be different…”

Now Dou Qishun understood and nodded repeatedly. They didn’t even take a carriage but ran all the way to the West Manor.

Dou Zhao listened and thought for a while.

Actually, she was partly to blame for this matter.

Whenever she saw Shu’er’s eyes light up at something she liked, it reminded her of her daughter Yin’er, and her heart would soften. She thought they were just small things, so if Shu’er liked them, she could take them. But she hadn’t carefully considered how this might affect Shu’er’s reputation.

“I’ll go to East Manor with you,” Dou Zhao changed her clothes and followed the two brothers to the Third House.

When Third Sister-in-law saw her, she felt both ashamed and guilty.

Before she could speak, Dou Zhao smiled and said: “Third Sister-in-law, are you perhaps wanting me to return Shu’er’s things as well?”

The Dou Qijun brothers were stunned.

Dou Zhao smiled and said: “You only see the things I gave to Shu’er, but haven’t seen what Shu’er gave to me.” She sighed deeply, pretending to be regretful, and said: “Before the new year, Shu’er gave me a purse. I thought it was pretty and wore it when paying respects to Elder Madam. On my way back, I lost it somewhere and haven’t found it till today. What can I give back to Shu’er now?”

Third Sister-in-law knew Dou Zhao was helping her daughter out of the situation. She called out “Shou gu” with reddening eyes.

Dou Zhao took the opportunity to support Third Sister-in-law’s arm, gesturing for Dou Qijun and the others to take Shu’er away. Then she sat beside Third Sister-in-law on the kang and sincerely said: “Actually, I’m also at fault in this matter. If I hadn’t spoiled Shu’er like this, she wouldn’t have become so presumptuous. But if you say this has led her to develop bad habits, I don’t see it that way — why doesn’t she take others’ things, but only mine? This shows she knows who is close and who isn’t, and understands what’s important.”

Parents are never impartial.

Dou Zhao’s words were appropriate, and Third Sister-in-law felt like drinking hot tea in winter, showing gratitude: “I also think Shu’er didn’t mean harm.”

After giving birth to Shu’er, Third Sister-in-law had four more sons – Dou Qiyuan and Dou Qi’an – leaving her little time to care for Shu’er.

Dou Zhao smiled: “It’s good that this misunderstanding is cleared up. Otherwise, I as her aunt would also be to blame.”

Once things were discussed openly, the atmosphere improved.

Dou Zhao chatted with Third Sister-in-law for a while before taking her leave.

Afterward, she carefully asked about Shu’er’s monthly allowance and learned that it wasn’t that she didn’t have enough money, but rather that she would give it away as soon as she received it, leaving no spare silver. When she saw something nice but had no money to buy it, she would just take Dou Zhao’s things. Dou Zhao then taught her how to manage her maids, how to save money, and how to increase income while reducing expenses. She took her to the farm and taught her how to manage it. Later, Shu’er became an expert at financial management, but that’s a story for another time.

Third Sister-in-law went to Elder Madam.

She wanted to clear her daughter’s name.

After explaining what happened, she sighed: “…Though it was trouble caused by Dou Ming, Shou gu didn’t blame her at all and took all the fault upon herself. She is indeed Seven Sister-in-law’s daughter, carrying the blood of the An Xiang Zhao family.”

Second Madam didn’t say a word, but after Third Sister-in-law left, she muttered “self-inflicted misery.”

Wu Shan learned about this matter only after the Lantern Festival.

He tossed and turned in bed for several nights, finally unable to hold back anymore. He pulled Dou Dechang aside: “Will you accompany me to West Manor to borrow a book from Seventh Uncle?”

Dou Dechang was still naive then, later becoming obsessed with antiques and spending every day visiting antique shops with Dou Qijun.

“What book? Don’t we have it at home?”

Wu Shan deceived him: “A book about collecting metal and stone artifacts. I can’t remember the name, but I couldn’t find it at your house, so I want to check at Seventh Uncle’s place.”

Dou Dechang immediately became interested: “Let’s call Boyan and go together.”

Dou Qijun had come of age this year. Fifth Uncle had given him the courtesy name “Boyan.”

Wu Shan was secretly pleased as the three went to West Manor.

Dou Shiying was directing people to repair the east wing. Hearing that Wu Shan had come to borrow a book, he washed up and changed clothes before meeting Wu Shan, Dou Dechang, and Dou Qijun in the study.

“What has Boyan been reading these days?”

Dou Qijun had failed the provincial examination last year.

“Reviewing the Four Books with Annotations,” speaking of serious matters, he was still very respectful before Dou Shiying.

Dou Shiying nodded and said: “Don’t just focus on the Four Books with Annotations. You should also read more of the Spring and Autumn Annals and Records of the Grand Historian.”

Dou Qijun smiled and said: “Fifth Grand Uncle said the same thing, and asked if I wanted to visit the Imperial Academy.”

“Oh,” Dou Shiying smiled, “What did you say?”

“I heard the capital is full of hidden talents, and I’d like to experience it.”

As the two discussed matters of examination, Dou Dechang listened with great interest, but Wu Shan’s eyes kept darting around, yet he couldn’t see even a single maid. Finally, when Dou Shiying finished talking and let them go to the study, Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun kept asking him what book he was looking for. He had to make excuses while helping to search for books, busy for almost half an hour without being able to shake off these two. Wu Shan was gradually becoming restless.

Suddenly, Dou Zhao’s clear voice came from outside the study: “Didn’t they say father went to the study? Where did he go?”

Wu Shan instantly felt relieved and hurried out, ignoring Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun beside him.

“Fourth Sister!” He stared at Dou Zhao intently, “Why did you come here?”

“Oh, it’s Fourth Brother Wu,” facing a boy about her son’s age, and given their families’ close relationship, Dou Zhao found it difficult to strictly maintain proper distance between men and women. She smiled and said, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to borrow a book.” Wu Shan held up the book in his hand, wanting to speak more tactfully, but such opportunities were fleeting, so he had to seize the moment, “I didn’t know you liked revolving lanterns, or I would have given you one.”

Dou Zhao was surprised, seeing Wu Shan’s pitch-black eyes filled with intense sincerity.