ATLAS TRANSLATES

Dou Shiying came to consult with Dou Zhao: “What do you think we should do?”

Although his eldest daughter was young, her confident manner of speaking often gave him immense confidence.

Dou Zhao didn’t know what would be best for Dou Ming either.

If she stayed by the Second Madam’s side to learn proper etiquette, she would inevitably face cold remarks. If she went to stay with the Wang family in the capital, in her previous life, Dou Ming had been spoiled by Madam Xu, and ultimately got entangled with Wang Nan.

She said with a headache: “Why don’t you ask the Madam? She is Dou Ming’s birth mother.”

With Wang Yingxue present, no one else could interfere. Even if it was for Dou Ming’s own good, due to the natural bond between mother and child, Dou Ming might end up resenting them.

Dou Shiying hesitated.

A young maid came running in breathlessly. Seeing Dou Shiying there, she was about to tiptoe back out.

Dou Shiying called out: “What is it?”

The young maid looked helplessly at Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao couldn’t think of anything she needed to hide from Dou Shiying, so she nodded at the young maid.

The young maid mumbled: “The Seventh Madam is packing her trunks, saying she wants to take Fifth Miss to the capital.”

Dou Shiying flew into a rage and hurriedly left.

Dou Zhao called Haitang in: “Bring the needlework I did a few days ago, and get me a change of clothes. We’ll go visit Ninth Sister-in-law.”

This February, Dou Huanchang had married the daughter of the Huang family from Huai’an.

This marriage was arranged when the eldest uncle was still alive. Huang’s grandfather and eldest uncle were classmates in the imperial examinations, and Huang had a clan uncle who currently served as a magistrate in the Court of Judicature.

Huang was the same age as Dou Huanchang. She had a gentle appearance and harmonious temperament, was skilled at needlework, and was deeply loved by the eldest aunt. The eldest aunt had praised her daughter-in-law multiple times in front of the Dou family members.

Both being daughters-in-law from Jiangnan, people couldn’t help but compare her with Lady Ji.

Lady Ji was refined, Huang was gentle, both exuding the elegance of the Jiangnan watertown.

The second sister-in-law joked about herself: “Looking at Sixth Aunt and Ninth Sister-in-law, we all seem like kitchen maids.”

Lady Ji and Huang naturally had to be modest, but because of this, the two became very close, and consequently, Huang was also closer to Dou Zhao than to others.

A few days ago, news spread that Huang was with child.

Dou Zhao thought to go hide at her place for a while — The eldest aunt was widowed, and Huang’s pregnancy wasn’t yet three months along, so people rarely disturbed the first branch of the family. It was the most peaceful place.

Having company, especially the considerate and thoughtful Dou Zhao, Huang naturally welcomed her warmly.

Dou Zhao stayed at the first branch until afternoon, had dinner there, before returning to the West Dou residence.

As soon as she entered, she saw the stable boy crouching down, hammering at a cart wheel.

Dou Zhao secretly sighed.

Based on her experience from her previous life, whenever Wang Xu saw Dou Ming, she would keep Dou Ming staying at the Wang family for extended periods.

She returned to the main room, where her father was sitting absentmindedly with a book, looking quite unhappy.

“I heard you went to Ji Xin’s place,” Dou Shiying greeted his daughter, “How was it? Any gains?”

Ji Xin was ninth cousin Dou Huanchang’s courtesy name.

“Ninth Sister-in-law taught me how to embroider bird eyes,” Dou Zhao smiled as she entered the room, changed her clothes, washed up, and sat with her father on the window-side kang to talk. “I think the technique is similar to painting, no wonder Sixth Uncle’s aunt both embroiders and paints.”

These words improved Dou Shiying’s mood considerably. Speaking of Dou Ming, he said: “…Even adults love the prosperity and beauty of the capital, let alone children. Would you like to go stay in the capital with Dou Ming for a while?”

And then have her pay respects to the Wang family members as a junior?

She’d rather not!

Dou Zhao smiled and said: “She can’t bear to leave her grandmother, and I can’t bear to leave my Aunt Cui.”

Dou Shiying laughed, thought for a while, then tentatively asked her: “Will you and Aunt Cui be afraid staying at home?”

Dou Zhao immediately brightened up.

It seemed father was planning to go to the capital with Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming.

Perhaps because she no longer harbored resentment, her current state of mind was very peaceful, unlike her previous life when she would burn with anger at seeing her father together with Wang Yingxue, Dou Ming, and Dou Xiao.

Right now, her heart was only with grandmother.

“Does this mean you agree to let me invite Aunt Cui back to stay for a while?” Dou Zhao asked her father with a smile.

“When did I ever disagree?” Dou Shiying smiled. Then his expression became somewhat dejected, “I just felt that even without Aunt Cui, the Pang family wouldn’t dare come to our door.”

So that’s why he was sulking about not going to the capital to take up his post?

Dou Zhao found it both amusing and exasperating.

Fortunately, this matter had already been resolved, and she didn’t want to argue with her father about this topic. She asked when he would set out.

“The day after tomorrow!” Dou Shiying smiled, “Tomorrow we’ll go bring your Aunt Cui back.”

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly with a smile and discussed with her father: “Hasn’t the East Wing just been renovated? Why don’t we let Aunt Cui stay in the Clear Fresh Pavilion of the East Wing? The trees there are lush, making it the coolest place.”

“Let’s go,” father rose enthusiastically, “Let’s take a look.”

They hadn’t even eaten dinner, but together they toured every corner of the Clear Fresh Pavilion, arranging where to put the inner chamber, where for the rest room, where for the trunks, where the maids would sleep… After everything was arranged, they returned to the main house, and early the next morning, they hitched up the horse cart and headed to the countryside.

Granny Hu, who was packing trunks with Wang Yingxue, was somewhat worried: “It’s easier to invite spirits in than to send them away. What do you think about this…”

Wang Yingxue’s mood immediately became agitated upon hearing this.

She knew that Zhao Guqiu’s death was a knot in Dou Shiying’s heart, but the dead were gone, and the living had to continue living. She had thought that with time and her careful consideration, this knot would naturally untie itself.

Who knew it would be contrary to her wishes.

After all these years, not only had Dou Shiying not forgotten Zhao Guqiu, but he had grown increasingly distant from her, no longer as intimate as before.

Opportunities always come to those who are prepared.

Just like Dou Ming’s sadness.

In Zhending, in the Dou family, Dou Ming’s legitimate status was unclear, and she would forever be known as the elevated concubine’s successor.

Thinking of these things, she couldn’t help but bite her lip.

She and Dou Shiying must start anew.

The capital was a place where provincial people were as numerous as fish crossing a river, where no one knew anyone else’s background. Once they went to the capital, with Dou Shiying serving as an official, and with relatives like Dou Shizhu and the Wang family, they could settle permanently in the capital. They would never return to Zhending, and Dou Ming could grow up happily and marry with a clean slate.

“Now is not the time to worry about these things,” Wang Yingxue said softly to Granny Hu, “The Seventh Master is in his prime, and even if we return to Zhending, it won’t be for at least ten or more years. Could Aunt Cui even live until then?”

Not entirely confident about whether they could stay permanently in the capital, Wang Yingxue didn’t dare make absolute statements.

Granny Hu thought about it and smiled: “It was old servant’s overthinking.”

“Not at all,” Wang Yingxue held Granny Hu’s hand and sincerely said, “These years, if it weren’t for you by my side, how could I have endured?”

“Madam, you’re too kind to this old servant,” Granny Hu repeatedly declined.

As mistress and servant spoke, both became somewhat emotional. Granny Hu supported Wang Yingxue as they entered the inner chamber, where they saw Dou Ming sitting on the window-side kang, hugging a large pillow with a blank stare. Maids and old women bustled about the room packing things, but she seemed oblivious to it all.

Wang Yingxue’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly embraced her daughter: “Ming’er, Ming’er!”

Dou Ming turned her head, and light gradually returned to her eyes.

Wang Yingxue let out a sigh of relief and tried to engage her in conversation: “Do you want to see if there’s anything else you want to take to the capital…”

“I don’t want anything!” Dou Ming’s voice was very high and particularly sharp, “Grandmother will buy everything for me, I don’t want anything!”

Wang Yingxue’s eyes moistened as she held her daughter, unable to speak for a long while.

?????

Grandmother invited Dou Shiying to sit in the main hall. She personally brewed him a cup of tea and asked puzzledly: “You want me to come stay in the city for a while?”

Dou Shiying felt somewhat awkward but tactfully and gently told Grandmother about the matters concerning Pang Jixiu and Wu Shan.

Grandmother chuckled and said: “A family with a daughter attracts hundreds of suitors. Our Shou’er is beautiful and has a good temperament. You’ll have plenty to worry about in the future.” Then she very readily instructed Hong’er to pack things, the matter proceeding so smoothly that both Dou Shiying and Dou Zhao were momentarily stunned. Dou Zhao particularly marveled inwardly at how Grandmother could laugh off Pang Jixiu’s intentions, wondering whether it was innocent simplicity or having seen through worldly affairs.

They returned to Zhending around the hour of you (5-7 PM).

Wang Yingxue welcomed Grandmother, Dou Shiying, and Dou Zhao at the second gate.

Dou Shiying asked: “Where is Ming’er?”

Wang Yingxue quickly replied: “She’s feeling unwell, seems like she might have gotten heatstroke. I gave her some Huoxiang Zhengqi drops, and she just went to rest. I was thinking of calling a doctor to check on her later.”

Hearing this, Grandmother wanted to go see Dou Ming.

Wang Yingxue hurriedly said: “The weather is hot, and you must be tired from traveling. Please rest first, lest you also fall ill from the heat.”

Grandmother thought for a moment, smiled wryly, and didn’t insist. She followed Dou Zhao to the Clear Fresh Pavilion.

The walls of the Clear Fresh Pavilion were covered with vines, thick moss grew beside the steps, and unknown small flowers bloomed by the stones, creating a natural, wild charm.

Grandmother really liked it.

That evening, Dou Zhao moved in to live with Grandmother.

Haitang quietly told her: “The Seventh Master is scolding the Madam and Fifth Miss.”

Let them make whatever fuss they want, as long as they don’t disturb her life.

“Don’t tell Grandmother,” Dou Zhao instructed Haitang.

Haitang nodded.

Dou Zhao called out loudly for Ganlu, asking her to cut the watermelon that had been cooling in the well.

?????

The next day, father bid farewell to Grandmother and Second Madam, paid respects at the North Tower ancestral shrine, and left for the capital with Wang Yingxue and Dou Ming.

In the evening, Second Madam invited Grandmother over for dinner.

Grandmother asked Dou Zhao’s opinion: “What do you think, should I go or not?”

In her previous life, Grandmother had always been like a mountain standing in front of her; in this life, it was her turn to shelter Grandmother from wind and rain. Dou Zhao found this very novel and felt both the pressure and pride of bearing a great responsibility.

“I’ll go with you,” Dou Zhao smiled, “We should maintain contact with family relatives. If we like it, we can visit more often; if not, we can visit less. After all, we live separately.”

Grandmother found this reasonable and went with Dou Zhao for dinner.

At the meal, only Eldest Aunt accompanied them. After everyone finished eating, they had some fruit and talked about old times before dispersing.

Grandmother really enjoyed it and settled contentedly in the Clear Fresh Pavilion. Every morning she would walk seven or eight circles around the artificial mountain until she was completely sweating before resting.

Dou Zhao watched nervously and accompanied Grandmother on her walks every day.

At first, Grandmother would walk two circles for every one circle Dou Zhao walked. Gradually, Dou Zhao could match Grandmother circle for circle. Initially, her whole body would ache, and every movement was difficult, but gradually she became refreshed and nimble.

Grandmother kept nodding approvingly: “Look at that little face, so rosy, looking so energetic!”

Dou Zhao smiled with pressed lips.

By autumn, she discovered that the horse-faced skirts she had made in spring were all hanging loose, revealing her yellow silk shoes.