ATLAS TRANSLATES

When they heard that Dou Shibang had arrived, Father went personally to welcome him in.

He was carrying a basket of tangerines. Since they were all family, Mother and Aunt Ding didn’t need to avoid them. After everyone exchanged greetings, Dou Shibang pointed at the tangerines and said with a smile to Grandfather: “Elder Brother sent these back. I specially brought some for you to try.” Then he took a tangerine from the small basket and handed it to Dou Zhao: “Sister Shou, have a tangerine.”

Dou Zhao was still somewhat dazed.

Mother nudged her.

She mumbled a “thank you.”

Dou Shibang smiled and patted Dou Zhao’s head.

Grandfather said, “Come sit on the kang! I have some Big Red Robe (T/N: also known as Da Hong Pao) tea from Shenxing.”

Aunt Ding immediately turned and went to the small tea room to brew tea.

Dou Shibang didn’t stand on ceremony and sat cross-legged on the kang opposite Grandfather.

Dou Zhao held the tangerine, quietly nestling in Mother’s embrace, staring unblinkingly at Dou Shibang.

Third Uncle, who had passed away ten years ago, was now standing alive before her eyes, even offering her tangerines!

When she was at the country estate, Third Uncle would visit Grandmother periodically. Each time he came, he would bring her small gifts – whether new handkerchiefs, pretty hair ornaments, or rare treats. Once, he even brought her a pair of Wuxi clay dolls. They had big eyes and round faces, wearing little red gold-threaded jackets, smiling and bowing, making all the children at the estate envious. She had placed those dolls on her windowsill, and only when she left the estate at twelve were they packed away in a trunk, accompanying her from Dingxian to the capital, remaining at the Jining Marquis Manor.

In those days, each of Third Uncle’s visits was like a ray of sunshine falling upon her, making her shine brilliantly and radiantly.

She had never forgotten.

Dou Zhao’s vision grew blurry as she heard Dou Shibang say with a smile: “…Elder Brother’s health is declining day by day. Lan’er wrote recently saying that since autumn began, Elder Brother has already had three attacks of angina. Only because the river works aren’t complete, he dares not slack off. Elder Brother wrote saying that after these days pass, he plans to resign from his post and return home to study the Book of Changes with Uncle.”

Grandfather laughed heartily and said: “Though an official career is glorious, desk work is bitter. Who told him to become an official!” As he spoke, his smile faded and he said seriously, “His angina is getting worse by the day – has he seen a doctor?”

“We’ve consulted all the famous doctors in Jiangnan,” said Dou Zhengbang. “But none have any good remedies. They only prescribe rest. But how could Elder Brother be the type to rest…”

Dou Zhao listened from the side, but her thoughts had already drifted far away.

First Uncle was called Dou Shiyang, the eldest son of Great Uncle. He was thirty-nine years older than Father and four years younger than Grandfather.

Like Grandfather, he had studied under Great-Grand Uncle from childhood, and though he and Grandfather were uncle and nephew, they were as close as brothers.

By the time Dou Zhao could remember things, he had already passed away. It was said he died from exhaustion while serving as the Prefect of Yangzhou Prefecture, working on river management. His deeds were even recorded on the bluestone tablet in the ancestral hall.

In the fourth year of Jianwu, when there was severe flooding in Jiangnan, many river embankments were breached, but only the section of embankment built during First Uncle’s tenure remained intact.

First Uncle’s administrative achievements were rediscovered, and the Emperor issued a special commendation for him.

Lan’er was First Uncle’s only son, born when he was forty-three.

At twenty-one, he passed the provincial examinations, but repeatedly failed to pass the imperial examination.

The Emperor, remembering First Uncle’s merits, granted him an hereditary position as Assistant Magistrate of Jurong County. When he came to the capital to express his gratitude, the Dou clan members in the capital held various welcome banquets for him.

Due to her stepmother, Dou Zhao wasn’t close to the Dou family and only sent congratulatory gifts.

Should she warn Third Uncle?

But would Third Uncle listen to what she had to say?

Dou Zhao hesitated.

Aunt Ding led two maids in carrying tea and snacks.

Mother put her down on the ground, helping Aunt Ding serve tea and arrange the snacks.

Dou Shibang lifted his teacup and took a sip, praising it as “good tea,” then sighed with feeling: “This truly is ‘living off the mountain when near mountains, living off the water when near water¹‘!”

Shenxing was the courtesy name of Dou Zhao’s Second Uncle Dou Shiqi, who was Dou Shiyang’s blood brother, eight years younger than Dou Shiyang and four years older than Dou Shibang. He had passed the imperial examination at twenty-six and had been serving as an official ever since, retiring from the position of Provincial Administration Commissioner of Jiangxi.

Dou Zhao had only heard of this person but had never met him – when she was in Zhending, he was serving as an official elsewhere; when he retired and returned home, she had already married and moved to the capital.

Big Red Robe tea came from Wuyi Mountain, and from Third Uncle’s tone, he must currently be serving as an official in Fujian.

Hearing this, Grandfather laughed heartily and said: “‘Living off the mountain when near mountains, living off the water when near water’ – the key word is ‘living off,’ but how can that compare to you? We all depend on you for our livelihood!”

The Dou family had many members serving as officials, and even more who were focused on studying for the imperial examinations, “ears deaf to matters outside the window, hearts solely devoted to reading sage books.”

Dou Shibang managed the affairs of both the East and West Dou branches.

Hearing this, he gave a dry laugh, his expression embarrassed.

Dou Zhao remembered.

Third Uncle had not only taken the provincial examinations with Second Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Fifth Uncle, but also with Sixth Uncle, Father, First Cousin Dou Wenzhang, Second Cousin Dou Yuzhang, Third Cousin Dou Xiuzhang, and Fourth Cousin Dou Rongzhang… it seemed he had never passed.

Father, seeing the situation, lifted his teacup and repeatedly said, “Drink tea, drink tea!”

Then he called out loudly to Mother, “Third Brother rarely visits. Go tell the kitchen to prepare some small dishes to go with wine, I’ll drink a few cups with Father and Third Brother.”

“No need, no need,” Dou Shibang glanced at Father and smiled, “Elder Brother asked me to bring some words for Uncle. It’s getting late, I need to head back after delivering the message.” He added, “New Year’s approaching, I still have a pile of matters waiting for me at home!”

“That won’t take much time,” Grandfather smiled, but Father pulled Mother, “Since Third Brother has words for Father, we’ll return to our room first.” Ignoring Mother’s surprise, he pushed her out of Heshou Hall, “Third Brother coming at this time must be for something important.”

Mother understood, and having not seen Father for a long time, looked at him with eyes as soft as vines: “Alright then. I’ll go back to serve my husband and help him rest early!”

“Good, good, good,” Father responded, looking back towards Heshou Hall with an absent-minded expression.

Dou Zhao followed Father’s gaze.

All around was quiet, the accumulated snow sparkled coldly in the moonlight, and the orange lamplight from Grandfather’s study seemed especially warm.

Dou Zhao was suspicious.

Mother, however, noticed nothing unusual and returned to the main room chatting and laughing with Father along the way.

A gray-haired servant woman came forward to greet them, bowing and calling “Seventh Master” and “Seventh Madam.”

Her manner was serious, but her eyes were gentle.

Dou Zhao took an immediate liking to her.

Mother handed her over to the woman: “Madam Yu, today please let Shou’er rest in the warm room!”

Madam Yu smiled and responded “Yes.”

Father asked curiously: “Where is Shou’er’s wet nurse?”

“She caught a cold,” Mother said, walking straight into the room, “I’m afraid she’ll pass the illness to Shou’er.”

Father could only follow.

The group entered the hall.

Father and Mother went to the inner chamber, while Madam Yu carried Dou Zhao towards the warm room behind the inner chamber.

She hadn’t yet waited for that woman, how could she leave Mother like this!

“Mother, Mother!” she twisted in Madam Yu’s arms.

“Fourth Miss, don’t cry, don’t cry!” Madam Yu comforted her, quickening her pace, “Madam Yu will play string games with you, alright?”

Father hesitated and said: “Why don’t we let Shou’er sleep with us tonight!”

“This…” Mother gazed at Father with melancholy eyes.

Father seemed not to notice and instructed Madam Yu: “Bring Shou’er over!”

Madam Yu hesitated, glancing at Mother, and seeing Mother biting her lip without speaking, smiled and said: “Seventh Master must be tired from the journey…”

“When I tell you to bring her over, bring her over!” Father said displeased.

Madam Yu no longer hesitated and handed Dou Zhao to Mother.

But Father took her and carried her into the inner chamber.

Maids brought in hot water and towels to help them wash up.

Mother attended to Father, but Father was playing with Dou Zhao, while Dou Zhao clung tightly to Mother. Though chaotic, there was a strange warmth and liveliness, making Dou Zhao feel satisfied and happy.

When things finally quieted down, Dou Zhao lay between her parents, holding onto Mother’s collar.

Mother propped herself up on her elbow, speaking softly to Father: “Are you still living in the alley next to Jing’an Temple? Is Baoshan with you?”

Her hand reached across Dou Zhao, gently caressing Father’s arm. Her bright red underwear embroidered with coupled lotus flowers was vivid in the lamplight, with snow-white fullness half-exposed like mountains, making Dou Zhao blush.

She quickly closed her eyes and silently thought: Mother, I know absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I shouldn’t spoil your moment, but I have no choice. Once I help you drive that woman away, I’ll leave…

Father closed his eyes and made a few grunting sounds, saying: “Let’s sleep quickly! Father will test me early tomorrow morning!” Then he turned over.

Mother’s hand fell empty.

She pouted.

Father began to snore lightly.

The room grew even quieter.

Mother lay down and gently pinched Dou Zhao’s little nose, whispering: “You little troublemaker!”

Such a Mother, real yet maintaining childlike innocence, almost made Dou Zhao laugh out loud.

A maid ran in with hurried steps, reporting from outside the bed curtains: “Seventh Master, Seventh Madam, Aunt Ding has come over, saying the Old Master needs to see Seventh Master urgently about something important, asking Seventh Master to come over right away.”

Mother was stunned.

The supposedly sleeping Father immediately jumped up, saying: “What did you say? Old Master wants me to go over now?” His voice was tense.

The maid responded “Yes.”

Father hesitated for a moment.

Mother said: “Then you should go quickly! It might be related to what First Uncle had Third Uncle bring…” As she spoke, she sat up.

“Yes, yes!” Father mumbled, lifting the blanket and putting on clothes as he got out of bed, not heeding Mother calling after him to add more clothes, hurriedly following Aunt Ding to Heshou Hall.

Madam Yu walked over quietly and said in a low voice: “Seventh Madam, should we send someone to check?”

“Better not!” Mother said anxiously, “What if they’re discussing court matters… Isn’t Aunt Ding there? I can ask her later.”

Dou Zhao’s heart was filled with doubts.

From when she entered until she left, Aunt Ding had kept her head down, never looking directly at Mother.

1. Another literally translated idiom; it means being resourceful, adapting to your environment and making use of the resources around you to live or succeed. ↩︎