ATLAS TRANSLATES

“Bie Gangyi used to be a martial arts instructor in the capital before his wife passed away,” Zhao Liangbi explained gently. “He’s from Zhending Prefecture, and both his residence and family farmland are ancestral properties.”

Even the most formidable people would behave properly and respectfully in their hometown. Without roots, one would be nothing more than drifting duckweed.

Bie Gangyi would never do anything to destroy his own foundations.

Perhaps moved by Bie Gangyi’s situation, Zhao Liangbi sighed and continued: “The Bie sisters are truly pitiful. They lost their mother at such a young age. Bie Gangyi is a rough man, and afraid of mistreating his daughters, he refused to remarry. The sisters had no one to care for them. They learned sewing and household chores from neighbors. When they grew older, they even had to take care of Bie Gangyi. No wonder Elder Sister Bie caught Shan Jie’s eye.”

Dou Zhao decided to intervene in this matter.

She nodded silently and picked up her teacup.

Zhao Liangbi, who should have withdrawn, stood there hesitantly.

Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.

After much hesitation, Zhao Liangbi stammered: “I learned something else… After Bie Gangyi’s incident, he specifically asked to keep it from Elder Sister Bie. A few days ago, she found out anyway. She cut off a lock of her hair to offer at her mother’s memorial tablet, intending to become Shan Jie’s concubine. It was Old Chen next door who noticed something was wrong and forcibly stopped her… Fourth Miss, you…” He looked at Dou Zhao pleadingly, hoping for her help.

Dou Zhao was surprised.

She hadn’t expected both Bie sisters to be so decisive in times of crisis.

She said: “Don’t worry, I’ll report to Grandmother and then go see Third Uncle.”

Seeing Dou Zhao heading to see Dou Shibang late at night, Zhao Liangbi gratefully offered: “It’s getting late. I need to return to the East Mansion anyway, so let me accompany you!”

The fourteen-year-old Zhao Liangbi currently worked in East Dou’s accounting house. He would have to wait until he was sixteen to become a second manager.

He probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight without knowing the outcome.

Dou Zhao smiled and agreed, then went to inform her grandmother.

Upon hearing about Shan Jie, Grandmother was disgusted and urged her: “Go quickly! Go quickly!” She added, “Saving a life is like building a seven-story pagoda. If your Third Uncle won’t vouch for Bie Gangyi, tell me. I still have some connections with the Lang family. I can ask them to vouch for Bie Gangyi.”

Feeling more confident, Dou Zhao repeatedly agreed and headed to East Dou.

Dou Shibang had already gone to bed. When he heard Dou Zhao wanted to see him, he was startled. Hastily putting on clothes and shoes, he rushed out asking anxiously: “What happened? What happened?” This startled Dou Zhao, making her regret coming so late and disturbing Third Uncle’s rest.

She told Third Uncle about Bie Sulan stopping the carriage, then asked: “Has the Shan family sent anyone to discuss this? Or spread any words about it?”

“No, they haven’t,” Dou Shibang understood Dou Zhao’s intention and sighed deeply, saying, “But Shan Jie is narrow-minded, quick-tempered, and reckless. It’s better to avoid trouble.”

“I thought the same initially,” Dou Zhao smiled, “But since they’ve come asking for help, and it’s a matter of saving someone, it doesn’t feel right to just ignore it. Since the Shan family hasn’t sent anyone or said anything, why don’t you vouch for the Bie family, Third Uncle? Even if the Shan family asks, we can deny involvement.”

“But everyone in Zhending Prefecture knows Bie Gangyi was imprisoned because he offended Shan Jie,” Dou Shibang was reluctant to take the lead, “We could easily find this out with a little inquiry. Denying it later would be like covering our ears while stealing a bell – our conflict with the Shan family would still be hard to avoid.”

“If that’s the case, then the Dou family should definitely step forward,” Dou Zhao smiled, “Otherwise, those who like to find fault might say either that the Dou family is afraid of the Shan family, too scared to intervene even when they do such despicable things; or they might say the Dou family is just as bad as the Shan family, both equally villainous. Our family’s good reputation, built over generations, would be ruined.”

Dou Shibang seriously considered this matter.

Dou Zhao felt somewhat emotional.

Family reputation could indeed be a heavy burden. Yet sometimes, it could become an umbrella, sheltering those seeking refuge from wind and rain beneath it.

Dou Shibang decided to discuss it with Second Madam before making a decision.

Dou Zhao said: “I heard Bie Gangyi is severely injured and won’t live much longer. We shouldn’t end up offending Shan Jie by vouching for someone who might not survive.”

Seeing the logic in this, Dou Shibang couldn’t sit still any longer. He changed his clothes and went with Dou Zhao to see Second Madam.

Second Madam frowned deeply, asking Dou Shibang: “What kind of person is Shan Jie?”

Dou Shibang repeated about his quick temper and recklessness.

Second Madam’s frown deepened.

But Dou Zhao understood Second Madam’s concerns.

She worried that the Shan family might have outstanding younger generations who would hold this grudge against the Dou family. If they offended people for the sake of an unrelated Bie Gangyi, it might not be worth it.

She smiled and said: “I heard Shan Jie is an only child, uneducated, just living off his father’s old reputation!”

Second Madam then said: “Shou Gu makes a good point. If we stay silent, people might think we’re in league with the Shan family!”

This meant she agreed to vouch for the Bie family.

Dou Zhao quickly stood up to thank Second Madam with a courteous bow, saying: “Thank you, Madam, for your kindness!”

Second Madam smiled warmly: “Our Shou Gu’s reputation for kindness will only grow stronger!”

“That’s all thanks to Madam’s blessing,” Dou Zhao exchanged a few more pleasantries before Dou Shibang stood up, saying, “Then shall I arrange for someone to vouch for the Bie family first thing tomorrow morning?”

Second Madam nodded, and only then did Dou Zhao and Dou Shibang take their leave from Second Madam’s room.

Dou Zhao smiled and nodded at Zhao Liangbi, who had been waiting outside.

Zhao Liangbi’s smile immediately spread from ear to ear.

Grandmother was also waiting for Dou Zhao, anxiously asking how things went.

Dou Zhao explained everything, and only then did Grandmother feel relieved.

The next day at dawn, the steward appointed by Dou Shibang went to Zhending Prefecture, and by that afternoon, Bie Gangyi was released.

Bie Sulan rushed over that night to express gratitude: “…Father and Sister should have come too, but Father is severely injured and Sister needs to care for him. So I came first. In a few days, when Father’s wounds are better, we’ll come to kowtow and thank you properly.”

“I’m too young to deserve such grand gestures,” Dou Zhao smiled. “If you want me to live a long life, please don’t trouble me so.” Then she had Su Juan hand over the prepared two hundred tael bank note to Bie Sulan, “Your family has just suffered a great misfortune and will need money for many things. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. You can repay me when you have money later.”

Bie Sulan repeatedly agreed with a smile, though tears gathered in her eyes. She accepted the bank note graciously and hurried back to Zhending.

Just two days later, Bie Sulan came to see her again, saying Bie Gangyi requested her presence in Zhending Prefecture: “…I don’t know why.” Her eyes reddened as she spoke, “Father hasn’t eaten a grain of rice these past days, and we have to force the medicine down. I’m so scared.” As she finished speaking, she seemed to remember something, and her lips turned pale.

Dou Zhao felt she had already done what she should and didn’t want further involvement with the Bie family, so she smiled and politely declined: “I’ll send Hai Tang with you! Any message can be relayed through her just the same.”

Bie Sulan was very disappointed.

Grandmother felt sorry for her and pulled her aside, saying: “You should still go. Didn’t Sulan say her father needs to be force-fed medicine? Perhaps Bie Gangyi has some last words to share.”

“That’s exactly why I shouldn’t go,” Dou Zhao said. “If he asks me to help him seek revenge, should I agree or not?”

Grandmother said: “That’s all the more reason to go — if he makes such a request, you can wash your hands of the Bie sisters’ affairs afterward.”

Dou Zhao sighed, saying: “People speak kindly when near death. I’m afraid I won’t be able to extricate myself!” Despite her words, Grandmother’s reasoning made sense. She still went to Zhending Prefecture.

The Bie Martial Arts School had already been sold to someone else. The buyer was Bie Gangyi’s friend who bought it to help them in their emergency. After Bie Gangyi’s release from prison, he still lived at the school, though at his insistence, he moved from the main house to the woodshed in the back.

Bie Sulan explained this to Dou Zhao with red eyes.

Dou Zhao nodded, surveying the martial arts school.

Though only two courtyards deep, the front yard was very spacious, paved with green bricks, easily able to accommodate over a hundred people — perfect for a martial arts school.

The September weather had turned cold. The Bie ancestors had been considerate people, building the woodshed with green bricks as well, so although simple, it could still shelter from wind and rain, benefiting Bie Gangyi.

Bie Gangyi lay on a bed made from a door panel, eyes tightly closed, his face sallow as gold paper, covered with thick blue cotton bedding. He was skin and bones, though his large frame still showed traces of his former robust build.

When Dou Zhao entered, the man sitting by the door panel immediately stood up.

However, Dou Zhao’s gaze fell on the young girl holding an empty bowl by the door panel.

She was only about fifteen or sixteen, wearing a faded cinnamon-colored padded jacket. Though her eyes were swollen and she looked haggard, her skin was fair and her features delicate, unable to hide her beauty.

Dou Zhao was startled.

If this was Bie Sulan’s sister, no wonder Shan Jie had developed ulterior motives.

However, the difference between the two sisters was quite striking.

As if knowing Dou Zhao’s thoughts, Bie Sulan linked arms with the girl and proudly told Dou Zhao: “Fourth Miss, this is my sister Suxin.”

Bie Suxin had already guessed who the visitor was and hurriedly put down the empty bowl to curtsey to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao smiled and said “No need for formalities,” walking to Bie Gangyi’s bedside.

The man by the bed quietly stepped aside.

Dou Zhao glanced at him.

The man wore an old dark coarse cotton robe with patched sleeves, though it was clean. His temples were graying, he was thin but spirited, with clear eyes — surprisingly, he was an elegant elderly scholar.

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Bie Suxin had already stepped forward to softly call “Father.”

Bie Gangyi struggled to open his eyes.

“Miss Dou,” his voice was like a rusty saw as he laboriously managed a smile, “Thank you for saving my life.”

Dou Zhao felt a pang in her heart, tears suddenly gathering in her eyes.

Bie Gangyi had already turned to look at the man standing aside, calling out “Old Chen.”

Only then did Dou Zhao understand.

So this elderly man was the one who had guided Bie Sulan to seek help from the Dou family and stopped Bie Suxin from selling herself.