Having a son achieve top honors in the examinations was partly due to his intelligence and hard work, and partly showed that the Dou family hadn’t mistreated him, treating him the same as their own children. This breadth of mind alone, in Wu Songnian’s words, “deserved to forge a close family alliance.”
The Dou family was also very pleased.
Over the years, many had studied at the Dou family academy, but those who excelled were usually Dou family members. The talented students from humble backgrounds couldn’t help but harbor doubts. Now that Wu Shan had emerged victorious, more people would surely seek to study there. The Dou family academy could select and nurture more talented youth, which was an immeasurable wealth for the Dou family.
Dou Shixu specifically sent an advisor to discuss this matter with Second Madame and Dou Shibang: “…Relocate the families living around the academy, double its size, invite several renowned scholars to teach, but no need to hurry in recruiting more students. We must ensure that most graduates from the Dou family academy can pass the imperial examinations.”
Second Madame nodded repeatedly, leaving Dou Shibang to handle the specifics while she had a stage built at the Dou family entrance and invited theater troupes from the capital to perform ten plays. Throughout the sixth month, Zhending County was as lively as the New Year.
Yet the Dou family’s back courtyard remained serene, the distant drum beats and cheers only making it seem more peaceful.
Dou Qijun, tanned as dark as charcoal, raged in Dou Zhengchang’s study: “…This is absolutely corrupting imperial rule! A bunch of parasites! Taking salary without doing work!”
His voice startled the songbird under the walkway, making it flutter its wings in fright.
Dou Dechang blinked and handed him a bowl of iced plum soup: “Cool down!”
Dou Qijun took the soup and drank it in one gulp.
The cold drink immediately reduced his anger.
He sat in the master chair opposite Dou Dechang and leaned forward: “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. In South Gully, over six hundred unregistered households are hidden there clearing land, mostly young and strong men. Six hundred! Fortunately, these years have had good weather. If a disaster year comes and those people have nothing to eat, they might do anything. They could even start a rebellion!”
As Dou Qijun spoke, he shuddered.
Looking at his friends, they all stared at him wide-eyed, as if looking at a monster.
Dou Qijun couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
Why bother telling them these things? They wouldn’t understand. Even if they did understand, they might not share his experience and feelings.
He suddenly felt dejected and listlessly asked them: “What are your plans for the future?”
The provincial examinations were over, and they could relax now.
Dou Zhengchang, Dou Dechang, Dou Qiguang, and Dou Qitai, who were sitting in the room, sensed Dou Qijun’s mood. Since he had rejected the suggestion of reporting this matter to the county magistrate, they didn’t know how to comfort him. Now that he had changed the subject, Dou Zhengchang quickly picked up the conversation: “Father wrote back, telling us to rest for the summer, then after the Mid-Autumn Festival go to the capital to gain experience and visit some senior scholars.” Then he asked Dou Qiguang: “Do you want to come with us?”
This was preparation for their metropolitan examinations.
Dou Qijun nodded secretly.
But Dou Qiguang shook his head repeatedly: “I’m not going. I’ve already arranged with Master Du to guide me privately in writing essays.”
Hearing this, Dou Qitai sighed and said longingly: “I’d like to go, but unfortunately my father said if I don’t pass the provincial examinations, I’m not allowed to go anywhere.”
Just as he finished speaking, a voice not belonging to their group rang out: “Where are you all going?”
Everyone turned to see Wu Shan walking in wearing an ivory-colored plain Hangzhou silk robe, looking radiant.
Everyone in the room let out an “Oh!” and called out “Top Scholar Wu” in teasing tones.
Wu Shan was too happy to mind, smiling and bowing to everyone: “You’re too kind! Too kind!”
“You fellow!” Dou Zhengchang couldn’t help but smile mockingly, “Not modest at all!”
“When life is good, one must enjoy it fully. Don’t let the golden cup face the moon empty,” Wu Shan quickly opened his folding fan, waved it twice, and sat down unceremoniously in the master chair opposite Dou Zhengchang. He said to Dou Qijun: “It’s so hot, and it’s noisy outside. Why don’t we go to Daci Temple for vegetarian food?” His face showed traces of anticipation.
Dou Dechang snorted disdainfully and said: “What’s so good about Daci Temple’s vegetarian food? We might as well go to Jingfu Spring for ice bowls.”
Dou Zhengchang and the others nodded repeatedly.
Only Dou Qijun stared intently at Wu Shan and said slowly: “Want to eat vegetarian food? Did your mother agree?”
Today’s performance of “Fourth Son Visits Mother” was requested by Madame Wu.
His tone was extremely cold, and his gaze on Wu Shan was sharp and penetrating. Dou Zhengchang and the others were startled and fell silent.
“I worked to become top scholar hoping Mother would agree to let me go to Daci Temple for vegetarian food,” Wu Shan gently folded his fan, his smile gradually fading as his expression became serious, “If Mother didn’t agree, I had already prepared seven or eight arguments to persuade her. Fortunately, she agreed.” As he spoke, the corners of his mouth turned up uncontrollably, rising higher and higher until he broke into a broad grin.
Dou Qijun snorted and said: “You were confident your mother would agree?”
Wu Shan laughed heartily: “Of course!”
Dou Qijun’s expression softened slightly.
Dou Qiguang was completely confused and asked bewilderedly: “What’s going on with you all? It’s just vegetarian food… do you really need Aunt’s permission?”
Dou Zhengchang seemed lost in thought.
Dou Dechang’s eyes rolled mischievously, showing hints of cunning.
Wu Shan smiled at Dou Qiguang and said: “I thought since we’re going out to play, why not invite Fourth Sister and the others to join us…” but his gaze was fixed on Dou Qijun.
“Oh!” Dou Qiguang suddenly understood, “Joy shared is joy doubled. You want to invite Fourth Aunt and others to eat vegetarian food, that’s why you chose Daci Temple and needed to inform Aunt. If Aunt is willing to bring Fourth Aunt and several sisters along, wouldn’t that be even better!”
“Exactly right,” Wu Shan smiled brilliantly, his smile brighter than the summer day outside.
But Wu Ya was so angry her mouth was pursed high. She complained indignantly: “If we’re going to Daci Temple for vegetarian food, why can Shou Sister go but I can’t? Brother is too partial! Just because he’s lived at the Dou family for two years, he treats them better than me. I’m his own sister…” As she spoke, tears fell drop by drop, “It’s so unfair!”
“Enough!” Madame Wu’s expression wasn’t pleasant either. She rebuked Wu Ya in a low voice and said sternly, “You know you’re his sister. He’s lived at the Dou family for these years and surely owes them many favors. You’ve been living well with me in the capital, how dare you blame your brother? The weather is too hot and I’m feeling unwell. Go take an afternoon nap. We still need to pay respects to Second Madame later. Be careful not to be disrespectful.”
Wu Ya, with red eyes, curtseyed to her mother grievedly and withdrew.
Madame Wu suddenly slumped against the large back pillow behind her.
Bi Mama, Madame Wu’s personal maid, anxiously called out “Madame” and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong? Should this old servant add a few drops of peppermint water to your tea?”
“No need,” Madame Wu rubbed her forehead, thinking of her son’s stubborn face earlier, her temples throbbing, “You saw how he was just now, looking as if he would fight me to the death if I didn’t agree… What’s so special about that Dou Zhao besides her beauty?”
Bi Mama smiled and said: “Who in this world doesn’t like beauty? This is already the best match possible.”
Madame Wu was stunned, and after a while said: “No flower blooms for a hundred days, no person stays favorable for a hundred days. When he was young, he could point at the ascetic monk painted on the temple wall and say ‘form is emptiness,’ how did he change so much when it came to himself? The Dou family is naturally good, but that Wang woman is too disgraceful. Am I supposed to become in-laws with her? How could I face anyone after that?”
“A married daughter is like spilled water,” Bi Mama advised, “Fourth Young Master also said he studied hard to become top scholar hoping you would grant his wish. In the future, Fourth Young Master still needs to take the provincial and metropolitan examinations. If he can continue studying diligently like now, it might not be a bad thing.”
“How could I not know!” A cold light flashed in Madame Wu’s eyes, “If I didn’t see that child as honest and proper, how could I allow him to act so willfully! But who in this world doesn’t visit their maternal family…”
“Madame,” Bi Mama smiled, “Isn’t Sixth Madame Fourth Young Miss’s maternal family? Isn’t our Young Miss her maternal family?”
Madame Wu fell silent.
Bi Mama said: “If one isn’t close to their maternal family, naturally they’ll be close to their in-laws. You only have Fourth Young Master as your son, wouldn’t it be good to have a daughter-in-law close to you?”
“That’s true!” Madame Wu nodded.
A young maid reported: “Madame, Fourth Young Miss from the West Mansion sent her personal maid over. She said the Eleventh Young Master, Twelfth Young Master and others are going to Daci Temple for vegetarian food, and they’ve invited Fourth Young Miss and Young Miss Yi and Young Miss Shu from the East Mansion. Fourth Young Miss would like to invite our Seventh Young Miss to join them, and specifically came to ask for Madame’s and Seventh Young Miss’s opinion.”
“Oh!” Madame Wu’s eyebrows raised high.
Bi Mama quickly smiled and said: “Madame, how about it? Our Fourth Young Miss grew up under Sixth Madame of the Dou family, she’s not a reckless person, she’s very proper!”
Madame Wu made an “mm” sound and couldn’t help but smile. She said to the young maid: “Go ask Seventh Young Miss, if she wants to go,” she glanced at Bi Mama, “you can accompany her!”
Bi Mama smiled and answered “Yes,” then left the hall.
Outside, a quick-witted young servant hurriedly came forward and whispered: “What did Madame say?”
Bi Mama showed a slightly proud smile: “Tell Fourth Young Master that this old servant has not failed his mission!”
The servant beamed with joy and flattered her: “No wonder everyone says Mama is Madame’s most trusted person, there’s nothing Mama can’t accomplish!”
Bi Mama’s face darkened: “You little rascal, dare to talk nonsense again and I’ll tear that mouth of yours!” But she couldn’t help the smile leaking from her eyes.
“This lowly one dares not again!” The servant grinned, “I’ll go report to Fourth Young Master right away.” And ran off like the wind.
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