ATLAS TRANSLATES

The human side door of the Dou family mansion remained bustling with people. The side corridor where a side door had been opened was very quiet, with two black-lacquered flat-topped carriages parked there, hung with red bamboo curtains.

The chests were amber-colored, neither new nor old, but with smooth and clear wood grain. The corners were decorated with bronze cloud patterns, looking simple and dignified with a sense of weightiness.

“How luxurious, to use all rosewood,” Dou Zhao heard Dou Dechang muttering beside her. She couldn’t help but smile and took a few more looks.

The strong servants carrying the chests were no older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight at most, the youngest being eighteen or nineteen. Their expressions were solemn, their movements agile. They carried the large chests without breaking a sweat or getting red in the face – clearly trained in martial arts.

Having martial arts-trained attendants while traveling wasn’t rare among wealthy families, but having them all similar in height and build, dressed identically like this, was uncommon.

Indeed very luxurious!

Doesn’t he fear being robbed?

Smiling, Dou Zhao went with Dou Dechang and Wu Shan around the flower hall to visit Sixth Aunt.

The black-lacquered ruyi door was wide open, the bluestone path exceptionally clean as if it had been washed with water. The mynah bird hanging under the eaves flapped its wings with a whoosh, while the pomegranate tree beside it bloomed brilliantly like fire.

The maids and servants stood silently in the corridor, not daring to move, blinking at them as they entered.

“Did you see?” Dou Dechang whispered in Dou Zhao’s ear, “It’s not our cousin coming to visit, it’s the emperor!”

Dou Zhao burst out laughing but managed to hold it back as she entered the hall with Dou Dechang and Wu Shan.

Dou Zhengchang stood respectfully beside Ji Shi, who sat next to a young man wearing a pale white fine cloth Taoist robe on a lohan bed inlaid with mica. She was smiling broadly while holding the young man’s hand and talking.

Hearing movement, both looked up.

Ji Shi’s smile was especially radiant, seeming to flow from deep within her heart. It carried unconcealed joy, completely different from her usual reserved and low-key manner, surprising Dou Zhao greatly. Looking at the young man beside her, he appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. Though tall and handsome, he seemed ordinary, except that when he sat smiling, his expression was peaceful and calm, yet his eyes sparkled brilliantly like stars. He gave people the feeling that “though he appears gentle in nature, if you slight him, he won’t be easy to deal with.” This contradictory quality made him unforgettable, even arousing curiosity to know more about him.

Dou Zhao was secretly shocked.

This must be Ji Yong.

She suddenly thought of the beautiful young man she had seen at Fayuan Temple.

One, two… there were even more than she had seen in her previous life.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but glance at Dou Dechang.

Both Dou Dechang and Wu Shan were staring wide-eyed at Ji Yong.

Meanwhile, Ji Shi was already warmly greeting them: “Wu Shan is here too! Zhi’er, Shou Gu, come meet your Sixteenth Cousin.”

Ji Yong stood up with a smile, elegantly bowing to everyone: “I am Ji Jianming, Ji Yong from Yixing.”

Ji Yong already had a courtesy name… he was about the same age as Dou Dechang… only exceptionally talented young scholars could receive courtesy names early from elders or teachers. Could this Ji Yong be outstanding in his studies?

Dou Zhao curtsied in return, and saw Ji Shi smilingly point to Wu Shan saying: “This is Young Master Wu from the Wu Hanlin family, this year’s top scholar in the Northern Zhili provincial examinations.” Then pointing to Ji Yong, “My nephew from my maternal family, the top scholar in the Southern Zhili provincial examinations in the year of Yimao, when he was thirteen years old.”

A top scholar at thirteen years old!

How had she never heard of this in her previous life?

Had something changed in this lifetime?

Although she had married into a noble family, she had still heard of famous scholars and ministers. Perhaps this person’s talents had plateaued as he grew older?

As Dou Zhao pondered this, she noticed both Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang’s faces turning slightly blue, and even Wu Shan’s smile becoming forced.

Ji Jianming seemed either unaware or perhaps was already used to such reactions from others. He smiled faintly and said, “Aunt, you praise me too much. It was just luck.” He then quickly changed the subject, cupping his hands toward Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang with a smile, “I’ve long heard that the Dou family cousins love to travel and have broad knowledge. During my stay in Zhending, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you both.”

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang hurriedly returned his gesture, but before they could speak, Ji Shi laughed and said: “We’re all family, no need to flatter these two. They just like to play around. If you want to go anywhere, just ask them.”

Dou Zhao saw Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang’s extremely embarrassed expressions.

Her mind stirred as she recalled how she used to scold her son in her previous life, with the same tone – praising others while belittling her son. As a result, far from learning from others, her son would avoid them at the mere mention of their names.

Dou Zhao began to understand.

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang weren’t narrow-minded people. Judging by Sixth Aunt’s behavior, she must have frequently praised Ji Yong while criticizing her sons in front of them, causing them to dislike Ji Yong before even meeting him.

She must remember this as a lesson!

Dou Zhao reminded herself.

After Ji Yong and Wu Shan exchanged pleasantries, Ji Shi pulled Dou Zhao to her side and smiled, “This is your Dou family cousin, fourth in the family. She grew up by my side, just like Hui’er and Zhi’er, closest to me. Meet her as well.”

Ji Yong looked at Dou Zhao straightforwardly and smiled, calling her “Fourth Cousin.”

Dou Zhao was grateful to Ji Shi.

She must have thought that since Dou Zhao had no blood brothers, having connections with someone like Ji Yong could provide her with support in the future.

Dou Zhao sincerely called him “Cousin Ji.”

Everyone sat down to drink tea.

Ji Shi continued talking with Ji Yong.

From their conversation, it seemed the Ji family had five internal branches and eight external branches, with nearly a hundred direct descendants alone, far more complex than the Dou family.

No wonder Ji Shi could handle important matters so effortlessly after marrying into the Dou family.

Dou Zhao listened in amazement.

Soon, a young maid came to report: “The Old Madam has arranged a feast at the Green Shade Pavilion to welcome the young master, and has invited several young masters and misses to keep him company.”

The Green Shade Pavilion was next to the Dou family’s main hall, only opened when distinguished guests visited.

Ji Shi’s face glowed with pride as she led them to the Green Shade Pavilion.

On the way, Dou Dechang muttered quietly to Wu Shan: “If he’s so impressive, why doesn’t he continue with the metropolitan examination and get the top three ranks? Why come to our house to show off?”

Dou Zhao pressed her lips tightly to keep from laughing out loud.

In the Green Shade Pavilion, not only were all the Chang generation members who were at home present, but also the Qi generation members who were studying at the family school had all come. They were separated by twelve black-lacquered screens with mother-of-pearl inlays. The women sat in the small hall to the west, while Ji Yong was accompanied by Dou Yuchang and others in the large hall to the east. As soon as the hot dishes were served, praise for Ji Yong constantly drifted into the western hall. In comparison, Wu Shan’s achievement as the provincial examination’s top scholar seemed to become light and insignificant.

Madam Wu and her daughter were also present. She remained composed, quietly asking Second Madam Yu about Ji Yong. Upon learning that Ji Yong had become the provincial top scholar at thirteen, she couldn’t help but view him differently. When Ji Yong came over to toast, as the ladies praised his exceptional talent, she smiled and glanced at her daughter, curiously asking Ji Shi at the same table: “With such talent and looks, I suppose matchmakers must have worn down your doorstep?”

Ji Shi smiled proudly while watching Ji Yong, who was being held back by Second Old Madam, chuckling, “Our ancestor doesn’t want Jianming to marry so early.” She tactfully acknowledged that many people had sought marriage arrangements with Ji Yong.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Third Madam Xiu even said, “For such a talented person, even someone as slow-witted as myself would carefully choose a good marriage match.”

Everyone laughed, and the topic turned to the newly married Lady Qi.

She was Dou Qijun’s wife. Her father, Qi Baocheng, was a wealthy landowner from neighboring Quyang County and a close friend and classmate of Dou Xiuchang. Their family had produced several scholars and was considered a family of scholars and farmers.

Lady Wei was beautiful and gentle in nature. Since entering the family, she had helped Third Madam Xiu manage several younger siblings, showing the demeanor of an elder sister-in-law. She had earned unanimous praise from the family elders. She had a younger sister, five years her junior, who had caught Fifth Madam Guang’s eye when visiting. Fifth Madam wanted to matchmake her with her nephew from her maiden family, leading to a round of questions from everyone.

Madam Wu sat quietly drinking tea, watching Ji Yong’s retreating figure leave the western hall with dimmed eyes, letting out a soft sigh.

Dou Zhao saw this but remained silent.

In the following days, the brothers Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang took Ji Yong all around Zhending County.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao stayed at home worrying while attending to Grandmother’s medicine – somehow, Grandmother had caught a cold and was coughing badly, showing no improvement even after taking several doses of medicine.

When the East Dou family heard about this, they all came to visit.

Ji Shi also brought Ji Yong.

“He has some medical knowledge,” she explained, “Let him check Aunt Cui’s pulse, so we can feel more at ease.”

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly and invited the aunt and nephew into Grandmother’s inner chamber.

Ji Yong checked Grandmother’s pulse and looked at the prescriptions from several doctors, then smiled and said, “It’s nothing serious, just a common cold. She’ll get better after taking a few doses of medicine to induce sweating. You’ve been too anxious, switching doctors as soon as you don’t see improvement after two doses from the first doctor, which actually delayed her recovery. The current doctor’s prescription is quite good, she should recover after taking a few more doses.”

Grandmother had been confined to bed rest by Dou Zhao for several days and hadn’t gotten up, making her body stiff. Hearing Ji Yong’s words, she joked with Ji Shi: “I said I was fine, but Shou Gu wouldn’t believe me. I think this is how wealthy old ladies end up being killed – by excessive care.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

Dou Zhao felt embarrassed.

She had been constantly worried about Grandmother’s longevity.

But this wasn’t something she could tell others.

She lowered her eyes.

Ji Yong then said, “Fourth Cousin, there’s actually technique to brewing medicine. Let me help brew a dose for Aunt Cui, and you can have a maid watch so she can brew it the same way for the old lady in the future.”

The Dou family wasn’t some nouveau riche family – how could they not know how to brew medicine?

However, since Ji Yong had already spoken, she couldn’t directly refute him, and besides, Ji Yong was a guest who had come to check on Aunt Cui’s pulse as a favor – he couldn’t be treated like an ordinary doctor. Although he said sending a maid to watch would be fine, how could she really just send a maid? Dou Zhao had no choice but to personally accompany him to the small medicine-brewing room.

Upon entering the room, however, Ji Yong stopped.

He asked Dou Zhao in a gentle voice: “I noticed earlier you seemed to want to say something but held back. Was there something you couldn’t say in front of my aunt and Aunt Cui?”