ATLAS TRANSLATES

Dou Zhao looked at Ji Yong in surprise.

She hadn’t expected him to be so attentive!

Ji Yong smiled mischievously: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely keep your secret and won’t tell my aunt.”

Dou Zhao also smiled.

She carefully considered her words: “Concubine Cui’s health has always been good. But two years ago, when she went to pick melons in the vegetable garden, she suddenly collapsed. If there hadn’t been people serving by her side, I’m afraid…”

After listening, Ji Yong pondered: “Let me see the prescription the doctor wrote at the time.”

Dou Zhao could only apologize: “At that time, Concubine Cui was staying at the manor. By the time we knew and brought her back to the county, the prescription was already nowhere to be found.”

Ji Yong walked several circles in the side room with his hands behind his back and said: “I vaguely remember a medical text that described a healthy farm woman who suddenly died without any warning signs, very similar to Concubine Cui’s symptoms. The final diagnosis was that wind-heat evil qi had invaded the muscle surface…”

Dou Zhao perked up and asked: “Is there any treatment?”

“Keep the mind calm and peaceful, and be moderate in diet,” Ji Yong said. “The focus should be on nourishment, with dietary therapy as a supplement.” Then he asked, “What does Concubine Cui usually like to eat? Overly greasy foods are not good for her, and also, don’t make her angry. Strong emotions, whether joy or anger, should be especially avoided.”

Dou Zhao answered each question.

Ji Yong then went with Dou Zhao to the kitchen, where they sorted out what Grandmother couldn’t eat. The two were busy for half an hour before returning to the room.

Madam Ji looked at their empty hands and asked curiously: “Where’s the medicine you were brewing?”

Oh no, they had completely forgotten about that!

The two looked at each other, but before Dou Zhao could come up with an excuse about “spilling the bowl” or something similar, Ji Yong had already said: “That medicine brewing method was something I read about in a book but never had the chance to try. Finally found an opportunity to use it, but it turned out to be worse than the usual method. The medicine all turned to mush.”

Madam Ji and Grandmother burst out laughing.

However, Dou Zhao wondered to herself: How did I have no impression of such a person in my previous life? What exactly happened to him? Or did I overlook something?

At that moment, she became curious about why Ji Yong hadn’t continued to participate in the metropolitan examinations.

Madam Ji quietly told her: “My nephew could speak before he could walk, and could recite texts before he had the strength to hold a brush. His grandfather treasured him like a jewel and personally taught him to read and write. He didn’t disappoint his grandfather’s hopes and gained literary fame at a young age. But because of this, he knows nothing of worldly affairs and can’t handle daily life without servants attending to him. Understanding worldly affairs is also learning, and mastering human relationships is what makes writing complete. His grandfather said that with his personality, he could do well in studying, but if he entered official service, he might not even match up to a minor clerk. Moreover, since our family has produced both imperial tutors and grand secretaries, we’re already under scrutiny. The title of top scholar isn’t necessary. Let him go out and gain experience, learn about human affairs before pursuing scholarship. Only then will his writing have passion and chivalry, truly becoming good writing.”

Dou Zhao was half skeptical and said: “I think Cousin Ji is very good!”

He was even kind to the maids and servants around him, and helped her check Concubine Cui’s pulse.

But Madam Ji was stumped by this comment.

She stammered for a while before mumbling “you’ll understand later,” then changed the subject to ask about Concubine Cui’s health.

Dou Zhao became even more interested in Ji Yong.

Just then, Gao Xing came excitedly to report: “Du An says he’s returning to Beijing tomorrow.”

Du An had come back on Wang Yingxue’s orders to help the Wang family handle their remaining property in Nanwa.

At the time, Gao Xing had found it strange: “Wang Daren is now a regional official, doesn’t he have anyone to help manage his properties?”

“A strong dragon can’t suppress a local snake,” Dou Zhao said calmly. “Du An was born and raised in Zhending, started working at the mansion at eight years old, and was already a prominent steward when he went to Beijing. He has broad connections and networks. With his help, they’ll definitely sell for more money than others could get.”

Gao Xing trusted Dou Zhao the most. After a few days, he sent a clever servant to inquire, and sure enough, the Wang family’s few mu of good fields sold for an extremely high price. Gao Xing clicked his tongue in amazement: “Fourth Miss is really amazing!” He was also wary of Du An using tricks to help Du Ning against him, and was nervous every day, afraid something would happen. Fortunately, Du An was very busy, and though he occasionally gave Du Ning some advice, with Dou Zhao as his backing, no one dared to openly oppose him. Those tactics weren’t very effective, and all the affairs of the Western Dou family remained well-ordered in his hands.

Dou Zhao calculated that it was about time for Du An to return.

If he stayed any longer, he might not have a place to stand in Beijing.

Gao Xing asked: “Miss, should I send Manager Du off?”

“Why send him off?” Dou Zhao said indifferently. “Did he greet us when he came? Since he didn’t need you to welcome him, he naturally doesn’t need you to see him off!”

Gao Xing nodded repeatedly.

Dou Zhao instructed him: “Prepare a carriage for me, I’m going to the manor tomorrow.”

Gao Xing smiled: “Has Teacher Chen returned?”

Chen Qushui’s public identity was as a newly hired accountant at Dou Zhao’s stationery shop. He usually lived at the manor and went to Beijing once a month to check accounts with Fan Wenshu. Dou Zhao often went to the manor to learn about the Beijing shop’s situation from Chen Qushui, but in reality, it was to ask him for tutoring and inquire about events in Beijing.

“Yes!” Dou Zhao smiled, thinking of the shop in Beijing.

Although Fan Wenshu had no experience running a stationery shop, he was capable. Within just one month of arriving in Beijing, he had used the Dou family’s connections to smooth over various matters. After three months of operation, the shop had turned from loss to breaking even.

Dou Zhao hadn’t opened the shop to make money in the first place, and now that the business was doing well, she wasn’t stingy. She agreed with Fan Wenshu that if there were profits at the end of the year, he could have a ten percent share.

Fan Wenshu was overjoyed and became even more attentive to the shop’s affairs. Every time Chen Qushui came to check the accounts, he received warm hospitality. Fan Wenshu shared everything he knew about matters that interested Chen Qushui, helping him considerably.

I wonder what news Teacher Chen has brought this time?

Dou Zhao pondered as she went to inform Grandmother, and early the next morning, she took Su Juan, the Bie sisters, and several guards to the manor.

Chen Qushui had already prepared a pot of Biluochun tea waiting for her.

Dou Zhao held a cup of clear, emerald-green tea and couldn’t help but praise, “Good tea.”

Chen Qushui smiled as he heard this and poured her another cup, saying, “I have some good news to tell Miss.”

Dou Zhao raised an eyebrow.

Chen Qushui said: “At the beginning of the month, your father was summoned for an imperial audience and received commendation.”

Regardless of her father’s character, his scholarship was indeed excellent.

Dou Zhao was indifferent.

Chen Qushui gave Dou Zhao a deep look.

Until now, he still couldn’t clearly see what kind of person the young woman before him really was.

If you say she doesn’t understand things, she could make decisions that even ordinary men couldn’t make, like giving Fan Wenshu a share of profits or hiring himself as a tutor. But if you say she does understand things, she shows no interest in matters that could elevate her status, like her father’s promotion or family honor.

Dou Zhao asked Chen Qushui about her studies: “Last time I read in the book: ‘The way of the sage is to eliminate cleverness and skill. Without eliminating cleverness and skill, it’s difficult to maintain constancy.’ Aren’t sages called sages because they have more cleverness and skill than ordinary people? Why then does it say ‘Without eliminating cleverness and skill, it’s difficult to maintain constancy’?”

She learned arts and culture from Song Weimin, and history and classics from Chen Qushui.

Chen Qushui knew Dou Zhao didn’t want to discuss her father anymore, so he naturally went along with it, smiling: “A sage only needs to carefully cultivate what needs to be done and await heaven’s mandate. If one loses the essential by relying on cleverness and artifice, then it becomes difficult to maintain the way of heaven…” He carefully explained to Dou Zhao what it means to govern by law.

Dou Zhao listened with her chin propped on her hand, enthusiastically discussing with Chen Qushui: “This is interesting! It’s the same principle as managing the inner courtyard — the mansion has conventions, and as long as everyone follows these conventions, nothing major will go wrong. But some people rely on their petty cleverness and want to do things their own way, breaking the rules. As a result, their example is followed by others, and the entire mansion’s atmosphere is corrupted.”

Chen Qushui listened until his forehead was sweating and said: “How can this be the same principle as managing the inner courtyard? This is the way of governing a country.”

“Self-cultivation, family management, state governance, and world peace are all connected,” Dou Zhao smiled. “How can one govern a country if one can’t manage a family? Clearly, these principles are interconnected.”

Chen Qushui thought about it and realized there was some truth to it, though Dou Zhao’s perspective was a bit narrow, which wasn’t unrelated to her being a young lady of the inner courtyard.

He couldn’t help but smile and said: “If Miss applies this method to managing a household, that would indeed be excellent. However, laws and principles shouldn’t ignore human feelings. Insisting solely on rules without understanding human nature isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

“So it still depends on how people apply it,” Dou Zhao thought of Ji Yong.

Perhaps this was Old Master Ji’s purpose in letting Ji Yong travel and gain experience!

As the two became more engrossed in their discussion, Su Juan ran in frantically: “Miss, something terrible has happened! Concubine Cui has fainted!”

Dou Zhao’s face changed dramatically, and she stood up in confusion and alarm, demanding sharply: “What happened?”

“Just now Liu Wan rushed over from the mansion, saying that Concubine Cui was talking with Hong Gu when suddenly her eyes closed and she fainted,” Su Juan said, tears welling up in her eyes. “Manager Gao quickly sent him to inform Miss, saying Miss should return quickly.”

How could this happen?

Didn’t Ji Yong say that as long as she rested quietly, nothing would go wrong?

Dou Zhao was deeply unsettled and ordered Su Juan to have someone prepare the carriage, then called Su Xin to bring Liu Wan in to talk: “Did Manager Gao call for a doctor? What did everyone say?”

Liu Wan was covered in sweat and dust, with a black smudge on his face when he touched it: “When I left, Tong Ling was following Manager Gao’s orders to fetch a doctor, and Hong Gu had sent Qiu Kui to invite Sixth Madam.”

Dou Zhao felt slightly relieved and hurriedly bid farewell to Chen Qushui, taking her maids and guards to rush home.

Bie Suxin’s face was pale, but she held Dou Zhao’s hand and kept comforting her: “Heaven helps the virtuous, Concubine Cui will be fine. She is such a kind person to everyone, the Buddha will bless her…”

Dou Zhao had a knot in her heart, and hearing these words, tears began falling uncontrollably.

Suddenly, everything spun violently around her. She was knocked about in confusion, but always felt as if there was some cushioning beneath her, not feeling any pain, only a ringing in her ears.

Outside the carriage came the terrified voice of the Dou family’s lead guard: “Who are you people? This is the North Tower Dou family’s carriage! What are you trying to do? Be careful of being caught by the authorities…”

Someone pulled at Dou Zhao: “Miss, Miss, are you alright?”

Dou Zhao’s head was dizzy, but she recognized Bie Sulan’s voice, and her mind became crystal clear.

Their carriage had overturned, and someone had ill intentions toward them!

“We’re specifically targeting the Dou family’s carriage,” a man said sinisterly. “Being caught by the authorities? That’s only if you live long enough to report to them!”

The sound of fighting broke out outside the carriage.