ATLAS TRANSLATES

Dou Zhao couldn’t see through Ji Yong.

During the time when the yamen runners were sweating profusely while counting bodies and checking the injured, Ji Yong quietly asked her: “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“What?” Dou Zhao didn’t immediately understand.

While waiting for the officials to arrive, they had already agreed on what to tell outsiders. Dou Dechang and Wu Shan insisted that Dou Zhao should leave first, saying they would handle whatever came up. But Dou Zhao was worried things might change and involve Chen Xiaofeng and the others, so she wanted to stay at the scene until the official report was completed.

Seeing what happened to Pang Kunbai’s followers, Chen Xiaofeng and the others must have held back when dealing with Pang Kunbai.

Pang Kunbai wouldn’t die!

If the Wang family didn’t help Pang Kunbai, what should she do? If they did help him, what then? Although her visits to the manor were traceable, they weren’t on a fixed schedule. According to Su Xin, Grandmother was perfectly fine – the sudden fainting was just a lie to lure her out of the manor. Who had leaked her whereabouts? Was Du An involved in this? Did Wang Yingxue know about the Pang family’s plans?

Did Fifth Uncle have the power to openly confront Wang Xingyi now?

If Fifth Uncle chose to continue enduring silently, how could she maximize the benefits? If Fifth Uncle had the power to counter Wang Xingyi, what would happen then?

With countless thoughts running through her mind, Dou Zhao was caught off guard by Ji Yong’s sudden question.

Ji Yong winked at her and said suggestively: “I mean, you deliberately pretended not to recognize Pang Kunbai, right?”

So that’s what he wanted to ask!

Dou Zhao didn’t even blink. She said seriously: “He’s my in-law. If I had recognized him, I would have shown some consideration no matter what. How could I have beaten him to death with one strike!”

“Is that so?” Ji Yong smiled, his expression clearly showing “I don’t believe you” as he looked her up and down, his gaze bright as a summer day. It seemed as if he could see through everything about her. If Dou Zhao hadn’t lived two lives, she might have already given in. Even so, she felt an uncomfortable sensation like needles pricking her back.

Some things, even if witnessed by both parties, would become gossip once spoken about.

Dou Zhao was determined to play deaf and dumb.

Ji Yong’s demeanor suddenly became gentle and modest.

Dou Zhao was surprised, then heard Wu Shan’s concerned voice from behind: “Fourth Sister, why are you standing in the courtyard? It’s late and dewy, you should rest in the carriage first. Don’t worry about today’s events. I and Twelve,” he paused, then added Ji Yong, “and Jianming will handle this matter well.”

“The carriage is a bit stuffy, I came out for some fresh air,” Dou Zhao smiled and turned around. She noticed that although Wu Shan was speaking to her, his gaze was fixed on Ji Yong, with a deep wariness flashing in his eyes.

Did he also have reservations about Ji Yong?

As Dou Zhao pondered this, she saw Ji Yong’s attendants hurriedly approaching with a small sedan chair.

“The doctor must have arrived,” Ji Yong smiled, standing still.

Wu Shan thought for a moment, then went to meet them with some resignation.

Wu Shan was still too young!

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly as she got into the carriage.

Su Juan asked worriedly: “Will Chen Guard and the others be alright?”

“What could happen to them?” Before Dou Zhao could speak, Su Xin had already smiled and said, “Brother Chen and the others were going to Tan Family Village in Lingshou County to pay respects to Scholar Tan’s father. Because it was too late, they took a shortcut and happened to see someone being robbed, so they helped. Is it wrong to help someone in need?”

“I was wrong,” Su Juan mumbled, looking ashamed.

“What’s right or wrong about it?” Su Xin smiled, linking arms with Su Juan. “That’s just what we tell outsiders. At home, we sisters can say whatever we want.”

Su Juan lowered her head shyly and moved closer to Su Xin.

In her previous life, Su Juan had also been this honest, which is why Dou Zhao had put her in charge of managing her clothing, jewelry, and storerooms.

In this life, with Su Xin around, it seemed she had someone who could manage the inner household.

She would have less to worry about in the future.

Dou Zhao smiled with satisfaction and quietly asked Su Xin about who Uncle Duan was.

Su Xin smiled and said: “Uncle Duan is upright and righteous, working as a guard at the Lang family alongside Brother Chen. But while Brother Chen is an ordinary guard, Uncle Duan is the leader, and his martial skills are very impressive.”

“Then what about Scholar Tan?”

The excuse about paying respects to Scholar Tan’s father was Duan Gongyi’s idea.

“Scholar Tan Shanlin of Tan Family Village in Lingshou County, courtesy name Yunshen, is nicknamed ‘Ground Dragon’ because it sounds like ‘qilin’ and he’s tall and broad with a generous nature,” Su Xin said. “The Tan family has lived in Lingshou for generations. They say all their family members are skilled in martial arts. During the end of the previous dynasty, when Zhending was plagued by bandits, anyone who dared rob the Tan family never returned. Tan Family Village was famous, and all martial artists passing through Zhending would pay their respects there. Later, when peace came, Tan Family Village’s fame faded, and only some old-school martial artists in Zhending still know about it. They say Uncle Duan’s ancestors came from Tan Family Village, and he goes there every New Year to pay respects. This time, when the old master of the Tan family celebrated his birthday, he also sent an invitation to Uncle Duan.”

Dou Zhao was amazed.

This Tan Family Village was clearly a century-old clan that passed down martial arts.

She was from Zhending, yet had never heard of them.

It showed that being reborn didn’t mean knowing everything.

Dou Zhao thought of Ji Yong.

What would happen to him in the future?

There was a commotion outside the carriage.

Su Xin lifted the curtain slightly.

“Miss,” her expression was strange, “Uncle Chen is coming with the Dou family guards, accompanying Third Master and Third Young Master…”

Dou Zhao smiled slightly.

Although she had money, she only had an annual allowance of one thousand taels of silver. She didn’t have ten thousand taels in cash, let alone ten thousand in silver notes, not to mention Chen Qushui, the fake accountant.

She didn’t trust the Dou family people, so she had Su Lan take people to ask Chen Qushui for the ten thousand tael reward.

It was both to give Chen Qushui a heads-up and to test his ability to handle situations and get things done.

Now that Third Uncle and Third Cousin had appeared here, at least she could be sure that the ten thousand tael reward had been arranged.

“Where’s Fourth Sister? Where’s Fourth Sister?”

Among the clamor, Third Cousin’s voice was particularly sharp.

Su Xin lifted the carriage curtain: “Third Young Master Xiu, our Miss is here!”

Dou Xiuchang, his body growing fatter these years, came running over.

“Are you alright?” He wiped his sweaty forehead, his Hangzhou silk robe soaked with sweat and clinging to his body, revealing rolls of fat. “Who was stupid enough to dare rob someone from the Dou family? Why are the officials and Young Master Ji, Young Master Wu, and Twelfth Brother all here?”

Dou Zhao only cared about the ten thousand tael note.

She looked up and saw Chen Qushui following closely behind Third Cousin.

Chen Qushui smiled and nodded at her, indicating he understood her meaning.

Dou Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

Third Uncle, who had been whispering with Ji Yong, left Ji Yong’s side and walked over with a gloomy face.

“Shou Gu,” he said quietly, “you should go back first. Your Third Cousin and I can handle things here.”

After being shocked and frightened and busy for half the day, Dou Zhao felt tired too, and this matter couldn’t be resolved quickly anyway.

She hesitated and said: “But the reward I promised to Guard Chen and the others…”

People like Chen Xiaofeng could either take the righteous path as guards, escort guards, or martial arts instructors, or take the crooked path as ruffians, gangsters, or even murderous bandits. Since she had already promised a reward of ten thousand taels, and it was Dou Zhao’s money, the Dou family had no reason to offend people over this.

“I brought it,” Dou Xiuchang quickly said, taking out a small black lacquered box with gold trim from his chest, “Here are the ten thousand tael notes.” He handed it to Chen Qushui.

Dou Zhao said: “Then I’ll trouble Mr. Chen to give the notes to Guard Chen.” Then she said to Dou Shibang, “Third Uncle, Guard Chen was just helping someone in need. Shouldn’t you tell the officials to let them go first? If there’s any issue, they can find us at the Dou family.”

Dou Shibang thought for a moment and said: “That’s fine. With so many people talking, we should send these martial artists away first.”

Dou Xiuchang hurried to negotiate with the yamen.

Dou Zhao called Su Lan into the carriage and said to Dou Shibang: “Then I’ll head back first.” But her gaze lingered on Chen Qushui.

Chen Qushui understood and, when Dou Shibang went to arrange escorts for Dou Zhao’s carriage, he stepped forward and said quietly: “After things are settled here, I’ll return to the Dou residence with the masters.”

Dou Zhao nodded and was escorted into the city by Ji Yong’s guards.

Another Dou family steward was waiting for her at the city gate. Upon seeing her carriage, he immediately came forward and urgently said: “Quick, go to the East Residence, Old Madam is still waiting for Fourth Young Lady!”

Dou Zhao asked Su Xin: “Does Aunt Cui know about my situation?”

“I only caught Hong Gu to ask briefly, I didn’t dare meet the old lady,” Su Xin said. “I also instructed Hong Gu to just say you had something to do and it was too late, so you’d spend the night at the manor and return tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good!” Dou Zhao gave Su Xin an approving look.

The carriage rolled quickly and soon stopped at the second gate of the East Dou residence.

Madam Liu and Wang Mama from Lady Ji’s household were both waiting at the second gate.

Seeing Dou Zhao, they all came forward to hold her hands and look her over. Seeing she was clean, tidy, and composed, they all let out long sighs of relief and urged her to go see Second Old Madam: “Old Madam was so worried her eyes turned red, and she scolded Third Master until he was thoroughly chastened.”

Since Third Uncle managed the household, he got scolded. Grandmother lived with her and was an elder, so she probably got thoroughly scolded too?

Dou Zhao speculated as she said “I made her worry” and went with Madam Liu and Wang Mama to see Second Old Madam.

Lady Ji was pacing distractedly in front of Second Old Madam’s door. Seeing Dou Zhao, she didn’t say a word but started crying first: “Who did such an evil thing to make you suffer! Why doesn’t Buddha strike them dead with lightning!”

Dou Zhao had never heard Lady Ji curse before.

Her eyes immediately reddened, and she called out “Sixth Aunt,” her voice carrying a hint of grievance that surprised even herself.

Lady Ji was even more heartbroken and said hatefully: “What are the Pang family? They think they’re the Shaanxi Governor just because they’ve gotten close to Wang Xingyi! Calling them upstarts is already giving them too much face. I wouldn’t even dirty my feet stepping on such trash, yet they dare to set their sights on you! If we don’t teach them a good lesson this time, they’ll think our Dou family is afraid of them!” As she spoke, she took her hand and entered the hall.

It seemed everyone understood – as soon as they heard this involved Pang Kunbai, they knew what the Pang family was planning.