ATLAS TRANSLATES

Second Lady sat on the large heated kang by the window with a dark expression, her agarwood prayer beads clicking loudly as she fingered them.

Seeing Dou Zhao and Ji shi enter, her face darkened further. She pointed to the brocade stools beside her for them to sit, and asked Dou Zhao in a deep voice: “What exactly happened?”

Dou Zhao retold everything she had said to Ji Yong to Second Lady.

After listening, Ji shi was so angry her face turned green. Without waiting for Second Lady to speak, she couldn’t help saying: “Earlier when Third Uncle sent someone back with news, we thought Pang Kunbai was just a ruffian who came up with such a scheme. But he actually wanted to play out a ‘hero saving the beauty’ drama, this is clearly…” The words “seduction” couldn’t be said in front of Dou Zhao, so she continued, “clearly taking advantage of Shou gu’s young age and naivety. If Shou gu hadn’t been quick-witted in the crisis, wouldn’t the Pang family have succeeded?” At this point, she suddenly realized Second Lady hadn’t spoken yet, and quickly added, “Mother, we can’t just let this matter go! This is too much bullying!”

Pang Kunbai clearly had a scheme to kill two birds with one stone.

Save Shou gu from bandits, use the late hour as excuse to have her stay overnight at the estate, then use the excuse of protecting her reputation to propose marriage to the Dou family. Even if Shou gu disliked the Pang family and was unwilling to marry into it, with the debt of saving her life and the excuse of sharing a room, Shou gu would have no choice but to marry him. Over time, after having children, with Pang Kunbai’s attentive care, Shou gu would naturally live harmoniously with him. By then, even if the Dou and Zhao families wanted to stop it, Shou gu would likely let Pang Kunbai manage her properties for the sake of her husband and children, allowing the Pang family to legitimately take over Shou gu’s assets.

Second Lady’s face was dark as ink, but she asked: “Why didn’t you inform the family before reporting to the officials?”

Of course it was because they feared you would make private deals with the Wang family!

Dou Zhao said: “Because there was a death involved, Cousin Ji, Twelfth Brother and Fourth Brother Wu decided to report it to the officials.”

“You mean this matter involves Jian Ming too?” Ji shi’s eyes widened.

Since Ji Yong’s background was deep and the Dou family wouldn’t dare offend him casually, might as well help shield Dou Dechang and Wu Shan!

Dou Zhao nodded.

Ji shi looked embarrassed.

Second Lady was somewhat surprised, but as Dou Zhao expected, didn’t pursue the matter further.

Dou Zhao now acted like a young girl, appearing shocked and frightened, saying: “Lady, if I didn’t have Su Xin and Su Lan with me, if I hadn’t brought those two out, I might not have made it back! I want to ask Lady for one thing, please agree no matter what!” As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

If others had offended the Dou family like this, Second Lady would have already ordered them thrown in jail and beaten to death on some pretext. But since this involved Wang Xingyi, she felt it would be wasteful to deal with Pang Kunbai so simply — when the Zhao family agreed to legitimize Wang Xingxue’s status, one condition was that the Wang family couldn’t interfere with Shou gu’s marriage. Pang Kunbai was the Wang family’s in-law, even if the Wang family wanted to deny it, they couldn’t.

She pondered and said: “Tell me!”

“Please help me investigate who leaked my whereabouts!” Dou Zhao shared her suspicions with Second Lady.

Second Lady immediately agreed: “Even if you didn’t ask, I would investigate. Such disloyal servants seeking favor, we’ll beat to death any we find, no matter whose people they are!” She was extremely angry.

“I also want to hire more guards,” Dou Zhao said, “I’m really scared now. You don’t know how skilled Pang Kunbai’s attendants were, otherwise how could I not have recognized him? Moreover, since the Pang family had such intentions, who knows if others have similar thoughts? I don’t want to encounter such things again. Even if just as a deterrent, I want to hire some skilled guards.”

Second Lady thought of the Wu family.

“Alright!” She didn’t hesitate and said, “You can discuss this matter with your Third Uncle and Third Cousin later.”

Dou Zhao stood up to thank Second Lady.

This way, she could openly recruit fighters.

Nanny Liu came in to report: “There’s news from Third Master.”

It seemed Third Uncle had been regularly reporting the estate’s happenings to Second Lady, no wonder she knew about the incident so quickly.

“Let him come in to speak,” Second Lady said.

A clever-looking servant boy of twelve or thirteen ran in, bowed to Second Lady, and reported: “Lady, the doctor says Young Master Pang’s injuries are severe. He probably needs to be sent to Zhending Prefecture for treatment. Third Master asked me to inquire if we should notify the Pang family?”

“Notify them,” Second Lady said decisively, “Let them come collect him with gongs and drums beating, let everyone in Zhending Prefecture know what kind of monster their son is!”

The servant boy ran off.

Second Lady thought about quickly informing Dou Shixu, and dismissed Dou Zhao to rest: “…It’s too late. Stay at your Sixth Aunt’s place tonight! Don’t worry about matters there, your Third Uncle will handle everything properly.”

Dou Zhao didn’t want to return and frighten grandmother at this hour either, so she went to Ji shi’s place.

Before bed, Ji shi held Dou Zhao’s hand and carefully inquired about every word Ji Yong had said, appearing somewhat nervous.

Dou Zhao was puzzled, but still answered impartially and completely.

After listening, Ji shi’s expression relaxed. She instructed the maids to help Dou Zhao wash up, lit some tranquility incense in the inner chamber, and told Dou Zhao to rest well, saying they could talk more tomorrow.

Perhaps it was the effect of the incense, or perhaps she had been too tense earlier, but Dou Zhao quickly fell asleep without even turning over. When she woke in the morning, half her arm was numb.

Ji Yong, Dou Dechang and Wu Shan had already returned and were eating breakfast.

Dou Dechang and Wu Shan had dark circles under their eyes, clearly they hadn’t slept last night, but Ji Yong was radiant and glowing, as if he’d just gotten out of bed.

How could he be in such good spirits?

Dou Zhao wondered privately.

Ji shi told her about subsequent events: “…The Pang family refuses to admit Pang Kunbai robbed you, instead claiming you all abused your power and seriously injured him. Now Pang Yinlou is escorting Pang Kunbai to Zhending Prefecture for medical treatment, Pang Jinlou has gone to the capital, and Pang Xilou has hired Teacher Hu as a litigation master to sue our family.” At this point, she gave a cold laugh and reassured Dou Zhao, “One of Criminal Ba’s men is still alive and willing to testify in court. I’d like to see what the Pang family has to say then!”

Dou Zhao nodded.

To file a lawsuit, they would first need to wait for Dou Shixu and Wang Xingyi to make their positions clear.

She asked: “Have you found out who leaked my whereabouts?”

“No news yet,” Ji shi said, “Nanny Liu took people to West Manor overnight using the excuse of missing items.” She looked worried, “We must find this person. Otherwise your situation is precarious!”

Ji Yong, who had been sitting aside listening to them talk, suddenly said: “Would you like me to help investigate?”

Before Dou Zhao could speak, Ji shi hurriedly said: “Jian Ming, you’re a guest!”

Ji Yong was unconcerned and said: “Since I encountered this, how can I not help?”

Ji shi stopped him: “The elders will handle this matter.”

Seeing aunt and nephew about to argue, Dou Zhao quickly mediated: “Thank you, Cousin Ji. Since Nanny Liu has already gone over, let’s wait for her to investigate first! If Nanny Liu doesn’t find anything all day today, then Cousin Ji can help!”

Ji Yong nodded and lowered his head to drink tea.

Ji shi looked at Ji Yong in surprise, then gave Dou Zhao a strange look, seeming to want to say something but holding back.

Dou Zhao didn’t notice.

She was thinking about Chen Qushui.

In a day and night, she wondered if he could find anything out?

She didn’t want Ji Yong involved in this matter.

His attitude was too ambiguous.

After lunch, Dou Zhao returned to West Manor.

Grandmother still didn’t know about this matter, but was somewhat displeased about Nanny Liu coming to question the servant women: “After all, it’s West Dou’s business, even if there needs to be an investigation, they should have waited for you to return first.”

“They were afraid evidence would be lost if they waited too long.” After comforting grandmother for a while, Dou Zhao went out and saw Chen Qushui standing at the door.

He gave Dou Zhao a confident smile.

Dou Zhao knew he had found something and felt immediately relieved.

They walked and talked.

“…The informant was Liu Wan, but he’s already dead at the robbery scene… I found out Du An stayed at the Ping’an Inn in Lingshuo County yesterday, I’ve already sent Chen Xiaofeng to fetch him… Nanny Liu is checking one by one, progress is slow, probably won’t have results today.”

The road to the capital doesn’t even pass through Lingshuo County.

“Then let’s help point Nanny Liu in the right direction!” Dou Zhao smiled, “It would be better to have Second Lady handle this matter.”

“Alright!” Chen Qushui agreed and said: “I think Miss still needs to hire more skilled people as guards. I’m worried others might target you again.”

“Teacher and I think alike,” Dou Zhao smiled and told Chen Qushui about how she could now receive an annual allowance of ten thousand taels of silver, “How about inviting Chen Xiaofeng and the others?” She mentioned several people she had noticed before, including Duan Gongyi.

Teacher Chen smiled and said, “Fourth Miss has good judgment. I’ll go arrange this right away!”

Soon, Nanny Liu found fifty taels of silver in Liu Wan’s room.

Second Lady was very dissatisfied: “Keep investigating, we must find out who bribed Liu Wan!”

In the evening, Chen Xiaofeng brought Du An back.

When Du An saw Dou Zhao, he looked desperate and kept shouting: “What does Fourth Miss mean by this? Even if you want to destroy me completely, you should at least give me a reason!”

Dou Zhao laughed and said: “You need a reason to be destroyed?” Then she instructed Chen Qushui, “Hand him over to Second Lady.”

Du An was stunned and said: “You’re… you’re not going to question me?”

“Would you tell the truth if I questioned you?” Dou Zhao said contemptuously, “Besides, what difference does it make whether you talk or not? As long as Second Lady believes you’re involved in this matter and Wang Xingxue is involved, that’s enough. What does it matter if you talk or not!”

Du An was dumbfounded.

Dou Zhao returned to her room.

Su Xin hurried after her: “Fourth Miss, East Manor received a letter from Fifth Master in the capital.”

If it was about Pang Kunbai’s robbery, it shouldn’t be this quick, right?

Dou Zhao asked: “Do you know what it said?”

Su Xin smiled and pursed her lips, looking at Dou Zhao with a hint of mischief: “Fifth Master said it would be best if the Dou and Wu families could be joined in marriage again. He also said the Wu family has a pure background, they’re proper scholars, and you won’t suffer if you marry into their family.”