Dou Zhao spoke with an urgent tone, making Chen Qushui doubt the source of her information. Could it be that the Fifth Master had said something to Fourth Miss? But he immediately dismissed this thought. How could Dou Shizu discuss matters of state with his niece who hadn’t even come of age?
He felt confused. Dou Zhao also realized her tone was too hurried and obviously evasive. She could only sigh deeply in her heart. Her confidence was still too weak!
She had to keep it brief: “As they say, too much wisdom borders on sorcery… Sometimes thinking too much isn’t necessarily a good thing!”
Chen Qushui thought this made sense. Otherwise, Fourth Miss wouldn’t have explained it to him. Perhaps he was overthinking things.
After mentally mocking himself, Chen Qushui asked about Dou Zhao’s future plans: “Regarding the Wang family, do you have any other instructions?”
“Let’s put this matter aside for now,” Dou Zhao felt that the fire had been lit, and if fanned too quickly, it might go out. Better to let it burn slowly before adding more fuel – that way the fire might burn even stronger. So she said, “Keep an eye on Zeng Yifen’s health. If we can keep Wang Xingyi in Shaanxi, that would be ideal.”
Who could enter the cabinet largely depended on the emperor’s wishes, but such rapid promotions were rare. As long as Wang Xingyi stayed in the provinces, his chances of entering the cabinet were slim, especially with so many others watching like tigers eyeing their prey. If he still managed to enter the cabinet smoothly under these circumstances, it could only be attributed to extraordinarily good luck or heaven’s will.
Chen Qushui asked: “Do you mean… we should contact Fifth Master?”
“My Fifth Uncle certainly has plans for this,” Dou Zhao said diplomatically. “Even if we wanted to help him, we don’t have the qualifications or ability. The main thing is to gather more information. If anything changes, we won’t be caught too off guard.”
“I understand.” Chen Qushui smiled, “I’ll also find ways to have Fan Wenshu interact more with the people at headquarters.”
Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.
Chen Qushui had made two consecutive trips to the capital, bringing back good news both times.
“First, someone accused Wang Xingyi of falsely claiming military achievements, then another accused him of embezzling military funds.” Sitting in the flower hall, drinking iced mung bean soup, his voice carried a note of satisfaction. “Although the Emperor has withheld judgment on both matters, he sent his trusted eunuch Peng Qian to serve as military inspector in Shaanxi, showing he has some misgivings about this. So when Zeng Yifen recently requested Wang Xingyi’s promotion to Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Emperor didn’t approve.”
It seems Zeng Yifen still favored Wang Xingyi the most.
Dou Zhao asked: “Has my Fifth Uncle made any moves?”
“He’s treating Zeng Yifen the same as before,” Chen Qushui replied.
Dou Zhao murmured: “If we could get Ji Yong’s uncle Ji Song out of the running early, perhaps the Ji family might support Fifth Uncle…”
Chen Qushui was startled.
There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.
He couldn’t believe Fourth Miss had already grasped the basics of official politics!
But knowing something is one thing, implementing it is another. Just like those advisors to powerful provincial officials – no matter how good their ideas, without the support of those officials, they’re just building castles in the air.
He couldn’t help but remind Dou Zhao: “Fourth Miss, even if Zeng Yifen and Ye Shipei personally took action, they might not be able to eliminate someone like Ji Zirong early…”
Ji Song, courtesy name Zirong.
“I know!” Dou Zhao smiled. “I was just thinking out loud.” Suddenly she felt a bit like those idlers in the capital’s teahouses, full of theories but no idea how to actually accomplish anything.
Time slowly passed until early August. During this time, Dou Shingying sent two letters asking about Dou Ming’s situation. Dou Zhao replied to each: “She’s studying with Teacher Song, her calligraphy has greatly improved… She practices the pipa for an hour every day… Every few days she pays respects to Second Madam at the east residence, and Second Madam is very fond of her. During the Ghost Festival, Second Madam specifically asked her to join them in offering incense at Fayuan Temple… Miss Shu is engaged, the groom’s surname is Wu, from Pingshan County. Their ancestors produced a jinshi scholar, he’s three years older than Miss Shu, and studied at the Dou family school. Dou Ming embroidered a pair of lotus pillows as a gift for Miss Shu.”
Dou Shingying was very satisfied.
He instructed Dou Zhao: “If she doesn’t behave, you can discipline her. If she dares to talk back to you, tell her I said so.”
No matter who said those words, in the end, only she would be resented.
Dou Zhao ignored Dou Shingying.
Ji Yong had returned.
He gave Dou Zhao a red lacquered box with gold designs, so heavy that Suxin almost dropped it when receiving it.
Dou Ming laughed from the side: “What did Cousin Ji bring for my sister? It’s so heavy! Could it be gold and jewels? Sister, quick, open it and see!”
Lady Ji shot Ji Yong a fierce glare, feeling that if he wanted to give Dou Zhao something, it should be obvious what it was at first glance, to avoid unnecessary speculation and inappropriate comments.
But Ji Yong laughed heartily: “I brought your sister something good. Fifth Miss, if you’re curious, why don’t you open it and see?”
Dou Zhao could tell from his tone that it wasn’t anything good. She wanted to stop Dou Ming, but knowing her willfulness, she simply let her open the box.
Inside were two iron balls, bright and shiny, about the size of an infant’s fist.
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Ji Yong smiled as he took the pair of iron balls and started rotating them.
The sound of the iron balls varied between high and low pitches, crisp and pleasing to the ear.
“Interesting, isn’t it?” He smiled at Dou Zhao, “If you play with these when you’re free each day, it can strengthen your body. Fourth Sister won’t need to walk around the courtyard anymore.”
Is this something for a girl to use?
Dou Zhao was exasperated. She forced a smile and said “thank you,” then had Suxin put them away.
A flash of disappointment crossed Ji Yong’s eyes, but he quickly regained his previous cheerfulness and showed Lady Ji a piece of Shu embroidery he had brought back from Baoding Prefecture: “…The blue-green weave pattern with touches of bright red. When it gets cold in a few days, Aunt can make a cape with it, it will surely look beautiful.”
Lady Ji smiled and accepted it.
Then there was a peach wood hairpin for Aunt Cui, a gold-inlaid jade bracelet for Second Madam, prayer beads for First Madam…
Dou Ming was surprised and said: “Cousin Ji, what about mine?”
Ji Yong thought for a moment and smiled: “I brought something for Fifth Miss too.” He instructed his servant: “Bring out the large velvet silk flower from the ‘Plum Blossom’ trunk.”
The servant acknowledged and left.
Dou Ming pouted: “Why do I only get a velvet silk flower? Cousin Ji is really playing favorites!”
Ji Yong smiled: “I only brought these things back. Unless you want to trade with your sister?”
Dou Ming thought of the iron balls and immediately said: “I don’t want to trade!”
Ji Yong sighed: “Then there’s nothing I can do. I didn’t know you didn’t like silk flowers. Next time I’ll bring you something else.” He appeared quite helpless.
Dou Ming glanced at Lady Ji and said no more, sweetly thanking Ji Yong and having her maid accept the silk flower.
Dou Zhao saw that although the flower was made of velvet, it was lifelike, with a butterfly perched on it, its antennae trembling delicately, quite interesting.
Dou Ming smiled at her sister and had Ji Hong help her put the silk flower in her hair.
A few days later, when Dou Zhao and Dou Ming came to pay respects to Second Madam, they found that all the prominent maids and elderly servants in the Ji household were wearing velvet silk flowers in their hair, differing only in color and the types of insects perched on them.
Dou Ming’s face alternated between red and white as she grabbed a maid and pointed at the flower in her hair, demanding: “What is this?” Her voice was very sharp, startling the maid, who hurriedly replied: “It’s from Young Master Ji.” Then, realizing this wasn’t appropriate, she anxiously added, “Young Master Ji bought many silk flowers back from Baoding Prefecture and gave them to everyone he saw. When this servant served Young Master Ji tea, he rewarded me with one, and Caiyun in Second Madam’s room also got one for serving him fruit…” Her face had turned pale with fright.
Seeing Dou Ming so angry her mouth was twisted, Dou Zhao quickly sent the maid away: “It’s fine, Fifth Miss was just asking. Go about your business!”
The maid ran away as if escaping a tiger’s den.
Dou Zhao warned Dou Ming in a low voice: “This is Second Madam’s courtyard. If you don’t want to be confined, control your temper.”
Dou Ming coldly snorted, her expression taking a while to calm down.
Dou Zhao said to Ji Yong: “Not bringing Dou Ming a gift is one thing, but you didn’t need to humiliate her like this!”
But Ji Yong righteously replied: “I really didn’t bring anything for her. She asked for gifts in front of my aunt, I could only make do. How is this my fault? Who asks for gifts in front of others?”
Dou Zhao was speechless.
“Alright, alright,” Ji Yong smiled, “For your sake, I won’t hold it against her. Is that better?” Then he said, “Fourth Sister, how are those iron balls? I heard that everyone passing through Baoding Prefecture buys them as gifts…”
Dou Zhao called for Suxin.
Suxin smiled and took out the pair of iron balls from her waist pouch, spinning them smoothly and naturally, producing sounds like soft singing.
Ji Yong gave an embarrassed smile.
Dou Zhao left in a huff.
From then on, Dou Ming bore a deep hatred for Ji Yong.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival family feast, the large red lantern above Ji Yong’s table suddenly caught fire. Everyone panicked and tried to stay away, but Ji Yong sat there calmly. Before the steward and servants could rush over, he threw a cup of tea at it, extinguishing the fire by soaking the lantern.
A few days later, one of Dou Ming’s servants disappeared.
Dou Ming searched for half a day but couldn’t find him. That night, someone discovered him in the back alley of West Dou – he had been tied up, his face smeared with ink, a smelly sock stuffed in his mouth, and he was stuck in a corner of the latrine pit, with yellow and white matter hanging from his head.
Dou Zhao’s face turned ashen as she asked Dou Ming: “What exactly happened?”
Dou Ming remained silent.
Dou Zhao sneered: “You don’t have to say anything, but next time it might be your turn…”
Before she could finish speaking, Dou Ming shrieked: “I just had someone put a few croton seeds in his horse’s feed, and he was this cruel…”
Dou Zhao thought of those spirited horses with their glossy coats.
Isn’t this serious enough?
Dou Zhao said sternly: “Who told you it wasn’t okay to put croton seeds in horse feed?”
Dou Ming was stunned.
Dou Zhao’s gaze flashed like a knife’s edge.
Dou Ming backed up several steps and said softly: “It was, it was Brother Tan!”
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