Chapter 7 — Doubt

Father asked, puzzled, "Where is Shouyuan's wet nurse?"

"She's caught a chill," Mother said, heading straight indoors. "I feared she'd pass the illness on to Shouyuan."

Father had no choice but to follow.

The party entered the main hall.

Father and Mother went into the inner room, while Mother Yu carried Dou Yan toward the warm chamber behind it.

She had not yet laid eyes on that woman—how could she leave Mother's side just like that!

"Mama, Mama!" She twisted and squirmed in Mother Yu's arms.

"Fourth Young Miss, don't cry, don't cry!" Mother Yu coaxed her, quickening her steps. "Mother Yu will play cat's cradle with you, shall she?"

Father hesitated. "How about—tonight, let Shouyuan sleep with us."

"That..." Mother gazed at Father with quiet reproach.

Father acted as though he had not seen it, and instructed Mother Yu, "Bring Shouyuan here."

Mother Yu wavered, shot a glance at Mother, and seeing her biting her lip in silence, smiled and said, "Seventh Master has had a weary journey..."

"When I say bring her, bring her!" Father said, displeased.

Mother Yu hesitated no longer and handed Dou Yan to Mother.

But Father took her instead and carried Dou Yan into the inner room.

The maids brought in hot water and towels to attend them in washing up.

Mother attended Father, yet Father kept teasing Dou Yan, and Dou Yan clung fast to Mother—all was bustling and clamorous, and yet it held a strange warmth and liveliness, and Dou Yan's heart was filled with contentment and joy.

When at last all grew quiet, Dou Yan clutched Mother's lapel and lay down between her parents.

Mother propped her chin on one elbow and spoke softly to Father. "Are you still living in the lane by Yunqi Temple? Is Baoshan with you?" Her hand reached across Dou Yan to stroke Father's arm; her red silk undergarment embroidered with twin lotus blossoms glowed vivid and bright in the lamplight, and the snowy fullness of her bosom could not be hidden, half a mountain range laid bare. Dou Yan's face burned scarlet, and she squeezed her eyes shut, silently reciting in her heart: Mother, I know a brief parting makes the heart grow fonder, and I should not spoil your good moment—but I have no choice in the matter. Once I have helped you drive that woman away, I will go...

Father kept his eyes shut and grunted twice. "Let's sleep now. Tomorrow at dawn Father means to test me." With that, he turned over.

Mother's hand fell on empty air.

She pouted.

Father's soft snores rose.

The room grew even quieter.

Mother lay down, gave Dou Zhiwei's little nose a gentle tweak, and whispered, "You little rascal!"

Such a mother—so real, and yet so artless—nearly made Dou Yan burst out laughing.

A maid came running in with clattering steps and reported from beyond the bed curtain, "Seventh Master, Seventh Mistress, Aunt Ding has come. She says the Old Master has an urgent matter for the Seventh Master and bids him come at once."

Mother was taken aback.

But Father, who had been asleep, scrambled up at once. "What did you say? The Old Master wants me there now?" His voice was taut.

The maid answered, "Yes."

Father hesitated a moment.

Mother said, "Go quickly, then! It may have to do with the message Uncle asked Third Uncle to bring..." She sat up as she spoke.

"Yes, yes!" Father murmured. He threw off the quilt, slung on his robe, and got out of bed, paying no heed to Mother calling after him to add another garment, and hurried off to the Hall of Crane and Longevity with Aunt Ding.

Mother Yu came over softly and said in a low voice, "Seventh Mistress, shall we send someone from Taixu to take a look?"

"Better not!" Mother said, full of misgivings. "If it turns out to be a matter of the court, that would be bad... Isn't Aunt Ding still here? I'll ask her about it later."

Dou Yan's heart was full of dark doubts.

From the moment Aunt Ding entered to the moment she left, her head had been bowed, and she had not once looked Mother straight in the face.

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