Chapter 223 — Remedying the Situation

The one who was stunned by this news was also the Second Old Madam.

Regardless of her advanced age, she immediately wanted to rise and go to Longhua Temple Alley to find out the truth, but the Fifth Madam, her face weary, stopped her: "This matter—it would be better to wait until the Master returns before deciding what to do. The pressing question is, how are we to give the Ji family an explanation?"

The Duke of Ying's estate was no Marquess of Jining's estate. Since the betrothal gifts had already been delivered, even if they wanted to renege, it would depend on whether the Duke of Ying's estate would agree. And Fang Zhou had already become the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner—how was this debt of gratitude to be repaid? With what? The Fifth Madam felt her heart tangled like hemp the more she thought about it, and could not help saying, "What has gotten into the Seventh Uncle? Even if he refused the Ji family's marriage proposal, he should have discussed it properly with the Master. How could he so rashly agree to the Duke of Ying's proposal? What kind of family is the Duke of Ying's estate? They are the adopted son of the founding emperor, a family of blazing glory favored across several reigns! Their heir apparent—what kind of young lady could he not marry? Yet he wants to ally with the Dou family, to marry Shouyuan, who has just been through that scandal of sisters swapping marriages. I fear there must be something wrong with this heir apparent... Would this not ruin Shouyuan?" She added, "If the Seventh Uncle's household had a proper woman to manage the domestic affairs, things would not be in such chaos!"

The Second Old Madam nodded repeatedly and instructed Matron Liu, "Go and find out what sort of person the Duke of Ying's heir apparent really is."

Matron Liu acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The Second Old Madam discussed with the Fifth Madam: "As for the Ji family—should we send the Sixth Sister-in-law over to convey a message?"

This was no ordinary marriage, to be smoothed over by a few women talking it out. This was a matter settled between two families, and who knew how many twists and turns lay within. The Sixth Sister-in-law was but a woman—how could the Dou family push her to the fore? Even if they had the intention, the Sixth Sister-in-law might not be capable of bearing it!

The Fifth Madam did not want to worry her mother-in-law, so she smiled and said, "Even if we were to ask the Sixth Sister-in-law to step forward, it would be best to let the Master know first."

A daughter-in-law who respected her son—no mother-in-law would be displeased by that.

The Second Old Madam nodded, and together with the Fifth Madam, they waited until Dou Bingheng returned.

Dou Bingheng did not recover his senses for a long while.

"Seventh Brother... has truly formed an alliance with the Duke of Ying's estate?" he asked again, unable to believe it.

The Fifth Madam nodded. "Though I did not go inside, the Song family's betrothal gifts were laid out in a row in the main courtyard, with the main gate wide open for all the neighbors to see—one hundred and twenty-four carrying poles. I could not possibly have been mistaken."

Dou Bingheng could no longer sit still. "I will go to Jiming Temple Alley right now."

The Fifth Madam had not gone inside earlier precisely to coordinate with her husband's actions. Until her husband had made up his mind, she would say nothing and do nothing.

The two of them went together to Heming Temple Alley.

As it was already dusk, the Dou household had closed its main gate, but the one hundred and twenty-four carrying poles of betrothal gifts, combined with the name of the Duke of Ying's estate, still had the neighbors of the Dou family abuzz with excitement and chatter, so that an inexplicable air of festive celebration pervaded Yunqi Temple Alley.

The Fifth Madam's brows knitted slightly.

Dou Bingheng, however, entered the gate without betraying any emotion.

The bright red dragon-and-phoenix gift boxes were arranged neatly in the center of the main courtyard. Dou Huaiying, who had come out to greet them upon hearing the announcement, stepped forward to pay his respects, a look of firm resolve between his brows.

Dou Bingheng could not help but sigh deeply in his heart, knowing that this matter could no longer be reversed. A faint sense of loss rose in him, and he said, "The Song family's affair—have you investigated it thoroughly?"

When Dou Huaiying had accepted the Song family's betrothal gifts, he had already prepared himself to be reprimanded by Dou Bingheng. Now, with Dou Bingheng calmly concerning himself with Shouyuan's future, he was instead slightly taken aback, and a trace of guilt rose in his heart. He could not help lowering his voice: "I have investigated... I have seen the man as well... He is worthy of Shouyuan..."

Dou Bingheng said no more, and asked about the process by which the two families had formed the alliance.

When he learned that Dou Huaiying had already written the marriage contract and set the wedding date for the twenty-fourth day of the eighth month, he could not help but glance at the Fifth Madam.

The Fifth Madam's face immediately flushed red.

Dou Huaiying murmured in explanation: "The wedding date is a bit rushed, but while the Aunt-in-law is in the capital, it would be good to settle Shouyuan's matter sooner..."

Dou Bingheng nodded and instructed his wife with a smile: "Since Shouyuan's wedding is imminent, you should go and see her." Then to Dou Huaiying he said, "If there is anything you need your Fifth Sister-in-law's help with, just say so."

As if I would dare ask for your help!

Dou Huaiying grumbled inwardly, but verbally he responded with respectful assent.

The Fifth Madam went to Dou Yan's quarters.

Dou Bingheng then brought up Zhao Si: "...He was recommended by his superior, the Shaanxi Provincial Administration Commission, and will soon be promoted to Assistant Administration Commissioner of Huguang. This is a good opportunity for him. The Huguang Provincial Administration Commissioner, Lord Li, has developed a boil on his back and cannot sleep at night. By this summer, the stench was impossible to conceal, and his spirits declined day by day."

Though he served as Minister of Justice, he had spent over twenty years building his network in the Ministry of Personnel and was also an esteemed Grand Secretary—how could such matters escape his ears?

Dou Huaiying knew this was Dou Bingheng extending an olive branch to him, making amends for the earlier harm done to the Dou sisters.

Though he felt indignant, his brother-in-law's prospects left him no room for selfishness.

Dou Huaiying cupped his hands toward Dou Bingheng and said, "My brother-in-law's affairs will depend on Fifth Brother's kind attention."

"The Zhao family and ours have ties spanning several generations. Ruifu and I are old friends as well. Seventh Brother, such words are far too formal."

The two then discussed court affairs for a while, and only then did Dou Bingheng and his wife take their leave.

In the carriage, the Fifth Madam said to Dou Bingheng, "The Sixth Sister-in-law also went over after getting the news. When I arrived, she was sitting in Shouyuan's inner chamber crying. From what she said, the Duke of Ying's heir apparent has something of a bad temper..."

Before she could finish, Dou Bingheng waved his hand and said, "What use is there in saying all this now? When the time comes, just go and enjoy the wedding feast with a glad heart." Then he said, "Go home first later. I still need to go to Yuqiao Alley."

The Fifth Madam hesitated. "At this hour..."

"This sort of matter is best dealt with as early as possible," Dou Bingheng said calmly. "Dragging it out will only make the Ji family think we are putting them off—we must show our sincerity."

The Fifth Madam was still somewhat uneasy. "The matter of Lord Fang..."