Chapter 319 — Knowing (Bonus Chapter: Pleading for Pink Votes)

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Before long, Fifth Aunt arrived.

They fell into their own eager reunion.

The invited Eldest Cousin's Wife also came, and with Madam Guo's daughter and Madam Cai's two sons running about, the room grew lively.

Madam Guo and Madam Cai hurried off with the maids to set the tables, while Fifth Aunt drew Eldest Cousin's Wife into her inner chamber, saying she had newly received several boxes of palace flowers and wanted her to come choose a few sprays to wear.

Only the Second Old Madam, Dou Yan, and the three children's silvery laughter remained in the room.

The Second Old Madam then took Dou Zhiwei's hand and said softly, "Now that you are married, in principle the property under your name should be handed over to you. Have you decided who will help you manage it?"

Dou Yan let the Second Old Madam hold her hand without betraying anything, and said with a smile, "I have discussed this with the Heir. Doesn't the Heir have thirteen trading firms in Guangdong? Chief Manager Zhong there inherited the business from his father and has always managed those thirteen firms. I had originally planned for Zhao Liangbi to take over, but I feared he is young and impulsive, unequal to such a responsibility. The Heir said we should have Chief Manager Zhong come and guide him for a while. I thought it a solution that suited both sides, so I agreed."

The Second Old Madam was not surprised.

Anyone who could see such a great estate and not be moved would have to be a Bodhisattva.

She pondered for a moment and said, "Though a husband is the guide of his wife, silk and brocade stir the heart. In some matters you must still keep your wits about you. As for the fields, ponds, and the like, there is no need to trouble Manager Zhong. Just choose a few reliable estate stewards."

Dou Yan said, "You are entirely right. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. I think for the time being each estate should be managed by its own steward. When Third Cousin and I were handling household affairs, weren't those stewards quite obedient? The rents these past few years have been much higher than before."

The Second Old Madam gave a faint, knowing smile.

Whatever she said, Dou Yan had an answer ready, which showed she had come prepared. The only question was whether Dou Yan had guessed her intent, or Song Yan had.

The more so, the more she felt she had to make certain things clear.

"Silly girl," the Second Old Madam sighed, "even what a husband has must pass from one hand to the other. In some matters, it is better to keep them in your own grasp."

Had the earlier events not happened, Dou Yan might have been grateful for these heartfelt words. But her mother's death made it impossible for her, who had lived two lives, to feel the slightest ripple of warmth toward the Second Old Madam.

She cursed inwardly.

Better that Song Yan got it than that you did.

On the surface, however, she smiled and answered "Yes," saying, "I will remember your words and be careful."

The Second Old Madam had risen from a young bride to the venerable matriarch she was now. How could she fail to see that Dou Zhiwei was only going through the motions? At this moment, however, she could only shake her head in secret and set the matter aside. "In that case," she said, "have your Third Uncle and Third Cousin both come to the capital. While your aunt has not yet returned to Qingyang, we will sort out the accounts of these past years and hand them over to you." She added, "It happens that Boyan will also sit the spring examination next year. If they come to the capital together, they will have each other for company." Then she sighed. "If Boyan fails again this year, I plan to have him study with your father in Yunqi Temple Lane. To have a Hanlin scholar in the family and not seek his guidance, but instead go everywhere visiting so-called famous teachers who cannot even pass the examinations themselves, would be to put the cart before the horse."

After Boyan failed the examination, he did not shut himself away at home to study desperately, but took two book boys and traveled widely. Among the "Qi" generation, he was the first to achieve scholarly success. The Dou family had great expectations for him, so it was no wonder the Second Old Madam was displeased.

In both her past and present lives, Dou Yan had always thought well of Dou Junqi, considering him upright and unyielding. Moreover, whatever the considerations behind it, she was glad that the property under her name could be recovered so peacefully.

Still, she remembered that Boyan seemed to have passed in the renxu year, that is, next year. It was likely her father would have no chance to instruct Boyan in his studies.

"I only hope Boyan has no such opportunity to study in Longhua Temple Lane," she said, the corners of her mouth curving in a most pleased smile, "but instead writes a fine tale of 'three Hanlin scholars in one household, uncle and nephew both presented scholars.'"

The Second Old Madam was startled for a moment, then chuckled and said repeatedly, "I borrow Fourth Young Madam's auspicious words. I hope Boyan has such an opportunity."

"Boyan is so learned that the Second Old Madam should have confidence in him," Dou Yan said. She chatted with the Second Old Madam about family matters, and after lunch several of them played cards all afternoon. Only at dusk, having eaten little, did Dou Yan return to Yizhi Hall.

Dou Yan asked Ganlu, who was helping her change clothes, "What have Old Chen and the others been doing today?"

"Old Chen and Master Chen went out. Master Duan is at home talking with several guards who did not go out," Ganlu said with a smile. "They said they wanted to look around the capital properly and learn the roads by the way, so that when they accompany you out they will not be unable to answer a single question."

Dou Yan thought for a moment and said, "When Old Chen returns, go over and tell them that in a few days Zhao Liangbi will come to the capital with the Third Master. If any of them want to bring their families, they can come to the capital with Zhao Liangbi."

In the hearts of Ganlu and the others, Zhending was their true home. However fine the capital might be, it could not help but make one feel lonely. Only with a few more fellow townsfolk from Zhending around would life feel lively and secure.

She answered "Yes" brightly and said, "I will go tell Master Duan right away."

Dou Yan nodded, but then said, "I left Zhao Liangbi in Zhending hoping that if anything stirred in the Eastern Dou, he would send me word in advance. In the end, he knew nothing at all." Her tone was rather displeased.

Ganlu was somewhat surprised.

Dou Yan never spoke about the people around her like that. What had gotten into her today?

She had no choice but to smile and say, "Madam, do not be angry. Have a cup of tea first and calm yourself."

Dou Yan looked her over.

Ganlu's eyes were clear, her expression ordinary.

Dou Yan sighed inwardly, then repeated the words to Suxin.

Suxin's smile froze. She hurriedly smiled and explained on Zhao Liangbi's behalf, "Manager Zhao is so capable. Perhaps he simply did not notice for the moment. When Manager Zhao arrives, you need only ask him and you will know what happened."

Perhaps, when Wang Shuying became a concubine, their fates had already all changed.

Dou Yan discussed it with Song Yan: "When Zhao Liangbi arrives, I plan to settle the marriages of Suxin and Sulan."

Song Yan, who had been lying on the heated brick bed reading, sat up at once and said, "Does that mean you agree to let Sulan marry Chen He?"

"Only if they are willing," Dou Yan said, her smile gradually fading. "Suxin and Sulan have looked after me for so many years. They ought to have little lives of their own now."

"Ah!" Song Yan fell back onto the heated brick bed in disappointment. "I thought you had agreed to let Sulan marry Chen He!"