On the third day after the minor funeral rites, the Dou family announced the death to relatives and friends. The Dou household soon bustled with activity as mourners arrived in an endless stream.
Dou Shiying, Wang Yingxue, Dou Zhao, and Dou Ming, as the filial son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, received condolences before the spirit tablet. They entrusted all household matters to Gao Sheng.
Everyone, from those serving tea to those accompanying mourners, managing accounts, and even those striking the cloud board and holding incense paper, sought Gao Sheng’s instructions. Though he had never managed such an event before, his experiences accompanying Dou Shiying in the capital had broadened his knowledge. He approached his duties diligently, proving more steady and reliable than others in the West Dou household. However, as he juggled multiple tasks, he found himself somewhat overwhelmed.
Dou Zhao occasionally offered guidance. Within a few days, Gao Sheng grasped the intricacies of his role, handling matters with increasing confidence. Some senior stewards from the East Dou household praised him as “capable of great responsibility.” This praise relieved Gao Sheng, and he began to view Dou Zhao differently.
This was precisely Dou Zhao’s intention. During the three-year mourning period, she would certainly reside in the West Dou household, and she needed a capable assistant.
Two days later, Wang Zhibing and Pang Yulou arrived to pay their respects.
It was an odd pairing – an uncle and a sister-in-law.
Wang Zhibing explained, “Nan’er’s mother is pregnant. Being in her first few months and somewhat older, she can’t travel. Coincidentally, my sister-in-law hasn’t seen Little Sister in a while, and Tan’er has been missing his cousin. So I brought them along to offer incense to the old master.”
Wang Tan, Pang Yulou’s eldest son, was a year younger than Dou Ming.
Perhaps because they had played well together in Liuye Hutong in the capital, Wang Tan held Dou Ming’s hand tightly upon entering, calling her “Sister Ming.” He asked, “When are you coming home? There’s no one to play with me.”
Dou Ming replied, “I need to observe mourning for my grandfather. Once that’s done, I’ll visit you in the capital.”
Wang Tan said, “Then finish mourning quickly. When you do, I’ll have Father take us to eat mutton noodles at Daxiangguo Temple.”
Dou Ming nodded repeatedly.
Pang Yulou nudged her son and pointed at Dou Zhao, saying, “Quickly greet your eldest cousin!”
Wang Tan resembled the Pang family, with fair skin and large, watery eyes, appearing even more beautiful and delicate than a girl.
He sweetly called Dou Zhao “Sister.”
Dou Zhao remembered her previous life when she had stumbled upon him kneeling at Dou Ming’s feet by the rose bushes, pleading, “Dear sister, Elder Brother only has eyes for his cousin Gao Mingzhu. Even if he marries you, he won’t treat you well. I’m different. I’ve liked you since we were little. If you marry me, I’ll treat you well for life. I’ll help you with anything you want…”
Unfortunately, Dou Ming’s gaze was as soft and entangling as spring water, capable of drowning someone, but her look towards Wang Tan was calculating.
She giggled and said, “Then I want you to tell Grandmother that you want to marry Gao Mingzhu. Do you dare?”
Wang Tan did.
The Wang family assumed Gao Mingzhu had been ambiguous between the brothers Wang Nan and Wang Tan, making it impossible for her to become a Wang family daughter-in-law.
The Gao family would rather separate than allow Dou Ming to become their daughter-in-law.
Wang Nan never spoke to Dou Ming again…
When Dou Zhao saw Wang Tan again, her heart filled with pity for him.
She smiled faintly at Wang Tan.
Pang Yulou pushed her son in front of Dou Zhao, saying, “You’re cousins, you should get closer!”
Dou Zhao remained silent.
Dou Ming ran over and took Wang Tan’s hand, saying, “Let’s go play with Sister Yi and Sister Shu.”
Wang Tan happily agreed.
Pang Yulou glared at her son, saying, “You stay here and behave.”
Wang Tan didn’t dare move, looking pitifully at Dou Ming.
Dou Ming began to cry, “I want to play with Brother Tan! I want to play with Brother Tan!”
Dou Shiying frowned.
Wang Yingxue shot an annoyed look at Pang Yulou, then comforted Wang Tan and Dou Ming, “Alright, alright, don’t cry. Sister Yi and Sister Shu are in the flower hall. Go find them and play.”
Wang Tan and Dou Ming left hand in hand for the flower hall.
Pang Yulou sighed inwardly, then smiled at Dou Shiying, saying, “Two of my nephews, Xiu’er and Kun’er, have also come. They’d like to pay their respects to Brother-in-law.”
While Pang Yulou’s three brothers had personally come to pay respects after Dou Tuo’s death, it was unexpected that her nephews had also accompanied them.
Guests were guests.
Dou Shiying didn’t refuse.
Pang Jixiu, son of Pang Jinlou, was fifteen this year. Pang Kunbai, son of Pang Yinlou, was twelve. Both boys were handsome and well-mannered. If not for one’s gaze being too flighty and the other’s too shrewd, they would have been perfect young gentlemen.
Pang Yulou introduced Dou Zhao to them, “This is your eldest cousin.”
The two boys bowed to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao had no interest in entertaining the Pang family members. She nodded coolly without returning the bow, appearing somewhat aloof.
Dou Shiying hadn’t expected Pang Yulou’s nephews to be so grown up. Seeing Pang Yulou’s actions, he was displeased and didn’t consider Dou Zhao’s behavior impolite.
He exchanged a few cold pleasantries with Pang Jixiu and Pang Kunbai, then led Dou Zhao to the mourning hall.
Wang Yingxue pulled Pang Yulou into a nearby side room and whispered, “What are you trying to do?”
Pang Yulou put on a helpless expression, “You know my brothers are still doing business in Lingbi County. They’re eager to connect with the Dou family. Hearing that the Fourth Miss is about the same age as Xiu’er and Kun’er, they had thoughts of a marriage proposal. I know Xiu’er and Kun’er aren’t worthy of the Fourth Miss, but no matter what I say, they won’t listen. They even accuse me of obstructing them. I had no choice but to bring my nephews, hoping they might catch Brother-in-law’s eye.” She added, “But thinking about it, if the Fourth Miss married into the Pang family, it would be good for you too — my sister-in-law would become her mother-in-law, and I’d be her grand-aunt. She couldn’t defy her elders, could she?”
“Have you forgotten? The Wang family can’t interfere with Dou Zhao’s marriage!” Wang Yingxue exclaimed.
“Parents’ orders, matchmaker’s words,” Pang Yulou said dismissively. “We’re not directly arranging a marriage for the Fourth Miss, are we?”
Wang Yingxue’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean…?”